Hi everyone! Sorry it took so long! But it was the skl hols, then skl camp,
so I wasn't at home very much. I hope you all like this chapter, as it was
great fun for me to write so read and review!. And thanks sooooo much to my
wonderful beta Miriellar!!!!!!!!!
The late morning sun broke through the tress, soothing the elf's irritated and restless spirit. Though he said naught; Aragorn was well aware of the elf's discomfort; he could sense it emanating from him in waves.
The two companions steadily climbed back down the cliff face. Aragorn knew exactly what he was searching for and led the way silently.
'Why did Aragorn have to bring me?' Thought Legolas to himself; somewhat broodingly, his friend could easily have managed it alone and he resented the ulterior motive.
Soon enough, they came across a large patch of green herbs which Aragorn quickly began picking.
"Why did you need me to come, Aragorn?" Legolas questioned him; Aragorn smiled at the bluntness of his question, he knew that his friend would have preferred to talk with Gandalf.
"I think you know. I wanted to talk about something,"
Legolas sighed, irritated by Aragorn's actions. He had no intentions of calling a truce with the girl; he did not have a problem with her being female, it was her attitude that irked him.
"Why do you dislike Siawyn so much as to laugh at her pain Legolas?"
Aragorn was no longer smiling; it was not like the Elf to laugh at someone at a time like that. Legolas looked away from him, not knowing the answer to the question himself.
"I can understand why you did not like her when we met; and why you were suspicious, but that does not explain your judgment of her now. Elves are able to sense emotions, you would be able to tell if she was lying or not. I could, even though I am not of Elf kind. Surely if you knew she was lying you would tell me. Would you not?"
Even though Aragorn was not of Elf kind, he was very good at uncovering hidden emotions, to Legolas' despair.
"Yes," said Legolas truthfully, "but the truth is I cannot not tell. Clouds of mist that my own senses cannot penetrate shroud her emotions! It has never happened to me before and I know not what to make of it!"
Aragorn smiled, and Legolas looked at him quizzically.
"What is it that you find so amusing?"
"Nothing my friend," Aragorn answered.
"Well it must be something, unlike her I can still sense yours," Legolas asked, demanding to know what he was hiding from him.
"You will know in good time," Aragorn answered a second time; clearly he was frustrating the Elf. "There is no use in pestering me, Legolas," Aragorn added coolly, before the Elf could inquire any further. "Maybe it is because she is a priestess?" he added, to stop Legolas' questions further. He knew it had nothing to do whether she was a priestess or not; there was more power behind it than that.
"No. I have met them before," Legolas replied; he had lived a very long life and traveled around, though not as much as Aragorn.
"So, because you could not tell if she spoke the truth, you became suspicious. But; my friend is it really wise to act on the phrase, 'Guilty till proven innocent?' I have always preferred, 'innocent until proven guilty.' But seeing as this is new to you, as in judging people the normal mortal way, I can forgive you." Aragorn grinned. "But, try to be more polite to her, I know she seems more arrogant than your kind, or women on the whole; but we are trying to get her to trust us, and maybe she does trust Gimli and I, but she does not trust you."
Legolas nodded, he would try but did not want to promise anything.
Aragorn stood from his place on the mossy ground, his fingers nimbly tying the string on a small green pouch that was now home to the important herbs.
"Come; we have much to talk about with Gandalf," said Aragorn and turned to continue walking back. Legolas had always been arrogant, and now he has met someone not unlike himself. Aragorn smiled to himself again. Watching the two would be very interesting for sure!
~
Siawyn inspected her staff. There was no scratch to be found; that was no surprise though. Aragorn and Legolas had been gone for sometime. The herb grew in relatively near places and could easily have been found by now and she did not quite understand their absence.
If her eyes did not deceive her, then the very herb they needed was growing in abundance only ten meters away.
She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes; now she was the one being obstinate and irritating.
Her chest did not hurt that much anymore; maybe she was exaggerating when she thought she had a broken collarbone. Siawyn turned to look at the old wizard; he was sitting on a flat rock smoking pipe weed. Priestesses were not aloud to smoke.
"Ouch! That was my finger Legolas," cried the familiar voice of Aragorn as Legolas pulled himself over the steep ledge. Legolas muttered an apology down to his friend. Aragorn followed not far behind. Siawyn smiled at him, and then pointed to the patch of green behind her.
"Oh," was Aragorn's reply, he had seen the herbs before but he had needed the time to talk with Legolas. "Never mind, we had a nice walk." Legolas sat down on a rock next to Gandalf sullenly. Ordinarily he would help; as an Elf he had skills with healing, but he decided to let Aragorn try. He was also quite sure that if he went near her wound, she would not be too friendly. Aragorn rubbed the herbs together between his fingers. The leaves oozed a soapy green liquid that he then rubbed onto Siawyn's wounds. They began to feel better almost immediately.
Siawyn rested on a stretch of soft springy grass; the rays of the midday sun warmed her all over, making her feel drowsy. Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf were seated only just a pace away, deep in conversation. Siawyn decided not to disturb them with the ignorant questions that still haunted her. She guessed that they had very important things to discuss that related to some kind of quest they were on, or their Halfling friends were. Her sister had mentioned something to her about a dark period that was coming and an old alliance, but that was before she-
"Siawyn," Aragorn disturbed her train of thought. "We are leaving, Gandalf has given us good news of our friends, and they are safe. We must make our way to Rohan and to the city of Edoras."
Rohan, was that not under siege? Siawyn had tried to make her way on foot through the plains to warn the other villages, but bands of Orcs were there before her, smoke choked the horizon.
"Rohan? When I was there last the Orcs were burning and plundering the villages!" Siawyn said in a pained whisper. "Everyone is dead!"
Gandalf smiled. "Saruman has not ventured far into those lands yet. He is still strengthening his forces, but there is no doubt he may have began to plague them already. But Eomer has slain many of the enemy and saved many villages." Siawyn tried to choke back tears. Maybe she was still alive.
Legolas looked quizzically at Siawyn.
"He did not save mine!"
Siawyn said quietly; tears nearly brimming her eyes as memories assaulted her. She stood up carefully, wincing slightly before wiping the tears quickly away. To Aragorn it seemed that she had been hiding something, that maybe the siege on her village had been more disturbing for her then she let on.
"Well, are we leaving or not?" she said briskly, picking up he staff. "Are we going on up the cliff face or back the way we came? Because if we continue onwards we will reach Isengard, and surely we do not wish to meet Saruman yet?"
"It seems that young Siawyn has gotten to know these woods well in the weeks she has stayed here!" said Gandalf amused at her knowledge, Aragorn had mentioned that she was a priestess, so she must have been of some importance in her village. She was already taller then a normal human woman but also very slender; her eyes glinted with a cleverness that was not normally seen among her kind.
"And yes, we shall go back the way you came, until we reach the forests edge"
Siawyn nodded respectfully at the wizard before descending down the cliff. She had been taught about the Istari, and how they were really rather wise; of that she now had no doubt.
Gimli and Legolas followed.
"Aragorn," whispered Gandalf. "Have you noticed anything different about Siawyn from your own kind?"
Aragorn nodded. "I noticed it the minute I saw her, she is nearly as tall as I. The first night it took some time for Legolas to detect her movements, and he is of Elven kind!" Aragorn started climbing down as Gandalf followed behind, still thinking of the possible origins of the girl.
"I have a fair idea, but I shall not mention it till I am sure," Gandalf said quietly to his friend.
They did not speak again until they stood upon the green grass just beyond the eaves of Fangorn.
"Alas!" cried Legolas. "The horses have not returned, it shall be a long and weary walk." It would take along time, especially with an injured girl slowing them down further. It was not her fault though; he told himself, she had thought he was Saruman and with good reason. He smiled to think of the wounds she may have inflicted if it had not been a wizard.
"I shall not walk! Time presses!" and with that Gandalf raised his head and gave a long whistle. So piercing and clear it was, the others were amazed it had emitted from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled. Then in the distanced the echoing of hoof beats were heard, so faintly at first that none but Aragorn could hear them with his ear pressed to the ground, then growing stronger and clearer to a quick beat.
"There is more then one horse coming," stated Aragorn.
"But of course, we are of too greater burden for just one," replied Gandalf.
"There are three!" Cried Siawyn. "One of dark grey, a smaller lighter one, but in front of them, there is a great white horse; I have seen none like him before!"
Legolas looked ahead, and sure enough he could see them in the distance, but she was a mere mortal, even Aragorn and Gandalf could not see that far ahead! Siawyn is not what she appears.
"Nor will you again," said Gandalf. "That is Shadowfax the chief of the Mearas, lords of horses, and not even Theoden king of Rohan has ever looked on a better horse. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly as a swift stream? He has come for me: the horse of the White Rider. We are going to battle together."
Siawyn's eyes widened, not only by the majestic horse Lord, but also at the mention of battle. The great horse came striding up the slope before them; his coat glistening and his mane flowing in the wind of his speed. The two others followed now far behind. As soon as Shadowfax saw Gandalf he checked his pace and whinnied loudly; then trotting gently forward he stooped his proud head and nuzzled against the old wizard's neck.
Gandalf caressed him. "It is a long way from Rivendell my friend," he said; "but you are wise and swift and come at need. Far let us ride now together, and part not in this world again!"
Soon the other horses arrived in front of them awaiting orders.
"We go to Meduseld, the hall of your master Theoden," said Gandalf addressing them gravely. They bowed their heads. "Time presses, so with your leave, my friends, we will ride. We beg you to use all the speed you can. Hasufel shall bear Aragorn and Siawyn, Arod shall bear Legolas. I will set Gimli before me, and by his leave, Shadowfax shall bear us both.
"Now I know some of the nights riddle!" said Legolas. "Whether they fled at first in fear, or not, our horses met Shadowfax their chieftain and greeted him with joy! Did you know that he was at hand Gandalf?"
"Yes I knew," said the wizard. "I bent my thought upon him, bidding him to make haste; for yesterday he was away in the south of his land. Swiftly may he bear me back again!"
Aragorn pulled himself into the saddle on Hasufel's strong back. He lent down and offered Siawyn his hand, but instead of taking it she leapt swiftly onto the horse's back, just in front of Aragorn, grinning at him as she did so. But Aragorn was not grinning back; he was looking amazed at what he thought he had just seen. He noticed Siawyn looking at him and smiled weakly. She turned her head back to the front, and as she did so her light brown hair flicked away slightly, showing noticeably pointed ears beneath, confirming what Aragorn had just seen before. That would explain everything; she was not of human kind at all, but an Elf.
So what did you think? Please review, and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!
The late morning sun broke through the tress, soothing the elf's irritated and restless spirit. Though he said naught; Aragorn was well aware of the elf's discomfort; he could sense it emanating from him in waves.
The two companions steadily climbed back down the cliff face. Aragorn knew exactly what he was searching for and led the way silently.
'Why did Aragorn have to bring me?' Thought Legolas to himself; somewhat broodingly, his friend could easily have managed it alone and he resented the ulterior motive.
Soon enough, they came across a large patch of green herbs which Aragorn quickly began picking.
"Why did you need me to come, Aragorn?" Legolas questioned him; Aragorn smiled at the bluntness of his question, he knew that his friend would have preferred to talk with Gandalf.
"I think you know. I wanted to talk about something,"
Legolas sighed, irritated by Aragorn's actions. He had no intentions of calling a truce with the girl; he did not have a problem with her being female, it was her attitude that irked him.
"Why do you dislike Siawyn so much as to laugh at her pain Legolas?"
Aragorn was no longer smiling; it was not like the Elf to laugh at someone at a time like that. Legolas looked away from him, not knowing the answer to the question himself.
"I can understand why you did not like her when we met; and why you were suspicious, but that does not explain your judgment of her now. Elves are able to sense emotions, you would be able to tell if she was lying or not. I could, even though I am not of Elf kind. Surely if you knew she was lying you would tell me. Would you not?"
Even though Aragorn was not of Elf kind, he was very good at uncovering hidden emotions, to Legolas' despair.
"Yes," said Legolas truthfully, "but the truth is I cannot not tell. Clouds of mist that my own senses cannot penetrate shroud her emotions! It has never happened to me before and I know not what to make of it!"
Aragorn smiled, and Legolas looked at him quizzically.
"What is it that you find so amusing?"
"Nothing my friend," Aragorn answered.
"Well it must be something, unlike her I can still sense yours," Legolas asked, demanding to know what he was hiding from him.
"You will know in good time," Aragorn answered a second time; clearly he was frustrating the Elf. "There is no use in pestering me, Legolas," Aragorn added coolly, before the Elf could inquire any further. "Maybe it is because she is a priestess?" he added, to stop Legolas' questions further. He knew it had nothing to do whether she was a priestess or not; there was more power behind it than that.
"No. I have met them before," Legolas replied; he had lived a very long life and traveled around, though not as much as Aragorn.
"So, because you could not tell if she spoke the truth, you became suspicious. But; my friend is it really wise to act on the phrase, 'Guilty till proven innocent?' I have always preferred, 'innocent until proven guilty.' But seeing as this is new to you, as in judging people the normal mortal way, I can forgive you." Aragorn grinned. "But, try to be more polite to her, I know she seems more arrogant than your kind, or women on the whole; but we are trying to get her to trust us, and maybe she does trust Gimli and I, but she does not trust you."
Legolas nodded, he would try but did not want to promise anything.
Aragorn stood from his place on the mossy ground, his fingers nimbly tying the string on a small green pouch that was now home to the important herbs.
"Come; we have much to talk about with Gandalf," said Aragorn and turned to continue walking back. Legolas had always been arrogant, and now he has met someone not unlike himself. Aragorn smiled to himself again. Watching the two would be very interesting for sure!
~
Siawyn inspected her staff. There was no scratch to be found; that was no surprise though. Aragorn and Legolas had been gone for sometime. The herb grew in relatively near places and could easily have been found by now and she did not quite understand their absence.
If her eyes did not deceive her, then the very herb they needed was growing in abundance only ten meters away.
She sighed heavily and rolled her eyes; now she was the one being obstinate and irritating.
Her chest did not hurt that much anymore; maybe she was exaggerating when she thought she had a broken collarbone. Siawyn turned to look at the old wizard; he was sitting on a flat rock smoking pipe weed. Priestesses were not aloud to smoke.
"Ouch! That was my finger Legolas," cried the familiar voice of Aragorn as Legolas pulled himself over the steep ledge. Legolas muttered an apology down to his friend. Aragorn followed not far behind. Siawyn smiled at him, and then pointed to the patch of green behind her.
"Oh," was Aragorn's reply, he had seen the herbs before but he had needed the time to talk with Legolas. "Never mind, we had a nice walk." Legolas sat down on a rock next to Gandalf sullenly. Ordinarily he would help; as an Elf he had skills with healing, but he decided to let Aragorn try. He was also quite sure that if he went near her wound, she would not be too friendly. Aragorn rubbed the herbs together between his fingers. The leaves oozed a soapy green liquid that he then rubbed onto Siawyn's wounds. They began to feel better almost immediately.
Siawyn rested on a stretch of soft springy grass; the rays of the midday sun warmed her all over, making her feel drowsy. Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf were seated only just a pace away, deep in conversation. Siawyn decided not to disturb them with the ignorant questions that still haunted her. She guessed that they had very important things to discuss that related to some kind of quest they were on, or their Halfling friends were. Her sister had mentioned something to her about a dark period that was coming and an old alliance, but that was before she-
"Siawyn," Aragorn disturbed her train of thought. "We are leaving, Gandalf has given us good news of our friends, and they are safe. We must make our way to Rohan and to the city of Edoras."
Rohan, was that not under siege? Siawyn had tried to make her way on foot through the plains to warn the other villages, but bands of Orcs were there before her, smoke choked the horizon.
"Rohan? When I was there last the Orcs were burning and plundering the villages!" Siawyn said in a pained whisper. "Everyone is dead!"
Gandalf smiled. "Saruman has not ventured far into those lands yet. He is still strengthening his forces, but there is no doubt he may have began to plague them already. But Eomer has slain many of the enemy and saved many villages." Siawyn tried to choke back tears. Maybe she was still alive.
Legolas looked quizzically at Siawyn.
"He did not save mine!"
Siawyn said quietly; tears nearly brimming her eyes as memories assaulted her. She stood up carefully, wincing slightly before wiping the tears quickly away. To Aragorn it seemed that she had been hiding something, that maybe the siege on her village had been more disturbing for her then she let on.
"Well, are we leaving or not?" she said briskly, picking up he staff. "Are we going on up the cliff face or back the way we came? Because if we continue onwards we will reach Isengard, and surely we do not wish to meet Saruman yet?"
"It seems that young Siawyn has gotten to know these woods well in the weeks she has stayed here!" said Gandalf amused at her knowledge, Aragorn had mentioned that she was a priestess, so she must have been of some importance in her village. She was already taller then a normal human woman but also very slender; her eyes glinted with a cleverness that was not normally seen among her kind.
"And yes, we shall go back the way you came, until we reach the forests edge"
Siawyn nodded respectfully at the wizard before descending down the cliff. She had been taught about the Istari, and how they were really rather wise; of that she now had no doubt.
Gimli and Legolas followed.
"Aragorn," whispered Gandalf. "Have you noticed anything different about Siawyn from your own kind?"
Aragorn nodded. "I noticed it the minute I saw her, she is nearly as tall as I. The first night it took some time for Legolas to detect her movements, and he is of Elven kind!" Aragorn started climbing down as Gandalf followed behind, still thinking of the possible origins of the girl.
"I have a fair idea, but I shall not mention it till I am sure," Gandalf said quietly to his friend.
They did not speak again until they stood upon the green grass just beyond the eaves of Fangorn.
"Alas!" cried Legolas. "The horses have not returned, it shall be a long and weary walk." It would take along time, especially with an injured girl slowing them down further. It was not her fault though; he told himself, she had thought he was Saruman and with good reason. He smiled to think of the wounds she may have inflicted if it had not been a wizard.
"I shall not walk! Time presses!" and with that Gandalf raised his head and gave a long whistle. So piercing and clear it was, the others were amazed it had emitted from those old bearded lips. Three times he whistled. Then in the distanced the echoing of hoof beats were heard, so faintly at first that none but Aragorn could hear them with his ear pressed to the ground, then growing stronger and clearer to a quick beat.
"There is more then one horse coming," stated Aragorn.
"But of course, we are of too greater burden for just one," replied Gandalf.
"There are three!" Cried Siawyn. "One of dark grey, a smaller lighter one, but in front of them, there is a great white horse; I have seen none like him before!"
Legolas looked ahead, and sure enough he could see them in the distance, but she was a mere mortal, even Aragorn and Gandalf could not see that far ahead! Siawyn is not what she appears.
"Nor will you again," said Gandalf. "That is Shadowfax the chief of the Mearas, lords of horses, and not even Theoden king of Rohan has ever looked on a better horse. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly as a swift stream? He has come for me: the horse of the White Rider. We are going to battle together."
Siawyn's eyes widened, not only by the majestic horse Lord, but also at the mention of battle. The great horse came striding up the slope before them; his coat glistening and his mane flowing in the wind of his speed. The two others followed now far behind. As soon as Shadowfax saw Gandalf he checked his pace and whinnied loudly; then trotting gently forward he stooped his proud head and nuzzled against the old wizard's neck.
Gandalf caressed him. "It is a long way from Rivendell my friend," he said; "but you are wise and swift and come at need. Far let us ride now together, and part not in this world again!"
Soon the other horses arrived in front of them awaiting orders.
"We go to Meduseld, the hall of your master Theoden," said Gandalf addressing them gravely. They bowed their heads. "Time presses, so with your leave, my friends, we will ride. We beg you to use all the speed you can. Hasufel shall bear Aragorn and Siawyn, Arod shall bear Legolas. I will set Gimli before me, and by his leave, Shadowfax shall bear us both.
"Now I know some of the nights riddle!" said Legolas. "Whether they fled at first in fear, or not, our horses met Shadowfax their chieftain and greeted him with joy! Did you know that he was at hand Gandalf?"
"Yes I knew," said the wizard. "I bent my thought upon him, bidding him to make haste; for yesterday he was away in the south of his land. Swiftly may he bear me back again!"
Aragorn pulled himself into the saddle on Hasufel's strong back. He lent down and offered Siawyn his hand, but instead of taking it she leapt swiftly onto the horse's back, just in front of Aragorn, grinning at him as she did so. But Aragorn was not grinning back; he was looking amazed at what he thought he had just seen. He noticed Siawyn looking at him and smiled weakly. She turned her head back to the front, and as she did so her light brown hair flicked away slightly, showing noticeably pointed ears beneath, confirming what Aragorn had just seen before. That would explain everything; she was not of human kind at all, but an Elf.
So what did you think? Please review, and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!