Disclaimer: Haven't we been through this before? Yes, well then we know the story.
Italics "Speech" Star speakingItalics anywhere else indicate thought
Chapter 8
Bad Omens
A few days later saw the fellowship resting. Aleyna was sitting with her legs tucked up to her chest and was resting her head on them whilst watching Boromir helping to train Merry and Pippin in the art of fighting, as it had been mentioned that there was a high probability that everyone would be involved in the fighting, and when the hobbits said that they didn't know how to fight Aleyna declared it shameful, and so the hobbits were being trained.
At the same time Aleyna was keeping an ear on the conversation that was going on behind her. Tysan was standing impassively staring out at the landscape. Nobody could even begin to guess her thoughts, or even what she was doing or looking for. Looking for something she seemed to be doing, scanning the horizon every few moments. What she was looking for was not clear; it was obscure to everyone but her.
"We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for 40 days. If our luck holds the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east to Mordor." Gandalf was explaining the route the fellowship should take.
Just after that a sigh tore itself from Aleyna's throat. Legolas looked over from his almost continuous scanning of the scenery and looked at Aleyna, a slightly puzzled look on his face. Aleyna smiled and shook her head, as if to tell him not to worry, but that did not satisfy him and he ended up sitting next to Aleyna, his long legs dangling over the edge of the rock Aleyna was sitting on.
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked.
"I'm fine." Aleyna answered.
"But why would you sigh if you were not happy?" Legolas puzzled, his head tilted to one side.
"I don't know why." Aleyna replied, a puzzled look on her face.
"As long as you're alright…" Legolas trailed off.
"You shouldn't worry about me, I'm a big tough girl, I can tie my own sandals and everything." Aleyna retorted, making Legolas frown in puzzlement.
"I don't understand you." Legolas said.
Aleyna didn't answer; she was already away on another trail of thought. There was something nagging away at the back of her mind, but she couldn't remember. She supposed it was something to do with her life back in the other world, and that was confusing her. If it was something to do with the other world, then why was she having misgivings about the scene that was laid out before her? She couldn't even understand her own thoughts let alone what was being put in front of her.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome." Gimli added after a pause.
"No Gimli, I would not take the roads through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf spoke solemnly.
Aleyna barely managed to suppress a shudder at the mention of Moria. Another long dead memory flashed into her head, before disappearing. She shook her head, as if to clear it of all the strange images that kept flashing through them. Legolas shot her a concerned look, to which she shook her head, as if to reassure herself as much as Legolas. He, meanwhile, had let his attention wander away to the sky. Aleyna turned to see where he was looking and soon moved to stand where he was.
"What is it?" She pointed to a shape in the distance.
"I don't know yet." Legolas said looking harder.
"What is that?" Sam asked, puzzled, looking where Aleyna, Legolas and Tysan had been looking for a few minutes.
"It's nothing, just a wisp of cloud." Gimli dismissed it.
"It's moving fast, and against the wind." Boromir added.
"What are those things?" Aleyna turned to Legolas.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas shouted in answer, making Aleyna flinch as the sound hit her ears from only a few feet away.
"Hide!" Aragorn shouted in answer.
What followed next was a scramble for cover. Aleyna was dragged down into the bushes by Legolas, who promptly held his hand over her mouth to stop her protests. When she looked at him, an angry question in his eyes, he just held a finger to his lips. Aleyna understanding, nodded, and the hand was removed, before Legolas himself lay on his back to better hide underneath the undergrowth.
Aleyna found her heartbeat was racing. She wasn't afraid of these birds, she was just afraid of what they stood for, the death and carnage that often signalled their coming. She didn't know what their presence heralded for the future, and yet she could tell it meant nothing good. She tried to calm her heartbeat, and yet it still raced away and pounded in her head so that she was almost sure that these heralds would hear it.
Eventually the birds flew off and the fellowship emerged from their hiding places. Tysan was the first to do so, indeed she did it so quickly that it seemed that she hadn't hidden at all. In fact the likelihood that Tysan had actually hidden was pretty small, she was a law unto herself, and woe betide anyone who got in her way. She looked over at Aleyna, and her look almost conveyed the fact that she could hear her sister's heartbeat.
Aleyna had to tear her eyes away from her sister's gaze after a few brief moments. She placed her hand on her heart, as if to reassure herself that it was beating normally now. Legolas looked over puzzled, before he looked to Gandalf to see what the next decision would be. Indeed, everyone was soon waiting on the wizard's verdict.
"Spies of Saruman! The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." Gandalf declared.
At that declaration Aleyna couldn't help but feel her heart sink. She had a bad feeling about going there, almost as if the birds were heralding the futility of that decision. Again Legolas looked to Aleyna, and not for the first time was he puzzled by the emotions that were etched on her face. He resolved for once to find out something about what she was feeling.
"I had a feeling that's all." Aleyna replied evasively when asked.
"I have a feeling it was something more than that." Legolas caught her arm as she turned to walk away.
The two stood for a moment engaged in a staring contest. It seemed that both were trying to get their own way, and yet who would was anyone's guess. Tysan floated effortlessly between the two parting them and stopping the ensuing argument. Aleyna slid her arm free from where Legolas had taken hold of it again, and walked off after the group, settling her pack more firmly on her back. Legolas sighed as he looked after her, one day he would unravel the mystery that surrounded that woman, even if it took him all eternity. He realised with a wry smile that he would have eternity with her as his bride, whether either of them were willing or not.
Aleyna caught up with Gandalf, who turned and smiled friendly at the young woman. She easily kept pace with the wizard, and the pair seemed content to walk along in comfortable silence. For Aleyna the wizard was a calming presence, someone who seemed to know everything about people. After a while Gandalf was the first one to break the companionable silence.
"You seem preoccupied with something." He stated.
"It's nothing really." Aleyna answered.
"Don't try that tactic with me young lady." Gandalf chided.
"I just have a bad feeling, and have ever since the rocks. I know something bad is going to happen." Aleyna confided finally.
"What's meant to happen will happen, and there's nothing you can do about it. So stop worrying young Aleyna." Gandalf started to walk faster.
The day carried on in much the same pattern, with Aleyna talking to and spending time with most people in the group. With the hobbits she would be entertained, whilst with Gandalf she could choose to either walk in silence or to talk. With Tysan she would just walk alongside her sister, showing her that she was not alone, or perhaps she was not as isolated as she seemed to think she was. Normally Aleyna would walk with Aragorn and Legolas, but today she seemed to be avoiding the elf.
Eventually the fellowship stopped for a warm meal and a rest. There was soon a small fire courtesy of Sam, who was now ruling over it whilst he cooked the dinner. He said that both Aleyna and Tysan were to eat first, saying that they were ladies, and that manners should never be abandoned. So Aleyna was quite happily munching her food when she looked over at Gandalf and Legolas.
The pair seemed to be in some form of deep conversation. She guessed it was about her, as they kept on looking her way. Eventually Legolas' blue eyes locked with hers, which narrowed slightly. Legolas shook his head, unperturbed by the threat, and carried on talking to Gandalf. The conversation soon finished and Legolas disappeared into the shadows of the night, only to re appear at Aleyna's side.
"Can you give me some warning next time?" Aleyna gasped as she tried to grab at the plate which she had dropped.
"Sorry." Legolas apologised, his hand steadying the plate, his hands only a few inches from Aleyna's.
"No problems." Aleyna smiled, taking back her plate, a blush gracing her cheeks.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Legolas asked.
Aleyna looked up shocked. She knew she should have been upset that Gandalf had been sharing what she had told him in confidence, and yet she couldn't. There was something in the way that Legolas was looking at her, his blue eyes pleading with her that did strange things she hadn't experienced before. Again Aleyna was the first one to break eye contact, this time a brighter blush gracing her cheeks.
"Why did you not tell me?" Legolas again gently pressed.
"I just didn't want to bother you." She lied hoping he would drop the subject.
"You wouldn't be bothering me." He replied.
"You already know." Aleyna guessed.
"But still I would like to hear it from you." Legolas pressed again.
"Can you just let it drop please? There are troubling times enough ahead I don't need a nagging elf to add to my troubles." She smiled jovially and playfully punched him in the arm, "Go on get away with you Gandalf will want your keen eyes up front where they can be of use." Legolas gave her a wistful look and then made his way up to where the aging wizard seemed to be standing waiting.
"Yes Legolas it's all a conspiracy against you!" Called Tysan after him as he walked past her scowling at both her and the wizard, she approached her sister like a black cloud. She stopped at her side and floated there for a moment before landing gracefully on the floor.
"What are you doing here?" Aleyna asked
"Acting as personal bodyguard from nosey elven grooms." Tysan's eyes glittered from behind her mask.
"Is there a particular reason why you don't seem to like Legolas?" Aleyna asked innocently.
"Me, hate him? Never." Tysan waved a hand, laughter evident in her voice.
"There has to be a reason." Aleyna was not fooled by Tysan.
"Well……" Tysan launched into the story of her hair being burnt.
"I can't believe he would do that. He seems so…" Aleyna tried to find a word.
"Proper." Tysan added in a posh tone.
"Indeed." Aleyna answered, dissolving into a fit of giggling. Tysan also laughed and it was a refreshing sound that made everyone in the group feel a little more at ease.
"Do you mind the company for a while? There are many hours left of travel and very little decent company to talk to." The two sister linked arms and started to laugh and talk of everything under the sun as the others looked on in astonishment.
Hours later and the summer sun beat down on the snowy mountain. Though it was covered in snow the place was unseasonably hot and Aleyna found herself sweating under the many layers of warm clothing she had put on that morning for such an occasion. Tysan had taken to floating again and had disappeared up ahead looking for something. She claimed to be hearing strange voices talking magic in her ears and inciting the mountain to murder. Aleyna often worried for her sister's sanity at times like these. Although she herself had begun to hear the voices, and that was scaring her.
As the group struggled up one particular incline Frodo stumbled and fell. As Aleyna turned to check if Frodo was alright her foot caught a loose rock, and she stumbled slightly, and looked as if she was about to follow Frodo. A strong arm snaked its way around hers and hauled her easily back to her feet, away from the offending rock. Aleyna turned and blushed to see Legolas.
"Thank you. I shouldn't have been so clumsy." Aleyna apologised.
"I would hate to see snow in your pretty hair." Legolas retorted in anger.
"Leave my sister alone." Tysan walked past Legolas, punching him in the arm.
At that Legolas lost his balance, and he fell. At the same time he ended up pulling Aleyna down with him, as he still had hold of her arm. In answer Aleyna grabbed a handful of snow and stuffed it into his mouth, before tossing her hair over one shoulder and walking off. After a while she looked back over her shoulder and tossed Legolas a smile that seemed to light up her whole face. He couldn't help but smile back at her, shaking his head at her enthusiasm.
Aleyna walked over to Tysan, and it was seen that the two were soon whispering and giggling amongst themselves quite happily. When anyone asked what they were doing one of them would answer with a disdainful answer, more often than not it would be Tysan who gave the answer, she being the better one at such things. Aleyna was more likely to dissolve into a fit of laughing, which soon had the fellowship wondering either about Aleyna's sanity, or what she and her dark sister were planning. Still the pair were deep in their conference; they were plotting and biding their time, waiting for the best time to strike.
Soon it was deemed the right time to strike. Gandalf had called a short rest for a meal, which was being eaten whilst standing by some who did not wish to sit. Eventually Aleyna declared that she was going for a walk, which both Tysan and Legolas volunteered to go on the jaunt. Aleyna and Tysan set off, leaving Legolas to follow. As Legolas crested the snow hill that the women had just descended he frowned as he could not see them. He carried on down the drift; he did not want to go back to camp, especially leaving Aleyna out there. He knew she was with her sister but still…
He tilted his head slightly at the sound of giggling that reached his ears. Smiling he shook his head and walked towards where the sound emanated from. He stopped suddenly at a slight force that stopped him. Looking down he saw white powder clinging to his tunic. As he dusted it off he examined the substance carefully and recognised it as snow. At another sound of a missile flying he had the chance to see a small ball of snow hurled at him, before it hit him.
By the time the next one was flying Legolas was using his warrior training to avoid the balls. He thought with a grim smile that he would never have expected to use his warrior training for something as silly as a game. He looked around for where the missiles were coming from, and he could discern no difference, the landscape was so covered with snow. But there, there was a flash of red hair. Legolas smiled as he stalked off towards the source of the trouble.
The hobbits chose that moment to appear and they were hit by the missile. This soon shattered all hopes of there being a quick end to this matter, as the hobbits soon joined in. One by one all of the fellowship was dragged into the war, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying it, despite the best efforts of Legolas, Aragorn and Gandalf to cease the warfare. Aleyna and Tysan were the most elusive in this war, appearing to shoot their missiles and then disappear. Legolas knew that to bring the sisters down would be to call a ceasefire. He outlined his plan to Aragorn, who nodded and agreed to go after Tysan.
Legolas found himself again creeping along the side of one of the snow banks, trying not to draw attention to himself; otherwise his cover would be blown. By the time he saw the sisters he saw that they were content to sit back and watch the mischief they had wrought. Tysan saw Aragorn and leant to whisper to her sister that she would distract him. The only answer she got was a vague nod from Aleyna, who was content to watch the war.
Legolas was content to watch for a few moments, observing his future bride. Her smiles and laugh seemed to make Legolas' soul at least a little glad that he knew her. A small frown creased her face as she turned and saw Legolas. A small smile and raised eyebrows was all she got before she raced off. Legolas could not help but to smile and chase after her, especially as she could be running into terrible danger. But that's not it is it? His brain asked him, you just want to be alone with her. It all felt like a hunter chasing after elusive prey as Tysan and Aleyna darted through each others paths causing both ranger and elf to fall into each other and lose the girls.
"So much for the legendary grace of the elves." Tysan called after such a collision.
Growling at that Legolas leapt to his feet and pursued his prey again. He knew she must be at least beginning to tire, if not of running or escaping than of this game. As she looked back and tossed him a smile he knew to the contrary, and gritted his teeth and sped up a little. Aleyna's laugh floated past his ears, she was having the audacity to tease him! This almost made the elf growl again but he held it back and instead concentrated on catching the elusive woman in front of him.
At this point the pair had run a fair distance away from the group. Tysan had doubled back and at last suffered herself to be caught, and yet she was pleased that the chase was still on as her sister was eluding capture incredibly well. She smiled as she knew that for a while at least Aleyna would manage to escape. She was slightly worried at the distance they were from the group, but she trusted enough in both Legolas' and Aleyna's skills that they could keep themselves alive long enough if some trouble cropped up.
At this point Legolas knew he had to bring the chase to a close. They were far enough away from the group that if they both got into trouble it could be serious, or perhaps fatal to one or both. He sped up this time with the intention to catch Aleyna, which he soon did. He brought her crashing to the ground on her back. He landed on top of her, his strong arms catching his weight so as to stop him from injuring himself.
"So much for they legendary grace of the elves." Aleyna laughed breathlessly, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"I was under the impression that you were a half elf." Legolas teased.
"I'm only half subjected to that legendary grace then." Aleyna smiled impishly.
"Aleyna, Legolas." Aragorn called out from a distance.
"Coming." Aleyna called back, before turning back to Legolas.
"So then, are you going to let me up?" she asked, a small devious smile on her lips.
"I would have to consider that request." Legolas replied.
Aleyna frowned slightly at that answer, before an illuminating smile lit up her face. Without realising what was happening Legolas found himself being tackled and soon he was lying underneath Aleyna, who jumped up with a smile and went to greet Aragorn, who was looking for a sign of his friend in the snowy wilderness.
"Aleyna, what happened to Legolas?" Aragorn finally asked in exasperation.
"Him? Oh, he's following and he should appear right about now." Aleyna summarised, squeezing the excess water out of her hair before pulling into a plait, right as her predictions became true.
"You let a maiden outsmart you elf." Gimli called derisively.
"Yet it was no ordinary maiden I was up against." Legolas answered, causing Aleyna to frown, wondering if it was a compliment.
"Young lady, what put the idea into your head that we had time for fun and games." Gandalf approached. Aleyna turned, stung at the comment her mouth slightly open.
"I think then if we have no time for fun and games that we have no more time for standing around arguing." Aleyna answered after a pause.
The group set off at this. Aleyna hung away from anyone else in the group. Anyone who had cared to observe her actions they would have seen crystals dancing around her eyes and cheek, and every few moments Aleyna would wipe her eyes as if clearing something from them. Nobody noticed for the moment though, they were all too wrapped up with their own concerns and worries for the moment. Tysan every now and then glanced back at her sister, to see if she were still alive and breathing. Satisfied she was Tysan turned her eyes back to the front, bent on where she was floating. Her head tilted as she followed a secret path only she could see and she seemed to be whispering to something no one else could hear.
Eventually Aleyna rejoined the fellowship, though she stayed away from where Gandalf was forging a path ahead. Something had injured her pride in the way she had been scolded like a little child, and she eventually realised she was acting like a spoilt child, but she just couldn't stop herself. Perhaps, she thought, I shouldn't be the person who came on this, I'm no hero, I'm just a woman who's lost so far from home and feels so alone. Aleyna's eyes travelled around the fellowship, perhaps not completely alone.
"You're not alone." Star gently nipped at her mistress' hand.
"I'm sorry, was feeling sorry for myself." Aleyna smiled down and patted Star absentmindedly.
"Well stop, otherwise I'll tell Gandalf off you." Star warned.
"You wouldn't dare." Aleyna declared her mouth slightly open in disbelief.
"Oh wouldn't I?" Star queried in disbelief.
"Snitch." Aleyna smiled down at her dog.
"Now that's better." Star licked Aleyna's hand before running off.
Aleyna just shook her head, the small smile still on her face, as she caught up with the fellowship, who had walked a few paces ahead. Legolas had turned to watch her, to make sure she didn't fall too far behind, but when he saw she was moving again he turned around. Star decided to join him, which was strange in itself, the dog was known as something of a recluse, who was very particular of whose company she kept.
The day was drawing to a close again when Gandalf called a halt. There was to be no fire that evening, it was said that it might attract too much attention from anything that might be in the snowy wilderness. So a cheerless meal was passed talking amongst friends. Aleyna sat on her own for once, as did Tysan, which was no unusual occurrence.
Aleyna was soon joined by Gandalf. He had hobbled over to join the younger woman, who looked up from what she was eating. She immediately moved over to make room on the rock she was sitting on. Gandalf gratefully sank down and sighed heavily. Aleyna raised her eyebrows at this, she knew Gandalf was old, but she also knew he was well capable of fighting and carrying on with the journey. So why act like an old man then?
"Because young Aleyna, I am old, and sometimes you cannot forget that," Gandalf smiled, shocking Aleyna.
"Did you just read my mind?" Aleyna asked raising her eyebrows in disbelief.
"No it was easy to guess. Sometimes you are too transparent and innocent," Gandalf waved a hand as Aleyna began to take offence.
"No don't take offence I didn't mean it as one," Gandalf explained.
"Well what did you mean it as then?" Aleyna asked puzzled.
"I don't know. But just whatever you do, don't let go of that innocence, it may save you one day," Gandalf said cryptically.
"How would it save me?" Aleyna asked unable to believe what was being said.
"It will save you one day when there is no other weapon you can use. Evil hates innocence, it will try to corrupt it, and that is what will happen to all innocents one day," Gandalf sighed.
"Innocents grow up and are jaded by real life," Aleyna sighed hugging her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.
"Not every innocent." Gandalf slowly levered himself to his feet, with help from Aleyna.
"Thank you and I'm sorry about earlier." Gandalf added as he walked off, leaving Aleyna in confusion.
Author's note: Well here we are another chapter. I'm sorry they're all taking so long to write (maybe it has something to do with the fact they are long chapter)! Hope you all enjoy and please take time to review, it would be greatly appreciated.