Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 27

"Is everything okay, Era?" I nodded at Aragorn as I speed up, hoping to leave Haldir in the dust. As soon as he was out of earshot, I lowered my voice.

"The elf wants to try to keep me here in Lothloria." Aragorn raised and eyebrow as he glanced over at Haldir, who kept his distance.

"I know... They've already spoken with me about leaving you here." I started to protest, but he shook his head, smiling. "I told them there was no way you'd allow anyone to keep you here." I smiled and looked around at the others, who were sitting and speaking to one another.

"Do any of the others know?" He shook his head.

"I think, if anything, you will have no choice but to come with us. You promised Frodo you'd help him in every way you can..." I nodded and watched the others.

"Please don't tell them... I don't think they could handle it." Much less myself... He nodded.

"Of course." Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped and turned to see Haldir watching me.

"My lady, I wish to lead you to the Lady Galderiel, whom wishes to have a word with you..." I swallowed hard and nodded.

"Okay..." I followed him through the woods to the hall where we met the lord and lady. When we entered, the she-elf turned to face me.

"How are you feeling, young Era?" I kept my gaze lowered as I responded.

"I am well, my lady." She smiled kindly and nodded.

"Your family is well known here in Lothloria... I remember how your mother helped us many years ago when our forest was ill. I swore that day that I would somehow repay her kindness." I watched her carefully. "I am aware of the danger you are in." I frowned at her.

"I don't know what you mean..." She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Your mother, Queen Skyrena, has been taken by our enemy's forces. We received word from the elves of Mirkwood and your father on the issue, and Thorin himself asked that we protect you." My breath caught in my throat as I shook my head.

"I'm not staying unless the company stays..." Haldir stiffened beside me as I spoke. "I promised Frodo I'd help him in every way I could, and I intend on keeping that promise." She started to speak, but Haldir spoke first.

"But, King Thorin asked us to. We can't go against his wishes, especially when we're willing to." I turned and glared at him.

"What about me? What about what I choose?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Your father requests that you stay until he can come get you..." I trembled as I stared him down, my mind racing. Finally, I lowered my gaze.

"Fine... But, I wish to break the news to the company." He nodded, smiling.

"Of course..." He nodded at the she-elf, who nodded back.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Era. I promise you that you'll be safe..." I nodded, keeping my gaze down.

"Yes, ma'am." With that, I walked out of the halls and back into the dark forest. After a while, I found Aragorn. "Get the others ready..."

Just before dawn, we found the river and the boats. I smirked as I noticed that there were no guards. I nodded at Legolas, who motioned for the others to follow. Boromir was helping me get a few boats ready when an arrow appeared and hit a tree. I turned and saw several elves, including Haldir, coming for us and nodded at him.

"Get the boats in the water... They're only going to stop me. Get up the river!" He caught my arm, shaking his head.

"We're not leaving you!" I pulled free and took off down the riverbank, drawing the elves away from the company.

Shifting into a wolf, I ran upstream a few miles before shifting into a bird and flying up into the trees. As I thought they would, they followed my trail upstream as I flew back in the direction that the company had gone.

*Haldir's Pov-

I stopped and looked around, breathing heavily. The trail stopped, but Era was nowhere to be seen. I swallowed hard, shaking my head.

"She doubled back... Back to the boats!"

*Era's Pov-

I collapsed into the boat beside Boromir as he rowed down the river. Frodo knelt down beside me, offering me some water, which I gratefully accepted. I coughed a little and clutched my arm, which was still soar, as I caught my breath. Soon, the woods of Lothloria was gone, and we were nearing a huge waterfall. I smiled a little as we beached. Aragorn smiled at me as I leaned against a tree for support.

"I'm glad you stayed with us, Era... Things wouldn't have been the same without you." He looked pointedly at Boromir, who was pulling his boat to shore. I smacked Aragorn's shoulder, laughing.

"Oh, stop it..." He shrugged as he shook his head.

"In case it wasn't obvious, he really cares about you." He studied my face for a little while. "And, from what I've seen, you have feelings for him." I looked away and towards the forest.

"Unfortunately, that's the least of my worries... The elves of Lothloria will come looking for me, if my father doesn't." He nodded.

"A king should always understand when one has made a promise, for he's more accountable than his subjects and his family." I looked down, shaking my head.

"I just hope my mother is okay... I'm sure Father's worried out of his mind." He nodded as I looked back up.

"It's only reasonable..." He looked me in the eye. "I did promise him I'd look after you, as did Legolas and Gimili." I shook my head.

"Legolas was a friend of Mother's, and Gimili is considered one of my subjects, so of course they would. My only question is why would Boromir look after me? He tried to kill me in Rivendell, and, now, you claim that he cares about me?" I shook my head. "I just... I..." Suddenly, I smelled something and frowned. Before Aragorn could say a word, I took off into the woods.