Disclaimer: meh
A/N: Sorry about the long delay! Trust me, I've been loaded down lately with all sorts of things, and with the holidays and midterms fast approaching, it's hard! And it's hard finding a moment to just sit down and type. I've also hit a tad bit of writers block. I'm really dying to get Caitlin and Elli together again, but alas, that hasn't been happening. But I hope you enjoy this chapter, considering the title and the long awaited delay on it! It's also quiet long, and full of a lot of goodies, so you should all like it. And remember that other story I'd have for you in January? Scratch that; it's been pushed back, 'cuz I haven't done an ounce of work on it. So anyway, read on lovies, and I hope to have a lot more for you soon.
ELLI'S POV
"How's your arm, Pippin?" I asked.
He looked up at me, where I was perched atop Treebeard's shoulder. He hadn't said anything about the arrow that had pierced his arm at the attack on the uruk-hai camp, and I wanted to make sure he was doing well. "Fine," he answered. 'Tis better. Thank-you for asking Elli."
"And how are you doing, lass," interjected Merry. "You were pretty beaten' up by those uruks. Are you doin' ok?"
I gave a small smile. "Yes," I remarked. "I am doing better now that they're no longer torturing me. Thank you for being concerned."
Merry and Pippin were clinging to Treebeards back, which wasn't hard to do with all the nooks and crevices on his bark. I had sat myself down upon his shoulders, after making myself as comfortable as possible. And I had a good view of the two of them when I looked over my right shoulder ever so slightly. Treebeard had said he'd lead us to someone who would know what we were. And he kept saying something about white. I figured it had to be Gandalf, but I wouldn't say anything to the hobbit lads about that. Why spoil their fun? And who knew if I was right or not?
I took a look around as we rode high upon the mighty walkin' talkin' tree. I could see only slightly above the forest canopy, but enough to see that we were going downhill. From far away I could see a thin, black, pointy tower poking itself out of a ring of stone. Isenguard, I guessed it to be. It was just on the skirts of the forest down there, a few more miles from where the three of us hobbits had escaped into Fangorn. Small swirls of smoke arose from the ground in various places around it, where the heart of Saruman's destruction was brewing.
We traveled on, feeling the cool wind blow against out travel stained faces. It was late February, going into March pretty soon. The days were still cold, but beginning to warm up for us.
I ached, and I smelled. I hadn't had a bath since Lorien, and I doubt I'd get one for a long time to come. It made me wonder how Caitlin was fairing, and if she as pissed as I thought she was about her lack of bathing time. When we first got here and were dropped into the muddy marsh, she'd been furious and had nearly thrown a full-blown hissy fit. She's gotten over all that "prettiness", that was for sure. She was elven in appearance now. So did that mean she could look neat and primped all the time? I doubted it.
"Where are we going Treebeard?" I suddenly decided to ask. My voice seemed to startle the silence.
"To seek information. I do not know what a 'halfling' is, and therefore I must ask the White Wizard."
"White Wizard?" Pippin asked quizzically. I looked down at him. He had a confused look on his face, but I kept my trap shut. I wasn't spoiling anything, because there might not be anything to spoil, although that was highly doubtful.
"Yes," replied Treebeard slowly. "The White Wizard will know what to do with you."
Let's hope he does. For the stories sake.
~*~*~*~*~*~
I stood now, my furry feet on the ground as Merry and Pippin climbed down from Treebeard's neck. The old tree had said the White Wizard was close, and therefore we should get down now instead of after we had bumped into him.
I didn't see any magical white light. All I saw were trees and vines and funny looking shrubs and moss stuff. Once all three of us were settled on the ground, Treebeard said he would return to find us later. That wasn't very comforting, but I put my faith in it. All the three of us had to do now was stand there and wait.
And wait we did.
I didn't know what was to happen now. I guess I was expecting Gandalf to suddenly appear and all would be happy again. Merry and Pippin looked scared, as if the other evil White Wizard was going to pop up any second and kidnap them for real this time. They didn't know that Gandalf was returning. So I decided I'd look around and pretend to be scared half out of my wits too.
"Look! Over there!" Pippin suddenly cried.
I turned my head around and tried to see what Pippin saw. I followed his extended finger, and then I noticed it. Not too far in front of us a white form in glimmering robes and shinning light was slowly approaching us.
"The White Wizard!" Merry whispered in awe. "What do we do? What will he do to us?"
"Hush!" remarked Pippin. "He thinks we have the Ring! He'll kidnap us, put a spell on us! It's Saruman, and he'll try to hurt us!"
I wanted to fall to the ground and die laughing. But I held my trap shut and stared at the beautiful light that came forth. Soon though, even I began to doubt that this glowing figure could be Gandalf. I was still having a hard time imagining him in rich rags and beautiful clothing. He was best known as the Grey Wizard, robed in dirty cloaks and draping skirts that dragged upon the ground. Who was this enchanted being that was walking elegantly towards us? Was that really Gandalf?
Pippin and Merry were in pure awe. Their mouths hung open, their eyes were bugged out and wide, their arms hung stiffly at their sides. Again, I wanted to laugh really hard.
The figure was soon before us, standing tall with a white staff, elven in design, and a white light that hid his features. He didn't speak right away, and neither did the three of us. I wanted to say something, but the only thing I could think to say was his name. And I was having trouble figuring out if this truly was Gandalf.
Merry and Pippin were scared; I could see it on their faces. They really thought this was Saruman. The thought had never crossed their minds that Gandalf could come back after his fall in Moria.
"Well," began Merry. "What answers have you, White Wizard?"
I wowed at his newfound bravery. Was that a little hobbit that just spoke like that?
The glowing form said nothing for a moment, but he did lower his staff a bit. "You're part is just beginning in this tale, young hobbit lads."
"Hobbit lads?" Merry asked enunciating the 'lads.' He swung a quick look in my direction. "What about Elli?" Then as an afterthought he added, "And who are you?"
"I am the White Wizard."
"Saruman?" Pippin suddenly squeaked in fear, seeming quite scared of what was about to happen now that he had spoken the dreaded name.
Slowly, the wizard stepped out from his sacred white light and his face was revealed to us. I smiled, grateful after all that it really was Gandalf. Merry and Pippin gave collective gasps.
"I am Gandalf the White, or, Saruman as he should have been."
"It's you! Gandalf, it's you! But how?"
"I have come back, for my task upon Middle-earth has not been fulfilled. I am the Enemy of Sauron, and he still walks this earth. Therefore, so must I. I have come back stronger, and with more power."
"Gandalf!" Merry cried, and then the two of them ran to their old wizard friend and hugged him tightly, grateful that he was back. I stood back a moment, gleeful that this had turned out all right, and that Gandalf was back to set things right again.
"What did you mean by 'lads' though, Gandalf?" Merry asked again, as he pulled away from Gandalf's hug. "What's going to happen to Elli?"
The two hobbits stepped back from the wizard a moment, and then Gandalf took a long look at me. He stayed silent a moment, trying to figure out how to word his answer. "She has not decided on her next course of action," he finally stated.
Now it was time for all three of them to stare at me. Pippin looked confused by this statement. But Merry looked quite shocked.
"You're not going to stay with Pippin and I? You plan on leaving us?"
"Merry," I began. "I need to find Caitlin again. I made her promise we'd stay together. And I don't know how long she'll last with just men. She needs me. And I need her."
"But why would you leave us? Take us with you!"
"No, I can't. You have your own part to fulfill in this forest before we may meet again. I won't promise we'll meet. So much has changed already. But you and Pippin, you are going to stay with the Ents, and awaken them. Help Treebeard to wake up Fangorn Forest!"
CAITLIN'S POV
"The air is so close in here!" Gimli stated quite loudly.
"The forest is old, my friend," Legolas replied. "The trees are speaking to one another. Can you hear it?"
"Yes," he grumbled. "I can hear them. And how old can these trees possibly be? What can they be talking about?"
"The Ents are older than even the elves. They were first to walk these lands. The trees are awakening, that is why they speak. Don't be scared, they'll feel it."
Gimli continued grumbling beneath his bushy beard, and I continued following his armored behind. Nothing much had happened since we'd gotten in here. Aragorn kept peering closely to the ground, getting so close that a few times I thought he was going to fall over. Boromir looked just as creeped out as I felt, and Gimli looked worse than the two of us. Legolas looked ever calm, cool and collected, listening to the happy trees go on in their merry discussions.
If my memory served me well, and it rarely did in such cases where I was thrown into a novel I had never read, I figured we'd find at least Gandalf before the day was over. But I couldn't even tell if it was day or not! Who could see any sky in this dense place?
I heard someone spit out something behind me, and turned to find Gimli tasting orc blood. I could fairly make out the black spots on the leaves in front of his nose, and figured we were getting closer to better and more interesting things.
"These are strange tracks," remarked Aragorn. Boromir was at his side and peered down as well to get a closer look. Legolas looked as if he was still listening to the talking trees, but then I heard and felt a soft and magical presence.
"Aragorn!" he called softly. "The White Wizard approaches!"
I turned to look at Legolas, slightly believing he was crazy, and waiting for him to mention Saruman. Aragorn looked a bit scared at this realization. So did the other two. I, on the other hand, could hardly be more excited about seeing good ol' Gandalf again.
At least, I hoped it was Gandalf.
The five of us ran and stood in a line formation, our backs to the light that was slowly forming behind us. Legolas was to my right shoulder at the moment, Boromir to my left. Aragorn was next to him.
"We must be quick," Aragorn stated, "or he will put a spell on us."
I snorted softly beneath my breath, and only the damned elf heard me.
The light became brighter, filling up the spaces between the trees that stood in front of us so that all I could see was white light. Legolas was preparing an arrow on his bow and Boromir and Aragorn had their hands on their sword hilts. Gimli had raised his axe chin high. I, just so I wouldn't look like an idiot in the end, did nothing.
"NOW!" Aragorn screamed, and the five us spun around quickly, the four of them with weapons raised. I saw Boromir's sword light up bright red, and his hand flew up in pain as he dropped his sword. He gave a cry, and then Aragorn dropped his sword as well. Legolas fired an arrow, but the shinning figure knocked it away and snapped it in two with a swift and powerful movement of his arm. Gimli threw his axe last, and the same thing happened.
I put a hand over my eyes, shielding them from the forth-coming light. "You're the White Wizard?"
"Yes, I am," he answered, his voice deep and hidden. "And you five travelers are tracking the footsteps of three young hobbits."
I nodded in answer to his question. "Show yourself!" I cried out, ready to get a peak at an old and wise friend.
Before the light had even begun to diminish, a small figure came jumping out from behind the figure.
"Me first!" it screamed. And with open arms it came running towards me, smiling and squealing.
"Elli!" I screamed in recognition. I leaned down and hugged her, lifting her off of her short legs and holding her to me. Tears began to well up in my eyes, and at that point I didn't care. I pulled her head back from me to get a good look at her, hardly believing it was really her in my arms.
"But how? What?" I stumbled, trying to form one sentence that made sense. Then I turned and looked at the glowing figure. "Gandalf!"
Everyone looked confused except Elli. "Gandalf?" asked Aragorn, and then they all turned and found that the White Wizard had been revealed. All the men stood in silence, and Elli and I smiled, grateful to have him back and knowing what kind of trouble would have ensued if we had not found him.
"But, you fell!" Aragorn cried, seemingly not believing that this was real.
"Yes, I did. But my job here is not done, so I have been sent back stronger."
"Gandalf! It really is you!" Gimli whispered. One by one they were realizing that this was real.
"I took you to be Saruman!" said Legolas, who stood at my left now that we had spun around. He dropped to his left knee, his head bent towards the ground.
"He is Saruman," said Elli. Legolas brought his head up and gave her a strange look. "He's Saruman as he should have been."
He smiled at that knowledge, and then Elli climbed down from my arms and hugged him. Legolas looked surprised at first, but then he hugged her tightly for a moment. A smile crept across his face, and then Elli pulled out of his arms and continued hugging everyone else. When she got to Boromir, she gave a loud squeal of delight, and he laughed as she lunged at him.
"Yes, little one! I am alive!" he remarked, hugging her as she squeezed the life out of him.
"You didn't die! I don't know whether to be confused or thrilled!" she cried.
"You seem thrilled to me!" I laughed.
After Elli had climbed out of Boromir's arms, she turned towards Gandalf with a smile. "They'll be ok, won't they Gandalf?"
Gandalf leaned down and placed a strong hand on her shoulder. "They will be fine. You will see them again in due time. I do believe they are in good hands with Treebeard. You were smart in leaving them to their own part in the story."
Elli smiled, seemingly grateful at these gracious words of Gandalf. Then she turned back to look at the rest of us.
"You have seen the hobbit lads?" Aragorn asked Gandalf.
He nodded. "Elli was with them, but she wished more to see Caitlin and all of you once again. She believed Caitlin would need her in time, and they had a promise to uphold. And we have business of our own to attend to. So if you will all follow me out of the forest, I will explain why we seek to be swift."
The seven of us turned and walked back out the way we had come, making our way out of the forest now. I gave Elli a piggyback ride, trampling behind Gimli once again as Gandalf lead the way and the three taller men followed closely to him.
I knew we were headed towards Edoras, from listening to them talk, and by Elli's rambling in my ear. I wasn't sure what to expect when we got there though. I didn't even know how we were going to get there!
"So," Elli whispered. "Have I missed anything exciting?"
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" I retorted.
"You know damn well what I mean! Have you been good, or have you been all over the elfin prince?"
"WHAT!" I whispered angrily. "I've been behaving! I did sleep next to him one night though, but I had had a nervous breakdown. I was worried about you. And he whispered elven things in my ear and I ended up falling asleep next to him."
"I should have known."
"It's not supposed to sound that horrible, really!"
"No, I should have known this."
"Known what?" I asked, becoming quiet confused.
"You're not just falling for him. You're both falling for each other."
"How do you know!?" I shrieked, becoming angry. "You've been back less than an hour and you think you know everything that has happened to me!"
"Yes," she replied, sounding so nonchalant about it. "Just like I can tell that Merry is falling for me."
"Wait. . . what?" I was really confused now.
"He really likes me, and it's sweet, but it's not in the cards. We have to get home, and not alter this destiny too much. He's destined to be with a real hobbit, not a look alike one who just so happened to fall into this world."
"Do you like him?" I asked quietly.
She was silent a moment. "I don't know."
We walked on, enjoying the girlish company we got from each other, and following the men that would protect us through anything. We were together again, our promise fulfilled for the time being. And I was grateful that things were ok for now.
A/N: Sorry about the long delay! Trust me, I've been loaded down lately with all sorts of things, and with the holidays and midterms fast approaching, it's hard! And it's hard finding a moment to just sit down and type. I've also hit a tad bit of writers block. I'm really dying to get Caitlin and Elli together again, but alas, that hasn't been happening. But I hope you enjoy this chapter, considering the title and the long awaited delay on it! It's also quiet long, and full of a lot of goodies, so you should all like it. And remember that other story I'd have for you in January? Scratch that; it's been pushed back, 'cuz I haven't done an ounce of work on it. So anyway, read on lovies, and I hope to have a lot more for you soon.
ELLI'S POV
"How's your arm, Pippin?" I asked.
He looked up at me, where I was perched atop Treebeard's shoulder. He hadn't said anything about the arrow that had pierced his arm at the attack on the uruk-hai camp, and I wanted to make sure he was doing well. "Fine," he answered. 'Tis better. Thank-you for asking Elli."
"And how are you doing, lass," interjected Merry. "You were pretty beaten' up by those uruks. Are you doin' ok?"
I gave a small smile. "Yes," I remarked. "I am doing better now that they're no longer torturing me. Thank you for being concerned."
Merry and Pippin were clinging to Treebeards back, which wasn't hard to do with all the nooks and crevices on his bark. I had sat myself down upon his shoulders, after making myself as comfortable as possible. And I had a good view of the two of them when I looked over my right shoulder ever so slightly. Treebeard had said he'd lead us to someone who would know what we were. And he kept saying something about white. I figured it had to be Gandalf, but I wouldn't say anything to the hobbit lads about that. Why spoil their fun? And who knew if I was right or not?
I took a look around as we rode high upon the mighty walkin' talkin' tree. I could see only slightly above the forest canopy, but enough to see that we were going downhill. From far away I could see a thin, black, pointy tower poking itself out of a ring of stone. Isenguard, I guessed it to be. It was just on the skirts of the forest down there, a few more miles from where the three of us hobbits had escaped into Fangorn. Small swirls of smoke arose from the ground in various places around it, where the heart of Saruman's destruction was brewing.
We traveled on, feeling the cool wind blow against out travel stained faces. It was late February, going into March pretty soon. The days were still cold, but beginning to warm up for us.
I ached, and I smelled. I hadn't had a bath since Lorien, and I doubt I'd get one for a long time to come. It made me wonder how Caitlin was fairing, and if she as pissed as I thought she was about her lack of bathing time. When we first got here and were dropped into the muddy marsh, she'd been furious and had nearly thrown a full-blown hissy fit. She's gotten over all that "prettiness", that was for sure. She was elven in appearance now. So did that mean she could look neat and primped all the time? I doubted it.
"Where are we going Treebeard?" I suddenly decided to ask. My voice seemed to startle the silence.
"To seek information. I do not know what a 'halfling' is, and therefore I must ask the White Wizard."
"White Wizard?" Pippin asked quizzically. I looked down at him. He had a confused look on his face, but I kept my trap shut. I wasn't spoiling anything, because there might not be anything to spoil, although that was highly doubtful.
"Yes," replied Treebeard slowly. "The White Wizard will know what to do with you."
Let's hope he does. For the stories sake.
~*~*~*~*~*~
I stood now, my furry feet on the ground as Merry and Pippin climbed down from Treebeard's neck. The old tree had said the White Wizard was close, and therefore we should get down now instead of after we had bumped into him.
I didn't see any magical white light. All I saw were trees and vines and funny looking shrubs and moss stuff. Once all three of us were settled on the ground, Treebeard said he would return to find us later. That wasn't very comforting, but I put my faith in it. All the three of us had to do now was stand there and wait.
And wait we did.
I didn't know what was to happen now. I guess I was expecting Gandalf to suddenly appear and all would be happy again. Merry and Pippin looked scared, as if the other evil White Wizard was going to pop up any second and kidnap them for real this time. They didn't know that Gandalf was returning. So I decided I'd look around and pretend to be scared half out of my wits too.
"Look! Over there!" Pippin suddenly cried.
I turned my head around and tried to see what Pippin saw. I followed his extended finger, and then I noticed it. Not too far in front of us a white form in glimmering robes and shinning light was slowly approaching us.
"The White Wizard!" Merry whispered in awe. "What do we do? What will he do to us?"
"Hush!" remarked Pippin. "He thinks we have the Ring! He'll kidnap us, put a spell on us! It's Saruman, and he'll try to hurt us!"
I wanted to fall to the ground and die laughing. But I held my trap shut and stared at the beautiful light that came forth. Soon though, even I began to doubt that this glowing figure could be Gandalf. I was still having a hard time imagining him in rich rags and beautiful clothing. He was best known as the Grey Wizard, robed in dirty cloaks and draping skirts that dragged upon the ground. Who was this enchanted being that was walking elegantly towards us? Was that really Gandalf?
Pippin and Merry were in pure awe. Their mouths hung open, their eyes were bugged out and wide, their arms hung stiffly at their sides. Again, I wanted to laugh really hard.
The figure was soon before us, standing tall with a white staff, elven in design, and a white light that hid his features. He didn't speak right away, and neither did the three of us. I wanted to say something, but the only thing I could think to say was his name. And I was having trouble figuring out if this truly was Gandalf.
Merry and Pippin were scared; I could see it on their faces. They really thought this was Saruman. The thought had never crossed their minds that Gandalf could come back after his fall in Moria.
"Well," began Merry. "What answers have you, White Wizard?"
I wowed at his newfound bravery. Was that a little hobbit that just spoke like that?
The glowing form said nothing for a moment, but he did lower his staff a bit. "You're part is just beginning in this tale, young hobbit lads."
"Hobbit lads?" Merry asked enunciating the 'lads.' He swung a quick look in my direction. "What about Elli?" Then as an afterthought he added, "And who are you?"
"I am the White Wizard."
"Saruman?" Pippin suddenly squeaked in fear, seeming quite scared of what was about to happen now that he had spoken the dreaded name.
Slowly, the wizard stepped out from his sacred white light and his face was revealed to us. I smiled, grateful after all that it really was Gandalf. Merry and Pippin gave collective gasps.
"I am Gandalf the White, or, Saruman as he should have been."
"It's you! Gandalf, it's you! But how?"
"I have come back, for my task upon Middle-earth has not been fulfilled. I am the Enemy of Sauron, and he still walks this earth. Therefore, so must I. I have come back stronger, and with more power."
"Gandalf!" Merry cried, and then the two of them ran to their old wizard friend and hugged him tightly, grateful that he was back. I stood back a moment, gleeful that this had turned out all right, and that Gandalf was back to set things right again.
"What did you mean by 'lads' though, Gandalf?" Merry asked again, as he pulled away from Gandalf's hug. "What's going to happen to Elli?"
The two hobbits stepped back from the wizard a moment, and then Gandalf took a long look at me. He stayed silent a moment, trying to figure out how to word his answer. "She has not decided on her next course of action," he finally stated.
Now it was time for all three of them to stare at me. Pippin looked confused by this statement. But Merry looked quite shocked.
"You're not going to stay with Pippin and I? You plan on leaving us?"
"Merry," I began. "I need to find Caitlin again. I made her promise we'd stay together. And I don't know how long she'll last with just men. She needs me. And I need her."
"But why would you leave us? Take us with you!"
"No, I can't. You have your own part to fulfill in this forest before we may meet again. I won't promise we'll meet. So much has changed already. But you and Pippin, you are going to stay with the Ents, and awaken them. Help Treebeard to wake up Fangorn Forest!"
CAITLIN'S POV
"The air is so close in here!" Gimli stated quite loudly.
"The forest is old, my friend," Legolas replied. "The trees are speaking to one another. Can you hear it?"
"Yes," he grumbled. "I can hear them. And how old can these trees possibly be? What can they be talking about?"
"The Ents are older than even the elves. They were first to walk these lands. The trees are awakening, that is why they speak. Don't be scared, they'll feel it."
Gimli continued grumbling beneath his bushy beard, and I continued following his armored behind. Nothing much had happened since we'd gotten in here. Aragorn kept peering closely to the ground, getting so close that a few times I thought he was going to fall over. Boromir looked just as creeped out as I felt, and Gimli looked worse than the two of us. Legolas looked ever calm, cool and collected, listening to the happy trees go on in their merry discussions.
If my memory served me well, and it rarely did in such cases where I was thrown into a novel I had never read, I figured we'd find at least Gandalf before the day was over. But I couldn't even tell if it was day or not! Who could see any sky in this dense place?
I heard someone spit out something behind me, and turned to find Gimli tasting orc blood. I could fairly make out the black spots on the leaves in front of his nose, and figured we were getting closer to better and more interesting things.
"These are strange tracks," remarked Aragorn. Boromir was at his side and peered down as well to get a closer look. Legolas looked as if he was still listening to the talking trees, but then I heard and felt a soft and magical presence.
"Aragorn!" he called softly. "The White Wizard approaches!"
I turned to look at Legolas, slightly believing he was crazy, and waiting for him to mention Saruman. Aragorn looked a bit scared at this realization. So did the other two. I, on the other hand, could hardly be more excited about seeing good ol' Gandalf again.
At least, I hoped it was Gandalf.
The five of us ran and stood in a line formation, our backs to the light that was slowly forming behind us. Legolas was to my right shoulder at the moment, Boromir to my left. Aragorn was next to him.
"We must be quick," Aragorn stated, "or he will put a spell on us."
I snorted softly beneath my breath, and only the damned elf heard me.
The light became brighter, filling up the spaces between the trees that stood in front of us so that all I could see was white light. Legolas was preparing an arrow on his bow and Boromir and Aragorn had their hands on their sword hilts. Gimli had raised his axe chin high. I, just so I wouldn't look like an idiot in the end, did nothing.
"NOW!" Aragorn screamed, and the five us spun around quickly, the four of them with weapons raised. I saw Boromir's sword light up bright red, and his hand flew up in pain as he dropped his sword. He gave a cry, and then Aragorn dropped his sword as well. Legolas fired an arrow, but the shinning figure knocked it away and snapped it in two with a swift and powerful movement of his arm. Gimli threw his axe last, and the same thing happened.
I put a hand over my eyes, shielding them from the forth-coming light. "You're the White Wizard?"
"Yes, I am," he answered, his voice deep and hidden. "And you five travelers are tracking the footsteps of three young hobbits."
I nodded in answer to his question. "Show yourself!" I cried out, ready to get a peak at an old and wise friend.
Before the light had even begun to diminish, a small figure came jumping out from behind the figure.
"Me first!" it screamed. And with open arms it came running towards me, smiling and squealing.
"Elli!" I screamed in recognition. I leaned down and hugged her, lifting her off of her short legs and holding her to me. Tears began to well up in my eyes, and at that point I didn't care. I pulled her head back from me to get a good look at her, hardly believing it was really her in my arms.
"But how? What?" I stumbled, trying to form one sentence that made sense. Then I turned and looked at the glowing figure. "Gandalf!"
Everyone looked confused except Elli. "Gandalf?" asked Aragorn, and then they all turned and found that the White Wizard had been revealed. All the men stood in silence, and Elli and I smiled, grateful to have him back and knowing what kind of trouble would have ensued if we had not found him.
"But, you fell!" Aragorn cried, seemingly not believing that this was real.
"Yes, I did. But my job here is not done, so I have been sent back stronger."
"Gandalf! It really is you!" Gimli whispered. One by one they were realizing that this was real.
"I took you to be Saruman!" said Legolas, who stood at my left now that we had spun around. He dropped to his left knee, his head bent towards the ground.
"He is Saruman," said Elli. Legolas brought his head up and gave her a strange look. "He's Saruman as he should have been."
He smiled at that knowledge, and then Elli climbed down from my arms and hugged him. Legolas looked surprised at first, but then he hugged her tightly for a moment. A smile crept across his face, and then Elli pulled out of his arms and continued hugging everyone else. When she got to Boromir, she gave a loud squeal of delight, and he laughed as she lunged at him.
"Yes, little one! I am alive!" he remarked, hugging her as she squeezed the life out of him.
"You didn't die! I don't know whether to be confused or thrilled!" she cried.
"You seem thrilled to me!" I laughed.
After Elli had climbed out of Boromir's arms, she turned towards Gandalf with a smile. "They'll be ok, won't they Gandalf?"
Gandalf leaned down and placed a strong hand on her shoulder. "They will be fine. You will see them again in due time. I do believe they are in good hands with Treebeard. You were smart in leaving them to their own part in the story."
Elli smiled, seemingly grateful at these gracious words of Gandalf. Then she turned back to look at the rest of us.
"You have seen the hobbit lads?" Aragorn asked Gandalf.
He nodded. "Elli was with them, but she wished more to see Caitlin and all of you once again. She believed Caitlin would need her in time, and they had a promise to uphold. And we have business of our own to attend to. So if you will all follow me out of the forest, I will explain why we seek to be swift."
The seven of us turned and walked back out the way we had come, making our way out of the forest now. I gave Elli a piggyback ride, trampling behind Gimli once again as Gandalf lead the way and the three taller men followed closely to him.
I knew we were headed towards Edoras, from listening to them talk, and by Elli's rambling in my ear. I wasn't sure what to expect when we got there though. I didn't even know how we were going to get there!
"So," Elli whispered. "Have I missed anything exciting?"
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" I retorted.
"You know damn well what I mean! Have you been good, or have you been all over the elfin prince?"
"WHAT!" I whispered angrily. "I've been behaving! I did sleep next to him one night though, but I had had a nervous breakdown. I was worried about you. And he whispered elven things in my ear and I ended up falling asleep next to him."
"I should have known."
"It's not supposed to sound that horrible, really!"
"No, I should have known this."
"Known what?" I asked, becoming quiet confused.
"You're not just falling for him. You're both falling for each other."
"How do you know!?" I shrieked, becoming angry. "You've been back less than an hour and you think you know everything that has happened to me!"
"Yes," she replied, sounding so nonchalant about it. "Just like I can tell that Merry is falling for me."
"Wait. . . what?" I was really confused now.
"He really likes me, and it's sweet, but it's not in the cards. We have to get home, and not alter this destiny too much. He's destined to be with a real hobbit, not a look alike one who just so happened to fall into this world."
"Do you like him?" I asked quietly.
She was silent a moment. "I don't know."
We walked on, enjoying the girlish company we got from each other, and following the men that would protect us through anything. We were together again, our promise fulfilled for the time being. And I was grateful that things were ok for now.