Authors notes:
For the first date my husband and I had after two years of hard work and no time for artistic activities, he took me out for dinner. And then we saw the Hobbit. Howard Shores music reminded me how much I missed Middleearth and wakened the wish in me to write another LotR story. We are still stuck in work, but I need this now. Just writing a page or two, sometimes.
You will find action and adventure in this little piece. And some mistakes, because this is not my native language. So please, be patient. If there is a beta reader who volunteers, I will not refuse. I like this language and always wanted to try to write an English story. Now I feel ready!
Chapter 1
He did not know how long he held out in his iron-less cage far up in the chilling height. He did not care anymore, since everything he could do, was to wait until his hairy messenger brought feathered help.
The voice in the deep had started to scream again, raised roughly to a cruel height, just to break fainting. And start anew.
Gandalf did not know if this was just another illusion to burden his heart, created by the fouled insanity, he now knew, had befallen his once superior Istari.
But it was convincing.
It worked.
He observed the place, hidden by trees and marked with ornamented chairs. Although he was in the middle of a pretty mixed company his mustering did not intent to find out the features or attitudes of the attendees. He was searching for an answer to a question unknown.
Even as Lord Elrond of Rivendell welcomed the far traveled parties and opened the council; even as he himself stood up to bring forward the incitement of their meeting and let Frodo reveal what was the origin of the rising dark... He was not able to take off that dreadfull feeling that was not refering to their upcoming quest.
Although they had formed a fellowship in the end, they parted. To prepare their path and say farewell to those they would leave behind, if they had.
Legolas Greenleaf and Aragorn left together, exchanging low, grave words. As he let his eyes follow the befriended pair, it seemed the mist became clearer and he just had to reach out and grab it.
„Something troubles your mind, Mithrandir. But I doubt it was debated in the council", a calm voice to his right stated.
Gandalf did not take off his gaze of Aragorn. If Elrond had a supposition, he did not tell but kept it to himself. It was when the silhouette of the tall Gondorian disappeared in the shadows of the trees that the old wizard dared to form his unclear thoughts into words.
"I have a strange feeling. Like something is amiss. Just like tapestry lacking yarn of a certain colour."
"Alas, Mithrandir. You have a Dwarf, an Elf, a Man and four Hobbits. Not to mention you, as you are your own kin. If that is not colorful enough, I do not know, what you do expect."
Again, Gandalf was silent, as he was at loss of words. Elronds eyes wandered to the point where Aragorn and Legolas had disappeared. The wizard wondered, if the Lord still was able to see them.
"Who are you to claim the talent to foresee the Valars plans for sure?" Elrond continued after a while.
"Well I know certain people who are blessed by the gift", Gandalf returned with a slight grin.
Elrond replied the smile.
"This talent is an unsound one. Depending strongly on knowledge of the worlds events. All to easily influenced by rumors, superstition and emotion. Easily misinterpreted or mixed up with warnings. Only a fool relies on that."
"So you call me a fool?"
"I just tell you not to await me to know what destiny holds or should be holding for us. I just tell you to take it as what you were searching, when you decided to bring the One here. An advice", he turned to the wizard and the smile was gone. "What else happened in Isengard?"
Gandalf took a deep breath, knitting his brows.
"That is not easy to explain. I heard things there..." his voice faded, as at loss for words.
"What did Saruman tell you?"
"It was nothing he told or showed me. Maybe he planned to, but then I fled. Now there is just uncertainty. A foundation for rumors."
Elrond got the hint.
"We do not have the time to hesitate. If you need to find out, then do so on your travel. But with an alerted mind and never too deepened. Or the evil around you will have an easy adversary", the elven Lord said.
"Your advise is much welcomed."
There was giggling and agitation, as always when they stopped for a break. The Hobbits were bustling to prepare first breakfast. They were resting just some Miles away from Hollin and Ridge. The two mountains soared above the lowlands of Eregion. In their background the Misty Mountains stood out, dark and still.
Gandalf did not take part at the busy happenings. He still was in thought, since they had to decide now, which way to take.
Aragorn found a place at the rotting tree trunk beside him and sat down heavily. It seemed, the choice weighted hard on him, too.
"We have to decide", he plainly said. The wizard recognized how well Aragorns voice fitted the sounds of the wind. It was, as the Ranger had merged into nature. A automatized habit, doubtless.
"I am in the process", Gandalf answered.
The Hobbits would have finished the preparations soon. So Aragorn did not want to waste time. He knew, Legolas was helping them to some more Minutes, keeping the Hobbits busy and listening to their quiet conversation meters away with his fine ears.
"Over or under the hills", the Ranger stated more than questioning.
"Or beside..."
Aragorn lifted a brow.
"Beside!" he breathed and even Legolas was turning to them in astonishment. When the Dunedain regained his calm, he pressed on. "What brings you to that lunatic plan?"
Gandalf could not blame him for his choice of words. This thought was mad, indeed. His last meeting with Elrond came to his mind again. He remembered the advice he had given him.
"It is just an option, although not a good one. Forget it, Aragorn. As for our way, I'd rather face Cahadras, since I do not dare to disturb the deeps of Moria. Not even with a dwarf at our side."
He saw that Aragorn wanted to comment his choice again, but suddenly they were cut off.
"Strider, catch it!"
Something hit Gandalfs hat and threw it to the ground. An apple fell beside it. When both turned around, they saw Pippin holding his mouth shut with both hands and blushing a deep red.
"Sorry", he pressed through his fingers.
"There will come a day, your stupidity will bring me to the edge, Peregrin Tuk", Gandalf grumbled, but Aragorn saw the slight smile while the wizard bowed to get hat and apple.
"You should not be consulting in your exquisite company, anyway. We all shall hear, where you are leading us to", Gimli growled hungrily.
"And we shall enlighten you", Gandalf said, searching Aragorns commitment.
The Dunedain nodded barely noticeable.
"We cannot go on, Gandalf", Legolas scream echoed still clearly over the snowy wind.
"That pointy eared elf is right", Gimli grumbled behind him. "Not all of us can walk over the snow like him. Some feel the cold more than others."
He was referring to the Hobbits that trotted behind him and before Aragorn. Espeacially Frodo did not look well. His face was white and his lips had turned blue. When the path in the mountain had become too slim, it was not possible for Aragorn to support him, anymore.
It was only fifty Meters more, when temperature seemed to have fallen about five degrees and Pippin leaned heavily on the stony wall, causing the people behind him to stop. A strange noise let Legolas hesitate in front of them, too. Just listening some Seconds, he hurried to come back.
"Do you hear that?" he wanted to know from Gandalf.
"I do."
The elf did not know what else to say. He knew what it meant to turn and take another way. A way he feared much more than the voices in the wind. But maybe their current path was not an option anymore. Gandalf took a deep breath and from his grey robe a little bottle appeared. He showed it to Legolas.
"A gift from Elrond. A sip of it will warm us and strengthen the Hobbits for the way back."
It was a total chaos. The most of them stumbled more in their fled than running. The ground was still uneven and the shock was deep in their muscles and bones.
"This is the big stair way!" the dwarf screemed. "We are near to the other side! Keep going!"
The drums were hammering and the noise pounded pressing in their ears. Legolas' fine senses were sharpened to the edge. He heard the arrow hissing and grabbed the dwarfs collar from behind. Gimli started to protest, but stopped dead, when he felt the air draft of the missile. Unsure he looked up into the elfs clear eyes. But before he could even overcome his pride to thank him, the bottom began to shake.
The Hobbits screamed as Aragorn pressed them forward through a rain of arrows. The stairs seemed endless and with every step they did further, one more appeared in the radius of Gandalfs lighted staff.
Squealing horns sounded and it felt now as they were right above the mighty drums. Right in front of them the unthinkable happened. Under a new shaking the stairs gave in and cracked away. Like a dry peace of bread broken in two, the steps disappeared in the middle of two piers.
The group came to an halt. Aragorn did not hesitate long and risked it. He jumped and thanks to his height he overcame the seven foot wide gap easily. On the other side he turned around and held out both arms.
"Legolas, Gandalf, throw the Hobbits!" he gasped, sweat on his face.
Legolas reacted at once, catched the Ringbearer and letting Frodo run up he threw him with all the force he could apply. Frodo did not scream. But when he landed save in Aragorns arms his breath was fast and his eyes wide from adrenaline. While the elf turned to get the next one, Gandalf was prepared with Sam. Third one was Merry.
When Gandalf was on turn with Pippin and Legolas prepared himself, Gimli held him back. The elf turned around.
"I cannot jump that far", the dwarf said defeated and ashamed. "If I have to make it, I will need your help."
Legolas nodded simply. It relieved Gimli that he did not use the chance to annoy him with one of his arrogant comments. Instead he lead Gimli between himself and Gandalf. When he grabbed Gandalfs shoulder and indicated what they had to do, wizard and elf held the dwarf on each arm, letting Gimli space to run.
Uncertainly Gimli looked into Legolas' keen eyes. An assuring nod was returned. And in an unique action the dwarf started and was thrown over the widening gap.
Gandalf followed at once. He nearly lost his balance on the other side by landing an inch too short. But Aragorn and Samwise both got a strong hold and pulled him in safety.
This was not a wide distance for an elf. And so Legolas jumped without fear. What his elven movements could not compensate, was the new shaking of the stairs. Two more steps broke away and Aragorn jumped back, screaming in alarm.
Legolas missed the ground with his feet, but could manage to catch a ledge with both hands. He handled to pull himself half the way up, when he felt strong hands help him. Gimli and Aragorn were looking down on him with horrified expressions on their faces.
And then he felt it.
A hot bite into his left arm. Surprised by that unexpected sensation he exhaled sharply and nearly fell forward as he was dragged over the edge.
"He is hit!" Gimli screamed over the noise.
There was no time.
"Come up!" Aragorn pulled the elf on his feet and together they began to run after the rest of them.
Legolas knew it: if he did not run now, this was his end.
"I will not die here", he gasped. "I will not die where the stars do not shine."
Gimli, who supported by providing his shoulder looked up and growled.
"Do not worry, friend. You will have company, if this should not be avoidable, because I will not leave your side."
Although the shock faded and the pain was already coming, Legolas felt irritatingly touched somehow. Not by the promise the dwarf had just given. But by the salutation he had used.