Stuck In The Middle

Trek To Lothlorien

   ''Run! We make for daylight.'' Atalanta commanded, once again. Atalanta was void of any emotion, as her sole purpose was to get everyone out safely.

However, nobody paid attention to her, for they were all caught up in grief. Save for the sisters, of course. The rest of the Fellowship was paused, too terrified to think.

The all-to-familiar sound of whistling arrows awoke them, as goblins made their advance on them. Atalanta and Ashley lead the group, the former making sure everyone was fine. Running through the final hall of Moria, the goblins' maniacal laughter wrung through the halls. However, they made it out, the - almost forgotten - feeling of daylight brushing against their skin.

Atalanta knew that everyone would have mixed reactions. Sam sits on the ground, bows his head onto his hands and begins to weep. He weeps for Gandalf, who, though rough, was sort of a mentor. He weeps for Pippin, who had been his childhood friend. Merry sat next to Sam, a river-like flow of tears running down his face. Frodo, a few paces away, was dramatically letting one tear at a time go. Aragorn - much like Atalanta - was impatient, as he watched on. Legolas was silent, as was Ashley. Finally, Boromir was consoling an upset as she wept for Pippin.

''Up! Everyone, up, we have to go.'' Atalanta shouted, hands on her hips. Ashle looked at her in shock, but Atalanta paid no attention, for she was too busy trying to get to Lothlorien.

''Give them a moment, Atalanta! They've lost a friend, don't you understand?'' Kate shouted, back. She glared at Atalanta, who merely repeated the glare.

''I understand that they're sad, which is fine, but we will mourn later. Right now, if they don't want to end up like their friend, then we have to go!'' Atalanta retorted, annoyed.

''Atalanta, don't be so harsh!'' Snapped Kate. Boromir tried to pull her back, but Kate ignored him.

Atalanta looked taken about, before merely mad. ''I'm trying to help them.'' She muttered before her voice changed to dangerously quiet. ''Or, would you not like us to get to Lothlorien? Would you like to stay longer, and not seek refuge in Lothlorien? If we wait here longer, we'll be chased by goblins. No Lothlorien. We'll go right past there, and then, guess what? Well, you know what happens next. Would you like him to die, because of you, Katheryn?''

Kate's eyes narrowed, a tear slipping out. She stepped forward, removing herself from Boromir's arms. She stood, fiercely, facing Atalanta. ''What did you just say? Oh, you think the story will go the same? But you want his death to be because of me? Atalanta Jackson, if he dies, and it's my fault, then what is Pippin's death to you?'' Kate spat, venom lacing her words.

''GIRLS!'' Ashley shouted, coming into the fight. Ashley, who was mourning the death of Pippin, had dry tear streaks on her face. ''Do you not hear yourselves? A friend has died, and yet you argue. Kate, Atalanta is right, we do need to leave. Atalanta, Kate is right, we still need to mourn. It is human nature. Kate, it is human nature to try and survive, and Atalanta, it is human nature to mourn.''

Atalanta looked at her sisters, refusing to see reason. She was right. They had to go.....right? Looking to Aragorn, Atalanta remembered that he had wanted them to go. ''Get them up.'' She told him, and, surprisingly, Aragorn nodded. He had a respect for the woman, who just wanted her sisters to be safe.

''Let's go. We will mourn later.'' Aragorn muttered.

''We will head for Lothlorien!'' Atalanta announced, before zipping up her hood and lead the path. The others, though hesitant, followed.

___

It had been about eight hours, eight hours since they started the trek. It had begun to rain, pouring over the Fellowship. Perhaps it was nature's lament for Gandalf, in their way.

Atalanta stood at the front, having not spoken a word yet. She leads the Fellowship confidently, proud of having once studied the ways of Middle-Earth. Atalanta knew that Lothlorien would only be an hour more, at this rate.

Hearing someone approaching behind her, Atalanta merely walked slower but did not stop. If this person wanted to talk to her, they'd move faster.

''Lady Atalanta.'' A smooth voice greeted, and Atalanta could tell who it was, without having to turn around.

''Lord Aragorn,'' Atalanta replied, in the same tone. Raindrops glistened down her neck, reminding her of rainy days in New York. However, this rain was different. It felt....mystical. Like drops of a clean waterfall, mist flying throughout the water.

''I wanted to speak to you, about Moria.''

''Go ahead,'' Atalanta muttered, slightly disappointed. She was hoping that they would trust her, and not question what had happened.

''I do not wish to speak about what you dread.'' He replied, somewhat comforting. Aragorn spoke as if he knew the pain, the pain of feeling like you were responsible.

''If you mean Peregrin's death, I don't really care. The topic isn't hard for me.'' Atalanta said, stiffly. However, her facade did not work, for Aragorn.

''Though I do not think that true, I am not going to talk about that. I wanted to tell you that I admired the way you handled everything.''

Atalanta looked taken aback, but quickly changed to looking smug. ''Well, thank you, then. You're pretty fierce, yourself.'' Ha, Kingy is admiring me! Aragorn chuckled, making almost making Atalanta frown. It was weird, has the girls had grown up on these stories, yet the characters never had....personalities. However, even simple laughs were weird, in away.

''You really do love your sisters, Atalanta,'' Aragorn spoke, quite suddenly.

''Yes?'' Atalanta questioned, raising her eyebrow. ''I think we've had this conversation, already.....''

''Yes, we have. However, it is different, now. I have seen you defend your sisters, and I see that your love is deep. Your bond is great, one that many strive for.'' Aragorn said, quite honestly.

Atalanta nodded. ''I suppose you're right. I think....well, we're all each other has. Well, Kate has Boromir, but that's not the point. We've been thrown into this new world, and we only have each other. I think, in a way, this has strengthened our bond. As many fights as we've already had, we still make up, because....well, we can't afford to fight, 'cause there's nobody else to turn to.''

Aragorn looked at Atalanta, curiously. He liked this woman - he could see them being friends. She was a fierce warrior, something he really admired, in times like these. ''You always have me.'' He replied, smiling.