A Sunset Love

Chapter 15: who?

The next morning, Mithdelothwen awoke with a slight pounding in her head. Groaning slightly, she turned her head away from the sunlight. awakening Legolas in the process. He blinked a few times before sitting up, letting go of Mithdelothwen who currently had her hands up to her head.

"Mithdelothwen... are you alright?" Legolas asdked, slightly worried.

"Yes... it's probably from the high fever." She answered, crawling over to her bag, taking out a strange looking herb, and then chewed on it.

"What is that?" Legolas asked. He could smell a fresh, airy scent from it.

"It's similar to the Ethealas plant, but it only flourishes in Loriá. It's called 'Ailai'. It helps with headaches." She explained, standing up. Boromir had started waking everyone up. So far, they'd been lucky, avoiding orcs day and night. Hopefully their luck would hold. Aragorn came over to Mithdelothwen.

"How are you feeling?" He asked his non-blood-related sister.

"Fine, thanks. Forget what happened yesterday." Mithdelothwen said, to both Aragorn and Legolas. She was referring to the whole 'mistaking-Legolas-for-Enantoion' business. Aragorn laughed.

"Done." After eating some Lembas, they set off. Aragorn was still in the lead, this time, Legolas in second, and then Gimli, Mithdelothwen and Boromir. The air was fresh and crisp, lightening all of their spirits. It was a little after dawn when they had started and now it was mid-day, and they were still going on.

"We're making good speed." Aragorn stated. At this rate, perhaps they would get to Minas Tirith even sooner. Eventually they came to a grassy plain where Legolas spotted something.

"There are riders up ahead," he squinted. " I can't tell if they are friend or foe." He finished. Aragorn nodded, as tiny dots in the distance came closer.

"Halt!" A rider commanded, when they had come close to the group. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" The rider demanded.

"We will answer only if you tell use if you serve Sauron or not." Aragorn said. The rider's eyes frowned.

"We are definitely not working for Sauron! We never have and never will. I am Éomer, son of Éomund, and am the 3rd Marshal of Riddermark." Aragorn and the rider exchanged a few words, speaking about their current route and situation.

"Well, who are you and the members of your group?" Éomer asked, his eyes settling upon Mithdelothwen.

"I am called Strider, but I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Aragorn introduced.

"This is Gimli, son of the dwarf Gloin. Boromir of Gondor, I'm sure you know him well." Aragorn said, movinghis hand to the two of them as he introduced them.

"And these two are elves." Boromir said, addressing Mithdelothwen and Legolas.

"I am Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood. This is Mithdelothwen Silverwood, Princess of Loriá." Legolas finished. Éomer nodded.

"Well, I see you as no threat. But it will take you a long while to get to Minas Tirith on foot. We have 3 extra horses, why don't you borrow them? I only ask, when your task is completed, send them back to Rohan." Éomer offered. Aragorn accepted, climbing atop of a horse named Hasufel. Boromir mounted Mira and Legolas mounted Arod, removing the saddle and reins.

"Elves prefer to ride without the saddle." He explained to some confused faces.

"You don't seriously expect me to ride that thing do you?" Gimli asked.

"Of course. You will hinder us, if you do not. I assure you Gimli, these are rather tame creatures." Aragorn reasoned.

"Fear not Gimli, you may ride with me. Leave the two elves to themselves." Boromir teased. Mithdelothwen had not said anything since their meeting with the Riders of Rohan. It wasn't that she felt they were evil, for they were not. She felt rather uncomfortable with the way Éomer was looking at her. It wasn't nearly as bad an Enantoion, but she wished he would stop. Noticing Mithdelothwen's silence, Legolas asked,

""Quel 'nian"? [What's wrong?] Mithdelothwen just finished climbing onto his horse, and wrapped her arms around Legolas' waist.

"nin 'arn istilos nathal." [I will explain later] She whispered trying to sound nonchalant. Out of the corner of her eye, she could still see Éomer gazing at her. Finally unable to stand it, she drew the hood of her Lothlorien cloak above her head.

"Why do you hide your face, Princess elf?" Éomer asked, obviously trying to flatter her. He didn't notice Legolas staring daggers at him.

"The sun is bright. I do not wish to blind myself." Came Mithdelothwen's short reply, trying to sound like a priss. With that, the fellowship continued on their way, heading for somewhere to stop when nightfall came. They rested in an Ent forest, being careful to not cut off any branches for their firewood. While the fire burned merrily, Legolas asked Mithdelothwen what had been bothering her earlier.

I did not appreciate the way Éomer was staring at me." Mithdelothwen muttered. Aragorn laughed.

"Sooner of later Mithdelothwen, you're going to have to understand; you're beautiful. Men can't help it." Aragorn admitted. Legolas playfully pointed one of his knives at Aragorn.

"hey! hands off! Get your own She-elf!" Aragorn laughed again.

"I already did!" he answered, still laughing. Gimli and Boromir felt slightly left out, being the 'single guys' of the group.

"Gimli! Boromir! Join the conversation!" Mithdelothwen tried, not wanting to be the center of attention. Aragorn and Legolas stopped joking to become serious again.

"Before we came about to the Riders of Rohan, I found this." Aragorn said, holding up a leaf clasp.

"That's from the Lothlorien cloaks! They do not fall idly." Gimli exclaimed.

"Then, either one, Pippin or Merry must've pulled it off as to leave us a sign." Boromir concluded. Movement in the bush startled them, and in the blink of an eye they were weapon-ready. They stood, tense for a few moments, awaiting some kind of foul creature to spring upon them. But only the sound of a gentle breeze and crickets were heard.

Gimli put down his axe huffing.

"Hmph... there's nothing there!" He chortled as the rest of them sighed softly with relief. Aragorn and Boromir turned around away from where they had anticipated evil, but Mithdelothwen and Legolas continued to stare in that direction. Gimli, Boromir and Aragorn were chatting softly, until they noticed to two elves standing tense, and were still holding their bows in defense mode.

"Legolas? Mithdelothwen? WHat's wrong?" Aragorn asked, squinting his eyes. Damn those elves and their excellent eyesight!

"He's still there, he's watching us." Mithdelothwen whispered as she and Legolas drew back the strings of the bows. The other three resumed their weapons, and heard soft footfalls in the forest. A hunched figure in white hobbled into view.

Mithdelothwen frowned. What was an old man doing in the forest at this time, and especially alone? What was that riddle again? 'The one who walks in while and a hat is Sauroman'? She cursed her inabilility to remember.

"Father! What can I do for you?" Aragorn asked the elderly man, stepping forward. But no sooner had he done so, the figure vanished from sight.

~*A/N: My god, I am so sorry! I'm terrible with updates... when was the last time I posted?! Like... September?! lol... Sorry for the 3 month long wait. I suppose this would be an appropriate time to post, since the second LOTR movie came out.. 4 days ago. :) And.. it's Christmas time! :) Merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone! ~Feathers of the Wind [12.22.02]