His Queen

Chapter 26 - Kitra

As the sun sank below the horizon, the fellowship sought refuge on a small island in the middle of the river. They had taken turns rowing all day and despite the exhaustion in her arms, she couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie they shared. She joined the Hobbits in gathering firewood while Alana assisted Sam in preparing their dinner. The aroma of roasting meat and vegetables filled the air, a welcome change from their rations on the road.

As they ate in silence, aside from Merry and Pippin's lively chatter, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over her. The crackling fire warmed her body and for once, her mind was free from worries. But in the midst of this calm, there was also a sense of foreboding looming over her. She knew that it wouldn't last, that danger still lay ahead on their journey to Mordor.

She stole a glance at Frodo sitting across from her and wondered if he felt the same unease. Deep down, she knew that their time together as a group would soon come to an end. Her visions in Lothlorien had shown her what was to come and she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. A part of her wanted to break away from the fellowship and make her way back to Rivendell or Fornost, where she could distance herself from the ring and those she cared about most. But she also knew that running away wouldn't solve anything. It would only leave her more vulnerable without her friends by her side.

She stood from her spot by the fire and made her way to the shore of the island. The rushing river drowned out her thoughts, but not her feelings. She was scared, hopeless, and angry. She had so many questions she wished she could ask her parents. They were questions that would never get answered and she knew that she was going to have to get over that and just accept that her parents had abandoned her.

Alana, tall and graceful, silently made her way over to stand beside Kitra. Her dark eyes gleamed with intensity as she stood there, a comforting presence by Kitra's side.

"How are you holding up?" Kitra asked softly, breaking the silence between them. The gentle breeze rustled through Alana's hair, catching the sunlight and casting golden strands around her face. She turned to look at Kitra, concern etched into her features.

Alana sighed softly, her gaze returning to the rushing river before them. "As well as can be expected, given the circumstances," she replied, her voice barely audible above the water's roar. "Gandalf's death weighs heavy on my mind."

Kitra nodded in understanding, feeling the ache of Gandalf's loss deep within her own heart. The wizard had been a guiding light, a source of wisdom and strength for their fellowship. Without him, the path ahead seemed even more uncertain and perilous.

"I keep thinking about what he said in Moria," Alana murmured, her eyes fixed on the swirling currents of the river. "That there are forces at work beyond any of us, a greater purpose to all of this." She shook her head, frustration welling up inside her. "But what is that purpose? And why must we be the ones to bear this burden?"

"I do not have all the answers. But I do know that we each have a role to play, a destiny that has brought us together on this quest. Gandalf believed in us, in the strength we possess to see this through to the end. We must honor his sacrifice by persevering, no matter the challenges that lie ahead." Kitra placed a gentle hand on her cousins shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. I see you worry for more than just my safety and that of the fellowships'."

"I worry for Boromir. In Lothlorien he was plagued with visions of his city burning. His mind grows weak I fear." Alana told her, glancing over her shoulder. Alana's eyes widened though when she saw that Boromir and Aragorn were in a heated whisper battle.

"You are afraid!" The passionate exclamation from Boromir sliced through the air. Kitra spun around to face the source of the commotion, finding Aragorn and Boromir engaged in a heated conversation not far from them. The tension was palpable between the two men as Aragorn tried to walk away but was forcefully stopped by the Gondorian's strong grip. "All your life, you have hidden in the shadows! Scared of who you are, of what you are," Boromir's words cut through the night with almost physical force. Kitra quickly walked forward, placing herself between the two men before things could escalate any further. Her sharp gaze flicked between them, determined to diffuse the situation.