Chapter 4 – Nearing Orthanc
Don't say goodbye
Don't say I didn't try...
-O-
"We are resting for the night!"
"Orthanc is just a few miles away."
"We're not going anywhere till we've 'ad a breather!" An Orc, a disgustingly pale blue colour, eyes as red as blood, yelled at the Elf who led the band of Uruk-hai. He was panting with his other kin, thirteen to be exact, tired from the run they had endured.
Gimli felt himself being push to the ground – He was getting sick and tired with all this pushing – and looked towards the Orc, hatred suddenly growing within him as he remembered the pale Orc that hunted down his father, Thorin Oakenshield and eleven others of his kin. Although he knew that Azog the Defiler was dead along with thousands of other Orcs, he could not help but look at this Orc and want to kill him swiftly.
Gimli turned his attention to the Elf, Taurion, who was glaring daggers at the blue Orc as he looked down on the pitiful creatures trying to stand up against him. He was quite surprised the Orc didn't loose his head, the Elf having a quite strange habit for doing such a gruesome thing recently. However, the Elf just stood there, arms across his chest as he growled out "Get a fire going." before stalking away.
The Dwarf turned his attention to his companions who had watched the scene play out (all except Boromir who was still unconscious; the deep sleep helping to regain his strength and heal his wounds) "Are we all in one piece then?" He asked, looking to Aragorn as the man looked at Merry's head wound, the Halfling hissing as it was touched.
"Aye, we are." The ranger nodded, lowering his bound hands from Merry's temple as he said "Your wound is not as serious as I first thought it was. I am surprised they even injured you in the first place seeing as you Periannath are the one Sauron is more in need off."
Pippin furrowed his brow at the foreign word "What does per-perian-blah mean?"
"Periannath, Pippin and it means Hobbits or Halfling's in Elvish." Aragorn answered with a smile.
"I miss the Elves." Merry mumbled, turning to Gimli as he heard the Dwarf snort. "Not that Elf of course, I mean the Elves of Rivendell. Before we left, me and Pip became really good friends with Elladan and Elrohir." He then chuckled "I remember Lord Elrond telling us that we were quite similar."
"Aye, I must agree with the Lord." Frodo laughed "You four wouldn't stop causing trouble for the three months we stayed in Rivendell."
"Hey, no talking!" An Uruk yelled, making the Hobbit's jump while Aragorn glared at the creature.
The Dwarf muttered something under his breath in his own language and the Uruk stopped in it's tracks. "What did ya' say, Dwarf?" The Uruk snarled, walking up to Gimli and pulling the smaller being up by his collar.
Gimli grunted "Oh, did a beast really just understand me? An Uruk who knows Dwarvish? I have never heard of such a thing before. Please, tell me who your teacher is?" The Uruk snarled and drew back his fist but didn't get to land the hit when the beast heard a shout of anger from behind him.
The beast turned its head as he looked straight into the eyes of the Elf, standing but a few feet from him. "Drop. Him." Taurion said, walking forwards, his hand hovering over the dagger in his belt.
The Uruk shoved the Dwarf to the ground, Gimli landing hard on his backside and stalked off, Black speech escaping from it's mouth and then suddenly a cry as it fell to the ground. Merry swallowed the bile that threatened to spill from his lips as he saw the sword sticking out from the Uruks head, the beast dead the moment the blade pierced through it's skull. The Hobbit looked back at Taurion, the Elf breathing harshly, eyes a dark shade of blue.
Whatever the Uruk said had angered the Elf but this didn't stop the Orcs that had over heard everything from sniggering. Aragorn narrowed his eyes at the small group of snivelling creatures, each jeering words he did not understand towards the Elf.
"Make one more sound and you will find your head on a spike." Sam swallowed, eyes following the Elf as he walked towards the dead Uruk to retrieve his sword and then point it at the pale blue Orc.
"The Elf is insulted!" One of the thirteen shouted, the others in it's band cackling.
"Do not tempt me." Taurion growled "I will not take nothing from a group of pathetic creatures."
"Pathetic?" An Orc with a purplish skin colour, eyes a dull grey, questioned. "You grew up with us pathetic creatures did you not!"
"I grew up far away from the scum of Moria."
At this, Aragorn saw in the corner of his eyes Gimli twitch as he learned where these Orcs were from. All the Orcs snarled, teeth snapping at the Elf as the being stared back.
"Hold your tongue,maggot." An Uruk shouted, making the Orcs cower as the being towered over them, the other Uruks coming and surrounding the snivelling creatures with scimitars at the ready for bloodshed. "You Moria filth have no idea who ya' talking to. Stay out of our business and be on ya' way."
"We told ya' that our Lord Saruman has asked us to... escort ya' and the Elf." The same Orc with purplish skin narrowed it's eyes at the Elf and the Uruks around him.
The Uruk growled and went on it's way, Taurion following.
Pippin watched the group of Orcs snap their teeth one last time before they went to the opposite side of camp. He huffed and turned back to his companions "Well, that was very dramatic wasn't it?"
Aragorn and Gimli smirked while Merry and Frodo chuckled at the Hobbit. Sam shook his head at the Hobbit but turned to the ranger as he asked "Where are we heading Strider?"
Aragorn let the smirk slip from his face, eyes now turning dark with dread "Orthanc, or you may know it to be Isengard. The very path we tried so hard to avoid." He shook his head, tugging at the ropes that bound his hands, feeling them rub painfully against his skin.
"What will happen to us?" Merry asked, looking up at Aragorn.
"Probably nothing. For what the Elf has said, he means for us to come to no harm at all and that means that even if Saruman was to hurt us, he would be disobeying the Dark Lord. I have no desire to know what Sauron's intentions are with us all for it is strange to want every one of us instead of just the Ring-bearer, no offence, dear Frodo."
"No offence there, Aragorn." Frodo dismissed "I understand that Sauron would want me only for the Ring, yet you are right. Why have us all?"
"Oi, ya' lot!" A shout drew their attention and the Fellowship turned to an Uruk looking at them "Get some sleep. We ain't carrying the rats anymore so they better get their strength up." The Uruk smirked, it's yellow eyes glinting bright from the camp fires light.
Gimli felt a shiver run up his spine. He did not want to know what that smirk meant. As the Uruk went on it's way, the Dwarf faced Boromir, looking at his face to see whether the man was alright.
"Is he alright?" Frodo questioned.
"Aye, his fever seems to have broken and he is not sweating like before...Nor is he as pale for that matter." He turned back to the ranger "The Elf seems to have done a good job."
"Whoa! Did you just say that? Did he just say that Merry?" Pippin exclaimed with a smile upon his face.
"I believe he just did, Pip!" Merry laughed, nudging an elbow into Pippin's arm playfully.
Aragorn laughed as he looked at the Hobbit's now mocking the Dwarf. He was glad that in these tight and dark moments, these dear little ones still managed to smile and crack a joke. He watched as Gimli stuttered, trying his best to come up with an excuse. The ranger found it highly amusing seeing the Dwarf blush under all that hair. He had to hand it to him though...To think Gimli would ever compliment the Elf that had led them astray from their quest; it was truly surprising.
"Come, my friends. Let us get our strength up and sleep well this night." He smiled and then tried to settle down upon the earth. He heard the other's say their good night's and soon he fell into a peaceful slumber, ignoring the grunts and mumbles the Uruks made into the night.
-O-
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udûn!"
Frodo's eyes widened in fear and panic as he watched his old friend confront such a huge and terrifying beast. There was some sort of light surrounding Gandalf as the Balrog rose to it's full height, fire spilling from each pore of the beasts body. He had never of thought such a great evil beast such as a Balrog even held place in this world. He thought they were just mere stories, tales the Elves had spoken off.
He tried to run to Gandalf when he saw the Balrog bring down a fire shaped sword upon the bright circular light around Gandalf but felt someone's hand wrap around his arm, pulling him back. Frodo knew that it was too keep him safe and away from the danger but he needed to do something for his friend. Gandalf had helped him a lot in the past, why couldn't he return the help?!
Because you are weak.
He ignored the cold voice that whispered to him in the back of his mind. He heard Gandalf grunt in pain, the beast pulling his fiery sword back, disappearing in a blink of an eye and reshaping it into a whip.
"Go back to the shadow!" Gandalf yelled at the Balrog, the beast flaring it's nostrils and bringing it's whip forward, the flame snapping across the air and making a crackle echo through the empty halls of Moria. Gandalf brought up Glamdring and his staff, raising them both high above his head "You shall not pass!"
Frodo heard the bridge crack, his mind racing as he hoped the bridge would not give way at that very moment. The shield of light surrounding Gandalf was no more as it faded like the wind, the Hobbit now turning his eyes to the Balrog, the beast pausing in his steps to tilt it's head at the Wizard, confused as to what Gandalf had done.
Gandalf glared at the servant of Morgoth, panting heavily as he held the beasts gaze, angering the Balrog further. The ancient demon roared mighty, brought up it's whip and charged for the one that stood in it's path. However, just as it took a step forward, the Bridge of Khazardum gave way, breaking underneath the terrifying beast.
Frodo's breathing was coming fast as he watched the dark beast fall. Thank the Valar, it was finally over he thought. His eyes never left Gandalf as the Wizard panted and turned back towards them but to their very despair, the crack of a whip was heard in the black pit where the Balrog fell. All too soon, the fire wrapped around the Wizard's ankle, catching Gandalf by surprise and making him loose his balance.
The Halfling screamed.
Gandalf was going to fall!
He was going to fall!
His sword had fallen, his staff following.
He was defenceless!
"Aragorn!" Frodo shouted to the ranger, Aragorn now running to Gandalf's hanging form, the Wizard trying to pick himself up but just couldn't without any help. Aragorn never made it to Gandalf as Orcs from the other side began to crawl out from their holes, arrows upon arrows now being shot at the Fellowship. "Aragorn please!" He cried, the man doing all his best but hissing in pain as a shaft pierced through his shoulder.
He turned his eyes onto Gandalf and he felt the world suddenly stop. Three words. Three words was all it took before Gandalf the Grey went falling into the never-ending darkness of Moria.
"Fly, you fools."
He never got to say Goodbye.
"NO!" Frodo screamed, tears falling freely as he tried to break free from Boromir's grasp. His felt his feet leave the ground, the Man picking him up while shouting at the other's to move and run. His eyes never left the pit, or the cracked bridge which his old friend last stood upon.
Why?
Why him?
Why Gandalf?
Frodo awoke harshly, breathing coming quick and fast as sweat rolled down his forehead. He blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, rubbing his eyes to stop the sting. Every night was the same dream, the same nightmare that plague is sleep over and over.
He sat up as slowly as he could, rubbing his bound hands that were slowly being cut into by the ropes. He glanced around him to see whether he had awoken any of his friends, looking to the Uruks to see which of the creatures were still awake. Thankfully only two were on watch but to engrossed in whatever foul things they were spewing from their lips to notice him waking. He sighed, looking into the horizon and seeing just a little of bit light.
The sun was on the rise.
He closed his eyes and began listening to the calming winds for the first time in three days. The soft brush of the breeze that blew his curls, made him feel almost peaceful, made him feel as if he was back home, in the Shire.
He re-opened his eyes when he caught the sound of someone humming softly and looked behind him to see Aragorn, the man resting his back up against a rock. The man had his eyes closed but was most definitely awake. It reminded him of his first coming to know Aragorn, when he was known only as the ranger Strider to him. He remembered waking up to a deep voice singing a love song in Elvish, he even asked the ranger who the song was about; he never received the answer.
"You should be asleep Frodo." The song ended as Aragorn opened his eyes.
"I could not sleep." Frodo answered, lowering his head.
"You have dreams of Gandalf?" The ranger asked, his question being asked when he saw the Hobbit's eyes close tightly, his head shaking.
"I cannot seem to get the dream out of my head. All it does is repeat and repeat each time I close my eyes."
Aragorn saw the pain in Frodo's cool blue eyes as the Hobbit looked up, purple rings were beginning to show from the lack of sleep just beneath the orbs. To see a being that was so full of light before, so full of peace, but now one that has seen death so close, truly sent a shiver up his spine. He carries a heavy burden, one that he could only shoulder. The ranger thought, grey eyes turning sad.
"Her name is Arwen." He said suddenly, Frodo blinking at Aragorn as the man began to spoke. "You may have seen her while during your stay in Rivendell. She is the daughter of Lord Elrond and younger sister to Elladan and Elrohir."
Frodo knew what the ranger was doing and he was thankful for it. "And you love her truly?"
"Aye, I would give my life for hers if it was in danger. She is the only one who I have felt this way about." Aragorn smiled, seeing the Hobbit cross his legs, becoming intrigued.
"My, oh my, I did not think a ranger from the north was capable of love." The gruff morning voice of Gimli made Aragorn and Frodo turn to him, the Dwarf struggling to sit up from his hands being tired behind his back. A huff a laughter made the three then turn to Boromir who had turned to lie on his side to look at his three companions. Then three small voices agreeing made themselves known.
Aragorn smirked "I am not some creature that does not feel any emotions, Master Dwarf."
"Ah, you may be." Gimli returned a smirk similar to the ranger's.
"Why have we never seen her before?" Pippin asked, glaring at Sam who slapped his arm. "What was that for?" Sam just shrugged.
Strider smiled at the two. "She had duties that needed attending too. A month before we were due to leave, she was to go to The Grey Havens to stay there for a few weeks at most before she was to return back to her home."
"Why was she to go their?" Frodo asked.
"To speak to the Lord of the Havens. I know not the message but it was of some importance."
"So, when did you begin to love her?" Gimli wiggled his brows, making Aragorn laugh.
"I do believe it is not the right time to be asking that question, Master Dwarf."
"I believe it is." Brows still wiggling, Gimli replied.
The Fellowship moved on from the topic and began to describe the lands in which they lived in. Sam was the most excited to talk about the Shire, describing each and every colour flower and talking of their homes under the hills. Merry and Pippin spoke about the Green Dragon, the greatest pub in all of the Shire, while Frodo spoke mostly about the woods and of Bilbo.
Gimli told of his home back in the Blue Mountains and also that of Erebor, Frodo being the most interested in the tales.
"So, have you ever spoken to King Thorin before?" Merry asked.
"Aye, many a times. He is a great King and I would not follow anyone else." Gimli explained with so much pride. "He is a champion fighter and from what my father has told me, he helped slay many Orcs in the Battle of Five Armies. He is many young Dwarves role models for they inspire to be like him."
"Was it true that he did not like my Uncle before and on the quest?"
Gimli looked to Frodo and barked out a laugh. "The King did not indeed, I remember my father telling me of how Thorin used to glare daggers at your dear uncle most of the way. But he learnt to trust him and I am sure they are still on good terms to this day."
The Dwarf began to tell of Erebor's Halls, the Arkenstone that sits above Thorin's throne and of Kíli. "He was a great bowman for a Dwarf, many of us being suited for axe-throwing or just using spears and axes. He may have been better than the Elves from what cousin Fíli had told me. He was young, the youngest in the company of thirteen. He was too young to have died that day."
"How did he die?" Merry asked.
"one of his lungs had been pierced and he was stabbed in the abdomen. The Elves did all they could for him to pass peacefully but the pain... It was to much for him. He died later in the evening, a day after the battle. My father had said that he had never seen such a peacefully looking face on someone that had been in so much pain before."
"Bilbo had said that it was a Mordor arrow that shot him." Frodo furrowed his brow.
"Aye, one of the enemy's commanders had been from Mordor. It was concealed by a black cloak, almost like the Nazgûl. It disappeared, from what I was told but still commands most of Sauron's forces to this day. My father has killed many of Mordor's spawn but still does not feel sated as the one out there is still alive." Gimli explained, eyes dark with anger.
As Gimli moved on, Boromir began to tell of the White City, his home and the people he held dear. The man spoke of his father, the Steward and what his father had done to benefit the Kingdom and the lives of the people. He had told the Hobbits that he was fine and that he felt no pain from any of his wounds, some being slightly numb but even that was fading.
Soon, Aragorn then spoke of the north from where he would go many times to help the ranger's and protect lands in which were in danger from wild Warg packs and Trolls that had strayed down from the Ettenmors. He spoke of Rivendell and how the Elven realm was his home since his was four years old, arriving with only his mother as they took refuge in the hidden City from Orcs that slaughtered his father and people, the small village burning as they ran.
It was all too soon that the Fellowship were being ushered up by the Uruk-hai and then pushed forward. The sun was just peeking over the mountains when Frodo finally saw the black tower in the distance. He could only hope that no further evil would befall them.
-O-
AN; Sorry if this seems rushed but I'm trying to move away from the next few chapters so the real journey can begin. Please bare with me and continued to read and enjoy ~~. ALSO! Nobody knows of Aragorn's true linage yet, so no-one knows he's King except for a few Elves :)
If I've made any grammar mistakes or anything, please feel free to tell me!
Reviews;
BrightWatcher; Thank you! Hopefully you like what I'm planning to do :)
~ Mennai ento lúmë, namárië ~