Author's Note: Greetings! I have returned with a third Elf-based story. This story takes place after the company departs from Moria, but before they reach Lothlorien. Call it a missing scene if you will. Something interesting had to have happened between leaving Moria and arriving in the woods. I hope you enjoy, and please REVIEW!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, I am just borrowing them for a short while.
Without the Stars
Chapter 1: Into the Dark
Gandalf fell into the shadow in the mines of Moria. That image played over and over in Frodo's mind. He had known the wizard longer than he could remember. Gandalf had been there from his birth on and the young Hobbit always looked forward to the Wizard's visits.
Now they were to be no more. The Belrog had swept him down into the deep places of the Earth, never to be seen again. That image would be forever etched on his soul, something he would carry for the rest of his life. His most deep and painful scar. They had kept running after Gandalf's descent, through the onslaught of Ork arrows.
The Fellowship had emerged from the mines, finally coming back into the light. They all collapsed after leaving, too much in shock to continue. All seeking each other to help them grieve, save Legolas who stood alone, for Elves are a solitary race, and rarely seek comfort in grief. Perhaps that is why grief can kill an immortal Elf as easily as any blade.
Aragorn was the only member of the company to spur them on, leading them towards the Lady of the Wood. The journey there would not be easy, for the Orks from Moria surely knew their route. They all knew they would be followed by this evil until they reached their destination.
It was a journey which would not take too long. A day or two perhaps depending on how quickly the company could keep the Hobbits moving. Their constant need for rest and wood annoyed the others. Boromir actually thought he might be putting on weight due to the fact the Hobbits always asked the others to join in. Gimli and Aragorn every now and then would entertain the Hobbits, but Legolas rarely ate with them. It was obvious why he was so thin, for he seldom ate and when he did it would consist of an apple or something else very small. He always said that Elves, "are light of foot and do not need to eat as often as heavier mortals."
Darkness fell upon the lands of Middle Earth. The Fellowship found themselves in a place of the darkest shadow and still a while from their destination. They could not travel all night. The area they had been traveling in was very suspicious. It had a great deal of large rocks and such scattered about, easy places for an enemy to use to sneak up and attack the travelers. Legolas was sensing that something was amiss.
"Beings of darkness follow us, Aragorn. This is not a good place to camp tonight, but things shall attack if we remain out here in the open."
Aragorn knew better than to second guess the intuition of an Elf and they continued to travel into the night. The ranger knew that some of the Orks from Moria would be tracking them even this far out. The enemy was upset that they were able to cross Moria without being killed and they would see to their demise even this far away from the darkness which was their nest.
The Hobbits began to complain about the late traveling. They were unaccustomed to this and felt that sleep was very necessary. Perhaps when they got a little closer to the Elven haven would they allow them to stop. By then the sun may rise and their danger not so great.
That's when Gimli noticed something near to their path.
"A Cave!" The Dwarf walked closer to investigate. "This would make excellent an place to camp for the rest of the night for nothing could sneak up behind us."
"Proceed with caution, Master Dwarf" Boromir walked to the enterance, "we do not know what might already inhabit this place."
"I will go alone, for I know how to read the rocks." Gimli ventured slowly into the cave, with his ax at the ready. The son of Gloin knew how to investigate dark places very well and it was not long before he reappeared.
"This cave is not that deep, and there is no sign any beings have inhabited it. I say we stop here for the night."
The group entered the cave at Gimli's suggestion. Once there they did notice that the cave was fairly shallow and that the side wall curved back, allowing them somewhere to rest where nothing passing by could see them inside there.
Gimli happily unwrapped his blanket, preparing to sleep. 'What happy fortune' he thought, 'another night under stone, a Dwarf's paradise.'
Aragorn also sat in the cave, relaxing for the first time since entering Moria. All the events from that time slowly coming back into his mind. Gandalf, his mind returned to Gandalf. How he would miss the old Wizard. Would he ever be able to lead to Company as he as asked him to?
"Sleep, Aragorn. Dwelling on past events, which cannot be changed will not help you fight the struggles that surely lie ahead of us." The Ranger looked up and saw Legolas standing in front if him, shimmering faintly like a distant star in the dim light.
"You speak with a great wisdom."
"It comes in time, Aragorn. You will also gain a great wisdom from all you have experienced. These events will shape the future king of Gondor."
Aragorn smiled, yes, it was true. Wisdom comes in time and even though he may not look it, the Elf had a wisdom that comes only when one has lived as long as he has.
Merry settled down and was the last Hobbit to fall asleep. They were a pile of curly hair and feet that stuck out from under the ends of the blankets.
"I say again, sleep Aragorn. I will take the watch." The Elf rose and sat on a stone by the curve in the wall, allowing him to see out, but keeping most of his body hidden from view of the outside.
The Elf sang softly to the night. Aragorn slowly fell asleep to the sounds of beautiful Elven melodies. Lyrics which spoke of the heavens and the earth. Words of the sea and of the wood.
The future king also thought he heard Gimli mumbling something in his sleep about, "gagging the sentimental Elf"
The night passed slowly for Legolas. He did not wish to worry anyone, especially the Hobbits, but he had misgivings about spending another night in a cave. Being away from trees and starlight was starting to take its toll on him. He was feeling weaker and he noticed a subtle change in his appearance. Only he himself would have noticed, but some of his radiance was beginning to fade. Most, even the closest friends to the Elves, know little about their need to be in starlight and in the company of trees.
'It's just having been away from the living world' He thought to himself, 'one more night under stone will not hurt me anymore than four days in the darkness of Moria.'
The Elf kept silent watch, listening to anything from the outside world that might be a threat, along with the occasional snoring from a companion. Suddenly he heard something odd. At first he couldn't be certain what it was, but it grew ever closer. He began to feel very trapped, for if something attacked from the entrance they would have no way out.
"Awaken." Whispered Legolas. The others were quickly on their feet.
"What is it, Legolas?" Boromir stood with his sword drawn and ready, trying to keep as quiet as possible.
"I hear something coming. Listen." They all stood and listened to the sounds of the night.
"There is nothing, Elf." Gimli slowly lowered his ax.
"Do not judge so too quickly, Gimli. An Elf's ears are far superior than ours." Aragorn may have lived with the Elves, but he still did not have their senses. He could also hear nothing in the night.
After a couple more moments, there was still nothing to be heard.
"Perhaps all this time around rock has made me hear things. I apologize, I guess this environment makes one paranoid." He shot a direct glare at Gimli.
"What are you implying?"
Aragorn knew where this was going and interjected, "Let's try to get some more sleep. Legolas, do you wish me to take over the watch?"
"Nay, Aragorn. You need your rest, I will be fine for the remainder of the night."
Legolas kicked himself for being so jumpy. The Prince returned to his post and began to scan the area again. That is when everything began to shake, and it reminded him of being on the cave troll's back. Everyone jumped up at the noise and Legolas stood at the opening of the cave when a horrific sight finally came into view from the dark night.
The attack began with a powerful, unnatural shockwave that threw Legolas into the back wall of the cave.