The company of six encounters the Ringwraiths. All elf talk will be in italics.
Throughout the next day and a half the company of six traveled briskly to put space between themselves and the Ringwraiths which were following behind them. During that time frame Rowan grew to enjoy the four hobbits company especially of Frodo and Sam.
"Are you really mated to an elf?" Sam asked after they had a brief snack of apples Aragorn swiped for them all.
"Indeed I am young Sam his name is Legolas, no doubt he misses me" Rowan answered. "My great grandmother on my father's side was also an elf and she was mated to a wolf skin changer, my mother was proud to have elf blood flowing in our veins so she taught me along with my siblings how to speak the language of elves, and it took many years to master may I remind you"
"You two sound quite the pair I look forward to meeting him one day" Sam added and Rowan smiled kindly at him. Night was setting in soon and Aragorn finally came to a stop in front of an old ruined structure.
"What is this place?" Rowan questioned coming next to Aragorn who was looking at the structure.
"This was the great watch tower of Amon Sul" Aragorn explained before giving her a pat on the shoulder and turned to the hobbits.
"We shall rest here tonight" Aragorn told the other hobbits. The hobbits nodded before all six began to walk towards the ruins. By the time they got there the sun was beginning to set. After placing her weapons down, Rowan felt her inner dragon wanting to hunt.
"I must hunt Mellon" Rowan whispered coming up to Aragorn.
"Follow me" Aragorn told her and she followed him away from the ruins while the hobbits slept. Her weapons were being guarded by Sam. Aragorn led her into a nearby forest and he turned around so Rowan would have some privacy changing out of her clothes. The dragoness hurriedly removed her clothes and then stood nude ready for the change to come. Her pupils became slit like as her body began to smoke crimson red. She felt her limbs change and she embraced the phase.
A few minutes later a dragon with garnet colored scales stood on all fours. Golden scales traveled all the way from her under her neck to the ends of her tail. She had two lethal golden horns on her head as well as two fins on the sides of her face. The membranes in the fins were the same color as her under scales, as were the membranes in her wings the same. Rowan walked her way towards the forest clearing and Aragorn turned around just in time to see two golden eyes with black slit like pupils looking back at him.
"I shall be back shortly" Rowan said to the ranger who nodded and backed up. Rowan then opened her huge wings and took flight. She made sure to keep low to the ground in order to avoid being seen by the Nazgul. She was quick to find a nearby deer herd and she swiftly killed a buck that was near the end of his days. She ate as much of the rich deer meat her body could handle before she had enough. She cleaned off the blood from her scales with her tongue before taking into the air once more. Aragorn was still waiting for her on the forest line when she returned. The human male turned around when Rowan landed.
Rowan's body began to smoke crimson again and a second later she was nude again from the phase. Not wanting to sleep in her mithril shirt that night she pulled on a simple black tunic and then put her red corset like top back over it.
"I'm decent Mellon" Rowan called out to Aragorn once she was completely dressed once more. Aragorn nodded and the two of them headed back to the ruins where the hobbits were. Once arriving back at structure the hobbits greeted the dragoness and Ranger.
"Where did you run off to Ms. Rowan?" Sam asked.
"I had to hunt young one" Rowan replied to the blonde hobbit and she ruffled his hair with her hand. Rowan heard Aragorn put something on the ground and she turned to see Aragorn had placed a cloak on the ground. Four small swords large enough for each of the four hobbits lay on the cloak. Sam walked over to get a better look.
"These are for you keep them close" Aragorn said throwing a sword to each hobbit. Frodo simply took one into his grasp. "I'm going to have a look around"
"Be cautious Mellon" Rowan warned Aragorn in a serious tone. Aragorn nodded before he turned and left.
"Will he be alright on his own with those wraiths still stalking us?" Pippin asked looking to Rowan.
"He is a Ranger Master Pippin he can handle anything" Rowan reassured the blonde hobbit. Due to the meal she had just finished the skin changer felt tired. So she chose to rest and Frodo did the same beside her. The two of them slept until the smell of fire woke them both. Immediately both Rowan and Frodo sat up.
"What are the hell are you three doing?!" Rowan demanded horrified to see a small fire Sam, Pippin, and Merry were using to cook.
"Eating Ms. Rowan, we saved some for you and Mr. Frodo" Sam offered holding out some food to the frustrated male hobbit and hot headed dragon.
"Put it out you fools, put it out!" Frodo shouted before using his bare feet to hurriedly put out the fire.
"Oh that's nice, ash on my tomatoes!"
As the flames were put out the familiar screeching of the Nazgul was heard.
"Damn" Rowan growled as she hurried over to a nearby ledge, the four hobbits following behind her.
They all looked down to see five wraiths coming upon the ruins.
"Get up there now!" Rowan ordered the hobbits as she drew out Jura. The hobbits all drew out their blades and they hurried up the stairs higher into the old watchtower. Rowan looked all around her keeping an eye out for a single wraith to emerge from the shadows as she followed after the hobbits. Once at the top of the watchtower, Rowan made the four Halflings get behind her. She held Jura out ready out in front of her ready to strike. Finally one wraith emerged from the shadows followed by its four comrades.
As one each wraith unsheathed their swords, and then slowly as though a predator was ready to kill its prey they approached.
"Back you devils!" Sam shouted and he ran forward and his blade began to dance with the wraith's sword. The wraith simply swung its blade forward making Sam's sword go flying out of his hand and he was then thrown against a nearby wall.
"You stay the hell back Nazgul" Rowan hissed as Jura's blade met with two of the other's wraith's swords. The wraith in front of her simply kicked Rowan hard in the gut and she went flying backwards with Jura in her still in her hand. She landed on her back and she watched as Pippin and Merry were tossed aside by another wraith. Frodo by now was shaking in fear and he dropped his sword and fell onto his back next to Rowan.
Rowan suddenly heard the language of Black Speech and she turned to see Frodo take out the ring. The hobbit looked at it for a second and this got the attention of one wraith. Frodo saw the wraith was looking upon him and he hurriedly began to back away.
"Damn it" Rowan cursed under her breath as the wraith's came upon their prey. She wasn't going to let the young hobbit die here tonight. As she slide her body towards Frodo, the hobbit disappeared and she swore in elfish. The foolish Halfling had put on the ring again. The wraiths wouldn't move from the spot where Frodo was, as though they could see him. The wraith most likely the leader reached down as though he sensed the ring and his hand hovered in mid air.
The wraith then growled in annoyance and Rowan made her move. She threw her body in front of Frodo's invisible form as the Morgul blade the wraith held pierced into her left shoulder. She screamed as the feeling of a thousand knives surged through her skin.
"Ms. Rowan!" she heard Frodo shout he quickly reappeared underneath the dragoness and he quickly caught Rowan's limp form. The wraiths then shrieked and Rowan was able to see Aragorn using his sword and a torch that was lit up. The Ranger's blade danced with the other Nazgul's as Rowan continued to scream. Frodo lay her on the ground as Sam hurried over to Frodo.
"You're going to be alright Ms. Rowan" Sam said to the dragoness. She whimpered as the poison of the Morgul blade continued its effect on her.
"She has a fever" Frodo added feeling her forehead. "Stay awake Rowan!" he shook Rowan's body as her eyes were about to close. Rowan heard Aragorn continuing to fight the wraiths, one by one each of them fled. Aragorn then threw his torch into the face of the last wraith; it dropped its sword and screeched as flames lit up its cloak. The wraith then turned around and fled so it could put the flames out.
Rowan screamed again and Sam shouted.
"Strider!"
Aragorn turned to see the four hobbits surrounding Rowan. The Ranger hurried over and saw Rowan was in bad shape.
"Help, her Strider please" Frodo begged. Aragorn picked up a blade and recognized it.
"She's been stabbed by a Morgul blade" the blade turned to ash as he threw down the hilt. "This is beyond my skill to heal" Aragorn then took Rowan into his arms as she continued to whimper in pain. "She needs Elvish medicine"
The screeches of the wraiths were heard not far behind them. Frodo quickly grabbed Jura and he along with his fellow hobbits followed behind Strider after gathering their belongings.
At one point Aragorn had to throw Rowan over his shoulder.
"We're six days from Rivendell she'll never make it!" Sam shouted over the wraiths shrieks.
"Hold on Rowan" Aragorn whispered to Rowan.
"Melamin!" Rowan shouted in elfish.
Later
"She's going cold" Sam said to Aragorn. The group had been traveling all day and now it was nightfall and they decided to stop for awhile. Rowan's condition was getting worse and her fever had rose.
"Is she going to die?" Merry asked. Aragorn turned to the hobbits and explained.
"She is passing into the Shadow World she'll soon become a wraith like them"
Rowan's eyes were now completely a solid gold her dragon pupils gone. She was starting to groan and this no doubt would gather the attention of the wraiths. Speaking of said wraiths another shriek was heard.
"They're getting close"
"Sam" Aragorn called over and the hobbit stood up and came over to the Ranger. "Do you know of the Athelas plant? Kingsfoil?"
"Kingsfoil, Aye it's a weed"
"It may help to slow the poisoning we must hurry you three keep an eye on her" Aragorn then said to Frodo, Pippin, and Merry. The three hobbits nodded before Sam and Aragorn hurried over into the woods to search for the weed. While Sam went in one direction, Aragorn came upon a small batch of Kingsfoil; he put his torch down and took of his knife. As he began to cut off a few pieces of the Athelas, a sword suddenly was under his throat.
"What's this?" A Ranger caught off his guard?"
A Few Minutes later.
"Bloody hell" Rowan growled as a bright white light came into her sight. She briefly saw a female figure all dressed in white and she made her horse come to a stop. Even though she was weak the dragoness could still speak. The female being got off of her horse and she approached Rowan and the hobbits.
"Hello Rowan" Arwen greeted.
"Arwen you came" Rowan said to the she elf back. Arwen took a hold of one of Rowan's hands and spoke to her in elfish.
Just hold on my friend, I am here to help you, hear my voice and come back to the light.
Rowan smiled weakly before she began to groan once more. Arwen held her friends's hand tighter as Aragorn returned and he began to rip off bits of the Athelas plant he found.
"Who is she?" Frodo asked.
"She's an elf" Sam answered as Arwen touched Rowan's forehead.
"She is fading, she's not going to last" Arwen explained turning to Aragorn. The Ranger pulled back the black tunic on Rowan's so her wound was visible. He then pressed some of the weed against her wound.
"We must get her to my father"
Aragorn nodded and scooped up Rowan into his arms as Arwen followed.
"I've been looking for you for two days, there are five Wraiths behind you, where the other four are I do not know" Rowan felt Aragorn place her on top of Arwen's horse.
Stay with the hobbits, I'll send horses for you
I'm the faster rider, I'll take her
The Road is too dangerous
If I can get across the river the power of my people will protect her
"I do not fear them" Arwen spoke in the common tongue. Aragorn knew that arguing any further was futile. He nodded and Arwen got onto her steed, she wrapped one arm around Rowan's waist while the other hand held onto the reins.
"Arwen ride hard, don't look back" Aragorn said to the she elf. Arwen nodded before speaking elfish to her horse and it began to gallop away.
"What are you doing?!" Sam protested. "Those Wraiths are still out there!"
The sun rose as Arwen made her horse run like the wind. Beautiful landscapes passed as the she elf rode holding onto Rowan for dear life. The dragoness groaned and she felt her death fast approaching. When she would draw her last breath, she would think of her mate. As Arwen rode into the forest she heard other horses behind her and she quickly looked to her left to see the black horses the wraiths rode come into sight.
Rowan looked to her right to see another Wraith fast approaching her. A second later the wraiths shrieked and began to chase after the she elf. While she rode Arwen's cheek got cut by a tree branch. Rowan felt the horse begin to go faster underneath her and she also heard the hoofs of the raiths horses doing the same. Arwen wrapped her arm tighter around Rowan's waist as the wraith's picked up their pace with their horses.
"Damn things are persistent" Rowan said weakly.
"Just hold on Rowan" Arwen whispered to her friend just as the wraiths came upon Arwen's sides. They had finally caught up with the she elf. One of the wraiths closest to Rowan screeched and outstretched its metal gloved hand towards her face. Arwen then shouted to her horse in elfish and the steed began to run faster. Arwen had to make several sharp turns around trees in order to avoid a collision.
"I smell water up ahead hurry Arwen" Rowan shouted to the she elf as she her horse jumped over a log. Sure enough a river came upon the dragoness and she elf, and Arwen hurried her steed through the water and onto the other side of the bank. Once on the other side Arwen turned her horse around to see the wraith's horses come to a screeching halt at the opposite bank, the wraith's screeched out in annoyance at being outsmarted by an elf.
"Give up the dragon She-Elf!" one of the wraiths demanded. Arwen drew her blade and challenged the Wraith who spoke to her.
"If you want her, come and claim her!"
The wraith's drew out their blades accepting Arwen's challenge and they began to guide their horses into the water. Rowan then heard Arwen speaking a spell in elfish, she didn't recognize it due to the fact she so weak. Rowan did notice however the water beginning to rise and she looked to her right at the same time did the wraiths. A huge wave of water surged around the corner and the wraiths turned their steeds forward.
"They're screwed" Rowan joked as the wave became the shape of a herd of horses. The wraiths horses began to gallop forward but it was too late. The wave crashed into them making the foul beings screech as they were pulled underneath the power of the water. Rowan then growled and Arwen took notice of this.
"No Rowan!" Arwen threw her sword to the ground and carried herself with Rowan in her arms off of the horse. The she-elf laid Rowan against the ground.
"Rowan no!" Arwen began to sob. "Don't give in, not now"
Rowan's breathing became labored and Arwen couldn't control her tears flowing down her face. She brought Rowan against her chest and held her close.
What grace has given me, let it pass to her; let her be spared, save her.
Rowan then fell into darkness hearing Arwen speak those words. She dreamt about her first flight with her parents and siblings, how she first met Legolas, the time she marked him as her mate. During her sleep Rowan thought she heard Elrond speaking, but then she heard nothing else. What seemed to be weeks she finally felt her strength return.
"Blood hell" Rowan growled when she finally opened her eyes. She was dressed in a long white summer night gown; a bandage was wrapped around her shoulder. Her hair was loose and it was a mess but she didn't care.
"Even after nearly dying that's all you have to say" came Gandalf's teasing voice. Rowan sat up and she turned to see both Elrond and Gandalf looking at her.
"Hello to you as well old man" Rowan then growled and Elrond came to her. He placed his hands onto her shoulders and made the skin changer lay back against the pillows.
"You still need rest Rowan you may walk around later" Elrond reassured the dragoness.
"I thank you for healing me how are the little ones and Aragorn?" Rowan questioned.
"They are safe, no doubt Frodo and his companions will want to see you later"
"However there is someone here who wishes to see you now" Elrond added. Rowan's heart began to beat knowing who Elrond meant. She turned to the door to see her mate and the other half of her heart enter. Legolas was wearing his travel attire most likely he had just arrived in Rivendell. Not caring Rowan got to her feet and Legolas hurried over to her. The elf prince wrapped his arms around his beloved and kissed her forehead. Gandalf and Elrond took that chance to leave and give the couple privacy.
Mela en'coiamin Legolas whispered to Rowan. Rowan had her head against her mate's chest.
A'maelamin Rowan replied before she looked into her mate's blue eyes. Legolas quickly seized her lips with his. Rowan felt her heart began to beat like no tomorrow as Legolas picked her up and carried her back to her bed. The elf prince gently lay her against her back so he could rest his body on top of her. Their hands were intertwined as their foreheads touched.
"I rode from Mirkwood as soon as I heard you were stabbed" Legolas said to his mate.
"I am sorry I worried you mate of mine" Rowan replied to her other half and she gently pushed Legolas back so she could straddle his lap. His hands wrapped themselves around her back in a possessive manner. Rowan lips first went to Legolas's neck where her mark rested underneath his clothes. She gently kissed the spot where his clothing blocked her mark before her lips traveled to Legolas's lips. Legolas hungrily accepted her kiss, he gently pushed his tongue into her mouth and she jumped when their tongues met.
The kiss was brief but yet wonderful, it had been several days since the two were last together. They broke their kiss and Rowan planted one last one against her mate's forehead before she placed hers against his once more.
"There is another reason why you are here my love"
"Indeed Lord Elrond has summoned our company here Little Garnet"
Rowan pulled herself away so she could look into Legolas's eyes.
"It involves the Ring doesn't it?"
"I am afraid so there is to be a meeting in the morning and Lord Elrond has requested you attend as well alongside me and our people"
"If that is what should happen then it shall be" Rowan then let Legolas bury his head against her chest while she wrapped her arms around him, both happy to be in each other's arms again.
A'maelamin- My Beloved.
Mela en'coiamin-Love of my Life.
Melamin-My Love.
^^
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