The Last Othellan

The journey begins

Preparing to leave Rivendell took a week. I was given new clothes to wear on the journey to Mordor by Arwen, my arrows were replaced and replenished and my sword and daggers were sharpened.

I woke early on the day we were due to leave, and pulled my new clothes on quickly. The trousers were dark green and slender, easy to move around in. The shirt was made of a light material and was cream in colour with small, brown buttons. It was nipped in slightly at the waist, and fitted me far better than my last, stolen shirt. I laced up my familiar brown boots to my knees, flexing my feet in the comfortable leather. Hearing a bell coming from outside, announcing the departure of the fellowship, I quickly did up my belt, slipping the daggers into their sheaths, and swung my sword and quiver onto my back. I slid a new dagger, another gift from Arwen, into a sheath on my thigh. Picking up my bow, I jogged out of the room.

"Aúthiel!" a voice called from behind me. I slowed to a walk and the speaker caught up with me. Arwen was smiling, but her expression didn't quite reach her eyes, which looked rather red. "I wanted to ask you something before you left", she said, her cheeks slowly turning a pale pink.

"What is it?" I asked, brow furrowed.

"I know we don't know each other all that well, but there was no one else I could think of" she began, lowering her eyes, which had filled with fresh tears. "Aragorn and I-"

"I know" I cut in "The night when you rescued Frodo, I guessed"

Arwen nodded, and a single tear rolled down her face. "Take care of him, as best you can" she whispered, grabbing my hand. I nodded silently, gently squeezing her fingers.

"I'll keep an eye on him" I muttered back.

We walked in silence the rest of the way to the courtyard, where the fellowship were already assembled. I took my place quietly beside Legolas and gave Arwen a sad smile.

Elrond stood before us, evidently waiting until we were all here to say goodbye. Others, too, were in the courtyard, and I felt uncomfortable with all their eyes turned towards the fellowship. Sub-consciously, I traced the 'T' brand mark on my left hand.

"The ring-bearer is setting out on the quest to Mount Doom." He begin. "On you who travel with him no oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves, men and all free folk go with you."

Lord Elrond touched a hand to his heart and held it out. Legolas, Aragorn and I all followed suit.

"The fellowship awaits the ring-bearer", said Gandalf, clutching at his staff.

Frodo turned around and looked up at the fellowship nervously, never meeting anyone's eyes. Slowly, he walked to the front of the group and out of Rivendell. My eyes swept across the valley one last time before I followed Legolas out of the courtyard.

"Mordor Gandalf?" Frodo asked in a whisper "Is it left or right?"

"Left" Gandalf replied, laying a hand on Frodo's shoulder.

***

Hours of travelling turned to days, and days to weeks. The landscape around the fellowship turned gradually wilder as we walked further from Rivendell. We passed an ancient ruin, walked across flat, grassy planes and came to rocky hillsides.

The walk itself was quiet, but when we stopped to rest each night I got to know the fellowship better. In fact, I reflected, I knew them all quite well, since I had spent every hour for weeks in their company.