The burden

By: Nimwen

Rating: T

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me but to Tolkien.

Summary: What if Frodo dies in Moria but passes the ring over to Legolas before his dying breath? Will the fellowship break up? And will the elf be able to withstand the darkness of the ring?

Note: I have decided to write this because I had it in my head for a long time and while working I have thought about how this could go on. It interests me what will happen to the fellowship; this is why I'm writing it. Please give it a chance.

I have the film not word for word in mind but I will try to make the scenes alive with my own dialogues. Also the plot and action will change. Some of the characters may not be in this story to the end. But just read it ;)

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Part 1 – Death

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The mighty Balrog stood in the dark, waiting for his deadly strike. "You shall not pass!" Gandalf cried, praying to the Valar that he could rescue the Fellowship. The creature of fire took one more step, breaking the bridge under its weight. The others watched the scene with horror but relieved, that it seemed to be over. Suddenly the fire whip encircled Gandalf's legs and pulled him over the edge. "Gandalf!" Frodo screams trying to run to the wizard. Boromir tried to hold him but the hobbit slipped through his grip. "Fly, you fools!" Gandalf slipped from the stone, not able to hold on any longer. Frodo run further, not noticing the danger he was in. Arrows of the goblins rain upon him.

Legolas reacted at first, going after Frodo. "Bring them out, Aragorn!" The blond glanced at the ranger, pointing at the outgoing. Aragorn wanted to protest but he was to far away from the elf to stop him. He had no other chance but to lead the others out. "Come!" he screamed at them. The shock over Gandalf's death made him harsh. They fled over the stone stairs, into the light of the snowy mountain hill.

"Frodo!" The hobbit could hear the voice, screaming his name but he couldn't stop his feet from going on. He was now at the base of the start of the bridge. Suddenly he heard another scream. His own. Hit by an arrow in the leg, the hobbit broke down. Legolas screamed at him but it was too late. The next arrow hit its mark, embedded in Frodo's throat; the hobbit wasn't able to breathe. An arrow whirled past Legolas' head, reminding the elf of the danger he himself was in. He knelt down and cradled the fading hobbit into his arms. An arrow sliced through his upper arm but he didn't care anymore, running to the exit where the others disappeared moments ago.

Aragorn waited at the hole in the stone but Legolas needed too much time. He could hear the elf scream but it was the scream of Frodo that aroused his attention. Something must have happened. Seconds later the ranger could see his blond friend with a blood covered hobbit on his arms. "No!" His hope crashed down. Legolas knelt down, lying the still hobbit down on the earth. The others from the fellowship gathered around. "Frodo!" – "No!" Sam cried even harder, his face full of tears, trying to get to his friend. Aragorn knelt down, examine the deadly wound but shook his head. Then it was over.

"Legolas…" The elf was the only one who could here Frodo's weak voice. Blood seeped out of the hobbits mouth, running down his jaw. The elf bent down but the other one didn't want to speak anymore. He grasped the elf's hand, urging him to take the one small object, the elf never wanted to have. Then Frodo died in his arms. Sam cradled his friend in his arms and cried like he never had before. Merry and Pippin too knelt beside him. Legolas stood up, going a few steps away. But then again he had to sit down, the shock over the situation still written upon his face. He could feel a hand on his shoulder. "Legolas, is everything alright?" – "No" Legolas couldn't explain it further and waited until Aragorn came around him, kneeling down in front of him.

Aragorn was irritated by the look on his friends face, there were strange feelings, he seldom saw before. Legolas had seen many deaths, even of people standing nearer to him than Frodo. The elf looked down and after a short while, the man followed with his eyes. The long elven fingers closed tightly around something and before Legolas opened them to reveal what he had, Aragorn knew it. There lay the one ring, the ring of the dark lord Sauron. The ring had chosen his next master. "Are you sure, that you want to do this?" Aragorn locked eyes with his friend. "No. But I know that I have to do it. Frodo chose me and I'm sure, not without reason." Deep in the blue eyes were great doubts.

They stayed like that a little longer. To caught up in the situation to notice the spies of Saruman flying past them. "We have to move on!" Aragorn wanted to give them enough time but he knew that they were in danger, presented on the mountain like this. "Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir said with a sorrowful thick voice. "No. by nightfall these hills will be full of orcs. Until then we have to reach Lothlorien." Aragorn turned around and looked at the sitting elf. "Legolas? Come we must go on." The blond stood up. For any other the movements of the elf would seem normal but Aragorn could see the unsteadiness in it. I only hope he can fight the darkness. Aragorn heavily sighed, turning around to face the others. "I will take Frodo. I'm sure the elves in Lothlorien can help us to find a place to bury him." The hobbits were still crying, not able to take any comfort out of his words.

They started their journey to the golden wood. Nobody spoke a word and nobody asked about the ring, convinced, that they have failed.

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I don't know how long the other chapters will be, but I think I will do it scene to scene. Please tell me what you think of it… I hope to post the next chapter soon. I will not write Lothlorien this long because I do not think, that it is holding anything special in it. I think I will write it together with Amon Hen.