𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘━︎━︎L. Greenleaf ✓︎

❝CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR❞

▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 ━︎━︎ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋, Ellaria was once again provided with her own room despite her claims that she was perfectly fine sharing a space with her company. Theoden, of all people, had insisted. She sat up in the bed, finding herself unable to rest. She stood, white night gown swishing as she walked. She grabbed her cloak, throwing it over her and putting on her shoes. She walked out of the room, careful to keep her footsteps light so as to not wake anyone. She made her way outside, her hands pressing against the concrete of the barrier that kept her from falling off the edge. She closed her eyes, the wind rustling her hair. Even at peace, she still remained restless.

"What troubles your mind?"

Ellaria turned her head as Legolas joined her. She sighed. "It all feels wrong. To be laughing and celebrating while Frodo is still out there. If I thought I could make it alone, I would go and find him."

"Frodo's fate is not in our hands anymore," Legolas gently said.

"That does not suppress my worry." Ellaria mumbled.

"You will catch a cold standing out here."

She scoffed. "Please. I have not been sick a day in my life. I don't plan to start now." She stared at the stars in the sky, her head tilting slightly. "The stars are different tonight. They sing a song that my mind fears to listen to." She wrapped her arms around herself, leaning into his side and resting her head on his shoulder. On instinct his arm wrapped around her waist. From behind them, someone approached them. Without having to look, they knew it was Aragorn.

Aragorn stared at them from a distance, glancing to the ground as a small smile pulled to his lips. He approached them, coming to Legolas's side. "The stars are veiled," Legolas said. "Something stirs in the east. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving."

"I fear who it will look to next," Ellaria whispered. "I only hope it does not look to Frodo." Suddenly, she stood straight, alerting both the men beside her. "He is here." She turned and ran. "Come!" Legolas and Aragorn quickly ran after her, following her to the room the others laid to rest and bursting through the door. Pippin was writhing on the floor, the ball Saruman had dropped holding tightly in his hand. The Eye looked back.

"Pippin!" Ellaria called his name, shooting forwards and grabbing the Hobbit as Aragorn took the sphere from him. He fell to his knees and Legolas was quick to support him as the ball left his hands and rolled along the floor. Gandalf was quick to grab a cloth and cover it. "Pippin, are you alright?" Ellaria softly asked.

Gandalf snapped his head to Pippin. "Fool of a Took!" Pippin only laid unresponsive in Ellaria's arm, despite her gently shaking him. Gandalf shot towards them, pushing Merry aside who had been kneeling beside Pippin. Gandalf grabbed Pippin's hand before placing a hand on Pippin's forehead, muttering silent words. Pippin gasped. "Look at me," Gandalf ordered.