Eep! I'm sorry about this. I uploaded the wrong document on word. If you
read the other Chapter 30 you have accidentally read my Junior Thesis on
Individualism. Hah I hope I did not bore/confuse you with my English
homework. This is the real chapter!
Chapter 28 --- Elvish
Legolas opened his ears and cleared his eyes, the silver mist that had clouded them quickly dissipated as he rose. His pointed ears shifted again as some far away noise reached them, the noise that had awoken him to begin with. The elf narrowed his eyes, all of his keen senses poised to detect the smallest pebble on Mount Doom shift. "Tanya nae n'quel," he muttered, grasping his bow. He moved slowly and soundless, knocking an arrow and shifting his eyes swiftly taking a scan of the area. "Saruman."
The elf sprang quickly to where he knew Aragorn was resting. When he reached the tent he saw the Ranger sitting on the grass outside, smoking peacefully. "Good evening, Legolas."
"Mani naa ta?"
"You sense something?"
"I think it is Saruman."
Aragorn stood swiftly and grasped his sword but as quickly as he did his hand relaxed. "He is not near. I think, for once, you are wrong, Legolas."
"No. He is not near but he is no longer in the tower. This I know. He has escaped, off north beyond my sight. He is no longer in the care of Fangorn."
"He has escaped the Ents? How?"
"I know not. But he moves slow. Aragorn, if you wish..." Legolas indicated towards his bow, knocked and ready.
The king shifted in thought under the weight of his decision. "N'ndengina ho. I do not think Saruman is a threat any longer."
"I'quelin goth naa ba goth," Legolas spat bitterly.
"Perhaps you are right but I must consult with Gandalf in all manners with wizards, for often it cannot be known what effects they will have, for good or ill, whether or not their intentions are wholly for one or the other. It is almost sunrise, we shall not sleep any more this night. Keep watch by the hobbits, I'll inform Gandalf, if I can find him."
"You did not sleep at all this night," smiled Legolas.
Aragorn gave him a wan smile and departed. The elf took towards where the hobbits camped. He listened keenly but heard no noise and felt no evil in that place. But as he neared the tent once more a sound reached his ears making his hands tighten around his bow. It was frail and high, shrouded in fear and darkness. Soon a soft voice followed it and Legolas quickened his pace. "Frodo," he whispered. "Hek ungol!" Legolas ran and burst into Sam and Frodo's tent.
The elf saw Samwise grasping Frodo's wrists tightly, and pressing against him with all of his weight. Frodo was flailing and groaning trying desperately to kick Sam off of him. "Legolas!" cried Sam, struggling to keep his master from hurting himself. "Help!"
"Hek ungol!" Legolas cried again and then sprang toward the hobbits and laid a gentle hand upon Frodo's brow.
Frodo immediately began to still, whimpering and sobbing. Sam waited a moment, unsure whether he should let his master go. But Frodo only tried to curl into himself weakly, closing his eyes tight and tormented only by dreams. Legolas sat beside the Ringbearer, gathering him close and whispering to him in a fair voice. "A Elbereth Githoniel..."
"What was it you said, sir, that made him calm. It may be quite useful to me."
Legolas smiled at Sam. "It meant, in Westron, be gone darkness."
"Seems so plain in my speech. Elvish can make the simplest words sound so fair and foreign. Hek..."
"Ungol."
"Hek ungol." Sam thought for a moment. "Hek ungol... Cirith Ungol... I'm beginnin' to understand all o' this. Wish I knew it an age ago when it counted."
"All words have meaning, Sam. Mellon..."
"Friend. Aye, that I remember. That's all I can remember... It was Frodo's last to me. I didn't understand none o' it but that... I remembered from Moria, thank lor' my daft head can recall that at least."
Legolas nodded solemnly to Sam then looked towards Frodo, sleeping somewhat peacefully. His lips curled and he squirmed under the elf's restraint but he did not lash out violently or cry out. Whatever words his lips were attempting to form, no sound issued forth. "Has he been doing this often?"
"Only at night. It's dreams that bother him so, and where I can't protect him neither," Sam grumbled.
"So it must be. We all have to face our fears alone at some time, all you can do is be here for him when he wakes up."
"He's been sleeping for so long now..." Sam mused, rubbing his weary eyes.
"You haven't slept at all this night, have you?" Legolas ran a gentle hand across Sam's worried brow. "Or the last." Sam's bleary, red eyes shifted nervously under the elf's gaze. His wan cheeks blushed slightly as he tried to stifle a yawn.
"Guess it's gettin' kind of difficult to hide now."
"Well hiding it did you no good, Samwise. You must tell Galadriel of this, she will offer her help. I would also if this was not the last night we shall be in the same company. Gimli and I shall pass soon to both our realms but perhaps we shall meet again, Master Samwise."
"I would like that very much but home is where my heart is now, sir, and home is all I'm looking forward to."
"And I as well. Look the sun has already risen, I shall rouse Frodo while you get dressed and packed." Sam went to do as bid trusting his master in the hands of the elf. Legolas lifted Frodo's trembling form and whispered a song in his quivering ear.
Oio naa elealla alasse'.
Vedui re, mellonamin.
Vedui galad!
Cormamin lindua ele lle!
Mellonamin.
Frodo.
It was a simple song, sweet and plain, that Legolas could remember his mother singing to him every morning. It was not very fair or poetic in verse. "A simple child's song for sleepy elflings." His mother would say before kissing his forehead every morning. Of course Legolas had changed a few things for it to suit Frodo, the song still withheld it's soft and childlike quality. There was no magic in the words or vast images, recalling great kings or mountains of old. But sung in a soft voice it could put warmth into a frightened heart.
Frodo's eyes flickered open revealing the shining blue flame beneath. He shifted and sighed forlornly. When his eyes met the elf they filled with confusion but the words still drifted in his mind, soft and soothing and warming his thoughts. He reached out a trembling hand and touched the fair elven face. He wanted to say, "I know this. I know these words." But he could not. His tongue twisted and his mind faltered. He sought desperately but all he could do was stumble through the mist until he salvaged something, and not knowing what he meant or said his frail lips uttered: "Mellon."
For the first time in the elf's long years he gasped and stumbled back. "Frodo!" he cried. "Do you understand Quenya? Lle rangwa amin?"
Frodo closed his eyes and a slight smile flickered over his so very weary features. "Mellon..." He seemed to be falling into peace and Legolas thought he beheld a spirit fleeing unto deepening rest.
"Oh no! Frodo! Frodo!" But Legolas had no need of worry. Frodo was simply seeking sleep again since his night proved fretful. The elf clutched the hobbit and felt his body relax and the breathing even. Legolas sighed realizing this was a peaceful rest and nothing deeper. He laughed lightly now wanting to thrash the hobbit for scaring him so but he supposed it was mostly his fault for poising his senses to be on such alert. He calmed himself and let Frodo rest in his arms.
After a while Sam appeared from washing and dressed himself. Finding Frodo sleeping peacefully made him smile and Legolas offered to carry his master as far as he could so that Frodo could remain in gentle dreams.
~~~
The company gathered together once more and traveled far that day for they still needed to council with Treebeard and Gandalf and Aragorn seemed quite urgent now. From Deeping-coomb the company rode and silent was their passing. The earth and air seemed to be settling from the great upheaval that shook the world. The very bowels of the earth trembling and resettling from the evil that it had belched forth shuddering throughout the mountain from all the reaches of the earth.
Sam felt uneasy, the shuddering of the earth quivered throughout the gentle soul of the gardener as well. He felt it, like a light unease in his stomach and a numbing pain at the edges of his mind. Sam shook his head but could not be rid of it. He was thankful to be on the pony for the earth beneath his toes seemed to weep and singe his skin.
Frodo sat in front of him, no longer asleep for Legolas needed to relinquish him in the end so that he may ride. Frodo did not seem begrudged at all and pressed his head against Sam's shoulder lightly. If Sam's ears were not throbbing from the painful weeping of the growing things around him, he would have sworn he could hear his master humming a distant song.
Frodo sighed, sensing Sam's pain, and reached a tentative hand out to wrap around Sam's. The simple hobbit reached up with his other hand and stroked Sam's curls soothingly. Sam's eyes glanced down at Frodo. "He's trying to comfort me."
The elf watched the two hobbits from a distance as he rode silently. He smiled as he saw Frodo's hand stroking Sam's hair. Legolas had not told Sam of the word Frodo had uttered for he knew it would do no good for the gardener to know. Frodo did not know what he said, nor its meaning. When Frodo could understand, only then would it bring Samwise joy.
At last the company came upon where the stone circle had been and the dark gate to Isengard once stood. And they saw that the Ents had thrown down the gates and destroyed the circle of stone and a great garden was already coming into blossom. Great vines wove round the destruction and blossomed into sweet smelling orchards, wild and redeemed. Sam's cheeks turned pink as he gazed upon the growth and green before him and his eyes seemed to shine as if a new life was burning now in him. The young gardener looked on in wonder and great relief as if the burden of burning dead things was thrown off of him and he too was allowed to blossom. The ashes of the mournful forest spirits no longer plagued the gardener's mind and their malice was silenced for their foe had been cast down into darkness.
Two tall trees stood, rigid and still, like sentinels where the gate once stood. The travelers stayed there for some time and gazed out upon the green paths and growing things. They beheld the wonders and strength of the Ents but could not see near or far within. Presently a voice made the earth shudder with a deep, merry bellows of, "Hoom-hom."
Treebeard and Quickbeam came striding towards the travelers and some felt their hearts quail before the greatness of the Treelords. Gandalf rode forward and hailed them joyfully. "Hasty, young wizard, could you not have waited until we, hoom, reached you?"
Gandalf laughed, "I must thank you! For all of the great deeds you have done for I see that you have not been idle."
"Ah my white friend, and your deeds mightiest of all, for I have heard word of all the goings on in the east and the south and all of it good." Treebeard then saw to it to praise Gandalf as well as the king for all of their deeds, of which he seemed to carry great knowledge of. Merry and Pippin sighed and leaned back on their steeds, knowing well that this might take quite a long time. And it did, but the long passing of time was barely heeded for Sam was taken by the warmth of growing things, and Frodo as well.
Emáten then chose to ride close beside the small lords and watched their eyes grow distant and shimmer. He looked about him and saw in truth where the hearts of hobbits lie. Emáten bent forward and plucked an orchard from the vine, fully blossomed and with a sweet pungent smell. Sam turned to him, seeing the man press it gently to his nose and smile at the scent. But Frodo did not tolerate the action. He nearly shrieked and his eyes narrowed in anger. Sam could not behold Frodo's face but felt the body before him stiffen and he pressed Frodo close. "Naught be afraid, Mr. Frodo. Its just Emáten." Sam quickly pulled away at hearing a deep rumbling growl in the back of Frodo's throat.
Frodo felt fear and anger shiver through him and Emáten beheld his countenance with fear. "Lord Samwise! Forgive me for what I am about to say but I can think of no fair words to suit your master: He looks like an enraged beast about to thrash me!"
Frodo? Angry? Sam had, of course, seen his master very angry, especially when it came to matters concerning the Sackville-Baggins or strictly the mean doings of Ted Sandyman. He had even seen Frodo give Ted a decent throttling at the Green Dragon after listening silently to several unwholesome comments about his parents from the foul-mouthed twit. But after the destruction of the Ring, and the entrapment of Frodo within himself, he was timid and docile as a kitten.
Frodo raised a shaking finger to Emáten and muttered, "Dead." His tone was low and final and the man felt his blood run cold. He did not quite fear the feral hobbit but he honored him greater than any lord. The man jumped from his horse and fell to his knees. "Forgive me whatever I have done." He did not know if this would satisfy the Ringbearer or if even the hobbit understood him but he was ashamed and sought forgiveness.
"Get up, Emáten," said Sam. He rubbed Frodo's shoulders and felt his master relax in his arms. "It's the flower you picked. Frodo sees that you have killed it. While we were still in Ithilian he picked a youngun' bud just startin' its bloom. I scolded him for it. If I had known what sort o' impact that woulda had on him I should have just let him alone."
Frodo shook in Sam's arms and Emáten mounted his horse again. "Forgive me, I know not what I do. Oh, my lord, I only wish to please your master. I try to understand the sacrifice he made but I cannot fully, I know that."
Sam felt hurt burn in him and his hands tightened about Frodo's shoulders. "This," he muttered, turning Frodo to face Emáten. The man looked into the honest, frightened eyes and fair face. He beheld the simplicity in his expression, the confusion worn upon his brow. "This is the sacrifice he made. This is what he has become and the only way you can understand, I reckon, is if you knew him afore he was this. This is not my master." Frodo whimpered, not liking this sort of attention at all. Sam pulled him close again and smoothed his curls.
Emáten opened his mouth to say something but the company moved forth again and Frodo almost cried out as the beast that bore him moved. The travelers could hear the ent-voice booming in the air above them as Gandalf followed Treebeard and the company traveled to Orthanc. "Hoom-hoom! Saruman has grown weary of my voice for I have spoken to him long, hoom, of tales that speak of ages and words that whisper in years. He is bitter. Yes, yes, very bitter, the blackhearted-darkeyed-foulsouled-twistminded-rottenrooted- venomvoiced..."
"My dear friend," Gandalf interrupted as politely as he could. "Though there are no words for how well your name suits him. What of Saruman? I doubt he thinks that you have improved the view of his tower."
"Yes the name in Entish goes on quite long, Gandalf. As long as the suffering he has dealt towards the trees. He was weary of me though he gathered no news otherwise. I spoke to him from the window atop his tower and he grew angered. He would storm away but then return asking of more news. He was greedy for it and yet it angered him so. He is bitter towards The One that threw him down."
"Ah hah!" Merry thought. "So Saruman knows about what Frodo has done. I do not think it was wise of Treebeard to tell him but I suppose he would have found out anyway." He leaned towards Pippin and saw that his cousin too understood Treebeard's words. "We must watch out for Frodo if that miserable snake is still slithering about," said Merry.
Pippin nodded, "He is a vengeance seeking body, no doubt, Mer. I wonder if he knows of all our parts in this, including Sam."
"I doubt it, Pip, if Treebeard used the words 'The One'... That's Frodo." The two hobbits nodded and chose to seek Sam as soon as possible. The wizard and the treelord still spoke on.
Gandalf looked hard at Treebeard, "I see that you very carefully use words such as: grew, dealt, and was. But what about Is? Where is he? Is Saruman dead?"
"Dead? No, hoom, not dead. Not to my knowledge anyway, horoom." Treebeard gave Gandalf a long look, deep and cunning. "He is gone. I let him go and that worm-creature that follows him like a pale shadow. Do not tell me, Gandalf, that I promised to keep him, for I know I did not. I promised to keep him until he could do no more harm and he is stripped of his power. You do know how I hate the caging of live things and a snake without fangs may crawl as he will."
"Yes, Treebeard, but I fear this snake still has one fang. As for Orthanc."
Aragorn rode forward and praised the treelord. "As king I give the trees this valley to do with it as they will as long as they keep watch over Orthanc and see that none go near it."
"I made Saruman lock it, Quickbeam has the keys," said Treebeard. And the tree beside him bowed and creaked, handing the iron keys to the king. "If you wish to stay you and your company are forever welcome under the trees."
All declined save Legolas, who turned to Gimli and smirked. "Come now, friend Gimli, and set the score right! We shall travel into Fangorn, with Treebeard's leave, and there I shall see the wonders of entwood and such trees as are not to be found anywhere in Middle-Earth. Whenceforth we shall travel together back to our homelands." Gimli grumbled but had no choice and agreed. As the two traveled Legolas turned back to Sam and Frodo, smiling brightly.
Sam thought he could hear words from deep within the trees, words of a song, soft and simple, that he had never known nor had he thought it to be as fine as many elvish songs he had heard. Frodo however, beamed with delight and recognized it promptly, sighing and shifting into peace. He rested his head against Sam's shoulder and harkened the fading words. But once they failed among the echo of the trees they quickly drifted out of Frodo's thoughts and a shadow crept in. Something dark and evil that made the hobbit cringe and stiffen with fright. Sam could feel his master shiver before him.
"Mr. Frodo, what's wrong? Mr. Frodo...?"
But Sam's voice died upon Frodo's ears. His eyes clouded as his sight turned inward, towards something that seemed to mock him from a distance. Some uncouth thing that seemed to be nearing him with vengeance in mind. And it was not the Ring's treachery that brought murderous threats to him, but another's...
~~~
A/N: Mwahahaha! Oh come now stop your whining I've been very nice so far and I don't think I've thrown any cliff-hangers at you in quite a while. Indeed it was do time. I hope you like your mathom gift because the next chapter's a doozy! And now to translate all of that pesky elvish for you! "Tanya nae n'quel." (That's not good.) "Mani naa ta?" (What is that?) "N'ndengina ho." (Don't kill him.) "I'quelin goth naa ba goth." (The best foe is a dead foe.) "Hek ungol!" (Begone Darkness!) "Lle rangwa amin?" (Do you understand me?) And Legolas's song...
Ever is thy sight a joy.
Arise and greet the day, my friend Frodo.
Arise and greet the light!
And my heart will sing to see thee!
My friend.
Frodo.
2A/N: And now to torment you more with a bit of a taste of the next chapter. 'He then crawled forward in the dirt and dust and his face was cut and bleeding. He crept forward on squirming knees and clawing hands until his hands grasped filthy robes and he looked up into an evil countenance and shivered in dread...'
~~~
chibi neko3 – Glad to see you dear lass, I hope you enjoy the rest. I think the wait was closer to nine months but there will be no more of that!
FrodoBaggins87 – Not quite regret I just worry what Tolkien would think. I wish to do his characters justice and it seems my own story lines have snuck in there any way. I hope you liked this chapter. Elvish is fun but cliff-hangers are more fun!
laurajslr – I'm glad you liked the flashback scene and the one with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli jesting. I felt that the fellowship have become like brethren now and every now and again they are allowed to have a bit of fun. Not all gloom and doom any more... well sometimes not all gloom and doom. Next chapter will knock you on your bum hopefully. I hope you liked my review I think I said everything I need to and I hope you do more lotr fanfiction in the near future.
CStini – I shall never stop torturing you! Hee... and this chapter must have been the worst so far. Oh well this one will be nothing compared to the next... ::evil smirk:: You are very very very right about the rising events that will lead to big climaxes. I think it's about time for a climax don't you? Next chapter!
ShireElf – "wow!" is good. I hope this chapter didn't hurt too much because the next one will kill!
Endymion2 – Ah hah you've mentioned a few of my favorite lines. Yes every so often I am struck with an ingenius line and then sometimes... I'm... er... not... Oh poor Aragorn, what would Middle-Earth do with a king in such condition!? I do wish the silver glass thing soothed you as it did me, of course the end of the story was horribly emotional but the silver glass brings me to Frodo's point of view more, and all I can think is.... Relief. Of course then I'm right back to Sam and all I can think is "WHY!!" ::sob:: I assure you Elrond is trying his hardest for Frodo and putting Aragorn in the same situation... ::shudder:: is a truly evil thought... but... I have an eviler one!... ::dashes off to write next chapter laughing maniacally::
Gentle Hobbit – Ah, another of my favorite lines. You readers sure do pay attention. I'm glad. Yes it is hard to associate Gandalf with destruction but he has power and power put one way or another is capable of destroying. Frodo cannot handle any more power such as that after the Ring. And remember what Gandalf said "I cannot force you to be rid of it... that would break your mind..." Similar situation don't you think?
Jet-1 – I hope you get this far so that you may read this. No, Sam is much much younger than Frodo. You should read the books there is so much more to gain from Tolkien's masterpiece than Peter Jackson's adaptation... though I commend Jackson whole-heartedly, he definitely did the books justice. The book begins somewhat like the movie, at Bilbo's birthday party. Bilbo and Frodo share the same birthday which is never mentioned in the movie but it turns out that that is Frodo's 'coming of age' which means he is turning 33, which considers you an adult in hobbit culture. However after Gandalf tells Frodo to keep what he suspects to be the One Ring safe and secret Gandalf disappears for almost 20 years! I know a shocker. Frodo leaves for the quest when he is 50. Sam is around 35 I think when he leaves for the quest. A significant age difference. Merry is in his thirties or forties and Pippin is still considered a child at the age of 29 when the quest begins. The Quest takes approximately a year and the only explanation I can think that Frodo could possibly look young is that the Ring grants you youth and unnatural long life which of course explains Gollum at the age of 500 (very unnatural but he looks good for his age, eh?) I hope that helps. I pray you read the books!
Chapter 28 --- Elvish
Legolas opened his ears and cleared his eyes, the silver mist that had clouded them quickly dissipated as he rose. His pointed ears shifted again as some far away noise reached them, the noise that had awoken him to begin with. The elf narrowed his eyes, all of his keen senses poised to detect the smallest pebble on Mount Doom shift. "Tanya nae n'quel," he muttered, grasping his bow. He moved slowly and soundless, knocking an arrow and shifting his eyes swiftly taking a scan of the area. "Saruman."
The elf sprang quickly to where he knew Aragorn was resting. When he reached the tent he saw the Ranger sitting on the grass outside, smoking peacefully. "Good evening, Legolas."
"Mani naa ta?"
"You sense something?"
"I think it is Saruman."
Aragorn stood swiftly and grasped his sword but as quickly as he did his hand relaxed. "He is not near. I think, for once, you are wrong, Legolas."
"No. He is not near but he is no longer in the tower. This I know. He has escaped, off north beyond my sight. He is no longer in the care of Fangorn."
"He has escaped the Ents? How?"
"I know not. But he moves slow. Aragorn, if you wish..." Legolas indicated towards his bow, knocked and ready.
The king shifted in thought under the weight of his decision. "N'ndengina ho. I do not think Saruman is a threat any longer."
"I'quelin goth naa ba goth," Legolas spat bitterly.
"Perhaps you are right but I must consult with Gandalf in all manners with wizards, for often it cannot be known what effects they will have, for good or ill, whether or not their intentions are wholly for one or the other. It is almost sunrise, we shall not sleep any more this night. Keep watch by the hobbits, I'll inform Gandalf, if I can find him."
"You did not sleep at all this night," smiled Legolas.
Aragorn gave him a wan smile and departed. The elf took towards where the hobbits camped. He listened keenly but heard no noise and felt no evil in that place. But as he neared the tent once more a sound reached his ears making his hands tighten around his bow. It was frail and high, shrouded in fear and darkness. Soon a soft voice followed it and Legolas quickened his pace. "Frodo," he whispered. "Hek ungol!" Legolas ran and burst into Sam and Frodo's tent.
The elf saw Samwise grasping Frodo's wrists tightly, and pressing against him with all of his weight. Frodo was flailing and groaning trying desperately to kick Sam off of him. "Legolas!" cried Sam, struggling to keep his master from hurting himself. "Help!"
"Hek ungol!" Legolas cried again and then sprang toward the hobbits and laid a gentle hand upon Frodo's brow.
Frodo immediately began to still, whimpering and sobbing. Sam waited a moment, unsure whether he should let his master go. But Frodo only tried to curl into himself weakly, closing his eyes tight and tormented only by dreams. Legolas sat beside the Ringbearer, gathering him close and whispering to him in a fair voice. "A Elbereth Githoniel..."
"What was it you said, sir, that made him calm. It may be quite useful to me."
Legolas smiled at Sam. "It meant, in Westron, be gone darkness."
"Seems so plain in my speech. Elvish can make the simplest words sound so fair and foreign. Hek..."
"Ungol."
"Hek ungol." Sam thought for a moment. "Hek ungol... Cirith Ungol... I'm beginnin' to understand all o' this. Wish I knew it an age ago when it counted."
"All words have meaning, Sam. Mellon..."
"Friend. Aye, that I remember. That's all I can remember... It was Frodo's last to me. I didn't understand none o' it but that... I remembered from Moria, thank lor' my daft head can recall that at least."
Legolas nodded solemnly to Sam then looked towards Frodo, sleeping somewhat peacefully. His lips curled and he squirmed under the elf's restraint but he did not lash out violently or cry out. Whatever words his lips were attempting to form, no sound issued forth. "Has he been doing this often?"
"Only at night. It's dreams that bother him so, and where I can't protect him neither," Sam grumbled.
"So it must be. We all have to face our fears alone at some time, all you can do is be here for him when he wakes up."
"He's been sleeping for so long now..." Sam mused, rubbing his weary eyes.
"You haven't slept at all this night, have you?" Legolas ran a gentle hand across Sam's worried brow. "Or the last." Sam's bleary, red eyes shifted nervously under the elf's gaze. His wan cheeks blushed slightly as he tried to stifle a yawn.
"Guess it's gettin' kind of difficult to hide now."
"Well hiding it did you no good, Samwise. You must tell Galadriel of this, she will offer her help. I would also if this was not the last night we shall be in the same company. Gimli and I shall pass soon to both our realms but perhaps we shall meet again, Master Samwise."
"I would like that very much but home is where my heart is now, sir, and home is all I'm looking forward to."
"And I as well. Look the sun has already risen, I shall rouse Frodo while you get dressed and packed." Sam went to do as bid trusting his master in the hands of the elf. Legolas lifted Frodo's trembling form and whispered a song in his quivering ear.
Oio naa elealla alasse'.
Vedui re, mellonamin.
Vedui galad!
Cormamin lindua ele lle!
Mellonamin.
Frodo.
It was a simple song, sweet and plain, that Legolas could remember his mother singing to him every morning. It was not very fair or poetic in verse. "A simple child's song for sleepy elflings." His mother would say before kissing his forehead every morning. Of course Legolas had changed a few things for it to suit Frodo, the song still withheld it's soft and childlike quality. There was no magic in the words or vast images, recalling great kings or mountains of old. But sung in a soft voice it could put warmth into a frightened heart.
Frodo's eyes flickered open revealing the shining blue flame beneath. He shifted and sighed forlornly. When his eyes met the elf they filled with confusion but the words still drifted in his mind, soft and soothing and warming his thoughts. He reached out a trembling hand and touched the fair elven face. He wanted to say, "I know this. I know these words." But he could not. His tongue twisted and his mind faltered. He sought desperately but all he could do was stumble through the mist until he salvaged something, and not knowing what he meant or said his frail lips uttered: "Mellon."
For the first time in the elf's long years he gasped and stumbled back. "Frodo!" he cried. "Do you understand Quenya? Lle rangwa amin?"
Frodo closed his eyes and a slight smile flickered over his so very weary features. "Mellon..." He seemed to be falling into peace and Legolas thought he beheld a spirit fleeing unto deepening rest.
"Oh no! Frodo! Frodo!" But Legolas had no need of worry. Frodo was simply seeking sleep again since his night proved fretful. The elf clutched the hobbit and felt his body relax and the breathing even. Legolas sighed realizing this was a peaceful rest and nothing deeper. He laughed lightly now wanting to thrash the hobbit for scaring him so but he supposed it was mostly his fault for poising his senses to be on such alert. He calmed himself and let Frodo rest in his arms.
After a while Sam appeared from washing and dressed himself. Finding Frodo sleeping peacefully made him smile and Legolas offered to carry his master as far as he could so that Frodo could remain in gentle dreams.
~~~
The company gathered together once more and traveled far that day for they still needed to council with Treebeard and Gandalf and Aragorn seemed quite urgent now. From Deeping-coomb the company rode and silent was their passing. The earth and air seemed to be settling from the great upheaval that shook the world. The very bowels of the earth trembling and resettling from the evil that it had belched forth shuddering throughout the mountain from all the reaches of the earth.
Sam felt uneasy, the shuddering of the earth quivered throughout the gentle soul of the gardener as well. He felt it, like a light unease in his stomach and a numbing pain at the edges of his mind. Sam shook his head but could not be rid of it. He was thankful to be on the pony for the earth beneath his toes seemed to weep and singe his skin.
Frodo sat in front of him, no longer asleep for Legolas needed to relinquish him in the end so that he may ride. Frodo did not seem begrudged at all and pressed his head against Sam's shoulder lightly. If Sam's ears were not throbbing from the painful weeping of the growing things around him, he would have sworn he could hear his master humming a distant song.
Frodo sighed, sensing Sam's pain, and reached a tentative hand out to wrap around Sam's. The simple hobbit reached up with his other hand and stroked Sam's curls soothingly. Sam's eyes glanced down at Frodo. "He's trying to comfort me."
The elf watched the two hobbits from a distance as he rode silently. He smiled as he saw Frodo's hand stroking Sam's hair. Legolas had not told Sam of the word Frodo had uttered for he knew it would do no good for the gardener to know. Frodo did not know what he said, nor its meaning. When Frodo could understand, only then would it bring Samwise joy.
At last the company came upon where the stone circle had been and the dark gate to Isengard once stood. And they saw that the Ents had thrown down the gates and destroyed the circle of stone and a great garden was already coming into blossom. Great vines wove round the destruction and blossomed into sweet smelling orchards, wild and redeemed. Sam's cheeks turned pink as he gazed upon the growth and green before him and his eyes seemed to shine as if a new life was burning now in him. The young gardener looked on in wonder and great relief as if the burden of burning dead things was thrown off of him and he too was allowed to blossom. The ashes of the mournful forest spirits no longer plagued the gardener's mind and their malice was silenced for their foe had been cast down into darkness.
Two tall trees stood, rigid and still, like sentinels where the gate once stood. The travelers stayed there for some time and gazed out upon the green paths and growing things. They beheld the wonders and strength of the Ents but could not see near or far within. Presently a voice made the earth shudder with a deep, merry bellows of, "Hoom-hom."
Treebeard and Quickbeam came striding towards the travelers and some felt their hearts quail before the greatness of the Treelords. Gandalf rode forward and hailed them joyfully. "Hasty, young wizard, could you not have waited until we, hoom, reached you?"
Gandalf laughed, "I must thank you! For all of the great deeds you have done for I see that you have not been idle."
"Ah my white friend, and your deeds mightiest of all, for I have heard word of all the goings on in the east and the south and all of it good." Treebeard then saw to it to praise Gandalf as well as the king for all of their deeds, of which he seemed to carry great knowledge of. Merry and Pippin sighed and leaned back on their steeds, knowing well that this might take quite a long time. And it did, but the long passing of time was barely heeded for Sam was taken by the warmth of growing things, and Frodo as well.
Emáten then chose to ride close beside the small lords and watched their eyes grow distant and shimmer. He looked about him and saw in truth where the hearts of hobbits lie. Emáten bent forward and plucked an orchard from the vine, fully blossomed and with a sweet pungent smell. Sam turned to him, seeing the man press it gently to his nose and smile at the scent. But Frodo did not tolerate the action. He nearly shrieked and his eyes narrowed in anger. Sam could not behold Frodo's face but felt the body before him stiffen and he pressed Frodo close. "Naught be afraid, Mr. Frodo. Its just Emáten." Sam quickly pulled away at hearing a deep rumbling growl in the back of Frodo's throat.
Frodo felt fear and anger shiver through him and Emáten beheld his countenance with fear. "Lord Samwise! Forgive me for what I am about to say but I can think of no fair words to suit your master: He looks like an enraged beast about to thrash me!"
Frodo? Angry? Sam had, of course, seen his master very angry, especially when it came to matters concerning the Sackville-Baggins or strictly the mean doings of Ted Sandyman. He had even seen Frodo give Ted a decent throttling at the Green Dragon after listening silently to several unwholesome comments about his parents from the foul-mouthed twit. But after the destruction of the Ring, and the entrapment of Frodo within himself, he was timid and docile as a kitten.
Frodo raised a shaking finger to Emáten and muttered, "Dead." His tone was low and final and the man felt his blood run cold. He did not quite fear the feral hobbit but he honored him greater than any lord. The man jumped from his horse and fell to his knees. "Forgive me whatever I have done." He did not know if this would satisfy the Ringbearer or if even the hobbit understood him but he was ashamed and sought forgiveness.
"Get up, Emáten," said Sam. He rubbed Frodo's shoulders and felt his master relax in his arms. "It's the flower you picked. Frodo sees that you have killed it. While we were still in Ithilian he picked a youngun' bud just startin' its bloom. I scolded him for it. If I had known what sort o' impact that woulda had on him I should have just let him alone."
Frodo shook in Sam's arms and Emáten mounted his horse again. "Forgive me, I know not what I do. Oh, my lord, I only wish to please your master. I try to understand the sacrifice he made but I cannot fully, I know that."
Sam felt hurt burn in him and his hands tightened about Frodo's shoulders. "This," he muttered, turning Frodo to face Emáten. The man looked into the honest, frightened eyes and fair face. He beheld the simplicity in his expression, the confusion worn upon his brow. "This is the sacrifice he made. This is what he has become and the only way you can understand, I reckon, is if you knew him afore he was this. This is not my master." Frodo whimpered, not liking this sort of attention at all. Sam pulled him close again and smoothed his curls.
Emáten opened his mouth to say something but the company moved forth again and Frodo almost cried out as the beast that bore him moved. The travelers could hear the ent-voice booming in the air above them as Gandalf followed Treebeard and the company traveled to Orthanc. "Hoom-hoom! Saruman has grown weary of my voice for I have spoken to him long, hoom, of tales that speak of ages and words that whisper in years. He is bitter. Yes, yes, very bitter, the blackhearted-darkeyed-foulsouled-twistminded-rottenrooted- venomvoiced..."
"My dear friend," Gandalf interrupted as politely as he could. "Though there are no words for how well your name suits him. What of Saruman? I doubt he thinks that you have improved the view of his tower."
"Yes the name in Entish goes on quite long, Gandalf. As long as the suffering he has dealt towards the trees. He was weary of me though he gathered no news otherwise. I spoke to him from the window atop his tower and he grew angered. He would storm away but then return asking of more news. He was greedy for it and yet it angered him so. He is bitter towards The One that threw him down."
"Ah hah!" Merry thought. "So Saruman knows about what Frodo has done. I do not think it was wise of Treebeard to tell him but I suppose he would have found out anyway." He leaned towards Pippin and saw that his cousin too understood Treebeard's words. "We must watch out for Frodo if that miserable snake is still slithering about," said Merry.
Pippin nodded, "He is a vengeance seeking body, no doubt, Mer. I wonder if he knows of all our parts in this, including Sam."
"I doubt it, Pip, if Treebeard used the words 'The One'... That's Frodo." The two hobbits nodded and chose to seek Sam as soon as possible. The wizard and the treelord still spoke on.
Gandalf looked hard at Treebeard, "I see that you very carefully use words such as: grew, dealt, and was. But what about Is? Where is he? Is Saruman dead?"
"Dead? No, hoom, not dead. Not to my knowledge anyway, horoom." Treebeard gave Gandalf a long look, deep and cunning. "He is gone. I let him go and that worm-creature that follows him like a pale shadow. Do not tell me, Gandalf, that I promised to keep him, for I know I did not. I promised to keep him until he could do no more harm and he is stripped of his power. You do know how I hate the caging of live things and a snake without fangs may crawl as he will."
"Yes, Treebeard, but I fear this snake still has one fang. As for Orthanc."
Aragorn rode forward and praised the treelord. "As king I give the trees this valley to do with it as they will as long as they keep watch over Orthanc and see that none go near it."
"I made Saruman lock it, Quickbeam has the keys," said Treebeard. And the tree beside him bowed and creaked, handing the iron keys to the king. "If you wish to stay you and your company are forever welcome under the trees."
All declined save Legolas, who turned to Gimli and smirked. "Come now, friend Gimli, and set the score right! We shall travel into Fangorn, with Treebeard's leave, and there I shall see the wonders of entwood and such trees as are not to be found anywhere in Middle-Earth. Whenceforth we shall travel together back to our homelands." Gimli grumbled but had no choice and agreed. As the two traveled Legolas turned back to Sam and Frodo, smiling brightly.
Sam thought he could hear words from deep within the trees, words of a song, soft and simple, that he had never known nor had he thought it to be as fine as many elvish songs he had heard. Frodo however, beamed with delight and recognized it promptly, sighing and shifting into peace. He rested his head against Sam's shoulder and harkened the fading words. But once they failed among the echo of the trees they quickly drifted out of Frodo's thoughts and a shadow crept in. Something dark and evil that made the hobbit cringe and stiffen with fright. Sam could feel his master shiver before him.
"Mr. Frodo, what's wrong? Mr. Frodo...?"
But Sam's voice died upon Frodo's ears. His eyes clouded as his sight turned inward, towards something that seemed to mock him from a distance. Some uncouth thing that seemed to be nearing him with vengeance in mind. And it was not the Ring's treachery that brought murderous threats to him, but another's...
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A/N: Mwahahaha! Oh come now stop your whining I've been very nice so far and I don't think I've thrown any cliff-hangers at you in quite a while. Indeed it was do time. I hope you like your mathom gift because the next chapter's a doozy! And now to translate all of that pesky elvish for you! "Tanya nae n'quel." (That's not good.) "Mani naa ta?" (What is that?) "N'ndengina ho." (Don't kill him.) "I'quelin goth naa ba goth." (The best foe is a dead foe.) "Hek ungol!" (Begone Darkness!) "Lle rangwa amin?" (Do you understand me?) And Legolas's song...
Ever is thy sight a joy.
Arise and greet the day, my friend Frodo.
Arise and greet the light!
And my heart will sing to see thee!
My friend.
Frodo.
2A/N: And now to torment you more with a bit of a taste of the next chapter. 'He then crawled forward in the dirt and dust and his face was cut and bleeding. He crept forward on squirming knees and clawing hands until his hands grasped filthy robes and he looked up into an evil countenance and shivered in dread...'
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chibi neko3 – Glad to see you dear lass, I hope you enjoy the rest. I think the wait was closer to nine months but there will be no more of that!
FrodoBaggins87 – Not quite regret I just worry what Tolkien would think. I wish to do his characters justice and it seems my own story lines have snuck in there any way. I hope you liked this chapter. Elvish is fun but cliff-hangers are more fun!
laurajslr – I'm glad you liked the flashback scene and the one with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli jesting. I felt that the fellowship have become like brethren now and every now and again they are allowed to have a bit of fun. Not all gloom and doom any more... well sometimes not all gloom and doom. Next chapter will knock you on your bum hopefully. I hope you liked my review I think I said everything I need to and I hope you do more lotr fanfiction in the near future.
CStini – I shall never stop torturing you! Hee... and this chapter must have been the worst so far. Oh well this one will be nothing compared to the next... ::evil smirk:: You are very very very right about the rising events that will lead to big climaxes. I think it's about time for a climax don't you? Next chapter!
ShireElf – "wow!" is good. I hope this chapter didn't hurt too much because the next one will kill!
Endymion2 – Ah hah you've mentioned a few of my favorite lines. Yes every so often I am struck with an ingenius line and then sometimes... I'm... er... not... Oh poor Aragorn, what would Middle-Earth do with a king in such condition!? I do wish the silver glass thing soothed you as it did me, of course the end of the story was horribly emotional but the silver glass brings me to Frodo's point of view more, and all I can think is.... Relief. Of course then I'm right back to Sam and all I can think is "WHY!!" ::sob:: I assure you Elrond is trying his hardest for Frodo and putting Aragorn in the same situation... ::shudder:: is a truly evil thought... but... I have an eviler one!... ::dashes off to write next chapter laughing maniacally::
Gentle Hobbit – Ah, another of my favorite lines. You readers sure do pay attention. I'm glad. Yes it is hard to associate Gandalf with destruction but he has power and power put one way or another is capable of destroying. Frodo cannot handle any more power such as that after the Ring. And remember what Gandalf said "I cannot force you to be rid of it... that would break your mind..." Similar situation don't you think?
Jet-1 – I hope you get this far so that you may read this. No, Sam is much much younger than Frodo. You should read the books there is so much more to gain from Tolkien's masterpiece than Peter Jackson's adaptation... though I commend Jackson whole-heartedly, he definitely did the books justice. The book begins somewhat like the movie, at Bilbo's birthday party. Bilbo and Frodo share the same birthday which is never mentioned in the movie but it turns out that that is Frodo's 'coming of age' which means he is turning 33, which considers you an adult in hobbit culture. However after Gandalf tells Frodo to keep what he suspects to be the One Ring safe and secret Gandalf disappears for almost 20 years! I know a shocker. Frodo leaves for the quest when he is 50. Sam is around 35 I think when he leaves for the quest. A significant age difference. Merry is in his thirties or forties and Pippin is still considered a child at the age of 29 when the quest begins. The Quest takes approximately a year and the only explanation I can think that Frodo could possibly look young is that the Ring grants you youth and unnatural long life which of course explains Gollum at the age of 500 (very unnatural but he looks good for his age, eh?) I hope that helps. I pray you read the books!