Title: How Does It Feel (36/?)
Author: palephoenix (palephoenix(underscore)6(at)yahoo.ca)
Genre: LOTR FP-het
Pairing: Legolas/OFC
Rating: PG for now...
Warning: Mary Sue... I'm in a Mary Sue mood... I can't fathom why anyone who doesn't like Mary Sues would read a fic clearly labelled as such... But apparently some have... -rolls her eyes- When you review telling me my story sucks because it's a Mary Sue all you end up doing is giving me my good laugh of the day.
Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.
Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top???
Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. This chapter is written with canon events, not movie events. Some dialogue (and only dialogue) is taken directly, word for word, from the book.
Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.
Chapter 36
The group rode all day, through the evening and into the darkness. By the time they stopped to rest even Aragorn and Legolas were stiff and Eilish could barely move to slide off Arod's back.
"Oh gawd," She groaned, catching hold of Legolas' arm to keep from falling. "I have never been so sore in my life!"
Gandalf would only rest for a few hours. Gimli was quickly snoring, while Aragorn lay stretched out on his back. Eilish curled up with Legolas and the two were soon asleep. Gandalf remained standing, leaning on his staff, looking into the darkness east and west.
The night sky was filled with clouds and a chilly breeze blew when Gandalf woke them. They set off again, for many more hours, until Gimli was nodding off and would have fallen had Gandalf not had hold of him. Arod and Hasufel were tiring, but doggedly followed Shadowfax, who seemed never to tire. Eilish sat with her arms wrapped around Legolas and snoozed, using his quiver of arrows as a pillow.
As they rode the moon sank lower in the sky. The air became cold and the darkness faded to grey. In front of them lay the mountains of the South, their peaks covered with snow.
"Legolas," Gandalf called, "Tell us what you see there before us!"
"I see a white stream that comes down from the snows. Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon the east. A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of Men," Legolas told the wizard. "And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too, are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep."
"Edoras," Eilish sighed with relief. "Finally!"
"Yes," Gandalf said, "Edoras those courts are called. And Meduseld is that golden hall. There dwells Theoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan. We are come with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see before us. But we must ride more warily; for war is abroad, and the Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seem so from afar. Draw no weapons, speak no haughty word," Saying this he shot a look at Eilish, "I counsel you all, until we are come before Theoden's seat."
"Alright, alright," Eilish rolled her eyes. "I'll keep my mouth shut. They probably wouldn't take too well to a woman mouthing off, anyway," She said wryly.
Gimli chuckled. "I do believe you are right, lass."
"Indeed," Gandalf agreed, and the group set out to cross the plain to Edoras.
The morning was bright and clear, though cool. At the bottom of the hill the road passed through the shade of several high mounds covered in green grass. On the western side of the mounds millions of small, white star-shaped flowers grew among the grass.
"Look!" Gandalf called. "How fair are the bright eyes in the grass! Evermind they are called, simbelmyne in this land of Men, for they blossom in all the seasons of the year, and grow where dead men rest. Behold! we are come to the great barrows where the sires of Theoden sleep."
"Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right," Aragorn mused. "Many long lives of men it is since the golden hall was built."
"Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in my home since then," Legolas offered, "And but a little while does that seem to us."
"I guess it seems like a long time to the Rohirrim, though, 'Lass," Eilish reminded him. -leaf-
The five some passed the mounds and followed the winding road up the green-carpeted hill to the gates of Edoras. At the gates there sat several men in bright mail. They jumped to their feet as soon as they saw the riders. They shouted something in the language of the Rohirrim. Gandalf answered in the same tongue, unmindful of the dark looks they were shooting him.
Gandalf had obviously brought up their use of their own language, as the one who answered spoke in Westron. "It is the will of Theoden King that none should enter his gates, save those who know our tongue and are our friends. None are welcome here in days of war but our own folk, and those that come from Mundburg in the land of Gondor. Who are you that you come heedless over the plain thus strangely clad, riding horses like to our own horses? Long have we kept guard here, and we have watched you from afar. Never have we seen other riders so strange, nor any horses more proud that is one of these that bear you. He is one of the Mearas, unless our eyes are cheated by some spell. Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantom of his craft? Speak now and be swift!"
Eilish sighed. "Men," She muttered irritably.
"We are no phantoms," Aragorn spoke up, "Nor do your eyes cheat you. For indeed these are your own horses that we ride, as you well knew ere you asked, I guess. But seldom does thief ride home to the stable. Here are Hasufel and Arod, that Eomer, Third Marshall of the Mark, lent to us, only two days ago. We bring them back now, even as we promised him. Has not Eomer then returned and given warning of our coming?"
The guard looked troubled. "Of Eomer I have naught to say," He said wearily. "If what you tell me in truth, then doubtless Theoden will have heard of it. Maybe your coming was not wholly unlooked-for. It is but two nights ago that Wormtongue came to us and said that by the will of Theoden no stranger should pass these gates."
Eilish couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Wormtongue?! That greasy little bastard?"
The guard looked shocked and Gandalf shot her a sharp look. She covered mouth to stifle a snicker.
"Wormtongue?" Gandalf repeated. "Say no more! My errand is not to Wormtongue, but to the Lord of the Mark himself. I am in haste. Will you not go or send to say that we are come?"
The guard agreed hesitantly, and asked what names he might give.
"I am Gandalf. I have returned," The wizard told him. "And behold! I too bring back a horse. Here is Shadowfax the Great, whom no other hand can tame. Here beside me is Aragorn son of Arathorn, the heir of Kings and it is to Mundburg that he goes," He went on. "Here also are Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our comrades, and the Lady Eilish. Go now and say to your master that we are at his gates and would have speech with him, if he will permit us to come into his hall."
"Strange names you give indeed! But I will report them as you bid, and learn my master's will," The guard told the travellers. "Wait here a little while, and I will bring you such answer as seems good to him. Do not hope too much! These are dark days." The guard went away then, quickly, leaving the Fellowship under the watchful eyes of his comrades.
After some time the guard returned and called to the Company. "Follow me!" He said. "Theoden gives you leave to enter; but any weapon that you bear, be it only a staff, you must leave on the threshold. The doorwardens will keep them."
The guards swung open the tall, dark gates and the travellers entered, following their guide. The path was now paved with stones, winding up to carefully laid stone steps. They passed many wooden houses, their doors dark. A stream of clean, clear water ran along the path. At the top of the hill sat a high platform, surrounded by a grassy terrace, at the foot of which the spring sprang from a stone carved as a horse's head. A set of stone steps went up the terrace. On either side of the top step were seats of stone. Guards sat upon them, with drawn swords laid across their knees. Their guide bid them farewell and quickly descended the stairs to return to his post at the gate.
The Company dismounted and climbed the stairs. The stair-guards stood, but watched wordlessly until Gandalf reached the top of the stairs. Then they politely spoke a greeting in their own language and turned the hilts of their swords toward the Company as a gesture of peace.
"I am the doorward of Theoden," said one of the men, stepping forward. "Hama is my name. Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter."
Legolas willingly handed over his knives, his quiver and his bow. "Keep these well," He said, "For they come from the Golden Wood and the Lady of Lothlorien gave them to me."
The man stared at the weapons in wonder, and quickly laid them aside as if afraid to handle them. "No man will touch them, I promise you," He said.
Eilish hesitated a moment, then handed over the bow, quiver and sword Elrond had given her. "Those come from Rivendell," She said cheekily, "Lord Elrond gave them to me."
The man's eyes bugged out and he hastily laid them aside with Legolas' things.
Aragorn was visibly hesitating, looking worried. "It is not my will," He said, "To put aside my sword or to deliver Anduril to the hand of any other man."
"It is the will of Theoden," Hama said, a trifle sharply.
Aragorn exchanged words with him for a few minutes, Hama moving to block the door, his sword in hand.
"Hey now!" Eilish exclaimed. "No need for either of you to fly off the handle about this. Aragorn, explain why you're hesitant about handing over Anduril. I'm sure Hama will understand."
"Yes," Gandalf seconded, "Come, come! We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward if we quarrel. My errand is pressing. Here at least is my sword, goodman Hama. Keep it well. Glamdring it is called, for the Elves made it long ago. Now let me pass. Come, Aragorn!"
Still somewhat worried, Aragorn slowly removed his sword belt and laid it against the wall himself. "Here I set it," He said, "But I command you not to touch it, nor permit any other to lay hand on it. In this elvish sheath dells the Blade that was Broken and has been made again. Telchar first wrought it in the deeps of time. Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword save Elendil's heir."
Hama looked at Aragorn in amazement. "It seems that you are come in the wings of song out of the forgotten days," He said in awe. "It shall be, lord, as you command."
"Well, if it has Anduril to keep it company, my axe may stay here, too, without shame," Gimli decided and laid his axe on the floor. "Now then, if all is as you wish, let us go and speak with your master."
Hama still wavered. "Your staff," He said. "Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors."
"Foolishness!" Gandalf said, grumpily. "Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my staff as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Theoden to hobble out himself to speak to me."
Eilish couldn't stop a bubble of laughter. "You're seriously going to take away an old man's walking stick?"
"The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age," Hama said. "Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in."
"Thanks," Eilish smiled back at Hama as she took Legolas' hand and followed the others toward the doors of the golden hall.