DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One

A/N: I've reloaded Chapter Two with some corrections to formatting. fanfiction.net will not let me put in asterisks or double spacing between scene breaks for some reason.

Chapter Two: The Growing Shadow

With a tired sigh, Aragorn pushed back his blankets. Don't I have enough to worry about right now without playing peacekeeper amidst my own group? he wondered angrily. Gandalf had not gone back to sleep but sat puffing thoughtfully on his pipe. Frodo also looked as though rest would elude him the rest of the night as he sat staring at the fire. Aragorn looked at Gimli but could already hear the heavy breathing of sleep. He rose, looking for Legolas.

Legolas stood near the wall at the mouth of the side passage, head cocked in listening. The light of the small fire failed to penetrate the absolute darkness around him. Other than the occasional movement of his head when he caught a faint sound, he stood as still as any of the statues they had passed. Both hands were wrapped tightly about his bow.

"Man cenich?" Aragorn asked, stepping beside him and peering into the darkness. His quietly spoken Elvish words didn't reach farther than Legolas. What do you see?

"U-cerin," Legolas said. "But I hear. Sounds that are strange to me. Nothing is familiar here. I---" I see nothing

He stopped abruptly, chewing on his lower lip. Aragorn put a hand on his shoulder and Legolas quickly brushed it away, but not before Aragorn felt the trembling in his slender frame. Legolas felt a flush rise to his face and moved away.

"Legolas, stop," Aragorn said. "There is no shame in admitting fear."

Legolas looked at him with haunted eyes. "Na saura beleg si," he said. "I feel it, like a shadow in my mind." There is great evil here.

Aragorn straightened, recalling Gandalf's words about fouler things than orcs in the dark places of the earth. "Can you tell what it is?"

"Nay. Only that it is here." Legolas stared into the darkness again. "The Dwarves delved too deep."

Aragorn frowned. "I have seen no evidence of what you speak, mellon nin. Don't let your hatred of Dwarves cloud your judgement. You saw the markings on the doors."

"I saw the symbols, Aragorn. The Tree, the Hammer and Anvil, and the Star."

"Then you know that Elves, Men, and Dwarves have been friends in the past and worked together." Aragorn clasped his shoulder and turned the fair Elf to face him. "Remember that, Legolas. We need to stand together now to destroy the One Ring. If we fight among ourselves, Sauron has already won." Legolas nodded. Aragorn smiled at him and said, "Get some rest, Legolas. Sit near the fire and enjoy its light. I'll take the last watch."

Legolas touched his arm. "Hannon le," he said softly. Thank you.

Aragorn nodded and leaned against the wall to watch. Legolas walked lightly to the fire, careful not to disturb the sleepers. He seated himself near the wizard but did not lie down to rest.

NEXT SCENE

Led by Gandalf and Gimli, the Fellowship wandered through a maze of twisting corridors and up steep, narrow stairs. Crumbled stone and broken statues lay everywhere. In several places, the Fellowship had to skirt around massive chasms that seemed to reach to endless depths.

They finally paused to rest on a landing at the top of a long set of stairs where three passages branched off. The stairs had been so steep the Hobbits nearly had to climb like one would a ladder. They needed a rest and Gandalf had admitted quite frankly that he had no memory of this place. So the group made themselves comfortable. Gandalf chose a large, fairly flat granite slab near the top of the stairs and puffed at his pipe as he sat in contemplation. Boromir and Legolas had taken positions on the landing at the top of the stairs. Boromir looked about uneasily while the Elf seemed to study the carved stonework in the magical light of the staff. Gimli sat on a step near Gandalf and Frodo, digging out his own pipe and weed. Several stairs below, the remaining Hobbits and Aragorn rested. Pippin and Merry seemed to be discussing food---their favorite subject, Gimli knew.

"It's Gollum. He's been following us."

Gimli twisted at Gandalf's quiet words. The wizard had neither raised his head nor turned. Frodo was at the edge of the stairs, peering over the edge and into the darkness far below. Gimli chose not to look himself---he had no fear of heights but saw no reason to tempt the fates. Frodo and the old man were talking in soft whispers but a new voice caught Gimli's ears.

"Strider? What's wrong with Legolas?"

"What do you mean, Master Pippin?" asked Aragorn, keeping his voice low.

"He's acting...I don't know...funny. But not a good funny. He's hardly eaten a thing in two days. And he's not singing any more. Is he sick?"

Aragorn smiled sadly. "Nay, 'tis not a sickness. Legolas is an Elf and they do not do well in the dark places of the world."

"I don't blame him," grumbled Sam.

"Don't worry about him," Aragorn assured them. "Once we pass through the far gate, Legolas will be his usual cheerful self."

And singing again, Gimli thought with a disgusted snort. Pippin looked up at him and asked, "Do you know any songs, Gimli?"

"Aye. My people have a tradition as old as stone itself. Would you like to hear some, Master Took?"

"Indeed! But call me Pippin. All my friends do."

"All right, young Pippin." He thought about it a moment, then opened his mouth and began a chant in a deep base voice.

A king was he on a carven throne

In many-pillared halls of stone

With golden roof and silver floor

And runes of power upon the door.

The light of sun and star and moon

In shining lamps of crystal hewn

Undimmed by cloud or shade of night

There shone for ever fair and bright."

Fellowship of the Ring. Ballantine Books. 1994. New York, New York. Page 355

Gimli's words died as he realized that most of the Fellowship was now staring at him. Sam said, "I've never heard that song. I doubt even old Bilbo knows it."

"It's part of a very old song," said Gimli, sucking on his pipe, "about Durin and the rich mines of Moria. Those were happier times."

"Do you know more of it?" Pippin asked eagerly.

"Now is not the time for song, Peregrin Took," Gandalf announced, standing up and gesturing with his staff toward one of the three passages. "It's this way."

"He's remembered!" exclaimed Merry.

Gandalf smiled indulgently. "No. The air doesn't smell so foul. When in doubt, Master Merry, always follow your nose."

Slowly the Fellowship ascended the last few stairs. Legolas gave a slight nod of his head to Gandalf, who paused to let the Hobbits by first. Gimli paused, still not trusting the Elf.

"The air is warmer here, Mithrandir," Legolas said quietly, "and it is not nearly so dark."

Gandalf nodded, keeping his expression neutral as Frodo glanced back. "You noticed it as well," he murmurred. Legolas nodded. "There may be a fire in the lower levels. But we shall keep our guard up. Pass word to Aragorn and Boromir." The tall wizard moved past Legolas so he could return to the head of the group. "Come along, Gimli. We have many more miles to go before this day is over."

Gimli cast one last look at Legolas before following.

To Be Continued

A/N: Mithrandir is the Elves' name for Gandalf and means "gray pilgrim."