Hey ppl! I really like this chapter so I hope u do too!!!!! Please review
to tell me what you think! And thanks sooo much to my beta who does such a
great job!!!!!!! I was thinking of changing the title to 'follow the river'
which is a significant part still to come in the story, please review to
tell me what you think of that too. I was also thinking of rating this a
little higher, cos there are going to be lots of battles, violence, and
gory details! Just great for someone who doesn't like the sight of blood.
Aragorn glanced sideways at the wizard riding beside him; by the knowing look on Gandalf 's face, he was pondering the same question. If Siawyn was an Elf, why had she been brought up with humans? It was unlikely that her parents had decided to live amongst mortals. Unless something had happened to them, and she had been found alone.
Siawyn slid forwards as she drifted into sleep; quickly Aragorn wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her from falling from the horse. She woke up startled, and disorientated.
"If you are going to sleep, Siawyn, I suggest you lean backwards onto me so you do not fall." Aragorn said quietly, not wishing to cause her any embarrassment.
"Thank you for the offer Aragorn, but I will try not to fall asleep," replied Siawyn. It would be very embarrassing for her if she woke up leaning against Aragorn, and even worse...drooling.
"Besides, how much longer are we riding for?"
"Until the sun sets, and the trees are no longer shrouded in the golden light of day. Perhaps even longer. We must be quick; Saruman's army is nearly prepared for battle. Rohan will be its first target," Aragorn stated solemnly. Siawyn slender hands clenched a torn piece of her dress tightly. No one wanted to kill Saruman as much as she.
They continued riding through sunset and into the growing night. Engulfed in darkness, Gimli could see nothing about them. What if Orcs hid behind the gnarled and windswept trees waiting for his back to turn before firing a poisoned arrow into his back?
But Gandalf would not lead them into danger without warning, and Legolas' elven eyes could penetrate even the darkest of spaces. Apart from superior hearing, superior eyesight and immortality, Elves were not that special. Sure they were tall, but what use were those if you could not wield an axe like a dwarf.
"Legolas, are you keeping a sharp eye for evil?" asked Gimli suspiciously, to the Elf riding by his side.
Legolas chucked. "Aye Gimli, there are no fell beasts about this clear night. Surely you can see for yourself, or can you not see over the saddle?" Gimli growled just loud enough for Legolas to hear.
"You can keep your comments about my height to yourself, Elf," Gimli replied, causing Legolas and Gandalf to laugh harder.
Siawyn woke up startled as the horses rhythmic hoof beats slowed and stopped. She had been asleep? Oh no. She had leant back against Aragorn, and her head was resting on his shoulder. She sat back up straight. Luckily, she had not drooled.
"Had a nice sleep?" Aragorn said quietly.
"Yes- I mean- why did you not wake me?"
"It was obvious you were tired. You had huge bags under your eyes," replied Aragorn cheerfully. Siawyn sighed heavily; she was somewhat irritated but thankful all the same.
"We are stopping for the night?" she said changing the conversation quickly.
"For what is left of it, I think." Aragorn slid off the horse, and offered his hand again. He was actually wondering if he would be able to walk, as he was so stiff. Siawyn took it and jumped swiftly off, then walked to where the others were sitting. Her torn dress danced in the icy breeze, and she was barely seen in the dark with Aragorn's grey cloak still wrapped about her.
"How is it, that you do not look even the slightest bit stiff after such a ride, Siawyn? Only Legolas does not feel weary," said Gimli, as he peered at her in the darkness.
"She slept most of the time, but that is a question I was pondering to," added Aragorn.
"I am never stiff after a ride, but as Aragorn said, I slept most of the time," she replied. Siawyn could hear the gentle gurgle of water not far off into the small wood next to which they stopped. "Perfect," she whispered as she headed into the wood.
"Where are you going Siawyn?" said Legolas as he grabbed her wrist.
"There is a brook nearby, and I wish to wash, is that alright. Or do you wish to watch; I do not care either way just cease your questions elf and leave me be?" she said bluntly. Legolas' eyes narrowed, it was impossible to get along with someone like that.
"It is freezing!" stated Gimli.
"The cold does not bother me Gimli, I did this all the time in my village. None else but me would go though, it was too cold for the others."
"Legolas let her go, she will not be far away," said Gandalf. Siawyn turned, glaring at the elf and then disappeared into the forest.
"She is mad," stated Gimli. "Truly mad."
"She is not mad Gimli, only different," said Gandalf.
"From what?" questioned Legolas as he sat back down onto the cold stony ground.
"From you and I, Gimli," added Aragorn.
"From male kind?" said Gimli again; feeling slightly annoyed that he and Legolas seemed to be the only ones not involved in this 'secret'. What was Aragorn speaking of, Legolas and Gandalf were Male too, unless they were hiding something.
"No, from Mortal kind."
"WHAT?" chorused the Elf and Dwarf together, both standing simultaneously? "Surely you do not mean-."
"Yes Legolas, she is an Elf," Said Aragorn cheerfully, he had noticed it before his friend, and Legolas was the one with superior eyesight.
"She is arrogant and an Elf!"
"Not unlike yourself Legolas," Gimli said happily, he was also shocked, but it was fun to get back at the Elf. Legolas shot him a glare before turning his gaze back to Gandalf.
"How do you know? I know that she is tall, but many human females are tall."
"I would have thought you would have noticed Legolas," Said the Wizard. "She has extensive eyesight, and stealth not capable of a human."
"We have also seen her ears," Aragorn said as Legolas turned to look at him. "They are pointed, she is very definitely of elf kind"
"There is no use in denying it Legolas, that is not going to change her," added Gimli. Legolas was standing with his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes flashed with shock.
"Why did you not tell me earlier?"
"She would have heard, and she most probably does not know yet herself," Gandalf whispered.
"Though she might now, hearing your raised voice."
"But her parents-."
"We have thought of that too," Gandalf said wearily. "They must have been killed, and she found orphaned by the villagers. No wonder she was considered to be a priestess. Humans in those parts must never have seen an Elf before or thought of them as non-existent in the world any longer. We must not tell her yet; we shall wait until tomorrow, or until we reach Rohan as it may come as a shock." He paused. " She has been gone a long time, can you look for her Legolas." Legolas nodded then headed following the path that Siawyn had taken. The trickling of the brook neared, but she was not in sight.
Siawyn heard footsteps drawing nearer; she quickly pulled on her dress; what was left of it, over her wet undergarments, and then put the grey cloak on top. Finally she was clean, or cleaner then she was. Her hair had been incredibly dirty, mud caking it and it had taken a while to remove it.
Carefully, she ripped a strip of fabric from her dress and nimbly tied her hair back in a single braid, tucking the stray strands behind her pointed ears. No one else in her village had pointed ears, but then again, no one could see or hear as well as she.
She climbed up the base of the nearest tree then along the branch. Suddenly Legolas' light blond hair came into view, and he stopped just underneath her.
"Wanting to have a peek were you?" Siawyn whispered in his ear. Legolas turned quickly to see her hanging upside down with her legs wrapped around the branch just above him. She pulled her self up, and swiftly and gracefully swung down to the ground. Her long hair was tied back into a hurried braid with a rag from her dress, and without thought she was announcing her Elven heritage; something that she did not realise, he mused.
"We were wondering where you had disappeared off to," Legolas said with restraint.
"Were you worrying about me?" Siawyn pouted playfully.
"It is hard not to when someone as young...and defenceless, as you; wonders of into a dark wood when the enemy is nearby."
"Defenceless am I?"
Legolas growled to himself and tried to ignore her.
"I suppose I need a, big, strong, Elf like you to protect me," she mocked. Legolas stopped suddenly, then took a step closer to her; pushing her against the tree with force.
"It is not wise to mock someone, stronger then yourself," he said quietly with a fixed jaw.
"Oh really, I am sorry, I did not realize," she replied sarcastically. Siawyn gasped as he pushed her closer still to the tree. Siawyn smiled, still keeping eye contact, as her hand lifted the delicate torn material of her dress, and unsheathed a small dagger from the belt that had been tied around her thigh. Before he could notice what she had done, she held the knife to his neck. "Not so defenceless now, am I?" Legolas raised an eyebrow; no female had ever tried that on him before. He grabbed her wrist and twisted. Siawyn winced and the knife dropped soundlessly to the ground. Legolas smirked as Siawyn rubbed her wrist.
"That was a worthy try," he said truthfully, stooping and picking her dagger up off the ground. "Better luck next time, though I doubt you will get that close again." He handed the dagger back to her, and she sheathed it.
"Why are you so arrogant? I thought Elves are meant to be all graceful and pleasant, but you are quite the opposite?" said Siawyn bluntly, speaking her mind.
"Me arrogant! You speak for yourself! You are neither graceful, nor pleasant!" He replied hotly. He could feel his face redden and he inwardly cringed at his foolish mistake.
"What is that supposed to mean, I am not of Elf kind!" Siawyn said with confusion.
"Nothing. But if anything you are the arrogant one!"
"Do I laugh at you every time you fall?"
"No."
"See!"
"I have not fallen!"
"Oh."
Legolas laughed, and continued walking; strangely he was beginning to think her company more pleasant than painful. Siawyn paused as if thinking the conversation through again.
"I regret that I did find that amusing."
"A-HA!" Siawyn cried.
"That does not mean I am any more arrogant then you, and I regret that I should have been so heartless," he paused as they got closer to their companions. "But let us not speak of this any longer though, the others are resting, and will not wish to be disturbed by childish arguments." Siawyn nodded with agreement, and followed him out of the forest. No one was resting yet, but watching the pair with great interest.
"Were there any problems?" questioned Aragorn with amusement. "It sounded as if a murder was being committed."
"Yes, Siawyn tried to kill me," Legolas said with a grin, then looked at Siawyn. "But did not succeed, to her despair."
"If anything you were the one trying to kill me!" Siawyn said feigning innocence.
"Let us save this argument until we ride again, and rest. In a few hours we shall ride again, and we will need all the energy we can muster. By afternoon we shall reach the golden hall of Theoden, so sleep now and I shall keep watch," said Gandalf as he leaned on his white staff.
Aragorn stretched himself out on the ground on his back, Gimli on one side, and Siawyn curled up in his cloak on the other. Legolas lay between her and Gandalf stood on the other side. Siawyn dozed, and Gimli snored. Legolas lay silent on his back, thinking over the revelations of the day; as did Aragorn, until once more; it was time to rise and mount their horses.
Please review!
Aragorn glanced sideways at the wizard riding beside him; by the knowing look on Gandalf 's face, he was pondering the same question. If Siawyn was an Elf, why had she been brought up with humans? It was unlikely that her parents had decided to live amongst mortals. Unless something had happened to them, and she had been found alone.
Siawyn slid forwards as she drifted into sleep; quickly Aragorn wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her from falling from the horse. She woke up startled, and disorientated.
"If you are going to sleep, Siawyn, I suggest you lean backwards onto me so you do not fall." Aragorn said quietly, not wishing to cause her any embarrassment.
"Thank you for the offer Aragorn, but I will try not to fall asleep," replied Siawyn. It would be very embarrassing for her if she woke up leaning against Aragorn, and even worse...drooling.
"Besides, how much longer are we riding for?"
"Until the sun sets, and the trees are no longer shrouded in the golden light of day. Perhaps even longer. We must be quick; Saruman's army is nearly prepared for battle. Rohan will be its first target," Aragorn stated solemnly. Siawyn slender hands clenched a torn piece of her dress tightly. No one wanted to kill Saruman as much as she.
They continued riding through sunset and into the growing night. Engulfed in darkness, Gimli could see nothing about them. What if Orcs hid behind the gnarled and windswept trees waiting for his back to turn before firing a poisoned arrow into his back?
But Gandalf would not lead them into danger without warning, and Legolas' elven eyes could penetrate even the darkest of spaces. Apart from superior hearing, superior eyesight and immortality, Elves were not that special. Sure they were tall, but what use were those if you could not wield an axe like a dwarf.
"Legolas, are you keeping a sharp eye for evil?" asked Gimli suspiciously, to the Elf riding by his side.
Legolas chucked. "Aye Gimli, there are no fell beasts about this clear night. Surely you can see for yourself, or can you not see over the saddle?" Gimli growled just loud enough for Legolas to hear.
"You can keep your comments about my height to yourself, Elf," Gimli replied, causing Legolas and Gandalf to laugh harder.
Siawyn woke up startled as the horses rhythmic hoof beats slowed and stopped. She had been asleep? Oh no. She had leant back against Aragorn, and her head was resting on his shoulder. She sat back up straight. Luckily, she had not drooled.
"Had a nice sleep?" Aragorn said quietly.
"Yes- I mean- why did you not wake me?"
"It was obvious you were tired. You had huge bags under your eyes," replied Aragorn cheerfully. Siawyn sighed heavily; she was somewhat irritated but thankful all the same.
"We are stopping for the night?" she said changing the conversation quickly.
"For what is left of it, I think." Aragorn slid off the horse, and offered his hand again. He was actually wondering if he would be able to walk, as he was so stiff. Siawyn took it and jumped swiftly off, then walked to where the others were sitting. Her torn dress danced in the icy breeze, and she was barely seen in the dark with Aragorn's grey cloak still wrapped about her.
"How is it, that you do not look even the slightest bit stiff after such a ride, Siawyn? Only Legolas does not feel weary," said Gimli, as he peered at her in the darkness.
"She slept most of the time, but that is a question I was pondering to," added Aragorn.
"I am never stiff after a ride, but as Aragorn said, I slept most of the time," she replied. Siawyn could hear the gentle gurgle of water not far off into the small wood next to which they stopped. "Perfect," she whispered as she headed into the wood.
"Where are you going Siawyn?" said Legolas as he grabbed her wrist.
"There is a brook nearby, and I wish to wash, is that alright. Or do you wish to watch; I do not care either way just cease your questions elf and leave me be?" she said bluntly. Legolas' eyes narrowed, it was impossible to get along with someone like that.
"It is freezing!" stated Gimli.
"The cold does not bother me Gimli, I did this all the time in my village. None else but me would go though, it was too cold for the others."
"Legolas let her go, she will not be far away," said Gandalf. Siawyn turned, glaring at the elf and then disappeared into the forest.
"She is mad," stated Gimli. "Truly mad."
"She is not mad Gimli, only different," said Gandalf.
"From what?" questioned Legolas as he sat back down onto the cold stony ground.
"From you and I, Gimli," added Aragorn.
"From male kind?" said Gimli again; feeling slightly annoyed that he and Legolas seemed to be the only ones not involved in this 'secret'. What was Aragorn speaking of, Legolas and Gandalf were Male too, unless they were hiding something.
"No, from Mortal kind."
"WHAT?" chorused the Elf and Dwarf together, both standing simultaneously? "Surely you do not mean-."
"Yes Legolas, she is an Elf," Said Aragorn cheerfully, he had noticed it before his friend, and Legolas was the one with superior eyesight.
"She is arrogant and an Elf!"
"Not unlike yourself Legolas," Gimli said happily, he was also shocked, but it was fun to get back at the Elf. Legolas shot him a glare before turning his gaze back to Gandalf.
"How do you know? I know that she is tall, but many human females are tall."
"I would have thought you would have noticed Legolas," Said the Wizard. "She has extensive eyesight, and stealth not capable of a human."
"We have also seen her ears," Aragorn said as Legolas turned to look at him. "They are pointed, she is very definitely of elf kind"
"There is no use in denying it Legolas, that is not going to change her," added Gimli. Legolas was standing with his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes flashed with shock.
"Why did you not tell me earlier?"
"She would have heard, and she most probably does not know yet herself," Gandalf whispered.
"Though she might now, hearing your raised voice."
"But her parents-."
"We have thought of that too," Gandalf said wearily. "They must have been killed, and she found orphaned by the villagers. No wonder she was considered to be a priestess. Humans in those parts must never have seen an Elf before or thought of them as non-existent in the world any longer. We must not tell her yet; we shall wait until tomorrow, or until we reach Rohan as it may come as a shock." He paused. " She has been gone a long time, can you look for her Legolas." Legolas nodded then headed following the path that Siawyn had taken. The trickling of the brook neared, but she was not in sight.
Siawyn heard footsteps drawing nearer; she quickly pulled on her dress; what was left of it, over her wet undergarments, and then put the grey cloak on top. Finally she was clean, or cleaner then she was. Her hair had been incredibly dirty, mud caking it and it had taken a while to remove it.
Carefully, she ripped a strip of fabric from her dress and nimbly tied her hair back in a single braid, tucking the stray strands behind her pointed ears. No one else in her village had pointed ears, but then again, no one could see or hear as well as she.
She climbed up the base of the nearest tree then along the branch. Suddenly Legolas' light blond hair came into view, and he stopped just underneath her.
"Wanting to have a peek were you?" Siawyn whispered in his ear. Legolas turned quickly to see her hanging upside down with her legs wrapped around the branch just above him. She pulled her self up, and swiftly and gracefully swung down to the ground. Her long hair was tied back into a hurried braid with a rag from her dress, and without thought she was announcing her Elven heritage; something that she did not realise, he mused.
"We were wondering where you had disappeared off to," Legolas said with restraint.
"Were you worrying about me?" Siawyn pouted playfully.
"It is hard not to when someone as young...and defenceless, as you; wonders of into a dark wood when the enemy is nearby."
"Defenceless am I?"
Legolas growled to himself and tried to ignore her.
"I suppose I need a, big, strong, Elf like you to protect me," she mocked. Legolas stopped suddenly, then took a step closer to her; pushing her against the tree with force.
"It is not wise to mock someone, stronger then yourself," he said quietly with a fixed jaw.
"Oh really, I am sorry, I did not realize," she replied sarcastically. Siawyn gasped as he pushed her closer still to the tree. Siawyn smiled, still keeping eye contact, as her hand lifted the delicate torn material of her dress, and unsheathed a small dagger from the belt that had been tied around her thigh. Before he could notice what she had done, she held the knife to his neck. "Not so defenceless now, am I?" Legolas raised an eyebrow; no female had ever tried that on him before. He grabbed her wrist and twisted. Siawyn winced and the knife dropped soundlessly to the ground. Legolas smirked as Siawyn rubbed her wrist.
"That was a worthy try," he said truthfully, stooping and picking her dagger up off the ground. "Better luck next time, though I doubt you will get that close again." He handed the dagger back to her, and she sheathed it.
"Why are you so arrogant? I thought Elves are meant to be all graceful and pleasant, but you are quite the opposite?" said Siawyn bluntly, speaking her mind.
"Me arrogant! You speak for yourself! You are neither graceful, nor pleasant!" He replied hotly. He could feel his face redden and he inwardly cringed at his foolish mistake.
"What is that supposed to mean, I am not of Elf kind!" Siawyn said with confusion.
"Nothing. But if anything you are the arrogant one!"
"Do I laugh at you every time you fall?"
"No."
"See!"
"I have not fallen!"
"Oh."
Legolas laughed, and continued walking; strangely he was beginning to think her company more pleasant than painful. Siawyn paused as if thinking the conversation through again.
"I regret that I did find that amusing."
"A-HA!" Siawyn cried.
"That does not mean I am any more arrogant then you, and I regret that I should have been so heartless," he paused as they got closer to their companions. "But let us not speak of this any longer though, the others are resting, and will not wish to be disturbed by childish arguments." Siawyn nodded with agreement, and followed him out of the forest. No one was resting yet, but watching the pair with great interest.
"Were there any problems?" questioned Aragorn with amusement. "It sounded as if a murder was being committed."
"Yes, Siawyn tried to kill me," Legolas said with a grin, then looked at Siawyn. "But did not succeed, to her despair."
"If anything you were the one trying to kill me!" Siawyn said feigning innocence.
"Let us save this argument until we ride again, and rest. In a few hours we shall ride again, and we will need all the energy we can muster. By afternoon we shall reach the golden hall of Theoden, so sleep now and I shall keep watch," said Gandalf as he leaned on his white staff.
Aragorn stretched himself out on the ground on his back, Gimli on one side, and Siawyn curled up in his cloak on the other. Legolas lay between her and Gandalf stood on the other side. Siawyn dozed, and Gimli snored. Legolas lay silent on his back, thinking over the revelations of the day; as did Aragorn, until once more; it was time to rise and mount their horses.
Please review!