Troll Sandwiches
The company of the Singer's Quest rode at a cautious pace over the foothills of the ominous gray mountain range ahead of them. It was strangely quiet save for the sounds of their own horse's hooves and the steady heavy footsteps of Quickbeam. The afternoon grew dark as dark clouds gathered above them. Aragorn started to watch for a good place to camp that might offer them a bit of shelter from that storm. He found a small patch of trees in a ravine between two large hills. There appeared to be good cover there, and it would have to do. He led the riders there, and they made camp.
Jamie didn't like the dry gulch at all. She looked at the withered dead trees that circled the camp and shivered. They were silent, and the air was heavy and stale. Quickbeam walked over to the group of trees and laid his hand over the trunk of one. His expression was grim.
"These old ones have been silent for many years," he said to Jamie quietly in Entish. "But they may offer a little shelter this night."
"They are sad," Jamie said.
"They are beyond thought and feeling now," Quickbeam said. "Rest now."
Jamie unpacked and watched as Legolas, Aragorn and his Rangers tended the horses, securing them in a stand of trees beside the camp. The twins and Polodrin saw to the campfire, and Nyére started unpacking beside Jamie.
"Are you alright, Jamie?" she asked.
"Fine," Jamie said quickly.
Nyére frowned, not at all convinced. "You are jumpy and nervous," she insisted. "Something troubles you."
There was a burst of lightening across the sky followed by a loud rumble of thunder, and suddenly the clouds opened up and it started to pour down rain. Jamie heaved a sigh and looked at Nyére. "This weather is reason enough to be a little jumpy. Don't worry about it."
The fire was nearly a lost cause, but the rain started to let up a little and everyone settled into their usual camp routine. They made dinner, and sat around talking. Stories were told, and soon everyone was relaxing despite the soggy weather.
Aragorn suddenly looked at Jamie and said, "Rapunzel!"
Jamie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "What?"
"The story, Jamie, you never got the chance to tell it," Aragorn clarified.
Jamie laughed and gave him a nod, "All right," she said. "I'll tell it." And she did. The whole tale of how the pregnant peasant craved radishes in the night and her husband stole some from the neighbor's garden. But the neighbor turned out to be a witch and demanded the child in exchange for the theft. And how Rapunzel grew up in a tower with no way out, save to climb down her long hair.
Everyone was completely engrossed in the odd story. She told them of the prince who discovered the tower and later fell in love with Rapunzel and visited her secretly. At last, the end of the story came with the witch dying and the prince and Rapunzel being reunited and living happily ever after.
Every one loved the tale, even Nyére. Jamie blushed at the compliments and thought her moment as the center of attention had passed, but Polodrin spoke up.
"And now a song," Polodrin said. "Maybe a song of another fairy tale," he suggested.
"Yes, let's have a song," Legolas encouraged.
Jamie looked at Nyére and remembered her words about using her gift boldly. She heaved a sigh and smiled shyly. She didn't know many fairy tale songs, but then one came to mind. The theme song from the Princess Bride made her think of Polodrin and the way he'd been hovering around Nyére, so she decided to sing that one. She closed her eyes and lifted her voice, and once again, everyone was amazed.
"Come my love I'll tell you a tale of a boy and girl and their love story..." The song made her think of Polodrin and Nyére. "...My love is like a storybook story, but it's as real as the feelings I feel."
As Jamie sang, the rain slowed and stopped. The clouds parted and the moon shone down on their camp. It was quiet when she stopped and she rose to her feet to go to bed, but stopped when she heard the sudden whispers of the trees. Danger, danger, danger…
She stopped dead and looked at Quickbeam who stood and looked around. "Your voice has awakened the trees," he said in wonder.
Jamie looked at Aragorn and said, "Something's wrong…"
She never had a chance to finish her thought, because there was a loud crash and they found themselves surrounded by trolls. There were two of them with large hammers attacking from one side with three more bounding down the hill. Everyone was on their feet with weapons drawn to meet the foes.
Aragorn shouted to no one in particular, "Protect Jamie!" as he lunged at the nearest Troll.
Thelyn ran to Jamie to grab her out of the way of the hammer that crashed to the ground where she had been standing. "Jamie, run!" it was all he could think to say as he dove between the legs of the giant foul creature and leapt on his back to try and stab through his tough hide.
Jamie dodged trolls and ran into the trees. Their whispers had grown into a loud throng, sing, sing, sing… Jamie climbed into the branches of one of the trees completely terrified and practically screamed out a song in entish…
Oh, evil foes! Black servants of night!
Be gone; tempt not the forest's might!
We stand in slumber, not in death,
Awaken now renew your breath,
The singer calls we must obey,
Destroy black evil on this day!
No harm will we to them allow
Wake up, good trees, wake up now!
The ground trembled and shook violently and Jamie clung to the trunk of the tree desperately, but then she felt a gentle hug from the trees branch as leaves began to bud and open on its withered branches. Its great limbs extended as if stretching from a long nap and it grew. Around her, all the trees were waking and growing, and… moving! They boxed in the trolls one by one, trapping them. Jamie kept singing as one by one, trolls were crushed to their deaths by the angry trees.
Aragorn, Legolas and the rest of the company stood dumbfounded by the spectacle. Quickbeam stood up tall and started barking orders in his deep rumbling entish speech, and the trees obeyed. They withdrew, and as they returned to their places, everyone was astonished to find the trolls completely gone.
Thelyn searched among them for Jamie and finally found her high in the boughs of a tree. She clung to the lofty branches seemingly in shock by the events she'd caused with her voice. He called up to her.
"Jamie, it is over," he said. "All is well."
Jamie never moved, save to bury her face against the trunk of the tree.
Aragorn and Legolas joined him beneath the tree and they looked up at her. "Is she alright?" Aragorn asked.
Quickbeam spoke softly, and the great tree bowed over, low to the ground until Jamie could step off safely. She turned and saw Thelyn, Aragorn and Legolas standing there and she let go of the tree and threw herself into Thelyn's arms, burying her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and then glanced at Aragorn and Legolas, who gave him a little space.
"Shhh, it is over," Thelyn said softly. "You saved us all."
"No, the trees did it," Jamie said. "What were they?"
"Mountain trolls," Thelyn said.
"Is everyone okay?" she asked.
"No one was hurt," he said. "Are you alright?"
Jamie drew back and he gazed down at her. She seemed to be dazed. "I told them to do it, and they did," she whispered. "These trees were dead only a few hours ago. I just don't understand."
"At last I believe you see what your gift is capable of," he said. "Take comfort in this ability. It not only protected you, but us as well."
Jamie glanced back at the rest of her friends in the camp, cleaning up and rekindling the fire. She didn't like the idea of one of them being hurt. This journey was more dangerous than she'd thought it was going to be. "And what about tomorrow?" she asked. "If we meet trouble, will there be any trees to help us then?"
"We are not helpless," Thelyn said with a chuckle. "We are warriors all, and that should put you at ease. I would not have let them hurt you."
"You think I worry for myself," Jamie said in annoyance. "You don't know me at all." She pulled away from him and went to bed without speaking to anyone else.
Thelyn felt struck in the face. He didn't know her, and he felt foolish for his clumsy words of comfort. Of course he'd thought she'd been afraid. It never occurred to him that she would fear for them. They were capable of looking after themselves. She was the one who needed protecting.
Aragorn watched her bury herself in her bedroll, head to toe. She was upset. He glared at Thelyn who just shrugged and went to his bed. Aragorn glanced at Legolas.
"Were you able to hear any of that?" Aragorn asked quietly.
Legolas just smiled, "Thelyn swallowed his foot."
Polodrin sat beside Nyére who was refilling her quiver. She was scowling.
"Are you well, Princess?" he asked her softly.
"I am uninjured," she said lightly. "Go to your bed, Lord of the west."
Polodrin ignored her brush off and took her hand. It was trembling, and he didn't wait for consent, he just pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"It's over," he whispered to her. "You do not have to pretend to be so strong with me. I was frightened too."
Nyére timidly accepted his offered comfort and put her arms around him. She didn't speak, and he was not surprised by her silence. It was enough that she did not send him away. After a few moments, he released her, but she still held him, so he pulled her even tighter against him.
"My lady, everyone's watching us," he whispered in her ear.
"Let them watch," she said.
"I would agree, dear Snow, but comfort goes only so far. I do not wish to dishonor you," he said seriously. "If it is your wish I will declare myself openly. If not, please spare my heart, Nyére."
Nyére drew back and looked into his eyes. The tenderness there was disarming. He truly was handsome, and she wished she could accept his affections without reservation, but her heart was slow to blind itself to his humanity.
"I am not ready to make such wishes," she said softly. "Your comfort is all I can accept, I am sorry."
"My lady, are you comforted?" he asked.
"My friend, I am feeling better now," she said formally.
"Then rest well," Polodrin said. "I will watch over you this night."
"Then I will indeed sleep well, Lord of the west. No man alive do I trust as much as you," she said softly. "Goodnight, Prince."
She rose and went to bed while he watched. He sighed and started his guard shift lost in thought until he was interrupted by Legolas.
"I never would have thought she'd warm up to you," Legolas said. "How fares your pursuit?"
"I have her trust," Polodrin said meaningfully. "For her it is a great gift, and tonight I am content."
"And tomorrow?" Legolas asked with a cocked brow.
"Tomorrow I will once again strive to charm her guarded heart," Polodrin said with a mischievous grin. "I will win her yet, in time."
Legolas smiled. Polodrin had matured in the few weeks since they set out on this journey. He was not as certain of Nyére's affections for the young man as he was, but Legolas knew they were true friends. Perhaps their friendship would go far in healing the rift between the Avari and Men, at least with the Men of the West.
In the early hours of morning just before the sun made its appearance from behind the mountains, Aragorn paced around the camp. Polodrin was still on watch, and Aragorn frowned. He should have taken some rest. He refrained from giving the lecture, and wandered through the trees. They were restored to their glory, tall, strong and full of life. Some of them had even grown blooms in the night. It looked like early spring in this gorge, and Aragorn was amazed. He rounded another tree and found Quickbeam there.
"Good morning, Lord Ent," Aragorn said.
"Greetings, King," Quickbeam said quietly.
"What happened here last night?" Argaorn asked.
"Jamie's song is growing," Quickbeam said. "Her fear for you has made her strong."
"You mean she was protecting us?" Aragorn asked.
"Her words were for you," Quickbeam said. "The trees would have guarded her without a song, but she ordered them to protect all of you."
"Did she know she could do that?" Aragorn asked in confusion.
"No," Quickbeam said. "But she does now."
The ent rose and gave Aragorn a slight bow before leaving. Aragorn sighed. It was strange watching another coming into the strength of their gift. It always seemed to be a struggle for a while, and then all of a sudden, they surprise everyone. Jamie was on the edge, standing at the precipice of a great surge of power. He laid a hand on the trunk of a tree and shivered. How strange to think of the quiet strength of these silent watchers. They conquered Isengard, and they saved his company during the night. With the prompting of Jamie's voice, he wondered just how much they were capable of.
Breakfast was quiet and a little rushed. Aragorn was anxious to get away from the foothills. Jamie had eaten and was packed and she waited by the horses for the final loading to be done. Thelyn joined her there and was relieved to find her alone so he could talk.
"Jamie, I'm sorry about last night," he said softly.
Jamie stared at the ground with a guilty look on her face. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. I was wrong to snap at you like that."
"I should not assume I know your heart," Thelyn said seriously. "I will try to listen better, and wait for you to show me what is hidden within you."
Jamie looked at him and gave him a smile. "Thanks for the hug, I needed it," she said.
"It was a gift to me that you sought comfort in my arms," Thelyn said as he stepped closer to her.
Jamie looked up and Thelyn thought there were tears threatening to drown her beautiful eyes. Her expression was almost sad and it broke his heart. "No one else's arms would do," she said seriously. "Only in your arms would I find comfort," she whispered.
"Oh, sweet lady," Thelyn said huskily. "Do I dare to hope that you still care for me?"
"I will call you friend until you ask me to call you boyfriend, and someday if you ask it, I will call you husband. There is no one else for me, Thelyn," she said softly. "Now, go before you get yourself in trouble."
"I do not fear trouble," Thelyn said with a wolfish grin. "I seek trouble and danger with every breath. But with you in my arms I would be content to rest at the foot of a tree until the end of the world." He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Jamie closed her eyes as her gently turned her hand over and kissed her palm. He kissed the inside of her wrist and then whispered, "I will ask as soon as my uncle gives me his leave to do so."
"And I will wait," Jamie said. "Until then, stay out of trouble."
"Thelyn does not know how to stay out of trouble, Jamie," Aragorn said.
Jamie's eyes flew open, and Thelyn released her hand and straightened up. "I resent that, uncle," Thelyn said. "I haven't caused any trouble in Gondor for years."
Aragorn cocked a brow at him and gave him a knowing look. "Don't start today," he warned. "My decision in the matter is settled."
Jamie was annoyed. "When does my decision matter?" she asked.
"When you're old enough," Aragorn said.
"So what is the date today?" she asked seriously.
Aragorn knew a challenge when he heard one. He glanced at Thelyn and said, "Tell her."
"Midsummer is one week hence, but it will matter little," Thelyn said. "I await his approval, not the solstice."
"Are you always this rigid?" Jamie asked Aragorn.
"It's often a thankless job being a king," he said. "Not all judgments are popular."
"As long as you are doing what you think is best, you can't worry over thanks," Jamie conceded. "I'm ready to leave whenever everyone else is."
Aragorn was surprised by her understanding acceptance of his decision. Perhaps she was not as immature as he'd thought. He ordered everyone to mount up and they headed northeast again. The ride was easy for a while, the terrain was wild grasslands. Jamie rode beside Nyére and ventured a question.
"So, I see you and Polodrin are getting along all right. Can you admit to liking him yet?" Jamie asked.
"He is a tolerable human," Nyére said noncommittally.
"How big of you to admit it," Jamie said with a smirk.
Nyére glanced at her a moment, "What do you wish to know?"
"Is it the ears that bother you or the beard?" Jamie asked seriously. "Because the last time I looked, that was the only major differences between Men and Elves."
"You are over simplifying," Nyére said. "There is much you do not understand."
"Oh, well, forgive my bluntness, but I think I do understand. Your father will not love you no matter who you wed. You might as well wed for love. If your family is as rigid as you say, why not return to the west with us after this journey is over?" Jamie asked seriously.
Nyére stared ahead, her face a mixture of pain and frustration. "When we reach my home, my hour of choices will be over. There will be nothing left for me then but to submit to my father's judgment," she said softly.
"Why?" Jamie asked. "Why go back? I will go there and help, I promised to. You don't have to go."
"And therein is one difference between Men and Elves," Nyére said. "I could not be content if I ran away. I must face my fate, whatever it is."
"What will happen to you?" Jamie asked.
"Father will choose another husband for me, and I will take on the duties I was born to," she said. "It might not be so bad."
"It will be miserable if you love someone else," Jamie said angrily. "Stubborn Elf."
"I love no one," Nyére said. "Such emotions are a luxury I have never had."
"Then it's too bad my songs only work on the trees," Jamie said. "I never saw anyone whose spirit was so withered." And with that, Jamie rode up to the head of the riders to sulk. It was like speaking to a brick wall. Nyére needed Polodrin, it was so obvious. Jamie didn't care about the differences between Men and Elves; she cared about what she saw between them, love. One embraced it and the other denied it, but it was there. Jamie decided to make it her mission to get them together.
As nightfall descended, taking their light, they made camp at the base of a great mountain. On the morrow they would ascend over the pass, and it would be a difficult climb. They ate a hearty meal, Bergo had felled a deer. After only a brief visit around the fire, they went to sleep with the twins standing the first watch. Thelyn seemed deep in thought, so Alcon gave him a nudge.
"Watch for danger," Alcon said. "Dream of Jamie later."
Thelyn shot his brother an annoyed look. "Do not jest of such things, Alcon."
"Did you not say that she promised her heart to you just this morning?" Alcon asked.
Thelyn smiled, "That she did."
"Then keep your mind on the watch, and dream of her after we are relieved."
Thelyn sighed. "You are right," he said. "It was she that filled my thoughts. I will pay more attention."
"Good. You cannot protect her by daydreaming on the watch," Alcon said with a smile.
And so they passed the hours of the night watching over their companions. Often Thelyn would look aver the camp and smile. Uncle Aragorn and Legolas slept at the edge of camp as was their habit, placing themselves between the others and any possible danger. Bergo and Fretho did the same on the other side of camp. Nyére slept by Jamie, and with that sight, he always smiled. The Princess from the east also kept guard over her as well with her sword laid under her hand. And Jamie slumbered peacefully; unaware of the care they had taken, even in sleep, to keep her safe.
She rested, unaware of his gaze, or how beautiful she was in the moonlight. Indeed he would forever picture her wrapped in nothing but the silver moonlight under the falls of the oasis. His beautiful Jamie, who carried his heart in her delicate hands.