Thanks for your reviews, glad you like my story!
disclaimer: As i've said before, i don't own the Lord of the Rings characters, i'm just borrowing them to write a fic.
Aragorn hung his head, too ashamed to look Legolas in the face. "I choose......to fight for you Saruman...", he said slowly, the bitterness of his choice pouring from the depths of his heart.
"No Aragorn!", Boromir cried, pulling himself from the wall, only to be held back by his chains,"You must not!"
"Boromir, i could not live with myself knowing that i had betrayed you all to your deaths", Aragorn said sadly.
"But Aragorn", Legolas argued weakly,"Can you live with yourself knowing that you have brought ruin apon middle earth?"
"Silence!", Saruman bellowed,"The ranger has made his choice. Close your eyes Aragorn."
"Why?", Aragorn said hoarsely, only now was the true meaning of his desicion dawning on him.
"I have commanded you!", Saruman spat wildly,"Close them, and chant these words. Lio puint erfad guhy."
Aragorn bowed his head, and closed his eyes, oblivious to the staring eyes around him."Lio puint erfad guhy."
Outside the chamber, the sword Merry held tightly in his hands began to glow. It vibrated wildly in his hands, and began to float toward the chamber door, dragging Merry with it.
"What's happening!", cried Merry.
"It has begun", his companion said,"Aragorn has chosen to fight for Saruman rather than to destroy his friends. A noble act, but one which shall live to haunt him should it be carried out. The sword returns to it's master, in a few seconds we shall be inside that dreaded chamber, and you must be ready to battle master Merry."
Merry swallowed his fear, and turned to his companion."I am. For middle earth."
"Why call out these words Saruman?", Aragorn asked, growing impatient with the wizard.
"They shall return your sword to you", Saruman said impatiently."It was stolen for my chest. I placed this spell on the sword mearly as a safety measure, and now i shall see the thief. He who dares steal from Saruman the White will be greatly punished."
The chamber door creaked open, and with the mighty sword shaking wildly in his hands, Merry entered the room. There were mixed emotions as his tiny feet stepped over the threshold.
"A hobbit!", Saruman cried, outraged that such a creature could have gotten past his defences,"A hobbit stole the sword of the heir of Gondor!"
"Merry!", shrieked Frodo,"you are alive!"
Feeling the hearbeat and calling of Aragorn, the sword rose and left Merry's outstreched hand. It travelled at lighting speed toward Aragorn.
"No Aragorn!", Merry cried urgently,"You must not touch the sword! Saruman has woven evil charms through it, it shall corrupt you! Do not touch it!"
"It is too late for your warnings hobbit!", Saruman cackled as Anduril connected with Aragorn."The sword hath touched his hand, once more it is in the hands of it's true master!"
"No Aragorn!", Gimli cried,"Dispose of it!"
But Aragorn could not. The evil magic began to flow through his veins. Fighting stiffly, Aragorn tried to release himself from his sword, gazing at the frightened look on the face of the hobbit who had returned his partner to him. Eventually, Aragorn managed to speak. The powerful charms weaving their way through his body could not slow his heart.
"Saruman!", he cried,"Free my companions. You have no quarrel with them, i have chosen to fight for you, i have kept my side of the bargain. Release them!"
But Saruman only laughed."Never did i say i would release them ranger, i said only that i would not sumbit your elven friend to the torment of my orcs."
Aragorn fought with his sword as the spells that Saruman had placed deep within it struggled to take effect. The more Aragorn weilded the sword, the more control the spells had over his body. Wildly, he struggled against the dark magic. "You have double crossed me Saruman! If you do not release my companions, then what do you plan to do with them?"
Saruman waved his arm decisively."Kill them."
"But you cannot, you say you do not deal in death, only in punishment", Aragorn fought back.
Saruman looked on at the ranger, his lips curving into an icy smile."Correct ranger, i do not deal in death. I may double cross, but never do i make false statements about myself. I am not going to destroy them. You are."
"No!", Boromir yelled, trying ineffectively to get free of his chains.
"You cannot force me to do that Saruman!", Aragorn's hand shook, as he forcifully raised the knife towards his own chains.
"I can!", Saruman bellowed,"I command you now. Raise the sword Anduril, and release yourself from the chains!"
Horrified, Aragorn saw his bearer hand rise upwards, and across. He swiftly cut the chains holding him to the wall, the solid steel of Anduril slicing through the metal easily.
"Now!", Saruman cried gleefully,"To the elf!"
Legolas looked on in horror as his friend edged closer toward him, bearing the instrument of his doom."Aragorn! You must not!", Legolas cried in vain,"Do not allow yourself to be corrupted by him. Fight the evil Aragorn, you cannot allow it to take over your body, for once it has, it will consume your mind!"
Aragorn stared into the eyes of the elf."I am so sorry Legolas. I should have listened to you. It will be my fault if middle earth is destroyed."
Legolas gazed into Aragorn's eyes, feeling sorrow for his friend. It had not been his fault, he had been trying to save the others from torment. He had done what he had thought was right."It matters not Aragorn", the elf replied, his eyes glistening in both sorrow and hope,"You can do it Aragorn. Trust yourself, and i forsee that you will suceed."
Hesitantly, Merry placed the ring of power on his finger once more, he had to do something to save his friends, after all, he had brought the sword to Aragorn, so esentially it had been his fault that Aragorn was now corrupted with Saruman's evil energy. He placed his sword ready underneath his cloak, the time had come for him to battle. As he watched Aragorn try to control the sword, without any great sucess, Merry edged over toward Gimli.
"Hush", he whispered in Gimli's ear,"It is me, Merry, i am going to cut your bonds, so be ready to fight Saruman and his orcs."
Gimli obeyed, and in seconds he was free.
"Stay still, until i give the signal", Merry comanded, astonishing himself with his chosen tone of voice. He moved swiftly toward Boromir, telling him the same. Boromir, being a man from the city, was loath to listen to the orders of a hobbit, but then he realised that Merry spoke the truth, and so waited.
As Merry slipped toward Frodo, Aragorn edged closer to Legolas.
"Destroy him!", Saruman ordered resolutely, "Destroy the elf!"
"Legolas......", Aragorn breathed, as he tryed to stop himself destroying his friend,"I cannot keep up....the power, it is weilding a force within me that i did not know was there. The desire to butcher and kill thirsts now in my blood. I am sorry, i do not mean to harm you."
Legolas sighed,"please Aragorn", he said weakly,"Do not give up."
There was a bang, and Anduril glowed jet black, almost as if Saruman had poured his own heart and soul into the charms.
"Now Aragorn, my warrior!", Saruman shouted to the ranger,"You bear the full thrust of the black magic, i command you now. Destroy him!"
Aragorn lunged toward Legolas....and toppled over. Anger raging in his face, he stood once more, determined to mutilate the elf.
Merry lay on the floor, Aragorn had tripped on his outstreched body as he had finished cutting Frodo's bonds. He appeared to all the creatures in the room. The ring of power had slipped off.
"The ring!", Saruman cried, forgetting his hatred of the elf,"That hobbit is the ring bearer! Eliminate him Aragorn!"
Aragorn turned from Legolas's defenseless body, and poised, turned towards Merry.
Merry gave a cry of horror, and jumped into the air."Now!", he cried, stumbling from Aragorn as fast as his legs could carry him.
Boromir and Gimli cried in victory, free at last from their chains. The picked up the orc weapons that lay on the floor, wary of touching them, but braving the thought, they had to save Aragorn, and Legolas.
"Kill them!", Saruman commanded his orcs sharply, as he followed Merry and Aragorn from the chamber, eager to see the fight between them
The orcs at once obliged, and poured into the battle.
Frodo unsheathed Sting quickly, and made his way to Legolas. Quickly, he cut his bonds.
"We must find a way to break the spells of Saruman!", he said to the elf urgently,"We must save Aragorn!"
"There is no way to break spells of that kind without estremely powerful magic Frodo. I am not an elf lord, nor do i pocess the power to summoun one. If the spell is to be broken, the magic must come from Aragorn's own heart, and now that the spells have taken his mind, it is too late. The spell cannot be broken. If we wish to save middle earth Frodo, we must defeat Aragorn.", Legolas hung his head sadly.
"But we cannot!", Frodo cried,"He is our friend. He took over as best he could after Gandalf had fallen in the shadow. We cannot destroy him!"
"Look out Frodo!", Legolas cried, slicing an orc in two with an orc blade he had picked up from the grouund, for the orcs had taken his long knife."We must at least try to wrench the sword from Aragorn. Maybe then there will be a little hope, but not a lot."
"It's worth a try!", Frodo slashed out at an orc with Sting. "I will alert Gimli and Boromir, you must try to find Merry!"
Legolas and Frodo parted and ploughed their way through the battle.
"The sword!", Frodo cried to his commerades over the thick of the war,"We must try to wrench the sword from Aragorn, it is the only hope we have of recovering him!"
"We must take Anduril?", Gimli questioned.
"Yes!", cried Frodo,"We must, for if we do not, then middle earth will be in ruins!"
"Then we will attempt to take his sword", Boromir said gravely.
"Come!", Frodo pointed to where Aragorn was hunting Merry,"We haven't much time!"
Merry had fallen into the corner. He lay, his sword unsheathed, and ready for battle with his commerade.
Aragorn turned the corner stoutly. Then he saw him.
Merry looked pitifully into Aragorn's eyes as Aragorn raised his sword. "I am sorry Strider. It is my fault that you work for Saruman now. If i had tried to break the spells on the sword before i had bought it to you then none of this would have happened."
For a brief moment, the tranced look in Aragorn's eyes ceased, and he looked normally at Merry once more. That one moment was all that Merry needed, he knew Strider was still in there somewhere.
"It was not your fault Merry", Legolas rounded on Merry and Aragorn, the orc blade still gleaming dangerouly in his hands, for even after many hours with no movement, it did not change the fact that he was an assain."It was no one's fault except Saruman's."
"He is my master!", Aragorn spat at the elf,"Do not speak ill of him. Move from this spot elf, for i have been ordered to destroy this hobbit. I have no quarrel with you-as of yet, but i may do in the minutes to come!"
"you are your own master Aragorn", Legolas edged toward Merry,"Not Saruman. You can choose your own destiny. Now, give me your sword."
"I ordered you to move elf!", Aragorn raised Anduril far above his head, ready for impact. He closed his eyes as he brought his sword down upon the hobbit.
Legolas stared into Merry's terrified eyes, and did the natural thing. He lept in front of his friend, and raised the orc blade, clashing it with Aragorn's sword.
"I did not think it would come to this Aragorn", the elf said sadly,"But i cannot let you harm Merry."
"Then i have a quarrel with you elf", Aragorn spat to the floor,"And it is time to settle it."
"As you wish", Legolas bowed his head.
"No!", Frodo cried, as he rounded the corner with Gimli and Boromir, all were stained in the black blood of the orcs.
"Legolas!", Gimli cried at the elf,"Do not be a fool! You cannot win against the sword Anduril!"
"He is right Legolas!", Boromir started forward,"You are fighting a battle you cannot win!"
Legolas smiled in gratitude at his friends."It may be that i am defeated, but i must try. The fate of middle earth is in our hands now."
Aragorn placed his blade in his hands, aiming at Legolas's heart."Are you ready to begin elf?", he said, the coldness of his heart seeping through into his voice.
In turn, Legolas too raised his orc blade."I am", he said, a whisker of fear creeping into his tongue.
"Then let us duel!", Aragorn slashed his sword toward Legolas, but the elf was too quick for the shot. He lept into the air, his long elven hair flashing behind him. He sprung onto a ledge, still holding his sword high in the air, breathing lightly as he observed Aragorn's movements.
Aragorn too jumped into the air, slashing wildly at the elf, but Legolas saw this coming, and bounded away. Aragorn drew breath, the ragged whisps of air cooling his thoughts.
Legolas ran to Merry."Go Merry, go to Frodo and the others, while you still can. I cannot hold him back forever, for although he knows it not, his sword is too powerful for me, if it were to pierce my heart, i would be slain instantly."
Merry felt guilty, he could not leave Legolas to cetain death, but he acknowledged the elf advice, for he was many years wiser than Merry, even though his looks broadcast otherwise.
Suddenly, Merry looked up."Legolas!", he cried urgently,"Behind you!"
Legolas whipped round and sprung out of the way. In his hurry, he rebounded on a sturdy wall, and his reflexes failed him. He fell to the floor, still concoius, but bleeding badly, his sword still gripped in his hand. Aragorn moved toward him, and knocked Legolas's weapon from his hands. The blade lay forgotten on the floor. Aragorn stood towering over Legolas, who had neither the strength nor power to move.
"Congratulations, my warrior!", Saruman said gleefully from behind one of the pillars.
"We must help him!", Frodo cried desparately,"He will die!"
"No!", a hand appeared in front of Frodo's face, holding him back from the two warriors."You must not interfear. Aragorn must come to a decision on his own, his own destiny, and your fate lies in the balance. Have faith in your friends, i am sure the ranger will come to the correct desicion."
"Meiony!", Frodo gasped in surprise,"But...but i left you behind in the cave......that day.....when you showed me the way to Isenguard........."
"No Frodo", Meiony said gently,"I have been following you since you left my river side cave. Many times i have given you and your friends my help and guidance, you were unawares. I caused the rocks to fall in down in the stairwell, to cause the orcs to run to Saruman, to give you the chance to save Legolas. I helped your friend Merry reach Pippin, and Sam. I have organised our way from this accursed place.......of course, if we win. And now i must help......at the right time.......the final time."
"But you are a simple water sprite!", Frodo exclaimed.
"No......", Meiony trailed off."I am much more than that. Years ago, Saruman turned me into this water sprite, and tried to cut off the link i had to my power, but he failed, and although i have been a water sprite for many years, i have kept my true power hidden, for i knew that someday, it would be needed."
"Let me through to see Aragorn witch", Saruman snarled as he fought through Frodo and Boromir,"Or i will destroy you!"
"It has begun", Meiony whispered,and Saruman was thrown against the back wall. He slumped slowly to the ground. "It is up to you now", Meiony whispered to Frodo and his companions,"For if Legolas cannot reach Aragorn, then no one can."
Aragorn moved away from Legolas's body.
"Pitifull elf", he spat, and walked toward Merry, who still had not moved from the spot that Legolas had told him to run from. "Prepare to die hobbit", he raised Anduril, the blood rusted steel almost upon Merry's weary head. Legolas cried out, and dragged himself in front of Merry.
"You cannot kill him Aragorn!", he cried painfully,"He is an innocent hobbit!"
Aragorn froze, Anduril still in his hand."you risk your own life to save that weak hobbit......", Aragorn questioned,"Why? you know i can defeat you easily, why not flee when you have the chance?"
"Because this hobbit is a friend", Legolas replied thickly,"He is a friend of mine....and of yours Aragorn. Do you not remember when we set out upon the quest for the ring? When we swore that we would destroy it? Aragorn, warrior of the elves, known as Strider to the hobbits, do not you remember your destiny? There was once a time when you fought to protect your friends, just as i do now for Merry. Remember Aragorn, do not let Saruman rule over your heart. The council of Elrond.....your trouble at Bree.....your hunt for Gollum. Remember Aragorn?"
There was a flicker of light in Aragorn's eyes as he cast his mind back, and tried to weave the charms of Saruman from his head.
"He is remembering!", Frodo cried happily.
Legolas seized his chance."Arwen. Remember her Aragorn? She loved you, enough to give up her immortality for you. Do not let her sacrfice be in vain. You must help us, we must defeat Saruman and Sauron. There cannot be another dark lord. We need you and Anduril by our side. I believe in you Aragorn. You can do it."
There was a groan as Aragorn began to thrash around the floor, Anduril swirling back and forth.
"No!", Saruman stammered, as he rose from his unconciousness,"You are in my service Aragorn! You agreed to fight for my cause!"
"Aragorn!", Gimli called.
"Aragorn....son of Arathorn.....", Boromir bowed,"you are heir to the throne of Gondor. We need you."
"Aragorn", Frodo cried holding Sting,"We cannot do this without you!"
"Aragorn", Legolas whispered,"Come back to us. We are the Fellowship......we shall suceed."
The was a horrendous crash as Strider fell to the floor. After some tense seconds, he sat up.
"Legolas..........?", he whispered, holding his head up,"What happened?"
Legolas cried for joy,"He has chosen us Saruman! We shall not be defeated!"
Suddenly, there was a loud bang. Frodo spun round as jets of light errupted from behind him.
"Meiony.........", he whispered, staring in astonishment and wonder at the water sprite.
There, standing before him, was not a water sprite, but a beautiful elf, who gratelly resembled Legolas, pardoning the fact that she was feminine.
"I am Meiony, daughter of Huyhi of the Grey Havens. Many years ago was i caught by Saruman the White. Now i will use my powers to help the Fellowship. You have suceeded, Fellowship of the Ring. you have proven that you are truelly worthy of such a task. I am Meiony, bearer of the Hope of middle earth. By my command, i banish the evil from the sword of Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Anduril is free once more!"
Aragorn picked up his sword, the blackness was gone. It felt light and easy, as it had done when the blade had been reforged.
"Stop!", Saruman bellowed at the beautiful elf,"You are ruining my plans!"
"I call upon the power of hope!", Meiony called to the wind, her sweet clear voice leaving Frodo's heart feeling light,"Freeze time so that these warriors can escape from this powerful place!"
A dark haze set in on the chamber, freezing the sullen Saruman as he called for his orcs.
"Hurry!", Meiony cried,"There is not much time!"
She hurried the fellowship down the stairwell that led to the chamber of the orcs, and through the chipped staircase. At the bottom, she found Sam and Pippin waiting, the little boat as full as it could be. She hustled the fellowship into the boat.
"Goodbye!", she whispered,"May you hold true to each other, and may you suceed in your quest. I am sorry i cannot help you more, but i have used all my strength, it was my parting gift to you."
The fellowship looked back, sadened, at the beautiful elf who was now disapearring.
"She helped us........", Frodo said slowly,"She sacraficed her life for us.......we must complete our quest. The ring will go to Mordor."
"Indeed", Aragorn said, silently thanking the elf who had saved him from eternal doom,"It shall."
And so the boat floated silently down the river, the only sound that could be heard for miles around was the lapping of the calm river current against the sides, as the fellowship continued their adventure into even deeper peril.
Thanks for taking the time to read my fan fic! i hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as i did writing it! please read and review if you can, every single review i get just makes me want to write more! thanks again!
disclaimer: As i've said before, i don't own the Lord of the Rings characters, i'm just borrowing them to write a fic.
Aragorn hung his head, too ashamed to look Legolas in the face. "I choose......to fight for you Saruman...", he said slowly, the bitterness of his choice pouring from the depths of his heart.
"No Aragorn!", Boromir cried, pulling himself from the wall, only to be held back by his chains,"You must not!"
"Boromir, i could not live with myself knowing that i had betrayed you all to your deaths", Aragorn said sadly.
"But Aragorn", Legolas argued weakly,"Can you live with yourself knowing that you have brought ruin apon middle earth?"
"Silence!", Saruman bellowed,"The ranger has made his choice. Close your eyes Aragorn."
"Why?", Aragorn said hoarsely, only now was the true meaning of his desicion dawning on him.
"I have commanded you!", Saruman spat wildly,"Close them, and chant these words. Lio puint erfad guhy."
Aragorn bowed his head, and closed his eyes, oblivious to the staring eyes around him."Lio puint erfad guhy."
Outside the chamber, the sword Merry held tightly in his hands began to glow. It vibrated wildly in his hands, and began to float toward the chamber door, dragging Merry with it.
"What's happening!", cried Merry.
"It has begun", his companion said,"Aragorn has chosen to fight for Saruman rather than to destroy his friends. A noble act, but one which shall live to haunt him should it be carried out. The sword returns to it's master, in a few seconds we shall be inside that dreaded chamber, and you must be ready to battle master Merry."
Merry swallowed his fear, and turned to his companion."I am. For middle earth."
"Why call out these words Saruman?", Aragorn asked, growing impatient with the wizard.
"They shall return your sword to you", Saruman said impatiently."It was stolen for my chest. I placed this spell on the sword mearly as a safety measure, and now i shall see the thief. He who dares steal from Saruman the White will be greatly punished."
The chamber door creaked open, and with the mighty sword shaking wildly in his hands, Merry entered the room. There were mixed emotions as his tiny feet stepped over the threshold.
"A hobbit!", Saruman cried, outraged that such a creature could have gotten past his defences,"A hobbit stole the sword of the heir of Gondor!"
"Merry!", shrieked Frodo,"you are alive!"
Feeling the hearbeat and calling of Aragorn, the sword rose and left Merry's outstreched hand. It travelled at lighting speed toward Aragorn.
"No Aragorn!", Merry cried urgently,"You must not touch the sword! Saruman has woven evil charms through it, it shall corrupt you! Do not touch it!"
"It is too late for your warnings hobbit!", Saruman cackled as Anduril connected with Aragorn."The sword hath touched his hand, once more it is in the hands of it's true master!"
"No Aragorn!", Gimli cried,"Dispose of it!"
But Aragorn could not. The evil magic began to flow through his veins. Fighting stiffly, Aragorn tried to release himself from his sword, gazing at the frightened look on the face of the hobbit who had returned his partner to him. Eventually, Aragorn managed to speak. The powerful charms weaving their way through his body could not slow his heart.
"Saruman!", he cried,"Free my companions. You have no quarrel with them, i have chosen to fight for you, i have kept my side of the bargain. Release them!"
But Saruman only laughed."Never did i say i would release them ranger, i said only that i would not sumbit your elven friend to the torment of my orcs."
Aragorn fought with his sword as the spells that Saruman had placed deep within it struggled to take effect. The more Aragorn weilded the sword, the more control the spells had over his body. Wildly, he struggled against the dark magic. "You have double crossed me Saruman! If you do not release my companions, then what do you plan to do with them?"
Saruman waved his arm decisively."Kill them."
"But you cannot, you say you do not deal in death, only in punishment", Aragorn fought back.
Saruman looked on at the ranger, his lips curving into an icy smile."Correct ranger, i do not deal in death. I may double cross, but never do i make false statements about myself. I am not going to destroy them. You are."
"No!", Boromir yelled, trying ineffectively to get free of his chains.
"You cannot force me to do that Saruman!", Aragorn's hand shook, as he forcifully raised the knife towards his own chains.
"I can!", Saruman bellowed,"I command you now. Raise the sword Anduril, and release yourself from the chains!"
Horrified, Aragorn saw his bearer hand rise upwards, and across. He swiftly cut the chains holding him to the wall, the solid steel of Anduril slicing through the metal easily.
"Now!", Saruman cried gleefully,"To the elf!"
Legolas looked on in horror as his friend edged closer toward him, bearing the instrument of his doom."Aragorn! You must not!", Legolas cried in vain,"Do not allow yourself to be corrupted by him. Fight the evil Aragorn, you cannot allow it to take over your body, for once it has, it will consume your mind!"
Aragorn stared into the eyes of the elf."I am so sorry Legolas. I should have listened to you. It will be my fault if middle earth is destroyed."
Legolas gazed into Aragorn's eyes, feeling sorrow for his friend. It had not been his fault, he had been trying to save the others from torment. He had done what he had thought was right."It matters not Aragorn", the elf replied, his eyes glistening in both sorrow and hope,"You can do it Aragorn. Trust yourself, and i forsee that you will suceed."
Hesitantly, Merry placed the ring of power on his finger once more, he had to do something to save his friends, after all, he had brought the sword to Aragorn, so esentially it had been his fault that Aragorn was now corrupted with Saruman's evil energy. He placed his sword ready underneath his cloak, the time had come for him to battle. As he watched Aragorn try to control the sword, without any great sucess, Merry edged over toward Gimli.
"Hush", he whispered in Gimli's ear,"It is me, Merry, i am going to cut your bonds, so be ready to fight Saruman and his orcs."
Gimli obeyed, and in seconds he was free.
"Stay still, until i give the signal", Merry comanded, astonishing himself with his chosen tone of voice. He moved swiftly toward Boromir, telling him the same. Boromir, being a man from the city, was loath to listen to the orders of a hobbit, but then he realised that Merry spoke the truth, and so waited.
As Merry slipped toward Frodo, Aragorn edged closer to Legolas.
"Destroy him!", Saruman ordered resolutely, "Destroy the elf!"
"Legolas......", Aragorn breathed, as he tryed to stop himself destroying his friend,"I cannot keep up....the power, it is weilding a force within me that i did not know was there. The desire to butcher and kill thirsts now in my blood. I am sorry, i do not mean to harm you."
Legolas sighed,"please Aragorn", he said weakly,"Do not give up."
There was a bang, and Anduril glowed jet black, almost as if Saruman had poured his own heart and soul into the charms.
"Now Aragorn, my warrior!", Saruman shouted to the ranger,"You bear the full thrust of the black magic, i command you now. Destroy him!"
Aragorn lunged toward Legolas....and toppled over. Anger raging in his face, he stood once more, determined to mutilate the elf.
Merry lay on the floor, Aragorn had tripped on his outstreched body as he had finished cutting Frodo's bonds. He appeared to all the creatures in the room. The ring of power had slipped off.
"The ring!", Saruman cried, forgetting his hatred of the elf,"That hobbit is the ring bearer! Eliminate him Aragorn!"
Aragorn turned from Legolas's defenseless body, and poised, turned towards Merry.
Merry gave a cry of horror, and jumped into the air."Now!", he cried, stumbling from Aragorn as fast as his legs could carry him.
Boromir and Gimli cried in victory, free at last from their chains. The picked up the orc weapons that lay on the floor, wary of touching them, but braving the thought, they had to save Aragorn, and Legolas.
"Kill them!", Saruman commanded his orcs sharply, as he followed Merry and Aragorn from the chamber, eager to see the fight between them
The orcs at once obliged, and poured into the battle.
Frodo unsheathed Sting quickly, and made his way to Legolas. Quickly, he cut his bonds.
"We must find a way to break the spells of Saruman!", he said to the elf urgently,"We must save Aragorn!"
"There is no way to break spells of that kind without estremely powerful magic Frodo. I am not an elf lord, nor do i pocess the power to summoun one. If the spell is to be broken, the magic must come from Aragorn's own heart, and now that the spells have taken his mind, it is too late. The spell cannot be broken. If we wish to save middle earth Frodo, we must defeat Aragorn.", Legolas hung his head sadly.
"But we cannot!", Frodo cried,"He is our friend. He took over as best he could after Gandalf had fallen in the shadow. We cannot destroy him!"
"Look out Frodo!", Legolas cried, slicing an orc in two with an orc blade he had picked up from the grouund, for the orcs had taken his long knife."We must at least try to wrench the sword from Aragorn. Maybe then there will be a little hope, but not a lot."
"It's worth a try!", Frodo slashed out at an orc with Sting. "I will alert Gimli and Boromir, you must try to find Merry!"
Legolas and Frodo parted and ploughed their way through the battle.
"The sword!", Frodo cried to his commerades over the thick of the war,"We must try to wrench the sword from Aragorn, it is the only hope we have of recovering him!"
"We must take Anduril?", Gimli questioned.
"Yes!", cried Frodo,"We must, for if we do not, then middle earth will be in ruins!"
"Then we will attempt to take his sword", Boromir said gravely.
"Come!", Frodo pointed to where Aragorn was hunting Merry,"We haven't much time!"
Merry had fallen into the corner. He lay, his sword unsheathed, and ready for battle with his commerade.
Aragorn turned the corner stoutly. Then he saw him.
Merry looked pitifully into Aragorn's eyes as Aragorn raised his sword. "I am sorry Strider. It is my fault that you work for Saruman now. If i had tried to break the spells on the sword before i had bought it to you then none of this would have happened."
For a brief moment, the tranced look in Aragorn's eyes ceased, and he looked normally at Merry once more. That one moment was all that Merry needed, he knew Strider was still in there somewhere.
"It was not your fault Merry", Legolas rounded on Merry and Aragorn, the orc blade still gleaming dangerouly in his hands, for even after many hours with no movement, it did not change the fact that he was an assain."It was no one's fault except Saruman's."
"He is my master!", Aragorn spat at the elf,"Do not speak ill of him. Move from this spot elf, for i have been ordered to destroy this hobbit. I have no quarrel with you-as of yet, but i may do in the minutes to come!"
"you are your own master Aragorn", Legolas edged toward Merry,"Not Saruman. You can choose your own destiny. Now, give me your sword."
"I ordered you to move elf!", Aragorn raised Anduril far above his head, ready for impact. He closed his eyes as he brought his sword down upon the hobbit.
Legolas stared into Merry's terrified eyes, and did the natural thing. He lept in front of his friend, and raised the orc blade, clashing it with Aragorn's sword.
"I did not think it would come to this Aragorn", the elf said sadly,"But i cannot let you harm Merry."
"Then i have a quarrel with you elf", Aragorn spat to the floor,"And it is time to settle it."
"As you wish", Legolas bowed his head.
"No!", Frodo cried, as he rounded the corner with Gimli and Boromir, all were stained in the black blood of the orcs.
"Legolas!", Gimli cried at the elf,"Do not be a fool! You cannot win against the sword Anduril!"
"He is right Legolas!", Boromir started forward,"You are fighting a battle you cannot win!"
Legolas smiled in gratitude at his friends."It may be that i am defeated, but i must try. The fate of middle earth is in our hands now."
Aragorn placed his blade in his hands, aiming at Legolas's heart."Are you ready to begin elf?", he said, the coldness of his heart seeping through into his voice.
In turn, Legolas too raised his orc blade."I am", he said, a whisker of fear creeping into his tongue.
"Then let us duel!", Aragorn slashed his sword toward Legolas, but the elf was too quick for the shot. He lept into the air, his long elven hair flashing behind him. He sprung onto a ledge, still holding his sword high in the air, breathing lightly as he observed Aragorn's movements.
Aragorn too jumped into the air, slashing wildly at the elf, but Legolas saw this coming, and bounded away. Aragorn drew breath, the ragged whisps of air cooling his thoughts.
Legolas ran to Merry."Go Merry, go to Frodo and the others, while you still can. I cannot hold him back forever, for although he knows it not, his sword is too powerful for me, if it were to pierce my heart, i would be slain instantly."
Merry felt guilty, he could not leave Legolas to cetain death, but he acknowledged the elf advice, for he was many years wiser than Merry, even though his looks broadcast otherwise.
Suddenly, Merry looked up."Legolas!", he cried urgently,"Behind you!"
Legolas whipped round and sprung out of the way. In his hurry, he rebounded on a sturdy wall, and his reflexes failed him. He fell to the floor, still concoius, but bleeding badly, his sword still gripped in his hand. Aragorn moved toward him, and knocked Legolas's weapon from his hands. The blade lay forgotten on the floor. Aragorn stood towering over Legolas, who had neither the strength nor power to move.
"Congratulations, my warrior!", Saruman said gleefully from behind one of the pillars.
"We must help him!", Frodo cried desparately,"He will die!"
"No!", a hand appeared in front of Frodo's face, holding him back from the two warriors."You must not interfear. Aragorn must come to a decision on his own, his own destiny, and your fate lies in the balance. Have faith in your friends, i am sure the ranger will come to the correct desicion."
"Meiony!", Frodo gasped in surprise,"But...but i left you behind in the cave......that day.....when you showed me the way to Isenguard........."
"No Frodo", Meiony said gently,"I have been following you since you left my river side cave. Many times i have given you and your friends my help and guidance, you were unawares. I caused the rocks to fall in down in the stairwell, to cause the orcs to run to Saruman, to give you the chance to save Legolas. I helped your friend Merry reach Pippin, and Sam. I have organised our way from this accursed place.......of course, if we win. And now i must help......at the right time.......the final time."
"But you are a simple water sprite!", Frodo exclaimed.
"No......", Meiony trailed off."I am much more than that. Years ago, Saruman turned me into this water sprite, and tried to cut off the link i had to my power, but he failed, and although i have been a water sprite for many years, i have kept my true power hidden, for i knew that someday, it would be needed."
"Let me through to see Aragorn witch", Saruman snarled as he fought through Frodo and Boromir,"Or i will destroy you!"
"It has begun", Meiony whispered,and Saruman was thrown against the back wall. He slumped slowly to the ground. "It is up to you now", Meiony whispered to Frodo and his companions,"For if Legolas cannot reach Aragorn, then no one can."
Aragorn moved away from Legolas's body.
"Pitifull elf", he spat, and walked toward Merry, who still had not moved from the spot that Legolas had told him to run from. "Prepare to die hobbit", he raised Anduril, the blood rusted steel almost upon Merry's weary head. Legolas cried out, and dragged himself in front of Merry.
"You cannot kill him Aragorn!", he cried painfully,"He is an innocent hobbit!"
Aragorn froze, Anduril still in his hand."you risk your own life to save that weak hobbit......", Aragorn questioned,"Why? you know i can defeat you easily, why not flee when you have the chance?"
"Because this hobbit is a friend", Legolas replied thickly,"He is a friend of mine....and of yours Aragorn. Do you not remember when we set out upon the quest for the ring? When we swore that we would destroy it? Aragorn, warrior of the elves, known as Strider to the hobbits, do not you remember your destiny? There was once a time when you fought to protect your friends, just as i do now for Merry. Remember Aragorn, do not let Saruman rule over your heart. The council of Elrond.....your trouble at Bree.....your hunt for Gollum. Remember Aragorn?"
There was a flicker of light in Aragorn's eyes as he cast his mind back, and tried to weave the charms of Saruman from his head.
"He is remembering!", Frodo cried happily.
Legolas seized his chance."Arwen. Remember her Aragorn? She loved you, enough to give up her immortality for you. Do not let her sacrfice be in vain. You must help us, we must defeat Saruman and Sauron. There cannot be another dark lord. We need you and Anduril by our side. I believe in you Aragorn. You can do it."
There was a groan as Aragorn began to thrash around the floor, Anduril swirling back and forth.
"No!", Saruman stammered, as he rose from his unconciousness,"You are in my service Aragorn! You agreed to fight for my cause!"
"Aragorn!", Gimli called.
"Aragorn....son of Arathorn.....", Boromir bowed,"you are heir to the throne of Gondor. We need you."
"Aragorn", Frodo cried holding Sting,"We cannot do this without you!"
"Aragorn", Legolas whispered,"Come back to us. We are the Fellowship......we shall suceed."
The was a horrendous crash as Strider fell to the floor. After some tense seconds, he sat up.
"Legolas..........?", he whispered, holding his head up,"What happened?"
Legolas cried for joy,"He has chosen us Saruman! We shall not be defeated!"
Suddenly, there was a loud bang. Frodo spun round as jets of light errupted from behind him.
"Meiony.........", he whispered, staring in astonishment and wonder at the water sprite.
There, standing before him, was not a water sprite, but a beautiful elf, who gratelly resembled Legolas, pardoning the fact that she was feminine.
"I am Meiony, daughter of Huyhi of the Grey Havens. Many years ago was i caught by Saruman the White. Now i will use my powers to help the Fellowship. You have suceeded, Fellowship of the Ring. you have proven that you are truelly worthy of such a task. I am Meiony, bearer of the Hope of middle earth. By my command, i banish the evil from the sword of Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Anduril is free once more!"
Aragorn picked up his sword, the blackness was gone. It felt light and easy, as it had done when the blade had been reforged.
"Stop!", Saruman bellowed at the beautiful elf,"You are ruining my plans!"
"I call upon the power of hope!", Meiony called to the wind, her sweet clear voice leaving Frodo's heart feeling light,"Freeze time so that these warriors can escape from this powerful place!"
A dark haze set in on the chamber, freezing the sullen Saruman as he called for his orcs.
"Hurry!", Meiony cried,"There is not much time!"
She hurried the fellowship down the stairwell that led to the chamber of the orcs, and through the chipped staircase. At the bottom, she found Sam and Pippin waiting, the little boat as full as it could be. She hustled the fellowship into the boat.
"Goodbye!", she whispered,"May you hold true to each other, and may you suceed in your quest. I am sorry i cannot help you more, but i have used all my strength, it was my parting gift to you."
The fellowship looked back, sadened, at the beautiful elf who was now disapearring.
"She helped us........", Frodo said slowly,"She sacraficed her life for us.......we must complete our quest. The ring will go to Mordor."
"Indeed", Aragorn said, silently thanking the elf who had saved him from eternal doom,"It shall."
And so the boat floated silently down the river, the only sound that could be heard for miles around was the lapping of the calm river current against the sides, as the fellowship continued their adventure into even deeper peril.
Thanks for taking the time to read my fan fic! i hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as i did writing it! please read and review if you can, every single review i get just makes me want to write more! thanks again!