Disclaimer: I don't own any of the LOTR characters or settings (that's all Tolkien's) ... regrettably ... what's mine are the OC's … and the mistakes … yep, that's about it.

Chapter 4

The trees continued with their welcomes. I listened as they greeted each member of the company. However, except for Estel none were called by their names. Instead, the trees used descriptions as a form of address.

I had to stifle a laugh when I heard the trees worry about the one who is always asleep. The trees kept reassuring the poor guy, that this time he wouldn't oversleep. They would make sure of it. I wasn't sure how exactly they planned to achieve that, but if the words "Squirrels … help … acorns … hit" were anything to go by, I didn't envy him.

However, for the most part the trees seemed harmless. Their way of describing my companions was both amusing and adorable. No matter how bizarre the wording was there was no malice in it. Most of the time the descriptions were nothing short of affectionate. Still, I found it unsettling once they turned their attention towards me. "All will be well young speaker." The words were kind and reassuring, yet I wasn't sure about their truthfulness. Now, when the darkness no longer dulled my senses, my injuries started to bother me again. I was slowly becoming more aware of each step Estel took and especially of the pain it sent through my ribs.

While I was busy paying attention to the gossiping trees the trail grew even steeper. The river was now visible shining through the trees on the bottom of the hill.

"urgh" a fresh wave of pain shot through my ribs as Estel's footing wavered. He didn't drop me, but the sudden jerk as he was trying to balance himself was enough to make my eyes water.

He regained his balance with a short "Goheno nin" before continuing down the slope.

For the rest of the way towards the riverbank Estel was walking even more carefully. However, it was a difficult feat in such uneven terrain and by the time we arrived at the bottom of the hill, I couldn't stop the occasional whimper that escaped my lips. The pain in my ribs kept steadily growing and by the time we finally reached the riverbank was almost unbearable. I no longer tried to muffle the sounds of my discomfort. The tears in my eyes stung and I felt palpable relief once I heard Estel's "We'll rest here."

Before long I found myself settled on the ground, partially propped up by several cloaks. The relief I felt once I was laying still was unbelievable. Only now I registered, that my ribs seemed to be hurting more each time I breathed in. This pain wasn't as strong as the one caused by movement, but it was still uncomfortable.

Estel's "Are you in pain?" flabbergasted me.

I briefly considered uttering something along the lines Well aren't you a sharp one yet considering that wouldn't help anything I contented myself with an expression that clearly said the same and a nod.

I saw Estel motion for Logon, even as he continued his questioning each question 'brighter' than the last. It felt like he went through a checklist asking me whether different parts of my body hurt. Was it my head? No. Arms? No. My right leg? No.

I wondered whether he was being deliberately obtuse for even I could hear my laboured breathing. Before he finally started asking the right questions

"Are your ribs hurting?" Nod. "Is the pain lesser, now when you are laying down?" Another nod. The pain in my ribs started to lessen almost immediately once I stopped moving.

"Is it hard to breathe?" Nod. "Did it get easier in past couple of minutes?" I stopped to think only to realize, that yes indeed it did. I still couldn't breathe in as deeply as I would like. However, when I kept my breathing shallow it no longer caused me any pain. Maybe I shouldn't have judged him so soon I mused.

"Good" He nodded his head briefly

"You heard, its her ribs." I turned my head to see who he was addressing. "I was careless while carrying her." only to see Logon kneeling by my other side. "I don't think I've done more damage, but I would like you to check."

Logon seemed a bit surprised by Estel's request. However, it didn't take him long to answer "Of course." And focus his attention on me.

However, there was something different in Logon's attitude this time "Little one, I need to check your ribs. May I?" his voice was still gentle. That didn't change.

Yet his demeanour was different from last time. He didn't move to do anything. Instead, he seemed to be waiting for something. I watched him completely perplexed.

"May I?" Logon repeated. That's when I realized why he haven't started yet. I nodded. Being in a presence of beings more than double my size still made me nervous. However, I had to admit that neither he nor Estel hurt me so far although they've had plenty of opportunity to do so. That was why I was willing to give them the benefit of doubt.

Even once I gave the go ahead, Logon didn't immediately move to examine me, instead he took his time. Letting me know what he was going to do each time, waiting for my nod before continuing. It felt like if he was playing some weird version of Simon says, and yet I found it comforting. Luckily it didn't take long for Logon to be done with his exam

"Well, little one. It doesn't seem like the travel has done your ribs more damage."

He promptly turned to Estel saying "However, I don't think she should be traveling any farther, at least not today."

Switching his attention back to me Logon asked, "Are you still in pain?"

I've considered his question. The pain now settled into a dull throb, and while it was no longer unbearable I couldn't with clean conscience say that it was all gone. I nodded.

Logon hummed and started rummaging through his satchel before pulling out what seemed to be couple of dried leaves. Which he proceeded to offer me

"Here" I eyed the leaves sceptically.

"It'll help with the pain." Logon continued his offer. I was tempted to accept, yet now when the pain was bearable, I didn't fancy the idea of eating some miraculous plant at least not without being sure of what it was.

I turned my head to signal my disinterest in the leaves. Logon seemed to want to urge me further. However, before he could I heard Estel sigh in frustration. However, instead of urging me as well he seemed to accept my decision

"As you wish Mistriel." was the only thing he said before getting up and walking away.

I watched him leave slightly perplexed. I wasn't sure what I did wrong. I've given it a thought and although the pain was still there it settled into a dull throb, that while still uncomfortable didn't bother me as much. So, I refused. I saw no problem with that. Confused I met Logon's eyes searching for an answer. Yet he didn't give me one. He only chuckled and repeated "As you wish Mistriel."

Before adding "Would you at least allow me to check your other injuries?"

I nodded, seeing no harm in that. And we went back to the weird dance of Logon seeking my confirmation for pretty much every move he made.

Slowly losing interest in Logon's ministrations I got into a habit of nodding whenever he seemed to pause in his one-sided conversation. And I turned my attention towards the happenings at our new campsite.

I marvelled at how Estel's whole demeanour changed once he "put on his chieftain hat". Gone was the worried gentle giant its place now overtaken by experienced leader. The same could be said about the rest of the company. I saw a group of men who were just sitting around joking with each other change into a group of soldiers in a matter of seconds. They worked together with such ease, that I couldn't help but wonder how many years it took for them to get to this point.

It took Estel just a few commands and now the men were divided into groups each one having a different purpose. Some men disappeared into the forest, others left to take care of the horses, and some moved around setting up the camp, starting fires and preparing food.

The one group that caught my attention were the two men who instead of unloading their horses were caught in a conversation with Estel. They seemed worried. Their expressions were determined. They talked with hushed voices that should be impossible to hear on that distance and yet

"I don't like sending you ahead, but I fear for the little one's fate." At Estel's words the men shot me a quick look. Feeling like I was caught eavesdropping I looked away. I focused my attention back on Logon, who was now in the process of bandaging my wrists. I didn't like the look of them, I thought they would have healed by now, but they still seemed worryingly raw.

I tried to listen to the conversation, but when I wasn't looking at them, I couldn't distinguish the voices of the two men from the others. So, the only one I could listen to was Estel, who regrettably didn't speak much. In the end I was left with only two sentences "Bring this letter to lord Elrond" and "Travel with haste".

When I finally got the courage to look again, the men were just getting on their horses and nodding their goodbyes. Before riding of, traveling downstream at a quicker pace than we travelled so far.

Once the riders disappeared behind the horizon. Estel made his way across the camp back towards us. He didn't try to start a conversation, instead he started cooking. No, not cooking. He seemed to be making a tea out of the dried leaves I was offered earlier. There is no way I am drinking that I thought as I watched Estel steam the leaves in little bit of water. The smell was unexpectedly refreshing, it felt as if it was chasing pain away. Maybe they were right.

It didn't take long before Estel was joined by one of his men. The newcomer brought some fresh leaves to add to the 'tea'. Maybe they were tealeaves. I giggled. I was feeling more relaxed. Soon my eyes grew heavy, and before long I nodded off.

Notes:

„Cursive." = dialogue in Elvish = translated to Westron from Elvish

„Normal text."= dialogue in Westron = written as the characters say it

Cursive = thoughts

"Goheno nin." = "Forgive me."

Author's notes: also known as my nerd moment – feel free to skip.

I just wanted to address the whole language business. As you can see, I define "cursive" simply as a dialogue in Elvish. But let's be honest that doesn't tell us much. Afterall there is more than one language that elves speak. So, to make matters clear – it depends on the context and also on the fact, that this story is from Mistriel's point of view – ergo we only know what Mistriel knows.

That being said, I see no harm in shinning some light on the issue here (in author's notes):
1) Rangers speak Sindarin, while the trees talk in Quenya – Yes, I can go into annoyingly detailed rant about why that is. I just thought I would spare you that :)
2) Mistriel understands both Quenya and Sindarin but can't tell them apart – I know it sounds a bit weird, but that is something that sometimes happens to people who are fluent in more than one language.