Finding Home

Title: Finding Home
By: thegraybluebird
Author's Disclaimer: I own none of Tolkein's characters but only my own, and this story.




CHAPTER 4--Conversations

It was near dusk when Aragorn, Boromir, and Chayton arrived at the campsite. Chayton was beyond exhausted, but was more hungry and confused then anything. The three hadn't encountered any more of those orc creatures, and for this, Chayton was glad. She was lost in thought for a few moments, until Aragorn placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to bring her back to reality.

"Lady Chayton," he whispered.

Chayton looked at Aragorn, nodded her head in acknowledgment, and smiled. She watched as Boromir went ahead into camp, probably to make sure everything was in order.

Chayton hadn't even the chance to place all the events that had been presented before her into her mind, before she was approached by two small males. They were short--much shorter than her, and had golden curls on their heads, and very hairy feet.

She didn't want to be rude by calling them children because she wasn't sure they were. Besides, knowing that she was in this place, Middle-Earth, for all Chayton knew these two could be older than Aragorn! The two males were playfully tugging on Chayton's arms, but she looked to Aragorn when she wasn't sure about how to react.

"Lady Chayton, these are two of our companions. They are hobbits, Merry and Pippin," the hobbits were excitedly jumping all over both he and Chayton. "Settle down, you two; this is Lady Chayton."

Chayton reluctantly smiled at the two and kneeled so she could be face to face with them. Both hobbits took turns kissing Chayton on the hand.

One hobbit pointed to himself and said, "I'm Pippin." He then pointed to the other hobbit. "This is Merry."

"It's nice to meet you, Merry and Pippin," Chayton replied.

Merry and Pippin grabbed ahold of Chayton's unhurt hand, but soon found another reason to start something.

"I saw her first!" Merry told Pippin.

"Na-uh! She's my new friend, Merry!" Pippin replied.

"Well, she smiled at me first!" Merry said.

"That's only because she was trying to be nice!" Pippin added, crossing his arms.

"No, it's because I'm cutest!" Merry declared, smiling.

"Na-uh!"

"Ah-uh!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes and then finally stepped in between the two hobbits. "Come, Lady Chayton, I want you to meet the rest of my companions. Then, we can eat and rest, for it will soon be dark."

Merry and Pippin argued as they led Chayton down to the camp, which was located in a well forested area. Aragorn folded his hands behind his back and followed them to where Boromir waited with the others. Among the other companions, Chayton first noticed a gruff-looking short man with a pipe extending from his lips. He had reddish-brown hair and a thick beard to match. His first impression made Chayton raise an eyebrow, but she realized that he couldn't be all that bad if he was in the company of Aragorn.

Aragorn looked to Boromir, and then to the short man. "Ah, I see you've finally escaped from your tree trunk, Gimli. I hope the hobbits didn't take from you too much of your pipe weed while you were rendered helpless!"

"A fine thing tying up a dwarf, Aragorn! A fine thing indeed!" Gimli answered, pointing his pipe at Aragorn. Gimli made a small growling noise before walking over to where Merry and Pippin were fighting over some pieces of fruit.

Aragorn shook his head and smiled at Chayton. "I'm sorry, my lady; that was Gimli."

"Is he always that charming?" Chayton asked sarcastically.

"Oh, you get used to it. You should see him on a good day!" Boromir laughed out.

Then, Chayton felt someone tugging on the back of her shirt. She turned around slightly, to see two more hobbits standing behind her. She looked down at them and smiled.

"I couldn't help overhearing, my lady. My name is Sam. Sam Gamgee," said the heavier hobbit in his soft spoken voice. He nodded to the other hobbit. "This is Mr. Frodo."

The hobbit called Frodo seemed to be in a trance-like state before Sam said his name. He looked up at Chayton with his blue eyes and said. "It's a pleasure, my lady. As Sam has already told you, my name is Frodo."

Chayton shook their hands. "It's nice to meet you, too."

Chayton sighed as she stood up. She blushed slightly as she realized that everyone else was watching her while she had met Frodo and Sam. She followed Aragorn, Boromir, and the hobbits, as they joined Gimli, Merry, and Pippin near the blazing fire. She took a sit in front of the fire beside Aragorn, for she was still shy of the others.

Aragorn settled in and looked at the others, who eyed Chayton in wonderment.

"My friends, as you may or may not know, this is Lady Chayton. We found her alone in the western part of the forest. She is to travel with us for the time being," Aragorn explained, his kind eyes glowing.

Gimli made some sort of low growling noise. "A woman in this Fellowship! It is unheard of! This is no place for a young woman to be."

Chayton shifted uneasily, but Aragorn covered her hand with his own, and smiled at her. "That may be, Master Gimli, but never-the-less, she is coming with us."

The group, Gimli in particular, simmered down with the idea of Chayton traveling with them. It was unusual, yes, but it was necessary.

Chayton listened in wonderment at all the stories the four hobbits told of their home in the Shire. She never knew anyone had so much to say at a time. Chayton had never been in the company of so many men before, but she slowly was learning to feel more comfortable as she learned more about them. She hardly had a chance to say anything, but Chayton was thankful for that; she really wasn't comfortable talking about herself. After they had all eaten, Aragorn went to keep watch so that the others could hopefully find sleep.

Not soon after the mood engulfed the lands in its milky light, the hobbits and Gimli lay fast asleep in a corner of camp. They all made such an awful snoring noise as a unit that it was a wonder they didn't attract any enemies or wild animals. Chayton sat closer to the fire, watching the glowing embers grow in its pit, and then die from the light, yet variable wind. She brought her knees to her chest, and lifted her right arm to examine her wrist. Lightly touching her bruised radius with her left hand, she grunted slightly.

"Does your wrist still hurt you much?" a familiar voice asked.

Chayton watched a lean man's shadow as Boromir emerged from behind her. He sat down beside her, but not so to invade her personal space.

"I'm sorry if I startled you, my lady," he added, a gentle glow within his eyes. "I hope that I am not intruding."

Chayton shook her head, her lovely dark hair tickling at her neck. "No. I was just thinking, but it was nothing."

"If you are sure," Boromir replied. He frowned when he saw the condition of Chayton's arm. "How are you faring, Lady Chayton?"

"Oh, this?" Chayton sort of laughed and shook her head again. She layed her arm down on her now outstretched legs. "Aragorn said it will heal. It doesn't bother me so much right now, but thank you just the same."

Boromir rested an arm on his knee. "Think nothing of it, my lady. If it does begin to hurt again, let us know though. Perhaps you could even ask the elves to heal you completely when we reach Lothlorien."

Chayton turned to meet Boromir's gaze. "There are more elves like Legolas?"

Boromir chuckled. "Of course there is. There are many different groups of elves in Lothlorien and Mirkwood."

"Mirkwood? That's where Legolas said he was from," Chayton recalled. "How is it that the elves can have such great magical powers?"

Boromir shrugged and smiled. "I do not know myself. It's just something that has never been questioned. We have never questioned you being here, have we?"

"I see your point," Chayton replied.

"Everything and everyone in Middle-Earth just are. We are what the Valar want us to be," Boromir added, scratching his chin.

"The Valar?" Chayton wondered.

"The Holy Ones," Boromir tried to rephrase.

"Oh, like gods are from where I come from. I understand," she said.

Boromir poked at the fire with a stick before resuming the conversation. "Do you miss your home, wherever that may be?"

Chayton froze at his inquiry. She had never thought about if she did or not before.

~~FLASHBACK~~

(It's the morning that Chayton ran from her house. The father and mother are fighting in the other room, as Chayton listens.)

'Why are my tools out of place? I told Chayton never to touch my tools, or she'd pay for it!'

'Now, dear, just settle down. She didn't harm them, did she?'

'That's besides my point, Miriam. The child has no discipline. She hasn't receieved any from her dead father, but she damn well will from me! Where is she?! Chayton!!'

'No, Roberto, please!'

Chayton listened to her mother and step-father through her bedroom wall. She quickly headed for the front door when she heard her step-father's voice call for her. Not this time, Chayton thought. She threw open the front door and ran down the steps, and down the street....

~~END FLASHBACK~~

"I'm not sure," Chayton finally replied. Then, she changed the conversation slightly. "Where is your home, Boromir? What is it like?"

Boromir raised his eyebrows at her sudden change in the conversation, but said nothing.

"Oh, my home is in the White City of Minas Tirith in Gondor. My father is a steward there, presiding over our city. My younger brother, Faramir, is the Captain of Gondor," Boromir replied. "You'd love it there, my lady. It is the most beautiful place in Middle-Earth. The white tower of Ecthelion, overlooking the city. The banners proudly blow gently in the breeze...the silver trumpets...."

Chayton's eyes lit up slightly. "It's sounds like a very beautiful place, Boromir."

"Perhaps, one day, I may show you so that you can see for yourself," suggested he.

Chayton once again peered into the fire, her face motionless. She was all choked up inside, and didn't know what to reply to Boromir. He lowered his head slightly, but still watched Chayton for a response. She looked up at him again, before laying down in front of the dying fire. Boromir relentlessly stood and turned to leave.

Before he did, Chayton whispered, "Thank you, Boromir, perhaps someday."

"I am off to relieve Aragorn of his post. Good night, my lady," he replied, and left Chayton to herself to sleep.