Author's Note: I didn't say this before, and I'm not sure if I even really have to, but to avoid a lawsuit I'll say it anyways! I'm not Tolkien and none of the LOTR characters belong to me, yadda, yadda, yadda… and now on with the story!
Chapter Two- The Earth Breaks Apart
The Fellowship of the Ring wearily made its way amongst the out-cropping of stones that seemed to stretch for miles ahead of them. They had been walking for seven days now with very little rest and the hard lifestyle was slowly beginning to wear them all down.
"Hold!" shouted Gandalf from the front of the line. "We will rest here for a few minutes." The Hobbits gratefully slumped to the ground and tried to slow their breathing so that it was not so labored. Gimli leaned on his axe. He too was grateful for a break, but he would not show any weakness in front of an elf so he forced himself to stand. Legolas, on the other hand was not tried at all. In fact he wanted to push on and cover more ground before night came upon them. A shadow had crept into his mind and his heart. He felt as though something was about to happen at any moment that would disrupt their journey and their mission. He was about to go speak to Gandalf about his concerns when his elfish senses suddenly became aware of a tremor in the earth. He swiftly bent down on one knee and listened intently. Aragorn seeing his movement called out,
"What do you hear Legolas? Orc feet?" The rest of the fellowship turned to look at the elf prince, his body perfectly still and poised for action.
"Nay," he finally spoke "The earth seems to cry out to me, as if it is being torn apart…and it's beginning to get louder." True to his words the others began to hear a distant rumbling. Legolas leapt to his feet. "It's about to burst! Be on your guard!" Everyone jumped to their feet and looked around them apprehensively.
"This is the devilry of Saruman!" Gandalf growled, his staff pointed to the ground, which had begun to quake. Suddenly it burst open like a seam and began to steadily grow. The fellowship sprung back from the chasm, Merry, Pippin, Frodo, Gimli and Sam on one side and Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir and Gandalf on the other. The earth lurched violently and everyone was momentarily thrown to the ground. They slowly stood, trying to get their bearings as the ground rocked, and it was then when Sam realized his leg had become jammed in between two sharp rocks in the ground. The others froze and watched in horror as the crack in the earth spread out towards him as he struggled to free himself.
"Sam!" Frodo called out, his voice cracking with emotion and fear. He jumped forward to save his friend but stopped when he saw Legolas leap agilely over the chasm. In one swift movement he freed Sam's foot, jerked him to his feet and shoved him forward. It was not a moment to soon-for Sam. Another earth spasm caused them to fall to the ground again, and Legolas was thrown backwards into nightmarish pit. The fellowship looked up in disbelief as one of their own fell into shadow, his slender body tumbling over and over, his blond hair flashing in the cold, gray light that filtered into the endless dark. As suddenly as it had started, the earth ceased its convulsions, as if it was waiting for a victim and now quieted it's rage when it's blood thirst had been satisfied.
What will happen next? Chapter 3 is coming soon so stay tuned! (R&R please! I wanna know how I'm doing…and if anyone is reading at all!)