Hello Hello Hello!
Few things before you read:
1) To tell the truth, I'm not crazy about this chapter. I've rewritten this a few times and this is the closest I could get without disliking it too much. BUT, never fear, chapter four is jam packed.
(spoiler alert: Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir are introduced...)
And 2) I don't think I've ever gave a heads up, but the italics means that the characters are speaking elvish (except for some obvious occasions). I believe Sindarin was spoken with Aragorn and Stella in chapter 2, but I thought I say something.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I wish I owned this...but, in reality, I totally don't.
Stella felt like she was moving through a pool of Jell-O.
It did not help that her exhaustion lead her to sleep like a baby and caused her to awake in a groggy state of mind. Aragorn was no where to be seen, and she was vaguely aware of the yelps of the hobbits on the upper levels of Weathertop.
The hobbits.
Cursing in Sindarin, Stella scrambled to her feet, stumbling up rocky paths to where the sounds of fear and possible pain were located. Once she got up to the top most level, however, she was a little too late. Aragorn, armed with only a flaming torch, was battling the Nazgûl, while three blonde hobbits were leaning over Frodo.
Rushing to their sides, Stella kneeled to take a look at Frodo's pale face, filled with anguish. "What happened?"
Her question came out as a sharp demand, and Merry flinched slightly at the tone. For a split second, she felt badly, but then remembered that Frodo was in danger and this was no time for niceties.
"He got stabbed. By that...hooded thing's sword!" Sam stuttered, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. Frodo groaned in pain, clutching his shoulder.
Stella gently removed the injured hobbit's hand that was covering his wound and cursed under her breath at the sight of it. "His wound is severe. We need to get him away from here."
Carefully, Stella lifted the hobbit onto her back, making sure she did not jostle him that much. Swiftly making her way down the rocky paths, her small friends in tow, she passed every rocky level until her feet were planted on firmly on the ground.
"We must get to the forest," Stella shouted behind her. The horses were gone but that did not stop the elf from pushing onward. She sprinted across the fields of grass and short brush, her long legs carrying her further than her companions.
Shifting Frodo's arms around her neck, she turned to the hobbits racing across the field, about fifty meters away. Frodo groaned and Stella cupped a hand around her mouth, yelling at the top of her lungs to Merry, Pippin, and Sam.
"Hurry! We don't have much time!"
The party stumbled deeper into the wood. When they got to a small clearing, Stella laid Frodo on the ground to examine his split shoulder. However, she did not get a chance, for hurried footsteps and crackles of broken twigs came from behind the group. Stella stood in her protective stance and notched an arrow in her bow.
To their great relief, Aragorn sprinted through the brush, sweaty and breathing hard.
"Thank God," Stella breathed, lowering her bow. Aragorn stumbled forward, slinging an arm around her shoulder in a tight side embrace. She let him lean on her until he eased himself next to a moaning Frodo.
Stella rushed to the hobbit's side, examining the wound again. Her face grew even darker than before.
"He's poisoned," Stella shook her head sadly. Aragorn stared at her hopeless face before hopping to his feet and grabbing Sam by the shoulder.
"You're a gardener," Aragorn said fiercely. "Do you know what kingsfoil is?"
"Yes," Sam said, confused. "That's a weed."
The Ranger shook his head. "Right now, it is the only thing that will save him. Find some!"
Sam took off, stumbling over his big feet. Aragorn went in the opposite direction, but not before instructing Merry and Pippin to assist Stella in anything she needed. The elf girl placed a soothing hand on the forehead of the hysterically sobbing Frodo and murmured healing spells in every tongue she knew. Pippin and Merry anxiously looked on, not quite sure what to do.
When Frodo started writhing in pain, Stella called to the worried hobbits. "Hold him down! He's going to hurt himself even more!"
The startled Merry and Pippin hurried forward, gripping each side of their injured friend's body just as Aragorn burst through the brush. In his hand was a little bunch of greens spattered with tiny white flowers.
"Athelas," Stella breathed, reaching for the plant in Aragorn's hand. She crushed the greens with a rock by her ankle and spread the paste onto Frodo's shoulder, his cries increasing in volume. "We must get him to Rivendell."
"Indeed. He is fading fast," a silky feminine voice spoke from where Aragorn stood. Stella whipped around. She had not heard that voice in seven months and she had not realized it until now, but she had missed it's calming touch.
"Arwen," the she smiled, although it did not quite reach her eyes.
"Mellon," Arwen responded, sending her friend a reassuring nod. Arwen kneeled before the form of the pained hobbit before continuing. "He needs to see my father. I will take him."
"That is much too dangerous," Aragorn protested, stepping forward as if he wanted to hold her close and not let go, despite being in mortal danger. However, he settled with a hand on her shoulder and it took all Stella's effort not to notice her friend's protective stare.
Arwen stood, facing Aragorn. "We both know I am the faster rider. And once I pass the river, the magic of my people will protect me."
The Ranger opened his mouth to protest again, but Stella cut his reply short. "Aragorn, we need to save Frodo as soon as possible and we're still a good two days away. Arwen is faster and she knows more about healing than you and I do. She can keep him safe."
Her rugged male friend nodded in agreement, but did not look happy about the ladies' decision. Arwen swept over the dead leaves and mounted her horse. Aragorn and Stella hoisted Frodo in front of her in the saddle, his head lolling forward.
"Arwen," Aragorn murmured, casting his gaze on Arwen's porcelain face. She looked at him softly, yet expectantly. He seemed to have trouble forming words, until he averted his gaze and spoke again. "Ride fast."
She nodded, sending him one last warm smile before snapping her reins and galloping off into the night.
"Are we there yet?" an impatient Merry questioned for the fiftieth time that day. Sam smacked the blonde hobbit on the arm. After nearly a two day travel with only a few hours rest each night and the constant worry about their friend Frodo, the companions were getting restless.
"Almost," said Stella, smiling to herself in amusement at Aragorn's overly dramatic eye roll. She nudged her friend's shoulder gently, catching his attention.
"What?" Aragorn asked, shooting her a suspicious glance. For the past few days since Frodo's injury and the arrival of Arwen, the Ranger had been getting nothing but knowing smirks from his odd elven friend. However, when he asked what exactly she was smirking about, her answers were vague and dismissive.
Stella smiled teasingly. "Ride fast? Is that the best you could come up with?"
Aragorn's eyes widened a fraction of an inch before he looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about, mellon."
"Oh, I think you do," Stella pushed, grinning wider and turning away from him to face the path in front of her. "I do not understand as to why you don't just tell her you love her. I mean, she obviously loves you too and you aren't going to live forever. I say do it as soon as we get to Rivendell. That way, you can be married by morning and live a wonderful life with all your sappy puppy dog eyes and heated, passionate kissing."
"What?" The Ranger asked, whipping his head around to face her and her devilish grin. He felt his face heat up and hoped it wasn't too noticeable. His obvious discomfort would only give her more to tease him with.
"I'm just saying," Stella shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant, while inside, she was rolling with laughter. "I just don't understand why you two aren't, ah, courting yet."
Aragorn coughed uncomfortably. "It—it would never work. She is of elven blood, and I am human. Her people would never allow it. And she...she is much too beautiful to love a man like myself."
The elf girl laughed. "Are you really that insecure about yourself to not declare your affections to the person you love most? Especially if they love you too?"
The rugged man shot her a sly grin, as if he knew something she did not.
"You'll understand some day."
Stella's triumphant smirk fell off her lips into a scowl. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"Look," Aragorn said, completely ignoring her question that earned him an angry glare. "We have arrived."
The put-out elven girl grumbled at her smiling friend. She did not tend to get many opportunities to tease Aragorn, and she was quite upset he had cut her fun short.
However, as she looked out upon the beauty and serenity of Rivendell, she no longer cared. From up on the horses, Pippin, Merry, and Sam gasped in wonder. A feeling of relief washed over her. Stella smiled to herself happily, savoring the fragrant smells and warm breeze.
Tugging on the reins of Firverior, she started down the path towards the large, elaborate buildings and beautifully sculpted gardens. She fought hard to contain her excitement as she gripped the reins a little tighter. She thought of the training grounds, the warm herb-filled baths, and the kind elven people. Her stomach did somersaults. The last time she was here, Lord Elrond had promised her that the next visit Stella and Aragorn make, he would help her find everything he could about her family. The very thought made her internally squeal.
It felt like a thousand years to get to the archway of Rivendell. When they neared, Lord Elrond stepped forward to greet the travelers, a warm smile apparent on his never-aging face. To his left, Arwen's eyes shifted over all the members of the group and lingered on the tall and scruffy man who was using everything in his power to not glance at the elven beauty. However, his resistance failed him when he rested his eyes on her and could not seem to pull himself away.
"Welcome, my friends," Lord Elrond greeted, spreading his arms out wide.
Aragorn and Stella bowed gracefully before lifting each hobbit off their steeds. Merry, Pippin, and Sam mimicked their friends' respectful gestures to the elf lord.
As they straightened, Lord Elrond continued speaking. "I believe you have been on a long journey. Come, we will show you where you can rest."
Five elven servants stepped forward and Stella was pleased to see her friend and elf maid, Minuial, take her arm, smiling. The elf maid had not changed much, for she still had her long waves of dark hair in intricate braids, her light grey eyes still framed by dark, long lashes, and cheekbones still prominent on her porcelain face. Minuial had been a maid in Rivendell years before Stella had shown up, but when Aragorn brought her here a month after she entered Middle Earth, the elven girls became fast friends.
"Excuse me, Lord Elrond," Sam asked, craning his neck to peer up at the tall elf lord.
"Yes, Master Hobbit?" Lord Elrond replied, clasping his hands in front of him in one smooth gesture.
"I was wondering...has our friend Frodo awoken yet?" Sam asked nervously. He knitted his fingers together while he waited for Lord Elrond's response.
"Indeed he has. And he has been most anxious to see all of you again," the elf lord nodded affirmatively. Merry and Pippin looked at each other with excitement in their eyes and Sam grinned in relief for his friend's safety. "But for now, you will be taken to the baths. After you are clean, you may then see your friend."
The hobbits scampered off, now having a leap in every step they took. Stella and Aragorn let out a small chuckle in unison.
Lord Elrond turned to the amused pair. "You two also need your rest. Tomorrow is a meeting of the council. We do not want you to tire quickly."
"Thank you, my lord," Aragorn bowed and Stella followed his example. The pair started forward, but a hand was placed gently on Stella's arm.
"And I believe Mithrandir would like to talk to you once you are settled," the elf lord said, so soft that only she could hear.
"Of course," Stella answered, bobbing her head and carrying on through the walkway with Minuial at her hip. As soon as the pair of elf girls rounded the corner, Minuial drew her friend into a hug.
"It is good to see you, mellon," Minuial said in Sindarin, drawing back from the embrace she wrapped Stella in.
The other girl smiled and hugged Minuail again in return. "It is good to be back. I missed Rivendell."
"How long are you staying? Glassada is itching to show you her newly improved skills," Minuial grinned, looping her arm through Stella's.
"I am afraid it may not be very long," Stella said, her excitement lessening slightly.
"But why not?" Minuial asked quizzically.
"I don't know. Just a feeling, I suppose," Stella shrugged.
Minuial rolled her grey irises. "You and your silly feelings."
Stella laughed happily as the pair came to a halt in front of an elegantly decorated door. Every time Stella had visited with Aragorn, this room was always the one she picked. Soon, it just became "Stella's chambers" and not a single soul questioned it.
Stella carefully opened the door and stepped into the warm atmosphere of the room. The bed, with a swirling iron headboard was placed against the wall by a window that streamed sunlight onto the marble floor. The wardrobe stood in the corner and an antique desk and chair were adjacent to it, with another window in between. The curtains were a pale white and kissed the floor, fluttering ever so slightly in the light breeze . Stella set her bow and arrows on the dark stained trunk at the foot of her bed and flopped onto the mattress she could've sworn was made of a cloud.
"It's good to be back," Stella sighed happily. And, for a moment, nothing could ever go wrong. Her friend's were safe and her heart was happy.
However, she knew better than to think that for long.
I hope you at least kinda liked that.
As I said before, Chapter 4 is probably going to be much more entertaining to read. I mean, an axe does fly at someone's head, some seriously serious teasing will occur, and the Ring may or may not get revealed...but I've said too much already :)
R&R!
Adios :)
-Halsie