The Traveler: Chapter Fifteen

The forest was even more beautiful at night. A dark blue veil had fallen across the trees and the grass, creating an eerily claming effect. The stars were twinkling above their heads like hundreds of candles as Ariana and Legolas made there way into the night, hand in hand. A round full moon provided more then enough light to show their path.

In the distance, Ariana would see the source of Legolas' smoke. What looked to be a small campfire was set up a couple dozen yards away. Ariana could see a few figures sitting around the fire and she could make a pretty good guess at who they were.

"Legolas!" a gruff voice shouted from one of the smaller figures. "Legolas, my lad, come join us!"

Ariana heard Legolas let out a small laugh as he helped her into the small clearing. Around the fire were seated 6 figures, all who'd been at the council earlier in the day. The light of the fire cast a warm glow over all of them and Ariana automatically felt comfortable with these people.

A small man was making his way towards Ariana and Legolas; Ariana recognized him and Gimli, Legolas' old friend. He's also the dwarf who wants very much to meet the traveler, a voice said in Ariana's head. She winced and tried to forget the voice.

Ariana felt Legolas release her hand and watched him hug the dwarf. When the two parted, Gimli's eyes came to rest on Ariana.

Suddenly, Legolas' voice came from beside her. "Master Dwarf, may I present Lady Ariana."

Ariana smiled and gave a small curtsey, hoping it was the right thing to do. She figured a handshake wouldn't be the best idea.

When she looked back to Gimli, a curious look was on his face. "Ariana? That does not sound like an Elvish name."

"That is because I'm not Elvish." Ariana had no idea why the fact she was not an Elf would cause a problem for the dwarf.

Though the smile that broke out across Gimli's face relieved Ariana's anxiety. He let out a small laugh. "Any friend of Legolas is a friend of mine, Lady Ariana," and with that he gave a small bow.

Ariana laughed and thanked him. Legolas and Ariana followed Gimli to the fire and the two took a seat on one of the logs that had been placed around the fire.

Ariana sat quietly as the males surrounding her began to tell their stories to each other. She watched Legolas laugh at the two hobbits, Merry and Pippin. She couldn't help but smile at him.

Ariana frowned and looked around the group. She had to oddest sensation of someone watching her. She found the source, straight across from her. Aragorn, King of Gondor, sat silently watching her, puffing on a long pipe. Ariana quickly dropped her gaze and tried to ignore the dark set of eyes.

Something about the King's gaze set Ariana on edge. She felt like he was invading her mind, finding out the truth of her presence at the council. She wasn't sure what to do. When they all had been gathered at the council, Ariana felt like Aragorn was a just man; that he was a fair King who looked after his people. The only problem with that was how would he take the threat of her presence in Middle Earth? Would he feel the need to destroy this threat against his people? Ariana didn't care to think about it.

Suddenly, Ariana felt a small, warm hand on her arm. She looked over and found a set of blue eyes on her. Frodo Baggins had moved to her side and his hand rested on her arm.

Ariana heard Gimli's booming voice behind her and knew Legolas' attention was elsewhere.

"Hello Frodo," she whispered with a smile.

"Hello Lady Ariana," came is quiet reply.

Something about the hobbit's demeanor gave Ariana a feeling of great sorrow. She felt a small tug in her chest as she stared into his eyes.

After a short moment of silence, Ariana gave a small laugh. "Well, I'm not sure what to do now."

Frodo smiled a little at her words and patted her arm. "Not all things are lost, Lady Ariana. Remember that, not all things."

Ariana gave him a confused look and began to ask him about it when Pippin jumped up from his seat and began singing a very odd song.

When Ariana looked back to her side, Frodo had slipped off and was once again seated next to his friend, Sam. Ariana watched him for a few minutes, running his words through her mind again and again.

Pippin eventually settled down and rejoined Merry off to Ariana's right. The two began a conversation with Aragorn and Ariana once again watched the King. If she didn't know any better, she'd never say Aragorn was a king. His clothing showed more of a woodsman then anything else. His long cloak had mud stains on the bottom and covered most of his body. Ariana saw the hilt of a sword on his hip and felt a little shiver speed down her spine.

Ariana looked up to Aragorn's face and realized he was once again watching her. Ariana kept her gave level with his and finally, to Ariana's surprise, a smile came to the King's face. A large weight was lifted off Ariana and she smiled back at him. Something had passed between the too, perhaps a recognition of who each actually was, and everything was settled.

Aragorn looked back down to Merry and Pippin and Ariana relaxed a little, only to feel Legolas' body tense beside her. She looked over to him. He sat straight, his head cocked just slightly to the side, listening intently. She left him alone to listen for a few moments.

"Legolas, what is it?" came Aragorn's voice from across the fire.

Legolas didn't answer right away. He was still listening. Suddenly, fear and anger flashed in the elf's eyes. He looked across the fire at Aragorn and simply replied, "Orcs."

Ariana felt a shiver of fear speed down her spine. The memory of the three Orcs on the lake side flashed in her mind. Everyone stood up and watched the woods surrounding them. Legolas already had his bow out, an arrow resting on the string. Aragorn's sword was drawn, extending from his arm, the fire's light sparkling off the metal. Gimli and the Hobbit's followed suit and Ariana thought the dagger from King Thandruil, tightly strapped to her thigh, under her dress.

Legolas turned to her, his eyes a blaze. "Ariana, run. Go to the House and warn them of the attack."

"Legolas, I can't-" Ariana began but he stopped her. "Go Ariana! There are too many of them."

Ariana looked into his eyes and felt everything falling apart. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to leave Legolas, but she knew they would need help if there were as many Orcs as Legolas said.

She quickly turned and tore off into the forest. Aragorn and Legolas watched her disappear toward the House as twenty Orcs appeared from the opposite direction.

****Notes****

::grabs a bag of popcorn:: Yeah! Now we're getting to the action! Of course, it's nothing compared to Helm's Deep, but it'll do until I can get back to the cinema. [Da, da, da, da, DAA-DAH! Disclaimer: First chapter, at the beginning. You can't miss it.]