By the Light of the Moon
Disclaimer~ I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own SOME of the storyline and the characters I made up. This takes place during TTT and ROTK. Legolas is a sexy elf...I'd love to own him! *smiles*
A/N: Mae Govannen! I'm incredibly sorry it's taken me so long to update. School has been so annoying. Damn it to Shadow! Anyway, enjoy my friends. :)
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Chapter 20~ Is It Love?
King Théoden and his companions had all finally arrived at Dunharrow. They passed through a crowd of soldiers who all stood and watched them as they rode passed. "How many?" Théoden asked.
"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my lord," one of the soldiers replied. Gamling then gave him another large number of people. "Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" the king asked as he continued to ride through.
"None have come, my lord," Gamling said. The king and his companions then rode up a winding path that led to high ground that was wedged up in the mountains.
When then had reached it, Théoden stood at the edge, overlooking the men who had arrived for the battle. Aragorn strode up to him to also have a peek. "Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for," Théoden stated.
"Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor," the ranger said sadly.
"More will come," the king said as he took a step away. He stopped and looked at Aragorn again when he spoke up. "Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn. Then we must ride." King Théoden nodded to Aragorn. They both knew this battle would be difficult, and there was a good chance to failure...but they had to try.
Meanwhile, Legolas and Gimli walked up to Éomer, who was unpacking some necessary items. As they gazed around, they saw that the horses were uncomfortable and the men were having trouble controlling them. "The horses are restless and the men are quiet," the elf said.
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Éomer replied. Legolas and Gimli looked around again and saw a hidden road that led farther into the mountain. "That road there...where does that lead?" Gimli asked curiously. Éomer was silent. "It is the road to the Dimholt...the door under the mountain," Legolas said, he eyes widening since he knew he was correct.
"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," Éomer said nervously as he stalked away. He was obviously scared of it as well.
Aragorn heard the horses neighing and walked over to where the hidden road was. He gazed at it, his mouth gaping when he laid his eyes upon it. He saw something flicker in the shadows, but it disappeared just as quickly as it had arrived. (A/N: If anyone didn't see the King of the Dead here, check it out!) The ranger continued to stare at it until he heard, "Aragorn!" and felt someone tap his arm. It was Gimli. "Let's find some food."
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Captain Faramir and his men rode silently down the levels of Minas Tirith. Women and children were watching them with tears in their eyes as they tossed flowers at the horses' feet. Faramir kept his eyes on the road ahead but was distracted when he heard his named being called. He turned to his left and saw Gandalf emerge from the crowd. "Your father's will has turned to madness!" the wizard exclaimed, "Don't throw away your life so rashly!"
"Where does my allegiance lie if not here?" Faramir said gently, "And tell Lady Morgan farewell for me if I do not return."
"Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end," Gandalf said as he watched the men ride down to the main gates. He shook his head and walked back up toward the higher levels of Mina Tirith.
Meanwhile, Mariah stood against a pillar in the throne room. Her eyes were glaring daggers at Denethor as he ate his food. He turned to her and gestured for her to come over. "What do you want?" she asked.
"I'll ask you again...would you like to join me for some of this meal? There's plenty," he replied as he held her out a small bowl of little tomatoes. Mariah eyed him and felt fury rise through her entire body. This man had been so cruel to the only son he had left. "I'd be delighted," she said sweetly as she took a few tomatoes in her hand. She plopped one into her mouth and chewed it up. "Delicious, aren't they?" he said before taking a bite of the meat he held in his hand.
Mariah walked closer to him and spit out the food in her mouth. It splattered all over Denethor's face. "Yes...very delicious, my Lord," she said with an evil smirk as she squeezed the other tomatoes in her hand, making the juice drip to the floor. She released what was left in her hands before walking back over to the pillar and crossing her arms again. Pippin gave her a dumbfounded expression. He would have never expected a lady of her status to disrespect someone in such a way.
Denethor simply wiped the food from his face and continued eating. He turned and looked at Pippin, who had turned his gaze to the ground. "Can you sing, Master Hobbit?" he asked.
"Well, yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls...and evil times," Pippin replied.
"And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song," the Steward ordered as he kept eating. The hobbit paused for a moment and then began to sing softly:
"Home is behind
The world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow
To the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight"
Mariah listened quietly to the hobbit's song. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard in her entire life. However, the words brought sadness to her heart.
"Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade"
As Pippin stopped singing, Mariah felt her heart drop about a million feet. It sank farther down than ever before...more than she could think possible. It was like she could sense death around her. She silently walked out of the throne room and out into the courtyard. Guards were positioned along the wall, but no one else was around. "Figures," she mumbled to herself as she walked down a few levels of Minas Tirith.
Mariah stared aimlessly around as she made her way through the city. Women and children were all crying in corners of allies of sitting silently, keeping their eyes on the ground. "Stupid Steward," Mariah muttered to herself as she walked down an alley and ended up in a small hidden courtyard. The only person sitting there was Gandalf. He was leaning on his staff and staring at the ground as well. Mariah quietly walked over and sat down on the bench next to him. "Hi, Gandalf," she whispered.
The wizard was silent. He just kept his eyes on the ground. "Gandalf?" she asked again, "What's wrong?"
"You should have more decency for someone...even if they're cruel to you and others," Gandalf said softly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Miss Morgan, I know what you did to Denethor when he offered you some of his meal. Even though he's gone mad, you should still respect him."
"You know what he did to Faramir!" Mariah almost shouted as she stood up, "He sent the poor guy to his death!"
"I realize that, Miss Morgan...but it's not your choice what Faramir can and cannot do. The same applies to Denethor, me, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas..." Mariah felt her entire body stiffen at the mention of Legolas' name and Gandalf noticed. "I know you miss him..."
"What?" Mariah asked as she crossed her arms.
"Our Elven friend...you miss him deeply, don't you?"
"He's just a really close friend, Gandalf. Nothing more, got it?" she retorted. The wizard only nodded and waved off the comment. Mariah was beginning to feel uneasy again. She didn't want to yell at Gandalf, for what he was saying was probably true...but she couldn't admit that. She just stormed away from the wizard and down another alley...except it was darker. She leaned against a pillar and looked up at the little bit of sunlight shining through and night began to fall. "Legolas," she murmured.
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"Mariah," Legolas whispered as he leaned on his bow. He stood quietly next to Gimli and stared out at the darkness surrounding them. He felt alone...and cold. Elves weren't supposed to know the cold, but he could feel it. "Ya miss her," Gimli whispered up to him. Legolas turned and looked down at the dwarf. "You can tell?" he asked.
"Lad, I know that look...ya love her."
"I care for her more than you could know, Gimli...but love isn't the case." The dwarf raised an eyebrow. "What?" Legolas asked.
"Ya shouldn't lie, Master Elf. You know how much you're in love with Lady Mariah. You love her looks, her spirit, the way she looks at you, and all you can remember is her face as she rode away with Gandalf and your name on her lips."
"And your point is?" Legolas asked.
"His point is that you're in love," another voice said. Legolas turned and saw Haldir emerge from the shadows with Aragorn beside him. "I can't be in- "
"But you are, Legolas," Aragorn said, "I didn't believe it at first when I met Arwen either, but I realized what it was after a little time alone. I'll always love her...and you'll always love Mariah."
"I can't fall in love with her, Aragorn! She's a werewolf and may be immortal...but if she is cured, she'll be mortal again and I'll die of a broken heart when she leaves my side. I can't suffer-"
"You're already suffering because you can't be with her," Haldir said as he placed a hand on the elf's shoulder, "You miss everything about her and you know it. Elbereth, I know how beautiful she is and her touch is gentle and caring. When she tended to my wound, I could feel everything within my reawakening. She had that effect on me and I only spent a few moments with her. I can only imagine what she's done to you."
"She's my friend, Haldir. I can't be in love with her. There's no way it would ever work out between us. And another thing, why would she ever feel anything toward me? I'm just another man to her."
"She cares about you," Haldir retorted, "She told me that you meant something to her."
"Did she say she loved me?" Legolas asked.
"Well...no...but that doesn't mean-"
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Legolas shouted as he ran to his tent and threw himself down on his cot. As he stared up at nothing in particular, he thought about her. "Why is she always on my mind?" he asked himself, "Is it love?" He just rolled onto his side and closed his eyes to rest.
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A/N: I hope no one minds that I switched some parts around. Pippin singing was supposed to come first, but I didn't want to stay at Minas Tirith too long and not show what was happening with the other group. Please don't shoot me...I must meet Orlando Bloom first...*smirks*
Disclaimer~ I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own SOME of the storyline and the characters I made up. This takes place during TTT and ROTK. Legolas is a sexy elf...I'd love to own him! *smiles*
A/N: Mae Govannen! I'm incredibly sorry it's taken me so long to update. School has been so annoying. Damn it to Shadow! Anyway, enjoy my friends. :)
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Chapter 20~ Is It Love?
King Théoden and his companions had all finally arrived at Dunharrow. They passed through a crowd of soldiers who all stood and watched them as they rode passed. "How many?" Théoden asked.
"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my lord," one of the soldiers replied. Gamling then gave him another large number of people. "Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" the king asked as he continued to ride through.
"None have come, my lord," Gamling said. The king and his companions then rode up a winding path that led to high ground that was wedged up in the mountains.
When then had reached it, Théoden stood at the edge, overlooking the men who had arrived for the battle. Aragorn strode up to him to also have a peek. "Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for," Théoden stated.
"Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor," the ranger said sadly.
"More will come," the king said as he took a step away. He stopped and looked at Aragorn again when he spoke up. "Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn. Then we must ride." King Théoden nodded to Aragorn. They both knew this battle would be difficult, and there was a good chance to failure...but they had to try.
Meanwhile, Legolas and Gimli walked up to Éomer, who was unpacking some necessary items. As they gazed around, they saw that the horses were uncomfortable and the men were having trouble controlling them. "The horses are restless and the men are quiet," the elf said.
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Éomer replied. Legolas and Gimli looked around again and saw a hidden road that led farther into the mountain. "That road there...where does that lead?" Gimli asked curiously. Éomer was silent. "It is the road to the Dimholt...the door under the mountain," Legolas said, he eyes widening since he knew he was correct.
"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," Éomer said nervously as he stalked away. He was obviously scared of it as well.
Aragorn heard the horses neighing and walked over to where the hidden road was. He gazed at it, his mouth gaping when he laid his eyes upon it. He saw something flicker in the shadows, but it disappeared just as quickly as it had arrived. (A/N: If anyone didn't see the King of the Dead here, check it out!) The ranger continued to stare at it until he heard, "Aragorn!" and felt someone tap his arm. It was Gimli. "Let's find some food."
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Captain Faramir and his men rode silently down the levels of Minas Tirith. Women and children were watching them with tears in their eyes as they tossed flowers at the horses' feet. Faramir kept his eyes on the road ahead but was distracted when he heard his named being called. He turned to his left and saw Gandalf emerge from the crowd. "Your father's will has turned to madness!" the wizard exclaimed, "Don't throw away your life so rashly!"
"Where does my allegiance lie if not here?" Faramir said gently, "And tell Lady Morgan farewell for me if I do not return."
"Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end," Gandalf said as he watched the men ride down to the main gates. He shook his head and walked back up toward the higher levels of Mina Tirith.
Meanwhile, Mariah stood against a pillar in the throne room. Her eyes were glaring daggers at Denethor as he ate his food. He turned to her and gestured for her to come over. "What do you want?" she asked.
"I'll ask you again...would you like to join me for some of this meal? There's plenty," he replied as he held her out a small bowl of little tomatoes. Mariah eyed him and felt fury rise through her entire body. This man had been so cruel to the only son he had left. "I'd be delighted," she said sweetly as she took a few tomatoes in her hand. She plopped one into her mouth and chewed it up. "Delicious, aren't they?" he said before taking a bite of the meat he held in his hand.
Mariah walked closer to him and spit out the food in her mouth. It splattered all over Denethor's face. "Yes...very delicious, my Lord," she said with an evil smirk as she squeezed the other tomatoes in her hand, making the juice drip to the floor. She released what was left in her hands before walking back over to the pillar and crossing her arms again. Pippin gave her a dumbfounded expression. He would have never expected a lady of her status to disrespect someone in such a way.
Denethor simply wiped the food from his face and continued eating. He turned and looked at Pippin, who had turned his gaze to the ground. "Can you sing, Master Hobbit?" he asked.
"Well, yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls...and evil times," Pippin replied.
"And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song," the Steward ordered as he kept eating. The hobbit paused for a moment and then began to sing softly:
"Home is behind
The world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow
To the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight"
Mariah listened quietly to the hobbit's song. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard in her entire life. However, the words brought sadness to her heart.
"Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade"
As Pippin stopped singing, Mariah felt her heart drop about a million feet. It sank farther down than ever before...more than she could think possible. It was like she could sense death around her. She silently walked out of the throne room and out into the courtyard. Guards were positioned along the wall, but no one else was around. "Figures," she mumbled to herself as she walked down a few levels of Minas Tirith.
Mariah stared aimlessly around as she made her way through the city. Women and children were all crying in corners of allies of sitting silently, keeping their eyes on the ground. "Stupid Steward," Mariah muttered to herself as she walked down an alley and ended up in a small hidden courtyard. The only person sitting there was Gandalf. He was leaning on his staff and staring at the ground as well. Mariah quietly walked over and sat down on the bench next to him. "Hi, Gandalf," she whispered.
The wizard was silent. He just kept his eyes on the ground. "Gandalf?" she asked again, "What's wrong?"
"You should have more decency for someone...even if they're cruel to you and others," Gandalf said softly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Miss Morgan, I know what you did to Denethor when he offered you some of his meal. Even though he's gone mad, you should still respect him."
"You know what he did to Faramir!" Mariah almost shouted as she stood up, "He sent the poor guy to his death!"
"I realize that, Miss Morgan...but it's not your choice what Faramir can and cannot do. The same applies to Denethor, me, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas..." Mariah felt her entire body stiffen at the mention of Legolas' name and Gandalf noticed. "I know you miss him..."
"What?" Mariah asked as she crossed her arms.
"Our Elven friend...you miss him deeply, don't you?"
"He's just a really close friend, Gandalf. Nothing more, got it?" she retorted. The wizard only nodded and waved off the comment. Mariah was beginning to feel uneasy again. She didn't want to yell at Gandalf, for what he was saying was probably true...but she couldn't admit that. She just stormed away from the wizard and down another alley...except it was darker. She leaned against a pillar and looked up at the little bit of sunlight shining through and night began to fall. "Legolas," she murmured.
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"Mariah," Legolas whispered as he leaned on his bow. He stood quietly next to Gimli and stared out at the darkness surrounding them. He felt alone...and cold. Elves weren't supposed to know the cold, but he could feel it. "Ya miss her," Gimli whispered up to him. Legolas turned and looked down at the dwarf. "You can tell?" he asked.
"Lad, I know that look...ya love her."
"I care for her more than you could know, Gimli...but love isn't the case." The dwarf raised an eyebrow. "What?" Legolas asked.
"Ya shouldn't lie, Master Elf. You know how much you're in love with Lady Mariah. You love her looks, her spirit, the way she looks at you, and all you can remember is her face as she rode away with Gandalf and your name on her lips."
"And your point is?" Legolas asked.
"His point is that you're in love," another voice said. Legolas turned and saw Haldir emerge from the shadows with Aragorn beside him. "I can't be in- "
"But you are, Legolas," Aragorn said, "I didn't believe it at first when I met Arwen either, but I realized what it was after a little time alone. I'll always love her...and you'll always love Mariah."
"I can't fall in love with her, Aragorn! She's a werewolf and may be immortal...but if she is cured, she'll be mortal again and I'll die of a broken heart when she leaves my side. I can't suffer-"
"You're already suffering because you can't be with her," Haldir said as he placed a hand on the elf's shoulder, "You miss everything about her and you know it. Elbereth, I know how beautiful she is and her touch is gentle and caring. When she tended to my wound, I could feel everything within my reawakening. She had that effect on me and I only spent a few moments with her. I can only imagine what she's done to you."
"She's my friend, Haldir. I can't be in love with her. There's no way it would ever work out between us. And another thing, why would she ever feel anything toward me? I'm just another man to her."
"She cares about you," Haldir retorted, "She told me that you meant something to her."
"Did she say she loved me?" Legolas asked.
"Well...no...but that doesn't mean-"
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Legolas shouted as he ran to his tent and threw himself down on his cot. As he stared up at nothing in particular, he thought about her. "Why is she always on my mind?" he asked himself, "Is it love?" He just rolled onto his side and closed his eyes to rest.
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A/N: I hope no one minds that I switched some parts around. Pippin singing was supposed to come first, but I didn't want to stay at Minas Tirith too long and not show what was happening with the other group. Please don't shoot me...I must meet Orlando Bloom first...*smirks*