Disclaimer: See Chapter One

A/N: Wow! Over 200 reviews…I'm touched :-) Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. As a reward, I am posting another 'timely' update :-) Atleast this chapter didn't take two weeks :-)

Back to the story…

************************************************************************

Chapter Fourteen

The sun crept lazily over the horizon, casting a soft pale light over the word below, bathing it in an illusion of peaceful tranquillity. Gazing down upon this land, one could almost recall a once happier, more peaceful time. Once could almost forget about the dark cloud of evil that threatened to destroy all that was good and joyful in the world. Almost--had it not been for the seven companions who gathered somberly at the far edge of the still sleeping camp to say their final farewells to a fallen friend. Heads bowed in mourning, the remaining members of the Fellowship quietly found strength in each other and in the new day, to continue their Quest and honor their friend's sacrifice.

His silent homage complete, Aragorn opened his eyes and looked to the pale sky, breathing in the scent of wildflowers that drifted on the light breeze. It pained him that Legolas, a true lover of nature, would miss such a glorious morning and that nature would create such a glorious morning when someone so kind and dear had perished not days before. Surely, it would make more sense for even nature to mourn such a loss, but as with everything, nature had moved on. And so would Aragorn, given time. A soft sigh escaped his lips. Given lots of time. Their friendship had been legendary in the land of the elves…fitting now that their deaths be as legendary. For the more Aragorn considered their Quest, the more he felt certain more would perish to achieve it -- for if a warrior as skilled as Legolas could fall, then no one else would stand a chance.

"Your face belies your thoughts, lad." Gimli said softly, concerned. "We may yet perish in this Quest, but our deaths will be just as honorable and noble as that of our friend. He was a true warrior, to the end. His sacrifice has saved us all and by doing so, has given us the chance to save all that is good and cherished in this world. If a more noble cause were to be sought, I doubt it would be found."

"He saved our lives more times than we can count." Merry sniffed. "And we were never given the opportunity to save him in turn."

"He saved us from so many dangers." Pippin added sadly. "The Ringwraiths. That monster outside the Mines of Moria. The Orcs inside the Mines of Moria. That nasty Cave Troll. More Orcs…Ugluk…Trion…Saruman…that evil elf Amras…"

"We get the point, Pip." Merry interrupted hastily. "I had no idea we met so many enemies."

"Fate has chosen us." Gandalf added, his own quiet tribute complete. "But we decide how we conduct ourselves in the life given to us. Legolas conducted himself with the utmost dignity, honor and purity of spirit. I could not have asked for a better friend."

"Nor could I. As Legolas gave his life, so may we be asked to give ours." Aragorn said firmly. "I am ready for that possibility. The end of our Quest is drawing near. Today we begin the last segment of our journey..we ride to Mordor."

"The women and children will journey to the safety of Gondor." Boromir told them, the tribute silently concluded. Each would continue their mourning as they saw fit, at a later time. "What is left of Rohan's army will accompany us and all that can be spared of Gondor's army will join us in one day's time."

"Sauron will be expecting us." Aragorn said. "His army will be waiting."

Boromir nodded. "To attack is our last hope. And the battle will distract Sauron's attention from the true objective--the destruction of the Ring."

"A good plan." Aragorn agreed. "If Frodo is in agreement."

Frodo nodded. "I will destroy the Ring as I have set out to do."

"To Mordor we go, lads." Said Gimli. "And I intend to make some Orcs pay."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Promise me you will be careful." Faramir pleaded as he helped Eowyn onto her horse. "I could not bare ill to come to you."

"I will be reckless and without abandon." Eowyn smiled, causing Faramir to frown slightly. Eowyn's smile grew. "I wish to come with you, my lord. I am not helpless, if that is what you believe. I have been trained to fight and it is my duty to protect my people."

Faramir sighed. "My lady, my answer is still no. You will protect your people most by leading them to the safety of Gondor. Your presence would only hinder us on the battle field."

Eowyn scoffed. "Hinder you? I could best you in a fight, I assure you, Lord Faramir."

Faramir blushed as nearby solders snickered. "Then I give thanks to the gods that you and I will never do battle against each other." He grabbed her hand tenderly as he gazed up at her. "Your party departs now, Eowyn. Please, before you go, promise me you will be safe."

"We will see each other again, my lord." Eowyn smiled, urging her horse into line with the others.

Boromir approached his sullen brother as the group bound for Gondor disappeared from view.

"We are ready to leave, Faramir." he said, slightly amused by the distracted look on the younger man's face.

"What?" Faramir asked, blinking in confusion. "Right, leave. Of course. Whenever you are ready."

Boromir smiled. "She distracts you, brother."

"She insisted again in riding with us to Mordor. A woman on the battle field! Can you believe that?"

"She is no ordinary woman." Boromir reminded him. "She is a spirited lady, that one. You would do well to remember that, when you are married."

"Married?" Faramir sputtered.

"But," Boromir continued, ignoring his brother's shock, "fear not, for she is on her way to Gondor, where she will be thoroughly spoiled by Father."

"She was not happy when she left."

"Then you will face her wrath when we return to Gondor. That should put fear into your heart."

"More so than even Sauron." Faramir smiled. "But I look forward to it more than you can imagine. Now come. It is time we departed ourselves." They walked back to the center of the group to where their horses waited.

"Mount up!" Boromir shouted, sending soldiers to their awaiting steeds. Frodo and Sam quickly found rides with Aragorn and Gandalf as Gimli joined Boromir. Merry and Pippin searched the departing riders desperately for a ride. An obliging soldier motioned for one of them to join him on his horse and Merry quickly ran to him as Pippin threw up his arms in frustration.

"Sure! Leave poor Pippin behind." He muttered. "Ungrateful Brandybuck. I always knew those Brandybucks were shady characters. Who am I to ride with now?"

"You may ride with me." A low voice offered from above. Pippin looked up at the slight figure clad in battle armor, face obscured by a helmet.

"I accept." Pippin said happily, allowing the rider to help him atop the horse. "Tell me, kind sir, what is your name?"

"You may call me Dernhelm." The rider offered.

"A pleasure to meet you, Dernhelm. I am most obliged for the ride."

"Any friend of Lord Faramir's is indeed a friend of mine." Dernhelm said. "I would follow him anywhere."

"Even to the dark lands of Mordor?" Pippin asked.

"Especially to Mordor." answered Dernhelm. "He has my utmost loyalty and respect."

"Tell me, Dernhelm, do you have any food? The ride to Mordor surely will be long without nourishment."

"We just ate." Dernhelm said in disbelief.

"That was breakfast." Pippin explained. "It is now time for the after Breakfast snack."

"I have an apple." the other sighed, mentally wishing that the offer for a ride had not been made. Tossing the apple to the hobbit as they headed out behind the others, Dernhelm suddenly found the idea of reaching Mordor very appealing, Pippin's chatter only interrupted by the occasional bite of an apple.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Look at the sky." Frodo pointed upwards. "Have you ever seen so many crows in one group before?"

Riding beside them, Gandalf squinted up at the sky. "Crebain." he said. "Minions of Saruman. They serve as his spies."

"Should we worry?" Aragorn asked him. "No doubt they can figure out where we are headed."

Gandalf shook his head. "Saruman is dead, so it matters not what his spies see. They have no one to report to."

Absently, Aragorn nodded as he continued to gaze up at the birds. Squawking and circling in a frenzy above them, they appeared quite interested despite having no master. Abruptly, as if suddenly aware of his scrutiny, they veered off, heading swiftly away from the riders and disappearing in the distance. Shrugging, Aragorn put the birds out of his mind as he silently rode beside the others to Mordor.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Give me the Ring!" The fire came near his chest again, not close enough to leave a burn but to Legolas, it felt as if his entire body was on fire. Unable to cringe away from the heat of the flame, Legolas closed his eyes and tried to withdraw instead into his mind. Another encounter, this time close enough to singe hair, snapped him back to reality as his scream echoed loudly in the forest. The flame receded, allowing Legolas a relieved moment to catch his breath. His watery eyes stared above him, noting the traces of bright blue sky that could be seen through the gaps in the tree branches high overhead. So a new day had come…he had held out through an entire night.

"The Ring, Legolas."

"You may as well kill me, Amras. You are not getting that Ring." Legolas growled. With the new day came a new strength…a new resolve.

"Really?" Amras sneered. "I commend you for lasting this long, Legolas. I did not think you to be so determined. But it is over. The heat from a nearby flame can feel as if your very skin is consumed by fire…as you have just discovered. Imagine the sheer agony you would experience if I allowed the fire to touch your body."

"Ouch." Legolas smirk. "But my answer remains the same."

"Very well." The fire in hand, he slowly brought it down, allowing the flame to kiss the other's skin. The resulting scream that tore from Legolas's throat was the sound of all consuming suffering, so loud that it traveled for miles through the trees. His breath came in ragged gasps as he willed his paralyzed body to move away from the source of the pain, but as it stubbornly refused to obey, Amras smiled down at him, savoring the anguish on his face. At last he pulled the flame away.

"Care to tell me now?

Legolas, his voice hoarse, could only shake his head in response.

"Why do you resist?" Amras fumed. "Is this world so important to you that you would cause yourself such pain?" The flame came down again and again Legolas cried out, the agony overwhelming him. This time, Amras left the fire on his skin a bit longer, allowing small blisters to form. After a moment, he removed the fire and growled.

"Give me the Ring!"

"I will not." Legolas croaked.

Sighing in frustration, Amras threw the burning flame to the ground, where it landed just inches from Legolas's hand. Biting his lip against the searing agony, Legolas watched Amras sit down heavily a few feet away.

"I have had it with you, Legolas." Amras said. "You will not yield and I have not the time to break you properly. I will give you this to consider…in an hour's time I will set the fire upon your body until you tell me what I want to know or die. Whichever comes first. I care not anymore."

"Splendid." Legolas breathed, grateful for even a temporary reprieve. At least his final hour could be spent in silent serenity.

A loud fluttering above caught his eye and as he watched, a large flock of crows descended from the sky.

"Crebain." Amras smiled, standing to greet the birds as they noisily encircled him, squawking wildly. "What information have you brought me?"

Legolas looked on in awe as Amras listened to his birds, his face taking on a manic, insane appearance, his eyes flashing dangerously. Those deadly eyes fixed on Legolas as the large birds swarmed away.

"My Crebain have brought me word." he hissed, his voice haunted, and Legolas went cold. "The Ring has been discovered by your companions and is on its way to Mount Doom." The demented laugh that followed chilled Legolas even more. "They dare try to destroy such power!" He yelled fanatically. "Fools!"

"Then we are done here. If you would just untie me?"

Amras snarled. "You are obsolete now, Legolas. I will take the Ring from your imbecile friends and dispose of them once and for all. Though I fear I have not the time to finish you myself, for I have a Ring to retrieve." Wild eyes glared meaningfully at the nearby Orc. "Kill him, Ugluk, however you wish. But make it slow."

Ugluk grinned. "With pleasure."

"Goodbye little Prince." Amras said as he mounted his horse. "Try not to die too quickly."

"We will see each other again, Amras." Legolas yelled as the other elf rode off into the forest. "And you had better pray I'm in a good mood when we do!" He watched the fleeting form of his adversary as Ugluk eyed him with morbid interest.

"How do you wish to die, elf?" The Orc growled.

"How about from old age?" Legolas tried.

"How about I feast on your flesh and drink your blood while you watch?"

"Tempting," Legolas said, recognizing that he was in a world of trouble. "But I'm really chewy..I do not think I would make a good meal."

"I will be the judge of that." Ugluk snarled, drawing his knife. "I think I will feast on an arm first."

As the Orc moved closer, Legolas tried in vain to move but the serum coursing through his blood was still in effect.

"Look behind you." Legolas tried desperately, hoping to distract the Orc, though not knowing exactly what he would do if it worked.

"Nice try, elf." Ugluk smirked as he brought the knife to Legolas's arm and Legolas closed his eyes, hoping to the Valar that his death would be quick. A shadow passed over his eyes and they snapped open, a large shape forming above the sadistic Orc. A flurry of motion from above and Ugluk was tossed easily aside, landing in an unconscious heap a few feet away.

And Legolas found himself staring into the triumphant face of Gwaihir the Windlord.

"Legolas! I am so happy I have found you! My tiny friend Shi'sa told me I would find you here and here you are." The eagle smiled. "Looking a little worse for wear, but otherwise alive. Though quite naked, as she also pointed out."

Legolas smiled. "She would tell you about my nakedness. I am extremely glad to see you, Gwaihir. I was about to become Orc dinner when you arrived."

"Hmmm." Gwaihir said. "You would not make a good dinner. You would be too chewy."

"That is what I tried to tell him!" Legolas laughed. "But he would not listen."

Gwaihir's expression turned serious. "I gave the Ring to the Ringbearer, as you requested. Small chap…I hope he can fulfill his task. It pained me when you did not return, young elf."

"It pained me too." Legolas cringed. "It still pains me, in fact. How about moving that fire away from my hand." The eagle bent down and pushed the flame away as Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. "I thank you, my friend. It was searing my skin something fierce."

"Let me undo your binds." Gwaihir said. "And then I will fly you to the others."

"Undoing the binds would be great." Legolas agreed. "But I am afraid we are stuck here for a time. Amras has paralyzed me with a potion. It will take time to wear off."

Gwaihir nodded. "I will stand guard over you until you are able to move. Such evil possesses that elf. I never though I would see him turn on his own kind."

"Power corrupts." said Legolas, yawning heavily, the exhaustion from his long ordeal overcoming him. "I fear sleep has come to claim me. It has been too long since I have had a chance to rest peacefully."

Gwaihir's kind eyes twinkled. "Sleep, young elf. You will be safe while I am here."

"The Orc." Legolas said sleepily. "He will come to."

"The gods help him if he does." Said the Eagle. "Because I will make him pay greatly for what he has done to you."

"Gwaihir?"

"Yes, young one?"

"Could you get me some clothes or something? Its quite chilly out here?" Legolas asked, not caring that the cloth on his skin would hurt. He would endure the pain with dignity.

The Eagle smiled as he found the elf's clothes in a pile nearby. He returned with the cloak and was not surprised to find the Prince already asleep. Dropping the cloth gently on the sleeping form, he stood vigilant guard, vowing that no harm would come to the brave lad again. Not while he was around.

* * * * * * * * * *

A/N: I can see the responses now, so let me forestall them…in the section where Ugluk asked Legolas how he wanted to die and Legolas said "How about old age?" I know elves are immortal and don't grow old---that's what makes it funny :-) I just didn't want to get 20 reviews telling me elves can't die from old age. Remember to Review!!!