***The road goes ever on***
The fellowship was due to leave on December 25th, Christmas day no doubt and Rhia wasn't very happy about that.
"What about presents? Huh?" she complained to Demi.
"Well, my present to you is…a journey with Legolas." Demi replied, smirking.
"Oooh, good choice, and I give you, uh…Haldir when we go to Lórien." Rhia said, impressed by her gift.
"Now Rhia, I don't think of him that way anymore, he is just a friend, one I am determined to stop dying if the movie takes over our journey." She said, crossing her arms in front of herself.
"Yeah, whatever. Anyways, Aragorn taught me this really cool thing yesterday with my sword. You wanna see?" Rhia asked, brandishing her new sword that was given to her by Elrond. It was a mithril, two-handed long sword, but it was very easy to wield, as it was so light.
Demi was given one much the same, though in a more elvish design. Rhia's was a very regal one designed to look like Aragorn's but more feminine.
"No thanks, I have to go find Gandalf, I have lessons to attend." Demi replied, standing from her chair and walking to the library. "Maybe later."
***
She found the elderly wizard sitting at one of the many desks, reading a book. When Demi walked into the room his attention was turned to her.
"Ah, there you are. I was beginning to get worried." He said smiling.
"Sorry Gandalf, I was talking to Rhia, anyways, a witch is never late, nor is she early, she arrives precisely when she means to." Demi replied, twisting Gandalf's own words.
Gandalf just laughed at her reply and got back to business. "Now you seem to have a hold on your powers, but you still need to use spells. It will be a while until you don't need to. I have combined a book of spells for you so that in need you can look them up and use them." He said, handing over a book bound in leather.
"Thank you." Demi said, returning her attention to Gandalf. "I would be lost without it. I can't remember that many spells."
"If it helps us all, then it is most welcome among us." He said. "Now back to your lessons. Levitate this chair to the other side of the room." He pointed to the extra chair at their table. Demi stood up and held her arms out.
"Bela ed' templa." She chanted and steadily the chair rose from the ground and she moved it slowly to where Gandalf told her to and set it down.
"Very good, very good indeed. It won't be long and you will be moving mountains." Gandalf said, the same twinkle of mirth in his eye he usually got when he a joke of his point.
***
The company was lined up outside. They took little weapons, hoping to make it to Mordor in secret, though it seemed inevitable to the girls that they would fight. Bill the pony was laden with their packs, though still kept good spirits. All were ready but Gandalf who was still inside.
Demi was talking to Frodo when Boromir of Gondor blew his war-horn. It echoed through the valley and woke any who were now lying to sleep that evening, for they left under the cover of dark.
"Silence your horn Boromir until you are on the borders of your lands, or if it is of dire need. Do not risk it." Elrond said gravely.
"If you wish my lord, but I shall not go forth as a thief in the dark." Boromir replied, pissed off about being told off like a small child. Demi bowed her head. She knew Boromir would blow his horn again, but that is just before he dies. She felt sorry for the warrior. She promised herself that she would do everything in her power to prevent his death.
They had said farewells earlier in the great hall, and now they needed to leave in haste, yet Gandalf still was not here.
"Where is he?" asked Rhia.
"I don't know." Demi replied fidgetting with her baseball cap. At that very moment Elrond left and came back moments later with the grey wizard. When they reached the group, Elrond said in a low voice, "The ring bearer now sets out to Mount Doom. Only he can touch the ring, but he must see it to the mountain. He may not handle it, or give it to the servants of the dark lord. The company may take it under the greatest need, otherwise no. The others shall go with Frodo as companions and may leave his path at any time if that is their will. I do not hold you all to oath, for you do not know your strength and this quest may prove all too much for you. Look not too far into the future or the paths you must choose. Go now with light hearts and the blessing of elves and all free folk."
With that, the company turned and headed south. Many came to see them off and bid them farewell, with no mirth or song. They came eventually to a bridge, which led them out of Rivendell, and to a high moor. The weather was ill and Demi struggled against the cold wind. She wished there was a spell that could get rid of it. They followed the path to the ford and left the road turning further south. They were to hold to this path for many miles west of the mountains.
They were in line of one or two, but no more. In the dark, Rhia struggled to find her feet. She was not used to such goings and stumbled around many times, Demi was there to help her along. Demi noticed she could see rather clearly, even in the darkness, the elvan side of her finally picking up since the new shape of her ears. For days it seemed as though the landscape had not changed, and only during the day could they rest under cover of bush or cliff or anything else that would no the job. The land rose steadily higher and bent westwards, winding all over the place.
After what seemed like forever (but was really two weeks tops) the weather dulled down and the sun came out, just enough to warm their toes in the cold winter weather. Southwards, they could spot the misty mountains, which they would have to cross, one of which was caped in snow. Gandalf halted in the lead and all followed his example. "We have done well and reached the borders of Hollin." He said, looking back to the company who were taking in the area. They stopped their march and made camp in a deep hollow surrounded by bushes.
They sat around talking merrily and eating. Only Aragorn was weary of the place. They had hoped to settle here for a few days and take rest. Legolas then came and sat by the girls. It would be one of the few times he would speak to them, and when he did it was to check they were ok.
"How do you fair?" he asked them as the girls turned their attention from their food.
"Better than I have been." Demi replied, a weak smile on her face. She was not used to such an adventure and it was already starting to wear upon her.
"Good." Was all Rhia could spit out. She still had a thing for the elf. And blatantly refused to show her weakness. "You?"
"Well of course, though I sense ill things coming our way and soon." Legolas replied.
"So do I, in fact it shall remake our path." Demi said softly so that only Legolas and Rhia would here it.
"Remake our path?" questioned Legolas, "The Mountain shall defeat us?"
"Yes, but we must give it a try, or else we shall see the mines of Moria. I do not like that, and I shall prevent it if I may." Demi replied, her expression changing little.
"Have you told Gandalf?" asked Legolas.
"No, he already knows, but we must prove that Vaira is wrong. We have to fight the mountain, after all, you do have a wizard and witch in company, surely that can prove useful." Rhia said.
"It may, but I do not know my own strength against that yet." Demi said.
"I have faith in you." the elvan prince said, standing up and walking over to Boromir.
***
That day it was Sam's turn to take watch and Aragorn joined him. He had still been impatient about this place, you could not mistake it. All the others were asleep but Demi feigned it. She did not trust the country either and knew something was coming. Something ill. Only silence could be heard and it got too much for the elf witch. She stood up and made her way over to Aragorn and Sam.
"Can't sleep." She said to Sam's expression, which silenced the hobbit, then silence filled the air again. Demi's ears perked up. She could hear something. Something was drawing closer.
Away further south, a black patch of sky emerged, growing closer and closer moving northwards.
"What's that Strider?" Sam asked, "It doesn't look like a cloud."
At that moment, Demi dove for cover, pulling Sam down with her as Aragorn lay down flat on the ground beside them under a bush.
"Lie flat and do not move." He said, hissing like a snake, trying to disguise his voice.
A great troop of crow like birds flew overhead, spinning and growing closer to the ground, as if searching for something. The three did not move from their hiding place till they had passed into the distance, their harsh crow dying into the wind.
Demi stood up, dusted herself off and said, "We must move, we cannot linger on here."
Aragorn nodded in approval, he then left the witch and the hobbit to find Gandalf.
"Crebain flew over just now near our camp, they are covering all the land between the mountains and the Greyflood." Aragorn said. "Hollin is being watched."
"And possibly the Redhorn Gate, I do not know how we shall not be seen getting over it. We shall come to that when we must, but now we must leave when darkness falls. Our stay is long over welcomed." The wizard replied, his face growing with concern.
***
The fellowship was later told of the new plan when they had all gotten their much needed rest.
"This bites." Rhia said, her kness brought up to her chest and head sinking.
"All because of a pack of crows!" said Pippin. "I looked forward to a good hot meal tonight and more rest!"
"Well keep looking forward to one." Said Gandalf in frustration, though it did not seep into the hobbit how much of a problem this played for Gandalf. "There may be many unexpected feasts ahead. I would get by with a pipe and warmer feet, but at least it shall grow warmer as we head south."
***
Again they set out as soon as night had hit. Rhia was almost clinging to poor Legolas, but he smiled to her and kept going. I don't think he fully realised what was going on. Demi just laughed inwardly at the sight. She preferred the company of Gimli, who did not seem to take to her as much, but rather speak of great happenings and played the part of comic relief, whilst Pippin opted for whinging.
All the next day the fellowship remained hidden well into the landscape. The dark birds passed over ever now and then, but still with hope had not found them. They set out again at dusk and now turned their course directly to Redhorn. Aragorn led them there and with luck on their side, a good path. It looked like an ancient road, long forgotten but remained still there as though to remind travellers that a great realm once stood there.
They followed the path onwards during the night to a bright dawn. They marched onwards though, hoping to reach the mountain soon. Three mornings later, the cold mountain grew before their feet, toped with snow but the side remained bare. The sky was now dark and the sun was fading. The wind threw its terror now to the northeast region of the land. The company were granted rest by Aragorn and Gandalf, who seemed to be debating something. Demi's money was on the mountain. The look in Gandalf's eyes said it all, but Aragorn persisted. He would not take the road through Moria. While all were finishing breakfast that afternoon, the wizard and Dunadan sought privacy to continue their talk.
"Well, no matter Gandalf's thoughts, that mountain could never defeat me." Gimli said, full of pride.
"Though it may not defeat you dwarf, it may prove harder for the others." Legolas said, "But naturally, I shall not be effected, nor Lady Vairarista. Elves seldom are effected by such things, and we have such grace to walk over snow, not trudge through it." The elf was challenging Gimli.
"Of course your royal pansy-ness." Gimli retorted. He would not back down so easily.
"Pansy? I. Auta miqula orque!" go kiss an orc Legolas threw back. No body had a clue what he said, and he stormed off before any one could ask.
"What did he say?" asked Gimli, dumbfounded.
At that moment Gandalf and Aragorn returned. "Where is Legolas?" asked Aragorn.
"Over that way." Merry said, pointing east from them. "He and Gimli got into a fight then he yelled at Gimli in elvish and walked off."
"I'll go get him!" Offered Rhia, jumping up in enthusiasm.
"No need." Came a calmer voice, but still on the peak of anger. Legolas returned to the group. Gandalf scolded the elf and dwarf, then told them all to fetch enough fire wood that they would be able to carry up the mountain. It may proved the difference between life or death.
***
Author's note!
Ha, just when it was getting good. (Well, I don't know about that…) This is really fun to write! I am so going to have Gimmers and Leggo fight more! At least for a little while longer…
Pheonix Lumen: Hey! Thankx for your review. More is on the way.
Kerla: Thank you very much.
Andreah: I'm glad you all like the fic. I love writing it, even though I get three reviews max a chapter if I'm lucky.
To all those who read the fic and don't review, plz review the story and tell me what you think!
