Hi, All
Thanks for the two reviews and the people that decided to follow the story - much appreciated!
Disclaimer - Anything Tolkien related does not belong to me.
Still looking for a Beta! -One that does LOTR stories.
Sierra flinched as the elf pushed her once again in the back. His touch was not forceful, but it was his proximity that unnerved her. After being intercepted by the elf, Strider and the Axe-man soon joined them. She later recognised the short axe-wielder to be a dwarf and wondered how she could have not have known that earlier.
Sierra had many dealing with dwarves in the past and felt quite comfortable being around them.
After a quick "Who are you" and "where are you from" from Strider, where Sierra didn't utter a word, they have decided it best to take her to a man named Gandalf. The name sort of reminded her of something or someone, but she could not quite place who or what.
They walked in a single file back to their camp, the dwarf and Strider in front of her, while the elf followed quietly behind her. She could not hear the footsteps of the elf, but definitely felt his presence and the occasional shove when she walked too slowly. She did not like the feeling of having an elf so close to her again and was it not for his extraordinary speed, Sierra contemplated running off again.
When they reached their make-shift camp, Sierra groaned at the sight, there were nine of them, to one of her. 'Well, four of them did look like children and the one was an old man, but there were still two strong looking men, a dwarf and an elf. Just the elf was bad enough' she thought dryly.
Studying the small people, she came to the conclusion that they must be Hobbits. She has never seen a Hobbit before, but her uncle and Julien frequently talked about Bilbo Baggins who was one.
"Gandalf" Strider called and Sierra saw the old man approach. He was tall, very tall and had a bushy white beard with matching eyebrows that stuck out from under the brim of his grey hat. His face was wrinkled at the eyes, either from laughing or squinting, Sierra could not tell.
"And who might we have here?" he asked in an impressive voice, but his posture was relaxed as he leaned on his staff. The other people in his group regarded her with wary eyes, but remained silent.
"Mmm, are you a silent one? Very well, let us have a look at you" he motioned with his hand for the elf to remove her hood.
She could feel the fabric slide over her hair as the hood slipped from her head. The breeze was cool as it came in contact with her face and damp hair.
"A woman!" the one man called and Sierra frowned at his astounded tone of voice.
"Indeed" Gandalf whispered and stared down at Sierra "Tell me dear, what are you doing here alone in this part of the land? Where are your companions?"
Sierra cleared her throat and tried to relax her voice "I have no companions. I travel alone"
"It is dangerous for a woman to travel alone" the old man remarked. It was not a question, but Sierra felt the need to respond.
"Yes" she nodded "Hence me running away from a group of men"
Gandalf gave a low chuckle to her answer and smiled "But unfortunately you underestimated the sure footedness of an elf"
"I was not aware that an elf was in the area"
Gandalf nodded, satisfied with her answer and then asked "Now, what is your name, dear?"
Sierra lifted her chin, not wanting to seem intimidated by this group of males "Sierra, Sierra Wentworth" her voice sounded strong and she was proud of the result.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Wentworth. I am Gandalf" he said "May I introduce you to the rest of my company?"
Without waiting for a reply, the old man started introducing the rest of his companions. He started with the watchman who she though was Strider is actually called Aragorn, next he proceeded to the other human, a son of Gondor, Boromir, following him was the dwarf Gimli son of Gloin (Sierra eyes widened slightly at the name since she knew his father), the elf as Legolas from Mirkwood and then the four hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin.
"Now let us sit down so we may continue our discussion a little bit more comfortable" he motioned with his hand to the small fire "Legolas, would you mind taking the second watch?"
"Yes, Mithrandir" he replied and quickly stepped to the spot where she first saw Aragorn stood. Sierra gave a small sigh of relief as he moved away.
Sierra went to sit on a rock, neatly placed besides the fire and saw Gandalf and Aragorn follow suit. Boromir and Gimli gathered two of the Hobbits and started teaching them combat skills, while the other two hobbits softly started conversing with each other.
"So Lady Wentworth, may I enquire where you come from and where you are travelling to?"
Sierra sat and contemplated her options for a while before answering "Where I come from now would be a matter I do not wish to discuss, however I could perhaps say that I usually come from the Rhovanion area. As to where I am heading, that would be a place called Rivendell. Have you heard of it?"
"Yes My Lady, we were there but a fortnight ago" Aragorn said "It is the last Homely House of the elves"
"Elves?" Sierra said shocked "I did not know the place was inhabited by elves!"
"I would hardly call it 'inhabited' …" Aragorn murmured. Sierra ignored him and frowned down at her hands. That would make things difficult. She thought elves only lived in Mirkwood. Does that mean Elrond was also an elf? Does that mean that this Elrond in Rivendell could actually be the original one and not a descended like she thought he was?
"What would your purpose be in Rivendell?" Gandalf asked and poked the fire with a long stick. Some of the golden embers flashed red, but then again settled to their yellowish colour.
"I seek guidance from a man named Elrond. It is of great importance" she replied truthfully. Maybe she was able to get some information from them. They seemed friendly enough, since they haven't bound her or anything.
"Ah, Lord Elrond Halfelven" Gandalf said "I'm sure he would be able to assist you with whatever you seek"
'Halfelven?' Sierra wondered quietly. Guess it's better than full-elven.
"I hope he would be able to assist, otherwise I'm not sure where else to go" she said softly and once again looked down towards her hands. What if Elrond could not help her? What would she do then? Where in the whole of Middle-Earth would she start looking?
"Are you in any form of danger, My Lady?" Aragorn asked, his voice was gentle and when Sierra looked up she could see genuine concern in his grey eyes.
"How bizarre that a stranger could look at her with such concern" Sierra silently wondered. She rubbed one of her hands up and down her cheek contemplating what to say. Aragorn took her silence as an answer and bent towards her and took hold of her free hand.
Sierra went stiff at the sudden contact, but did not remove her hand from his.
"Is there something we can assist with? It must be a hopeless case if the only way to seek answers for a cause is for a woman to travel alone in these parts of the land"
Sierra grimaced slightly at his chauvinistic remark, but repressed the urge to say something. She had to remind herself that she is not back in the 21st century and that in this age and time men considered women to be helpless.
"Thank you, but I am fine I assure you" she said and slowly pulled her hand from his and folded it into her lap. Never get too friendly with strangers.
"May I enquire to where you are heading? It is a strange route to travel. Usually one would assume taking the high road that leads from towns" Sierra asked.
Aragron shared a brief look with Gandalf before answering "Our nature is of our own, My Lady"
His tone clearly indicated that this topic was not up for discussion.
"I apologise, I did not mean to pry. Tell me, how is the rest of the road to Rivendell?" she quickly asked instead. Maybe she could receive some guidelines as to what sections to avoid in the next two weeks.
"It is fairly the same as now. The weather I assume will get colder as you go north and the marshes would become more frequent, other than that, nothing much" he went silent for a second or two thinking "Do you travel by night or day?"
"At day, I cannot imagine travelling this road by night" She confessed. She had a difficult time not injuring herself by walking over the rocky terrain, how much worse would it be by night!
"I would recommend you travel be night. It is safer that way" Aragorn said "If I could have spared a man, I would have send one along with you, but Alas, I am not able to do so"
"Thank you, but I will be fine on my own" she assured.
"I'm sure you will, dear. In the meantime, would you like to stay the day with us? We always have a watchman on the lookout. You can rest here in peace." Gandalf offered.
Sierra's first reaction was to decline, but a good sleep without worrying about prying eyes was very enticing. But could she trust these people?
"I thank you for your offer. I would like to rest only for a little while and then be on my way again"
"Certainly, you can make your bed anywhere you like. I am sure that the others will retire soon as well"
Sierra gave her thanks and immediately set out her bed roll next to the fire. She hasn't had the luxury of fire for a while and the small dancing flames were too welcoming too resits. She placed her satchel under her head and pulled the sheep blanket over her body. Sierra could hear some of the group talking softly to each other, no doubt discussing her, but at this stage she could hardly care less.
She was so utterly exhausted that not before long she was fast asleep.
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Sierra woke with a start at the commotion from the campsite. Somebody was shouting to smother the fire. The others were running around frantically. The sudden noise was alarming and for a moment Sierra was wildly confused.
"Get the girl!" someone shouted and the words hardly left his lips when strong arms pulled her up, bedroll and all, and carried her away. Her first instinct was to scream, but she quickly recognised the blond hair in her face to be that of Legolas'. Her body went rigid and her heart started to sped up with fear.
"What the hell –"she started to shout, but the elf interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.
"Quiet. Crebain from Dunlan" Legolas whispered and carried them under a hollow from a bramble bush. Sierra had no idea what Crebain from Dunlan was, but by the tone of Legolas' voice they sounded dangerous. By the looks of it the elf forgot that she was still in his arms, since his gaze was fixed on the area outside of the bush.
"Calm down, Sierra. He cannot harm you with the others nearby" she mentally calmed herself.
About five seconds after they made it to the hollow, a cloud of black crow-like birds sped through and over the campsite. Their shrill screeching sounds and flapping wings echoing through the dale. It was indeed a frightening sight to behold and Sierra was glad that she was not left behind sleeping in the midst of it.
After they were gone, Sierra let out a breath she did not know she was holding and looked up at Legolas' face. "You can now let go of me" she said softly.
Legolas looked down at her, his expression clearly stating that he had indeed forgotten about her.
"Yes, let me just carry you out from underneath-" he started, but Sierra would not listen. The nearness of the elf was all she could think of and that she needed to get away.
"No, no. Just put me down" she said frantically and started squirming in his arms.
"It would be much better if we could step out from under –"
"PUT ME DOWN" Sierra pushed her palms against his chested and heaved herself out. She fell in ungraceful heap at his feet, her sheep blanket entangles in the small branches of the bramble bush.
"Are you ok?" Legolas asked and meant to bend down, but Sierra recoiled from his touch. Legolas quickly came to the conclusion that she must be afraid of him and decided to give her space. He quickly stepped over her and from underneath the bush and made his way to the clearing. He gave a fleeting glance backwards, confused at why the girl was so fearful of him.
"I do not know what they are about: possibly there is some trouble away south from which they are fleeing; but I think they are spying out the land. I have also glimpsed many hawks flying high up in the sky. I think we ought to move again this evening. Hollin is no longer wholesome for us: it is being watched." Aragron said and moved to stand next to Gandalf, the other members of his group also gathering closer.
"And in that case so is the Redhorn Gate," said Gandalf; "and how we can get over that without being seen, I cannot imagine. But we will think of that when we must. As for moving as soon as it is dark, I am afraid that you are right."
"Take care not to light the fire again and remain hidden. I am sure that these were not the last of Crebain to pass over" Aragorn instructed.
Some of the Hobbits started to complain about not having a hot supper while other wished they reached the firey-mountain sooner. Sierra was not paying much attention since she was completely ensnared by the prickly thorns.
By the time she had finally freed herself from her entrapment, every member of the group has crept under a low hanging rock or tree, hiding from the eyes above.
Not wishing to remain in the prickly bush, she crawled over to two of the Hobbits sitting in a little opening of a rock.
"Mind if I join you?" she whispered as she reached them. The sandy blond one, she think was called Sam, nodded and scooted over to make more space.
"Thanks" Sierra dragged her blanket with her and made herself comfortable in one of the nooks. "Have anyone of you seen what happened to my satchel?"
"I believe Boromir has it" the dark hair one said. She had completely forgotten his name.
Sierra looked over to where the man of Gondor was sitting alone against a tree. At his feet laid her satchel and two other bags. "Great" she muttered.
"Do you want me to get it for you?" Sam asked and made to stand.
"No, No. I'm sure he would be gentleman enough not to rummage through my bag" she replied a little louder, hoping that her voice would reach Boromir.
Boromir looked up at her voice and made eye contact with her. He smiled and gave a little salute of acknowledgement and then rested his head back against the tree and closed his eyes.
Sierra scanned the rest of the group and their hiding places. Aragorn and Gandalf was sitting with the other two Hobbits under a low hanging rock, Gimli curled up next to a log under a tree, clearly sleeping by the slow rising and falling of his chest. Sierra looked over the other nooks and creeks, but could not locate the elf. She frowned "Is he not supposed to be on the lookout or something?"
"Are you alright, Mr Frodo?" Sam asked and Sierra turned to look at the other Hobbit, momentarily forgetting about the elf.
"Yes, Sam. My shoulder is just hurting a little bit" Frodo said and rubbed his shoulder with his one hand. Sierra quietly observed the Hobbit and could see that is face was a little paler that the other. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked utterly weary.
"Maybe you should take a nap, we are leaving at dusk and you could do with a bit of rest" Sam said. He dragged his bag closer and indicated with his hand for Frodo to lie down.
The Hobbit followed suit and soon he was fast asleep, with Sam watching over him.
Another flight of black winged birds passed over them and Sierra winched at the sound.
They were quite nasty looking birds. And spies, none the less! Who knew birds could be spies?
Both Sam and Sierra sat in silence, each busy with their own thoughts. Frodo occasionally twitching and moaning in his sleep.
Two weeks from now she should be in Rivendell. What is she going to say to Elrond? 'Hey, are you the one who fought the battle against Sauron in the battle of the Gladenfields? Well guess what, the ring you were supposed to destroy has been found and is probably on its way to my world'.
She placed her face in her hands and sigh. 'I don't think that would go well" she thought. Maybe she could try and find the Hobbit named Bilbo first; her uncle did mention that he is the key, but she did not know where he is located. 'I wonder if Sam and Frodo know Bilbo Baggins' Maybe she could get some information out of them and help narrow down her search.
"So, Sam" she started and looked over to the Hobbit who was busy toing with a loose string from his shirt. "Do you know a Bilbo Baggins?"
Sam's brow furrowed a bit between the eyes and regarded her wearily. "Yes, I know him"
Sierra's heart made a little leap of joy. "Oh that is great! Do you know where I can find him? Oh, wait. Is he still alive? I mean it was over sixty years ago…"
"Why would you by looking for Mr Baggins?"
"Oh, um, well my Uncle asked me to give him a message. You see he met him while he was at the Lonely Mountain. Brave Hobbit that is to have been able to face Smaug like that!" She rambled. She always got like this when she was either excited. If she could find Bilbo first, she could tell him that he has the ring of destruction and that Julien is out to get him…oh this would be wonderful!
"If you are on your way to Rivendell you will most likely find him in the Hall of Fire, busy reciting a song"
"He is in Rivendell!?" she shrieked her voice carrying over the dell.
"Quite!" came the angry voice of Gandalf and Sierra looked over to where he sat. "Sorry" she mouthed and turned back to Sam "He is in Rivendell?" she whispered "With Elrond?"
Sam nodded. Does Elrond know he has the ring? Is that maybe why he is there? If so, that would make thinks a little bit easier. She doesn't think Julien would ever dare attacking an elven city. Maybe it is safe there. Still, she will need to get there as soon as possible and warn them.
"Thank you Sam" She said and rested her head against the smooth rock. Things were looking much better than it did a few minutes ago. Maybe she should take a quick nap before she sets out at dusk; the faster she gets to Rivendell the sooner she can go home.
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