Chapter Nine: Steady as She Goes
Eventually all the scouts trickled back in and plans were made and one night late in December the Fellowship was called to meet. I'd been entertaining myself (and Bliss) with the hobbits in between training (and no, I don't want to talk about how goddamn sore I am because if I start I will never stop) but Gimli had taken to eating dinner with us. So it was with no little trepidation but significantly less shyness that I followed Bliss into the library with the boys.
"We leave tomorrow," Gandalf announced, rather more somberly than I wanted him to sound. "Make any preparations tonight, we will have no time tomorrow. Be at the courtyard at dawn."
I closed my eyes, holding back a groan. All that good sleep… Bliss, however, swelled with excitement, knocking her knee into mine with a smile. At long last, all our training and working and slaving away, all of it was coming down to this moment. Our departure. The first step.
I wanted to puke.
Boromir sat fingering his scruffy chin darkly. "And what is our road?"
Wait. Did we not know where we were going? I racked my brain, but the only thing Bliss and I'd been told was "Morder" followed by a quick "now get going, daylight's wasting." (Men.) But surely, someone other than Gandalf knew the path we needed. Surely there had been a discussion. (That we, at least, hadn't been invited to attend.)
"East," Gandalf was answering. "We will go by way of the Gap of Rohan and from there down the Andulien. And into Mordor."
"Promising," Bliss muttered in my ear. The hobbits seemed to have similar thoughts; their whispered conversation briefly drew the attention of the menfolk. Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf all turned to stare Bliss, the hobbits and me into silence. I raised my hands to shoulder level, palms out as Bliss pulled back slightly, looking equally affronted. Someone let out a long suffering sigh and I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Ugh, men.
"You may leave," Gandalf harrumphed gruffly, rooting through his robe to produce his pipe. I narrowed my eyes at the five of them before turning to the door with a puff and a huff. This was the last thing I wanted to do; even as I recalled that a few months ago this adventure would have been heaven, I could feel my stomach turn with the thought of leaving our safe haven. I was a book worm; real adventure did not suit me. Bliss' eyes were gleaming as we tromped back to our room and I knew, deep in the part of me that knew I should have apologized to my parents years ago, that this was perfect for her. She was in her element and, stuck as I was, I'd rather follow her and keep her out of trouble than stay safe, in Imladris or at home.
Sitting in our room, I stared at the pile of stuff I needed to shove into the rucksack I'd been given. My old clothes had been cleaned and were folded neatly next to a pair of leggings, a couple shirts and a heavy cloak. We would be travelling in the dead of winter. I briefly cursed whatever god had decreed that I be raised in the South and began schlepping things into my pack. My jeans and Chucks I laid carefully at the bottom (those jeans might need to last a very long time and they made my ass look fabulous). The rest was piled in haphazardly, the few clothes, the one book I'd had with me in Gnarly Dicks (Jellicoe Road) and the other odds and ends from my purse. To see my life reduced to what could fit inside a backpack both thrilled and depressed me. As long as I kept thinking about Fight Club and how materialistic the world was, I would remain calm. Or something like that.
Bliss had disappeared at some point prior to my packing and only returned after I'd finished, towing a rather sheepish looking Aragorn behind her. He dragged his feet just slightly and curiosity had me quirking an eyebrow. Bliss was carrying two long, thin packages. Oh dear.
"C'mon, Nix, they were made specially!" she trilled, dumping one into my lap before bopping down next to me on the bed.
"What is it?" I leveled my gaze at Aragorn.
"Open and find out."
I cut my eyes at Bliss, who was carefully pealing back the linen wrappings, and began to dig at my own…thing. A sword rolled out and I managed to cup my hand around it before it could fall, leaving a thin slice along my palm. I gasped softly and Aragorn shot me a look as Bliss murmured over her own sword. There were runes inscribed in her blade as well as on the guard, leaving mine looking far less ornate a thing; the only detail was some Elvish script on the hilt that I swept my fingers over admiringly.
"What does it mean?" I whispered, too quietly to hear.
"Yeah, what does it say?" Bliss piped up louder, having caught my words either because of our proximity or our telekinetic mind meld.
Aragorn cleared his throat, hovering over us like an anxious mother hen. "On the hand guard is a blessing, Bliss. On the blade is part of the legend."
I raised an eyebrow. "Two men enter, one man leaves?" I ventured. He laughed, rubbing a hand on the top of my head like you would a cat…or a Buddha's belly. With a clap on Bliss' shoulder, he left us to ponder at our new gifts and worry about the next day. I worried, at least. Bliss was thinking furiously, tapping her fingers on the empty scabbard hanging from her belt (we'd been wearing empty scabbards for almost three weeks, for what purpose I don't know).
"Bliss?"
"…"
"Bliss."
"We should get to bed. Early morning." She slithered off the bed and began the process of tugging off boots and clothes and packing it all away for our leave taking the next day. I sat as she packed, staring mulishly at the script on my new sword. "Specially made." It didn't give me much confidence. Then again, what did? Sighing, I sheathed my sword and got ready for bed. It would be the last night I got to sleep in comfort for a long time.
Morning came far too soon after I fell asleep, waking to first to Bliss' internal alarm clock and then, soon after, to my own. I washed and dressed quickly in heavy trousers, my own ratty shirt and the beautiful, beautiful boots. My wet hair I tied up as best I could, wishing I could shove it under a hat or something. The cloak was fastened at my neck, my pack was on my back and my sword was hanging attentively at my side. Surveying Bliss, who looked similar, I couldn't help but think how ready we must have seemed, how capable. Tightening my belt, I almost felt it too, as excitement lit my belly. Elanor was fussing over Bliss, tucking her hair back under a headband and piling more supplies into both our packs. Finally she stepped back, regarding us with a stern smile.
"Be safe. I shan't be running after you, keeping you out of trees. You'll have to take care of each other."
I smiled and hugged her, taking comfort from the brief friend I'd made in this unknowable world. "We'll be fine. And don't think I didn't notice the dress you snuck in there. Really, what use am I going to have for a dress?"
She smiled again. "More use than you know." She cupped my cheek in her hand and murmured something in elvish before kissing me swiftly on the forehead and sending me out the door. Bliss followed and as we walked to the courtyard, I swear I saw Elanor swipe at her eyes.
Half of us were gathered quietly in the yard as Bliss and I sashayed up. Bliss shot Legolas a glower befitting a dwarf and he returned it coolly. We stood among our companions, apprehension tightening shoulders and making me scuff my boots in the dirt. The hobbits appeared and Bill the pony was laden with his extra burdens. We waited for Gandalf in near complete silence.
When at last he showed up, Elrond was at his side. "This is my last word," he declared to us quietly. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. 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 let any handle it, save members of the Company and Council and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry or come back or turn aside into other paths as chance allows. The further you go the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no other bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your heart and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road."
I cast Bliss a glare. She may have gotten us into this mess, but I would be the one to get us out. Or suffering the consequences. Such is our relationship. "Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," Gimli said. He and Elrond Confucius-ed and I sighed, sick of the anticipation.
"But go now with good hearts. Farewell and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your face!" Elrond called.
Boromir blew his great horn and then we at last filed out of the Last Homely House.
With all the buildup and suspense, our leaving Elrond's lands was kind of…anti-climactic. We simply started walking, following Gandalf and Aragorn until nightfall. Legolas was our rearguard, never tiring and having keen elf eyes. In this way, we travelled for quite a while, trudging along and talking very little. I pestered Aragorn and Gandalf and Legolas about the legend and about the inscription on my hilt but none of them were talking. I even went so far as to ask Frodo but all he seemed able to figure out were the words "star" and "path."
After two weeks of steady travel we reached Hollin. For the first time the boys in front let us light a fire. We were close to the Gap now and resting for a noon meal. Boromir had Merry and Pippin practicing with their short swords while Aragorn smoked and watched. I settled beside him, leaving the sword by my pack so I could sit back on my elbows without it prodding me in the ribs. "Move your feet," Aragorn instructed around his pipe. Merry congratulated Pip on his foot work and progress and I grinned at them.
"If anyone were to ask my opinion, which I note they're not," Gimli began. Rolling my eyes, I tuned him out. Boromir had accidently knicked Pip and he and Merry leapt upon the man. I laughed with Aragorn until he stood to try and stop the ruckus.
"Gentlemen," he started but Pip and Merry turned and pulled his feet right out from under him. I nearly died laughing, catching Bliss' eye and cackling all the more for the grin she had. He rolled upright and shook himself before shooting me a glare. "Hush, girl."
"What is that?" Frodo asked, squinting into the distance. We all turned to watch the eastern sky.
"Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli grumped.
I meandered over by Bliss with Aragorn, Boromir and the hobbits trailing after. "It's moving fast. And against the wind," Boromir observed.
"Crebain, from Dunland!" Legolas announced.
"Hide!"
Out went the fire, thrown under rocks with our bags and then we dashed into the closest hiding spots we could find. Aragorn tugged me down by him and Frodo. Bliss was huddled next to Boromir. I shivered slightly. Birds have always given me the creeps. As they flew over us, cawing like heinous demons, I squeezed my eyes shut. Frodo slipped his hand briefly into mine. Thank God for hobbits.
Gandalf emerged first, bellowing, "spies from Saruman!" Aragorn lifted Frodo and me up onto our feet and I leaned against a rock, casting my eyes over the rest of the company. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the path of Caradhras."
No longer light hearted, we packed up quickly with little fanfare, checking over shoulders nervously and startling at every noise. I heaved my pack back on, patting down my front, sure I had forgotten something. Aragorn appeared at my side with my sword, a distant frown etched on his face. "Do not forget her," he said. "It would be a hard loss."
I grimace-smiled at him and he tied the scabbard onto my belt for me, careful not to brush my hip. "What does it mean?" I asked softly when his fingers paused over the runes.
He looked at me a long moment before turning away. "I will tell you when we have more time and comfort for talking. For now we must be on the move."
Damnation.
It was already damn cold at the pass; up the mountain I was sure I would die. Bliss, wrapped in her warm cloak, was happy enough to snuggle in on herself and enjoy the snow. Legolas nanced atop it like a ballerina and I shared bitter glares with the hobbits at his good fortune. Merry and Pippin were huddled with Bliss and I held onto Frodo by his small shoulders as we pushed further up-mountain. I could feel Aragorn a few paces behind me but the work made it next to impossible for my mind to wander. The trek up the pass was growing exponentially harder and I was perversely grateful.
Legolas flitted from front of the pack to the back, until there was too much snow to be quite sure of our way and he took up permanent residence by Gandalf. Aragorn and Boromir were pushing aside snow in front of Bliss, the hobbits and me, and I was eternally thankful for their bulk and heft. I was panting, grasping Frodo around the chest now with Sam curled under my arm. There was a faint yell from Gandalf, a reply from Aragorn and then the mountain creaked and groaned and fell. Bliss and I managed to exchange a glance before being simultaneously buried and throwing ourselves and the hobbits under the shelter of the rock.
It was like being pulled down by an undertow. I thrashed wildly for a moment, unable to place up or down or where the air would be. Someone latched onto my elbow and forced me to the top of the swell of snow and I sucked in a deep breath that was half snow and ice. Boromir pulled Bliss to the surface next and then turned to the head of the group.
"We must get off the mountain, make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the West Road to my city!"
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isenguard, "Aragorn argued, close behind me with the hobbits. I grabbed blindly for one of them and we shivered together.
"If we cannot go over the mountain let us go under it," Gimli countered. "Let us go through the Mines of Moria."
Bliss widened her eyes at me. We both remembered the Moria portion of the book. It wasn't pretty.
"Let the Ringbearer decide," Gandalf said firmly.
There was a long pause.
"We will go through the Mines."
"So be it."
Now the only problem was getting back down the mountain, find the entrance to the death mines and make our way through caves to the other side of this great stupid hill. No problem.
A/N: Hi. It's been a damn long while. And I am sorry. I am in my second semester of college, and that pretty much tells you how things are. Hoping to update with slightly more frequency. But God only knows. Thank you for sticking around and giving me your time, I hope this doesn't disappoint. 3
Always,
Fred