Chapter 8: Willow's POV
Two days passed with only little rest, Frodo was getting worse, as was I. On the third day of running, if that's what you could call it in my case, Aragorn decided we needed a rest. Aragorn sat Frodo down and I held him close trying to comfort him. Sam and Aragorn went to look for a plant which could supposedly help slow the poison down. Pippin was crying and Merry was trying to offer comfort.
'Frodo is strong,' I told the hobbits, and I hoped I could be as strong.
I could not understand how I had not yet dropped dead from the amount of blood pouring out of my body. I heard someone approach, and started talking in the same beautiful language I now knew as Elvish.
'She's an elf,' Merry said.
'He's not going to last.'
'Arwen, save him.' I said, recognising the Elf. Aragorn and Sam came back moments later. Aragorn and Arwen had a moment to chat before pulling Frodo up on the horse, I watched as Arwen galloped off.
'Do not fear Sam, Frodo is in safe hands,' I said as pain overcame my senses.
I had been drawing hope, strength and determination from Frodo but he was now gone and safe and I was here, left abounded once again. The thought shattered my insides more than the pain in my leg.
'Willow is right, rest tonight we will continue at first light,' I sat down and the Hobbits feel asleep straight away.
Aragorn turned to me, his eyes lingered on my face as he looked at my body, and he kneeled down and grabbed my leg and sighed. He said nothing as he worked on my leg, using water to clean the wound, and some plant which he made into a paste. He massaged it into my leg not as carefully nor as gentle as he had before. Tears swam in my eyes as I whimpered in pain wanting nothing more than to cry out loud, but the Hobbits were asleep.
Aragon asked me angrily, 'why did you not tell me you were injured?' he placed his hand under my chin so I had no choice but to stare right back at him.
'Frodo was your number one propriety,' I replied sternly.
'You are also important and your health is important. You will do us no favours if you drop dead, the Hobbits are already scared and have become attached to you.' I could tell he was mad, but I honestly did not understand why it mattered if I lived or died. I was nobody, and it would teach the Hobbits a lesson to not get attached to those they travel with.
'Drink this bark tea, it will numb the pain, do not drink it all as it needs to last for the next two days at least. Sleep now little one, and you are worth a lot more than you give yourself credit for.'
'I am not little, they are,' he just laughed.
The dreams came back and Aragorn held his hand to my mouth but comforted me at the same time, it was nearing morning anyway. We continued at first light Sam eager to get to Rivendell. That was when I started to lag behind; I did it in a way which Aragorn would not be able to notice, by the end of the day I had completely lost them. They would not bother coming back to find me they had more pressing matters at hand. I sighed, and started walking and thinking about a way home, not that there was much for me back at home but it was home after all.
'Running away will not solve anything you do know that right?' startled I looked around for the source of the voice but saw no one, maybe it was my subconscious, I head a light magical laugh, and looked around once again.
'I know who you are Lady Willow, I know of your past, I know your fears. I also know that running away from your fears will only make you more fearful. I am Lady Galadriel, you said no one would bother trying to find you, I must inform you how very wrong you are.' It is official I am insane.
I climbed a tree taking in the stunning view the slight warm breeze brushed which brushed against my skin. My long black hair danced in the wind with the sound of birds happily singing away. It was a perfect peaceful moment, if I had been home before the war I would have happily started singing along with the birds. The afternoon wore on as I contemplated what to do in this unique situation.
'Go back to Rivendell, you are needed there,' startled fell out the tree landing not too softly in a heap on the ground. I was once again hearing voices. I decided to keep on walking.
A few hours had past and I came across a fire, ducking out of view I sat, watched and waited to figure out my next plan of action. I caught a few words, 'We will reach Rivendell early afternoon if we leave in the morning.' The older looking man informed to the younger man, who nodded.