Disclaimer: AU Story. My third large LOTR fic. I can't stop! None of the characters or settings are mine. They all belong to Tolkien. I wish I were related to Tolkien, don't you? It would be so cool! Oh, and the plot here is derived from my own imagination. Hope you enjoy.

Shirebound: *sigh* You found me out. I should really tell people that I am immortal before I get to know them. I'm really pleased you liked that part- it was actually quite hard to make Sam say the right things.

Senni: Poor Sam. So many choices and none he wants to make. Glad you're enjoying it!

Koko Kung: You LOST your MUSE? Not Yum-Yum! I'll keep an eye out for her. I know what you mean about the Frodo and Sam thing. But I am a huge fan of both characters and they have very controversial feelings. It's fun to write from Sam's perspective because he's so very loyal! And yes- I would love to see your picture!

MagicalRachel: That chapter is just so sad! I ran round the house screaming because I thought Frodo had...laid aside the quest. Lothlórien, ah- well, because the One Ring was destroyed, all the elven rings had been used to make faded too. Lothlórien was built by the Lady Galadriel and her ring, Nenya. It was just something in the book that always intrigued me. They mentioned that it would all fade eventually. You're not being stupid *or* mean- it was a good question.

????: I'm sorry! I update quickly, though I won't be able to until tomorrow. You a Samwise fan too? D'ah, I love Sam.

TrueFan: I hear that Randomness can be bought in tubes in Mexico for only two pesetas! Um, *reads paragraph again about Canada/England/USA* wow. Yes, I have an accent. People say I sound posh but what do they know!? And no, you do not want to live in England. Trust me. We've got Tony Blair (Bony Hair) and rain. Ceaseless rain. It swamps schools and floods houses. It blocks drains and explodes in pipes. Am really happy you liked the last chapter. It was lossa fun to write!

Crazytook: Legolas was allowed to leave so easily because I wanted to show that Tharanduil was metaphorically letting his son go. A family bond thing. Did it work? I'm actually surprised that how many people want Sam to tell Frodo. I should have a poll... Thanks for the comments!

~ Chapter Seventeen ~

The two hobbits wrapped the blankets they were offered round them and sat before the cosy looking fire. Goldberry had been expecting their arrival and was already preparing some lunch for them. Now Tom hung up his damp jacket and came to speak with Merry and Pippin.

"Greetings, friends," he said, making them look up, "I was wondering when I would be a-meeting you again."

Pippin had a pack of ice pressed to the lump on his forehead and it was melting down his face making him shiver with cold anew.

"Th-thank you, Tom. We'd never have been able to survive that storm if you hadn't come along," he replied.

"But how did you know where we were?" Merry asked.

"Tom is master here," the man said with a chuckle, "He knows what goes on all over his land. And I had a feeling that I might be seeing some familiar faces. Just a feeling. Now, you tell old Tom where you be a-going in this cold September hour."

"To see Frodo! Because...oh." Pippin stopped. Both hobbits looked at each other. Merry went on;

"Tom, it's funny but...the last time we saw you, we were heading off to Bree. You can have no idea of what happened between then, and now."

"I had a fair idea," the man replied with a smile, "I've received many messages from my companions in the land. And the river still sings to her daughter, Goldberry. It was the river that brought us the news when your friends Frodo and Sam crossed her to make for Emyn Muil. She bore your companion Boromir down to Ithilien and delivered his horn to the hands of his brother. The darkness has not come to our door so I believe you have succeeded."

The light outside was failing as Merry and Pippin began the full tale of their journey. From the very point when they had last seen Bombadil. Splinters of day cracked through the sky...

--

The sun's last ray crumpled below the horizon. The light now only came from the lanterns in the hobbit hole windows. Sam stepped outside and looked ruefully back down the passageway behind him. Rosie was waving at him at the end of the hallway, Frodo-lad supported in her arms, fast asleep. But she understood. Sam smiled as he turned round to face the path before him. That was why he had married her. She understood the things that truly mattered. She knew when Frodo needed his Sam.

"Coming, Sam?" Frodo called from the gate. The hobbit looked down and his smile broadened.

"Coming, Mr Frodo!"

--

Gimli moaned. The horse rocked and jolted beneath him making the whole landscape seem to sway.

"Look, there!" Legolas cried behind him, tugging at the reigns. "See Gimli? The Misty Mountains! I am sure Caradhas still stands amid them..."

"Well, it hasn't wandered off," the dwarf grumbled. Legolas laughed and nudged their steed forward. The snow was growing thicker and they were forced to move westwards and into the shelter of the mountains. The blank unfriendly faces had not changed. It was a though evil still lurked in the stones themselves. Lingering on. Legolas shuddered, casting this thought from mind.

They had ridden long and Mirkwood was quickly lost from view. The dead land before them was horrific. With nothing beyond or before. Only the great rocks looming up on their right. A bleak horizon on every other side. Snow began to fall again- lightly at first but then swift and hard. Hail rained down hard, striking them on the cheeks and bouncing off Gimli's weathered helmet. The elf steered his horse round and quickly leaped off and helped his friend down.

"Shelter!" he cried through the storm, "Find cave!"

Gimli grunted in agreement and, leading the horse, they walked down into a narrow gully between the plain and the mountain foot. It was pitted with caves and arches but none deep enough to give shelter against the onslaught. At last, Legolas found an animal den set at an angle into the rock. It had been worn away by the rain and led down into a wide black bowl that was strewn about with dead vegetation. It was still freezing cold but at least they would be safe for now. Legolas ducked inside and Gimli followed. The horse had to be coaxed in with food and then he stood miserably on his own, nibbling idly on the straw.

"Oh, this is wretched!" the dwarf swore, tugging the blanket from his pack.

"What else can we do, Gimli?" his friend replied, "I am sure that this storm will have passed soon. Rest now."

Outside, the sky was turning dark and the wind howled all the harder. The mountain groaned and seemed to pull at the very ground. Frost crept up its surface, spreading like ivy across the cliffs and crevices. It burrowed into the cracks and holes. Chipped and gnawed at the stone. Rain slashed through the sky, seeping through the weakened rock. The shale began to slide... It slithered at first, then began to slide. It danced down, picking up bigger and heavier rocks as it went. The pebbles rained down about the cave entrance. It was hardly any warning.

Legolas jumped to his feet, grabbing the dwarf from under his blanket.

"Get out! We must get out!"

The horse whinnied and cantered out of the cave. The friends were tipped off their feet by a great rumbling. Sleet cut into their skin as they crawled outside and looked up. The landslide exploded through the roof of the cave in a flurry of snow and stone. With an immense clattering and booming that rent the air.

When the cloud subsided, an odd sort of sound remained. Only a few trickle of stones tapping their way down but through all the deafening silence came a steady, piercing scream.

Then it stopped.

And the silence was like a sword.