Chapter 10: Camp side Fires
The group of six came from the back of the hole and stood before Gandalf. Aubrey had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she should change out of a dress, especially if she was going on a mission just like this one. The twins looked comfortable though, maybe it won't be as bad as she thought, and her mother always said that she wanted her to get used to dresses. Aubrey thought back to her mother's continual statement in her defense, 'You're a girl, Aubrey. And girls wear dresses!'
'If only you can see me now mom,' Aubrey gave the thought a small smile and rubbed her fingers on the fabric of the dress. Drogo watched her from his position next to her and gave her a questioning stare when she finally turned toward him. She gave him a smile and a small wink to tell him she was alright. Ever since Drogo and Aubrey began to talk about their mothers they both were feeling more confident with in themselves to think about them; even though the thoughts were still a little painful.
The group found Gandalf at least trying to stand below the low ceiling of the hobbit hole by the side of the door. Kate looked at him and said with a hint of question in her voice, "But I thought that you said we had a few days, Gandalf."
"I did, but the situation- wait, did you say 'we'?"
"Well, you did expect us to let Aubrey go alone, did you?" Drogo asked the wizard.
Gandalf looked at the group of young hobbits and couldn't help but smile. They would stay loyal no matter what. Aubrey looked at Drogo and they smiled at each other and blushed. From the looked of it, romance would also bloom along with the strengthening friendships.
"Very well. As I was saying, the situation has grown intense and you'll have to leave immediately-"
Aubrey was listening very intently to Gandalf when another nagging sensation went through her mind. Gandalf's voice started to fade into the back ground as Aubrey looked around through the windows, thinking that there would be an orc staring back at her, but nothing shone back at her but her reflection. She looked at Sting hanging on Drogo's side and saw that it wasn't glowing the faint blue that it did when orcs were around. Aubrey felt the heat start to radiate from the amulet lying on her chest and couldn't ignore the pull in her mind. Aubrey closed her eyes and the amulet stared to glow and after a few seconds she opened her eyes and looked at Gandalf with a worried expression on her face.
"Miss Cander?" Gandalf asked as he caught the look in her eyes.
Aubrey didn't care or pay attention to the fact that Gandalf had used Miss to address her. She was too busy replaying the scenes in her mind and ran toward the door.
"Aubrey?" Drogo ran after her.
The sky had turned dark as Aubrey looked out over the Shire from the top of the hill and saw most if not all the hobbit holes being burned and rummaged by orcs. She didn't know what to do as she saw Sam Gamgee try to fight off one of the orcs from getting into his home, but couldn't hold the three off at once without any weapon. Aubrey saw him fall to the ground, looking unconscious and still on the ground. Other hobbits ran into the forest hopeful to find refuge, but Aubrey knew that they would soon be picked up by the orcs following them. Aubrey collapsed on her knees and began to cry silent tears. How had they gotten into the Shire without any other previous warning? How?
Aubrey didn't even cover her face as her vision was blurred by the flowing tears on the sides of her face. Drogo came out of the doorway and stood next to Aubrey. He saw her crying and took her by the shoulders, "Aubrey? Aubrey?"
She was still looking at the blurred visions of the burning houses and she blinked and turned toward Drogo's face. He was surprised to see the same burning light that she held only a night ago when the orc tried to slit her throat. He shook her out of her trance and she blinked heavily and shook her head.
When she opened her eyes again she looked around at the Shire frantically. The little homes were fine. The quiet barks of dogs could be heard from some of the hobbit's yards and the silent whispers of babes still asleep in bed could be heard in the late morning air. Aubrey didn't know what was going on . . . she was so sure that . . . it was so real.
"Aubrey?" Drogo tried again to get her back to reality, "Aubrey, can you hear me? What is the matter?"
"The orcs," Aubrey said quietly. The hobbits followed Gandalf out the door to see if their friend was alright.
Gandalf knelt down next to Aubrey and Drogo and looked her in the eyes, "What orcs?"
"The orcs are heading toward Rivendell," Aubrey wiped the tears off her face and sniffed, "They're going to wage war and try to destroy the city and the elves that stayed behind. And . . . orcs are . . . are coming here unless the amulet and I leave right away." Aubrey looked over the Shire and couldn't bring herself to imagine the peaceful setting to be turned into another fire pit. Another setting for the orcs to torture more beings for their enjoyment.
Gandalf looked at her closely, trying to decipher how this normal girl knew so much, "How did you know about the orcs movements?"
"Let's just say I got another warning from my father," Aubrey held up the amulet in her hand, "Pictures came to my mind. Horrible pictures that I couldn't ignore nor get out of my head. Then, I saw the Shire and it looked so real. . . . I have to leave immediately. I don't want this place to be in jeopardy because I am sitting here. These people do not need another war on their hands."
The others looked at the late morning sun casting the light onto the fields of green and the small hobbit children who had finally gotten up from their beds. They all nodded. "If this place, our home, is in trouble we have to leave," Faramir said grabbing the nearest bag by the door and slung in over his shoulder.
Drogo helped Aubrey from the ground and nodded in agreement with Faramir, "We have to go as soon as possible."
"Very well, grab only what you need and follow me," Gandalf stood outside the door waiting for the young hobbits as they gathered their bags. Each had only put what they needed in each bag and knew that this may be the last time they see their home in the Shire.
All of them began to walk toward the door, but Drogo stopped and turned toward Frodo, "Father?"
"I must stay here. If orcs do manage to come here I, along with Sam, Pippin and Merry will fight them off." Drogo hugged his father, "Take care Drogo. I'm so proud of you. And so would your mother."
Drogo stepped back and joined the group. Aubrey walked up to Frodo and started to speak in elvish, Thank you so much for your kindness. You have a kind and pure heart and I will never forget what you have shown and done for me. You have been like a father to me and I will keep that with me always.
You keep your heart strong. Don't let anyone tell you that it is hopeless, no matter how good their argument may be. You will succeed. Take care of Drogo. She hugged him and closed her eyes. This was probably the last time she would ever see him.
She stepped away and turned to begin her journey, "Let's go."
The hobbits put on their cloaks and gathered near Gandalf. He led them to the side of the home where there stood only one horse and a pony. The others understood why only one pony was staring back at them. Faramir put the extra equipment on the pony, "I told you that we probably wouldn't need the tents, Faramir," Drogo said from the other side of the pony, helping to strap down the top.
"Well, I thought that we were traveling light and a few tents wouldn't hurt."
Gandalf stepped beside Aubrey, "I must leave you."
"Leave? Why Gandalf?" Aubrey asked a little shaken by the random statement.
"I must go ahead and plan for the fight that will come," he got on his horse and looked down at all of them who had now gathered by the side of his horse, "Stay off the major roads, I will want to see you in Rivendell."
"I don't understand why we all can't go with you," said Kate.
"I need to do some defensive spells before the orcs even reach Rivendell. I have to hurry."
Aubrey watched as the wizard rode his horse into the wood.
"I guess we're up the creek without a paddle," Thomas remarked, "And without some food as well."
"Why give up so quickly, Thomas? We have our paddle," Aubrey said still looking toward the thick trees.
"And just what is that? None of us knows how to get to Rivendell. I mean none of us have been there."
"Drogo knows how to get there," Aubrey said adjusting the pack on her back.
"I do?" Drogo asked when everyone turned to him.
Aubrey turned t him, "Think back to your father's lessons about Geography. No one knows this stuff better then you, you know I have almost no clue what so ever."
Drogo thought for a moment, and then realized that he did know how to get there, "It will take a few days, but it is possible as long as my mental map doesn't short out."
"And give the trouble we're bound to have with orcs add a couple of days," Aubrey said absent-mindedly.
"Then we need to get going! Let's save Rivendell and Middle Earth!" Faramir shouted from over by the pony. They all jumped from how loud Faramir could be and raced down the path that would lead them to their new adventure.
***
Since they left earlier then they expected, Faramir forgot to pack the other three tents. Two hobbits would be in each tent. Drogo went over to Faramir, "I thought you said you had all the tents."
"I did have all the tents . . . that I could find."
Drogo shook his head and grabbed one of the tents, set it up and threw his bag into it and looked at Aubrey to see if she wanted to share his tent with him. Before she caught his eyes she saw Kat tugging at her sister's sleeve.
"Kate, share a tent with me."
"Well, I was thinking of sharing one with Faramir. We have a lot to discuss. I don't think Thomas will mind that much," Kate said throwing her stuff into the tent.
"Please don't make me sleep in the same tent as her, Faramir! Please I beg you! I beseech you! I'll even give you some of my food!" Thomas clung to one of Faramir's feet nearly tripping him as he tried to make his way to set up his tent.
"Sorry Thomas, but I can't argue with Kate," he too set up his tent and put both his and Kate's stuff into it. Faramir and Kate started to gather wood and find a good spot for a fire because it was starting to grow dark. Aubrey and Drogo both had amused looks on their faces.
Kat threw her stuff on the ground, "Touch me and die Thomas!"
"What are you thinking you sick-o? Why would I want to touch my cousin?"
"I don't know and I don't want to know."
Aubrey looked at Drogo with a sympathetic glance and took the other tent down off of the pony, "Kat, you can share a tent with me."
Kat's eyes lit up with a bright light, "Thank you so much Aubrey! You're my savior!"
"Yes, I get to share a tent with Drogo! I don't have to brave a night with you!" Thomas was celebrating, jumping up and down thanking everything good in the world.
Aubrey and Kat helped each other put up the tent, hoping that there was no way that it was going to fall down. By the time they were done, there was almost no way that it could. Kat and Aubrey set their things in the tent and went to walk to where Kate and Faramir were setting up the last of their fire preparations. Thomas set his stuff in the tent Drogo put up earlier.
"Sorry that I was intruding, Drogo."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, if it wasn't for the flirting duo, you would have been able to share a tent with Aubrey."
"It's ok, Thomas," Drogo said rubbing the back of his head and laughing nervously, "I think I'll get over it."
The two boys walked over to the others, dark had finally set into the forest depths and it was time to light the fire. Faramir had the pleasure and lit it for the others to see. Kat was sitting next to her sister who was playing with Faramir's hair. Faramir sat on the ground right below the two twins. Thomas sat on his own rock as close to the fire as he could get. Aubrey and Drogo shared a log that was opposite Kate, Kat and Faramir. Aubrey stretched and used Drogo's leg as a pillow for her head. Faramir and Thomas watched for Drogo's reaction expecting the usual blush. Although he did blush, which was hidden by the fire's light, he stared smoothing her hair, "Comfortable Aubrey?"
"Very," she smiled up at him. Thomas and Faramir were surprised that he wasn't getting nervous or anything. He was acting as if he didn't mind. They didn't say anything as they stared back into the fire.
"It's strange you know," Drogo said staring into the fire, "Most people wait all their life for an adventure, but none of them actually believe they will ever have one. And look at us."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Aubrey said from his leg, "I mean I've always wanted an adventure, but I never knew it would start with orcs crossing over from a different dimension to kidnap me. Then finding out that my mother's amulet is the most powerful thing in the whole universe and that I have to guard it . . . You know, being heir to Rivendell and all . . . I never expected that in my wildest dreams."
Aubrey looked up from the fire at the rest of the group. They all looked at her strangely.
"You really look deeply into this, don't you Aubrey?"
"You can say that," Aubrey smiled and thought for a moment, "I probably look as deep into this as you look deep into your eating habits and food."
Thomas's stomach began to growl, "Speaking of eating."
"Oh man, Aubrey you said the magic word," Kat said from across the fire.
"Which one? Eating or food?" The two girls laughed and Faramir began to set up for supper.
After they ate, all of them were weighed down too much to even think about getting up. Aubrey's head had many subjects floating through it; the biggest two had to be Drogo and her mom back . . . home? Did she see the world she left behind as home? Still, after all this time . . . or had another place taken its place? She had to believe so. She had promised herself that she was going to stay a hobbit lass and stay in the Shire, although that didn't go as planned, now did it?
She looked up at Drogo who was answering a question of Faramir across the fire. He looked down at her and was surprised to see her staring back. She looked back at him, "How are you?" She gave him a big smile.
"Pretty good, what about you?" They both began their own conversation taking a break every once in a while to play with one another's hair. Aubrey knew that she was flirting almost incessantly, but she didn't care since Drogo didn't say anything about it. Thomas got sick of watching them and looked over at Faramir who coincidentally was making goggle eyes at Kate.
"I'm the only one who does have some one!" he sulked on his rock.
"What do you think I am? I don't have anyone either," Kat noticed the attention that her sister was giving and getting from Faramir and began to wonder . . . 'Why Gamgee?' She already knew that they were together and saw no use in her sister's futile excuse to try and hide it any longer. Nearly everyone knew.
"The fire's starting to go down," Drogo stared into the dying flames, "Someone needs to go and-"
"We'll do it!" Faramir and Kate said in unison and ran off into the wood out of sight of the others.
"Dang it! I wanted to go . . . they took my idea," Aubrey said sarcastically. Drogo laughed at her and watched the flames go lower.
"So you had the same plan too, huh?" he got some wood from behind him and threw it on the pile. He smiled at her telling her he was joking.
Aubrey stared into the fire and held her amulet close. Suddenly she felt something in her chest, like a part of her was disappearing or breaking apart. Something was gone forever, it fell out of existence and she no longer could feel the soft presence of it in her being. She sat up holding the amulet tightly and still stared deep at the flames in the dying fire in front of her. She walked over to the flames and put her hands out. The amulet stared to glow once again.
"Aubrey?" Drogo stood up reaching toward Aubrey.
"Drogo wait!" Thomas put out his hand to keep his cousin back from Aubrey.
Aubrey brushed her hands over the top of the fire and it began to build, growing into a raging fire. Thomas watched from in front of Drogo, "Forget the wood. She's all we need to get a new fire started."
With in the flame pictures started to show and form. Faramir and Kate came back into the clearing with some wood piled in their hands. They immediately dropped it and ran over to the others. Aubrey fell to her knees and watched as the amulet stayed suspended in midair shining a blue light into the fire.
From the intertwining colors of the blue and red flames a face began to come visible. Aubrey watched the color fade away as only a woman's face was visible with in the intense heat.
"Aubrey . . ." the woman looked at Aubrey. She had no problem knowing whom it was with in the flame.
"Mom?" Aubrey watched as her mother looked at the group. "These are my friends, mom. They've been helping me."
"I see," she looked at the amulet, "Do you know why I'm here?"
"Frankly, I don't know how you're here."
"Aubrey, I crossed over. I am no longer at home . . . I knew you would escape the orcs. Thank God you found yourself in the Shire."
"Mom?" Aubrey's eyes stared to glaze over, "What do you mean cross over?"
"I died, Aubrey. Through the power of the amulet hanging from your neck I have helped you and will continue to. I'll be with your father. We will be watching you as he always has. I love you, Aubrey."
"But what am I to do now? I never got to say good-bye and you . . . you never told me about this," she pointed at the necklace.
"Say good-bye now, Aubrey, and I'll explain as best I can with the time I have."
"Mother . . . there are no words to explain or to say how much I love you. And how sorry I am that I wasn't there with you when you died."
"Let me tell you, it wasn't your fault. I love you, so does your father and I will protect you. As for your heritage . . . well, how would you have taken it when we would tell you that you were half elf and half hobbit? Your father and I are very sorry that we never told you, I trust Gandalf told you abut the story."
"How-?"
"Seeing him in the movie with the trial of the ring, I would think he would find out sooner or later and tell you," her mother turned to her side, "I don't have much more time. I just wanted you to lead a normal life. This shouldn't have happened. You must make it to Rivendell."
"I will make it to Rivendell. But I don't know how to lead mother. I can never become a leader like dad. I can't be a queen or whatever they aspire me to be. I mean, what can I do when I'm only sixteen years old?"
Her mother smiled at her, "You will find a way, Aubrey. You always do. Remember how hard it was for me to ground you? And I trust your friends will help you on your way."
Drogo came and sat down next to Aubrey bowing at the site of Aubrey's mother in the fire.
"Drogo Baggins, I will accompany Aubrey on her journey. Along with Faramir Gamgee, Kate and Kat Brandybuck and Thomas Took. We will stay by her side."
She nodded, "Baggins . . . your father took the ring of power to Mount Doom, didn't he?"
"Yes, he did."
"I trust you with my daughter's safety. Take care of her. Aubrey, I have to go," the light started to fade as the flames began to flicker.
"I'm not ready to let you go mom. I still need you."
"I hope so, but remember this always. Your father and I will be with you always. No matter what," her voice echoes as she fades away.
Aubrey stays on her knees as the amulet floats down into her hand. She kisses the jewel and turns to Drogo, "I got to say good-bye."
He gave her a small smile and hugged her. They both got up and walked toward her tent. The others were still in shock from what had just happened with the fire.
"Well, I'm not going to leave for more wood anymore," Faramir said.
"Yeah, I don't think any of us are," Thomas said.
As Kat started to walk toward the tent with Aubrey, she saw Drogo tucking her in and talking softly to her so the others didn't hear. Thomas came up behind her to tell Drogo which side he wanted to sleep on.
"Shhh!" Kat yelled at him.
"What?"
"You know, maybe we should share a tent, Thomas. Just for tonight at least. They need time to talk," Kat said motioning to the two in the tent.
"Your right . . . but I get the right side!"
"You only say that because it is closest to the fire and for the food in the morning."
He smiled, "Mmmm. . . I can't wait for first breakfast."
Kat shook her head rolling her eyes and watched Drogo get up from saying goodnight to Aubrey and stopped him on the way out, "Where do you think you're going, Drogo?"
"To my tent?"
"Nope, you are staying here and taking care of Aubrey. Now march back in there and comfort her. She has just lost her mother all over again."
"But-"
"No buts! Now march!" she pointed at the tent.
Drogo looked confused, but then gave her a grateful smile and climbed back into the tent. Aubrey looked questionably at him, but understood as she saw Kat's shadow head for another tent. Drogo laid in the other blankets and closed his eyes facing Aubrey. She watched him for a while until he opened his eyes. She held out her hand for him and he took it. They both fell asleep holding one another's hands.
Aubrey woke in the early morning, just before sunlight and felt something around her waist. She opened her eyes to find Drogo still asleep. From her movement he soon woke and looked at her in the eyes, "Morning."
"Morning," she smiled. She started to get up, "We should start to get going . . . We have to make it to-"
She looked back at Drogo who held her close to him, not wanting to let go of her.
"Drogo I-"
"I just don't want to get up just yet," he looked at her in his arms, "I just want to stay here and be with you."
Aubrey nodded looking into his eyes. To her this was the red flag. She knew this had to be something crucial to their friendship, if not something more. But if it wasn't she wanted to milk it for all it was worth, "Just for an hour or so."
About two hours later they came out of their tent and took it down. The others were already up and were making breakfast. Also at the same time trying to fend off Thomas who was so close to the able he could drool all over the food.
"About time," Thomas said to them, "Now can we eat, Faramir? Please say we can eat!"
"Yeah, yeah. Here Thomas," he put something in Thomas's plate and went back to cooking some more.
Aubrey watched as Thomas danced around the rock that he was sitting on the night before with the bowl in his hand happy that he had his food.
"Not my fault, Drogo wanted to sleep in," Aubrey commented.
Drogo just shrugged his shoulders and started to eat breakfast. After they ate they packed their things and continued on.
For days on end Aubrey couldn't help but watch Drogo when he was in sight. He would also steal some glances at her when she wasn't looking.
'I know that I have feelings for him, Why is it so hard to say? The way he holds me . . . there has to be something more there then just friendship,' she turned her head quickly away from him when he turned to look at her.
'Why can't I say three simple words?' he too turned away.
Thomas and Kat noticed the way they felt, but Kate and Faramir seemed to have slipped into their own little world, which no one could pry them out of.
"Drogo," Aubrey spoke up between the silence, "I have a question and please tell me you have an answer."
"What is it?" Drogo's heart was pounding and Thomas and Kat strained to listen without drawing attention to themselves.
Aubrey put her hands on her hips and looked him straight in the eye, "Do you have any idea where we are?"