A/N: Going with the movie here, it's shorter. Sorry LOTR purists. Sorry
for the wait, but I'm on break again and I now have time to write.
Bittersweet was the parting from Lothlorien. Their stay had been a welcome respite from the rigors of the journey, but all wanted to commence upon their journey. Well, at least deep down they did. Ella thought back to the parting from Lothlorien. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel had taken a meal with them, their last in Lothlorien. It was a subdued affair, but the memories of their stay tempered it.
The water rippled away from the large boat's bow that held Legolas, Ella, Gimli, and the supplies. The boats reminded Ella of the ones Native Americans had carved out of tree logs, but these had finesse, and were perfectly streamlined. The other boats led the way, for they were smaller and swifter with only the weight of a man and two hobbits.
"Paddle faster- put some shoulder into it!" Gimli exclaimed impatiently. Ella offered her dripping paddle to the dwarf.
"Feel free to 'put some shoulder into it,'" she said sweetly to the dwarf, whose nose was merely inches above the rim of the boat. She received a scowl in return, one that did not abate as their journey continued. Ella's shoulders soon grew sore, and she would occasionally stop and watch the wall of trees on the riverbank slide by.
Their first night was dreary. The cold bit to the bone, and wouldn't leave, no matter how many blankets were piled on to combat it. The days were all a continuation of the first. Each day they would climb in their boats after a hasty first meal, and paddle the boats further, stopping at dusk and repeating the cycle the next day. The only real break was the sight of the Argonath, whose imperial bearing, forever preserved in stone, little resembled the Aragorn that Ell knew. When she looked again, more closely, she gradually changed her mind.
On the eighth day, the Fellowship stopped and set up camp. Ella helped Legolas unload the supplies they would need from their boat for the night. Ella massaged her sore shoulders, still not entirely accustomed to the repetitious movements.
"We will cross the lake at nightfall, and hide the boats. We approach Mordor from the north," Aragorn announced.
"Oh, yes?" Gimli challenged, and Ella tried not to listen to his gruesome description of the dangers ahead.
"We should leave now," Legolas quietly warned Aragorn. Ella took this as a bad omen. Last time Legolas suggested they leave, they had soon after been closed in a chamber, along with several rather hostile orcs and goblins.
"Something draws near. I can feel it."
~Great,~ Ella thought, and busied herself pulling out lembas for everyone, while Gimli grumbled, and Merry and Pipping relaxed against a tree.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry asked.
Sam was immediately alert, and began scanning the forest for him. Ella saw Aragorn's gaze settle on Boromir's belongings. He was also gone. Ella continued to fuel the fire, trying to ignore the uncanny silence of the forest that suddenly seemed to surround them. It was daytime, and the forest should have been as busy as a mall on a weekend.
Legolas was the first to hear the sounds of battle, and the first to react. He grabbed his bow, and raced towards the sounds. Ella made sure her sword was strapped to her waist, and ran after him with Gimli following behind on stubby legs. Ella followed Legolas over a hill, and around the grey ruins scattered about it, and came face to face with an orc. She was the first to react, and stabbed it through the chest, hacking its head off while it stood still, stunned. Legolas' arrows flew through the air, and Gimle was at the perfect height to do damage to rather painful areas. Ella's next opponent was slightly smarter than the first, but it too fell beneath her blade. There were so many that Ella soon resorted to magic when she had enough time to had enough time to cast a spell. She was more helpful when she did the latter, for her swordsmanship was still not up to par. She took refuge behind one of the crags of rock, causing many orcs to erupt in flame, while others were frozen to make their death easier. For the Companions, at least. They probably still hurt. As Ella emerged to join the fray again, a horn sounded from further in the woods.
"The horn of Gondor!" Legolas exclaimed, and sprinted off after Aragorn. Ella slew another, and followed them with Gimli. They raced down another hill and kept running at breakneck pace for about a mile. Boromir, gasping for air, lay ion the ground with three black-fletched arrows buried in his chest, and Aragorn kneeling at his side. Ella could see he was dying, and bowed her head. She felt tears prick her eyes, and she let them roll down her cheeks, clearing paths in the grime and dirt caked there.
"We should have been of more use here. We came when we heard the horn- but too late," said Legolas remorsefully.
"Before he died, Boromir told me that the orcs have taken Merry and Pippin," Aragorn told them, "What is to be done, now?"
"We cannot leave Boromir lying among these foul orcs," Legolas said.
They carried Boromir to their camp and laid him in one of the elvish boats along with his weapons and those of the orcs he defeated. Ella found some flowers, and lay a handful of them at his feet. In her last sight of him, he lay still and regal , borne on the strong current of the river.
Ella watched as Legolas pushed the boat back into the water. She would be doing the same thing had the Lady not warned her of Frodo's impending decision. Even now, she wondered if she had interpreted it incorrectly, and if she should go with them.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," Aragorn said, sheathing one of his knives. "We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death," and added fiercely, "Let's hunt some orc."
Gimli roared his approval, and Legolas cracked a smile, as well as Ella, thought the smile was not as carefree as her usual one, and there was a glint in her eye. Ella added some lembas bread to her a small leather satchel, knowing she'd need it.
Aragorn led the way at such a fast pace that Ella was breathless within a half-hour, and more so than she would usually be because she had recklessly used so much magic. She put down the screaming protest of her legs and pushed on. Aragorn would occasionally bend as he was running, scanning the ground hungrily for signs of the orc party.
"They go with speed!" Aragorn called to his companions, urging them onward, "They do not tire. We shall all need endurance. We shall make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the three kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men!"
"And Women!" Ella shouted, having partially recovered her breath. She resignedly sprinted after Aragorn and Legolas, envying the light strides of the elf in front of her. Night fell, and still they ran. Ella was near exhaustion, and knew she would not last much longer. ~Think, think!~ she admonished herself. After several more labored strides, her legs changed to talons, and her arms to feathered wings as she took off into the night.
Ell circled above the rocky ground at the beginning of the highlands of Emyn Muil, feeling guilty for leaving her companions, but knowing she would be a hindrance. She was tired after even that minor use of magic. She determined that by the end of this, she would be running alongside them the whole day. Ella floated back down to them while they took a brief rest before the dawn rose above the hills. Aragorn could find no sign of their tracks.
"They will not make for the river," he reasoned, "They will take the shortest way they can find over the fields of the Rohirrim. Let us search nothwards!"
Ella flew for the next mile, but descended and changed into her normal form when she heard Legolas shout, just in case she needed to use magic. Ella ran to catch up with them, and saw the five inert orc bodies.
"What do you think?" Gimli asked.
"I think the enemy brought his own enemy with him," Aragorn said, "There was a quarrel, I guess. It is no uncommon thing among these foul folk."
The companions went on, and Aragorn found the orc trail again. Ella took to the sky, and was aware of Gimli's jealous glance, but didn't think he'd make a very good bird. The thought of him floundereing in the air almost made her laugh. They stopped on a ridge and saw the green plains of Rohan before them. Ella followed Legolas and Aragorn on numb legs as they sprinted down the hill.
"Light feet may run swiftly here," Aragorn said, "Now we have a chance to lessen their lead!"
Ella's spirits rose at the chance of gaining on the orcs, and she ran easier. ~All right! Second wind!~ she thought. ~Or maybe fourth or fifth wind.~ she corrected herself.
The trail was clear, all Aragorn had to do was follow the trampled trail of grass. At one point, he stopped and picked something up, doubling back to show the rest of them.
"A hobbit's brooch!" Gimli exclaimed.
"They're still alive!" Ella cried.
"Come! Let us go on!" Legolas encouraged.
As night fell, Aragorn stopped them. Ella threw herself on the ground and tried to stay conscious enough to listen.
"Shall we rest by night or shall we go on while we can?" he asked. Legolas wanted to continue, but Gimle stressed caution. Finally, Aragorn decided to rest for the night, for losing the trail would be the worst thing they could do. Ella managed to keep her eyes open long enough to hear the decision, after which she let her leaden eyelids close.
Ella was woken before dawn.
"They are far away," Legolas announced wistfully staring into the distance.
"Come," Aragorn said, "We must go. The scent is growing cold."
The third day of pursuit was difficult. They ate sparingly of lembas as they ran. Ella flew less that day, but even flying became laborious, and she began to draw on magic to sustain her. After another day, all looked haggard and weary, except Legolas, who ran as easily as the day they started. The night was cold, and even Ella woke up when the cold pinched her toes too hard. She looked around, dazed at first. Seeing Legolas standing guard, she smiled slightly.
"Sleep!" he said to her softly, "You should not be awake."
"It's freezing!" she moaned. The elf took off his cloak and draped it over her. She thankfully curled into an even tighter ball and slept on, too tired to do anything else.
The next day, Aragorn spotted riders, and they hid behind an outcropping of rock, for they could not be avoided on the open expanse of the plains. As the galloping horsemen crested the hill, pennants snapping in the breeze created by their armored horses, Ella noticed that all carried sharpened spears, and all were armed to the teeth, their helms glinting the sun's glare.
"What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?" Aragorn shouted, stepping out of concealment after they had passed. Their horses swept around in a circle, swiftly surrounding the companions who had followed Aragorn with a sea of spears. Their leader dismounted and cast a fierce eye over his captives.
"What business do an elf, a dwarf, and humans have in the Riddermark?" he asked.
"I am called Strider," Aragorn answered, " I am hunting orcs."
Their leader dismounted and took off his helm.
"How did you escape our sight? Are you elvish folk?" he asked.
"We have only one elf in our company, but we have passed through Lothlorien and we are in the Lady's favor," Aragorn replied.
"Your are net weavers and sorcerers, maybe," he said. Ella never realized that sorcerers wouldn't be well received by everyone, and realized how naïve that was of her. She started worrying that she would put her companions in danger, and resolved to keep her mouth shut. The leader of the riders turned on Ella, Gimli, and Legolas.
"Why do you not speak, silent ones?" he demanded.
Ella had a sharp retort ready, despite her resolution, but Gimli beat her to it.
"Give me your name, Horsemaster, and I'll give you mine!" he said belligerently. Aragorn separated the growing argument, and introduced his companions. In return, the leader introduced himself as Éomer, but Aragorn grew tired of the banter.
" I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!" Aragorn commanded. Ella had never seen Aragorn look so imperial and was reminded strongly of the Argonath.
"We track a party of Uruk-Hai across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive," Aragorn said.
"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night," Éomer said.
"Two hobbits! Did you see two hobbits?" Gimli exclaimed.
"We left none alive," Éomer said after a moment, " We piled the carcasses and burned them."
Éomer and Aragorn spoke more, and Aragorn was able to get a perception of the politics in Rohan. Éomer gave them three horses.
"Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope, for hope has forsaken these lands," were Éomer's parting words, and with that he and his riders rode off. Aragorn, Ella, Leoglas and Gimli rode off in the direction of the slaughtered orcs. When Ella first saw the mound of orc bodies, black smoke billowing off of them, she thought that the parts strewn around the heap were bits of armor, but upon further scrutiny, grimly realized they weren't armor. The burning bodies gave off a putrid stench. Aragorn rummaged through the tangled heap and pulled out a small sword belt, one given to the hobbits by the Lady. Ella couldn't look any longer. The thought of a hobbit underneath the mass was unbearable.
Aragorn started examining the surrounding ground. He pointed to an indented patch of ground.
"A hobbit lay here, and here," he said, and followed their trail. "They crawled, their hands were bound." He pulled out frayed lengths of rope. " Their bonds were cut. They ran over here," Aragorn was on his feet and tracing the trail. Ella felt hope rising, "They were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle into Fangorn forest." Aragorn stopped at the start of the tangled and overgrown forest.
"What madness drove them in there?" Gimli wondered aloud. Ella agreed. When in Middle Earth, you trusted your instincts, and going into a dark and gnarled forest was entirely against hers'. Aragorn was the first to enter the forest.
"The air is so close in here," Gimli said nervously.
"This forest is old. Very old," Legolas said after a moment. "I almost feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children."
Ella was about to protest, but looked into his too-serious face, and smiled, something he hadn't seen her do in a while.
The hunters stayed along the stream, and were rewarded when they found the place on the riverbank where the hobbits had bathed and drank. It was then that they finally heard the whisperings in the forest.
" Aragorn, something's out there," Legolas said suddenly. All of the companions trusted his instincts, and warily scanned the surrounding tangle of vines.
"The white wizard approaches," he added a moment later. Ella's eyes widened. She remembered her first sight of Saruman, standing over a prostrate Gandalf, and had no desire to further her knowledge of him.
"Do not let him speak- he will put a spell on us," Aragorn said. He partly drew his sword, as Gimli hefted his ax. Legolas readied his bow. Ella reviewed her fire spells in her head, and made sure her mind shields were still strong.
"We must be quick," Aragorn warned. Now even Ella could see the approaching wizard, surrounded by an aura of blinding white light. As soon as he came within range, Legolas loosed his arrow, and Gimli hurled his ax. Both ax and arrow went astray. Ella had drawn enough energy from her depleted stores and sent it all hurtling toward the wizard with a flex of her outstretched arm. That too was cast off, and with a curse, Aragorn dropped the hilt of his sword. Ella was vainly trying to draw enough energy to freeze the wizard when she heard his deep metallic voice.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," he stated coldly.
"Where are they?" Aragorn shouted.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect," the wizard answered, " Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you?" Aragorn responded, "Show yourself!"
The intense glare subsided, revealing an old man, as they expected. His facial features, however, they did not expect. Ella gaped at the wizard: Gandalf. It was he, but it wasn't. The new Gandalf had a more imposing presence, and wore pure white robes, yet the face was the same, and the eyes were the same kindly ones Ella remembered.
"It cannot be," Aragorn said incredulously, "You fell---"
"Through fire and water, from the lowest mountain to the highest peak I fought the Balrog. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruins upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Every day was as long as a life age of man. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I'd been sent back until my task is done," the wizard told them.
"Gandalf," Aragorn said.
"Gandalf?" The wizard asked, and after a moment of thought, "Yes, that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name. I am Gandalf the White and I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
Gandalf started leading them out of the forest.
"But the hobbits!" Legolas broke in, " We have come far to seek them. Where are they now?"
"With Treebeard and the Ents," Gandalf replied.
"The Ents!" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Yes, Treebeard is Fangorn, the guardian of the forest; he is the oldest of Ents, the oldest living thing that still walks upon this Middle Earth." Gandalf stopped mid-stride, and walked over to where Ella stood. She grinned when she saw him approaching.
"You do know what this means for you, don't you, my dear?" he asked gently. Ella shook her head. " I have moved up in my order, and so shall my apprentice. You are now Ella the Grey, in my former position.
Instead of happiness, Ella's first thoughts were those of doubt.
"Are you sure I'm ready?" she asked, "Compared to your knowledge, I have next to none!"
"That is not entirely true, but your lack of formal education cannot be helped," Gandalf said, "But magically, you have more than enough ability to be a Grey wizard. You simply haven't found your limits, yet. That takes time, something we do not have in excess." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You will be fine." With that, Gandalf marched up to the front, and led them silently out of Fangorn Forest. Leoglas looked back at Ella, and saw the bemused smile pasted on her face that replaced the former doubts.
"Keep your feet on the ground," he teased, "You aren't head of the order, yet."
Ella rolled her eyes, and replied, "Yet! Key word there," but couldn't stop smiling. ~Congratulations.~ came the anonymous voice, deciding to make itself heard, now a commonplace occurrence to Ella.
Ella was ecstatic, and her initial doubts were temporarily crowded out of her head. The rest of the trek out of the woods went quickly for her, filled with glorified images of herself beating down evil dragons, werewolves and the like with ease, seen only to her eyes. At the end of the forest, Gandalf announced, "War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
With that he let loose a piercing whistle that resounded across the hills. The companions wordlessly waited for a moment, until they heard the faint drumbeat of hooves. A horse, the pure white of its coat outlined by the green hills, thundered toward them.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas said.
"It's like the white Black Stallion," Ella breathed, even her untrained eye could see the horse's imperious bearing. "Never mind," she hastily added upon seeing several quizzical glances her way.
"Shadowfax," Gandalf said, stroking the stallion's satin nose, "The lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." With him were the horses given to the Companions by Éomer.
They set off at a brisk pace, but Gandalf allowed them a night's rest. Ella walked over to where Legolas sat, and lay down on her belly, not wanting to sit on her saddlesore muscles.
"Do you still have my book of spells?" she asked, "If you left it behind, I do not blame you. It would have been my thoughtlessness. I was the one who forgot about it."
"I shouldn't have taken this with me, since traveling light normally doesn't include tomes of magic, but I did bring it," he said, reaching into his pack and pulling it out.
"Thank you," she said, looking into his eyes. She was the first to break contact. "Now that I'm a Grey wizard, I should probably try to live up to it, but since we are to be involved in war, what kind of war magic is there?"
Legolas leafed through the yellowed pages, stopping occasionally. "There is no real order to the spells, but controlling a gust of wind might be useful." He read her the spell, and Ella ruffled the grass surrounding them with small breezes. Unknown to Ella, her face was being studied carefully. Legolas noticed all the dirt smudges and scratches, and the thin cheekbones, but also the glow that had been present since he had known her. He pushed those thoughts out of his head, reminding himself of her age. Ella soon went to sleep, curled up and shivering. Her body instinctively went toward the nearest source of warmth, and nestled up against it during the cold night.
Bittersweet was the parting from Lothlorien. Their stay had been a welcome respite from the rigors of the journey, but all wanted to commence upon their journey. Well, at least deep down they did. Ella thought back to the parting from Lothlorien. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel had taken a meal with them, their last in Lothlorien. It was a subdued affair, but the memories of their stay tempered it.
The water rippled away from the large boat's bow that held Legolas, Ella, Gimli, and the supplies. The boats reminded Ella of the ones Native Americans had carved out of tree logs, but these had finesse, and were perfectly streamlined. The other boats led the way, for they were smaller and swifter with only the weight of a man and two hobbits.
"Paddle faster- put some shoulder into it!" Gimli exclaimed impatiently. Ella offered her dripping paddle to the dwarf.
"Feel free to 'put some shoulder into it,'" she said sweetly to the dwarf, whose nose was merely inches above the rim of the boat. She received a scowl in return, one that did not abate as their journey continued. Ella's shoulders soon grew sore, and she would occasionally stop and watch the wall of trees on the riverbank slide by.
Their first night was dreary. The cold bit to the bone, and wouldn't leave, no matter how many blankets were piled on to combat it. The days were all a continuation of the first. Each day they would climb in their boats after a hasty first meal, and paddle the boats further, stopping at dusk and repeating the cycle the next day. The only real break was the sight of the Argonath, whose imperial bearing, forever preserved in stone, little resembled the Aragorn that Ell knew. When she looked again, more closely, she gradually changed her mind.
On the eighth day, the Fellowship stopped and set up camp. Ella helped Legolas unload the supplies they would need from their boat for the night. Ella massaged her sore shoulders, still not entirely accustomed to the repetitious movements.
"We will cross the lake at nightfall, and hide the boats. We approach Mordor from the north," Aragorn announced.
"Oh, yes?" Gimli challenged, and Ella tried not to listen to his gruesome description of the dangers ahead.
"We should leave now," Legolas quietly warned Aragorn. Ella took this as a bad omen. Last time Legolas suggested they leave, they had soon after been closed in a chamber, along with several rather hostile orcs and goblins.
"Something draws near. I can feel it."
~Great,~ Ella thought, and busied herself pulling out lembas for everyone, while Gimli grumbled, and Merry and Pipping relaxed against a tree.
"Where's Frodo?" Merry asked.
Sam was immediately alert, and began scanning the forest for him. Ella saw Aragorn's gaze settle on Boromir's belongings. He was also gone. Ella continued to fuel the fire, trying to ignore the uncanny silence of the forest that suddenly seemed to surround them. It was daytime, and the forest should have been as busy as a mall on a weekend.
Legolas was the first to hear the sounds of battle, and the first to react. He grabbed his bow, and raced towards the sounds. Ella made sure her sword was strapped to her waist, and ran after him with Gimli following behind on stubby legs. Ella followed Legolas over a hill, and around the grey ruins scattered about it, and came face to face with an orc. She was the first to react, and stabbed it through the chest, hacking its head off while it stood still, stunned. Legolas' arrows flew through the air, and Gimle was at the perfect height to do damage to rather painful areas. Ella's next opponent was slightly smarter than the first, but it too fell beneath her blade. There were so many that Ella soon resorted to magic when she had enough time to had enough time to cast a spell. She was more helpful when she did the latter, for her swordsmanship was still not up to par. She took refuge behind one of the crags of rock, causing many orcs to erupt in flame, while others were frozen to make their death easier. For the Companions, at least. They probably still hurt. As Ella emerged to join the fray again, a horn sounded from further in the woods.
"The horn of Gondor!" Legolas exclaimed, and sprinted off after Aragorn. Ella slew another, and followed them with Gimli. They raced down another hill and kept running at breakneck pace for about a mile. Boromir, gasping for air, lay ion the ground with three black-fletched arrows buried in his chest, and Aragorn kneeling at his side. Ella could see he was dying, and bowed her head. She felt tears prick her eyes, and she let them roll down her cheeks, clearing paths in the grime and dirt caked there.
"We should have been of more use here. We came when we heard the horn- but too late," said Legolas remorsefully.
"Before he died, Boromir told me that the orcs have taken Merry and Pippin," Aragorn told them, "What is to be done, now?"
"We cannot leave Boromir lying among these foul orcs," Legolas said.
They carried Boromir to their camp and laid him in one of the elvish boats along with his weapons and those of the orcs he defeated. Ella found some flowers, and lay a handful of them at his feet. In her last sight of him, he lay still and regal , borne on the strong current of the river.
Ella watched as Legolas pushed the boat back into the water. She would be doing the same thing had the Lady not warned her of Frodo's impending decision. Even now, she wondered if she had interpreted it incorrectly, and if she should go with them.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," Aragorn said, sheathing one of his knives. "We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death," and added fiercely, "Let's hunt some orc."
Gimli roared his approval, and Legolas cracked a smile, as well as Ella, thought the smile was not as carefree as her usual one, and there was a glint in her eye. Ella added some lembas bread to her a small leather satchel, knowing she'd need it.
Aragorn led the way at such a fast pace that Ella was breathless within a half-hour, and more so than she would usually be because she had recklessly used so much magic. She put down the screaming protest of her legs and pushed on. Aragorn would occasionally bend as he was running, scanning the ground hungrily for signs of the orc party.
"They go with speed!" Aragorn called to his companions, urging them onward, "They do not tire. We shall all need endurance. We shall make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the three kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men!"
"And Women!" Ella shouted, having partially recovered her breath. She resignedly sprinted after Aragorn and Legolas, envying the light strides of the elf in front of her. Night fell, and still they ran. Ella was near exhaustion, and knew she would not last much longer. ~Think, think!~ she admonished herself. After several more labored strides, her legs changed to talons, and her arms to feathered wings as she took off into the night.
Ell circled above the rocky ground at the beginning of the highlands of Emyn Muil, feeling guilty for leaving her companions, but knowing she would be a hindrance. She was tired after even that minor use of magic. She determined that by the end of this, she would be running alongside them the whole day. Ella floated back down to them while they took a brief rest before the dawn rose above the hills. Aragorn could find no sign of their tracks.
"They will not make for the river," he reasoned, "They will take the shortest way they can find over the fields of the Rohirrim. Let us search nothwards!"
Ella flew for the next mile, but descended and changed into her normal form when she heard Legolas shout, just in case she needed to use magic. Ella ran to catch up with them, and saw the five inert orc bodies.
"What do you think?" Gimli asked.
"I think the enemy brought his own enemy with him," Aragorn said, "There was a quarrel, I guess. It is no uncommon thing among these foul folk."
The companions went on, and Aragorn found the orc trail again. Ella took to the sky, and was aware of Gimli's jealous glance, but didn't think he'd make a very good bird. The thought of him floundereing in the air almost made her laugh. They stopped on a ridge and saw the green plains of Rohan before them. Ella followed Legolas and Aragorn on numb legs as they sprinted down the hill.
"Light feet may run swiftly here," Aragorn said, "Now we have a chance to lessen their lead!"
Ella's spirits rose at the chance of gaining on the orcs, and she ran easier. ~All right! Second wind!~ she thought. ~Or maybe fourth or fifth wind.~ she corrected herself.
The trail was clear, all Aragorn had to do was follow the trampled trail of grass. At one point, he stopped and picked something up, doubling back to show the rest of them.
"A hobbit's brooch!" Gimli exclaimed.
"They're still alive!" Ella cried.
"Come! Let us go on!" Legolas encouraged.
As night fell, Aragorn stopped them. Ella threw herself on the ground and tried to stay conscious enough to listen.
"Shall we rest by night or shall we go on while we can?" he asked. Legolas wanted to continue, but Gimle stressed caution. Finally, Aragorn decided to rest for the night, for losing the trail would be the worst thing they could do. Ella managed to keep her eyes open long enough to hear the decision, after which she let her leaden eyelids close.
Ella was woken before dawn.
"They are far away," Legolas announced wistfully staring into the distance.
"Come," Aragorn said, "We must go. The scent is growing cold."
The third day of pursuit was difficult. They ate sparingly of lembas as they ran. Ella flew less that day, but even flying became laborious, and she began to draw on magic to sustain her. After another day, all looked haggard and weary, except Legolas, who ran as easily as the day they started. The night was cold, and even Ella woke up when the cold pinched her toes too hard. She looked around, dazed at first. Seeing Legolas standing guard, she smiled slightly.
"Sleep!" he said to her softly, "You should not be awake."
"It's freezing!" she moaned. The elf took off his cloak and draped it over her. She thankfully curled into an even tighter ball and slept on, too tired to do anything else.
The next day, Aragorn spotted riders, and they hid behind an outcropping of rock, for they could not be avoided on the open expanse of the plains. As the galloping horsemen crested the hill, pennants snapping in the breeze created by their armored horses, Ella noticed that all carried sharpened spears, and all were armed to the teeth, their helms glinting the sun's glare.
"What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?" Aragorn shouted, stepping out of concealment after they had passed. Their horses swept around in a circle, swiftly surrounding the companions who had followed Aragorn with a sea of spears. Their leader dismounted and cast a fierce eye over his captives.
"What business do an elf, a dwarf, and humans have in the Riddermark?" he asked.
"I am called Strider," Aragorn answered, " I am hunting orcs."
Their leader dismounted and took off his helm.
"How did you escape our sight? Are you elvish folk?" he asked.
"We have only one elf in our company, but we have passed through Lothlorien and we are in the Lady's favor," Aragorn replied.
"Your are net weavers and sorcerers, maybe," he said. Ella never realized that sorcerers wouldn't be well received by everyone, and realized how naïve that was of her. She started worrying that she would put her companions in danger, and resolved to keep her mouth shut. The leader of the riders turned on Ella, Gimli, and Legolas.
"Why do you not speak, silent ones?" he demanded.
Ella had a sharp retort ready, despite her resolution, but Gimli beat her to it.
"Give me your name, Horsemaster, and I'll give you mine!" he said belligerently. Aragorn separated the growing argument, and introduced his companions. In return, the leader introduced himself as Éomer, but Aragorn grew tired of the banter.
" I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!" Aragorn commanded. Ella had never seen Aragorn look so imperial and was reminded strongly of the Argonath.
"We track a party of Uruk-Hai across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive," Aragorn said.
"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night," Éomer said.
"Two hobbits! Did you see two hobbits?" Gimli exclaimed.
"We left none alive," Éomer said after a moment, " We piled the carcasses and burned them."
Éomer and Aragorn spoke more, and Aragorn was able to get a perception of the politics in Rohan. Éomer gave them three horses.
"Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope, for hope has forsaken these lands," were Éomer's parting words, and with that he and his riders rode off. Aragorn, Ella, Leoglas and Gimli rode off in the direction of the slaughtered orcs. When Ella first saw the mound of orc bodies, black smoke billowing off of them, she thought that the parts strewn around the heap were bits of armor, but upon further scrutiny, grimly realized they weren't armor. The burning bodies gave off a putrid stench. Aragorn rummaged through the tangled heap and pulled out a small sword belt, one given to the hobbits by the Lady. Ella couldn't look any longer. The thought of a hobbit underneath the mass was unbearable.
Aragorn started examining the surrounding ground. He pointed to an indented patch of ground.
"A hobbit lay here, and here," he said, and followed their trail. "They crawled, their hands were bound." He pulled out frayed lengths of rope. " Their bonds were cut. They ran over here," Aragorn was on his feet and tracing the trail. Ella felt hope rising, "They were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle into Fangorn forest." Aragorn stopped at the start of the tangled and overgrown forest.
"What madness drove them in there?" Gimli wondered aloud. Ella agreed. When in Middle Earth, you trusted your instincts, and going into a dark and gnarled forest was entirely against hers'. Aragorn was the first to enter the forest.
"The air is so close in here," Gimli said nervously.
"This forest is old. Very old," Legolas said after a moment. "I almost feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children."
Ella was about to protest, but looked into his too-serious face, and smiled, something he hadn't seen her do in a while.
The hunters stayed along the stream, and were rewarded when they found the place on the riverbank where the hobbits had bathed and drank. It was then that they finally heard the whisperings in the forest.
" Aragorn, something's out there," Legolas said suddenly. All of the companions trusted his instincts, and warily scanned the surrounding tangle of vines.
"The white wizard approaches," he added a moment later. Ella's eyes widened. She remembered her first sight of Saruman, standing over a prostrate Gandalf, and had no desire to further her knowledge of him.
"Do not let him speak- he will put a spell on us," Aragorn said. He partly drew his sword, as Gimli hefted his ax. Legolas readied his bow. Ella reviewed her fire spells in her head, and made sure her mind shields were still strong.
"We must be quick," Aragorn warned. Now even Ella could see the approaching wizard, surrounded by an aura of blinding white light. As soon as he came within range, Legolas loosed his arrow, and Gimli hurled his ax. Both ax and arrow went astray. Ella had drawn enough energy from her depleted stores and sent it all hurtling toward the wizard with a flex of her outstretched arm. That too was cast off, and with a curse, Aragorn dropped the hilt of his sword. Ella was vainly trying to draw enough energy to freeze the wizard when she heard his deep metallic voice.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," he stated coldly.
"Where are they?" Aragorn shouted.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect," the wizard answered, " Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you?" Aragorn responded, "Show yourself!"
The intense glare subsided, revealing an old man, as they expected. His facial features, however, they did not expect. Ella gaped at the wizard: Gandalf. It was he, but it wasn't. The new Gandalf had a more imposing presence, and wore pure white robes, yet the face was the same, and the eyes were the same kindly ones Ella remembered.
"It cannot be," Aragorn said incredulously, "You fell---"
"Through fire and water, from the lowest mountain to the highest peak I fought the Balrog. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruins upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. Every day was as long as a life age of man. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I'd been sent back until my task is done," the wizard told them.
"Gandalf," Aragorn said.
"Gandalf?" The wizard asked, and after a moment of thought, "Yes, that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name. I am Gandalf the White and I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
Gandalf started leading them out of the forest.
"But the hobbits!" Legolas broke in, " We have come far to seek them. Where are they now?"
"With Treebeard and the Ents," Gandalf replied.
"The Ents!" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Yes, Treebeard is Fangorn, the guardian of the forest; he is the oldest of Ents, the oldest living thing that still walks upon this Middle Earth." Gandalf stopped mid-stride, and walked over to where Ella stood. She grinned when she saw him approaching.
"You do know what this means for you, don't you, my dear?" he asked gently. Ella shook her head. " I have moved up in my order, and so shall my apprentice. You are now Ella the Grey, in my former position.
Instead of happiness, Ella's first thoughts were those of doubt.
"Are you sure I'm ready?" she asked, "Compared to your knowledge, I have next to none!"
"That is not entirely true, but your lack of formal education cannot be helped," Gandalf said, "But magically, you have more than enough ability to be a Grey wizard. You simply haven't found your limits, yet. That takes time, something we do not have in excess." He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You will be fine." With that, Gandalf marched up to the front, and led them silently out of Fangorn Forest. Leoglas looked back at Ella, and saw the bemused smile pasted on her face that replaced the former doubts.
"Keep your feet on the ground," he teased, "You aren't head of the order, yet."
Ella rolled her eyes, and replied, "Yet! Key word there," but couldn't stop smiling. ~Congratulations.~ came the anonymous voice, deciding to make itself heard, now a commonplace occurrence to Ella.
Ella was ecstatic, and her initial doubts were temporarily crowded out of her head. The rest of the trek out of the woods went quickly for her, filled with glorified images of herself beating down evil dragons, werewolves and the like with ease, seen only to her eyes. At the end of the forest, Gandalf announced, "War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
With that he let loose a piercing whistle that resounded across the hills. The companions wordlessly waited for a moment, until they heard the faint drumbeat of hooves. A horse, the pure white of its coat outlined by the green hills, thundered toward them.
"That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," Legolas said.
"It's like the white Black Stallion," Ella breathed, even her untrained eye could see the horse's imperious bearing. "Never mind," she hastily added upon seeing several quizzical glances her way.
"Shadowfax," Gandalf said, stroking the stallion's satin nose, "The lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." With him were the horses given to the Companions by Éomer.
They set off at a brisk pace, but Gandalf allowed them a night's rest. Ella walked over to where Legolas sat, and lay down on her belly, not wanting to sit on her saddlesore muscles.
"Do you still have my book of spells?" she asked, "If you left it behind, I do not blame you. It would have been my thoughtlessness. I was the one who forgot about it."
"I shouldn't have taken this with me, since traveling light normally doesn't include tomes of magic, but I did bring it," he said, reaching into his pack and pulling it out.
"Thank you," she said, looking into his eyes. She was the first to break contact. "Now that I'm a Grey wizard, I should probably try to live up to it, but since we are to be involved in war, what kind of war magic is there?"
Legolas leafed through the yellowed pages, stopping occasionally. "There is no real order to the spells, but controlling a gust of wind might be useful." He read her the spell, and Ella ruffled the grass surrounding them with small breezes. Unknown to Ella, her face was being studied carefully. Legolas noticed all the dirt smudges and scratches, and the thin cheekbones, but also the glow that had been present since he had known her. He pushed those thoughts out of his head, reminding himself of her age. Ella soon went to sleep, curled up and shivering. Her body instinctively went toward the nearest source of warmth, and nestled up against it during the cold night.