Well as for the length of the story. I have two options, and I
hope you can tell me which you would like me to do.
1 I can continue as I have been doing and try to finish the story within as many or as few chapters as it takes, but I have to say it will be long, because I was hoping to have them continue until the end of the movies.
2 I can end the story at some point, perhaps around chapter 25 or so, and then start the story up again with a new title and stuff, this would allow for more creative room but if this would be to inconvenient or anything, I wont do that.
I think this story is going to be long, so I hope you all are in it for the long hall, the end of Return of the king is quite a ways off, but then again who knows Caitlin could just die in this chapter and then the story would be pretty short, but im sure everyone would be a bit mad at me if I did that.
Aiko alima
"LEGOLAS,!!!" yelled Gimli as he fought off the two Wargs.
Legolas peered at Aragorns horse, its form disappearing into the distance as it followed Caitlin and her captor.
"LEGOLAS." Yelled Gimli again.
Legolas ran over to his friend, and took one of the Wargs attention away from the dwarve, "A knife, give me a knife." Yelled Legolas as the warg crouched down, preparing to attack.
Legolas was still dressed in his green undershirt, and had no weapons.
"Ever use an axe lad?" he said as he threw the weapon to Legolas.
Legolas grabbed the axe from the air just as the beast attacked, its mouth wide-open. Legolas leapt up just as it came close, climbing up on the animal.
With one sweeping motion the rider was sliced from his perch and Legolas found his opportunity for a striking blow to the Warg.
He swung down with the axe, killing the creature instantly. Gimli was still waiting for the opportune moment as the warg came at him.
"Come on you filthy beast, let my axe pretty your face." He said as he became ready for the warg to come into range. Legolas jumped from the warg and being closer to the animal than Gimli, threw his axe at the animals head. It fell just as it reached Gimli.
"awph, that one counts as mine," he said with frustration. "It was my axe after all." He said as he came over to Legolas.
They both looked around, seeing that the wargs were being overtaken by the rohan warriors.
Theoden rode up on his horse, with Hama at his side.
"Let us hope this was the last of the attacks, I fear we could not defend against another."
"Most of the people are gone, they have not fallen in battle?" he said with worry as he gazed out across the plains at the vacant fires and empty camps.
"No, they have not, my niece Eowyn is strong in these times. As soon as the battle appeared, she continued the journey. Taking my people to Helms Deep." He said "where is Aragorn, and the seer, Caitlin." He said as he noticed their absence.
Legolas ran to Asufeld, leaving Theoden with his question unanswered.
He jumped atop the horse and rode over to them again. "We must follow their tracks, they headed north, not twenty minutes ago." He said. As he took the reigns of Asufeld and turned toward the last place he had seen Aragorns vanishing horse.
Gimli reached out his hand and Legolas took it, hoisting the dwarve up onto the horse behind him. "LETS MOVE." He said as Asufeld leapt forward, galloping across the plain toward Aragorn and Caitlin.
They followed the tracks for ten minutes, and Legolas was becoming more and more tense as they rode along with no sign of them but what the divets in the earth could show.
"Easy lad," said Gimli as he places a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "You know Aragorn, he would sooner lay down his life than allow those creatures harm her." he said.
"OVER HERE." heard Legolas from a rider in the distance, "OVER HERE" they headed in that direction, seeing the rider waving his hand as they approached.
An orc lay against a rock, and just beyond his body, a cliff face.
Legolas and Gimli slid off the horse as they came closer. Legolas ran over to the edge of the cliff, seeing the churning water below.
"Tell me what happened and I shall ease your passing." Said Gimli as he lowered his axe to the orcs throat.
The orc was lying against the rock, a gash in his stomach, blood oozing from his mouth. He laughed at Gimlis request and Legolas came over to him. "ha ha ha, your kin, take their plunge to the awaiting hands of death." He said, "they took a tumble over the falls. Ha ha..."his voice became gargled and his lungs filled with fluid as he gasped, he took a last breath and died, with a smile on his face, at their destruction.
Legolas was in shock as the orc let out his final breath. He took the dying creature in his firm grasp, shaking him.
"You lie, YOU LIE!!" he screamed. But the orc was dead. A small object fell from the orcs hand, it shone in the moonlight, and Legolas released his grip on the orc to pick it up.
"No." he whispered as he lifted the pendent from the ground. Legolas could not think. He could not breath, his knees felt weak, but he stood out of shear will and swiftly walked over to the edge of the cliff.
Gimli joined him, standing next to Legolas. "They must be alright, they must be," he said as he peered down a the water below them.
Legolas squeezed the Evenstar and closed his eyes, knowing that even if they had survived the fall, Caitlin could not swim. A thousand scenarios played out in his head as he peered at the water.
"I think this an unworthy death for such a strong character, they will not allow it to be so. We will see them again." Said Giml.
Legolas turned to look at Gimli, "you are right, both Aragorn and Caitlin are to strong to allow for such a death." He said, trying to tell himself more than Gimli.
"Look here," said a rider behind them.
Legolas and Gimli turned to see Aragorns horse, its reigns in the hands of Theoden.
Thedoen came forward to them. "We cannot linger here, their deaths will be remembered, but only if we survive. We must move on." He said.
The pain in Legolas's heart sunk lower, hearing the dismissive words from Theoden, but his words were also true. They must continue on.
"I know lad, I know your pain," said Gimli placing a hand on Legolas's arm. "Its alright." He said. "Its alright."
Legolas felt his expression go blank, as his heart ached; he walked over and took the reigns from Theoden.
"I will leave you to yourselves, but I must continue to Helms deep without delay, I hope you will join my kingdom in its defenses, but my heart also will understand if you don't." said Theoden. He raised his arm and they all continued to the rohan safe hold.
Legolas and Gimli watched as they rode away. Standing before the cliffs of their fallen companions. "Our duty has not changed." Said Gimli.
"Yes. I am all to aware of that." said Legolas as he turned around to face the horse.
"Asufeld!!" he yelled. To Legolas's surprise the horse was leaving, galloping away.
"Where is he going?" said Gimli.
"Let him go, he has no master now, and war is the only thing that would await him with our company." Said Legolas as he lifted himself up onto Aragorns horse.
As he helped Gimli onto the horse along with him a feeling suddenly came over him and he gripped the reigns to steady himself from the rush of unexpected emotion.
"Are you alright?" asked Gimli.
Legolas could feel something in his heart, something that seemed to warm his blood. He raised his head high, and stood tall on the horse in response to this since that he would see them both again, and Caitlin would be again in his life.
He rode forward after the rest, with a renewed confidence. "Yes, I am alright. We ride onward to Helms deep, as I know they would have done. "
The water was cold and the current swept them down with such a force that they could scarcely see the cliff they had fallen from. Caitlin clung to the strap of the warg as she attempted to detach Aragorn from the side of the thrashing beast. His hand was so wedged against the animal and she tugged against the strap trying to create a big enough space for him to remove his hand. Aragorn levered his feet against the side of the warg, pushing away from it with the strength of his legs, trying to get free as they all were swept down stream and were slowly sinking.
"Arag-," Caitlin tried to speak as water reached her mouth and she spit it out to continued, as the water engulfed her. "I—cant, Arago-"she said as she coughed water up and the they all sank below the surface.
With one final tug from Caitlin, on the strap, and a push from Aragorn, his hand came free, sending him down stream, even further away from Caitlin and the beast.
Aragorn swam against the current, trying to keep them in sight and get to the surface of the raging river at the same time.
He kicked his feet and with burning lungs, until he finally filled them with the sweet breath of air, inhaling with a gasp as he broke the surface of the water. "CAITLIN!!" he yelled, as he searched around for any sign of either the warg or his friend.
"CAITLIN!!" he yelled. The water was so cold, and he grabbed his shoulder with pain as feeling came back to his body. He was hurt, and he could feel himself blacking out. Still with no sign of her. "May the grace of the valor give you strength." He said, he could feel his body giving out, and he knew that he would not last much longer in the conscious realm. He could do no more to help his friend now, and he prayed he would survive to assist her again. He felt himself blacking out and then nothing.
Ok, should I leave you with this as the last bit in this chapter, the thought did cross my mind, and I must admit I seem to love the cliffhangers. But to tell you the truth, I couldn't wait to write more and find out what happens next. I enjoy this story as though I were reading it for the first time, and I cant put it down. So I have decided to not leave you hanging and not leave me hanging, and not leave Caitlin to drown in the water, I don't think she could hold her breath long enough. So without further ado, the next part of the story.
Aiko Alima
Caitlin felt Aragorn release his hand from the warg, as the struggling animal was shifted to its upright position with his weight gone. Caitlin was at first relieved and hoped she could perhaps cling to him, or he would come after her in the water. But as soon as his hand was released, he was carried by a current down stream, even further than she. Caitlin tried to follow the image of his body, keeping track of him, but he was gone before she knew it. He would play no part in her rescue. Her lungs were burning, and she could see the creature struggling beneath her was also in need of oxygen. The weight of the saddle and gear was weighing it down. She reached behind her, feeling for a weapon of any kind that may be strapped to the warg. Yes! She found a large knife, and as she felt the last bit of oxygen leave her lungs, she cut the saddle letting it droop off and lay in the river below. The animal had no trouble now, making it to the surface, and bringing Caitlin, who was clinging to the fur for dear life. The broke the surface of the water, and Caitlin gasped, breathing the air again.
The animal seemed less concerned with her than it did with reaching the shore, but Caitlin knew that the second that creature touched its paws on land; it would certainly attack and kill her. She had to be very careful, to release her grip of it before it reached land, but after she would be able to touch a rock or tree limb that would safely carry her to shore.
The river was vast, and the current strong, and Caitlin now, was grateful at how strong these wargs were, an added bonus seemed to be that they detested water, at least this one wasn't to thrilled at being in water as it tried desperately to fight against the current. It took a long time, and Caitlin could see how tired this dog like animal was getting, its jaw slack and its eyes slightly closed. They seemed to swim for hours, fighting the current to reach shore, all the while; Caitlin kicked her feet and did all she could to help bring them both to land. She remembered that the wargs were said to be intelligent and even possess a language. Btu she brushed this off as fatigue over took her. They reached land and Caitlin was tired, and her mind was slow, she forgot to release the warg, but instead kept clinging to it as it came to land, and then as it walked up on shore.
She lay there, her body wet and tired, her eyes closed and her hands lying above her. There was no movement, no thought, only a stillness and relief, as she lay motionless on the sand. She saw nothing, and heard nothing; the only feeling was of the wind as it blew over her body.
She opened her eyes finding it still dark. "Legolas." She whispered as her thoughts turned to him. His image came to her mind and she now, opened her eyes, taking in the scenery around her. Her hands came down and she found tuffs of hair in her palms, hair from the warg. She suddenly sat up, afraid he might still be their, but the animal was no where to be found. She felt the soft sand beneath her and slowly got up from the ground.
She had no shoes on, no weapon, only a dress, and a dress that was half soaked. She brushed as much sand from her cloths as possible, and wiping her hands she looked around. She had no idea which way to go, she didn't even know which way north was. Caitlin spun around. Trying to decide which way to go. She looked at which way the current was flowing. Knowing that which ever way was up stream was the way she had come from, and there by giving her a general direction she should head in. she saw that the current was coming from the right. She thought of heading back to where she had fallen, but she knew no one would still be there, they were all heading to Helms deep. So Caitlin headed left, heading into the woods and hopefully to friendly company.
"You have been silent." Said Gimli as he rode behind Legolas. Gimli held Caitlin's sword, squeezing its hilt in his fingers. They had gone back to the campsite, and gathered all of their things, this also included both Aragorn and Caitlins things. It seemed almost ritualistic as he now held the sword in his hand. Its hilt gleaming in the moonlight that now was giving way to the coming day, the coming sun.
Legolas did not answer Gimli as he rode. They were quickly reaching the rest of the people. Theoden had taken the attack very seriously, and had ordered his men to focus all their attention on helping the villagers move as quickly as possible. The pace they now were taking to Helms deep was swift and grueling; they would make good time, and reach safety sooner than expected.
Caitlin had been walking for hours, and lost all sight of the river, her feet were swollen and her mouth was dry, her hair and cloths had dried and light came over the valley as the morning broke.
"Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping..." Caitlin sang, the song fixed in her mind as she thought of Frodo. She walked continuously across the plains, her feet had been cut several times but they were small and only hurt a little. Mostly she was bored, and tired. She had no idea now if she was going in the right direction and the grass looked like an inviting place to take a much-needed rest.
Suddenly a great smile came over her face as she lifted her face to the image that came toward her.
"ASUFELD" she cried out with joy, and she ran to him as he galloped in her direction. The horse had no gear on and she was so happy to see him. Reaching him he slowed and she grasped his neck, hugging the horse before hoisting herself up onto his back.
"Lets go." She said, as they galloped away. Her face smiling, and her hope restored.
She galloped trying to find a landmark she recognized but all the boulders and rocks seemed to look the same.
"whoo, slow up boy." She said as Asufeld stopped.
Caitlin heard something in the distance, a sound that she could not place. Something in her heart told her it was the elves, a noise, perhaps of their marching. She knew elves were swift and took great care in the silence of their steps, but collectively and with armor, she knew they would make at least some noise.
"Yah," she said as she squeezed her legs, sending Asufeld galloping toward the noise.
"I see you have decided to join us." Said Theoden as he came up beside Legolas and Gimli.
"There was no question, our task has not changed." Said Gimli as their horses walked beside each other.
Theoden looked at the white sword Gimli held, "your friend will be remembered, I must say I did not get to know her well, but she seemed of a good character." He said. Theoden shifted in his saddle and they remained silent for a minute. He cleared his throat. "We will be traveling all through the night, we will try to make good time, and with any luck, we will reach our destination before morning." He said.
This, I hope is a good length chapter, I am hoping to get the next chapter out by tuesday evening, perhaps in the really early morning hours of wednesday. Ok see ya. Aiko Alima
1 I can continue as I have been doing and try to finish the story within as many or as few chapters as it takes, but I have to say it will be long, because I was hoping to have them continue until the end of the movies.
2 I can end the story at some point, perhaps around chapter 25 or so, and then start the story up again with a new title and stuff, this would allow for more creative room but if this would be to inconvenient or anything, I wont do that.
I think this story is going to be long, so I hope you all are in it for the long hall, the end of Return of the king is quite a ways off, but then again who knows Caitlin could just die in this chapter and then the story would be pretty short, but im sure everyone would be a bit mad at me if I did that.
Aiko alima
"LEGOLAS,!!!" yelled Gimli as he fought off the two Wargs.
Legolas peered at Aragorns horse, its form disappearing into the distance as it followed Caitlin and her captor.
"LEGOLAS." Yelled Gimli again.
Legolas ran over to his friend, and took one of the Wargs attention away from the dwarve, "A knife, give me a knife." Yelled Legolas as the warg crouched down, preparing to attack.
Legolas was still dressed in his green undershirt, and had no weapons.
"Ever use an axe lad?" he said as he threw the weapon to Legolas.
Legolas grabbed the axe from the air just as the beast attacked, its mouth wide-open. Legolas leapt up just as it came close, climbing up on the animal.
With one sweeping motion the rider was sliced from his perch and Legolas found his opportunity for a striking blow to the Warg.
He swung down with the axe, killing the creature instantly. Gimli was still waiting for the opportune moment as the warg came at him.
"Come on you filthy beast, let my axe pretty your face." He said as he became ready for the warg to come into range. Legolas jumped from the warg and being closer to the animal than Gimli, threw his axe at the animals head. It fell just as it reached Gimli.
"awph, that one counts as mine," he said with frustration. "It was my axe after all." He said as he came over to Legolas.
They both looked around, seeing that the wargs were being overtaken by the rohan warriors.
Theoden rode up on his horse, with Hama at his side.
"Let us hope this was the last of the attacks, I fear we could not defend against another."
"Most of the people are gone, they have not fallen in battle?" he said with worry as he gazed out across the plains at the vacant fires and empty camps.
"No, they have not, my niece Eowyn is strong in these times. As soon as the battle appeared, she continued the journey. Taking my people to Helms Deep." He said "where is Aragorn, and the seer, Caitlin." He said as he noticed their absence.
Legolas ran to Asufeld, leaving Theoden with his question unanswered.
He jumped atop the horse and rode over to them again. "We must follow their tracks, they headed north, not twenty minutes ago." He said. As he took the reigns of Asufeld and turned toward the last place he had seen Aragorns vanishing horse.
Gimli reached out his hand and Legolas took it, hoisting the dwarve up onto the horse behind him. "LETS MOVE." He said as Asufeld leapt forward, galloping across the plain toward Aragorn and Caitlin.
They followed the tracks for ten minutes, and Legolas was becoming more and more tense as they rode along with no sign of them but what the divets in the earth could show.
"Easy lad," said Gimli as he places a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "You know Aragorn, he would sooner lay down his life than allow those creatures harm her." he said.
"OVER HERE." heard Legolas from a rider in the distance, "OVER HERE" they headed in that direction, seeing the rider waving his hand as they approached.
An orc lay against a rock, and just beyond his body, a cliff face.
Legolas and Gimli slid off the horse as they came closer. Legolas ran over to the edge of the cliff, seeing the churning water below.
"Tell me what happened and I shall ease your passing." Said Gimli as he lowered his axe to the orcs throat.
The orc was lying against the rock, a gash in his stomach, blood oozing from his mouth. He laughed at Gimlis request and Legolas came over to him. "ha ha ha, your kin, take their plunge to the awaiting hands of death." He said, "they took a tumble over the falls. Ha ha..."his voice became gargled and his lungs filled with fluid as he gasped, he took a last breath and died, with a smile on his face, at their destruction.
Legolas was in shock as the orc let out his final breath. He took the dying creature in his firm grasp, shaking him.
"You lie, YOU LIE!!" he screamed. But the orc was dead. A small object fell from the orcs hand, it shone in the moonlight, and Legolas released his grip on the orc to pick it up.
"No." he whispered as he lifted the pendent from the ground. Legolas could not think. He could not breath, his knees felt weak, but he stood out of shear will and swiftly walked over to the edge of the cliff.
Gimli joined him, standing next to Legolas. "They must be alright, they must be," he said as he peered down a the water below them.
Legolas squeezed the Evenstar and closed his eyes, knowing that even if they had survived the fall, Caitlin could not swim. A thousand scenarios played out in his head as he peered at the water.
"I think this an unworthy death for such a strong character, they will not allow it to be so. We will see them again." Said Giml.
Legolas turned to look at Gimli, "you are right, both Aragorn and Caitlin are to strong to allow for such a death." He said, trying to tell himself more than Gimli.
"Look here," said a rider behind them.
Legolas and Gimli turned to see Aragorns horse, its reigns in the hands of Theoden.
Thedoen came forward to them. "We cannot linger here, their deaths will be remembered, but only if we survive. We must move on." He said.
The pain in Legolas's heart sunk lower, hearing the dismissive words from Theoden, but his words were also true. They must continue on.
"I know lad, I know your pain," said Gimli placing a hand on Legolas's arm. "Its alright." He said. "Its alright."
Legolas felt his expression go blank, as his heart ached; he walked over and took the reigns from Theoden.
"I will leave you to yourselves, but I must continue to Helms deep without delay, I hope you will join my kingdom in its defenses, but my heart also will understand if you don't." said Theoden. He raised his arm and they all continued to the rohan safe hold.
Legolas and Gimli watched as they rode away. Standing before the cliffs of their fallen companions. "Our duty has not changed." Said Gimli.
"Yes. I am all to aware of that." said Legolas as he turned around to face the horse.
"Asufeld!!" he yelled. To Legolas's surprise the horse was leaving, galloping away.
"Where is he going?" said Gimli.
"Let him go, he has no master now, and war is the only thing that would await him with our company." Said Legolas as he lifted himself up onto Aragorns horse.
As he helped Gimli onto the horse along with him a feeling suddenly came over him and he gripped the reigns to steady himself from the rush of unexpected emotion.
"Are you alright?" asked Gimli.
Legolas could feel something in his heart, something that seemed to warm his blood. He raised his head high, and stood tall on the horse in response to this since that he would see them both again, and Caitlin would be again in his life.
He rode forward after the rest, with a renewed confidence. "Yes, I am alright. We ride onward to Helms deep, as I know they would have done. "
The water was cold and the current swept them down with such a force that they could scarcely see the cliff they had fallen from. Caitlin clung to the strap of the warg as she attempted to detach Aragorn from the side of the thrashing beast. His hand was so wedged against the animal and she tugged against the strap trying to create a big enough space for him to remove his hand. Aragorn levered his feet against the side of the warg, pushing away from it with the strength of his legs, trying to get free as they all were swept down stream and were slowly sinking.
"Arag-," Caitlin tried to speak as water reached her mouth and she spit it out to continued, as the water engulfed her. "I—cant, Arago-"she said as she coughed water up and the they all sank below the surface.
With one final tug from Caitlin, on the strap, and a push from Aragorn, his hand came free, sending him down stream, even further away from Caitlin and the beast.
Aragorn swam against the current, trying to keep them in sight and get to the surface of the raging river at the same time.
He kicked his feet and with burning lungs, until he finally filled them with the sweet breath of air, inhaling with a gasp as he broke the surface of the water. "CAITLIN!!" he yelled, as he searched around for any sign of either the warg or his friend.
"CAITLIN!!" he yelled. The water was so cold, and he grabbed his shoulder with pain as feeling came back to his body. He was hurt, and he could feel himself blacking out. Still with no sign of her. "May the grace of the valor give you strength." He said, he could feel his body giving out, and he knew that he would not last much longer in the conscious realm. He could do no more to help his friend now, and he prayed he would survive to assist her again. He felt himself blacking out and then nothing.
Ok, should I leave you with this as the last bit in this chapter, the thought did cross my mind, and I must admit I seem to love the cliffhangers. But to tell you the truth, I couldn't wait to write more and find out what happens next. I enjoy this story as though I were reading it for the first time, and I cant put it down. So I have decided to not leave you hanging and not leave me hanging, and not leave Caitlin to drown in the water, I don't think she could hold her breath long enough. So without further ado, the next part of the story.
Aiko Alima
Caitlin felt Aragorn release his hand from the warg, as the struggling animal was shifted to its upright position with his weight gone. Caitlin was at first relieved and hoped she could perhaps cling to him, or he would come after her in the water. But as soon as his hand was released, he was carried by a current down stream, even further than she. Caitlin tried to follow the image of his body, keeping track of him, but he was gone before she knew it. He would play no part in her rescue. Her lungs were burning, and she could see the creature struggling beneath her was also in need of oxygen. The weight of the saddle and gear was weighing it down. She reached behind her, feeling for a weapon of any kind that may be strapped to the warg. Yes! She found a large knife, and as she felt the last bit of oxygen leave her lungs, she cut the saddle letting it droop off and lay in the river below. The animal had no trouble now, making it to the surface, and bringing Caitlin, who was clinging to the fur for dear life. The broke the surface of the water, and Caitlin gasped, breathing the air again.
The animal seemed less concerned with her than it did with reaching the shore, but Caitlin knew that the second that creature touched its paws on land; it would certainly attack and kill her. She had to be very careful, to release her grip of it before it reached land, but after she would be able to touch a rock or tree limb that would safely carry her to shore.
The river was vast, and the current strong, and Caitlin now, was grateful at how strong these wargs were, an added bonus seemed to be that they detested water, at least this one wasn't to thrilled at being in water as it tried desperately to fight against the current. It took a long time, and Caitlin could see how tired this dog like animal was getting, its jaw slack and its eyes slightly closed. They seemed to swim for hours, fighting the current to reach shore, all the while; Caitlin kicked her feet and did all she could to help bring them both to land. She remembered that the wargs were said to be intelligent and even possess a language. Btu she brushed this off as fatigue over took her. They reached land and Caitlin was tired, and her mind was slow, she forgot to release the warg, but instead kept clinging to it as it came to land, and then as it walked up on shore.
She lay there, her body wet and tired, her eyes closed and her hands lying above her. There was no movement, no thought, only a stillness and relief, as she lay motionless on the sand. She saw nothing, and heard nothing; the only feeling was of the wind as it blew over her body.
She opened her eyes finding it still dark. "Legolas." She whispered as her thoughts turned to him. His image came to her mind and she now, opened her eyes, taking in the scenery around her. Her hands came down and she found tuffs of hair in her palms, hair from the warg. She suddenly sat up, afraid he might still be their, but the animal was no where to be found. She felt the soft sand beneath her and slowly got up from the ground.
She had no shoes on, no weapon, only a dress, and a dress that was half soaked. She brushed as much sand from her cloths as possible, and wiping her hands she looked around. She had no idea which way to go, she didn't even know which way north was. Caitlin spun around. Trying to decide which way to go. She looked at which way the current was flowing. Knowing that which ever way was up stream was the way she had come from, and there by giving her a general direction she should head in. she saw that the current was coming from the right. She thought of heading back to where she had fallen, but she knew no one would still be there, they were all heading to Helms deep. So Caitlin headed left, heading into the woods and hopefully to friendly company.
"You have been silent." Said Gimli as he rode behind Legolas. Gimli held Caitlin's sword, squeezing its hilt in his fingers. They had gone back to the campsite, and gathered all of their things, this also included both Aragorn and Caitlins things. It seemed almost ritualistic as he now held the sword in his hand. Its hilt gleaming in the moonlight that now was giving way to the coming day, the coming sun.
Legolas did not answer Gimli as he rode. They were quickly reaching the rest of the people. Theoden had taken the attack very seriously, and had ordered his men to focus all their attention on helping the villagers move as quickly as possible. The pace they now were taking to Helms deep was swift and grueling; they would make good time, and reach safety sooner than expected.
Caitlin had been walking for hours, and lost all sight of the river, her feet were swollen and her mouth was dry, her hair and cloths had dried and light came over the valley as the morning broke.
"Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping..." Caitlin sang, the song fixed in her mind as she thought of Frodo. She walked continuously across the plains, her feet had been cut several times but they were small and only hurt a little. Mostly she was bored, and tired. She had no idea now if she was going in the right direction and the grass looked like an inviting place to take a much-needed rest.
Suddenly a great smile came over her face as she lifted her face to the image that came toward her.
"ASUFELD" she cried out with joy, and she ran to him as he galloped in her direction. The horse had no gear on and she was so happy to see him. Reaching him he slowed and she grasped his neck, hugging the horse before hoisting herself up onto his back.
"Lets go." She said, as they galloped away. Her face smiling, and her hope restored.
She galloped trying to find a landmark she recognized but all the boulders and rocks seemed to look the same.
"whoo, slow up boy." She said as Asufeld stopped.
Caitlin heard something in the distance, a sound that she could not place. Something in her heart told her it was the elves, a noise, perhaps of their marching. She knew elves were swift and took great care in the silence of their steps, but collectively and with armor, she knew they would make at least some noise.
"Yah," she said as she squeezed her legs, sending Asufeld galloping toward the noise.
"I see you have decided to join us." Said Theoden as he came up beside Legolas and Gimli.
"There was no question, our task has not changed." Said Gimli as their horses walked beside each other.
Theoden looked at the white sword Gimli held, "your friend will be remembered, I must say I did not get to know her well, but she seemed of a good character." He said. Theoden shifted in his saddle and they remained silent for a minute. He cleared his throat. "We will be traveling all through the night, we will try to make good time, and with any luck, we will reach our destination before morning." He said.
This, I hope is a good length chapter, I am hoping to get the next chapter out by tuesday evening, perhaps in the really early morning hours of wednesday. Ok see ya. Aiko Alima