IV. Departure

            “Really, Arwen,” I tried to tell her, “you do not need to pack your entire wardrobe for me. I am sure the journey will not be too long.”

            “Still,” Arwen countered me as she laid out the many outfits she picked out for me, “I would rather you have spares in case something should happen—which I am sure nothing will. Now, pick a few, and I will help you fold them.”

            Giving in, I sighed, selecting three different outfits from the choices Arwen gave me. One was a light blue gown with long, flowing sleeves. Another was a deep green, with sleeves that ended at my elbows, the fabric coated in swirling patterns. The final gown I picked was an off white and looked slimming. Arwen helped me fold the gowns, placing them in a pack for me.

            Arwen also insisted that I take one more outfit, something to wear for tomorrow. I suppressed a groan. She seemed very generous in giving me her outfits. Then again, she was the Queen, so maybe this was her way of getting rid of old gowns she did not want to keep anymore. If anything, she could donate them to women who really needed something to wear.

            “There,” Arwen finally said. “All packed and ready for tomorrow.”

            “Thank you.” My gaze locked on the outside. My legs pulled me towards the balcony, my eyes locked on the darkness of the night. I stopped at the railing, surveying the sky above me. My hands lay on the railing; my eyes took in the stars they could see. Tonight seemed like such a beautiful night.

            “It is a nice view from here.” Arwen stood beside me. “I sometimes go outside at night to admire the sky.”

            “I am really going to miss this place,” I whispered distantly.

            “You are always welcome here, Nimalia.” Arwen took my hand firmly. I smiled sheepishly at her. “Do not forget about us.”

            “How could I?” I giggled. “You have all been so nice to me. Oh, and if that Man should visit you and ask about me, could you tell him that I am thankful for him finding me that day, and that I am finally returning home?”

            “I will pass along the message if I see him.”

            “Thank you.”

            “Now, I think I should let you be. You are to leave in the morning.”

            “What about food and everything?” I probed.

            “Legolas has that already taken care of,” Arwen assured me. “I suggest you sleep now so you will be well rested.”

            Wordlessly, Arwen left my balcony, leaving me in peace in my room. I admired the sky for another few minutes before heading to bed. My stomach churned in excitement as I tried to settle into sleep. Tomorrow, I would start the journey home!

*     *     *

            Sleep had come to me but only for a short while that night. Anticipation of leaving for Lórien kept me awake. It took me what seemed like forever before my body and mind were convinced to go to sleep.

            I rose early to quickly change into the outfit I had picked out yesterday from Arwen. The dress was a pale lavender and felt easy to maneuver in. I quickly combed my hair with my fingers, letting the frizzy waves fall. I made sure to grab the pack and sling it over my shoulder.

            As I just crossed the threshold of the room, I turned to take one last good look at it. I would miss this room, this castle, everything Minas Tirith had graciously given me. I sighed through my nostrils.

            Today was a new day.

            A little jittery this morning, I pranced into the Throne Room to have no one greet me. A little confused, I crossed to the doors, noticing that they were pried open ever so slightly. Curious, I stepped out of the doors to find Arwen, Legolas, and Aragorn accompanied by a magnificent grey stallion. I was in awe by the animal.

            Arwen saw me first. Realizing I was standing there awkwardly gaping, I forced myself to join the quartet.

            “You seem cheerful this morning,” Arwen noted.

            “I am finally heading home,” I said. “Who would not be happy about that?”

            “If you are ready, we can go now,” Legolas offered. I nodded, eager to get the voyage under way.

            Legolas handed me the supplies. I would be sitting in the back, so I could manage everything. Legolas mounted the steed first while Aragorn held the reins. With help from both of the men, I was hoisted onto the horse, sitting behind Legolas. I made sure to settle myself in the saddle.

            “Goodbye, Nimalia,” Arwen murmured.

            After saying quick goodbyes, Legolas nudged the horse onward. Our trio trotted, heading down the many levels of Minas Tirith. I tried to keep fear out of my mind as we walked down the levels of the city. The one thing I could not help was having my eyes dart around; automatically searching for any unusual signs that would lead to danger.

            As Legolas guided the horse down the levels of the city, I took in one fact that I had not realized before: he was armed. I felt dumb for not realizing it as I sat behind him. I swallowed, a bit uncomfortable. Why was he armed of all things? Did he know of my situation? I had not told anyone, I had barely even hinted about it!

            Still, there was the off chance that he carried a bow and sack of arrows simply out of habit.

            “You are quiet,” Legolas observed from up front. “Are you all right?”

            “Fine,” I reported. “Do not expect me to be much of a talker.”

            “I do not.”

            “How long of a ride will it be, do you think?”

            “A few days, if I have to estimate. We will travel by day and rest at night.”

            “That would be the sensible thing to do,” I teased.

            We continued to push our way through the pathways of Minas Tirith, getting many looks from the people along the way.

Once we had made it out of Minas Tirith entirely, Legolas urged the horse into a gallop. I had nearly fallen off the steed due to such a quick change in gait. I held onto the Elf securely by the waist, my body pressed against his back, his bow, and his arrows. Despite him having that much on his back, I was not in discomfort.

            We constantly moved, the horse barely got any rest. I felt bad for the horse. Really, it was not as though we had to get to Lórien by a certain time. We were in no rush to reach my birthplace.

            We rode until the sun began to set. I had dozed off a few times during the ride. Shockingly, I had not woken myself up from fear of falling off. I figured in my dozing state I had a firm grip on Legolas to where I had no risk of falling to the ground.

            The horse had to be happy that Legolas pulled him to a halt. We dismounted; I dropped the supplies on the ground while Legolas tended to the stallion, un-tacking him for the night. We were in no man’s land, no water nearby, and no woods nearby. I shuddered, recalling my near death experience in no man’s land.

            Thinking about it, the land we were traveling on was probably the land I had run along in desperation to get away from them.

            I went to the freed stallion, who was giving his legs a rest by settling down on the ground. I kneeled by the animal, crooning to him in Elvish. I had always loved horses. When I had been with them, they had a horse or two. When they were occupied with other things, I spent my time with the horses, stroking them and talking to them. The horses were my only friends then.

            “Have you ridden much?”

            I looked to see Legolas watching me curiously with the stallion. I continued to stroke his muzzle.

            “No,” I admitted, “but I was around them a lot. I wish I rode them more though, they are such magnificent animals. They are smart too, from what I have seen.”

            “They are loyal as well. Did you want something to eat?”

            “No, I am fine.”

            I never heard him, but I saw Legolas take a seat close to me from the corner of my eye. The stallion bobbed his head. I giggled, reclaiming his muzzle.

            “Can I ask you something?” Legolas asked after a silent minute.

            “I guess you can. It depends on what it is.”

            “Why did you not want to travel by boat?”

            I sighed. There it was, one of the many questions I did not want to have asked. I stared at the stallion, mulling over if I should tell Legolas. I could trust him, right?

            “Do you really want to know why?” I probed carefully, looking at the Elf.

            “I do.”

            I dropped my hand to the ground. “I will tell you only a little. If I allude to other things, please do not ask me questions about them. I am only answering your one question.”

            “Fair enough.”

            I sucked in a breath. “I have seen many people die at the hands of water. Whether they fell in and could not be saved, or they were pushed in and left to die. But the worst thing I have ever seen involving water was…” My lower lip quaked. “I saw people murdered in rivers, whether they were drowned in them or they were killed beforehand and had their bodies tossed into the river.”

            “Who would do such a thing like that?”

            “Evil people,” I hissed. “Vile beings who think they can do whatever they want and nothing can touch them.” My nails dug into my palm, anger seethed in my veins.

            Legolas cleared his throat. My nails retracted from my palm. I felt the slight indents in my skin.

            “I would not have asked you that question if I had known it would upset you like this,” Legolas said sincerely. “I am sorry.”

            “You did not know. Please, do not apologize.” I sighed heavily. “Can we talk about something else?”

            “Like what?”

            “For instance, your beloved,” I teased. “I want to know about her, if you are willing to give me information.”

            “Well, I will not tell you everything, because you will meet her when we arrive.” Legolas stroked his chin thoughtfully. “She is breathtakingly beautiful, but she has this air about her…an air that tells some she is not to be trifled with.”

            “Ah, so you have met someone who does not rely on a man to protect her,” I mused. “I think already she is the one to keep. I think a woman like that is rare to find amongst any race. What is her name?”

            “Nikita.” Legolas said her name dreamily, as though he had just zoned out on me and was thinking about her right now. I snickered, seeing the Elf sound so…in love. It was an amusing sight. “You find me funny?”

            “The way you spoke her name, and the way you looked off into the distance…” I laughed. “I am sorry, but I could not help it.”

            “I am sure you have had the same look yourself.”

            My laughter stopped immediately. “Actually, I have not.”

            “I do not believe what I am hearing.”

            “It is true,” I proclaimed, trying to hide my unhappiness about the issue. “I have never met someone I have cared about so much that I have fallen in love with them.”

            “Are you holding out for the right one?” Legolas prompted me.

            “I have not really thought about finding my other half,” I said truthfully. The stallion nudged my arm, nearly bowling me over. I giggled. “Of course, if I do not find someone for me, I will have the horse to love.”

            Legolas smiled at my humor. It was an odd feeling, to be able to joke around with someone. I think the last time I had joked with anyone was before I was taken by them.

            “How long has it been since you have been home?” Legolas asked me.

            “A very long time,” I told him. “It will be nice to be back.” I yawned.

            “I should let you rest.” Legolas jumped nimbly to his feet.

            “Are you not going to as well?”

            “I will eventually. I normally do not sleep much.”

            “You must, though. You are in charge of directing the horse, after all,” I stated matter-of-factly.

            “That is true.” A thin smile touched his lips. “Goodnight, Nimalia.”

            “Goodnight.”

            While Legolas left me alone with the stallion, I crawled along the ground to settle against the steed’s side. Surely the horse would not mind a sleeping partner for tonight. I wanted someone near me. I had a theory that the horse would keep away my bad dreams. I could not try my theory with Legolas; it would be much too awkward since we had just met each other.

             I settled near the horse, letting my eyes close. For the first time in a long time, I felt protected from them. I did not fear that they would come in the middle of the night and try to take me again.

            For once, I could sleep in peace. 

**So already, even though it's chapter four, even though you've never officially meet Nikita, what are your ships, you guys? I want to hear them!**