Chapter 4: More to Learn

The next morning the group chosen to ride to Isenguard gathered in the Hornburg, the King and about twenty of his men and kin, the three hunters, and Gandalf. Here they sat down to a quick meal and to plan out their route. All they knew was that Gandalf was leading them to Isenguard.

"Legolas something is missing." Gimli stated.

Legolas looked about him at every man in the Hornburg. But his short friend was right, there was something missing. "You are right Gimli, but what I cannot tell, this place is different from last night. I am sorry to say it, but last night while you and Aragorn slept, I lightly did also. The resting of Elves is good on a journey of haste, but every once in a while we also like to close our eyes and sleep as men do."

Aragorn had overheard the conversation between the two friends. "It is Arway, she left the Hornburg early last night and has not been back since. At least I do not believe. My sleep was but just beginning when I heard the doors open and saw a woman leave the hall."

"Enough of your chatter. You three are worse then a small flock of birds. I ever wonder how you tracked Uruk-hai through the Riddermark without warning them of it. But if you are finished we on the other hand are ready to begin."

As the sun began to climb in the sky, the group went out into Helm's Deep for the search of horses and supplies. Less than an hour later, the group was mounted, ready to begin. As King Théoden finished talking to a few guards that were to stay behind, a being ran up to the group unnoticed. Their light footsteps made no sound at all.

"Excuse me King Théoden." Arway knelt on the ground before him with her head bowed. "Please I wish to journey with you and your group."

King Théoden looked at Gandalf who would not interfere with the subject.

"Please sire," she added. " I have nothing left for me in this land, let me help as I can."

"We are ready to leave she-Elf."

"So am I sir." As she finished, speaking she whistled loudly and clearly. It was then that the group noticed she had gathered a new shirt, which she now wore. It was of light brown color and long sleeved and worn like all the rest. Nothing could you tell of her wound from the night before except the bulge of a patch on her right shoulder. They also noticed the quiver full of red-feathered arrows. And the bow slung across her back. Along with the quiver was a sheath holding a long knife. All of this they glimpsed as she mounted the back of a brown horse that had appeared. In Elvish fashion, there was no saddle or reins. As she began to mount, the group headed out of Helm's Deep in the direction of Isenguard.

They rode fore many leagues that day stopping seldom for their horses to rest. As night became closer, they rode harder. No one, least Gandalf, knew what awaited them at Isenguard. But something was drawing them towards it.

That night they stopped and made camp. They did not risk a fire, but instead put mounted guards on watch.

Arway lay down on the ground with a blanket wrapped around her. She stared up at the stars her hands nestled on her stomach. Arway did not need to "sleep" for she had rested her mind in the way Elves sleep throughout most of the riding. So, instead of sleeping, like all around her did, she began to sing softly to herself in her native tongue. After some time she became aware of someone singing with her. She stopped but the male voice continued. Sitting up a bit, she saw the Legolas was above her head.

"Aragorn said to give this to you," he said indicating a bowl next to his head filled with a paste. "It is for your wound. I beg your pardon for I have borrowed some for my Dwarf friend, who has a slight head wound from the battle."

"Alright." Arway mumbled. "It does not matter. It is not much use to me. I will heal when the time comes."

But still Legolas watched as she struggled to put the paste on her shoulder, and then bandage it. He did not volunteer to help her for he knew she would not accept it. Also, he wished to know what she was, and had no chance of doing so if he upset her.

"You wish to know." It was a statement not a question.

"Yes."

"I know you do. Everyone does. But as you have at least heard in songs about my people, and you are the only one up when I wish to speak. I shall tell you."

Arway lay down once again and stared up into the sky like she had done countless times before. Then she began. "In the beginning the three types of Elves came together. And they created a fourth race of Elves. These Elves were fierce warriors, and yet lighthearted people. They had the wisdom of the old and the hands of an aged craftsman wrapped into one. The sole purpose of these Elves was to survive. So that the race of Elves shall always carry on no matter what happened upon Middle-earth. They were tall, lean, and beautiful. They looked just like you and all the rest: tall, blue- eyed, blonde-haired Elves. Easily they could mix and mingle with the other races. Now, no one knew of their existence save the three who created them and them, themselves. The only reason it is glimpsed at in tales is because along the line someone told. Who, no one knows, but they told. Not a single being believed them, and those that knew showed anything of the kind. It was thought impossible that a thing like that could be true. These Elves did not have a name such as a Wood-Elf because no one knew of them. For a short while, they lived in the woods of Ithilien. But after a while, they missed the company of other Elves. Slowly, they came back to live in Mirkwood, Lothlórien, and Rivendell. Here few Elves mingle in these places that do not know at least one of these great Elves. Also, there are many who have their blood glowing through their veins and do not know of it. As you do." There, Arway trailed off.

There came a great howling like the wind and the earth shook. None of the company stayed asleep. And none were blessed with it again that night.