Chapter 13
I do not own LotR in any way.
They traveled on the river for a few days.
Lirilla sat behind Legolas.
Most of the time, she lay up against the side of the boat and let her fingers trail across the water.
It reminded Legolas of the time he saved her in the Mirkwood forest.
They only stopped for rest when Aragorn felt they were safe.
Lirilla and Legolas, the only two on this journey who had extra sensitive ears and eye-sight could hear the Uruks running and growling.
One night, Aragorn decided to stop.
Legolas set up Lirilla's bed. He layed behind her. He watched over her as she slept as he had done when she was an elfling. He listened to Aragorn and Boromir's conversation.
"Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria", Aragorn said, "I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he is too clever a waterman".
"And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous", Boromir said, "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that. From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength".
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us", Aragorn said.
"You were quick enough to trust the Elves", Boromir argued, "Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that". Boromir grabbed Aragorn and yelled, "You are afraid!"
Lirilla stirred in her sleep and Legolas hoped they would not wake the sleeping elleth.
"All your life, you have hidden in the shadows", Boromir said, "Scared of who you are, of what you are".
Aragorn shrugged Boromir off and hissed, "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city". Aragorn sat beside Lirilla and Legolas. "Is she asleep?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas nodded.
In the middle of the night, Lirilla turned and took one of Legolas' braids in her hand.
Legolas smiled when he woke up the next morning.
This was something he could get used to.
A few days later, they reached the Argonath.
Aragorn had told Lirilla about it, but had never seen it.
So she knew that Aragorn was probably very happy to see the stone statues.
After a few more days they reached the Falls of Rauros.
They pulled up onto the bank and Legolas helped her out of the boat.
Lirilla was relieved to finally be on dry ground.
"We cross the lake at nightfall", Aragorn said, "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North".
"Oh, yes?" Gimli asked, "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better. Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see".
"That is our road", Aragorn said, "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf".
Legolas, who had been staring off into the forest, walked over to Aragorn. "We should leave now", Legolas said.
"No", Aragorn argued, "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness".
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me", Legolas said, "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it".
"Legolas is right. I can feel it too", Lirilla said.
Aragorn looked at them and said, "We leave tonight".
Merry looked around and asked, "Where's Frodo?"
Aragorn looked around and discovered Boromir was gone as well. Aragorn went off in search of them.
Lirilla turned to Legolas. "Everything will be fine. Aragorn has always protected me. He knows what he's doing", she told him.
Legolas placed his hands on her temples and kissed her forehead.
About an hour later, Legolas and Lirilla could hear the growling of the Uruks.
"Aragorn", Lirilla breathed.
They followed the sounds of the battle with Gimli following on their heels.
Lirilla, Legolas, and Gimli arrived on the scene and began killing the Uruks.
"Aragorn, go!" Legolas yelled, "Lirilla, go with him".
"What?" she asked, firing an arrow.
"Go with him", Legolas said.
Lirilla fought her way to Legolas. She grabbed his head and kissed him. "I love you", she whispered to him in elvish.
Legolas smiled and said, "I love you too".
Lirilla kissed him one last time and ran after Aragorn.
She felt on top of the world.