The Queen of Middle-Earth | Aragorn & Hermione

Chapter 10

You don't know who is important to you until you actually lose them. - Mahatma Gandhi
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His steps were bigger than usual and he felt his calves ache from walking two days in a row, even so he wouldn't dare to walk slower or take a rest. The Dúnedain wasn't far from running the whole way, he only forced himself to walk slower, because he knew half of the fellowship wouldn't keep up if he would start to perform a sprint, nevertheless it wasn't easy for him, he wanted to find her, now!

"Please move faster." he summoned the fellowship desperately, while keeping up his pace. The Hobbits were looking at him bewildered, they had been walking far too long, through Forests, swamps and over Mountains, where they had been stretched to their limits; they were out of breath and energy; they needed rest more than urgently.

"Come on my friends, move!" Aragorn demanded, looking behind him.
Merry began to become cross with the Dúnedain. "He could at least give us a rest, we have been walking for two days and I am so hungry!"he defied.

"I absolutely second that motion." Gimli panted. "I cannot feel my legs anymore."

The Strider knew his friends were longing for a long sleep and a good meal, however he knew if he would find her only one Minute later than already, it could cost Hermione her life, so he decided to ignore the complaints of the small men and continued walking.
"He wants to safe her in time, the wizards could decide to kill her before we are there." Frodo explained to his kin.

"Still," Merry pressed his point, "I am already suffering, I can't go faster."

"Can't you see he is in love?" Aragorn heard Frodo ask with a pleased voice, it obviously amused him, Merry only sighed annoyed as an answer.

"You would do the same for someone you love Merry." Sam added.

Love? The strider thought. No he was not in love, he couldn't be, he merely worried for her wellbeing. He wasn't driven forward by love, he was sure of it, he was driven by guilt. He tried to convince himself that he wasn't the one who's fault it was that Hermione and the wizards were taken, but he knew he had been the voice of the companionship when he had chosen to take the path through the Fangorn Forest and that despite of his knowledge of the whereabouts of the three evil wizards. He had made the decision to walk the route near Isengard mainly out of pride and defiance. He had wanted to get to Gondor faster, so the witch would leave and he would have his peace, resultantly she would be out of his head once and for all. But now she had been captured and he didn't know if she was still alive or not; he knew what the wizards were capable of, this thought made his stomach turn in disgust and fear. Did he really have feelings? He shook his head quickly, he decided not to amplify their conversation, nor think about his reasons anymore, this would lead him to nothing.
"I am sorry that you feel that way." he said, neither making a halt nor turning his head, however the Hobbits heard him well. "I don't want you to suffer, but I am thankful for your aid." He sighed and finally quit walking so he could turn towards his allies and look them in the eyes.

"Either you stay here and rest, then I will carry on alone or you keep pace with me and support me. It is your choice." he said while facing all of his companions. Legolas didn't hesitate, he stepped forward, gave his friend a supportive nod and walked on towards the east where Isengard lay. Boromir agreed instantly and kept moving as well, yet Gimli followed the elf with his eyes and sighed, he knew he had no choice, Aragorn would never let him to himself when he had a problem. Consequently he followed his friend wearily yet willingly. The four Hobbits looked at each other for a brief moment, then they decided to come with Aragorn as well.

Pippin and Merry had been hiding in some bushes when they had seen Gandalf with the Orcs surrounding Hermione, they wanted to do something, sadly they didn't know how they could be of any help. The bearded wizard had captured Hermione and not long after that Ron and Harry ran into them as well. They tried to fight against the Orcs and Gandalf, but the wizard was too strong, they didn't stand a chance.