Chapter 3:
"Naurrîn! Aragorn! Stop this at once!" yelled Gandalf the white as Naurrîn and Aragorn rolled on the ground with many screaming (Naurrîn), shouting (Aragorn, guys don't scream of course), and cursing (Both Naurrîn and Aragorn). And of course they didn't stop just because a wizard told them to… although Naurrîn might have if Zefron had told her to which would have worked if only he wasn't out cold at that moment.
"You could have killed him had you used the red dagger you foolish Ranger!" screamed Naurrîn as Legolas pulled her off and away from the future king of Gondor. Aragorn stood up and whipped his bloody lip and the many scratches with his hand.
"I did not know that it was Gandalf and I thought that Zefron was betraying us as he had knocked my sword from my hand. Please forgive me Lady Naurrîn," stated Aragorn.
"Forgive you! I will give you forgiveness," yelled Naurrîn lunging at him again and she would have succeeded if only Legolas hadn't grabbed her by the waist and held her small figure above the ground.
"Let me go!" she screamed kicking and hitting the prince of Mirkwood as she tried to get Aragorn again.
"Enough of this!" Gandalf yelled above all of their voices. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks and looked up and the white wizard. "Zefron will be alright if he wakes up. Wizards can not heal other wizards but they can heal themselves."
"IF he wakes up! What do you mean IF?" yelled Naurrîn finally getting out of Legolas's grip and looking up at the old wizard with fear and anger in her hazel/aqua coloured eyes.
"I am sure he meant to say when," said Aragorn.
"We should wait here a night for him to have a chance wake up and heal himself," said Gandalf. Aragorn was about to protest until he saw the deadly look Naurrîn gave him telling him to keep quiet.
"This is all your fault," Naurrîn muttered as she walked past Aragorn and over to Zefron.
"Are you sure the trees will not mind us creating a fire in their territory?" Naurrîn asked as Gimli returned with wood for a fire.
"I am sure Lady Naurrîn. I asked the trees myself," replied Legolas. Naurrîn glared at him and Aragorn before walking back over to Zefron's unconscious form a bit away. Naurrîn sighed as she sat down, she was about to go over and start talking to Gandalf when a small noise brought her attention over to the deeper part of the forest.
"Wh-who is there?" Naurrîn nearly whispered as she walked deeper into the forest to investigate the noise. She was just about to turn back when a knife was placed on her throat! Now usually Naurrîn could fight with or without weapons but she could never muster enough courage to get away form someone who had a dagger to her throat.
"And I thought all elves could hear very well," her captor said.
"Wh-what do you want?" Naurrîn managed to say. Her abductor laughed a bit and turned her around to face them.
"I want to help. I can not just stand around and let my twin die now can I?" said the dark cloaked figure. Naurrîn smiled and hugged the twin in front of her.
"You mustn't let the others see you," she said letting go and backing up a bit.
"Leave that problem to me," said the figure in front of her. Naurrîn nodded and went back over to the unconscious form under the tree she called Zefron.
"Where were you?" Aragorn asked Naurrîn as she grabbed her pack.
"I do believe that it is none of your business my lord," replied Naurrîn glaring at him. Aragorn was about to reply when Legolas put a hand up to silence him.
"What is it?" Gimli asked picking up his axe and standing up. Legolas didn't say anything; he just stood up and started walking in the opposite direction of the camp with Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf following him. Naurrîn stayed back knowing that it was the work of the twin.
"We must work quickly," said the cloaked twin rushing out of the forest and over to their twin and Naurrîn. "The spell I used will not trick them for long. I am not powerful enough to hold it for too long."
"How do we wake Zef up?"
"Just give me a few moments, you just keep watch." Naurrîn did as she was told and walked over to the edge of the clearing where the others had disappeared just moments ago. After a few minutes, her keen elven hearing picked up their movements coming closer to them.
"They are coming back! Are you done?" the cloaked twin nodded their head and moved out of the way so Naurrîn could see.
"I am quite alright now," replied the young elven wizard sitting up. Naurrîn gave a squeal of delight and hugged both of the elves.
"I must go now as to not be seen. I bid you both farewell my friends," and with those words, the other twin disappeared just as quickly as they came.
"I see you are alright now young Zefron," said Gandalf walking out from behind a tree, very close to where the three had just been. Zefron looked around until his eyes came upon Gandalf's form.
"Yes Gandalf. I am quite well now," he replied sitting up against a tree with Naurrîn's help.
"Might I ask who that was that helped revive you?" asked Gandalf. Both Zefron and Naurrîn paled at that question. Zefron took a deep and was about to tell Gandalf when Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli walked through the forest.
"What happened?" Naurrîn asked trying to look concerned at the three.
"I am not sure, but I know that I saw someone running through the forest," replied Legolas putting away his bow before sitting down on the ground. Naurrîn and Zefron exchanged glances.
"I see you are fine now Zefron," said Aragorn. "I do apologize for my resent action. I thought you were aiming to betray us."
"I am just relieved that you did not use the red dagger like last time," replied Zefron reciting a small healing spell on himself. Naurrîn looked confused.
"What may I ask do you mean 'last time'?" asked Naurrîn looking at Aragorn who had gone a touch pale at the thought of Zefron telling her then Naurrîn attacking him again.
"I think that is a story for another time Lady Naurrîn," said Gandalf. "We leave at first light so we must get some sleep." Aragorn looked very relieved at that suggestion and was quick to obey.
"I will take first watch," said Zefron standing up and strapping on his weapons before going over to the fire.
Next morning...
Before the others woke Gandalf walked over and sat down next to Zefron who was still on watch.
"Many thanks for not telling the others Gandalf," said Zefron still looking straight ahead as the wizard sat down next to him.
"Of course Zefron but I would still like to know who it was," said Gandalf looking at the young elf sternly. Zefron took a deep breath then looked around to make sure no one else was listening before he told Gandalf everything.
"Does anyone else know of this?" Gandalf asked while still in a bit of a shock of the information Zefron had just given to him.
"Only you, Frodo, Naurrîn and of course Galadriel," replied Zefron.
"I know about what?" Naurrîn asked yawning then sitting up and rubbing her aqua/hazel eyes. Zefron shot her an exasperated look and she nodded in understanding.
"We should get going now," said Gandalf getting up and picking up his staff then hitting Gimli and Aragorn slightly with it to wake them up. Zefron got some lembas bread out of his saddlebag to eat while he watched the others wake… it was quite funny to see Gimli half-asleep, and mumbling to himself. Naurrîn finally got so fed up, she took an empty water canteen, filled it up with water from a nearby stream and dumped it onto the sleeping dwarf.
"Cursed elves!" yelled Gimli as he sat up quickly. Naurrîn burst out laughing and started rolling on the ground with her arms around her stomach because she as laughing so hard. Even Gandalf had to chuckle at the soaking wet dwarf.
"We should get going," said Aragorn. Zefron nodded and helped Naurrîn up from the ground.
"Where exactly are we going?" asked Naurrîn looking at everyone confused as she strapped her daggers on and her sword… well Zefron's sword but he let her use it for the time being.
"To Rohan," was Legolas's response as he too got his weapons on. Their little camp was soon disabled and their journey began again as they continued through the forest to the other side.
After about three hours they finally reached their destination, the edge of the forest.
"Sunlight, finally!" stated Naurrîn flopping down onto the grass and tilting her face towards the bright sun. "Long have I awaited to have your gaze upon me again." Zefron chuckled as he took out his small silver whistle and blew into it at the same time Gandalf whistled a long high-pitched, then low-pitched whistle. A loud neigh was heard to their left and a nearly all white horse came galloping over a small hill.
"That is one of the Maras unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," said Legolas looking at the horse in awe. Behind the horse came Templa and the other two horses.
"Shadowfax," said Gandalf as the white horse stopped in front of him. "He is the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." Shadowfax stood proud in front of the wizard.
"Hello Templa," whispered Zefron to his black horse as she trotted over to her master and nudged his shoulder.
"We must make haste," said Gandalf. Zefron jumped into the saddle of his horse before helping Naurrîn up too. Gandalf hopped onto Shadowfax's back without a saddle. Legolas and Gimli had to share a horse too and Aragorn leapt up onto his horse and soon they were heading towards the kingdom of Edoras ruled by king Theoden.
Edoras...
The six companions made their way by horse to Edoras and stopped when they were nearly to the front gates.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall. There dwells Theoden KLing of Rohan. Whose mind has been overthrown. Saruman's hold over Theoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say, do not look for welcome here." Gandalf said kicking Shadowfax and starting to gallop towards the city with the others following him.
"But of course," said Zefron. "And Naurrîn may you be so kind as to letting your grip lose on me? I am finding it difficult to breathe." Naurrîn blushed and let go a tad. After a few minutes they reached the front gates and Aragorn seemed quite surprised to see one of the flags on the ground. As they walked though everything was silent.
"You find more cheer in a graveyard," stated Gimli from his stop atop the horse behind Legolas. Zefron looked around with his keen eyes.
"Someone important has died…" whispered Zefron using a bit of magic to see into the hearts of the people. They gave their horses to a stable boy at the bottom of the hill and started off for the palace. The doors opened as they reached the top and about a dozen soldiers walked out.
"I can not allow you before Theoden King so armed Gandalf Greyhem. By order of Grima Wormtongue." Said the first soldier looking in disgusted at the mention of Grime's name. Gandalf nodded to his left and his right for the go ahead for the others to take off their weapons. Legolas took his daggers and to show off, spun them around before giving them to one of the guards. Gimli looked sadly at his double-headed axe before too giving his weapon to another guard.
"Even though I do not want to I have to right?" Naurrîn asked. Zefron rolled his eyes and nodded, it must have been one of her off days. They had probably woken her up to early and was laying the price at lack of intelligence. She sighed and gave them 'her' sword and daggers. Zefron gave them his daggers and quiver of arrows and tried to hide his bow before anyone saw it but the first soldier managed to catch it.
"Your staff and your bow," the soldier said after everyone else had taken off their weapons and handed them over. Gandalf looked surprised as he looked at his white staff but Zefron slowly gave it to the soldier with the rest of his weapons… but he didn't give them a single dagger in his left boot as it was hidden by his long black robe.
"Oh, you would not part an old man with his walking stick?" he asked looking innocently at the guard. He nodded and led them inside and Gandalf winked at Aragorn who smiled at the old wizard's plan, Zefron scowled because he wasn't allowed to keep his staff but Gandalf was. But them again he was a much stronger wizard than Zefron. To play along Legolas helped Gandalf inside as if he were just an old man and not a wise wizard.
"My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming." Grima said to the king from his spot beside an old looking King Theoden as he saw the six enter the hall. "He is the herold of woe."
"The courtesy of your hall in somewhat lessened of late. Theoden King." Gandalf said trying to hide his staff form Grima as Legolas released him and they al went on opposite sides of the pot in the middle of the room.
"He is not welcome," Grima hissed into Theoden's ear.
"Why should I welcome you? Gandalf Stormcrow." Theoden asked looking at Grima in question.
"A just question my leage. Late is the hour of when this conjure chooses to appear. Lath spell I name him, ill news is an ill guest." Grima said standing up and walking towards Gandalf and the others behind him.
"Be silent!" ordered Gandalf. "I have not passed through fire and death to ballied creed words with a whitless worm." Gandalf held up his staff right in front of Grima who backed away in fear.
"His staff!" he said in disbelief. "I told you to take the wizards staff!" as if on cue about a dozen or so guards ran in from the side and started attacking them.
"Stay back Naurrîn," said Aragorn attacking the first man and hitting him to the ground.
"Watch me!" she replied kicking another man in the face and watching him sprawl onto the ground in pain. She straightened her dress, which was a little worse for wear at the time, and went back to fighting much to the disaprovement of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.
"Theoden! Son of Thengel. To long have you sat in the shadows." Gandalf said walking towards Theoden while all of th fighting was going on around him.
Grima looked around at his quickly falling army while he was on the floor and looked for a way to get out and found his chance. Because while they were fighting, Zefron failed to keep the small dagger in his boot hidden and now his robe was caught between the hilt and his leg. Making it possible for Grima to grab it and take hostage of the person who was closest to him at the time.
"Harken to me!" said Gandalf. "I release you from this spell." As Gandalf said those words Theoden started laughing a cold, dark laugh and Grima made a dash for Zefron's dagger and grabbed it, then jumping up he put it to the neck of the first person he saw… who just so happened to be a sleepy elleth named Naurrîn.
"Put down your staff Gandalf. Or the she-elf is dead!" Grima stated much to the horror of Zefron.
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SUPER sorry this chappie took so long to update but i've been busy! but here was your long awated chapter so review and maybe you won't have to wait so long next time! thank you Jousting Elf with a Sabre for telling me about my little mistake! of which i have now corrected!