~~Shadow of Light~~
By Tooki
Frodo stepped out of the door way and into the early morning, it had stopped raining but the air was still heavy with moisture. The sky was just beginning to lighten at the edges of the horizon. Sam, Pippin and Merry crowded around Frodo to peer up at the Prancing Pony sign where if they had stayed the night before they would have been no more. Strider moving them to the inn across the way saved them.
Strider appeared behind them, “We need to go.” He said stepping into the cobblestone street.
“We haven’t had breakfast,” Merry said looking crest fallen as his stomach grumbled.
“We will find something along the way.” Strider answered.
Frodo looked up at the human, “If it weren’t for you…” The hobbits blue eyes went wide as he caught a shadow moving behind Strider.
Strider had felt the presents even before he saw the expression on Frodo’s face. He spun around drawing his sword all in one fluid movement.
Striders sword met another as a cloaked figure brought up their sword to either ward off or strike back. “I mean no harm, I am no threat to you or the hobbits.”
“What do you want with us?” Strider asked as the hobbits fearfully stepped back into the safety of the doorway. They were still unsure of Strider, but even more fearful of this new foe.
“I, like you Strider am only a protector. I have been following since they left the Shire,” the shadowy figure answered.
“You have an advantage on me, as you seem to know my name but I know not yours.” Strider said. “Remove your hood.”
The figured lowed and sheathed the sword; Strider did the same but kept his hand on the hilt. Two gloved hands pulled back the hood to reveal a face that told not the sex of the wearer. “I am Indil.”
Strider’s eyes narrowed, it was an elfish name but the form in front of him was clearly not an Elf but human. It was also a feminine name.
Indil saw the doubt on the man’s face. “I also like you was raised by Elves. I know not who my parents are for I was abandoned in the forest when I was just a babe. Galadriel found and protected me.”
“You seem to know much about me,” Strider said not trusting the human in front of him. “How do you know so much?”
A smile formed, “Ah you are a somewhat of a legend, a hero. Many a story has been told about Strider around a campfire.”
“Am I,” Strider never thought of him self as a hero much less a legend, he only did what needed to be done. Fearless perhaps but only because he didn’t much care what happened to him. He surveyed the form in front of him. Voice did not give much away nor did dress. Clothed in leather pants, high boots, gloves and a cape it was hard to define the sex of the wearer. This human also wielded a sword like a man, and fearlessly at that, not backing down to his sword as many others had done in the past.
“The hobbits are in good hands, I will leave you now,” the figured turned to go.
“Wait,” Strider called out, he was intrigued and wanted to know more. “If as you say your home is with the wood-elves of Lothlorien accompany us as far as Rivendell, it is not safe to travel alone these days.”
“I have no home and I do not fear what lurks in the hills or on the roads.”
“You should,” Strider said abruptly. “Suit yourself then we need to be on our way.”
The group of four hobbits and a human were well into their third day of travel when Frodo closed the gap between himself and Strider who was leading the way ever watching and listening for danger. “Strider,” Frodo hissed under his breath.
Strider slowed his pace without breaking his stride nor looking back. “What is it Master Frodo?”
“Someone follows us.”
“Indil, nothing to fear,” Strider answered as he sped up leaving the hobbit behind. They needed to find a place to camp for the night amide the torments of flies and tiny midges in the Midgewater Marshes.
Finally Strider happened up on a patch of ground that rose out of the marshes, a large rock was near by that would give him a bit of elevation so he could watch. “Here.” He said.
“In the marsh?” Pippin inquired. “These midges are about to eat me alive.”
“We have no choice, we dare not move in the night. One miss step and it could be the end of you.” Strider said perching on the rock and lighting his pipe.
Sam sighed and dropped his load then prepared to make the evening meal. They had little left, a few sausages, a half a loaf of bread. Suddenly a deer was dropped behind Sam. He jumped up with a gasp and spun around.
Strider stood there, “This should do you.” The hobbits looked at each other astonished, none of them had heard Strider leave his place on the rock where he was now again perched.
The smell of cooking meat was filling the air when Strider spoke rather loudly. “Why don’t you come out and join us, you must be starved. The warmth of the fire will do you good in the chill of the marsh night.”
Merry and Pippin looked at one another not knowing to whom Strider spoke. Both hobbits were startled when the reeds parted and Indil stepped forward.
“Thank you,” the figured said moving into the firelight. “If you do not mind I would like to clean up a bit.”
“As you wish,” Strider answered not leaving his post. Smoke from his pipe swirled around his head as he hummed softly to himself.
Indil moved back into the darkness, they could hear the splash of water; Merry shivered thinking of the murky water that the stranger had to be washing in.
They were just readying to eat when Indil emerged from the darkness again. Gone were the gloves to reveal surprisingly delicate hands. The hood of the cloak lay about Indil’s shoulders and much to their astonishment a mass of dark curling hair fell down her back past her waist. Indil was in deed a woman and a very beautiful one at that.
Strider jumped from the rock and approached Indil, “Milady,” he said holding out his arm as she started to step over a patch of reeds blocking her way into their camp.
Indil tilted her head back slightly and laughed. “I am no more delicate than I was three days ago. I believe I can manage without your assistance. Indil moved toward the fire leaving Strider his arm still held out gaping at her.
Neither hobbits nor Strider had ever seen anything of the likes of Indil. She sat near the fire her elbows banked on her knees, eating with her fingers the deer meat they had offered her. After their bellies where full the males pulled out their pipes for an evening smoke before they retired for the night. More than one eyebrow was raised when Indil pulled out her own pipe, lit it and began to puff away, not noticing the stares she was getting. The customary fireside tales were quiet that evening as all eyes were watching to see what this unusual woman would do next. They each had their own questions they were holding in their throats but dare not ask.
The moon was rising high in the sky as the sparks of the fire were racing up to meet it when Indil got to her feet. “I will leave you now. The food was most appreciated as my supplies are dwindling.” She wrapped her long hair in to a tight bun, then pulled the hood of her cloak up about her face she stepped away from the fire and disappeared.
A look of shock registered on all their faces. Frodo got up from his spot to go and stand where the young woman had been only moments before. Strider jumped to his feet, “You are welcome to share our fire for the night,” he called into the darkness.
All that could be heard was the buzz of the endless hordes of insects, no rustling of reeds generally heard as they were waded through. “What magic does this woman posses?” the ranger muttered to himself. Then he turned to look at the hobbits. “Get rest for we will be gone by morn.”
It was twilight before Strider slept, ever watching, guarding. This was a time when it was safe to sleep as the evils of night faded. His back against the rock and his chin resting on his chest Strider dreamt of the mysterious woman that had been in their camp the night before. The smell of food roused him from his dreams. Without opening his eyes he sighed, his charges were much too enamored with food. He was used to traveling the day eating only one meal, that usually small and what ever he could find with out making a production.
As Sam brought him a dish of steaming deer meat, Strider realized that he was indeed hungry. “I thank you Master Sam.” He said as he accepted the food. After eating Strider stood stretching out the knots of sitting for so long, he surveyed the area taking in all that moved.
“Do you think she is out there?” questioned Pippin who had come to stand near Strider. His fear of the human had subsided as the days had passed.
Strider looked down at the hobbit, “I do not know.” It was at this time he realized that he had been looking for her not a foe coming to harm them. He turned abruptly. “Get packed we are leaving.” He wondered if Indil would follow them as she had done since leaving Bree. If the mission wasn’t so significant he might entertain the idea of looking for her but his sights were set on getting his charges to Rivendell safely. The ranger only cast a glance over his shoulder once before they set off once again.
It was nearing noon when Frodo approached Strider, “I do not think she follows.”
“Perhaps she has gone back from whence she came.”
“No I think not,” Frodo insisted.
Strider sighed stopping to look at Frodo, “Why do you think this? She appeared out of nowhere and has gone back to nowhere.”
“It tis a feeling that I have.”
“A feeling.”
“Have you never a feeling things been not right?”
“Many a time but this is not the time for we have precious little of it to waste.”
“Strider something is not right I feel it in my bones. How can we depart knowing that things might not be right? After all she was sent to protect us until we reached you.”
“And that you have so her job is over.” Strider said without much conviction. For he too felt something must be amiss, why at this point would she abandon them? She had to know that the hobbits were safe with him but she still followed. Strider looked down into Frodo’s blue eyes that looked up at him pleadingly.
“We can rest here for a bit perhaps she will catch up.” Merry suggested as his stomach rumbled. After all it was time for lunch.
Strider knew from traveling with the hobbits that they were ready to eat once again hence their eagerness to stop. He put his hand on Frodo’s shoulder. “I will go back a small distance but we will not stop again until night fall.”
After assuring him self that his charges were safe Strider headed back the way they had come sure that any moment Indil would show her self. They were just beginning to leave the marshes behind; the reeds were giving away to tall grasses. He could see a great distance but nothing was moving save the tops of the grass in the gentle breeze. Strider stood still his head cocked listening but could hear nothing neither human nor animal moving the grasses. After walking more than a mile Strider stopped once again to listen, he knew he must give up this quest for a greater one. As he started back to where he left the hobbits a noise caught his attention it was hardly louder than a mewing of a kitten but he had heard it all the same.
The noise had been enough to push him onward; he had only gone a few yards when he nearly fell over Indil sitting in the tall grass. She was covered from head to foot with drying mud. Her tightly bound hair had come undone, now hanging in her face. She sat rubbing her ankle; one leather boot was removed and laying near her.
Indil looked up startled she had been so concentrated on her ankle she hadn’t heard Strider approach. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” He said crouching down to look at the ankle she rubbed.
Strider started to reach out to her but Indil pulled away. “You needed not do that. I can take care of myself.”
“I am sure that you can but all the same may I?”
For a moment Indil started to resist then she nodded allowing the ranger to examine her ankle. Strider took her leg gently in his hands feeling the bones. He looked up at her, “I do not think it is broken. What happened?”
Reluctantly Indil explained how she had stepped in a burrow on her way out of camp the night before and twisted her ankle.
“You have been walking on this?” Strider asked knowing that she had to be in a great deal of pain.
“What choice do I have?”
“You could have asked for help.”
“That is not my way.”
“Come,” Strider stood, “The hobbits are preparing food.”
“No, I will not slow you down. You must get the Ring to Rivendell.” Indil answered. “I will heal then continue on.”
“I can not leave you here.” Strider said stooping over.
“You must and you will.” Indil said strongly. “You will not fail Gandalf at my hand.”
Strider straightened up and looked at her. “You know Gandalf?” This perhaps explained much, Gandalf had obviously taught her a few tricks starting with her sudden disappearance at the campfire the night before along with her being able to track them unseen. She was hurt now, with no magic to fix it.
“Who do you think sent me to look after the little ones?” she inquired.
“Come warm yourself by the fire I am sure the hobbits have going by now.” He could see that she was still damp.
“No, you must go on.” With a stern look on his face Strider bent down once again as if to pick Indil up in his arms. She struck out at him. “I said to go.”
“Milady I can not leave you here to die.”
Indil laughed, “I assure you I will not die. Now leave me.”
Muttering curses under his breath Strider reluctantly headed back to where he left the hobbits. Long before he reached them he could smell food cooking. He shook his head as he walked wondering if he would grow fat.
The moment Strider stepped through the grass, Frodo jumped to his feet, “Did you find her, is she safe?”
“That I did, she has injured her ankle but refused my help.”
“You left her? “ Frodo was incredulous.
“I tried Master Frodo but Indil is a woman of strong convections.”
“How far?”
“A few miles,” Strider answered looking back the way he had come. Perhaps he should have just tossed her over his shoulder. “She has been injured since last night but still she follows us.”
“Then we will remain here until she catches up.”
“I don’t think that would be wise.”
“Wise or not we will remain.” Frodo waited for Strider to argue with him but the man only walked way standing to stare out over the grasses.
It was mid afternoon when Indil hobbled into their camp, her eyes were full of rage. “I told you not to wait.” She glared at Strider who had his back toward her.
“It was not his fault,” Frodo spoke up. “I insisted that we rest here, my friends are very tired.”
Indil looked at the little hobbit before her, she knew he was not telling the truth but she accepted it. “You must not rest too long, your quest is an important one.”
Strider stood with his back still to her not acknowledging she had come into camp. Sam came toward her a leather bag slung over his shoulder. “Allow me to take a look at your ankle.”
Indil nodded and limped toward the inviting fire. She eased her way painfully to the ground. Sam slide the boot off her swollen foot, he like Strider felt for broken bones then pulled a length of cloth from his bag and bound her foot tightly. “This should make walking a bit easier for you.”
“Thank you Sam,” Indil said softly.
Pippin approached next he held a pan of water and a cloth. He held it out to her shyly. “I thought you might want to clean off.”
Indil nodded gratefully, she shed her muddy cloak and began the task of ridding herself of the mud. Her hair hung tangled down her back but she felt refreshed as she washed the mud from her face.
It was late into the evening, the hobbits sleeping near the fire when Strider finally spoke to Indil. He did not look at her as she lay near the fire but he knew that she was awake. Sitting cross-legged on the other side of the fire he said. “Why do you still follow?”
Indil did not immediately answer, “It is my quest.”
“But you have done what Gandalf has asked of you, have you not?”
“Sometimes you do more than what you are asked of.” Indil said she shifted painfully her ankle stiffening from sitting. “Sometimes you do less than is expected of you, or am I wrong Aragorn son of Arathorn?”
Strider was taken aback at the use of this name, he glance quickly toward the hobbits but they were still sleeping soundly. “You know not what of you speak,” Strider hissed at Indil. “I bid you to hold you tongue.”
“Or what? You will cut it out?” Indil asked amused by Strider’s reaction. “You need to take your rightful place.”
“What makes you think you know anything of me?” Strider snapped getting to his feet.
“I seem to know more that you wish for me to know.”
Strider did not answer but walked into the darkness. Indil stretched out covering her self with her muddy cloak, falling into slumber almost immediately. After she was asleep Strider crept back to the fire and sat staring at the woman sleeping by the fire. “Who are you?” He muttered to himself.
Indil awoke during the night, the fire had died to a pile of glowing embers, she could just make out Strider once again sitting across from her smoking his pipe. “I am sorry, I did not mean to up set you.”
The sound of her voice startled him, “It does not matter.”
“I will keep your secret.”
“It is no secret I just do not go around announcing who I am for it matters not.”
“Of course it matters.” She sat up.
“Has Gandalf put you up to this?” Strider asked. When Indil did not answer he said. “I take that is yes?”
“Gandalf knows what is best.” Indil answered.
“And what is best for you? Running around the countryside dressing as a man, wielding a man’s sword.” Strider asked.
“I do not dress as a man I dress for what is right for me. I have no use for the flowing robes and head dresses.” Indil answered, wishing that she had not awoke. “As for the sword it is my protection just as yours protects you.”
“So it is fine for you to know about me but I not to know about you?” Strider asked.
“There is nothing to know.” Indil said as she closed her eyes hoping to end the conversation.
“I think there is much to know. For there is no other woman like you that I have found.”
“Is that good or bad?” she asked with out opening her eyes.
“I have not decided that as of yet.” Strider said then he sat back putting his pipe in his mouth.
When the hobbits and Strider awoke the next morning Indil was gone only the mashed grasses were evident that she had actually been there. This time Strider did not bother searching the landscape for her knowing that he would only find her if she wanted to be found. It had been a fluke that he had even stumbled upon her the day before.
“Where could she have gone?” Questioned Pippin. “She could barely walk.”
“I think Milady is a fast healer,” Strider said as he stood. “Be quick about breakfast this morn as we have lost a half day.” They had much ground that needed to be covered.
“Will you look for her?” Frodo asked coming to stand beside Strider.
“No, nor will time be wasted on her again. She knows what she is doing.” Strider wondered if it were true, did this woman know what she was doing?
Indil was only a small distance away from the campfire; she could hear their voices clearly. She hadn’t abandoned them again she had only gone off to see if her ankle was mended enough to push on. Indil was not going to hold them back if she was unable to stand or keep up. In the early morning hours she had a dream, Gandalf had come to her, when she woke the pain and swelling were gone from her ankle.
She was on her way back when she heard Striders words, it was clear that he did not need or want her on the quest so she kept herself hidden until the party had moved on. It was fine with her the less she had to spend with men the better she liked it. She did not like nor trust any of them save Gandalf who had been like a father to her.
Indil followed for the next two days keeping her self hidden, it had grown easier as the landscaped change from low grasses and shrubs to trees and valleys. She had thought of turning, leaving them but she had promised Gandalf that she would stay with them even if it were in the shadows. The graying wizard had told her that Aragorn would likely resist her help but that she must persist for there would perhaps be a time when she would be needed. So Indil moved forward, using what she had learned from Gandalf to conceal her self. She would rest as they rested, she watched, hearing the pounding of the black riders in the distance at night. They were ever searching for the Ring feeling its power, racing toward it.
On the third night Strider and the Hobbits made their camp atop Weathertop. From there Strider could see a great distance, Indil faded into the darkness for fear that Strider would see or sense her. She watched as night approached she could see firelight glowing and wondered why Strider would allow this knowing it could attract the black riders. Little did she know that Strider had left the hobbits for a time to scout out the area.
Suddenly the firelight went out, Weathertop was thrown into blackness save the light from the moon. Indil got to her feet as she cocked her head she could hear them coming, the black riders. She began to make her way toward them fearing for the lives of the Hobbits. As she got closer she could see five figures black as the night baring down on what she feared were the Hobbits. Where was Strider? She must hurry she must defend.
As she came over the crest of the top of the hill she saw Strider spear the last black rider with a flaming torch sending it over the edge. Then her eyes swung to Sam, Merry and Pippin who were crouched over a fallen Frodo. Strider rushed to them kneeling next to Sam who was near tears. She saw him pick up a sword that disappeared in his hands. This was not good.
“Help him Strider,” Sam pleaded.
Indil looked at the heart breaking sight from a few yards away. It was Merry that noticed her standing there. He leapt to his feet going to Indil, “Do something I beg of you.”
Strider turned to see whom the hobbit spoke to, he was not surprised to see Indil standing there. “Use your magic.” He beseeched her.
“I am sorry for I know none.” She said approaching them.
Strider got to his feet, “It is six days to Rivendell he will not make it.”
“I can not heal,” she said.
“You walk with no limp,” Strider glared at her.
“It was not I that healed me.” She could tell that Strider was outraged but she could not help their fate was already set.
Strider turned from her, then bent to pick up Frodo. With out a word he headed in the direction of Rivendell.
Indil stayed with the group she understood why Gandalf wanted her with them. She was the second pair of eyes now that Strider was focused on Frodo. Several times they had to veer from their path as they heard the black riders but they kept on going not stopping to neither eat nor rest. Frodo was growing weaker by the moment. Finally Strider lay the hobbit down and turned to Sam asking him to help find a root that might slow the poison that was taking over Frodo, Indil along with Merry and Pippin stayed by the injured hobbit.
A light so bright that they could not see the source came toward them, as it diminished they could make out a woman in long flowing robes on a white horse. Indil immediately pulled her hood up about her face and turned away. Strider was speaking to the woman in Elfin, then she knelt next to Frodo, “I am Arwen.”
Indil moved away from the group as if she intended to vanish but Merry called to her. “Indil do not leave us.”
Arwen looked up, “Indil?”
Indil held her breath hoping that Arwen would be too busy with Frodo to bother with her but it was not to be the case. “I only know of one named Indil but she was lost long ago.”
Sighing Indil came toward Arwen and lowered her hood, “Arwen,” Indil addressed her, “It is I.”
“Where have you been all these years?”
“It matters little now.”
Arwen’s attention was drawn back to Frodo as he groaned in pain. She cast another quick glance at Indil then at Strider. “I must get Frodo to my father.
Strider picked up Frodo gently following Arwen to her horse. After more words exchanged in elfin Arwen mounted her horse and Strider handed her Frodo. Arwen galloped away amidst protests from Sam. Strider stood watching her go; Indil sensed there was something between the ranger and the elf.
There wasn’t the urgency to get to Rivendell now, Frodo was on his way, the Ring tucked in his pocket. Strider let his shoulders slump a bit, he prayed that Arwen would get Frodo safely to their destination with out the black riders attacking.
“Let us rest tonight,” Strider said.
“But Frodo…” Sam began.
“Master Frodo is in good hands I assure you.” Strider answered. “You will see him again my friend.”
Sam busied himself scraping dinner together for the five remaining. Merry and Pippin looked for firewood no longer fearing of drawing the attention of the black riders. Indil wondered off into the wood needing to be alone.
She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a presents behind her, she knew that it was Strider. He put his hand on her shoulder; Indil jerked away a reflex that she could not help. She knew that Strider meant her no harm.
“Why do fear my touch?” Strider asked her.
It was not the question she thought he would ask. It was clear to everyone that Arwen knew her. Indil merely shook her head. Instead of trying to touch her again Strider walked around to face her. She had her hood drawn over her head hiding her face.
“How is it that Arwen knows of you?” He thought that she would not answer but finally she pulled the hood from her head to look at him.
Seeing Arwen again brought back many feelings Indil had long forgotten. She felt tears prick her eyes but steeled her self she would not allow herself to cry. It had been many, many years since she had shed a tear. “I was a child the last time she laid eyes on me.”
Strider remained silent aware that the words were coming hard for her. He wanted to pull her into his arms to comfort her but he dare not try. She still carried her sword at her side; he knew she was not above using it though he hoped she would not use it on him.
Indil looked at the ground to avoid Strider’s eyes, “I lived in Rivendell for a very short time. Galadriel sent me I still know not why. I was unhappy longing for the place I knew as home. I left Rivendell setting out on my own.”
Strider’s eyes narrowed in thought, “I do remember when I was a boy a tale of a girl that ran away never to be heard of again.”
“It was I,” Indil answered.
“We must have been around the same age but I do not remember you.” Strider said.
“As I said I was not there long.” Indil answered. “I was only a few miles gone when I was set upon by a group of men. I am not sure who they were or why they were there. At least twenty of them had their way with me then left me broken and bleeding to die.”
She began to walk Strider fell in beside her. “Gandalf found me, how I do not know. I was barely conscious; he put me on a great white horse taking me away. He took care of me until I could care for myself. I decided then that no one would ever take advantage of me again, nor force their will up on me. Gandalf let me be who I was. He taught me a little magic I taught myself how to wield a sword; I dress so that no attention is brought to me. I am nothing but a shadow.”
“You have nothing to fear from me,” Strider said softly looking sideways at her in the growing moonlight.
“I have much to fear,” Indil thought to herself, for this ruggedly handsome man was the first person she had felt anything for in a very long time.
They continued walking neither speaking, it was unclear how far they would have walked if Merry had not bounded out of the darkness to announce that supper was ready.
At the fire that night things were solemn, thoughts of Frodo worried them all. Strider stole glances at Indil wondering if when they awoke in the morn she would be gone. Her quest was now over with Frodo and the Ring on the way to Rivendell. He wanted to speak further to her but was fearful it would only chase her way.
It was long into the night both Strider and Indil were still awake mostly out of habit. He got up to stretch; he came nearer to Indil and spoke in a hushed voice. “Do not judge all men on those that hurt you.”
Indil stared in to the fire as she answered. “I do not judge nor do I trust.”
Strider knelt next to her and hesitantly took her hand to his surprise she allowed him to touch her without drawing away. “You can trust me Indil, I will never lay harm to you.”
“This I know,” Slowly she allowed her eyes to meet his. “I must leave soon. I do not wish to go to Rivendell.”
“I can understand that you were some how failed there.” He said his eyes never leaving hers. “But you must come, you can not wander forever.”
“You have.”
“It is different with I.”
“Because you are a man?” Indil asked. “How long did it take you to be sure of me? I can well care for myself.”
“I have no doubt Milady that you can.”
“We must sleep now, you have a journey ahead of you.” Indil said.
“It is only four more days to Rivendell.”
“Ah yes but there your journey only begins.” Indil said.
“What do you mean?” Strider asked but Indil pull her hand from his and curled up to sleep. “Indil? Please tell me what lies ahead.”
Without moving she answered, “You will see in time and rise to the challenge my dear Strider have no fear about that.”
Strider was surprised to find Indil still with them come morning. He was sure she would have faded into the night. When he opened his eyes she was helping Pippin and Merry start the fire that had gone cold in the night.
Indil felt his eyes on her; she looked up from fire that was just starting to catch. She had meant to leave after he had fallen asleep but something kept her there and as her heart leapt at the thought of him watching her she realized why she stayed.
“You are here,” he said.
Indil merely nodded then turned her attention back to the fire. After eating the hobbits hurriedly pack up eager to be on their way anxious to see how Frodo was.
The next four days past quickly with Strider surprised each time he awoke to find Indil still among them. As time past she let her guard down more, letting Strider in. Each evening they would walk, but Indil still refused to say more about her past or why she felt she had to escape Rivendell. She grew edgy as they grew closer to their destination but she was drawn to Strider and could not make her self leave.
Their last night before arriving at Rivendell Indil stopped as they had been walking down path that was barely visible. She turned to Strider and took both of his hands in hers. He was taller than she forcing her to look up into his face as she spoke. His expression softened as he looked down into her upturned face. “I will always be with you.”
“You mean to leave.”
“Yes I must we near Rivendell,” she knew that they could have made it just before nightfall but Strider had wanted to stop.
“Please I beg of you accompany us, I know Master Frodo would like to see you.”
“I don’t think it is wise.”
“I do not understand.”
“There is nothing to understand,” Indil answered, she was still so mysterious to him.
“Then for me.”
“What of Arwen?”
Strider looked away, how could Indil know of him and Arwen. It has been many years since he has set eyes on Arwen but their bond still held ever strong. Yet he could not explain the feeling he had for the woman before him. Perhaps it was that she was so much like he. “Arwen is a life long friend.”
“I fear she is much more than that.”
Indil was gone the next morning, having left while Strider dozed just before dawn. He knew better than to try and find her. The three remaining hobbits were excited at the though of being reunited with Frodo but also fearfully not knowing what became of him. They only had a few hours walk before they reached the far edges of Rivendell. Their surroundings began to change, becoming more beautiful.
Several times Strider would look behind them thinking he heard something in the wood but he never saw Indil until they were on a kempt path announcing that they were about to enter Rivendell its self. She appeared in front of them without a word.
“Indil!” Sam exclaimed startled by her sudden appearance.
“Sam,” she smiled at the little hobbit. “I could not leave until I was assured that Frodo lived. I would have been haunted by it for the rest of my days.” She did not address Strider only fell in next to him as they walked up the steps to the House of Elrond.
As they entered, Arwen came to them immediately giving them the good news that Frodo lived but was still unconscious. She looked directly at Indil as she spoke then turned her attention to Sam who was asking if he could see his friend.
Strider turned to speak to Indil but she was gone. As Arwen led the hobbits to see Frodo, Strider went after Indil hoping that he could catch her before she disappeared entirely. He was nearly out of Rivendell when he saw her hooded form stealing into the woods. “Indil,” he called out to her.
She paused but did not turn around. Strider came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I must leave now. Frodo will recover.”
“I beg of you, stay.”
“I can not.”
“But why I do not understand.”
“Someday ask Lady Arwen she knows.” Indil said evasively. “Now I must go.”
“Surely you will want to see Gandalf, I know he must be here.” Strider said trying to hold her there.
Indil only shook her head and pulled away from Strider. She turned putting her hands on both sides of his face bringing it close to hers she gently kissed his lips. “You will be a grand leader Aragorn.” He closed his eyes as she kissed him, when he opened them again she was gone.
“I am but a shadow.”
Aragorn heard the whisper in the trees as he looked around for her. Aragorn sighed as he turned back to Rivendell, “A shadow of light,” he said to himself.
THE END