Elrond sat quietly by Legolas' bed, staring at the tangled sheets and
tossed pillow. The quilt was damp with sweat, and the scent of that mixed
with different herbs and ales was almost staggering. But Elrond didn't
notice it. All he noticed was that the bed was empty. Slowly, he got up and
began to tidy it up, pulling the sheets tight and the quilt straight,
making it was wrinkle-free as possible. The torn and bloodied clothes on
the floor were carelessly kicked into the hamper, for some Elf-maid to
retrieve later. Rubbing his temples, he sighed heavily. This was the second
time. This was the last time. He could never have his poor, beaten heart
broken again....and for that one simple thought, Elrond was thankful.
"...When can I start out again?"
This was the last time. If his heart was broken again, he would die within a moment. No treatment could ever help. This was the last time.
"Tomorrow evening, and that's only because I pity you. If you were in any other situation, you wouldn't leave my sight for weeks." Elrond said as he watched Legolas, clad in dark green and earthy brown, pack his bag for his trip.
"Do you know where they are, master Elrond? I can track them down, but time is precious."
"I have no idea, but if they progressed correctly, and what you tell me is true, they could be at the gates of the Mines or Moria. Take great heed when you go, I don't feel right about this. Godspeed."
"Thank you, Elrond...for everything. For saving my life again. For everything."
"I am at your service, Archer of Mirkwood. You father will not know."
____________________________________________________________________________ ______
"Speak, friend, and enter."
Gandalf sat, hunched over, on a rock infront of the door of Moria. He had tried all the incantations, spells, tricks and sprites he could ever remember...
...nothing was happening. Leave it up to Elves and Dwarves to protect things.
'Most things, anyway.' he thought as his eyes shifted over to the large tree to the left of him, and the female sitting on one of the branches. As her legs were swinging, she shuffled in her bag trying to find some article or another. Finally, she pulled out a 6 inch piece of wood, carved round and long, and hollowed out. Samwise gasped and trotted over to her.
"Pardon me, Missus Link, but isn't that an Elven flute?"
Linaael smiled, and held it out for him to inspect. His hands flew over the wood as he petted it and admired it.
"Can you play anything?" His inquiry brought no words, but he took it as she could when she brought it up to her lips. A lively, quick melody flowed through the air, and Sam went to sit next to Frodo. Everyone forgot their troubles for a few minutes, as they smiled and listened to Linaael play. Sooner than the hobbits wished, her song was over. She was thinking about putting it away, when Pippin's voice spoke up, quietly.
"Could you play just one more?" She saw the pleading in their eyes, and obliged to one more song. This time, it was slow and doomy. Legolas had taught her this one. She didn't figure anyone would know it...until Sam's voice started to sing softly.
"Gilgalad was an Elven king,
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
The last whose realm was fair and free,
between the mountains and the sea;
His sword was long, his lance was keen
His shining helm afar was seen.
The countless stars of heavens field,
were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
For into darkness fell his star,
In Mordor where the shadows are..."
Sam stopped singing, but Linaael kept playing. There was more to this sad tune, but Sam knew not of it. Frodo's heart was suddenly heavy, and Sam sensed that. Taking his Master's hand, he rubbed it between his own. After awhile, she abruptly stopped. Everyone looked at her in confusion, until she spoke up.
"It's a riddle, Gandalf. 'Speak FRIEND and Enter.' Gandalf..."
Gandalf thought for a few moments, then turned a bright crimson. Elvish for Friend.
"Mellon!"
The doors opened. They were in. At least, until Frodo screamed in terror.
____________________________________________________________________________
He ran through the woods as fast as he could, leaving no footprint, no sign of his fleeing. He had to find her. He had to. He longed for her, to hold her, to see her cry for him...
Run. Run. Run.
He had to go faster, it was nightfall, and he had left day before yesterday. He should have been there by now. He had told his horse to leave a long time ago. He had so precious few hours left.
Run. Run. Run.
Finally, he saw the doors...open!! But what was that? He skidded and drew his bow. There was Frodo, a long tenticle curled around him, squeezing him to death...
____________________________________________________________________
**Authors Note: GEE...wonder what THAT could be...**
"...When can I start out again?"
This was the last time. If his heart was broken again, he would die within a moment. No treatment could ever help. This was the last time.
"Tomorrow evening, and that's only because I pity you. If you were in any other situation, you wouldn't leave my sight for weeks." Elrond said as he watched Legolas, clad in dark green and earthy brown, pack his bag for his trip.
"Do you know where they are, master Elrond? I can track them down, but time is precious."
"I have no idea, but if they progressed correctly, and what you tell me is true, they could be at the gates of the Mines or Moria. Take great heed when you go, I don't feel right about this. Godspeed."
"Thank you, Elrond...for everything. For saving my life again. For everything."
"I am at your service, Archer of Mirkwood. You father will not know."
____________________________________________________________________________ ______
"Speak, friend, and enter."
Gandalf sat, hunched over, on a rock infront of the door of Moria. He had tried all the incantations, spells, tricks and sprites he could ever remember...
...nothing was happening. Leave it up to Elves and Dwarves to protect things.
'Most things, anyway.' he thought as his eyes shifted over to the large tree to the left of him, and the female sitting on one of the branches. As her legs were swinging, she shuffled in her bag trying to find some article or another. Finally, she pulled out a 6 inch piece of wood, carved round and long, and hollowed out. Samwise gasped and trotted over to her.
"Pardon me, Missus Link, but isn't that an Elven flute?"
Linaael smiled, and held it out for him to inspect. His hands flew over the wood as he petted it and admired it.
"Can you play anything?" His inquiry brought no words, but he took it as she could when she brought it up to her lips. A lively, quick melody flowed through the air, and Sam went to sit next to Frodo. Everyone forgot their troubles for a few minutes, as they smiled and listened to Linaael play. Sooner than the hobbits wished, her song was over. She was thinking about putting it away, when Pippin's voice spoke up, quietly.
"Could you play just one more?" She saw the pleading in their eyes, and obliged to one more song. This time, it was slow and doomy. Legolas had taught her this one. She didn't figure anyone would know it...until Sam's voice started to sing softly.
"Gilgalad was an Elven king,
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
The last whose realm was fair and free,
between the mountains and the sea;
His sword was long, his lance was keen
His shining helm afar was seen.
The countless stars of heavens field,
were mirrored in his silver shield.
But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
For into darkness fell his star,
In Mordor where the shadows are..."
Sam stopped singing, but Linaael kept playing. There was more to this sad tune, but Sam knew not of it. Frodo's heart was suddenly heavy, and Sam sensed that. Taking his Master's hand, he rubbed it between his own. After awhile, she abruptly stopped. Everyone looked at her in confusion, until she spoke up.
"It's a riddle, Gandalf. 'Speak FRIEND and Enter.' Gandalf..."
Gandalf thought for a few moments, then turned a bright crimson. Elvish for Friend.
"Mellon!"
The doors opened. They were in. At least, until Frodo screamed in terror.
____________________________________________________________________________
He ran through the woods as fast as he could, leaving no footprint, no sign of his fleeing. He had to find her. He had to. He longed for her, to hold her, to see her cry for him...
Run. Run. Run.
He had to go faster, it was nightfall, and he had left day before yesterday. He should have been there by now. He had told his horse to leave a long time ago. He had so precious few hours left.
Run. Run. Run.
Finally, he saw the doors...open!! But what was that? He skidded and drew his bow. There was Frodo, a long tenticle curled around him, squeezing him to death...
____________________________________________________________________
**Authors Note: GEE...wonder what THAT could be...**
