Ent March

Jamie sat on a sturdy branch at the tree man's shoulder and watched the quickly passing trees. His strides were long and graceful and the riders rode at a good pace to keep up. Jamie was to overcome by curiosity and wonder to care about going home right now. She'd thought elves were interesting, but nothing compared to the tree man.

"What's your name?" she asked him.

"I am Fangorn," he said. "But also I am called Treebeard."

"I'm Jamie," she said. "I've never met anyone like you before."

"You are the first singer I have met," Treebeard said.

"What does that mean? Just because I sing sometimes, why is it important? Aren't there lots of people who sing?" Jamie asked in confusion.

"It is not the song, Jamie, it is the voice," Treebeard said. "Your voice, the Forest's voice, is what makes your singing important."

"I don't understand," Jamie said dejectedly.

"All will be clear to you at Entmoot," Treebeard said.

The hours of the afternoon passed as quickly as Treebeard's long strides through the Greywood. They passed through the Stone Valley before Treebeard stopped for the travelers to rest at the northern end of Druadan Forest. There was a stream there and Treebeard halted and gently set Jamie down on its banks. The riders halted by the stream and dismounted. Thelyn walked over to Jamie and she looked up and smiled.

"How was the ride aloft?" Thelyn asked.

"It was amazing," she said in excitement, "You can see everything!"

Treebeard looked down at Legolas. "Make your camp here," he said. "I will leave the singer in your care until I return." And with that, he disappeared back into the wood.

Polodrin's eyebrow shot up and he just glanced at Alcon. "Doesn't say much, does he?"

"No, he doesn't, but he is very wise. When he does speak, it is well worth listening," Alcon said. "What do the Ents want with Jamie?" he asked Legolas.

"I don't know, but I am certain there is no risk of harm to her. We'll be there in any case," Legolas said.

Jamie just sighed and stretched. "That's a long time to sit in a tree," she said lightly. "I could use a walk to work out the kinks." She turned and headed downstream a bit and Legolas called after her.

"Stay close," Legolas warned. "These woods are home to the Wildmen. They are friends of Gondor, but do not appreciate intruders."

"I'll walk with her," Polodrin said as he jogged down the bank to catch up.

Thelyn glared at his retreat, but Alcon caught his arm. "Relax," Alcon warned quietly.

Thelyn shrugged off the comment and gathered some deadwood for a fire. He kept glancing in the direction Jamie had gone, but remained in camp. Alcon and Legolas busied themselves with a little fishing for dinner.

Polodrin kept pace beside Jamie and watched the shadows in the woods. He was aware that they were being watched though they remained well hidden. The Wildmen of the woods were usually peaceful and were not known for harming travelers, but it was prudent to keep watch. He glanced at Jamie who seemed lost in thought. She was lost, but certainly not alone. Polodrin wished that it was he who'd found her. Then perhaps she'd look at him the way she looked at Thelyn. But there was still nothing between them, due in part to her age. Maybe he could gain her interest before Thelyn did.

"Why do you sing sad songs when you're alone?" Polodrin asked.

"I only sing alone," Jamie said. "Sometimes the sad songs are all I feel like singing."

"My lady you are selfish to hide your voice in a deserted wood," Polodrin said seriously. "I would walk barefoot a thousand leagues to hear but one of your songs."

Jamie blushed and bit her lip nervously. Was Polodrin flirting? She stopped and turned around, "Legolas said we shouldn't go far," she said and started back to camp.

"Jamie, wait," Polodrin said as he reached for her arm.

Jamie turned and looked at him questioningly.

"I thought you wanted to go home," he said seriously. "Why are you going with the Ent?"

Jamie stared at the ground thoughtfully a moment before answering. "There is something in his eyes. He is very sad, but when he saw me, I could see something else."

"What?" Polodrin asked.

"Hope," she said. "There may not be a way for me to go home, I know that. If I am stuck here, at least with Treebeard I'll have something to do. I didn't come here to sit around a palace and answer questions. And I don't like handouts. I make my own way, I always have."

"Well, that explains why you left with only your own things," he said with a smirk. "Your clothes are very strange… but colorful." He cocked a brow at her tie-dyed tee shirt. "Do ladies not wear gowns where you are from?"

"They do, but we call them dresses. I like pants. They're easier to hike in," she admitted.

Polodrin stared into her eyes and smiled. She was stubborn and independent. He was absolutely captivated by her. If she were a little older he'd be tempted to steal a kiss. Instead he offered her his arm.

"Allow me to escort you back to camp, Lady Jamie of Scotts Valley," he said with a charming smile.

Jamie rolled her eyes and laughed, but accepted the offered arm. As the pair strolled into camp laughing and smiling, Thelyn just stormed off into the forest without a word.

Legolas ignored the jealous display and Jamie missed it altogether. She saw her sleeping bag rolled out for her and her bag set beside it.

"Oh, thanks to whoever thought to grab my stuff," she said with a smile.

"Thelyn brought it," Alcon said.

Jamie looked around for him, but he was nowhere in sight. "Where is Thelyn?" she asked.

Legolas just smirked. "I think he went in search of more firewood."

"Oh," Jamie said dejectedly as she sat on her sleeping bag. She'd enjoyed riding with Treebeard, but missed talking to Thelyn.

Alcon noted her sudden change in demeanor and smiled to himself as he cooked the fish they'd caught. Polodrin was just annoyed. What is it about elves that women find so fascinating? His sister had been charmed by an elf, and now Jamie. It just wasn't fair.

Thelyn didn't return until the fish was done. He didn't have a single stick of wood. Jamie smiled when she saw him.

"Thanks for bringing my things, Thelyn," she said.

Thelyn gave her a warm smile and a sweeping bow, "It was my pleasure."

Jamie just blushed and rummaged through her backpack for the trail mix. "This ought to go well with the fish," she said. "Pass it around."

Legolas took the offered bag and looked over its contents… assorted varieties of nuts, raisins dates and dried fruits. He took a handful and passed it on. Some of the nuts were new to him so he tried them one at a time. Suddenly a smile crossed his face.

"What is this?" Legolas asked holding up a small white nut.

"Oh, that's a cashew nut," Jamie said. "I like those too."

Polodrin studied a large dark brown oval nut before biting into it. "What's this?" he asked.

"Brazil nut," Jamie said.

"These are from your world? We're eating treats from your… Scotts Valley?" Alcon asked with wonder.

Jamie hadn't realized how strange the trail mix might be. "Uh, yeah… I guess. It's just a snack," she said.

They ate fish and talked and laughed around the campfire. Jamie was starting to feel a little more comfortable in Middle Earth. Maybe it was the forest and the stars. Or maybe it was the company. The twins were her rescuers and friends, and Legolas seemed very nice. And Polodrin was intriguing. Aside from being very handsome, he carried himself like an avid outdoorsman. He was also very dashing and polite, like some hero from a fairy tale. Jamie caught herself staring at him several times at dinner. Every time, she'd nearly been caught and she mentally swore at herself for acting like a thirteen-year-old with a crush. If she were completely honest, she'd admit to being in the company of four extremely handsome men. But it didn't bother her, or make her nervous. They treated her like an equal… or one of the guys, sorta. They were protective, but not bossy. It wasn't what she'd expected in a chivalrous society.

As everyone finished up their meals, Jamie gathered the dishes and knelt by the stream to wash them. Thelyn joined her to give her a hand.

"So," he said softly, "You like Polodrin?"

"Not really," she said nervously, "Just curious about him I guess."

"Oh, well, there's not much of interest there," Thelyn said. "He's a Ranger, and we all know what they are like."

"Tell, me Thelyn, what are they like?" Jamie asked sarcastically.

"Always off on some adventure, getting into trouble," he said.

"Funny, Thelyn," Alcon interrupted. "I'll have to tell uncle Aragorn what you think of Rangers."

Legolas burst out laughing and Polodrin just laid out his bedroll and ignored the entire conversation. It didn't pay to make a fool of one's self in front of a lady. It appeared as though he already had her interest. That would do for now.

Jamie finished up the dishes and went to bed. She gazed up at the stars and smiled. Legolas stood the first watch while everyone rested. He could see that Jamie was still awake so he spoke to her.

"How about a little song?" he asked.

"But…"

"Please," Legolas pressed.

Jamie just closed her eyes and softly sang a poem she remembered…

"Sleep! Cast thy canopy over this sleeper's brain, dim grow his memory, when he wake again. Love stays a summer night, till lights of morning come; then takes her winged flight back to her starry home..." (from The Moon Maiden's Song,
by Ernest Dowson)

Legolas silently walked the perimeter of the camp while he listened. How strange that she not know how amazing her voice was. Miiriel had been right; it was like nothing he'd heard before. Jamie finished the song and then drifted peacefully to sleep. Legolas sighed when he noticed Polodrin and the twins just staring up at the stars. It took them quite a while to get to sleep. Legolas couldn't sleep at all. He kept watch all night so the youngsters could rest. He was anxious to get to Entmoot. He'd heard of them, but never seen one. He was also interested in the significance of Jamie's songs to the Ents. He'd walked the forests of the north and had brief dealings with the Ents on occasion, but he really knew very little of their ways and history. Ents had their beginnings before the first age, during the mysterious Age of the Trees. There were few on these shores that knew anything about that time, probably none but the Ents themselves.

Jamie woke rested. The camp was already packed up and Thelyn was watering the horses. At least she thought it was Thelyn. She gave the red haired elf a smile, and he gave her a bow and a smile. Yes, that was Thelyn. Jamie could always tell from the smile. Legolas walked over to her and offered to help with her sleeping bag.

"Want some help with that… blanket?" he asked.

"I got it, thanks," she said. "Anyone hungry for breakfast?"

"You plan on fishing?" Alcon asked with a smirk.

Jamie rummaged through her bag and pulled out five power bars. She tossed one to Legolas and then stood and threw one to Alcon. They studied the bright colored wrappers curiously.

"They're good," she said, "Just open the wrapper and eat it. Trust me."

She brought a couple over to Thelyn and Polodrin and then opened hers. They were peanut butter granola bars dipped in chocolate. Thelyn watched her take a bite and then tried it. Jamie watched them with laughter in her eyes. It was funny seeing them so nervous about a little granola bar. But they seemed to like it. She put the wrappers in her backpack and looked around for Treebeard.

"Where's Treebeard?" she asked.

"He'll be along," Legolas said, and only a moment later, he emerged from the woods.

"Hoom-Hum! The sun has returned and so have I," he said. "Come, Jamie, little voice, we must continue north to Fangorn, north to Entmoot."

He reached down and Jamie climbed into his hand. He placed her on the sturdy branches on his shoulder and crossed the stream. The riders fell in behind him and they journeyed northwest along the Great West Road. Jamie could see far across the open grasslands to her right. The journey seemed do go by quickly and by mid afternoon they halted for a rest on the edge of a wood by a stream.

"What is this place," Jamie asked. "Is this your forest?"

"No," Treebeard said. "These trees are silent." He put her down so she could stretch her legs and get a drink. "Take a rest here," he said. "We'll turn northward along the river soon."

The Elves watered the horses, and Polodrin scouted the woods. Jamie drank from her bottle and then refilled it.

"I should hunt around for some dinner," Alcon said in passing. "There is less game along the Entwash."

"No time for that now," Legolas said. "There will be fish if nothing else."

Jamie remembered the bag of beef jerky and dug it out of her pack. She grabbed a piece and passed it around. No one questioned her this time, but just took the offered food without suspicion.

Treebeard watched them curiously. He was anxious to return to his home. Water was a poor substitute for Ent draughts. He would have kept going, but for the needs of the Taure Lirilla and her escort. He had not expected to find her in such grand company as the King or the Lord of the Ithilien wood. It would certainly be a topic of interest at Entmoot.

After everyone had a brief rest, Treebeard gathered up Jamie, crossed the Mering Stream and turned northward. By nightfall they had reached and crossed over the Entwash River. They made camp on the northern shore. They were now in Rohan, and the twins gazed at the western horizon.

"Do you think we will run into Cousin Ẻomer?" Alcon asked.

"We aren't going to Edoras," Thelyn said. "Unless he is out on patrol, we aren't likely to run into him."

"Since when does the King go on patrols," Alcon asked sarcastically.

"It is rare, but known to happen occasionally," Thelyn said. "At the pace Fangorn has set, we will not be in Rohan long enough to see anyone."

"That's alright," Polodrin said. "I saw uncle Ẻomer on my way home. He is in fine health and wishes everyone well."

"You do take your time in passing along messages, Polodrin," Alcon said in annoyance. "We haven't visited Edoras in some time. A message from Mother's cousin would have been nice to get a week ago."

"Sorry," Polodrin said. "There were other things on everyone's minds at that time."

Thelyn glanced at Jamie who was sitting beside Treebeard, talking with Legolas. She had indeed been on everyone's minds then, and even more so now. Jamie was about all he could think about on these long rides chasing Fangorn across the fields. Alcon led the horses to a grassy spot to graze and Polodrin stepped over to Thelyn.

"Are you angry with me Thelyn?" he asked.

Thelyn let out a long sigh. "No, Polodrin," he said. "Jamie is too young to fight over."

"And how long will we be able to use her age as a boundary marker?" Polodrin asked with a cocked brow.

Thelyn scowled at Polodrin for reminding him of how close Jamie was to coming of age. "Not long enough," he said simply and walked away.

Thelyn was already dancing on the boundary as it was. Seventeen wasn't far enough in the future to keep him from crossing that line. He still had to remind himself from moment to moment that Jamie was too young. Last night when she sang of the stars and love, he thought it would kill him. He didn't dare to look at her. It was like sweet torture to be near her, but not be able to tell her his feelings, or touch her. Thelyn wondered if love felt like this for everyone. Love? Did he just think that word? Yes, he was in love, he knew it. But her own feelings were hidden, and he already had a rival for her affections. Thelyn rolled out his blanket and lay down. This was going to be a very long journey.