Not ready here, but getting ready there

Merry had been pestering Gandalf all afternoon if we were camping for the night. Eventually Gandalf had told him. "We will ride for a few hours into the night, then stop and rest. We are attempting to get back to Edoras as soon as possible." But afterwards I could hear him mutter "Though the quicker we go the better. The eye of Barad-dur will be upon us, the less he knows the better."

I thoroughly agreed with him. I could feel the malice and hopelessness seep through my veins with every jolt my horses plodding steps sent through me. I think it was after effects of the ring. When it had actually been there I hadn't been overly tempted; I think the fact that I couldn't see it made me less drawn to its lustre and shininess, or whatever it looked like. I didn't really want to know either. But now that its presence had left and hope was failing around us, I felt the hold it had on me keener. You could use it, was the feeling that it left me with, t would have proven useful! Imagine being able to fly anywhere anytime- it would have been so much more useful… But no, Frodo had it now and it was to be destroyed. For the good of Middle Earth, and hopefully Frodo and Sam survived inevitable explosion when it was destroyed. I remembered going by mount Doom hearing the popping and cracks of the lava below, the feeling of absolute fear and impending doom…

I pushed the thoughts away as we arrived at a glen to camp. I had been taking sporadic sips from the Ent draught, and decided to take another. I wasn't sure if it was healing my wounds but I certainly felt alive and refreshed. I had been months since I had last had the stuff, and now I wasn't sure how I went without it for this long. Whenever I had gotten low I had just visited Fangorn forest- and usually I only drunk a few sips a week anyway. Already my water skin was at least a quarter empty.

We began to disembark horses now and set up camp. Most decided to set up bedrolls straight away, but I decided to get a fire going. After collecting a few logs from some guy who had brought some I stacked them in a pile and added some kindling. I felt around in my pouch of belongings, but there was no flint, only a whetstone. "Gimli," I called over my shoulder "do you have any flint?" There was a tired grunt and a small whistle sounded the throwing of a small rock. I held my hand up to catch it, only for it to graze my glovetips and clatter to the ground behind me. I snorted and waddled over to it. I had never been much good at catching. After using the flint to light a fire I sat against a tree with the rest of my companions. Merry and Pippin were already snuggling down into their blankets and discussed how long it had been since they had slept in a proper bed. Aragorn, Gandalf and Gimli were all sitting eating food and talking to the soldiers. Legolas had climbed into the bows of a tree and was singing softly to himself. It was quite sad and beautiful, but was almost drowned out by the chatter. No matter.

I sat and let my mind wander to things of no importance. What if you could touch the moon and still breathe, what if pigs could fly, what Beechbone was doing at the moment, nonsense things that took my mind off the serious matters. There seemed to be a lot of those around lately.

"Darke," Aragorn said, though I paid no attention. I was still imagining how a pig might possibly fly. "Darke" Aragorn said again more stern this time.

"Pigs!" I blurted out of my daze.

"I'm sorry?"

"Nothing."

Aragorn made a huffing noise. "I think I should look at that wound. Check how it's been healing and so forth." I nodded. "Sure." I went to a corner and sat while Aragorn got some clean bandages. I could smell a bit of blood on the current ones. I undid my sword belt and waited. There was no point in wasting time. Aragorn came back. "Lift up you shirt." I did so as far as was modest. He then unwrapped the bandages from around my midsection and lightly laid his hand on the scar. Prodded it a little. There was a bit of an ache but nothing unbearable. "How does it look?" I asked curious. "The scars themselves are ropy and pale but the skin around them is raw red. That should clear up within a day though. The stiches can be taken out in a day or two as well." He told me. I winced a little at the thought of stiches being removed. "Anyway," Aragorn continued "how is your breathing?"

I grimaced. "It's alright I suppose. I couldn't sprint or fly last time I checked, and it still twinges sometimes if I breathe deeply. But in most activities it is fine."

I think he nodded his head. "It's healing exceptionally fast. Faster than it was before. Have you had something done with it, or is it natural for you?"

"A combination. I usually heal quite fast, but I've had Ent draught. That's sped it up a lot I think."

"Alright then. I declare you are in good health, just lay off the sprints. I'm going to bed." He yawned and stretched, then ambled over to his bedroll. Several minutes snoring floated over, harmonising with Gimli's, Pippin's, many soldiers, and even Gandalf let out an occasional snuffle. 'Men' I thought to myself 'If they let down their dignity enough to sleep they don't even do it quietly.' When I did sleep I didn't snore. I think. Call me vain, but it's difficult to get a vain blind person.

There was a quiet rustle from the tree as Legolas climbed down. He leaned against the trunk and his breathing slowed as he drifted into the elves meditative state. I did my best to make my way through the maze, occasionally stepping on a cloak or bag. Stupid eyes, but then I could only blame myself. A snore louder than the rest rose up into the air. Then it sounded again, almost as loud. I was tempted to cover my ears, but it was stirring a few of the lighter sleepers. I made my way toward the noise, thinking of turning their head to the side or waking them up. The sound was unbearable, and could alert potential attackers.

I found myself standing by the source who was oblivious. Only to realise that it was none other than a certain elfin prince. Who knew? Elves can snore. He had slumped off the tree trunk, face to the stars from what I knew of snoring. I gently held his head and tried to turn it to the side. His didn't seem to notice until my glove-tip accidently brushed the tip of his ear. A shiver coursed through him, sitting him bolt upright reaching for his knives. "By Illuvatar.." "Shhuusshh" I hushed him softly. "Go back to sleep. You were snoring loud enough to wake the dead."

"I don't snore!" he whispered.

"You certainly do, and there's no denying it."

"I'm an elf. We don't snore."

"You do, just like every other race in Arda. Let down your pride."

He lay down and rolled on his side. "Better?"

"Hopefully." I replied dryly. I went to the outskirts of the camp, and minutes later I heard deep breathing drift up in the midst.

Two hours later I stood up and stretched. Nothing had happened, apart from one changing of the guard. Thankfully, our resident elf had not begun to snore again. I let out a sigh, arms flexed upwards. I needed to stretch my wings. 'How did I ever manage to keep them still for weeks on end?' I thought to myself. I wandered off out of the glen and away from the camp. As my ritual went, I listened for watchers (there were none, save a shrew or mouse) then took off my cloak and hood leaving them on the ground. A cool night breeze blew, infusing my feathers as my wings fanned out. It was invigorating. I stood for a few moments enjoying the wind before I slowly began to flap them back and forward. Stretched them around, rotated my shoulders, arched my back as far as it would go, and others stretch's. I wanted to make sure that I was in good condition before I flew. The 'incident' before was not pleasant. I took a fairly deep breath. Hardly a twinge. I thought I was in good enough condition to fly.

I spread my wings out fully, angling them almost parallel to the ground. The breeze caught them lifting me upon my toes. I re-angled my wings and I rose a little higher, just a few centimetre's from the grass. The breeze bore me, leaving me to hover in the air without effort. I felt free, freer than I had in a long time. Despite all that was falling around us, I seemed to be connecting. My heart and mind had reconnected with people, and the Ent draught seemed to be working. But something about myself niggled at me, something wanting to be removed. Slowly I brought my hands to my face and removed the bond around it. My sightless eyes fluttered open and my face no longer felt stuffy. I blinked away the heaviness and let the wind tickle my eyelids. It had been a long time. I gave a genuine smile, wings lifting a bit in elation. What was coming over me lately? Then pain shot down my side and a gasp of breath fell from my lips.

Obviously I was not ready to fly yet. I scrambled off my knees just as I heard soft footsteps make their way towards me. I swept up my cloak and put it around my neck, then closed my eyes. I then realised it was Legolas as he put a hand on my arm, so swept up as I had been in my joy and shock. "Are you alright?" he whispered. "Yes," I replied and lifting his arm off. A soft tingle was left in its place, and I instantly regretted it. But why? A question for later. "What are you doing awake? I told you to sleep, you'll probably need it."

"I couldn't."

"Nightmares again?" I asked, remembering just after Lothlorien. I bent down, patting the ground for my eye strip.

"Possibly." The elf replied, handing me the ribbon. I tied it around my head, taking care for it not to come undone.

"Possibly is as good as a yes."

"That's almost true."

I raised an eyebrow. "Almost?" He didn't reply. There was no need to. We silently decided to go back to the camp. Just as we prepared to part ways, I decided to say something to him "If you want to talk about them, you can. Just don't get overly mushy on me, I am no good at comforting." I tried to lighten the mood a little.

"I know I can." He said walking away "but sometimes it can be too hard to talk about." Unfortunately that was the truth of the world. I knew how he felt. But his light touch was still tingling, and an unfamiliar emotion stirred in the depths of my stomach. But even if I gave my life, I don't think I could figure it out.


We began to ride at early morning, and nothing of event happened until around midday. The horse arrangements were the same as before, and by now by but was ready to fall off. Around midday though I heard the sound of hooves, maybe 30 horses just a few miles away. The smell was faint on the breeze, which had continued through the night and into the morning. After a few seconds of concentrated listening I could hear that one rider had come away from the group and was riding toward us. I rode towards Gandalf to tell him, having finally figured out how to steer the horse. A bit. He took heed of my word, but did not pass the message onto the king.

Mutters went around the men as the lone rider came into view. At 50 odd metres off Eomer cried "Halt! Who rides in Rohan?"

"Rohan you say?" Rang a clear male voice. "That is good. We have come here from afar."

"Well you have found it." Said Eomer warily. "But none ride here without the leave of Theoden King. Who are you, and why your haste?"

"I am Halbarad, Dunadan ranger of the north." The man cried. I had never heard of him before, though the Dunadan were a small population these days. "We seek Aragorn son of Arathorn, and we heard he was in Rohan."

To my mild surprise Aragorn got off his horse to run and embrace the newcomer. "Halbarad! Of all the people who I least expected!" I heard Merry breathe a sigh of relief. "All is well!" Aragorn told us. "These are my kin from the north. But why, how and how many?" He addressed Halbarad.

"I have 30 with me." He said "But Elladan and Elrohir have also come. We came as soon as your summon came."

"I gave no summon." Said Aragorn. This was followed by some confusion, but they all concluded it was for the better. The king gave his consent for the rangers to join us and we were off again. Aragorn rode with his kin for a while, getting news from the north and south. I pricked up my ears (figuratively) when I heard mention of Elrond. "I bring word from father" Elrohir told Aragorn "The days are short. If your are in haste, remember the paths of the dead." There was also word form Arwen, and that sent him silent and pensive for a while.

It was nearing dusk when we arrived at Helms Deep, and Gimli and Legolas were explaining things to Merry and Pippin. "There was a battle here some nights ago" Gimli said "and here Legolas and I played a little game where I won by just 1 orc! And there are caves, wonderful caves Merry! Shall we visit them Legolas?"

"No." he said bluntly. "There is no time, and we have already promised you that we will come here when this is done. And if you mention caves one more time, I will stick you with an arrow." Gimli wisely changed the topic.

"Strange folk these newcomers." He said. "They make the riders of Rohan look like boys with their grim faces and silence."

"Their silence doesn't put me at ease" I told him "but these men can be trusted."

"Why have they come?" Merry asked . "They answered summons, as you heard." Replied Gimli. "I believe Gandalf may have sent it."

"No, Galadriel." Legolas objected "Didn't she speak to Gandalf when he was reborn?"

Gimli exclaimed "There you have it! The lady of the wood. She read many a hearts desire. Now why don't we wish for some of our own kinsfolk?" Merry and Pippin let out simultaneous snorts. "Fat chance."

But Legolas sounded troubled. "I do not think any would come. They don't need to ride to war- war is already upon our own lands."

We sat in silence for a while, when I heard Eowyn come down a hallway and into the chamber all the companies sat. "Darke!" She called as I felt her gaze lock on me "come with me." Glad for something to do I got up and followed her.

There were preparations for a great feast going on to welcome back the king and celebrate victory. Eowyn seemed to be taking me past the womens dressing rooms. There seemed to be a great deal of rustling dresses and creaks of corsets. "I thought you might want to get ready for the feast" she told me "You obviously don't carry much around with you, so I thought I would find you something to get dressed up in." I was astounded at her kindness and shocked at the thought of getting 'dressed up.' I hoped that it didn't involve a real dress. "Thank-you" I just decided to state. "I don't really get 'dressed up' much as you put it." That was a lie. I had never gotten dressed up. "All the more you can enjoy it then!" She said. "Personally I don't see the point either, but we bow to the whims of society."

"Agreed."

We walked a few more meters, then turned into an empty room. "I thought you would prefer not to be in the communal one." She told me. I nodded in agreement. "How about you get a start on your hair? There's a brush on the table. I'll go find something for you to wear."

"Thanks." She left the room, and I felt on the table for the hairbrush. There it was, among some pins. I flicked back my hood and unbound my hair. I was surprised to find how long it was. Usually it just brushed my shoulders, but now my hair was just beneath. I would need to cut it soon. I took off my eye-band and began to brush, detangling the many knots until it lay flat as it would ever go. It felt silky, strange as it usually had the texture of straw. It must be the brush, which was far superior to my broken comb. Just as I retied my eye-strip Eowyn knocked and walked in. "I couldn't find any dresses" she told me as I let out a silent sigh of relief "there don't seem to be any for your stature." Well I was 6 foot four. "I managed to find you a formal jerkin (long sleeved tunic) and a nice belt though. She handed the items to me. "I'll wait outside, and you can show me when you're done."

She left me alone with the clothes, when I came across a problem. There were no wing slits in the borrowed jerkin. I thought quickly. "Is it alright if I alter this slightly?' I asked Eowyn through the door. There was a pause then answer "Sure. It was an old one of Theodred's, it can't really be worn much more."

That issue solved, I undressed and redressed as quickly as possible straightening out the jerkin. I could feel embroidery at the sleeves and hem, though it was too low cut for my liking. Which wasn't saying much, as I don't like anything that shows past the base of my neck. But despite this, I liked it. The sleeves were wider than I was used to. It fell to just above my knees and after taking off my gloves, I think it was a dark orange. I put the belt around my waist, a wide thing with etching on it and a simple clasp. I opened the door and stood before Eowyn. "What do I look like?"

I felt her eyes run me over, once, twice. Then came the verdict. "It suits you. I would get rid of the gloves, they don't go with the red, but it fits your figure" Oops, red not orange, but what did colours matter to the blind? I released breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. I didn't care much for looks, but I didn't want to look like an idiot. She bustled me into the room and began to straighten it out, arranged my hair behind my ears and my cloak on my shoulders. "Don't you want to take it off?"

"No thank-you."

"Why, got something to hide?" She teased good naturedly.

"Yes." I drew the cloak off one shoulder and wiggled my wing a little. "Surprise?"

It was awkward, but I didn't know what else to do. Most of Edoras had probably heard of me anyway, just mistaken my gender. "That was you."

"Yes."

"You basically saved the day, did you know? You slowed down the orcs so the men could stand the numbers."

"Thank-you." I couldn't help but notice the small jealousy that made its way into her voice. She had wanted to fight, could fight, but she hadn't. "One day I hope you will fight alongside me." I told her trying to cheer her mood.

"The king would never allow it."

"Then I'll help you train until he does." I replied, giving her my wry smile. I was ready.

We stood in the great hall with goblets, facing the king. The merry making was already in full swing, with Dunadan and Eorlingas mingling all around. Somebody had already brought out a wine casket. In the crowd I had not yet managed to find my companions. I had only just arrived, to have a goblet forced in my hand and the king making a short speech. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood for victory! Hail the victorious dead!" A resounding "Hail!" erupted from the people and we all took a gulp of the drink. I took a sip and narrowly avoided spitting it back out onto the person in front of me. Whatever it was, it was disgusting. I listened for the familiar sound of my friends voices above the crowd, hearing the hobbits singing already. I made my way to the sound knowing the others wouldn't be far away. I found myself between Gandalf and Legolas. "You can search far and wide, you can drink the whole town dry.." sang Merry and Pippin, evidently having already found the beer. A clatter fell off the table from- a foot? "Are they dancing on the table?" I asked no-one in particular. There was a unified yes. Some people began to clap along, and two or three couple began to frollick around. I think they were dancing. A whole parade of people joined in, and to my surprise even Aragorn and Gimli decided to mess around and link arms. Gandalf laughed at the antics. I tried to figure out the pattern of the dancing.

"Care to dance?" Legolas suggested to me, bemused. "I don't know how." I replied, feeling slightly disappointed for unbeknownst reasons. "Come, I'll show you." He replied back, grabbing hold of my arm. Before I figured out what was happening he had pulled me out into the midst. He clasped my hands in his, and began to step forward and back. 'This isn't so hard' I thought to myself, instantly regretting it when there was an unexpected turn. Our proximity felt strange. I had never danced before, and had certainly never been this close to a person. It was a unique experience, but I liked the way his hand fitted into mine. The strange sensation that had been in the pit of my stomach lately rose again. I stepped about, not getting any steps but somehow managing the turns. We came closer together, and I could feel the heat of his body more than usual. His heart rate was faster too, I noticed. No matter. I was spun onto another partner, who happened to be Gimli. I stepped around some more, noticing the drop in gracefulness. Once again I didn't get any steps, and couldn't turn because of the height difference but it was enjoyable. Apart from the several hasty apologies after I stepped on peoples feet. "Watch it elf!" Pffft. Elf. For the last time Rohan, just because I have pointy ears doesn't mean I'm an elf.


A/N- Sorry about it being slightly late, I had tests. This was originally going to be longer, but I thought it was getting too long so I have split it into 2. So that explains the horrid chapter.

Onto serious matters, you may have heard of the earthquakes in Nepal. Please send prayers, wishes ect. to them as they need all the luck they can get!

As per always, thanks and FFR