Hello! It's me! Sooorrry for such an awful delay! I've passed my exam and now have a certificate in medicine. Wow! Finally! Well, here's another chapter, and I hope you'll like it! It…um…tells us a little about Delawien's past and raises suspense and other feelings… But, do read it yourself and, please, review!

Chapter 7 "Art of war"

Several days passed in a slow motion of walking across the lands, forests, plains, with only stops for the night. Every new day was just like the previous one. Aurelia thought it would never end. And though her legs got used to these tiring walks, as soon as her head hit the ground she fell asleep immediately. However, walking in such a pleasant company really was fun! She made great friends with Pippin and Marry and was learning lots of funny stories about hobbits (including their own experience) and Shire. As they made jokes, her bright laughter could be heard over and over again, it was so infectious, no one could suppress smiles.

Or practically no one. Her relations with Legolas remained cold, as both ignored the very fact of each others existence. Though Aurelia didn't feel well about it, as it partly had been her fault (but only partly!), no way would she be the first to say sorry, especially if she had nothing to apologize for, as it was he who insulted her in the first place… Anyways, it all was so difficult, and the more she was thinking about it the less she understood.

Instead, she enjoyed a good company and the Sun, and tried to know and see everything better. She felt daughter connection to Gandalf, especially as he was the one who knew the truth; she respected Aragorn very much, even fretted in some way, 'cause from the first minute it was clear he was the leader of the group, leader no one want to argue with; she liked the dwarf immediately, since, even if he was rude and too sarcastic in his remarks, she could see kindness hidden under that façade; and of course Boromir made a great impression on Aurelia as he was well-educated and his manners were brilliant, seeing that he apologized without a delay for their not so pleasant acquaintance.

As for her companion, Aurelia really wanted to make friends with her, but Delawien always looked so cold and distant, she hadn't any chance. Indeed, unlike Aurelia, Della marched alone all the time, not speaking to anyone, except when she asked, but even then her answers brief and sharp and eyes remained frozen with thoughtful look. Her stallion, Nox, always followed them. During the day he was running somewhere, but as the night fell he always returned to the camp and slept with his mistress like a dog. Legolas, upon seeing the creature, was fascinated, because even he didn't see any animal so proud and powerful with such dark beauty. However, Nox's mistress also had that dark air upon herself. She wasn't beautiful, at least not by Middle Earth standards, but her beauty was dark and dangerous, in contrast with petite Aurelia's.

So, she didn't speak much, and if she did it was Boromir or Pippin or Merry. She avoided being around Aragorn and Gandalf as much as it was possible, trying hard not to put her own business in danger. Here, far away from home, out of never-ending bliss, she didn't feel well. She had regular headaches and, what's more, her memories began to reveal themselves – something she hated to happen. She slept little, but didn't feel any fatigue, so wrapped into her thoughts, searching for a decision and not finding it. Yet.

Aurelia opened her eyes with a start. She had a terrible nightmare about Audox, her father and brothers. Oh, how she missed them! Breathing hard, she told herself it was just a dream, nothing more. She brushed away a lonely tear that slid down her face, willing herself to be strong. For a minute she was lying still, trying to summon sleep, but it vanished without a trace.

The fire was cracking quietly and, as she got up, Aurelia saw Gimli some feet away, keeping watch, though it looked like he was struggling between deep slumber and conscientious. Darkness surrounded her, and Aurelia shivered not from the cold, but from the remains of the nightmare. Suddenly, she had a bright idea how to be helpful in the least, so without a sound she tip-toed to Sam's sleeping form and began to rummage through his belongings.

Gimli tried to brace himself from sleep, but the struggle was useless. Why in hell's name that damned elf wouldn't keep watch, if he can turn his hands to anything! His half-conscious thoughts were interrupted when a steaming mug appeared right under his nose. The dwarf looked up to see smiling Aurelia.

"I think strong tea is what you need now most."

"Why, thanks, missie," Gimli took the mug and sipped. "Hm…why aren't you sleeping?"

"Um…I had a nightmare, so I think I'm not capable of sleeping again." Gimli nodded and with a gesture invited her to sit next to him, which she did.

"If so, you at least will keep me a company. You know, it's rather tiring to sit here all alone, while others are sleeping soundly," he pointed to where hobbits slept, bunched together. Aurelia laughed gently:

"Well, they are too small for such a long and hard travel, whatever you are going after."

"And you, missie?" Gimli looked at her searchingly. "Aren't you?"

"I can manage." She answered firmly. Gimli nodded, appreciating the girl's determination. After a minute's silence Gimli spoke again:

"If you ask my opinion about the girl you've been traveling with, I'll say I've never so someone so arrogant, self-assured, I-can-do-everything-better-than-man type."

"Oh, but she's brave enough and she…she saved my life!" Aurelia unexpectedly for herself stood up for Delawien.

"Yes, but, she at least could try to be not so hostile, if it happened so, that for the unknown to me reasons we have to travel together."

"Maybe it's just the way she is," Aurelia gave a small smile. Gimli for his part withheld a sharp comment. Instead, for the rest of the night he entertained Aurelia with the stories and legends about the dwarfs and their life style. She took it all in, her eyes widening, when she heard something particularly unbelievable. When the first lights of the Sun appeared over the horizon Gimli noticed with a pleased smile:

"Well, missie, you aren't as bad as I thought, I mean, I'll never forget the way you treated that damned elf!" Aurelia blushed, feeling both pleasure for Gimli's praise and unease, because she still was guilty of insulting the elf, partly.

"No, really, don't think anyone ever talked to him like that in all his damned long life!" Gimli chuckled.

"So he and Aragorn are friends?" She tried to change topic.

"Yes, they are, missie. Aragorn trusts him greatly, I can't help it. He's a wise man, Aragorn, I mean."

"Well, he looks a bit stern," Aurelia confessed. "To tell the truth, I was scared, when I've seen him first."

"Oh, he's not that villain, lest he should eat, kill orcs and have enough sleep," Aurelia giggled as soon as she imagined the picture.

"You weren't speaking about me, were you?" The voice which, without any doubt, belonged to Aragorn caught her off guard. Strider neared with a stern look upon his face.

"So, you don't sleep yourself and you're bothering the others," he stated harshly.

"Um…I…we…were just talking…," Aurelia trailed off. Under his intense gaze she felt nervous suddenly.

"You know, Aurelia, with all that wearing marching, we try to gain as much sleep as possible," his voice was an ill omen. Aurelia felt an inward tremor. "So tell me…," he made a dramatic pause, "do we have any tea left?" He finished in his usual voice. Aurelia breathed out suddenly, as she had held her breath involuntary. Aragorn smiled, chuckling. Gimli laughed out loudly. So Aragorn wasn't all that serious!

"In the night no control…."

"…this night will never go…"

"….tomorrow never comes…"

Snatches filled her ears and though she couldn't place them, she knew she'd heard them before. The voice was familiar, but in a dream it was so hard to take control of your senses, and all she could do was watching, like she was a stranger, but the dreams she saw, was nothing but well-hidden memories…

Flashback

She was gripping a wooden sword, so that her knuckles became white. A girl of ten. Surrounded by much older boys and men, who was sweating trying to suppress pain, avoiding looking at one man, who did that to them – the Teacher. He stood, tall and powerful, his faced twisted with anger, as he came over to a boy, any of them, and hit him with his staff. He was afraid of; these boys hated him for pain and insults. Many had already given up. Everyone was ready to give up. Everyone but one – a little girl – the smallest, the youngest and a girl!

She bit her life till it was bleeding, but still, she did everything the Teacher said. Everyday non-stop for eight hours of practice – fighting, running, exercising. She wanted it. She didn't care about pain. She was tired of being weak, no, from now and on she would be strong! She had to.

Suppressing exhaustion, gathering remaining strength, she raised first to her knees and then to her shaking legs. In the corner of her eye she saw the Teacher striding to her, the girl's heart sank, waiting for the blow, but she forced herself to remain in fighting trim. Next instance she felt burning pain in her back, as the strength of the blow sent her back to her knees. Tears she tried to suppress for so long flown down her cheeks.

"Stand up now, Delawien Swett!" came cold, controlled voice of the Teacher. The girl obeyed, gritting her teeth. Now she stood face to face with him, bold enough to look him in the eyes.

"You're brave enough for your age and capable of great endurance. And maybe in future you'll have a better fate than those worms," he pointed to the boys around her. Then in one motion he grabbed her by black curls painfully, so that she cried out almost inaudibly. "But your weakness is that you are a girl, you think and act as a girl. Forget about it while fighting, do as a warrior devoid of gender or leave now!" He then released her, so she fell to the ground, and turned to the rest of the "class":

"You all are nothing, but I should do something from you! And for that you must forget of who you are, how old you are and how strong. The only thing you must know is that your best friend is your weapon, no other is worth trust. You think you have friends, but are you sure that they won't stub you, the time you turn your back to them? Remember, the Purpose – this is what you serve, and if to reach it you must kill, don't hesitate to do it!" His voice was loud and clear, so that it reached not only the ears, but the very souls of those who listened. But only a little girl spotted the shadow passed by and stopped in the dark. That was the one in dark-blue robes, the one, whom even the Teacher feared…

The end of the flashback

Another morning had come and another long day was straight ahead. Gandalf led the Fellowship to where over the horizon the mountains were seen, Caradhras. He was followed by Legolas and Aragorn, who were talking with animation, then the group of hobbits and Aurelia – those discussed their weaknesses for different dishes, then Boromir, Gimli and the last – Delawien, silent as ever.

She wanted to forget that painful memory, she saw in a dream last night. Those never-ending memories of her past made her damned weak. She didn't want to be that. It all took place so long ago, it was like another, someone else's life, but now it hit her with full strength again. No, she couldn't give in! She knew that as soon as she'll leave her home, she would loose the oblivion she was given by her Lord. It's a test, he told her. If so, I should go through it, gritting my teeth, but holding my head high! I would never be the one I used to be! Never!

Aragorn sighed. He had shared his suspicions with his friend: he didn't trust Delawien Swett. He felt she knew something, something important, something about them, and it nagged him. Moreover, one shouldn't be a genius to notice that she avoided him and Gandalf. Every time she spoke to him, he sensed her obvious reluctance not only to speak, but to be around him. What was the reason for such behavior? And her strange reaction, when she found out who he really was? Gandalf seemed to be oblivious to all these facts, so Aragorn had nothing else to do, but to pour out all his apprehensions.

"So, you think, she's Sauron's or Saruman's spy?" Asked Legolas eventually.

"I should have said it in other words, but generally, yes. I'm afraid she'll betray us in some way."

"But…don't you think Gandalf would have known?"

"Yes, Gandalf…Legolas, I don't know what are his reasons, but don't want to share any information with us. I just can't put up with it and wait helplessly till it's too late." Legolas nodded in affirmation.

"Estel, do you think she knows…about the Ring?" He asked looking in his friends searchingly.

"That's a good question, Legolas. If she is a spy, she certainly knows." Legolas frowned slightly.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Talk to her, my friend. It's high time she exposed herself," and not waiting for the elf to object, he started towards the end of the line.

She would have felt him coming close, even if he was invisible and didn't make a sound. He had that special air of authority around himself. She loathed him. Him and all his family! But most she hated Isildur! That coward called hero! Delawien felt anger rising inside, anger that restrained all other feelings. But her self-control was remarkable, as her face remained cool and calm.

Aragorn knew she had noticed him, but made no sign as she went straight on, looking ahead.

"You didn't enjoy our company much, do you?" He asked looking at her attentively. She didn't answer, didn't even looked at him. "Stop that pretending, Delawien. Why are you avoiding us, why do you avoid me and Gandalf?" His voice was stern now. Della turned abruptly, her eyes glaring into his.

"What's your problem? Who do you think you are? Are you so arrogant and conceited to think everybody should like you? Unfortunately, I'm not like the others," she snapped belligerently.

"Oh, yes, of that I'm sure, my lady," he said bitter. "Who are you?" He demanded.

"I've told you my name, what else do you want?" She retorted, her voice rising.

"You know what I mean perfectly well. Who are you?" Aragorn began to loose his temper.

"None of your damned business!" Came a sharp reply. Della ran out of her patience. For many years she hadn't been that mad. Giving way to her emotions was a big mistake, as uncontrolled words now formed themselves into a compromising speech.

"You think you're such a hero on a great mission, but the truth is, you're just a marionette in a big game, ruled by powerful man. You think, the fate of the Ring is in your hands, but in reality, it has its own will and it's going back to Mordor to its muster!" She screamed. Della was about to leave, but Aragorn's hard hand grasped her arm tightly and he jerked her back, thus they stood face to face. As he spoke his voice was a mixture of emotions he hadn't will and didn't want to hide.

"So, that is it, lady. The enemy is exposed. Tell me how is it to be a spy of the darkness?" He uttered through gritted teeth. To his great surprise, Della burst out laughing, though it was insincere laughter.

"Sauron's spy? That is what you think I am? Do you think I'll fall so low as to be his spy? He who…never-ever cared of anything except his power and might! NO! I may be not a saint, but my values are above his interests!" Her words were fierce, but there was also bitterness in her eyes. She surely knew more then she told.

"If you're not his spy, how did you know about the Ring?" Aragorn squeezed her arm painfully.

"Let me go!" She winced and then hissed passionately. "I am a man of free will, I'm neither your servant nor your slave, I should explain you nothing. Believe me or not, I'm not interested in the Ring. It's of no value to me, as I know about its power too well. And even if I needed, I'd get it and this stupid Fellowship would not stop me!" With these words she yanked her arm from his grasp and walked away swiftly.