Aragorn woke up before dawn, as was his routine. He looked and saw that his hostess was still asleep. She was breathing softly and her eyes were closed. She looked peaceful and beautiful when she was asleep like she didn't have any cares in the world. He felt something stir in his breast but he ignored it and slipped out of the room of the warrior woman, Adreivia.
When he had left Adreivia's eyes flew open and went to the stirring blanket that acted as her door in the warmer months. She sat up and silently slipped on her soft boots and followed him out into the gathering light.
Aragorn left the town and made his way back to the camp where Elrond's sons were camped. He found them packing up camp.
When Elorohir saw him he laughed and nudged his brother, "I told you our Aragorn could take care of himself. Sit, Aragorn and tell us what had befallen you."
So Aragorn told them his tale but what he didn't know was that there was another listener to his story. Adreivia watched through the bushes as Aragorn told of his time with her. She couldn't help but feel anger towards this stranger she had helped. He had told her he was on his own but he was traveling with elves it looked like.
When Aragorn had finished Elladan, sitting across from where Adreivia was hiding, said, "I believe we have a visitor. Come out mistress."
Adreivia wondering how he could have known she was there when his eyes had been fixed on the fire right in front of him, came out of the bushes. Aragorn looked at her surprised.
"I thought you told me you were traveling alone," she said with a fire in her eyes.
"I was traveling alone when I went into your town."
"I'm sorry my dear but Aragorn probably didn't want to tell anyone who he was traveling with because of who we are," said Elorohir calmly.
"Well then who are you?"
Elorohir chuckled. "I like this girl," he said to himself. "I am Elorohir son of the great Lord Elrond and my brother here is Elladan." They each got up and bowed to her.
"Lord Elrond?" she said puzzled. She had never heard of a Lord Elrond before.
"Yes, the lord of Rivendell, home of the elves of the west side of the Misty Mountains."
"So what are you doing so far from Rivendell?" She at least knew where Rivendell was.
"We are helping Aragorn with his studies of Middle-earth and the only way to do that is to see her yourself."
Adreivia stood in thought for a moment before saying, "Take me with you."
"I'm not sure that would be so wise a choice Mistress Adreivia," said Elladan. "We might encounter some dangers that might scare you. And wandering around the lonely world is not a fitting occupation for someone of the gentler sex."
"Gentler sex!" cried Adreivia. "I'm not of the gentler sex in my village! I have seen more than most of the men of my settlement! Don't be talking to me about the gentler sex!"
"I believe what my brother meant was that the work of traveling the land with none but your own might not be to you best interest," said Elorohir.
"How so?" Adreivia crossed her arms in defiance.
"There's no telling what harm might befall you as a woman."
"But I'd be traveling with you and I can hold my own."
Elorohir sighed in defeat, but Aragorn interrupted, "But what about your village? You're there to protect them. Are you not?"
Adreivia stamped her foot in anger. "That is irrelevant. They should learn how to take care of themselves."
"And they'll learn by you just abandoning them?"
"I don't care about them! I can leave anytime I want!"
"Then how come you haven't left before?"
She went silent for a moment before whispering, "I never wanted to leave lest my brother came back. But now after four years I have little doubt he's coming back."
"What was the name of your brother mistress?" asked Elladan.
"He's called Cararyn."
The elf lords shook their heads saying they didn't know of him. Aragorn watched her and almost expected her to start crying, as normal woman would have at such a tender topic. But she kept herself restrained and her eyes became steely.
"I don't care what you say. I'm going with you. I want out of here and before I never had a real chance to leave so I'm going to take the only chance I've had."
Elorohir studied her a moment before saying, "Then you best get some provisions if you're coming with us. You might want to grab some extra clothes and cloaks too."
She gave a nod in understanding and almost expected her to start whopping and jumping in joy but she stood straight and serious but there was triumph and pleasure dancing in her eyes. She turned and left them to get her things. Elorohir and Elladan continued packing camp and when they were done they called Aragorn from his thoughts and started to leave.
"But I thought we were allowing her to join us," he protested.
Elorohir shook his head. "It'd be best if we left her other than losing her to some unknown danger."
Aragorn nodded his head rather reluctantly. He had been secretly looking forward to talking to someone other than the two elven lords. He let them lead but before leaving their camp he scratched an arrow in the direction they were heading with the tip of his boot hoping she'll be able to spot it and following them. As he followed his mentors he deliberately lagged behind so the woman warrior could catch up with them. He smiled at the adventures they could have but there was a peculiar stirring in his breast that he couldn't quite identify but just brushed it off not fully wanting to understand what it could mean.