Chapter 7
"No!" I bolt upright clawing at my neck and chest. Hands grab my wrist and I pull backwards trying to get away.
"Delilah! Delilah, you are safe. It was but a bad dream." Legolas' smooth voice replaces the whispers. I stop struggling and my eyes dart back and forth, searching his face. I try to control my panting by matching my breaths to his. My shoulders sag and I sit back a bit. A pained look passes his face and I look down at our hands. I try to lower mine and he lets me go easily but stays crouched in front of me.
"Do you wish to speak about it?" he asks gently. I almost agree but when I look up to answer I see his tired eyes, and I end up shaking my head.
"Why don't you try and sleep?" I offer. "I probably won't be able to sleep now anyway so I can watch for a few hours." I continue when I see him make to protest.
"Alright." He gives in and stands, taking off his bow and quiver of arrows.
I get up and move to a spot closer to the fire so he can lay in the bedroll already prepared. Once his legs are under the top blanket, he pulls the bow and quiver beside himself then lays down and gets comfortable.
"Losto vae." I say before looking back to the flames.
A particular flicker of yellow, orange, and red sends a shiver down my back but I don't look away. He's gone. It's quiet aside from some bird occasionally chirping in the trees further away from us. Something so normal sounds eerie and I pull my knees up to my chest, rest my chin on them, and wrap my arms around my legs.
I don't know how long I stay like that, maybe an hour, before I finally pull my eyes away to survey our surroundings. The moon is a small sliver in the sky so anything beyond the light of the fire is pretty dark. For the second time tonight, a shiver runs down my back and I find myself on top of a dirty black platform.
I sit up straighter as phantom arms wrap around my chest and neck. I squeeze my eyes tightly and take a few deeps breaths through my nose. The feeling doesn't leave so I bring my hands up to my collarbone. Nothing. There're no orcs here.
I force my shoulders to relax and look over to Legolas; his bow catches my attention. I move as quietly as I can over to it. There's no sound as I pick up the bow, but the arrows roll slightly when I grab the quiver. I freeze. My eyes flicker to his face and I think I'm caught.
His eyes are open but his gaze is unfocused on the stars. I wait. When he doesn't look over to me I slowly, quietly, stand up. He never looks to me so I finally break my stare and turn toward the tree we practiced on earlier. It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
I set up and release just like he taught me. The arrow embedding in the tree echoes through the night and I whip my head over my shoulder to watch Legolas. He remains asleep so I turn back to my task. Arrow after arrow stick in the tree. With each new contact the sound grows quieter and quieter until it's a dull thump in the background.
I jump and fumble the arrow when Legolas' hand covers mine and he lowers the bow. I meet his troubled gaze and tension I didn't realize was there releases from my hunched shoulders. I look back to the tree and notice the sky is that unique shade of blue that signals the sun is on its way up.
We pack up quietly and get on our way again. Legolas sits behind me on Arod and the gentle gallop we're doing makes it hard to keep my eyes open. I slouch and accidently make contact with his chest.
"Goheno nin." I mutter tiredly.
"It is alright. You may rest against me if you wish." I feel him move forward so he is mostly flush with me. I hesitate for a moment before fully leaning back. It's not long until the flat pathway and easy bouncing lulls me to sleep.
Arod slowing to a stop wakes me. I've slept most of the day but still don't feel rested; and I feel stiff. Legolas dismounts first then helps me as I awkwardly slide down. He ties Arod to a tree then returns to me.
"I figure we may stop here for today. Rain is coming and I'd like to be near trees for protection." I look at the mostly clear sky doubtfully, he smirks. "We could practice with the bow until then if you'd like." He offers.
"Yes please." I nod and move to face some trees away from Arod.
"Straighten your back." He corrects from my right. I straighten and let go. The arrow lands short and to the right of us. I sigh, retrieve the arrow, and set up again.
"Don't let your elbow fall." He reminds me for the 3rd time this afternoon. I make a show of lifting my elbow, but of course after I do the arrow lands pretty close to the centre. I can feel his smirk and roll my eyes on my way to retrieve the arrow. I can't help the small half smile though when my back is to him.
I'm just about to release another shot when a rain droplet lands on my bow arm. I look at the water, then to the sky, then to Legolas who is trying to hold back and cover another smirk with his fist. I roll my eyes while shaking my head this time and he lets out a chuckle. I give him an incredulous smile while handing him the bow back, then I head for the protected area he insisted we set up first.
I'm grateful he made us set up first. After the first few individual drops, it quickly started pouring and hasn't stopped since. Tied to the trees above us is a sheet of canvas Legolas had rolled on Arod's side that I hadn't noticed earlier. It's only just big enough for our bedrolls to be laid out beside each other. I lay facing the clearing while Legolas sits behind me. His fingers through my hair and the sound of the rain hitting the canvas pull me into a restless sleep.
"We should make it to the Shire today if we leave soon." He wakes me by rubbing my arm. The thought of food and being inside again spurs me to get moving. The rain has cleared, and the sun is shining but our stuff is slightly damp now. I don't let it bother me though as the thought of a bath enters my mind.
I'm behind Legolas today holding on for dear life as Arod races toward the hobbits' homes. When we finally get to a path we slow and I release my death grip on Legolas. He chuckles but I'm too busy looking ahead of us to care.
It's so strange and not at all what I expected. All the houses are short and built into the sides of hills. Every house has a different coloured round door with large stone pathways leading to them. Everything is very lush and green too. It's wonderful.
A few people stop and watch us as we arrive. A blanket of curiosity and excitement spread across the hobbits. Some hearing the commotion peak their heads out their doors, but Legolas ignores them and leads Arod toward a building standing on its own.
A hobbit rushes past us and into the wooden structure before us. Arod stops and I slide off first. Just as Legolas gracefully lands in front of me, 3 curly headed hobbits appear in the doorway.
"Legolas!" One of them calls and all 3 charge toward us and collide in a hug with Legolas' legs.
"My friends!" He says and places his hands on the backs of two of the hobbits. They really are short. I'd been told they were short of course but even I'm feeling tall at my 5'2''.
"How have you been Mister Legolas?" One asks as they step back and smile up at him. The interaction makes me smile. Legolas seems relaxed, almost child like, around them and it's nice to see.
"Who are you?" The one on Legolas' right peaks around to look at me. Legolas steps to my side and I give a shy smile.
"This is Delilah. She has been accompanying me for a while." Legolas introduces me. I'm momentarily disappointed that's the only thing he says but I don't have time to focus on it before he's speaking again. "This is Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took of the fellowship." Legolas motions at them in turn from left to right.
"You're very pretty Miss Delilah."
"Thank you, Samwise." I say trying to keep my blush down.
"You can call me Sam." He says.
"And you can call us Merry and Pippin!" Pippin adds on. I look to him but notice Merry looking between Legolas and I as I do.
"Alright, Sam, Merry, and Pippin it is then." I say smiling down at them. Still weird.
"Come, tell us what you've done since the ring!" Pippin says enthusiastically pulling Legolas toward where the hobbits had just come from.
"Come on Miss Delilah, join us." Sam offers his hand to me and I take it and follow him. Ahead of us Legolas ties the horse to a fence then follows Pippin inside. Merry follows them then Sam and I enter. Sam walks in front of me as if to clear a bath for me and it's sweet. I can tell I'm going to like him.
It's obvious now that we're in a bar, or tavern, I'm not really sure what it's called here. There're hobbits everywhere, the place is crowded but everyone is in a good mood. A few hobbits rush around delivering food or drinks, while others dance happily to the songs everyone sings.
We get to an empty table and Legolas and I sit on one side while Merry and Pippin sit on the other. Sam drops my hand and makes his way over to the bar to speak to a pretty lady. Her face flushes and they share a smile before she nods and turns to the taps. Sam returns with 3 mugs in one hand and 2 in the other. He places them all on the table then pushes one to me.
"That one there is mead Miss Delilah, it's sweeter tasting than our ale. I thought you might like it better." Sam says almost nervously.
"Thank you, that's very sweet of you Sam." I smile at him while the others take their mugs.
"So what have you been up to?" Pippin asks again.
Legolas talks about having spent some time with Gimli before meeting me, then moves on to talking about visiting Arwen and Aragorn. I add a few details here and there about our time in Arnor but mostly let Legolas do the talking since I'm not sure what he wants to share. He seems to be avoiding my arrival and unfortunate jewelry. I rub the palm of my left hand where the burn scar still lays.
"So how do you two know each other again? I don't remember you travelling with many Legolas." Merry questions. Legolas tenses slightly and I place my hand gently on the arm he has on the table. Our eyes meet and I give him my best 'are you okay?' look. His face softens and he gives me a small smile before turning back.
"We will retell that story later, in private. Tell us, how have you and the shire been?" He changes the subject and moves his gaze across the hobbits opposite us. The hobbits grow somber, but only momentarily, before launching into their story.
They tell us how Saruman and some of the orcs and goblins came in and took over and ruined the Shire. They didn't know until they got to a place called the Prancing Pony. Gandalf had assured them they could handle it then left apparently. They came out on top however, and they've done a wonderful job re-establishing everything it looks like. They say Frodo left for the Undying Lands not long after. While I'm sad I won't get to meet him, I understand. It sounds like that poor hobbit more than deserves some peace.
Time flies as we sit and talk for hours, just getting to know each other after getting past the initial catch up. Merry slowly but surely starts to open up after I tell him what I can about myself. He's still hesitant but he seems to be coming to the conclusion that if Legolas trusts me then so can he.
"Are you tired Guren?" Legolas asks me when I yawn. I nod.
"Where are you staying?" Merry asks.
"I am unsure yet." Legolas answers.
"You can stay with me." Pippin offers. "Sam's will be too crowded since Rosie's been staying there." He teases. "I don't have an extra room, but we can set up in the sitting room!"
"Only if it's no bother." I say.
"Of course not, come!" We all stand and make plans to go over the rest of our stories at… second breakfast. I'll have to remember to eat light if they have doubles of every meal.
Pippin leads us to his house and gives us a quick tour. The hobbit houses are quite fascinating, they seem to enjoy their circular doorways. When we reach the bathroom, I look longingly at the tub that sits against the far wall.
"Would you like a bath?" Pippin notices and asks. I hesitate. I'd love a bath, but I don't want to trouble him. I hear Legolas chuckle.
"She would, she does not wish to trouble you however." He says for me.
"It's no trouble at all!" He says and he and Legolas get to work warming water. I offer to help but instead Pippin points me to a closet holding extra blankets and pillows. I grab them and start moving them to the living room Pippin showed us earlier.
"It's ready." Pippin tells me from the doorway as I place the last of the blankets on his small grey couch.
"Oh thank you!" I say and hug him on my way to the bathroom. Legolas is just pouring the last of the water in when I enter.
"No veren." He says after putting the water jug down and passing by me.
"Hannon le." I say as he closes the door. I basically rip off the layers of my riding clothes in excitement.
The tub is a little small, but I don't care because the hot water is heavenly. Legolas got the temperature perfect. I sink as low as I can get while still breathing and let the hot water relax my overworked muscles. Once I calm from the excitement, I can hear Legolas and Pippin talking but their voices are muffled and I can't make out what they're saying.
I notice Legolas has laid out the soaps Arwen gave me and I give up trying to hear their conversation in favour of scrubbing myself clean. When the water finally cools, I reluctantly get out. Legolas, thoughtful as ever, left my bag on the table here. I look through and pull out the sleeping gown Arwen and Aragorn gave me.
I pause in surprise when I step into the living room. Across from the small fireplace, the couch is pushed back against the wall and in between the two are all the blankets and pillows I brought over. They've turned the floor into a good sized bed, that looks so much more comfortable than the ground.
Legolas sits with his legs crossed at the ankles and dangling over one arm rest of the '2 seater' couch while his back rests on the other. Pippin sits in a small lounge chair. I make myself comfortable on the floor with my back to the fire to try and mostly dry my hair. We talk some more until Pippin excuses himself to sleep.
I yawn and decide my hair is dry enough. Legolas watches amused as I clumsily crawl to the 'head of the bed'. I pull the blanket down and wiggle my way underneath until I'm comfortable. I'm so tired and don't even realize I've already closed my eyes when I hear shuffling and I have to force my eyes to open again to see what's going on.
I look up at the couch by my head and watch Legolas open a book. He's looking down at where it sits in his lap, and I can see his face; he hasn't noticed me yet so I continue to watch him. An orange glow of light from the fire flickers across the peaks and valets of his face. At a glance things are peaceful but upon looking closer I can see circles forming under his eyes. I didn't think that was possible.
"I really like it here." I break our quiet. "It's so peaceful and they all seem so happy." He closes the book and looks down at me with a small smile but doesn't say anything.
"It is. One of the most carefree places of Middle-Earth." He finally says to me.
"Then why do you look troubled." His face pulls into a frown. "I can tell you're still not sleeping." He doesn't respond. "Even after my nightmare the other day when I took watch you didn't sleep long." He looks like he's debating something, so I wait.
"I am afraid." He finally says. I push myself upright so we're closer in height.
"Of what?" I ask furrowing my own brows.
"That you will leave again." Leave again? My eyes drop toward the floor in confusion. Then it dawns on me.
"The iâ? I ask looking back at him.
"That," he nods in agreement. "But also that you will run off again. That you will get seriously injured. That you will leave this world as… as my mother did." My heart hurts for him. "I'm afraid if I sleep you will not be here when I wake again."
I'm shocked. He's been hiding this so well. I feel incredibly guilty that I've cause such turmoil for him. I didn't realise the void and everything before that, that I did, plagued him so deeply.
"Come here." I say and lift the blanket beside me.
"That would be improper." He says stoically and it hurts but I keep trying.
"Fine." I say and put the blanket down. "Then come here." I say and pat on top of it.
He hesitates before placing the book back on the end table. Much more graceful than I was, he joins me on the floor bed. I lay down and get comfortable on my back. I pat my chest and he looks at me skeptically.
"You'll be able to hear my heartbeat." I shrug embarrassed. "It's the only guarantee I can give you that I'm here, alive and well." He looks down at me with an expression I can't read.
Finally, he decides to do as I say. He stretches out and gently lays his head on my chest, pointed ear right above my heart. One of his arms is tucked underneath him against my side while the other is across my waist holding me in place. It's so odd to see him like this, so nervous, and a pang of guilt spears through me again.
I bring one of my hands to his arm that's across me and the other to his head. He's taken his braids out and I take the opportunity to gently scratch my nails through his hair. Hopefully it brings him some peace like it use to bring to me when my mom comforted me. I lay awake staring at the ceiling for a long time. The fire's died down and the room is mostly dark by the time sleep finally takes me.
Movement on my chest wakes me. I hum in contentment. I'm nice and warm and the pressure on my chest is comforting. I've also just had the best sleep I've had in a while. I blink my eyes open to a blond head of hair. I freeze. It seemed like a good idea in the bubble that the darkness of the night trapped us in but what if I made him uncomfortable or pressured him.
"Avtrass." Legolas holds tightly to me for a few beats before sitting upright. "Le fael, hannon le." He looks longingly at the spot he was just laying. "That was the best rest I've had in a while." He admits.
"I'm glad I could help." I smile at him and sit up as well.
"You were right, hearing the beat of your heart was assuring."
"Whenever you need rest we can sleep like that if you'd like." I offer happy to have a way to ease him. He smiles and nods, then stands and extends his hand to me. I take it and he effortlessly pulls me up.
We won't be seeing many people for now I change into the clothes I first arrived in Middle-Earth in. Arwen had given them back to me before we left. I hug myself in them. It may seem stupid but they're the only things I have left from my world. Pippin studies me, or more so my clothes, when I enter his kitchen.
"They're clothes from my home." I say trying to put off questions this early in the morning. "It'll make more sense when we explain my story." He seems to accept this for now and turns back to placing food on the table. Legolas joins us and we sit for first breakfast.
It seems like we've just finished cleaning up when Sam and Merry come in with more food. I give Legolas a disbelieving side glance, but he merely lifts a shoulder as if to say 'you'll get use to it'. I grab a basket of fresh pretzels from Sam's full arms and bring it to the table. Legolas grabs some pastries from Merry and they join us.
I grab the smallest piece of everything presented to try and to be polite while the hobbits fill their plates. It's amazing how creatures so small could eat so much. We say our good mornings while everyone takes their first bites and finally the time comes to let someone else in on our secret.
The hobbits mostly listen in silence as I tell them about Aragorn's guards finding me, about meeting Arwen, about seeing Rivendell for the first time, about meeting Elrond and Gandalf, and of course Legolas and Gimli. I gush with them when they reminisce over how beautiful Rivendell was. They settle quickly thought when Legolas and I clearly grow uncomfortable.
We have their full attention, food forgotten, when we move onto our journey to Mordor. They have varying degrees of disgust, appall, and distressed expressions of remembrance as I tell them about the whispers, dreams, the burn, and my attack on Legolas. They're astonished when I tell them of sneaking off and my journey to Mordor alone. Same looks at me with pity as well, probably remembering his and Frodo's journey. I even have Legolas' attention; he hasn't heard this part yet. I try to quickly get through the time before the others showed up. It still haunts me enough without thinking too deeply about it.
"But how did you get here?" Merry asks. "On Middle-Earth I mean." He clarifies. Legolas and I share a look before I answer.
"We're still unsure. We assume it has something to do with the jewelry I found."
"Do you still have it?" Pippin asks trying to look at my hand. I nod and get up. I move to my pack and root around until I find it. I pull it out and bring it to the table. I set it down in the center and they all lean away from it.
"It's just metal and stone now." I say flipping it over to emphasize my point. They lean back in and watch as Pippin turns it over.
"So when do you go back home Miss Delilah?" Sam asks looking up at me.
"I don't think I get to Sam." I say sadly. "Everyone agrees that if I was going to be sent back it would have happened when we defeated Sauron." Merry and Pippin stop what they're doing with the piece and look at me with sympathy.
"It was a great sacrifice you made Miss Delilah." I give Sam a sad smile before picking up the jewelry and returning it to my bag.
"We should throw a party in your honour!" Pippin suggests excitedly. I let out a small airy laugh.
"But no one knows what we did." I point out.
"Then we throw a party just to party. It'll be between us that it's really for you guys. The Shire doesn't need a reason to celebrate!" Merry and Pippin stand and start making plans while cleaning the table up. Sam comes to stand by me.
"I'll have Rosie come and help you with an outfit. I'm guessin' the dresses the elves gave you are too fancy for the Shire, and those clothes don't fit in here much Miss Delilah."
"Thank you Sam, I appreciate it." He nods at me before leaving.
"You leave it all to us!" Merry and Pippin say together while heading to the door. "Just be back by dinner." Pippin says as they leave to. I turn to Legolas amused.
"They sure don't let anything keep them down for long." I say and shake my head.
"What shall we do in the meantime?" Legolas asks.
"Well, we should wait for Rosie, but after that we could go explore. Maybe practice shooting if we find a nice place." I suggest. Legolas nods and we clean up the rest of the bits Merry and Pippin forgot in their haste. We also pick up our blanket bed and fold everything neatly on the small couch.
"Hello?" We hear just as we're stacking the last of the pillows. I pop my head around the door frame. "Oh! Hi, I'm Rosie. Sam said-"
"I need a dress, yes. Hi, I'm Delilah!" I say, happy to see another girl. She's a very cute little hobbit, beautiful smile and curly little bangs. She's wearing a green and white dress, ruffly sleeves and fitted bodice. "Come in, Legolas and I just finished cleaning up."
"Hi Mister Legolas." She smiles kindly at him.
"Hello Rosie." He says politely. "I'll leave you ladies to it. I will be back shortly." He says to us before leaving.
"Here let me take some of that for you." I say and grab the dresses from her arms. "What's that?" I ask nodding to the book she's carrying.
"Oh this? Sam thought you might want to read it. It's the tale Bilbo started, and Frodo finished. He's usually careful about who he lets see it but he said you might be interested." She says extending the book to me.
"I'd be honoured, I'd love to." I gently accept the book with both hands. I briefly flip through, appreciating the thick ink letters. "Thank you." There's a bit of an awkward pause.
"So, should we try some of the dresses? You seem small enough. I also made sure to grab some of my most stretchy dresses, I know our clothes can be pretty small to common folk." She says walking over to where I've placed the dresses aside. "What colour would you like to start with?"
She's brought three dresses, one green, one purple, and one brown. I don't say it aloud but the brown one looks like of plain to me. The purple one looks the least adjustable of them all, so I point to the green one.
It's got elastic ruffled sleeves and the same kind of band around the chest with a long flowy green skirt. It's also got a thick structured brown and white corset belt. She lays the dress flat and starts unlacing the belt.
"Here you go." She holds the dress out to me minus the belt.
"I'll be right back." I take the dress and change in the bathroom. The straps of my bra show since the sleeves are slight off the shoulder, so reluctantly I decide to go braless. It's alright though since the fabric is thicker than it looks. It's also so small that I completely fill it out. On the plus side it gives me great cleavage.
I return to Rosie. She picks up the belt and loops it around me then starts lacing it up. She ties it at the bottom and the ends of the white string hang down. She adjusts it so it's centre then steps back.
"It's a little short but-"
"It's perfect." I say looking down. The dress is more of a tea length on me but it doesn't look ill fitting. I twirl and the dress fans out around me. Rosie giggles. "Thank you." I say grabbing her hands.
"You're very welcome."
"Why don't you stay, at least until Legolas gets back. Tell me about yourself. About you and Sam." I pull her over to the kitchen table and we both sit.
"Our families were always close. My brothers would swim with Sam all the time when we were little."
"That's lovely. How many siblings do you have?" I ask.
"I have 2 sisters, 2 brothers." She smiles fondly.
"Lucky. I've always wanted a big family." I say wishfully.
"You don't have any siblings?" She asks sadly.
"I have an older brother."
"Where is he now?" She notices my drop in mood. "I'm sorry, you don't have to-"
"No, it's okay." I assure. "I just won't get to see him again."
"Why not?" I debate if I should share my secret with her. It would be nice for Sam not to have to worry about hiding anything from her. And Sam is part of the fellowship so I'm sure she's heard fantastical stories before.
"I know this might sounds crazy but I'm not from here." I decide to tell her everything I told the hobbits this morning, by the end she's teary eyed.
"My goodness." She leans forward and pulls me into a hug. "Good riddance to him. He's brought so many people such heartache."
We talk a little while longer until Legolas returns and Rosie excuses herself. I change into one of the dresses from Arwen and neatly fold the dress Rosie is lending me.
"What is this?" Legolas asks brushing his fingertips over the red cover. I come to stand beside him.
"It's the story Bilbo and Frodo wrote about their adventures. Sam thought I might want to read it." I say. "Would you want to… read it together?" He stares at the book then shakes his head. He removes his hand, then backs away.
"I do not feel the need to relive the tales as of yet." I nod in understanding.
"Well, should we go explore then?" I want to stay and read but I promised Legolas we'd explore or practice. We end up doing both. The outskirts of the Shire are abundant with trees and semi-clear spaces. We pick a place close to a small pond and he hands me his bow. We practice until my arms turn to jelly again then make our way back.
"There you are! We thought you were gonna' miss dinner and maybe supper too!" Pippin calls when we enter his place. Oh boy.
"Sorry guys. I got carried away practicing my aim." I pretend to aim and release an arrow.
"That's alright." Pippin pulls us over to the table. "We've planned the party for tomorrow night, just before you planned to leave the next morning."
"I'm impressed. That was quick." I say as we all sit at the table.
I'm still amazed at the sheer amount of food these little hobbits can put away. We eat dinner… then supper, then talk for a while longer. Rosie joins us for some games before everyone clears out and we're left to make our floor bed again.
We push the couch back against the wall and set up the pillows near the couch again. Pippin goes to bed early so he can be ready to set up for tomorrow. I have to admit, I'm excited to see what a hobbit party is like.
"Do you want to sleep again tonight?" I ask lowering myself to the floor. I look up and meet Legolas' gaze looking down at me. "You probably have a lot of sleep to catch up on." I try.
"An ngell nîn." He lays his bow and arrows aside while I move to a comfortable position on my back. Much like last night he lays on me, ear to my chest. Unlike last night, tonight, I do not feel guilty. Tonight, there's a sense of peace and security.
Notes:
Losto vae – sleep well
Goheno nin – I'm sorry/my apologies
No veren – enjoy yourself
Hannon le - thank you
Avtrass – don't worry
Le fael, hannon le – you're generous thank you
Iâ – void
An ngell nîn – please/for my joy