Hello all! I don't usually write anything up here because I just like to get on with the story, but I thought I should say that I really appreciate all the kind things people have said about my story. I don't know where it's going and I don't know where it'll end up, but I hope you enjoy the journey! Thank you! ;)
It was time. The fellowship was gathered on a path that led out of Rivendell and were all facing Lord Elrond, waiting for him to speak. Alarain stood beside Sam where he held Bill's lead rope. She was dressed in her ranger garb once again, and had her sword strapped to her waist. Along with the blade at her side, she also carried a bow and quiver on her back.
Lord Elrond began. "The Ringbearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom." He cast his gaze slowly over the faces of the fellowship and continued. "To you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose, and may the blessings of elves, and men, and all free folk go with you."
Alarain bowed her head in respect for the wise elf in front of her. She then turned and gave Arwen a smile and nod. Arwen smiled back and sent her a small wave. They had already said their goodbyes earlier so nothing more was needed.
"The fellowship awaits the Ringbearer." Gandalf said, watching Frodo with kind old eyes.
The hobbit turned slowly, and made his way past the wizard, heading out onto the path. Following, she heard him ask in a whisper, "Mordor, Gandalf. Is it left or right?" Smiling, she heard the wizard answer. "Left." he said, also whispering.
First, they had to make their way across grand bridges that led over spectacular, rushing waterfalls before finally leaving the safety of Rivendell. Alarain paused on a hill and let the others pass as she took one last look back at the place that had become her home. Her stomach twisted with worry for the journey, but she turned when she heard Aragorn call her name. He was waiting for her, and when she caught up, he walked by her side in silence. Both their minds were on the same thing. What was to come?
Heading south along the west side of the Misty Mountains, the travelers were very quite for the first day. Only when darkness started to fall and it was time to make camp did they speak. Alarain and Boromir were sent out into the forest to collect firewood and only once they had entered the cover of the canopy did Boromir break the silence.
"So you are from Rohan?" he asked curiously.
Gathering some kindling in her arms, Alarain answered. "Yes. I've been away for quite a while and have missed it. I got my chance to return, while also staying with my friends for some time longer."
Boromir nodded in understanding. "Do you have family waiting for you?" he inquired again.
"No." she said simply, not giving any more information. Alarain wasn't in the mood to discuss her life troubles with this man.
He didn't press for more but continued picking up small logs. "How did you know about this quest?"
Alarain paused. "I... uh... I saw the council." she confessed, not quite sure why she was telling him this.
Boromir turned to her with raised eyebrows. "You were spying?"
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I wasn't the only one. Might I remind you that three certain hobbits were spying as well."
He grinned. "You weren't hiding in the bushes near my chair were you?" he said, grin widening.
Alarain stared at him for a moment. "How did you..."
"I may have seen you." he chuckled. Crouching down, he continued collecting wood.
She watched him, eyes narrowed. "Why didn't you give me away?" she asked with interest.
He shrugged. "I was busy."
Alarain rolled her eyes, not believing his reason one bit. She started to help him again and neither said more on the subject.
They returned to camp with plenty of wood in their arms. A fire was started, food was cooked, and everyone ate. Night had fallen and the sounds of the wild were all around them. An owl gave out an eerie cry nearby making Alarain shiver. Brenir stared out in the forest, listening for danger, and Legolas too was alert. The hobbits soon curled up beside each other and fell asleep under the watchful eyes of Gandalf. Gimli sat smoking his pipe thoughtfully nearby. The owl hooted again and Brenir got up to move closer to Alarain. She smiled at her fearful hound as he tried to hide behind her.
After some time, Gimli lay down as well, mumbling something about a stupid bird as the owl continued calling. Alarain looked across camp and her eyes came to rest on Aragorn, who at the moment was staring into the flames of the campfire. As soon as she looked at him, his eyes shot up to meet her gaze. She glanced back down, hoping he did not see her tremble as the owl gave an especially spooky screech. Boromir was the next one to turn in, followed by Gandalf. Legolas wandered over to his blanket as well, though unknown to the others, he did not fall asleep right away. Barely a moment passed before Aragorn rose and made his way over to sit beside her.
"Are you cold?" he whispered.
Alarain sighed. He did notice. "I'm fine." she assured him.
Not believing her, he draped a blanket over her shoulders. She gave him a hint of a smile and he spoke again. "You should get some sleep. It was a long day." He watched her, eyes filled with worry.
He was right. Her muscles ached from all the walking and her eyelids drooped with fatigue. "I'm fine." She yawned. "What? It's natural to be tired at night." she said when he gave her a 'you are exhausted so go to bed' look. He didn't stop, so she gave in. Lying down on her side, she watched as he got up again and wandered to the edge of camp. Alarain continued to watch him until she happened to glance over at Legolas to find he was awake. He was smirking at her with raised eyebrows, and she quickly turned to her other side wondering what that look was for. She soon fell into a dreamless sleep.
They were off bright and early the next day, and Gimli immediately started grumbling about owls. Legolas fumed with frustration at the dwarf's rambling, keeping as far from him as possible. Alarain walked with Sam and Bill for a while, before quickly falling behind. She was not used to this kind of exercise and was struggling to keep pace with the others. Boromir stopped and waited for her to catch up. Passing him, she started giggling when she felt him start to push her up the hill. At the top, she thanked him breathlessly, pausing for a rest.
He exaggerated a bow and replied. "My pleasure milady. I just love pushing people up hills." She laughed at his antics and they continued on.
Many days passed, and Alarain slowly became more accustomed to the constant walking, though she still could not keep up without panting. Aragorn continued to watch her with concern, but she brushed it off and ignored his looks. She often found herself walking with Gimli, for he too could not keep up as well with the others. He would go on and on about his home and grand caves and mines, but Alarain didn't mind. It was nice to just listen to him. Being with Gimli so often though, meant that she didn't spent as much time with Legolas as she would have liked. He stayed mostly at the front with Gandalf, far from the dwarf.
On one particular day, the group was taking a much needed rest on a hilltop. The sun beat down on the rocks and Alarain was lying on one, warming herself. The sun felt good on her face after many cold nights. Gimli was arguing with Gandalf nearby about which road they should take, and Boromir was sword fighting Merry and Pippin.
"Ah!" Pippin yelled all of a sudden and Alarain sat up to see what happened.
"Sorry!" Boromir exclaimed, about to check Pippin's hand. However, before he could, the hobbit kicked him in the shin and Merry whacked him with the side of his sword causing Boromir to fall backwards. They tackled the poor man and held him down, laughing all the while. Alarain smiled at the scene and turned to see a grinning Aragorn get to his feet. This will probably not end well for him, she thought with amusement.
"Gentlemen that is enough." he said. And sure enough, when he strode over to pry the hobbits off the Gondorian, they grabbed the backs of his legs and flipped him on his back as well. Alarain couldn't contain herself and burst out laughing. Imagine that! Merry and Pippin taking on Aragorn and winning!
"What is that?" Sam asked from behind her. She turned to look for what he had seen and spotted a dark cloud in the distance.
"Nothing." Gimli dismissed. "It's just a wisp of cloud."
The men and hobbits had gotten up to look as well and Boromir spoke. "It's moving fast... and against the wind." he observed, suspicion in his eyes.
Legolas had been staring at shape, trying to figure out what it was with his elf eyes. "Crebain from Dunland!" he suddenly yelled.
"Hide!" Aragorn ordered, though he didn't need to, for everyone was already up and grabbing supplies. One by one they disappeared into the landscape, hiding under bushes and rocks.
Alarain snatched up a pack before she felt an arm around her waist. She let out a little yelp of surprise, but another hand clamped around her mouth. She was pulled into the underbrush and heard Aragorn's voice at her ear. "Don't make a sound." he whispered. He took his hand off her mouth and she nodded.
They heard nothing for a moment, but then the cries came. Alarain felt the arm of the man behind her tighten around her waist ever so slightly, and almost... protectively. The birds swooped over the hill and made a wide arc, turning back and flying away in the direction they came. When their cries could be heard no longer, the fellowship slowly started to reappear. Aragorn let go of her and they crawled out from under the bush.
"Spies of Saruman." Gandalf stated, and her mouth became dry at the name. "The passage south is being watched." he continued. Turning, he looked up at the mountains to east. "We must take the paths of Caradhras!" he declared.
All eyes turned to the mountain and Alarain swallowed hard. It looks quite high, and cold, and steep, and windy. Aragorn noticed the look on her face and gave her shoulder a comforting pat before striding away to fetch his pack.