Revised 2/21/04
See Part 1 for disclaimers and such.
Chapter 3He makes that look so easy, Erin thought irritably, holding her sore stomach as she watched Aragorn build a fire. After she had finished throwing up, or rather, dry heaving, since there was nothing left in her stomach to throw up, Gandalf had suggested that they rest for the evening, and perhaps have a bite of food. It was the best idea Erin had heard all day, except for maybe the food part. She wasn't sure if she should eat anything, considering that she had just thrown up twice in less than two hours. Maybe it was a reaction to being dropped into this godforsaken world totally unequipped to deal with anything.
She felt totally useless.
Nothing in her life as a college student had prepared her for this, and she found herself resenting the Valar, whoever they were, for dumping her here. What had they been thinking? It didn't make any sense to her. They could have picked someone with some decent camping skills at least she thought.
Legolas returned with an armful of brush, dropping it beside the fire that Aragorn had started, and cast a glance in her direction, his brows drawn with concern.
Erin sighed, looking away from his concerned face. Just looking at him made her feel funny – all fluttery and jittery inside, and she was afraid her expression would give her away. He was far too beautiful an elf - and waaay the hell out of her league, even if he'd been a man, for her to even entertain any kind of romantic notion about him.
She had no pretenses when it came to her looks. She was pretty standard, in her opinion. She was not very tall, a modest five-foot three, but she didn't consider herself delicately petite. She didn't have dainty bones or skin as pale as moonlight. Her hair was fairly straight, falling in a dark brown curtain to just past her shoulders, and currently very tangled. Her eyes were unremarkable, in her opinion: just plain brown. And while her figure wasn't terrible, neither was it anything that would cause men's jaws to drop open in appreciation. She'd never stopped traffic with her modest C-cup breasts, and her hips, in her opinion, were far too wide. She didn't even want to think about her butt.
"What is it that you think about?" Legolas asked, sitting down beside her on the log.
Erin definitely did not want to answer his question truthfully. So she came up with a plausible lie instead. "Why I'm here," she said, turning to look at him.
Legolas smiled. "It is a good a question as any," he replied, shrugging gracefully. "I too, wonder what your purpose here is to be."
"It's not like I'm good for much of anything," Erin couldn't help but grumble. "I think there must have been a mistake up in the halls of the Valar," she attempted to joke.
Legolas shook his head. "Do not say that, Lady. The Valar are very wise. They will reveal your purpose to you when the time comes."
Erin sighed, wishing briefly that her purpose was to fall in love with the beautiful elf next to her and save him somehow from some dreadful fate. That's a bit much, she snorted silently. Good grief.
"As for being good for something, I supposed any of us could teach you useful skills while you are here," Legolas continued thoughtfully, oblivious to her inner dialog. He glanced at her, hazel eyes twinkling with merriment. "Would that suffice?"
Erin nodded, interest perking her up out of her gloomy thoughts. "That would be great," she said. "Because all my talents lie in modern things. This was my first camping trip, can you believe it?"
Legolas carefully avoided answering. Instead he replied. "You have done well so far, considering how strange this must all be to you."
"Buddy, you have no idea," Erin snickered softly. "This is the weirdest, most unbelievable thing to have ever happened in my entire life. I still have a hard time believing I'm really here, and not snoring in my tent back in the woods." She glanced sideways at him and smiled. "Things like this just don't happen in my world."
"Ah, Lady, but things like that surely must happen in your world," Gandalf said, having overheard the last part of their discussion. At Erin's expression of confusion, he elaborated. "Surely you have had people come up missing, never to be found?"
"Well, yeah, of course, but they usually blame them on murderers who are really creative about hiding the bodies," Erin replied.
"Always?" he pressed, raising a bushy white eyebrow.
Erin thought a moment, considering his question seriously. "Well, no, not always. There's a place called the Bermuda Triangle where people have disappeared without any trace. But that's in the middle of the ocean, so they could have just crashed or sank beneath the water."
Gandalf shook his head. "Such skepticism for one so young in years," he chided, pulling his pipe out of his pocket and filling it from his pouch. "You surprise me, Lady. I would have thought you more open minded, considering your current situation."
Erin watched him light his pipe, blowing smoke rings with evident satisfaction.
"All right, say you're right, and people disappear from my world without being killed or sunk beneath the sea." She felt Legolas stiffen slightly at the word and looked at him questioningly. He shook his head for her to continue. "Are you saying, Gandalf, that they end up here?"
The Wizard regarded her with his ancient eyes and smiled. "Not necessarily, young lady. But it is possible, would you not agree?"
Erin smiled at his reasoning. "Yes, I would have to agree, wouldn't I, considering the circumstances." She felt Legolas chuckle beside her.
"I remember hearing something strange like that," Gimli offered from his seat next to the fire, where he was carefully cleaning his axe. "My uncle Oin used to tell a tale of a strange man who fell out of the sky and landed without harm on the ground. He wore a strange contraption on his back that caught the winds, he said, and kept the man from crashing to the earth. Oin said the man was quite frightened and confused as to where he was, and eventually ran off into the wilderness."
Erin's interest was piqued, and she looked across the fire at Gimli. "Did they find out the man's name?" she asked.
Gimli stopped cleaning for a moment, his heavy brow furrowed in thought. "Eebee, no, no that is not it." He thought a moment longer. "Deebee, deebee something or other." He shrugged apologetically. "I am sorry, lass. My memory fails me."
Erin shook her head, but had to ask anyway. "It wasn't Cooper, was it? D.B. Cooper?"
"Aye! Lass, that's it! Deebee Cooper. A strange name for a strange man indeed." Gimli chuckled softly, picking up his smaller throwing axe and beginning to clean it. "He carried with him a bag of green paper that he would not let go of."
Gandalf was regarding Erin closely. "You recognize Gimli's tale?"
Erin nodded, wrapping her arms around her knees and hugging them to her chest. "He disappeared in my world - after skyjacking an airplane full of people and threatening to blow them up if they didn't give him a bunch of money. He got his money, and took another plane out into the southwestern part of the country, and jumped out of it with a parachute. No one ever saw or heard from him again."
Looking around, Erin realized that she had lost her audience during her explanation. "An airplane is a machine that flies up in the sky and carries people safely from one place to another, very quickly."
Aragorn's eyes widened briefly. "That would be a handy thing indeed to have here," he mused, looking at Gandalf. "We could have brought the Ring Bearer to Mount Doom much faster that way."
"What is sky jacking?" Legolas asked curiously.
"It means he stole the plane and the people on it, so to speak," Erin explained.
"Ah, the man was a pirate," Gimli said, shaking his head. "'Tis good that my people were rid of him as quickly, then."
Erin had to agree in his assessment. Cooper fit the description of a modern-day pirate quite well.
"So, do you believe me when I tell you that you were brought here for a purpose?" Gandalf asked her quietly, tapping his pipe against the edge of a rock to empty it.
"I guess so," Erin admitted, still not liking it. "I just wish I knew what it was." She looked down at her grimy hands and grimaced. "My family will be worried when I don't report for class on Monday."
"I am sorry for that," Gandalf replied softly. "I truly wish there was something I could do, but returning you to your home-world is indeed beyond my power."
Feeling gloomy, Erin got up from her seat, heading for her pack to set up her tent. She did not feel like sleeping under the stars, and she wanted the privacy of her tent so she could cry herself to sleep.
Legolas watched the miraculous process he and Aragorn had observed earlier when they first met Erin reverse itself as Erin pulled the folded poles out of their small carrying sack and unfolded them. He was on his feet and helping her before he realized it, fascinated by the whole procedure. He helped her hold the floppy material as she inserted the poles into their sleeves, pushing them across the top until they came out the other side, and then repeated the process with the second one, until the tent took its dome-like shape. She tapped the small stakes at the corners with the rock that Legolas handed her, and he was rewarded with a small smile for his efforts. He could tell she was feeling badly, and though it was understandable, he wished he knew how to erase the sadness he saw on her face. For the most part, Legolas was a creature of joy and merriment; even at the darkest of times, he could usually find something to lift his spirits. He struggled with the right thing to say to this strange human woman from another world, something that would lighten her expression.
The tent was set up quickly, thanks to Legolas' help, and Erin sat back on her heels, contemplating the pink and gray nylon in front of her, seeing how incongruous it looked in the gloom of the Fangorn trees. She realized that Legolas was sitting silently beside her, contemplating the tent as well, and she smiled faintly.
"'Tis a sturdier construction than the thin material would have me believe," Legolas commented, running his fingers over the shiny nylon. "Does it withstand the weather?"
"The rain, yes. The wind, if it's not too strong. But it doesn't keep out the cold."
Legolas looked sharply at her, but her face was turned away, pensive and closed.
"How do you stay warm in it, then?" he asked curiously.
The corner of her mouth lifted in a half smile and she turned to look at him. "That's what the sleeping bag is for," she replied, trying to ignore his closeness. Only in my dreams, she thought, shivering slightly.
Legolas saw her shiver and thought her cold. Smoothly he unfastened the cloak he wore over his shoulders and settled it over her own, rubbing her shoulders lightly to smooth the material.
"Sleep well, Erin," he said softly, rising from his knees. "Your slumber will be well guarded."
"Good night, Legolas," she replied, watching the tall and graceful form return to the firelight. She caught Gandalf looking at her and waved, calling a louder goodnight for the rest her companions, before crawling into the privacy of her tent and zipping the flap closed.
She quickly shucked off her boots, leaving her socks on to stay. Although they were stiff from being damp and drying, not to mention sweaty and probably smelly, she kept them on for additional warmth. Carefully she removed the gray cloak Legolas had given her, briefly reliving the moment when his hands had rubbed her back with acknowledged weakness. Smiling ruefully, she crawled into her sleeping bag, folding his cloak beneath her cheek so she could still catch the scent that clung to it, and closed her eyes.
Aragorn accepted the pipe from Gandalf and inhaled deeply, feeling the smoke curl within his lungs. A slow and growing warmth spread through his bones and he exhaled, not bothering with the fancier smoke rings that the Wizard favored. He handed the pipe back to Gandalf, wrapping his cloak tighter around him to fight the chill, biting breeze that blew occasionally from the east. His blue eyes focused on the fire, watching the yellow and orange flames flicker over the wood as it burned.
Gimli snored somewhere off to his right, but the ranger did not begrudge the dwarf his well-earned rest. He had pushed his friend hard this day, and Gimli had never grumbled - well, not loud enough for Aragorn to hear him, anyway. He turned his head to search for Legolas, and found the elf leaning against the log he and their strange ward had been sitting on earlier, his dark eyes glazed in reverie. Even in rest, Legolas' hands held his bow, and his knives were well within reach should he need to awaken suddenly.
Aragorn smiled, remembering the slightly reproachful look Legolas had given him when he had handed Erin over to the elf to carry. For such a fierce warrior, the elf was strangely tenderhearted at times, although he did not usually reveal that side of him to those who were not close to him. Aragorn's own feelings towards Erin were a mixture of irritation, frustration, and grudging admiration for her strength of spirit. Despite everything that had happened to her, she had not quailed, nor had she shown anything but her backbone to him, even to the point of pushing him to anger. He regretted loosing his temper with her, for he was a fair minded, even-tempered man. He hoped she realized he had only done what he felt was right at the time, and would not hold it against him. The necessity of their forced partnership made it important for her to trust him, and he hoped his earlier actions would not prevent that from happening. He did not expect it immediately, for she hardly knew any of them. However, he could see that she had given them at least a token amount of trust, for she allowed them to guard her sleep without protest.
He felt Gandalf's regard and pulled back from his thoughts, accepting the pipe from his old friend once more. It was miraculous to him that Gandalf sat beside him right now, yet somehow, not unexpected, for the wizard was always far more than he seemed. Yet to have him return to life, as Gandalf the White, filled him with joy and no small amount of relief. He had felt lost without the wizard, and had done the best he could to guide the rest of the fellowship, yet he could not help the sense of failure when it came to Frodo's departure, and Boromir's death.
"Your thoughts trouble you, Aragorn, I can see that plainly," the wizard spoke gruffly from beside him, watching his friend take a puff from his pipe before accepting it back from him.
Aragorn smiled faintly in the flickering shadows of the campfire. "Aye, Gandalf," he said softly. "I have missed your wisdom these past weeks."
The wizard snorted, lifting a bushy white eyebrow. "It seems you did well enough without it, my friend, for here you are, alive and whole, with another journey yet at hand."
Aragorn watched the lazy smoke rings Gandalf blew float across the campsite to nestle in Gimli's beard. "Boromir's death haunts me," he said finally, his eyes turning back to the fire. "As does Frodo's leaving." He turned his head to look at the wizard, who's face remained impassive. "I did not wish to desert him, for his journey will be more fraught with peril than ever before, yet I could not leave Merry and Pippin to pain and torment if I could prevent it."
"You want to know if you made the right decision?" Gandalf asked, looking sharply at the man who would one day be King of Men. He shook his head. "I cannot tell you if your decision was right or wrong, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. It is yours alone to decide, and none others."
Aragorn dropped his head into his hands, feeling the weight of his impending crown settle on his brow more firmly.
"Yet if proof is what you seek, that your decision was the right one, look you there," Gandalf said quietly.
Aragorn lifted his head and looked, his gaze following where the wizard pointed, resting finally on the odd, dome shaped tent at the edge of their camp. He looked at the wizard in surprise, causing the other to smile.
"She is here, and you were meant to find her, I think, for what reason, I do not know. Yet had you gone with Frodo and Sam, she may have met her death at the hands of the orc who found her sleeping unaware."
Aragorn nodded, his mouth twitching briefly in a smile. "She frightened him off with a beam of light, shouting at him to 'go away'."
"Really?" the wizard exclaimed, puffing on his pipe. "How delightful."
Legolas felt the light tap on his shoulder and was instantly awake, moving easily to his feet. Aragorn moved back from the elf with a quick smile and retired to his bedroll, looking forward to getting some rest and relieved that his watch had ended.
Leaning against the log beside Erin's tent, Legolas' eyes scanned the area, all his senses alert as he kept guard over his sleeping companions. He did not truly expect anything to disturb their rest, and neither did the others, but none of them were willing to forgo the watch, even in the sanctuary of the Fangorn.
The moon rose high above him, lighting the small camp area with a soft glow that Legolas enjoyed. He could hear the sounds of the nocturnal animals in the forest, birds, insects, and other creatures foraging for food and going about their lives in harmony with their surroundings. Despite his earlier forebodings, Legolas found the Fangorn to be beautiful.
He heard Gimli snore and smiled, despite the rattling nature of it. He was glad to hear his friend resting peacefully. He looked for Aragorn, and saw he too, was asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. If Gandalf slept, Legolas could not tell, for the wizard slept in the manner of elves, with both eyes open.
A muffled sound caught his attention and he stiffened instantly, all senses alert for danger. His ears tracked the source of it and he relaxed slightly - it was coming from Erin's tent. The sound was quiet, stifled somehow, and it took him several moments of keen listening before he understood what he was hearing.
Erin was crying in her tent.
Troubled, Legolas cast a glance back at his slumbering companions, uncertain if he should leave her alone to her grief, or offer comfort to her. If she had been another elf, he would not have hesitated, but she was human, and humans were notoriously prickly when it came to such things. He considered what he knew of her briefly, remembering her embarrassment when she had been sick at the field of Orcs, her anger at Aragorn's rough handling, and the quiet strength and determination he had seen flare in her eyes. No closer to a decision, he listened to her softly cry, and felt his heart moved by pity. He could well understand her grief - imagining how he would feel if suddenly taken from everything he knew and thrust into unknown danger with equally unknown companions.
The latter thought prompted him into action, and he moved silently to the entrance of her tent and rapped softly on it.
"Are you well, Erin?" Legolas called quietly, pitching his voice low so as not to wake the others.
He sensed startled movement within the tent. Her crying had ceased the moment he spoke.
"I'm fine," her voice came, odd and husky sounding from her crying. "Please, go away." He could hear the heartbreak in her voice, and it cut at him as surely as if she wielded a knife instead of words. He sat silently outside her tent, waiting for her to speak again, uncertain of what he should do. He heard her sigh, and the strange ripping sound of the 'zipper' opening on the flap.
Erin poked her head out of the opening and looked blurrily at the handsome elf that crouched in front of her tent. Her hair was mussed, and her eyes were swollen from weeping, and she knew she looked awful, yet there was such compassion in the dark eyes that steadily regarded her that she ignored her appearance, such as it was, and accepted the hand that he offered her, helping her step out of her tent.
Legolas looked at her face with concern, seeing the wetness of her cheeks, even as she wiped at them with her fingers. He pulled her to the log and sat her down beside him, still holding her hand loosely in his.
"Why do you weep?" he asked softly, brushing the tear she had missed from her grubby cheek with his thumb.
Erin sighed, so full of conflicting emotions that she didn't know where to begin. She was aware of his hand holding hers, as well as the press of his leg against her thigh. She fought the urge to lean into him, even when he touched her cheek briefly to wipe away the evidence of her grief.
"Pick a reason, Legolas," she replied finally, looking at her fingers.
"You are sad," he answered, prompting a weak chuckle from her.
"Well, yes." She smiled briefly at him, admiring the way the moonlight haloed his hair. "I'm tired, I'm sore from running, and I'm filthy from head to toe, for a start." She felt the comforting press of his fingers against hers, so she continued. "I'm a long way from everyone and everything I know, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to return."
He nodded encouragingly for her to continue.
She shook her head. "That's about it, really. That's the important stuff, anyway." Her stomach growled, startling them both and she smirked briefly. "And I'm hungry."
Legolas smiled, patting her hand with his other one before releasing it. "That is something I can help with, I think," he said, reaching into his tunic.
Erin watched with curiosity as he pulled out a square shaped package, wrapped in a large green leaf and opened it, handing her a triangular shaped wedge. She took it gingerly from him, turning it over to examine it in the moonlight.
"It is Lembas," he explained. "Elvish way-bread. One bite will fill the stomach of a man for a day." He watched her eye it curiously, then finally take a small nibble off the corner of it. He was amused by the way her face lit up at the taste of it as she chewed. He handed her his waterbag without a word and she took a drink, washing the dry and crumbly bread down.
Erin took another drink of the water and handed it back to Legolas, wiping her mouth with the sleeve of her sweatshirt, which she noticed was well-beyond grubby, and sighed. The Lembas had been good - the texture of it reminded her of a cross between a croissant and baklava, both heavy and light at the same time. She felt it hit her empty stomach and felt better almost immediately. She tugged at the filthy sleeves of her favorite sweatshirt, wishing she had some way to clean it. She just hoped she didn't smell too bad.
"Thank you," she said, watching him scan the area of their campsite. "I feel better now."
"Good," came his soft reply as he satisfied himself that all was well. "You should try to sleep now. We have a long journey ahead of us."
"Where are we going now?"
"To Edoras, to return the horses that Éomer lent us, and to seek an audience with the King of the Riddermark," Legolas answered, watching the stars wink above them. "Aragorn and Gandalf hope to warn them of Saruman's treachery."
"And after that?" she asked with trepidation.
Legolas looked away from the view of the stars and glanced at her, seeing the fright on her face.
"I do not know, Erin," he replied softly, with a slight shake of his head. "Go to sleep now. It will be morning soon enough."
Erin nodded sleepily and left him to crawl back into her tent, zipping the flap closed behind her, silently berating herself for her body's reaction to Legolas'. If she wasn't careful, she was going to develop a full-blown crush on the beautiful elf, and end up with a painfully broken heart.
Who am I trying to kid, she snorted to herself as she stripped off her filthy sweatshirt and tossed it in the corner of her tent. I already like him more than I should, and could probably fall in love with him without half-trying. Her grimy pants came off just as quickly, and she tossed them on top of her sweatshirt, reaching into her pack for the jeans and sweater she had worn hiking. They were still slightly damp, but she figured her body heat would help dry them out quick enough. At least they were clean and didn't smell. She changed her socks for her only other pair, and crawled into her sleeping bag, reaching for Legolas' cloak to pillow her head.
It smelled of wood smoke, grass, and earthy things, but underneath the smell was the faint spicy odor she'd come to associate with the elf himself, having had more than plenty of opportunities to smell him up close after spending a good portion of her day slung over his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she briefly indulged in a hopeless fantasy where Legolas was kissing her, but she couldn't quite imagine how his lips would feel against hers. I bet they're soft, softer than his hair, but firm and strong. Erin sighed, irritated with herself for giving in, and firmly pushed all romantic notions aside. She would simply have to content herself with being a friend, and nothing more. Besides, she thought sleepily as she turned over in her sleeping bag, you just got over having your heart torn to itty-bitty pieces. The last thing you need is a hopeless romance.
Aragorn tapped on the side of the tent for the third time, his irritation evident in the scowl on his handsome face.
"Erin!" he called loudly. "Get up!"
"Yes, I'm up, I'm up already!" came the irritable reply. "Give me a second."
He sighed, pushing his frustration aside. "The others are already up and have eaten. We are waiting for you."
The flap to the tent opened with the familiar ripping sound and she stepped out, looking sheepish. "I guess I'm not used to getting up with the chickens." She smiled apologetically at Aragorn. "I'll be ready in a minute. I just need to pack up."
"Be quick," he replied shortly rising to his feet.
He missed her look of irritation at his bossy manner as he strode away.
Aragorn bent to tend to the fire, muttering under his breath. He saw that Gimli was strapping his axe to his back, and Gandalf was having a final smoke before they left. He looked around, but did not see the elf.
"Where is Legolas?"
The elf dropped out of the tree across from them and grinned. "Here, mellonen," he replied.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow at his friend's obvious good humor, and proceeded to smother the coals of their fire with several handfuls of dirt.
"Do not be angry with her, Aragorn," Legolas said, moving over to crouch easily beside the ranger. "'Tis my fault she overslept, I believe. She woke during my watch and we talked for a bit. I should have sent her back to her bed much sooner."
Aragorn looked up from his task at the elf, then glanced quickly over to where Erin was dismantling her tent, his irritation fading. "How was she?" he asked softly, fighting not to smile when he saw her struggle with the poles.
Legolas' eyes were watching her as well, and the smile faded from his face.
"Sad," he replied, his voice low pitched for Aragorn's ears alone. "She cries in her sleep."
Aragorn nodded, brushing the dust from his hands and standing. "Help her finish packing. We need to get moving." He watched Legolas move gracefully across to where Erin was working, and turned to Gimli with a teasing grin.
"Well, Master Dwarf, are you ready yet or do you require more rest?"
Gimli scowled in mock irritation. "I was ready before you were born, young pup!" he growled, his brown eyes glinting in humor.
Aragorn laughed, clapping his friend on his stout shoulders. "I do not doubt that, Gimli, son of Gloin."
Erin looked up at Aragorn's laugh and frowned, glancing over at Legolas who was folding the poles the way she had showed him. "He seems to be in a better mood," she said irritably.
The elf nodded, stowing the poles in the bag with the folded up tent. "Aye. His heart is much lighter now that he knows that Merry and Pippin are safe."
Erin handed him his cloak, feeling suddenly shy, although he accepted it without comment, twirling it quickly over his shoulders and fastening it with the leaf-clasp at his throat. She took the tent from him and stuffed it into her pack, zipping it shut. Grabbing the straps, she heaved it onto her shoulders with a wince. "This thing gets heavier the more I carry it, I swear."
Legolas laughed. "You will grow used to the burdens you carry," he said lightly. "They will grow lighter each day."
"If you say so," she replied with a heavy sigh. "Did I miss breakfast?"
"Yes, but Aragorn will let you eat something before we leave."
Erin snorted, following the tall elf to where the others were waiting. "That's awfully nice of him." She nearly crashed into Legolas when he stopped and spun around, frowning at her.
"Aragorn does not deserve your anger, Erin. Nor has he done anything to earn it," the elf reprimanded her, his soft voice full of reproach. "He would be your friend and protector, if you would but let him."
Abashed, she dropped her head in embarrassment, but Legolas would not let her look away. He lifted her chin with his fingers and made her look at him, his hazel eyes serious. "Your pride was hurt, nothing more. Do not let that become an issue between you. Your anger does you both a great disservice, and does not become you."
She blinked back the tears that had formed in her eyes, pulling her face away from his grasp. He watched her wipe at them surreptitiously with the sleeve of her sweater without comment.
"I'm sorry, Legolas," she said finally. "You're right."
"I am not the one you should apologize to," he replied, and turned away from her.
Darned elf, she sniffed, watching him walk away. He was right, of course. Her pride had been hurt by Aragorn's treatment, but she knew at the time she'd been acting unreasonable, even though it galled her to admit it. She wasn't in her world anymore, and she needed to start acting like it. There were far more dangerous things here to worry about than to waste time and energy being angry with someone who was only trying to help her.
Shifting her pack slightly, she trudged to where the others waited, well aware that they all watched her approach.
"I'm sorry I overslept," she said to Aragorn immediately. "I'll try not to do it again."
Aragorn smiled briefly. "I will have Gimli wake you next time - he bellows louder."
He looked her up and down, noting the change of clothing. "Are you ready?"
"If Legolas has some of that Lembas left," she asked, glancing tentatively at the elf, "I'll be ready in a bite and a swallow."
"You can have some of mine," Gimli offered her the wrapped leaf. "Though it is sustenance, 'tis not satisfying to the palate of a dwarf." He glanced at Legolas and gave him a mock glower. "We need something more substantial to keep our spirits lifted."
"Aye, Master Dwarf," Legolas replied with a light laugh. "Ale and red meat. You'll have that soon enough at the great hall of Meduseld, if we are welcomed there."
The mood was lighter as Erin ate her quick breakfast, washing it down with a sips of water from her own water bottle, filled from the tap at her apartment. The taste of the water was so familiar it nearly brought tears to her eyes, and she hastily stuffed it into her pack, not wanting the others to see the battle she fought against her homesickness.
Following Gandalf, the five of them reached the edge of the Fangorn while the sun was still making its ascent. The horses of Rohan, Arod and Hasufel, looked up from their grazing with interest as the party approached them.
"We have only these two," Aragorn said, catching them easily. "Our pace will be slow, for one of us will have to walk."
Gandalf chuckled, raising a bushy eyebrow at the ranger. "Oh really?" he said, and then let out a long and piercing whistle.
Arod and Hasufel's ears pricked up at the sound, turning their heads to answer the whinny that floated over the hills.
Erin gasped, unable to help herself as the most beautiful horse she had ever seen came galloping swiftly towards them. She was no expert on horses at all, but the animal was majestic, powerful and graceful, its ground eating strides so fluid it almost appeared to be flying over the grass.
"I have never seen his like before," Aragorn breathed in awe beside Gandalf, watching the horse approach. The others were likewise affected.
"Nor will you again, I wager," Gandalf replied. "That is Shadowfax, chief of the Mearas, the lords of horses. Not even Théoden, King of Rohan has ever looked upon better."
He shone like silver in the sunlight, his pure white coat glistening and rippling as his muscles moved smoothly beneath it. Erin held her breath as Shadowfax approached Gandalf, slowing to a walk and bending his proud neck to greet the wizard.
"Hello my old friend," the wizard said fondly, rubbing the soft nose. "You have my thanks for coming so swiftly." With a graceful move that belied his years, Gandalf leaped upon the stallion's back, his right hand gripping the mane and balancing his staff across his knees with his left. He sat easily upon Shadowfax, without saddle or reins to guide him. He grinned down at their startled expressions, enjoying himself immensely. "Now, shall we go?"
Legolas helped Gimli aboard Arod once more, vaulting into the saddle with ease and grace that Erin envied. He made it look so very easy, sitting astride the animal like he was merely an extension of it.
Aragorn laced his fingers together, forming a step for Erin, helping her to mount Hasufel. He swung on behind her, his left arm automatically reaching around her middle to help secure her. The moment he had her settled, he urged Hasufel forward, following behind Gandalf as the wizard led them across the plains towards the capital of Rohan, Legolas and Gimli following close on their heels.
Read Chapter 4
