Leaving

An hour later Lord Elrond arrived, bearing news and a gift for Aragorn. In my subtle way I overheard the conversation between Elrond and his adopted son. Soon I heard talk of riding into the mountains. Knowing Aragorn too well, I assumed he would wish to do so alone. Not if I could help it.

I immediately made ready to depart. Packing my few things, I went to the stable and strapped them to Aerod's side, asking his permission to ride him once more. He was afraid, as all were, but I calmed him as best as I could. I then went in search of Gimli.

The dwarf was already awake, or at least seemed to be. He was sitting outside his tent holding a lit pipe, though his eyes were closed and his breathing came in slow regular breaths. With a smirk I jab him in the shoulder with my bow, avoiding the steady stream of smoke from that infernal pipe as I did. He jolted awake and sat up in his chair, then saw me.

"Bloody hell, Elf, why do you always have to sneak up on me?" he cried. I stood back and crossed my arms, the grin widening.

"But it's so easy, Gimli," I said. "Besides, you'd fallen asleep with a lit pipe - you could have burnt the camp down." He grumbled and sat straighter in his chair.

"I could have done no such thing! Eh- what do you want, anyway?" My smile faded as I looked around, checking that Aragorn was nowhere in sight before bending low to whisper to the dwarf.

"I think Aragorn is going to try to leave," I said. Gimli jolted with the surprising news, but I planted him back down in his chair and continued in a low voice. "Lord Elrond was just here," I continued, ignoring the look of greater surprise on his face. "He brought with him the sword of Elendil and the tale of the men of Dimholt. Gimli, he's going to go through the mountain to gain the allegiance of the dead." Fear. That's what I saw in his eyes - fear from the dwarf? Unheard of! It was quickly hidden but as I stood I squeezed his shoulder in encouragement anyway.

"We're going to follow him in there?" he asked without looking up. I nodded to myself, reaffirming my own decision.

"Yes."

"He's not going to like it."

"He doesn't have to." That got a chuckle out of him. I smile down at him and nod. "If you see him, don't let him out of your sight." Gimli stuck the pipe in his mouth and sat back with his hands behind his head.


"Don't worry, Elf," he said gruffly, "he won't get past me!" Satisfied, I turn to head to the mess tent. Halfway there I stop in stunned silence as I see Eowyn, quite angered, coming towards me. She didn't seem to see me standing there as she rushed by and I took her arm to stop her.

"Eowyn?" She looked up at my touch and gasped when she saw my face.

"Legolas...I- I'm sorry." She looked as if she were trying to find words and I frowned at her.

"What's wrong? You seem angry." She looked up and her eyes hardened once more.

"Aragorn is planning on going through the mountain!" she stated bluntly. So it was true. "He won't let me go with him. He said it's too dangerous."

"But it is," I said, and immediately regretted it. She looked back at me with what looked like anger.

"But- I thought you, of all would understand!" she nearly shouted. Feeling self-conscious I take her arm again and guide her behind the nearest tent.

"I do," I say quietly. Her expression softened as she listened. "You must understand how dangerous this is, though. You are the Shieldmaiden of Rohan, Eowyn, your life is important to your people." She cast her eyes to the ground but I lifted her chin with my finger. "Eowyn," I say. Again I look around to see that none could hear my words but her. "There are other battles that must be fought." Slowly, I see her brows rise, first in curiosity, and then understanding. I nod to her when I am sure the message was received before again heading to the mess tent.

I quickly stow some food in my pack for the journey, as I'm sure Aragorn would wish to leave quickly and unnoticed. As skillful as the Dwarf is at wasting other people's time, I doubted he could hold the man from his mission for long before I arrived. Tying the sack shut, I hurry to Aerod and strap it to his side, before taking the reigns and leading him to where I'd left Gimli. As I approached I could already hear Gimli talking with Aragorn.

"And just where do ya think you're going?" he asked. I felt a smirk creep out onto my face at his tone. Aragorn sighed.

"No, Gimli, not this time. This time you must stay here." Smirk still firmly in place, I choose this moment to back Gimli up. Striding in behind the Ranger, I grin at Gimli before speaking.

"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?" Aragorn turned in surprise and chuckled as our eyes met. He looked about to protest further but I raised an eyebrow in challenge and he shook his head.

"You two will be the death of me," he joked. Then Gimli spoke up behind him.

"Oh, leave that to the Elf with his faulty aim!" I knew it was a joke, and felt the laughter starting in my stomach, but forced it down in an effort to speak seriously.

"You had better take care, Gimli, if you do not want something dire to happen to your beard while you sleep." With a scowl the Dwarf stood, tucking his pipe into his pocket and hefting his pack. I shot him one last grin before mounting Aerod and helping him up behind me.

A low fog had gathered on the ground near the entrance to the path between the mountains. We steered our horses to it, but they seemed reluctant to touch it. Aragorn and I both whispered soothing words to our steeds, encouraging them to press on. As we did a crowd of the early risers gathered about us, and I heard many frightened and frustrated questions being directed at us, themselves and their sires. The last thing I heard as we entered the dark passage, was a frightened voice crying, "Lord Aragorn! Why do you leave us?"