Disclaimer: AU Story. My second large fic because it gave me so much pleasure writing the last. I do not own any of the characters or places in this story- both belong to the genius, Tolkien. I know; I torture the characters but I will do my very best to save them. Hope you enjoy!
TrueFan: Sorry, it took so long! Were the last couple of chapter hobbit-y enough for you?
Fellowship of the Nuts: *cringes under the lash* Yes, master, anything you say! *Grima smile*
Lil*bee: A sequel, eh? Well, I was thinking of doing something on the Anduin but then I found shirebound's story and, to be honest, that really cannot be matched. Huggles!
Shirebound: Hehehe. I try! But you vill see here, my dear, zat I attempt to save da little hobbits. Aragorn- vell, ve shall see..
Chrissi: In answer to your querie for Lost in Moria, it's finished! The bit about the Balrog I cut out because I really don't think I'd write it very well. Not with the same vigour and description as Tolkien anyway. I would not do it justice. Merry is not ugly! He's just a bit.. different. :-) Nah, you're not a loser- you send me lovely, lovely comments! Okies, I will try to refrain from any more cliffhangers.
~ Chapter Fifteen ~
The fight was almost ended. The sun filled the horizon and the sky was alight with silver and grey. The elves walked down to view the damage on the ground while Legolas searched for his companions on the first level. He quickly found Boromir. He had a jagged cut across his neck and forehead but was otherwise unharmed. Together, they called to Gimli until they tripped over him under a load of orc corpses. He looked very pale.
"Aragorn- there's been no word. We heard the hobbits cry out and he went to see but he didn't come back!"
The three of them mounted the staircase and followed it in a spiral until they reached the glade where the hobbits had been. They followed the sound weeping round the tree to another clearing. Aragorn was on his knees, bending over two bodies stretched out on the grass while Sam and Pippin sat with him, both almost overwhelmed with grief. Elf, man and dwarf felt their hearts lurch as they walked forward. Aragorn jumped when he heard them approach and within an instant, Legolas found himself on the floor, a blade pushing into his neck. The ranger was startled when he saw who it was.
"Le- Legolas?"
"It's alright, Aragorn. We are all here now. Tell us what is going on here.."
"I am sorry. But I am still.. out of it, if you understand me. As for the hobbits, the others are unhurt. Merry will live, that is for sure." He gave Legolas his hand to help him up then continued, speaking to all of them, including the two hobbits. "He has a large wound on his head, which will need tending to. As for Frodo-" He became abruptly silent and lowered his eyes to the ground. There were tears shining on his cheeks. "He gave up." At their alarmed expressions, Aragorn quickly shook his head. "He is still alive, but only barely. What I am trying to say is that.. Frodo did not fight his wounds. He has several bruises and cuts on his head too. The mithril saved him from a stab at the back but.. I can't understand it! This is Frodo, is it not? The most stubborn hobbit we know. But, he gave up the fight and just let himself go. He is weakening by the second. He is not putting up any struggle against it."
Everyone was quiet for a time. Even Sam and Pippin had stopped crying. They knew why Frodo had given up. He did not want to take the Ring without Gandalf. And now he would even die rather than go on without him. As if all strength had been drained from him. Pippin opened his mouth and said in a very small voice,
"He blamed himself."
All eyes were on him.
"What was that, little one?" asked Legolas, kneeling down to face him. Pippin met his eyes- then let everything burst out of him.
"Frodo said he blamed himself for what happened. He told me that it hurt him so much. He said that I shouldn't tell anybody because I feared for him because he could bear it and-and-and I do fear for him but not in that way because he's dying! You've got to save him! We've got to help him!"
He was speaking to all of them now, looking wildly round through a haze of tears. And then he finished very quietly, "He has to go on."
--
Rain bucketed from the sky all morning. The Fellowship stayed at the chamber of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Two beds were set up in a separate room for Merry and Frodo who slept soundly for many hours. Aragorn was beginning to feel sick and was not best pleased when he was called to speak with Galadriel.
"I need to sit down for a moment. I will be alright," he said to Legolas. But had to lean heavily on his friend as he walked to one of the benches.
"Why did you not speak of this before?" the elf asked. He stopped to examine the slash at Aragorn's back. The man was silent.
"It needs to be tended to," Legolas said firmly.
Aragorn relented and allowed his friend to call for more elven healers. Another bed was brought in and the ranger collapsed onto it, falling into a deep sleep almost at once. Legolas smiled to himself before leaving the room.
--
When Merry awoke, everywhere about him was completely black. He cried out in fright. He heard hurried footsteps and he found himself looking up into Aragorn's grey-blue eyes. The man put a soothing hand to his head and Merry lay back.
"Aragorn," he said in a hoarse voice, "What's going on here? I was in Lothlórien, wasn't I? And- Frodo! Is he alright? Did Gollum get It? I heard Frodo shouting and then I saw the orcs and Pippin ran to catch Frodo as he fell down and then Gollum was there and he was running away. And then the orcs were everywhere and I didn't think that anyone was alive but me and I was up in the sky. Now I'm here. Where am I?" His voice rose a fraction and there was a hint of panic there. "Where are we, Aragorn?"
"Ssh, it's alright, Merry. Do not be alarmed. You are still safely in Lórien. And Frodo is sleeping nearby. Everything is over now. It is finished. Now, Merry, do you think you have enough strength to tell me a few things?"
"Yes," the hobbit answered weakly. Was it just him that saw the darkness or was it still night? He was so disorientated he could barely tell who he was. His head was thumping and he felt stiff all over.
"Alright. Now, you said something about Gollum, when did he arrive?"
"Not long after the elves left us. He just jumped right out over our heads and went straight for Frodo. We didn't have time to see what happened because all those orcs started coming up and we had to fight for our lives. But then Lómelindë came and she helped us. But she had to leave and fight somewhere else- oh, sorry. Gollum. Well, I saw Frodo fall and he was clutching at the Ring round his neck and Gollum was hissing like anything and then he ran up the tree again- like before. That's the last I saw of him."
"Lómelindë? Who's that?"
"We met her this morning. I don't even know what day I'm in. Aragorn, how.. how long have I been sleeping?"
"A whole day. It was morning when we found you and it is just coming up to morning now. So you knew this Lómelindë? Good, well, at least you were not alone or- Merry?"
The hobbit was trying to sit up but as he did so, it was as though a blaze of fire had shot up the back of his neck and flamed about his head. He fell back onto the pillows but it did little to dull the pain. He put a shaking hand up to his brow and felt perspiration at his fingertips. Aragorn placed a gentle hand over it, hating to see him in so much agony.
"You need more rest. There is a drink here that will numb the pain but I do not know if you want any for now."
"Please! It feels as if there's a fire in my head. What happened to me?"
"You were hit by something very hard on the head. I'm surprised you are awake now. Here is the drink." Aragorn held the mug up and tilted it to the hobbit's lips. He gulped it down and immediately felt the fire begin to fade a little. He let out a long sigh and sank deeper into the pillows. The ranger waited there until Merry was fast asleep. Then, against his better judgement, he too took a swig of the liquid. It was unpleasantly sweet but the throbbing in his back dissipated quickly. Putting the mug down, he limped across to the window and drew away the woven cover. It was raining again.
"We cannot continue down the Anduin until this rain abates," said a voice close by, "I am sorry, Aragorn."
"It is alright, Legolas," the ranger sighed. The elf helped him back to his bed and he lay down, flinching at the pain. He struggled to stay awake for a moment, saying softly,
"I do not think Frodo or Merry are up to it presently. When they are ready, we shall leave- rain or no. We.. we cannot put this off."
"Then rest. I will wake you if the hobbits stir," Legolas whispered, leaving his companion quietly.
When Aragorn was sure that he was gone, he climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the door. Silence. Opening it a crack, he peered out. No one appeared to be there so he proceeded out into the chamber. He walked to the door and out into the clearing beyond. Rain trickled down the back of his neck and he shuddered. He ran lightly over to the staircase and then, checking once more for anyone approaching, he started making his way down. He needed to find this Lómelindë.
TrueFan: Sorry, it took so long! Were the last couple of chapter hobbit-y enough for you?
Fellowship of the Nuts: *cringes under the lash* Yes, master, anything you say! *Grima smile*
Lil*bee: A sequel, eh? Well, I was thinking of doing something on the Anduin but then I found shirebound's story and, to be honest, that really cannot be matched. Huggles!
Shirebound: Hehehe. I try! But you vill see here, my dear, zat I attempt to save da little hobbits. Aragorn- vell, ve shall see..
Chrissi: In answer to your querie for Lost in Moria, it's finished! The bit about the Balrog I cut out because I really don't think I'd write it very well. Not with the same vigour and description as Tolkien anyway. I would not do it justice. Merry is not ugly! He's just a bit.. different. :-) Nah, you're not a loser- you send me lovely, lovely comments! Okies, I will try to refrain from any more cliffhangers.
~ Chapter Fifteen ~
The fight was almost ended. The sun filled the horizon and the sky was alight with silver and grey. The elves walked down to view the damage on the ground while Legolas searched for his companions on the first level. He quickly found Boromir. He had a jagged cut across his neck and forehead but was otherwise unharmed. Together, they called to Gimli until they tripped over him under a load of orc corpses. He looked very pale.
"Aragorn- there's been no word. We heard the hobbits cry out and he went to see but he didn't come back!"
The three of them mounted the staircase and followed it in a spiral until they reached the glade where the hobbits had been. They followed the sound weeping round the tree to another clearing. Aragorn was on his knees, bending over two bodies stretched out on the grass while Sam and Pippin sat with him, both almost overwhelmed with grief. Elf, man and dwarf felt their hearts lurch as they walked forward. Aragorn jumped when he heard them approach and within an instant, Legolas found himself on the floor, a blade pushing into his neck. The ranger was startled when he saw who it was.
"Le- Legolas?"
"It's alright, Aragorn. We are all here now. Tell us what is going on here.."
"I am sorry. But I am still.. out of it, if you understand me. As for the hobbits, the others are unhurt. Merry will live, that is for sure." He gave Legolas his hand to help him up then continued, speaking to all of them, including the two hobbits. "He has a large wound on his head, which will need tending to. As for Frodo-" He became abruptly silent and lowered his eyes to the ground. There were tears shining on his cheeks. "He gave up." At their alarmed expressions, Aragorn quickly shook his head. "He is still alive, but only barely. What I am trying to say is that.. Frodo did not fight his wounds. He has several bruises and cuts on his head too. The mithril saved him from a stab at the back but.. I can't understand it! This is Frodo, is it not? The most stubborn hobbit we know. But, he gave up the fight and just let himself go. He is weakening by the second. He is not putting up any struggle against it."
Everyone was quiet for a time. Even Sam and Pippin had stopped crying. They knew why Frodo had given up. He did not want to take the Ring without Gandalf. And now he would even die rather than go on without him. As if all strength had been drained from him. Pippin opened his mouth and said in a very small voice,
"He blamed himself."
All eyes were on him.
"What was that, little one?" asked Legolas, kneeling down to face him. Pippin met his eyes- then let everything burst out of him.
"Frodo said he blamed himself for what happened. He told me that it hurt him so much. He said that I shouldn't tell anybody because I feared for him because he could bear it and-and-and I do fear for him but not in that way because he's dying! You've got to save him! We've got to help him!"
He was speaking to all of them now, looking wildly round through a haze of tears. And then he finished very quietly, "He has to go on."
--
Rain bucketed from the sky all morning. The Fellowship stayed at the chamber of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Two beds were set up in a separate room for Merry and Frodo who slept soundly for many hours. Aragorn was beginning to feel sick and was not best pleased when he was called to speak with Galadriel.
"I need to sit down for a moment. I will be alright," he said to Legolas. But had to lean heavily on his friend as he walked to one of the benches.
"Why did you not speak of this before?" the elf asked. He stopped to examine the slash at Aragorn's back. The man was silent.
"It needs to be tended to," Legolas said firmly.
Aragorn relented and allowed his friend to call for more elven healers. Another bed was brought in and the ranger collapsed onto it, falling into a deep sleep almost at once. Legolas smiled to himself before leaving the room.
--
When Merry awoke, everywhere about him was completely black. He cried out in fright. He heard hurried footsteps and he found himself looking up into Aragorn's grey-blue eyes. The man put a soothing hand to his head and Merry lay back.
"Aragorn," he said in a hoarse voice, "What's going on here? I was in Lothlórien, wasn't I? And- Frodo! Is he alright? Did Gollum get It? I heard Frodo shouting and then I saw the orcs and Pippin ran to catch Frodo as he fell down and then Gollum was there and he was running away. And then the orcs were everywhere and I didn't think that anyone was alive but me and I was up in the sky. Now I'm here. Where am I?" His voice rose a fraction and there was a hint of panic there. "Where are we, Aragorn?"
"Ssh, it's alright, Merry. Do not be alarmed. You are still safely in Lórien. And Frodo is sleeping nearby. Everything is over now. It is finished. Now, Merry, do you think you have enough strength to tell me a few things?"
"Yes," the hobbit answered weakly. Was it just him that saw the darkness or was it still night? He was so disorientated he could barely tell who he was. His head was thumping and he felt stiff all over.
"Alright. Now, you said something about Gollum, when did he arrive?"
"Not long after the elves left us. He just jumped right out over our heads and went straight for Frodo. We didn't have time to see what happened because all those orcs started coming up and we had to fight for our lives. But then Lómelindë came and she helped us. But she had to leave and fight somewhere else- oh, sorry. Gollum. Well, I saw Frodo fall and he was clutching at the Ring round his neck and Gollum was hissing like anything and then he ran up the tree again- like before. That's the last I saw of him."
"Lómelindë? Who's that?"
"We met her this morning. I don't even know what day I'm in. Aragorn, how.. how long have I been sleeping?"
"A whole day. It was morning when we found you and it is just coming up to morning now. So you knew this Lómelindë? Good, well, at least you were not alone or- Merry?"
The hobbit was trying to sit up but as he did so, it was as though a blaze of fire had shot up the back of his neck and flamed about his head. He fell back onto the pillows but it did little to dull the pain. He put a shaking hand up to his brow and felt perspiration at his fingertips. Aragorn placed a gentle hand over it, hating to see him in so much agony.
"You need more rest. There is a drink here that will numb the pain but I do not know if you want any for now."
"Please! It feels as if there's a fire in my head. What happened to me?"
"You were hit by something very hard on the head. I'm surprised you are awake now. Here is the drink." Aragorn held the mug up and tilted it to the hobbit's lips. He gulped it down and immediately felt the fire begin to fade a little. He let out a long sigh and sank deeper into the pillows. The ranger waited there until Merry was fast asleep. Then, against his better judgement, he too took a swig of the liquid. It was unpleasantly sweet but the throbbing in his back dissipated quickly. Putting the mug down, he limped across to the window and drew away the woven cover. It was raining again.
"We cannot continue down the Anduin until this rain abates," said a voice close by, "I am sorry, Aragorn."
"It is alright, Legolas," the ranger sighed. The elf helped him back to his bed and he lay down, flinching at the pain. He struggled to stay awake for a moment, saying softly,
"I do not think Frodo or Merry are up to it presently. When they are ready, we shall leave- rain or no. We.. we cannot put this off."
"Then rest. I will wake you if the hobbits stir," Legolas whispered, leaving his companion quietly.
When Aragorn was sure that he was gone, he climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the door. Silence. Opening it a crack, he peered out. No one appeared to be there so he proceeded out into the chamber. He walked to the door and out into the clearing beyond. Rain trickled down the back of his neck and he shuddered. He ran lightly over to the staircase and then, checking once more for anyone approaching, he started making his way down. He needed to find this Lómelindë.