Author's notes: I think I'll be taking a short break after this part. My brain's tired. So it'd be a few days before I upload the next part. Thanks for waiting.
Is it the Sword-that-was-Broken or the Sword-that-is-Reforged?
Phoenix Angel Suyari—I have taken note of the gender thing and the idea for a fight over the name. There's a great chance I'll use them, And thanks for offering to think up names for the kid.
Lady Of Wind—Thank you for the names. Those help.
I need some human names for the kid as well as Elven ones. Anyone?
The Fellowship Of The…Baby?
Three: The Fight
The barred doors gave a last shudder and flew inwards as many Orcs rushed in. Legolas had already taken four down with his arrows ere they had even entered.
Andúril flashed blindingly as Aragorn wielded it with skill even with a hand, and many Orcs fell by his blade. The others were able to hold their own as well.
The baby was held so that it faced the direction Aragorn's back faced, and thus he had a clear view of the Orcs that swarmed all around them.
They were dark, and had yellow eyes and sharp teeth, and their voices were harsh, unlike the kind and funny faces (in his view) and nice voices the Fellowship had.
The baby started bawling, and Aragorn winced at the deafening voice just beside his ear, wishing for an end to it.
But good came out from it, for the Orcs dropped their weapons and covered their ears with their hands, which gave the Fellowship the chance of killing them.
However, their troubles were not over, for an Orc led a cave troll in. It was huge, and of great strength, and it was dangerous.
The toddler stopped its screams and stared up in amazement at the troll, wonder in his eyes.
Aragorn dealt the first stroke to the troll's leg, but even Andúril, the Sword-that-was-Broken, merely grazed its hide.
Legolas managed to fire some arrows into it, even as Boromir and Gimli hewed at it, avoiding its clumsy blows.
The troll went for Frodo, whether by fate or by devilry, trying to get to the Ring-bearer, who cried out and scrambled for safety.
The Elf, from a higher perch of his, shot a few more arrows into the troll's back and head before leaping for safety as it tried to smash him.
Frodo was cornered, and he yelled for Aragorn to help. The Dúnedan stood in front of the Hobbit, slashing out at the descending hand of the troll's, but it only battered the Man away.
Aragorn flew towards a wall, and he twisted his body so that it was he who took the hurt and not the baby. He hit stone and slumped down limply, his hands loosening their hold on the baby.
The toddler pushed himself up on shaky legs and craned his head upwards, looking at the troll. Then, he let out a wail as he had done before, but this time from fear.
The troll snorted and tossed its head, as if that could get the noise away. The baby didn't stop, and in frustration, the troll thrust its spear at the person directly in front of it—Frodo.
The Hobbit gasped and choked, clutching at his chest and slumping down, face filled with pain.
Merry and Pippin, seeing their kindred dead, were filled with fury only Hobbits could possess. They leapt onto the troll and drove their blades deep into its back.
The troll threw its head back, and dropped its club, hands going to its ears. Legolas took the chance and shot an arrow at its exposed throat.
The moan of the troll was cut off halfway and it toppled over, its fall sending shockwaves through the floor.
The others rushed to Frodo's body as Aragorn regained consciousness and crawled to the Hobbit, the baby forgotten for the moment. He turned Frodo onto his back.
The Hobbit coughed and drew a trembling breath, gasping, "I'm alive! I'm alive!" He pulled his tunic apart to reveal the mithril coat he wore underneath.
"Mithril!" Gimli exclaimed. "You are full of surprises, Master Hobbit."
Gandalf allowed them a few moments of rest, then spoke, "Let us now go ere more Orcs return." He then took notice again of the noise and scowled. "Someone silence that child."
Aragorn picked the baby up. Boromir saw how the Ranger was carrying the toddler and started: "Aragorn, do not pu—"
The wizard, having not heard Boromir speak, interjected. "Let us go now." He started walking rapidly, and the others followed.
Boromir opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again, then thought better of it, jogging to catch up with the others.