A/N keep the reviews commin'! You're opinon counts! (excuse the lameness of
my phrase) Oh, and if you wanna know when new chapters are coming, just
check my biography, where I post things of that sort. Enjoy!
I almost seemed to regret tagging along. I had trained hard, true, but never for several straight days! I found it so hard to keep going at the pace of Aragorn. I was used to being able to go so much faster, but trudging at human pace was real tough work! My limbs became cramped and were sore.
If that wasn't enough to drive one crazy, there was also the fear of being too late to save Merry and Pippin. I couldn't let those two innocent...could one call them boys? They were to me anyway, but being an elf, almost everyone seemed to be a youngster. Anyway, I just wasn't about to let them suffer the cruelty of orcs.
I tried to keep a straight face, but I guess my agony had shown through and through, because Legolas spoke to me in his "are you okay?" voice he only uses for, obviously when he wants to know such.
"Something wrong Rin?" He asked. I shook my head. "Human pace is tough on the legs." I said, trying to muster a smile. He just laughed. "Can't take it girlie?" He taunted. He always had that way of using reverse physiology with me, and I always fell for. "I can so!" I said haughty and ran ahead. His chuckles followed me. I decided not to complain anymore, to him at least.
I began to feel so weary after a couple more days, that I thought I would just pass out and never again awake. I also felt a little bit frustrated with the friendship that had quickly came forth between Legolas and Gimli. When were they all buddy buddy with each other? I didn't used to think myself racist then, but now I look back and realize that I was, horribly, against dwarves. I guess it was just how I was brought up, and more surprising, so was Legolas. So how could he tolerate one so well? I figured to leave the matter be, and focus on the mission at hand.
The more we journeyed, the more I thought of where everyone else was. I was concerned for Merry and Pippin, but also Frodo and Sam. I wondered where they were, and how they were managing, or even if they were still alive. I always tried to shake off the last thought whenever it came to mind. I still, much to my dismay, became discouraged the more time we took to find the hobbits, as the orcs were so far ahead. Maybe they were all ready in Isengard? Maybe they already escaped? So many "maybes" came to mind. I was, also to my disliking, being a typical worrying woman.
One day, as the sun shown bright in the clear sky, we heard horses approaching. We hid, and I kept a good grip on my sword. "I need to get better at that bow sooner or later." I thought, but now was not the time. I waited and followed Aragorn's lead and came out after the riders passed. So many! We were out numbered, and resisting would be futile, so I loosened my grip on my weapon.
The riders quickly surrounded us. I felt my face flush in anger when one spoke cruel words towards me. I believe a summary of it all went something like, what is this odd troop of companions doing in my territory, of course these are not the exact words. I felt more enraged when Gimli, so arrogantly, was difficult with this human. Didn't he see the odds of winning a fight were not in our favor?
Eventually things cooled off, and we learned that this human was Theoden's nephew, and not a foe. But his words echoed in my head when he told us the fate of the hobbits. "burned......none left alive...." I felt my stomach churn. Legolas gave me a nervous glance. After our departure from the riders, and the gift of horses, we took off in the direction of the smoke.
I felt everything go silent and seem to slow down when Aragorn pulled out one of the hobbits belongings. I bowed my head as Aragorn screamed in frustration, and Legolas said an elvish prayer. So our journey was in vain. "Where do we go from here?" I thought. I jumped when Aragorn seemed to gain on the trail of something. Were the hobbits alive after all?
We entered the forest. I felt an eerie feeling, like something was loathing our presence there. When I heard Sauruman might have been lurking about, I felt myself fill up with adrenaline. We all grasped our weapons. This time I decided to use my bow, for I was better at close range rather than long range. Anyway, my sword was only a swipe away if my bow failed me.
A blinding white light appeared as some force blocked every blow towards it. I squinted my eyes and could hardly believe my eyes at who stood there. I bowed down to the ground in respect as Gimli and Aragorn stood in shock.
My spirits brightened. It was a miracle that Gandalf was standing there. It was also comforting to have a strong ally with us. I was relieved to hear the hobbits were alive and well. Our journey then was to lead us to Theoden's keep.
As the five of us exited, Gandalf summoned the greatest of all horses, Shadowfax. Such beauty and power that creature seemed to have. I was to ride with Aragorn, while Legolas was to have Gimli ride with him. I, like Legolas, did not approve of harnessing the animal, but said not a word, as my convenience were not a major priority to others.
I was surprised to see civilization, when we had not really encountered it that much at all. I could feel in the stares of people, great hatred, confusion, and wonder at the sight of us all, as we neared the place where Theoden stayed.
I was most reluctant to have to give up the use of my weapons. I could feel the stares of those men, as elves were probably a rare sight, and even more rare, a female elf, who was well armed. I still kept the dagger in my boot, and was almost about to laugh, that Gandalf tricked one of the guards into keeping his staff. Legolas wiggled his eyebrows at me. So childish, some things may never change.
I always had wonder towards humans, they just aged so incredibly fast! I never saw an elf look the way this mortal king did, but in a way, it did not seem right. Gandalf knew what was going on, Sauruman had been using Theoden as a pawn in one of his treacherous games. The guards attacked us as Gandalf drew closer to the shell that was Lord Theoden, I hated fighting, but it was no time to oppose and grabbed out my dagger to one's throat and held my grip fast. After Sauruamn was sent away from Theoden's mind, I released the man I held, and watched in wonder as the years melted from the king.
I felt great pity to Theoden's loss of his heir. Humans are most unfortunate to live for such a short time and deal with death so often. Later we had a few moments to rest up while a debate went on as to what was to be done about the threat to Rohan. The children who had arrived from another village to spread word gazed at Legolas and myself. I caught one of their gazes and winked, the child silently giggled. Theoden's niece smiled. Eowyn became one of my fast friends. We spent the short time together talking of things normal girls would. But Eowyn, like me, wanted to help out with the men in battle. "But I feel that I am just in the way to them." She said sadly one time. I told her that few had liked my joining the fellowship, even my close friend Legolas.
Eowyn was surprised when I told her about Legolas and I being friends for so long. "Oh! Friends are you? Forgive me but I thought otherwise!" I knew perfectly well what she meant, but still played a fool. "What do you mean by that?" I asked raising an eyebrow. She blushed and gave me a smile. "I thought, that, since you are both elves and all.........." Eowyn was still blushing in embarrassment. "I don't have those types of feelings for him." I assured her, but at the thought, did I believe what I said?
I almost seemed to regret tagging along. I had trained hard, true, but never for several straight days! I found it so hard to keep going at the pace of Aragorn. I was used to being able to go so much faster, but trudging at human pace was real tough work! My limbs became cramped and were sore.
If that wasn't enough to drive one crazy, there was also the fear of being too late to save Merry and Pippin. I couldn't let those two innocent...could one call them boys? They were to me anyway, but being an elf, almost everyone seemed to be a youngster. Anyway, I just wasn't about to let them suffer the cruelty of orcs.
I tried to keep a straight face, but I guess my agony had shown through and through, because Legolas spoke to me in his "are you okay?" voice he only uses for, obviously when he wants to know such.
"Something wrong Rin?" He asked. I shook my head. "Human pace is tough on the legs." I said, trying to muster a smile. He just laughed. "Can't take it girlie?" He taunted. He always had that way of using reverse physiology with me, and I always fell for. "I can so!" I said haughty and ran ahead. His chuckles followed me. I decided not to complain anymore, to him at least.
I began to feel so weary after a couple more days, that I thought I would just pass out and never again awake. I also felt a little bit frustrated with the friendship that had quickly came forth between Legolas and Gimli. When were they all buddy buddy with each other? I didn't used to think myself racist then, but now I look back and realize that I was, horribly, against dwarves. I guess it was just how I was brought up, and more surprising, so was Legolas. So how could he tolerate one so well? I figured to leave the matter be, and focus on the mission at hand.
The more we journeyed, the more I thought of where everyone else was. I was concerned for Merry and Pippin, but also Frodo and Sam. I wondered where they were, and how they were managing, or even if they were still alive. I always tried to shake off the last thought whenever it came to mind. I still, much to my dismay, became discouraged the more time we took to find the hobbits, as the orcs were so far ahead. Maybe they were all ready in Isengard? Maybe they already escaped? So many "maybes" came to mind. I was, also to my disliking, being a typical worrying woman.
One day, as the sun shown bright in the clear sky, we heard horses approaching. We hid, and I kept a good grip on my sword. "I need to get better at that bow sooner or later." I thought, but now was not the time. I waited and followed Aragorn's lead and came out after the riders passed. So many! We were out numbered, and resisting would be futile, so I loosened my grip on my weapon.
The riders quickly surrounded us. I felt my face flush in anger when one spoke cruel words towards me. I believe a summary of it all went something like, what is this odd troop of companions doing in my territory, of course these are not the exact words. I felt more enraged when Gimli, so arrogantly, was difficult with this human. Didn't he see the odds of winning a fight were not in our favor?
Eventually things cooled off, and we learned that this human was Theoden's nephew, and not a foe. But his words echoed in my head when he told us the fate of the hobbits. "burned......none left alive...." I felt my stomach churn. Legolas gave me a nervous glance. After our departure from the riders, and the gift of horses, we took off in the direction of the smoke.
I felt everything go silent and seem to slow down when Aragorn pulled out one of the hobbits belongings. I bowed my head as Aragorn screamed in frustration, and Legolas said an elvish prayer. So our journey was in vain. "Where do we go from here?" I thought. I jumped when Aragorn seemed to gain on the trail of something. Were the hobbits alive after all?
We entered the forest. I felt an eerie feeling, like something was loathing our presence there. When I heard Sauruman might have been lurking about, I felt myself fill up with adrenaline. We all grasped our weapons. This time I decided to use my bow, for I was better at close range rather than long range. Anyway, my sword was only a swipe away if my bow failed me.
A blinding white light appeared as some force blocked every blow towards it. I squinted my eyes and could hardly believe my eyes at who stood there. I bowed down to the ground in respect as Gimli and Aragorn stood in shock.
My spirits brightened. It was a miracle that Gandalf was standing there. It was also comforting to have a strong ally with us. I was relieved to hear the hobbits were alive and well. Our journey then was to lead us to Theoden's keep.
As the five of us exited, Gandalf summoned the greatest of all horses, Shadowfax. Such beauty and power that creature seemed to have. I was to ride with Aragorn, while Legolas was to have Gimli ride with him. I, like Legolas, did not approve of harnessing the animal, but said not a word, as my convenience were not a major priority to others.
I was surprised to see civilization, when we had not really encountered it that much at all. I could feel in the stares of people, great hatred, confusion, and wonder at the sight of us all, as we neared the place where Theoden stayed.
I was most reluctant to have to give up the use of my weapons. I could feel the stares of those men, as elves were probably a rare sight, and even more rare, a female elf, who was well armed. I still kept the dagger in my boot, and was almost about to laugh, that Gandalf tricked one of the guards into keeping his staff. Legolas wiggled his eyebrows at me. So childish, some things may never change.
I always had wonder towards humans, they just aged so incredibly fast! I never saw an elf look the way this mortal king did, but in a way, it did not seem right. Gandalf knew what was going on, Sauruman had been using Theoden as a pawn in one of his treacherous games. The guards attacked us as Gandalf drew closer to the shell that was Lord Theoden, I hated fighting, but it was no time to oppose and grabbed out my dagger to one's throat and held my grip fast. After Sauruamn was sent away from Theoden's mind, I released the man I held, and watched in wonder as the years melted from the king.
I felt great pity to Theoden's loss of his heir. Humans are most unfortunate to live for such a short time and deal with death so often. Later we had a few moments to rest up while a debate went on as to what was to be done about the threat to Rohan. The children who had arrived from another village to spread word gazed at Legolas and myself. I caught one of their gazes and winked, the child silently giggled. Theoden's niece smiled. Eowyn became one of my fast friends. We spent the short time together talking of things normal girls would. But Eowyn, like me, wanted to help out with the men in battle. "But I feel that I am just in the way to them." She said sadly one time. I told her that few had liked my joining the fellowship, even my close friend Legolas.
Eowyn was surprised when I told her about Legolas and I being friends for so long. "Oh! Friends are you? Forgive me but I thought otherwise!" I knew perfectly well what she meant, but still played a fool. "What do you mean by that?" I asked raising an eyebrow. She blushed and gave me a smile. "I thought, that, since you are both elves and all.........." Eowyn was still blushing in embarrassment. "I don't have those types of feelings for him." I assured her, but at the thought, did I believe what I said?