Nirobie: Thanks for being a faithful fan.
Elfling: Thanks for reading this. I hope you like the new chapter. You can also read my other ones. The first one isn't the best, maybe I'll work on it later. It was my first one and I was still getting the gist of fanfictions.
Chapter Five
The King and His Companions
The first thing Nárie heard as she awoke was the swirl of water. 'That's odd,' she thought to herself. 'Mother never does any work. She just makes me do it.' Then, as if a wave had hit her, the memories came flooding back. Her father's death, finding her mother's body, joining the fight, and the elf. Oh the elf, what a wondrous occasion for her, even though she nearly been killed. The thought of the creature that had wounded her made her shiver.
"Alas, you have finally woken," came a musical voice at her side. Opening her eyes, Nárie looked into those blue eyes once again. Her breath was taken away. Shutting them quickly, she prayed that this was not a dream.
"What's the matter?" came the voice again, only this time with concern, "Shall I fetch Aragorn?"
Opening her eyes once more she struggled to sit up. She bit her lip and a sharp pain shot through her side. Gasping once she was finally up again, she looked around. There were many cots filled with wounded people, lying around her and she seemed to be inside a tent. An elderly woman rung out a cloth and laid it on a nearby men's forehead. She shook her head lightly to try and clear her thoughts. In doing so she latched onto the gaze of the elf once more. Something in his eyes would not let her look away. She didn't know if this was some sort of elvish magic, or just the fact that she was so fascinated by him.
Blinking and finally tearing herself from his gaze she brought her knees around and set her feet on the soft ground. Bracing herself, she slowly rose until she was standing.
"You really should be resting. Aragorn said not to let you rise for another day at least," the elf said hesitantly.
"Well I'm fine now," Nárie said stubbornly as she took a step. Gasping, she nearly collapsed onto the ground, but the elf caught her by the waist and held her up.
"I really think you should stay put," the elf insisted.
"I will feel better when I can get some fresh air," she replied coolly, "I need to get out of this stuffy tent, I cannot breath inside it."
With a chuckle, the elf replied, "Nor can I. But I will accompany you, for I do not wish you to fall," He added, not letting her go.
With his aid, Nárie was able to hobble out of the tent. The side where she had been hit with the dagger hurt, but she pushed the pain aside. As they reached the fresh air, she inhaled deeply and slowly let it out. Taking another deep breath, she glanced at her surroundings. Many tents dotted the hillside surrounding the great city of Gondor. Now that she saw it up close, it was bigger than she had imagined. Layers of walls surrounded the center, which rose high above the ground. She could glimpse the roofs of houses in between the walls. The front gates, which once stood proud and tall, were now a crumbled mess.
"Legolas, I thought I told you to keep her in bed," came a voice to their right. The rugged man Nárie had seen the night before who had also warned her about the creature, came striding toward them from another ten.
'So that's his name,' Nárie thought to herself, 'Legolas, it sounds elegant, seems just right for an elf, but who am I to say?'
"She insisted on getting some fresh air," Legolas replied simply, but under his breath he muttered, "I wouldn't blame her, it's so close in there."
"I heard that, elf," the man replied, "You and I both know that it can't be helped."
Puzzled, Nárie struggled to try and free herself for the elf's grip. She was about to ask him what had happened the previous night when two more elves emerged from the same tent the rugged man had. Her mouth dropped open just slightly before she caught herself. They were mirror images of each other. They looked nothing like the elf that still held her arm firmly. Instead they had long dark hair and dark eyes. But they still held the same elegance and nature as the blond.
"You need to be resting," the rugged man said, about to take her arm and lead her back to the tent when she stepped away.
"I am just fine thank you," she said, "I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure you can, but you need to rest so you can heal," the man said, once again trying to lead her into the tent, "I did what I could, but you need rest."
By now they two identical elves had reached them, and were looking at her curiously. Suddenly one of them spoke up, "What might you're name be, fair lady?"
"Nárie," she replied.
"How interesting for a mortal," the other elf spoke up, glancing at the men.
Nárie tried to read the look on his face, but she just became more confused. There were so many men around, that she had trouble-keeping track.
"Indeed," commented the twin who had asked her name. To Nárie he said, "Take heed to my lord Aragorn, he is one of the wisest healers around. If he says you need rest, then rest you should."
"I said I am fine," Nárie replied stubbornly, "but I am rather hungry. Were could I find something to eat?" Pausing to realize that she had no way of repaying them she added, "Do you know where my pack went? It contained my things."
"No, I'm afraid it was lost in the battle. Perhaps we could look for it later, when you are feeling better. As for the food, I can take you to find some," Legolas replied as he started to guide her to another tent that smelt of cooked fish.
She began to open her mouth to say that she was just fine and she could go herself, but she quickly closed it. She realized that she wouldn't mind some company and she didn't know exactly where to go. So with the elf still clutching her side so that she would not fall, the entered the food tent, where Nárie's hunger was diminished.
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I'm sorry it took so long to post this. I had it almost finished, but wasn't inspired to finish it. So maybe a little extra encouragement from reviewers after this will help. Thanks for reading and being patient with me.