The action picks up in this chapter a bit! Tell me what you think? Please? Is Alarain turning into a Mary Sue? What say you? I swear I didn't mean for that to rhyme...
The following morning, Alarain woke before the light of dawn touched the city and looked around to see Brenir had gone. Pushing herself into a sitting position, she glanced down to examine her shoulder. It was still neatly bandaged, but had a slight blood stain soaking through. Carefully, so as not to hurt herself further, she flung the blankets off and looked at the injury on her leg. It too was bandaged, though no blood seeped through.
Alarain was startled when the door opened and a woman came in. She carried fresh bandages, a bowl of water, a rag, and some sort of paste. The woman was obviously a healer.
"You are not thinking of getting up, are you milady?" she asked, looking slightly appalled that the thought would possibly even be crossing her mind.
Alarain tried to hide her smile. Thank you for the idea, she thought slyly. "Oh no. I would not be able to." she lied.
The healer nodded, happy with the answer. She then proceeded in treating her wounds. Alarain quietly stared out the window as she worked. Thoughts of Aragorn ran through her head and her brain began to hurt. His face when she had pushed him away flashed in her mind and her heart constricted. I cannot face him again after that look.
"Be sure not to move your shoulder." the healer said, interrupting her thoughts. "You've not eaten in a while, so I'll be sure to have some food sent shortly."
Her stomach growled at the woman's words and Alarain sent her a sheepish smile. "Thank you." she said sincerely.
Bowing her head in reply, the healer left the room. Only moment later, another woman entered with a tray of food. Alarain eyed it greedily and as soon as the woman had exited, she dug in.
As she ate, Alarain gazed out the window and watched the sun rising. It was a peaceful sight, but did not lift her spirits much.
Finishing up, she heard a knock at the door. Alarain called for the person to enter and smiled when Merry's face greeted her. The expression on his face however, caused her smile to fall.
"Merry? What is the matter?" she asked, glancing worriedly at his bandaged arm.
He saw her gaze and spoke. "It's not my arm that's bothering me." he assured. His voice then grew slightly panicked. "It's the others. They've left!" he exclaimed.
Sitting up further, she stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"They've gone! To fight Sauron!" Alarain froze at his words. "Even Pippin! They've left us behind and I don't know if we'll ever see them again!"
He grew more and more flustered as he spoke and she shushed him. "Start from the beginning, Merry. Where have they gone?"
The hobbit took a deep breath. "A meeting was held, and it was decided that they would try and draw out Sauron's forces. They said that they would have to empty Mordor for Frodo and Sam to make it." He shook his head in despair. "That's all they told me. Aragorn would not let me come because of my arm, and he said not to tell you that they'd left."
"Why not?" Alarain asked.
"He said you'd try to follow."
Her face hardened. "He was right." she growled.
Merry looked startled. "But how will you manage? You're hurt as well!"
Leaning closer to him, she lowered her voice. "I may have a way that we can both go."
His eyes widened and he nodded. "Do whatever you have to, Alarain. I'll do anything to follow Pippin and our friends."
"Merry." she said. "First, I need you to sneak out of here. Fayna has to be ready for us. I know she's big, but she is gentle." Alarain assured him, seeing the nervous look on his face.
The door suddenly flung open and they jumped. "You will do no such thing, Merry!" Eowyn exclaimed. Alarain and the hobbit exchanged a terrified glance before turning to stare at her. "You will do no such thing because I'll do it." the woman smiled, narrowing her eyes mischievously.
They let out a relieved breath and Eowyn came in, closing the door carefully behind her. "You didn't give me away when I rode to battle, so I won't give you away." she said to Alarain.
"Thank you so much." Alarain smiled, relief still present.
Eowyn waved it away and spoke again. "How are you planning on being able to fight though?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the two.
Alarain was silent as she lifted up her sleeve. They all exchanged a glance and Merry looked worried. "How do you know if it's going to work?"
"I don't." Alarain answered simply. "But it worked on Boromir."
The hobbit sighed. "Well... alright."
"Merry, go put on your armour and get your sword. I'll do the same and meet you in the gardens." she ordered. He was about to trot away when she stopped him. "I've heard that hobbits have some skill when it comes to not being seen. Use that skill now." He nodded with determination in his eyes and stood taller, glad that she had so much trust in him. With that, he left silently, footsteps not even noticeable.
"Are you sure about what you're doing?" Eowyn asked.
Alarain nodded. "I'm not going to let my friends leave me behind."
She smiled, a knowing look in her gaze. "I hope you come back." she said as she went the door.
"Eowyn?" she asked, stopping her. The woman turned back and Alarain spoke. "Will you take care of Brenir?"
"Of course. As long as you are gone, I'll treat him like a king. Fayna will be waiting for you in the stables." Giving Alarain a bow of the head, she wished her luck and slipped out.
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, Alarain cringed in pain. She put weight on her feet tentatively and bit her lip when a shot of agony flew through her injured leg. Frowning, she got to her feet and ignored the pain. She crossed the room to a wardrobe and opened it, smiling when she saw her old clothes. They were clean and mended of all rips. Her light leather armour was there as well. Getting it all out, she struggled slightly when putting it on, but was soon ready.
Reaching for her sword, she felt her heart clench. Aragorn's old sword. She shook all thoughts of him from her head and strapped it around her waist.
At the door, she paused. Perhaps I should try it on myself before endangering Merry. Turning around again, Alarain made her way to the bed and sat down.
I need your help now, she thought to the magic in her body. Rolling up her sleeve, she looked at the White Hand and concentrated. She moved her hand to her opposite shoulder and closed her eyes. A tingling in her arm soon became apparent and she looked down at the injured shoulder. Nothing. She tried again, resting her hand gently on the wound. This time, she concentrated harder. Glancing down as she worked, Alarain began to feel discouraged when nothing occurred.
"Why aren't you working?" she growled to herself. If this doesn't work, then I'll be letting everyone down. I may never see my friends again! What if someone is killed? What if I could have saved them? Aragorn came to her mind and pain suddenly shot through her arm and into her shoulder. She bit her lip to keep from screaming as the feeling flowed through her whole body. Is this how Boromir felt when I saved him?
Her hand fell into her lap and she gasped when the pain stopped. Alarain was breathing hard and she glanced down to her wounds. Unwrapping the bandages, her eyes widened. The wounds were closed and all that could be seen were scars.
Determination surged through her. Rising from the bed, she smiled when realizing that she no longer felt tired. She had energy, and lots of it. Padding quietly to the door, she pressed her ear to the wood. All was silent so she turned the handle and peeked out. There were voices down the hall, but they were neither growing louder, nor quieter.
Think like a hobbit, she thought to herself. Or a ranger... No, better! An elf! You are an elf and no one can hear you. What am I doing? Shaking her head of all strange thoughts, she tiptoed through the halls, avoiding all sounds of people. Once, she had to press herself behind a potted plant when a healer passed. Eventually though, she made it safely to the gardens.
Slipping behind a tree, she peered out. There was no sign of Merry. Alarain nearly leaped out of her skin when the hobbit appeared beside her.
"What took you so long?" he asked, glancing around for any sign of danger.
Alarain said nothing, but showed him her healed shoulder. His face lifted and she put a hand on his good arm. "It hurt though." she whispered.
Merry shook his head. "I still want you to do it." he replied, also keeping his voice low. "I want to be there for our friends."
She nodded in understanding and sat him down in the dirt. "Put your hands over your mouth." The hobbit gave her a questioning look. "Just in case you scream." His eyes widened, but he did as he was told.
Alarain rested both hands on his bandaged arm and shut her eyes tightly. Just like last time, she thought of her companions and how much she wished for their safety. Her arm tingled and a sensation like a flowing river passed from her hands into Merry. He flinched, but made no sound.
She fell back with a gasp and Merry stared at her with worry. In her concentration, she'd forgotten to breath. "Are you alright, Alarain?" Nodding, she asked the same of him. "Well, either you lied or your getting better because that didn't hurt as much as I thought it might." he grinned and held up his now healed arm.
Alarain smiled back and cast her gaze around. "Come on. We must hurry."
Together, they cautiously made their way through the garden and back to the Houses of Healing. Inside, Alarain stuck her arm out and stopped Merry at a corner. There were voices very close. Inching her face ever so slowly, she peeked around the corner and saw Eowyn speaking with the head healer. He had his back to them, so she stepped out further and caught Eowyn's eye. Seeing the movement of her friend, Eowyn lured the man away and as she did, Alarain and Merry crept past to the door and slipped out.
They were free. Running as fast as they could, or more like running as fast as Merry could, they flew to the stables. Stepping inside, Alarain quickly found Fayna all tacked up in a stall and brought her out. She even had a saddlebag full of food and supplies. Picking up her hobbit companion, she practically threw him into the saddle before swinging up behind him.
Fayna snorted at the extra weight, but did not hesitate when Alarain urged her into the street. Their going was slow as they made their way through the city. There were people everywhere and Alarain was not about to go running them over.
"Thank you for taking me, Alarain." Merry said in front of her. "If it had been anyone else, I'm sure they wouldn't have."
She smiled at him. "I wouldn't leave you behind. I too, know what it feels like."
After what felt like ages, they were finally at the first level. Merry suddenly grabbed the reins and pulled Fayna to a stop. He pointed and Alarain followed his finger to the guards at the gate. He looked back up at her. "Do you think they'd let us pass?"
She frowned. "Most likely not. Not without good reason anyway." Casting her eyes around, she mumbled to herself. "We need a distraction."
Merry laughed. "Finally something I have experience with!" he grinned, rubbing his hands together in excitement. "Hand me my canteen from the saddlebag, will you?"
Turning, she reached back and dug her hand into the bag, coming out with the hobbit sized canteen. He took it from her and looked up. "When the guards run away, gallop out and don't forget to pick me up." She watched in confusion as he slipped out of the city, completely unnoticed by the men on watch.
Shortly after though, there was a yell from out on the fields and the guards glanced at each other. They walked away a bit and saw something. Running out to help, they didn't see the woman on horseback trotting after them.
What she saw made her stare. Merry was seemingly screaming in pain and clutching his leg. It was covered in blood... or was it blood?
The men ran over to him and called out. "What has happened to you, child?"
Alarain smirked. They think he is only a kid! The helmet he had acquired at Dunharrow hid his face enough for them not to understand that he wasn't.
As the guards reached him, he motioned for her to come. Shaking herself mentally, she kicked Fayna into action. The horse sped towards them and the men turned just in time to leap out of the way. Alarain reached her hand down and felt Merry catch it. She pulled up her arm and he slipped into the saddle behind her, canteen still in his hands.
They galloped away and Alarain turned her head to see the guards waving frantically for them to stop. Needless to say, they didn't. Her and Merry began to laugh and she turned to him. "Are you hurt?"
He snickered. "No. It was only wine."
"Wine?" she exclaimed, staring at him. "You brought wine instead of water?"
"What?" he grinned. "It's good!" They laughed again as he put his canteen back in the saddlebag.
A few moments later and Alarain slowed the horse, a frown present on her face. Merry questioned what was wrong and she spoke. "They are probably passing over the river through Osgiliath as we speak, but we might not be able to."
"What? Why?" Merry asked, growing nervous.
"There may be soldiers stationed there and they probably wouldn't let us pass."
He seemed to think for a moment. "Are there any other places we can cross?"
"If I remember the maps I've seen of the Anduin, there is another crossing point further up the river." she informed him. "There is a small island in the middle of the Great River called Cair Andros. It has bridges on each side." Alarain was quiet again.
"Do you think we can cross there?" Merry pressed.
"I'm not sure. Last I knew, Gondor held it. We might be able to slip by there more easily then through Osgiliath." She turned in the saddle to look at him. "Do you want to try it?"
Merry nodded. "If it's a better chance then Osgiliath, then yes."
"Alright." Alarain replied. "It will take a two or three days to get there. The river has a bend in it, so if we cut across the land to the north, we will be faster then the army." Turning Fayna northwards, she pushed her into a canter and they set off.