Follow my Lead

After a couple hours of rest, Gorvo returned with a dozen dwarves to lead them safely out of the mine. They passed through tunnels and over narrow bridges that frightened the horses. But three hours of travel brought them to a great gate and out into the eastern valley. Jamie was surprised by their help, but grateful.

"Thank you for your help," Jamie said.

"On your return trip, come and visit. I would like to hear another song," Gorvo said. "On your way then and good luck to you."

They all mounted up, and Aragorn looked at Gorvo with a smile. "I am pleased to count you among the friends of Gondor, great lord of the mine."

"I care little for kings of men or their distant countries," Gorvo said lightly. "For the sake of this lady, we call you friend."

So they were on their way again as the sun rose above the eastern horizon. They rode in silence for a while, but soon the conversation returned.

"You surprised me, Jamie," Legolas said. "I thought we had traded one battle for another."

"So had I," Jamie said. "Who would have thought our passage could be bought for a song?"

"If I had sung, they would have killed us on the spot," Bergo said with a chuckle, and everyone laughed.

"But your songs are so much more interesting," Jamie said with a smile. "I like the one you sang about the Battle at the gates. Very epic."

"Aye, a good song," Fretho said, "But a bad voice."

Jamie smirked at the pair, "Be kind, sir. A joyful heart is all that matters in a song."

"Then yours must be the most joyful," Alcon said with a smile.

Jamie just blushed. "You would think so, wouldn't you?" she said softly with a serious face.

Thelyn looked at her and knew she was troubled by something. He'd noticed for days now, but today it seemed worse. He rode beside her and tried to get her to smile, but every effort seemed to fail. Jamie finally smiled at him but there was sadness in her eyes.

By late afternoon, they were out of the foothills and on a flat plain. The wild grassland was still green from the heavy spring rains, and there were the occasional patches of bright wild flowers. Aragorn knew they were all tired, so he decided they should make camp early. Up ahead he spotted a stream, and it was the perfect place to halt.

"Let's camp here," Aragorn said, and then looked at Jamie. "If that's okay with you."

Jamie rolled her eyes, "I told Gorvo I was the leader, but we know I'm not really, so cut that out." She dismounted and let Starsong to the stream to drink.

Aragorn frowned at her comment and looked at Legolas. "Why would she say that?"

"Ask her," Legolas said, not wanting to get involved.

Aragorn was going to go speak with her, but Thelyn was already by her side, so he decided to wait. Instead he busied himself with setting up camp.

"What's going on with you?" Thelyn asked Jamie.

"Nothing," Jamie said, too quickly.

"Indeed?" Thelyn asked with a cocked brow.

Jamie sighed and looked at Thelyn. "Why did you all decide to come on this trip?"

"I came to be with you," he said, "And my brother came to protect you."

"What about the rest?" Jamie asked as she glanced at Aragorn.

"You will have to ask them," Thelyn said. "What is bothering you?"

"I told them I was the leader, but the truth is we wouldn't have made it this far if I tried to lead us. Without Legolas, Nyére, and Aragorn… we'd be lost or dead."

"So you are wise enough to accept help," Thelyn said.

"I insulted him by claiming to be the leader," Jamie said as she glanced at Aragorn again. "Who am I to lead a king? What am I even doing here?"

Thelyn was surprised to hear her doubting herself. He'd been impressed by how far she'd come since he and Alcon pulled her out of the water.

"Ask him, Jamie," Thelyn said seriously.

Jamie paled, "No, that's okay…"

Thelyn backed away from her with a firm expression, "I wasn't asking, I was telling." He turned and went to Aragorn. A moment later Aragorn joined Jamie by the stream.

"You wanted to ask me something?" Aragorn asked with a cocked brow.

Jamie looked at the ground, "Why did you come with us?"

"Gorvo's words are bothering you," Aragorn said, finally understanding her uncertainty. "It was a surprise to him to see one so young leading us."

"He was right, you know," Jamie said as she looked up at him. "I have no business leading a king."

Aragorn sighed and sat down. "Here, sit with me a moment," he said. When she sat down he looked across the grassy plains thoughtfully. "Before I was King, I went on a long and difficult journey. Legolas was with me, and some other very good friends, and a girl named Miranda."

"Thelyn's mother," Jamie said, recognizing the name.

"Yes, but she was only a little older than you at the time," Aragorn said. "I couldn't understand why she stayed with us. There were battles all along the way, and she had several chances to go to safety, but she refused. I asked her many times why she stayed and she would not tell me."

"What happened?" Jamie asked.

"She saved my life," Aragorn said as he turned to look at her. "I thought she died that day, but she recovered. I was never able to repay so great a debt."

"What does that have to do with me?" Jamie asked.

"Miranda selflessly followed a man who would be King. I would not be here now without her. When I saw you, I knew your arrival was important. I should have gone with you in the beginning. When the opportunity came again, I could not stay behind. You are the leader, Jamie; I am just following as Miranda did."

"I'm not her," Jamie said. "You don't owe me anything."

"I know, Jamie," Aragorn said. "That is not why I am here."

"Then why?" Jamie asked.

"I am here to keep you safe," Aragorn said, "And to keep the twins out of trouble."

Jamie smiled, "I'll be fine," she said, "and good luck with the twins."

Aragorn laughed, "I really only have to worry about Thelyn, he's the trouble maker."

"He seems alright to me," Jamie said wistfully.

Aragorn shook his head as he stood, "That's another reason to keep my eye on him." He offered Jamie his hand to help her up and then looked at her seriously. "I will follow any decision you make on this journey, to any end. I mean that."

"Why would you put so much trust in a stranger that's too young to even court?" Jamie asked in bewilderment.

"You have saved us twice now," Aragorn said. "You put our safety before your own. You are a worthy leader." And with that he went back to the campfire.

Jamie couldn't believe he trusted her that much. A man with his responsibility was used to being in charge, and yet he followed without question. What a strange world she was in. She didn't know if she wanted that kind of responsibility. If she screwed up someone might be hurt. It wouldn't matter who, she was now fully responsible. She wasn't sure if his pep talk made her feel better or worse.

Polodrin sat by the fire tending the meal and it was Nyére who sat beside him. She did not speak immediately so Polodrin waited. She poked at the fire with a stick and glanced at Legolas who picked up on the hint and left them alone. Polodrin looked at her questioningly.

"What is your home like?" Nyére asked quietly.

"My home is in the city of Emyn Arnen," he said. "My father rules there and it will be my duty when he is gone."

"Are there trees?" she asked.

"In the woods of Ithilien where Legolas and the twins are from," Polodrin said. "My sister lives there with her husband Failon, the twins' older brother."

"She wed an Elf?" Nyére asked in surprise. "And they permitted this?"

"Yes, in fact the entire Elf settlement helped to build their house. My father and Legolas were both pleased with the union that helped to strengthen the friendship between Gondor and the Wood."

Nyére stared at the fire lost in thought. "My father would not tolerate such a thing," she said softly. "Any human that enters our wood is promptly executed."

"What of us?" Polodrin asked.

"I am not going to take you there," she said seriously. "I will lead you around it and return to my father alone."

"What about Jamie's promise to help you?" Polodrin asked.

"I will not hold her to it, the risk to her is too great," Nyére said seriously. "If Pallando cannot sway my father's opinions, I certainly cannot."

"Then do not go home," Polodrin said. "Return to Ithilien with us. You do not have to come for me; you can settle among the elves and have freedom and peace."

"No, Prince of the west, I would not make such a journey without my father's leave again," she said sadly. "I could not abandon my responsibility any more than you could abandon yours."

Polodrin looked at the fire thoughtfully. He wanted to say more, but his promise to keep his distance held him back. He would gladly face her father on her behalf if she would allow it. No danger was too great if it gained him her love.

Nyére sighed and left him alone with his thoughts. During the evening meal, she sat alone and then went to bed early. Polodrin wondered what had made her ask so many questions about his home. He wondered what kind of a father she had that would instill so much fear in her.

The moon was waxing close to full and the stars were bright in the sky as Jamie lay in her sleeping bag. She stared up and smiled at the night sky. It was quiet in the camp save for the crackle of the fire. Bergo and Fretho stood watch, and everyone else seemed to be sleeping. But Jamie couldn't sleep. She was worried about the next few days. Would they run into trouble? And if they did, would she be able to make good decisions? She thought of Thelyn's hurt shoulder and Polodrin's hurt leg. By now they were healed, but she still felt bad. Going on a quest was not Girl Scout camp out. Girl Scouts don't usually worry about trolls or goblins.

Jamie frowned and tried to think of something else. She closed her eyes and pictured her home, and the forest she'd loved. It was quiet, and the image of her mother carrying a rope into the woods struck her like a bullet in the chest. Her eyes flew open and she sat up, breathing heavy. Nyére stirred and looked at her.

"What is it?" Nyére asked.

"Just a bad dream," Jamie said softly.

Nyére had a feeling Jamie wouldn't want to talk about it. "Lie back and try to relax," Nyére said.

Jamie did, but couldn't slow her racing heart. Nyére propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Jamie's panicked face. "Dreams like that can be brushed aside with a song."

"Not this one," Jamie said.

"Close your eyes," Nyére said.

Jamie closed her eyes and bit her lip. It wasn't helping.

"Under the moon, beneath the stars

Between red peaks and the Helcar sea

The trees all dance in the pale moonlight

And the flowers sing to the Avari.

A lord there is, and his lady fair

Who survey the merry din

Their joy is full and eyes are bright

To hear the music through the night

And dance and sing within the light

Of the gracious glorious moon…"

Nyére sang softly in sindarin and Jamie finally fell asleep. When her verses ended, Nyére hummed a little longer until she was sure Jamie would not awake. Then she smiled and turned over to go back to sleep, but something caught her eye.

Polodrin was watching her, and she blushed darkly in the light of the campfire. He didn't comment, but his eyes spoke volumes. Nyére pulled the blanket up to hide her blush and shut her eyes. After a few minutes, she opened one eye to peek, and he was still watching her. She narrowed her eyes in annoyance and he just smiled.

"What?" she whispered.

"You are beautiful," he said simply.

"You are irritating," she answered and turned back over.

"You like me," she heard him say behind her.

Polodrin heard her snort in response and he smiled. She did not want to admit to liking him, or to caring enough to calm Jamie after a bad dream. But he knew the truth. Nyére was much softer of heart than she pretended. With each passing day he saw more and more of her kindness and he loved her for it. Perhaps tomorrow he would charm his way a little further into her heart.