A Stranger In The Woods

Chapter 29: Up the River

It was a long time before anyone spoke.

"I have taken my worst wound at this parting…" Gimli growled, finally breaking the silence, "having looked my last upon that which is fairest."

He sighed heavily. "Henceforth, I will call nothing fair, less it be her gift to me," he said sadly.

Legolas pushed the oar silently through the water as he followed Aragorn's boat down the river. "What was her gift?" he asked curiously.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head…" Gimli whispered. "She gave me three."

Katie patted him on the back softly – she knew how he felt.

"I am sorry to be leaving also," she muttered honestly. "I'm not looking forward to what happens next," she added without thinking.

Gimli turned to look at her sharply, rocking the boat as he did so. "So you think you know what is going to happen, do you?" he growled, sounding unconvinced.

"You should not doubt her word," Legolas spoke quietly from behind them.

Katie turned to stare at him, eyes wide with shock.

"I have come to believe everything she predicts," he added with a slight smile.

"Why thank you, Legolas," she said boastfully. "I'm glad one person in this boat knows the truth when they hear it."

Gimli frowned. "Maybe I do not believe everything I hear simply because a pretty lady says it," he argued.

Katie let out a startled laugh. "I think Legolas is a bit more rational than that…I'm surprised he believes anything I say at all," she added with a grin.

"The elf is following his heart," Gimli muttered. "All rational thoughts are forgotten when love is involved."

Katie dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "Nonsense," she stated. "You are still thinking rational and I saw the way you were staring at Galadriel."

She heard Legolas chuckle as the dwarf blushed crimson.

"The banks are lovely this time of year," Gimli said with a frown, obviously trying to change the subject.

"What is the matter, dwarf?" Legolas asked with a laugh.

Gimli ignored him and the three of them sat in silence for a while.

Katie shifted in the small boat, trying to get comfortable. She sat sideways, her back against the edge of the canoe. She watched Legolas as he slid the oar through the water gracefully. He was staring at the tree line with a strange look on his face. After a moment, he turned to her.

"What is going to happen?" he asked, looking anxious.

Katie closed her eyes and sighed heavily, remembering the last part of the movie. "The fellowship will break," she whispered without opening her eyes.

"What are you talking about!" Gimli huffed. "That is nonsense!"

"Be quiet!" Legolas ordered him sternly. He looked at Katie, studying her intently. "Is that true?"

When she didn't answer, he reached out and gently caressed her cheek with his fingertips.

Katie's eyes flew open at his touch, her breath caught in her throat.

"Yes," she whispered.

"When?" Legolas demanded, pulling his hand back.

"Soon," was all she would say.

Nobody spoke for the rest of the day.

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That night, the fellowship camped on the banks of the river. After they had eaten dinner, the group prepared for bed.

Katie noticed Boromir sitting near the shore by himself, and decided to join him. They talked quietly about his home for a while. He had been much nicer to her since she saved his life in Moria. She knew he was supposed to die soon and wondered if there was anyway she could save him.

Suddenly, he got up and walked towards the river. Katie followed him, curious about his sudden movement. Boromir hid behind a large rock and peered out into the darkness.

"What is it?" Katie asked him softly, looking over his shoulder.

"Gollum," Aragorn answered, walking up behind them. "He has tracked us since Moria."

Katie spied the little creature, hiding behind a floating log.

"I had hoped we would lose him on the river," Aragorn said quietly, "but he's too clever a waterman."

Boromir turned to look at the ranger. "And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it'll make the crossing even more dangerous," he pointed out.

He walked towards Aragorn, ignoring Katie. "Minas Tirith is the safer road," he whispered. "You know that."

Aragorn looked at him impatiently as he continued.

"From there we can regroup," Boromir pleaded. "Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength!"

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn argued.

"You were quick enough to trust the elves," Boromir said, raising his voice. "Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness, there is frailty," he admitted, "but there is courage also and honor to be found in men. But you will not see that," he finished.

Aragorn turned and started to walk away.

Boromir reached out and grabbed him. "You are afraid!" he shouted at the ranger.

"I will not lead the ring within 100 leagues of your city," Aragorn hissed meanly.

Katie stepped between the two men, separating them. "That's enough!" she snapped.

Legolas, whom had been listening to the argument from his bed, rose to his feet and walked over to them.

Katie looked from him to Boromir and then Aragorn.

"You," she hissed, pointing at Aragorn, "Should not be so rude! And you," she turned to point at Boromir, 'need to trust Aragorn's judgment – he is the leader of this group."

All three men stared at her incredulously.

"Come Katie," Legolas said quietly, grabbing her arm. "Let us leave them to talk."

Katie frowned at both of the men as she allowed Legolas to lead her away. Once they were out of earshot, he stopped and faced her, looking perturbed.

"You should not involve yourself in their affairs," he said coldly.

Katie shot him a dirty look. "And you should not involve yourself in mine," she growled.

Legolas let go of her arm and turned away. "I just do not want to see you anger anyone," he said quietly.

Katie reached out and touched his arm gently. "You mean Boromir?"

Legolas looked down at her hand then up at her face.

"Yes," he admitted truthfully.

"You do not have to worry about Boromir," Katie whispered, "he will not hurt me."

Legolas stared at her for a minute, looking unsure. Finally, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We'd better get back to the group," he said, leading her towards the others.

Once there, Katie walked to her bed and lay down. She tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. After a while, she fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of Lothlórien.

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