THE JOYS OF A BEARD

by Soledad

Disclaimer: Not mine, all Tolkien's, except the Mary Sue and the weird plot. Sue me, and you'll be given the Sue – pardon the really bad pun.

Rating: PG-13, for some interspecies… erm… interaction.

Summary: The Fellowship travels from Rivendell to Hollin. Chaos ensues.

Author's notes: Basically, this is the way of the Fellowship to Hollin and beyond.

Quotes are from ''The Return of the Shadow'' (HoME 6) and ''The Treason of Isengard'' (HoME 7). The randomly appearing Elvish words have – as it is a rule in this sort of stories – no reason why they couldn't be said in English. It is called ''atmosphere'', you know. They probably aren't even correct, but who cares?

Also, we can witness the overly popular Boromir cliché (from evil lustling to mad rapist and/or crazed villain) raising its ugly head. Which won't stop the younger hobbits from lusting after him, of course. You haven't really expected me to miss that one, have you? Just wait and be very afraid!evil grin

I apologize for being so late with this update – Real Life had drowned me in other sorts of work lately. Alas, I cannot promise to be quicker in the future. Updates might be few and far between for quite some time.

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''If the Elves knew the joys of a beard, no dwarf would be safe.'' – Legolas, in ''A Diamond Between Wood and Stone'', the most poetic Legolas/Gimli story I've ever read. Written by Pythoness, may the Valar bless her.

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CHAPTER 9: THE POWER OF YAVANNA

After the Ford they left the West Road that crossed Bruinen; and turning left they went on by narrow paths among the folded lands. They were going South. Their purpose was to hold this course for many miles and days on the western side of the Misty Mountains. The country was much wilder and rougher than in the green valley of the Great River in Wilderland on the eastern side of the Mountain, and their going now would be much slower, but they hoped in this way to escape the notice of enemies. The spies of Sauron had hitherto seldom been seen in the western regions; and the paths were little known except to the people of Rivendell.

Gandalf walked in the front and with him went Trotter who knew this country even in the dark. They flanked the Princess on both sides, to protect her from any possible perils. The hobbits followed them in no particular order, then came Legolas and Gimli in companionable silence. Boromir as rearguard walked behind.

The first part of their journey was cheerless and grim and Frodo remembered little of it, except the cold wind. It blew icily from the eastern mountains for many sunless days and no garment seemed able to keep out its searching fingers. They had been well furnished  with warm clothes in Rivendell, and had jackets and cloaks lined with fur as well as many blankets, but they seldom felt warm, either moving or at rest. They slept uneasily during the middle of the day, in some hollow of the land, or hidden under the tangled thorn-bushes that grew in great thickets in those parts. In the late afternoon they were roused and had their chief meal: usually cold and cheerless and with little talk, for they seldom risked the lighting of a fire. In the evening they went on again, as nearly due south as they could find a way.

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Neither Legolas, nor his sister seemed to be bothered by the weather. The Prince of Mirkwood stuck to his Dwarven friend, keeping him company on the way during the night and sharing blankets with him during the daily rests – after the others had fallen asleep, for they had to be careful. Usually, they slept on the farthest side of their camp, so that they could sneak away when one of them was to keep watch(1).

''Ai, Gimli, you are as hot as the furnaces under the Mountain'', the Elf Prince moaned softly, burrowing himself into the deep caves of the stout Dwarven body under the guise of his shadowy grey cloak. ''What a lucky Elf I am to have such a furnace to warm myself at it! Oh, melethron, how I wish that this quest were over and we could return to our lives! But alas! I fear that a long time shall be gone ere we can devour the sweetness of love undisturbed.''

''That is my fear, too'', the Dwarf grunted, panting in his heavy labour, for though Dwarves bear great hardnesses easily, even their strength has is limits, and the journey and the cold began taking its toll on Gimli. ''But speak not of gloomy days yet to come, my dear, limber Elf. Let me drink deeply of the fountain of love ere we find some much-needed rest.''

Legolas did as he was asked, muffling his cries in the magnificent beard of his Dwarf, and after having regained control over their trembling limbs, they returned to the camp. Neither of them noticed Boromir, standing a little farther away, looking after them with hooded, jealous eyes.

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At first it seemed to the hobbits that they were creeping like snails and getting nowhere; for each day the land looked much as it had done the day before. Yet all the while the Mountains which south of Rivendell bent westward were drawing nearer. More and more often they found no paths and had to make wide turns to avoid either steep places, or thickets, or sullen treacherous swamps. The land was tumbled in barren hills and deep valleys filled with turbulent waters.

Merry and Faramond mostly remained with Boromir, for they could not hope that the Princess Telepampaiel(2) would care for their company; she made it painfully obvious that only Gandalf and Trotter were her equals in knowledge and leadership – mayhap not even them. So, the younger hobbits followed the big Man faithfully, relishing in his strength that helped them getting over the obstacles many times and cuddling with him during the rests eagerly. For the most time, Boromir simply ignored their advances, but when the weather turned bitterly cold, even he learnt to appreciate the warm little bodies pressing against his side under the shared blankets.

Finally, when they had been about ten days on the road, the weather grew better The wind suddenly veered southward. The swift flowing clouds lifted and melted away, and the sun came out.

There came at dawn at the end of a long stumbling night march. The travellers reached a low ridge crowned with ancient holly trees, whose pale fluted trunks seemed to have been formed out of the very stone of the hills. Their berries shone red in the light of the rising sun. Far away south Frodo saw the dim shapes of the mountains that seemed now to lie across their path. To the left of this distant range a tall peak stood up like a tooth: it was tipped with snow but its bare western shoulder glowed redly in the growing light.

Gandalf stood by Frodo's side and looked out under his hand. ''We have done well'', he said. ''We have reached the borders of the country called Hollin: many Elves lived here once in happier days. Eighty leagues we have come(3), if we have come a mile, and we have marched quicker than winter from the North. The land and weather will be milder now – but perhaps the more dangerous.''

''Danger or not, a real sunrise is mighty welcome'', said Frodo, throwing back his hood and letting the morning light play on his face.

''Mountains ahead!'' said Faramond. ''We seemed to have turned eastward.''

''No, 'tis the mountains that have turned'', said Gandalf(4). ''Do you not remember Elrond's map in Rivendell?''

''No, I did not look very carefully at it'', said Faramond. ''Frodo has a better head for things of that sort.''

''Well, anyone who did look at the map'', said Gandalf, ''would see that away there stand Taragaer or Ruddyhorn(5) – that mountain with the red side. The Misty Mountains divide there and between their arms lies the land(6) of Caron-dún, the Red Valley(7). Our way lies there: over the Red Pass of Cris-caron(8), under Taragaer's side, and into Caron-dún and down the River Redway(9) – to the Great River, and… He stopped.

''Yes, and where then?'' asked Merry.

''To the end of the journey – in the end'', said Gandalf. ''But at first the evergreen forest of Fangorn, through the midst of which runs the Great River(10). But we will not look too far ahead. Let us be glad that the first stage is safely over. I think we will rest here for a whole day. There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much evil must befall any country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they have dwelt there.''

''That is true'', said the Princess, and once again, her pale face took on that otherworldly look as if she would be listening to something audible to her only. ''But the Elves of this land were of a strange race, and the spirit that dwells here is alien to us, who are of the woodland folk Here dwelt Noldor, the Elven-wise, and all the stones about cry to me with many voices: they built high towers to heaven, and delved deep to earth, and they are gone. They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago.''

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That morning they lit a fire in a deep hollow shrouded by the great holly trees, and their supper was merrier than it had been since they left the house of Elrond. They did not hurry to bed afterwards, for they had all the night to sleep in and did not mean to go on until the evening of next day. Only Trotter was moody and restless. After a while he left the company and wandered about on the ridge, looking out on the lands south and west. He came back and stood looking at them.

''What is the matter?'' said Merry. ''Do you miss the east wind?''

''No indeed'', answered Trotter. ''But I miss something. I know Hollin fairly well, and have been here in many seasons. No people dwell here now, but many other things live here, or used to – especially birds. But now it is very silent. I can feel it. There is no sound for miles round, and your voices seem to make the ground echo. I cannot make it out.''

Gandalf looked up quickly. ''But what do you think the reason is? He asked. ''Is there more in it than surprise at seeing a whole party of hobbits (not to mention Boromir and me) where people are so seldom seen?''

''I hope that it is'', said Trotter. ''But I get a feeling of watchfulness and of fear that I have never had here before.''

''Very well! Let us be more careful'', said Gandalf. ''If you bring a Ranger with you, it is best to pay attention to him – especially if the Ranger is Trotter, as I have found before. There are some things that even an experienced wizard does not notice. We had better stop talking now, and rest quietly and set a look-out.''

It was Sam's turn to take the first watch, but Trotter joined him. The others soon fell asleep, one by one. The silence grew till even Sam felt it. The breathing of the sleepers could be plainly heard. The swish of a pony's tail and the occasional movements of his feet became loud noises. Sam seemed to hear his very joints creaking if he stirred or moved. Over all hung a blue sky as the sun rode high and clear. The last clouds melted. But away in the south-east a dark patch grew and divided, flying like smoke to the north and west.

''What is that?'' said Sam in a whisper to Trotter. Trotter made no answer, for he was gazing intently at the sky, but before long Sam could see what it was for himself. The clouds were flocks of mean-looking, black birds going at great speed – wheeling and circling and traversing all the land as if they were searching for something.

''Lie flat and still'', hissed Trotter, drawing Sam down into the shade of a holly-bush – for a whole regiment of birds had separated from the western flock and came back flying low right over the ridge where the travellers lay. Sam thought they were some kind of crow of a large size. As they passed overhead one harsh croak was heard.

Not till they had dwindled in the distance would Trotter move. Then he went and wakened Gandalf. ''Regiments of black crows are flying to and fro over Hollin'', he said. ''They are not natives to this place. I do not know what they are after – possibly there is some trouble going on away south: but I think they are spying out the land.''

''They are crebain, from Dunland and the Fangorn that is also called the Topless Forest'', the Princess added soberly. Trotter stared at her with open mouth, admiring her vast knowledge about the beasts and birds of even far-away places, though he should not have been surprised that much. The Cult of Yavanna was bound to every living thing on Earth – not even the most evil creatures could hide from the prying eyes of the Anointed Ones.

''I think too that I have seen hawks flying higher in the sky'', he then said. ''That would account for the silence(11). We ought to move again this evening. I am afraid that Hollin is no longer wholesome for us: it is being watched.''

''And in that case so is the Red Pass, and how we can get over it without being seen I do not know'', said Gandalf. ''But we will think about that when we get nearer. About moving on from here tonight: I am afraid you are right.''

''It is as well that we let our fire make little smoke'', said Trotter. ''It was out again (I think) before the birds came over. It must not be lit again.''

''Well, if that is not disappointing!'' said Faramond. The news had been broken to him as soon as he woke (in the late afternoon): no fire, and a move again by night. ''I had looked forward to a real good meal tonight, something hot. All because of a pack of crows!''

''Well, you can go on looking forward'', said Gandalf. ''There may be many unexpected feasts ahead of you! Personally I should like a pipe of tobacco in comfort, and warmer feet. However, we are certain of one thing, at any rate: it will get warmer as we go south.''

''Too warm, I should not wonder!'' said Sam to Frodo. ''Not but what I would be glad to see that Fiery Mountain, and see the road's end, so to speak. I thought that there Ruddyhorn or whatever its name is might be it, till Mr. Gandalf said not.'' Maps conveyed nothing to Sam, and all distances in these strange lands seemed so vast that he was quite out of his reckonings.

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The travellers remained hidden all that day. The birds passed over every now and again; but as the westering sun grew red they vanished southwards(12). Soon afterwards the party set out again; and turned now a little eastward making for the peak of Taragaer which still glowed dully red in distance. Frodo thought of Elrond's warning to watch even the sky above, but the sky was now clear and empty overhead, and one by one white stars sprang forth as the last gleams of sunset faded.

Guided by Trotter and Gandalf as usual, they struck a good path. It looked to Frodo, as far as he could guess in the gathering dark, like the remains of an ancient road that had once run broad and well-planned from now deserted Hollin to the pass beneath Taragaer. A crescent Moon rose over the mountains, and cast a pale light which was helpful – but was not welcomed by Trotter or Gandalf. It stayed but a little while and left them to the stars(13). At midnight they had been going again for an hour or more from their first halt. Frodo kept looking up at the sky, partly because of its beauty, partly because of Elrond's words. Suddenly he saw or felt a shadow pass over the stars – as if they faded and flashed out again. He shivered.

''Did you see anything?'' He said to Gandalf, who was just in front.

''No, but I felt it, whatever it was'', said the wizard. ''It might be nothing, just a wisp of thin cloud.'' It did not sound as if he thought much of his own explanation(14).

Still, the others found it better not to bother him with their questions. Only the Princess seemed not frightened by his bad mood.

''We have to do something, Gandalf'', she said. ''We cannot remain here unprotected – the crebain might return, just like that black shadow that passed the sky above us a moment ago.''

''I know that'', the wizard grumbled. ''But unlike my good cousin Radagast, I have no powers over the birds and the beasts to turn them away at my own convenience.''

''Mayhap'', the Princess answered, ''but I do. I can perform a protection spell by the Power of Yavanna, that would hide us from prying eyes. 'Tis a perilous spell, but I am strong enough to cast it – with your help.''

Gandalf considered it for a moment, then he nodded. ''Let us try it. What should I do?''

The Princess looked around under she found a large stone with a deep dent in its middle. She brought forth a small silver pitcher and poured some water into the dent. Then she produced a crystal vial from a hidden pocket of her tunic, half-filled with some glowing blue liquid. Chanting slowly in the secret tongue of the Wood-Elves, she added three droplets of this mysterious liquid to the water, before sealing the vial safely again and letting it disappear among the folds of her clothing.

Smoke began to ascend from the natural basin in the stone. The Princess straightened, stretching her beautiful arms skywards, her voice rose with the ancient, perilous magic of the woodland folk. A hot wind came up, loosening the tight braid of her hair and blowing the ebony tresses powerfully, 'til they floated around her pale face like a storm cloud. A barely visible, green glow enveloped her fragile frame, threatening to tear her apart any minute, and her eyes were burning with living fire.

All stared at her with open mouths, and even Gandalf felt a little frightened, for the unleashing of such strong magic could have brought serious damage to the delicate balance of power in the order of Arda. But the Princess seemed to know what she was doing; for after a few moments, her glowing slowly became subdued, 'til it disappeared entirely; and she staggered and sunk into the eager arms of Trotter who stood next to her(15).

''Now we shall be safe from spying eyes for the rest of our journey'', she murmured in utter exhaustion, too tired to protest when Trotter gathered her up in his strong arms and carried her to the bedroll the eager hobbits had already prepared for her. No-one of them noticed the hateful glare Boromir sent after them, nor Gandalf's unveiled amazement that was clearly visible upon his wrinkled and bearded face.

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Nothing more happened that night. The next morning was even brighter than before, but the wind was turning back eastward and the air was chill. For three more nights they marched on, climbing steadily and ever more slowly as their road wound into the hills and the mountains drew nearer and nearer. On the third morning Taragaer towered up before them, a mighty peak tipped with snow like silver, but with sheer naked sides dull red as if stained with blood.

There was a black look in the air and the sun was wan. The wind was now gone towards the North. Gandalf sniffed and looked back. ''Winter is behind'', he said quietly to Trotter. ''The peaks behind are whiter than they were.''

''And tonight'', said Trotter, ''we shall be high up on our way to the red pass of Cris-caron. What do you think of our course now? If we are not seen in that narrow place – and waylaid by some evil, as would be easy there – the weather may prove as bad an enemy.''

''I think no good of any part of our course, as you know well, Master Ingold'', snapped Gandalf. ''Still we have to go on. It is no good whatever our trying to cross further south into the land of Rohan. The Horse-kings have long been in the service of Sauron(16).''

''No, I know that. But there is a way – not over Cris-caron, as you are well aware.''

''Of course I am. But I am not going to risk that, until I am quite sure there is no other way. I shall think things out while the others rest and sleep(17).''

TBC

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End notes:

(1) Hey, don't look at me!  I was not the one who came up with the excellent idea letting them go for it while they were supposed to keep watch! It is almost a game imperative nowadays.

(2) Bird-tamer. You'll see the reason for it later.

(3) This is the first occurrence of Hollin; but the Elvish name Eregion does not appear. In the Etymologies the Elvish name of Hollin is Regornion. In FOTR Gandalf says that they have come 45 leagues, but that was as the crow flies: ''many long miles further our feet have walked. Oh, and the words about the lost Elves of Hollin originally belonged to Legolas, of course.

(4) Another fabulous change in the mythic Tolkien geography.

(5) The name of the vale was first Carndoom the Red Valley.

(6) ''The ''red horn mountain'' had  seven (!) different names ere the Great Maker settled for Caradhras.

(7) No, we wont go into detail about Tolkien's ever-changing geography. It seems that the shaping of Middle-earth was never quite finished.g

(8) The name of the pas was first written Criscarn.

(9) The later Silverlode.

(10) Tolkien mentions in an outline given earlier that Beleghir the Great River divided into many channels in Fangorn Forest. I realize, of course, that giving you all these names has no true reason, but every self-respecting writer should dig up some unpronounceable names from practically unknown sources. They sound cool, they confuse the reader and they make the author feel superior in her supposed Tolkien-scholarship.

(11) While in FOTR Aragorn says that he has seen hawks flying high up, he does not say as Trotter does here, ''That would account for the silence''.

(12) ''southwards'' changed from what was originally ''northwards''.

(13) It was now 28 November (since they walked for three nights after this and attempted Cris-caron on 2 December).

(14) This incident was retained in FOTR, but it is not explained. The Winged Nazgúl had not yet crossed the River, according to ''The Two Towers.

(15) The whole ridiculous ritual is the product of my sick mind, of course, though the radioactive, glowing Galadriel of the movie did have some influence on me while I created it.

(16) This is unquestionably the point at which the name Rohan arose. The sentence itself was changed to ''Rohan where the Horsekings or Horselords are'', and later in FOTR to ''Who knows which side now the marshals of the Horse-Lords serve?''

(17) In the original story Trotter favoured the passage of Moria and Gandalf the pass; in FOTR it was Aragorn who favoured the pass.