Hope in the Darkness

Hope in the darkness Part 5

Before she has long to think about the strange conversation the doors are opening and Legolas is ushering her in rolling his eyes as Gimli boasts about the hospitality of the dwarves and how they would be soon feasting when she is suddenly stopped by a shout and a hand on her arm.

"Goblins," Legolas spits and it takes a while for Meduineth to focus on what is happening but when she does it is with a lurching in her stomach and a gasp. Never before had she seen death like this, on such a large scale and it chilled her to the bone. Everywhere she looked there were bodies of dwarves, rotted to no more than skeletons, ugly black arrows sticking out of them, every blackened corner was filled with dead staring faces as soon as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"Meduineth, come we must leave," Boromir urges suddenly in front of her and gripping her arm making her flinch violently but before either can say anything a scream and a splash cause them both to whirl around to see Frodo being dragged into the lake by some sort of monster.

"Frodo," she screams darting forward and grabbing at his arms, pulling him to her as soon as he is freed, thanks to Sam hacking at the tentacle that was holding him.

Suddenly, a roar is sounded from the water and she finds herself gasping for breath against the rock face, so strong was the force that threw her away from Frodo.

"Medui," the cry is anguished and she tries desperately to focus on seeing his face, for she knew it was Aragorn calling her but try as she might she could neither get her breath or her vision steady.

"Get Frodo, I have her," Legolas calls and with a growl Aragorn springs into the water as Legolas rushes towards Meduineth dragging her up before pushing her against the wall again so that he can shoot at the creatures eyes.

"Legolas," Boromir bellows and the elf looks to see Boromir with Frodo in his arms and Aragorn by his side rushing back into the caves and so shooting one last arrow he picks up Meduineth and sprints back inside, shielding her from the rock that begins to fall as the beast pulls down the entrance to the mines, trapping them inside.

"Medui, ai er, speak to me," the voice is whispered and tight with barely concealed panic as she opens her eyes to see Aragorn crouching over her, his hands brushing the hair back from her face and examines her intently.

"I am fine Aragorn, don't worry so much or I will start to think that you are going to have a heart attack before this war is over," she smiles and sits up with his help and he laughs too, although a little weakly before pulling her to him and holding her tightly.

"If you continue to worry me so than perhaps I shall," he murmurs into her hairline.

For three days they travel in virtual silence, too scared to speak, less they wake some hidden evil that Gandalf had spoken of. Meduineth knew that she was in over her head, she missed her brothers and sister terribly, she missed her father, she missed being free and happy and comfortable. She could not remember not feeling afraid and it she felt guilty for feeling afraid and feeling like she wanted to be home because she knew that the others all carried the same burden. Aragorn was becoming concerned about her complete silence and made sure to be close to her all the time but he was finding it difficult as she pulled away from him not willing to share with him and worry him or prove him right for wanting to leave her behind.

When they do eventually stop to rest as Gandalf has apparently forgotten the way she sinks quickly down in a corner, pulling her legs up to her chest and resting her forehead on her knees. She doesn't move when she feels Aragorn slide down beside her because she knows it is him, she can sense it, the calm that washes through her, his scent that envelops her and with a tiny sigh she moves her head and rests it instead against his shoulder, feeling him relax instantly and wrap an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.