Chapter 3
I do not own LotR in any way.
Lirilla, Aragorn, and the Halflings, along with their pony Bill, set out early the next morning, before sunrise.
"Where are you taking us?" Frodo asked.
"Into the wild", Aragorn said.
"How do we know these people, Strider and Lyric, are friends of Gandalf?" Lirilla heard Merry ask Frodo.
"I think servants of the enemy would look fairer…and feel fouler", Frodo answered.
"He's foul enough", Merry said.
Lirilla turned and glared at the young hobbit, but Aragorn grabbed her arm and dragged her along.
"We have no choice but to trust him", Frodo said.
"But where is he leading us?" Sam asked.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee. To the house of Elrond", Aragorn said.
"Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see the Elves", Sam said.
Lirilla turned to Aragorn. "Rivendell?" she asked him quietly in elvish, "Are you forgetting that Elrond is married to my sister Celebrían?"
"No", he answered.
"When he sees me, he's going to send me right back to Lothlórien", she said, "Plus, I haven't seen him since my sister sailed into the West".
Aragorn put his hand on her shoulder and said, "Do not worry".
The next day, they trudged through the Midgewater Marshes.
Lirilla thought it was the most disgusting thing she'd ever been through. She heard a splash. She turned and saw Pippin face-down in the water. She went over to him and picked him up.
He looked up at her and blushed.
Lirilla just smiled at the young hobbit.
Later that night, they camped on the outer side of the marshes.
Lirilla watched the hobbits as Aragorn went hunting. She let out her braids and started to brush her hair.
It was then that Sam noticed her ears.
"You're an elf!" he exclaimed.
Lirilla giggled and said, "Yes. I am".
"Pardon me miss", Sam said, "I didn't notice".
Lirilla just shook her head and continued to brush her hair.
Aragorn came back later with a deer, no doubt shot with his bow and arrows. He skinned it and gutted it and Sam helped cooked.
All the hobbits had settled into bed except Frodo. He woke up when he heard soft singing.
It was Aragorn and Lirilla. Lirilla sat beside Aragorn braiding her hair.
"Who is she?" Frodo asked.
Aragorn and Lirilla turned to Frodo.
"This woman you sing of", he said.
"'Tis the lady of Lúthien", Aragorn answered, "The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal".
"What happened to her?" Frodo asked.
"She died. Get some sleep Frodo", Aragorn said.
Frodo layed down and went back to sleep.
Aragorn looked up at the stars as Lirilla laid her head on his shoulder.
They journeyed the next day until they reached Weathertop.
"This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We shall rest here tonight", Aragorn said.
They climbed until they reached the small cave.
Aragorn looked across the plain as the hobbits sat down. He pulled out a set of blades. "These are for you. Keep them close", Aragorn said, "I'm going to have a look around. Lirilla, stay here". Aragorn left and Merry, Pippin, and Sam were making food.
Frodo woke up and walked over to them. He put out the fire and Lirilla heard the Ringwraiths screeching.
Fear began to grow in her.
The hobbits raced up the stairs to the top.
Lirilla let out a shrill whistle.
Aragorn was beside her in a few minutes. "Where are they?" he asked.
"Up", was all she could say.
Aragorn ran up the stairs and Lirilla followed him.
She heard Frodo cry out in pain. She rushed over to him. "Stay with me", she said.
"Frodo!" Sam yelled rushing to his side, "Frodo".
"Oh Sam", Frodo said.
Lirilla soothingly brushed his hair back in an effort to calm him.
Merry and Pippin soon joined them.
"Strider!" Sam yelled, "Help him Strider".
"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade", Aragorn said, "This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine".
Everyone looked at Lirilla.
"I didn't pack any", she answered.
Aragorn picked Frodo up and they headed quickly for Rivendell.
They ran through Trollshaw forest.
"Hurry!" Aragorn yelled.
"We're six days from Rivendell! He'll never make it!" Sam argued.
"Hold on, Frodo", Aragorn begged.
"Can't you help him?" Pippin asked.
"I am not skilled in the ways of healing", she told him sadly, "He will be okay".
They stopped and set Frodo down on the ground.
"Mr. Frodo? He's going cold", Sam said feeling his forehead.
"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked.
"He's passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon become a Wraith like them", Aragorn said.
They suddenly heard the Ringwraiths screeching.
"They're close", Merry said.
"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?" Aragorn asked.
"Athelas?" Sam asked.
"Kingsfoil", Aragorn explained.
"Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed", Sam said.
"It may help to slow the poisoning", Aragorn said, "Hurry!"
Moments later, Lirilla's niece Arwen came through the trees with Aragorn.
"Frodo. I am Arwen. I've come to help you. Hear my voice…come back to the light", she spoke to him in elvish.
"Who is she?" Merry asked.
"She's an elf", Sam said.
"My niece", Lirilla said.
"Your niece?" Pippin asked.
"The daughter of Elrond and my sister", Lirilla explained.
Aragorn picked Frodo up and carried him to Arwen's horse.
"Where are you taking him?" Merry asked.
"Do not worry. Frodo is safe with her", Lirilla said.
Arwen and Aragorn began speaking in elvish to each other.
"What are they saying?" Pippin asked.
Arwen got on her horse and took off.
"They'll be fine. You'll see", Lirilla told the hobbits.