Reminder:: I want this so badly, but I can't claim it because people will come to my house and take all my stuff away and then I'll be sad. =(

APOSKDJFLAJD:FJSD I am so excited for this chapter my hero is in it aaaahh! xD

So many delays. But I'm back on track now! Let's finish this within the week, hm? n_n

Again, thanks for reading and reviewing if you have the time!

Chapter Forty-Four :: The Ring-Bearer

My time in Ithilien was similar to Yuletide. There was constant cheer, messages being sent and received detailing the victory at Cormallen, and impossible quantities of ale and mead being splashed about.

I spent the majority of my days tending to soldiers by myself or with the humble Lord Aragorn. The other half of my time went with Peregrin 'speaking' with Frodo and Samwise. Pippin held them so dear and without his friend Merry (that he constantly talked about) around, they were his only kin. It was only natural he should spend his time with his friends.

I felt sorry about the whole thing, but it was hard to be dreary in such a bright place. I even made sure to stop by the falls every evening to see the rainbow of colors beam before sunset in the water.

Truthfully, I never wanted to leave. It was a peaceful existence with a good dose of raucous celebration. The only thing that could make me wish to go was Faramir and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to see him yet. I thought I would die when I saw him last. How could I face him?

Strange how I have the 'courage' to race north, parley with eagles, and take on cave trolls with a small bow, but I hadn't the nerve to go home and face what should bring me happiness. There was just a nagging feeling at the back of my mind… That… things would never be the same.

I was jolted from my thoughts by a hand on my shoulder. I looked away from the sick man I had first tended with Lord Aragorn. Truthfully, he was doing much better – his fever had gone down and his wounds were slowly being cleansed by the herbs. It had been nearly a week.

Mithrandir stood behind me. "They're awake."

My face lit up with excitement. There was no question to whom he was referring. "Really? They're awake?"

"I told you as much not a moment ago. Aren't those holes on the side of your head working?" He reprimanded.

I leapt up from the stool, knocking it over in the process with a clatter. Running like a child, I left the room and took the familiar stair. The sun beat through the open stone rail of the same hallway to my left. It was nearly evening.

My feet slowed as laughter and excited conversation touched my ears. "—great! Enormous arms came down—" It was none other than Pippin. If I wasn't mistaken, he had made it to the part where he met the strange creature named Treebeard.

I waited outside next to the doorway feeling I didn't belong there at all. A heavy voice within told me strangers were there. My face felt warm and my palms itched and I wanted to sneak away. Perhaps I could come back later when the room wasn't so crowded—

"What are you doing idling outside the door?" Mithrandir briskly came down the hall. My gut clenched with surprise. He motioned with his staff as he neared. "Get on with you, now! A guardsman you look. Quick, before I have you keep the post!"

Swept inside rather, I peered around and was glad to see the Lord Aragorn and Pippin's familiar faces first. A beautiful, tall man with light hair stood next to a stout bearded man with dark eyes beside the Lord. I was barely noticed.

"Oi, we've heard this tale before! Let Mr. Frodo catch his winks, won't you? Long journey he's had." The fair haired hobbit Sam scolded Pippin from his spot. He was already dressed and out of bed, tending to 'Mr. Frodo' like he wasn't ill enough as well.

"Long indeed!" Frodo laughed at the understatement. "You and I both, Sam. Though I feel Pip's been waiting just as long to tell us about the Ents."

They were all very strange creatures. I thought I would be used to hobbits when I would meet them after Peregrin, but seeing three active ones running about made me want to kneel down and be at their height. Silly as it may sound, they seemed like dolls come to life with their own agenda full of 'yes sirs' and lots of pipe weed.

The short man in the corner seemed to be just as amused by them, laughing and clapping his hands gleefully at their dealings. The axe at his side gave me rather a surprise – it was difficult picturing him wielding it as a weapon. He seemed more of a woodsman to me. The beautiful man beside him had pointed ears and a far off gaze, as if he was pining, and ideal posture with a light smile on his lips. It was almost unnerving how perfect he seemed.

"If I may interrupt such a riveting discussion." Mithrandir spoke up. Frodo's eyes lit up upon seeing the wizard and he was given full attention. "I've an important friend to introduce. The Lady Finwen has come to see you Frodo."

I wasn't sure what had been said of me, but it was immediately made clear he knew something. Frodo gave me a kind smile and his eyes softened with sadness. He had the blankets tucked about him and it seemed he had literally just woken up. Sam surprised me most by jumping nearly out of his skin at the mention of my name and coming around the side of Frodo's bed to shake my hand in proper hobbit fashion.

"Gandalf tells me you brought the eagles." Frodo said.

Sam nodded frantically in agreement, trying not to look me up and down while still holding my hand and shaking it. "Brought the eagles!" He said in disbelief. "If you don't mind me saying, milady, but you're a bit slight and fair to be riding that far – all by yourself!"

I smiled at him, not quite sure what to say but I felt flattered. "I… only wished to do my part. I'm glad I could change the course of so large a history with but a simple task."

"Simple! Saved Mr. Frodo and myself, you did! You're a hero!" Samwise insisted.

"I'm not… Why, if anyone is, it would be the two of you – not me!"

I finally pulled my hand away, when the Lord Aragorn distracted him for a moment. "We have all done our part, but the Lady is right. The world of Middle-Earth owes the entirety of its debt to you."

"Heroes!" The dwarf Gimli (as I would soon understand) exclaimed, coming about and clapping Sam on the back though he was truly not that much taller. "Always welcome to the Lonely Mountain. For feasts as big as the halls themselves!"

"And the realms of the wood-elves in Mirkwood." The one who must be Legolas added. "They will sing songs of you until the stars die!"

"I reckon right about anywhere you should be welcome!" Pippin said.

"One would be surprised where they are welcomed the least." Mithrandir warned. "Places once known and loved… But come! This is a time for celebration – the Ring-bearers breathe the free air! I expect they are quite fatigued after so many stories – Samwise, back to bed with you! Up and about causing a fuss like an old woman of the Houses."

"Oh, but I didn't tell Frodo about—" Pippin began, ready to act out his yarn.

"Gandalf is right – they need their rest. Stories may be retold in the morning." Aragorn placed a firm hand on Pippin's shoulder. Though disappointed, Peregrin listened and shuffled out of the room.

Gimli passed me by with a nod and what he probably supposed to be a friendly smile (that I took as a near grimace) on his way out the door. Legolas was next and I couldn't help but feel my heart skip a beat when he smiled at me. It should be illegal to be that gorgeous – but I feel I'd be disappointed to have never seen such grace.

"—You've quite a shot, Lady Finwen. My people would be pleased to meet you." I realized almost too late that he was speaking to me.

"Th-thank you…" I managed as he left the room, impressive bow and quiver still strung on his back. So drool worthy it was pathetic! Honestly, he was just being friendly… Was this my first taste of an elf? What would I do with myself when there were hoards of them before the city? I suddenly wished for more of Gimli's folk. They were less intimidating with their beady eyes, strong arms, and battle axes.

Mithrandir lingered as I was the last to be shown out. Samwise was doing his part under the watchful eye of the wizard and had started to remove his vest. He saw me there and turned red as a beet and pretended to adjust the button before patting his thighs with decision. "Well, things look all in order! I suppose we had better get some more sleep, eh, Mr. Frodo?"

But Frodo was already sound asleep, his head askew on his pillow as he leant towards his shoulder in dreams. I waved to Samwise who held up a hand with a thick grin. I ducked into the hall and Mithrandir only followed suit after he had seen that Sam would relax and leave things alone as he promised.

The wizard and I walked down the quiet stone hall together with only our feet and his staff's steady clink for conversation. He was the first to speak. "A bit nervous, are we?"

"I blame the elf." I blatantly stated, grabbing a lock of hair to finger in embarrassment.

Mithrandir couldn't contain the smile. "And what of the hobbits? The heroes you expected?"

"They're rather adorable, actually." I gave him a sideways grin. "Certainly not the warriors I pictured. But… now I cannot remember those I had imagined. When I first saw Frodo and Samwise as they slept, my heart decided it truly could not have been anyone else."

He nodded, mulling over what I had said. We descended the tight stair and the men who were still drinking to the victory were roaring out songs of old and ones made up on the spot in a slur below us. I was soon whisked away into the crowd, passing through to the other side of the hall where I could find my own room with a cot. This would be one of the last days for festivities because preparations had to be made to leave Ithilien and return to Minas Tirith now that the Ring-bearers were awake.

I let out a yawn and about barged into my room when I saw a silhouette coming from a candle I know I didn't leave burning. Besides, I had left all my care things in that sick man's room – I was so excited to see Frodo and Samwise I had literally dropped everything and ran. I hadn't been in my room all day.

Of course, I was extremely cautious as I peered around the corner. Heaven only knows how much mead was going around… I didn't know what I would find.

What I found was Mordred. Honestly, I didn't even know he came to the Fields of Cormallen. He hadn't seen me come in and was facing the opposite wall. He knelt on his right knee, shook his head, and tried his left. He decided that was no good either and went back to his right.

Thoroughly confused, I watched for a few more moments as he silently… knelt and pretended to speak. It was bizarre. There was something familiar about the way he held out his hand like he was holding something or someone else's and… why would he be on one knee…?

Oh my God. I have to get out of here—

Mordred suddenly turned, probably hearing my involuntary squeak of terror. "Finwen! You're back!"

He stood faster than I could walk away or even hide my shock and horror. Tears were already springing to my eyes. I rubbed my sleeve over my face and greeted him with a false smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I haven't been waiting long, but I only finally got the courage – er – got around to seeing you! I was at the battle. At Cormallen. And so were you! I heard all the stories already – scared me half to death when they found you! I was there, too. But enough of that! Are you alright? You look a little pale. Do you need to sit down?" He rambled, seemingly in one deep breath.

"I'm just a bit tired—"

"You look pale. You should sit." Mordred drew out a chair from his peripheral vision.

"Perhaps we should both sit down…" I compromised, sitting on my bed.

Mordred reluctantly took the chair with a nod and then stood up suddenly. Seeing me stare at him, he sat back down again and rubbed the palms of his hands on his knees.

I took a deep breath, deciding to get this over with before he could say anything. "I think, Mor—"

"I've been doing quite a bit of thinking." He cut in, not hearing me at all.

"I understand, but—"

"I know I've been a bit bold, but I don't think I've been blunt enough. I want to make my intentions clear—"

"Mordred, you're not listening—"

"—and to be quite frank—"

"—I don't feel that way—"

"—I'd like you to—"

"Mordred!" I stood up with a shout.

"—marry…" He looked up at me, confused and a bit distraught. Mordred was reaching for my hand before I had my little outburst, but I had had quite enough and pulled myself away.

I said it as quickly as I thought it, but I didn't have the heart to look him in the eye. I kept my eyes shut tight and my head low. "Mordred, I don't feel that way about you. I cannot accept. I'm sorry."

There was utter silence for a long time. A moment that I would forever remember and dread upon recall.

Mordred finally sighed and stood up slowly. I opened my eyes and saw him tightening his gauntlets in a busy, offhanded manner. "You're right. I suspected all along. I can't really blame you – what I am I compared to the great Captain Heir?"

My face turned crimson, but I wasn't sure if it was in anger or embarrassment that he had guessed correctly. Was I that obvious? "Mordred, please don't be angry with me… I didn't mean to say—"

He gave me a bitter smirk. "Didn't mean to say what? Exactly what you wanted to say? Was a little strange – you know, considering you're a lady of the court and all. I suppose marrying him won't give you that liberty. What a shame."

Mordred turned on his heel and exited the room in a huff. I called out to him. "Mordred! Please! It's not like that – he doesn't even… Please don't be sour about this – we can still see each other, right?"

He threw me a wave. It was all so fast. "Good-bye, crazy lady. I've been mad since I saw you – perhaps now I can clear my head."

I sat down on my bed with a plop. For the next half hour, I stared at the doorway in a mixture of worry, sadness, and anger as the men still sang their songs that echoed through the halls of stone.

That was obviously a 'no.'