Chapter 17

I went and sat down with Frodo, for some amazing, strange reason, whenever I was close to him I felt hope. He looked as lost as I felt.

'Frodo what is troubling your mind?' I asked gently.

'I would not bother a fair lady of my troubles, for I would not want to scare you away.' He replied his blue eyes holding a deep fear.

I smiled at him, 'I can assure you my friend that this fair lady will not run away in fear. Between you and me though don't spill out your feelings to Gimli for I fear he would be the one to run away. Talking may help.'

He sighed, ' Its Gandalf and his riddles. I am trying to make sense of them, I fear the creature which is following us. I wish I were back at home with my friends. I am grateful that you are here with me. Don't tell anyone else this but I draw my strength from you. Sometimes you just need one to believe in you. I believe that you are here for a reason. If you were meant to be somewhere else do you not think you would be there rather than here?'

'Have you been taking lessons from Gandalf?' I laughed and soon he laughed, our heavy hearts were lightened for a moment. It felt both right and wrong to share a happy moment with a friend. I walked away leaving Frodo to chat with Sam, Merry and Pippin. I was no longer needed there.

'Shall we talk now?' Aragorn asked, but it wasn't a question. Why was this man so annoying and yet how does he always know when to talk to me? But before I could refuse him Gandalf had done so on my behalf.

'Ah it is this way, the air does not smell as foul, when in doubt follow your nose.' I quickly went to follow but Aragorn held me back.

'Walk with me.' But there was no time to chat as soon as we got going we had entered the most amazing place ever.

'The Dwarven kingdom.' Gimli yet out a small yell and ran towards a room. We followed. Before even entering I could smell death. Before I knew what I was doing I grabbed Aragorn's hand, he did not pull away. Gandalf had started reading a book which to be honest I thought was a little odd and I was about to say, 'Hey would you mind reading at a later date you know when we are not around skeletons.' But I kept my mouth closed. He read out loud but I could not listen I was back in that shed with the lady hiding me from the enemy as they killed every person in that dark shed. Aragorn wrapped his arm around me, which was a good thing because I felt myself swaying.

'We must leave this place now.' No one took a second glace as we followed Gandalf's orders. A loud noise stopped us. I turned and found Pippin looking down with guilt written over his face. I had no time to tell the hobbit that it was ok for Gandalf had started scolding him. It became clear that creatures in the deep world had heard and were now running towards the room we were in. I looked to Aragorn and his expression said it all. The only way out is to fight.

'We need you Willow, this is no time for a suicidal mission.' Aragorn hissed. Me suicidal, was he insane. I might be living in hell but I had one last mission I needed to complete and that was the downfall of my enemies. So to hear Aragorn suggest that I was suicidal made me a little cross. Where was all this hatred coming from? But for now my hate would be going towards those who wanted us dead. Gandalf sorted the Hobbits out while I stuck close to Legolas.

'Don't drift to far from me. You are still not as skilled as we would like with a sword.' He was right about that. In a matter of moments little goblin like creatures came banging through the door. It took me a moment to come out of my shock but once I did I was fighting as best I could while using a sword. I used some of my own moves to kill them, but it was hard they had the upper end. But I held my ground. A cave troll came bashing in and headed straight towards the Hobbits. I did possibly a very stupid thing.

Taking a run up, I jumped onto a stand then leapt onto the trolls back and dug my sward into its skull. This distracted it long enough for the Hobbits to run away. Pulling my sword out I flipped myself off landing on my feet. It was still standing and then it saw Frodo. I tried my best but was flung away hitting a wall I felt blood pore down my face my world went dizzy as I watched the troll push Aragorn aside and stab Frodo. I closed my eyes, people were talking but I could not make out words or who the voices belonged to. Someone was trying to wake me up from my daze,

'No, don't wanna. Leave me.' I muttered. I was surprised to find myself standing. Being supported by Legolas.

'We will have to wait to heal her. Legolas stay with her.'

'Willow I know you want to sleep but not just yet ok. Hold on for a little longer.' The rest was such a blur I remember pain, and fire. Someone screamed and light we were out. I had nothing else to give. I was completely empty.

'Legolas are you right to carry Willow?' I heard Aragorn ask.

'Yes, she is light.'

'Gimli, Boromir get the Hobbits up. We must leave now.'

'Give them a moment for pity sake.'

'I cannot. By nightfall these mountains will be covered with orcs, we must make it to Lothlorien.' What had happened, I was confused. Where was all this blood coming from? Why was I in so much pain? Before I knew what was happening I was swept into Legolas's arms. I blacked out at times but was rudely awoken by Aragorn yelling at me. I heard people talking we had stopped, finally I thought as I closed my eyes.

'I am sorry mellon, but you cannot rest yet. Open your eyes little one.' I did but only to glare at the one who refused me sleep. A little while later I felt myself being placed on a bed, where I slept. Even in pain my dreams haunted me.

'Aragorn,' I called out in the night, I never in my life felt such pain and sorrow. It felt as if someone was ripping my heart out.

'mellon nîn I hear you.' He grabbed my hand, 'You are healing, and you have had a lot of blood loss.'

'Aragorn,' I repeated his name again and again breathlessly, scared that he would leave me. 'It hurts so much. Everything is dark, there is nothing just a dark room I'm alone. Anger so much anger and fear.'

'In that dark room I am also there waiting for you to come out. You need your rest, I will sing to you. I will not leave your side.' He pulled me onto his chest,

'Deep slow breaths pen tithen'

'What does that mean?'

'Would you like me to teach you Elvish when you are more rested?'

'Yes. But what does that word mean.'

'pen tithen means little one.'

'I am not little.' Aragorn laughed and I quickly said 'So you are not mad at me?'

'Mad why would I be mad at you? No I am not I was worried for you especially when you shut everyone out. It is not healthy. But you are tired. Close your eyes.' I did and soon I felt calm and sleepy, the song made no sense but it held love and comfort.

No one POV

Willow slept through the night. Thankfully the Lady of the woods accepted the broken fellowship. Aragorn knew his companions needed time to rest and recover from the shock of losing their leader. Aragorn too needed time to think and regain his strength for the task Gandalf has given him. He would do his best. Legolas feeling most at home felt the happiest and yet also the saddest. Frodo was yet to talk while the other three Hobbits cried themselves to sleep. Gimli was doing his best to comfort the Hobbits while Boromir had insisted to be alone. Aragorn could not blame him. The mournful song of Gandalf's lament still echoed throughout the trees of Lothlorien. To most Aragorn did not seem affected by the events which had taken past, but one could tell.

'Estel.' There was only one person in this group who would call Aragorn by that name for he was the only one known to it.

'Legolas.' Aragorn asked roughly. Legolas winced at the roughness of his voice and he knew Aragorn was doubting his ability to lead, he sought to be alone but alone he would not be.

'Do not waste your breath in sending me away. You seek to be alone, but I will not leave.' Legolas replied strongly. Aragorn sighed knowing that Legolas would not let his friend suffer.

'I do not know if I can do this. There is every chance I will fail. Gandalf did, I do not have his wisdom or his power.' Aragorn's voice was full of pain, Legolas had heard this before. It was not often Aragorn showed weakness but when he did Legolas was there to keep him going.

'Gandalf did not fail. He gave his life to us, he started us on this quest. As for the wisdom, you cannot compare yourself to others. You have your own strength and your own wisdom that has made you who you are today. Gandalf trusted you to lead this group. If he did not think you could do it then why would he have entrusted you with this task? More importantly I have faith in you.' Aragorn stayed silent for a long time, it seemed he would not speak again.

'I fear you have misplaced your faith.'

'I have not. I know this because we have fought side by side for many, many years. I have seen what you are capable of. And though you doubt yourself it is hard to lose the courage and strength which has been a part of you for your whole life. Remember no matter what path you lead us down you will never walk it alone as long as I still walk this earth.' Legolas finally caught Aragorn's eyes, and waited patiently as his friend searched for his answers.

'I am very grateful for our friendship I should not doubt that I will be alone.' Aragorn had found comfort once again in his long term friendship.

'Come Aragorn, it is time for you to get some rest, for you have had a long day. I suspect Willow will need attending to tomorrow.'

'Ah yes Willow, what a strange girl that we have on our quest. How do we help her?'

'You are helping her. She has opened up to you.' With that said Aragorn settled down for the night getting a much needed rest, while Legolas sang softly to the Hobbits who were restless. Holding Frodo close he soon had all the Hobbits in a restful sleep. Legolas worried for his friend and for Willow. He knew she would turn away if Aragorn was not there for her. But for now they were safe from the outside world. And they would be for the next few days. Legolas decided it was a perfect time to enhance the Hobbits skills with a sword and also Willow's skills. But first they would rest.