"Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose." –John Mason Brown

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
–The Fellowship of the Ring

Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings is not mine. Whatever is left of the Woodland Wanderers when this is over are still not exactly mine.

Chapter Twenty
Hannon Le

Elrond had gathered them all together again. Morgan, Legolas, and Faramir, still unconscious, were on the beds in a large room. Everyone else gathered around, attention focused on the small ten-or-eleven-year-old human who had recently arrived.Elrond had tended her wounds easily, bandaged her arm, and assured her she'd be all right. 'It's good to be sure of that fact,' he thought.

She was young–around Bergil's age. She had long black hair and dark skin, and dark brown eyes. She was short, thin, and seemed a little frightened of this new place.

"We were attacked," she explained, her voice still shaky from fright. "Strange creatures, ugly, fierce, terrible."

"Orcs," Eomer said in a voice full of hatred. "Who else was with you?"

"No one at first. Then two others came; I don't know who they were. I didn't get a long look. One was tall, the other short. Dark hair, both of them."

"Aragorn and Latano," Gandalf nodded. "Where?"

"Not far from here."

"What happened to them?"

"I don't know. The tall one told me to run in this direction, to Imladris. That was the last I saw of them."

"Now we have to go after them," Gimli insisted.

"What's your name?" Eric asked the girl.

"Heather."

"Heather, would you be able to show us where you were?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Then Noka, Eomer, Eowyn, come with me. You, too, Gimli," he added upon seeing that the Dwarf was about to object.

"I'm coming with you," Tandro insisted. Rona nodded. They weren't going to be left behind.

Heather kept her outward appearance young and scared, but on the inside she was pleased with herself. Athos and Angelica would be so proud.

"They're leaving!" Aragorn called. Latano barely heard him over the noise of the gleems. They were so loud that the old warrior never noticed the elf slipping up behind him . . . until it was too late.

"Noooo!" Aragorn shouted as his friend collapsed. The elves ran and the gleems flew away, as if that was all they had wanted.

"Latano!" Aragorn rushed to the elf's side. He gently removed the dagger from his friend's back. "No," he whispered. The weapon had gone through the elf's heart.

"Strider," Latano said, struggling for breath. "Are you all right?"

"Good enough. You?"

"You know the answer to that, Aragorn," he whispered. "Strider, it was worth it. It's always worth it, worth any price. Listen to me. Stay a ranger at heart. Stay a warrior, stay mysterious. Don't lose yourself because people notice you now. Hang onto that part of yourself those close to you still know. Keep being Strider."

"I will."

"One more thing."

"Anything, mellon nin."

"Give this to Morgan," he said, removing a small instrument from his pocket. "It's a harmonica."

Aragorn knew it was more, that Morgan would know the gift's true meaning. "I will," he nodded.

"Hannon le. Thank you, Strider," Latano whispered, and his eyes closed.

He didn't yell, didn't weep, didn't shout or take his frustration out on an Uruk-hai helmet. He just knelt there by his friend's lifeless body, asking why.

"Open your eyes," Peter said. Radagast's eyes flew open and he immediately regretted it. The sun's light overhead was far too bright.

"You'll get used to it," Peter laughed in a weak voice.

"Daëlin, I think you need to rest a moment."

"Resting won't help." Peter could feel his strength draining. Ever word was hard. "We need to find Athos. If he can't find a cure, there's no one who can."

"He's this way. I hear voices. You picked the right spot."

"Hannon le. If you could . . ."

"Of course." Radagast put an arm around his friend to help support him–just in time. For just a few seconds, Peter lost the control he'd had over the pain of the poison, his wounds from the battle, and the excruciating headache he had because of the trip from Middle-Earth. Radagast caught his friend and gently lowered him to the ground. "Stay here," he said quietly. "I'll find Athos."

He followed the voices and found four Hobbits and two humans, apparently arguing about a small puppy. 'What in Middle-Earth?' Radagast thought, but decided to go see. He recognized Athos.

"Merry, look! Radagast is here!" Pippin announced enthusiastically when he saw the Wizard.

Athos groaned and counted to ten in his head. Then, forcing a surprised look and a half-smile, said, "Radagast, what a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?"

Radagast wasn't in the mood. "Athos, we need your help. Four of our friends are dying. I know the gleems' capabilities with medicine as well as poison. Please."

"Why should I help you?" Athos asked.

"Maybe you remember the Civil War, Athos. One brother would fight on one side; the other would serve his enemies. They were still brothers. Or, in your case, mellon nin, brother and sister."

"Morgan," Athos nodded.

"You care about her."

"I'd jump off Mount Everest if I thought it would save her."

"I'm not asking you to do that. I'm just asking you to help us, Athos."

"There's no cure for the poison."

"Do you honestly think the gleems won't be able to find one?"

Athos smiled a little. "They're working on one, but you never know how long it'll take them."

"Take as long as you need to."

"They only have 'til sunset."

"They have longer."

Athos realized what the Wizard meant. "You took them to Imladris."

"Something wrong with that?"

"Your friends are in for a rude surprise."

"What are you talking about?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He blew a whistle he had around his neck, but the note was low this time–low and quiet. Two gleems answered, landing in the middle of the small gathering. The puppy ran off. Merry held Pippin back from chasing it.

"You called, sir?" one of them asked.

"For the millionth time, drop the 'sir.'"

"Sorry, Confusion."

"That's okay. How're you doing on a cure?"

"Still experimenting."

"How long until you get it stable enough to use?"

"Who knows? We have it strong enough to make the poison non-stable, but we still have to test it."

"Is it ready for testing?"

"Almost."

"How long?"

"Half an hour, maybe."

"You have ten minutes. Then bring me whatever you have."

"Yes, sir."

"Enough with the 'sir.' Now go!"

"Yes, Confusion." The gleems took off.

"And who, exactly, do you plan to test this on?" Radagast asked. "Knowing the gleems, the cure could be as deadly as the poison."

"That shows how well you know the gleems," Athos grinned. "In any case, I'm going to test it on myself, as usual."

"How?"

"I didn't have to ask the gleems to bring me a fast-working version of the original poison. They know to do so."

"You'd risk your life . . . for us?" Radagast asked with admiration.

"No, you idiot. You think we find cures because people like your Woodland Wanderer friends might be poisoned. No, we find them so if one of our own is accidentally hurt, they won't die. I'm willing to risk my life for that."

Frodo nodded slowly. "That's still noble of you."

Athos shrugged. "I take care of my friends, and I try not to kill my enemies."

"Then why did you tell Angelica to do what she wanted with Daëlin, Faramir, and Morgan?" Radagast demanded.

"I take it Daëlin is Peter. Shadowsong in Elvish, I believe. I lost my temper, Radagast. I regret it, which is why I'm helping you."

"Hannon le."

"This way," Heather said. "Here. This is it."

Eric, Rona, Tandro, Eomer, Eowyn, and Gimli looked around. "They're not here," Noka said.

Eric surveyed the ground. It was damp, but had no footprints. "I doubt they ever were," he said. "Heather, are you sure this is the right place?"

"Oh, it's the right place," Noka said. "Or, at least, it could be. The rain is new. It would wash away the footprints."

"How new is 'new?'" Eric asked.

"It ended less than ten minutes ago. I guess you guys didn't notice it."

"I'm not a guy," Rona sighed. Eowyn smiled.

"Hey! Wait up!" called a young voice from behind them. "Boy, y'all are fast!"

"Balo!" Noka exclaimed. "What're you doing here?"

"Do you really think I'd let you look for my uncle without my help?" Balo laughed. "Fat chance!"

They went on a ways, and then stopped. Suddenly, they realized Heather wasn't there anymore. "Heather?" Balo asked. A dagger came flying from behind a rock, straight at the elf.

"I can't help thinking something's going to happen," Gandalf sighed as he paced the room.

"Mithrandir, sit down," Glorfindel suggested. "Getting dizzy will only make it worse."

"Where would Radagast and Daëlin have gone?" the Wizard asked.

"My best guess, they went to get help," Samuel said. "Peter wouldn't rush off like that without a reason, especially if he's hurt that bad and it's hard to get outta here."

"There would be no reason to go anywhere else in Middle-Earth; Elrond and Galadriel are already here,"Avanwë put in.

"Maybe they went to find Aragorn and Latano," Susan suggested.

"In his condition, I hope not," Gandalf sighed. "They'd have no idea where to go, anyway. They took off before Heather got here."

"Then what about the Hobbits? And Bergil?" Susan asked.

"They're safe," Samuel said, shaking his head. "Athos won't hurt them. Peter knows that."

"If we could just wake Morgan . . ." Avanwë started.

"I could splash cold water on her," Glorfindel suggested.

"Not wise," Gandalf said. "Startling her out of this could be the worst thing for her."

"What would wake her up?" Samuel turned to Avanwë.

"Something very serious happening to someone she's close to," the Elf ventured. "If one of the Woodland Wanderers were to be badly hurt, for example, she'd know it."

As if on cue, Morgan's eyes jerked open and she sat straight up. "Morgan, what is it?" Samuel asked hurriedly.

"Latano . . . the Unknown Forest . . ." was all she said before she fainted again from the effort it had taken to sit up.

"That can't be right," Susan said. "Unless Heather . . ."

". . . was lying," Samuel finished.

"Galadriel, can you get there?" Gandalf asked.

"I can try."

"Do it. Fast."

Galadriel nodded and disappeared.

"Now how on Earth . . ?" Susan asked. "I didn't know Elves could do that!"

"Neither did I," Samuel shrugged.

"Blast! Sticklebats! That won't work, either!"

"Elrond, you're worried, you're frustrated; take a break," Ronosa suggested. "We'll find something, but not if we're all exhausted."

"No, I'm all right. It's just . . . I should've known they'd run off."

"They had to have a reason. Peter asked you to leave, so whatever they're doing is probably a little risky. But it can't be too dangerous or they would've asked the other Woodland Wanderers," the kyte explained.

"You know him pretty well, don't you?"

"Yeah, I've known him since he was, like, ten. He usually has a reason for rushing headlong into certain death, but he sometimes does it just for the fun of it."

"He's crazy," Nora observed.

"He likes danger," Ronosa shrugged. "They all do."

"That's not very encouraging," Elrond pointed out.

Aragorn heard a slight rustle behind him. He drew Anduril, ready for another attack. He whirled around only to face one small elf, shivering and crying.

Aragorn grabbed her arm, anyway, for he recognized her as the elf who had killed Latano. Other people might have killed this young elf, but Strider knew she was terrified. "What's your name?" he asked gently, loosening his hold a little.

"Tova," the young elf answered. "Is he . . ."

Aragorn nodded, released the elf, and sheathed his sword. There were no other elves nearby, and this one meant no harm. "Sit down," he said with a gentleness no one would expect from such a warrior. "How old are you, Tova?"

"Sixteen," she answered, trying to stop her tears. "Who are you?"

Aragorn hesitated only a second before remembering what Latano had said and answering, "I'm Strider."

"Nice name."

"Hannon le."

"What?"

"I'm sorry. That means 'Thank you.'"

"Oh."

'She's awfully young to be a murderer,' Aragorn thought. 'She was probably just doing what she was told.'

"She was," said a voice on the wind.

'Boromir!'

"The one and only, my king. Listen to me, Aragorn. Your friend, Legolas, he's in trouble."

'I know.'

"No, you don't. It's worse than you think."

'Did they make it to Imladris?'

"Yes."

'What can I do?'

"Lady Galadriel is coming for you. And Latano."

'Latano's dead.'

"So am I."

'What's your point?'

"Aragorn, don't hold it against Tova. Latano doesn't want any more death."

'I see. I won't harm her.'

"I knew you wouldn't. Trust her; take her with you when the Lady comes."

'I will. Thank you, Boromir.'

"You didn't speak Elvish."

'I'm a ranger.'

"Of course, my king."

Aragorn sighed. This 'king' business was getting to him.

"Strider?" Tova asked.

"Yeah?"

"There's a lady behind you."

Aragorn turned; he hadn't heard anyone approach. Behind him was Galadriel.

"I was too late," she noticed sadly. Aragorn nodded.

"Elessar, a while ago, some of the others went out looking for you. They were with a girl who said she'd seen you and you told her to go to Imladris for aid."

"She was lying."

"I know. The others could be in danger."

"Who went out?"

"Gimli, Eomer, Eowyn, Tandro, Noka, Rona, and Eric. Balo followed them."

Aragorn gently lifted Latano's body. "We're ready to go."

"We?" Galadriel asked.

"We?" Tova echoed.

Aragorn turned to the younger elf. "If you want to come," he added.

"You'll take me?"

"Latano would want it."

"Then I'll come."

"Close your eyes," Galadriel said.

"Noooo!" Noka yelled as the dagger flew towards Balo. The nearest to Balo, he had only seconds, but he did what he had to do. He pushed Balo out of the way and then tried his best to dodge the dagger himself.

"Noka!" Eric screamed, but it was too late. The gleems were high in the sky. That first attack had been their cue to start shooting. Balo, Tandro, and Rona returned their fire.

"Eomer, Eowyn, Gimli!" Eric shouted to the others. "Head for Rivendell! We need help!"

"I will not run like a coward in the midst of a battle," Eowyn insisted.

"Oh, for cryin' out loud!" Rona exclaimed between dodging arrows.

"Rona's right," Eric agreed. "Swords are no use. The gleems are too high. Go!"

Eowyn needed no more. She and Eomer rushed off. Gimli remained. "I can't keep up," he explained. "I'd just slow them down." He knew his thick Dwarven armor would protect him against the arrows, but what about the others?

"Where are they?" Pippin asked.

"They have half a minute," Athos said calmly. Peter, with Radagast's help, had rejoined the group.

"There they are," Sam announced, pointing at the sky.

"Right on time," Athos smiled.

"Very obedient, these gleems," Radagast noted.

Athos nodded. The gleems landed and handed him two jars, one larger than the other. "It won't be fatal anymore," one of them said, "but the other effects will still remain."

"Good enough."

"Athos, you don't have to test this on yourself," Peter said weakly. "Why don't you test it on me?"

"Because you three bozos were given a very slow-acting version of the poison, though, believe me, I know the pain suggests otherwise. By the time we found out if it worked or not, it'd be too late to give it to the others. Especially Legolas." He turned to the gleem. "How fast will the poison work?"

"You'll have two minutes, sir."

"Drop the 'sir.' Tell your fellow workers they did a good job." The gleems flew off. Athos took a knife out of his pocket and stuck it in the smaller jar. Then he pricked his finger with it.

xWhit3StaRx -- Muahahahaha, another cliffie. :)