Chapter Nine – Temptations and Destinations
Jenna sat, cuddling her knees up to her chest. It was a cold night, but she was glad of the frosty breeze to keep her awake. She reflected on the day's events.
They had set off shortly after Darayne had agreed to accompany them, realising that they would have not slept much in the bright sun which appeared at daybreak.
After much debate, and a rather heated "discussion" between Estriel and Jenna, it was decided that Gollum should be taken with them. Estriel had pointed out that there was little else that could be done with him, apart from let him loose to either attack other people or follow them and attack them again, or tie him up and leave him to starve to death, which, she elbowed Jenna, was hardly an option was it? At this juncture, Jenna had pointed out the several deep scratches on her neck and the nasty bite on Estriel's hand. She also pointed out that they had nothing to secure him with apart from the twine, and he had already proved that he could bite through that. However, Estriel was in stubborn mode, and Jenna decided that the best policy was probably to roll her eyes and agree with her. So she argued back for a few minutes and then did just that.
So, they put some twine around his neck in a kind of collar, and added some for a lead. Then Jenna pouted, and Estriel doubled the twine around its neck to keep her quiet. Then they set off. Darayne knew the forest remarkably well, and guided them skilfully through it. The girls felt that they could trust him, as he had, after all, saved Jenna's life and given them no reason to doubt him. However they were assertive and cautious, and careful not to place too much of their faith in him.
It had begun to cool around midday, and a fierce wind set in. However they kept going, stopping occasionally for food or rest, and eventually they had came to a pleasant clearing amongst the trees, with the charred remnants of a fire – a sure sign of a good camping spot. Darayne had suggested that they spent the night here, since they were unlikely to get much further before dark. The girls agreed, and they set up camp.
Darayne skilfully managed to catch a small rabbit-like creature for supper. Estriel set about preparing it and cooking it over the fire. She finally offered to Darayne, who accepted it gratefully, and then Jenna. She declined politely, mumbled something about a "dead bunny", and then set about looking slightly traumatised and nibbling on some bread.
And, here she was. Taking the second watch of the night, and wishing that she had a proper bed and possibly some hot chocolate. With cream. And those little marshmallows...It wasn't that she was a princess, but she didn't object to the luxuries of life...
"What are you thinking of Lady Jenna?"
Jenna jumped, turned around, and saw Darayne. She could think of something really deep and meaningful to say...
"Hot chocolate."
Or she could go with the truth.
"What is hot chocolate?" he ventured, coming to sit next to her.
"A warm drink which tastes of...well, chocolate," she said. "It's really comforting. Whenever I've had a bad day, and I've already had about twenty cups of coffee, I always reach for the hot chocolate. It cheers me up."
Although he only understood roughly one third of that statement, he smiled what he hoped was a knowing smile.
"What are you doing up? I hope I didn't wake you," she said, suddenly realising that it was Estriel's turn to do watch next, and not even for another hour.
"I am not used to someone else being on watch," he admitted. "Therefore, I am always alert, and I found it hard to sleep."
"Oh," said Jenna. "To be honest, I'm glad of the company."
They were silent for a while.
Jenna felt more relaxed with Darayne next to her, and felt reassured by the sound of his breath in the silence of the night.
She shivered, reminding her of the cold, which she seemed to have forgotten since Darayne sat next to her.
"It's cold tonight," she said quietly, feeling his eyes turn to her.
"Yes," he said simply.
Men, thought Jenna. Hopelessly romantic, every one of them. So intuitive to a woman's every ne...
She felt something heavy around her shoulders.
"Have my cloak. It will keep you warm," he said huskily.
"Thank you," she said, pulling it further around herself and scolding herself for her lack of faith. They regarded each other for a moment.
A quiet, yet audible, snort came from suspiciously near Estriel's sleeping bag.
"Es?" asked Jenna.
Suddenly, a rather loud and very fake snore came from the same location.
Jenna rolled her eyes and laughed to herself.
"What was that?" asked Darayne, worriedly.
"Oh, don't worry, probably just some rabid animal," said Jenna, just loudly enough.
The next day, they reached Bree. A group of more bottle looking coves Estriel and Jenna had never seen. They eventually found the Prancing Pony, and they both squealed when they laid eyes on it. Darayne was reluctant to enter it at first, but Jenna and Estriel dragged him in with them ("are you going to let two maidens go in by themselves?").
It was smaller than it had looked in the film, but much more charismatic. Humans and hobbits of all types were talking, laughing and drinking. Jenna liked its atmosphere immediately, but Estriel, being more suspicious by nature, felt slightly claustrophobic and shied away from the loud noise which filled it.
Jenna, in a sudden moment of bravery approached the bar. A friendly man was serving, and he smiled at her encouraging.
"What can I get for you, Missy?" he asked her gruffly.
"We were wondering if you had any...erm...any, like...erm, jobs?" she asked, bravery waning.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at her suspiciously. Estriel, who had finished casing the joint, joined Jenna and said,
"No! Not those kind of jobs..."
"No!" shrieked Jenna, who had just realised what was happening. "Not those kind of jobs..."
"Jenna is a healer by profession, and I a storyteller," said Estriel curtly.
The man looked thoughtful.
"A healer you say?" he asked, and Jenna nodded.
"Well, I do not know how skilled you are, but the Mayor's eldest daughter, Isobelle, has recently fallen very ill. Now, he has taken her to every healer in Bree, yet nobody knows what it is, nor can they help her." At this point, the man leaned over the bar. "He's getting really desperate, like. If you think that you could help, I suggest you go to him. If you do manage to cure her, I do not doubt that her father would give you anything you asked for- she's his only child, and more precious to him than anything he owns."
Jenna and Estriel looked to each other and smiled. True, it was questionable whether Jenna could help her, but, if she could...
"Where do they live?" asked Estriel.
"Up the main road, turn right, the largest house in sight- you can't miss it! But, Missy, I could use a story-teller tomorrow evening, a good one, mind. If you do well then, then we'll see about more. My name is Barleyman Butterbeer, welcome to the Pony."
Darayne sidled up unobtrusively.
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
"I am...." Darayne begun then froze.
"He is..." Jenna tried to assist and failed.
"The bodyguard!" Estriel, as per usual, saved them in the nick of time.
"Bodyguard?"
The barman asked questioningly, Darayne looking at Jenna in bewilderment, which was quickly replaced by a blank look.
"Our personal man-at-arms. He...guards our...bodies...from Ruffians and footpads, and such." Jenna explained. Estriel raised an eyebrow. Darayne looked moderately scandalised. The barman nodded knowingly, and winked at Darayne.
"It's not like that!" protested Estriel, blushing.
"I am a Ranger, sir, and I am escorting and protecting these two ladies." Darayne seemed to have had enough of the strong and silent approach. Es and Jenna sighed with relief.
"Ok, so what time shall I see you tomorrow?" Estriel asked.
"About six o clock?"
"Ok, thank you, sir! I'll be here then!"
Darayne led the way to the door.
"I'll go pick up Gollum, shall I?" Jenna went to fetch him.
She walked out of the Prancing Pony and into the fresh air. Gollum was crouching on the floor, cursing at people who walked by. He had been tied up securely by Darayne, but still tried to wriggle free in vain.
Jenna went over to him, untied him, and began to lead him back. However, as she got to the door, she heard raised voices. And then, clearly audible, the clash of swords.
Frightened, she hastily tied Gollum to a nearby post ('Curssse usss, preciousss!') and ran inside.
Darayne and a handsome stranger were standing face to face, Estriel looking nervous and worried in the background. Both had long, bright swords positioned warily in their hands, and the stranger looked strangely similar to someone... Now who the hell was it?
"What seems to be the problem?" She asked cautiously, stepping closer to Es.
"Erm...Strider leapt up, called Darayne something in elvish, and drew his sword...Darayne blocked it and said something back...And they've been glaring at each other for the past few minutes, basically."
Jenna nodded thoughtfully. She had known he looked familiar- ought to have connected Strider with one of his favourite taverns, but never mind.
"Strider? Darayne? Could you maybe, for the sake of poor Butterbeer's tavern, put the swords down?"
Jenna coaxed. Both men held each other's gaze for what seemed like a very tense few minutes, and then, to the girl's intense relief, began to drop their swords.
"Ok...so what appears to be the problem?" Asked Estriel, shock wearing off.
Strider watched Darayne suspiciously. Darayne returned the favour.
"How do you know my name?" Strider's sword was lowered, but everyone in the quiet tavern knew it could flash into action again faster than they would see.
"Um. We've heard of you, and we put two and two together!" Es spoke enthusiastically. Jenna elbowed her subtly, and gave her a meaningful look. Not the best explanation, she thought.
"We have a gift for you- Darayne, Estriel and I." She remembered Gollum. Strider looked suspiciously at her, still keeping a weather eye on Darayne's eyes. "Darayne...Would you maybe, come stand over here?" "Yes, of course."
Tensely, he edged over to Jenna, standing protectively near her. Es grinned to herself. Strider watched, with narrowed eyes.
"I will be your hostage, Ranger, and take you to our gift. If you are betrayed, kill me." Estriel spoke out- she could see Darayne wouldn't be happy if Jenna went (to be honest, neither would she) and she was relying on Strider's honour. He was the future King, for crying out loud, and could surely be trusted to do the honourable thing.
Strider nodded, commanding her in his husky voice to stand by him- slowly, and remove any weapons she carried. She complied.
"Darayne. If any harm comes to the woman you guard while I am away, you will have no escape from my vengeance."
Strider spoke slowly and carefully, making sure everyone heard every word. He then said something unintelligible in elvish, while walking behind Estriel, sword at her shoulder, to the door.
A tense situation indeed.
"I am going to open the door, walk outside and then you will see our surprise." Estriel said calmly, aware that her opening the door might be mistaken for a try at escape. What had happened between Darayne and Aragorn? How did they know each other?
Meanwhile, Jenna was quizzing Darayne as to why Strider thought he might harm her? Why was there a grudge between them?
"I am sorry; Jenna, I can not answer your questions now. Suffice it to say that he thinks I did something that I did not, and I can not prove that I did not do it therefore he thinks I am not to be trusted and worse. I wish it was not so. I swear to you, though, that I would rather die before harming either of you!"
Darayne's wide blue eye's stared into hers earnestly.
"Darayne," she spoke softly. "The trust and companionship which you have shown to me and Estriel outweighs any I have any seen – either here or where I come from. You may not wish to speak to me of what has happened now, but...if you ever need to confide in me, I will listen."
He smiled at Jenna, and nodded.
In the meantime, Estriel had just stepped outside the door. She looked towards the post, which she had seen Darayne tying Gollum up to before they entered the Pony, and her heart lurched. He was gone! Then, she looked to her left and saw Gollum crouching, tied to a different post. Thank god, she thought, and deduced that Jenna had done the post-switching.
She walked towards him, and turned around. Then she stepped aside so that Aragorn had a full view of the creature.
The amazement showed in his eyes. Then he lowered his sword in disbelief.
"I have been tracking this creature for weeks now. How did you come to capture it?"
"Er...long story...so, you like it?" asked Estriel.
"I am pleased, although slightly unsure. Now, I must bid you farewell," he said, going to untie Gollum.
"Wait!" squeaked Estriel. "Where are you going?"
Aragorn turned around.
"Not that it is anything to do with you, but I am going to take this creature to Mirkwood, where it rightfully belongs. I thank you for your assistance in this matter, but I must ask you, as well as your friend to stay far away from me and not approach me again."
"What about Darayne?" she ventured.
His eyes turned dark. "It would be advisable for him to do the same. If I meet him again, I cannot be held responsible for my actions. Am I clear?"
Estriel nodded, intimidated by him.
Having successfully released Gollum, he now held onto his rope and walked around to the back of the stables.
"When are you leaving?" shouted Estriel after him.
"Tomorrow morning at dawn," came Aragorn's reply.
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