Band of Brothers: LOTR Style
Cheryl W.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with The Lord of the Rings. I also do not own Band of Brothers or anything in conjunction with Band of Brothers. Nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Sorry for any inconsistencies with my military facts. I always fall short on knowledge, no matter the research I put into something.
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Chapter 2
Smoke burned Legolas' eyes as they traveled through the forest miles outside the town of Foy. But the tears in his eyes could not be owed totally to the sting of the fire's cloud of smoke. Not four days ago he had walked through these woods, the crisp snow crunching under his boots as his men flanked him on both sides, scouring the forest for signs of opposition. And ahead, Legolas had watched Captain Thorongil lead the advance as was his wont, always putting himself at risk to lessen the danger for the men in his company.
Everything had been beautiful and clean and for a small space of time, quiet. Aragorn had said "too quiet" as they stood sharing a cigarette as they watched their men dig fox holes.
"They know we're here," Aragorn had said, quietly as his eyes met Legolas's. "And we know they are there in Foy. It's a chess game. I hate chess."
Legolas had laughed at that. "I thought you enjoyed making strategies."
"Not if you have to stand around waiting for your opponent to make one lousy move. Life's too short to do that kind of waiting...this kind of waiting," Aragorn had countered, taking a drag on the cigarette before handing it back to Legolas.
"And what, you'd prefer us running hell for leather for Foy, bullets zinging by us..into us," Legolas challenged with a smirk, a friendly reprimand for his friend's reckless ways.
This got a chuckle out of Aragorn, "Well my father always told me 'death comes for every man, try not to be around when he comes for you."
Laughter erupted from Legolas and Aragorn's eyes twinkled with mirth.
"Good advice. I'11 try and take it long as you do the same," Legolas had replied.
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As the jeep came to a stop, those words spoken between himself and his friend seared into Legolas's soul. In a sick way, he had taken the advice. Death had come calling for Fellowship Company ...Legolas just wasn't around when it had.
"Sir..sir," the driver called and shook the lieutenant 's shoulder, snapping Legolas out of his thoughts.
Turning to the driver, Legolas nodded his gratitude for the ride and got out of the jeep. It was only then that he took notice of the camp where he now found himself. Everyone was busy digging fox holes, setting up sentries and calling in their coordinates. It was so reminiscent of Fellowship Company days ago that Legolas turned around, hung his head and closed his eyes, willing himself to get his emotions under control.
"Lieutenant Mirkwood?" a voice said immediately behind him.
Straightening up, Legolas turned around to find a private from Company G addressing him. "Private Reese, right?"
The private nodded, "Yes, Sir. I just..." the man who was barely eighteen swallowed hard, "I'm sorry...'bout your company. They were all good men."
At first Legolas could only nod but then he forced words from his constricted throat. "They were the best, Reese"
"Yes sir. Well, my captain saw your arrival and he'd like a word with you."
These words caught Legolas like a knife cut. He had come out here, ready to tackle the front line, to bring death to those who had so cruelly taken his brothers in arms from him. Yes, a part of him had recognized that he would be assigned to a new company, under a new commander but now that it was about to happen....the thought hurt worse than when the doctor had cut the bullet from his side.
With shaking fingers, he withdrew a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up, letting the nicotine work some of the tension out of him. "Lead the way, Private," he said and followed Reese across the camp.
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Legolas had met the captain of Company G before, in Aragorn's presence. Though the two captains had treated one another with respect, Legolas could see there was no love lost between them. To Legolas, that was a dark mark against the man for he believed everyone should like Aragorn as he did. And he knew his personal dark mark was not the only one bestowed on Company G's captain for Legolas had heard tales of the other officer's incompetence and his cruelty to his own troops.
Now as he found himself standing toe to toe with Captain Denethor Gondor, Legolas found resentment building in him. Why had a man of character, of depth, of compassion such as Aragorn died while this worthless fellow before him still drew in breath?
"I guess you've come to join my company," the captain began, not with welcome but disdain.
Legolas could not force himself to agree. The sad fact was, he had let a small flicker of hope burn in him. Maybe the sergeant back at the aid station had been wrong, maybe it was another company or the story was exaggerated as it sometimes was even in these times when the facts were crucial. Truth was, he had not come out here to join another company...he had come out to rejoin his own company.
"Have we retaken the front line?" he asked instead, hoping to hear of discovered survivors from Fellowship Company.
But captain Gondor snorted, "Retaken the front line? That "line", hell, that part of the forest, no longer exists."
"But there may be .."
Denethor cut him off bitterly, "Nobody walked away from that Lieutenant Mirkwood...not even the infamous Captain Thorongil."
Fury flashed through Legolas at Denethor's disrespect for Aragorn. It took all of Legolas's self control and consequently, all his attention, to convince himself to not strike the man before him, rank be damned. Unfortunately, it was during this time that the captain gave the 2nd lieutenant his orders...orders that fell on ears deafen by outrage. Unable to let the other man's comment stand, Legolas stepped closer to the captain, his dark eyes pitch black with anger, "Don't disrespect Captain Thorongil."
Captain Gondor smirked back, "I always respect the dead, kid. Never know when I might be joining 'em. Now head to your post, lieutenant," he ordered before walking away.
Legolas silently cursed Denethor as he watched the retreating man's back. Soon the white fog that permeated the forest swallowed up the officer and Legolas returned his focus to the job at hand. Trouble was, he hadn't heard what Denethor's orders for him were and he sure wasn't going to ask the captain to repeat himself.
'Officer loses his concentration in battle, he'll lose his life,' that's what Legolas's training officer back in Kentucky had told him again and again. And now he had gone and lost his concentration..and not even under fire! What was worse, he had lost something more dear than his own life..the lives of the men in his company.
Everyone had told him war is hell and it was ...but it had been a bearable hell among men he'd claimed as brothers. Family got you through most of life's pitfalls, more or less in one piece. And he still had family, back in South Carolina, namely his father, who had been his universe for so long. Losing his mother when he was seven had deeply scarred him and this was really the first time he had let others get behind his barriers. Now he wanted to chastise himself for getting soft, wanted to regret making friends with these men, with Aragorn, but in truth, he would not trade the time he had spent with them ...even in hell.
TBC
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Raiden: Thanks for reviewing my story and straightening me out about the units and ranks. Due to time, I'm just going to have to let my mistakes stand as they are. I hope you can overlook them. And I too don't feel like the people today understand and appreciate all the prior generations have gone through to ensure any small freedom we have. Love to hear what you think as the story continues.
Sarah G: Thank you for your review! Glad you like the AU concept...I'm always really reluctant to post anything that way become some people only like things in their "original" concept. Hope to hear from you again.
Elfmage: I'm flattered that I got a dance out of you! But I'm a little worried I will disappoint you. I've seen the mini series Band of Brothers but I've only begun reading the book so don't count on my story being accurate to true facts (or military procedures as you've already discovered). Thank you for not criticizing me for turning the fellowship all human. I just couldn't visualize the story with the characters maintaining their race from LOTR. And I'm truly touched that you've added this to your favorite list. Please let me know how I'm doing with each chapter!
Thank you to everyone who read this chapter and special thanks to my reviewers.
Next update will be here tomorrow.
Cheryl W.
Cheryl W.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with The Lord of the Rings. I also do not own Band of Brothers or anything in conjunction with Band of Brothers. Nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Sorry for any inconsistencies with my military facts. I always fall short on knowledge, no matter the research I put into something.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((
Chapter 2
Smoke burned Legolas' eyes as they traveled through the forest miles outside the town of Foy. But the tears in his eyes could not be owed totally to the sting of the fire's cloud of smoke. Not four days ago he had walked through these woods, the crisp snow crunching under his boots as his men flanked him on both sides, scouring the forest for signs of opposition. And ahead, Legolas had watched Captain Thorongil lead the advance as was his wont, always putting himself at risk to lessen the danger for the men in his company.
Everything had been beautiful and clean and for a small space of time, quiet. Aragorn had said "too quiet" as they stood sharing a cigarette as they watched their men dig fox holes.
"They know we're here," Aragorn had said, quietly as his eyes met Legolas's. "And we know they are there in Foy. It's a chess game. I hate chess."
Legolas had laughed at that. "I thought you enjoyed making strategies."
"Not if you have to stand around waiting for your opponent to make one lousy move. Life's too short to do that kind of waiting...this kind of waiting," Aragorn had countered, taking a drag on the cigarette before handing it back to Legolas.
"And what, you'd prefer us running hell for leather for Foy, bullets zinging by us..into us," Legolas challenged with a smirk, a friendly reprimand for his friend's reckless ways.
This got a chuckle out of Aragorn, "Well my father always told me 'death comes for every man, try not to be around when he comes for you."
Laughter erupted from Legolas and Aragorn's eyes twinkled with mirth.
"Good advice. I'11 try and take it long as you do the same," Legolas had replied.
(((((((((((((((((((((((
As the jeep came to a stop, those words spoken between himself and his friend seared into Legolas's soul. In a sick way, he had taken the advice. Death had come calling for Fellowship Company ...Legolas just wasn't around when it had.
"Sir..sir," the driver called and shook the lieutenant 's shoulder, snapping Legolas out of his thoughts.
Turning to the driver, Legolas nodded his gratitude for the ride and got out of the jeep. It was only then that he took notice of the camp where he now found himself. Everyone was busy digging fox holes, setting up sentries and calling in their coordinates. It was so reminiscent of Fellowship Company days ago that Legolas turned around, hung his head and closed his eyes, willing himself to get his emotions under control.
"Lieutenant Mirkwood?" a voice said immediately behind him.
Straightening up, Legolas turned around to find a private from Company G addressing him. "Private Reese, right?"
The private nodded, "Yes, Sir. I just..." the man who was barely eighteen swallowed hard, "I'm sorry...'bout your company. They were all good men."
At first Legolas could only nod but then he forced words from his constricted throat. "They were the best, Reese"
"Yes sir. Well, my captain saw your arrival and he'd like a word with you."
These words caught Legolas like a knife cut. He had come out here, ready to tackle the front line, to bring death to those who had so cruelly taken his brothers in arms from him. Yes, a part of him had recognized that he would be assigned to a new company, under a new commander but now that it was about to happen....the thought hurt worse than when the doctor had cut the bullet from his side.
With shaking fingers, he withdrew a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up, letting the nicotine work some of the tension out of him. "Lead the way, Private," he said and followed Reese across the camp.
((((((((((((((((((
Legolas had met the captain of Company G before, in Aragorn's presence. Though the two captains had treated one another with respect, Legolas could see there was no love lost between them. To Legolas, that was a dark mark against the man for he believed everyone should like Aragorn as he did. And he knew his personal dark mark was not the only one bestowed on Company G's captain for Legolas had heard tales of the other officer's incompetence and his cruelty to his own troops.
Now as he found himself standing toe to toe with Captain Denethor Gondor, Legolas found resentment building in him. Why had a man of character, of depth, of compassion such as Aragorn died while this worthless fellow before him still drew in breath?
"I guess you've come to join my company," the captain began, not with welcome but disdain.
Legolas could not force himself to agree. The sad fact was, he had let a small flicker of hope burn in him. Maybe the sergeant back at the aid station had been wrong, maybe it was another company or the story was exaggerated as it sometimes was even in these times when the facts were crucial. Truth was, he had not come out here to join another company...he had come out to rejoin his own company.
"Have we retaken the front line?" he asked instead, hoping to hear of discovered survivors from Fellowship Company.
But captain Gondor snorted, "Retaken the front line? That "line", hell, that part of the forest, no longer exists."
"But there may be .."
Denethor cut him off bitterly, "Nobody walked away from that Lieutenant Mirkwood...not even the infamous Captain Thorongil."
Fury flashed through Legolas at Denethor's disrespect for Aragorn. It took all of Legolas's self control and consequently, all his attention, to convince himself to not strike the man before him, rank be damned. Unfortunately, it was during this time that the captain gave the 2nd lieutenant his orders...orders that fell on ears deafen by outrage. Unable to let the other man's comment stand, Legolas stepped closer to the captain, his dark eyes pitch black with anger, "Don't disrespect Captain Thorongil."
Captain Gondor smirked back, "I always respect the dead, kid. Never know when I might be joining 'em. Now head to your post, lieutenant," he ordered before walking away.
Legolas silently cursed Denethor as he watched the retreating man's back. Soon the white fog that permeated the forest swallowed up the officer and Legolas returned his focus to the job at hand. Trouble was, he hadn't heard what Denethor's orders for him were and he sure wasn't going to ask the captain to repeat himself.
'Officer loses his concentration in battle, he'll lose his life,' that's what Legolas's training officer back in Kentucky had told him again and again. And now he had gone and lost his concentration..and not even under fire! What was worse, he had lost something more dear than his own life..the lives of the men in his company.
Everyone had told him war is hell and it was ...but it had been a bearable hell among men he'd claimed as brothers. Family got you through most of life's pitfalls, more or less in one piece. And he still had family, back in South Carolina, namely his father, who had been his universe for so long. Losing his mother when he was seven had deeply scarred him and this was really the first time he had let others get behind his barriers. Now he wanted to chastise himself for getting soft, wanted to regret making friends with these men, with Aragorn, but in truth, he would not trade the time he had spent with them ...even in hell.
TBC
(((((((((((
Raiden: Thanks for reviewing my story and straightening me out about the units and ranks. Due to time, I'm just going to have to let my mistakes stand as they are. I hope you can overlook them. And I too don't feel like the people today understand and appreciate all the prior generations have gone through to ensure any small freedom we have. Love to hear what you think as the story continues.
Sarah G: Thank you for your review! Glad you like the AU concept...I'm always really reluctant to post anything that way become some people only like things in their "original" concept. Hope to hear from you again.
Elfmage: I'm flattered that I got a dance out of you! But I'm a little worried I will disappoint you. I've seen the mini series Band of Brothers but I've only begun reading the book so don't count on my story being accurate to true facts (or military procedures as you've already discovered). Thank you for not criticizing me for turning the fellowship all human. I just couldn't visualize the story with the characters maintaining their race from LOTR. And I'm truly touched that you've added this to your favorite list. Please let me know how I'm doing with each chapter!
Thank you to everyone who read this chapter and special thanks to my reviewers.
Next update will be here tomorrow.
Cheryl W.