As they raced Lilly really for the first time became aware of her
surroundings. Everywhere she looked there were rolling hills with the
occasional rock or tree dotting it, but for as far as her elven eyes could
see it was nothing but luscious farm lands. Every now and then they would
pass a farm or two and spot the children chasing after the ducks or
chickens. It was a peaceful land, everywhere land and crops were
flourishing. People were so kind and generous, they seemed to have no fear
of strangers just opening up their doors to anyone that was in need of
shelter or care. Yet their seemed to be a hidden darkness, an unnoticeable
shadow that was buried deep within the land that she hoped would never
emerge.
It was getting on toward nightfall as Lilly and Legolas neared the borders
of Rohan.
"Should we stop to make camp Legolas?"
Quickly scanning the land he nodded, "It would be better to try to find a
spot to camp while there is still light than to try to find one in the
night."
So they rode for about seven more minutes before finding a spot they both
deemed worthy and safe to stay the night in. Unpacking their supplies Lilly
laid out the necessary provisions for the night and Legolas went out to
gather firewood. As Lilly looked thought their supplies she discovered that
there was a variety of different foods that Théoden had given them. The
main thing he had packed was lembas, which surprised her. Then there were
carrots, regular bread, apples, little purple berries that she had never
seen before, and an assortment of other things. Still she wondered about
the berries so she decided to try one. So picking one up she brought it to
her nose so as to see if it had a smell, it did not, then as she placing it
in her mouth and bit down on it the most amazing flavors burst in her
mouth, pineapple, blue berries, apples, peaches, and many others. Savoring
the last bits of juice Lilly wondered how such a small food could contain
such an array of tastes. Putting that aside she began to worry about
Legolas, he had been gone for a while now and it was not like him to be
slow.
Calm down Lilly I'm sure it's nothing. He probably couldn't find much wood,
that's all. She just kept saying that to herself.
Then just as she was about to go out and start looking for him, Legolas
came out of the forest humming merrily to himself. Legolas, Lilly thought
to herself.
"How did you fare?"
"Very well, I found enough wood to last us the night. What did Théoden send
along with us?"
"The necessaries but this is a treat." She said this as she held out one of
the little purple berries that she had tried earlier. "Here try one."
Taking the berry from her Legolas repeated the same steps as Lilly had
done. First he put it to his nose to see if there was any smell then he
popped into his mouth. Almost at once his face lit up.
"This is extraordinary, so many flavors yet so small a thing."
"One of the many mysteries of Edoras."
"Should we start the fire or wait till it gets a bit darker?"
"Now would be nice, the fire would be comforting in the growing darkness."
