Wow! FIVE whole reviews! [yeah, sure, you sound like it's nothing, but for
me… it's a new world record!!!] maybe this chapter will get five more.., or
maybe 10, and then I'll post another chapter! And we all like that!
And now… the moment you've all been waiting for… THE… SUMO MARATHON! THAT'S RIGHT! NOTHING BUT FAT-ASS MEN TRYING TO SHOVE EACH OTHER OUT OF A STUPID CIRCLE!!! [no! we wanna read Lord of the Rings!] well fine then, we'll post another chapter of LOTR for you wretched little snot-nosed brats!(damn no-paying job, I don't know why I stand this frickin place anyway…)
Sailor Moon S(tupid), anyone? Okay. I'll shut up. And I didn't mean the part about the "wretched little snot-nosed brats", I was just kidding! I mean, come on… if I REALLY wanted to insult you, I could have come up with much better than that… ^_^
READ AWAY! I PROMISE I'LL SHUT UP NOW!!!
Chapter II: Yomenië I Lórwen
[meeting the dream-maiden]
Legolas kept his arrow trained on the cloaked stranger, wary of what else could happen in this hour. He stole a glance off the person to behind them, seeing Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli approach from behind, weapons drawn and ready. The hobbits approached as well, though they stood farther back, wary as well of the foreigner.
« Manlyë nar ar man roitalyë sínomë? » [Who are you, and what business have you here?]
I asked, keeping my voice low and unkind. It left me unnerved that I had not heard anything from this stranger since I had overheard him speak to himself.
I looked him over. He did seem rather short, and left me to wonder whether this person could have been a dwarf, perhaps one that escaped the mines. Yet that would not explain how he knew Quenya, the tongue of the High Elves. I could not tell whether he had a weapon concealed underneath his long, thick cloak and hood.
He slowly pushed the sides of his cloak aside, moving in a way that he was sure I could always see where his hands were.
« Uva korima nat elyë nyéna. » [Do not do something you may regret. ] Aragorn warned, and Legolas noticed the person flinch as he turned slightly and saw that he was surrounded. He nodded slightly and continued, more careful not to alarm anyone with sudden actions.
He pulled off a loose belt that hung around his hips, and threw before me a leather band that held several daggers. He put his hands, empty, up in the air as a sign of peace, and I heard him take a shaky breath before he spoke.
« Tulin lá úmëa, mára heruion. » [I mean you no harm, good Sirs.] he said cautiously, raising his hands again peacefully till they were about his shoulders.
"What business do you have here?" Boromir finally asked, growing somewhat annoyed at the conversation only being understood by two of the fellowship.
"My business is my own; and yet… I suppose it should be yours as well, for it concerns you and the Fellowship of the Ring, convened by Elrond HalfElven and set out from Imladris." He said quietly, just loud enough for those closest to hear. Legolas was further perplexed by the use of Common Speech. Obviously, this was no ordinary wanderer, but friend of foe still was in debate. Wondering how much this person knew of the Fellowship, Legolas tightened the grip on his bow and string, an arrow still nocked and ready to fly.
"How do you know of our plight? Choose your words carefully," Aragorn asked, suspicion drawn faintly on his face. He looked to Legolas and nodded, and he crept slowly towards the stranger, intending on removing the hood, as this stranger surely was not going to do any time in the future. He hesitated once in a while, wondering if indeed this person was an elf, for surely they would hear him sneak up from behind. The stranger did not, and with a quick motion, Aragorn tugged on the loose hood, pulling it away from the face of the girl who now stood before them.
Silver hair flashed in the sunlight as the girl spun around to face her silent attacker. Violet eyes flashed in alarm and anxiety as she looked over the group who stared at her, weapons still in hand. The violet orbs lost their apprehension for a moment and sparkled in recognition as her eyes drew upon the face of Aragorn, and only Legolas heard the small gasp from the girl.
"But-" Pippin started, shock read easily on his face as well as all the others, who surely thought this person to be a man, "You're a… a girl!"
« Ingólemo, man-ië…» [What a scholar…] she uttered, sighing. Aragorn studied her intently, then re-sheathed his sword. He laughed lightly as she continued to comment in under-toned Quenya on his observation skills (or, rather, lack thereof.)
"Legolas, you may lower your bow, as we have found a friend." He said, and waited till Legolas replaced his arrow in his quiver before turning back to the girl, still unnamed. Gimli lowered his axe and Boromir replaced his sword as well, and Aragorn saw her shoulders relax, if only by a bit.
"So… Lórëala. What has you wandering these parts of the world?" Aragorn asked as he circled around her. Much less than a second later, Aragorn found himself lying on the ground on his back, Lórëala having swept his feet out from under him.
"No matter how many times I have told you, have you still not learned not to call me that, Elessar? You have 20 names yourself, yet cannot seem to remember one of another?" She said, leaning over him with a small grin over her face, which, Aragorn noticed, did not reach her eyes as it usually did. Something was wrong, and Aragorn vowed to learn later. He grinned as she helped him up, offering her hand, which he accepted. "You're getting slow in your age, old man."
"And you haven't aged since last we met. So what brings you to us?"
"I was sent here to accompany you to LothLórien. I had expected that you would have passed by the Gate or over Caradhras, but I received word from Mithrandir that you were passing through the depths of Moria.
"I am much relieved that you are here, For I greatly feared you trapped or lost during the time that you had spent in the mines. That said, these hills will be perilous and scouted by Orcs come nightfall, and it is too far a journey to make it to the Golden Wood before then. I know of a small camp that will be safe from the enemy for tonight, should you wish to rest. You all seem weary and heavy of heart, and, if my opinion means anything, I think it best to rest before travelling again." She ended quietly, unsure if her thoughts were of value to this group of (seemingly) hostile travellers, with the exception of Aragorn.
"Do you trust this… this girl, Aragorn?" The dwarf finally spoke up, glaring at Lórëala as if she was a witch come to kill them all. She looked to be, almost, an elf, and he was still wary of them, with the exception of Master Legolas.
"In dark times as these, Gimli, I trust her with my life." A solemn look passed over him, but it was soon covered with an unreadable expression.
"Sad times are these where you would trust me of all people, Elessar. You must truly be doomed!" Lórëala said, grinning slightly. Aragorn sighed, and ruffled her hair.
"Indeed, we all are doomed." He said, sarcasm evident as he looked at her. "I should make it a solemn oath that I shall not perish before you do." Aragorn laughed as he taunted the young girl, who in all senses was older than all their ages combined, doubled and tripled.
Finally he saw a bright smile graced her face, and Aragorn could see the difference it made. To her it lifted millennia of harsh responsibilities and lost sleep from her face, and brightened everything about her. To others it made her seem much more friendly and welcoming, putting their worries and grief aside as they wanted to know more of her. Aragorn noticed a faint smile of approval upon the face of Gimli, but placed that thought under the heading of 'ask later'.
She walked over back to where she threw her belt and daggers, and retrieved them, and half the group that was watching noticed her avoid Legolas, his person as well as his gaze.
"Shall we be off, or will a battle of wits ensue and delay us further?" She asked, mock bowing as she gestured towards the path that leads to the forest.
"Yes, I'm afraid we cannot delay much longer."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo followed the Company as they made their way through the green forest. After rather brief introductions were made (where Aragorn still insisted on naming her Lórëala, and word was not spoken of her real name), they had taken a faint path, one barely visible yet seemed to wind every once in a while. The path was light, and the company kept a lighter speed as they made through the wood. Every so often they would stop and walk in a western direction (so Frodo guessed), and Lórëala would lead them to a new path, and they travelled on in the same direction as before. The group was solemn again as they walked on, and as best as Frodo tried against it, tears stung his face as memories of Gandalf surfaced, sinking in that he would be lost of his counsel and friendship for ever more. The Ring that hung round his neck weighed down heavily, with more weight than Frodo had thought it was capable of.
When they had first met Lórëala, the Ring had burned with heat, and seemed drawn to her, burning so angrily that Frodo had to hold it in his palm to stop it being pulled off the chain. She had seemed nice enough, and it set his mind at ease that Aragorn seemed to know her well. Frodo vaguely remembered not seeing him so happy, - or laughing even -since they had set out from Rivendell.
But even so, he could not ward off the warning that he received from the ring.
He walked near the front of the company, with Aragorn and Lórëala leading the way silently. He wanted to know more about her, foremost on his mind her name, since she had said that Aragorn refused to call her by whatever real name she may have had, and she continued to berate him for the use of her given nickname. Frodo sighed heavily. Knowing these dark times, he would never know, as things tended to be kept hidden.
Another thought that plagued the minds of the company, save Aragorn who knew the truth yet would never utter it, and perhaps Gimli who seemed to fear her not, was that they knew not what she was, Elf or Man. She seemed to be both, and yet not; there was a strange sort of air 'round her that could not be identified. She wore clothes that could have been of a ranger, were she one. She wore a pair of straight black pants, neither tight nor loose, and a long black shirt. Over it, she wore a short-sleeved tunic of a very dark green. A black vest and dark cloak rested over her shoulders, the cloak almost seeming too large for her. It reached the floor of the forest, just grazing it occasionally, and the hood, when raised, covered her whole head in shadows, making her seem much more frightening than when you knew her and could see her face.
"How far do you deem this camp of yours to be?" Aragorn asked, finally venturing to break the deep silence that surrounded the group.
"Not much farther. I came across an abandoned home in these woods, and have charmed it to be invisible to all save those I choose. Another little trick I learned from Gandalf, among other people..." she trailed off, a shadow covering her eyes. Aragorn thought for a moment he had seen a drop of tear fall from the inside of her hood, but he left it to a trick of the light.
" How many are left?" he said in a low voice, leaning in to avoid more people than necessary from hearing. Lórëala stopped suddenly, but continued on within one step of the pace set by the fellowship. She lowered her head, and was quiet for a moment.
« Ufárëa. » [Not enough.] she muttered, quickening her pace slightly. Aragorn placed his hand on her arm, and she turned back to him for a moment. He repeated his question, and hidden emotions flashed in her eyes. « Er atta, inyë mi. »
She pulled her arm from his hand and continued on. Frodo watched this exchange with worry and curiosity, wishing he knew more Elvish to understand what was said and thinking about the look of deep concern that was apparent on Aragorn's face when he looked at her. He turned and slowed his pace till he fell back with Legolas, who was keeping up the rear.
"Legolas, I'm sure you heard them speak, what did they say?" he asked. Legolas looked at him for a moment, unsure of how he should respond.
"I am not sure what was said is to be repeated; but since I understood naught of the topic, I may as well tell you the words. He asked her how many were left, but as to what they refer to remains to be told. She replied, 'Not enough. Only two, myself included.' Do you know what they speak of?"
"Nay, I don't have an idea. Perhaps her people, maybe? A town or village? I wonder what she is, though." Frodo pondered, more to himself than to Legolas. "She seems to be like an elf, but she doesn't look like one, except for the ears. And she's so short, barely taller than Master Gimli."
"I don't really think of her to be an elf, yet she is naught of Men either. She seems in the middle, yet she seems leagues away at the same time."
"Even though Aragorn trusts her, I am still wary. She knows about the Ring, surely, but it is as if it holds some strange power over her, and I can feel it calling to her." Frodo sighed. "It is most puzzling…"
"The Ring calls to her… that is a strange tale, indeed. Ela! If only Gandalf were here to ask for advice. She has this aura about her, I do not know how to describe it, not really a thing seen, but felt. I do not know the best course, but you should keep the Ring far from her, and do not stray alone around her, either. Keep a companion near when around her, until she can prove to all that she is trustworthy."
"I was thinking thoughts similar. She is strange." Frodo said, staring ahead again. How did Aragorn meet her, and was she a close friend of Gandalf? Questions once again plagued Frodo's mind, and he now wished fervently again that Gandalf was here for guidance.
"So, Miss, since you said that Aragorn did not call you by you correct name," Merry spoke up, walking to the side of Lórëala.
"We were wondering, pray tell, what you real name is?" Pippin asked, claiming her from the other side, Sam catching up as well to hear the answer.
"Ilúvatar, help me, I've been overcome by Hobbits." She laughed, a sound that gave slight hope to the company, easing the dark cloud that hung overhead. "My name, you ask? How wonderful that others do care about what my name really is." She said, shooting a glare towards Aragorn, who only smiled innocently as he turned back around and kept walking.
"My real name is Haíthwen, or more properly Haíthiminë, but I would be much obliged for you to simply call me Aíca, if not continue calling me Lórëala."
"Well I like the sounds of Haíthiminë," Merry said, stumbling over the pronunciation slightly, "but as it is quite a mouthful, and I fear saying it wrong and offending you, I think I shall stick with Aíca. 'Tis a very pretty name." Merry said, which Lórëala had to laugh at, smiling warmly as she looked down at the hobbit.
"Why, thank you, Master Brandybuck, but I am quite sure you could offend me not. In fact, I am quite relieved that you are not as some others of your company." She said, leaning down to be closer to him. "Telling the truth, I believe some of these gentlemen to be… how to put this… sticks in the mud." She whispered, loud enough for the surrounding hobbits to hear. Pippin and Merry broke out in laughter, and Sam smiled broadly, restraining a laugh in his throat.
"Too true!" Pippin agreed. "I fear they forget how to laugh, on a journey such as this! It is very good to know that someone is always ready for a joke or laugh!"
"Much agreed with, Master Took. I mean," she paused, looking and pointing to where Aragorn walked in front of them, "Should we never laugh, we may begin to look like poor ol' Lord Elessar over there. All sullen and sad." She said, hiding a giggle as Aragorn over heard and turned back to them once again. "Does nothing but make him look dreadfully older that he really is!" she spoke, loud enough for him to fully hear. The hobbits almost expected him to be angry, but he only nodded and smiled again at Haíthwen, who laughed quietly again.
"Tis very welcoming to see the Lady cheerful at the expense of my dignity." He said, pretending to be hurt but smiling again as she ran back up to him and lead them further on. In truth, it had taken him a moment to understand to what she was talking of. His mind was set at ease as he took in that she was trying to discourage the group of young hobbits from thinking of sorrow.
The Fellowship entered a small clearing, if one could call it that, for the trees were only further apart. A strange feeling crept over them, as if they shouldn't be there, an innermost voice telling them to flee. Haíthwen walked confidently through the woods further, seeming to hear nothing, her followers slowly and warily proceeding.
"What is this devilry? Something is here that remains unseen, and it makes me uneasy." Legolas asked, his hand straying to his bow, then recoiling, as if debating whether this feeling was an enemy or not.
"You are right in saying something is hidden, Master Elf, but Fear not! 'Tis no enemy that will come near. Do you not see it?" Haíthwen said, pointing ahead of them.
The fellowship followed her hand, and, as if it had always stood there, a small cottage appeared, ivy covering its sides.
"Where did that come from?" Gimli asked, awe-struck as he stared at the cottage, rubbing his eyes as if they, too, deceived him.
"T'was hidden till a moment ago. Hidden that so unfriendly eyes will not discover it. I've been staying here, waiting till you exited the mines." She said, stopping just outside the door. She searched her pockets for something, and withdrew a small iron key, placing it in the hole and turning the lock. She turned back to the Fellowship, who still stood staring at the cottage, wary of its presence.
"Well, are you going to stand there gawking, or shall you enter?" she laughed lightly, and gestured inside. The group entered the cabin, still wary. Inside was a small kitchen, with a cupboard beside a fireplace. Through an adjoining door there was a small bedroom, with two beds, and through a smaller one there was a bath.
"Miss Aíca, I'd hate to complain, but I must admit, it is a tad small…" Pippin said openly, earning an elbow from both Merry and Frodo, who stood on either side of him. She simply laughed.
"Yes, I do know that it is small, at least the part that is visible to the eye. But there's more that you have yet to see." She walked over to the left side of the room, which was bare except for a rug on the floor. She pulled the rug away, and it revealed a trap door in the wooden floor. She pulled it open, and a stone stair led underneath the cottage.
"There are quite a few extra beds down here, and a fireplace, too. I was lucky I found this door, else I would have never know what was hidden underneath!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
1 so, come on… 10 reviews ain't THAT much!!! PWEASE??????
And now… the moment you've all been waiting for… THE… SUMO MARATHON! THAT'S RIGHT! NOTHING BUT FAT-ASS MEN TRYING TO SHOVE EACH OTHER OUT OF A STUPID CIRCLE!!! [no! we wanna read Lord of the Rings!] well fine then, we'll post another chapter of LOTR for you wretched little snot-nosed brats!(damn no-paying job, I don't know why I stand this frickin place anyway…)
Sailor Moon S(tupid), anyone? Okay. I'll shut up. And I didn't mean the part about the "wretched little snot-nosed brats", I was just kidding! I mean, come on… if I REALLY wanted to insult you, I could have come up with much better than that… ^_^
READ AWAY! I PROMISE I'LL SHUT UP NOW!!!
Chapter II: Yomenië I Lórwen
[meeting the dream-maiden]
Legolas kept his arrow trained on the cloaked stranger, wary of what else could happen in this hour. He stole a glance off the person to behind them, seeing Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli approach from behind, weapons drawn and ready. The hobbits approached as well, though they stood farther back, wary as well of the foreigner.
« Manlyë nar ar man roitalyë sínomë? » [Who are you, and what business have you here?]
I asked, keeping my voice low and unkind. It left me unnerved that I had not heard anything from this stranger since I had overheard him speak to himself.
I looked him over. He did seem rather short, and left me to wonder whether this person could have been a dwarf, perhaps one that escaped the mines. Yet that would not explain how he knew Quenya, the tongue of the High Elves. I could not tell whether he had a weapon concealed underneath his long, thick cloak and hood.
He slowly pushed the sides of his cloak aside, moving in a way that he was sure I could always see where his hands were.
« Uva korima nat elyë nyéna. » [Do not do something you may regret. ] Aragorn warned, and Legolas noticed the person flinch as he turned slightly and saw that he was surrounded. He nodded slightly and continued, more careful not to alarm anyone with sudden actions.
He pulled off a loose belt that hung around his hips, and threw before me a leather band that held several daggers. He put his hands, empty, up in the air as a sign of peace, and I heard him take a shaky breath before he spoke.
« Tulin lá úmëa, mára heruion. » [I mean you no harm, good Sirs.] he said cautiously, raising his hands again peacefully till they were about his shoulders.
"What business do you have here?" Boromir finally asked, growing somewhat annoyed at the conversation only being understood by two of the fellowship.
"My business is my own; and yet… I suppose it should be yours as well, for it concerns you and the Fellowship of the Ring, convened by Elrond HalfElven and set out from Imladris." He said quietly, just loud enough for those closest to hear. Legolas was further perplexed by the use of Common Speech. Obviously, this was no ordinary wanderer, but friend of foe still was in debate. Wondering how much this person knew of the Fellowship, Legolas tightened the grip on his bow and string, an arrow still nocked and ready to fly.
"How do you know of our plight? Choose your words carefully," Aragorn asked, suspicion drawn faintly on his face. He looked to Legolas and nodded, and he crept slowly towards the stranger, intending on removing the hood, as this stranger surely was not going to do any time in the future. He hesitated once in a while, wondering if indeed this person was an elf, for surely they would hear him sneak up from behind. The stranger did not, and with a quick motion, Aragorn tugged on the loose hood, pulling it away from the face of the girl who now stood before them.
Silver hair flashed in the sunlight as the girl spun around to face her silent attacker. Violet eyes flashed in alarm and anxiety as she looked over the group who stared at her, weapons still in hand. The violet orbs lost their apprehension for a moment and sparkled in recognition as her eyes drew upon the face of Aragorn, and only Legolas heard the small gasp from the girl.
"But-" Pippin started, shock read easily on his face as well as all the others, who surely thought this person to be a man, "You're a… a girl!"
« Ingólemo, man-ië…» [What a scholar…] she uttered, sighing. Aragorn studied her intently, then re-sheathed his sword. He laughed lightly as she continued to comment in under-toned Quenya on his observation skills (or, rather, lack thereof.)
"Legolas, you may lower your bow, as we have found a friend." He said, and waited till Legolas replaced his arrow in his quiver before turning back to the girl, still unnamed. Gimli lowered his axe and Boromir replaced his sword as well, and Aragorn saw her shoulders relax, if only by a bit.
"So… Lórëala. What has you wandering these parts of the world?" Aragorn asked as he circled around her. Much less than a second later, Aragorn found himself lying on the ground on his back, Lórëala having swept his feet out from under him.
"No matter how many times I have told you, have you still not learned not to call me that, Elessar? You have 20 names yourself, yet cannot seem to remember one of another?" She said, leaning over him with a small grin over her face, which, Aragorn noticed, did not reach her eyes as it usually did. Something was wrong, and Aragorn vowed to learn later. He grinned as she helped him up, offering her hand, which he accepted. "You're getting slow in your age, old man."
"And you haven't aged since last we met. So what brings you to us?"
"I was sent here to accompany you to LothLórien. I had expected that you would have passed by the Gate or over Caradhras, but I received word from Mithrandir that you were passing through the depths of Moria.
"I am much relieved that you are here, For I greatly feared you trapped or lost during the time that you had spent in the mines. That said, these hills will be perilous and scouted by Orcs come nightfall, and it is too far a journey to make it to the Golden Wood before then. I know of a small camp that will be safe from the enemy for tonight, should you wish to rest. You all seem weary and heavy of heart, and, if my opinion means anything, I think it best to rest before travelling again." She ended quietly, unsure if her thoughts were of value to this group of (seemingly) hostile travellers, with the exception of Aragorn.
"Do you trust this… this girl, Aragorn?" The dwarf finally spoke up, glaring at Lórëala as if she was a witch come to kill them all. She looked to be, almost, an elf, and he was still wary of them, with the exception of Master Legolas.
"In dark times as these, Gimli, I trust her with my life." A solemn look passed over him, but it was soon covered with an unreadable expression.
"Sad times are these where you would trust me of all people, Elessar. You must truly be doomed!" Lórëala said, grinning slightly. Aragorn sighed, and ruffled her hair.
"Indeed, we all are doomed." He said, sarcasm evident as he looked at her. "I should make it a solemn oath that I shall not perish before you do." Aragorn laughed as he taunted the young girl, who in all senses was older than all their ages combined, doubled and tripled.
Finally he saw a bright smile graced her face, and Aragorn could see the difference it made. To her it lifted millennia of harsh responsibilities and lost sleep from her face, and brightened everything about her. To others it made her seem much more friendly and welcoming, putting their worries and grief aside as they wanted to know more of her. Aragorn noticed a faint smile of approval upon the face of Gimli, but placed that thought under the heading of 'ask later'.
She walked over back to where she threw her belt and daggers, and retrieved them, and half the group that was watching noticed her avoid Legolas, his person as well as his gaze.
"Shall we be off, or will a battle of wits ensue and delay us further?" She asked, mock bowing as she gestured towards the path that leads to the forest.
"Yes, I'm afraid we cannot delay much longer."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo followed the Company as they made their way through the green forest. After rather brief introductions were made (where Aragorn still insisted on naming her Lórëala, and word was not spoken of her real name), they had taken a faint path, one barely visible yet seemed to wind every once in a while. The path was light, and the company kept a lighter speed as they made through the wood. Every so often they would stop and walk in a western direction (so Frodo guessed), and Lórëala would lead them to a new path, and they travelled on in the same direction as before. The group was solemn again as they walked on, and as best as Frodo tried against it, tears stung his face as memories of Gandalf surfaced, sinking in that he would be lost of his counsel and friendship for ever more. The Ring that hung round his neck weighed down heavily, with more weight than Frodo had thought it was capable of.
When they had first met Lórëala, the Ring had burned with heat, and seemed drawn to her, burning so angrily that Frodo had to hold it in his palm to stop it being pulled off the chain. She had seemed nice enough, and it set his mind at ease that Aragorn seemed to know her well. Frodo vaguely remembered not seeing him so happy, - or laughing even -since they had set out from Rivendell.
But even so, he could not ward off the warning that he received from the ring.
He walked near the front of the company, with Aragorn and Lórëala leading the way silently. He wanted to know more about her, foremost on his mind her name, since she had said that Aragorn refused to call her by whatever real name she may have had, and she continued to berate him for the use of her given nickname. Frodo sighed heavily. Knowing these dark times, he would never know, as things tended to be kept hidden.
Another thought that plagued the minds of the company, save Aragorn who knew the truth yet would never utter it, and perhaps Gimli who seemed to fear her not, was that they knew not what she was, Elf or Man. She seemed to be both, and yet not; there was a strange sort of air 'round her that could not be identified. She wore clothes that could have been of a ranger, were she one. She wore a pair of straight black pants, neither tight nor loose, and a long black shirt. Over it, she wore a short-sleeved tunic of a very dark green. A black vest and dark cloak rested over her shoulders, the cloak almost seeming too large for her. It reached the floor of the forest, just grazing it occasionally, and the hood, when raised, covered her whole head in shadows, making her seem much more frightening than when you knew her and could see her face.
"How far do you deem this camp of yours to be?" Aragorn asked, finally venturing to break the deep silence that surrounded the group.
"Not much farther. I came across an abandoned home in these woods, and have charmed it to be invisible to all save those I choose. Another little trick I learned from Gandalf, among other people..." she trailed off, a shadow covering her eyes. Aragorn thought for a moment he had seen a drop of tear fall from the inside of her hood, but he left it to a trick of the light.
" How many are left?" he said in a low voice, leaning in to avoid more people than necessary from hearing. Lórëala stopped suddenly, but continued on within one step of the pace set by the fellowship. She lowered her head, and was quiet for a moment.
« Ufárëa. » [Not enough.] she muttered, quickening her pace slightly. Aragorn placed his hand on her arm, and she turned back to him for a moment. He repeated his question, and hidden emotions flashed in her eyes. « Er atta, inyë mi. »
She pulled her arm from his hand and continued on. Frodo watched this exchange with worry and curiosity, wishing he knew more Elvish to understand what was said and thinking about the look of deep concern that was apparent on Aragorn's face when he looked at her. He turned and slowed his pace till he fell back with Legolas, who was keeping up the rear.
"Legolas, I'm sure you heard them speak, what did they say?" he asked. Legolas looked at him for a moment, unsure of how he should respond.
"I am not sure what was said is to be repeated; but since I understood naught of the topic, I may as well tell you the words. He asked her how many were left, but as to what they refer to remains to be told. She replied, 'Not enough. Only two, myself included.' Do you know what they speak of?"
"Nay, I don't have an idea. Perhaps her people, maybe? A town or village? I wonder what she is, though." Frodo pondered, more to himself than to Legolas. "She seems to be like an elf, but she doesn't look like one, except for the ears. And she's so short, barely taller than Master Gimli."
"I don't really think of her to be an elf, yet she is naught of Men either. She seems in the middle, yet she seems leagues away at the same time."
"Even though Aragorn trusts her, I am still wary. She knows about the Ring, surely, but it is as if it holds some strange power over her, and I can feel it calling to her." Frodo sighed. "It is most puzzling…"
"The Ring calls to her… that is a strange tale, indeed. Ela! If only Gandalf were here to ask for advice. She has this aura about her, I do not know how to describe it, not really a thing seen, but felt. I do not know the best course, but you should keep the Ring far from her, and do not stray alone around her, either. Keep a companion near when around her, until she can prove to all that she is trustworthy."
"I was thinking thoughts similar. She is strange." Frodo said, staring ahead again. How did Aragorn meet her, and was she a close friend of Gandalf? Questions once again plagued Frodo's mind, and he now wished fervently again that Gandalf was here for guidance.
"So, Miss, since you said that Aragorn did not call you by you correct name," Merry spoke up, walking to the side of Lórëala.
"We were wondering, pray tell, what you real name is?" Pippin asked, claiming her from the other side, Sam catching up as well to hear the answer.
"Ilúvatar, help me, I've been overcome by Hobbits." She laughed, a sound that gave slight hope to the company, easing the dark cloud that hung overhead. "My name, you ask? How wonderful that others do care about what my name really is." She said, shooting a glare towards Aragorn, who only smiled innocently as he turned back around and kept walking.
"My real name is Haíthwen, or more properly Haíthiminë, but I would be much obliged for you to simply call me Aíca, if not continue calling me Lórëala."
"Well I like the sounds of Haíthiminë," Merry said, stumbling over the pronunciation slightly, "but as it is quite a mouthful, and I fear saying it wrong and offending you, I think I shall stick with Aíca. 'Tis a very pretty name." Merry said, which Lórëala had to laugh at, smiling warmly as she looked down at the hobbit.
"Why, thank you, Master Brandybuck, but I am quite sure you could offend me not. In fact, I am quite relieved that you are not as some others of your company." She said, leaning down to be closer to him. "Telling the truth, I believe some of these gentlemen to be… how to put this… sticks in the mud." She whispered, loud enough for the surrounding hobbits to hear. Pippin and Merry broke out in laughter, and Sam smiled broadly, restraining a laugh in his throat.
"Too true!" Pippin agreed. "I fear they forget how to laugh, on a journey such as this! It is very good to know that someone is always ready for a joke or laugh!"
"Much agreed with, Master Took. I mean," she paused, looking and pointing to where Aragorn walked in front of them, "Should we never laugh, we may begin to look like poor ol' Lord Elessar over there. All sullen and sad." She said, hiding a giggle as Aragorn over heard and turned back to them once again. "Does nothing but make him look dreadfully older that he really is!" she spoke, loud enough for him to fully hear. The hobbits almost expected him to be angry, but he only nodded and smiled again at Haíthwen, who laughed quietly again.
"Tis very welcoming to see the Lady cheerful at the expense of my dignity." He said, pretending to be hurt but smiling again as she ran back up to him and lead them further on. In truth, it had taken him a moment to understand to what she was talking of. His mind was set at ease as he took in that she was trying to discourage the group of young hobbits from thinking of sorrow.
The Fellowship entered a small clearing, if one could call it that, for the trees were only further apart. A strange feeling crept over them, as if they shouldn't be there, an innermost voice telling them to flee. Haíthwen walked confidently through the woods further, seeming to hear nothing, her followers slowly and warily proceeding.
"What is this devilry? Something is here that remains unseen, and it makes me uneasy." Legolas asked, his hand straying to his bow, then recoiling, as if debating whether this feeling was an enemy or not.
"You are right in saying something is hidden, Master Elf, but Fear not! 'Tis no enemy that will come near. Do you not see it?" Haíthwen said, pointing ahead of them.
The fellowship followed her hand, and, as if it had always stood there, a small cottage appeared, ivy covering its sides.
"Where did that come from?" Gimli asked, awe-struck as he stared at the cottage, rubbing his eyes as if they, too, deceived him.
"T'was hidden till a moment ago. Hidden that so unfriendly eyes will not discover it. I've been staying here, waiting till you exited the mines." She said, stopping just outside the door. She searched her pockets for something, and withdrew a small iron key, placing it in the hole and turning the lock. She turned back to the Fellowship, who still stood staring at the cottage, wary of its presence.
"Well, are you going to stand there gawking, or shall you enter?" she laughed lightly, and gestured inside. The group entered the cabin, still wary. Inside was a small kitchen, with a cupboard beside a fireplace. Through an adjoining door there was a small bedroom, with two beds, and through a smaller one there was a bath.
"Miss Aíca, I'd hate to complain, but I must admit, it is a tad small…" Pippin said openly, earning an elbow from both Merry and Frodo, who stood on either side of him. She simply laughed.
"Yes, I do know that it is small, at least the part that is visible to the eye. But there's more that you have yet to see." She walked over to the left side of the room, which was bare except for a rug on the floor. She pulled the rug away, and it revealed a trap door in the wooden floor. She pulled it open, and a stone stair led underneath the cottage.
"There are quite a few extra beds down here, and a fireplace, too. I was lucky I found this door, else I would have never know what was hidden underneath!"
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1 so, come on… 10 reviews ain't THAT much!!! PWEASE??????