Greetings readers! Thank you to darthmatthew for your awesome review! I will try my hardest to update this fic frequently, but because of my busy schedule, there might be long gaps in between posts. If I get more reviews I will try to update sooner... ^.^ Enough with my rambling, time for chapter two!
Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or LOZ
This chapter has been edited since it's original post
Chapter Two: Many Meetings
After a few days of good wind, they finally spotted land. Link took out a compass and confirmed that it was indeed the land to the south. They docked at a small port, and stepped off. The first thing they noticed was that they stood out from the rest of the population of the port. With Zelda's dress and Link's tunic and both of their ears pointed, they must've looked very strange. Indeed they were drawing strange stares from the men at the port. Zelda ignored them and closed her eyes, concentrating on the presence she had sought earlier. She almost staggered back, for it was much stronger here.
"The presence is much stronger here, Link," she informed her companion.
Link nodded. "I can feel it as well," he said, leading Epona off the boat. Epona stretched and neighed, happy to be off the cramped boat.
"Do we have local currency?" Zelda asked, seeing money exchange hands among boatmen.
"No, but they should have a currency swap shop here somewhere," Link said looking around.
"There!" Zelda said, pointing to a sign that read, "Currency Exchange."
"Let's go then," Link said. "Stay, Epona. Guard the boat, okay?" Epona neighed in response.
They had to explain rupees to the man behind the counter, but he seemed to understand and gave them the correct money. After the exchange, Link and Zelda bargained with a dockhand to keep the boat safe. "Should anything happen to it, I will personally kill you," Link said, glaring at the man. The dockhand nodded in response, nervously eyeing Zelda's quiver and Link's sword.
Loading up food and supplies onto Epona, and dividing up the rest among themselves, Link hopped up and Zelda leapt up behind him. They galloped off, much to the surprise of the people of the port. Turning east, they followed the presence.
It was about this time the Fellowship of the Ring set out, led by Frodo and Gandalf.
By the time Link and Zelda were on the road leading over Caradhras, the company of the ring's path had been blocked by snow, and Legolas had just run to find help. Seeing an Elvin horse and riders on the path, he started running toward them. Perhaps they know how to help, he thought.
Link and Zelda rode along, admiring the scenery, when they spotted a man running toward them. Link moved Epona off the road so the man could pass, but he stopped in front of them, not out of breath at all. He wore a tunic much like Link's, and had long blond hair pulled back out of his face. He carried a bow, quiver, and two duel knives on his back, and had pointed ears. "Greetings fellow elves," he said bowing. "Do you know where I can find a sorcerer or a wizard?"
"What for?" Link asked, tilting his head.
"My friends are trapped by snow, and I need to find them help," the man said.
"Trapped by snow?" Zelda spoke. "I can wield a flame if you wish to free them."
Legolas's eyes widened, slightly. "You are a sorcerer then?"
Zelda nodded, and made a small fireball appear in her hand. "Of a sort."
"In that case may I ask the honor of your names?" Legolas questioned, looking at the fireball then up at the pair.
"I am Queen Zelda of Hyrule. My partner is Link, descendant of The Hero of Time. We came across the sea to investigate a strange presence." Zelda looked down at the other. "May I ask your name in return?"
"I am Legolas Greenleaf, Elvin Prince of Mirkwood. And I would be honored if you would help my friends, Lady Zelda."
"Of course," Zelda replied. She sensed that this Elf was sincere in his wish.
"We must set off at once then," Legolas said, silently thanking Elbereth for his good luck. "Follow me close on your horse, Link."
"We will follow, lead the way," Link replied. Legolas took off running and Link and Zelda galloped behind him. When they got to the base of the mountain Legolas halted and instructed them to put on furs and cloaks for the journey up.
Zelda took out her heavy black cloak and put it on, and Link followed suit with a hunter green cloak of the same material.
"Why do you still have your horse?" Legolas asked.
"Epona can run on top of snow with ease," Link explained. "As soon as I put snow shoes on her, that is." He did this and the three set off once more, Link leading Epona behind Zelda and Legolas.
After hiking for what seemed like ages, they came upon the rest of the fellowship, huddled against the cold. They looked up hopefully as Legolas returned. "Well," he said as he jumped off the drift he was standing on. "I have not brought back the sun, but I have brought back a gleam of good hope for those who are doomed to go on foot."
It was then that the company noticed two cloaked figures, one leading a horse, behind him. They jumped down as well and pulled off their hoods. The company was astonished by what they saw. A tall, fair, Elvin maiden with flowing brown hair, and a blond-haired Elvin man wearing a hat of hunter green.
"A gleam of good hope you say, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, smirking at the elf.
"Why bring a fair maiden to a place like this? Are you mad?!" Gimli shouted.
"I have a feeling that this woman is no ordinary maiden, Gimli," Gandalf said.
"I am Queen Zelda of Hyrule. I come from a land far across the sea. My partner is Link, descendant of The Hero of Time," Zelda explained. "We have come to aid you at Prince Legolas's request."
"If Legolas trusts you, then so will I," Aragorn said kneeling down. "We are graced by your presence."
"Forgive me for doubting you, Your Majesty, I did not know," Gimli said, following Aragorn's example. The whole company knelt down to Link and Zelda.
"Please rise, you're embarrassing me," Zelda said. The company stood. "Now, to business," she continued.
"The drifts bar our path," Frodo said gravely.
"I shall clear them. Do not worry," Zelda said.
"But how-" Frodo started.
"In time," Zelda said. She stood in front of the Fellowship. "Cast the barrier I taught you, Link," she said.
"Yes, My Queen," Link said. A symbol glowed on his hand, and a golden barrier surrounded the Fellowship.
Zelda closed her eyes and a similar symbol appeared on her hand. "Din's Fire, to power though any obstacle!" she yelled. A giant fireball melted away the snow, leaving dirt in its place.
The Fellowship stared. "Well, that certainly beat Gandalf's fireworks," Merry said.
"The enemy already knows we are here by our fire last night, now they know for certain," Aragorn said, grimly.
"Let them come," Gimli taunted, "they cannot defeat me!"
"Watch your tongue, Gimli," Gandalf warned. "Cockiness and arrogance takes many a man's life."
"If that barrier Link put up worked, your enemy should not have been able to see a thing," Zelda reassured.
"We must get off this godforsaken mountain!" Frodo cried over the snow and wind. The weather had now turned into a fierce blizzard.
"Yes, come, before the path is covered once more!" Gandalf yelled into the wind. They fought their way against the wind and snow and slowly made their way down the path. They felt the rumbling before they heard it.
"Get down!" Legolas yelled. The company crouched against the mountainside as blinding snow and rocks rained down, covering the path behind them.
"Enough, enough, we are departing as quickly as we may!" Gimli said. The company trudged wearily down the mountain.
Okay I edited some chapter content on this, taking out Thranduil knowing Zelda. Instead of knowing Legolas already, the Fellowship would trust Legolas's judgement, and Aragorn's acceptance of her makes it more realistic that they would accept both her and Link.
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