We embarked on our journey the next morning. Legolas and I took the lead. Our swiftness allowed us to run ahead to scout out our path. We said little to one another as we ran forward and then had to wait for the others. Long after night fell, we found a small cave to stay in for the night and rest. The Hobbits were all worn out. None of them had ever been on such a rigorous journey before. Although none of them complained, by the time the entered the cave, they fell asleep almost immediately without a second thought of their empty stomachs.
While the men set up their sleeping palates, I went out of the cave and wandered to the edge of the cliff we had been walking on. The sky above was speckled with the small lights of the stars. The brightest star, the Evenstar, was shining in the east. It reminded me of my days as a young elf in Eglarest lying on the hillside with Gandlaf to study the stars. For a moment, I was saddened.
"Are you alright, Lúthien?" Estel walked up behind me and sat on the edge of the cliff to my right. "You look burdened."
"I am alright, Aragorn," I lied as I looked away towards the horizon. "You do not need to look out for me. I have the ability to take care of myself."
"Aye, Lassie, you do," GImili came up behind us then with Legolas at his side.
"You, Lúthien, are quite capable of taking care of yourself," Legolas agreed with me as he sat on my other side. "But just because you have the knowledge to shoot a bow, does not mean you have to use it. You don't have to take care of yourself all the time."
"Aye, Lass," Gimli agreed. "Let us help you."
"We were put together for a reason, Lúthien," Estel added. "Trust us to help you alright?"
I nodded my response as Gimli and Estel went back to the cave as Boromir returned with wood for the fire. Legolas opened his mouth as if he had more to say but closed it quickly.
"Did you have something more to say, Legolas?" I asked slightly amused.
"You look like someone," he started. "Someone I knew a long time ago," he paused for a moment as he gathered his thoughts once more. "Have you heard of the Runaway Princess of Eglarest?"
I nodded as I kept us my façade, "Raina, correct?"
"Yes, Raina," he sighed as he continued. "I spent a few years in Eglarest, as did Aragorn. For the first year we were there, we were close to her. We spent most days with her when we were not meeting with Eglarest officials. She was a bright child with beautiful golden hair," He looked distant for a moment as if remembering her face; my face. "We were both there, Aragorn and I, the day that she left. It was her birthday. We had planned a celebration."
I had a sudden urge to reveal myself to him than. He looked so sad and worried and he didn't know I was sitting right next to him. I looked up at him at that moment and he seemed close to tears. I laid a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry, Legolas. I am sure she is alright. And I am sure that you will see her again."
"Thank you, Lúthien," He lowered his head. "But I cannot be as optimistic as you. It has been ten long years since I last saw her. I do not know," he paused as we heard footsteps come up to us.
"Legolas, Lúthien," Estel's voice sounded from behind us. "It is late. You should both get some rest."
"I am sorry, Aragorn," I started, but Legolas stopped me.
"Estel, please sit with us," His voice was barely a whispered as he pleaded with out old friend. He sounded so sad.
"Estel," The man thought the name over. "You have not called me that in a long time, mellon nîn. What have you two been talking about?"
"Raina," Legolas whispered again.
"Funny, I had been thinking about her recently as well," I watched as Estel laid a hand on his friend's shoulder as he sat down next to him. "A bright child to be sure, I have a feeling you and she would become good friends, Lúthien," he turned to look at me with a small smile on his face. "You remind me so much of her."
"Aye, she reminds me of her as well," Legolas added. They both turned to look at me and I could hardly stand to look at both of their sad faces anymore. It was too much for me to bear.
"Excuse me," I whispered as I got up and ran away from both the two and the cave. I could feel their puzzled gazes on my back as I ran. I could not have cared less at the moment. I felt terrible about my lies and about running from them. I fell onto the ground in an open field and sat there for a short while before I heard someone behind me.
"You know," Gandalf's wise voice came from behind, "it is probably not the best Idea to run away from the group. We do not know what else is out here."
"I am sorry, Gandalf," I stood up and looked at them. "But I was just talking to Legolas and Aragorn about Raina."
"Oh, I see," Gandalf looked at me puzzled, "And why was that brought up?"
"Legolas said I reminded him of her," I admitted. "He seemed so sad. And when he pulled Estel over to talk he did too. Gandalf I cannot keep this secret from them much longer. It has hurt them too much."
"It is your choice what you will do with the secrets you keep," Gandalf said as he lightly squeezed my shoulder. "If you wish to tell them, then you may choose to do so. Just be careful, Raina, make sure who you tell does not tell anyone else. Neither you nor I want to see you go back to Eglarest."
"I will be careful, Father," I agreed as I gave him a small hug. "I promise I will never return to that place again."
"Good," He smiled as he led me back towards the cave. We walked in silence until we reached the front of the cave. Estel and Legolas were still sitting where we had left them before. They both held the posture of a defeated man. Their shoulders were slumped and Legolas's body shook with small sobs every once in a while. I told Gandalf I would be in in a moment and walked over to the two.
"Lord Aragorn, Prince Legolas," I whispered lightly as I stood behind them. They both turned to look at me and I saw their faces. They both held red eyes and stained cheeks from the tears they had shed. My heart was saddened immediately, but I did not have the courage to tell them the truth yet. As I looked down upon them at a loss for words, they both stood.
"It is late, Lúthien," Estel said as he had the ability to speak in the moment. "We should all get some rest."
"Wait," I stopped them both before they headed into the cave. I hugged them both lightly and they looked at me with a shocked look upon their faces. I had not shown that type of affection to anyone yet on this journey and they seemed amazed by my ability to do so. "I am sorry about your friend. She sounds like a wonderful person. I assure you both that you will see her again."
"Thank you, Lúthien," Legolas whispered as he hugged me once more.
"Goodnight to you both," I replied, "For I will not rest yet. I am taking the first watch shift." They both nodded without an argument. They walked into the cave with low shoulders and even lower hopes. It hurt to see them both in that state. I resolved to tell them the truth, and soon.