Of Futures Past (Legolas)

2

Alana woke much refreshed, though quite somber, with a no longer blistering, though still raw, hand as they reached the docks.

After quickly collecting some food from Crickhollow, which they left in the care of Frederick Bolger, a plump hobbit who spent much of their time trying to sweet talk Alana, the five of them set out on their way towards Bree.

Alana kept a hand on her sword the entire trek, forcing herself to have visions of the near future quite often to make sure they would not be attacked. The walk through the woods to Bree was unpleasant and silent, a harsh contrast with the lighthearted introductions the previous day. 

When they reached the gate, finally, it was pouring rain and night had fallen. They knocked on the gate and a man poked his head through an opening.

"Who goes there? Four hobbits and an elf-lady! State your names and business." The man demanded.

Frodo answered before Alana could. "My name is Underhill. We have come from the Shire, and our business is our own."

The man held his hands up in peace and opened the gate for them, watching them closely as they walked past.

Alana, having visited Bree many times before, led the hobbits swiftly to the inn, and they entered, greeting Old Butterbur. 

The large man proceeded to tell them that Gandalf hadn't been seen there in 6 months, which worried Alana immediately as he should've been able to arrive days earlier, having Shadowfax as his steed.

Nonetheless, the small company sat themselves at a table while Pippin and Merry got themselves some ale. Alana eyed the drink distastefully, finding it very unpleasant in taste compared to the wine of the Woodland Realm, though as an elleth quite easily affected by alcohol by elf standards, she had little to no memory of the time she had tasted it beyond its flavour. 

Alana sat in silence with Frodo, picking at some bread, while Sam tried to remain optimistic and the other two were being downright idiotic with the amount of ale they were drinking.

Looking around, Alana caught sight of something that brought her great relief. A man was sitting in the corner, his face shadowed by his hood, and was staring at them.

Frodo had also noticed and asked Butterbur who he was, being told that he was known as Strider, a ranger of the north.

Alana soon stood and, after checking on the hobbits to make sure they were alright, walked over to sit by Strider.

"Aragorn, how strange and relieving to see you here. Did Gandalf send you?" Alana wondered.

"Yes, though he did not mention that you would also be accompanying the hobbits." Aragorn replied.

"It was only decided two weeks ago. I expected to him to have been here days before us."

"I as well. It is very troubling."

Alana nodded, looking into the ranger's grey eyes firmly. "We are already being chased by the Black Riders. Twice we have come face to face with them already."

Aragorn's face darkened further and it seems the shadows of his hood grew deeper. "That is alarming. We do not have the time to wait for Gandalf then."

Alana nodded. "No, we do not. I had hoped you might say differently."

The familiar sense of unease filled Alana, and she glanced around nervously, searching for Frodo. He was there one second, then the next, he was gone and Alana was clutching her head in pain, trying not to scream.

She felt Aragorn lead her away, an arm around her waist, stopping only briefly to grab Frodo who had reappeared.

They made their way to Aragorn's room and Alana felt her vision begin to clear as she sat on the chair Aragorn offered her.

"You should be more careful, Mr Underhill." Aragorn said through gritted teeth, looking worriedly at Alana briefly.

"What do you want?"

"A little more caution from you. That is no mere trinket you carry." Aragorn replied grimly.

"I carry nothing."

"Indeed."

Alana sighed, cutting in. "He is a friend, Frodo."

As Aragorn gave warnings to Frodo, the other three hobbits burst through the door angrily brandishing whatever they had found as weapons. Alana chuckled softly as Sam called Aragorn "Long Shanks".

"You have a stout heart, little hobbit." Aragorn commented. "But that will not save you."

"There is no need, my dear hobbits, to threaten him. He is a close friend of mine and Gandalf's and I trust him with my life." Alana interjected before the hobbits could say anything else.

The hobbits looked skeptically at the man with his shaggy hair, sword, and generally unkempt look to him.

As Alana got the hobbits settled in the room, Aragorn set up dummies in the hobbits' room before returning and offering to take first watch. 

"You do not need to do so, Aragorn." Alana argued.

"You are unwell since Frodo put it on. You must regain your strength if you are to be any help protecting them." Aragorn replied calmly.

50 years ago, Alana would've felt that was an attack on her pride and responded with anger, but thankfully, she had grown wise enough to accept the truth in his words despite their slight sting.

Alana lay down to rest, putting herself between the hobbits and the door and keeping herself facing Frodo, and shut her eyes in an attempt to rest.

Though she fell asleep quickly, there was little rest to be gotten from that night as her dreams were troubled with visions of councils, quests, and deaths. 

When it came time to wake up, Alana had dark bags beneath her eyes and felt herself in a strange cantankerous and tense mood, her hand gripping her sword tightly.

Alana, Aragorn, and the hobbits immediately set out into the woods, avoiding the roads, to begin the journey to Imladris. Once again, Alana forced herself to have frequent visions of the near future, grateful that Aragorn would be there to help fight, as he was more skilled in close combat than Alana was.

Shortly into their journey, the hobbits began to stop to unpack.

"Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall." Aragorn said. Alana quirked a grin, knowing of the stomachs of hobbits.

"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked. 

"We already had it."

"We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?" At this Alana let out a chuckle, rubbing the top of Pippin's head affectionately.

Aragorn threw some apples their way and they continued on, making their way to Weathertop, where Alana gathered enough energy to perform a cloaking spell as best she could.

"This should prevent the allure of the Ring from drawing them here, but we must remain vigilant." Alana yawned, swaying on her feet.

"I will go hunt us some food, you rest for now, Alana, the hobbits should be fine to take first watch until I return."

Alana nodded, settling herself on the rocky floor using her pack as a pillow, though it wasn't very comfortable, and fell into a light sleep soon after watching the four hobbits be given short blades by Aragorn.