Paths That Lead Home (LotR F.F.)

Chapter 23: So Aragorn is Technically an Old Man

Abby's POV:

Éowyn offered to share her room with me that night. I could have slept with Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli, but I saw the opportunity not to listen to Gimli's snores and took it. Éowyn had a small bed brought into her room that was big enough to fit six queen sized beds comfortably. I plumped myself onto the bed and buried my head into the pillow.

"Do you know how long it has been since I slept in a bed? Months!" I said into my pillow.

Éowyn giggled. "When we arrive at Helm's Deep I will make sure you are given the best bed there is."

I grinned at her. We didn't talk after that since I fell asleep in mere minutes. Thankfully, I had a dreamless and restful sleep and was ready to travel when morning came around. Éowyn took me to the stables as the people of Edoras began gathering at the gate with all of their belongings in wagons. I carried a saddle to put on Donovan, Éowyn is supposed to teach me how to do it.

"- and you tighten it here." She pointed to the strap that wrapped around the horse's belly.

I did what she said. "And that's it?"

"That is all."

"Well that wasn't as hard as I thought. Morning, Legolas." Legolas came over with his horse, Arod. I stroked Arod's neck, but then Donovan stuck his muzzle on my shoulder. "Is someone a little jealous?" I laughed at the horse.

"I must go help finish packing, I will see you soon." Éowyn left and I followed Legolas out of the stables. I climbed up on Donovan and tried to get into a comfortable position. I was back in my clothes Arwen gave me; surprisingly all fresh and cleaned, save for some mud and blood stains, but I didn't care.

"How are you feeling?" Legolas asked.

I shrugged. "Fine, I guess."

"You and Éowyn seem to get along."

"Yeah, she's a cool girl. She showed me around Edoras yesterday and gave me some history about it. Although, I think she has the hots for Aragorn." Legolas looked confused so I decided to reword them using Middle-Earth vocabulary. "She likes him." Legolas raised an eyebrow. "She perked up whenever we saw him yesterday."

"Saw who yesterday?" Aragorn came up beside me on his horse.

"No one of your concern. Yet," I added with a smirk. We made our way to the front gate where Lord Théoden waited. "Where's Gimli?" I asked Legolas.

"Here!" A horse galloped over to us and came to a halt. Sitting on the saddle was Gimli. "Why I have to ride a horse is nonsense!" he grumbled. Aragorn, Legolas, and I laughed at the dwarf as he tried to settle down his horse.

A guard ran up to Théoden and told him something. The king nodded and then turned to us. "We are ready."

Then we were off.

We walked slowly since many of the citizen didn't have horses and had to walk and carry their possessions. Gimli almost lost control of his horse a couple times, but soon got the hang of it when Éowyn went over and helped him. Legolas would travel up and down the line of citizens, keeping a lookout at our surroundings. Aragorn rode next to me, and like usual, he was quiet.

"How are you?" I asked him.

"Well," he replied. "And you?"

"Good."

We went back into silence and it felt kind of awkward, but I think it was because of me. Usually, I'm a conversationalist, but I honestly didn't know what to talk about to Aragorn. Although, his silence felt heavy and thoughtful and reminded me of Cathy when I first met her. She was so shy, until she met me and I broke that shell.