A/N: This is dedicated to Cheysuli for her patience. I am poorly at the
moment with that old head injury and struggle to sit at the computer
screen. I said I would but have been unable to update Parallels. I have
been so affected as of late, that in an early version of this I even spelt
Moria wrong! My thanks to Mistress Saigon for pointing this out. But I was
bitten by a most evil plot bunny and had to write this. I hope you enjoy
it, the longest single chapter I think I have ever written.
Chapter 1
The darkness yielded nothing. Every time Aragorn searched desperately he found no path on which to travel, or worse still too many. With a heavy sigh he lamented upon the loss of Gandalf. He now had the unenviable task of attempting to lead the Fellowship from the unforgiving darkness of Moria.
They had lost the old Maia to the flame and shadow of a balrog. Aragorn still saw the fear etched upon Legolas' beautiful face as he realised what approached. Gandalf had fought valiantly to ensure the Fellowship's escape, to guarantee their passage through the doorway on the other side of the chasm. But alas, there was one thing the ancient wizard had not realised.
He had led them the wrong way.
There were no time or space for anger now. In the darkness and the fog of ancient memory the mistake was easy. Nay, inevitable.
Aragorn recalled his tarnished joy as he ran towards the light, believing he smelt the fresh, pure air. He would never forget the look upon Boromir's face as he crashed to a halt. Not facing rolling hills, but the rolling stone of another great hall. The light and air poured in through a great gash ripped into the high ceiling. The halflings were placed reverently on their feet once again as all stood amazed as one collective hope fell to the ground and shattered like finely spun glass.
Frodo ran forward, his hands outstretched in silent protest or prayer, in their shock no-one thought to stop him. The tiny figure was dwarfed against the great arches and pillars of stone. Cruel laughter seemed to echo off the walls, louder than any of the hobbit's tiny steps.
With a more astute glance, the hall was found not to be that, but a corridor. A long passage, mercifully with only one exit far across the other side. As one the Fellowship moved silently forward to began their trek to the other side.
Legolas, an ageless, timeless being had suddenly become aware of time. He felt each rancid second as they dallied here further. With every passing minute the quest ahead of them seemed harder and harder. After all, Saruman's forces knew exactly where the Fellowship was, after forcing them off the mountain. Legolas suspected the corrupted Maia would do all he could to keep the walkers trapped here, lost in the darkness. As they stumbled, forces would be massing, growing stronger, the reach of the Great Eye becoming further and further. The elf tried to suppress the shiver than ran down his spine, rocking his whole body, but the action attracted attention just as he had feared. A warm, familiar hand was led upon the small of his back, and there it remained.
Frodo had turned as the elf trembled, he truly pitied Legolas, he of them all seemed most alien in this darkness. As Aragorn approached to comfort him, the hobbit turned back to grant them privacy, a wry smile on his face. He had known they were lovers long before the it had been so nervously and shamefully announced. In fact, most of the Fellowship had cottoned on to the little secret, making the poor attempt at surprise even more amusing. Theirs was the type of love Frodo himself hoped to find one day. A tender, quiet love, not blatant but always there. It made you feel warm even if you were not part of it. The two graceful figures were shy yet passionate. Frodo had only ever seen them kiss once, let alone anything else. The presence of this bond hurried Frodo on further, he had rushed to the front of the group, much to the protest of Boromir and his cousins. He could not express to them the unease him felt and how endangered the love between Legolas and Aragorn seemed. The ringbearer had now made himself responsible for this couple. He would get them out, even if he did not know the way. So he put his head down and kept on walking, the beginning of an idea forming in his active mind.
They had reached the other side of the corridor, after what faced them at the last door there was some trepidation, but Gimli pressed on.
What faced them was more devastating still, hundreds of winding passages that converged on a central point. Paths disappeared into the darkness in every direction. None looked more promising than the last. None lighter, none brighter, none longer, none wider. And they were fast running out of light, moving away from the gaping hole.
With Legolas carefully leading the way, the Fellowship stumbled to the central plateau. Each member holding his breath. The soft voice of the archer broke the silence.
"Though 'tis still light, the eve descends. I recommend we rest here. We have travelled long and far, the loss of Gandalf weighs heavy on us all. Perhaps with clearer minds we will find a way out of this darkness. . ." He said with a ghost of smile, ". . this madness." He added quietly. He looked to Aragorn who agreed quickly, but his brow furrowed at his lover's words.
All lay down upon the hard ground, Frodo watching the lovers, fascinated. They lay close but not together, the gentle interweaving of fingers being enough for them now. The romantic beauty of the scene steeled the hobbit's resolve. His idea now formed into a plan. He lay down his head and squeezed his eyes shut, pretending to sleep.
He waited for what seemed like hours until silence and slumber seemed to really take hold. He carefully stood and surveyed the scene. Then Frodo moved away from the group, climbing down twice to a much lower platform before reaching into his collar and pulling forth the ring. He had to ensure he was out of earshot else Legolas would surely wake.
For a long moment he let it glint and shine in what light remained, before timidly whispering. "I know you're there. I know what you want and I have it right here."
Silence. "All you have to do is come forward, I need your help, you see."
The minutes flew by, for a second Frodo considered giving up but then something stirred.
"You. . .need our help??"
"Yes Gollum I need you to show us the way out of here, can you do that?"
"Yessss. Gollum can. . . .but what for Gollum, what does hobbits have for Gollum?"
The voice trembled slightly. "You may have anything you wish, except the ring."
A much heavier silence descended this time. "Anything?"
"Yes anything."
"Gollum. . . accepts."
"Then return with me to my companions and you shall have your reward."
Frodo began his ascent and was both relieved and unnerved to hear he was being followed.
As he crawled onto the plateau he was startled by a voice.
"Where have you been little one?" Soft but stern.
"Sorry Legolas I could not sleep. I, I have someone with me, promise you will not attack if I show you?"
Legolas nodded slowly after much thought.
Gollum appeared from the darkness. Legolas gasped and quickly withdrew his hand from Aragorn's. The two so in tune that the man stirred, but Legolas placed a soothing hand on his chest and whispered something softly in elvish, the man slept on.
"He will show us the way out of here, Legolas, I told him he could have anything he wished, except the ring. We need to leave this place friend!"
"I too, have felt that Frodo."
"Very well. Gollum if we give you what you wish, you will mark a route for us for when the others awake, you will not disturb us again. Clear?"
To the surprise of both, Gollum nodded sincerely.
"What is it you want?"
"Gollum wants. . .we wants. . . . something of beauty. . . . we wants. . ."
He appeared to pause and think for a moment, but was then struck by a thought.
"We wants the elf."
Legolas drew back us if burnt. Frodo jumped up.
"NO!. ."
"Hush Frodo! You gave him your word. You said yourself we need to get out of here."
To the hobbit's horror, Legolas spoke to the sleeping Aragorn once more and rose gracefully to his feet.
"I will go with you Gollum for one night and one night only. Dawn is but five hours away. At that point I will return to the Fellowship." Gollum nodded eagerly.
"No, Legolas, I did not think he would want this, please."
"All is well Frodo, I will return. You did well, you thought ahead. You may have saved us all."
"But not at this price!"
"The quest is more important little one. Now return to your rest. Speak none of this to Aragorn." The elf cast a worried glance to the sleeping form. "If left, he will sleep to morning's light."
With a light kiss, the elf vanished from sight.
"Farewell Frodo." The air seemed to whisper.
A/N: Cliffhanger, surprise! I will update when I can but this is unlikely to be for a couple of weeks, review though!
Chapter 1
The darkness yielded nothing. Every time Aragorn searched desperately he found no path on which to travel, or worse still too many. With a heavy sigh he lamented upon the loss of Gandalf. He now had the unenviable task of attempting to lead the Fellowship from the unforgiving darkness of Moria.
They had lost the old Maia to the flame and shadow of a balrog. Aragorn still saw the fear etched upon Legolas' beautiful face as he realised what approached. Gandalf had fought valiantly to ensure the Fellowship's escape, to guarantee their passage through the doorway on the other side of the chasm. But alas, there was one thing the ancient wizard had not realised.
He had led them the wrong way.
There were no time or space for anger now. In the darkness and the fog of ancient memory the mistake was easy. Nay, inevitable.
Aragorn recalled his tarnished joy as he ran towards the light, believing he smelt the fresh, pure air. He would never forget the look upon Boromir's face as he crashed to a halt. Not facing rolling hills, but the rolling stone of another great hall. The light and air poured in through a great gash ripped into the high ceiling. The halflings were placed reverently on their feet once again as all stood amazed as one collective hope fell to the ground and shattered like finely spun glass.
Frodo ran forward, his hands outstretched in silent protest or prayer, in their shock no-one thought to stop him. The tiny figure was dwarfed against the great arches and pillars of stone. Cruel laughter seemed to echo off the walls, louder than any of the hobbit's tiny steps.
With a more astute glance, the hall was found not to be that, but a corridor. A long passage, mercifully with only one exit far across the other side. As one the Fellowship moved silently forward to began their trek to the other side.
Legolas, an ageless, timeless being had suddenly become aware of time. He felt each rancid second as they dallied here further. With every passing minute the quest ahead of them seemed harder and harder. After all, Saruman's forces knew exactly where the Fellowship was, after forcing them off the mountain. Legolas suspected the corrupted Maia would do all he could to keep the walkers trapped here, lost in the darkness. As they stumbled, forces would be massing, growing stronger, the reach of the Great Eye becoming further and further. The elf tried to suppress the shiver than ran down his spine, rocking his whole body, but the action attracted attention just as he had feared. A warm, familiar hand was led upon the small of his back, and there it remained.
Frodo had turned as the elf trembled, he truly pitied Legolas, he of them all seemed most alien in this darkness. As Aragorn approached to comfort him, the hobbit turned back to grant them privacy, a wry smile on his face. He had known they were lovers long before the it had been so nervously and shamefully announced. In fact, most of the Fellowship had cottoned on to the little secret, making the poor attempt at surprise even more amusing. Theirs was the type of love Frodo himself hoped to find one day. A tender, quiet love, not blatant but always there. It made you feel warm even if you were not part of it. The two graceful figures were shy yet passionate. Frodo had only ever seen them kiss once, let alone anything else. The presence of this bond hurried Frodo on further, he had rushed to the front of the group, much to the protest of Boromir and his cousins. He could not express to them the unease him felt and how endangered the love between Legolas and Aragorn seemed. The ringbearer had now made himself responsible for this couple. He would get them out, even if he did not know the way. So he put his head down and kept on walking, the beginning of an idea forming in his active mind.
They had reached the other side of the corridor, after what faced them at the last door there was some trepidation, but Gimli pressed on.
What faced them was more devastating still, hundreds of winding passages that converged on a central point. Paths disappeared into the darkness in every direction. None looked more promising than the last. None lighter, none brighter, none longer, none wider. And they were fast running out of light, moving away from the gaping hole.
With Legolas carefully leading the way, the Fellowship stumbled to the central plateau. Each member holding his breath. The soft voice of the archer broke the silence.
"Though 'tis still light, the eve descends. I recommend we rest here. We have travelled long and far, the loss of Gandalf weighs heavy on us all. Perhaps with clearer minds we will find a way out of this darkness. . ." He said with a ghost of smile, ". . this madness." He added quietly. He looked to Aragorn who agreed quickly, but his brow furrowed at his lover's words.
All lay down upon the hard ground, Frodo watching the lovers, fascinated. They lay close but not together, the gentle interweaving of fingers being enough for them now. The romantic beauty of the scene steeled the hobbit's resolve. His idea now formed into a plan. He lay down his head and squeezed his eyes shut, pretending to sleep.
He waited for what seemed like hours until silence and slumber seemed to really take hold. He carefully stood and surveyed the scene. Then Frodo moved away from the group, climbing down twice to a much lower platform before reaching into his collar and pulling forth the ring. He had to ensure he was out of earshot else Legolas would surely wake.
For a long moment he let it glint and shine in what light remained, before timidly whispering. "I know you're there. I know what you want and I have it right here."
Silence. "All you have to do is come forward, I need your help, you see."
The minutes flew by, for a second Frodo considered giving up but then something stirred.
"You. . .need our help??"
"Yes Gollum I need you to show us the way out of here, can you do that?"
"Yessss. Gollum can. . . .but what for Gollum, what does hobbits have for Gollum?"
The voice trembled slightly. "You may have anything you wish, except the ring."
A much heavier silence descended this time. "Anything?"
"Yes anything."
"Gollum. . . accepts."
"Then return with me to my companions and you shall have your reward."
Frodo began his ascent and was both relieved and unnerved to hear he was being followed.
As he crawled onto the plateau he was startled by a voice.
"Where have you been little one?" Soft but stern.
"Sorry Legolas I could not sleep. I, I have someone with me, promise you will not attack if I show you?"
Legolas nodded slowly after much thought.
Gollum appeared from the darkness. Legolas gasped and quickly withdrew his hand from Aragorn's. The two so in tune that the man stirred, but Legolas placed a soothing hand on his chest and whispered something softly in elvish, the man slept on.
"He will show us the way out of here, Legolas, I told him he could have anything he wished, except the ring. We need to leave this place friend!"
"I too, have felt that Frodo."
"Very well. Gollum if we give you what you wish, you will mark a route for us for when the others awake, you will not disturb us again. Clear?"
To the surprise of both, Gollum nodded sincerely.
"What is it you want?"
"Gollum wants. . .we wants. . . . something of beauty. . . . we wants. . ."
He appeared to pause and think for a moment, but was then struck by a thought.
"We wants the elf."
Legolas drew back us if burnt. Frodo jumped up.
"NO!. ."
"Hush Frodo! You gave him your word. You said yourself we need to get out of here."
To the hobbit's horror, Legolas spoke to the sleeping Aragorn once more and rose gracefully to his feet.
"I will go with you Gollum for one night and one night only. Dawn is but five hours away. At that point I will return to the Fellowship." Gollum nodded eagerly.
"No, Legolas, I did not think he would want this, please."
"All is well Frodo, I will return. You did well, you thought ahead. You may have saved us all."
"But not at this price!"
"The quest is more important little one. Now return to your rest. Speak none of this to Aragorn." The elf cast a worried glance to the sleeping form. "If left, he will sleep to morning's light."
With a light kiss, the elf vanished from sight.
"Farewell Frodo." The air seemed to whisper.
A/N: Cliffhanger, surprise! I will update when I can but this is unlikely to be for a couple of weeks, review though!