HERE IT IS! At least it wasn't so long between chapters this time! And we finally leave Rivendell... Enjoy and happy New Year!
Disclaimer: It's all Tolkien's genius. I used some of his dialogue so if you recognize it, it's his. Anariel is mine.
Chapter Nine
The time had finally arrived. It was deepening dusk and tatters of grey cloud hung over the valley of Imladris. Anariel stared out her window once more. She was oddly excited. She had thought and brooded enough. She'd had her time of sulking, of self-pity, of sorrow and anger. But now, the time of action was upon her. Now she would not turn aside from her path. And so, she would smile. The road would be dark, the journey perilous, but she would be flame. If she could, and as long as life burned in her, she would be light.
She tightened her belt around her waist and glanced once more around her room. She wore a dark, midnight-blue linen shirt with long sleeves. Over that, a leather tunic with no sleeves, worked over with scrolling patterns of leaves and vines. Dark leggings, her worn boots, a pair of vambraces, and a dark cloak completed her attire. Her sword was at her hip, a dagger in her boot, and her quiver on her back. The front pieces of her long hair were braided back and the rest left loose and curling down her back. She picked up her bow and pack, eyes lingering on the pillows on her bed. She knew – it would not be the dresses and trinkets that she would miss most. It would be that bed.
She set off down the hallway with a spring to her step. She was ready for adventure, for action.
She found the Fellowship by the fire, saying their goodbyes. Gandalf was no where to be seen. Frodo was huddled in a corner with Sam and Bilbo. She saw Legolas and went to him, a bright smile on her face, though she was acutely aware of Elessar's presence.
"We were to gather in the courtyard when you arrived, Anariel. Gandalf will be along shortly," Legolas said.
"Oh! I hope I was not delaying you," she said.
"No more than we wished to be," Elessar spoke up, his grey eyes fixed on her. "They are loath to begin this journey. For myself – I have long waited for this day. Though now it is come … I too find that Imladris has no small claim on my affections." He smiled then and Anariel's heart gave a flip. She nodded.
"Aye. I understand that myself. It is a dangerous business, leaving home. There's no telling when you shall see it again."
Boromir finished wiping down his sword in the corner and came over. "Shall we gather in the courtyard? The hour grows late and though I know that we wish to use the cover of darkness, it would yet be unwise to linger much longer."
With those words the company said their farewells and proceeded to the courtyard. Bill was there, loaded and ready, his coat shiny and looking entirely too pleased with himself. They were not there long, each standing silent, busy with their own thoughts, before Gandalf appeared, Lord Elrond at his side. Anariel sought out his eyes and her heart was lightened to see there the same love and joy that had greeted her on her return to Rivendell. There was fear and worry also, but it was deeply hidden and he smiled at her before turning to the Company at large.
"This is my last word," he said slowly. "The Ring-bearer sets out on a Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid. The rest go with him as free companions. No oath or bond is laid upon you to go further than you will. For the strength of your hearts is yet untested and the road is dark and unkown before your feet."
"Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens," Gimli said stoutly, his eyes flickering to Legolas.
"That may be true, Master Dwarf, and yet I would not make such judgments hastily and before all details of the situation were laid before me. But enough! The hour grows apace and long farewells make the heart heavy."
Anariel hugged her uncle tightly and quickly, and then fell in line just behind Boromir. She would not pretend that her heart did not grieve at this parting, that she did not feel keenly the loss of something that she had so recently found. Her heart had come home, only to be torn from it once more. But no. Not torn. She was leaving willingly this time. Willingly and joyfully to fulfill her duty, her choice, her future. She straightened her shoulders. She would not shed tears. For this was not a final farewell. Not if she had anything to say about it. And she had full faith in Frodo. No. This was not the end.
The elves of Imladris stood in the shadows, their eyes speaking the farewells their lips could not. Anariel remembered journeys from years ago that had been heralded by songs and laughter. But not this one. For this was no "there and back again" journey. The fate of Middle Earth hung in the balance. And so the Company silently melted into the dusk and left the hidden valley.
Anariel stepped lightly, her eyes fixed on Boromir's shield, a smile flitting across her face. She had not traveled in so long that she had nearly forgotten the thrill it gave her. The mist gathered on her hair and began to trickle down her neck. She pulled her hood up and tightened her belt. She glanced at Sam who walked beside her, a gloom already settling about him.
"Chin up, Sam," she said softly. He looked at her, his brown eyes wide in surprise. "I leave my home as well. But what we do, we do to save our homes. Be of good courage. This journey may be merry yet."
Sam's mood visibly lightened and his step quickened. Anariel smiled again and as she turned her face forward, she thought she caught a glimpse of silver eyes gazing her way.
She was something else – something other, and utterly unknown to him. When she'd appeared among them, clad to travel and to fight, his stomach had soared as the Great Eagles of the mountains. She was beautiful and yet the fact that she looked strong and capable of defending herself made him long to protect her even more. The deep blue of her tunic made her eyes even deeper and he was afraid to look too closely, lest he fall and be incapable of recovery.
Yet she was so small. He clenched his fist over Anduril's pommel and focused on the bobbing of Gandalf's hat in front of his face. She was so small – half the size of even a diminutive orc. Could she really survive the dangers that lie ahead? Once again, he promised himself that while he drew breath, no harm would befall her.
He looked back and his gaze was immediately caught by the fiery glow of her hair, glistening with dew from the mist. He almost sighed when she drew her hood over her head, but quickly shook himself. And then, she smiled. He heard her soft voice and while he couldn't quite make out what she said, he could see that it cheered Sam's mood considerably. She turned and he quickly focused his gaze back to Gandalf's hat.
Her smile. It lightened and warmed his heart to see it, as he was sure it did the others as well. But the soaring of his stomach wouldn't go away and something told him that he ought to get used to it …
They were heading South, the mountains looming large and dark in the clear night sky to their left. A chill wind swept down from the peaks and after only a few hours, Anariel's feet were aching and her face was numb. But she knew that the plan was to continue through the night and take shelter during the day. She stumbled slightly, but quickly regained her footing.
"Watch yer feet there, lassie. Wouldn't want to take a tumble here in the dark." There was a good-humored chuckle lurking beneath the dwarf's words and Anariel knew that he found her lack of grace amusing. She flashed him a bright smile.
"Aye, that would be a shame, Master Dwarf, for then you'd be stuck with Lad there as the only Elvish company. And," Anariel lowered her voice to a loud whisper, "stuck up Elvish company at that."
Legolas shot her a glare, but Gimli let out a deep guffaw.
"I like you, lassie. Let's hope you don't tumble into the dark for a while yet. I'll keep a sharp eye out for you."
Anariel smiled to herself and once more turned her eyes to the path. The hours crept along, sliding by like snails on their slick bellies. Finally, the East began to lighten. Once it was light enough to make out the barren waste around them, they found a small hollow dell to make camp in. Legolas and Gimli took the first watch and Anariel thought that Gandalf must have a death-wish – putting those two together. But she was too tired to dwell on it. She spread out her bed-roll and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
A few hours later, she judged by the sun's position, she was shaken awake by Gandalf to take her turn on the watch. She stretched and yawned, shooting a suspicious glance at Gandalf when she noticed a decidedly mischievous twinkle in his eye. She had a feeling that she knew who her partner would be for this watch.
She was not surprised when she saw him sitting on a rock at the mouth to their little valley. His grey eyes hit her and she froze. They swept over her quickly and she felt her pale skin betray her with a blazing blush. Then, he smiled at her. Oh, she wished he wouldn't! It was definitely NOT healthy for the state of her insides, she decided, nor for her peace of mind.
"So, my lady, you are to take this watch with me?" His gentle words unfroze her and she swiftly clambered up the rock to sit beside him. She turned her gaze outward, though she could still feel his eyes on her.
"Yes. I suppose I am." She inwardly cursed her breathy voice and hoped she could blame it on the brief climb.
They sat for a while in silence. Anariel's heart was gradually slowing down and she suddenly felt calm in his presence. Content. Serene.
"We have not had much chance to get acquainted, my lady." His deep voice finally broke the silence and she looked at him. His grey eyes twinkled at her and she smiled.
"No, we have not. But it would please me if would just call me 'Anariel.' I am no great lady."
"If it pleases you. Though I could contest your latter claim …"
She blushed once more and he chuckled. The sound warmed her to her toes.
"But what shall I call you, my lord? For you are of many names and many titles." She looked at him deeply, curious as to his answer. It would be revealing.
"Seeing as how you of all present, save perhaps Mithrandir, are most familiar with my many names, you should perhaps decide for yourself," he said with a slight arch of his brow. Anariel shot him a grimace and he laughed once more.
"In my mind, you are Elessar, the hope of men. But as you have not yet won that title, it is yet a future name to be used by men. I shall call you Aragorn, as most of the others do."
Her words seemed to sober him and he nodded.
"You are wise, Anariel. And you see much. Your choice is sound. I pray that the day may come in which you may openly use the name Elessar and it will not be unknown to the world of men. It is a day that I fear may never come."
Anariel didn't know where her boldness came from, but without a thought she gently placed her hand over his which lay on his knee. His eyes shot to hers in surprise and she looked straight into them.
"That day will come, my lord Aragorn, and though it now lay on the other side of the night, it will shine out all the brighter for the darkness that once sought to quench it. You are a great lord of men and the Elessar of your people. That day will come. Do not lose heart."
He had placed his other hand over hers while she spoke and she felt the rough palm of a warrior. Strength, power, lay in those hands – but she could also feel healing, warmth, pouring from them. He smiled once more and bent his dark head to lay a kiss on the top of her hand.
"Anariel, Elros' daughter, despite your words you are a great lady. I thank you. You have renewed my spirit."
Anariel was frantically renewing her efforts to calm her once-again racing heart when a throat-clearing from behind them caused her to hastily rip her hands from his, immediately missing the strength and warmth they offered. Legolas stood there, an infuriating smirk dancing across his face.
"I am here to tell Anariel that there is a plate of food for her back at camp, if she desires it."
Anariel's stomach twisted at the mention of food.
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you. Do you mind?" she turned back to Aragorn, suddenly feeling very shy.
"Nay, Anariel. Go and eat."
She slid from the rock and headed back to camp. But she felt his eyes on her, like a warm blanket or a strong armor. And though, with him, she felt safer than she had ever felt in her life, she also felt that her heart had never been in greater danger of falling.
I've been spending all my
Time just thinking about you.
I don't know what to do
I think I'm falling for you.*
*Falling for You, Colbie Caillat
Please Review! I enjoy feedback and hearing your thoughts. I don't know if I'm entirely happy with this chapter, so I may be taking it down for some revisions in the future, but for now I wanted to get something up before break ended. Thanks again for reading!