Hope in the Darkness

Hope in the darkness Part 7

By the time they are standing before the lord and lady Aragorn can feel Meduineth trembling beside him and he squeezes her hand again to try and offer her some comfort as they step nearer and begin to speak.

"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone," Celeborn says in his deep serious tone. "Nine there are here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf for I much desire to speak with him... I can no longer see him from afar," as he says this Aragorn glances up as her feels Galadriel's eyes on him before his attention is drawn back to Meduineth who is almost gasping for breath as she tries to control her emotions. He pulls her closer to him, trying his best to offer her some comfort.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. he has fallen into shadow," Galadriel says and Aragorn nods in confirmation feeling his heart constricting again as Meduineth chokes out a little sob.

"He was taken by both shadow and flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For he went needlessly into the net of Moria," Legolas practically spits the words as his own grief and anger threaten to overwhelm him and Gimli bows his head in shame.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin," Galadriel says gently and her words seem to ease the hearts of some of the fellowship a little. "For the world has grown full of peril and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief," she continues.

Boromir stifles his own sob as he hears the ladies voice in his head warning him of where his dark thoughts will lead him and he begins weeping as she sees in his head what he feels for Meduineth, what he wants from her and from the ring.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost," Celeborn asks and Meduineth finds her attention drawn away from the weeping Boromir and back to her adopted grandparents.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all," as she says this Meduineth looks up at her feeling doubt creep into her heart, surely they could not fail, they had lost too much already, she could not lose Aragorn not now. "Yet hope remains while the company is true," she meets Meduineth's eye as she says this and smiles a little before smiling at Sam. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace," as she says this they begin to move away before a hand on her arm stops her.

"Do not let this grief overwhelm you child, I have sent word to your father and siblings that you have made it this far safely and I am sure that, at least, will bring some peace to both," Celeborn says and she nods tearfully before rushing after the others, after Aragorn.

"Medui, what is wrong?" Aragorn asks as she rushes to his side where they are settling themselves for the evening beneath the protection of the trees.

"Nothing, I... I just wondered where you had gone," she mumbles in slight embarrassment, not really understanding her sudden need to be with him at all times, she had not been this desperate to be by his side since he had first found her.

"Lay down and get some rest Medui, I'm right here," he smiles gently at her and after a moments hesitation she agrees and settles herself on her bedroll which he has set up next to his own eventually closing her eyes when she is sure that he will not leave her. He watches her for a long time after she has fallen asleep before silently getting up and moving to speak to Boromir who was sitting in apparent misery away from the rest of the fellowship.

Aragorn moves slowly towards him, making sure that Meduineth is still within his view just incase she awakens.

"My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing, and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored," Boromir speaks quietly not turning to look at Aragorn as he sits silently beside him but still he opens his mouth to continue, unable to stop himself in his need to speak. "Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The white tower of Echelon, glimmering like a a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze. have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?" His voice is almost reverent as he seems to gaze unseeingly into the trees, his mind on his home.

"I have seen the white city, long ago," Aragorn replies quietly, his hand moving to squeeze the mans shoulder in comfort, freezing slightly as he notices Boromir's gaze shift to the sleeping form of Meduineth.

"She is an incredible woman," he says after a while and the tone of his voice causes Aragorn to barely repress the jealousy that flares in his gut.

"She is," he replies evenly and Boromir huffs a laugh as he turns to look at her.

"You need not worry my friend, she loves only you and whilst I would relish the opportunity to court her I know that she is too good for me, you are well matched... be good to her," for a long while Aragorn sits in silence not sure how to respond to Boromir's words. He knew of course that the man had been watching her, knew that he wanted her and it made his blood boil with a rage he could barely comprehend. Aragorn had never been a jealous man and he was well aware that, whilst Boromir was perhaps weak to the ring, he was a good and honourable man but the mere thought of anyone else touching her made him sick to the stomach. If he was being truly honest with himself the real fear he held was the fear that the ring was corrupting him too, he would be lying if he hadn't dreamt often of taking her, of fighting for her when Boromir tried to steal her from him and the whispers of the ring had promised him her loyalty and love. In the end it was only being close to her that quieted those whispers and allowed him to think more clearly.

"I would never hurt her," he says eventually after clearing his throat several times.

"One day, our paths will lead us there and the tower guard shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned' and then they would see her too and oh they would rejoice in that," Boromir says after another moments pause and Aragorn smiles a little at that,

"indeed they will, if we can ever persuade her to wear a dress," he chuckles and they both sit for several moments longer with their thoughts.

"Estel, quickly," Legolas calls quietly some time later,

"What is it?" the man mutters jumping to his feet, his pipe and musings long forgotten in his haste to find out what had happened, Legolas had sounded concerned and that emotion in an elf is worrying to say the least.

"Meduineth, she is dreaming, I think she is distressed," the elf replies and Aragorn in beside her in seconds, cursing himself for not having heard her tiny whimpers and thrashing limbs.

"Hush títhen-pen, I am here, you are safe," he whispers as he lays beside her, his fingers gently stroking the hair from her face and watching with relief as she settles and murmurs something in her sleep before turning and snuggling herself against him, sending shockwaves of desire crossing through him so strongly he can't quite repress the shudder that rolls through him as he pulls her slightly closer to him, burying his face in her hair and breathing her in and letting sleep finally claim him too as he pretended that they were far away from such a dangerous quest and he was instead lying with his love ready to enjoy a lifetime together.