Summer Has Been Insane!

And is why I have failed to post. However, W.R. will not die! If I have to post gibberish ever day to keep it afloat I will but it shall not die! This W.R. Elf will hunt each of you down and make it so it doesn't die.

I will.

Anywho, I have something to post that's been a long time coming....Lenia's next chapter. It's not as long as the others because I'm dragging it out - the next chapter will probably be the last of the Fellowship or close too it. Then I'll start the Two Towers (which has a load more action/romance bits just so you know! =) hehehehehe)

Disclaimer: The only thing I own are my made up plot twists, made up charactors and places, other than that it's 100% J.R.R. Tolkien or the movie company that made it a movie (....erg not sure what it's called.....). I've used several lines/things from the movies in this, I DO NOT OWN THEM.Copyrights: Lenia, Lord Sryton, Rhamdal, Kadden, Ashanti, Tripton, Alicia ©Katherine

LaGassie.All others© J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson and his film company

Fan Fiction Book: Shadow of a Doubt

Chapter 11: The Journey Begins

By: Katherine LaGassie

‘What’s the fun of an adventure without a little danger?’

It was a line her brother had said over and over again, she remembered hearing it and despite how much her feelings were torn into small parts and strewed about the world she had to agree. Though, she thought there was a line you shouldn’t cross; a line where the danger becomes too dangerous.

And she feared that this fellowship was going to cross that line quite soon.

The wood was cool the next morning which made it hard to awaken and become ready to get out of such a warm bed. She yawned lazily and stretched only to find Legolas’ blonde head lying not from her only with his back to her. Feeling inclined to have more heat she moved over towards him and laid against him. “You know,” He whispered a loud, “if I rolled over you’d be squished.”

“Bed, Legolas and Lenia tuna salad sandwich. Yum.” She mumbled burying her head into somewhere around the middle of his upper back by his shoulder blades. “You’re still tired, go back to sleep.” She yawned, “We’re leaving today—we need to get up.”

“I don’t think a few more moments will set us back that far.” He reassured her looking over his shoulder to look at her only to find a black sheet of hair connected to blankets. Somewhere beneath the blankets her small body was curled into his seeking the warmth and heat that was sucked from the wood.

A slight tired girlish giggle tickled against his back, “You’d be surprised.” she mumbled into his clothing. Lazily she rolled over and groaned not wanting to move. “It’s such a shame,” She spoke softly and smiled lightly, “I could lay around all day.” As Legolas stood her kissed her cheek, “So could I, however,” He pulled her too her own feet, “we have business to attend to.” She groaned rolling her eyes, “Business, business, business,” As she grabbed daytime attire and walked out of the tent he could hear her mimicking his tone and saying ‘blah, blah, blah’ repetitively.

“She’s not a morning person is she?” Legolas asked turning to Aragorn as he exited the tent. Aragorn smirked, “You haven’t seen the half of it.”

Lenia flipped her hair over her head and washed it as she knelt beside the stream closest to them. The pebbles in the streams were good for skipping, she remembered that from when she was little and they were so full of minerals it made the water quite pure. “Masydi?” Haldir spoke stepping beside her as she stood. “Your grandparents wish to have you and your friends dine with them when you are prepared.”

“Thank you, Haldir.” She blinked as her dear friend just continued to stand there and stare at her. “Yes?” She questioned looking around her, “Is something wrong.” He sighed, “I do believe mingling with the rangers has killed all sense of royalty within you.” Immediately her hands flew to her hair and she sheepishly grinned. “Dried, brushed, and pulled from my face.” She spoke like she’d heard the words a thousand times. “Give me five minutes; I’ll be up there in no time.” Haldir never had the time to answer, before his mouth could open she was flying down the embankment scrambling to prepare. “Wasn’t quite what I was getting at,” He looked at her clothes as she walked off, smiled and shook his head, “ but…it‘ll do.” He uttered and made his way back to the Lady and Lord of the Wood.

Lenia knew she was supposed to have been in the attire that her grandparents had given her the night before, but her tattered and torn ranger clothes were clean and made her far more comfortable. As much as she loved the silken Elven robs she was so used to not wearing them anymore they made her feel uncomfortable. Carefully she ran a brush through her hair and braided certain strands, pulling them back and tying them so no hair fell upon her pale and freckled face. It was the way it was supposed to be, so you could see every facial expression, every eye glint. It was only proper.

“Morning, Frodo.” She told him, sinking down into a chair beside his on the rather long table. “Morning.” He replied as he watched her pull a book from a case on her belt. She undid an extensively decorated lock and opened the brittle brown pages, turning them one by one.

“What is it?” Pippin asked, seated across from her. His words reflected the curiosity in all the hobbits eyes, especially Frodo. She looked up and smiled a bit, eyes sparkling beneath her dark lashes, “Something of a log, I record feelings and places….nearly everything I see or feel when I’m away or at home. Thoughts I may not want to release or rather more cannot. Basically anything I see fit. It holds my deepest darkest feelings, secrets, emotions everything.”

“It’s like a book.” Sam mused.

Lenia looked at him, smiling feeling privileged to have been mixed into that coloration, “Something of the sort, yes, but not nearly as exciting or proper, I fear.”

“My Uncle Bilbo wrote a book, A Hobbit’s Tale.” Frodo spoke thoughtfully before turning to the she-elf, “Do you think it will be anything like that?” Lenia looked ahead thoughtfully, “Truthfully, my dear hobbit, I do not know. Given the adventures we shall face and obstacles we shall come across it may well become something of the sort. Though you, my ring bearer, shall probably have a far more interesting tale to tell when we’re through. One I’d much like to hear of.” A smile crossed her face as she quickly marked the last page she’d written on with a carefully beaded and braided marker before placing it back in its safe place.

Her head rose at the entrance of her grandparents who seated at the end of the rather large table. Around them were seated the rest of the fellowship, the hobbits and Lenia included. Haldir and several other guards stood around the room looking like no more than statue. As a child Lenia used to laugh at their stiff expressionless demeanor, especially since Haldir was nothing of the sort when off duty. “How was your sleep?” Galadriel asked the travelers, echoes of voices all speaking the same good words filled the hall. Soft blue eyes rose to meet rich, deep blue eyes from across the table as their lips settled upon their goblets, moist fluid flowing through their mouths and down their throat. Cooling the rising temperatures between the two as their eyes locked, souls nearly entwined in just one stare.

Swiftly Aragorn cleared his throat before their deep gaze caught the attention of anyone else at the table. Both heads turned abruptly from one another and in two different directions. “Lord Celeborn, we’ll be leaving soon after this. The quicker we leave the better-the less time we waste adds to our advantage.” Lenia poked her food, struggling with inner confidence as she felt her grandmothers eyes bore into her. “Very well, Estel.” Slowly Lenia raised her eyes to meet Galadriel’s. ‘Have confidence within you capabilities child…you are not helpless.’ Lenia swallowed, feeling ashamed and looked away, ‘Forgive me…I seem to struggle with such thoughts.’ And then her grandmother sounded appalled, 'Forgive you? There is nothing to forgive. Yes you may be full of doubt and lacking confidence when there is no need but if you were full of anything less I would be concerned. You, above all else, know what you’re getting into. These dangers have haunted your life since you were young and now you’re going to face the very evil you fear. Aragorn and you are brave rangers, my child. You would give your life for another, it’s written in your heart and your personality. That is strength. That is lack of fear. Find it, embrace it…then everything will be alright.’

She felt her breath hitch, ‘Embrace fear?’ Her grandmother smiled in her mind, ‘To embrace fear, to except fear, is to weaken fear.’ There was a warm tingle in her heart, a feeling of acceptance and understanding. Those words made sense to her, they comforted her. Gently she raised thankful eyes to the wise Lady of the Wood whose eyes smiled back as she nodded lightly to her. Letting out a weightless breath Lenia looked at her plate finally realizing how hungry she truly was.



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They were taken down river, led by Haldir and several other Galadhrim, while her grandparents were brought by boats. They were gifted three boats to help their passage down the river and then asked to stand in line. Each was cloaked and had broaches attached. “Never before,” Her grandfather reflected as this was done, “have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people.” As the assistant elves stepped back Lord Celeborn looked at the group of nine, “May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.” He told them and willed them to go fill their boats.

“Are you ready?” Lenia asked Legolas, “For what?” She smirked, “Our dare to be set in motion, of course.” As he reached within on boat to pick up bags he grazed his lips upon her ear, “I won’t surrender.” He whispered. “I won’t admit you’re the better marksmen.” Something inside her fluttered helplessly, full of excitement to something normally she’d take as insult when really she knew it was furthest from it. She knew his conditions for the dare…if he won, and he wore it….she was to marry him. Normally she would feel forced - with anyone other than Legolas she’d have called off such a dare at that but this…this was Legolas. This was oh so much different. This time she did love him - and of her own accord.

Legolas smiled at her reaction, love reflecting in his eyes more than it probably should in such times and it took everything within him to turn away from her even just to toss some bags within Merry and Pippin’s boat. As he went to toss one bag he paused opening it and smiling, feeling even more warmth within him at the familiar food, “Lembas,” he spoke aloud, “It’s Elvish way bread,” He attempted to clear the hobbits confusion. Carefully he took a bite - trying to set an example as best he could, “One small bite is enough o fill the stomach of a grown man.” He stuffed the bread back, plopped it in the boat and turned back to his job. Only to see Lenia fighting off fits of laughter at his boy-like excitement over the bread. “Lord, Legolas, you’d think we hadn’t fed you this morning.” She teased, eyes a glow. He sighed, shaking his head before stepping out of the boat and onto the land once more, grazing his hand across her neck.

Lenia picked up yet another bag full of Lembas and placed it in another boat but not without hearing Merry turn to Pippin, “How many have you had?” He asked, “Four.” He spoke proudly, causing laughter to escape her lips as she walked up the embankment.

Suddenly she paused, looking over at her grandfather who was talking with Aragorn. She should have been helping, that she knew but instead she used her highly sensitive ears and keen eyes to focus in on the two, “Every league you travel south the danger will increase. Mordor orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank.” Celeborn whispered to him, looking around-eyes grazing over his granddaughter before beginning to walk with Aragorn. He wanted her to hear. Quickly Lenia followed, moving stealthy through the brush making not a sound…she was praising both her training and Elvin roots.

“Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our border.” Celeborn continued, chills running up and down Lenia’s spine suddenly. He glanced over his shoulder ducking deeper into the forest with the ranger-king away from other prying eyes...still Lenia followed. “Seldom do Orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so.” The two men face each other; quickly her grandfather unveiled a dagger within his hands. It was Elvin by looks of its shape…beautifully and carefully crafted by the looks of it as well.

Carefully Aragorn unsheathed the weapon and looked at it; the dagger itself reflected more light than the waters beside them. Her grandfather leaned in close to him, “You are being tracked,” he told him in Elvin—she was one of the few who could understand it…that’s how he wanted it. Less people to know…less panic. “By river,” He began, warm breath causing fog amongst the crisp air, “you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros.” Aragorn nodded, both men now looking at the young female ranger. Celeborn whispered something inaudible to Aragorn, clasped him firmly on the shoulder and turned, walking even further into the depths of the woods. “He and your grandmother wish to see you, Tia thol.**” Aragorn whispered to her as he passed, making his way towards the boats. “Don’t be long!” He called back.

She smiled lightly and walked further into the woods, “Kalaraes, kalyraes?”*** As she looked around her, suddenly they were in front of her, “Strider said you wished to see me?” Celeborn nodded, “Yes, we did…for a number of reasons too numerous to mention.” He placed his hand upon one of her shoulders and began to have her walk with them, “As you noticed we gave everyone, minus you and Aragorn tokens in their parting.”

“Yes,” Lenia remember softly of something that happened only moments before, “Grandmother told Aragorn he already had the greatest gift she or anyone could ever give him.” Lord Celeborn smiled at her recall, “Precisely.” He reassured.

“However,” Lady Galadriel’s regal voice caused her granddaughter’s head to turn to look away from the gaze she and her grandfather held. “we do have gifts for you. Not all of them are from us though.” Both grandparents looked at each other before stepping in front of the young girl.

“Your brother left these in our hands before he left here the last time we saw him.” Her grandfather explained talking out three things from his robes. Holding them securely in his hands and handing two to Galadriel. “He wished it would give you luck in battle,” She slipped a large necklace over her head. Its chain was delicate but it had a large wooden pendant on it, their home crest carved three dimensional into it.* “Comfort of his loss,” She spoke again placing a silver locket in her hands.* Her name delicately carved into the front, his on the back.

Her grandfather stepped forward, a delicate blue rose in his hands* “And hope for the defeat of Sauron and the survival of your people.” Lenia went to take it but instead Celeborn went over her hands and placed it in the back of her hair. “Lastly,” He told her stepping back to grab something, “there was a discussion of sorts quite some time ago between Gandalf and us…we came to an agreement.” He held out something draped in cloth.

Carefully she slipped the locket over her head before taking the long object and unraveling it. A carefully crafted staff, suited with a crystalline sapphire jewel by the top.* “But I’m not-” She began her grandfather cutting her off, “Gandalf said it was for you, no matter what type of wizard you were. You’ll know how to use it when it’s time.” Carefully he rewrapped it. “Keep it safe.” He handed it to her and kissed her forehead. “Be safe my child.” He told her in Elvin.

Her grandmother traced her face with her long delicate fingers, “We will see you again someday.” She reassured. “Find Haldir, he has your weapons.” She nodded, thanked them and hurried to find Haldir…they were loosing time and she knew it.

“Masydi,” Haldir said when he saw her coming…she’d given up protesting him calling her that. There was no use. “Your weaponry,” He acknowledged her carefully laid out life savers. “Thank you,” She told him collecting her old friends and attaching them in different places upon her back or utility belt. She went to grab her swords and paused. Resting there were three swords two of which she came in with, one of which she had never seen before.* “Your grandparents wished you to have it.” Haldir explained.

She managed to hitch all three to her belt. “I’ll be lucky if I can run a mile with all this attire.” Haldir smiled and placed his hand upon her shoulder, “You will do fine my friend.”

“Thank you,” She whispered, placing her hand upon his and turning, rushing down the embankment and to the boats. Gimli and Legolas were in one, Boromir, Merry and Pippin in another and lastly Aragorn, Frodo and Sam. It wasn’t hard to figure out who she would ride with—Legolas was an Elf, he could easily last for days without tire and Aragorn did not like the combination of Lenia and Boromir, they hadn’t gotten into arguments but the air was always tight between them. “Give your things to Legolas,” Aragorn instructed from his boat.

Lenia walked over and handed him her staff, he looked from the wrapped object back at her, utterly confused, “Later.” She spoke to him in Elvish, catching Aragorn’s attention. Legolas nodded understandably and placed the object in the bottom of the boat. Slowly she detached her utility belt-hesitant to let it out of her sight as she handed it to him. “It’ll all be safe.” He reassured her as he took it from her. Lightly she smiled and went back to Aragorn, quiver still on her back, determined to keep that form of protection with her.

With Aragorn’s help she climbed into the boat and sat down, “I’ll let you know if we need to switch.” He stated but Lenia rose her eyebrows, “And I’ll interject earlier if I see fit.” They pushed off; three good sized boats traveling down a peaceful river full of raw travelers some of which knew what they were getting into and others were heading into a field of unknown.

Lenia absently rubbed her necklaces as she watched the shores pass them by with every stroke of the paddle. “You’re grandparents didn’t let you get away then.” Aragorn spoke, breaking the silence within the boat by noticing her head decoration. Lightly startled Lenia brought her hand up, fingering the delicate flowers petals one by one. She pierced her lips, “No.” It was a strange relief to feel the petals upright, strong and healthy.

“What is it, Shadow?” Sam asked, calling her by the name he’d heard Aragorn call her before. Lenia turned her head towards him allowing her hand to slowly drop from the flower, “It’s my homes flower….our emblem.” She fell silent, she knew there was more to that special flower. A flower that will never fade on its on accord is a flower seeked by many.

It had been hours since the last darkness had set in and the morning had come yet she could not sleep…she could not find rest. Every rock of the boat filled her mind with thoughts; she could not clear her mind. Still she reached for the paddle handed to her; she had not told Aragorn of the fact that she had not rested - it was best he didn’t know. She pushed through the water absently as Aragorn talked and rested with the hobbits. Her mind was the only thing keeping her awake and she didn’t know why. Half of the thoughts running through her head she couldn’t really distinguish, they were just there, spinning through her head and making all other forms of living impossible.

“Lenia?” Aragorn’s shoulder tap caused her head to turn, thoughts to break. “Hand it here.” She blinked, “I’m-” She paused noticing that darkness was setting in, “We’re nearly there.” He told her taking it from her. “I can handle it from here.” She went to protest but he didn’t allow it. She sighed and began to occupy her time with the Hobbits.

She felt a connection with Frodo, a common ground that was far more than the ring. As little as Frodo conversed with her she could tell, by how he looked at her, just how much he felt it too. As she talked with them in low whisper she watched Frodo look at her, a smile on his face - a common understanding. She flashed him a small smile before her eyes darted to the opposite shore, a feeling of anxiety creeping up her spine. In the distance she could hear a rumble, a thunder of footsteps. Their pace was quick and their numbers great. Her eyes darted up towards Aragorn lightly he shook his head. 'Keep calm, show know worry, protect the hobbits. Focus,' she told herself quietly, 'focus.' The idea of settling down upon shore made her weary; she’d rather risk her ability to keep strength with lack of sleep than rest upon unsafe shores. Yet she never protested, she trusted Aragorn he was her mentor-he wouldn’t lead them astray.

The stars were high in the sky when they finally pulled ashore. Her legs were unsteady for awhile but she hid it, the feeling of land would take some getting used to now. “Come on,” She told Frodo as she hoisted him out of the boat. “Time for you to get a proper rest, we have quite a travel ahead of us.” Again she smiled gently, their eyes locking. “You understand don’t you?” He asked as she grabbed her things and tossed them over her shoulders. Gently she let out a sigh and nodded, “More than anything, Frodo, I understand.” Frodo stared at her for awhile. “You’re afraid of it?” Slowly she smirked, giving a quiet laugh through her nose, “In a demented way I am, Frodo, I am. I respect it’s power ten thousand times more than anything else in this world…I’d never disrupt it.” Her lips pierced and she crouched down, “Gandalf saw something in you, something all of us see but cannot pin point. He saw something, Frodo, something that shows your strength is far more hard than any of ours could ever be.” There was a silence, this time he returned her smirk. “I think there are different forms of strength.” He turned and followed the other hobbits to their resting spot leaving her sitting there staring after him. “Huh,” It had been the last thing she had expected out of him, still she couldn't help but smile and stand up. There was something about the hobbits that brought lightness to her heart. Tripton had always said it was the way Hobbits could find humor in any situation but there was something more too it.

She turned the corner in stood at a distance, carefully watching Aragorn and Boromir. They were staring out at something hidden in the water, “Gollum,” Aragorn mused, “he has tracked us since Moria.” He let out a small sigh that only Lenia could make out, “I had hoped that we would lose him on the river, but he’s too clever a water man.” He moved, walking more to the side of Boromir but keeping quite a distance between them. There was a moments pause, a tension between the two men. “And if he alerts the enemy of our whereabouts…it’ll make the crossing even more dangerous.” Lenia’s eyes darted towards where the Hobbits were, Frodo sat watching the scene, Sam trying to get him to eat. Frodo looked at Lenia and she returned the look, apology pouring out to him. They moved, Frodo focused outward on the water and Sam continued his talking. Lenia would have listened in but she was carefully watching Boromir and Aragorn. They two together worried her. Her worries were reality she noticed when Boromir turned from looking at the water and made his way towards Aragorn, “Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that, from there we can regroup.” Aragorn looked away, eyes glancing back. He saw her, standing there in the shadows unnoticed by all other life. She’d gotten far too good at that-at being invisible. “Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength.” Boromir almost seemed to be begging. Aragorn turned and looked at Boromir, “There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us.”

Fire was burning in Boromir; Lenia could see it from the distance. “You were quick enough to trust the elves.” He snapped quietly, arm thrusting towards an unnoticing Legolas. Anger welled within Lenia but she concealed it, jaw clenched. Boromir had no idea what he was saying. “Have you so little faith in your own people?” Her eyes widened and mouth opened, hanging in the air. How dare he even… “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!” Aragorn turned to walk off and Boromir grabbed him, pulling him around. That was it. Lenia went to charge forward but the look Aragorn through at her held her off. “You are afraid!” Boromir hissed at him. “All your life you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, of what you are.” He released Aragorn and he turned to him. “I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city.”

“And why not?” Boromir hissed, “Do you not trust your own-” She couldn’t take it anymore, “Stop it!” She cried in a low whisper. “Please, there is enough strain upon us as it is do not burden us with anymore. Strider cares for your people more than anything in the world and if you stopped for one minute to use your insolent brain maybe you’d come to the conclusion that he wouldn’t lead the Ring anywhere near the city because he doesn’t want the Darkness surrounding it to consume the city like it has the rest of this godforsaken land!” The two men turned to face her, “Shadow,” Aragorn held up his hand, “that’s quite enough.” She let out a heavy breath and glared at Boromir before charging up the rocks.

“Meleth nin,* something wrong?” Legolas asked looking up at her; by the angered look she shot him he knew it true. “Shouldn’t have asked, huh?”

“For the love of the Gods, I don’t know why,” She sunk down beside him, “but Boromir just turns me the right way. It’s as if he cannot focus on anything but that damned Ring and cannot clearly see-”

“He’s only human, Lenia.” Legolas reminded her and she sighed aggravated. “I know, but so is Aragorn. At least his mind is clear and sensible. Boromir acts so…” She sighed deciding to drop her train of thought, “I don’t know.”

There was a few moments of silence where Legolas' deep blue eyes ran up and down her face. Her face looked drawn and tired to him.“You should rest,” He kissed her head and stood up, “I don’t think it’ll happen.” He gave her an inquisitorial look, “And why not?”

She nearly beat herself over the head...how could she have said that out loud? “Never mind…” She stood and kissed his cheek, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He grabbed her wrist before she could get away, “What’s wrong??” Her small shoulders shrugged, “I have a lot on my mind, that’s all.” She was silent for a moment, “I don’t think I’ll sleep well that’s all.”

If he’d known that for the past few nights she’d sleep little his top would have blown, and she knew it. As she looked into his eyes she knew, he knew something was wrong. “I’m fine, Legolas,” She reassured, smiling a little at him for good measure. Still he stared at her for a while before gently touching her face. “Try, meleth nin? Please.” He whispered to her. Softly she sighed and closed her eyes, melting against his touch.

Finally, she nodded, “I’ll try my hardest.” Her voice whispered back to him as he kissed her forehead once more and walked further up the rocks to where he was set up for sleeping. With a hefty Lenia sat down and curled up, yawning and closing her eyes. “I wish you would have let me continue.” She informed Aragorn once he returned. Lightly she smirked, “I’d have loved the opportunity to battle with him.” Her crystal blue eyes locked with his.

Aragorn let out a deep sigh, “Let’s try to be civil, Shadow, please?”

“He hates my guts as much as he does yours.” Lenia hissed to him before turning away, “And to think…we’re always the ones coming to their aid.” Her eyes glanced at Aragorn, “Can you blame me for hating him, Strider?”

Aragorn chuckled eyes lifting lightly to look at her, “You hate? Never.” He looked into her eyes again, “I appreciate you wanting so hard to stand up for me, Lenia, to help me. Really, you’re loyalty is highly appreciated and excessively commendable…but I can handle this myself.” Tiredly Lenia nodded and rested her head against a cool rock, she suddenly felt extremely hot.

“You’re seventeen, Lenia, act it.” He smiled lightly at her, although it was strained. Gently he walked over and sat beside her, settling down ready for sleep.

A half-hearted laugh escaped her lips, “I’ve never acted my age, Strider. You know it.” Her eyelids felt so heavy for the first time in a long time and she let out a deep yawn, eyes barely looking up at him. To her she still felt like she was burning up, despite the cool weather of the sheltered wood.

She must have been paler than she thought because Aragorn disregarded everything she spoke before, worry and frown lines creasing his face. “You didn’t take it do you?”

“What?” Her voice was distant as she spoke to him. He gave her a firm, authorative look, “You know exactly what I am talking about, Lenia Kin-dal.” She couldn’t fight with him, she didn’t have the strength, “There’s not enough.” His head was already shaking in protest. “It’s not that I didn’t bring it,” She retorted, “I did…” Bright pink lips pierced as she tried to think of how to explain it to him without causing him anymore worry. “The herbs running out….we’ve been using it for years Aragorn. There’s not enough of it anymore and right now…the people in the hospitals need it more than us.” Her voice seemed to trail off into nothing. 'More than I do' She thought.

“Lenia, without that…” Lenia sighed and looked up at Aragorn, “I know, Aragorn.” Her lungs filled with the cool air, “I’ll be fine, I’m strong.” A forced smile plastered on her face and she kissed the cheek of the man that was so much like a brother to her. “Night.” She whispered to him and rested her head on his shoulder. If either of them were going to get any sleep that night she needed to end the conversation and fast – she knew that. He murmured goodnight back to her but she never heard him; much to her surprise she was already fast asleep.

*I know it's a lot of things to be given at one point but I nearly had no choice. I needed to have a way for her to have them because three of these things will be highly important in the chapters to come.

** My friend

***grandfather, grandmother

**** My love