Yes, this is a re-posting of this chapter. I added to the end of it because it was making the next chapter to long and I needed the space. I'm sorry. I know this wasn't what you wanted. The next chapter has like ten paragraphs or so to go. The promise still stands that the knights will be in the next one. I decided to have fun with them. Thank you to anyone who is still patient with me after dragging it out this long. Please Read and Review! The more I get the faster the chapters come.

They had come for her before dawn and she had gone without question. He didn't know what had been said at the council, neither did his companions. When she had come in the night before he could see that she was troubled but did not ask why. Instead he had laid himself down and closed his eyes, seemingly content just knowing that she was, for the moment, safe. He had watched her leave though she did not know it.

Aragorn now sat with his back against the wall, his cape pulled tightly around him for warmth. There seemed to be nothing but cold and damp in this place. Legolas stirred to his left next to the silent Faramir and Gandalf continued to snore and mutter to his right. He couldn't sleep. His back was stiff and his legs were tingling with loss of circulation so he stood up and began pacing the small distance. He could not help but think of home and of Arwen. How must she be faring he wondered.

A few voices could be heard from the outside but he could not understand the language so he quickly gave that up. He felt eyes staring at the back of his head and turned around to see Legolas sitting up and looking at him with no emotion present on his face to tell what he was thinking.

"Did you sleep?"

"Not really" Aragorn replied.

"Where is she?"

"She left this morning when someone came to fetch her."

"How long has she been gone?"

"They left before dawn, which was a couple hours ago. I haven't seen her since."

"What do you think they conversed about?"

"Probably their history" Gandalf was getting up and leaning on his staff. "I would if she really did tell them what she told us. The only question is how did they react?"

"Well they have either decided to believe her or are undecided on the matter seeing as we are still alive" Legolas was now looking for a way to see outside. The hut was of stripped bark, branches to hold it up and rough made rope to keep it together. There were many small holes but that did not mean they all had clear views. Even his keen Elven eyes had to squint to see past.

"What do you see?" Faramir was now standing next to him rubbing the back of his head to relinquish some dirt. A few leafs were crunched and attached here and there to his clothing.

"They are moving about. There are two men to either side of the door and a few more farther off. Weaponed of course. I expect most of the warriors are off somewhere for there are not so many as the previous night. They must have taken her with them."

"They had better return her. In any case we need her to get home if nothing else. What could they have wanted her for, another talk?"

"No, they could have kept her up all night if they wanted to. She came back later than we, yes, but with no escort. Something happened that she did not have time or wish to tell us." Aragorn frowned in silent thought. That was not comforting. Enough was so new and jumping at them so fast it was hard to be reassured of much. And now their guide had been fetched from them before sunlight, if you could call it that.

Their unknown silence was interrupted by the sound of approaching voices. Legolas peered through his peep hole and reported that warriors were arriving back in the village and Ilara with them near the back of the group. Then his view was blocked and he turned around to face them but kept his ears open for anything understandable. A time passed before they learned more waiting would be involved.

When the sounds finally died down beyond the door opened and Ilara stepped through. There were clothes in her hands and an almost blank look on her face like she was debating the fate of the worlds. She was dressed differently like some of the women they had seen the night before. Without a word she walked up to Legolas and pushed the clothing into his hands, told him to put them on and that she would find them afterwards. After she had gone the elf held the clothes out in front of him to have a look. Stitches could be seen but that was not what caught his attention. There was a dark red stain around it. Blood stain. What had happened? With that thought still in his mind he changed clothes with an uneasy feeling. He quickly pulled a vest across it before the others could see. He would speak to her later when they had time.

They wrapped their cloaks around them as they exited their prison. This time no guard was present and their hands remained free. Walking around they found some of the warriors from the previous night in bandages and blood. The sight was not heartening in the least so they hurried on to find Ilara. She was standing near the edge of the clearing talking to a Woad. He was taller than her with long straight hair that hung about his shoulders. Ice blue markings were all over his body and a short bow was held casually in his hand. As they drew nearer they turned and looked then the man said farewell and left them.

"Who was that?" Aragorn's eyes followed the stranger as he blended into his brethren.

"A friend" she said curtly as she eyed the troupe. "I see the clothes fit well enough."

"Where did you get them? Where have you been?" Faramir's face had a look of concern. He had seen the wounded, they all had. Legolas had to stop himself from shaking his head at the lack of tact and timing. But now it was out he was honestly curious to see if she would tell or not.

"I have been getting those clothes the only way I could." With that she turned and walked to the fire circle where an old man was standing, his piercing gaze upon them all. She showed no fear but reverence as she greeted him and spoke a line in their language. He responded with the same respect and a slight bow. When satisfied she motioned for them to follow and they headed out of the village.

The forest was damp from the coldness of this land. Leaves dripped onto their necks and backs as they walked underneath. No sound was heard. The ground was too soggy to crunch under their feet and none had the will to speak. Ilara had made it clear she would say no more. It did not take long for them to reach the end of the trees for they no longer needed to be as cautious as before.

As they walked Ilara could not help a little guilt with how she had acted toward the others. She didn't want to tell them what had happened, not yet at any rate. Eventually it would come out; it had to, but not then and there. It seemed to her the only way to cut them off was to do so quickly without any room to come at her again. She promised herself she would tell them. Mostly she didn't want to find out just then what their reaction would be. Would it change their fragile trust in her? She couldn't chance it.

They found their mounts where they had left them grazing. After looking them over and finding nothing wrong they moved to their belongings. Everything was still there, if a bit moist from the environment. Seeing nothing was amiss they leapt astride and began their trip to Hadrian's Wall. The exhilarating wind that swept by gave back some of their strength and lifted their spirits, both of which they were bound to need.

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