Title: The Unpredicted
Pairing: Bella/Legolas
Summary: Years have passed since the reclaiming of Erebor and Bilbo's ring forgotten… till now.
Author Note: Okay, the sequel!
BTW I should mention "Italics" are the elves speaking in their native tongue Sindarin. "Bold Italics" is when they are speaking in Khuzdul. Italics without the "-" is thoughts either thinking to one another or general thought.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the twilight series and I really don't own any of Tolkien's amazing work.
Third POV
A whisper, multiple whispers is what pulled Frodo from his blissful dreamless sleep. Confusion swept through him as he tried to shake off the sleep haze that was trying to pull him back under. He took stock of what was around him, remembering words that Bilbo told him long ago when he woke up in Bag End as a child after the death of his parents.
Feel what is beneath you, what is around you and listen to the sounds… it will help.
Frodo could feel the fine dirt under his fingers, crumbling leaves and as he breathed in he could smell the familiar scent of cooking food and feel the small fire at his back.
"My tomato's burst!"
"Can I have some bacon?"
"Ok. Want a tomato, Sam?"
His eyes shot open once more, his body lurching upwards as he whipped around to face the others in disbelief and terror. Sam, Merry, and Pippin huddled over a small fire laughing as they picked at their food.
"What are you doing?" He asked horrified, drawing the others attention.
Merry grinned as he pointed to the food at his feet. "Tomatoes, sausages, and nice crispy bacon."
Frodo scrambled to his feet, missing what Sam had said to him as his heart was the only thing he could hear as it leapt into his throat. He ignored the others as he began to shout and stamp out the fire, his eyes wild as he scanned the area around them in panic.
Pippin's voice washed over them all, Merry's dying in his throat as the screech pierced the night air the second the fire was put out. All four hobbits cast a look down and across the fog covered ground to see the dark shadows of the creatures that were hunting them, the heavy blanket of fog curling up and around them making them seem more ominous.
"Go," Frodo whispered as he drew his sword. "GO!"
All four ran and climbed as fast as they could till they were at the very top of the tower ruins, back to back and swords drawn. Their eyes scanned the darkness for what they knew was coming because of their foolishness. Suddenly, Frodo stopped, his gaze drawn to a spot between two pillars before him. The dark foul creature stepped from the darkness into the light and drew its sword while four more joined it.
All five creatures advanced towards them, their swords pointed level with their heads and each step they took forward all four hobbits took two steps back. Where were Strider and Canadriel?
Sam who was shaking with fear jerked forward and swung his sword. "Back, you Devils!"
Merry and Pippin shared a look and stepped in front of Frodo with a gulp as Sam was knocked back by one of the creatures, yelps escaping their own lips as the icy hands flung them away from their cousin with force. Fear jolted through Frodo, his sword clattering to the ground as he scrambled backwards. A dark whisper fills his ears as the ring in his pocket grew heavy, jolting him.
The ring turns him invisible, of course!
With clumsy hands caused by terror Frodo pulls the ring from his pocket and shoves it on his finger with a gasp, just as the creature before him raises his sword to strike out. He sees the wispy, ghostly shapes of the creatures, their skeletal faces wearing crowns upon their heads and Frodo doesn't know what was more terrifying, the black robes or this.
The Witch King reaches out for the Ring, which is glowing. Frodo's hand is drawn to the hand of the Witch King, at the last moment he pulls it away from the wraith hand before him and cries out as the creature stabs at him and fire burned its way through his body.
A large cry filled the night as a bright blinding light flung back the Nazgûl with screeches. Bella snapped her teeth at the creatures as they advanced forward once more, her sword slashing out as they charged forward once more. She could see the hobbits rally towards Frodo while Aragorn made sure that the Nazgûl that she could not fight stayed away.
Fire flashed in the corner of her eyes and Bella jerked back as the Nazgûl screamed before fleeing. They both shared an amused chuckle before it was shattered by the cry of pain from behind them.
"Strider! Canadriel! Help him!" Sam yelled frantically.
Aragorn rushed to their side immediately, his hand grasping the blade at Frodo's side. His stomach dropped as he cast a look up at his friend before hissing as the blade burnt up and turned to ash in his hand. "He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade. This is beyond my skill to heal."
Bella understood what Aragorn was telling her, he himself could not heal the wounds and though she was old and was well versed in elvish healing she was not as good as her brother. All she could do was hold off the effect for as long as she could so they could get Frodo to Rivendell and to her brother.
In a blink of an eye, she had Frodo in her arms, her sword passed onto Aragorn as she rushed down the winding path of Weathertop and down into the forests towards the quickest route to her home.
Aragorn lit a spare torch and held it high as he led the hobbits through the darkened woods after Canadriel who was several yards ahead of them. The screeches of the Nazgûl rent the air causing them all to quicken their pace. "Hurry!"
"It's six days from Rivendell! He'll never make it!" Sam cried out in a pant, his ears twitching as he could hear Frodo moaning and whispered words in elvish.
XX
The loud clangs and clatter of marching and working orcs below had settled a deep sadness and fear in Gandalf, he had been left alone for now as Saruman continued with his betrayal of what they stood for.
The grounds that was once full of fertile land and lush trees in their slumber was now a barren war torn earth with cracks gouged deep into the earth. War was coming, an army was being born and though he had faced worse in his long life he wasn't sure that this would be too much for all those that were free.
A flutter catches his interest with the soft cool breeze and with a quick jerk, his hand closes gently around the moth, his heart rejoicing as he whispered his pleas to the messenger. Radagast, though not here, was able to keep providing aid. "Gwaihir go! Gwaihir!"
He watched the small messenger flutter away, his eyes slipping closed as he settled down to wait. Help will come.
XX
Voices and memories flooded Bella's mind as she came to a stop in a familiar clearing, one she had been in long ago with thirteen Dwarrow and a hobbit, but this time she was not cast aside in a sack as three trolls argued over how they were going to cook all of them but now they stood as a sentry, frozen in the same pose as the sun made them.
…they're in-infested with parasites…
… We don't have parasites!
Let me help you, Lady Bella…
Master Fili…
…Óin, Lady Bella might need some aid!...
I AM NEAR NAKED! Do not touch it! TURN AROUND!
…FILI!...
When the others arrived at the clearing Canadriel had stopped in, the hobbits were gasping and heaving before staring up at the three stone figures now covered in moss and ivy due to age. They knew what this place was, the story from Master Bilbo bout the Three Trolls was a popular story and well loved.
Though they were occupied by the figures, Aragorn was moving closer to his friend as Frodo moaned in discomfort. Her eyes were glazed over and her face was set in sadness…
"Canadriel?" Aragorn asked in concern, laying his hand upon her shoulder.
Jolting, Bella loosened her hold before gently laying Frodo on the ground as her eyes scanned the darkened field. No longer was it cast with a warm light, sacks no longer riddled the ground as Dwarrow laughed and moaned as they gathered their things. "We need Athelas for the wound."
Sam catching the movement hurried to Bilbo's side; look up as Mister Frodo's eyes scanned the night and the stone faces. "Look Frodo. It's Mister Bilbo's trolls."
Frodo gasps for breath as his eyes begin to cloud over; Samwise felt his heart jolt as his hand touched his forehead to feel ice. "He's going cold!"
Words were said between the others and Strider but Canadriel had fallen to her knees at the top of Frodo's crown, her hands glowing softly as she began to chant, falling into her magic to guide Frodo back. She could trust Aragorn to keep her safe and to find the plant she needed.
The screeches rent the air once more, closer. "Sam! Do you know the Athelas plant? Kingsfoil?"
"Athelas? Kingsfoil." Sam asked in confusion, why does he need that? "Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed!"
Taking Sam by his shoulder Aragorn explained. "It may help to slow the poison. Hurry!"
Both he and Sam ventured through the forest, leaving Merry and Pippin to stand guard over Frodo and the elf. Their eyes scanning the darkness and flinched with every crack and crunch that could be heard in the darkness around them.
Light was all that Frodo could see, blinding and pure. Flecks of silver and gold glittered in the white like diamonds and stars, it was a comfort to him, warm and yet sad. A whisper in his ear, pulling him back from the darkness as it called to him.
Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad… Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad…
Over and over it chanted until another light caught his eye, brighter than the one that called to him but it was not as comforting. It was not as sad and it did not glitter with flecks of gold and silver. It moved closer to where he lay and began to fade, revealing a figure in the centre… a maiden upon a great steed.
"Frodo Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad…" (I am Arwen. I have come to help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light.) The newcomer chanted, her voice smoother than the one that kept him grounded now as she dismounts and walks towards him kneeling at his side.
Sam and Pippin watch on with worry as Merry frowns confused. "Who is she?"
"She's an elf," Sam explained, his eyes flicking between the two as Strider kneels at their side.
Arwen flinched as she saw her Aunt, her shoulders slumped forward and unaware as she kept Frodo from the shadow world. "He's fading." She whispered to her love as she pulled back the tunic to reveal the wound.
A gasp of pain escaped Frodo's lips as Aragorn pressed the chewed up Athelas into the wound.
"He's not going to last. We must get him to my father; Canadriel cannot hold him here like this, not when she is needed." Arwen explained hurriedly, grasping her Aunt's shoulder as her love plucked Frodo from under her hands causing her to fall forward. "I've been looking for you for two days. There are five wraiths behind you, where the other four are I do not know."
Canadriel blinked as the world came back into view, exhaustion creeping up on her. She waved her niece away, hiding the surprise at her sudden appearance and grimaced at the ache in her legs, her wounds pulling from their stiffness.
"Dartho guin perian. Rych le ad tolthathon." Aragorn stated as he hoisted Frodo into the saddle, pleading with Arwen to stay here.
"Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im." Arwen argued and even though he knew that she was indeed the faster rider, the road was too dangerous.
"What are they saying?" Pippin asked as the soft lulling syllables reached their ears.
"They are arguing over who is to go ahead with Bilbo, the road is dangerous and so Strider is worried by my niece is a skilled fighter and she has a valid point," Canadriel stated, the last part louder than needed, attracting Aragorn's attention. His shoulders sagged and he nodded if his Lady and friend said that it was Arwen who had to go then he will agree.
He helped her on the horse, her hand stilling her as she went to leave. "Ride hard. Don't look back."
Be safe… was his unsaid worries.
"Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim!" Arwen urged her horse forward, to ride as fast as she could.
"The river will protect you Arwen!" Canadriel yelled into the night. "Use it!"
XX
Arwen pushed Asfaloth as hard as she was able through the fields and open plains. Through the woodlands that bordered her home, she was close.
A flash of black in the trees catches her eye and with a quick look she could see the black rider amongst them, her hands grasping the reins of her horse with fear and urgency as the rider moves to her side, the others joining it and closing her in. She dodges in and out of the trees, hissing when a branch slices across her cheek as she glanced back to see where the riders were. In open ground, eight wraiths now follow her. Frodo looks sideways at the wraiths as one reaches out his hand to him.
"Noro lim Asfaloth!" (Ride faster Asfaloth!) She urged her horse, digging her heels into Asfaloth's side.
The river came into view and relief flooded into her, it was the border of her home, the border of where her father's magic and the magic of her people reached. Arwen rides across to the other side and into safety, whilst the nine wraiths stand on the opposite shore facing her, their horses rearing in frustration, the wraiths screeching.
"Give up the halfling She-elf." The guttural growl of the black rider echoed across the gap.
Drawing her sword she remembered the words that echoed the night as she left Aragorn and her aunt. "If you want him. Come and claim him!"
All nine wraiths draw their swords at the challenge and push their horses forward into the water.
"Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!" She chants her eyes slipping close as she emerged herself into the power of the river, calling it to aid. "Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!"
The water bubbles and gurgles as a loud roar echoed down from them, followed by a great wave. The wraiths horses neigh with fear and they begin to turn and flee, only to be swept away from the mighty force of the river's wrath.
A gasp escaped Frodo and in a blink Arwen had him lying on the ground, she could feel the hold that her aunt had placed on him fading with the strain of the distance between them. Tears spring into her eyes as she hugs him to her chest and begs for her father to hurry, whispering words into Frodo's ear, begging him to stay.
Frodo could hear the voices, but the light had once more taken over his vision. Another voice joined the others, louder and stronger than the one that held him from a distance and the one that joined them in the field. He was being asked to come back to them, to stay in the light.
XX
"Where am I?" The words were rasped as he blearily called out into the blinding light once more.
"You are in the House of Elrond." A familiar voice explained as the light begins to fade. "And it is ten o'clock in the morning on October the 24th, if you want to know."
He knew his eyes were still closed as a frown pulled at his brows; the voice was familiar and amused. An image of a grey hat and mischievous eyes with a flare of fireworks flashed across his mind, causing Frodo to snap his eyes open and look to the side. "Gandalf!"
Gandalf sat beside the bed, a slight frown upon his brow as he puffed at his pipe. "Yes, I am here and you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours and you would have been beyond our aid, but you have some strength in you my dear hobbit."
Frodo sits up and clutches his left shoulder as it twinged in pain. "What happened Gandalf, why did you not meet us?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Frodo," Gandalf sighed looking into the distance. "I was delayed."
Saruman had tried once more to force him into joining Sauron. Telling him to embrace the power of the ring, or embrace his destruction. But Gandalf would not, could not be swayed by his words and brute force. He would not show his fear to who used to be his friend and thankfully Gwahir had arrived to save him.
It took near a day for him to reach Rivendell and then the night to explain to Elrond what he had seen and that Saruman had fallen from the light and created an army. He had managed to explain it all when Elrond sensed the power shift, his daughter calling for aid and he had waited for his return when Frodo was brought to the healers…
"Gandalf? What is it?" Frodo asked concerned.
Shaking his head of the memory he turned his eyes to Frodo once more. "Nothing Frodo."
"FRODO!" Samwise yelled as he turned the corner into the room and saw Frodo awake, he rushed to his side and hugged him gently with a wide grin. "Bless you; you're awake."
"Sam." Frodo greeted with a smile and a laugh.
"Sam has hardly left your side." Gandalf chuckled with a smile.
Samwise sat on the bed the grin still on his face as he looked between the two. "We were that worried about you, weren't we Mister Gandalf?
"By the skills of Lord Elrond," Gandalf started, turning his head as Elrond entered the room. "You're beginning to mend."
Frodo watched as a regal elf stepped to Gandalf's side, his dark hair pulled back into slight braids and a soft smile of welcome on his face. "Welcome to Rivendell Frodo Baggins."
Author Note: God damn… this chapter is a mess of things haha…