Journey’s End

Chapter 7

Departure

“Rana!”

“I’m coming!” I yelled over my shoulder as I hurriedly adjusted the leather straps that held my bedroll together. Somewhere outside my bedroom door, Aragorn sighed and walked away.

It was the morning of our departure.

Grabbing my cloak, I took a last look around the room – to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything- and then dashed out the door.

“Wait! Wait!” I cried, barrelling down the stairs and crashing into Aragorn’s back.

“Finally.” He muttered.

“Sorry…” I murmured meekly. “I slept in.”

“I know.” He mumbled as we walked. I glanced out a window and saw the first pale light of dawn begin to creep over the treetops.

“It’s still early.” I yawned, before stepping out into the courtyard. Before us stood the eight people – plus one pony- that we would be travelling with. Apart from the Hobbits and Boromir, I had spoken to hardly any of them, but I knew a little about each member of the Fellowship, at least that was comforting.

Aragorn left my side and walked towards the back of the group, whereas I lingered, casting my eyes over the familiar buildings and trying to absorb every last detail of them before we left. Somewhere behind me, I distinctly heard Lord Elrond clear his throat. I turned to him and smiled. I had hoped to say goodbye privately. I followed him as he walked away from the group and stopped under a small archway.

“Rana, are you sure you want to leave?”

I sighed, I had been expecting this, he had never approved of me going off to fight.

“I am sure.” I muttered.

“Then promise me you will try to stay safe.” He sternly commanded.

“I promise.” I murmured solemnly. “But you must also make me a promise.”

He looked at me curiously as I glanced nervously over my shoulder, making sure that no one was eavesdropping. “Promise me this; if – no, when the time comes that Aragorn will need to accept who he is, I need you to do everything in your power to help him.”

“What do you mean by that?” He asked.

“You know what I mean.” I whispered. “The shards of Narsil. ‘Renewed shall be blade that was broken.’”

“The crownless again shall be king.” He finished the verse in a low murmur. I nodded.

“He will need it before the end.”

“He will need you.” Elrond insisted. I frowned, confused by the statement, but before I could ask, a crowd of elves walked past, looking as if they wanted to speak with Elrond. I stepped back, staring intently into his eyes. “I will uphold the promise.” He said, laying a hand on my arm and leading me back towards the Fellowship.

I realised that he wanted me to take my place before he began speaking so I walked forward and stood by the pony’s flank. He was laden with baggage and Sam was leading him.

“The Ringbearer is setting out on the Quest for Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will.” Elrond spoke calmly, and I noticed that a small group of elves had gathered behind him. Amongst them was the Lady Arwen.

“Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you.” He finished, and I bowed my head as a gesture of farewell. Then Gandalf spoke.

“The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer.”

Frodo reluctantly turned away from Rivendell, and began to lead the group through the gates. I hesitated, wanting to take one last look at Rivendell before leaving. I knew there was a chance that I would not return. I felt Aragorn’s hand on my shoulder and I lifted my own hand, resting it on top of his. I noticed Arwen’s gaze harden, and she seemed colder, and clearly jealous. I sighed and turned away. I couldn’t bear to look at my childhood home anymore.

My hand slid off Aragorn’s as I slowly followed Sam and Bill, the pony, through the great stone archway and out into the forest beyond.

***

The days spent walking passed quickly. As the days merged into weeks, I noticed the landscape constantly change, from forests to green fields, past ruins and over mountains. We made for the Gap of Rohan, and then we would turn east, towards Mordor. I spent most of my time at Aragorn’s side, either lost in my own thoughts or speaking with him, but I tried to mingle with the rest of the Fellowship.

One afternoon, the weather was particularly good, so we decided to stop for a while to eat and rest. I sat down on a rock with a heavy sigh, surveying the landscape.

“Where are we exactly?” I heard Merry grumble as he rifled through the bags on Bill’s back, undoubtedly looking for food.

“At the foot of Caradhras.” Gandalf replied. “A few days march from the Gap of Rohan.”

Aragorn sat down beside me and pulled out his pipe. I did the same.

“So you still smoke?” He murmured.

“Of course.” I mumbled through the pipe, watching the people around me.

“Merry! Merry!” Pippin cried, drawing his short sword. “Fight me!”

“You don’t know how to fight Pip.” Merry muttered. I laughed and looked at Boromir, who was sitting on a rock not far from us.

“Boromir!” I called. “Teach the Hobbits how to use a sword!” He smirked and drew his own sword, and began twirling it in his hands.

“As you wish. Who’s first?” He looked towards the two Hobbits as Merry fumbled with the sheath of his sword.

“You need to draw the blade faster Merry.” I instructed him. “Like this-” In a flash I drew my sword from beneath my cloak and held the tip against Aragorn’s neck. He didn’t even flinch.

“What are you doing?” He murmured coolly.

“Demonstrating.” I grinned as I sheathed my sword. I smiled and lay back on the rock, starting at the sky and blowing small smoke rings, I wasn’t very good at blowing big ones.

Today felt like a good day.

“Two, one, five, good! Very good!” I heard Boromir call to the Hobbits as he blocked each of their blows.

“Move your feet!” Aragorn instructed from the sidelines.

“That’s good Pippin!” Merry complimented.

“Thanks!” Pippin replied.

“Faster!” Boromir called, trying to keep their attention. Over the sounds of their fight, I heard Gimli begin to speak in his gruff voice.

“Anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way 'round! Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome.”

Moria. I’d always had a feeling that the tales about those mines were more then just stories…

“No, Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice.” Gandalf murmured.

“Come on! Good!” Boromir’s encouragement brought my attention back to their ‘battle’.

“Ow!” Pippin cried. I sat bolt upright in alarm, seeing him hop backwards, clutching his hand.

“Sorry!” Boromir apologised, rushing to help him. Pippin dropped his sword and, with a speed that startled me, kicked Boromir in the shins and tackled him!

“Get him!” Pippin yelled, causing Merry to dive at Boromir and tackle him to the ground. 

“For the Shire!” Cried Merry.

“Hold him Merry!”

Aragorn and I laughed, watching the brawl unfold, until Aragorn stood.

“Gentlemen, that’s enough.” He said in a stern voice. I only laughed harder when I saw the Hobbits knock him to the ground.

“Fight back Aragorn!” I called to him, “They’re only Hobbits!”

I knew I was in trouble when Merry sat up.

“She’s with them! Get her!” He shouted.

“No!” I yelped as the two Hobbits flew at me, sending me crashing to the ground. I struggled, trying to bat them away with soft blows. Suddenly, a much heavier form knocked the breath out of my body as it landed on me. “Aragorn?” I cried as he sat up and tried to secure my wrists.

“Get her!” He cried as I struggled.

“Mutiny!” I gasped dramatically. “You back-stabbing, betraying…” I ran out of words, so I swiftly kicked him in the shin and he rolled off me with a laugh.

“You two are worse than children!” Gandalf commented as Aragorn pulled me to my feet and I brushed the dust off my clothes.

“What is that?” I heard Sam ask.

“Nothing. Just a wisp of cloud.” Gimli grunted, I turned to look at the dull, black shape that was moving through the sky towards us.

“It's moving fast, against the wind.” Boromir grunted as he rose from the ground.

“Crebain from Dunland!” Legolas cried.

“Hide!” Yelled Aragorn, springing into action. 

He grabbed me by my waist and dragged me under a low shelf of rock, along with Frodo. I breathed heavily as I watched our camp disappear around us, as everyone found a hiding place. Suddenly, hundreds of noisy, black birds swooped down amongst the rocks. I shrank back against Aragorn’s chest and he held me tightly.

The low-flying birds gradually seemed to give up their search for us and moved on. As silence fell again, one by one the members of the Fellowship emerged from their refuges.

“Spies of Saruman.” Gandalf muttered as he stood upright. “The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras.” He gestured towards the snow-covered mountain that lay beside us and I groaned inwardly. The next few days were going to be cold.