I have updated.. at last! This one was a long time coming, and mostly
written at 3 am in the morning while listening to Hoobstank, so if it's a
little odd, you have been warned. I am a strange person and this is the
price you pay..
However while I am strange I would also love any reviews/hints/tips/corrections to the story you may have to offer me! Disclaimer- same as chapter 1! Don't own this, so don't be fooled! I also don't own any songs you may see in this chapter, the words may be a little off, but I have done them mostly from memory, so sorry!
Thank ye thank ye thank ye all! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up above the world... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That was an exceptional day. Most days had no further incidents. The company awoke in the morning, ate a frugal breakfast and began their journey, always with the mountains to their left. They walked all day, stopping only twice and then went to sleep, all tired. Elenya spent her days talking as much as she could while keeping pace with the others.
Elenya did her best to make herself useful as well. She helped Sam look after Bill, because she was good with horses and Sam wanted only the best for Bill. She gathered whatever roots and berries there were to be found and caught fish or rabbits for dinner. But these weren't the reasons the other appreciated having her there. Elenya, although she understood where she was going and what she may have to do, was doing her best to keep cheerful.
Of course she wasn't laughing all the time, but she was forever talking, and getting others to join in. She talked to Hobbits about the Shire, she talked to Boromir about Gondor, she talked to Gimli about all sorts of tales, she talked to Legolas about the elves and she loved to talk to Gandalf and Aragorn.
They never refused her tales about her father or of the wide world; which she loved to hear. It turned out Elenya hadn't idolised her father all her life in vain. He was what she had always thought him to be; very brave and very strong. She was content to be travelling, even it was just hear these tales, and each night she went to bed, dreaming of what may had been, if life had been kinder.
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*Frodo's POV*
One night, about two weeks after we had left Rivendell, we camped in a small clearing in a clump of trees. It turned out that this was where Boromir had found Elenya before he went to Rivendell. I noticed Elenya seemed almost in awe of Boromir now, probably as she remembered what he had done for her.
When everyone was in their blankets but not yet ready to sleep, Aragorn had just told Elenya about the months he and her father had spent tracking a rogue Ranger over the passes of the Misty Mountains. We had all listened and thoroughly enjoyed the tale. It was hard to believe it was true sometimes.
I could see where Elenya got a lot of her character from. She, like her father was the kind of person you always felt better for having around. I think she had noticed how I felt, how worry was weighing on my mind, even though I was doing my best not to show it. Sometimes she would give me an encouraging smile or gently pat my hand, or whatever part of me was closest. I didn't think anyone could make you feel so much better without saying a word. But I welcomed it.
We all lay back on the ground, getting ready to sleep; I closed my eyes, even though I was wide-awake. We had lain in silence for a few minutes, listening to nothing apart from the night sounds and Merry and Gimli's soft snores, when Elenya spoke. She had spent all this time fidgeting about and huffing. I wondered what the matter with her was.
"How on earth am I meant to sleep? Every single root in this tree is right under my back, wherever I turn!" She moaned loudly. I remembered having an all too similar conversation with Sam just after we had left Hobbition; even though it seemed so distant, I gave the same response.
"Just imagine your back at home, in your own bed with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow. . ." I sighed. I peeked and eye open quickly and saw Sam smiling faintly. I heard her 'hhmmm' thoughtfully There was another minute of silence, in which Elenya's shuffling decreased. She spoke again, this time almost sleepily, after stifling a yawn.
"Frodo?" She asked sweetly.
"Yes Elenya. . . " I answered patiently. I didn't expect what she said next.
"Will you remind me to get the roots and the rocks out of my bed tomorrow?" I couldn't help but smile again at her answer, and I could hear Boromir laughing (almost) silently behind me.
"Don't worry Elenya, I will" I said, humouring her.
"Good, I don't know what's gotten into me recently; I normally keep a spotless house you know!" She exclaimed, sounding as though she was half way to sleepy land.
"Elenya. . . " Asked Legolas, exactly imitating her tone of voice.
"Yes Legolas?" She answered politely, if not a bit groggily.
". . . Shut up and go to sleep will you?" She laughed out loud, now wide awake, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her kick him roughly. I rolled over again and fell asleep easily.
----------*----------
Recently, the mood within had been one of unease. The land about them was strangely quiet, almost silent at times with no sign of any other living creatures. But as the ground began to rise, into rolling hills, so too did the spirits of the company. Two days after passing the clearing where Elenya had been found, the land about was rocky and the Fellowship often paused, resting their feet tired from days of endless ups and downs. That morning was quite sunny although clouds were moving in the sky, making the day hazy.
They travelled all morning without resting, Gandalf pressing them all to hurry as to save time. They had come father than even Aragorn expected so they paused for a big lunch and rest a top a particularly large hill, topped with ferns and huge boulders which protruded out of the slope. They had a fry-up of sausages and bacon and the bread from Rivendell that hadn't yet gone stale. Most had finished their meals now. Legolas was up on one of the higher rocks looking out over the land, Gandalf and Gimli sat smoking their pipes thoughtfully, talking little. Sam was helping himself to more sausages with Frodo, and Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin to sword fight. Aragorn was watching, giving advice. Elenya had been too for a while, but now she was scurrying about, looking under rocks in a worried way.
"2, 3, 4", counted Boromir as he sparred with Pippin, who was actually quite good. He tried again whilst Aragorn added to Pippin;
"Move your feet." Pippin successfully blocked again.
"You block good Pippin!" exclaimed Merry in an impressed way as he started to block. Pippin grinned as Frodo looked on, smiling and Sam shook his head in way that plainly showed he didn't approve of sword-fighting hobbits. Gimli began to talk to Gandalf, trying to persuade him to go through the Mines of Moria, but Gandalf was having none of it. Elenya, as she searched couldn't help but agree. She had heard a lot of tales about Moria, and she had a feeling at lest a few were true, whether or not Gimli's family dwelt there.
Elenya began to look under a rock near to Frodo and Sam. She started to talk to them, pausing quickly. She didn't notice Legolas suddenly turn around and run over to another rock, looking out into the distance. She was too distracted by Boromir accidentally getting Pippin's hand as they sparred.
"Sorry!" He cried; going forwards to help Pippin, but Pippin was too busy kicking Boromir in the shins to notice. Boromir cried out, as Merry hit him in the side with his sword and Pippin pushed him over.
Elenya was crying with laughter, but quickly looked at Frodo, who was laughing too, out of the corner of her eye. Sam and Aragorn didn't look happy. Pippin and Merry were now on top of Boromir apparently trying to tickle him to death as Boromir pretended to struggle.
"For the Shire! Hold 'im Merry, hold 'im down!" Cried Pippin loudly. As Aragorn strode over,
"Gentlmen!" He exclaimed, trying to end the fight. But Merry and Pippin pulled his legs out from under him, causing him to land hard on his backside. It was Elenya's turn now. She stomped over, and coughed loudly.
"Boys, boys, boys!" She sighed, hands on hips. They all froze. Merry and Pippin with mutinous looks on their faces. "What are you going to do?" she smiled noticing their looks, "..I'm only a girl!!" Merry and Pippin both leapt up with a shout and gave her the same treatment as Boromir; death by tickling.
"NO! NO!" She screamed, her legs up in the air trying vainly to keep each hobbit with one foot as Boromir and Aragorn turned and stood up.
"EVIL HOBBITS! MAKE THEM STOP!! MAKE THEM STOP!!!" She shrieked, half laughing, half crying. Turning her head to the side, she suddenly caught a glance of what she had been looking for. Merry and Pippin had stopped now, and they too got up, as Legolas shouted down to them;
"Crelblaine from Dunland!" Elenya heard him, but cared only for her goal.
"HIDE!!!" Shouted Aragorn commandingly. Everyone except Elenya began to cover up all traces of their existence and throw themselves under bushes and boulders.
She however ran forward, quickly picking up her treasure, turning around and looking up, she saw what looked like a huge black cloud flying towards her. But this cloud was squawking and moving too, too fast.
She sprinted forwards, only to be pulled under the nearest boulder by Aragorn. She flew backwards into the rock, knocking Frodo (who was next to her) backwards too. Elenya did a double take and on reflex, she and Frodo both reached out to each other. Each held the other tightly as they looked up in confusion at the crow- like birds now deafening them all with their shrill cries. Soon they were gone, and as if on queue, everyone emerged, like helpless animals after a storm.
*Elenya's POV*
I stood facing the now distant blob in the sky, still breathing deeply, clutching onto her prize. I knew this was bad, but I all I could do was grasp my ring, and hope.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING!?" Shouted Aragorn behind me. I realised now what I had done, how much of a mistake I had made.
"We could have all been caught because of you! Why on earth didn't you hide, what were you doing!?" barked Gimli angrily. I took a step back, holding the ring closer to my chest. Gandalf did a double take, and then moved forward.
"What are you holding?" Asked Gandalf suspiciously. I was reluctant to answer.
"Its. . . nothing, its mine," I mumbled into the floor, hoping they would give up.
"Let me see." demanded Gandalf stepping forwards again. There was a look in his eye, one of worry. I hopped onto a boulder behind me.
"It's nothing; it's just something of mine!" I cried. No one seemed to believe me. "It was given to me by a friend!! WHY ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?" I shouted, and then I knew. Gandalf thought I was holding a ring of power. He thought I must have been corrupted by it or something ridiculous like that.
"Elenya," he said calmly, "give me it, I am trying to help you."
"It's not what you think it is, you know!" I didn't want them to even look at my ring; to me it was that personal, that important. Gandalf's eyes narrowed further and he came towards me. I put out my hand to stop him.
"Fine!" I cried, handing it over with a sigh. He took hold of it unsteadily and looked it over, I could tell he was trying to judge if it was a ring of power.
He turned it over in his hands and I could see his mouths forming the words; you are your only master; do not trust to fate. Everyone was still as they watched him and no one even seemed to breathe. Eventually, he face relaxed a little and he handed it back to me. I snatched it off him and turned away from the Company, now thoroughly pissed off.
"YOU RISKED OUR LIVES FOR A RING?" Screamed Boromir.
"You could have killed us all, not least yourself because of a stupid little ring? What could possibly be so important about a ring?" He cried demandingly. I was almost crying too. They didn't understand and I told them so;
"You don't understand!" I screamed back, turning around to find nine faces; all of them angry, or confused or shocked. I crossed my arms and sat down on the floor.
They didn't understand; they couldn't possibly. This was the ring I had found on my finger after I had been rescued from that creature in the cave. It made what I was now, and for some reason it made me much stronger; I knew it.
I felt part of him (whoever he was) was in it, and I was grateful for that. I wanted him near me, to remind me, but of what I didn't know. It just seemed to make me stronger, and to help me, on the inside. I knew I couldn't be half of who I was without this ring, but I couldn't explain it properly to myself so I didn't even try, just kept my head down.
"They would have know we were here, even if had all hidden earlier; their sight rivals that of the elves, it couldn't be helped." said Gandalf calmly.
"But who were they?" Asked Sam helplessly, his eyes were narrowed at me too.
"Spies of Saruman," answered Gandalf, his eyes narrowing in distaste. "The passage south is being watched." Everyone glanced at each other nervously.
"We must take the pass of Carhadras." He said grimly, turning and motioning at the tallest mountain of three behind us.
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We had been going up the mountain for several hours and no-one had really yet spoken to me. Even though Gandalf had told them it wasn't my fault if the Crelblaine had seen us, everyone was still unconvinced. I was too for that matter, or had been. Gandalf's reassurance had been enough for me, he out of all people would know about things like these. But I had been travelling mostly in silence since then.
It seemed odd to thing a few short hours ago I had been temporarily happy compared to the heaviness in my heart I felt now. With each step higher I took, I felt my mood sinking lower and lower, until I eventually just pulled my hood down as low as possible, just to try and block everything out.
I had hated the look of Carhadras from the moment I had seen it. I had heard tales about Carhadras from my father. How this mountain alone had a mind of his own; if Carhadras didn't want you climbing him, then you wouldn't climb him. He would use all his weapons against you, and I knew full well we were no match for what a mountain could throw at us. I just hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Presently, we were trudging up a slope of what had been perfectly flat, smooth, unblemished snow, but the snow was now churned and cratered by footsteps. I was near the front, behind Gandalf, Merry and Pippin. Aragorn was bringing up the rear, just behind Frodo and Boromir. They had both been helping Sam and Frodo up the mountain since we started; it was hard going.
The snow was quite high and I was only just managing to make my way through it, so I could imagine that the hobbits must be struggling. I had watched Merry and Pippin have to lean on each other, and Gandalf, a good few times, just to be able to keep going. Suddenly Frodo cried out and I saw him tumble backwards, only just stopped by Aragorn, who pulled him to his feet.
"Are you okay?" I asked, subdued. He looked at me, nodding vaguely but then put his hand to his neck, checking the Ring was still there. It wasn't.
I saw Boromir stoop over and pick up something from the snow and from the look on Aragorn's face; I knew it was the Ring. Frodo froze in fear and shock, his hand still at his neck. Boromir began to mumble to himself, I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I could hear the controlled emotion in his voice. I gasped out loud, what was he doing?
"Boromir!" shouted Aragorn, causing Boromir to snap out of his ranting. "Give Frodo back the Ring." Boromir did so, casually ruffling Frodo's curly hair. But I could see Aragorn slowly remove his hand from the hilt of his sword. And then it felt like something hit me in the chest and I too fell down. Legolas was the one who went to pull me up, but I ignored his waiting hand and got up myself, panting. What was that?
"What's the matter?" asked Boromir, now back to his normal self and gazing at me in concern. I steadied my nerves and gulped.
"Nothing, it was just. . ." I trailed off, turned around and began to trudge up the mountain again. Everyone soon followed suit and I was left alone with my thoughts again, but now they were more troubled.
I hadn't felt it properly before now, but as Boromir had turned away from Frodo (and his burden) a controlling force had hit me squarely. Boromir had been tempted by the Ring, and now it was trying to focus on me. That force had been so powerful, my will almost broke in that second it was on me. I had felt the overwhelming urge to grab the ring from Frodo, at all costs. I was worried now. Had I gotten myself into more than I could handle? What would I do if I was ever tempted properly? What if the Ring was so powerful that it made me do things to take it? Like lying and hurting, like killing the bearer. . . I hadn't even been properly tested yet and I was worried. But I was more concerned about Boromir and how he would cope. I had felt just briefly something coming from him, and I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it couldn't be good.
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As the day wore on, the snow got deeper and deeper. Soon Aragorn and Boromir had carried the hobbits, and Gimli was really struggling. Of course all of us were struggling apart from Legolas, who simply walked on top of the snow, ahead of all of us. By the afternoon was halfway through, it was as dark as night, and snow was swirling around us, obscuring our vision. The wind was so strong I was struggling to stand up straight, and still we carried on going. Soon it would be evening, and the snow was up now to our waists.
We had come to a narrow path, slightly sheltered but a cliff that rose above us. Suddenly Legolas leapt forward and stared out into the darkness. We all paused, waiting for him to tell us what was going on.
"There is a fell voice on the air!" he cried, and I soon heard it too. It was deep and booming, and it sounded as thought Caradras himself was cursing us. We paused, as the wind suddenly got more violent and the snow hit me full in the face, almost knocking me backwards into Gimli.
"IT'S SARUMAN!!" Shouted Gandalf, holding on to the cliff face as boulders and blocks of ice fell down from above us, one barely missing me as I leapt back against the rock.
"HE'S TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN!! GANDALF, WE MUST TURN BACK!" shouted Aragorn, his voice barely perceptible above the roar of the mountain.
I saw Gandalf's lips move to form the word no, but I couldn't hear his voice. I watched him step forwards and try to counter the curse with an incantation, but all that happen was everything got louder and more intense.
And then a bolt of lighting struck the cliff, causing tonnes of snow and ice and rocks to fall down upon us. I heard Sam gasp and watched Legolas pull Gandalf back against the cliff. Then everything went black.
..................
*Legolas' POV*
I was the first to pull my way out of the snow. Around me, I saw eight other heads appear. Then I realised- Elenya had not come up yet. I turned to where she had been standing and saw a giant block of icy rock there instead.
"Elenya!! Elenya, can you hear me?" I cried as I began to dig at the snow around the block. Eventually, I felt her weight and pulled her up. She was alive, but she has a huge gash on her forehead and she was going colder by the second.
"Is she alive?" asked Boromir, as though afraid of what the answer might be.
"Yes," I sighed with relief, "but we need to get away from this place!" The others began to debate our course as I enfolded my unused cloak around Elenya and wrapped it around her head, to stop the bleeding. I concentrated just in time to hear Frodo, who was, trembling and being clutched by Aragorn say;
"We will go through the mines". I couldn't believe it when Gandalf agreed with him.
How could we possibly go through the mines? Gandalf of all people knew what dwelt there! But I could say nothing to convince them, and we all began to make our way back down the mountain.
An hour later, the snow had lightened slightly, and the wind was not so brutal. I was still holding Elenya and leading the way down to a place I seen where we would be protected from the elements, even if only slightly.
I looked down at Elenya now. She looked worried but at peace, at least for now. Her skin was very pale, and there were flecks of snow all over her. In sleep, she seemed to look almost elven, like the night she had first worn that pink dress.
I could see that inside her there was a sort of fire, and intensity that I didn't think she had shown yet, but now, in sleep it was only just visible, waiting under the surface.
She still puzzled me a lot. How she could be so strong, not just physically, but as a person. And I still pondered about that ring she wore, I had never been told its full story.
Elenya looked as though she had seen more in this world than she wanted to, but then she looked so helpless and childlike. I hoped that she would wake up; I didn't want her to be seriously hurt. Although I had promised Ethion and Ondion that I would take care of her, on my part I still wanted her awake, she always cheered me and I had grown to love her company.
As I was thinking this (to my relief) she stirred, blinking woozily.
"Legolas?" she breathed. I smiled, waiting for her to come to properly. She seemed to suddenly remember what had just happened. "Oh! Is everyone okay? Where do we have to go now?" she asked, now more awake with worry.
"Everyone is fine, we are going to make camp for the night, and tomorrow, we are going through the mines." I sighed, and I knew I didn't sound too pleased. She picked up on this, although she was losing consciousness again.
"But Gandalf said it would be okay, didn't he. . ." she trailed off, her eyelids drooping. I sighed but before I spoke she mumbled;
"Tell the others not to worry, we will be fine, you are all very wise. . . But Gandalf needs to, he needs to. . ."
But then she was gone again. I wondered what she though Gandalf needed to do, but it would have to wait until she was awake again. But I couldn't share her optimism this time; I knew that going into Moria wouldn't end well.
--------*----------
We got to an almost sheltered area, and half frozen, began to make camp. There wasn't much we could do, but it turned out Gandalf had brought up some pieces of wood, in case something like this happened.
I leant Elenya against the rock and tried to tend to her injury properly. It was, and odd sort of gash, but there had been almost no bleeding, but the whole area above her left temple looked sore. Boromir was constantly looking over my shoulder to check if she was okay. I was tempted to be annoyed by this, but then realised the hobbits had sent him over and realised I would have done the same.
We had almost nothing left to cook, but what we did have; we cooked and ate hungrily, relishing the heat. I was just checking on Elenya again when she awoke.
She shuddered and then gasped, her eyes snapping over and suddenly she was clinging onto me, breathing deeply. The others, now heated up by the small fire, shuffled over as best they could. Suddenly Elenya seemed to realise what she was doing and she looked up at us all with widened eyes.
"Are you all okay? Are any of you hurt?" she croaked hoarsely. There was a general murmur around the group, which must have satisfied her, because she fell quiet again.
"You should not be worrying about us Elenya, how are you?" I asked, hoping she might tell me what she had meant before about Gandalf.
"I'm fine, my head . . . hurts a bit, but I am not badly injured. Thanks to you..." She said looking up at me reverently, smiling slightly. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Will you not take some food?" asked Boromir quickly, pushing the plate we had saved in front of her nose. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the food and she gratefully reached out to take it, and began to wolf it down eagerly.
Looking around the camp, I could see that everyone was tired. Come to think of it, I was tired too, or as close to fatigue as an elf can be. We all leant back watching the fire burn lower, and watching Aragorn become more restless as it did so. Eventually, seeing him, Elenya got up and reached into her pack, pulling out some thick pieces of wood and throwing them on the fire, before retreating once again to the warmth of her blankets. None of us voiced our surprise at the fact that Elenya had carried up this extra wood.
"You know what I miss?" said Sam suddenly. We all looked up; everyone had been subdued for a while now.
"What is it Sam?" asked Elenya, "I can think of a few things. ." she smiled, half sadly. It was amazing the way she could keep the tone so light, and help distract other from their own problems. She had taken now to staring into the distance, as of watching something, her eyes glazed over, although I could tell full well she could still keep track of the conversation.
"Well, you do realise we haven't had a song or laugh in so long now, don't you?" went on Sam, looking thoroughly miserable at the prospect.
"Well why don't you sing something then?" asked Merry in a cheeky kind of way.
"Because, as you know full well, I can't do proper songs, a bit of rhyme and some nonsense, fair enough. But I can't so any of those lovely songs that you can hear, that we heard..." Sam stopped suddenly as he remembered Rivendell, and I could see why.
Rivendell was unlike my own Mirkwood, it was more open and it had more of a general grandeur to it than most of Mirkwood. Elenya was still staring solemnly into the distance as she began to sing;
May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you.
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true.
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home.
Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now.
May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away.
May it be you journey on
To light the day.
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun.
Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie ( Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now A promise lives within you now
Her voice rang true and clear, although it sounded as thought it were coming from a long way away. Her voice sounded so much older and ethereal; it was almost disturbing. Yet there was so much sad feeling (and almost faith) in her voice, I suddenly felt warmer, on the inside. I knew full well she was singing for all of us, but more for Frodo.
She like me must have noticed his spirits dropping steadily over the past few days. But now, although the Fellowship was more grave, I knew like they me, had seen the glimmer of hope and assurance that everything could be worked out and that this could be achieved, and for those few minutes, it was almost like a little ray of light was shining on our little Company, alone at Caradras' will.
I could almost feel the cold return as she stopped singing. Looking up, I saw everyone gazing at her in silent wonder. She was still staring out into the distance, but then her eyes refocused, as thought she was coming out of a trance. She looked around at us all blearily and then leant back, and was lost in sleep, leaning on Borormir's shoulder in a few minutes.
However while I am strange I would also love any reviews/hints/tips/corrections to the story you may have to offer me! Disclaimer- same as chapter 1! Don't own this, so don't be fooled! I also don't own any songs you may see in this chapter, the words may be a little off, but I have done them mostly from memory, so sorry!
Thank ye thank ye thank ye all! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up above the world... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That was an exceptional day. Most days had no further incidents. The company awoke in the morning, ate a frugal breakfast and began their journey, always with the mountains to their left. They walked all day, stopping only twice and then went to sleep, all tired. Elenya spent her days talking as much as she could while keeping pace with the others.
Elenya did her best to make herself useful as well. She helped Sam look after Bill, because she was good with horses and Sam wanted only the best for Bill. She gathered whatever roots and berries there were to be found and caught fish or rabbits for dinner. But these weren't the reasons the other appreciated having her there. Elenya, although she understood where she was going and what she may have to do, was doing her best to keep cheerful.
Of course she wasn't laughing all the time, but she was forever talking, and getting others to join in. She talked to Hobbits about the Shire, she talked to Boromir about Gondor, she talked to Gimli about all sorts of tales, she talked to Legolas about the elves and she loved to talk to Gandalf and Aragorn.
They never refused her tales about her father or of the wide world; which she loved to hear. It turned out Elenya hadn't idolised her father all her life in vain. He was what she had always thought him to be; very brave and very strong. She was content to be travelling, even it was just hear these tales, and each night she went to bed, dreaming of what may had been, if life had been kinder.
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*Frodo's POV*
One night, about two weeks after we had left Rivendell, we camped in a small clearing in a clump of trees. It turned out that this was where Boromir had found Elenya before he went to Rivendell. I noticed Elenya seemed almost in awe of Boromir now, probably as she remembered what he had done for her.
When everyone was in their blankets but not yet ready to sleep, Aragorn had just told Elenya about the months he and her father had spent tracking a rogue Ranger over the passes of the Misty Mountains. We had all listened and thoroughly enjoyed the tale. It was hard to believe it was true sometimes.
I could see where Elenya got a lot of her character from. She, like her father was the kind of person you always felt better for having around. I think she had noticed how I felt, how worry was weighing on my mind, even though I was doing my best not to show it. Sometimes she would give me an encouraging smile or gently pat my hand, or whatever part of me was closest. I didn't think anyone could make you feel so much better without saying a word. But I welcomed it.
We all lay back on the ground, getting ready to sleep; I closed my eyes, even though I was wide-awake. We had lain in silence for a few minutes, listening to nothing apart from the night sounds and Merry and Gimli's soft snores, when Elenya spoke. She had spent all this time fidgeting about and huffing. I wondered what the matter with her was.
"How on earth am I meant to sleep? Every single root in this tree is right under my back, wherever I turn!" She moaned loudly. I remembered having an all too similar conversation with Sam just after we had left Hobbition; even though it seemed so distant, I gave the same response.
"Just imagine your back at home, in your own bed with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow. . ." I sighed. I peeked and eye open quickly and saw Sam smiling faintly. I heard her 'hhmmm' thoughtfully There was another minute of silence, in which Elenya's shuffling decreased. She spoke again, this time almost sleepily, after stifling a yawn.
"Frodo?" She asked sweetly.
"Yes Elenya. . . " I answered patiently. I didn't expect what she said next.
"Will you remind me to get the roots and the rocks out of my bed tomorrow?" I couldn't help but smile again at her answer, and I could hear Boromir laughing (almost) silently behind me.
"Don't worry Elenya, I will" I said, humouring her.
"Good, I don't know what's gotten into me recently; I normally keep a spotless house you know!" She exclaimed, sounding as though she was half way to sleepy land.
"Elenya. . . " Asked Legolas, exactly imitating her tone of voice.
"Yes Legolas?" She answered politely, if not a bit groggily.
". . . Shut up and go to sleep will you?" She laughed out loud, now wide awake, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her kick him roughly. I rolled over again and fell asleep easily.
----------*----------
Recently, the mood within had been one of unease. The land about them was strangely quiet, almost silent at times with no sign of any other living creatures. But as the ground began to rise, into rolling hills, so too did the spirits of the company. Two days after passing the clearing where Elenya had been found, the land about was rocky and the Fellowship often paused, resting their feet tired from days of endless ups and downs. That morning was quite sunny although clouds were moving in the sky, making the day hazy.
They travelled all morning without resting, Gandalf pressing them all to hurry as to save time. They had come father than even Aragorn expected so they paused for a big lunch and rest a top a particularly large hill, topped with ferns and huge boulders which protruded out of the slope. They had a fry-up of sausages and bacon and the bread from Rivendell that hadn't yet gone stale. Most had finished their meals now. Legolas was up on one of the higher rocks looking out over the land, Gandalf and Gimli sat smoking their pipes thoughtfully, talking little. Sam was helping himself to more sausages with Frodo, and Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin to sword fight. Aragorn was watching, giving advice. Elenya had been too for a while, but now she was scurrying about, looking under rocks in a worried way.
"2, 3, 4", counted Boromir as he sparred with Pippin, who was actually quite good. He tried again whilst Aragorn added to Pippin;
"Move your feet." Pippin successfully blocked again.
"You block good Pippin!" exclaimed Merry in an impressed way as he started to block. Pippin grinned as Frodo looked on, smiling and Sam shook his head in way that plainly showed he didn't approve of sword-fighting hobbits. Gimli began to talk to Gandalf, trying to persuade him to go through the Mines of Moria, but Gandalf was having none of it. Elenya, as she searched couldn't help but agree. She had heard a lot of tales about Moria, and she had a feeling at lest a few were true, whether or not Gimli's family dwelt there.
Elenya began to look under a rock near to Frodo and Sam. She started to talk to them, pausing quickly. She didn't notice Legolas suddenly turn around and run over to another rock, looking out into the distance. She was too distracted by Boromir accidentally getting Pippin's hand as they sparred.
"Sorry!" He cried; going forwards to help Pippin, but Pippin was too busy kicking Boromir in the shins to notice. Boromir cried out, as Merry hit him in the side with his sword and Pippin pushed him over.
Elenya was crying with laughter, but quickly looked at Frodo, who was laughing too, out of the corner of her eye. Sam and Aragorn didn't look happy. Pippin and Merry were now on top of Boromir apparently trying to tickle him to death as Boromir pretended to struggle.
"For the Shire! Hold 'im Merry, hold 'im down!" Cried Pippin loudly. As Aragorn strode over,
"Gentlmen!" He exclaimed, trying to end the fight. But Merry and Pippin pulled his legs out from under him, causing him to land hard on his backside. It was Elenya's turn now. She stomped over, and coughed loudly.
"Boys, boys, boys!" She sighed, hands on hips. They all froze. Merry and Pippin with mutinous looks on their faces. "What are you going to do?" she smiled noticing their looks, "..I'm only a girl!!" Merry and Pippin both leapt up with a shout and gave her the same treatment as Boromir; death by tickling.
"NO! NO!" She screamed, her legs up in the air trying vainly to keep each hobbit with one foot as Boromir and Aragorn turned and stood up.
"EVIL HOBBITS! MAKE THEM STOP!! MAKE THEM STOP!!!" She shrieked, half laughing, half crying. Turning her head to the side, she suddenly caught a glance of what she had been looking for. Merry and Pippin had stopped now, and they too got up, as Legolas shouted down to them;
"Crelblaine from Dunland!" Elenya heard him, but cared only for her goal.
"HIDE!!!" Shouted Aragorn commandingly. Everyone except Elenya began to cover up all traces of their existence and throw themselves under bushes and boulders.
She however ran forward, quickly picking up her treasure, turning around and looking up, she saw what looked like a huge black cloud flying towards her. But this cloud was squawking and moving too, too fast.
She sprinted forwards, only to be pulled under the nearest boulder by Aragorn. She flew backwards into the rock, knocking Frodo (who was next to her) backwards too. Elenya did a double take and on reflex, she and Frodo both reached out to each other. Each held the other tightly as they looked up in confusion at the crow- like birds now deafening them all with their shrill cries. Soon they were gone, and as if on queue, everyone emerged, like helpless animals after a storm.
*Elenya's POV*
I stood facing the now distant blob in the sky, still breathing deeply, clutching onto her prize. I knew this was bad, but I all I could do was grasp my ring, and hope.
"WHAT WERE YOU DOING!?" Shouted Aragorn behind me. I realised now what I had done, how much of a mistake I had made.
"We could have all been caught because of you! Why on earth didn't you hide, what were you doing!?" barked Gimli angrily. I took a step back, holding the ring closer to my chest. Gandalf did a double take, and then moved forward.
"What are you holding?" Asked Gandalf suspiciously. I was reluctant to answer.
"Its. . . nothing, its mine," I mumbled into the floor, hoping they would give up.
"Let me see." demanded Gandalf stepping forwards again. There was a look in his eye, one of worry. I hopped onto a boulder behind me.
"It's nothing; it's just something of mine!" I cried. No one seemed to believe me. "It was given to me by a friend!! WHY ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?" I shouted, and then I knew. Gandalf thought I was holding a ring of power. He thought I must have been corrupted by it or something ridiculous like that.
"Elenya," he said calmly, "give me it, I am trying to help you."
"It's not what you think it is, you know!" I didn't want them to even look at my ring; to me it was that personal, that important. Gandalf's eyes narrowed further and he came towards me. I put out my hand to stop him.
"Fine!" I cried, handing it over with a sigh. He took hold of it unsteadily and looked it over, I could tell he was trying to judge if it was a ring of power.
He turned it over in his hands and I could see his mouths forming the words; you are your only master; do not trust to fate. Everyone was still as they watched him and no one even seemed to breathe. Eventually, he face relaxed a little and he handed it back to me. I snatched it off him and turned away from the Company, now thoroughly pissed off.
"YOU RISKED OUR LIVES FOR A RING?" Screamed Boromir.
"You could have killed us all, not least yourself because of a stupid little ring? What could possibly be so important about a ring?" He cried demandingly. I was almost crying too. They didn't understand and I told them so;
"You don't understand!" I screamed back, turning around to find nine faces; all of them angry, or confused or shocked. I crossed my arms and sat down on the floor.
They didn't understand; they couldn't possibly. This was the ring I had found on my finger after I had been rescued from that creature in the cave. It made what I was now, and for some reason it made me much stronger; I knew it.
I felt part of him (whoever he was) was in it, and I was grateful for that. I wanted him near me, to remind me, but of what I didn't know. It just seemed to make me stronger, and to help me, on the inside. I knew I couldn't be half of who I was without this ring, but I couldn't explain it properly to myself so I didn't even try, just kept my head down.
"They would have know we were here, even if had all hidden earlier; their sight rivals that of the elves, it couldn't be helped." said Gandalf calmly.
"But who were they?" Asked Sam helplessly, his eyes were narrowed at me too.
"Spies of Saruman," answered Gandalf, his eyes narrowing in distaste. "The passage south is being watched." Everyone glanced at each other nervously.
"We must take the pass of Carhadras." He said grimly, turning and motioning at the tallest mountain of three behind us.
----------*-----------
We had been going up the mountain for several hours and no-one had really yet spoken to me. Even though Gandalf had told them it wasn't my fault if the Crelblaine had seen us, everyone was still unconvinced. I was too for that matter, or had been. Gandalf's reassurance had been enough for me, he out of all people would know about things like these. But I had been travelling mostly in silence since then.
It seemed odd to thing a few short hours ago I had been temporarily happy compared to the heaviness in my heart I felt now. With each step higher I took, I felt my mood sinking lower and lower, until I eventually just pulled my hood down as low as possible, just to try and block everything out.
I had hated the look of Carhadras from the moment I had seen it. I had heard tales about Carhadras from my father. How this mountain alone had a mind of his own; if Carhadras didn't want you climbing him, then you wouldn't climb him. He would use all his weapons against you, and I knew full well we were no match for what a mountain could throw at us. I just hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Presently, we were trudging up a slope of what had been perfectly flat, smooth, unblemished snow, but the snow was now churned and cratered by footsteps. I was near the front, behind Gandalf, Merry and Pippin. Aragorn was bringing up the rear, just behind Frodo and Boromir. They had both been helping Sam and Frodo up the mountain since we started; it was hard going.
The snow was quite high and I was only just managing to make my way through it, so I could imagine that the hobbits must be struggling. I had watched Merry and Pippin have to lean on each other, and Gandalf, a good few times, just to be able to keep going. Suddenly Frodo cried out and I saw him tumble backwards, only just stopped by Aragorn, who pulled him to his feet.
"Are you okay?" I asked, subdued. He looked at me, nodding vaguely but then put his hand to his neck, checking the Ring was still there. It wasn't.
I saw Boromir stoop over and pick up something from the snow and from the look on Aragorn's face; I knew it was the Ring. Frodo froze in fear and shock, his hand still at his neck. Boromir began to mumble to himself, I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I could hear the controlled emotion in his voice. I gasped out loud, what was he doing?
"Boromir!" shouted Aragorn, causing Boromir to snap out of his ranting. "Give Frodo back the Ring." Boromir did so, casually ruffling Frodo's curly hair. But I could see Aragorn slowly remove his hand from the hilt of his sword. And then it felt like something hit me in the chest and I too fell down. Legolas was the one who went to pull me up, but I ignored his waiting hand and got up myself, panting. What was that?
"What's the matter?" asked Boromir, now back to his normal self and gazing at me in concern. I steadied my nerves and gulped.
"Nothing, it was just. . ." I trailed off, turned around and began to trudge up the mountain again. Everyone soon followed suit and I was left alone with my thoughts again, but now they were more troubled.
I hadn't felt it properly before now, but as Boromir had turned away from Frodo (and his burden) a controlling force had hit me squarely. Boromir had been tempted by the Ring, and now it was trying to focus on me. That force had been so powerful, my will almost broke in that second it was on me. I had felt the overwhelming urge to grab the ring from Frodo, at all costs. I was worried now. Had I gotten myself into more than I could handle? What would I do if I was ever tempted properly? What if the Ring was so powerful that it made me do things to take it? Like lying and hurting, like killing the bearer. . . I hadn't even been properly tested yet and I was worried. But I was more concerned about Boromir and how he would cope. I had felt just briefly something coming from him, and I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it couldn't be good.
----------*----------
As the day wore on, the snow got deeper and deeper. Soon Aragorn and Boromir had carried the hobbits, and Gimli was really struggling. Of course all of us were struggling apart from Legolas, who simply walked on top of the snow, ahead of all of us. By the afternoon was halfway through, it was as dark as night, and snow was swirling around us, obscuring our vision. The wind was so strong I was struggling to stand up straight, and still we carried on going. Soon it would be evening, and the snow was up now to our waists.
We had come to a narrow path, slightly sheltered but a cliff that rose above us. Suddenly Legolas leapt forward and stared out into the darkness. We all paused, waiting for him to tell us what was going on.
"There is a fell voice on the air!" he cried, and I soon heard it too. It was deep and booming, and it sounded as thought Caradras himself was cursing us. We paused, as the wind suddenly got more violent and the snow hit me full in the face, almost knocking me backwards into Gimli.
"IT'S SARUMAN!!" Shouted Gandalf, holding on to the cliff face as boulders and blocks of ice fell down from above us, one barely missing me as I leapt back against the rock.
"HE'S TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN!! GANDALF, WE MUST TURN BACK!" shouted Aragorn, his voice barely perceptible above the roar of the mountain.
I saw Gandalf's lips move to form the word no, but I couldn't hear his voice. I watched him step forwards and try to counter the curse with an incantation, but all that happen was everything got louder and more intense.
And then a bolt of lighting struck the cliff, causing tonnes of snow and ice and rocks to fall down upon us. I heard Sam gasp and watched Legolas pull Gandalf back against the cliff. Then everything went black.
..................
*Legolas' POV*
I was the first to pull my way out of the snow. Around me, I saw eight other heads appear. Then I realised- Elenya had not come up yet. I turned to where she had been standing and saw a giant block of icy rock there instead.
"Elenya!! Elenya, can you hear me?" I cried as I began to dig at the snow around the block. Eventually, I felt her weight and pulled her up. She was alive, but she has a huge gash on her forehead and she was going colder by the second.
"Is she alive?" asked Boromir, as though afraid of what the answer might be.
"Yes," I sighed with relief, "but we need to get away from this place!" The others began to debate our course as I enfolded my unused cloak around Elenya and wrapped it around her head, to stop the bleeding. I concentrated just in time to hear Frodo, who was, trembling and being clutched by Aragorn say;
"We will go through the mines". I couldn't believe it when Gandalf agreed with him.
How could we possibly go through the mines? Gandalf of all people knew what dwelt there! But I could say nothing to convince them, and we all began to make our way back down the mountain.
An hour later, the snow had lightened slightly, and the wind was not so brutal. I was still holding Elenya and leading the way down to a place I seen where we would be protected from the elements, even if only slightly.
I looked down at Elenya now. She looked worried but at peace, at least for now. Her skin was very pale, and there were flecks of snow all over her. In sleep, she seemed to look almost elven, like the night she had first worn that pink dress.
I could see that inside her there was a sort of fire, and intensity that I didn't think she had shown yet, but now, in sleep it was only just visible, waiting under the surface.
She still puzzled me a lot. How she could be so strong, not just physically, but as a person. And I still pondered about that ring she wore, I had never been told its full story.
Elenya looked as though she had seen more in this world than she wanted to, but then she looked so helpless and childlike. I hoped that she would wake up; I didn't want her to be seriously hurt. Although I had promised Ethion and Ondion that I would take care of her, on my part I still wanted her awake, she always cheered me and I had grown to love her company.
As I was thinking this (to my relief) she stirred, blinking woozily.
"Legolas?" she breathed. I smiled, waiting for her to come to properly. She seemed to suddenly remember what had just happened. "Oh! Is everyone okay? Where do we have to go now?" she asked, now more awake with worry.
"Everyone is fine, we are going to make camp for the night, and tomorrow, we are going through the mines." I sighed, and I knew I didn't sound too pleased. She picked up on this, although she was losing consciousness again.
"But Gandalf said it would be okay, didn't he. . ." she trailed off, her eyelids drooping. I sighed but before I spoke she mumbled;
"Tell the others not to worry, we will be fine, you are all very wise. . . But Gandalf needs to, he needs to. . ."
But then she was gone again. I wondered what she though Gandalf needed to do, but it would have to wait until she was awake again. But I couldn't share her optimism this time; I knew that going into Moria wouldn't end well.
--------*----------
We got to an almost sheltered area, and half frozen, began to make camp. There wasn't much we could do, but it turned out Gandalf had brought up some pieces of wood, in case something like this happened.
I leant Elenya against the rock and tried to tend to her injury properly. It was, and odd sort of gash, but there had been almost no bleeding, but the whole area above her left temple looked sore. Boromir was constantly looking over my shoulder to check if she was okay. I was tempted to be annoyed by this, but then realised the hobbits had sent him over and realised I would have done the same.
We had almost nothing left to cook, but what we did have; we cooked and ate hungrily, relishing the heat. I was just checking on Elenya again when she awoke.
She shuddered and then gasped, her eyes snapping over and suddenly she was clinging onto me, breathing deeply. The others, now heated up by the small fire, shuffled over as best they could. Suddenly Elenya seemed to realise what she was doing and she looked up at us all with widened eyes.
"Are you all okay? Are any of you hurt?" she croaked hoarsely. There was a general murmur around the group, which must have satisfied her, because she fell quiet again.
"You should not be worrying about us Elenya, how are you?" I asked, hoping she might tell me what she had meant before about Gandalf.
"I'm fine, my head . . . hurts a bit, but I am not badly injured. Thanks to you..." She said looking up at me reverently, smiling slightly. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Will you not take some food?" asked Boromir quickly, pushing the plate we had saved in front of her nose. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the food and she gratefully reached out to take it, and began to wolf it down eagerly.
Looking around the camp, I could see that everyone was tired. Come to think of it, I was tired too, or as close to fatigue as an elf can be. We all leant back watching the fire burn lower, and watching Aragorn become more restless as it did so. Eventually, seeing him, Elenya got up and reached into her pack, pulling out some thick pieces of wood and throwing them on the fire, before retreating once again to the warmth of her blankets. None of us voiced our surprise at the fact that Elenya had carried up this extra wood.
"You know what I miss?" said Sam suddenly. We all looked up; everyone had been subdued for a while now.
"What is it Sam?" asked Elenya, "I can think of a few things. ." she smiled, half sadly. It was amazing the way she could keep the tone so light, and help distract other from their own problems. She had taken now to staring into the distance, as of watching something, her eyes glazed over, although I could tell full well she could still keep track of the conversation.
"Well, you do realise we haven't had a song or laugh in so long now, don't you?" went on Sam, looking thoroughly miserable at the prospect.
"Well why don't you sing something then?" asked Merry in a cheeky kind of way.
"Because, as you know full well, I can't do proper songs, a bit of rhyme and some nonsense, fair enough. But I can't so any of those lovely songs that you can hear, that we heard..." Sam stopped suddenly as he remembered Rivendell, and I could see why.
Rivendell was unlike my own Mirkwood, it was more open and it had more of a general grandeur to it than most of Mirkwood. Elenya was still staring solemnly into the distance as she began to sing;
May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you.
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true.
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home.
Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now.
May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away.
May it be you journey on
To light the day.
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun.
Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie ( Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now A promise lives within you now
Her voice rang true and clear, although it sounded as thought it were coming from a long way away. Her voice sounded so much older and ethereal; it was almost disturbing. Yet there was so much sad feeling (and almost faith) in her voice, I suddenly felt warmer, on the inside. I knew full well she was singing for all of us, but more for Frodo.
She like me must have noticed his spirits dropping steadily over the past few days. But now, although the Fellowship was more grave, I knew like they me, had seen the glimmer of hope and assurance that everything could be worked out and that this could be achieved, and for those few minutes, it was almost like a little ray of light was shining on our little Company, alone at Caradras' will.
I could almost feel the cold return as she stopped singing. Looking up, I saw everyone gazing at her in silent wonder. She was still staring out into the distance, but then her eyes refocused, as thought she was coming out of a trance. She looked around at us all blearily and then leant back, and was lost in sleep, leaning on Borormir's shoulder in a few minutes.