Raccoon Stew
Quickbeam sat in the cover of the trees and rested while the others made camp under the shelter of a small cave in the side of the canyon. Legolas was pleased with the find for it was a defensible location. There was also a pile of dry wood gathered, indicating that it had been used as a campsite before. He didn't expect any trouble here until the storm passed, and by then they would be gone.
Jamie didn't want to sit idle, so she did every stupid chore she could find. She busied herself with the fire and cooking until Polodrin joined her. He had returned from hunting with a raccoon, and was going to make a stew out of it. He gave her a smile, but didn't talk much. When she was finally satisfied that the fire was going strong she offered to help.
"Can I help you cook?" she asked.
"Here, quarter these potatoes and cut up a couple carrots," Polodrin said as he handed her the bag of vegetables.
Jamie started cutting vegetables into the pot wordlessly. Polodrin watched her with interest as he cut the meat into pieces to add to the stew. He glanced around to see if anyone else was close or listening and then he ventured a delicate question.
"So, are you alright?" he asked. "You had an unpleasant morning."
"That is none of your business," Jamie said quietly.
Polodrin smiled. She was still touchy about it. "Everyone knows, Jamie. It isn't like there is any privacy on such a journey. Perhaps it is for the best. He was not good enough for you anyway."
"Your imagination is entertaining, Polodrin," Jamie said bitterly. "I am no prize, believe me."
"My lady is too modest," Polodrin said. "It takes quite a woman to steal the heart of an Elf. They do not often fall in love with mortals."
"Yes, well, I had the same speech from Legolas. It doesn't matter, I have other things on my mind," Jamie said. "This is supposed to be my quest."
Polodrin studied her for a moment. She seemed like herself, but there was a change in her. She was not the same girl he'd first met in Ithilien. She was becoming quite serious, and her eyes were filled with worry. "What has happened to you?"
Jamie frowned. "Nothing."
"You don't lie very well," Polodrin said. "You look quite upset."
"I hurt someone's feelings today, and I didn't enjoy it," Jamie said. "Please just leave me alone, Polodrin."
There it was… the flash of deep pain in her eyes. Now he had the answer she was withholding. She still loved Thelyn. "Why did you do it?" Polodrin asked quietly.
Jamie bit her lip, and glanced around. Thelyn was off somewhere with Legolas, and Alcon and Nyére were deep in conversation. "He deserves better," she said softly as she stood. "Stay out of it," she added seriously.
"When you have thought this through better, you will regret it," Polodrin said as she turned to go. He looked up and saw Thelyn stepping out to the woods with Legolas. Jamie headed into the cave quickly, and Thelyn stared after her longingly. Polodrin sighed, so much for renewed chances. It was only a matter of time before these two worked it out, whatever 'it' was.
Thelyn entered the shelter of the cave and peeled off his drenched cloak. He laid it over a boulder with the other cloaks to dry and then sat by the fire. Polodrin was stirring the stew and took pity on his friend.
"Jamie loves you," Polodrin whispered.
"Shut up, Polodrin," Thelyn said as he held his hands over the fire to warm them.
Polodrin smiled at the venomous response. "Look at her," Polodrin insisted.
Thelyn glanced at her corner of the cave. She sat huddled in the corner, still wearing her wet clothes, and staring at the wall. She looked completely miserable. He looked back at Polodrin questioningly.
"She lied to you, Thelyn. Go talk to her," Polodrin said.
"Why would she do that?" Thelyn asked.
"She thinks rather highly of you, poor girl," he said with a smirk. Then his face turned serious and he looked Thelyn in the eye. "She does not think very highly of herself. She said you deserved better, and told me to stay out of it. Of course, I couldn't."
Thelyn looked back at Jamie and wondered what had changed in her perception from yesterday to today. Her bed was made as far from the fire and everyone else as possible. She withdrew from everyone, not even Nyére was allowed to get close. Legolas joined them by the fire and Thelyn turned to him
"I don't understand," Thelyn said. "What is going on with her? Yesterday she was fine."
"She was more frightened by the Easterlings than I'd thought. She asked me to teach her how to fight," Legolas said.
"Absolutely not," Thelyn said heatedly. "Jamie is too gentle a heart for battle."
"That was my thought as well," Legolas said. "She is suddenly taking this quest very seriously. I believe reality has set in."
"Then why does she push me away now?" Thelyn asked as he glanced back at her. She had shed her boots and coat and crawled into her blanket, facing the wall.
"She accused me of treating her as a child, so I told her how old I was," Legolas said.
Thelyn turned and looked at him and Legolas just nodded.
"She was a little overwhelmed by it," Legolas admitted.
Thelyn cringed and closed his eyes. He should have told her about it sooner. She should not have heard that from someone else. He sighed and opened his eyes. It was time they talked. Thelyn stood and walked over to where she was laying. He sat down beside her and realized she was crying. He gently put his hand on her shoulder and she flinched.
"It's only me, Jamie," Thelyn said softly.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, but please go away right now," she said.
"No, you are not pushing me away," Thelyn said firmly. "I know why you lied to me today."
"I didn't lie to you," Jamie insisted as she turned to look at him.
"Your rejection was false, so you lied," Thelyn said. "Do you think I don't know my own mind in the matters of love? It is not your place to choose my path for me."
"Don't put this responsibility on me, Thelyn. I am too new at love to think so far into the future," Jamie said seriously.
Thelyn reached down and brushed a damp curl from her forehead. "Then stop trying to take the responsibility, and stop looking into the future," he said softly. "Do you not know how much I love you, Jamie?"
Jamie stared up into his beautiful green eyes and there were tears in them. She could not look at him and deny her feelings. "I love you too, Thelyn. I'm just scared."
"Forget for a moment that I'm an Elf," he said. "What is it you fear?"
"Happiness is for other people, not for me. Whenever something good happens for me, something terrible happens to take it away again."
"So you push it away before it can be lost?" Thelyn asked. "You think you can control your life in this way?"
"It's worked so far," Jamie said.
Thelyn gave her a half frown, "So it is better to make yourself unhappy. This seems wise to you?"
"Well, not when you put it like that," Jamie admitted as she looked away from him.
"You forget something here," Thelyn said. "This time you would hurt someone other than yourself."
"I thought if… we only just met, I didn't think… how did it happen so fast?" Jamie asked as she turned and looked at him.
Thelyn's face was serious and he bent down until his lips were but a breath from hers. "Love is a mystery to all, until it happens," he whispered. "Tell me, is it near midsummer yet?"
"Close enough," she answered breathlessly.
Thelyn's lips captured hers in a soft and gentle caress. It was not demanding, or possessive, but tentative and searching. Jamie's tiny hand delved into his long red hair and Thelyn moaned softly with pleasure. His thumb tenderly caressed her soft cheek as he held her face in his hand. Finally he broke the kiss and looked into her wild hazel eyes.
"Call me boyfriend," Thelyn said huskily, "Until you are ready to call me husband."
"Are you sure?" Jamie asked. "Legolas explained to me…"
"Boyfriend," Thelyn said softly. "Say it."
"Boyfriend," Jamie said with a shy smile. "Thelyn, you are my boyfriend."
Thelyn felt a contented joy wash over him at the sound of her voice uttering those words. "I love you, Jamie, melamin," Thelyn said, "My Girlfriend."
"If you two are done making up, dinner's ready," Polodrin called from the fire.
Jamie sat up on her elbows to look at Polodrin who just gave her a big smile and a wink. She instantly blushed and Thelyn just laughed. He was so happy. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head and then stood up.
"Come, sweet, let's go sit by the fire," Thelyn said as he offered his hand to help her up.
Jamie unzipped her sleeping bag and carefully maneuvered around the rocky floor of the cave in her bare feet. The pair sat together by the fire and everyone tried not to look at them, but finally Alcon had to say it.
"Thelyn you're grinning like an idiot," Alcon said with a smirk. "Is all well?"
"Quite," Thelyn said brightly. "What's for dinner?"
Jamie just sat blushing and suddenly everyone laughed, except Nyére. She glanced at the pair and all she could see was a human and an elf. For her the lines of separation were not to be crossed.
Polodrin dished up a plate of stew for Nyére and handed it to her, shaking her from her thoughts.
"My lady Snow, your dinner," he said with a charming smile.
"Snow?" she repeated with a cocked brow.
"Yes, like the princess from the story," Polodrin said lightly.
Thelyn and Jamie were too busy watching each other to notice, but Alcon and Legolas watched the exchange with interest.
"My scruffy lord of the west, how many times must I tell you, I am not a princess?" Nyére asked in annoyance.
"As many as you like, my lady, but I will never believe it. Such rare and humbling beauty could only come from royalty," Polodrin said.
"You waste your charm on me sir," Nyére said. "We have already made peace."
"We have an uneasy peace, dear lady, but I would have a close alliance," he said with a cocked brow and a meaningful smile.
"Alliances are for the west," Nyére said bitterly as she looked across the fire to the pair of turtledoves gazing into each other's eyes. "You are in the east now, lord. Here it is every man for himself."
"It is for myself that I petition," Polodrin said seriously. "Or is your heart already promised to some Elf Lord back in your wood?"
"My heart is not truly your concern," she said quickly. "If you would maintain peace, then maintain the borders."
"Oh, cruel neighbor, how unfriendly," Polodrin said.
Nyére glared at him and then ignored him. She took a bite of her stew and a smirk formed on her face. "You have but one redeeming quality, man of the west," she said. "You can cook."
Polodrin gave her a slight bow. He knew he was wearing her down. It was only a matter of time before his charm conquered the icy heart of Nyére, the Lady Snow. He glanced at Thelyn, wrapped in bliss beside Jamie. In time he too would have the heart of a fair lady. It would be a long chase, but the reward would be even sweeter for the long pursuit.
As dinner concluded, Jamie returned to her bed in the corner. Thelyn followed with his own, but Alcon caught his arm.
"Where are you going?" Alcon asked.
"Oh, stop it!" Thelyn said. "I was going to have her move closer to the fire, and… stop looking at me like that!"
Alcon's smirk turned to a grin. "Let her stay by Nyére, Thelyn. It would be best if you didn't start sleeping beside her… until you're married."
Thelyn blushed at the implication he was making. "You know me better than that," Thelyn said bitterly as he laid his blanket back down beside Alcon's.
"I saw that kiss," Alcon said. "Watch your step. You will frighten her away again."
"You know nothing about it, lord bachelor of the wood," Thelyn said quickly.
"Ouch, Thelyn," Alcon said in surprise. "At least I didn't fall for the first maiden I rescued."
Thelyn's eyes doubled in size at the back handed insult. "You go too far," Thelyn said angrily.
Alcon realized that was an unkind remark and immediately apologized, "Sorry. That was unfair."
"Forget it," Thelyn said, let's just get to bed.
Thelyn walked over to Jamie and smiled. "There's no need to hide in the corner, come," he said as he gathered her blanket and brought it back over to the fire. He laid it out near Nyére's and within sight of his. "Goodnight," he said.
"Goodnight, Thelyn," she said, and then crawled into the sleeping bag.
Thelyn lay down so that he could see her. Her thick brown curls formed a pillow for her head and golden skin glowed in the firelight. Her eyelids fluttered closed and he smiled. His girlfriend was so beautiful.
It was still raining when the sky started to lighten with the hidden sunrise. Quickbeam sat by the entrance to the cave while the others were only now beginning to rise. Jamie sat up and smiled when she saw Quickbeam.
"How was it out in the rain all night? Are you cold?" she asked.
"It was refreshing and restful," Quickbeam said. "The rain is a welcome sight to a tree or an Ent."
Jamie smiled. "I should have known you'd be fine."
"Indeed, little singer," he said with a smile. "Now if there are canteens to fill, I shall go down to the river and fill them," he said. "It is rough and swollen today from the rains, not at all safe to get too close."
"That's a good idea, Quickbeam, thank you," Legolas said s he gathered up everyone's canteens.
Quickbeam took all the containers in hand and then waited for Jamie's bottle. She frowned a moment, and then retrieved it for him. There's no way he had a place to brew his Ent draft in this weather. She'd be safe. Anyway, she could cut her hair if she had to.
Quickbeam disappeared into the wood again and everyone broke camp. There was leftover stew for breakfast, and everyone ate there fill. The horses were saddled, packed and ready when Quickbeam returned. Legolas looked at Nyére and she just shrugged.
"Just follow the river," she said. The settlements are all on the eastern side," she said. "In this weather we shouldn't be running into anyone."
Legolas nodded and they headed southwest again along the western shore of the Runnings River. Polodrin rode beside Nyére who tried desperately to ignore his childish flirting. Jamie rode between Thelyn and Alcon, who were both telling stories to make her laugh. Legolas and Quickbeam led the day's march, keeping an eye on the horizon and the far shore. They could see the lights of a settlement, and Legolas kept an eye on it. The river was used for shipping up and down its length. They had yet to see any boats because of the weather, but sooner or later, they would be spotted if they remained so near the banks. The terrain on their right was hilly and bare. The grasses that should be rich and green this time of year were withered and brown. These were the brown lands of Rhovanion. The scorched lands that were destroyed by the darkness of Sauron back in the first age. Far to the south was the destroyed land of Mordor, now just a wasteland. Soon they would come to the end of the Runnings River where it emptied into the Sea of Rhûn. Then they would either have to cross with the ferry, or go all the way around. It was a long journey around, but the ferry might not be safe. Legolas was beginning to trust Nyére a little, but not enough to risk all of their lives. When they reach the ferry, he will have to investigate before he will risk the others on her word.
As they journeyed along the shore, The weather began to let up. The rain slowed to a gentle sprinkle, and the clouds started to clear. Jamie smiled at the bright rainbow that appeared in their path up ahead. She started humming Over the Rainbow, from the Wizard of Oz. Thelyn reached over and took her hand.
"Sing it, Jamie, don't just hum. Let's hear the song in your heart," he said.
Legolas took the break in the weather as an opportunity to pick up the pace. As the riders sped up to a canter, Thelyn released her hand and frowned at the luck. Now she would stop singing. But then he heard her from behind him and he dropped back to keep pace beside her where he could hear better.
"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high…" she sang as they headed down the trail.
Her voice seemed to warm them and they increased their pace a little more. Legolas recognized the song as one that Miranda had been known to sing. It was a pleasant memory, and he was delighted to hear it again. Polodrin just tried to keep pace with Nyére who seemed to be trying to lose him. He laughed at the frown on her face every time he caught up. She was trying too hard to dislike him and it was great sport. As the clouds parted, Legolas could tell it was late afternoon. He started to watch for a good or at least fairly safe place to camp. Over the next rise, he halted abruptly and turned back. He stopped the others before they were able to pass the ridge.
"What is it? Polodrin asked with concern.
"You'll never believe this," Legolas said. "But there is a large tent city down there. Their tents are not familiar to me, but there are a lot of them."
"Let me have a look," Nyére said.
She and Legolas dismounted and crept up the hill for a look. Nyére suddenly smiled and then laughed.
"Where is the humor?" Legolas asked.
"Look closer," she said. "Those are your western men," she said. "The tents are so drenched from the rain you cannot read their decoration."
Legolas looked again and felt foolish. They were from Ithilien. He wondered what business would bring them so far east. Legolas and Nyére returned to the others and Legolas gave them the good news.
"We will rest in comfort and safety tonight," Legolas said. "Lord Polodrin's father camps beyond that hill."
Polodrin's eyebrows shot up at the mention of his father. "What brings him out so far?" he asked.
"You can ask him when we get there," Legolas said as he mounted up again. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Jamie just looked at Thelyn who shook his head and shrugged. The drenched and weary company rode over the hill and down to the tents. They'd be certain of a hot meal, a dry bed and a few answers.