So it finally happened: Therith and Legolas kissed! I hope you enjoyed the build-up to that moment. I always find those moments very difficult. Please enjoy this new chapter!
I was quick to fall asleep that night, feeling very tired, dazed and unable to wipe the foolish smile of my face. I hardly remember a blanket being wrapped tightly around me and long fingers running through my hair before the door of my room closed softly.
It came to me as a shock when something managed to wake me from my deep sleep not to long after. Something feels off, like danger is near. I can feel a chill running down my spine and I sit up like a lightning bolt whipping my head around in search for it.
A whisper of Dark speech from the room besides mine makes me jolt out of bed, quickly untangling myself from the sheets and spurting out the door. Heart racing, I barge through the next door and my eyes widen in horror at what I see. Pippin is writhing around in agony as he hold in his hands the Palantir. His grip is tightened around it involuntarily as he looks in to it, unable to turn his eyes elsewhere.
"Help! Therith! Gandalf!" Merry calls, shocking the wizard awake. I leap toward Pippin, and take hold of his hands, and try to pry them loose without touching the orb. Just a second later, Aragorn appears beside us, ripping the Palantir from Pippin's hands, only to stiffen and fall over from the rush of pain it causes. Luckily he drops it, letting is roll on the floor before Gandalf dives after it, quickly covering it up. He then rounds on us. "Fool of a Took!" he curse the hobbit, only to fall silent at the state of him.
I had quickly gathered the stiffened hobbit in my arms, tapping at his cheek while Legolas concerns himself over Aragorn who seems less effected. "Pippin? Speak to me!" I urge, feeling a rise of panic when there is no reaction. Gandalf rushes towards us, shoving Merry aside none to gently before crouching before us. "Gandalf? What is wrong with him?" I ask, my bottom lip quivering in worry.
He says nothing as he worriedly takes Pippins hand before laying the other hand on his head, chanting quietly. I am startled when a moment later Pippin shudders audibly before opening his eyes in fright. "Look at me." Gandalf says, his voice calm for Pippin's sake.
He finally seems to realize what happened and his surrounding as he looks up at Gandalf. "Gandalf, forgive me." he breathes out between pants. "Look at me." Gandalf repeats as the hobbit looks away shamefully. "What did you see?"
"A tree." Pippin starts reluctantly. "There was a white tree and a courtyard of stone. It was dead." he says, grimacing. Gandalf gains a look of recognition in his eyes. "The city was burning." Pippin adds. "Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?" Gandalf questions. He receives no answer, as Pippin seems to remember something else.
"I saw…I saw him…I could hear his voice in my head." he confesses painfully, shocking us. "And what did you tell him? Speak!" Gandalf urges. "He asked me my name, I didn't answer… he hurt me…" "What did you tell him about Frodo and the ring?" Gandalf next asks. "Nothing of Frodo." he answers. "Nor the ring."
Gandalf sighs in relief, sitting down on his heels. After a moment of silence, he looks around, gazing at our faces as we look at him, wondering what to do. "We will speak tomorrow of what happened and decide what to do." he finally says before glancing down at Pippin. "Sleep for now. You will need your rest." he says, returning to his cot. I can tell he won't sleep another wink tonight though. He is already busy with wondering and planning.
"Come." I whisper to the halfling in my arms, guiding him back to bed before pouring him a cup of water from the pitcher in the room. He eagerly empties it. I then cover him up and wipe the sweat from his forehead with my sleeve. "Sleep now. No harm will come to you here." I tell him before turning to Merry who has dragged his makeshift bed closer. "Look after him tonight." I say, making the hobbit nod eagerly.
Standing up and making for the door, I glance around at the faces around me, seeing them look worried. "Goodnight." I softly call out, before retreating. I hardly slept myself that night.
Late the next morning, we gather in the Hall, accompanied by the King. I stand behind the hobbits, following the conversation. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes; a fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the ring." Gandalf muses.
"We've been strangely fortunate. What Pippin saw in the Palantir was a glimpse of our enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: The heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still - strength enough left to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the people of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raise Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King of men return to the throne of Gondor. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war." he tells King Théoden, who doesn't seem eager to do so.
"Tell me. Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" he wonders, voicing his reluctance out loud. Gandalf looks at him incredulously. "What do we owe Gondor?" the King adds.
"I'll go." Aragorn musters. "No!" Gandalf calls. "They must be warned!" He counters. "They will be." Gandalf assures him, stepping closer. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road…" he continues before lowering his voice so I can barely make out his next words: "Follow the river, look to the black ships."
Turning around, he addresses us all. "Understand that things are now in motion, that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith, and I won't be going alone." he says, turning his eyes to a surprised Pippin. I grimace on his behalf, laying my hand on his shoulder before squeezing it in an attempt for comfort.
It is not long before I gaze over the plains, watching Gandalf and Pippin ride off until I lose sight of them. My heart feels heavy at their parting and I'm not alone in the sentiment. Glancing towards the watchtower, I see Merry reluctantly climb down it, followed by Aragorn. I meet them at the bottom, taking the solemn looking Merry and guiding him off. "He will be alright. You'll see." I assure him, to which he smiles uncertainly.
After seeing to Merry, finding him some comfort food to cheer him up, I find myself wandering around aimlessly. I suppose we will stay here for now, but for how long will we wait? I feel rather useless being here.
I halt my thoughts and steps as I find myself outside behind the Hall. Looking out over the lands is Legolas and he's by himself. I feel my heart quicken its pace. We had not had the chance to speak since last night, much less be alone together and I find it hard to compose myself.
I also find myself wondering what our relationship entails exactly. I've never been in this position before and it leaves me puzzled on what to do and how to act. What I don't doubt on, is that he cares for me and I can only guess at the extend of it. After last night, I find myself looking back at all those little 'moments' we had together and I can hardly believe how dense I've been. How could I not have caught on to his feelings before…or my own for that matter? I must be very naïve.
"Therith? What are you doing?" a voice suddenly asks, making me snap out of my thoughts. Legolas is facing me now, and looking quite amused. He must have figured my head decided to go on a whirl just now. His smile falters a little. "Are you alright?" he asks when I don't answer.
Mentally shaking myself, I force my feet forward. "I'm fine." I say a bit too quickly, making him raise a brow. Standing beside him, I clear my throat, looking for the right words to say. "I just…well…." I pause, glancing up at him before giving up with a deep sigh. "I don't know." I groan, sagging my shoulders and feeling very awkward.
I frown up at him as he merely chuckles. He raises a finger to my forehead, pushing up the creases caused by the frown in order to dissipate them before letting his hand rest on my cheek. I blink at the notion as he goes back to looking amused. "You worry too much." he says calmly. "Probably." I mutter in recognition.
"Are you not happy?" he asks suddenly, taking me aback. "Of course I am." I blurt out, making him smile. "I just never imagined…" I breathe out as he steps closer, resting his forehead on mine and letting his hand slide down to clasp my fingers like he did the night before. I shiver at the thought.
Biting my lip, I remember the question that ran through me just now. I find myself unable to find better wording than: "Is 'this' really happening?" I whisper. I'm still baffled by the situation really. I feel like this love just cannot be real. Like it's too good to be true and every moment now, the bubble will burst.
"It is." he says without hesitation, the words attacking my irrational thoughts and slaying them. "For as long as you wish it to be."