The Lord of The Rings
Rulers of Fate Stories
A Destined Journey
Part II
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Chapter 1: The Fellowship's First Steps
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*[ ]* - indicated the translation of the Elvish words into English.
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~ ~ "At the Ford of Bruinen they left the Road and turning southwards went on by narrow paths among the folded lands. Their purpose was to hold this course west of the Mountains for many miles and days. The country was much rougher and more barren than in the green vale of the Great River in Wilderland on the other side of the range, and their going would be slow; but they hoped in this way to escape the notice of unfriendly eyes."
("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Book II. The Ring Goes South. Pg274.) ~ ~
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~ ~ ~ Hey Guys,
I've brought the journal along on this trip. Sadly, I had to leave some of my belongings back in Rivendell. I brought a few things, of course, but most was left to make room for supplies in my pack. Long school days of hauling around text books has taught me how heavy I can make my backpack.
Oh, if you haven't noticed, we've left on the journey. We're traveling south, well, after we crossed the Ford of Bruinen that is. As I suspect, Gandalf will want us to hold this course and perhaps try for the Gap of Rohan. Yet, as you know, we'll end up in the freezing mountains then, into the Mines of Moria.
Legolas is still bent on convincing Gandalf that we should not pass that way, but I know his efforts will be fruitless.
Everyone seems to be in a rather lighthearted mood, though I know the road will eventually turn cold and dreary.
Until next time...
Laters! ~ ~ ~
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For the first couple of days, the journey was pleasant. However, the farther from Rivendell they traveled, the worse the weather became. Icy winds bit at the fellowship, stinging and searching for any skin they could freeze. Ashley wondered how the Hobbits were getting along, for they were farther ahead, near Gandalf in the front of the line. Legolas walked behind her, taking little heed to the ever worsening weather. He was impervious to it's chill, or so everyone believed.
After a long morning march, the company settled into a small glade, surrounded by brush and rocks, keeping them hidden from unfriendly eyes. There they were too take their rest and, in the late afternoon, have a meal and begin the process all over again.
"Legolas?"
The Elf turned to her, momentarily forgetting about laying his sleeping pallet on the ground. "Yes?"
"Doesn't this weather bother you?" the woman asked, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
He smiled, "Sometimes... yes, it gets to me sometimes. Of course, if it were not as constant as this, it would probably bother me little. Even prolonged experience to chilling winds can do an Elf harm."
Ashley nodded, "Makes sense, though I feel a bit bad for you."
"And why is that?" the Elf asked, smoothing out his bed roll.
"Well, because you're wearing less than the rest of us. You'll be half frozen when we get up into the mountains." she answered.
Legolas simply shook his head as he lay on his side on the bed roll, "I have already journeyed to the mountains once, remember? I shall be fine."
"Besides, I believe we would all freeze before he does." Aragorn replied, sitting upon a rock not two feet from Legolas.
The Elf laughed, "That I would hope does not happen."
Aragorn sighed, looking up at the bleak and dreary clouds. "The weather will turn sour from here on in. I now wish we had left Imladris sooner."
"Don't worry." Ashley replied, resting on her bed roll as well, "Everything shall be fine. Just concentrate on the task at hand and let me worry over the future."
As the fellowship rested, Aragorn and Merry took the first watch. Eventually they were followed by Gimli and Sam, then Boromir and Pippin, Gandalf and Frodo, and lastly was Legolas and Ashley. The day which passed was uneventful and, by the time everyone was woken, dinner was served. Though Aragorn and Gandalf had forbidden any fires to be kindled, they still had to eat. So it was a mix of dried fruits as well as meat became the companions' early evening meal.
By nightfall, everyone was marching south once more. Days passed, much like this one, where nothing occurred and everyone awoke seemingly more tired than they were when they fell asleep. The weather was still ill and it grew steadily worse the farther south the group traveled.
After journeying for a fortnight, the fellowship came upon much fairer weather. They had reached the boarders of Hollin, with the Misty Mountains stretched out before them. Every member of the journeying company breathed a silent sigh of relief as the sun lighted on their features. Aragorn and Gandalf agreed that fires could now be lit and that the fellowship would be able to travel during the day. This delighted the Hobbits, as well as both Legolas and Ashley. It seemed that, over the past several days, that they had seen little sunlight.
That evening, before they turned in for the night and the watch was set, the fellowship listened to Gimli speak of the majesty of the Misty Mountains, as well as Legolas recounting the Elves which had once lived in this area of Middle-earth.
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Disclaimer: I do not own anything of J.R.R. Tolkien's creation. I wish I did, but you know how that works. The only people I own are the ones from Earth... though technically, since they're real people, I don't own them either!
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Author's Note:
HEY!
I hope you guys like this new installment!
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NEXT TIME:
The Fellowship journeys ever closer to the Misty Mountains. Havoc ensues when they try to decide exactly which path to follow and more trouble comes with a flock of crebain!
Tune in next time!