Midgewater Marshes
Mina felt anything but well rested, after a long night of tossing and turning both from fear of the mysterious deadly ring wraiths and concern for Violet and her small cold. Luckily the fever seemed to have dispersed sometime during the night, but her cough was only slightly subdued and she was still the tiniest bit weak. So when Strider roused them early in the morning, she refused to move an inch before he promised to allow her to fetch a cup of broth for her friend, and let Jessa, Sam, and Frodo search for a few herbs nearby to help with the cough. Violet had protested at all the needless attention, but Mina was insistent and since Strider reluctantly admitted to wanting to purchase a small pony to help carry their provisions before they went anyway he grudgingly agreed.
Even with the minor delays it wasn't long before the group was trudging along after Strider as he lead them off into the unknown outside of Bree, Ebony springing along right beside him while the others followed behind more warily: first Jessamine and Frodo, Violet and Merry, Mina Pippin and Sam at the rear with the pony. "Where are you taking us?" Frodo finally demanded as the town began to shrink out of sight behind them.
"Into the wild." Strider replied without bothering to glance back for even a moment as he pressed forward.
"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf's?" Merry mumbled suspiciously, as he continued to help Violet stumble along. Mina was sure Vi never would have accepted such an offer from her, or anyone else in the group for that matter. She was far too self-reliant to ever willingly accept help from others, but Meriadoc Brandybuck was a special case. He was her best friend and confidante, someone she had shared all of her little 'adventures' with and had stayed by her side through for as long as any of them could remember; the fact that he was also at least twice as stubborn as her, of course, had nothing to do with it whatsoever.
Mina understood, because she felt the exact same way about both Pippin and Sam. She shared a special bond with both of them, completely different and yet equally strong. It wasn't just the way she interacted with either one of them individually, although that was different enough. She and Sam with their playful bantering, mutual respect for one another's work ethic, shared love of hearing Bilbo's old tales and dream to one day visit the Elves. Mina and Pippin on the other hand while they would also often tease one another the tone was different, and it was their love of adventure and mischief, and loyalty to always help one another out (just look at how he'd 'saved' her on the night of Bilbo's party) which made their bond especially close. However it was her feelings towards the two of them where things really parted. The only problem was she still couldn't put into words how, not even to herself.
"I think a servant of the Enemy would look fairer and feel fouler." Jessa commented from her place beside Frodo, as she studied their strange new acquaintance from behind, the look on her face seeming the slightest bit hesitant, but overall determined to trust the man.
"He's foul enough!" Merry muttered in return obviously unconvinced.
"We have no choice but to trust him." Violet shrugged, while chocking back yet another coughing fit.
"But where is he leading us?" Sam asked, pulling out the small bag of herbs they had gathered and handing them to the poor girl who gave him a small grateful smile in response.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee, to the house of Elrond." Strider called back in reply, proving he was paying far more attention to them and their conversation than anyone had realized.
"Did you hear that?" Sam gasped his eyes widening with delight, turning to glance at Mina who was standing just on the other side of Bill (Sam had insisted on the name) as her hand reached out to grasp his at the news.
"Rivendell!" Mina squealed and the two shared an excited grin, before finishing as one, "We're going to see the Elves!"
…
The next day dawned and the group continued their journey of endless walking for many hours, before Pippin finally came to a stop and motioned for Sam to help him with a little project. Strider continued on a few paces completely oblivious to what was going on behind, before stopping to take in his surroundings. Seeming to be somewhat encouraged by their progress, though not nearly enough, he turned to glance back at his companions and then did a double take; amazed by what he saw. They were in the midst of unpacking their supplies and gathering what was needed to start a meager fire.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall." Strider interrupted them, as he turned fully around to see what the holdup was.
"What about breakfast?" Pippin protested, Merry, Ebony and Mina standing curiously at his side even as the others began to repack the supplies.
"We've already had it." Strider pointed out sounding more than the tiniest bit confused by the comment.
"We've had one, yes." Pippin agreed patiently, almost as if he were talking to a child rather than acting like one himself: it made Mina smile slightly in spite of herself. "What about second breakfast?" Strider didn't even bother to answer that question, simply turning around and continuing to walk on his way.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast Pip." Merry informed his best friend as the ranger disappeared from their line of sight, before starting after him.
"How is that even possible!" Ebony cried her face filled with such uncomprehending horror at the idea, Mina couldn't stop herself from laughing.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll manage." She reassured her friend, putting an arm around her shoulder in what was meant to be a comforting gesture. Pippin, received no such comfort or reassurance.
"What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them doesn't he?" He asked hopefully as he scrambled to catch up to his best friend and cousin.
"I wouldn't count on it." Merry told him grimly. Only a second later an apple came flying up from over the bushes, obviously tossed by Strider who had taken pity on the poor hobbits plight, and Merry caught it easily in his hand. With a grin he placed it into Pippin's hands and went forward. Pip gazed at the new treasure curiously for a moment, as another apple flew through the air and smacked him right in the head. Stumbling backwards after the shot, he looked up at the sky completely bewildered as to where the tasty projectiles were coming from. "Pippin!" Merry yelled back at him impatiently, as the others tried to hold back their laughter.
They each gratefully accepted an apple of their own, Mina claiming the one which had nailed Pippin on the head only moments before. She grinned at the tiny bruise it had sustained upon impact and was just about to take a big bite when she noticed Ebony gazing hungrily and sheepishly at the core of her own devoured piece of fruit. Coming from a wealthy family Ebony was probably the least used to going without meals out of all of the girls, so it wasn't surprising that she'd be having a hard time with the whole idea.
'Hey Ebony, you want half of mine?" She asked, pulling a small glass carving knife from her pack. It wasn't exactly made for cutting apples, but it did the job just fine and soon enough she was holding out the piece to her young friend.
"Are you sure?" She asked tentatively even as she gazed at it with longing in her amber eyes.
"Of course, what are friends for?" Mina shrugged as she carefully placed it in her hands.
"Thanks Mina." Ebony said smiling gratefully up at her, before turning to go and share her new treasure with Violet who probably needed the sustenance more than any of them. Mina grinned proudly at the thoughtfulness, when she heard Pippin grumbling to himself from where he trudged just ahead of her. Rolling her eyes good naturedly, with her grin spreading even wider across her face she scampered to catch up.
"Doesn't know about second breakfast. How is that even possible?!" The hobbit lad continued to mumble under his breath, not even noticing her sudden appearance until she spoke up beside him.
"Still hungry Pip?" She asked in a teasing tone, though he didn't seem to notice.
"Starving." He answered, holding his stomach as if he couldn't bear the hunger pains.
"Want the rest?" She asked dangling the last half of her apple under his nose, immediately catching his attention and causing him to gaze at her in confusion. "I think all this walking is messing with my appetite. I couldn't eat another bite." She explained shrugging nonchalantly in answer to the question in his eyes.
"Thanks Mina, you're the best!" He exclaimed eagerly devouring the offering, in spite of the slight bruise. Once he was finished he reached over and gave her a huge hug, lifting her completely off the ground in the process.
"You're welcome. Anything for my best friend and hero." Mina laughed as he gently set her back down on the ground their eyes meeting and locking for a brief moment before they were forced to start walking again, making Pippin grin.
"And don't you forget it."
…..
The next day the group made their way into the Midgewater Marshes. The group was forced to plod right through the water in many places much to the Hobbits dismay, for though it only came up to about Strider's knees they were submerged clear to their waists. It was cold, dark, and absolutely filthy to the point even Mina appeared absolutely miserable to be moving through the stuff. And to make things worse the midges, for which the marshes had received their name, were absolutely everywhere.
"What do they eat- when they can't get Hobbit?" Violet asked in exasperation as she continually swatted at the annoying insects flying all around her face.
"I don't know, but they certainly have no respect for personal space!" Jessamine complained as she too struggled to get rid of the pesky creatures wildly waving her arms in the air. She had a few issues with claustrophobia and needing her own place, if you hadn't noticed. Then she lost her balance tumbling forward and completely under the water alongside Frodo who'd been wading through just in front of her. He looked down in surprise, then laughing reached into the murky disgusting water and easily pulled her upright again.
"I appreciate the sentiment Jess, but you seriously don't need to keep dropping in. Not like this anyway." He teased as she gripped tightly onto him, spluttering as she wiped the water from her face and eyes.
"Well maybe if you'd actually catch me, I wouldn't have to." She retorted giving him a playful slap on the shoulder, before their eyes met and Jessa felt a tiny thrill shoot up her spine.
"Trust me Jessa, when it really counts I'll be right there to catch you. You can count on it." Her spirits renewed, Frodo offered her his arm and the two of them continued to plod on after Strider helping each other the best they could.
Later that night they finally came to rest on the driest bit of ground they could find, and after a quick but satisfying (or at least fairly satisfying) supper the hobbits fell instantly asleep. Except for Frodo and Jessamine that is who unbeknownst to each other seemed to be suffering from the same case of troubled sleeplessness. Strider began singing an elfish song as he stayed on watch for any danger. Jessa found herself listening intently, caught up in the beauty of the music.
"Who is she? This woman you sing of?" She asked as he finally fell silent and they assumed he had finished his song.
"Tis the Lady of Luthien. The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal." He answered solemnly, looking slightly surprised to find her still awake.
"What happened to her?" Frodo queried, revealing himself to also be awake and completely enthralled by the idea.
"She died." Strider said his voice barely above a whisper, a deep sadness coming into his eyes."Get some sleep, Frodo, Jessamine."
Hey! So sorry this chapter is a little short, and may not be my best. I've been in a bit of a funk with my writing lately, but I'm determined to get through it. I've also been a little distracted with other story ideas as well. Anyway, hope you enjoy! Please Review!