Line of Namrils [LoTR Aragorn]

lll: The Fellowship of the Ring

The wind rustled the leaves on the ground as the fellowship awaited to depart. I was back in my mail shirt and black leather tabard, my knives and bow and arrows were on my back along with my long grey cloak and Gandes was at my side.

I stroked Ambryth’s coat and whispered to him

“sâ ly hótule oar ed ammen?" [are you coming away with us?] he nickered in response and I smiled “Hanna ly, aiur mellon" [thank you, old friend]

“mendwer, Ambryth [hello, Ambryth]” Aragorn greeted, moving to stand beside me

“that is a fine steed you have” I heard Boromir say from behind me

“thank you, but he is not mine, he is a friend. His name is Ambryth” I said

When Elrond arrived I took my place between Legolas and Aragorn.

“The ring-bearer is setting out on a quest to mount doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is made for you to go further than your will. Farewell, hold your purpose. May the blessings of elves and men and all other free races go with you” he said spreading his arms. Legolas, Aragorn and I all did the elvish salute, bowing our heads with a hand held to our heart.

“The fellowship awaits the ring-bearer” Gandalf said, gesturing to Frodo, who walked through the archway before exchanging a soft word with Gandalf and setting off down one of the roads and the rest of us following, the horses, Bill and Ambryth walking along with us.

*

We were taking a rest high upon a rocky hill, where we would head to the southern gate.

Sam, one of the hobbits was cooking sausages over an open fire while Merry and Pippin, the two other hobbits were sparing with Boromir while Aragorn and I watched.

“faster” Boromir coaxed, as the clanging of Merry’s short, dagger like sword clashed against Boromir’s long sword. Then there was a yelp as Boromir accidentally nicked Merry’s fingers. “sorry” he apologised as Merry brought the finger to his mouth and kick him in the shin.

“Get him!” he yelled as Pippin joined in tackling the grown man to the ground

“for the Shire!” Pippin called as both Aragorn and I laughed at the scene before us. Then we both got up and began dragging the hobbits off Boromir only to find ourselves on the ground being tackled by hobbits.

“off” I protested “no, no, no, get off” I tried half heartedly while trying to stifle laughter. Then I felt a hand grip mine and pull me to my feet, I smiled in thanks at my friend before grabbing Pippin and he grabbing Merry and successfully freeing Boromir.

“what's that?” I heard Sam ask looking to the south at what Legolas was looking at

“just a whiff of cloud” Gimli said relaxed

“it's moving fast and against the wind” Boromir said .

“crebain from Dunland!” Legolas shouted back

“hide!”

I ran to Ambryth and pulled the saddle off him and whispered in his ear before hiding the saddle beneath a bush and then took a quick glance around before rolling under a rock outcropping and right into Aragorn. We shared a brief look of surprise before I grabbed the hem of my cloak and pulled it closer to me while my friend pulled me closer to him so I was not as visible, though my Lothlorian cloak does a very good job at concealing me.

No sooner had we done so the birds were upon the encampment, circling about looking before flying off. I waited a moment after the sound of wingbeats faded out of caution before rolling out and offering a hand to Aragorn.