Author's notes: sorry for the delay…my computer was broken down for a while…we just got it fixed like last night…n/e waize… "8 mile" is such a good movie… true, it wasn't as good as I would have thought it would be considering all the hype and the tite ass trailers, but…I still liked it… =)
Chapter 8: Help in the Skies
The night drew on and the sky turned pitch-black. As the Fellowship slept, only Aragorn was still awake as he watched over the river. Just as he had predicted just a few hours before, he had not been able to sleep and though morning was soon to come, he was not a bit anxious to sleep. Any sense of drowsiness had left ever since the day they had left Mirkwood. Thoughts of Legolas had kept Aragorn up. Was the Elf still alive? What torture was he going through now?
As the first signs of dawn approached, the bodies in the boats stirred awake. The first to rise was Gandalf who looked over at Aragorn's boat and saw him examining the woods across the river. The wizard grunted gruffly and tapped Sam, Frodo, and Pippin with his staff to wake them. While they groaned grumpily, both Merry and Gimli blinked as they yawned and stretched. They sat up and looked up in surprise at the tall Man standing above them.
"Have you not slept at all, Aragorn?" Gimli questioned disapprovingly. Aragorn nodded, keeping his gaze on the river. Gimli sighed. "Depriving yourself of sleep will not make Legolas any safer, Aragorn. You need to sleep. We are all worried about the Elf."
"Gandalf," Aragorn called out, ignoring Gimli's homily, "is there no quicker way to reach Mordor?" Aragorn felt impatient and knew that the path they took now would take long for them to reach Mordor. Too long.
Just then, the Fellowship heard a shrill cry in the skies above. They looked up and saw a pack of Eagles circling over them. The Eagles glided down to the surface of the water and hovered with great difficulty for their wings were not made to hover but to glide. When their wings flapped, it caused great ripples in the water, making the boats tip slightly. Sam fidgeted uncomfortably and shut his eyes tightly.
"I hate water," he muttered crankily. Frodo giggled softly and clapped his shoulder on Sam's shoulder in reassurance.
"Gandalf!" the largest Eagle, obviously the leader, called out. "I am searching for Gandalf the White! Is he among you?"
"I am Gandalf." Gandalf announced as he tipped his hat to the Eagle. He took a step closer to the edge of the boat so as to better speak with the Eagle. The boat rocked gently with the movement but did not tip over. Even so, Sam gripped the edges of the boat anxiously.
The Eagle gave a screech, which was directed to the other Eagles. They gave a shriek in response. The leader turned back to Gandalf. "I am Belrahir, son of Gwaihir. The Lady of the Elves has asked that my brethren and I lead you to Mordor." He said grandly.
Gandalf grinned in relief. He bowed his head gratefully to Belrahir. "All help is greatly appreciated, Belrahir." Gandalf replied graciously.
"We cannot take you directly to the Dark Tower but we know a spot near it that we may take you to."
"My thanks and gratitude!" Gandalf cried as Belrahir lifted him into the air with his claws and they both flew away into the skies. The other Eagles also took the rest of the Fellowship in a similar manner. Only Aragorn and Gandalf seemed to enjoy the soaring sensation. Gimli grumbled at looking like an Eagle's prey and the Hobbits looked petrified at the realization of being so high up in the air. The temperature, however, was pleasant and the sun beat down its warmth upon the group. Aragorn gazed out in admiration at the beautiful lands they passed while in the sky. But his spirit was dampened when he thought of how Legolas would enjoy this journey. Legolas would be so joyous if he had the opportunity to see all the lands he adored in one glance. To think someone could take this away from him! The thought enraged Aragorn who vowed to kill Saruman once they found the wizard. He would suffer for the pain he must be causing Legolas.
The flight went on until the sun began to set slowly, but finally the Eagles began their descent and landed in a small clearing in the midst of a thick forest. The Eagles gently released the Fellowship onto the ground before flying up into the more comfortable trees above. Belrahir stayed on the ground, however, to talk further with the group.
"Is this where you leave us?" Gimli asked hopefully.
Belrahir clicked his beak. "No. As fast as we Eagles may be, we still have days to go until we reach our destination. Rest now, my masters. My brethren and I shall stand watch and protect you from what evils may lie in these lands."
Sam had already begun to set up a small campfire and Frodo was beginning to set down all the bedrolls. Gimli nodded desolately at Belrahir's response and proceeded to squat down next to Sam to prepare the fire. Soon, they had a warm fire crackling and Sam sat down in front of it contentedly. The Fellowship gathered around the fire and rubbed their hands above the fire, appreciating the warmth it brought them as the chilly night came down upon them.
"Belrahir, not meaning to be rude, but is there anything to eat around here?" Merry asked. He rubbed his stomach fervently as if hoping the movement would curb his hunger.
"Yes, if you go less than thirty yards straight down this path, there will be an abandoned guardhouse stocked with goods."
Merry and Pippin jumped up eagerly and began to scurry away. Gimli also stood up and blocked the Hobbits' way.
"I shall go with you." He announced. "I do not trust you little Hobbits to bring back our shares untouched."
His declaration received chuckles from the group but grunts of disbelief from the two accused Hobbits. "Now, see here Gimli!" Merry cried out indignantly. He puffed up his chest as he walked up to Gimli. He put his hands on his waist and lifted his chin up. He stood on his very tiptoes in an effort to look more menacing. Even so, he was still about half a head shorter than the Dwarf and his resentful facial expression was more comical than intimidating. "I am well past the age of 33 and deserve to be treated with the respect you, Gandalf, Aragorn, and even Frodo receive!"
"Yeah!" Pippin squeaked out in agreement.
Gimli laughed amusedly and then made a face of mock apology. "Of course, my little master. My apologies." Gimli bowed low to Merry whose face was flushed with excitement. "Then may I escort you and Lord Pippin to the guardhouse? I would be most honored if you accept me for this task!"
"That's much better." Merry sniffed with his nose up in the air. He and Pippin haughtily set off for the road as Gimli brought up the rear, chuckling softly as they disappeared down the worn footpath.
Frodo turned to Belrahir, who looked somewhat uncomfortable on the ground. "Belrahir, how long will we be traveling tomorrow?" he asked curiously.
"'Tis not too far my brethren and I shall take you. We are near the beginnings of the lands of Mordor. We shall not go for more than half a day. The destination we have set for you is quite near the Dark Tower and so it is guarded well by the Orcs but you should have no problem entering the tower for the Orcs are terrified of the race of Eagles. However, once we set you down, you must depart immediately for the tower for even Eagles cannot fend off hordes of Orcs."
"Oh." Frodo looked back down at his hands. He was not looking forward to a second visit to the dreary lands of Mordor. He had thought he would never have to come here ever again.
"What task have you now in Mordor?" Belrahir questioned. "Is it true that Saruman is once again attempting to return to power?"
"Indeed." Gandalf answered.
Belrahir clicked his beak thoughtfully. "This is grave news, Gandalf. I had truly thought the days of evil were over."
"Never shall they be entirely over." Gandalf replied wearily. "Only delayed."
Author's note: apologies for the short chapter. =X