Legolas watched as Arariel slept on his lap. Her long blonde hair splayed across it. Absentmindedly he played with a strand of it. Feeling it's silkiness between his fingers. They had been traveling for days now. He was exhausted from not being able to sleep properly in the carriage, which constantly shook and rattled across the bumpy land. He looked across the carriage to his father. Silently he cursed him for insisting that they ride back in Aragorn's carriage.
"My Lord?" the driver called out.
"Yes?"
"We are approaching Edoras. Are we to stop here for the night?"
"I will ask my father" as best as he could, with out disturbing Arariel, he leaned over and poked his father.
"Wha-What is it?"
"Father? Are we stopping in Edoras?"
"Yes I had hoped to. Are we there already?"
"Yes"
The king sat up and smoothed his robes.
"I will go and speak with Lord Eomer and Lady Eowyn, to see if we can stop here"
The carriage pulled to a stop just outside the gates to the city.
"You stay here, son"
The king left the carriage.
Legolas sat in silence listening to the deep breathing of Arariel.
Finally the King came back, accompanied by Lady Eowyn.
Legolas moved Arariel's head slightly so that he could slide out from under her. She shifted slightly but did not wake. Legolas scooped her up and carried her to the gate. Still she did not wake. She must be really tired, Legolas thought. She too had stayed awake with Legolas most nights, being unable to sleep herself. Finally sleep over came her. Eowyn quietly showed Legolas to their room and left them both. He laid her down on the bed, fully clothed, and pulled the blankets over her. Then he too got in beside her and fell asleep almost instantly, glad to be free of the rocking and shaking carriage.
Arariel woke, not to a shaking carriage, but a soft, downy bed. She blinked, unsure of her surroundings. Then she realized she was in Edoras. She shifted slightly and found that Legolas was beside her, fast asleep, with his eyes open. It was freaky watching him sleep like that. Gently she shook him awake.
"Mmmm...?"
"Hey. Good Morning"
His eyes slowly focused on her.
"Already?" he asked wearily, "Not that carriage again!"
"We are nearly there. We have to go through Fangorn next. Then Lorien, then finally Mirkwood"
"A long journey" Legolas commented, sliding out of bed.
Arariel sighed.
"I just want to be there already. I am utterly exhausted"
They walked out to the carriage and saw that King Thranduil was already waiting for them. Arariel got in first and slid across to the side, allowing room for Legolas. She settled into her spot and waited. Another day of boredom. She looked out at the plains before her. They stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Is everyone in?" asked the driver.
"Yes" Legolas called back to him.
"I hope to be in Fangorn by at least sunset" the driver said, "Is there somewhere near there we can rest for the night? I have heard stories of Fangorn, and they are not all good"
"Do not worry my friend, I know of somewhere" replied Legolas. "We can stop in Isengard..."
"Isengard!" the driver exclaimed.
"My good friend Treebeard has taken over management of Isengard. He will allow us to camp there the night"
The driver shrugged his shoulders and flicked the reins, for the horses to get going. Legolas relaxed into the seat of the carriage once again. Another long journey.
