The path down the mountain took less time than the trip up it. The snow seemed to retreat and give up its relentless attacks on us. Soon, we also reached the part of the mountain that was left untouched by the snow. It was here that we found a place to rest ourselves for a night. The hobbits immediately set out cooking supplies for food and I could only smirk at their focus on such a trivial thing. As lost in thought as I was, I did not notice Pippin walk over to me with a plate of food.
"Lady Lúthien," He said quietly as I turned to look at him. "I am sorry to interrupt you thoughts, miss, but I assumed you would be hungry and wanted to bring you a plate of food."
"Thank you, Master Pippin," I smiled as I took the plate from him.
"Master," He looked at me perplexed. "Many a thing I have been called, but never master, my Lady."
"Really," I smirked at him as I invited him to sit next to me.
"Yes, you see," he leaned back slightly as he began his tale, "in the Shire, where my kin and I are from, I am known as a fool, always getting into trouble and what not. The only time my antics are appreciated is when I entertain the fine folks who spend time within the Green Dragon."
"I beg your pardon, Pippin," I interrupted. "But, what is the Green Dragon?"
"Oh, it is the main pub in the Shire," Pippin eyes sparkled as he remembered the place. "Such a lovely little pub, Hobbit's from all over the Shire come to it because it has the best service, and not to mention the finest bar tender, Rosie. Sam quite fancied her when we were in the Shire. I still hear him rambling about her in his sleep at points."
"Is that so," I laughed a little as I learned of this truth.
"Aye, tis true," Pippin laughed along with me. "But, back to my tale. Even old Gandalf there will only ever call me Peregrin, which is a horrid name, or, and I quote, 'You Fool of a Took'."
I had to laugh again. Pippin had a fairly convincing impression of Gandlaf's voice that really seemed to emphasize his point. "Oh, Pippin," I replied once I had stopped giggling, "Gandalf does see the good in you as well as your mistakes. He is not a cruel man. Do not base who you are off of what others say, because they never truly know who you are. And, since I have known you these few short weeks, you have only been gentlemanly towards me. Therefore, you are a Master Hobbit as I am concerned."
"Thank you, Lady Lúthien," he smiled slightly as he stood. "I also wanted to thank you for carrying my kinsmen and me back on the mountain. It was most helpful."
"You thanks is welcomed, Pippin." I nodded to him as he walked away, carrying my empty dish with him. I had not noticed that he had grabbed it when he stood.
"So," A rough dwarf's voice started as he sat next to me, "what did that young hobbit say to you to put you in such an uplifting mood?"
"He just mentioned some aspects of the Shire that I found enjoyable," I replied keeping the specifics of the conversation to myself. "Why do you ask, Master Gimli?"
"Oh, no reason," He smiled slyly. "However, there is something I've been noticing between you and another on the voyage with us."
"And what would that be?" I asked quite confused by this point as I had kept mostly to myself for the majority of this trip.
"The elf, there is something there, Lass, even if you do not see it," He turned to me as I looked away.
"Gimli, there is nothing there," I refused to look at him as I stood. "Please, do not mention it again."
"Aye, Lass," Gimli called after me as I walked away. The memory of the night in the cave overtook my thoughts again as I thought of what I did, not only to Legolas, but to Estel as well. Lost in the deepest corridors of my mind, I failed to notice a man walk up next to me.
"Now, what did the dwarf say to make you run off?" Estel stood next to me and startled me slightly. "I apologize; I did not mean to frighten you."
I nodded as an acceptance to his apology. "May I ask you a question, Aragorn," I stopped walking and turned to face him. "Why will no one give me a moment of piece? I have been constantly attacked with conversation from all sides and by all species since we first arrived here."
"Well," Estel started, "if you want the honest answer, it is because Boromir is about ready to slice your head off and has been trying to talk to you since we arrived. We have all taken turns in making sure he didn't get the chance to do so."
"And what have I done to warrant such an end?" I wanted to know. In truth, I had kept my only grudges against Boromir but had been able to keep them under wraps.
"I do not have an answer to that question, Lúthien," Estel answered as we sat down on a rock. "He still seems a bit angered with you for coming out of the shadows back at the meeting in Imladris."
"For him to hold a grudge so long would be foolish," I analyzed as I looked off towards the camp.
"Or maybe it is because you are a woman," Estel joked as he nudged me slightly.
"Yes, that is possible," I joked back. "I have received many retorts about that on this trip as it is." We smiled as we sat on the rock in silence. My mind flashed to an old memory of him teaching me how to read in the language of men so long ago. I felt my face fall for a moment, and he must have noticed it as well.
"Lady Lúthien, are you alright," His voice was laced with concern.
"I am fine, Lord Aragorn," I lied as I continued to stare at the ground. He crouched in front of me and tried to look me in the eye. It is then I noticed a pendent hanging around his neck that I recognized. "Is that Arwen's Evenstar necklace?" He looked to what I referenced and gave a barely noticeable blush. "I had wondered when she would give it to you," I said as if it meant nothing at all. "She talked about nothing but giving it to you for almost three years; although, I was not supposed to tell you that." I looked up at him, a new found smirk on my face.
"You seem so young when you do that," Estel noted as he looked at me in amazement. "How old are you, Lúthien?"
"I am sixteen," I answered him truthfully. "And, before you ask, that is in years as counted by men."
"How do you look as you do then?" He was amazed by my size. "Most elves this age would still be a youngling barely able to walk."
"I am a half-breed," I answered as if it explained everything, "such as you are. Am I right to assume this?"
"How could you tell such a thing," he was still amazed by my abilities.
"Subtle things that most will not pick up on," I answered as I stood in front of him. "You look like a man, but your ears are slightly pointed. It is not noticeable to most men. You have an increased sense of hearing and of sight which I noticed back when we were hiding from the Crebain." He gave me an amazed look as I continued to tell him of all that told me he was a half-breed of man and elf. "Now, if you will excuse me, Master Aragorn," I said as I finished my explanation, "I think I shall rest for a few hours. I do not know when we shall be on the move again, but I should like to rest for a small time before we do." Bidding him farewell, I walked back over to where I had set up my sleeping palate and surrendered to sleep almost immediately.