Chapter Twenty
Serafina didn't even bother offering to help pile the carcasses. Her first point of business was changing and burning her stinking clothes, followed by the emptying of two water skins through her hair and over her face and arms – desperately trying to free herself from the stench of blood and vomit. Unfortunately, the thief was only mildly successful.
Serafina knew she didn't have much time. If the theory she had come up with was correct, she needed to know before confronting the group. Suppressing a terribly wicked grin, she sat by Frodo at the fire.
Engaging the hobbit in conversation was easy. The girl opened the conversation by discussing the night's events, and then, ever so gracefully, turned the topic towards the hobbits home. Leaving the talking to Frodo left Serafina free to observe, it also meant that she knew where Frodo's thoughts were – hopefully as far from the purpose of their quest as possible. Not long into the conversation Serafina spotted her prize – her heart and stomach flipped in unison as her mind recognised the danger, and her body welcomed the adrenalin. The thief's chance came when, due to the hobbit's excitement and proximity to the fire he decided to remove his cloak, which resulted in being quite the hassle with Serafina's offered assistance. Her hands were quick and sure and her quarry lifted over his head soundlessly with his cloak. With practiced ease, the thief stashed her prize casually in her pocket. She leisurely finished her conversation with the hobbit then excused herself to examine her find.
It wasn't long before Serafina returned to the company. The carcasses were piled away, downwind from the camp and everyone was seated around the fire discussing the imminent journey over the mountain pass.
She stopped a few metres away from the fellowship and took a deep breath; she knew this would not be a pleasant experience. Finally when the conversation reached a lull the girl took one step forward and cleared her throat. Nine heads turned towards her, waiting.
"I believe that I have made myself clear – I have no desire to travel with you, yet you will not let me go. You have no problem with exposing me to the dangers that you face, yet you don't seem to see the difference between us. The difference between the nine of you and myself is that I never volunteered for this danger. You even refuse to tell me why I am putting my life on the same cliff edge as your own. So I was left with no other choice." Serafina smiled, "I have a theory," she began.
None of them could foresee what she had to say next, so the thief took her time.
"Not all of you would know," continued the thief, "that I encountered Aragorn and the hobbits in the village of Bree. There I overheard a conversation about jewellery and invisibility. I could not make any sense of it." She paused to make sure she had all of their attention, when she was satisfied she continued, "That night, as you are aware, the Nazgul visited the village; a strange coincidence, but in my mind it was a random coincidence nonetheless."
Serafina stopped and met Boromir's gaze, she was going to enjoy this next part, "Boromir would remember, that on the night of Elrond's welcome feast, he and his kinsmen spoke openly of the Ring of Power in front of me, and a Council to be held the next morning." A smirk played on the thief's lips as Boromir's expression darkened, "I confronted Elrond about some suspicions I had concerning the One Ring, Nazgul and the hobbits' involvement – he encouraged me to dismiss my concerns, but I remember now that he never said once that my suspicions were false."
The smile on her lips faded and she regarded the faces in front of her. Not one of them moved – they could have been carved out of stone centuries ago if it wasn't for the occasion lock of hair getting caught in a passing breeze.
"I do not know what your intention is; whether you intend to hide it, or use it, or even if you are delivering it to him." Serafina reached into her pocket and pulled out a chain with a golden ring glinting in the fire light. The fellowship eyes darted between the ring and Serafina's glare, her eyes, it seemed, held a glint in them more dangerous than the seductive glow of the ring held high. "You refused to tell me important information concerning my own safety, you underestimated my ability, and you clearly have overestimated the vigilance of your ring bearer."
There, followed a pause so still that not even the night air stirred. The thief took a moment to compose herself, and then said very clearly, "I have no ambition for power, no desire to rule anything but my own thoughts and actions. I want no part in this." With a grimace Serafina threw the One Ring to Frodo. Once the ring was securely around his neck relief flooded into his face.
Boromir was the first to go on the attack. He stood and strode purposefully towards Serafina. Aragorn was quicker and positioned himself between the thief and the Gondorian. Boromir turned his attention to the ranger.
"How can you defend her?" He asked venomously.
"She has done no wrong by me," Aragorn replied quietly.
"She could have stolen the One Ring! We should have fed her to the wolves."
"She could have indeed, she obviously has the ability. But she doesn't want it. Let it go."
Boromir turned his plea towards the wizard, "Surely, Gandalf, we cannot just let this thief walk freely among us. She is dangerous and lacks even the most basic morality."
"I would say Boromir," replied Gandalf, "That Serafina has shown quite the noble and morally conscious spirit. She was concerned for her safety, rightly so at that, and sought to find the cause of her peril." He paused and fixed a measuring eye on the girl, "How she went about confirming her theory is questionable, but to give the Ring up freely and without prompting shows strength of character one might aspire to." Gandalf cast his eyes over the fellowship, "Serafina travels with us as previously agreed – to the next settlement of men. Now unless I am very much mistaken the sun will rise tomorrow and we face the perils of the misty mountains. Mine is the first watch."