Hello again! Hopefully you all liked the last chapter and will enjoy this one just as much. Once again thank you for the reviews, they're really wonderful. I'm going to continue with the regular weekend updates for the next little while!
Sam was gathering marsh brush and sticks to use for the fire, it was late evening and everything had finally dried up from the rain the night before. The Fellowship was camping in the shelter of a small clump of trees on top of a hill. Sam picked up another stick and added it to his almost full arms. Looking down across the flat land below, he froze in his work. Straightening up, he squinted at a black form approaching from the north. As he shaded his eyes against the glare from the setting sun he realized it was a horse and rider. The horse looked black but from this distance he could not be certain. Surely a Wraith hadn't caught up to them so quickly? Grabbing the wood, Sam turned and sprinted back to the trees. He came running into the campsite a few moments later, drawing the attention of everyone.
"Sam! What's wrong?" inquired Frodo, rising from his seat on a rock.
"Someone's followin' us," huffed Sam. He dropped the sticks and bent over, trying to catch his breath.
"What do you mean?" asked Gandalf urgently.
"I was getting the firewood and I saw a rider on the horizon," explained the hobbit.
"Well that doesn't necessarily mean they're pursuing us, it could simply be a lone traveler," reasoned Boromir.
"But they were following the exact path that we did," said Sam. Aragorn and Gandalf exchanged a look. Aragorn grabbed the wood and tied it together then buckled it onto Bill's saddle.
"We will have no fire tonight. A Black Rider would not attack us on its own but they are not the only enemies to fear on the road. Aragorn will take the first watch. Legolas, perhaps you should join him," advised the wizard. The elf nodded and joined Aragorn at the edge of the trees. Merry and Pippin began to clear away the stones for the fire and the others lay out their bedrolls. By now the sun had all but slipped below the mountains. Everyone was restless as they lay in the dark, straining their ears for any sign of their unknown pursuer. One by one they fell asleep until only their guards and Gandalf remained awake. The next hour passed uneventfully, the darkness pressing in around them. Legolas was staring up at the moon when he heard a faint sound in the distance. Turning his head, he tried to identify the source of the noise.
"What is it?" asked Aragorn from beside him.
"Hoof beats, they are muffled by the soft ground," said Legolas.
After a moment his friend's ears picked up the sound and he gripped the hilt of his sword. He motioned to Gandalf and the wizard joined them. They were still as the sound got closer and then stopped. The three silently drew their weapons, trying to see something in the black that surrounded them. After a few moments a twig snapped to their right and they spun towards it. A loud crack came from the same direction and woke the rest of the Fellowship. Within seconds their companions were on their feet, swords and ax drawn towards the sound. The thud of something falling on the mossy ground made the hobbits flinch. Finally none of them could stand the tension any longer.
"Show yourself!" said Boromir loudly. A snicker rang out behind them. Everyone whipped around, not expecting noise from that direction. Legolas immediately knocked an arrow towards the small thicket.
"Do not be afraid Captain, I'm not going to attack you," answered Eredhel as she stepped out from the shade of the trees, holding a large rock in her hand.
"Eredhel," exclaimed Aragorn, relieved by the appearance of the elf. "I thought you were riding for Lórien?"
"My services were no longer required in Imladris. I have come to join you as I should have done from the start," she explained.
"Should we ask whether or not you have come with the blessing of Lord Elrond?" asked Gandalf cautiously.
"No, you shouldn't." Her eyes darkened and he decided to let it go for the moment.
"So much for the silence of the elves! If she's over there then where was all the noise coming from?" demanded Gimli. Eredhel smirked and weighed the rock in her hand then tossed it to her left. It bounced off a boulder then thudded down the hill, imitating the sound they had heard moments ago.
"I couldn't have one of you throwing a knife at me. Or worse, shooting an arrow," she answered, cocking an eyebrow in Legolas' direction. He realized he still had his bow pointed at her and hastily lowered it. Eredhel whistled softly and Berenoch came trotting up the hill. The horse was nearly invisible in the darkness and she removed the pack that was slung over his back.
"This quest is far too perilous for a woman to accompany us," scowled Boromir as he sheathed his sword.
"I'm here to help you."
"I was unaware that elves were ever concerned with the fate of men," he sneered.
"Well Legolas is obviously concerned but tell me Boromir, were you at the Battle of the Fornost?" asked Eredhel.
"How could I have been?" The man snorted. "It was over a thousand years ago."
"Well I, along with many of my people, fought beside the men of Gondor. Hundreds, if not thousands of elves died because of their decision to help the race of men." Her eyes narrowed.
"The number of fallen Gondor soldiers was twice that of the elves! Your people suffered but a small loss compared to my country."
"Boromir don't," said Aragorn. He knew that the captain had just struck a nerve with the elf and he was unsure of how she would react. Eredhel whipped around and strode towards Boromir. She stopped less than a foot in front of him and her grey eyes burned into his. Though she was the same height as him, the man seemed to shrink beneath her cold glare.
"You have no idea of our loss that day. Warriors, comrades and friends, all taken away. You know nothing of that battle and the pain it brought yet you are quick to belittle the sacrifices they made. All you've been told are the tales of honor and glory. You have not heard the screams of your companions dying around you, you have not seen the ground stained red from the blood of your people. Do not speak to me of loss Captain," she snarled. Eredhel spun away from him and led her horse to the edge of the clearing. Boromir was stunned and remained silent. No one spoke until finally Pippin seemed unable to bear it any longer.
"Well seeing as we're no longer pursued then perhaps we could light a fire?" he suggested. Gandalf nodded so Merry and Pippin started to gather the sticks and twigs into a pile while Gimli placed rocks in a small circle. Aragorn lit his pipe and went to stand with Legolas, away from the others.
"What's wrong with Eredhel?" asked Legolas softly, hoping no one would hear. Aragorn looked at the elf intently, wondering how much he should tell him. He took a heavy draw from his pipe and sighed.
"I do not know the full story as it happened long ago and Eredhel closely guards the tale. It took years of asking before she told me what happened and it was actually Arwen who divulged most of it to me. She joined the elves from Rivendell who fought under the command of Glorfindel during the battle. At the time she was close with an elf called Ivoron. From what I've been told he was a mighty warrior and those in Rivendell say he only went to battle because in his heart he loved her. Eredhel was fighting next to him when she saw Glorfindel being overwhelmed by orcs and rushed to his aid. When she turned back to Ivoron she saw a spear pierce his heart," Aragorn paused as sorrow filled his eyes. "The wound could not be healed and he died. The battle was won but Eredhel was overcome with grief. She blamed herself for his death and still does to this day. Both myself and Arwen believe she loved him as he loved her but we could never tell for certain, as she has always kept her emotions well hidden. When Eredhel came home she spoke to no one then several weeks later set out for Lórien. After staying in the forest for a month she once again took to the road and wasn't seen for over 20 years."
"But surely Eredhel must know that it wasn't her fault," insisted Legolas. He could not imagine spending so long on his own.
"No she doesn't and she's had to live with the guilt for centuries. When I was growing up in Rivendell she would rarely sleep and when she did her dreams would be overridden with flashbacks. She would relive the battle over and over and awaken in a state of terror."
"That explains it then. I heard someone scream in Imladris and turned to see her nearly fall from a tre. She refused to speak of it and said it was simply a nightmare," recounted Legolas and Aragorn snorted.
"A nightmare more real than either of us has ever experienced. Despite Lord Elrond's best efforts he could not heal her. Ever since then she has been very careful who she gets close to for she has experienced how easily they can be ripped away. It did not help when her mother was waylaid by orcs and was forced to depart for the Undying Lands. This is also why she is so willing to go to battle and why she was so willing to help us. Eredhel would rather face grievous injury or death than deal with the all too familiar pain of losing those she cares about," said Aragorn sadly. "There is none better suited for the name of Varyor."
"I'm going to see if she's alright," decided Legolas. He turned and crossed the camp site, the flickering flames casting shadows across his face. He saw Eredhel with her back turned, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She had sent Berenoch back to Rivendell and stood alone, staring out into the black.
"So Aragorn has told you of the battle," she said bluntly as he approached her. Legolas had not realized she could hear them.
"I'm sorry I did not mean to pry," he apologized.
"There is no need, it is fine. When you found me that day I had just relived the death of my companion." Her voice was empty and void of emotion.
"It is clear to see that you still carry a great deal of guilt on your shoulders," said Legolas gently.
"For good reason. It was because of me that he went to battle, because of me that he died." She slowly rubbed her temples, "Ivoron asked me not to go and when I refused he joined our group. As you know, I have inherited my father's gift of foresight and on the way to Angmar I experienced a vision of Glorfindel receiving a sword to the stomach. I knew the dangers of telling him what I experienced so I kept it to myself. When I saw he was surrounded I was filled with fear so I ran to him. Not only was Glorfindel my commander but also one of my closest friends. We had just defeated our enemies when I turned back towards Ivoron and saw the spear go through his chest. I nocked an arrow and the orc that threw it was dead but I was too late. When the battle was over there were many celebrations but I could not find any joy in our victory. We returned to Rivendell and my brothers tried to console me but only Glorfindel could understand my grief. I understood that it was Ivoron's time to pass but I could not come to terms with why he had to be taken in such a way, why I could not stop seeing the spear hit its mark. For a while Father begged me not to leave Imladris for fear that battle or an attack would worsen my trauma. I grew so restless that finally I just had to slip away, leaving behind the valley and setting out on my own for several years," she finished.
"Aragorn said you do not like to speak of it, I did not wish to cause you pain by recounting your past. Once again I must apologize, you did not owe me an explanation." Legolas felt horrible for making her relive it all. If he had been through what she had he wouldn't want people asking him to retell the horror of losing those close to him. He looked up at Eredhel and oddly she was giving him a crooked smile.
"Please Legolas do not apologize for being concerned and do not hold your tongue for fear of offending me. I told you because I trust you," she said softly. He was surprised but rather pleased at her words.
"And you should not be afraid to admit when you are troubled for fear of of being a burden," said Legolas and he took her by the hand, pulling her towards their companions. Once again she felt a warmth go through her when their skin touched. "Come, we should go back." Eredhel nodded and pushed the feeling away, following him until they came into the light of the fire. He let go of her and went to stand behind Aragorn. The four hobbits were gathered around the crackling flames, a hearty stew brewing in a pot in front of Sam. Merry and Pippin were lying back, warming their feet. Gimli was propped up against a rock next to Boromir and they were conversing quietly while the dwarf ran his fingers along the length of his ax. The gathering was so relaxed that it was hard to imagine they were on such a dangerous mission.
A gnarled hand found its way on to Eredhel's shoulder. Of course Gandalf would want to speak with her. She turned to face him and prepared herself for what was about to come. "You know what I'm going to ask," he said firmly. "I want to know why you're here and not on the way to Lothlórien."
"As do I," added Aragorn as he came to stand next to them. Eredhel sighed and began to drum her fingertips against her knuckles, a habit she often fell into when she was on edge about something.
"When I was about to join the Fellowship, my father asked me to remain behind so I could bring a message to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. I hesitantly agreed and we did not speak much of it until I was preparing to leave. Then two days after you had set out I was sparring with one of my brothers' companions. He told me Elladan and Elrohir had already rode to Lothlórien where as I had been informed they'd gone North."
"To meet with my people?" suggested Aragorn and she nodded. As the heir of Isildur and rightful king of both Gondor and Arnor, Aragorn was the leader of the Dúnedain. They were the last remaining ancestors of the Númenóreans who survived the fall of their island kingdom and came to Eriador in Middle Earth, led at first by Elendil and his sons. Many of these men were those that the folk of the Shire and Bree considered Rangers.
"When I confronted my father he admitted that he had lied. He was thinking once the Fellowship was gone he could convince me to join the other elves in sailing for Valinor. I refused of course and immediately rode out to find you. It wasn't exactly difficult to track your group."
"And find us you did. You nearly gave poor Sam a heart attack!" said Aragorn. The words were barely out of his mouth when they heard a shout from behind them. Sam was backing away from the pot, frantically shaking his sleeve which had caught fire. Aragorn ran over to the hobbit and grabbed a water skin from one of the bags while Pippin and Merry shook with laughter. Aragorn drenched the thick fabric with liquid and the flames were diminished. Sam clutched at his heart and Frodo laid a reassuring arm on his shoulders. Gandalf chuckled to himself and was about to turn away from Eredhel when she stopped him.
"Mithrandir, there was something else I wished to speak to you about," she said hesitantly. The old wizard raised his bushy eyebrows curiously.
"Of course, what is it?" he encouraged. If the elf was asking for his advice then she must have been extremely worried. Something which didn't happen often.
"I experienced several flashing visions before I left Imladris. For the first time in centuries and they were of this company. I managed to shut them out for a time but they returned a while later. They all boded ill," Eredhel explained.
"You need not fear the repercussions of telling me what you saw for I will not change our course of action. They may give me some valuable insights into what to expect in the next weeks."
"There was a wolf howling, a man held the Ring by a chain in his hand. Then I saw an arrow aiming for Aragorn as he ran through a dark tunnel. The last came when I was in my father's study. You were all on a mountaintop with snow and ice swirling around you. Suddenly there was a crash and everyone was buried in snow." She took a shaky breath and closed her eyes, regaining her composure.
"My dear friend, I have always advised you not to shut out your foresight. It is a gift and should be treated as such. These have confirmed several things that I already suspected. Do not worry yourself about what is to come for it can easily change and not all visions come true. All we can do is hope that we will pass unnoticed and live to someday sit around a merry fire recounting this tale." He smiled at her then pulled out his pipe and went to sit on the ground next to Gimli. Eredhel sighed and walked back into the firelight.
"I will take the watch," she said. "It's the least I can after turning up so unexpectedly." None of them argued with her so she pulled up her hood and went to sit on top of a high rock away from the trees. She hummed softly to herself as her eyes surveyed the land below. Midway through the night Gimli came to relieve her. Eredhel was in no way tired and tried to take the second watch as well but the dwarf would hear nothing of a "pointy eared" taking his place. Finally she agreed but remained awake all through the night, watching the sun rise over the hills.
They rose the next morning and continued on their trek across the open moor. Wind whipped the Fellowship's cloaks about them as they followed along the Misty Mountains. The grey clouds hung low and the company was cheerless as they bent their heads against the bitter cold. At the end of the day they stopped and the hobbits dropped to the ground, exhausted. Gimli grumbled about being hungry so he started to make a fire. Sam mopped his brow. "You know Mr. Frodo, it was worth all this danger to see the elves. Though they were not quite what I expected" he said. Eredhel paused in her conversation with Legolas and looked at the hobbit with amusement in her eyes.
"And what exactly did you expect Master Gamgee?" she asked.
"Well," He hesitated and knit his eyebrows together. "All the old tales spoke of how fair they were and the joy on their faces. They are a glad folk but while they look young, in their thoughts and speech they seem old. It is rather difficult to tell their age," he concluded.
"Your observations are quite accurate," she said and the hobbit studied her for a moment.
"Eredhel how old are you? I mean, if you do not mind me asking," he added quickly as his cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"It's alright Sam, I don't mind. I am 2897 years old," she replied. Sam's jaw dropped and she chuckled before turning back to Legolas. The Fellowship had a quick meal then extinguished their fire. Boromir took the first watch and Aragorn went to join him. Eredhel remained awake and suddenly became aware that the two men were arguing in hushed voices.
"I know but I am still not comfortable with her accompanying us," whispered the Captain.
"Boromir she is more than capable of fending for herself," Aragorn insisted.
"You have only allowed this because she is the daughter of Lord Elrond."
"Trust me when I say that her father had absolutely nothing to do with her joining us," said Aragorn. "Her second name means protector. She will do whatever possible to ensure the safety and success of the Fellowship." Eredhel shut her eyes and sighed, ignoring the rest of their conversation. She would have to do something about the Captain's distrust of her abilities.
The next day the wind was cold and the sky cloudy. Their lips split and cracked in the dry air, their heads bowed against the constant gale. After a fortnight trekking over the open hills they woke one morning to a clear blue dawn. The wind had shifted, blowing away the grey clouds and bringing up warm air from the South. They were cheery as they cleared away the coals from the fire and packed the pony. Later that day they passed over the borders of Hollin, a long abandoned dwelling of Noldor elves.
"I suggest we take a rest here," said Gandalf as they approached a stone outcrop. "This land is wholesome for it has not yet forgotten the presence of the elves." Great rock formations seemed to grow out of the earth like grey fingers reaching up from the ground. The Fellowship was in high spirits and Sam began to start a fire. Gimli leaned back against a rock and closed his eyes while Aragorn drew out his pipe. Eredhel removed the knife from her boot and sliced off a piece of an apple she had taken from her bag. Legolas joined her and they began one of their usual discussions. He loved talking to her and they spoke of different times they had met upon the road. They also talked about their companions which usually made Gimli or Boromir to ask what in the world they were whispering about. The two would look up innocently which led their fellow travelers to shake their heads and mutter something about "secretive elves..." under their breath.
During a pause in the conversation, Eredhel turned her head slightly to the side and out of the corner of her eye she saw Boromir studying the dirt below him. Every now and then he would kick a rock to the side until finally he seemed satisfied with the small clearing he had created. "Merry, Pippin!" he called.
"Yes we're coming," said Merry as they made their way down the hill, hopping from rock to rock.
"What are we doing?" asked Pippin.
"You're going to learn how to use those swords," explained Boromir as he took a few steps back from them.
The two looked slightly nervous but drew their weapons eagerly. A few feet away, Eredhel rose from where she sat as an idea came to her. "Captain, might I ask a favor of you?"
Boromir turned, surprise obvious in his features, "Anything," he replied.
"I have not often used a sword and am much better acquainted with my bow. Before you start with the hobbits would you be willing to teach me a few things?"
"Of course," he said smugly. "Just stand where Merry and Pippin are now. We shall start slow." Eredhel nodded and turned to face him, giving Aragorn a quick wink as she did so. Farther up the hill Frodo looked on with worry.
"Gandalf." he pulled at the wizard's sleeve, "What if he accidentally injures her?"
"My dear hobbit, just wait and see." He chuckled and shook his head.
Boromir drew his blade as did Eredhel. Although hers was an elven knife it was only slightly shorter than his sword. They stared at each other for a moment until Boromir slowly raised his sword and offered a blow. It was little more than a tap and Eredhel easily blocked it, though she intentionally made it look difficult. She swung her knife at his head and he had barely enough time to react, not expecting such a quick retaliation. The clash of metal startled Gimli and he woke with a start. He grinned when he saw the source of the noise and joined Aragorn on the rock.
Meanwhile the Captain made a jab for Eredhel's stomach. She dodged his blade and swung for his shoulder. Though he blocked the attack, Boromir was not ready for the strength of it and was forced to take several steps back. Her movements were sure and her footwork precise. He realized that she had played him and snarled, swinging upwards at her neck. They continued parrying each other's blows, their blades slicing through the air. At one point Eredhel managed to send the man to his knees but backed away, indicating for him to rise and resume sparring. They now had the attention of the entire Fellowship. Eredhel and Boromir clashed swords, each one pushing as hard as they could. Boromir growled and with his superior strength shoved her backwards before swinging for her stomach. Then suddenly it was no longer Boromir that Eredhel was fighting but an orc. She was back on the cracked plains, and the hills of Evendim rose around her. Eredhel knew she was not truly there but the smell of sweat and blood filled her nose. Her eyes widened in fear and from the rock Aragorn realized what was happening. He quickly rose and got between them. "Alright, enough before one of you gets hurt," he said gruffly. "Boromir, Pippin and Merry have waited long enough."
"Very well," Boromir agreed. Aragorn placed his hands on Eredhel's shoulders, trying to snap her out of it. Her eyes met his and he saw they were filled with pain. Her emotion vanished a second later when the Captain extended his hand solemnly. She shook it firmly, trying to push the incident from her mind. She had been expecting the Captain to be smug and gloat about his abilities. To her surprise, he was humble and a silent truce seemed to have been reached between them. "Merry, Pippin! You're up," he called and the hobbits came running forward excitedly. Eredhel heard Boromir explaining to them the proper stance as Aragorn led her away from the others.
"I thought you said you had recovered," he said.
"I am perfectly fine."
"Do not lie to me Eredhel, I have known you too long for that. What happens if you are in the midst of battle and have a similar experience?"
"Then I will continue to slay my enemies only they will look different," she snapped.
"Boromir is not your enemy."
"I would not have harmed him. Enough Aragorn, I don't want to talk about it anymore." She turned away and headed back to their friends, leaving him to stare after her hopelessly.
"Not bad...for an elf," remarked Gimli as he saw her coming towards him.
"And what is that supposed to mean? I thought she was brilliant," said Legolas as he walked over, tossing Eredhel her apple with a smile.
"Well you pointy ears use such thin, light weapons. It takes real strength and skill to wield a hammer or an ax," the dwarf answered.
"Brute strength is worth very little, most dwarves would snap a bow string before releasing an arrow," argued Legolas. The dwarf snorted and got to his feet, passing the hobbits as he continued up the hill towards Gandalf. Meanwhile Merry and Pippin were getting used to their swords, blocking Boromir's careful blows as Aragorn advised them on how to move their feet. Aragorn was extremely skilled with a blade, he had seen his share of battle and moved with a swiftness and strength equal to or greater than that of the elves. Eredhel could only imagine the feats he would achieve once the shards of Narsil were re-forged. By now Gimli had made it to where Gandalf sat and over the clashes of metal Eredhel could hear him grumbling about their route.
"If you were to ask me I would say we're taking the long way around. Gandalf, we could pass through the mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome." he suggested. Eredhel felt a small knot form in the pit of her stomach as she met the wizard's eyes. They both knew what the dwarves had awakened in the mountain and for Eredhel the caves held a particular horror. Gandalf gave her a nod before he turned back to the dwarf.
"No Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." he replied. Below them, the exchanging of blows between their companions had escalated as the hobbits grew accustomed to the weight of their swords. Boromir made a lunge for Pippin's arm but his blade slipped and cut into his opponent's hand.
"Ah!" shouted Pippin, dropping his sword.
"I'm sorry!" apologized Boromir and he went to examine the wound. Pippin quickly kicked the captain in the shin and with the help of Merry, tackled him to the ground.
"For the Shire!" exclaimed Pippin. "Hold him Merry, hold him!" Boromir laughed as they restrained him and Aragorn looked on in amusement. After a few moments he rose and grabbed the two hobbits by the necks of their cloaks.
"Alright gentlemen, that's enough," he said. Merry and Pippin exchanged a look then each grabbed one of Aragorn's legs, flipping him to the ground. The Ranger grunted and the scuffle continued. Sam looked down at them in exasperation but then turned his eyes to the sky, frowning in concern. A cloud of black specks hovered above the horizon.
"What is that?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," replied Gimli.
"That is far too dark to be a cloud," said Eredhel.
"It's moving fast and against the wind," observed Boromir as he and the hobbits paused in their wrestling.
"Crebain from Dunland!" yelled Legolas.
"Hide!" Aragorn cried. Everyone jumped to their feet and quickly gathered their things. Aragorn grabbed his sword as Sam hastily doused the fire. The Fellowship ran to hide in the underbrush or beneath the great rocks. Eredhel rolled under a thick shrub, her black and grey clothes camouflaging her in the shadow of its branches. A giant swarm of black crows passed overhead. Their wings beat upon the air as they circled around the outcropping. Finally when they did not find anything, they continued on. Their cackling caws fading in the distance. Aragorn crawled out from his hiding place and walked to where Eredhel was under a tangled bush. He offered her a hand and she smiled gratefully as he pulled her up. "The passage south is being watched," announced Aragorn.
"Saruman must have sent them," said Eredhel. They both looked at Gandalf who stood on the highest rock, deep in thought.
"The risk of being found is too great. We must take the Pass of Caradhras," he decided.