Frodo had not been seen all morning. Aragorn was getting concerned. The hobbit had already been in enough danger, they didn't need him to wander off.
"Where is Frodo?" Aragorn asked out loud as he sat down at the dinner table. "Don't know." Shrugged Pippin
"Haven't seen him all morning. " Merry added.
"Do you think he's alright?" Sam asked nervously, already picturing various scenarios of Frodo in trouble.
"I'm sure he's fine Sam." Aragorn reassured, though he was starting to doubt that himself "I'll go and look for him."
The Ranger stood up, and left the hall. It took the him a while to locate Frodo, but just when he was about to give up, he caught site of Frodo's curls through the door of Raina's room. Curled up on the floor on the other side of Raina's bed, was a female elleth with honey coloured blonde hair. It looked like they had both stayed with her through the night. Aragorn sighed. Frodo needed to keep his strength up, not keep up with stunts like this. Raina needed to wake up, and soon.
"Frodo?" Aragorn shook his shoulder gently. Slowly, drowsily the hobbit stirred.
"Aragorn?" He yawned questioningly
"Breakfast is being served."
"All right." He said, covering his hand with his mouth. Frodo placed his blanket onto the rocking chair and moved to leave. Aragorn followed, but stopped once again as Frodo paused by the door. He was lost in thought, gazing despondedly at Raina, who was still unconscious
"It should've been me Aragorn." Frodo whispered softly.
"It is not your fault." Aragorn said, trying to lift the hobbit's spirits "Raina knew what she was doing."
"I've been so cruel to her." He shook his head "All this time, and she was telling the truth."
Aragorn walked up to him and gripped his shoulder
"We all have. Don't worry Frodo. Av-'osto. She will wake up, and we will apologise then."
"Hmmn." The hobbit smiled softly.
Although he had been afraid of her, hesitant, Frodo now realised that he had been wrong. So wrong. She wasn't a murderer, wasn't wicked, she was a hero, kind, and her act on the ravine had proved that. He was hoping that she could wake up so he could apologise and get to know her more. After all, she had saved his life. And he would forever be in her debt.
****
I groan softly, drowsiness falling away by the seconds. My eyes flutter open, and I wipe away that crumbly stuff that always accumulates after a deep sleep. As best as I can, I try and raise myself up, slightly weak.
"Well, I'm glad to see you're finally awake now." A voice says. I jump before looking slightly to my left.
Gandalf. He sits there in the rocking chair across from me, his staff on the floor next to him. I look down to find myself dressed in a simple pale blue dress, with silver patterns.
"You know, you gave us all such a fright." He smiled at me
"Gandalf?" I blink, still unsure of whether this is a dream or not. He nodded. "What happened?"
"You don't remember?" He asked, perplexed.
"No...." I shake my head, trying to retrieve memories from my subconscious. All I remember is falling. Voices. Merry, Pippin's, maybe Legolas'. And then nothing more.
"All I remember is falling and voices."
"Well," he shifts uncomfortably in the chair "to cut a long story short after we rescued you from the ravine you passed out in the cave, the one we took shelter in. Aragorn carried you the rest of the way to Rivendell where Elrond was able to heal you."
'Rest of the way?' I thought "Gandalf you said, 'Rest of the way.' Who carried me before?"
"Legolas."
Oh. The elf. I nod, feeling my heart begin to thump in my chest. 'Why is it beating so hard?' I ask myself frantically
Besides, I thought he hated me. Yes, that's probably why its thumping like that. Fear. Anxiety. 'He used to hate me, it's just fear from that,' I told myself, though I couldn't help but think that there was something more. Gandalf notices my awkward silence.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." I breathe finally. "Just...never mind. How long have I been out for?"
"Since yesterday. Its October 26th. And its 9 o'clock, in case you were wondering." He shrugs "But, on to more important things, how is your wound?"
Up until now I hadn't even noticed it. But, now that he mentioned it, my mind was immediately drawn to a dull pain. I lift up my hand slightly, to find my head bandaged. I wince when I touch it, and retract it.
"Everything still hurts, but not as much as before."
"Good." He smiled "Now, onto more important things. In two day's time, we will have a council meeting, which, I presume you know all about?"
Could he mean?...
I nod, remembering the forming of the fellowship.
"I would like you to be in attendance."
"Me?!"
Wow. This is an honour but...
"You're hesitant about something, what is it?" He asks.
"Would I be welcome though, Gandalf? I thought that everyone hated me."
He smiles, eyes sparkling and wrinkles folding.
"Not any more my dear, they have nothing but the utmost respect for you. Just like I knew they would."
I nod
"So, what do you say? Will you come, represent the people of your world?"
I shrugged, trying the hardest to contain my excitement. I don't think it worked though since Gandalf began to smirk.
"Yeah. I guess I could." I answered, trying to restrain my grim.
"Good."
Tired of sitting down, I aim to move out of bed, but Gandalf stops me.
"You need to rest Raina."
"I've been sleeping for almost a whole day."
"I said rest, not sleep."
"Gandalf!" I moan "I hate sitting still."
"Yes I can tell. This is the third time you've changed sides."
I rolled my eyes and smirked.
"Don't worry Raina," Gandalf said, standing up and cracking his back. He picked up his staff "I'm sure I can find something for you to do."
The wizard walks out with a smile, and I stretch my arms, groaning. I look outside to my balcony, watching the trees sway gently in the breeze, the smell of wet ground flowing through my nostrils.
The door creaks again, and in walks Beririel. She starts once she sees me.
"Oh! My lady!" Her eyes filled with ecstasy "Your awake."
She closes the door slightly, and moves closer to my side. "How are you feeling?"
I groan
"Like I fell down a ravine." She laughs.
"Yes. I guess that's a good way of describing it. Everyone was so worried. They all came to visit you."
"They?!" I blink "Whose they?"
"Well, the young elven prince -
"Legolas?!" I ask curious, and slightly panicked. "Legolas came to visit me?!"
Why am I so afraid? She looks at me strangely.
"Yes, he was the first one... Is something wrong my lady?"
"Raina," I correct "And no, nothing's wrong I just didn't expect...never mind. Who else?"
"The four hobbits, some dwarves, Gandalf, Lady Arwen and Lord Elrond, and Frodo came back later. He wouldn't leave your bed side; he was so worried."
I blink. Wow. I guess...I guess what I did had some effect on these people. Before they hated me, and now...well, I don't know what they feel about me but it definitely isn't hatred.
"Anyway, my lady, I'll get you some food. I'm afraid you'll have to stay in bed today, until you feel better, but after tomorrow, you're free to move about as you please. Just take it easy."
I nod absentmindedly as she leaves the room.
Unbeknownst to her my mind is still wrapped up on Legolas and my reaction to him. Why am I freaking out about him visiting me? It's a normal thing for people do to sick people. Next thing you know, he'll drop me a bouquet of flowers and I'll have a panic attack.
"He just feels guilty Raina." I whisper to myself
"He just feels guilty."
****
As Gandalf joined the others for lunch he smiled. Raina was finally awake; they could finally get on with what they came to do.
"Oh." He remembered and looked down the table. Silence fell. "You'll be pleased to know, that our little guest, has woken up."
Pippin's fork dropped out of his mouth onto his plate
"When?" He asked
"Around 9 o'clock this morning."
"And you only told us now?" Merry added, slightly annoyed
"Meriadoc Brandybuck," he began sternly "The only thing that girl needs now, is a good long rest. Not two young hobbits bombarding her with jokes and questions and pranks and ridiculous things."
He sensed their disappointment and sought to reassure them.
"You will see her tomorrow. I promise."
The promise still didn't help their displeasure. They had anxiously awaited the moment their new best friend would wake, and now they could not see her. They were not the only ones. Legolas couldn't help but feel his heart falter too, though he couldn't understand why. Maybe he was just excited to be her friend. Still, he gripped Merry's shoulder comfortingly from where he sat.
"Av-'osto. She will be fine."
And after that, they set off to lunch.
But, Pippin, as we all know, is a very mischievous hobbit. And as he and Merry walked back from lunch, he couldn't help but stop, and check in on Raina.