Chapter Eight: Mountain One, Fellowship Zero:
Cold, cold, cold, cold, cold. Okay, so Percia knew she shouldn't focus on that, but it was COLD! Stupid Saruman and his stupid crow spies had them blocked off from taking the Gap of Rohan, so of course Gandalf was taking them through the Pass of Caradhras. The one place in the mountains that always had snow no matter what time of the year! Stupid wizard!
Of course his royal annoyance could walk on snow, which only irritated her more. In fact she felt the snowball lodged in his direction was completely deserved. Smug, pointy-eared brat! By the gods she was turning into Dr. McCoy. Ugh! With Legolas being Spock and Strider being Kirk. Well, sort of, the man had way better control of his libido.
How did she get on Star Trek?
"Do you need assistance, nin kuruni (water witch)?"
Oh right, the pointy-eared annoyance. Oh how she hated the knick name he had created for her over the years, even if technically it did fit.
"No, moros pais (stupid boy)," she shot back through an obviously fake smile. She loved that he had no idea what she was saying, though she was sure he knew it was an insult. His narrowed eyes confirmed it.
Before either could say more there was a small commotion behind them. Strider was helping Bilbo regain his footing from where he had slipped. Boromir looked to be picking something up from the snow… Not good!
She had told Elrond and Gandalf they needed to find some better way to carry the blasted ring. Yet both were so sure that if it was on a chain around Bilbo's neck then it couldn't get lost as easily. Clearly they misjudged.
"Give the ring back to Bilbo, Boromir," Strider demanded, his voice colder than the ice forming on their packs.
For a moment she thought the man wouldn't. She really hoped he was not being taken in by the ring, he wasn't such a bad guy once you got to know him. True he was a little overly proper, but he was pretty funny once he loosened up and the twins loved sparring with him.
"As you wish," the man stated lightly easily handing it over. "I care not."
When he turned around to continue the hike Percia thought she noticed a tightness to his eyes that had not been there before. They definitely needed to watch that.
Granted the way the weather turned, deciding they needed a blizzard on top of the cold, there was little need to watch anything but where your foot went. It got so bad that the twins ended up tied to Boromir and Bilbo to Strider as they followed Gandalf through the now, waist deep snow. She and Gimli were between them, trying hard to push through the ever-growing snow banks. By the gods she wanted to be back in Florida right about now. Even through the heavy snow she saw Legolas moving back and forth making sure no one was lost. Half of her was tempted to trip him, but she managed to refrain. It was far too dangerous for their usual bickering fights. And really, did he HAVE to get that close to the edge? They were on a frickin mountain! Last she heard, Elves couldn't fly.
"There is a fell voice on the wind," Legolas yelled suddenly, though with how hard said wind was blowing it was a miracle any of them heard him.
"It's Saruman," Gandalf cried in warning, just as the large rocks above them shook loose and tried to bury them.
Percia managed to pull Gimli closer to the side of the mountain away from the edge. Strider and Boromir did the same with their charges. She barely made out Legolas moving towards Gandalf.
'He better not fall off the mountain, or I'll kill him,' she thought balefully as she ducked to keep the rocks from striking her.
When the shaking finally stopped they were practically covered in snow. Thankfully the majority of the rocks went over the edge and no one seemed hurt. However they were all cold and wet and stuck in a rather large pile of snow. They managed to dig out, but only just. The weather was also taking a turn for the worse, the winds picking up and the snow falling heavier.
"We must get off the mountain," Boromir called out over the howling wind. Fred and George huddled close to the man, both sporting red cheeks and slightly blue lips. "Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city."
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Strider argued, "Saruman will be watching for us."
"Well we can't stay here," Percia pointed out. "This weather is turning to a full blown blizzard. We won't survive much longer. We need to go back and regroup."
"She's right," Boromir backed her up. "Any longer and the Hobbits will not last."
She could see the others agreed, though Gandalf looked disgruntled at the idea. Sure it sucked having to retreat, but better live than turn into a Popsicle. So slowly, and with help from their snow-defying elf, they managed to get back to the main section of the mountain, where the snow was less and the temperatures far more agreeable. The more experienced travelers made quick work of starting a fire and placing the Hobbits by it to warm up. Even Bilbo, with his travel experience looked a tad blue. Percia would have joined them but it was a rather small fire and the others needed it more.
She looked down at her shivering hands, the fingers a rather unhealthy shade. She'd given her gloves to George and her spare to Fred when theirs proved insufficient. Looking at the others she doubted they had spares, so really body heat would be the way to go. Only the rest of her was just as cold…
Well, the needs must outweigh her pride.
"Don't think anything into this," she snapped when she turned to Legolas, the only one clearly unaffected. Without any more warning she maneuvered so she was snuggled into him, her hands right under his armpits stealing the warmth from him. "Gods you're like a hot water bottle!"
"So happy to serve, nin kuruni," he muttered dryly, though he didn't move her away so she took it as a win.
"So has anyone thought of a way to defeat this blasted mountain," Gimli barked out, grouchy from being wet and cold. You'd think he'd be warmer considering how hairy he was.
"All normal trails are too obvious and open," Strider sighed in resignation, still working on lighting his pipe. "And any path over the mountain is going to be treacherous in this weather."
"Don't suppose the eagles would be amiable to giving us a lift," Bilbo asked Gandalf.
"Not this time my boy," the wizard informed him sadly. "They would also be too obvious, as Strider says."
"Well what about secret passages or some caverns we can traverse," Percia suggested, voice muffled by Legolas' doublet where she was shielding her nose from the elements. "Like with the goblin caves, only you know, less goblins more caves."
"There is one such way near here," Gimli spoke up contemplatively.
"Those mines are in the hands of Orcs, Master Dwarf," Gandalf reminded him sternly. "It would not be an easy or friendly passing."
"Many of which perished in the battle fifteen years past," Legolas added, his voice rumbling through his chest into Percia's ear. It was a strangely pleasant sensation. Did she mention how unfair it was that he still smelled good even after hours of hiking? "With a small group, if we are quick, we might be able to slip past…"
"It's a big risk," Strider warned. "Especially with what we carry."
"But it would also be a move no one would expect," Boromir pointed out. "While I agree it is not a method I would choose otherwise, it might be the only option we have. But does anyone know the way through those halls?"
"I do have some knowledge of the place," Gandalf grudgingly admitted. "Though it has been some time. There is also no telling what is down there, and it might not just be Orcs."
"What else would there be," Fred inquired, voice muffled by the scarf he had wrapped around his lower face, so only the tip of his nose and eyes showed.
"And what mines are you even speaking of," George added, equally bundled as his brother.
"We speak of the Mines of Moria, Master Took," the wizard responded gravely. "These mines have been in the hands of Orcs for some time. It was once a great city of Dwarrows, and even Elves came there when their friendship was still true. As for what else lingers here… Well it is said to be the resting place of Durin's Bane."
"Pah," Gimli huffed. "That is an old story told to frighten the barnes. There has been no proof that such even existed."
"Stories no matter how outrageous often hold a kernel of truth, Gimli," Gandalf warned sternly. "That being said, he does make a point. There has been no proof that Durin's Bane still resides in this mountain. If this is our course then we should hope it does not."
"Well, there's no point in worrying too much," Percia told them calmly. "We'll already be on guard for the Orcs. How long will it take to travel this way?"
"A matter of days, but first we must find the door," Gandalf advised them tiredly. "I know the general location, just not the exact location."
"Right, so after we thaw a bit we should push on? Or stay here the night," She asked, looking to Strider and Boromir.
"It might be best to take our rest while we can," Strider mused, before sending her a wicked grin. "Besides, I'd hate to disturb you when you seem so comfortable."
Percia frowned before remembering she was latched onto their resident elf. She quickly disentangled herself, arms nearly weeping at the loss of heat. "I was simply utilizing his unnatural ability to emit heat. Nothing more."
"Then why are you blushing," Legolas teased smugly.
"This is not blushing, this is remnant of the extreme cold from the earlier hike!"
"And there they go," Fred murmured to George as the group watched the two exchange more words back and forth.
"You'd think they'd figure it out by now," his brother commented.
Strider chuckled heartily. "On the contrary Master Hobbits. They are both far too stubborn."
The others watched quietly for a bit longer before Gimli spoke up. "Five to one the Elf brakes first."
