The three hunters ran on for many days and nights, not resting for a moment. Now, Aragorn lay with his ear pressed to a rock, and Gimli turned to Legolas, who stood beside him, a ways away from the man.

"He has been acting differently lately, have you noticed? He may grieve, but he is not one to allow it to stay with him. Does it not worry you?" Legolas smiled sadly, his eyes also directed to their companion.

"It would if I did not know the reason. He was close to Miriel, Gimli. Closer, I believe, than any but her brothers could ever hope to be. And they were so very dear to one another. I think he will grieve for her until he passes from this world to join her in whatever comes after." Gimli looked up at his tall friend, confused.

"What are you suggesting?" Legolas gave a wry laugh.

"I suggest nothing. He loved her with all his heart, and I am certain that she returned the sentiment."

"Well it was clear he liked her, but I was not aware the affection ran so deep. How are you sure she returned it?" Legolas sighed, turning to his companion.

"That necklace was no mere token of passage or sign to her family, Gimli. Such a thing is more precious than that. It is a token of the love or esteem of a Shieldmaiden of Gondor, and a very rare thing at that. It was obvious she held him in high esteem, there was no need to convey that message. She loved him. I only wish they had been given more time together in this life."

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Somewhere, closer to Mordor, Frodo and Sam attempted to persuade Gollum, or rather Smeagol as they had taken to calling him, to cooperate. He was hungry, and was refusing to move again until he had fish.

Frodo put a hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Let me try." He approached the writhing creature. "That's enough, Smeagol. I know you're hungry, but you can hunt as we go, alright? No more whining about it." The creature looked up angrily, Gollum gaining control once again, and stalked towards Frodo, causing Sam to tighten his grip on the elvish rope and short sword at his waist, waiting for Frodo to signal him. But there was no need.

The second the creature looked up into the hobbit's eyes, a different pair flashed through his mind, blocking all from sight but an image of the blinding irises he had only seen once before, underneath the mountain what seemed so long ago. The stern command in those eyes made Gollum writhe in terror, and allowed Smeagol to take control once again. The strange being popped to his feet, happily looking at the hobbits.

"This way then, hobbitses! Smeagol can hunt in the little river, fishes very good. Follow Smeagol!" The two hobbits looked at each other for a moment in confusion as they followed. Why had he gone from screaming on the ground about elves and witches to grinning and happily agreeing with them? Sam realized what had happened first.

"It's your eyes, mister Frodo!" Frodo looked at him, extremely confused.

"My eyes?" Sam nodded.

"They're a lot like Lady Miriel's. Remember how much like Galadriel she looked? I'll bet ol' Gollum heard stories about elf witches and he's seen Miriel before."

"Where though?"

"In the mine when we were lost! He was screeching his head off about them when you were sleeping. She always looks like she can see your soul, I'll bet that scared him." Frodo's eyes widened in realization, much to Sam's confusion. "What?" Frodo grinned.

"Miriel scares Gollum, enough that Smeagol can come back out and take control! She's protecting us even though we're so far away from them, Sam. Just like she always said."

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