And...here and back again.
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We have left Rivendell early in the morning. We have been walking all day long. The little ones, being used to have many meals a day and a lot of resting in the Shire, are exhausted. So, as an act of kindness, I let them all ride on Nortaro at some point. Merry was the first, then Sam, Pippin and Frodo. Frodo is a quiet little Hobbit. He doesn't ask questions, he simply walks and looks ahead. Pippin and Merry keep each other busy and are invested in Gimli's stories about Bilbo Baggins. That is why the 2 are often seen around Gimli and Boromir, as I have learned the Man's name to be. Frodo and Sam mostly stay with Strider and Legolas, Legolas and Strider talking from time to time, and Sam analysing Legolas. I think Legolas is his idol. Frodo mostly stays with Sam and tries to figure out Strider. I scoff. Good luck with that.
"Are you alright, My Lady?" I turn at Frodo and smile.
"Of course I am. Although I could ask you the same. You seem very...troubled." I reply.
"I fear for my Uncle as well as for the Shire. And this adventure. I have never been on an adventure before and I have dragged Sam, Merry and Pippin into this mess." He puts his head down in shame. I chuckle which confuses the Hobbit.
"Look at them. Pippin and Merry between Gimli and Boromir. Their eyes are as big as apples and there is the biggest light of curiosity and mischief I have ever seen. Do you believe that it is a mere coincidence that you dragged them along? They could have left for the Shire the moment you were healed. Yet they decided to stay and face Arda with you. And Sam, look at him, completely amazed by Legolas. Do you really think you could have gone on this adventure without any of them?" I put a finger under his chin and smirk at him.
Frodo seems to ponder on my words for a while.
"They never would have let me leave the Shire without them."
"That's what friends are for. They stick together 'till the end of the line." (For those who know where this comes from, I love y'all.) I smile. A throat clears behind me. I turn around to the source of the noise to see Strider look at us, well...me.
"We are sleeping here." He turns around, his jaw set attractively- stop! I turn to Frodo and take him off the mare like a child. He walks over to his friends, happier than before. He almost has a little jump after every step. I smile at that.
"You seem in higher spirit."
"I like the little ones." I smirk at Gandalf. He puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I believe that they like you as well. They all have been chattering about 'The nice Ranger'. Strider will be jealous if he hears that the title was attributed to you. He thinks it's him they talk about." Gandalf snickers. I laugh with him.
"Gandalf, Narwyn! Come, Strider and Gimli are going hunting!" Legolas calls us.
--
We are all eating the deer, somewhat silent, when the little ones break the silence.
"Who has ever had an annoying brother?" Merry glares at Pippin. Boromir, Strider and I raise our hands.
"Tell us about them?" Sam asks.
"Well, my little brother, Faramir, can be annoying, especially after he wins a fight against me." Boromir grimaces although with a fond tone.
"My brothers, the sons of Elrond, are annoying when it comes to courting or lessons." Strider shakes his head.
"Well, my brothers are annoying when they want." I glare at Gandalf, who had starting fake coughing.
"How many brothers do you have?" Frodo asks.
"5 brothers." I take out my dagger and flip it over and over.
"That's a lot! Do they fight a lot with each other?" Pippin asks. I shake my head a sad smile on my face.
"No, they don't." I smile sadly.
"I wish I would stop arguing with Merry." I giggle at Pippin's innocence.
"Well you would have to stop stealing my food, Pip."
"Fighting is alright then, I suppose." Pippin shrugs.
"When did you leave Gondor?" I look questioning at Boromir. I can hear Strider growl.
"A long time ago."
"Why did you leave?"
"I was awaiting the King's return."
"You're one of those."
"I'm from Winterfell, of course I am." I cross my arms.
"You're a Northerner? As in the ones from the mountains?" Boromir sits closer to me. I grin at him and put my 3 fingers on my temple as the sign of our homeland.
"If you ever need someone to talk to or train with, I am here for you, sister of mine." He uses the old Gondorian language.
"I don't think a traitor in your blood's eyes should be considered a sister of yours." I reply coldly.
"I am sure you can be forgiven."
"I am not the one that should be forgiven." He seems to struggle on his next words that he never gets to speak.
"As entertaining as this is getting, I am retiring for the night. Hobbits, to bed. I trust you adults to arrange a watch." Gandalf stands up and goes to his bed roll. I nod and look at the little ones. They look as if they are sleeping already. They stand up slowly and head to their bed rolls one against each other.
"I take the first watch." Legolas grabs his bow.
"I take the second one!" Gimli finishes his venison. I look at the men knowing they won't wake me anyway.
"I take the second one tomorrow." I grab my pack. Legolas Gimli and Boromir want to say something but Strider holds his hand up.
"I'll take the first one tomorrow and the last one today." He grabs his roll. I move and lay down beside the young Hobbits. My eyes start closing when I hear a pair of silent feet pass me and lay his pack on the other side of me.
"Sleep, I will watch your back." He whispers. I clench my fist at the pain in my chest. Instead of replying, I turn my head to him. He barely looks at me before he looks away and I close me eyes.
"One day you will have to tell me why you left." I feel myself slipping into unconsciousness. If he said something after that, I do not know.
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The Queen of Gondor
RandomHouse Stark of Gondor, the most loyal house to the blood line of the Kings of Gondor, is dead. All were killed in a night. All, except for the youngest daughter, Aryvia, who was kidnapped that evening. Alone in Middle Earth, she survives by the name...
