Chapter 11: Unexpected Rainfall
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~ ~ ~ Hey Guys,
I'M WET!
Well, not anymore... but I was!
We were running towards Lothlorien and it just started to rain and rain and rain. Yeah, I know... The movie had sunshine... apparently it was misinterpreted, dang it!
At least I'm starting to get dry. Good thing I brought extra clothes, for both me and Legolas. Though... his clothes basically look the same. Maybe that's why he looked differently dressed when he met Haldir in the films?
Speaking of Haldir... I hope we meet him soon. Not only that, but I hope it goes by the books and he doesn't die! AI!
Oh, we should be coming upon the Nimrodel in a bit. I'll make Legolas sing again, for the lifting of spirits perhaps. Course... it all depends on if he's still angry with what happened in Moria.
He hasn't spoken to me since then.
Well, until next time...
Laters! ~ ~ ~
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Let the rain fall down
And wake my dreams
Let it wash away my sanity
Cause I wanna hear the thunder
I wanna scream
Let the rain fall down
I'm coming clean
I'm coming clean
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As if to add to the heavy load of grief which the fellowship carried upon their shoulders, the clouds above them suddenly burst. It had been a beautifully sunny day, a day that seemed to joyful after such an emotional turn of events. Now however, it almost seemed that the sky cried with them, as they wound their way ever closer to the woods of Lothlorien.
Legolas noticed it first. He could feel the trees lift heavenwards to catch the drops of rain upon their boughs. Looking toward the forest, which was only a few miles away, the prince stopped Aragorn.
"The trees speak of rain. We should double our efforts to reach the woods."
Aragorn nodded, "Aye. I feel it too. The change in the wind will bring unexpected showers upon us soon." turning back, he looked over the weary fellowship.
Boromir continued at his usual pace, neither slowing nor faltering. Gimli seemed a tad winded, but he rushed along the same as always. Sam, Merry, and Pippin, ran alongside one another, next to a seemingly struggling Frodo. Their pace was swift, but the Hobbit seemed to be in great pain as they trudged on. Ashley continued running, slightly behind Frodo. She appeared to be watching the ringbearer closely, as if half expecting him to fall from exhaustion any moment.
"Perhaps our pace is already at it's peak, Legolas."
The Elf looked back as well and frowned. "Frodo's injury." he whispered.
Eyes widening, Aragorn shook his head, "I had forgotten all about it. We must stop and see to his wound."
"No." Legolas replied. "We must get into the woods first. The Orcs will be upon us if we stay out in the open for too long, you know this."
"Aye... I do. Then come. Go to the rear and see if you can give words of encouragement to Frodo. He shall need all the strength he can get."
Legolas nodded, running back to the end of the group and began to run at Ashley's side.
"We must hurry, my friends. Rain will be upon us soon." he said with a slight smile. "Though I am grieved to see your wound bother you so, Frodo."
The Hobbit looked back, catching Legolas' gaze. "It's not so bad... at least not as bad as you might think. I can make it. We've only a few miles more to go."
"At least the rain appears to be waiting for us to find shelter." Ashley replied, glancing at the Elf.
Legolas looked to her. "Do you know of the rain? If we will make it to Lothlorien before it, I mean?"
There was a long moment of silence, where the only sound was of running feet upon the plain.
"I... It was supposed to be sunny." the woman whispered, looking away from the Elf. "There was no rain..."
Confusion set itself in Legolas' features. "Sunshine? But... Ai! Then could your prediction in Moria have been wrong?!"
Ashley stopped running, as did the Elf. She looked at him for few seconds before turning away to watch the fellowship continue their run without them.
"No. It wasn't wrong."
"How do you know?!" Legolas asked harshly, his eyes cold.
The woman shook her head, "Because it HAS to happen. Gandalf's fall will set the wheels of victory in motion for Aragorn. Without Gandalf's fall, you and Gimli and Aragorn would die... and would die very soon."
She turned to begin to turn and continue running but Legolas caught her by the arm, "Why?"
The simple question and the pleading in his eyes for an answer stopped Ashley.
"Trust in Aragorn, Legolas. Gandalf is gone and Aragorn needs your strength. Stop dwelling on what happened. On what you could have done to prevent it, or if I am even right in stopping you." her eyes locked with his. "These are harsh words, I know, but you HAVE to be stronger than this. For Aragorn and for everyone, you must be the cheer that they feel has left this world. Get their minds off their grief, Legolas. This only you can do. If you do not, I fear the paths which may be taken."
Legolas blinked, letting go of the woman's arm. For a long while, Ashley thought she had angered him further. However, the prince smiled and nodded.
"Aye. I will do this, though you must promise me something in return."
"Anything."
The Elf's smile widened, "Talk like you used to talk... I fear you have been around us for far too long."
He turned, running past her and quickly, in an effort to catch up with the fellowship. Ashley laughed before following after him.
"It's not my fault!" she called as she caught up with the Elf. "You're a bad influence on me!"
As the two ran, laughter filling the air about them, the clouds gathered, the thunder rolled, and the sky let loose a torrent of rain.
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An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.
A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair.
As sun upon the golden boughs,
In Lorien the fair.
Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light,
As leaf of linden-tree.
Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell,
Into the shining pool.
Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel.
And in the mountains strayed.
The elven-ship in haven grey,
Beneath the mountain-lee,
Awaited her for many a day,
Beside the roaring sea.
A wind by night in Northern lands,
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands,
Across the streaming tide.
When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey.
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed,
Their plumes of blind spray.
Amroth beheld the fading shore,
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore,
Him far from Nimrodel.
Of old he was an Elven-king.
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring,
In fair Lothlorien.
From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the strong;
And dive into the water deep,
As mew upon the wing.
The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair,
Go riding like a swan.
But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore,
No tidings Elven-folk have heard,
Of Amroth evermore.
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Ashley sighed, leaning against Legolas' shoulder as he sang.
"You know... I used to hate that song."
The Elf looked at her in shock. Most of the fellowship had fallen under Legolas' spell of song and were resting peacefully near the waters of the Nimrodel. Aragorn had taken it upon himself to guard them from attack, while the prince sang a soothing song to ease the group's cares. Boromir, Gimli, and the Hobbits, dozed lightly beneath the branches of Lothlorien's beautiful forest.
Ashley laughed, "I don't hate it anymore. I had memorized it and sang it so many times... it seems like an eternity ago."
"Why that song?" Legolas asked, leaning back against the tree behind him.
The prince's travel tunic, cloak, and leggings were hanging on a rope to dry. Unlike Sam, Ashley had actually remembered rope. He now wore a simple tunic and leggings which the woman had packed in her bag. Ashley's clothes were drying the same way as well, as were some of the tunics of other fellowship members. The woman now sported an outfit from her own world.
She shrugged. "Because you sang it... that's the only reason."
"Ah..."
With a laugh the woman smiled, "You know, we should be moving on soon."
"Now would be a better time. " Aragorn said, appearing from seemingly nowhere.
Ashley sat up, blushing slightly. The Ranger, a smile on his face, tried not to laugh.
"Yrchs?" Legolas asked, standing.
Aragorn nodded, "Aye. They are on our trail. They ran through the rain and have stopped now that the clouds are parted. However, evening will soon be upon us and we should venture deeper into the woods before they give chase once more."
The peacefulness of the day had filled them as much as it could. Now, the fellowship picked up their clothes, storing them in their packs, and headed farther into the forest.
Legolas marveled at the trees about him, for they were the most beautiful he had ever seen. The woman beside him laughed at his childish joy. He reminded her of a kid in a candy store.
After a few moments however, Ashley began looking for a very familiar tree.
"What are you doing, Nil?" Aragorn asked as he noticed her indecisive gaze.
She shook her head, "Nothing really... I'm just looking for a certain tree."
"Take your pick, lass. There's plenty to go 'round." Gimli replied, his axe ready in his hands should danger descend upon them in the woods.
Ashley smiled, "Yeah but... there's one in particular..."
"RUGBY TACKLE THE ELF!"
Eyes wide, Nil turned to Legolas and began to shout a warning. "Legolas! Watch..."
*THUD*
Ashley cringed as she opened her eyes to see her best friend, Danielle, sitting on the Elven prince's chest.
"...out."
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Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1 for this. Also, the song above is called "Coming Clean" and you may hear it again eventually. And the song Legolas sings is from "The Fellowship of the Ring".
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Reviews:
Coolio02: Here's the next one. A bit sooner then I had expected.
Fuji The Hobbit: I might do that. I love Haldir, he was so cool! Craig Parker's expression when Viggo hugged in was great. Just priceless. I guess Elves are not used to being hugged. Anywho... I might put in a joke or two. But as a warning... Lothlorien's going to be a massive turning point in the lives of a few characters.
aussiesportstar: Hehehehehe. Yeah. Legolas' reaction of Gandalf is soooo much cooler in the books, since he's the first to recognize him. But I loved the expression on Orli's face when he saw the White Wizard. He was awestruck. And, from my story pov, he'll be awestruck at not only Gandalf's return, but of the fact that Nil was right.
Musicstarlover: Soonish... I like that. But yeah, here's the new ally. She's got a mission... to protect those beautiful big blue eyes of Frodo Baggins. *laughs* If that makes no sense, just wait and see. With the fellowship splitting up soon... Nil can't be everywhere at once. *wink*
Satiana: Awwww... sniffles.... Here's the update. Nothing too big or too drastic, save for a Rugby Tackle.
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Author's Note:
*Nil picks up the clothes on her closet floor, mumbling about Elladan and Elrohir and their tiresome antics.*
Legolas: There was a squirrel in the backyard this morning.
Aragorn: Yes.
*Nil glares at them.*
Did you kill it too?
Legolas: No.
Aragorn: We watched it. I do not think they want to take over the world.
Now you say it! You could have... oh nevermind!
Legolas: But now Merry... err... Danielle... she is in your story.
Aragorn: Yes.
I know that. I wrote it!
*Nil sighs.*
Legolas: What is wrong?
It's all your father's fault!
*Legolas blinks.*
Aragorn: Thranduil?
Yes! Thranduil! He... he defended those idiotic brothers of yours, Estel! I swear, they are spending far too much time scheming and devising evil plots.
Legolas: That is because my father does not like you.
No... you think so?
Aragorn: Actually, he likes her... just not when she is writing stories.
You know, you two aren't helping!
Legolas: I know.
Aragorn: We are here to merely watch.
*Nil throws her hands up in disgust.*
My evil muses help me more than the two of you! And one of them hits me with a freakin' shovel!
Legolas: That is because you are an angst writer.
Aragorn: And because you are in the closet... where the evil muses live.
Oh... good point...
*A shovel comes out of nowhere, bashing Nil in the head.*
Legolas: Ouch...
Aragorn: Indeed...
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Preview:
Next time on... "A Destined Journey"
Merry... ahem... Danielle, has arrived on the scene. What does this mean for Ashley? Are her friends worried? Do they want her back? Heck no! Dani just wanted to see Frodo! Havoc ensues when the fellowship meets Haldir and his brothers, and Legolas gets more than he bargained for when trying to convince Gimli to go blindfolded into Lothlorien. It's a Dwarf's axe against an Elf's dexterity in the next chapter!
A bit uncanon I believe... but it will be well worth the read. If you've read my story, "The Drinking Game" then get ready for some of the same antics!
Until next time...
Laters!