Chapter 21: Blessings and Farewells
Her eyes lazily peered open while at the same time, she slowly inhaled, drowning in the serenity of the moment. The events of the night before came crashing into her as she turned her head to the figure next to her. The Elf had his arms wrapped securely around her waist. His eyes were half opened and at that instant, she was unsure whether he was awake or not.
"Serena, you have not stop moving since you have woken up," there was mirth in his voice.
"How would you know?"
"For the simple fact that I have my arms wrapped around you and can feel you underneath me. Besides, I wake only moments before you and have watched you since."
"Hmmm, do Elves sleep?"
"Occasionally yes, but our bodies recuperate slightly different than Humans. At times, we may merely be standing but our bodies are resting. Humans and Elves have different sleep patterns but you are not a Human ... or are you?"
He paused, suddenly unsure whether Serena was a Human or not. Seeing the thought process amused her greatly. It was a question indeed, one if you think about it held no definite classification.
"Well, does it matter?" she asked.
"No, not in the least," he replied shortly afterwards. He cocked his head to the side and asked, "What troubles you still?"
"Do Elves sleep with their eyes open?"
It was his turn to be amused by her line of questioning. The look of innocence and curiosity were evident in her eyes and it was times liked these when one forget that Serena was not a mere teenager as her looks often betrayed her. It was a fair question and one that came up often with those who have never encountered Elves before. He broke into a grin, "Is that why you were starring so intently earlier? The answer is yes."
For some reason, she blushed and realized how childish her question had been.
"Is it safe for me to come out, young lovers?" boomed a deep voice from behind one of the trees.
"Young! I will have you known Master Dwarf that I am anything but young! I was shooting arrows even before you were born but as for Lady Serena here."
Serena retorted incredulously, "Well Legolas, I will have YOU known that I am well over millenia old or maybe it is YOU who is getting too old keep up with us young ones."
The Dwarf's laughter could be heard from amongst the trees. "Well met, my lady. You have my congratulations!"
Legolas shot her a look and she was undeterred by his glares. Instead, she concentrated and in a flash of light, she transformed into her travel tunics. "Yes, Master Gimli, we are sufficiently well dressed for you to come out from amongst the trees."
"Speak for yourself," muttered a certain Elf.
"Too old indeed," she shot back. The Elven Prince then proceeded to gather up his gear. Gimli emerged with one hand holding his pipe.
"Come along, Aragorn had asked for the assembly of the riders. I have no intention of saddling upon a horse by myself."
"Perhaps, you care to walk then, Master Dwarf. Certainly, you do not want to ride with one such as young as I!"
"Oh do my ears deceive me, is this the legendary kindness of the Elves? Walking indeed!"
"Stop fighting, the both of you. Your energy should be spent as elsewhere. Aragorn had asked for us to gather," said Serena. Despite her serious tone, there was still a hint of mirth in it.
She smiled inwardly as she tied securely her Uranian blade to the side. Gimli and Legolas reminded her of the petty arguments that she and Raye used to have.
The gravity of the situation dawned on the three companions as they ventured into the clearing. Gimli had started muttering to himself, "Never imagine myself fighting alongside an Elf."
His Elven hearing had caught the declarations and he looked toward the Dwarf, "Then how about alongside an friend?"
The Dwarf looked up and realized the sincerity in the words. "I could handle that," he said with equal sincerity.
--oo--
Meanwhile, Serena found herself at the House of healing. She stopped momentarily at the entrance way, hearing the soft melodies of a familiar tune. She would recognize the sounds of her star locket anywhere. She looked inside to see that Faramir was sitting at the side of Eowyn's bed, as she was recounting a tale. His eyes shone, taking in every word. The locket was in the palm of his right hand while his left was holding her right. Whatever words that was spoken next was interrupted as the Lady of Rohan turned toward the guest at the door.
"Lady Serena, are you going to stand by the door or are you going to come in?"
"How are you, my sister?" Serena herself did not realize her choice of words until they escaped from her mouth. It was true in a sense for she felt an incredible link with the Lady of Rohan. Even in great distances, the Moon Princess could feel the pain of the Shieldmaiden. The women shared a knowing look until Serena dropped her eyes to the jewelery piece.
She then turned to Faramir, "I have heard great things about you, Faramir of Gondor, and I have come to the conclusion that you are honourable and one with a true heart. Make wise decisions and do not falter from the path of your people. Do not despair for I had the pleasure of meeting your brother, Boromir. I know with certainty that he would have been proud if he saw you now."
He bowed slightly at her for he sensed that there was more to her than what meets the eye. She gave him her blessings in a regal tone that spoke of wisdom but wisdom came from experiences. Though she appears young, she stood before him as she was a queen. He too had heard stories from Aragorn who came in to see his charges earlier. If Eowyn respected her and called her sister, then he would only be grateful to the Lady. Serena smiled, though her eyes betrayed sadness which was quickly replaced when she embraced him wholeheartedly. She whispered into his ear, "Take care of her yet, Faramir."
On her way out, she met Merry and Pippin who cried out in jubilance. "Lady Serena!"
"I haven't seen you for so long. I see you fancy Legolas. Where were you last night?" The Moon Princess was struck speechless at the boldness of Merry who only hours before were at the edges of unconsciousness. She had no intentions to share with the Hobbits what happen last night. Faramir and Eowyn could not hide their smiles.
"Come, lave Lady Serena alone, I am sure that many fantasies were made last night," teased Lady Eowyn.
"I can see that this is my signal to take my leave," retorted the maiden in question.
Merry had came to say his partings to his lady. After much prodding with the help of Pippin and also Gimli, they have persuaded Aragorn and Gandalf to let Merry go into battle as well. Merry, though had taken injuries himself was filled with the adrenaline to fight alongside his friends for the Shire. Also, it was simply for a chance to see the task of the Fellowship to the end. Eowyn understood the need to fight, to prove a righteous cause, so without much argument on her part, she kissed the top of the Hobbit's head and bid him farewell.
--oo--
Aragorn surveyed the riders before him. Mithrandir was at his side upon Shadowfax. Unconsciously, the Man fumbled with the necklace, given to him by Arwen. Her fate lies alongside that of the Ring. If he should fail ... no, he would not allow such thoughts. It was his destiny to be the King of Men. The people before him stand together because they believe in that path. For a brief moment, he locked eyes with lady Serena, the maiden from different lands and time. She too, share in that cause for she bear the burden of her own personal trials. Somehow, he knew that her fate intertwined with that of Middle Earth.
The Men gathered into formation with the flag flying high and armoury fastened and hearts readied for the greatest battle ahead. Aragorn gave the signal, as he nudged the side of his own horse leading his people towards the land of Mordor.
--oo--
In the distant lands of the Mordor, there could be found two Hobits: the Right bearer and his faithful servant. Physically, they have been without water and substantial foods for many sleepless nights. Each carry their own burdens. For Frodo, the task of being the Ringbearer was agonizing and torturous and even the tenacity of Hobbits seemed to falter as he drew closer to Mordor. Sam, perhaps could be viewed as having the hardest task of all, for the job of protecting, guiding and even sustaining the sanity of the Ringbearer had fallen to his shoulders. Being unaffected by the Ring, he could sense that Gollum - their current guide may be leading to a trap. Yet, Frodo could not see that. Anyhow, it was a duty, the bond of friendship that would forever link Sam to Frodo.
"It is always so dark here," Sam sighed. There were currently resting at a small escarpment at the side of the mountain. Little do the Hobbits knew that, Smeagol was leading them to the caves of Shelob.
"Do you miss seeing the stars, Mr. Frodo?"
"Yes, everything seems so far away. I wonder where the others are now?"
As the two friends reminisced about old times, old places and people who brought them hope and energy in their perpetuating task, they did not know that the Gollum was gazing upon the same sky with different thoughts. It was brewing plans of stealing the Ring from the 'little Masters', as he called Frodo. Inside, he was fighting an inner battle to do the right thing or the thing that he felt was the right thing to do. However, being under th spell of the Ring for so long, it no longer compelled to do what was morally right, but do the right thing that would bring him closer to his 'Precious'.
Frodo closed his weary eyes for a moment, hoping to ignore some of the tension in his muscles. He thought of a dream that he had a long time ago, the one with the rejuvenating silver downpour. It was a dream that brought him closer to the times when he was young, much more carefree without the trials of the Middle Earth around his neck. It was a dream that made the images of his friends, those of the Fellowship closer in these times of need. In these thoughts, a soft celestial voice called out to him, speaking in a language that sounded vaguely like Elvish. As the feminine voice drew closer, he felt himself being lifted, his strength renewed. But as he searched for the source of the voice, he found that it was only Gollum who was shaking him awake. It was time for them to move forward.
--oo--
It was true that Gollum brought the two Hobbits to the cruel fate in the domain of Shelob, the fearsome spider which even brought Orcs quivering on their knees. It was a treacherous and deceiving act for She was relishing in the thought of new prey. In her deep dark territory, none escaped alive and none left without feeling her rage. Frodo was stung by the venom of Shelob, and it was in that unconscious that Sam found him later. Tearfully, he liked a faithful friend and servant that he was, took the burden of the Ringbearer upon himself. Little did he know until sometime afterwards that Frodo was still alive and captured in the tower of the One Eye.
End of Chapter 21
