Lillie of the Valley[ON HOLD - IN PROGRESS]

Chapter Four

After the council was over, I decided to talk some with my new group so I could get to know them, and to delay the unpleasant conversation that was awaiting between my brother and me. However, a little while later, Caspian had caught on to my little plan, and walked up to me as I was talking to Pippin and Merry, the last two to join our group.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," he said to them. "But I need to speak with my sister."

"Of course," Merry replied as they walked back to Frodo and Sam, who was the small, blonde-haired person to join.

"Great," I said quietly to myself.

"May I have a word with you, Lillie?" he asked me, hinting at wanting to go somewhere more private.

"Of course, Caspian," I told him as we made our way to a small garden, that just happened to be vacant.

"I do not want you to go on this journey," he told me.

"Why not? Why do you get to go, and I can't?" I questioned him, a little offended.

"You could get hurt, Lillie."

"So could you, Caspian! You know I can handle a sword."

"Our little duels are nothing in comparison to what could be out there. It's not safe for you."

"Professor sent us away so we wouldn't get killed, remember? You could also die out there!" I raised my voice a little, my vision becoming slightly blurry.

"I'm not discussing this, Lillie. I have spoken with Lord Elrond. He said that he will look after you," he continued as though my loudness did not bother him. He began to walk away.

"Caspian, you can't leave me behind. You're all the only family I have left!" I shouted after him. He stopped walking, and turned around to look at me. My voice grew quiet again as a tear escaped. "I can't go each day you're gone, wondering whether you're alive or dead."

"I'm sorry, Lillie. You are staying here." With that, he left me alone.

Upset, and not wanting to show any weakness around anyone, I wiped away the few tears that managed to fall, and quickly made my way to somewhere I could think and calm down. Eventually, I found a clearing that faced one of the many beautiful waterfalls. I sat down on the soft, green grass, letting out a loud sigh of exasperation. Watching the water move has already calmed me down a little, which left me to my thoughts.

After a while, I heard someone approaching me. I turned to see who it was, and relaxed once I realized it was Aragorn.

"Mind if I sit here?" he asked me. I shook my head in response and stared back at the water. Aragorn sat down next to me, keeping my company.

"It sure is beautiful here," I spoke up after a few minutes of silence.

"Indeed, it is," he replied to me. I picked up an orange leaf that laid on the ground near me and began to play with it. "We are to leave tomorrow morning."

"Caspian says I have to stay here. He won't let me go with you."

"I can understand why. He wants to protect you."

"But does he not understand that he is all I have left? Strider, I can't stay here, not knowing if anything has happened to Caspian," I spoke while turning to face him.

"Perhaps that is why he wants you to stay. You're all he has too. He does not wish to see you hurt."

"I know how to fight, though. Perhaps not as good as you, but I do know how to use a sword."