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The sun had not yet risen and the Fellowship prepared to leave. Rini carried a pouch carrying her precious heirloom. Looking around Rini saw that one member of the Fellowship was missing. Seeing that everyone else was busying preparing themselves for the journey, Rini quietly left the group to go in search for the missing member. She found herself wandering in a wooded area and found the person she was looking for in a very private moment. Quickly, she hid behind a large tree and peered at the couple embracing one another. Rini sighed softly and secretly wished for a moment as such that for herself. Deciding that he would come once he was ready, Rini quietly walked back to the others and decided not to mention what she had seen.
Legolas looked side-ways at the man standing with Rini but quickly looked away as the man returned his stare. Elios tapped Rini on the shoulder and pulled her aside.
"I don't think you elf friend likes me very much."
"Why would you say that?"
"He stares at me with suspicion."
"I'm sure you're just imagining it. Legolas is very sweet." Looking back, Rini laughed as she saw two very tired little hobbits rubbing the sleep off their eyes.
"Don't you all think that this is a tad bit too early for an adventure?" Merry said between yawns.
"If you didn't want to come, you shouldn't have volunteered." Gimli the dwarf gruffly replied.
"Couldn't we at least bring a horse? To walk all the way there, why it's going to kill my poor little hobbit feet!" Pippin exclaimed. Rini couldn't help but laugh again.
Aragorn, having returned from his last "goodbyes," answered this tired little hobbit's question. "The path we take will be hard on horses. It would not be fair to take more horses then we need. We will take only one horse, and he is only there to carry necessary supplies."
Pippin and Merry sadly looked down. Rini, feeling sorry for the two, whispered into Elios's ear. Elios nodded and said, "Just tell me when."
~
At last, the Fellowship departed from Rivendell, the Last Homely House east of the Sea. Gandalf and Aragorn led with Boromir and Legolas following close behind. Rini walked with Elios and the horse. The hobbits and Gimli brought up the rear of the group.
~
It was high noon and they had thus far walked without a break and the hobbits began to lag behind. They insisted on a break and finally Aragorn caved in and allowed for a short break. Rini sat on a rock while Elios walked off surveying their surroundings. Rini looked around and suddenly sensed an evil presence growing near. Looking to the sky she saw a strange dark cloud getting closer.
"Aragorn, what is that?" Rini asked. Everyone turned and looked at what she was pointing to.
"It doesn't look like a cloud," said Sam in a whisper.
"It is moving against the wind," the elf noticed. Aragorn made no answer, he was gazing intently at the sky. Flocks of birds, flying at a great speed, were wheeling and circling, and traversing all the land as if they were searching for something.
"Lie flat and still!" Aragorn hissed, pulling Sam down into the shade of a holly bush. Everyone did as they were told and hid as a flock of birds, the size of a large crow, flew low to the ground then flew into the distance.
"Crebain. They are not natives of this land. The path to Hollin is not safe, it is being watched." The Ranger said.
"In that case the Redhorn Gate is also not safe. We must find another path over the Misty Mountains," said Gandalf.
~
The Fellowship decided to try travel over the mountains and encountered the harsh winds winter. After nearly being killed by an avalanche and giving in to the cruelty of the Caradhras, they decided to go through the mountains by the way of the Mines of Moria.
~
It was dark and the Fellowship decided to take a break and sleep before looking for the door into the Mines of Moria. No fire was lit for precaution and everyone was asleep. The four hobbits huddled together, near them was the old wizard softly snoring. Boromir slept by himself, as did the dwarf, and Legolas lay not to far from Elios and Rini. The Ranger however did not sleep but took the first shift as the lookout. Keeping a close eye on the dark of the woods, he nearly jumped when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Immediately his hand went to his sword but then relaxed once he saw who the hand belonged to.
"You should be asleep," he gruffly said.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't fall asleep."
"You might not get another chance to sleep until much later."
"I'll be alright. Do you not need sleep?"
"It is my watch and I will get sleep later."
"Then I will stay with you so you don't get lonely."
Aragorn stared at the person standing before him. Never had he seen such innocence or naivety. "I'm not lonely."
"But it's so dark. No one should be alone in the dark."
The ranger looked into the wine colored eyes of the women and saw that she truly believed her statement. "Sometimes we are left in the dark with no one to help."
"I am offering to be with you right now."
Once again he was puzzled. Deciding not to argue he allowed her to stay and sit with him. They spent several moments in silence, staring into the night. Rini then looked up at the moon and once more longed for home.
Aragorn looked over at her and asked, "Do you miss your home?"
"Yes, more then I ever imagined I could," she answered while continuing to look up at the bright moon.
"What is you home like?"
Rini looked back at him and said, "It is," thinking, but not being able to come up with any other word to describe it she said, "perfect. It is my home."
"Did you enjoy being a princess?"
Rini was slightly taken aback by his question but answered, "Yes and no. I loved being able to help people and to walk throughout the kingdom to see what I could do to help. However with every good there comes a bad. I hated being recognized where ever I go and being knelt before. I longed to be average with no special titles."
The future king nodded in agreement and felt that he could relate to the princess beside him.
"Do you enjoy being a king?"
"I am not king. I ran from my duties long ago and relinquished my titles."
"So I take it you didn't enjoy it?"
Aragorn looked harshly into the darkness of the night and the two sat in silence once more. Then, he asked. "Did you leave anyone behind?"
"My family and friends."
"I meant anyone special."
Rini understood what he meant. She knew he was thinking of his special someone, the one he had to leave behind. "No, I didn't leave anyone like that behind."
"Is Elios special to you?"
Rini slightly blushed, but because of the darkness Aragorn did not see. "No, we are just good friends. When we were young children we used to say we would marry one day. But then we learned that his duties would not allow us or give us time to be together." Rini fiddled with her fingers then asked, "Do you miss her?"
Aragorn looked at her in shock. 'Does she know? But how could she?'
From the look on Aragorn's face she knew that he was surprised to learn that she knew. "I saw you two together before we left Rivendell."
He nodded then said, "I miss her dearly."
"Were you thinking of her just now? Before I came?"
"Yes."
"It is alright to miss someone whom you have given your heart to. You should not be ashamed even if you are a warrior."
Again Aragorn was shocked by her words, "You seem to be able to read my mind."
Rini smiled, "When it comes to matters of love, I have a gift."
"So I hear. You have many gifts Princess. Your ability to heal and read minds. What others do you possess?"
"You will see in due time. I shall help the Fellowship or I will die trying."
He looked at imagining her grasping a sword. He laughed to himself at the image in his head. They sat together for several more moments before Rini got drowsy and decided to go to sleep. "Good night Aragorn."
"Good night Rini."
~
The Company sat outside the walls of Moria waiting for the old mind of Gandalf to solve the riddle carved on the door, "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Sam had set the little pack horse, Bill go and now all the supplies were divided amongst the travelers to carry.
Suddenly, Elios got up from his spot next to Rini and intently looked up to the sky. "Elios, what is wrong?" his concerned friend asked.
"I don't know. Elysion is in trouble, I can feel it. Something isn't right."
"Then you must go back."
"But I can't leave you here alone."
"You can always come back after you set things right in your kingdom."
"That's just it, I don't know if I can come back."
"What do you mean?"
Looking down at Rini, he said, "It took much energy to transport myself here. I don't know if I will be able to come back here soon. It may take a long time before I am able to."
Rini got up and looked him straight in the eye, "But you must go, I will be fine. I can protect myself."
"But Rini."
"No, Elios. You have been kind enough to stay thus far, and I thank you for that. But I cannot be selfish and ask you to stay when your kingdom is in danger. Go. Come back when you can."
Looking down and contemplating what his princess had just said, Elios decided that she was right. Taking her hands and kneeling on one knee he kissed it and whispered, "I will come back as soon as I can. Please be careful Princess." Not wanting to create large scene, Elios disappeared with a large glow.
'Come back soon Elios.'
All the while, sitting in the shadows, Legolas could not help but to listen to the two and watched in amazement at the white haired man disappeared in the same white light in which he had appeared from.
Everyone, at seeing the bright glow looked in the direction where Rini had sat with her guest. Stunned to see that he was gone, Gimli asked, "And where did your white haired friend go?"
"Home," was the only answer she could muster.
Boromir asked out of curiosity, "Will he be back?"
"I don't know."
With all suddenness that startled them all, the wizard sprang to his feet. He laughed as he said, "I have it!" He cried. "Of course, of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer."
Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a clear voice: "Mellon!"
Silently a great doorway was outlined, though not a crack or joint had been visible before. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung outwards inch by inch, until both doors lay back against the wall. The Company stared in wonder.
The sun had not yet risen and the Fellowship prepared to leave. Rini carried a pouch carrying her precious heirloom. Looking around Rini saw that one member of the Fellowship was missing. Seeing that everyone else was busying preparing themselves for the journey, Rini quietly left the group to go in search for the missing member. She found herself wandering in a wooded area and found the person she was looking for in a very private moment. Quickly, she hid behind a large tree and peered at the couple embracing one another. Rini sighed softly and secretly wished for a moment as such that for herself. Deciding that he would come once he was ready, Rini quietly walked back to the others and decided not to mention what she had seen.
Legolas looked side-ways at the man standing with Rini but quickly looked away as the man returned his stare. Elios tapped Rini on the shoulder and pulled her aside.
"I don't think you elf friend likes me very much."
"Why would you say that?"
"He stares at me with suspicion."
"I'm sure you're just imagining it. Legolas is very sweet." Looking back, Rini laughed as she saw two very tired little hobbits rubbing the sleep off their eyes.
"Don't you all think that this is a tad bit too early for an adventure?" Merry said between yawns.
"If you didn't want to come, you shouldn't have volunteered." Gimli the dwarf gruffly replied.
"Couldn't we at least bring a horse? To walk all the way there, why it's going to kill my poor little hobbit feet!" Pippin exclaimed. Rini couldn't help but laugh again.
Aragorn, having returned from his last "goodbyes," answered this tired little hobbit's question. "The path we take will be hard on horses. It would not be fair to take more horses then we need. We will take only one horse, and he is only there to carry necessary supplies."
Pippin and Merry sadly looked down. Rini, feeling sorry for the two, whispered into Elios's ear. Elios nodded and said, "Just tell me when."
~
At last, the Fellowship departed from Rivendell, the Last Homely House east of the Sea. Gandalf and Aragorn led with Boromir and Legolas following close behind. Rini walked with Elios and the horse. The hobbits and Gimli brought up the rear of the group.
~
It was high noon and they had thus far walked without a break and the hobbits began to lag behind. They insisted on a break and finally Aragorn caved in and allowed for a short break. Rini sat on a rock while Elios walked off surveying their surroundings. Rini looked around and suddenly sensed an evil presence growing near. Looking to the sky she saw a strange dark cloud getting closer.
"Aragorn, what is that?" Rini asked. Everyone turned and looked at what she was pointing to.
"It doesn't look like a cloud," said Sam in a whisper.
"It is moving against the wind," the elf noticed. Aragorn made no answer, he was gazing intently at the sky. Flocks of birds, flying at a great speed, were wheeling and circling, and traversing all the land as if they were searching for something.
"Lie flat and still!" Aragorn hissed, pulling Sam down into the shade of a holly bush. Everyone did as they were told and hid as a flock of birds, the size of a large crow, flew low to the ground then flew into the distance.
"Crebain. They are not natives of this land. The path to Hollin is not safe, it is being watched." The Ranger said.
"In that case the Redhorn Gate is also not safe. We must find another path over the Misty Mountains," said Gandalf.
~
The Fellowship decided to try travel over the mountains and encountered the harsh winds winter. After nearly being killed by an avalanche and giving in to the cruelty of the Caradhras, they decided to go through the mountains by the way of the Mines of Moria.
~
It was dark and the Fellowship decided to take a break and sleep before looking for the door into the Mines of Moria. No fire was lit for precaution and everyone was asleep. The four hobbits huddled together, near them was the old wizard softly snoring. Boromir slept by himself, as did the dwarf, and Legolas lay not to far from Elios and Rini. The Ranger however did not sleep but took the first shift as the lookout. Keeping a close eye on the dark of the woods, he nearly jumped when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. Immediately his hand went to his sword but then relaxed once he saw who the hand belonged to.
"You should be asleep," he gruffly said.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't fall asleep."
"You might not get another chance to sleep until much later."
"I'll be alright. Do you not need sleep?"
"It is my watch and I will get sleep later."
"Then I will stay with you so you don't get lonely."
Aragorn stared at the person standing before him. Never had he seen such innocence or naivety. "I'm not lonely."
"But it's so dark. No one should be alone in the dark."
The ranger looked into the wine colored eyes of the women and saw that she truly believed her statement. "Sometimes we are left in the dark with no one to help."
"I am offering to be with you right now."
Once again he was puzzled. Deciding not to argue he allowed her to stay and sit with him. They spent several moments in silence, staring into the night. Rini then looked up at the moon and once more longed for home.
Aragorn looked over at her and asked, "Do you miss your home?"
"Yes, more then I ever imagined I could," she answered while continuing to look up at the bright moon.
"What is you home like?"
Rini looked back at him and said, "It is," thinking, but not being able to come up with any other word to describe it she said, "perfect. It is my home."
"Did you enjoy being a princess?"
Rini was slightly taken aback by his question but answered, "Yes and no. I loved being able to help people and to walk throughout the kingdom to see what I could do to help. However with every good there comes a bad. I hated being recognized where ever I go and being knelt before. I longed to be average with no special titles."
The future king nodded in agreement and felt that he could relate to the princess beside him.
"Do you enjoy being a king?"
"I am not king. I ran from my duties long ago and relinquished my titles."
"So I take it you didn't enjoy it?"
Aragorn looked harshly into the darkness of the night and the two sat in silence once more. Then, he asked. "Did you leave anyone behind?"
"My family and friends."
"I meant anyone special."
Rini understood what he meant. She knew he was thinking of his special someone, the one he had to leave behind. "No, I didn't leave anyone like that behind."
"Is Elios special to you?"
Rini slightly blushed, but because of the darkness Aragorn did not see. "No, we are just good friends. When we were young children we used to say we would marry one day. But then we learned that his duties would not allow us or give us time to be together." Rini fiddled with her fingers then asked, "Do you miss her?"
Aragorn looked at her in shock. 'Does she know? But how could she?'
From the look on Aragorn's face she knew that he was surprised to learn that she knew. "I saw you two together before we left Rivendell."
He nodded then said, "I miss her dearly."
"Were you thinking of her just now? Before I came?"
"Yes."
"It is alright to miss someone whom you have given your heart to. You should not be ashamed even if you are a warrior."
Again Aragorn was shocked by her words, "You seem to be able to read my mind."
Rini smiled, "When it comes to matters of love, I have a gift."
"So I hear. You have many gifts Princess. Your ability to heal and read minds. What others do you possess?"
"You will see in due time. I shall help the Fellowship or I will die trying."
He looked at imagining her grasping a sword. He laughed to himself at the image in his head. They sat together for several more moments before Rini got drowsy and decided to go to sleep. "Good night Aragorn."
"Good night Rini."
~
The Company sat outside the walls of Moria waiting for the old mind of Gandalf to solve the riddle carved on the door, "The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter." Sam had set the little pack horse, Bill go and now all the supplies were divided amongst the travelers to carry.
Suddenly, Elios got up from his spot next to Rini and intently looked up to the sky. "Elios, what is wrong?" his concerned friend asked.
"I don't know. Elysion is in trouble, I can feel it. Something isn't right."
"Then you must go back."
"But I can't leave you here alone."
"You can always come back after you set things right in your kingdom."
"That's just it, I don't know if I can come back."
"What do you mean?"
Looking down at Rini, he said, "It took much energy to transport myself here. I don't know if I will be able to come back here soon. It may take a long time before I am able to."
Rini got up and looked him straight in the eye, "But you must go, I will be fine. I can protect myself."
"But Rini."
"No, Elios. You have been kind enough to stay thus far, and I thank you for that. But I cannot be selfish and ask you to stay when your kingdom is in danger. Go. Come back when you can."
Looking down and contemplating what his princess had just said, Elios decided that she was right. Taking her hands and kneeling on one knee he kissed it and whispered, "I will come back as soon as I can. Please be careful Princess." Not wanting to create large scene, Elios disappeared with a large glow.
'Come back soon Elios.'
All the while, sitting in the shadows, Legolas could not help but to listen to the two and watched in amazement at the white haired man disappeared in the same white light in which he had appeared from.
Everyone, at seeing the bright glow looked in the direction where Rini had sat with her guest. Stunned to see that he was gone, Gimli asked, "And where did your white haired friend go?"
"Home," was the only answer she could muster.
Boromir asked out of curiosity, "Will he be back?"
"I don't know."
With all suddenness that startled them all, the wizard sprang to his feet. He laughed as he said, "I have it!" He cried. "Of course, of course! Absurdly simple, like most riddles when you see the answer."
Picking up his staff he stood before the rock and said in a clear voice: "Mellon!"
Silently a great doorway was outlined, though not a crack or joint had been visible before. Slowly it divided in the middle and swung outwards inch by inch, until both doors lay back against the wall. The Company stared in wonder.