Disclaimers can be found in chapter 1.
Chapter 12: Calm before the storm
The journey down the Anduin River was peaceful. The calming sounds of the water and birds, and the warmth of the sun were a testimony of peace. A calm before the storm.
Kaitlyn took it all in stride, having no idea where the river was leading them and trusting solely in her companions. Occasionally, she would look back at Legolas and Gimli.
The elf had become quiet. She watched as he concentrated on steering the boat down the safest path and focused his attention on the woods on either side of the river. He appeared alert, his eyes scanning the shoreline; his sharp Elvish hearing picking up sounds that the others could not.
Gimli was still lost in his own world, gazing out at the river and sighing every so often. No doubt he was thinking of the Lady of the Wood.
Kaitlyn couldn't help but feel loss at having to leave the Elf Haven. Already she missed the sound of them singing, missed the giant trees and the occasional laughter of the hobbits as they ate and conversed. She longed to go back to the times when she and Aragorn ran through the trees in the morning, sometimes making a race of it. Aragorn always won but the feel of the wind through her hair, their laughter echoing in the cool morning air made Kaitlyn feel as if she were a victor as well. And she longed to return to the archery lessons with Legolas. As difficult as it still was for her to draw a bow and release an arrow that could hit a target, she enjoyed the time they spent together.
She gazed at her companions. Out on the water, they were quiet and in thought. Aragorn steering his boat along as Frodo and Sam gazed ahead. Boromir dipped his oar into the water ever so often, letting the river do most of the work. Merry and Pippin gazed around at the scenery. Merry saw Kaitlyn looking at them and he gave her a gentle smile. She smiled in return but the smile faded when he gazed away. She lowered her head with a weary sigh and closed her eyes.
It was many hours later, when the sun had nearly set behind the horizon, that Aragorn motioned to the shore. It was decided that they would make camp for the night and begin anew the following morning.
Kaitlyn volunteered to gather firewood. With her mind lost in thoughts and memories of Lothlorien, she valued the time away from her companions. She did not gain as much solitude as she would have liked and she jumped when Legolas appeared beside her. She said nothing at his sudden entrance, even though he had startled her quite badly, and continued to gather kindling.
"You have been very quiet," he said softly as he bent and retrieved sticks and branches alongside her.
She didn't meet his penetrating gaze, even though she felt it. "So, have you," she told him, trying to take some of the attention off herself. "So, have we all."
He glanced away to stare into the woods and only then did she dare look at him. A look of worry and concern washed over his fair face.
"There is an evil stirring. I can feel it and it draws nearer everyday." He turned to look at her again and the intensity of his gaze made her swallow. She always felt uncomfortable under his austere gaze. She was about to ask what evil he felt stirring when he continued.
"Just as I can feel the anguish emanating from you as one would feel the heat given from a flame," he tilted his head. "I have felt it all day. Man presta le?" What troubles you?
She looked away, her eyes focusing on the trees. "I…the..um…," she stumbled with her words. She turned to look at him and he knew the instant their eyes met what was wrong.
Legolas sighed. "You yearn for Lothlorien."
She nodded slowly.
"It was beautiful and unlike any place my eyes have ever seen," she told him. "I found peace there and such wonderful friendship. I didn't stop to realize or cherish Lothlorien until it was too late."
Legolas found himself lowering his gaze when he saw tears appear in her green eyes. He knew how she felt, for he, too, missed the greatness, the calmness and the peace of Lothlorien. It had been indeed a haven compared to some of the places that they had seen. He felt her loss and grief as it mixed undeniably with his own.
"I understand how you feel," he told her softly. "For 'twas the first time I ever laid my eyes on the giant mallorn trees, or gazed upon the lady of light. I recognize and feel the same grief that you do for having to leave."
"You'd never been to Lothlorien before?" she asked in astonishment.
"Nay," he told her and he gave her a sad smile. "I ventured very little from my homeland," he explained. "When the council met in Rivendell and my father sent me there on errand, it was the first time that I had ever gazed upon the beauty of Imladris. When we ventured forth to Lothlorien, 'twas also the first time I gazed upon the fair land."
"Rivendell is where Aragorn grew up, right?"
"Aye. He was raised there by Lord Elrond who treated him as his own son."
Kaitlyn felt pleased to know that she had actually remembered the name of a place on middle earth. Maybe there was hope for her here yet, though she still held onto the hope of going home. The fact that Legolas didn't travel seemed strange to her.
"Why didn't you ever travel? I mean you're over 2,000 years old. You can't tell me that you haven't had the time."
Legolas' smile was heartrending. "My reasons had little to do with time. I had duties to attend at home that did not allow me to venture far."
Kaitlyn could tell by the almost bitter tone of his voice that he didn't wish to discuss his home life. She respected his wishes by only nodding in reply even though she was dying to ask what his duties and his errand in Rivendell had been. He had yet to look at her, his gaze lowered to the ground.
He finally gazed up and directly into her eyes. "I am sorry for the losses you have had to endure on this journey and those you will no doubt endure in the future. Just as I am sorry for being unable to offer you the comfort of familiarity and family."
She smiled solemnly and raised a hand, gently settling it on his shoulder. "Your friendship is an unexpected comfort that I never expected in this world." She gently squeezed his shoulder. "Le hannon." Thank you.
He smiled as she pulled her hand away, his heart warmed by her friendly gesture. "You are most welcome."
She nodded, cleared her throat, and then looked down at the firewood in her arms. "I think we have enough kindling. Aragorn said we were only allowed to have a small fire tonight for cooking. We should get this back to the hobbits. I'm sure they're waiting impatiently."
Legolas laughed softly, picturing the hobbits pacing and complaining that their bellies required nourishment when Kaitlyn took too long to bring back the wood.
The Elf extended his arm toward her. "Hiril nin Rodwen, might I escort you back to our camp?" My Lady Rodwen
Kaitlyn smiled at the use of her new nickname and at Legolas' sudden playful manner. "Why that would be just delightful, Master Elf."
"Please do not call me that. You sound too much like Gimli," he teased and she laughed.
"How would you wish me to address you?" she asked, talking in an accented voice and playing her part as a lady.
"My given name would do nicely."
She shook her head. "No, that won't do at all." She tapped her finger to her lips as she stood in thought.
Legolas grinned in amusement and waited patiently for several moments until she spoke.
"Auth vaen a maer mellon nin, I would be delighted if you would escort me." She finally said with a bright smile as she finished. Skilled warrior and my good friend.
Legolas said nothing for a few moments, but a smile spread on his lips. "You have honored me with such high praise, Hiril Rodwen, and by speaking in the language of my people. Already you show dedication." Lady Rodwen
Kaitlyn smiled gleefully. "So you understood what I said? I've been studying. Did I make any mistakes?"
Legolas chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Nay, your Sindarin was close to perfect."
She frowned. "But not perfect."
"Your accent is slightly off, but I might be able to pass you off as an elf, yet," he grinned teasingly.
She laughed. "With these ears?' she touched the rounded top of her ears." And this graceless body, I don't think so. Besides, I don't think Gimli would approve of such an idea."
He smiled warmly. "Do not mock yourself so, and I care not for Gimli's opinion on the matter. Shall we?"
She realized that he was extending his arm again and she slipped hers through it, feeling bubbly and childish.
They had not taken more than 10 steps when Legolas halted and the smile on his face faded, shattering their playful interval.
"What is it?" Kaitlyn asked with concern.
"We should return to camp, it is not safe to stray." He gazed down at her, and taking her hand in his, he commanded, "Aphado nin." Follow me.
The hobbits were overjoyed to see Kaitlyn and Legolas re-enter the camp. Legolas entered first at a light run that barely made a sound while Kaitlyn followed loudly behind, dropping pieces of firewood as she attempted to keep up with him.
Aragorn immediately went to Legolas, as Kaitlyn dropped the firewood to the ground and helped the hobbits arrange it to start a fire.
After conversing only a few moments with Legolas, Aragorn turned to the others. "There will be a very small fire this night. Saruman's minions draw near and it would be foolish to lead them to us before we have reached our destination."
"Small? But that means we can't cook anything big. It would take too long. And we're so hungry." Pippin told him. He still wasn't used to the eating schedule of eating only 3 times a day.
"There is bacon, tomatoes and lembas bread. That will not take long to prepare," Aragorn told him and he turned back to the shore.
Pippin sighed. He was longing for a hardy meal of meat and vegetables before they went spoiled and were unable to be consumed.
Sam patted Pippin on the shoulder. "We can make small sandwiches. " Sam reached into his pack and offered a piece of lembas bread to all. Legolas and Aragorn did not accept and remained side by side not far from the shore. Gimli snorted in feigned disinterest at the bread as he smoked a long pipe and mumbled incoherent words. The dwarf was back to acting like his old self.
Kaitlyn sat down on the rocks and watched the Ranger and Elf as she munched on the lembas bread. The bread wasn't particularly tasty, but it filled her stomach.
Aragorn and Legolas did not speak but stood gazing out over the water almost waiting for something.
They remained there for hours even as the other members of the fellowship prepared to sleep. Merry and Pippin fell into slumber easily with food in their stomachs. The hobbits had built a small fire and made sandwiches of bacon, tomato and lembas after all. Despite his muttered complaints, Gimli had eaten all of the lembas offered to him and he slept as well, his snoring sounding loud in the still night.
Frodo sat in the darkness gazing out at the water while Sam busied himself with making sure the food was packed away and that all was in order.
Kaitlyn did not sleep and neither did Legolas, Aragorn or Boromir. Legolas and Aragorn continued their watch; Kaitlyn lay upon her back on the cold ground and observed them.
Boromir was peering out at the river, hiding himself behind a large boulder. Something moved out on the water and he watched it with concern.
Aragorn stepped up behind him. "Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria. I had hoped we would lose him on the river but he is too clever a water man."
"And if he alerts the enemies to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous," Boromir warned.
Frodo was sitting up, knees drawn to his chest and arms wrapped around them, listening to the men talk and worry was evident on his face.
"Have some food, Mr. Frodo," Sam told him offering a piece of way bread.
"No, Sam," Frodo replied and he did not turn to face the other hobbit.
"You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping, neither. Don't think I haven't noticed." Sam walked to Frodo. "Mr. Frodo."
"I'm all right," Frodo told him quietly.
"But you're not," Sam told him as he crouched down beside the dark haired hobbit. "I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would."
Frodo turned to look at his friend. "You can't help me Sam. Not this time. Get some sleep."
Sam looked worried but he left Frodo with a final glance and lay down to rest.
Frodo remained where he was for a time and was surprised when Kaitlyn sat beside him. The hobbit looked uncomfortable and immediately his hand went to the collar of his shirt, making certain that the ring was safe.
"I know that we haven't talked very much and I can understand why you would be leery, but I mean you no harm." Kaitlyn told him. She could hear the distant call of the ring, sitting so close to it, but forced it away, focusing her mind on her friends and their predicament as Aragorn had once told her to do.
"I know this, but I cannot help but fear after…" Frodo started to say and then halted.
"Yeah, after what happened in Lothlorien." Kaitlyn sighed. "Look, I can't blame you for your apprehension and I would probably feel the same if I were you."
"Then why do seek a seat beside me when you know there is risk?"
"Because I want to help."
Frodo became alarmed and his hand went to his chest. He clutched the ring through the fabric.
"I don't want your stupid ring," she told him a little harsher than she meant to. "In fact, I don't want to be anywhere near it, but that's impossible since you carry it and the reason we travel together is to protect you and it. I don't want to seem rude or aloof for not talking to you, but that thing scares the hell out of me so I stay away from it. I don't want to put myself or anyone else in danger," she told him honestly.
Frodo nodded, but did not feel any more relieved. "Yet you still risk danger by sitting with me."
Kaitlyn ignored his statement feeling a little hurt by his disinterest to at least attempt a friendship. "Sam is trying to help you and you told him to rest, pretending that nothing was wrong," Kaitlyn told him.
"He cannot help me. No one can. This is my burden and mine alone."
"It is your task, but as your friend, Sam wants to help you be comfortable and not troubled. He wishes to assist you, Frodo, not your task."
"Why are you telling me this? What business is it of yours?"
"It is none of mine, but the situation vaguely reminds me of something from home and I don't want to see what happened to people I knew, to happen to you and Sam. I don't know you or Sam. I don't know anyone really, but I can't help wanting to see things right for everyone here. You have all been so kind to me."
"What happened at home that has you worried?" he asked as he pulled his elven cloak closer to his shirt collar and thus hiding the ring completely from Kaitlyn's view.
"Two acquaintances of mine were friends since childhood. One of them became troubled by an uncontrollable event, a death, and the other tried to help. The troubled one would not allow it and pushed the friend away until the friend decided it wasn't worth it to remain. Their friendship ended, most tragically, and it was many lonely years later that the troubled friend realized how much they needed the other person. But it was too late and their friendship never returned."
"That is truly sad," Frodo told her. He gazed at Sam who was already sleeping.
"Indeed," Kaitlyn replied and she stood when she began to feel that lightheaded and nauseous feeling from being so close to the ring. She walked away and left Frodo to himself.
The hobbit watched as she lay down on the rocky shore and pulled her cloak around her to keep out the chill of the night. She was brave for a human woman but still strange. He gazed back at Sam, and with a sigh, he went to his friend and lay beside him.
"Minas Tirith is a safer road," Boromir said quietly to Aragorn. The two were still by the river inaudibly watching Gollum make his way to the shore and then climb upon it on the far bank. Kaitlyn and Frodo could hear them speaking. Both were lying down, appearing as if they were sleeping though their minds were too troubled to find any peace.
"You know that," Boromir continued. "From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength." There was passion in Boromir's voice as he spoke.
"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn told him straightforward.
Boromir's voice became broken. "You were quick enough to trust the elves," he told Aragorn, pointing toward where Legolas stood some yards away.
The elf did not turn nor act as if he had heard what was being spoken, even though he could hear the conversation as if it were happening directly beside him.
"Have you so little faith in your own people?" Boromir asked in astonishment.
Aragorn shifted his weight from one foot to the other and cast his gaze to the ground before returning it to Boromir.
Boromir's voice became determined. "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in men. But you will not see that." Boromir's voice became louder.
Not wanting to argue the matter, Aragorn turned and made ready to leave.
Boromir gritted his teeth and grabbed the Ranger hard on the arm, spinning him to reface him. "You are afraid!" he called out. "All your life you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, what you are."
Kaitlyn's eyes widened at the words and she noticed that Legolas was staring at her, he then glanced at Frodo. The elf knew that they were awake and listening to what was being said.
Aragorn pulled his shirt away from Boromir's hand. "I will not lead the ring within a hundred leagues of your city," he growled and then he turned and left Boromir to watch him walk away.
Kaitlyn sat up, not caring that Boromir and Aragorn now knew that she was awake and had heard everything that was said. Aragorn did not lose his temper easily and Kaitlyn was suddenly worried and even afraid.
The Ranger went to one of the boats and reached for his pack and bow. The man of Gondor didn't glance at the Ranger. Boromir sat looking for all the world that he himself had been rejected and not his city.
When he was finished strapping the pack to his back, Aragorn took off into the woods at a quick pace.
Kaitlyn's eyes grew wide. "Where is he going?" She didn't bother to hide the fear and concern in her voice. She looked to Legolas who did not answer her question directly.
The elf reached for his bow. "We will return," he told her and fled to follow the Ranger.
A cry startled Kaitlyn awake later in the night. Frodo was sitting up with his sword drawn. Aragorn, who had fallen asleep, awoke as well. He got to his feet and rushed to the hobbit. Legolas joined him.
Kaitlyn looked around, disoriented and surprised that she had fallen asleep. She started to rise and tripped, falling over something. She realized that a cloak was gathered at her feet. Not her own, for it was still clasped about her shoulders, but one belonging to another. She kicked it aside in annoyance and rushed toward the others.
"What is it? Why have you drawn your sword?" Aragorn's hand unconsciously went to the handle of his own.
"Gollum." Frodo said softly, his voice shaking just slightly. "Or at least so I guess."
"So you were aware that he had followed us?"
Frodo nodded.
Aragorn looked to the woods but saw nothing. He looked at Legolas but the elf shook his head. The creature had slipped away again.
"Legolas and I have tried to catch him during the night, but he is slier than a fox and as slippery as a fish. We will attempt to travel faster tomorrow. Sleep now, all of you," Aragorn bid to all those who were awake. "I will keep watch for what is left of the night."
Frodo sheathed his sword, and lay himself down beside his sleeping Sam. He watched Aragorn settle himself on a rock, hand poised over the handle of his sword, until sleep claimed the dark haired hobbit.
Kaitlyn and Legolas remained the only ones standing and Legolas went to her, putting his hand on the small of her back and guiding her to where she had been sleeping.
"Losto," he told her. Sleep.
"I don't know if I can, knowing that…thing is out there," she told him with worry in her tone.
"We will protect you. You are weary. Losto."
She frowned at his persistence but despite herself she sank to the ground.
Legolas stood over her as she lay down, pressing her face to the cold rocks of the earth. He reached for the cloak tossed carelessly to the ground and draped it over her body before he walked away.
In the moments before sleep claimed her, as Kaitlyn gazed at Legolas' silhouette in the darkness, she realized that he was not wearing his cloak.
To be continued…
For those interested in seeing what Kaitlyn looks like, I have done a photo manipulation. I cast Jennifer Connelly as Kaitlyn. The photo can be found by visiting the link in my bio.
Special thank you to all those who have taken the time to leave me a review or an e-mail. Welcome and hello to the new readers. Thank you for taking the time to review. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story. Words of encouragement and constructive crits are always welcome.
I hope that everyone had a lovely holiday.