A/N: As of yet I am not sure whether or not to include the promised
slash. If I do it will only be very mild, I am not a slash writer. It is
not that I disapprove of slash, mostly I struggle to write any type of
romance, be they heterosexual or homosexual.
Cheers!
Thorn Dew'Pearled
________________________________
'It's rather - dank, isn't it.'
'What would you expect of a long abandoned guardroom, Pippin?'
Peregrin lifted his shoulders in a shrug, letting them drop abruptly and leaving his arms swinging as he surveyed the uninviting chamber. There had been a minor collapse of the cieling towards the back end, and a black hole gaped in the floor.
'An old well,' Boromir observed, venturing forward, maintaining a safe distance from the edge and peering in. 'The cover has been smashed - one can barely see a hand before a face, how may we be certain we will not wander and fall?'
'If one keeps one's feet, then one shall remain safe,' advised Gandalf. 'This is the only shelter we have for now, let us use it as we may ... Peregrin! Do not stand upon the edge!'
Pippin, who had been attempting to fathom how many miles down a blundering idiot might fall should they step into the well, hung his head and slunk away. He had grown accustomed to the countless reprimands he often recieved from the irritable old Istari; but that did not ease the hurt that ached when the wizard's voice boomed angrily at him.
Legolas had become oddly quiet, though his companions were too preoccupied with their thoughts to notice or care. And so much the better, Legolas thought grimly, crossing his arms against his chest. Should they know, I would never be permitted to leave.
'Now Mr. Frodo, don't you go a-strolling in the night,' Sam admonished his master, and pointed towards the open well. 'You'll go plummeting goodness knows how far.'
Frodo chuckled and removed the over-protective Gamgee's hand from his shoulder. 'I shall not go strolling, my legs can barely manage another step without crumpling beneath me. And I am sure you, my faithful Sam, should notice if I decided to take a walk in the dark.'
'If the cover were not demolished, we might close this mouth of doom,' said Gandalf at length, scuffing a foot against a jagged slab of stone. 'Be that as it may, we must needs rest. A long and arduous journey it has proved thus far, and sleep will be needed before we may continue. A sentry shall - '
'I shall take first watch,' Legolas volunteered hastily, and then bowed his head. 'I would prefer it if those who need rest more than I did so first,' he continued in a calmer tone, hoping his expressionless countenance did not betray his inner feelings. 'I am keen of eye and ear, being of the Elven kindred. Let me guard those who sleep.'
'A valiant offer, Legolas,' acknowledged Gandalf, inclining his head; 'but I would rather be the one to first take the post this night.'
Legolas' eyes widened of a sudden, and one hand flew upwards to clutch in desperation at his chest. A gasp escaped his throat; swaying, he steadied himself against a crumbling pillar. Agony seared through him - as fast as it had beset him, it left.
'I am fine,' he cried, before the worried volley of questions could be fired. 'Please, Gandalf, I beg of you: let me take first watch.' Turning to the wizad he held out his hands imploringly. 'Please,' he murmured. 'It would ease my mind.'
'You seem in no condition for that, dear Elf,' Gandalf said concernsedly. 'Let me take a look at you, I can - '
'No, please, I am well!' Legolas persisted. 'It was merely a rush of shock, I fear for Aragorn.' 'As do we all,' said Boromir, his brow frowning as he cast his scrutinizing gaze over the Elf. 'Legolas, maybe it would be best if you let Gan - '
'Why can I not take first watch?' Legolas said. 'Rest! Rest, I say!'
Too weary to argue with the stubborn prince, they retired at his command, crawling into blankets and lying down near friends to ensure none went wandering into danger. 'I think he's been bitten by that thing too,' Sam muttered to Frodo, pulling his cloak across their bodies. 'Mad, I say - 'tis not like him, not like him at all.'
'Go to sleep Sam,' said Frodo, turning over, one hand at his throat. 'If he wants to guard, let him guard.'
________________________________
A rare peace descended upon them. Legolas stood warily at the entrance to the guardroom, ears and eyes keen. 'What is wrong with me?' he murmured, and passed a bleary hand before his eyes, turning it over to gaze at the back with furrowed brow. 'Why do I falter so?'
'Mayhap because rarely do you rest, and concern yourself only with the matters of others,' came a soft voice from the shadows. Legolas, unsuspecting, gave a violent start, slumping suddenly to the floor . Strong arms caught him in his inevitable descent, halting before the slender form met the cold hardness of the stone. 'Boromir?" he whispered, his eyes fixing upon the pale face that hovered above him.
'Legolas, what ails you?' The words came slowly to his ears. Vision began to swim. A hand steadied his head. 'Legolas?'
'It is nothing Boromir, go back to sleep,' said Legolas lamely, rising unsteadily to his feet. 'You cannot decieve me,' said the Steward's Son. 'Your words were not heard only by Frodo. If you would go hunting the Ranger, then I am coming, whether you like it or not. As Gandalf said, you are in no condition for such undertakings, especially alone.'
'Boromir, do not defy me!' hissed Legolas, his strength returning, flooding his leaden limbs with empowering life once again. 'I go alone.'
'Then you go not at all, for if you will not welcome companionship than I shall prevent your leaving,' said Boromir in an undertone. 'What should Gandalf say?'
'This is injustice!' hissed Legolas fiercely, afraid of awakening the sleepers. 'Leave me be, go back to bed.'
'That I will not. Consider your choices wisely: you either let me come, or I alert Gandalf.'
Legolas glared with a severe burning hatred in that moment, until his face seemed to have been swept with an invisible tide and fury was replaced with distress. 'Come then,' he murmured, admitting defeat. 'I shall hold no responsibility for you; I go only for Aragorn.'
'I need not a guardian, rather it will be you who benefits from my aid,' said Boromir, smiling grimly, pleased. 'I know all is not as it seems with you, Elf.'
And I shall find out what is amiss, he thought, watching Legolas' retreating back and following closely at the prince's heels.
________________________________
Burning, always burning. A malice to drown all of Mankind, a hatred to burn all of Middle-Earth. Misery, fear, anger, malevolence - a maelstrom of uncertainty, his mind was in turmoil. His hands and knees bled, his garments torn to rags by a fruitless struggle with the violent other. Pain seared through his aching body, like knives relentlessly stabbing his grime- smeared flesh.
Silver tears gathered in his eyes and fell, shattering upon the black rock. Crawling, he had to go on - an incessant urge to continue nagged at his stricken mind.
'Leave me be,' he wept, clambering onwards. 'Leave me be. Why do you not leave me be?'
'Have I not made my intentions clear yet? Is another punishment in order before finally you understand.'
'No! No, please!'
'You are an inferior coward compared to me.'
Helplessly arguing with himself, terribly degrading for the exiled King of Gondor, yet to claim his rightful crown and thrown. And his lady love. Oh, how his heart ached for she of Rivendell, she of dark hair and soft lips, caressing touch and loving words.
His hand slipped upon a narrow escarpment, he tumbled down painfully to lie still upon the stone. His breath trembled in his chest. Weeping hopelessly, flinging one hand across his face, he curled upon his side.
'Be careful you imcompetent fool!' he hissed, teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
'Leave me be,' he whispered pleadingly.
'Get up! Need I cause you more injury?' came the quick sneer, as the fingers of one hand closed threateningly about the uneven surface of a loose fragment of stone.
'No, please - I need rest.'
'Rest then, pitiful worm.'
________________________________
'Legolas!'
'If you cannot match my pace, then turn back!'
'Legolas, slow I beseech you! You will only injure yourself, you are not well!'
'I am fine.'
Legolas strode strongly ahead, with uneccessary speed, determined to lose the thorn that stung his side. Boromir ran in his wake, imploring him to stop. Legolas pressed onwards, ignorant of the Man's advice.
'We shall get lost!' Boromir cried after him. 'Legolas!'
Without a light to aid their eyes, obstacles hidden in the darkness could not be known until they were tripped upon, or brushed against. Whether a steep precipitation or a depthless abyss lay ahead, neither knew.
'Legolas! Harken to me!'
'Go back Boromir. I haven't time for your hindrances.'
Plead as he might, Boromir could not make himself heard. Legolas had barricaded his ears, listening and watching for nothing but the slightest sign of Aragorn. Please let him be well, he prayed silently within the confines of his mind. Do not let him lie dead, please!
Without warning, his legs could no longer support him. He crumpled to the ground with a weak cry. Boromir hastened towards him, lifting the Elf as the sudden weakness incapacitated him again. 'I will take you back, if I have to drag you kicking and screaming,' the Man said firmly.
The Elf shook his head. 'Nay, Aragorn - I must find him,' were the whispered words. 'Legolas, you are not well. I beg of you, let us return - Gandalf can heal you,' argued Boromir.
'Aragorn ... '
'Forget him! There is time enough to find him later. If we do not turn back, our deaths will be inevitable.'
'Then let it be that way - I am not returning without Aragorn.'
'Why are you so stubborn?'
'Why must you persist?'
'We are a Fellowship, we must look out for one another.'
'To that I hold.'
'Legolas, please! Do not do this, not now.'
'Turn back then.'
'Without my help you cannot go onwards.'
'Then leave me here to die.'
'As you wish it,' said Boromir angrily, and left the Elf sprawled hopelessly. He retreated only a few paces, to gauge the Elf's reaction to his absence. Legolas merely stared at the cieling, his eyes glistening. A short while passed, and he began to struggle to return to his feet and go on. His determination stunned Boromir: how could one person be so devoted to another they would willingly walk to death for them?
The Elf fell against the rock wall, his breathing laboured. Boromir threw aside all rational thought; he could not abandon the prince when so inexplicably vulnerable. His heart was not in it. He would remain by Legolas' side.
'Will you not sit awhile then?' he asked, emerging from behind a carven column. Legolas smiled weakly, his eyes half-closed as he regarded Boromir with a knowing look. 'Your conscience weighs you down, does it?' he said, and collapsed sideways in a faint.
_______________________________
'Merry! Merry, wake up!'
'Mmm ... what now Pippin?'
'Legolas and Boromir have gone!'
'What?'
Merry sat upright, rubbing sleep from his eyes. 'I'd be willing to bet they're off after Aragorn,' muttered the crouching figure of Pippin, his eyes glancing towards the door. 'Either that or they've fallen down the well. Neither thoughts are very comforting.'
'Nay, they would not be so foolish as to have dropped into the hole.' Merry took up his Westernesse dagger and strapped it to his waist. 'They may be lost - or worse,' he said, troubled. 'I am going after them.'
'Merry! Do not be stupid!'
'What else should I do? If we wake Gandalf, he'll be in a murderous rage, and then we shall have a frantic rush. If they do not come back of their own accord, what then? Do we all go and get lost? I would not have the others know, they would only prove a hindrance; and if Frodo were lost, Middle-Earth would be doomed.'
'You're right - I'm coming.'
'Pippin, don't be a fool.'
Pippin, his eyes glinting in the obscurity, smiled gravely. 'I am as much of a fool as one may get, there is no harm in this,' he said. Merry gave in. 'Alright, come - but be quiet mind, or I shall throw you into the well,' he warned.
Pippin nodded, his face set.
Together they crept past the sleeping forms of Sam, Frodo, Gandalf and Gimli, and out into the rocky wilderness that was the Mines of Moria.
________________________________
That's all for now folks! Will try to get the next few up A.S.A.P, but the future is looking rather grim.
Cheers!
Thorn Dew'Pearled
________________________________
'It's rather - dank, isn't it.'
'What would you expect of a long abandoned guardroom, Pippin?'
Peregrin lifted his shoulders in a shrug, letting them drop abruptly and leaving his arms swinging as he surveyed the uninviting chamber. There had been a minor collapse of the cieling towards the back end, and a black hole gaped in the floor.
'An old well,' Boromir observed, venturing forward, maintaining a safe distance from the edge and peering in. 'The cover has been smashed - one can barely see a hand before a face, how may we be certain we will not wander and fall?'
'If one keeps one's feet, then one shall remain safe,' advised Gandalf. 'This is the only shelter we have for now, let us use it as we may ... Peregrin! Do not stand upon the edge!'
Pippin, who had been attempting to fathom how many miles down a blundering idiot might fall should they step into the well, hung his head and slunk away. He had grown accustomed to the countless reprimands he often recieved from the irritable old Istari; but that did not ease the hurt that ached when the wizard's voice boomed angrily at him.
Legolas had become oddly quiet, though his companions were too preoccupied with their thoughts to notice or care. And so much the better, Legolas thought grimly, crossing his arms against his chest. Should they know, I would never be permitted to leave.
'Now Mr. Frodo, don't you go a-strolling in the night,' Sam admonished his master, and pointed towards the open well. 'You'll go plummeting goodness knows how far.'
Frodo chuckled and removed the over-protective Gamgee's hand from his shoulder. 'I shall not go strolling, my legs can barely manage another step without crumpling beneath me. And I am sure you, my faithful Sam, should notice if I decided to take a walk in the dark.'
'If the cover were not demolished, we might close this mouth of doom,' said Gandalf at length, scuffing a foot against a jagged slab of stone. 'Be that as it may, we must needs rest. A long and arduous journey it has proved thus far, and sleep will be needed before we may continue. A sentry shall - '
'I shall take first watch,' Legolas volunteered hastily, and then bowed his head. 'I would prefer it if those who need rest more than I did so first,' he continued in a calmer tone, hoping his expressionless countenance did not betray his inner feelings. 'I am keen of eye and ear, being of the Elven kindred. Let me guard those who sleep.'
'A valiant offer, Legolas,' acknowledged Gandalf, inclining his head; 'but I would rather be the one to first take the post this night.'
Legolas' eyes widened of a sudden, and one hand flew upwards to clutch in desperation at his chest. A gasp escaped his throat; swaying, he steadied himself against a crumbling pillar. Agony seared through him - as fast as it had beset him, it left.
'I am fine,' he cried, before the worried volley of questions could be fired. 'Please, Gandalf, I beg of you: let me take first watch.' Turning to the wizad he held out his hands imploringly. 'Please,' he murmured. 'It would ease my mind.'
'You seem in no condition for that, dear Elf,' Gandalf said concernsedly. 'Let me take a look at you, I can - '
'No, please, I am well!' Legolas persisted. 'It was merely a rush of shock, I fear for Aragorn.' 'As do we all,' said Boromir, his brow frowning as he cast his scrutinizing gaze over the Elf. 'Legolas, maybe it would be best if you let Gan - '
'Why can I not take first watch?' Legolas said. 'Rest! Rest, I say!'
Too weary to argue with the stubborn prince, they retired at his command, crawling into blankets and lying down near friends to ensure none went wandering into danger. 'I think he's been bitten by that thing too,' Sam muttered to Frodo, pulling his cloak across their bodies. 'Mad, I say - 'tis not like him, not like him at all.'
'Go to sleep Sam,' said Frodo, turning over, one hand at his throat. 'If he wants to guard, let him guard.'
________________________________
A rare peace descended upon them. Legolas stood warily at the entrance to the guardroom, ears and eyes keen. 'What is wrong with me?' he murmured, and passed a bleary hand before his eyes, turning it over to gaze at the back with furrowed brow. 'Why do I falter so?'
'Mayhap because rarely do you rest, and concern yourself only with the matters of others,' came a soft voice from the shadows. Legolas, unsuspecting, gave a violent start, slumping suddenly to the floor . Strong arms caught him in his inevitable descent, halting before the slender form met the cold hardness of the stone. 'Boromir?" he whispered, his eyes fixing upon the pale face that hovered above him.
'Legolas, what ails you?' The words came slowly to his ears. Vision began to swim. A hand steadied his head. 'Legolas?'
'It is nothing Boromir, go back to sleep,' said Legolas lamely, rising unsteadily to his feet. 'You cannot decieve me,' said the Steward's Son. 'Your words were not heard only by Frodo. If you would go hunting the Ranger, then I am coming, whether you like it or not. As Gandalf said, you are in no condition for such undertakings, especially alone.'
'Boromir, do not defy me!' hissed Legolas, his strength returning, flooding his leaden limbs with empowering life once again. 'I go alone.'
'Then you go not at all, for if you will not welcome companionship than I shall prevent your leaving,' said Boromir in an undertone. 'What should Gandalf say?'
'This is injustice!' hissed Legolas fiercely, afraid of awakening the sleepers. 'Leave me be, go back to bed.'
'That I will not. Consider your choices wisely: you either let me come, or I alert Gandalf.'
Legolas glared with a severe burning hatred in that moment, until his face seemed to have been swept with an invisible tide and fury was replaced with distress. 'Come then,' he murmured, admitting defeat. 'I shall hold no responsibility for you; I go only for Aragorn.'
'I need not a guardian, rather it will be you who benefits from my aid,' said Boromir, smiling grimly, pleased. 'I know all is not as it seems with you, Elf.'
And I shall find out what is amiss, he thought, watching Legolas' retreating back and following closely at the prince's heels.
________________________________
Burning, always burning. A malice to drown all of Mankind, a hatred to burn all of Middle-Earth. Misery, fear, anger, malevolence - a maelstrom of uncertainty, his mind was in turmoil. His hands and knees bled, his garments torn to rags by a fruitless struggle with the violent other. Pain seared through his aching body, like knives relentlessly stabbing his grime- smeared flesh.
Silver tears gathered in his eyes and fell, shattering upon the black rock. Crawling, he had to go on - an incessant urge to continue nagged at his stricken mind.
'Leave me be,' he wept, clambering onwards. 'Leave me be. Why do you not leave me be?'
'Have I not made my intentions clear yet? Is another punishment in order before finally you understand.'
'No! No, please!'
'You are an inferior coward compared to me.'
Helplessly arguing with himself, terribly degrading for the exiled King of Gondor, yet to claim his rightful crown and thrown. And his lady love. Oh, how his heart ached for she of Rivendell, she of dark hair and soft lips, caressing touch and loving words.
His hand slipped upon a narrow escarpment, he tumbled down painfully to lie still upon the stone. His breath trembled in his chest. Weeping hopelessly, flinging one hand across his face, he curled upon his side.
'Be careful you imcompetent fool!' he hissed, teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
'Leave me be,' he whispered pleadingly.
'Get up! Need I cause you more injury?' came the quick sneer, as the fingers of one hand closed threateningly about the uneven surface of a loose fragment of stone.
'No, please - I need rest.'
'Rest then, pitiful worm.'
________________________________
'Legolas!'
'If you cannot match my pace, then turn back!'
'Legolas, slow I beseech you! You will only injure yourself, you are not well!'
'I am fine.'
Legolas strode strongly ahead, with uneccessary speed, determined to lose the thorn that stung his side. Boromir ran in his wake, imploring him to stop. Legolas pressed onwards, ignorant of the Man's advice.
'We shall get lost!' Boromir cried after him. 'Legolas!'
Without a light to aid their eyes, obstacles hidden in the darkness could not be known until they were tripped upon, or brushed against. Whether a steep precipitation or a depthless abyss lay ahead, neither knew.
'Legolas! Harken to me!'
'Go back Boromir. I haven't time for your hindrances.'
Plead as he might, Boromir could not make himself heard. Legolas had barricaded his ears, listening and watching for nothing but the slightest sign of Aragorn. Please let him be well, he prayed silently within the confines of his mind. Do not let him lie dead, please!
Without warning, his legs could no longer support him. He crumpled to the ground with a weak cry. Boromir hastened towards him, lifting the Elf as the sudden weakness incapacitated him again. 'I will take you back, if I have to drag you kicking and screaming,' the Man said firmly.
The Elf shook his head. 'Nay, Aragorn - I must find him,' were the whispered words. 'Legolas, you are not well. I beg of you, let us return - Gandalf can heal you,' argued Boromir.
'Aragorn ... '
'Forget him! There is time enough to find him later. If we do not turn back, our deaths will be inevitable.'
'Then let it be that way - I am not returning without Aragorn.'
'Why are you so stubborn?'
'Why must you persist?'
'We are a Fellowship, we must look out for one another.'
'To that I hold.'
'Legolas, please! Do not do this, not now.'
'Turn back then.'
'Without my help you cannot go onwards.'
'Then leave me here to die.'
'As you wish it,' said Boromir angrily, and left the Elf sprawled hopelessly. He retreated only a few paces, to gauge the Elf's reaction to his absence. Legolas merely stared at the cieling, his eyes glistening. A short while passed, and he began to struggle to return to his feet and go on. His determination stunned Boromir: how could one person be so devoted to another they would willingly walk to death for them?
The Elf fell against the rock wall, his breathing laboured. Boromir threw aside all rational thought; he could not abandon the prince when so inexplicably vulnerable. His heart was not in it. He would remain by Legolas' side.
'Will you not sit awhile then?' he asked, emerging from behind a carven column. Legolas smiled weakly, his eyes half-closed as he regarded Boromir with a knowing look. 'Your conscience weighs you down, does it?' he said, and collapsed sideways in a faint.
_______________________________
'Merry! Merry, wake up!'
'Mmm ... what now Pippin?'
'Legolas and Boromir have gone!'
'What?'
Merry sat upright, rubbing sleep from his eyes. 'I'd be willing to bet they're off after Aragorn,' muttered the crouching figure of Pippin, his eyes glancing towards the door. 'Either that or they've fallen down the well. Neither thoughts are very comforting.'
'Nay, they would not be so foolish as to have dropped into the hole.' Merry took up his Westernesse dagger and strapped it to his waist. 'They may be lost - or worse,' he said, troubled. 'I am going after them.'
'Merry! Do not be stupid!'
'What else should I do? If we wake Gandalf, he'll be in a murderous rage, and then we shall have a frantic rush. If they do not come back of their own accord, what then? Do we all go and get lost? I would not have the others know, they would only prove a hindrance; and if Frodo were lost, Middle-Earth would be doomed.'
'You're right - I'm coming.'
'Pippin, don't be a fool.'
Pippin, his eyes glinting in the obscurity, smiled gravely. 'I am as much of a fool as one may get, there is no harm in this,' he said. Merry gave in. 'Alright, come - but be quiet mind, or I shall throw you into the well,' he warned.
Pippin nodded, his face set.
Together they crept past the sleeping forms of Sam, Frodo, Gandalf and Gimli, and out into the rocky wilderness that was the Mines of Moria.
________________________________
That's all for now folks! Will try to get the next few up A.S.A.P, but the future is looking rather grim.
