Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 18

***Aleana POV***

Early morning I wake up, taking a bath for I knew that we may not have such luxury once we set out. I pull on black trousers with a dark brown shirt, and on my wrists I place the arm guards. On top of it I wear the customary tunic that Lord Elrond had gifted me many years back. Taking my quiver, I fix it across my chest, my sword hanging at my waist. The daggers were once again fixed in my boots as I pull them on. I take two strands of my hair and tie them back before grabbing my bow and heading down to the gate where the rest of the fellowship waited. 

Everyone was already there, except for Frodo. I go to stand beside Aragorn and he turns to smile at me in greeting. Just then Lord Elrond and Frodo come into view and Frodo walks to us as we all turn to look at Lord Elrond. 

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom," Elrond says, "On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will," his eyes move to me subtly and he gives me a small smile before continuing.

"Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."

We bow in respect and turn to Frodo.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," father says and Frodo turns to look at me. I nod at him encouragingly and he makes his way to the head of the group. We follow him as he leads us out of Rivendell. 

"Mordor, Gandalf," I hear him whisper, "is it left or right?" 

I can't help but smile as father answers back and we turn left towards Mordor. We climb out of Rivendell and trek through land of deep valleys and turbulent waters. The Misty Mountains rise to our left and I walk beside Pippin. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn to see Boromir walking beside me.

"I wished to apologize my lady," he says.

"Apologize?"

"At the council. I wish to apologize if I made you uncomfortable. It is just that I have not seen some one so beautiful as yourself."

I raise my eyebrows at him, a small smile on my face. He looks away embarrassed and I can't help but laugh. He looks back to me with a small smile on his own lips. 

"Do not worry Lord Boromir, it was not entirely you that made me feel so. Many things were at play and I let my nerves get the best of me. You are part of this Fellowship, and thus a friend. You need not apologize."

"Thank you Lady Aleana, for I was afraid that you would not trust me like the others."

"Please, just Aleana is alright, and what do you mean that the others do not trust you. You are risking everything by setting on this journey with us and that shows who you are."

"I am of the race of Men, Aleana, and most do not trust us. I know suspicion lies with me, but I mean well and I will do as the Fellowship desires. I have never meant harm on anyone and will never do so. Do you really trust me Aleana?"

"I trust that we all have good and bad within us. With it we have the choice to pick a path and it is in that choice I trust," I place a hand on his arm reassuringly, "I know your heart is in the right place Boromir. I trust you."

"Thank you," he smiles down at me and I can't help but smile back, noticing he was much more at ease now than when we first started out. I look back to see Aragorn's eyes trained on us, his eyes hard and an unknown emotion within them. When my eyes meet his, he immediately looks away and my smile falls, wondering what had happened. 

***Aragorn POV***

 I watch Boromir and Aleana talking up ahead and an unknown irritation fills within me as I see her laughing at something he says. She had looked to me, but I had avoided her, and when I turned back to watch her, she was conversing away with him. There was smile on her features, but it didn't reach her eyes and I knew I had been the reason for that. 

We soon stop at Eregion hills for rest and food. Sam sat at the campfire, making food while I sit on a rock, smoking my pipe and watching Boromir give Merry and Pippin sword lessons. Someone sits beside me and I look to see it is Aleana. Her eyes are also on Boromir and the hobbits and I turn back to look at them as well.

"Are you angry with me," her voice is a whisper and I look to her. She looks at me worriedly, as if she had done something wrong. I feel bad for making her feel so and I take her hand in mine.

"No, of course not. I was just being foolish," a smile lights up her face, relief evident in her eyes, along with confusion.

"Foolish," she asks and I am about to answer when we hear a yelp of pain from Pippin. We turn to look at them and see Pippin throwing down his sword, kick and lunge at Boromir playfully. Merry follows and the both of them manage to tackle Boromir to the ground, laughing. I laugh alongside, enjoying their company. 

I get up and move to help Boromir, but when I try to pull the hobbits off him, they turn to me and pull my legs from under me. I fall on my back and a sweet laughter has me looking up. Aleana was laughing at the scene before her, her eyes closed, and in that moment I thought there was no sound more beautiful nor any sight more beautiful than her laughing. 

Pippin runs to her, standing before her and looking to her eagerly.

"How did I do," he asks excited.

"Wonderful Pippin," she laughs and he runs back to Merry to continue to playfully attack Boromir. Her eyes find mine as I stand and she sends a bright smile my way, the happiness reaching her eyes and causing them to tinkle with laughter. I can't help the chuckle that leaves my lips, but that is short lived as we all turn at Sam's question.

"What is that," he asks and we turn to see a distant dark patch darting about in the sky, like flying smoke in the wind. 

"Nothing," Gimli as Aleana comes to stand beside me looking out at it concerned as Boromir and the hobbits quit their playing.

"It's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli continues.

"It's moving fast," Boromir states worried, "against the wind."

"That is no cloud," Aleana whispers just as Legolas yells.

"Crebain from Dunland!" 

"Hide," I turn urgently to the others and we scramble to find hiding spots. I see Aleana usher Merry, Pippin, and Sam underneath a rock, but find that there is no room for her. She looks around frantically as the crebain get closer, hoping to find a hiding spot under what little cover there was. 

I grab her wrist and pull her to me, causing her to fall on me. My arm goes around her waist as her hands rest on my chest, her lying on top of me. Our noses were touching as we felt each other's breath on our faces. Her eyes are wide as we gaze into each other's eyes as the danger flies overhead, lost in the moment. 

A/n: Hope you like it so far! If not, let me know how I can improve! Also, how cute that Aragorn is jealous. Well there is more to come so keep reading!

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