Chapter 5

By Crystal

Author's Notes: This chapter is mostly from the movie.

*We all know who this belongs to ^^;;*

I smiled at Boromir, Merry and Pippin as I sat beside the smoking Aragorn while they're practising their swordsmanship.  "Two, one, five.  Good!  Very good."  Boromir said, while smiling.

"Move your feet."  Aragorn said.

Merry glanced over at Pippin, "You look good."

"Thanks."  Pippin replied.  Boromir urged the two of them faster and my attention was drawn away from the spar and towards Gimli, the dwarf.

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round.  Gandalf!  We could pass through the Mines of Moria.  My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
Gandalf looked at Gimli gravely, then glanced at me for a split second, "No, Gimli.  I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."  I bit my lips for a second.  Gandalf would die, although he would return to life...  I sighed silently, knowing that there would be no use trying to change the future...  I did not want anyone else but Boromir to die...  I glanced at Boromir sadly.

It was at that moment that Pippin was cut on the figure by Boromir and Merry kicked him down, "Hold him.  Hold him down, Merry!"  Pippin shouted as he sat on top of Boromir.  Aragorn went over to help Boromir, but was tripped.  I just had to smile slightly at that.  I noticed Legolas paying attention to a cloud...  Crebain from Duneland...

"What is that?"  Sam asked.

"Nothing.  It's just a wisp of cloud."  Gimli replied.

I saw Boromir frown as he stood up, "It's moving fast.  Against the wind."

"Crebain from Duneland!"

"HIDE!"  Aragorn shouted and I felt dragged away by Boromir and under a bunch of rocks.  "Frodo!  Hurry!  Take cover!"  I saw Sam putting out the fire and the others taking their belongings and hiding behind the rocks and under the bushes.  The Crebains came through the area and explored it for a while until they left.

Gandalf stood up wearily after the Crebains left, "Spies of Saruman.  The passage south is being watched.  We must take the pass of Caradhras."

Caradhras...  The bloody freezing mountains.  Oh maaaaan...  I miss home already!  I need a coat, definitely a winter jacket along with mittens, a scarf and a wool hat.  Preferably along with a heater too!

* * * * *

I walked ahead of the group with Legolas by my side and myself thinking.  It is now January the 11th.  I closed my eyes, breathing while a shiver shook my body.  "Mani naa ta ?'' (What is it?) I heard Legolas ask.

I shook my head, "It's nothing..."

"Are you sure?"  He asked worriedly.

I gave him a smile, "Yeah."  I continued walking upwards, not knowing that Legolas has fallen behind me.  All of a sudden, I felt warmth engulf me and I turned around, just to meet with Legolas' face.  I gave him a questioning look.

"Take the cloak, you are cold."  He said, smiling.

"But...  What about you?"

"I will be fine, I'm an elf.  Elves do not fear the cold."  I snorted slightly, making Legolas chuckle.  "Let's hurry and get over the mountains.  The faster we get off, the better."  I sighed, knowing we would not making it across the snow mountains.

My head snapped around as I heard someone fall on the snow, "Frodo!"  Aragorn cried as he helped Frodo up.  Frodo brushed the snow away from his clothes, and then suddenly realized he has dropped it.  I closed my eyes in fear, knowing that was going to happen next.  I forced myself to open my eyes and watch Aragorn grip on his sword.  "Boromir."

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing.  Such a little thing."  He was already getting out of control...

"Boromir!  Give the Ring to Frodo!"  I shouted as he shook out of his thoughts.  He walked slowly towards Aragorn and Frodo and gave Frodo the Ring.  Frodo grabbed it quickly.  I heard Boromir mutter an apology and him ruffling Frodo's hair.  And I saw Aragorn's grip loosen slightly on the hilt of his sword.

"Mani naa ta ?'' (What is it?) Legolas asked me again as his eyes was still fixed on the scene.

I shook my head, "Nothing...  Nothing at all.  You're right.  Let's hurry and get over the mountains.  My butt's freezing off."

For a long time, I was ahead of the group along with Legolas, but I was now near the rear, helping the two hobbits.  Legolas was walking ahead of all of us with ease and his footsteps leaving only a small mark on the snow.  While he was walking on top of the snow, we were struggling to get on top.  "There is a fell voice on the air."  Legolas said to Gandalf.

"It's Saruman!"  Snow and boulders started falling.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain!  Gandalf, we must turn back!"  But Gandalf was stubborn and he chanted something I did not understand...  As they argued about getting off the mountain or keep walking, I glanced at Legolas and to my surprise, he was looking at me.  I smiled and he smiled back.

Gimli turned to look at Gandalf, "We cannot pass over a mountain.  Let us go under it!  Let us go through the Mines of Moria."  He said excitedly.

I can see Gandalf having conflict with himself, then finally, he looks over at Frodo.  "Let the Ring-bearer decide...  Frodo?"

"We will go through the mines."  He said, shivering.  His face was red from the cold and his cloak was not thick enough.

Gandalf sighed quietly, "So be it."

We walked down the mountain quietly and to my surprise, Legolas did not go ahead as he did when climbing up, but stayed at the rear with me, quietly paying attention to everywhere at once.  It was then he finally looked at me, "Are you all right?"

I nodded my head, it was already getting warmer and warmer by the second.  I took the cloak he draped around me and handed it back to him, "Thank you for the cloak, it kept me warm."  He nodded, his eyes still wandering everywhere, checking for anyone that was not welcomed.  I frowned, "Perhaps you should go ahead of the group, it might be easier."

At this, he smiled.  "Nay, it is fine.  I wish to aid you and anyway, Aragorn is capable enough to watch out for Orcs or other beings."

"Thanks," I replied, "You don't know how grateful I am."  I sighed silently, but saw Legolas look at me and I smiled, "I'm fine...  I'm just missing my parents."

"Why are you here, with us?  I have heard from elves in Rivendell that Master Boromir found you somewhere near Rivendell, half conscious and had to bring you to Rivendell."

I flushed at the memory in embarrassment, "That's true."  I admitted, "Well...  My being here with you...  Let's just keep it that I want to meet some new people?"  I tried.  He cast a disbelieving glance at me.  I sighed again, "Okay, so I don't want to meet new people...  Just leave me be for the while.  I'll tell you when I need to."

"I hope that is soon, for I have nothing much but to walk in silence when travelling with the Fellowship."

I smiled, "That's not true,"  I replied, "You can always talk to other people, like Boromir."  I said, pointing at Boromir, who I found was staring at me.  I frowned slightly, but shook it off.

"Nay.  Humans are afraid of elves..."

I snorted at that.  Wait till Legolas goes to Earth, then he'll see...  He'll definitely see how us mere mortals love the immortal elves.  "I am human also, am I not?"  I asked.

"You are different from most mortals."  He replied.

I shrugged, "Perhaps I am."  That might be perhaps I'm not actually from Middle-Earth...  Then a question came into my head, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"What?"  He asked, looking at me.  His face spoke of utter confusion.

"Er...  I mean, if you are bound to she-elf."  I corrected.

He smiled, "Nay, I am not bound to anyone just yet and I have no means to do so."  He replied.

"What a shame, Iris."  I muttered to myself.

But of course, being the stupid elf that has just great hearing, he looked at me, "What's a shame?"  I shook my head and sighed, and walked in silence for a few minutes, before he opened his mouth, "Are you bound, Jessica?"

I almost tripped on my feet, and suddenly grabbed on his arm for support.  He hauled me up, then looked at me expectantly, "Er...  No.  I'm not bound, at least not in a way the elves think."  Another look of confusion.  "Well,"  I started explaining, "What I mean, is that I do have a boyfriend...  And that's like...  Kind of lover, except we're not really that serious about it."

Legolas' eyes widened, "You are not serious with each other?!"

"Er...  No...?"  I replied hesitantly.

"Then why are you bound?"  He asked.

Damn elf...  He had to ask so many questions, "Well...  Ah...  I'll explain it to you another time!"

Another few minutes passed in silence, "Do you love him?"

"Wha...?"  I replied, then I understood what he meant, "I think I do...  If that's what love is.  You ever been in love?"  I asked.

He shook his head, "Nay."

I wanted to hit my head against the wall.  In front of me was a drop dead gorgeous elf that was twenty nine hundred years old and he still hasn't loved anyone yet.  How could that be?!  Ugh, I'll bet that if Iris was in my shoes, she'll pounce on him.  I winced at the mental image, feeling slightly sorry for Legolas.

For minutes, we walked in silence, not knowing what to say...  A while later, Legolas walked ahead talking to Aragorn while I stayed behind, keeping Boromir company.

He looked at me strangely, "How is that elf?"

I frowned, "Hey, no need to get mean...  He's pretty nice, you know."

He sighed, "I'm sorry.  It seems like you're spending more time with him than me."

Ahh...  Jealousy.  I almost laughed out loud.  A man getting jealous at an elf because the elf was talking to some filthy girl.  Okaaay...  Right.  "Well, Boromir...  I spent all my time with you in Rivendell, remember?  And I just got to know Legolas better, so it's not such a big deal.  I spent more time with you than with Legolas, overall."

"I guess you're right..."  He replied, casting a smile my way, I sent one right back, "So what were you talking about?"  He asked.

"Love."  I answered in a word.  His face was filled with horror and I frowned.  "Why..."  Then I realized my mistake, "Oh no!  No Boromir!"  I said, laughing.  "Not between Legolas and I!  No...  Oh god...  This is sooo funny."  I started cracking up, leaving the confused Boromir smiling.

Lady Evenstar – Yep, I have a mailing list and you're on it ^^  See you and hope you enjoy this chapter!

Cute-Kitty – Heya!  How are you doing?  *grins*  Inner child's good, except I don't have one, lol.

Kat Tru – Woohoo!  Thank you!  *jumps up and down*  I hope you like this one too!

Youko Demon – Woohoo!  Lol...  I would swear a lot, but due to the fact that people are already calling Jessica a potty mouth...  LoL.  Thanks a lot ^^  You won't be sounding stupid *grins*

melisa-malfoy – Thank you so much!  Hope you come check back soon!

ellie – Yeah, I figured.  I mean, everyone wants to stop *his* death, but Jess doesn't want to cause it's going to ruin the whole LOTR story...  But you'll see ^^

Telboriel – It does seem like there's something between Jess and Boromir, doesn't it?  Well, I wanted to get Boromir's character out, since he's like, nothing in the books and movies.  I feel slightly sorry for him ^^ And to me, I think he's probably a nice guy, but got corrupted by the Ring of Power ^^  Anyways, thanks!

Author's Notes: I have a mailing list for this fic, so if you want to join, just leave your email in your review or tell me at clear_crystalglobe@hotmail.com.  Thanks!