"What madness drove them in there?" said Gimli as he peered
into the forest of Fangorn.
"They had no choice, and neither do we." Said Caitlin as she boldly marched into the forest.
Entering the forest, Caitlin was struck by its darkness, she had always been a great lover of nature, growing up she had spent most of her time running through the woods, her pant legs hiked up to around her knees so she wouldn't get them damp or dirty, but this forest had a feel the likes of which none she had ever been in had possessed. This forest felt strong, old, as if it had once seen beauty but now it had fallen into a deep depression.
They ran through, following the tracks of the hobbits. The ground was moist and the grass that covered many parts of the forest floor came up to her ankles. "These are strange tracks." Said Aragorn as he knelt down. "The air is so close in here." said Gimli "This forest is old, very old, full of anger, and memory." Commented Legolas as he searched the forest with his eyes.
"It is so dark, like the night." Said Caitlin, who clung to Asufelds reigns with her left hand. A noise rang through the forest trees, a sound like twisting metal, a rumbling through the very ground. Caitlin instinctively backed away, shrinking toward Legolas, backing into him and clasping his hand in her own. He squeezed her hand, comforting her without even a glance as they both peered up into the trees at the noise.
Gimli raised his ax and Caitlin suddenly rushed to him, forcing him to lower it. "NO Gimli, the trees have seen enough pain, you must not provoke them." She said looking up at the branches. "The trees have feelings my friend." Legolas said to Gimli "the elves began it, waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."
"Talking trees, what do trees have to talk about, except the consistency of squirrel droppings." Said Gimli somewhat annoyed. As they walked onward.
Aragorn handed Caitlin the reigns to the other horse as they continued. She kept on trying to remember if they had taken the horses into the forest during the movies. But she couldn't remember.
Legolas moved ahead of the group, he seemed alert and couscous as he moved over the ground.
"Aragorn, nadnoatas (something is out there)" said Legolas he said as Aragorn approached him from behind. Both men looked wearily at the forest ahead of them. As Caitlin and Gimli came toward them.
"The white wizard approaches." Said Legolas. His hand reached behind. He drew an arrow from its quiver, running his fingers along the fletching, slowly bringing it to the string.
Aragorn drew his sword. "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." Whispered Aragorn.
Caitlin started to draw her sword, but her fingers would not bring it out of the sheath, she could not bring herself to attack Gandalf.
She stood there, with her companions, their weapons at ready. "Caitlin draw your sword," said Gimli. Who gripped his axe with anticipation for the coming attack.
She looked to Aragorn and Legolas who were equally armed. She imagined the moment that Gandalf would appear, his voice echoing through the forest.
"My friends, lower your weapons." She whispered. Aragorn looked at her confused,
"What?" he asked her, still in bewilderment.
"A friend approaches, he will never nor has he ever been an enemy." She said.
Aragorn sheathed his sword, Legolas lowered his bow.
"I still feel it would be foolish to make myself defenseless" said Gimli gripping his ax. "But I trust you, my dear friend." He said as he to lowered his weapon.
Caitlin smiled and placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder, squeezing it with a warm sense of silent anticipation. Gandalf would reveal himself soon; her eyes became soft and teary as the white light covered their view. The shield their eyes from its brightness.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," he said, his voice dark and muffled.
Aragron steps forth. Confronting this unknown character of light and mystery. "Where are they." He demanded.
"They passed this way, the day before yesterday. Does that comfort you."
Aragorn came closer. "Who are you? Show yourself."
Caitlin was tortured with anticipation and she broke free of her friends, and ran to Gandalf, giving him a great hug as the light subsided.
She holds on to him, as the others are astonished. "Well now, hello to you as well." Said Gandalf, smiling brightly.
"It cannot be.you fell." Said Aragorn with disbelief as Legolas and Gimli bowed.
"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside."
Caitlin released him now, and stood next to him, as the others approached. She felt overwhelmed with joy, she did not know how much she had missed the old wizards wisdom by her side.
"Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."
"Gandalf!" said Aragorn.
"Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." He said with a smile
"Gandalf!" exclaimed Gimli
"I am Gandalf the White." He said, Aragorn smiled at his words. "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
They walked through the forest with Gandalf leading the way.
"It is so good to see you again," said Caitlin.
"Yes, my old friend," he sounded serious as though he were to say something of great importance, something he could have only learned of through cosmic intervention when he encountered death. They all stopped to listen.
"You speak?" He said with a twinkle in his eye.
She smiled brightly as they walked on once more.
"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
Once they were outside the forest, Gandalf whistled, piercing the air with the sound. Soon an answering neigh echoed in their direction, and a white stallion, galloped toward them, a light seemed to emanate from his body as he moved, swiftly and powerfully across the rolling hillside.
That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.
The horse slows and comes up to Gandalf allowing him to stroke the mane.
"Shadowfax." Said Gandalf. Caitlin was surprised to see Gimli bow upon hearing the horses name. "He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."
"We should rest for the night, Edoras shall have to wait till morning." Said Gandalf.
The walked beside the forest finding a curve in the rim of the forest. " Here is a good place to rest." Said Gimli, as he placed a pile of firewood in the canter.
Caitlin was exhausted not having rested for three days. She immediately laid her blanket out, intending to only set up the various blankets and sleeping arraignments for when it was time to sleep. She looked around finding that not much conversation was being had, everyone was quite tired. She lifted her arms and stretched then unbuckled her leather belt, with sword and dagger on them, placing them by her bed, for easy access. She then sat on her blanket and lifted her leg, letting out a small groan at the soreness and pain in her feet as she bent to untie her boots.
She pulled her boot off, feeling the cold air on her feet, the socks she wore were dirty from the small amount of dirt and sand that had gotten in her shoes and she unrolled them, shaking them out as she took them off. She wiggled her toes; her feet felt very free in the night air in addition to freezing.
Removed the tunic and her shoes and socks.
"Man, I need a bath." She whispered to herself as she rubbed her neck.
She hadn't bathed in four days, she was probably clean fro the average travelling person in middle earth, but she felt dirty, she hated her hair to feel this greasy.
The accommodations of earth and the 21st century were missed greatly in that moment. She had never considered herself prissy, she hadn't taken to much time in the morning with her look. But now..oh the things she would do for a gift basket of shampoo, message oil, a pillow, a toothbrush, a hair brush, a big mack, fries and a coke.
She realized that a big smile had crept across her face as she thought about "home", It wasn't just the amenities that modern hygiene could bring; it was also the sound of the toaster in the morning, the smell of that hideous cheap brew of coffee that her roommate insisted on making every morning. The way her cat crept onto her lap as she would write at the computer. Her cat patches would curl up on her at night and sleep practically on her face. Even her alarm, that damned thing that brought her up in the morning at 4 am so she could start her day, go running, do some yoga, she would often run to a small park, mostly covered in sand, and grass, the trees separated to create a beautiful open space. She would go there and watch the sunrise, a new days birth.
"You smile brightly." Said Legolas who approached her from behind, pulling her from her thoughts. "It is good to see you smile again." He said.
Caitlin smiled. "Have I not been smiling?" she asked with a light uncertainty.
"Not as you did in Lothlorien, you have been burdened with much, I did not realize just how much until Gandalf was revealed." He said, sitting down beside her.
" What do you mean?" she asked again.
"Caitlin, you knew, you knew that he had not died in Moria, yet, you could say nothing, you had to watch your friends suffer, then you had to watch Boromir die." He stroked her hair, caressing her cheek. "I am sorry, I did not take in the gravity of your responsibility?" he said.
"I have not seen that in you?" she said. "I have seen a loyal and caring man, who has given me much support and friendship." She said leaning toward him and touching his neck and shoulder.
She began to unconsciously rub his neck affectionately. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you." She said as she began to message his caller bone and shoulder, she did this so naturally, being a message therapist it was something she never even thought about. "You have been such a rock for me, a source of strength." She said as she continued. She looked at his eyes, then wandered down to his shoulder seeing that she was rubbing him. "Meanwhile, you are so tense," she said moving onto her knees, leaning over him and placing both her hands on his shoulders. She began to work at his muscles, moving her hands and adding pressure to the points of tension. "Where did all these knots come from." She said as she worked them even more.
Legoals looked at her, moving up to meet her level. He took her hands gently him his hands moving them from his shoulders. "w-what, do you not want a message?" she said confused that he had stopped her.
He held her hands close to his chest, bringing them up and blowing in them, to warm them.
" You are cold." He said taking her hands from his mouth and rubbing them together.
"Thank you, you warm them well." She said
The air was silent, and dim, and the light was swiftly leaving the sky. Legolas looked down at her hands, taking great care to warm every finger, his attention was captivated on his task.
Caitlin saw his attentiveness, the care and love he took in every aspect of his life. She was drawn to him. His voice, his courtesy, the way he gazed at the sky when he was contemplating, the small wrinkle that formed on the base of his forehead when he was agitated. She knew that she loved him, she knew ever since lothlorien, sense he so tenderly and lovingly helped her in the water. Her worst fear, the thing she was most terrified of. He hadn't done it FOR her, He also hadn't left her on her own, he had allowed her to take as many or as few steps toward courage as she had felt comfortable with, while still being right their to catch her if she fell. Someone so willing to let her be flawed. He inspired her to learn and grow, he made her want to be a better person, a better warrior, and friend, he showed her it was ok to be imperfect. He was as strong in heart as he was in body, courageous enough to show himself for who he truly was. She felt so comfortable with him, as though she had known him her whole life, even with the simplest of tasks it was just better with him.
She felt it must have show, that her emotions might have protruded outwards, onto her mannerisms and appearance, created a different flow in her hair, a look in her eyes, a move in her step. Had she kept her lingering looks upon him for to long, had her hand wandered to often to his side? She felt people surly have seen her desire, her feeling of interconnectedness. It was a tingle in her chest that branched out to fill her every movement and every gesture, a force in her soul that cried out to be released.
She watched as Legolas moved his hands to warm her arms. Had she wandered into disillusion so easily, as she gazed at him, constructed in an atmosphere of war, this deep well of caring and desire for him had arisen, she wanted to touch his face, to run her fingers along his jaw bone, to talk for hours of the calling sea and the pouring rain, to walk with him, hand and hand staring at the sky until they became dizzy, feel the moist grass beneath their bare feet, race across the plains together.
As he warmed her hands she could not keep herself apart from him, this distance of a few feet seemed a stretch of a thousand miles. She approached him slowly, taking her hand out of his grasp. She wrapped it around his neck and he lifted his head to looked up at her just as her face came close, and her lips caressed his, and she kissed him. Her lips lingering there... her body leaning over his. She brought her other hand up to his head. He wrapped his arms around her back and swiftly stood with her still in his arms, his arms completely wrapped around her as her feet dangled off the ground. Her untucked large shirt that hung to her knees crumpled in his embrace, showing her form. She breathed in, deepening the kiss, pressing his head against her own.
Wow they kissed, I wonder if legolas will be offended, he doesn't seem to be but you never know? :) ok, well this wasn't the greatest kissing scene, but I think it is sufficient for a first kiss anyway. Later things can get a little more steamy. Well I hope I have sufficiently satisfied the fans who have been waiting so long for them to have at least some kind of romance, well more romance to come, and more action, and more drama.
"They had no choice, and neither do we." Said Caitlin as she boldly marched into the forest.
Entering the forest, Caitlin was struck by its darkness, she had always been a great lover of nature, growing up she had spent most of her time running through the woods, her pant legs hiked up to around her knees so she wouldn't get them damp or dirty, but this forest had a feel the likes of which none she had ever been in had possessed. This forest felt strong, old, as if it had once seen beauty but now it had fallen into a deep depression.
They ran through, following the tracks of the hobbits. The ground was moist and the grass that covered many parts of the forest floor came up to her ankles. "These are strange tracks." Said Aragorn as he knelt down. "The air is so close in here." said Gimli "This forest is old, very old, full of anger, and memory." Commented Legolas as he searched the forest with his eyes.
"It is so dark, like the night." Said Caitlin, who clung to Asufelds reigns with her left hand. A noise rang through the forest trees, a sound like twisting metal, a rumbling through the very ground. Caitlin instinctively backed away, shrinking toward Legolas, backing into him and clasping his hand in her own. He squeezed her hand, comforting her without even a glance as they both peered up into the trees at the noise.
Gimli raised his ax and Caitlin suddenly rushed to him, forcing him to lower it. "NO Gimli, the trees have seen enough pain, you must not provoke them." She said looking up at the branches. "The trees have feelings my friend." Legolas said to Gimli "the elves began it, waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."
"Talking trees, what do trees have to talk about, except the consistency of squirrel droppings." Said Gimli somewhat annoyed. As they walked onward.
Aragorn handed Caitlin the reigns to the other horse as they continued. She kept on trying to remember if they had taken the horses into the forest during the movies. But she couldn't remember.
Legolas moved ahead of the group, he seemed alert and couscous as he moved over the ground.
"Aragorn, nadnoatas (something is out there)" said Legolas he said as Aragorn approached him from behind. Both men looked wearily at the forest ahead of them. As Caitlin and Gimli came toward them.
"The white wizard approaches." Said Legolas. His hand reached behind. He drew an arrow from its quiver, running his fingers along the fletching, slowly bringing it to the string.
Aragorn drew his sword. "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." Whispered Aragorn.
Caitlin started to draw her sword, but her fingers would not bring it out of the sheath, she could not bring herself to attack Gandalf.
She stood there, with her companions, their weapons at ready. "Caitlin draw your sword," said Gimli. Who gripped his axe with anticipation for the coming attack.
She looked to Aragorn and Legolas who were equally armed. She imagined the moment that Gandalf would appear, his voice echoing through the forest.
"My friends, lower your weapons." She whispered. Aragorn looked at her confused,
"What?" he asked her, still in bewilderment.
"A friend approaches, he will never nor has he ever been an enemy." She said.
Aragorn sheathed his sword, Legolas lowered his bow.
"I still feel it would be foolish to make myself defenseless" said Gimli gripping his ax. "But I trust you, my dear friend." He said as he to lowered his weapon.
Caitlin smiled and placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder, squeezing it with a warm sense of silent anticipation. Gandalf would reveal himself soon; her eyes became soft and teary as the white light covered their view. The shield their eyes from its brightness.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," he said, his voice dark and muffled.
Aragron steps forth. Confronting this unknown character of light and mystery. "Where are they." He demanded.
"They passed this way, the day before yesterday. Does that comfort you."
Aragorn came closer. "Who are you? Show yourself."
Caitlin was tortured with anticipation and she broke free of her friends, and ran to Gandalf, giving him a great hug as the light subsided.
She holds on to him, as the others are astonished. "Well now, hello to you as well." Said Gandalf, smiling brightly.
"It cannot be.you fell." Said Aragorn with disbelief as Legolas and Gimli bowed.
"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside."
Caitlin released him now, and stood next to him, as the others approached. She felt overwhelmed with joy, she did not know how much she had missed the old wizards wisdom by her side.
"Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."
"Gandalf!" said Aragorn.
"Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." He said with a smile
"Gandalf!" exclaimed Gimli
"I am Gandalf the White." He said, Aragorn smiled at his words. "And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
They walked through the forest with Gandalf leading the way.
"It is so good to see you again," said Caitlin.
"Yes, my old friend," he sounded serious as though he were to say something of great importance, something he could have only learned of through cosmic intervention when he encountered death. They all stopped to listen.
"You speak?" He said with a twinkle in his eye.
She smiled brightly as they walked on once more.
"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."
Once they were outside the forest, Gandalf whistled, piercing the air with the sound. Soon an answering neigh echoed in their direction, and a white stallion, galloped toward them, a light seemed to emanate from his body as he moved, swiftly and powerfully across the rolling hillside.
That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.
The horse slows and comes up to Gandalf allowing him to stroke the mane.
"Shadowfax." Said Gandalf. Caitlin was surprised to see Gimli bow upon hearing the horses name. "He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."
"We should rest for the night, Edoras shall have to wait till morning." Said Gandalf.
The walked beside the forest finding a curve in the rim of the forest. " Here is a good place to rest." Said Gimli, as he placed a pile of firewood in the canter.
Caitlin was exhausted not having rested for three days. She immediately laid her blanket out, intending to only set up the various blankets and sleeping arraignments for when it was time to sleep. She looked around finding that not much conversation was being had, everyone was quite tired. She lifted her arms and stretched then unbuckled her leather belt, with sword and dagger on them, placing them by her bed, for easy access. She then sat on her blanket and lifted her leg, letting out a small groan at the soreness and pain in her feet as she bent to untie her boots.
She pulled her boot off, feeling the cold air on her feet, the socks she wore were dirty from the small amount of dirt and sand that had gotten in her shoes and she unrolled them, shaking them out as she took them off. She wiggled her toes; her feet felt very free in the night air in addition to freezing.
Removed the tunic and her shoes and socks.
"Man, I need a bath." She whispered to herself as she rubbed her neck.
She hadn't bathed in four days, she was probably clean fro the average travelling person in middle earth, but she felt dirty, she hated her hair to feel this greasy.
The accommodations of earth and the 21st century were missed greatly in that moment. She had never considered herself prissy, she hadn't taken to much time in the morning with her look. But now..oh the things she would do for a gift basket of shampoo, message oil, a pillow, a toothbrush, a hair brush, a big mack, fries and a coke.
She realized that a big smile had crept across her face as she thought about "home", It wasn't just the amenities that modern hygiene could bring; it was also the sound of the toaster in the morning, the smell of that hideous cheap brew of coffee that her roommate insisted on making every morning. The way her cat crept onto her lap as she would write at the computer. Her cat patches would curl up on her at night and sleep practically on her face. Even her alarm, that damned thing that brought her up in the morning at 4 am so she could start her day, go running, do some yoga, she would often run to a small park, mostly covered in sand, and grass, the trees separated to create a beautiful open space. She would go there and watch the sunrise, a new days birth.
"You smile brightly." Said Legolas who approached her from behind, pulling her from her thoughts. "It is good to see you smile again." He said.
Caitlin smiled. "Have I not been smiling?" she asked with a light uncertainty.
"Not as you did in Lothlorien, you have been burdened with much, I did not realize just how much until Gandalf was revealed." He said, sitting down beside her.
" What do you mean?" she asked again.
"Caitlin, you knew, you knew that he had not died in Moria, yet, you could say nothing, you had to watch your friends suffer, then you had to watch Boromir die." He stroked her hair, caressing her cheek. "I am sorry, I did not take in the gravity of your responsibility?" he said.
"I have not seen that in you?" she said. "I have seen a loyal and caring man, who has given me much support and friendship." She said leaning toward him and touching his neck and shoulder.
She began to unconsciously rub his neck affectionately. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you." She said as she began to message his caller bone and shoulder, she did this so naturally, being a message therapist it was something she never even thought about. "You have been such a rock for me, a source of strength." She said as she continued. She looked at his eyes, then wandered down to his shoulder seeing that she was rubbing him. "Meanwhile, you are so tense," she said moving onto her knees, leaning over him and placing both her hands on his shoulders. She began to work at his muscles, moving her hands and adding pressure to the points of tension. "Where did all these knots come from." She said as she worked them even more.
Legoals looked at her, moving up to meet her level. He took her hands gently him his hands moving them from his shoulders. "w-what, do you not want a message?" she said confused that he had stopped her.
He held her hands close to his chest, bringing them up and blowing in them, to warm them.
" You are cold." He said taking her hands from his mouth and rubbing them together.
"Thank you, you warm them well." She said
The air was silent, and dim, and the light was swiftly leaving the sky. Legolas looked down at her hands, taking great care to warm every finger, his attention was captivated on his task.
Caitlin saw his attentiveness, the care and love he took in every aspect of his life. She was drawn to him. His voice, his courtesy, the way he gazed at the sky when he was contemplating, the small wrinkle that formed on the base of his forehead when he was agitated. She knew that she loved him, she knew ever since lothlorien, sense he so tenderly and lovingly helped her in the water. Her worst fear, the thing she was most terrified of. He hadn't done it FOR her, He also hadn't left her on her own, he had allowed her to take as many or as few steps toward courage as she had felt comfortable with, while still being right their to catch her if she fell. Someone so willing to let her be flawed. He inspired her to learn and grow, he made her want to be a better person, a better warrior, and friend, he showed her it was ok to be imperfect. He was as strong in heart as he was in body, courageous enough to show himself for who he truly was. She felt so comfortable with him, as though she had known him her whole life, even with the simplest of tasks it was just better with him.
She felt it must have show, that her emotions might have protruded outwards, onto her mannerisms and appearance, created a different flow in her hair, a look in her eyes, a move in her step. Had she kept her lingering looks upon him for to long, had her hand wandered to often to his side? She felt people surly have seen her desire, her feeling of interconnectedness. It was a tingle in her chest that branched out to fill her every movement and every gesture, a force in her soul that cried out to be released.
She watched as Legolas moved his hands to warm her arms. Had she wandered into disillusion so easily, as she gazed at him, constructed in an atmosphere of war, this deep well of caring and desire for him had arisen, she wanted to touch his face, to run her fingers along his jaw bone, to talk for hours of the calling sea and the pouring rain, to walk with him, hand and hand staring at the sky until they became dizzy, feel the moist grass beneath their bare feet, race across the plains together.
As he warmed her hands she could not keep herself apart from him, this distance of a few feet seemed a stretch of a thousand miles. She approached him slowly, taking her hand out of his grasp. She wrapped it around his neck and he lifted his head to looked up at her just as her face came close, and her lips caressed his, and she kissed him. Her lips lingering there... her body leaning over his. She brought her other hand up to his head. He wrapped his arms around her back and swiftly stood with her still in his arms, his arms completely wrapped around her as her feet dangled off the ground. Her untucked large shirt that hung to her knees crumpled in his embrace, showing her form. She breathed in, deepening the kiss, pressing his head against her own.
Wow they kissed, I wonder if legolas will be offended, he doesn't seem to be but you never know? :) ok, well this wasn't the greatest kissing scene, but I think it is sufficient for a first kiss anyway. Later things can get a little more steamy. Well I hope I have sufficiently satisfied the fans who have been waiting so long for them to have at least some kind of romance, well more romance to come, and more action, and more drama.