The IRE of Winter

Chapter 5: UNWANTED GUEST

                                                                       
We have traveled far, passed vast slope with scattered trees and shrubs, moss-green grass covered the ground where water could be. The wide land had the colour of heather and rock-roses and tall larches. There were no valleys or hills, just a slope that slowly goes up and up to the feet of the mountain. The horses trotted up the slope, my back started to hurt again.

Morning passed, evening came. We came to a valley with steep sides, my heart leaped upon seeing trees hundreds of feet below us. Legolas decided we walk and give the horses rest and all the whilst, I was tempted to look down. Aramis pulled me away from the edge smiling. We continued the journey following the path marked with white stones. Aramis led the way, (he seemed to know the way about so well) and I tugged behind him. Dusk came and Legolas decided to camp and wait for the sun to rise. I spent the night curling in my bedroll under a young tree. Rod took the first watch, Aramis claimed the space near me and there he started to tell legends of the East, we shared thoughts until we were both too tired to speak.

Early morn, the scent of pines and grass woke me up. Everyone was waiting for me. I mounted with Legolas and off we went. My stomach complained, I am extremely hungry. Almost there, I thought, and I imagined of chicken and eggs and venison cooked deliciously. My mind was swimming, too grumpy to talk. We traveled for hours and when there seem to have no end to the path, Aramis halted his mare and cried.

'There it is!' Aramis' voice echoed to the valley far below. Rivendel! Larches and pines grew tall and healthy, sound of water hurrying down the rocky bed, there were beams of light on the valley-side stretching across the water. My heart was relieved, the long journey is about to end. To my excited, I tapped Legolas' shoulders a few times, in which he looked sideways hinting he wasn't so pleased at all. I found myself terribly embarrassed for my misjudgement. He was the one who carried me and that explained the bloodstains in his vest, my blood. The bread came from him, and for everything he has done for me, I still couldn't say my thanks.

We led the way, trotting down the narrow path. The sun was about set  when we arrived at the main bridge, a flat narrow stone bridge.

Legolas did not speak, much less than I expected.

'We're here!' He climbed off his mare and waited for me. We were at the gates of Rivendell. I could hear the sound of water rushing down, like a misty falls I dreamed about seeing before. His annoyed eyes met mine and I froze atop the horse, I can't look at him. 'Are you going to make me wait for a hundred years, human?'

Aramis and Rod came, and they went ahead with Gimli. There was my chance of having an ally, whistling his way to the castle. Gimli and Aramis were nice to me, I hoped they might be of help in times I'm trapped with this cold-hearted elf. I turned to him and flashed a demure smile, then I looked down to estimate my fall. The long journey severed my legs, my back was aching again.

'I don't have much time for this, come or I'll drag you down.'

'You're an elf, you have all the time,' I murmured as I moved my leg to unmount. Two hands landed on my waist and before I could complain, I was already on the ground. I was about to utter thank you  but he shunned me and walked away.

'Follow me.'

'Have I ever wronged you before? I've never been treated so poorly all my life, not like this. You snob and stomp your feet like a noble elf you are.'

'You talk too much.'

'I talk when I feel like talking, and no one should ever take my right to express how I feel, not an elf whose hair is silver and eyes icy gray.'