Feä Bond (Legolas x OC)

The grey company

Decision was taken to make for Dunarrow where the King would await for as many men as Rohan could muster before riding to Gondor's aid. Edoras, once more, was emptying from most valid men. What was left of the Rohirrim rode on with their King, to their death. For what else awaited them at the gates of the Pelennor's fields than the great host of Mordor?

Théoden had made no secret of it. Neither Aragorn, nor Eomer had dared contradicting him. The world of men was failing. Yet, the King of Rohan would not back down. His courage moved Frances, and she bowed low as Théoden left the hall to gather his forces. For the split of a second, the King paused, recognizing the young woman who had fought with his men. And then he nodded to her before storming off.

Aragorn turned to his company. Of the original fellowship, only Gimli, Legolas, Frances and Merry were left.

"We will ride with the King to Dunarrow" he said, his decision clear. "Frances, will you manage ?"

Frances nodded, relief washing through her tensed body. Better to head to a battlefield than to be left behind. As the young lady left to gather her belongings, the elf joined the ranger.

"Will it be safer rather than stay in Edoras?"

Aragorn sighed, turning to meet the elf's gaze.

"I fear that no place will be spared. Should we fail, Edoras will be overthrown. If she accompanies us, we can watch over her until we find a safer place. Unless you think otherwise?"

There was no duplicity in Aragorn's eyes. He had considered this for a while, and came up with the best solution for the integrity of his company. Under the circumstances, it was the best he could do. And truth be told, Frances was not his main concern. Gondor was, and he would stop at nothing to save its people. Still, Aragorn couldn't help but feel guilty under the levelled stare of the elf. For a short moment, he realised how old his elven friend was, for he remembered being scolded as a child by Erestor or Lord Elrond himself. This unnerving and ageless gaze felt very much the same.

But then, Legolas nodded, and rested his hand on his arm.

"I have no other solution to provide. We will keep her safe, or die in the process."

And then, Legolas was gone, leaving a very stunned ranger to gather his thoughts.

Later that day, a full company of horsemen set off from Edoras, Eowyn among them. King Théoden had sent riders to roam his kingdom, and hoped to get a few thousand spears 'ere the end of the week. Merry sat behind Aragorn alongside the King. The rest of the fellowship, namely Legolas and Gimli, rode together. Behind them, Frances had been granted her own steed. The young lady kept to herself, trying not to show the strain that the fast pace inflicted upon her body. Aragorn had eventually accepted to remove the stitches, and she had placed a few steri-strips over the wound to prevent it from reopening again. A tight bandage kept it from bouncing too much, keeping the pain to a bearable level.

Dusk came and went without a halt, and the Keeper of Time was at loss. They were marching to war, with Frodo and Sam as their only hope. To this, most of the riders were oblivious. How did they manage to keep their bearing, knowing he hardships to come? Frances, for one, had trouble doing so. Gandalf was gone with Pippin, Boromir plain dead, and she was a burden to her friends. From the last few days, things had been spiralling out of control. What if Aragorn died trying to protect her? This would all have been in vain. Would she ever see her family again? Once more, the idea of dying here appalled her conscience. What would become of her parents if she disappeared? better to know of her death rather than spend their life waiting.

When, at dusk, a rider came to the king to announce that they were being caught up with another company of riders, blood drained from Frances' face. She was not ready to fight again. Aragorn dismounted, unsheathing Anduril. The moonlight shone upon the company, revealing in its silvery light a great group of riders crossing the fords of Isen a few paces from there. Eomer's voice rang clear: