Chapter 44
The next morning, the fellowship went straight to the ring. Gandalf had told them that night why he was alive and that he had gone through shadows and fire to be here again. And Legolas couldn't tell how grateful he was for it. Without the white wizard, they would probably still be in Isengard's dungeons and be at the mercy of Eero. Just thinking about it gave the prince a cold shiver. Yes, Eero was dead, but that didn't make all the memories the archer had disappeared. In addition, the darkness that was coming closer was heavy on his soul and it was hardly possible to ignore it. The handsome warrior knew that the last fight would take place soon. That there would soon be a battle for the fate of all of Middle Earth. And that time-pressed more and more to destroy the ring of power. At last, they had almost reached the clearing where the fellowship had been captured and Legolas wrinkled his nose as the smell of decay hit him. Apparently, the orcs still didn't think it was necessary to bury their dead.
"What is that nasty smell?", Pippin complained, covering his nose like the rest of the hobbits.
"The stench of death. The orcs don't bury their dead," Gandalf said, continuing on his way.
"Legolas, you should go ahead. Only you know where the ring is," said Aragorn, and smiled at the elf, who was happy to return the gesture. The prince started with light steps and tried to rely on his senses to find out exactly where he had hidden the ring. Fortunately, he found the bush quickly, because the nasty smell made him sick and Sam was already pale around the nose while Frodo's eyes sparkled strangely. Legolas frowned in concern. What was wrong with the little hobbit? Had the ring already darkened the innocent little soul? But the archer knew there was no way to give the ring to anyone else. Lord Elrond had chosen Frodo as the ring bearer and the prince had confidence in both the Lord of Rivendell and Frodo. The handsome warrior knelt down and groped for the stone in the bushes. His fingers caught him, turned him over and gripped the small object. He immediately felt the darkness that lay heavily on his soul and the archer had to find once more that he had never had anything in his hand that had such dark power.
Finally, Legolas straightened up and held out the valuable object to the ring bearer. Without hesitation, Frodo grabbed the ring and the elf worried that his suspicions would be confirmed. Aragorn and Gandalf also seemed to have noticed this, for they too frowned thoughtfully and worriedly.
"The ring," the beautiful warrior whispered to his human friend, who only nodded in response. "He's starting to take possession of Frodo. We have to hurry," the ranger said wearily and the prince nodded in agreement. "Go. We have to reach Rohan if we want to destroy the ring in time."
At that moment the Mirkwood elf noticed that doubts and resistance were forming in the hobbit's eyes. Without thinking much about it, Legolas put a hand on the ring bearer, who looked up irritated.
"Stay strong, little hobbit. You determine our destiny and I know that you will bring peace to Middle-earth and to all beings who live there, even if you should now doubt it so much. The ring is powerful, but you're stronger. Don't let the darkness take over your heart, but hold on to the light." Frodo looked up at the prince, frightened.
"What if I don't make it?" The archer smiled. The little creature should know that it need not be afraid. "You can do it, Frodo. You have been chosen from so many beings to save Middle-earth and I know that you can do it. You are not alone. Trust me. But trust especially you and your heart. Because it will lead you."
