Eliza's Adventure (Aragorn Love Story)

- 5 -

I felt my shoulder being shaken and I groaned trying to roll away from it, but a hand landed on my cheek to prevent my head from moving too far. I opened my eyes and peered up at Strider with a raised eyebrow. 

He pulled his hand away. "Don't shift around too much. Your concussion is severe and, therefore, very dangerous." He walked over to the three hobbits and shook them awake. 

He turned as I slowly sat up, wincing as the throbbing came back. I could feel his eyes on me and I didn't want to appear weak, so I stood up, rolled up my bed roll, and slung my pack on my back. However, just those simple movements left a dull ache in my head and made me a little dizzy. I tried to appear nonchalant as I slouched against the rock behind me but Strider didn't seem to buy it. "Can you walk?" he asked me, and I nodded. 

We started traveling again toward Rivendell, a lot more somber than yesterday. We were all quiet, worrying about Frodo and if they made it. I walked next to Strider and I could see him constantly watching me out of the corner of his eye. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me. I liked knowing he cared. Every time I caught his glance, I gave him a smile and a quick, "I'm okay."

We continued walking well into the night and the constant movement was starting to make my head ache badly. My vision was slowly going blurry and I was losing my footing more often.

Suddenly, my feet were taken out from under me and I was lifted into strong arms. I struggled against Strider but it was no use.

"Put me down!"

He shook his head at me and said so only I could hear, "If you just asked for help when you need it, this journey would be easier for you and me."

I frowned. "I'm not weak, Strider. I can at least handle walking!"

"No, you're not weak but you are injured and we are still a day from Rivendell." I glanced over his shoulder and saw the hobbits looking at me with pity. I blushed and started struggling and protesting again. "They do not think you're weak, Eliza." Strider said quietly.

"They need to see me as someone who can protect them. This," I motioned to our current situation, "isn't helping."

Strider looked down at me. "They see you as someone who got hurt protecting them. They feel guilty, they do not pity you."

I didn't say anything in response but I let myself relax in his arms. The swaying motion as he walked was calming and before I knew it, I was asleep.

A little while later I felt myself being lowered to the ground. I opened my eyes and saw we were in another clearing for the night. The hobbits spread out their bed rolls and I turned to Strider who was sitting on a log by the fire he had just prepared.

I carefully got up and sat next to him. "Thank you for your help today. I'm sorry I was being difficult."

Strider put a hand on my shoulder with a small smile. Then he motioned to my bed roll. "You should get some sleep."

I shook my head. "I slept in your arms for who knows how long. I will take the watch for the night. You need sleep as well." 

He opened his mouth to protest and I raised an eyebrow at him. He let out a quiet laugh. "Thank you." He walked over to his pack and prepared to sleep a couple feet from me. I turned to look at the stars but heard him say, "Try not to bash your head into things while I'm asleep." 

He already had his eyes closed but there was a smirk on his lips. I scoffed, "As if!" But I laughed a little.

For the couple hours that the men were asleep I stared at the stars and got lost in thought. I thought about Gandalf, Frodo, and the ring. I thought about my world and if I'd ever get my answers. And I thought about Strider, the mysterious ranger who is caring and funny and stubborn and annoying all in one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before I knew it, the sun was rising and Strider was stirring. He opened his eyes and looked over at me, saying good morning before moving over to the hobbits to wake them up. We packed up all of our belongings and once again started walking, this time with more strength as we were so close to Rivendell. 

"How's your head?" Strider asked me. 

"Better than last night." I shrugged. He accepted my answer and we joined in on the hobbits conversation about food.

Finally, I could hear the waterfalls and I could tell we were almost there. Praise God because after walking all day my head was starting to ache again. We walked around a corner and there it was! Rivendell! The hobbits, out of excitement, quickened their pace and I grimaced as I kept up even as my head pounded. 

As we made it to the doors, Lord Elrond came out to meet us. I tried to step forward to hug him but my vision blurred and I could feel myself falling. And then there was only darkness.