-Rising Storm-
By: Bill the Pony
Rating: PG-13 (just being cautious)
Feedback: elf_master752@yahoo.com
Spoilers: Not yet really.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, I'll leave that to the Tolkien family and whoever. I make no profit either.
Summary: The shadow of Mordor is growing darker and spreading across the lands like a plague. Dunlendings have allied themselves with orcs, terrorizing the neighboring lands. Worse yet, it is heard that the head of this movement is inside the order of the Istari. A friend of Gandalf has been framed as the head of this evil plot. It is up to Aragorn and Legolas to clear his name before the order of the Istari bring him up as a traitor, allowing the real traitor to continue his scheme.
Not all the Note: names in this actually mean something. I couldn't get enough info for that. As well as I know that this is not all accurate, I had limited resources. Fasse is an original character, in Quenya (as far as I can tell) means 'Shaggy'. :) This thing just keeps growing longer with each addition. Also, I had a little problem that nobody will probably notice. Actually two things. I have Fasse's hut having glass windows. The hobbits had glass, so I'm figuring he could have glass. Just use your imagination. Secondly, I have oil in this. I'm thinking oil lamp. I don't know if they had that either, but for the sake of the story. THEY DO. :) Writers privilege.
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Rising Storm
Part 3
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The sun was high in the sky and true to Gandalf's words, he had Legolas and Aragorn upon their horses, geared and ready, promptly.
Elladen and Elrohir had not been told of the reason of their sudden departure, only that they were 'running an errand' for the wizard. Seeing as how their father would not reveal to them anymore, they didn't ask.
"I say, it really isn't fair how Aragorn is always the one with vacation time."
"There you go again!" Aragorn threw up his hands, "Griping about fairness."
Elrohir crossed his arms, "Well he has a point."
"I hardly would call their venture a vacation," Gandalf commented dully. "Sleeping on the stone of the ground and rationing food was never an enjoyable experience to my old bones."
Elladen put aside their teasing and grasped Aragorn's forearms tightly, "Be safe brother, and do try to return to us in one piece."
Aragorn laughed, but nodded, "I'll do my best."
"Same for you Legolas Greenleaf," Elrond said as he grasped the younger elf's hand firmly. He then moved to wrap Aragorn in a strong embrace, "Do take care of yourself Estel, and remember my words."
"Don't worry about us father, I promise we'll come back," Aragorn paused, an impish twinkle in his eyes, "In one condition or another." He only just dodged the swat from Elladen.
Gandalf hurried the two along, issuing each of them specific instructions and warnings. Then mounting Falmarin and Ralamir, Aragorn and Legolas waved goodbye to their family and friends behind them. Then they were off.
Contrary to Gandalf's words, Aragorn always found that leaving on even the most trivial journeys, inspired in him the excitement of a child exploring a new acre of the forest. Now, with his best friend at his side, it was no different.
---
On the third day of their travels, the descending sun found the two friends skirting the banks of the river Bruinen. Their course had taken them cutting across the plains just inside the edges of the forest till they met with the loud river. From there, they had followed it southeast. After three blissful days of perfect weather and smooth traveling, Legolas and Aragorn had forgotten any unease they had felt in Imladris.
On this third day they ended at the beginning of what would be their last stretch to the border of Dunland. At the Angle of the convergence of the Bruinen and the river Hoarwell, Aragorn proposed they stop and make use of the copse of trees as their camp for the night.
Aragorn dismounted from Ralamir, "Tomorrow we should reach the border of Dunland if everything goes according to plan." He slid the light saddle from the bay's back and set it on its horn.
With no tack to remove from the dappled Falmarin, Legolas went about checking the horse's hooves for stones. "And leaving the following day at the latest."
Tarrying by Ralamir's head, Aragorn cocked his head at his friend, "You sound eager to return to Imladris. Tell me, are you not enjoying this?"
Legolas straightened, having found no stones, "I do not wish to wander long within the borders of Dunland. From the sound of things, if we by chance cross paths with any of these Dunlendings, I do not think they will be inviting us for tea."
Aragorn grinned at Legolas's wry joke, "You elves, quite the cynical type aren't you?"
"Just realistic and not inclined to jump headfirst into a situation with a splitting grin on our faces as you humans."
Aragorn shook his head and continued readying for the night.
---
The night passed quietly, bringing the dawn all too quickly for Aragorn. Legolas had opted for the second watch, allowing Aragorn to sleep till morning undisturbed. Yet to Aragorn, it was still half the amount of sleep he was used to getting from staying home in Imladris for so long. The sickeningly alert elf made matters for the drowsy human no better.
"Come my friend, wake your mind and not just your body, I have a hunch you will need both this day as we cross into Dunland." Legolas leapt nimbly to Falmarin's bare back, having already packed the meager supplies they had brought.
Aragorn was more than a little grateful that Ralamir was already saddled and bridled. In his fuddled state, he very well might have saddled the poor horse backwards.
Legolas set the pace at a brisk trot. They still had a way to go and he had no desire to be traveling through Dunland in the shadow of night. Warning ate at his heart. He could only guess that their arrival in Dunland would not go without confrontation. He had not told Aragorn as much since he had nothing upon which to base this feeling on, but feelings were not to be discarded without thought. They would have to take caution while in the region of Dunland if they wished to return to Rivendell unscathed.
Aragorn noticed his elven friend's thoughtful expression. He wondered if he should inquire, but knowing Legolas, he wouldn't speak until Aragorn absolutely had to know.
As the morning wore on, Aragorn observed his friend becoming more and more agitated. There was none of their normal bantering and Legolas sang no songs. The only cause he could tie Legolas's odd behavior to was their nearness to Dunland.
They stopped at the top of a knoll. Now, as they creseted it, they could see the river Swanfleet, marking the border of Dunland.
Legolas shuddered. Darkness seemed to emanate from the land. Lush scattered forests belied the vileness. In his mind's eye he could see Mirkwood, the once beautiful forest full of tall strong trees that sang of ancient lore, then in a flash, it changed to a blackened, misty and danger-ridden mess of dead trees. He bowed his head, if all that Gandalf said was true, how soon would all of Middle-earth turn to dust?
Aragorn reached over and placed a hand on his silent friend's shoulder. He did not know what to say but offered his support in silence.
Legolas heaved a breath, "Let us continue. Hope will not end today."
---
"He spoke true, they have crested the hill. Though I cannot tell yet if they are really elf and man." Vanen Horengof lowered the spyglass.
"It would not bode well with your life if he knew you doubted him," Ghâshronk hissed from the dark shadow of the oak. He was crouched at its base shading his yellow eyes from the filtered glare of the sun, careful not to allow any of the light to touch him too directly.
"It would also bode well with your life if you would be rid of your foulness now before they cross the river." The Dunlending scowled, "Or do you not know of the elves ability to sense your vileness. It is a wonder if the man does not sense you as well due to your stench."
Ghâshronk bared his blackened teeth at Vanen, but did not respond. Surprisingly, he heeded the man's warning and slunk from shadow to shadow till he disappeared from sight.
The assassin shook his head in disgust. He may be ordered to work with the contemptible creature, but it did not mean he had to like him, or any of his kind for that matter. But really, he told himself, it did not matter. He was an assassin. He was hired to kill and not care. He was paid for it.
This was an interesting assignment, but he was used to working alone. He had been assigned a group of men and orcs at his command. He would have preferred to work alone, but if his plan worked the way it was supposed to, then he wouldn't have to worry about his tag-alongs for long.
---
Half a mile down the river, Legolas and Aragorn found a suitable place to cross. The current was not as strong here and the water only came up to chest height on the horses. The two fine horses splashed across. On the opposite side, they passed into a thick grove of oaks. The foliage was so dense, it looked as dusk under their boughs. Even as they rode through the first line of trees, Legolas grew tenser.
Three hours passed uneventfully. Neither Legolas nor Aragorn spoke; all that was to be heard was the faint trill of a bird from time to time and the crunch of leaves under hoof. Legolas tried to convince himself to relax, after all, three hours into Dunland and nothing had happened to cause suspicion of danger. Yet the unease he had felt since the previous night had not diminished, only grown.
The silence was unnerving not only to Legolas, but also to both Ralamir and Falmarin. Their ears were pricked and their eyes wide as they sensed the agitation of their riders and the danger in the air around them. Never the less, as the day drew on and afternoon ticked on to evening, nothing happened. Following the directions given to him by Gandalf, Aragorn led them wordlessly, leaving Legolas to focus his senses on any threat.
"We should stop," suggested Aragorn.
The elf shook his head adamantly, "Nay, not tonight, not until we reach the Istar."
"But it will be difficult to navigate when it grows darker."
"We shouldn't have to worry about that if Mithrandir's directions are correct. It should not be much farther."
They continued to follow the narrow stream that took them slowly deeper into Dunland. Another half-hour slid past and the night had nearly risen completely before Legolas stopped. "We break from the stream here. There are lights ahead."
Indeed, off to the right, in a clearing dotted with trees, there was a humble hut. It was of meager construction, but looked to be of strong wood. A light shone in the window, a welcome sight to the weary travelers. They dismounted at the door that abruptly swung open, taking the travelers unaware. There in the door way, silhouetted against the light inside, was a stout figure. "Ah! Welcome friends! Come in, do not stand in the open air."
Aragorn glanced at Legolas then moved to step inside. Legolas caught his shoulder, "I take it that you are Fasse of Dunland?"
The silhouette nodded, "Aye, of course I am. But not of Dunland."
"Then you wouldn't mind me asking you why we are here."
Aragorn opened his mouth to ask why Legolas was being so disagreeable but was cut off.
"I expect you have come with a letter or some notice from Gandalf the Grey."
Legolas was silent a moment then nodded.
"Well met indeed, you are a wise one to come cautiously in a dangerous land. Now I would ask again that you warm yourselves inside!"
Aragorn looked to his friend who bobbed his head to him. Stepping inside the warm light of the room they were greeted with their first look upon Fasse, the friend of Gandalf the Grey.
He was not quite what they expected.
True to his name, Fasse was truly shaggy with the hair of a dwarf. The grey hair sprung out in all directions, ranging from wild curls to stick straight. His eyes seemed to look out from a nest, bright and jovial they were. A short character, Fasse came up only to a little above Aragorn's shoulders.
"Not what you expected, eh?" Chuckled Fasse at Aragorn's surprised expression. "Never mind that. Come, sit yourselves, you look travel weary." He gestured carelessly to two chairs by the hearth.
Aragorn settled himself in the rocking chair, but Legolas declined politely. His senses would not allow him such relaxation.
"I take it from your visit that Gandalf has received my message?"
Aragorn nodded, "Yes, he has. He also has spoke to my fa…Lord Elrond of your news."
Fasse peaked his bushy eyebrows, "Heh!" He cackled, "I have given word worthy of Lord Elrond?" A large grin cracked his hairy face.
He leaned forward, handing the letter to the wizard. "Gandalf has sent with us a letter he wished us to…" Aragorn stopped when Legolas suddenly went ridged. "Legolas what…"
"Silence!" The elf hissed. With silent steps he hurried to the wall, his fair face pinched as he listened. There was a long stretch where no one spoke.
"Get down!" Legolas then yelled. The elf lunged and pushed Fasse to the ground while Aragorn threw himself to the floor. Legolas's warning came just in time. A torch was thrown through each of the four windows, spilling glass everywhere, one knocking over the lamp on the windowsill.
---
Clad in black cloaks, Vanen Horengof and ten other Dunlending men crept from the trees. Six carried lighted torches under water soaked baskets so they would not catch flame.
Vanen crouched at the edge of the thickest part of the forest. The house stood out like a beacon. A twisted grin laced his dark face. He motioned with a hand to the four without torches. They ran silently to the edge of the hut, cases of lamp oil in hand. They poured the contents around the base of the house. When finished, they crept back to the safety of the trees. One more flick of his wrist and the four of the torch carriers stood up and threw hard. Their aim was true.
---
Glass shards dug into Legolas's back as the torches broke through the windows. Instinct took over as he leaped to his feet and pulled Fasse up as well. He was surprised at how fast the fire grew. It licked up the walls like dogs with a bone.
Smoke clouded the small room, choking those trapped inside.
"Quickly," coughed Fasse, "We must get out!"
Wasting no time, Legolas broke the remaining glass of one of the windows with his fist. "Aragorn!" He yelled, "Come on!"
He basically man-handling Fasse through the window. When he was out, he turned to help Aragorn. He hadn't risen.
The elf dropped to his friend's side, "Aragorn! Estel, awake!"
The human groaned and shifted. Legolas surmised that he had hit the hearth on the way down. He had no time to wait for the man to awaken. Picking Aragorn up, the elf ran to the burning window. Fasse was there to take the unconscious human from him. Legolas was just about to climb through himself but something stopped him. He turned.
The letter.
He did not know what its contents were, but he couldn't leave it. Fasse yelled for him to escape. He didn't even hear himself telling him to get away from the structure. The hut was ablaze now, the grass roof threatening to cave, all around him was the heat of fire. He looked desperately for the letter. He found it lying on the floor where Fasse had dropped it. Some how it was untouched by fire.
Legolas grabbed it…
The roof and walls fell.
TBC…