Colours

Onward my Fellow Travellers

It was later that night that I was sitting on a balcony contemplating what to do now. I feel an arm being placed around my shoulder and I don't even need to look to know it's Aragorn. Sighing, I rest my head on his shoulder and gaze up at the stars.

Tucking me into his side more he asks me, "What happened this afternoon? I thought for sure you would join us. Do you not want to come?"

"No," I shake my head, "There was just to too many people. I..I tried to convince myself and I almost did, but then..then Lord Elrond announced the fellowship and I just gave up."

Aragorn hums in understanding. "I knew you got nervous around people," he begins, "but I didn't know it was that bad. Do you still want to join us?"

I nod my head softly, "Yes, I would offer my healing skills. Eru knows you'll need it before the journey ends. But, it's just that, I mean, what would people think Aragorn?"

"What do you mean?" he asks as I snuzzle in closer to him.

"It's just, Lord Elrond already announced the fellowship. And none of the others know me. And why would they even need me. They have you. Frodo might not even want me to come. And you might get hurt. Or one of the others. And I swore to protect you. But, Aragorn ... what if I can't. What you're about to do is so dangerous ... and..and you could die, we could all die."

"Hey ... breathe. Just cause the fellowship has already been announced does not mean there cannot be an addition. You know the hobbits, and Legolas, Gandalf, and me. They would all be comforted if you came. I may be good at healing, but you were the one who taught me most of it. I would never assume to be more skilled then you in that domain. And you're right. We might die, but I trust that with you by our side that most of those deaths will be prevented," he comforts me. "Anymore worries?"

"I still need to ask Frodo. And if I join you at the gates tomorrow everyone will look at me and ask questions," I look up at him, my worry showing in my eyes.

Standing up he lifts me up with him. "We can go ask Frodo now. As for leaving tomorrow it is to be a small affair, but if it worries you so than you can meet us outside of the gates."

I nod my head in assent at the last statement and follow him towards Frodo's room.

We chat softly as we walk, discussing our route and what we should each to be sure to pack. I will need to go to the healing rooms after this to fetch plenty of herbs to bring with us.

Finally, we reach Frodo's room and I softly knock on the door before trying to step slightly behind Aragorn. Instead, Aragorn places his hand on back and pushes me forward as Frodo opens the door.

I turn to look at Aragorn as he nods gesturing for me to speak. "Uhh, hi Frodo," I begin timidly, before gathering some strength, "I, uh, I wanted to offer my help for your journey. I am quite talented with healing and can hold my own in a fight."

Frodo looks a little stunned at first before recovering and replying, "It's be delightful to have you Anarielle. Well not delightful really, seeing as we are going to Mount Doom, but we will definitely appreciate your help."

"Great!" I smile before turning and practically running away to get out of the intimidating situation.

It was a little while later that I sense Aragorn beside me again. Softly he tells me, "That was good my friend ... Maybe next time we can work on not running away right after."

"Right," I affirm as I shake my hand to try to get rid of my excess nerves.

~~

I am standing at the exit to Rivendell, where the fellowship will turn to begin our trek to Mordor. I had woken up early that morning and quickly gathered my equipment and weapons to make my way out here. Hearing footsteps I turn to see the fellowship walk past where I am sitting behind a tree. 

I decide to test how well the hobbits are aware and wait till they pass by with the pony before coming out from behind the tree. I reach out to grab Sam's shoulder as he passes, "Hey Sam! Miss me?"

A high-pitched squeak came next that I was surprised a hobbit, or anything really for that matter could make. "Anarielle!" Sam exclaimed loudly, "Why did you scare me so?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I wanted to check your skills. You should really be more aware you know." Seeing that the rest of the company had turned to look at me I shrink into my cloak a little more.

"And who is this?" the booming voice of Gimli, the dwarf asks.

I look to Aragorn for assistance. He sighs and moves to introduce me, "This is Karonya, she is a highly skilled elf with strengths in healing and swordplay. We will be grateful for her at many points of our coming journey."

The hobbits all turn to look at me with slight shock on their faces. "Wait," Pippin speaks up, "so your name isn't Anarielle?" 

I shake my head, to shy to talk in front of the large group of people. The others seemed to have accepted Aragorn's words and continued walking leaving me with the four inquisitive hobbits.

Alone with people I at least slightly know I feel safe to talk again, "Alright, hobbits. ... Let's keep going travellers, we have a long ways to go in front of us."

As walk Frodo moves to talk with Gandalf at the front of the group and Merry and Pippin leave to go cause trouble or get to know the others I do not know. This leaves me alone with Sam who starts right into chatting with me about all his favourite recipes and how best to cook them.

Oh dear! I think, remembering the journey to Rivendell, He's such a sweet Hobbit, but if he tells me of his recipes the whole way to Mordor I might just fall into Mount Doom along with the ring to get away from it all.

Turning to face us Gandalf speaks, "We must hold to this course, west of the Misty Mountains, for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Mordor."