THE DAYSTAR
BY: GABRIELLA THE FAIR
Chapter 8
FIRE AND ICE
"What was she like, how would you explain her?" With a faraway smile, he looked up to the sky and answered, "She was the Daystar, lighting up the day during our darkest hour, warming the earth with her love." "She is as clear as the moon, as fair as the sun, and as glorious as an army under one banner"
To most she was a loving friend, her fairness lighting up the world, no matter what the weather. To some a companion, and one a lover and dream. Yet, many feared her dignity in her footsteps, power in her stride, and authority in her eyes. This is her story.
&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&
"Come, this way, follow me."
"How more much wood?"
"As much as you can carry" Boromir answered.
They had decided not to light fire again, only if it be between fire or death. Though, taking Boromir's advice, they would gather as much wood as possible, for it is very cold up in Caradhras.
"There I think that is enough, hopefully we might not have to put this to any use", said Boromir, handing the last of the wood to Aragorn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Company set out, going as quickly as they could over the steep cliffs. Legolas was in front with Gandalf and Aragorn behind, and everyone else filed in after that in no particular order, save Sam with Bill.
When they had finished climbing a sharp slope, Raquel looked up to feel snow on her face. It danced around her in a merry song, no harm seeming to come from their innocent dance.
"This is what I feared, snow." Aragorn said from the front, "Yet, we are not high enough for snow, even in the winter these paths are left open."
"Do you think this is a new evil?" asked Gimli.
"Most likely, for in my land, many say he can control the weather and has many allies from his home in Mordor. He has strange powers," added in Boromir.
"He is powerful indeed," said Raquel, "if he can make it snow from the North trouble us here, then he is powerful beyond doubt."
"Your words are true, Lady Elf, to my dismay they are true" Gandalf sighed and continued on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While climbing still Frodo slipped and fell. Rolling, Aragorn stopped him and helped him up.
Brushing him self off, Frodo felt his neck, and a strange look overcame his face.
"What is it Frodo?" Aragorn asked, also noticing the unusual look.
"The Ring, it is gone, I must have lost it while falling."
Boromir bent down picked up the Ring, which was at his feet. He lifted it up as if he were examining it.
"Boromir." Aragorn looked at him, his hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." said he, still holding the Ring up, smiling to himself, yet frowning all the same. Something came into his face and a mist over his eye.
"Boromir! Give the ring to Frodo." Aragorn's hand strayed to his hilt. Raquel noticed this and caught his eye, shaking her head slighty. Aragorn turned away, ignoring her.
"As you wish. I care not." Bormir walked to Frodo and handed him the Ring. But he too obviously does care, to Raquel at least, and when he turned away, Aragorn took his hand off his sword.
Later, Raquel trailed behind and came to Aragorn's side.
"Why did you do that?" she asked in a low voice. Aragorn did not look at her, though he answered.
"He is not to handle the Ring, I do not like the look that came over his face."
"Neither do I, Aragorn, but he did not assault Frodo or threaten him, get control of your feelings, we do not want any bloodshed unless absolutely necessary."
He just nodded and quickened his pace, going to Gandalf's side.
Raquel thought of what had just happened. Had he really tried, or even thought of taking the Ring?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
They stopped suddenly, together, as if on command. The wind had slackened and the snow had let up until it had finally stopped. The Hobbits were having the worse time of them all, with Frodo's feet feeling numb and Pippin lagging behind. Even Gimli and Boromir had grumbled of some complaints. Rocks had started falling and landing near them and every now and then they heard a low rumble of a boulder up in the Mountain.
"We cannot go any further tonight," said Boromir. "There are fell voices on the air, and those stones are meant for us."
"There are many evil and unfriendly in the world, and yet, are not in league with Sauron. Some have been in this world longer than even himself." said Aragorn.
"Caradhras was once called the Cruel, long ago, when Sauron had not even been heard of in this land." Gimli said.
"It doesn't matter who the enemy is, as long as we can fight off their attack." Raquel spoke up, surprising them all, for ever since the crows, she had said little.
"Well, what are we going to do?" Pippin asked desperately, leaning on Frodo and Merry for support.
"That is very true, Raquel, and I think what we are to do is either stop here, or go back," said Gandalf, "it would prove folly to go on, for there would be no shelter to block out the falling rocks and snow. We should stop here, this rock cliff proves our best shelter."
"And it would be no good going back while it is storming. We have not yet past a better place to stay."
Everyone agreed to this while trying to set up a makeshift camp. Raquel heard Sam mutter something under his breath, yet did the same as everyone else.
They gathered close together, their backs to the cliff wall. Bill stood in front of the hobbits, and blocked them a little, but drifting snow got to his flanks, and was growing. Soon the hobbits would be buried. Raquel sat on one side of Pippin and could feel the great shivers that shook his whole body even though he had two blankets wrapped around him. She looked at the other hobbits and noticed Frodo falling into a sleep.
"Boromir, lift up Frodo, he is almost buried." said Raquel.
Boromir did so (he was on one side of Frodo) and spoke, "This will be the death of the halflings, or us all, Gandalf, we must do something!"
Gandalf reached in his pack and got out a flask, "Give them this, just mouthful each, everyone take some. It is precious, for it is miruvor, from Imladris. Elrond gave it to me. Pass it around!" When it came to Raquel, she passed, when no one was looking. Instead, she got out the extra blanket that Katriel gave her and wrapped it around Pippin.
"Raquel, I do not need it, I'm fine." said Pippin, his teeth chattering as he said it. "No, take it Pippin, I do not need it and you are cold, do not try to lie to me" said Raquel. "Thank you." he said in-between his chattering teeth. She nodded and went back to her own thoughts.
"Gandalf, is it all right to start a fire? I think we are now between fire or death. If anyone sees the fire, I am sure they have already seen us."
"You can make fire, if you are able," said Gandalf, "watchers in the storm I'm sure have seen us, fire or no."
They brought out their wood and kindlings, though no one could make a fire. Finally Gandalf stood up and spoke a word of command.
"naur an edraith ammen!"
He spoke to the wood, thrusting his staff in the middle of it. A green puff of fire came up, then blue flame sprang out, and the wood then flared.
"If anyone sees us, they will know I am here, for I have written, GANDALF IS HERE, that can be read all the way from Rivendell."
The company (excluding Raquel, she did not get up from her spot) gathered around the fire, warming their hands, for the fire melted the snow and slush appeared at their feet. They rejoiced to once again to see and feel the warmth of fire. The red light burned merrily on their faces, though the wood was burning fast, and the snow kept falling.
"Raquel, come on join us," Pippin came over to her "it is warm and feels good."
"Go back Pippin, I am fine." she said again, but he came over and took her hand, trying to pull her up.
"Please Raquel? It is so warm, and you look so cold and lonely over here." The word lonely struck her hard. Is that what was bothering her? Was she homesick for her friends?
"Fine," she said grinning at Pippin, "you win, I will come over."
He let out a huge smile and ran back to the fire, laughing, while Raquel followed behind him. "Dawn is near, and it is getting cold." Aragorn said throwing on the last piece of wood.
"The snow is less, and the wind is quieter" Gimli announced.
Raquel gazed out of the circle; each had sat next to the fire in a circle, sitting close for warmth. She saw that the snow was ceasing, and the wind was not howling. A light grew from some ways off; dawn pierced the snowy world.
"Caradhras is not going to let us go on, the farther up we go, the worse. We should leave while we can." Gimli added.
To this, everyone agreed, but getting back down would be hard. The snow had mounted to almost two heads higher than the hobbit's.
"If Gandalf could go ahead of us with a flame, he could burn the snow and melt away a path." said Legolas.
"If Elves could fly, they might fetch us the Sun to save us, but I cannot burn snow." "Well, when heads are at a loss, then bodies must serve." Boromir said with a hearty smile.
"Then you and I will make a path, Boromir" Aragorn replied.
Legolas and Raquel sat there watching with a smile.
"We will leave our strong men to work," she said, almost letting out an explosion of laughter, "but I must have something to work on."
"Well I say, let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running lightly over snow-an Elf, come Raquel, we have work to do."
They jumped up, and swiftly sprang forward, though Raquel proved to be the faster, for she was smaller and lighter.
"We go to find the Sun!" he announced to Gandalf. As they passed the men, Raquel let out a small bit of laughter and waved. They vanished from their sight as they passed a rocky turn.
~~~~~~~~~
"Look, Legolas!"
"What is it?" he asked.
"Look, the wind-drift is just but a wall's width," she said pointing to it as she spoke, "and on the other side it is just a coverlet of snow!"
He looked over and smiled. "Ah, you are right, let me go tell our Fearless Men." he looked at her, but turned, trying his hardest not to laugh, but did not succeed when Raquel started. "I will be back" he turned still laughing.
A couple of minutes later he returned, smiling, "Our Strong Men were buried and running out of hope, until I told them of the drift that we spotted."
"And now?" Raquel asked.
"They are almost done digging, so we can go back and tell the good news."
She got up and ran forward, and soon they had both reached the hobbits, Gimli and Gandalf. Behind them, the men worked their way up the slope to reach them. Legolas explained the situation to Gandalf and the others.
"Even if the drift is dug out, how are we to get down there?" Pippin asked.
"We will carry you, for we are weary, but we can still bear the little people, here I will start with you Master Peregrin!"
Pippin climbed to his back, and he picked up Merry, and took the across where he sat them down with Raquel and Legolas to wait for the rest of the Company. After awhile he came back with Sam. Gandalf came leading Bill with Gimli sitting on top of the baggage. Aragorn came last with Frodo. Frodo had hardly touched the ground when a low rumble came. Rocks came down, with snow, blinding the Fellowship, but when it cleared, they saw rocks blocking the path up the mountain.
"We get the point, we're leaving already!" Gimli shouted to the mountain.
They climbed down all day, everyone growing weary. Raquel spotted in the distance the birds. "The birds, they are back!" Aragorn shouted.
"We cannot stop, I will not spend another night on this mountain. We will keep going." They stumbled down the slope of the mountain, finally reaching the bottom. Caradhras had defeated them.
"What are we to do now?" asked Frodo.
:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:- }:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}
hi, how ya doin? This chapter I based on the book entirely really, because I like the book on this part a lot more. This was a pretty hard chapter to write and I based most of their talking on the book, so don't sue me! Next chapter-(drum roll) The Mines o' Moria.but first they have to decide to go there. Yea, hope ya guys like it, R&R if you can! thanx to every1 that does.
*~*~*Gabi*~*~*
"What was she like, how would you explain her?" With a faraway smile, he looked up to the sky and answered, "She was the Daystar, lighting up the day during our darkest hour, warming the earth with her love." "She is as clear as the moon, as fair as the sun, and as glorious as an army under one banner"
To most she was a loving friend, her fairness lighting up the world, no matter what the weather. To some a companion, and one a lover and dream. Yet, many feared her dignity in her footsteps, power in her stride, and authority in her eyes. This is her story.
&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&
"Come, this way, follow me."
"How more much wood?"
"As much as you can carry" Boromir answered.
They had decided not to light fire again, only if it be between fire or death. Though, taking Boromir's advice, they would gather as much wood as possible, for it is very cold up in Caradhras.
"There I think that is enough, hopefully we might not have to put this to any use", said Boromir, handing the last of the wood to Aragorn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Company set out, going as quickly as they could over the steep cliffs. Legolas was in front with Gandalf and Aragorn behind, and everyone else filed in after that in no particular order, save Sam with Bill.
When they had finished climbing a sharp slope, Raquel looked up to feel snow on her face. It danced around her in a merry song, no harm seeming to come from their innocent dance.
"This is what I feared, snow." Aragorn said from the front, "Yet, we are not high enough for snow, even in the winter these paths are left open."
"Do you think this is a new evil?" asked Gimli.
"Most likely, for in my land, many say he can control the weather and has many allies from his home in Mordor. He has strange powers," added in Boromir.
"He is powerful indeed," said Raquel, "if he can make it snow from the North trouble us here, then he is powerful beyond doubt."
"Your words are true, Lady Elf, to my dismay they are true" Gandalf sighed and continued on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While climbing still Frodo slipped and fell. Rolling, Aragorn stopped him and helped him up.
Brushing him self off, Frodo felt his neck, and a strange look overcame his face.
"What is it Frodo?" Aragorn asked, also noticing the unusual look.
"The Ring, it is gone, I must have lost it while falling."
Boromir bent down picked up the Ring, which was at his feet. He lifted it up as if he were examining it.
"Boromir." Aragorn looked at him, his hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." said he, still holding the Ring up, smiling to himself, yet frowning all the same. Something came into his face and a mist over his eye.
"Boromir! Give the ring to Frodo." Aragorn's hand strayed to his hilt. Raquel noticed this and caught his eye, shaking her head slighty. Aragorn turned away, ignoring her.
"As you wish. I care not." Bormir walked to Frodo and handed him the Ring. But he too obviously does care, to Raquel at least, and when he turned away, Aragorn took his hand off his sword.
Later, Raquel trailed behind and came to Aragorn's side.
"Why did you do that?" she asked in a low voice. Aragorn did not look at her, though he answered.
"He is not to handle the Ring, I do not like the look that came over his face."
"Neither do I, Aragorn, but he did not assault Frodo or threaten him, get control of your feelings, we do not want any bloodshed unless absolutely necessary."
He just nodded and quickened his pace, going to Gandalf's side.
Raquel thought of what had just happened. Had he really tried, or even thought of taking the Ring?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
They stopped suddenly, together, as if on command. The wind had slackened and the snow had let up until it had finally stopped. The Hobbits were having the worse time of them all, with Frodo's feet feeling numb and Pippin lagging behind. Even Gimli and Boromir had grumbled of some complaints. Rocks had started falling and landing near them and every now and then they heard a low rumble of a boulder up in the Mountain.
"We cannot go any further tonight," said Boromir. "There are fell voices on the air, and those stones are meant for us."
"There are many evil and unfriendly in the world, and yet, are not in league with Sauron. Some have been in this world longer than even himself." said Aragorn.
"Caradhras was once called the Cruel, long ago, when Sauron had not even been heard of in this land." Gimli said.
"It doesn't matter who the enemy is, as long as we can fight off their attack." Raquel spoke up, surprising them all, for ever since the crows, she had said little.
"Well, what are we going to do?" Pippin asked desperately, leaning on Frodo and Merry for support.
"That is very true, Raquel, and I think what we are to do is either stop here, or go back," said Gandalf, "it would prove folly to go on, for there would be no shelter to block out the falling rocks and snow. We should stop here, this rock cliff proves our best shelter."
"And it would be no good going back while it is storming. We have not yet past a better place to stay."
Everyone agreed to this while trying to set up a makeshift camp. Raquel heard Sam mutter something under his breath, yet did the same as everyone else.
They gathered close together, their backs to the cliff wall. Bill stood in front of the hobbits, and blocked them a little, but drifting snow got to his flanks, and was growing. Soon the hobbits would be buried. Raquel sat on one side of Pippin and could feel the great shivers that shook his whole body even though he had two blankets wrapped around him. She looked at the other hobbits and noticed Frodo falling into a sleep.
"Boromir, lift up Frodo, he is almost buried." said Raquel.
Boromir did so (he was on one side of Frodo) and spoke, "This will be the death of the halflings, or us all, Gandalf, we must do something!"
Gandalf reached in his pack and got out a flask, "Give them this, just mouthful each, everyone take some. It is precious, for it is miruvor, from Imladris. Elrond gave it to me. Pass it around!" When it came to Raquel, she passed, when no one was looking. Instead, she got out the extra blanket that Katriel gave her and wrapped it around Pippin.
"Raquel, I do not need it, I'm fine." said Pippin, his teeth chattering as he said it. "No, take it Pippin, I do not need it and you are cold, do not try to lie to me" said Raquel. "Thank you." he said in-between his chattering teeth. She nodded and went back to her own thoughts.
"Gandalf, is it all right to start a fire? I think we are now between fire or death. If anyone sees the fire, I am sure they have already seen us."
"You can make fire, if you are able," said Gandalf, "watchers in the storm I'm sure have seen us, fire or no."
They brought out their wood and kindlings, though no one could make a fire. Finally Gandalf stood up and spoke a word of command.
"naur an edraith ammen!"
He spoke to the wood, thrusting his staff in the middle of it. A green puff of fire came up, then blue flame sprang out, and the wood then flared.
"If anyone sees us, they will know I am here, for I have written, GANDALF IS HERE, that can be read all the way from Rivendell."
The company (excluding Raquel, she did not get up from her spot) gathered around the fire, warming their hands, for the fire melted the snow and slush appeared at their feet. They rejoiced to once again to see and feel the warmth of fire. The red light burned merrily on their faces, though the wood was burning fast, and the snow kept falling.
"Raquel, come on join us," Pippin came over to her "it is warm and feels good."
"Go back Pippin, I am fine." she said again, but he came over and took her hand, trying to pull her up.
"Please Raquel? It is so warm, and you look so cold and lonely over here." The word lonely struck her hard. Is that what was bothering her? Was she homesick for her friends?
"Fine," she said grinning at Pippin, "you win, I will come over."
He let out a huge smile and ran back to the fire, laughing, while Raquel followed behind him. "Dawn is near, and it is getting cold." Aragorn said throwing on the last piece of wood.
"The snow is less, and the wind is quieter" Gimli announced.
Raquel gazed out of the circle; each had sat next to the fire in a circle, sitting close for warmth. She saw that the snow was ceasing, and the wind was not howling. A light grew from some ways off; dawn pierced the snowy world.
"Caradhras is not going to let us go on, the farther up we go, the worse. We should leave while we can." Gimli added.
To this, everyone agreed, but getting back down would be hard. The snow had mounted to almost two heads higher than the hobbit's.
"If Gandalf could go ahead of us with a flame, he could burn the snow and melt away a path." said Legolas.
"If Elves could fly, they might fetch us the Sun to save us, but I cannot burn snow." "Well, when heads are at a loss, then bodies must serve." Boromir said with a hearty smile.
"Then you and I will make a path, Boromir" Aragorn replied.
Legolas and Raquel sat there watching with a smile.
"We will leave our strong men to work," she said, almost letting out an explosion of laughter, "but I must have something to work on."
"Well I say, let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running lightly over snow-an Elf, come Raquel, we have work to do."
They jumped up, and swiftly sprang forward, though Raquel proved to be the faster, for she was smaller and lighter.
"We go to find the Sun!" he announced to Gandalf. As they passed the men, Raquel let out a small bit of laughter and waved. They vanished from their sight as they passed a rocky turn.
~~~~~~~~~
"Look, Legolas!"
"What is it?" he asked.
"Look, the wind-drift is just but a wall's width," she said pointing to it as she spoke, "and on the other side it is just a coverlet of snow!"
He looked over and smiled. "Ah, you are right, let me go tell our Fearless Men." he looked at her, but turned, trying his hardest not to laugh, but did not succeed when Raquel started. "I will be back" he turned still laughing.
A couple of minutes later he returned, smiling, "Our Strong Men were buried and running out of hope, until I told them of the drift that we spotted."
"And now?" Raquel asked.
"They are almost done digging, so we can go back and tell the good news."
She got up and ran forward, and soon they had both reached the hobbits, Gimli and Gandalf. Behind them, the men worked their way up the slope to reach them. Legolas explained the situation to Gandalf and the others.
"Even if the drift is dug out, how are we to get down there?" Pippin asked.
"We will carry you, for we are weary, but we can still bear the little people, here I will start with you Master Peregrin!"
Pippin climbed to his back, and he picked up Merry, and took the across where he sat them down with Raquel and Legolas to wait for the rest of the Company. After awhile he came back with Sam. Gandalf came leading Bill with Gimli sitting on top of the baggage. Aragorn came last with Frodo. Frodo had hardly touched the ground when a low rumble came. Rocks came down, with snow, blinding the Fellowship, but when it cleared, they saw rocks blocking the path up the mountain.
"We get the point, we're leaving already!" Gimli shouted to the mountain.
They climbed down all day, everyone growing weary. Raquel spotted in the distance the birds. "The birds, they are back!" Aragorn shouted.
"We cannot stop, I will not spend another night on this mountain. We will keep going." They stumbled down the slope of the mountain, finally reaching the bottom. Caradhras had defeated them.
"What are we to do now?" asked Frodo.
:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:- }:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}:-}
hi, how ya doin? This chapter I based on the book entirely really, because I like the book on this part a lot more. This was a pretty hard chapter to write and I based most of their talking on the book, so don't sue me! Next chapter-(drum roll) The Mines o' Moria.but first they have to decide to go there. Yea, hope ya guys like it, R&R if you can! thanx to every1 that does.
*~*~*Gabi*~*~*