Chapter Three: And Then There Was Snow

"I'm cold," Isabella complained as they trudged up Caradhras. She clung to the arm of Legolas. She'd been sure to stay close by as they walked. As she'd expected, the journey had been fairly uneventful thus far. She heard the others talking about some birds or something, but that didn't seem like such a problem. She remembered the birds from the movie, but they didn't hurt anyone. She shrugged this talk off.

"We shall be on the other side of this mountain before you know it, lady," Legolas answered. "Would you please excuse me?" Isabella reluctantly let go of his arm and he hurried to catch up to Gandalf.

"What is wrong, Legolas?" the wizard questioned.

"I am worried, Gandalf. Never have I had the strength drained from me so. I fear Isabella may be working for the Dark Lord as Boromir suggested," Legolas whispered back.

Gandalf looked thoughtful. "We shall keep a closer watch on her."

Legolas nodded and fell back to his place in line. He tightened his jaw as Isabella once again grabbed his arm. She began to talk again about how cold she was, then went on to tell more of how her family hated her. Legolas listened silently, but wondered if she ever stopped talking.

He looked up at the sky as snow began falling. It fell slowly at first, but was soon coming down at a great rate. Gandalf, Aragorn and Gimli were speaking of the possibility that this was the work of the enemy. Gandalf and Legolas exchanged a glance, but said nothing.

"I can't see anything!" Isabella continued to whine. "And this wood is very heavy!" She cast her piece of wood to the ground. We'll just have to make do with one less piece is all, she thought. She was miserable, and wanted nothing more than to get off that stupid mountain and into some warm, dry clothes. And to sit by a toasty fire with Legolas. Yes, that would be nice...

She realized that the snow had almost completely stopped falling. They kept moving. Isabella sighed as the snow picked up again soon after. She clung tighter to Legolas' arm at the sounds heard above. She didn't know what it was, but she knew it was frightening. Then she got an idea.

"Legolas," she said in as scared a voice as she could, "I'm frightened! I don't like this at all."

This is perfect! He always comforts the girl when she's frightened! Isabella thought gleefully.

Before Legolas could respond, Boromir began talking, and he put his attention on the conversation of the Fellowship. Isabella groaned to herself. How was she supposed to get his attention if they were going to keep talking?!?!?

*--*--*

Isabella sat huddled against the cliff-wall. The fire that Gandalf had started was almost gone, not that it had provided that much heat before. She was still freezing and wet, and she wasn't happy about it at all. On the plus side, the miruvor Gandalf had allowed her to have a sip of was tasty, and had warmed her for a while.

It had long since worn off, though, and she was feeling tired. She heard Aragorn say something about dawn, then she nodded off. She was awoken by someone shaking her.

"Do not sleep," Aragorn said to her. "Not in this snow."

Isabella yawned. "But I'm so tired!"

"Do not sleep," he repeated, then went to help Boromir clear the snow off their path.

"What are they doing?" Isabella asked. "Aren't they going the wrong way?"

"We are going back down," Merry told her. "It's too dangerous to continue on the mountain."

"Oh," she replied. Now I remember, she thought. That other wizard guy makes it snow on them and they have to go into that cave thingie.

Isabella turned to say something to Legolas, but as she did he hurried off. Drat! she grumbled. She stood with the hobbits, Gimli and Gandalf. It was a while before the three that had gone returned. Boromir and Aragorn offered to carry the hobbits to the end of the drift. Legolas ran back to the end again to wait for everyone, and the two men lifted Merry and Pippin. When Boromir returned, he hoisted Sam up and led the way back down the path.

"Come, Isabella," Gandalf said to her. "Walk in front of me. I will lead Bill with Gimli atop of him. Aragorn with follow with Frodo."

Isabella had hoped she would be carried as well, but no such luck. She sighed and began to walk along the path.

When they reached the end of the path the snow that had been cleared crashed down behind them, covering all the hard work of Aragorn and Boromir. Gimli yelled at the mountain and they all continued their now downward journey. After what seemed like forever to Isabella, they reached the bottom.

Isabella walked silently for now, but only because she was once again thinking of ways to win Legolas.

Those stupid fanfic writers! she thought angrily. When I get home I'm going to tell them a thing or two! None of their plans are working! I don't understand it. It always works in the stories...I guess I'll just have to turn it up a notch or two.

Isabella looked over at the elf with a gleam in her eye. She'd win him yet!