A/N; Most of the characters and their words are courtesy of J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm just borrowing and trying to give them back in as good as, if not better, condition than I got them.
Chapter 2:The Southern Path
We walked in darkness after leaving Rivendell, having had but one last look at its lights twinkling below us before heading on into the darkness of the night. We left the road at the ford of Bruinen, turning southwards instead, travelling, by narrow paths amid the folded land. We planned to hold our course west of the Mountains for days, passing through country much rougher and more barren than any we had travelled through before. Our going would be slow, but we hoped to avoid the spies of Sauron in such a fashion. Spies had seldom been seen in this country, and few outside of Rivendell knew of these paths.
Gandalf led the way through the country, Aragorn aiding him; for the Ranger knew this land, even in the dark. Gimli followed these two, then the four hobbits, then Boromir. Legolas and I were the rearguard, having the keenest eyes, even in full dark. The journey was long, and the land merciless on our bodies. My mind numbed, and the nights seemed to pass in a haze. At daybreak we stopped for rest, always in a sheltered place where unfriendly eyes could not see us without coming right up to our sleeping places.
The days were most memorable to me. Legolas and I would lie together and speak quietly; most often not about the quest he was on, but about simple things: people we both knew, places we had been, and the history of the world as we knew it. We took our watches in pairs, each group watching for an hour and a half. That gave everyone six hours of rest between shifts. The last watch always raised the entire group just before the sun went down, and we would eat a meal, generally cold and cheerless for we seldom risked a fire.
The land was harder on the hobbits than any, and often Legolas, Aragorn or Boromir would be forced to carry them when they collapsed from exhaustion. Steadily the mountains drew closer, yet the further south we went, the taller they seemed to get. About the feet of the mountains the landscape was one of bleak hills, treacherous swamps and deep valleys filled with turbulent waters.
We walked a fortnight in wind before the weather changed. The wind fell, then veered round to the south, bringing with it a vestige of warmth. The clouds lifted away to reveal a pre-dawn sky, clear and grey. We reached a low ridge just as the sky above the mountains began to be tinged with red from the rising sun. The ridge was crowned with ancient holly-trees whose grey-green trunks seemed to be made of the same stone as the hills. Their dark leaves and red berries glowed in the light of the rising sun.
In the south the range of mountains continued, now seeming to cut across the path that we were walking. To the east of the range rose three great peaks. The nearest to us, also the tallest, was glowing red where the sunlight hit it.
"We have done well," said Gandalf, stopping beside Frodo and shading his eyes with a hand. "We have reached the borders of the country that Men call Hollin; many Elves lived here in happier days, when Eregion was its name. Five-and-forty leagues as the crow flies we have come, though many long miles further our feet have walked. The land and the weather will be milder now, but perhaps all the more dangerous."
"Dangerous or not, a real sunrise is mighty welcome," said Frodo, throwing back his hood to allow the light to hit his face.
"But the mountains are ahead of us," said the smallest of the hobbits, Pippin. "We must have turned eastward in the night."
"No," replied Gandalf, his eyes fixed on the three easterly mountains. "But you see further in the clear light. Beyond those peaks the range bends south-west. There are many maps in Elrond's house, but I suppose you never thought to look at them?"
"Yes I did, sometimes," said Pippin, lifting his chin slightly. "But I don't remember them. Frodo has a better head for that sort of thing."
"I need no map," said Gimli, cresting the ridge with Legolas beside him. My love came to stand beside me as the dwarf continued, a strange light in his deep eyes. "There is the land where our fathers worked of old, and we have wrought the image of those mountains into many works of metal and stone, and into many songs and tales. They stand tall in our dreams: Baraz, Zirak, Shathûr.
"Only once before have I seen them from afar in waking life, but I know them and their names, for under them lies Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue. Yonder stands Barazinbar, the Redhorn, cruel Caradhras; and beyond him are Silvertine and Cloudyhead, Celebdil the White and Fanuidhol the Grey, that we call Zirakzigil and Bundushathûr.
"There the Misty Mountains divide, and between their arms lies the deep-shadowed valley which we cannot: Azanulbizar, the Dimrill Dale, which the Elves call Nanduhirion."
"It is for the Dimrill Dale that we are making," said Gandalf, regarding Gimli steadily. "If we climb the pass that is called the Redhorn Gate, under the far side of Caradhras, we shall come down by the Dimrill Stair into the deep vale of the Dwarves. There lies the Mirrormere, and there the River Silverlode rises in its icy springs."
"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram," said Gimli, "and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla. My heart trembles at the thought that I may see them soon."
"May you have joy of the sight, my good dwarf," replied Gandalf. "But whatever you may do, we at least cannot stay in that valley. We must go down the Silverlode into the secret woods, and so to the Great River, and then -" he paused.
"Yes, and where then?" asked Merry, the other of the younger hobbits.
"To the end of the journey-in the end," said Gandalf finally. "We cannot look too far ahead. Let us be glad that the first stage is safely over. I think we will rest here, not only today but tonight as well. There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there."
That is true," said Legolas, slipping an arm about my waist as if seeking comfort. I understood, I could feel something strange as well. "But the Elves of this land were of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone. They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago."
We lit a fire in a hollow surrounded and partially covered by holly bushes; and for once had a warm meal. We lingered about the fire for a while; we were in no rush to sleep, having all of a day and night, and another day to rest. The hobbits were chattering loudly with Gandalf about a place called the Shire, Boromir and Gimli were comparing the merits of many different weapons, and Legolas and I were sitting quietly in the sun, simply enjoying the feeling of being near each other without any pressing needs to tear us apart. The Man Aragorn was the only one in our company who was not resting; he soon got up and left the hollow to stand in the shadow of a tree, looking south-western and posed as if he were listening. After a while he returned to look down on us.
"What is the matter, Strider?" Merry called up to him, using one of his other names. "What are you looking for? Do you miss the East Wind?"
"No indeed," Aragorn answered, still unnerved. "But I miss something. I have been in the country of Hollin in many seasons. No folk dwell here now, but many other creatures live here at all times, especially birds. Yet now all but you are silent. I can feel it. There is no sound for miles about us, and your voices seem to make the ground echo. I do not understand it." I exchanged glances with Legolas as the Man finished. That was what we had felt.
Gandalf looked up in interest-and what seemed to be a slight fear. "But what do you guess is the reason?" the wizard asked. "Is there more in it than surprise at seeing four hobbits, not to mention the rest of us, where people are so seldom seen or heard?"
"I hope that is it," replied Aragorn. "But I have a sense of watchfulness, and of fear, that I have never had here before."
"I have felt this, as has Legolas," I said. Gandalf turned to me, ready to ask a question. I answered it before he even had to ask it. "We chose not to speak of it so as not to alarm any of the Company; as we knew not whether it was normal or not. We have each only passed through here once, and are not familiar with the feel of this country."
"Then we must be more careful," said Gandalf. "If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him, especially the Ranger is Aragorn. We must stop talking aloud, rest quietly, and set the watch." We all nodded, then broke apart to finish our separate tasks around camp before settling down to sleep.
That day it was the hobbit Sam's turn to take watch first, and with him stood Aragorn. I was the last apart from them to slip into hiding, and as I did, I noted that they stood not far from a giant boulder. I pushed myself as far into the crevice I had chosen as a resting place as I could, stopping only when I came into contact with a warm body behind me. Long arms wrapped around my waist and Legolas pulled me close.
"How is it," he murmured in my ear, "that you always manage to choose the same hiding place as me?" I laughed softly in response and turned around so I was facing him.
"It would be pure luck, I suppose, but for the fact that this is the first time our meeting is not planned." Legolas chuckled at the truth in this, and drew me yet closer until our bodies were pressed tightly together. We arranged ourselves as comfortably as possible; each supporting and being cushioned by the other. Once we were settled, I looked up at him quietly, waiting for him to speak the words I sensed him rolling at the back of his mind. He saw me watching him, and gave me a smile.
"I would not like to be nosy, but I must admit that I am curious," he said, seeming somewhat abashed. "How is it that you will be taken in at Lórien, and yet seem so important and at home in Rivendell? Why are you so well known to Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel, and yet I had not heard your name spoken before I met you?"
"There are only complex answers to those simple questions, I am afraid, though they are answers indeed. The simplest answer I can give you is that I am the sole descendant of the Dispossessed living in Middle-Earth, although I and my two nearest forebearers have repudiated the deeds of our house." I saw as much as felt my love's jaw drop, but I understood his astonishment. As far as most of the Elder Race knew, the last of my house to live in Middle-Earth had been Celebrimbor, who had died in a raid on Eregion made by Sauron in 1697 of the Second Age. But it was not as all presumed, and the house of Fëanor lived on.
"How is this possible," Legolas asked. I sighed, knowing that I would now have to tell the entire story.
"It is simpler than you would think, my love. Fëanor had seven sons; Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod and Amras. It is well known that Curufin also had a son, Celebrimbor. It is not well known that Amras had a daughter, albeit an illegitimate one. That daughter was my grandmother, Sulwing. She in her turn bore my mother Eafalassë. And so did my mother bear me. Both my mother and grandmother renounced the deed of their forekin, and in doing so opened themselves to loving those of the Avari. Both married Silvan elves and in doing so have diluted our blood, which, while noble because it is Noldorin, is tainted with the deeds of our predecessors. My grandsire, Gloroch, was uneasy with my grandmother's line until she reassured him that she has indeed renounced it. My father, Kirlad, was less suspicious, yet still wary. They have all gone to join Mandos in his halls now, leaving me as the last of a line. Sulwing and Gloroch died together in the year 1697 of the Second Age. Sauron killed them in his raid on Eregion, and it was pure luck that I and my parents were not there, or I would have died when I was but five Edain years. My parents died later, my mother during the battle of Dagorlad in Second Age 3434, my father near the end of the Siege of Barad-dur, in Second Age 3440. Thus I am the only one left, as both my mother and grandmother were only children, and Fëanor's sons had no other offspring." My speech done, I fell silent, knowing that there was naught I could say to influence how my love took my words.
His long silence ate away at my confidence, twisting my heart into knots. I dropped my gaze away from his face, feeling as though I waited for the judgement that would bring either doom or joy. Of a sudden I felt his mood change, going from thoughtful to accepting in a matter of seconds. My heart rose in my throat as he wrapped his arms around me and smiled, for I knew that my line mattered not to him.
"A Elenári, I cannot hold you responsible for what your forekin have done," he said, "for then I would have to hold myself responsible for what mine have done. You are not they and yet already you have done much to repay a debt that is not yours. I shall talk no more of this if you so wish, for I can see that it disturbs you." My murmured assent was enough to keep him from speaking any more of my heritage, indeed it was enough to keep him from speaking of aught else at all, for moments later I brought my mouth to his, my relief burning through me. At first he was surprised at my sudden passion, for we had not yet shared more than our love, but I allowed all of my emotions to show in my eyes, and, reading them, he relaxed and returned my love with love of his own.
That kiss was the spark that set our passion burning, and within moments we had each acknowledged both our own and the other's needs. I knew Legolas was likely no stranger to the female body, but I, for all my years more, knew little of what was to happen next. He sensed this and, gently, raised my chin with a finger kiss me. He moved slowly with me, breaking the kiss and beginning to caress me, but not removing any clothing. My heart beat quickly within my chest, seeming to me as though it wished to be free of its entrapment. I closed my eyes, lavishing in the joy I found in depriving myself of one of my primary senses, thereby increasing what I felt from all my other senses.
Of a sudden there was a commotion outside. I could hear Aragorn issue a sharp command to Sam, then faint sounds, as though they were hiding. Mere moments passed before I heard a croak, then silence for a while longer. Finally I could hear Aragorn and Sam stirring, then their footsteps crunching on the ground as they made their way to Gandalf's sleeping place. My eyes met Legolas' and I could see that he knew the same thing as I did.
"Crebain from Fangorn and Dunland. They are tracking us, I know it." His voice was worried, I could hear it, but I paid no heed to it. I could feel my mind slipping from my body, as it was wont to do when I was about to have a vision.
"Hold hard, mela. Tel'elea tulien." The Sight comes My words told him that my prophecy was coming on full force, and he kept silent. I closed my eyes and submitted completely to the Sight. My body shook and the blood in my ears roared as the vision came upon my mind. A wizard dressed entirely in white ordered minions of the dark; and aged ent walked among the trees of a great forest; a great horse, one of the Mearas, running swift as the wind over the plains of Rohan; a darkness that lingered somewhere nearby, seeking only to devour light. The scenes flickered through my mind, but the overall picture was that of a great struggle between light and dark; the one we were involved in now. The vision left me, and I returned to Legolas' worried eyes.
"Mani elee lle?" What did you See he asked. My heart pounded with fear, and I began to push myself out of the crevice.
"Amin caela a'ele Mithrandir," I must see Mithrandir I gasped out. Legolas nodded and followed me out of the crevice. Together we raced towards Gandalf's resting place. Aragorn was still there, and seemed to be surprised to see us arrive.
"Mani naa ta?" What is it Gandalf asked, somehow sensing my fear.
"Ra'ksh naa sinome," I said. "Lye caela a'kel." Great evil is her. We must leave
"Lye keluva ie'annun," Gandalf said, and I relaxed. We leave at sunset
"Mankoi il'sii?" Aragorn asked. Why not now
"I'erealle anta ron esta," Gandalf answered. "Lye caela a'ona sen tanya." The little ones need their rest. We must give them that.
"Annun, n'uma telwain," Aragorn said, then left. Sunset, no later
"Ro quena nomin," I said, turning to Gandalf. "Lye caela a'il esta an." He speaks wisdom. We must not rest long
"Lye caela a'il lav Frodo ala laiwa," he replied. "Sii keluva, lav amin esta." We must not let Frodo grow sick. Now go, let me rest
I bowed to his will, and left with Legolas.
"Nae tanya mani lle merne?" Legolas asked me once we were out of hearing. Was that what you wanted
"Neya faarea," I said. "Ilya amin merna naa a'kel." Near enough. All I want is to leave As we neared the giant boulder I had noticed earlier I turned to him.
"Amin ume esta sinome yassen i'vakhar." I will stay here with the guardians He nodded.
"Amin ume esta yassen lle," he said. I will stay with you Together we joined Aragorn and Sam at their watch. Sam barely noticed we were there, but Aragorn turned to us.
"Lye caela a'kel sii," he said. We must leave now
"Lye caela a'last a'Mithrandir," I replied. We must listen to Mithrandir Aragorn turned away slightly.
"Amin caela engwar tyavar ten'sina," he muttered. I have ill feelings for this I agreed with him completely.
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Many thanks to my first reviewer, Kira of Tirmal. You can thank her for the English subtitles to the Elvish, and a few slight changes. Just a note to you Kira, Legolas' eyes in the movie are supposed to be blue, but appear brown because Orlando Bloom has brown eyes. If you watch TTT you see that his eyes are actually blue, but very dark. But that's besides the point. This is based on the books, and the book never says anything about his eye or hair colour so I assumed that he took after his father Thranduil, who is said to have blond hair and blue eyes in the Hobbit.