Chapter 5- Haronius the Howler--
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Now it happened that while the group was traveling most of them got the feeling that they were being watched. And as luck would have it, when they had traveled about three miles an unsuspected face popped up to greet them. Only three in the group knew him.
"Well, Legolas, Gimli, Strider... It's been a while!" The man was plump, like Bartoniel, and looked much like him. he wore a sneery grin and a look of madness and Legolas at once recognized him.
"Haronius the Howler! YOU of all people!!!" At the mention of this name, Aragorn and Gimli immediately went over by Levanna, who was walking hand in hand with Frodo.
"Don't worry Levanna, we won' let him near you!" Gimli declared. Sam looked to Levanna, then to Aragorn and Gimli and then said.
"Who is Haronius the Howler?" Levanna thought but the name did not ring a bell, and why these men were guarding her was also another story.
"When Levanna was born, Haronius was a popular man in Mirkwood," Aragorn answered. "He was proud of being a pureblood. Completely Elf and nothing less. But when she was born, he set out a death wish for her, and she had to be protected until Thranduil, Legolas' father and the King of Mirkwood banished him into exile. She still had to be protected whenever she left Mirkwood. Her father, Omartrique is an advisor and Man of Honour in the King's court. He ordered for Haronius' slaying, but he escaped and has been in hiding since."
"Why do they call him 'the Howler'?" Frodo asked, feeling Levanna's grip on his hand tighten.
"Because he was known as the biggest baby in the land. If he did not get his wish, he would throw himself down and howl. Scream and wail until he got his way. He never did with Levanna, and hopefully never will."
"This is news to me." Levanna mumbled so that only Frodo could hear. Pippin and Merry stepped up and tried to make themselves look like big, strong gaurds.
"Do not worry Miss. Levanna!" Said pippin enthusiastically.
"Yes. Have no fear, we will protect you!" Merry chimed in. They both kept from grinning and Levanna giggled at their humor. As Legolas and Haronius fought verbally, Frodo lifted her hand, and gently kissed it. a sudden flush went over her and she turned to look at him. Her face was red hot, and her fingers were burning up. her neck became just as scarlet as her face, and before she knew it, her lust had carried her into a kiss with him.
"Aw, look! She's just as much of a mixer as her mother! Filthy little...!" Haronius began, but he was cut off by Legolas.
"Do not speak of her mother that way! Bless me if you ever do again! Her mother was a savior to the Elves, if it weren't for her Omartrique would not be in high court! She stuck up for him like no woman would for you! She had a wonderful soul and if you refuse to respect her memory I may just slit your throat!"
"Yes, that's right! You were rumored to be the girls father when her mother was pregnant, aye? Until she was born her mother and father were separated because you were rumored to be bedding her!"
"I never did nor would do such a thing with a married woman! Her mother was a dear friend to me!"
"Yes, so I can tell. You don't think that you can protect her, do you? Or her little hobbit courter? Because I'll tell you Legolas, I have my ways!"
Before Levanna could turn around to see if her suspicions were right, as sharp pain scraped over her shoulder. she immediately reached up to grab the arrow scraping it before it went completely down into her flesh. she swung around with it in her hand and flung it at the shooter. It hit him in the head and killed him instantly.
With a cry Legolas was back by her in the speed of light, looking at the small wound on her shoulder. It was not deep, and it was not wide, or long. Just a nique. Frodo grabbed her hand and gently stroked it, soothing her as she bit her lip.
Legolas turned back to where Haronius had been standing, but he had gone.
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The group had made camp once they had gone a little father, and Aragorn had worked at her wound. Frodo had watched contently, waiting to be able to talk to her. He watched Aragorns hands, swift and careful not to bump it the wound.
"Ah! There you are. I presume that the two of you would like to talk alone so I will be going over there for now. be careful with that shoulder now!"
"I will, thank you Aragorn." She said smiling up at him.
When Aragorn had told her' you are very much welcome' and had walked away, Frodo sat down and took her hand. He seemed troubled and so she lifted his face to look her into the eyes and then she whispered something about him being able to depend on her.
"It's just that if I were to be watching our backs this would not have happened." He lied.
"You would have been shot if you would have spotted him and I could not have borne that. Now tell me what this really is." She said, her tone motherly and her look comforting.
"I should have told you ages ago. I should have told you when you asked, but instead I pushed you away. when I had that dream, I dreamt of your father. He was angry and he kept yelling for me to bring you back to him. He told me not to lay a hand on you, and it was just so absurd. It was as if he thought that I was bedding you." He gently said. looking to the ground, recalling all of Omartrique's words.
"I'm glad that you told me Frodo. My father may scare you but he does not scare me. I've run from him once, I'll do it again.."
"What do you mean?" he asked softly, stroking her hand.
"When I was young there was this man. He was about two years my senior but oh he was gorgeous! I was sixteen and stupid and thought I was in love. But the truth is I wasn't. He told me he wanted to marry me and when I asked for my fathers blessing he refused. I ran away with him, but he sent Legolas after me. I had not met Legolas, but he and my father say he was present when I was younger, and that he had helped deliver me when he and my mother were snowed in at some place. I found out from Legolas when he came that the man was a criminal, and had murdered young women my age. So I left with Legolas in the end. He started to train me in fear that something may happen. I was swept off my feet but he was far to old for me. When I was 18 I told him how I felt and that I knew it was impossible. He told me if I wanted to make something, that I had to fight for it and I did. A year later we were courting but then my mother died and we drifted apart. He tried to bring us back by proposing marriage, and I accepted. My father was so happy and his father thought that this would be his retirement, but I wasn't ready and I told him that. So we just became the good friends we are today. But still, I think it was hard for him to let go. He thought that finally he had found somebody and when I left it shattered everything. I think that is why he is so protective, but I know he knows that it never would have been happily ever after forever. Maybe for a couple hundred years but, not for eternity. I had a lot of people to get me through it. And he had friends too. we're both okay now."
Frodo was silent. He let what she had just told him sink in, then he kissed her hand and sat with her silently.
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Frodo stayed close to her for the next couple of days. he checked her wound and would talk with her as they continued the journey. He enjoyed being close with her, whispering in her ear and hugging and kissing her. She was all that he could ask for. But he worried for her. He knew that in order to achieve happiness, they would have to fight. but whatsoever, Frodo felt strong and prepared.
Legolas warned that she not stray from the group, and told her that if she saw or suspected something, that she best not shout it out for the enemy would immediately attack. she was to poke him in the back, three times. then she would prepare him for battle. She was to keep her bow and arrows close, and be sure that she did not destroy them when they were shot for he could not give her his and then have nothing.
She hated following these regulations but she did so, and she was very cautious. Frodo kept an extra eye open, as did Sam and Pippin and Merry.
It was late one night when she couldn't help but eavesdrop on a conversation carried on by Frodo and Sam.
"But how are you going to get Bag End back sir? Surely Lobelia will want to keep it."
"I will simply tell her that I have found a bride, and that Crickhollow just won't do. I just have to finish this, and then ask her Sam. this quest cannot fail."
And with that she smiled, and then fell asleep. for not even Haronius could keep them apart now.
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