Hello friends! I had to watch the Fellowship again, to make I put events in order later in the story, because so far, I've composed everything myself. I'm also rereading the Fellowship book, so hopefully everything will be accurate.
To my reviewers: Many thanks to feanen, willturnerluv, Tears of the Phoenix, Cap'n Jack Sparrow, kurleyhawk2, Fluff Writer, Jennifer Bloom, sweetazzhoney, Kess, and mellowyellow36.
ElvenStar5: Thank you SO much for that great compliment. I didn't realize this story would include so many different genres.
Alassea2: Hope you enjoyed that Leggy kissed Liana. The whole seducing think is kindof weird, but I liked that idea because it's original and it proves "don't judge a book by it's cover."
elven angel11: LMAO! I'm not quite sure how to spell it either. And I have defeated writer's block….WOOHOO!!
SKINNERS: Hmm, I had to think about your answer for a bit. Legolas I think liked her ever since they met and they did have a conversation at Ulendiell's dinner, but not an extremely formal one, that's probably why Liana was so taken aback.
That's all for answering to reviews……….on to the next chappie…………
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Morning came quickly and I was roughly awakened by Merry.
"I'm sorry, milady, but we have to get moving," he said quickly. I stretched and mentally scolded myself for ever volunteering to stand watch and lose precious hours of sleep. I rolled up my "bed" looked around at the forest. It didn't look half as menacing as it did at night.
Sam treated everyone to a quick breakfast. During the whole time, Legolas icily ignored me.
"What I would do for a couple of sausages and nice crispy bacon, right 'bout now," Sam said mournfully, studying his plate. "I miss Shire food."
"We will feast soon enough," Aragorn said, preparing the horses.
"But where exactly are we heading?" Gimli asked, clearing food out of his beard.
"For the Pass of Caradhras, in the Misty Mountains, near where Gollum kept the Ring for so long," Gandalf said slowly. I could see Frodo stiffen at the name. "We must travel quickly before winter overtakes us and the snow buries us. Our secret has been uncovered for Ulendiell has surely told Sauron of us. What we lack in secrecy we must make up in speed."
"And what after that," Boromir asked.
"Time will tell. When we reach the Pass, we will decide then where to go from there," Gandalf responded.
After breakfast, we cleared away our campsite, until it seemed as if no one had been there for ages. Gandalf checked Legolas's head and deemed it well and healing. We mounted our horses in the similar fashion of the night before, but this time Sam mounted with Aragorn and Legolas would ride another horse. I was once again, left on the ground. Everyone's horse was taken up, but Legolas's…….great.
I gave Legolas a kind smile, which he did not return. He helped me mount and then mounted behind me. This was going to be an interesting ride.
We rode at a fast gallop, with the same sense of urgency of last night. I don't think I would ever do this much horse-back riding in my life. I tried to have a conversation with Legolas, but with no avail. He just answered me in one word answers. So to pass the time, I hummed to myself or looked at the landscape, trying to ignore Legolas's presence in back of me. As we rode, I could steadily feel the elevation increase. It became harder for the horses, for the road was now rocky and rarely used. Then Gandalf slowed and I crossed my fingers, hoping we'd stop for a break, because all that bouncing around was killing my back and butt.
"We have reached the foot of the Misty Mountains. We will have to go now on foot, for it will be too difficult for the horses," Gandalf said, dismounting and helping Frodo off. I groaned inwardly. I would rather ride on the same horse as Legolas than walk across mountains. But I had to dismount because I felt sorry for the horse, who had carried me this far.
We formed a line walking and Boromir, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas led the horses. The Hobbits were unusually quiet, for they too were starting to think the quest endless and their spirits were giving up. But Gandalf broke the uneasy silence, by calling me to his side.
We walked further ahead of the group, as to be out of earshot.
"How is you shoulder, Liana," Gandalf asked, looking straight ahead. I notice that he never called me "milady" like the other members of the Fellowship. I also sensed that there was another purpose to this conversation, then about my health.
"It's alright. It hasn't bothered me that much, though it sometimes hurts when I think of…."I didn't want to finish my sentence.
"Ulendiell," Gandalf said matter-of-factually.
"Yes," I said, shuddering. "What do you think he will do now, now that his plan is out in the open and we fled?" I asked, scared of the answer. Gandalf looked behind us, probably to make sure no one else was listening.
"I told Ulendiell almost everything about the Fellowship, the quest, and the Ring, for I did not think he would betray us like Sarumon," Gandalf said, shaking his head.
"But what didn't you tell him?" I asked, remembering how long Gandalf had talked to Ulendiell at the dinner. Gandalf gazed at me with wizened eyes.
"I didn't tell him about you," Gandalf said, giving me a small smile. My mouth formed an "O".
"But then, why did he…..how did he know…..why did he try…." I had too many questions to ask.
"Ulendiell thought you were part of the Fellowship. He might have thought that you were from a distant land, but I cannot be sure. I sensed something uneasy about the way he looked at you, so I chose not to mention anything about you coming from a different time, in fear that he would harm you.
I had been his friend for many years, but that night, I did not, for the first time in my life, trust him. I wanted us all to rest and eat, then move on as quickly as possible. Apparently, he had different plans," Gandalf ended, with a heavy sigh. My mouth was still in an "O".
"So he just thought that I was the weakest-minded of the Fellowship, so I would most easily break under his "persuasion". So there was no hope of finding a way home from there?" I asked, my mind muddled.
"I do not want you to lose hope, like many of the others are," Gandalf said motioning behind us. "I was afraid that if I told you that it would not be mentioned, you would go off and ask him yourself. That you would tell more than was necessary." I bowed my head in embarrassment. I probably would have done that. I looked up at Gandalf.
"Is there any hope, Gandalf, for me to go back home?" I asked straightforward. He pursed his lips and thought for a moment, until turning back to me.
"There is always hope, Liana. I might not have the answer in the palm of my hand, but I can help you in anyway possible. I suggested that we go to Ulendiell, so really, I'm at fault. But you try again and learn from past experiences.
So yes there is hope that you will get home, but at the moment, there is a slight chance that you will." And with that he stopped near a large formation of rocks. I turned away from him and returned to my spot near the Hobbits.
"We will stop here for a little while, but then we must continue on until nightfall.
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I normally don't write so seriously, but Liana needed a reality check and Gandalf was the person to give it to her. Leggy romance coming soon ;~)……..