Disclaimer: Based on 'The Lord of the Rings', by JRR Tolkien. This is a non-commercial work. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"Window of the Sunset" is the fourth in the Broken Fellowship Series. It is strongly recommended that you read the previous stories first.


The Broken Fellowship, Book IV:

Window of the Sunset

Chapter 4: On Dark Wings

by Lizardbeth Johnson


In the morning, Sam was pleased to discover that both he and Legolas were still living. He doubted that Gollum's change extended very deeply. The creature was likely biding his time for them to relax their guard, which Sam was determined not to do. He didn't think Legolas would either, despite his seeming acceptance of Gollum as servant.

It was a side of Legolas that Sam hadn't seen before, watching the elf interact with Gollum. He was kind and patient, yet also stern and commanding when necessary. He reminded Sam somewhat of Elrond, but he supposed that was really no surprise. Legolas' father was king of the elves of Mirkwood, and it seemed that Legolas was displaying his upbringing as an elf-prince. But no matter how he did it, Legolas seemed determined to call as much of Sméagol back from the ring's influence as he could.

It began in the morning when Gollum resisted coming with them during the daylight, even though the sky was deeply overcast and the sun barely visible. But Legolas stood there, not showing a flicker of pain on his face, with only a hand on Dúlhach 's withers as a sign of his injury, and commanded Gollum to come with them. Somewhat sullenly Gollum did so.

As they walked at a slow pace toward the river, Legolas told stories of a time long ago when Gollum's people had lived by the banks of the Anduin. Gollum pretended he wasn't listening, but every time it seemed Legolas would stop, he was there at Legolas' side. His wide eyes flickered with sorrow and loss, but he seemed to come back more to himself as Legolas' stories reminded him of his past.

Legolas wore his weapons and walked unaided, though Sam noticed that Dúlhach stayed within reach. The elf had even re-strung his bow, and only a tightening of his lips and around his eyes had given away how much the effort had hurt him. If Gollum wondered why the black horse was with them, walking placidly alongside as though drawn by a halter, he didn't ask. After the first wary looks up at the horse, Gollum seemed not to pay attention to her at all.

But Dúlhach watched him. Having seen what those hooves could do to a man, Sam was comfortable enough with her guard over Legolas to wander away from the group and search for the herbs that Legolas requested. He doubted he would find kingsfoil here, since the plant grew mostly in damp, shaded corners, but lady's foot liked drier soil and tended to sprout the moment the snow was gone.

He left Legolas, Gollum, and the horse pacing south-east in the shallow wash between two ridges and climbed to the top of the ridge. Eastward he saw the line of tall trees that marked the banks of the Anduin. Below him, between his ridge and the next low rocky hill, on the slope mixed in with young grass were many dark green plants with wide leaves. A few were already sprouting deep pink flowers.

At first he was afraid that his eyes were tricking him, but no, he had found a whole field of lady's foot plants. Using Sting, he carefully cut two plants at the stem and used the edge of his cloak to put them into his pack without touching them.

When he found the others, Legolas was leaning against Dúlhach and Gollum was nowhere to be seen. "Where'd he go?" Sam asked.

Legolas gestured vaguely up at the sky, where the Sun was peering through the clouds, like a shy maiden behind a veil. "It is lighter. He was complaining, so I told him to go to shelter and meet us after sunset."

"I found lady's foot," Sam announced and Legolas' eyes brightened.

"You did?"

For answer, Sam opened the top of his pack and Legolas reached in and broke off one of the spade-shaped leaves. "Thank the Valar," he murmured and put it in his mouth. For just a moment, he clearly fought the impulse to be sick and then started chewing the leaf, his face set and determined. Then he broke off several leaves and put them into his water skin, as if making a cold tea. He spat out the remnants of the leaf, unwilling to swallow it, and then spat again to clear his mouth. "I had forgotten how bitter it tastes." His nose wrinkled in disgust and then smoothed out and he inhaled a deep breath. "But I do feel better. Thank you. We should continue." He kept a hand on Dúlhach but did not seem to need her help too much as he walked.

They moved on slowly southeast, no longer on the road which had driven straight south to meet the main road between Minas Tirith and Orthanc. There was, Legolas had said, one last main branch of the Entwash left to cross before attempting the crossing of the Anduin itself as the river's course turned eastward.

At mid-day, though it was difficult to tell with the sun mostly hidden, Legolas suddenly stopped and lifted his face to the breeze.

"What is it?" Sam asked, moving up beside him. "Is Gollum coming back?"

"No," Legolas said and then, more surprised, "Yes. He is. But that is not what I sense."

With a sinking feeling, Sam pulled out Sting, but it was not showing signs of orcs. Not that it meant all that much, since Legolas seemed to have a wider range than the sword did for sensing the presence of enemies. "Orcs?"

"No, I think not," Legolas said slowly, his eyes lowered to mere slits as he concentrated. "There is a change in the wind. Something comes. Let us make haste for the trees beside the river -- they will offer better cover than this."

They made what speed they could, at a fast walking pace. Sam refused to run, more for Legolas' sake than his own. Whatever evil was afoot, it would do no good to fight it exhausted. Legolas grew more visibly anxious as they walked, searching ahead of them and the sky with his keen eyes.

Gollum suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder before them. "Make haste, Master," he quivered in distress and beckoned them to follow. He scampered ahead, making for the trees that Sam could now see, poking their crowns above the ridge. "Hurry, Master," he coaxed, looking back over his shoulder.

They followed and soon Legolas had to use Dúlhach to keep his feet, whether Gollum saw or not. He chewed another leaf as well, and even so, his skin was pale and strained with the effort.

Gollum noticed, and it distracted him long enough to stop and cock his head upward at the tall elf. "Master is hurt?" He even sounded worried.

The show of concern irritated Sam and he hurled the words spitefully, "Master was stabbed by one of the men you called to find him at the village."

Gollum looked stricken and crowded close to Legolas' feet. "Master was hurt? Bad Gollum hurt kind master of the Precious?"

Impatiently, Legolas stepped away, and his gaze swept the eastern horizon. "I am well enough. We have to find cover. Now."

It took both Sam and Gollum a moment to follow, Sam taken aback by Legolas' sudden burst of speed as he took off and briefly left the others behind. But Sam soon realized what caused Legolas' worry -- there were pitch black clouds climbing and roiling above the Ephel Dúath, heading their way.

A storm was coming.

At the exact same moment, Legolas and Gollum halted and their bodies tensed as though hearing something far away. Sam stopped too, and strained his ears. There was something.

Like a distant wind howling, at the edge of his hearing, there was a high, wailing shriek, as of some beast in terrible pain. Sam felt his blood chill -- he had heard that sound before.

"Run!" Legolas shouted. One arm braced around Dúlhach 's neck, he let her mostly carry him toward the trees.

But these trees, though large, were still mostly bare from the winter and though their trunks were thick, the branches were mostly thin and green with new growth. The cover they offered seemed doubtful but Sam followed, his pan clanging behind him as he ran.

The wind strengthened, and it grew very cold, as the storm shoved its way toward them.

Legolas' course angled slightly southward and Sam realized he was heading for a small copse of young trees.

Sam pushed his way through the branches only to trip and nearly fall into Dúlhach. Legolas clutched the slender trunk of one of the trees, leaning against it so closely it seemed he was trying to join with it.

Gollum burst into the small hiding place, gibbering with fear. He tugged at Legolas' cloak. "Master, they come. They come for the Precious! Hide!"

The terrible shriek sounded again, closer, and the storm arrived with a gust of wind that rattled their sheltering branches. The sun was hidden completely behind the thick clouds, and Sam could barely see Legolas at all. Even Gollum was merely a pale shape in the dimness.

Legolas sank to the ground against the slender trunk, flipping his hood over his head. Sam quickly did the same, realizing that only their elven cloaks might now serve to hide them from the prying eyes of the Shadow.

Gollum trembled, hugging the ground beneath the smallest and bushiest covering tree he could find, borrowing into the dead leaves left over from fall.

But as Sam glanced at the large raven-black bulk of Dúlhach, he knew that nothing was going to hide her from the wraith's gaze or the eyes of the beast it rode.

Sam looked at Legolas, who seemed to be staring blankly from out of his hood. His right hand crept up to his throat, slowly, and Sam realized what was happening. He had seen this in Frodo, too.

Sam threw himself across the few paces that separated them, and grabbed Legolas' forearm. "No," he whispered urgently. Legolas' arm was like stone under his hand, immovable. Yet Sam knew the elf must also be resisting, since he could easily throw Sam off if he wanted. "Legolas, no."

He felt Legolas tremble as the wraith passed overhead, but because he could still feel the hard tension in the elf's muscles, Sam did not relax. He doggedly held onto Legolas' arm, even as Legolas' blue eyes began to shine with an eldritch light within the depth of his hood. He began to murmur something in a harsh language that sounded like nothing Sam had heard before, and certainly wasn't elvish.

The immense creature carrying the wraith wheeled around in the west and came back toward them, this time lower. There was no possible way that it would not see them. He and Legolas were half-uncovered by their cloaks, and there were only thin bare branches between them and the wraith.

Suddenly, Dúlhach gave a loud trumpeting call and leaped away through the undergrowth. Sam knew exactly what she was doing. "No," he wanted to yell the denial, but it came out as a whisper. "Dúlhach, no."

The giant bat-like thing wheeled on one pinion, to track the horse as she raced at a full gallop toward the west, away from them.

Sam couldn't see, but he heard it -- the triumphant shriek of the creature as it dove, and the matching enraged scream coming from the horse.

Next he saw the flying creature soaring back into the sky, two sets of claws clutching a limp black shape beneath them. With another chilling shriek, the beast let go and Dúlhach plummeted to the ground. Even at this distance they could hear the impact.

"No," Sam whispered and felt tears on his cheeks.

The wraith wheeled again to fly back east, gaining altitude, and vanished into the distance.

Under his arm, Legolas suddenly relaxed and the fearsome glow dissipated from his eyes. Sam released him, and Legolas' hand dropped to his lap. The elf fell back limply against the tree trunk as if he had been drained of all strength, and closed his eyes.

Gollum pushed himself upright, looking eastward with saucer eyes, "Wraiths on wings!" he wailed. "The Precious is their master. They see everything, everything. And they tell Him everything. He knows!"

Legolas whispered in eerie echo, "He knows." Then, in a more normal voice, he murmured, "Ai Dúlhach, mellon beren nín." He said an elvish prayer for the horse, as a tear slowly slid down his cheek.

Heavy of heart and still fearful, the three companions did not move from the shelter of the young trees until the faint sunlight sank in the west, and it was time to depart under cover of darkness.

*~*~*~*~*~*

They walked for two days, keeping a steady pace. Legolas wanted to move faster, but he knew it would be unwise to force himself to go too quickly. His wound was healing, albeit slower than he thought it should be, but it still burned when he walked or even breathed. At least chewing the leaves kept the pain somewhat at bay. Even the permanent ache in his injured hand subsided under the influence of the medicinal plant.

But nothing eased the ache in his heart, having seen Dúlhach fall to the earth. He knew she had sacrificed herself for him, to distract the Nazgûl from him and the ring. Her last thought before she had left the trees had been a crystal blade cutting past the nearly overwhelming desire of the ring to be found:

"Boe ú-echedich i gorf vorn, ernil uin laegeldrim, a datholthach i galad an Ennorath. Ríno nin."

Then she had turned and was gone. Without her, everything grew just a bit darker.

Rather to Legolas' surprise, after Gollum discovered the truth of his wound, he did not attempt to take advantage of it. Instead, he remained generally solicitous, and did not object to fishing for himself and Sam.

But Legolas always could feel when the sly, tainted part of Gollum began to rise back to the surface of Gollum's spirit. So far Gollum had been able to combat it. But, like Legolas himself, he knew that it would not continue forever. Gollum had also grown somewhat docile in Mirkwood, but had betrayed their kindness in the end.

So Legolas remained wary, but his powers gave him warning enough that he felt rather confident that the threat was contained.

The only difficulty was in getting Gollum to speak about paths into Mordor. His reaction had confirmed that he had passed by Minas Morgul but he refused to give details of the journey, only to say that it was a dark, hidden way. Legolas was not fond of the idea of passing close to Minas Morgul either, but whatever route Gollum had found had to be better than attempting to climb the Ephel Dúath or sneak in through the Black Gates.

On the third night they found the southern-most branch of the Onodló. Legolas stood on the last ridge, before it dipped down to a broad flat plain that stretched several hundred paces across. The moonlight shone on high forests of reeds that grew in the shallow water. Legolas thought it was fortunate, particularly for Sam, that the weather had remained cold, so that the majority of snow-melt had not yet come down from the Misty Mountains to fully flood the river course.

But he wished for Dúlhach to carry them across.

Gollum splashed comfortably ahead of them, more at home in the fen than his two companions. He found a narrow passage for them, through the reeds. Sam struggled through cold water that came up in places to his waist. Both of them bundled their cloaks so the hem would not drag in the water, and Legolas put his swordbelt over his shoulder to protect the scabbard.

Most of the reeds were last year's dead remnants, and they rustled and groaned softly in the night wind. Because they grew higher than even Legolas' head, enclosing the small company in a dark forest of slender green and brown stems, he listened carefully for any threat nearby. Mysterious splashes to either side suggested they were being paced by something, but he was unable to glimpse whatever it was. He held his bow in his left hand, ready to put an arrow to his string the moment anything came into sight.

Abruptly, he sensed the cold, foul breeze from Gollum strengthen, warning of danger. "Sam, be wary," he called to the hobbit, who was several paces ahead, following Gollum.

Sam's footsteps faltered, as he stopped to look around. When he continued, forward, he put a hand on Sting's hilt. "Gollum!" he cursed in irritation, pushing between two clumps of reeds that grew close together. "Curse that creature," he muttered. "It's narrow."

From ahead of them, Gollum called in a false, sly voice, "Not far, Master. Hurry, yes, you must make haste."

Instead of going more quickly, Legolas slowed to allow Sam to get farther ahead. He slipped through the narrow passage, having to hold his bow across his chest. Some of the reeds were as thick around as his arm, and might well have been stone for all that they gave way.

There. To his left. He turned quickly as he heard movement in the water, but saw nothing.

"It's all right," Sam called. "It opens up."

Still wary, Legolas moved to join him. The path did open up into empty ground, slightly deeper than the rest so the water came up to the top of his boots. The reeds ringed the space, approximately eight paces across.

"Gollum!" Sam shouted. "Where did you go? Which way?" His only answer was a soft laugh somewhere eastward. He glanced back at Legolas, his brow creased in irritation. "I think he's playing a trick. I don't see the way out."

Legolas saw immediately what Sam meant. The reeds grew close together, thin ones filling the spaces between thick ones all around, except the entrance. The only empty spaces were no wider than his hand -- wide enough for their nearly skeletal friend, but not enough for elf or hobbit to get through.

But apparently large enough for something else, when he heard the splashing sounds again, close on either side.

"It's a trap!" Legolas brought up his bow and nocked an arrow.

But it was too late.



Ai Dúlhach, mellon beren nín = 'O Dúlhach, my brave friend'
Boe ú-echedich i gorf vorn, ernil uin laegeldrim, a datholthach i galad an Ennorath. Ríno nin. = 'You must unmake the dark ring, prince of the green elves, and bring back the light to Middle-Earth. Remember me.'

Continued in Chapter 5: Promises of Death