Hope in the Darkness

Hope in the darkness Part 8

The muttering and giggles is what first penetrates her foggy mind, followed quickly by the feeling of being incredibly warm and safe. For a moment she just grumbles and bury's herself further into that warmth and safety until it breathes. Her eyes fly open immediately as she takes in her position, wrapped around Aragorn, their limbs entwined and her face flushes crimson as he moans a little in her sleep attempting to pull her closer to him, fingers flexing against the bare skin on her back where her tunic had ridden up in the night.

"Aragorn, wake up," she mumbles quietly, glaring at the hobbits and Gimli who were all staring and laughing at them openly.

"Just a little while longer," he replies his voice rough with sleep, a sound which sends a shiver through her despite herself.

"I think we have already given our friends quite enough of a show," she whispers desperately, feeling humiliation roll through her and continue to heat her already flushed skin.

"What... oh Valar," he mutters as he finally opens his eyes and gazes around, forcing her to stifle her own giggle as she watches his own face flush with embarrassment.

"My friends I am glad you are awake we must make ready to depart, the Lord and Lady are waiting to bid us farewell," Legolas grins as he steps into the camp and they both spring to their feet and busy themselves in gathering their things together.

Less than an hour later they find themselves standing on the river bank, elven cloaks being drawn around them as Lord Celebron explains what an honour it is for them to be given these cloaks and the fact that they will shield them from enemies. Next Lady Galadriel steps forward and begins to present each of the fellowship with a gift. She presents Legolas with a new bow and the look of wonder on his face makes Meduineth smile with happiness for her friend, in fact she is so caught up with watching him that she almost misses Merry and Pippin being presented with shiny new daggers or indeed Sam getting his elvish rope. She looks away when Galadriel approaches Aragron, she's not sure why really but she feels like it is too personal what is being said and she doesn't want to intrude and so instead she busies herself with adjusting the lorien leaf clasp that held her cloak secure.

"Child," the voice startles her as she looks up to find Galadriel standing in front of her and smiling gently.

"My lady," she responds respectfully ducking her head until she feels gentle fingers grip her chin and pull her face back until she is forced to look the lady in the eye.

"You take much responsibility on my child, do not be afraid to share your burdens with those around you and remember that they need you too, remember that," she says cryptically and she look at her as she attempts to work out what it means.

"Thank you," she says after a moment and Galadriel laughs a little before holding out a beautifully crafted sword out to me which she takes tentatively.

"It is beautiful," she murmurs smiling brightly as she takes out her old sword and places the new one in the scabbard.

"We shall keep this safe for you here until you return for it, just as with Legolas' bow," she smiles and and Meduineth thanks her again. "Oh and Meduineth," she calls as the girl is turning away from her.

"Yes," she replies suddenly nervous,

"I think perhaps it is time that necklace found its home on a new neck," she whispers to me before pausing and pulling away slightly to take in my shocked face, "be safe granddaughter, I would see you again when this is over," she says now and Meduineth nods managing somehow to smile and soon finds herself sitting in front of Aragorn in a boat as they begin their journey anew.

When night has fallen and the fellowship are asleep on the bank of the river Meduineth still sits pondering the Lady's words as she keeps watch.

"What is troubling you Nin dilthen mysterui, you have been too quiet today?" Aragorn says quietly as he sits beside her and she starts a little as she looks round at him, watching him in the darkness as he lights his pipe. Her fingers find themselves fingering her necklace and she suddenly realise what Galadriel had meant, what Arwen had meant. Could it be that she was in love with Aragorn? The thought both exhilarated and terrified her, it was all wrong, she could never hope for him to love her back in that way, he saw her as a child, as someone to care for and protect but not to love and marry. Besides, it was hardly the time for love, they were on a quest to destroy evil but perhaps she could offer it to him as an act of friendship.