Disclaimer: LOTR & Batman don't belong to me. I wish they did, but they don't.
Chapter 9
Are we there yet? NO!
The newly dubbed Fellowship of the Ring spent several more weeks in Rivendell preparing for their journey to Mordor. As Gandalf was often heard to say, 'there was much that needed to be done and unfortunately little time to do it in'.
Aragorn along with Elrond's twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, had left Rivendell for a bit with a small band of elves and rangers searching for the Ring Wraiths who had vanished after being swept away in the waters at the Ford of Rivendell. Upon their return they brought word of finding signs to eight Ring Wraiths, though the ninth was still unaccounted for. This left an uneasy feeling amongst the entire Fellowship, specifically Frodo.
Robin who was ever the cautious tactician had requested the maps of Middle-Earth from Lord Elrond, and made to learn the layout of the land. If for any reason they were to be separated from each other, he wanted to be prepared. Often Bilbo, who greatly loved maps, was seen helping Robin in his research. The oldest of hobbits had even made a copy of the maps, for Robin to carry with him on the trip to Mordor.
The Hobbits meanwhile were taking as much time as they could to spend with Bilbo or exploring Rivendell. They had all grown up hearing stories of Elrond's home and the elves of the Misty Mountains, and they were going to make sure that they saw everything that needed to be seen. Often Robin and Batgirl went along with them, also wanting to see the beauties of Rivendell. Cassandra especially had fallen in love with the elvish community. She had spent almost all of her life in silence and surrounded by violence, but here in Rivendell none of that seemed to exist.
Or rather the violence ceased to exist when the Twins of Elrond were away from the Valley. Otherwise it was another story entirely. It was a well-known fact all across Middle-Earth that Elladan and Elrohir had a penchant for causing mischief. But 'mischief' was too kind a word. 'Chaos' was far more fitting.
Elrohir and Elladan had gone to work immediately after they had returned from their latest mission for Elrond to the Silverlode. They had been away for two weeks, and had much time and many pranks to make up for. And thus everyone was at risk.
Their first victims, of course, had been the Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain. It seemed that even in such dangerous times at these, the feud between elf and dwarf was not so easily put aside. No one was certain exactly HOW the twins accomplished it, but one morning Glóin and his kin found themselves not in their beds, but rather outside, laying in hammocks which hung over one of the lesser waterfalls in the valley. Glóin's son Gimli had been the first to realize their position, when he had accidentally flipped the hammock over and executed a belly flop into the water below.
The howl of rage that followed had awoken each and every resident in the valley and when Glorfindel went to alert the twin's father, Elrond pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"Eru help me. Do I wish to know, or shall I simply have my Gwenyn (Twins) murdered now and save us the trouble later?"
Elrond quickly went to work in order to repair the damage done by his sons. The dwarves had been furious and demanded retribution, but even the punishment that their father laid on the twins (which included them cleaning the horse stables for two weeks), did little to curve their desire to amuse themselves.
And the dwarves were not the only ones chosen to be the unwitting pawn in their demented games.
Robin and Batgirl had been returning from dinner one evening, and nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Robin, being the gentleman that he was, offered to walk Batgirl to her room while they discussed yet another day without finding a way home.
Glorfindel and Robin had been going through Elrond's Library for some sort of spell or enchantment that could be used to get back to their world or at the very least contact someone from home, but all to no avail.
"I guess we can try again tomorrow," Robin said.
Batgirl nodded. "Guess so. This my…stop," she said, stopping before her bedroom door. "Goodnight, Robin."
"Night Batgirl," Robin replied before continuing down to his bedroom.
Once the Teen Wonder had turned the hallways corner, Batgirl let herself into her room. Her mouth dropped open in shock the second she crossed the threshold. When she had left for dinner, the room had been nice and tidy. Now it looked like a barnyard. Literally.
The room was filled to near capacity with horses, goats, pigs and one duck. The bed had been ripped open, and the goats were consuming the stuffing, while the horses had chosen to empty their bowels on the handcraft rug in the center of the room. The pigs meanwhile took advantage of the open door and escaped into the hallway.
She stood there for a while, not certain at all what to do. Psychotic criminals and street punks, she could handle. Farm animals using her bed as a source of nourishment was another story. Slowly she stepped out of the room, and closed the door shut again.
"Robin…" she murmured, before racing down the hallway to Robin's bedroom, where the door stood open. "Robin… animals in…"
Batgirl stopped abruptly when upon entering the room, a powerful and nauseating stench hit her like a truck. The room looked in order, but that horrible smell was overwhelming. Robin was standing in the center of the room, with the unmistakable glare of annoyance. "What…"
Robin immediately walked to his four-poster bed and pulled down the covers, revealing dozens of slimy looking fish, many of which were still flopping around.
"The Twins?" Batgirl asked, while trying her best to breath through her mouth instead of her nose.
"You have to ask?" Robin responded, in a low voice. "What did they do to your room?"
"Turned it…into a zoo. Goats… eating bed."
"I've got to admit, they're good," Robin mused.
"So… can I break them?" Batgirl asked.
"Oh no. Where would be the fun in that? If there is one thing I've learned about pranks after hanging out with Nightwing, is that it is always better to give rather than to receive," Robin turned to Batgirl, a smirk tugging at his lips to which she arched an eyebrow curiously.
"All in all, I think everything went rather well, wouldn't you agree, Elrohir?" Elladan contently asked his brother as they strolled down the long corridor leading to their respective bedrooms. Despite the fact that Elrond had just berated them in front of half of Rivendell for their pranks against Batgirl and Robin, they seemed to be in surprisingly high spirits.
"Oh most certainly, muindor nín (my brother)," Elrohir replied with a matching grin. "Though I was somewhat disappointed. Adar (Father) only yelled at us for fifteen minutes. That is roughly four minutes less than last time. But did you see the looks on their faces?"
"Priceless," Elladan laughed. "Simply priceless. I'd have loved to record that sight for future memory. But you do know, we must begin work on our encore. Now who, oh who should we aim our brilliance at next? I was thinking…"
"The dwarves," they said in perfect unison, with matching Cheshire grins.
"Oh I agree," Elrohir smiled. "They have begun to drop their guard again, and I do believe they need their egos need to be adjusted again, do you not agree?"
"Most certainly," replied the second brother. "And perhaps we can get Legolas to join in our next plot. I am certain that he would greatly enjoy a bit of fun, especially after all those horrible things that Glóin has been spouting about Thranduil King."
"But muindor (brother), do you truly believe we should aid in Greenleaf's desire for vengeance? Did not Thranduil prison Glóin and his companions unjustly simply for traveling through Mirkwood and not divulging the reason for their journey?"
Elladan looked at his brother as if he had grown a second head. "Are you saying that due to one tiny mistake made so long in the past, that we should not use Legolas' anger to our advantage and thus unleash bedlam upon the dwarves?"
"Now I do not remember ever saying that," Elrohir defended. "I was simply wanting to make certain we have our stories straight for when they question us separately."
-Vsssss…-
-THUNK-
The twins came to abrupt halt when a sleek stylized 'R'-shaped throwing star flew across their path and embedded itself in the wood paneling of the wall. Both the twins turned to see Robin and Batgirl crouched on a windowsill, dressed in costume and their faces were hidden behind their masks. Elrohir and Elladan both raised their eyebrows suspiciously.
"Suilaid (Greetings) boys," Robin said, as both he and Batgirl climbed down from the window.
Elrohir and Elladan's eyes lit up when Batgirl stepped into the light of the hallway, which was often the case whenever they saw her dressed in her skintight uniform. Despite her being a human, they couldn't' help it. Cassandra was a gorgeous young woman, with legs that went on forever, a body to die for and a delicate face to match. Her movements were so fluid it was difficult to believe that she had bones under her black Kevlar and leather. All that on top of the fact that she was one of the best fighters they had met, willing to be dressed in tight fitting leather costumes and with a taste for trouble that could very nearly match their own, made them rather jealous of the man who would win her heart.
'Oh, if only she were an elf maiden," they thought at the exact same time.
"Was that really necessary?" Elladan asked, jutting his chin in the direction of the throwing star.
"It got your attention, didn't it?" The Twins permitted themselves wider smiles. They loved surprises and Robin was more full of them than either had imagined. "We need to talk."
"About what, pen dithens (little ones)?" Elrohir asked with a cheeky smirk.
"Surely you cannot still be angry with us," added Elladan. "For if you recall, Adar (Father) has already -achem- punished us for our… bit of fun."
Robin and Batgirl both shrugged in reply. "Oh, you mean the thing with our bedrooms?" Robin asked.
Batgirl spoke now, with uncharacteristic sweetness: "Don't worry. We're… over that."
"Really?" Elladan asked. "Well, that is very mature of you both."
"Indeed," Elrohir agreed. "But if that was not what you wished to speak to us about, pray tell, what is?"
The question made Robin's lips quirked into an unnerving type of smirk. "We just wanted to tell you: We know."
"'Know'?" the gwenyn (twins) of Elrond repeated together.
"'Know' what?" Elrohir asked.
"You know WHAT," Batgirl said in a slow sultry voice and placing her left hand on her hip in a challenging type of stance. Elrohir exchanged a somewhat nervous glance with his brother, but Elladan wasn't ready to bite.
"We have no idea what you are talking about," he said with a forced sense of confidence.
Robin crossed his arms. "Oh I think you do, my friends. And if you don't do exactly what we say, then we're going to tell you-know-who about you-know-what and you know what will happen then."
"How?" Elrohir began only to get elbowed in the stomach by Elladan.
"He's a detective," Batgirl said pointing to Robin.
"And she can go just about anywhere without people ever knowing," Robin continued, before holding up a tiny digital camera. It was roughly the size of a sharpie marker, and had a wireless connection to the screen on Robin's palm pilot. The twins eyed the devise wearily, for Batgirl had once shown them what it did. "Not to mention, we've got physical evidence and nothing to lose."
Both the faces of Elladan and Elrohir paled and it actually looked like they were starting to sweat, which was a rare occurrence, in itself, for an elf. They couldn't know about… whatever it was they knew. How could they?
"You're bluffing," Elladan said, though he didn't sound at all confident.
"Try us."
"What… will happen… when THEY find out?" Batgirl then asked her partner, almost casually. This alone made the twins even more nervous.
"Oh, I don't want to even think about that," Robin replied. "But you know it won't be pretty."
The twins shared worried glances, knowing that they were officially up the preverbal creek without a paddle. Elladan and Elrohir were well recognized for their ability at causing chaos all across Middle-Earth, and thus they had quite the resume and that also meant there were many incidents that certain people weren't aware of their involvement which they would rather keep that way. They were normally good about covering up evidence, but could they stand to risk the chance?
"Very well. What do you want?"
Great bouts of laughter echoed through the Hall of Fire that next morning, for it was a day that would never be forgotten. After years of suffering torment at the hands of Elladan and Elrohir, the 'demon-twins' of Elrond were finally getting a punishment worthy of them.
The twins each wore only in a single brown burlap sack, with pieces of string tied around their waists and drawn on their backs in red paint was matching bullseyes that was stained in food and drink. On Elrohir's forehead was written the title 'Tweedle-Dee' and on Elladan's forehead there was 'Tweedle-Dum'.
Neither one looked remotely happy.
In order to keep Robin and Batgirl's silence about their 'misdeed' (whatever that maybe), they had agreed to become walking targets for the people of Rivendell. They were ordered to dress as 'village-idiots' would and to follow the orders of Robin, Batgirl, their father Elrond and their sister Arwen at all times.
So far Robin had ordered them to serve all of Elrond's guests breakfast, 'dance like the monkeys they were' while they did that and they were to call the visiting dwarves 'handsome' with straight faces.
Batgirl on the other hand had begun the trend of throwing food at the red targets on their burlap sacks, and also requested a no-holds 2-on-1 sparring match with them earlier that left one twin with a sore shoulder and the other with a slight limp. But above all else she kept making the same request: "Do it again."
Elrohir and Elladan sighed deeply and pleadingly spoke together in a manner that only twin brothers could do: "But we've already done it four times…"
"Do it again," Batgirl repeated more forcefully and Robin waved his small digital camera in the air mockingly. Elladan and Elrohir scowls deepened, but did as they were told, by getting down on their knees and began bowing to Batgirl again and again.
"We're not worthy," he chanted together. "We're not worthy. We're not worthy. We're not worthy."
Batgirl smiled happily, and waved them away like a queen would do her servants.
"You're enjoying that far too much," Robin laughed as he watched the twins go.
Batgirl shrugged in response. Elladan and Elrohir both stood back up and stalked out of the room, trying their best to not lash out at the first person to laugh at them, which as it turned out to be quite a few. Even Elrond, Glorfindel, Aragorn and Gandalf whom were the epitome of seriousness had tears of mirth running down their faces. The hobbits were on the floor clutching their sides in a burning sort of pain brought on by all their own uncontrollable fits laughter. But loudest of all were the dwarves who were pounding the tables and laughing so loud and deep that it sounded like a group of wild dogs had been let lose in the Last Homely Home.
"All right, what did you two do to them?" Arwen inquired, trying to suppress her own giggles. Earlier she had been laughing so hard that she had actually snorted, causing even more laughter and a shocked look from her family.
Robin and Batgirl shared sidelong glances and jutting his head in the direction of the exit, led Arwen out into the hallway and away from prying eyes and ears. Once there Robin answered: "We simply told them that we knew about 'you-know-what' and that if they didn't want 'you-know-who' to find out, then they had best do what we tell them to do."
Arwen raised her eyebrows in surprise. "And what exactly did you know?"
"Absolutely nothing," Robin replied. "And if there is a god, we are never going to have to find out."
"Wait, but I don't understand. If you don't truly know that my brothers have executed any misdeeds, then why are they…?"
Robin shook his head. "Arwen, you've known those two your entire life. If they're as mischievous as everyone claims they are, they would of course fill in the blanks themselves."
The Evenstar raised her hand to her mouth, trying with all her might to suppress the continuation of laughter that was only mere moments from erupting out of her. She dearly loved her older brothers, but she also loved to see them pay for their pranks. Many were the time she awoke with ants in her bed, her dresses stolen and her diary stolen.
"I still… think… you should have… let me break them," Batgirl sighed.
"Batgirl, Batgirl, Batgirl… Broken bones heal," Robin replied with a grin. "But mental scars are the gifts that just keep on giving."
Meanwhile, unaware to Arwen, Robin and Batgirl, the twins stood hidden in a nearby doorway, listening in with gaping mouths as they passed by.
"They tricked us," Elladan said.
"They manipulated our emotions and publicly embarrassed us," added Elrohir,
"I knew we liked them for a reason," they said in unison, breaking into impressed smiles.
"Do you think we can convince them to join our side?" Elladan asked.
Of course, not all things in the Valley were fun and games, particularly for Batgirl. Staying true to their words, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and even old Bilbo had started to train the young vigilante in speaking and reading properly. Each day for two hours they would have her read aloud from several of Bilbo's book which were written in the common tongue. The training was slow going, but she had been making a lot of progress. Her speech had become much more fluent than it had been, and she had at last mastered the ABC's. Currently Bilbo had her reading from a book of his poems, which much to her gratitude were not as complicated as some of his other works.
"What this… word mean?" Cassandra asked pointing her index finger towards a word in the book. Unfortunately Samwise Gamgee, who was her 'teacher' for today, didn't seem to be paying attention and instead was staring down at a flower which he held, it in a sad and thoughtful manner. "Sam?" Cassie said prodding Sam with her elbow. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just thinkin' is all Miss," Sam shrugged.
"About… someone?" Cassie coaxed, looked at Sam kindly. "A girl…"
Sam looked up at her with his brown eyes growing wide in surprise. "How did you? I mean I weren't thinkin' nothin'…"
Cass raised an eyebrow skeptically at Samwise and smirked, to which the Hobbit gave a defeated sigh, knowing he was beat.
"You're body… language told me. Plus… you have same look Oracle does… when she thinks… about Nightwing." Cassie explained while shutting her book, and placing it on her lap. "What's her name?"
"Rosie."
Cassie smiled at the dreamy way that Sam said the name. "Is Rosie your girlfriend?" Sam looked at her quizzically since he was not familiar with the term. "Um… you two dating? Does she like you?"
Finally a look of understanding came over Sam's face. "Um… no," Sam said sadly. "She… I don't really think she knows I exist, if you know what I mean. And, she's so beautiful and graceful and funny and… and I'm… I'm nothin' special. She wouldn't want nothing to do with a pathetic no-nothing gardener like me."
"Stupid Sam," Cassie said dismissively and putting her arm around the hobbit. "You very special. You... are nice and cute and… po… polite. I bet you two make great… couple."
Sam face blushed brightly and he gave a small hopeful smile. "Ye mean like yerself and Mister Robin?"
"W-What?" Batgirl tried to keep a straight face, but frankly she was completely taken aback.
"A-aren't you and Mister Robin together?"
"I-I… No…" Cassandra said, feeling her cheeks flush in surprising embarrassment and slight confusion. "We're just friends. He not like me… the way you like Rosie. He has… Spoiler for that. She his girlfriend." There was a moment of awkward silence. "Why… you think that…anyways?"
Sam shrugged, feeling somewhat embarrassed himself. "Well, I dunno, Miss. I suppose the way yer always talkin' about him, and the looks that you give him. Not to mention how happy you always seem with him around. I g-guess I just thought…" Cassie stared at Sam, completely speechless and Sam was blushing even brighter than before. "But… um… don't mind me Miss Cassandra. I'm just blowing smoke. Let's get on with yer lesson…"
Batgirl nodded, uneasily opening her book again, though her mind wasn't really set on her lessons at the moment.
Robin and her? Together?
Sure, she liked Tim, but only as a friend.
Right?
And sure, he was smart, kind, and kind of cute but that didn't mean she had a thing for him.
Did it?
Of course not.
And anyways he'd never be interested in her.
She was a monster. A killer.
Cassie hadn't told any of the hobbits much about her past and her childhood. She barely spoke about it to the rest of the Bat-Clan. She didn't want them to know, just like she wished she could just forget it all. She couldn't bring herself to tell them how her father David Cain had trained her mercilessly to be the world's most perfect killing machine.
And she was. She had learned to read the human body as a language all its own. Until a little over a year ago, it had been the only language she could understand. With one glance she could tell every move a man was going to make even before they knew it.
She had spent her entire life fighting and doing everything she could to make Cain proud of her. Even murder.
In her mind's eye she could still see the look on the man's face as she dove her little fingers into his neck and ripped out his throat. She could still remember the way the blood fell down her 7-year-old arm, and staining her dress bright red dress. It had been the first and only dress she had ever worn until she had arrived in Middle-Earth.
Barbara had tried to tell her that it wasn't her fault. And even after defeating Lady Shiva, she had hoped to put everything behind her. But that wasn't likely to happen.
So how could Tim not see her as anything more than a killer?
"Lady Cassandra?"
Both Batgirl and Sam Gamgee looked up from their book, to see Legolas standing before them. The Mirkwood Elf's sky blue eyes sparkled in the midday sun, and he gave a small but handsome smile.
"Hi Legolas," she greeted the elf, closing her book again. "How are you… doing?"
"Quite well, I thank you," he said bowing his head and looking to Samwise. "I hope that I am not intruding your lessons Master Hobbit, but I was hopeful that Lady Cassandra would be free soon. She promised to show me more fighting techniques this afternoon and I must admit, I am quite anxious to see them."
Cassandra smiled at the Elf enthusiastically. Legolas was a really great guy, or rather great elf. He was one of the few people she had met in Middle-Earth who didn't look down on her immediately, solely because she was a girl. When they had met, he had been greatly interested in learning some of her fighting disciplines after Robin had told him of her skills during their journey to Rivendell. And thus over the past few months they had begun a daily ritual of sparring against one another down by the waterfall, in which Batgirl would teach him her fighting disciplines and he would teach her his own.
Looking down at her book for a moment, Cassandra frowned. She really could use a break, but the hobbits were sticklers for staying on task with her lessons. This meant she only had only one choice. She rarely used this. It normally went against her nature, but both Black Canary and Spoiler had promised her that it was quite possibly the greatest tool in a woman's arsenal.
It was time for the Puppy Dog Pout.
"Is it okay?" she asked, sticking her trembling lower lips out and making her eyes as big as possible.
Sam groaned and tried his best to avoiding eye contact with Batgirl. Bilbo and Frodo had told him to get through the lesson uninterrupted, but it was no use. "Have fun," he sighed with a defeated smile. He had learned long ago that no one, whether they were man, elf, dwarf nor hobbit, could defeat the Puppy Dog Pout. "And don't ye worry none Miss. I won't tell Mister Frodo and the others about cutting the lesson short."
Cassandra gave Sam a kiss on the cheek, which caused him to blush brightly, and then grabbing the elf prince's hand she raced off with Legolas. As Sam watcher her leave he gave a small sigh. Like the others, he dearly cared for Cassandra, but she was such a complicated girl. Most women, he had learned, were, but she was a whole different kind of complicated. She was always holding something back from people. And his father, the old Gaffer had always said that it really wasn't healthy to bottle things up.
"Afternoon Sam," Robin greeted from behind Sam as he walked down the stone staircase, which Sam and Cassie had been sitting on for their lesson. "Hey, have you seen Batgirl, by any chance? I've been trying to find her and Merry said she was out here with you studying."
"And a good afternoon to you too Mister Robin. But I'm afraid, Miss Cassandra went off with Prince Legolas just a while ago," Sam said.
Robin looked surprised and then frowned slightly as a feeling of unexplained disappointment overtook him. "Legolas? Again?" Sam nodded. "Oh… um… okay. Thank." Robin didn't have anything particularly urgent to discuss with Batgirl. He had most come to find her so they could hang out. So if it wasn't such a big deal, then why did it feel like it was?
Sam apparently took notice that Robin's overly thoughtful expression and clear his throat loudly.
"Are you alright, Mister Robin?" he asked.
"Um… yeah, sure," Robin answered somewhat unconvincingly. "Never better."
Sam watched Robin go back up the stairs with confused curiosity.
Was Robin also…?
Maybe Mr. Samwise Gamgee wasn't blowing smoke like he had originally thought.
All to soon, the fateful day arrived when the eleven companions stood before the great community of Rivendell preparing to depart on their quest to Mordor. There was not one face of happiness on those assembled, but instead worry and fear, for they all knew that the fate of Middle-Earth rested on the shoulders of one blue-eyed hobbit and a band of mismatch individuals who had sworn to protect him.
While everyone else was dressed in thick fur lined garments, Robin and Batgirl were, of course, clad in their costumes, which would best protect them from the elements and the enemy. In means of weaponry, Batgirl of course only wore her utility. Robin on the other hand wore not only his utility belt and carried his collapsible bo-staff, but he also the elvish sword given to him by King Thranduil around his waist.
Although neither was the religious type, it seemed rather ironic to both Robin and Batgirl that the day the Fellowship departed on their quest was December 25. And it could easily be said that neither of them had expect this to be the way they would spend Christmas Day. Robin in particular felt a pang of holiday depression simply because he wouldn't be with his family and friends. His dad and Dana had been talking about them all going to Vermont for a skiing trip this year, and he had been looking forward to it all year.
Batgirl on the other hand, had never had much need for Christmas growing up. In truth, she didn't even understand what it was until Oracle took her in during No Man's Land. Alfred had promise that Cassandra would spend Christmas at the manor this year to have a true Christmas Dinner. She wasn't certain what that meant exactly, but she knew it involved eating a turkey or ham and watching 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'The Grinich who Stole Christmas' which was something Nightwing told her she HAD to watch no matter what.
Both Elrond and Arwen soon descended the white stone stairs from the Last Homely House, and stood side by side before the Fellowship. Arwen's sparkling blue eyes were brimming with tears and Cassandra walked over to embrace the Evenstar. They had become very close friends over the past few months, and even without her ability to read body language Cassandra knew what was hurting Arwen.
"Don't worry," Cassie whispered into Arwen's ear. "He will be all right. We will watch over him."
Arwen pulled back from the hug with a small smile as she wiped away the tears and nodded. Still her attention fell on Aragorn and felt her heart breaking. She wanted nothing more than to race over and embrace him and never let him go. But she knew that her heat's desires could not have priority. The Ranger returned her gaze and his hand caressed the silver necklace, which she had given him the night before.
"Everything alright?" Robin asked, when Batgirl rejoined the group.
Batgirl nodded halfheartedly, before ducking her eyes away from him. "Yes. Fine."
The moment the monosyllable words left her mouth, Cassandra winced. What kind of answer was that supposed to be? More importantly, what was her problem? Ever since Sam had assumed she and Robin were a couple, she had felt antsy around Tim.
She shook her head in self-disgust. Robin was her friend. There was absolutely no reason for her to feel shy around him.
Robin meanwhile was somewhat surprised himself. Batgirl had never been a big talker, but he knew when someone was avoiding him. She hadn't talked to him much during that last couple of days, instead opting to stay closer to the Hobbits, Arwen or Legolas. Yet before he could say anything, Elrond raised his hand for silence.
"The Ring-Bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom." The Elf Lord said, standing before the great assembly. Although his face was strong and unreadable, there was no mistaking the strained tone in his voice or the worry in his eyes. "On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to handle it, save members of the Company and of the Council, and only in the gravest need. For you who go with him, no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold well to your purpose and may the blessing of Elves, Men and all free folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces."
Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf all placed a hand on their chests and bowed to Elrond. "The Fellowship awaits the Ring Bearer," Gandalf stated.
Frodo cast one last look at Rivendell, wondering if he would ever again lay eyes on the fair folk or his beloved Uncle Bilbo. Reluctantly he turned to face his destiny as he began to lead the Fellowship past the stone archway of Rivendell. Frodo had barely cleared the threshold when a sudden realization occurred to him…
"Mordor, Gandalf?" he whispered. "Is it left or right?"
The wizard held back a smile as he placed a calming hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "Left."
"We must hold this course, west of the misty mountains for forty days," Gandalf informed the group not long after leaving Rivendell. "If our luck holds, the gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From their, out path turns east, to Mordor."
On the fifteenth day of their journey they set up camp on the top of a rock-covered ridge, and sat down for food and rest. While Sam started a fire and began to cook lunch, Robin pulled out the maps that Bilbo had made him and begun discussing their journey with Gandalf. Frodo and Batgirl meanwhile ate and watched as Boromir trained Merry and Pippin in swordplay with Aragorn giving the two hobbits suggestions and some words of encouragement from the sideline.
"If anyone were to ask my opinion, which I doubt," said Gimli, gruffly. "I'd say we were taking the long way 'round." The dwarf turned to Gandalf, who looked up from Robin's maps, his pipe clenched in his teeth. "Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria! My cousin Balin will give us a royal welcome!"
Robin noted the Wizard tense as the suggestion, but his face remained unreadable. Casting his eyes to the maps, the Teen Wonder did notice that, if they were to take the shortcut through the mines they would in fact cut a good amount of time off of their trip. Nearly two weeks to be exact.
"No Gimli," Gandalf said darkly. "I would not take the road through Moria, unless I had no other choice." Gimli looked disappointed, but Robin's attention was on Gandalf. Although he didn't know the wizard that well, he could see when someone was spooked. And Gandalf was officially spooked about something in Moria.
"What's in the Mine, Gandalf?" Robin asked, once the dwarf had turned to watch the hobbit's sword lesson.
"Something that would be best long forgotten, Robin."
"Augh!" Pippin cried out, as Boromir accidentally struck his small hand with his long sword.
"I'm sorry!" Boromir apologized quickly, but Pippin was already taking his revenge by kicking the blonde man painfully in the shin. Merry came to the aid of Pippin by striking Boromir's leg with the flat of his sword, and then both Hobbits leapt on top of him.
"Fer the Shire!" Pippin and Merry shouted as they wrestled against the large man from Gondor, all three laughing loudly! Everyone else watched and laughed at the hijinks of the three. Even Aragorn and Robin both of whom had become extremely serious during much of the trip allowed themselves wide grins.
"Gentlemen, that's enough!" Aragorn chuckled as he attempted to save Boromir from Merry and Pippin's wrath, but instead ended up a part of the Hobbit's onslaught, when they knocked his legs out from under him. Soon their laughter died down, although everyone still had fits of giggles every so often.
"And what of you, boy?" Boromir asked Robin, still chuckling lightly as he helped Merry to his feet. "You have been most quite. Would you not wish to wield that blade you carry?" He pointed to Robin's elvish sword.
"No need," Robin said off handedly, not looking up from his maps. "I'm cool."
"Cool?" Gandalf asked. "Are you feeling ill?"
Robin shook his head slightly. Even after all these months in Middle-Earth and he still forgot that people here didn't understand teenage slang. "It means I'm fine."
"Come now lad!" Gimli said, slapping Robin playfully on the back. "Surely, ye aren't afraid to face off against Boromir here! It's just a wee bit of fun!" The dwarf gave a wide smile under his thick beard.
"Robin's not afraid!" Batgirl shouted defensively, but then ducked her head as if embarrassed by her outburst. Robin's head shot up to look at her quizzically. Since they had left Rivendell, Batgirl had been distant with him. More so than normal for even her. He assumed it had been something he said, but frankly he couldn't remember saying anything offensive to her.
"If Robin does not wish to-" Aragorn began.
"No." Robin cut him off. "I'll do it." His gaze remained on Batgirl. She seemed so sure about him; he couldn't let her down, now could he? He reached down a picked up Thranduil's gift, and leapt down to face the man from Gondor.
Boromir grinned. "Excellent! Shall we begin with the basics?" Robin shook his head.
"Thanks, but I'll be fine. Now how about we do this?" Boromir looked slightly surprised by this. Robin hadn't been paying much attention to the hobbit's sword lessons. But he nonetheless accepted Robin's response as he raised his long sword.
"Very well. Then let's begin."
His first strike was a little tentative because he didn't want to hurt the teenager. Robin, of course blocked the attacks easily, but his face contorted into a somewhat insulted scowl. Boromir took the hint and his next attack was a bit more intense, but he was still holding back. It was obvious where Boromir's opinion stood in this little duel. He was going easy on Robin simply because he was a kid.
The corners of Robin's mouth twitched up a bit as he remembered his training in Paris under the infamous assassin Lady Shiva and the lessons she had taught him.
"You are nothing. You are less than nothing. You are a child." Shiva had said. "That is how your opponents must see you. They will underestimate your skill because of your age and size. That is your advantage. But YOU must never see yourself that way. Draw them into attack. Feign Weakness. Feign Fear. And strike when they are close."
Boromir attacked again, shifting his weight around and going for a midsection attack. Robin sidestepped the attack, and knocked the blade away and followed by slashing his own blade upwards. Boromir was ready for him, and blocked the attack with ease. The two began to circle one another, sizing the other up. Boromir hadn't seen Robin fight before, and frankly he had seriously had his doubts that Robin was as capable as everyone claimed. But now seeing the teen's performance, he realized he had been gravely mistaken.
They then began to attack faster and faster, the sounds of their blades echoing with each hit. The rest of the Fellowship watched in fascination as they moved.
Robin and Boromir seemed almost evenly matched to the untrained eye, but to the keen eyesight of Batgirl, Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas it was obvious that Boromir was the much better swordsman. But that didn't mean he was the better fighter. Especially since Robin was obviously the better tactician.
Batgirl could see that Boromir moved with the skill and look of a showman. His attacks are larger and made to impresses and distract. Robin's style on the other hand was simply efficient, and not meant to impress. He was not a performer like Nightwing or Black Canary were, because that would require him to reveal too much of himself. It was times like this that Cassandra could sense that Tim guarded his identity as fiercely as their mentor.
At last Boromir took an opening, and struck with an elaborate move, knocking Robin's sword down into the ground, while at the same time backhanded him in the face. Boromir then followed with a punch, that Robin blocked with an upward forearm block and rolled out of his opponent's area of attack.
"So it's going to be like that, huh?' Robin said, raising a single eyebrow, though his emotions remained hidden.
He suddenly executed two front flips, then one front handspring flipping him over his opponent and landing behind him in a crouch. This sort of move was more elaborate than normal for Tim, but as expected if caught Boromir off guard. Robin had played the older man from the start. He had led Boromir to believe that he was simply on the defensive, so when he showed his offensive, Boromir wouldn't be prepared.
Robin's left leg swung out and knocked Boromir to the ground, at the same time snatching the sword from him. Boromir hit the ground with a loud thump and then slowly turned rolled over to find Robin holding both of their swords at the nobleman's neck. The others watched on as a long pregnant silence hung in the air, wondering what was going to happen next.
Suddenly Boromir let out a laugh joyous laugh. "It looks like I was indeed wrong about you, my friend," he said giving a smile.
Robin gave his own half-smile, lowered the blades and held out his hand. "I guess you were." Boromir took his hand and nodded as he was helped to his feet.
"But you realize that I would have won in the end."
"It's possible," Robin consented. "I don't usually use swords. Not really my type of weapon, if you know what I mean."
"You handled it well, nonetheless," Boromir said. "With a bit more training, you could prove to be most skilled in swordplay, Robin."
The Hobbits and Gimli raced up to Boromir and Robin, talking excitedly about their 'fight,' while Aragorn gave an approving nod. Batgirl though didn't join them and instead stood close to close to Gandalf in silent watch. The Wizard had been watching the young vigilante intently, almost as if he knew what she was thinking.
"Perhaps you would care to show us your skills, my dear," Gandalf asked her. "Aragorn tells me that you are quite an impressive warrior." Cassie could tell that he was trying to change the unspoken subject between them and she was thankful for that. But before she could reply, Gandalf tensed up and his eyes narrowed.
"Legolas?"
Legolas hadn't been watching last few moments of the mock battle; instead his keen elf eyes were staring out at something off in the distance. It was too far for him to make out details, but something about it made him uneasy.
The others slowly took notice of this as well, and turned to where the elf was looking. Far in the distance they could see was looked like some black smoke moving towards them.
"What is that?" Sam asked.
"Nothing," Gimli said. "It's just a whiff of clouds."
Robin shook his head. "It can't be the clouds, Gimli. It's moving against the wind."
"Only birds," Batgirl stated with a shrug, taking a stand beside Legolas to get a better view.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas shouted in realization. His hand shot out grabbing Cassandra's hand and pulling her down with him as he raced for cover.
"HIDE!" shouted Aragorn.
Everyone began grabbing for their supplies and racing about the rock covered hills so as to locate safe cover. Robin grabbed his maps and sword and dove under a large rock alongside Frodo and Aragorn. The other members of the group did the same whether using the rock formations or the thick brush. Batgirl had been pulled under several bushes by Legolas and was found squeezed tightly against the elf.
"Legolas let go. Its only birds…" Batgirl repeated, but the Legolas' hand clamped over her mouth. Nothing else could be heard, until suddenly the flock of black crows overtook their campsite. The combined sound of wings flapping and screeches became so loud that the Hobbits needed to cover their ears with their hands in order to block it out. After several moments, the birds broke away, and flew off into the distance. Once they were certain all was clear, everyone crawled out from their hiding spots.
Robin crawled out from under the rock alongside Aragorn and Frodo. His eyes search for Batgirl, to make certain she was safe, and froze when he saw Legolas holding her as they stood up.
'What is going on between those two?' he thought. He knew that Batgirl and Legolas had become unusually chummy recently, but what he didn't know was why it bothered him somewhat.
"Spies of Saruman," Gandalf growled. "The passes south are being watched."
"Whoa, hold on a sec," Robin said, his eyes snapping to the wizard. "Saruman can control the birds?" Gandalf nodded darkly. "Exactly how powerful is this guy, Gandalf?"
"Too powerful I fear, and he has a great many of things at his disposal, Master Robin. I fear we have no choice. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." He pointed to the snow covered mountains to the east of them.
Several days passed, and the Fellowship, following the lead of Gandalf trudged slowly up the snow-covered mountains making their way to the pass. The weather was horribly cold, and it seemed the further up they traveled the deeper the snow became. The only person who was remotely comfortable in the weather was Legolas, whom the cold did not bother. Robin and Batgirl also seemed less affected, due to the fact that their costumes were thermal heated.
"Snow… sucks…" Batgirl grumbled to herself.
"Yes, Batgirl," Aragorn said drearily, from his place at the behind of the group. "I do believe that we have established that fact. Several times in fact."
Batgirl was considering a semi-snappy comeback, when Frodo had slipped upon a patch of snow and icy and fell tumbling down crashing into Batgirl and Aragorn both of whom nearly fell down with him.
"You guys alright?" Robin called.
"Aye, I think so," Aragorn replied, helping Frodo up to his feet.
Frodo opened his mouth to give thanks to, when instinctively his hand reached up to his neck, and much to his horror found that the chain with the One Ring was no longer around his neck. His eyes scanned furiously for the Ring and found it lying in the snow. Yet before he could move to retrieve it, Boromir stepped forth and picked it up. He held it for a long while, starring at it intently.
"Boromir…" began Aragorn.
"It is a strange fate," he said, apparently not hearing the Ranger's voice. "That we should suffer so much fear and doubt, over so small a thing…"
Batgirl's eyes watched him intently, reading every movement of his body. She could see that Boromir wanted nothing more than to wear the Ring and keep it as his own. He wasn't the same man who had been laughing with Merry and Pippin several days back. Slowly Batgirl's hand slipped into her utility belt, clutching a Batarang. Aragorn and Robin noticed the sudden change in Boromir also, and reached for their respected weapons.
"BOROMIR!" snapped Aragorn. "Give the Ring to Frodo." There was a cold, sharp edge to the Ranger's voice. Boromir looked up at the others, and then back at the Ring.
He wanted it. He deserved it! What right did a mere Halfling have to it? Yet looking up at the others, lucidity seemed to return to him and reluctantly he held the Ring out to Frodo who snatched it back quickly.
"As you wish," Boromir said, giving a forced smile. "I care not." He ruffled Frodo's hair slightly as if nothing was out of sorts.
Robin's white-lenses glared at Boromir intently, while he held his bo-staff tightly in his hand.
This had been the fear of everyone, since day one. That someone in the Fellowship might not have the willpower to stand against the One Ring. As much as they hated to admit it, Boromir might be that someone.
He shared with Batgirl a brief glance. He said nothing, since all she needed was to look at him to know what he needed. She nodded her head once, to signal she understood him.
Further the mountain they went, and colder it became. The snow began to blast at the Fellowship with almost hatred. Frankly there was something extremely unnatural about this snowstorm.
Robin and Batgirl had both given their thermal heated capes to the Hobbits since their smaller bodies needed them more. Frodo and Sam shared Robin's, while Merry and Pippin shared Batgirl's. Although it wasn't much against the intense weather, it did help quiet a bit. Meanwhile Tim and Cassie wore two of the elf cloaks given to them at Rivendell. Not as warm as their own capes, but their costumes already protected them enough from the cold air.
Soon the snow became to high for the hobbits to move properly in. Yet the Fellowship did not falter. Instead Aragorn and Boromir opted to carry the hobbits further up the mountain.
Gandalf who as always took the lead, attempted to make a path through the now waist high snow using his staff. Legolas meanwhile was prancing amongst the snow mounds as if he weighed nothing at all, and often raced ahead to scout the area. The way that the Prince of Mirkwood moved about the snow and wind without a care could easily frankly get on the nerves of a saint. So it wasn't surprising that there were many murderous glares coming from the others in the Fellowship.
"Bloody prancing elf," Gimli grumbled. "Give me five minutes alone with him and he won't be so nibble…"
Legolas paid no mind to the threats and glares and instead slowly made his way to the edge of the cliff. There he stood for a long moment, straining his ears so as to hear for something…
"There is a foul voice in the air…" he said at last, though only Gandalf heard it through the intense wind and snow.
"IT IS SARUMAN!" the wizard shouted over the wind to his companions. Almost as if on cue, they heard a faint cracking sound above them that Robin was particularly familiar with.
"EVERYONE AGAINST THE WALL!" he shouted as large chunks of ice came crashing towards them from above. The company threw themselves against the mountain wall as the chunks of stone and ice barely missed them.
"HE'S TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN!" Aragorn shouted. "GANDALF, WE MUST TURN BACK!"
"NO!" shouted Gandalf furiously.
Robin narrowed his gaze at the Wizard. This path was going to get them killed if they continued. The snow was raising fast and if that and the cold didn't kill them the mountain itself would.
Yet Gandalf ignored Aragorn's pleas and Robin's glares and moved to the edge of the cliff raising his staff high, with Legolas holding him steady. The wizard began to chant in some unknown language as he tried to combat Saruman's own magicks. It almost appeared that Gandalf was getting some leeway when a bolt of lightning struck the mountain cliff above them setting of an avalanche of snow to come crashing down on the Fellowship. Everyone threw themselves against the wall, and was soon completely covered in the snowfall.
For a brief moment the snow lay still, until at last members of the group began to force their way out from under. Legolas was the first out, followed quickly by Aragorn and Boromir who were doing their best to dig out the hobbits. Gandalf pulled himself out, and soon after the pointed ears of Batgirl's mask burst out from the snow. Gimli then was pulled out thanks to Legolas, who was smiling like the cat that had swallowed the canary. The only one still not to surface was…
"TIM!" shouted Batgirl, in panicked voice. "WHERE IS HE?"
Everyone began to search frantically for their missing companion, praying that he had not been crushed by the sudden downfall. Suddenly the saw a batarang break through the snow, and a green-gloved hand appear. Slowly Robin pulled himself to the surface, breathing deeply, sputtering out snow and shivering violently.
"Robin!" Pippin cried thankfully.
"Are you alright Mister Robin," Sam asked.
"I'm fine," the Boy Wonder lied, in-between sputters of snow. He rubbed his throbbing head, while trying to stay above the snow, which kept falling back over him.
'Damn snow…' he thought to himself. 'This is what? The fourth avalanche I've been in during the last two years?'
"We must get off the mountain!" Boromir shouted over the blizzard. "Make for the gap of Rohan! And take the west road to my city!"
"The gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn shot back.
"If we cannot go over the mountain," Gimli offered. "Then let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria!" Gandalf again stiffened at the name, and his eyes flashed under his bushy white eyebrows and pointed gray hat. Despite the blinding snow, Batgirl could see the fear in Gandalf's body.
"Let the Ring Bearer decide," he said at last.
Frodo stared up at Gandalf feeling not at all prepared by having this decision placed on his shoulders. But the ring was his responsibility and thus it was his choice. Casting his eyes at his friends and the fear and cold that gripped their hearts, he could see no other choice.
"We cannot stay here!" persisted Boromir. "It will be the deaths of the hobbits and children!"
"Frodo?" Gandalf said, looking to the blue-eyed hobbit.
"We will go through the Mine," Frodo said finally. And with a look of dread, which overtook his face, the Wizard nodded.
"So be it."
TO BE CONTINUED…