Chapter 16: Caradhras
A/N: Okay, I went on a trip to Great America and I was experiencing Fan fiction Withdrawal. Isn't that terrible? Anyway, I've got a bunch of new chaps coming out, so yea! Right, so enjoy and all that other crap and may I say: The Journey has Begun!
Disclaimer: You should know this crap by now. Okay--don't own nothing. (I love summer, BAD GRAMMAR RULES!)
"Now, Light Bearer, you had better go get some rest," Lord Elrond said in a whisper, not daring to disturb the eloquence of the blade. "You have an early morning and you are wearied."
Yawning slightly, proving the Lord, Aila returned the amazing blade to its sheath as she was accompanied by Aragorn and Legolas, saying they should all go to bed early that night. Saying good night to them all, Arwen continued to sit with her father in the Hall of Fire, smiling at Aila's retreating back.
Saying good night as well, Aragorn headed left while Legolas and Aila both went right.
"May I escort you to your room, Lady?" he asked, smiling ever so slightly.
"Are you headed this way, sir?"
"Yes, Lady, my quarters are this way as well, past yours."
"Then you may," almost laughing out right at their mock formalities, Aila mockingly placed her hand upon his arm like a true lady would. The two spoke lightly as they walked to Aila's quarters, mostly of what they would miss when they embarked on their journey. "I would most definitely miss Arwen and Rivendell. It's the only thing I know of in Middle Earth that I am leaving behind. I am glad, though, that you and Aragorn are going as well. Or else I would have no friends."
"I miss Mirkwood already, but that is normal, is it not? To be slightly homesick? I look forward to the adventure, though I will miss Arwen as well. I have been friends with her for a very long time."
"I know," said Aila. Legolas looked at her questioningly, but she didn't respond. "I know."
"Well, here is your room, Lady Aila," Legolas said, with a mock bow. Smiling wide, Aila curtsied to the prince.
"It was a pleasure to be escorted by you, your Highness." Standing upright, Legolas watched as Aila turned and walked through her door. Immediately, she closed it and put an ear to it, waiting to hear footsteps. For a few moments, Legolas just stared at her door, fighting the urge to knock and continue conversation with Aila for a few hours more. Turning slightly, he turned back the way they had come, back to his own quarters.
Once she heard footsteps, Aila stuck her head out of her door and watched Legolas go the way they had come. He had lied to her that his quarters were near hers and had walked quite a distance out of his way with her. "What a lying gentleman," she whispered to herself, watching cautiously, only her head out of her door, as she walked Legolas retreat, hands swinging slightly at his side.
Carefully, she put on the nightgown that was laid out for her by the maid that she never saw. Pulling up the covers, Aila took several deep breaths before she finally felt sleep set in. Still, for the next few minutes of wakefulness her mind wandered across Middle Earth to exactly what she was about to do. Those who would die and those who would live. The deceit and captures. Aila's Code of Conduct suddenly came into her head.
"Article Two: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command …" the rest faded as she thought about what she was about to do. She couldn't change the course of events, but help them to deal with it. Most likely, they would all end up hating her for not preventing the horrible events that would take place. But what would happen if those events would not occur? Would the Fellowship fail? Confused and distressed, Aila fell asleep, her mind full of nightmares of what was going to happen and what could happen.
…
By morning, Arwen had awoken Aila before the sun had even risen to shed its light across Middle Earth. Nine waited in the great hall by the fire, now they were only awaiting Gandalf. Arwen had packed Aila many traveling clothes the night before, knowing that Aila would have no proper traveling clothes for Middle Earth.
In a few moments more, the nine blinking sleep from their eyes, Elrond appeared with Gandalf at his side.
"This is my last word," Elrond said in a low voice. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road." Several heads turned towards Aila, all knowing that she knew what was going to happen, also knowing that she would not warn them, but aide them in recovering.
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," were Gimli's brave words. "Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart."
"Or break it," replied Elrond. "May the stars shine upon your faces!"
"And don't be too long," cried Bilbo to Frodo. "Farewell!" On foot the Nine of the Company and their One companion strode away, across the Ford of Bruinen and onwards.
…
The country was rough and barren. Unused to such physical exertion, Aila stumbled several times, but being within physical fitness reason, she plodded onwards, determined as ever to keep up with the rest. However, she could not stay as light and cheerful as Legolas, who never seemed to tire.
It seemed that they were creeping forwards like snails that first fortnight of the journey. It was long, boring, and strenuous. They hardly talked amongst themselves to ease the boredom for fear of attracting unwanted attentions. A chill rested in Aila's bones, never going away, even at night when she bundled herself up well to face the onslaught of the nightly wind.
She hardly paid attention to Gandalf as he spoke of Hollin, elves, and Eregion when they had come there. He chided Pippin for not looking at the maps in the House of Elrond.
"I have a sense of watchfulness, and of fear," Aragorn stated, stopping for a moment to scan the barren land, "that I have never had here before."
"Then we must be more careful," Gandalf said, turning his attentions towards the land around them. Some memory sparked within Aila and she remembered Hollin from the book.
"Lie flat and still, find cover if you can, we must hide from the sky, for unfriendly sky-eyes watch us closely. The watch must hide in the shade of that holly-bush over there." Everyone knew quite well by now that Aila was the one who knew what was going on, so they listened to her, hiding beneath rock ledges and bushes. After hours like this, many had fallen asleep and only Sam and Aragorn stayed awake as watch. A large blur swept across, like a cloud moving swiftly against the wind. Pulling Sam further into the shadows of the holly-bush they watched the thin wisp of what seemed like cloud fly overhead.
"Crebain," whispered Aragorn. Utter silence was held among them, broken only by the light breathing of the sleepers. Legolas, however, had slept with his eyes opened and awakened from his light slumber when he saw the crows go overhead. For the rest of the day the Company remained in hiding, as the crows passed overheard time and again. Finally, at dusk, after many complaints by Pippin, the Company moved again.
Aila stumbled in the dark, never having excellent vision. Stubbornly, she refused the help of Aragorn and Legolas, as she cautiously placed one foot in front of the other, swiftly enough to keep up with the others. Stoutly, Legolas walked behind her, ever watching, keeping the promise he had made to himself, ensuring that she would never be hurt.
Suddenly, he foot caught on a hidden rock and she had instant deja vou as she fell sideways, only this time there was no mirror to break her fall. Legolas' arm shot out and caught her just in time to keep himself from falling to the ground with her. Smiling faintly up at him, Aila quickly got up and released his arm from around her waist.
"I'm fine," she said stubbornly. "I just need to wait for my eyes to adjust." After a few more minutes, she was able to pick out the rocks and weeds better than she had before. Her stumbling had lessened considerably and Legolas felt it was all right for him to run ahead to scout. He told Aragorn of his plan and as the Ranger consented, he shot forward at a sprint.
…
The next two days and nights were exactly the same. They slept and hid by day in Hollin, and traveled by night, Aila stumbling more than any other, gasping for air as she pushed her body farther than she had ever gone in a singular day.
She heard Gandalf and Aragorn arguing over their path and knew that they would be settling on the Caradhras as planned.
"I fear that the Redhorn Gate may be watched; and also I have doubts of the weather that is coming up behind," Gandalf said.
"I will add a word of advice, if I may," said Boromir. "We shall meet bitter cold, if no worse, before we come down on the other side. It will not help us to keep so secret that we are frozen to death. When we leave here, where there are still a few trees and bushes, each of us should carry a faggot of wood, as large as he can bear."
"Very well," said Gandalf, "but we must not use the wood--not unless it is a choice between fire and death." Again, the Company set out, swiftly at first, but their way soon became winding and difficult to maneuver. Each carried his faggot of wood whatever way was most comfortable. Gimli had thrust his wood over his shoulder, keeping it at an angle to the ground. The hobbits were managing well, Aragorn with his carried in front of him, parallel with the ground. Legolas carried his as if it were light as a feather, shifting it to different positions as he walked lightly and more carelessly than any other. Aila, however, had difficulty bearing her burden, once again feeling her weakness.
Continually, she changed the position of her wood, holding it across her front, then cradling it against her chest, holding it like Gimli, and sometimes dragging it along the ground. However, she refused aide from any other, thought Sam offered Bill to carry it for a while, and even himself.
"No, no, my dear hobbit! I believe that horse has enough to mourn about than my wood as well. And indeed, you have all that you can carry, Sam, though you will never admit it. I will carry my burden as well as any other." Watching from aside, Legolas stepped further down the path of the Caradhras. Not long after, snow began to follow and Aila groaned, knowing it would soon thicken to the point of no visibility.
"His arm had grown long," she heard Gandalf say to Gimli. They halted for little under an hour, but when the wind died and the snow slackened, they made ready to begin again.
"The storm will only return with greater fury," warned Aila, but none of the others paid attention.
"Let it," replied Aragorn. "It is a chance we must take. We must pass here, or we may not pass at all." With a sidelong glance at Gandalf, Aragorn pulled the Company forward.
They had not gone much further when they realized they should have paid heed to Aila's warning. The storm returned with fresh might and soon even Boromir found it difficult to continue. The hobbits were bent double and even Gimli, as stout as any dwarf could be, was grumbling as he trudged along. Aila's feet were numb through the boots given to her by Arwen. Her teeth chattered with cold and her hairs were raised goose bumps, even as the base of her neck. Clutching the wood close to her chest, she dragged her feet behind her, snowflakes were clinging to her eyelashes and her nose was numb. Only Legolas seemed to be getting on without much difficulty. Though he was noticeably shivering, his light footsteps allowed him to walk over the falling snow, so that he did not sink in it. Walking across the sand was an arduous task for all, especially Aila, who kept silently berating herself for not keeping up intense physical fitness.
Clumsy as always, Aila's foot caught on a rock that was hidden beneath the snow. She had become too tired to lift her feet wholly from the snow and obliged to simply plow her feet through the white mass, leaving trails of where she had been. She had no far to fall until her left side impacted with the hard snow, thoroughly chilled to the bone. The scar she had on her upper left arm seared with hot pain as all the pressure was applied to the lasting bruise. Crying aloud in pain, Aila released the faggot of wood that she held and clutched her arm, struggling against the snow to stand upright.
A/N: Okay, I went on a trip to Great America and I was experiencing Fan fiction Withdrawal. Isn't that terrible? Anyway, I've got a bunch of new chaps coming out, so yea! Right, so enjoy and all that other crap and may I say: The Journey has Begun!
Disclaimer: You should know this crap by now. Okay--don't own nothing. (I love summer, BAD GRAMMAR RULES!)
"Now, Light Bearer, you had better go get some rest," Lord Elrond said in a whisper, not daring to disturb the eloquence of the blade. "You have an early morning and you are wearied."
Yawning slightly, proving the Lord, Aila returned the amazing blade to its sheath as she was accompanied by Aragorn and Legolas, saying they should all go to bed early that night. Saying good night to them all, Arwen continued to sit with her father in the Hall of Fire, smiling at Aila's retreating back.
Saying good night as well, Aragorn headed left while Legolas and Aila both went right.
"May I escort you to your room, Lady?" he asked, smiling ever so slightly.
"Are you headed this way, sir?"
"Yes, Lady, my quarters are this way as well, past yours."
"Then you may," almost laughing out right at their mock formalities, Aila mockingly placed her hand upon his arm like a true lady would. The two spoke lightly as they walked to Aila's quarters, mostly of what they would miss when they embarked on their journey. "I would most definitely miss Arwen and Rivendell. It's the only thing I know of in Middle Earth that I am leaving behind. I am glad, though, that you and Aragorn are going as well. Or else I would have no friends."
"I miss Mirkwood already, but that is normal, is it not? To be slightly homesick? I look forward to the adventure, though I will miss Arwen as well. I have been friends with her for a very long time."
"I know," said Aila. Legolas looked at her questioningly, but she didn't respond. "I know."
"Well, here is your room, Lady Aila," Legolas said, with a mock bow. Smiling wide, Aila curtsied to the prince.
"It was a pleasure to be escorted by you, your Highness." Standing upright, Legolas watched as Aila turned and walked through her door. Immediately, she closed it and put an ear to it, waiting to hear footsteps. For a few moments, Legolas just stared at her door, fighting the urge to knock and continue conversation with Aila for a few hours more. Turning slightly, he turned back the way they had come, back to his own quarters.
Once she heard footsteps, Aila stuck her head out of her door and watched Legolas go the way they had come. He had lied to her that his quarters were near hers and had walked quite a distance out of his way with her. "What a lying gentleman," she whispered to herself, watching cautiously, only her head out of her door, as she walked Legolas retreat, hands swinging slightly at his side.
Carefully, she put on the nightgown that was laid out for her by the maid that she never saw. Pulling up the covers, Aila took several deep breaths before she finally felt sleep set in. Still, for the next few minutes of wakefulness her mind wandered across Middle Earth to exactly what she was about to do. Those who would die and those who would live. The deceit and captures. Aila's Code of Conduct suddenly came into her head.
"Article Two: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command …" the rest faded as she thought about what she was about to do. She couldn't change the course of events, but help them to deal with it. Most likely, they would all end up hating her for not preventing the horrible events that would take place. But what would happen if those events would not occur? Would the Fellowship fail? Confused and distressed, Aila fell asleep, her mind full of nightmares of what was going to happen and what could happen.
…
By morning, Arwen had awoken Aila before the sun had even risen to shed its light across Middle Earth. Nine waited in the great hall by the fire, now they were only awaiting Gandalf. Arwen had packed Aila many traveling clothes the night before, knowing that Aila would have no proper traveling clothes for Middle Earth.
In a few moments more, the nine blinking sleep from their eyes, Elrond appeared with Gandalf at his side.
"This is my last word," Elrond said in a low voice. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road." Several heads turned towards Aila, all knowing that she knew what was going to happen, also knowing that she would not warn them, but aide them in recovering.
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," were Gimli's brave words. "Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart."
"Or break it," replied Elrond. "May the stars shine upon your faces!"
"And don't be too long," cried Bilbo to Frodo. "Farewell!" On foot the Nine of the Company and their One companion strode away, across the Ford of Bruinen and onwards.
…
The country was rough and barren. Unused to such physical exertion, Aila stumbled several times, but being within physical fitness reason, she plodded onwards, determined as ever to keep up with the rest. However, she could not stay as light and cheerful as Legolas, who never seemed to tire.
It seemed that they were creeping forwards like snails that first fortnight of the journey. It was long, boring, and strenuous. They hardly talked amongst themselves to ease the boredom for fear of attracting unwanted attentions. A chill rested in Aila's bones, never going away, even at night when she bundled herself up well to face the onslaught of the nightly wind.
She hardly paid attention to Gandalf as he spoke of Hollin, elves, and Eregion when they had come there. He chided Pippin for not looking at the maps in the House of Elrond.
"I have a sense of watchfulness, and of fear," Aragorn stated, stopping for a moment to scan the barren land, "that I have never had here before."
"Then we must be more careful," Gandalf said, turning his attentions towards the land around them. Some memory sparked within Aila and she remembered Hollin from the book.
"Lie flat and still, find cover if you can, we must hide from the sky, for unfriendly sky-eyes watch us closely. The watch must hide in the shade of that holly-bush over there." Everyone knew quite well by now that Aila was the one who knew what was going on, so they listened to her, hiding beneath rock ledges and bushes. After hours like this, many had fallen asleep and only Sam and Aragorn stayed awake as watch. A large blur swept across, like a cloud moving swiftly against the wind. Pulling Sam further into the shadows of the holly-bush they watched the thin wisp of what seemed like cloud fly overhead.
"Crebain," whispered Aragorn. Utter silence was held among them, broken only by the light breathing of the sleepers. Legolas, however, had slept with his eyes opened and awakened from his light slumber when he saw the crows go overhead. For the rest of the day the Company remained in hiding, as the crows passed overheard time and again. Finally, at dusk, after many complaints by Pippin, the Company moved again.
Aila stumbled in the dark, never having excellent vision. Stubbornly, she refused the help of Aragorn and Legolas, as she cautiously placed one foot in front of the other, swiftly enough to keep up with the others. Stoutly, Legolas walked behind her, ever watching, keeping the promise he had made to himself, ensuring that she would never be hurt.
Suddenly, he foot caught on a hidden rock and she had instant deja vou as she fell sideways, only this time there was no mirror to break her fall. Legolas' arm shot out and caught her just in time to keep himself from falling to the ground with her. Smiling faintly up at him, Aila quickly got up and released his arm from around her waist.
"I'm fine," she said stubbornly. "I just need to wait for my eyes to adjust." After a few more minutes, she was able to pick out the rocks and weeds better than she had before. Her stumbling had lessened considerably and Legolas felt it was all right for him to run ahead to scout. He told Aragorn of his plan and as the Ranger consented, he shot forward at a sprint.
…
The next two days and nights were exactly the same. They slept and hid by day in Hollin, and traveled by night, Aila stumbling more than any other, gasping for air as she pushed her body farther than she had ever gone in a singular day.
She heard Gandalf and Aragorn arguing over their path and knew that they would be settling on the Caradhras as planned.
"I fear that the Redhorn Gate may be watched; and also I have doubts of the weather that is coming up behind," Gandalf said.
"I will add a word of advice, if I may," said Boromir. "We shall meet bitter cold, if no worse, before we come down on the other side. It will not help us to keep so secret that we are frozen to death. When we leave here, where there are still a few trees and bushes, each of us should carry a faggot of wood, as large as he can bear."
"Very well," said Gandalf, "but we must not use the wood--not unless it is a choice between fire and death." Again, the Company set out, swiftly at first, but their way soon became winding and difficult to maneuver. Each carried his faggot of wood whatever way was most comfortable. Gimli had thrust his wood over his shoulder, keeping it at an angle to the ground. The hobbits were managing well, Aragorn with his carried in front of him, parallel with the ground. Legolas carried his as if it were light as a feather, shifting it to different positions as he walked lightly and more carelessly than any other. Aila, however, had difficulty bearing her burden, once again feeling her weakness.
Continually, she changed the position of her wood, holding it across her front, then cradling it against her chest, holding it like Gimli, and sometimes dragging it along the ground. However, she refused aide from any other, thought Sam offered Bill to carry it for a while, and even himself.
"No, no, my dear hobbit! I believe that horse has enough to mourn about than my wood as well. And indeed, you have all that you can carry, Sam, though you will never admit it. I will carry my burden as well as any other." Watching from aside, Legolas stepped further down the path of the Caradhras. Not long after, snow began to follow and Aila groaned, knowing it would soon thicken to the point of no visibility.
"His arm had grown long," she heard Gandalf say to Gimli. They halted for little under an hour, but when the wind died and the snow slackened, they made ready to begin again.
"The storm will only return with greater fury," warned Aila, but none of the others paid attention.
"Let it," replied Aragorn. "It is a chance we must take. We must pass here, or we may not pass at all." With a sidelong glance at Gandalf, Aragorn pulled the Company forward.
They had not gone much further when they realized they should have paid heed to Aila's warning. The storm returned with fresh might and soon even Boromir found it difficult to continue. The hobbits were bent double and even Gimli, as stout as any dwarf could be, was grumbling as he trudged along. Aila's feet were numb through the boots given to her by Arwen. Her teeth chattered with cold and her hairs were raised goose bumps, even as the base of her neck. Clutching the wood close to her chest, she dragged her feet behind her, snowflakes were clinging to her eyelashes and her nose was numb. Only Legolas seemed to be getting on without much difficulty. Though he was noticeably shivering, his light footsteps allowed him to walk over the falling snow, so that he did not sink in it. Walking across the sand was an arduous task for all, especially Aila, who kept silently berating herself for not keeping up intense physical fitness.
Clumsy as always, Aila's foot caught on a rock that was hidden beneath the snow. She had become too tired to lift her feet wholly from the snow and obliged to simply plow her feet through the white mass, leaving trails of where she had been. She had no far to fall until her left side impacted with the hard snow, thoroughly chilled to the bone. The scar she had on her upper left arm seared with hot pain as all the pressure was applied to the lasting bruise. Crying aloud in pain, Aila released the faggot of wood that she held and clutched her arm, struggling against the snow to stand upright.