Chapter Text
In the morning when Mellin woke up, both Aragorn and the hobbits were still asleep. Not wanting to wait for them to rise, she stepped outside her room, already with a plan formed in her mind.
The inn was silent as she quietly tiptoed down the stairs and made her way outside. The air was crisp and clear, and she inhaled deeply before going straight to the inn's stables.
As she pushed open the low door, a loud whinny greeted her from inside and a soft smile touched her lips. "It's alright," she whispered gently. "It's only me."
She took down the bridle and saddle from where they hung on hooks along the wall and looked into the third stall, where Rusalka, her midnight-black stallion, stood freshly brushed.
"Hello, Rusalka," she said, grinning. "Let's go for a ride."
* * *
When she returned to the inn, still atop Rusalka, Aragorn was standing outside smoking his pipe.
"Smoking is bad for you," remarked Mellin, coming to a stop in front of him.
He ignored her. After a pause, he said, "We'll be taking the hobbits with us."
Mellin frowned. "Why?" she asked, dismounting. "I thought we were only here to warn them."
"No. We have to get them to Rivendell."
"Does this have to do with what Frodo carries? You were very cryptic about it last night."
"Yes, but I can't tell you any more right now."
She gave a long-suffering sigh. "At least you'll be able to see Arwen again." She paused, then added, "I'll go wake the hobbits."
Mellin strode into the hobbits' room, throwing the door open with a loud bang. They shot up in bed, eyes wide and blinking.
"What—" spluttered Frodo, head swinging wildly around. "Who—"
"You!" Sam exclaimed furiously, catching sight of Mellin.
"Yes." Mellin rolled her eyes. "Me. Strider wants you downstairs. We have to leave."
* * *
"I do not think Sam is very fond of you," observed Aragorn, looking back at the hobbits lagging behind.
Mellin snorted. "Yeah, well, I did wake him up rather violently."
Aragorn shook his head. "Why must you always—"
"They've stopped," Mellin interrupted, glancing back.
Aragorn looked over his shoulder to where the hobbits had indeed halted, taking out various items from Bill and Rusalka's saddlebags.
"Gentlemen!" he called back. "We do not stop until nightfall."
"What about breakfast?" asked Pippin.
"You've already had it," said Aragorn, exasperated.
"We've had one, yes," replied Pippin matter-of-factly. "What about second breakfast?"
Aragorn stared at him, while Mellin shook with suppressed laughter. With a final shake of his head, he turned away and rounded a corner, with Mellin following behind as she led Rusalka by the reins.
"We should give them food, you know," Mellin told him. "Hobbits eat a lot."
"You're right," he agreed, extracting a couple of apples from Rusalka's saddlebags.
He and Mellin tossed one each back to the hobbits, and Aragorn resumed walking. After a moment of deliberation, Mellin took out another apple for herself, then followed.
* * *
Later, when the rain started, Mellin took Aragorn aside.
"I cannot travel with you any further," she said. "I received an urgent message some days ago. I have to leave."
"Where do you have to go?"
"To help a friend."
"Ah. And was this message delivered by pigeon?" Aragorn pursed his mouth in amusement.
She sighed. "Yes. It seems I am required yet again." She gave a faint smile. "Let me get Rusalka ready."