The Growing Forces of Evil
Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR but my characters and plot are mine.
The trail was steep and cold though the weather didn't affect Legolas and I. I could however feel the tremors of shivers from the hobbits. They were not use to this weather. I was assisting Merry and Pippin when I heard Aragorn call Boromir's name. Curious, I stopped which caused the hobbits to halt. Legolas who was walking ahead of me turned to check my sudden stop. I felt his gaze avert my face to look past me.
What's happening done there?
Boromir has the ring
"What is the hold up?" Gimli said irritated. He, Sam and Bill had also stop to see what was going on. They were slightly ahead of the hobbits and I, followed by Gandalf who was at the very front. I didn't reply and listened.
"Boromir, give Frodo back the ring,"
"I care not for such a thing."
"Well."
"I have a name Master Dwarf and if you think me slow it is because I am helping the hobbits." I stated.
I heard a growl and smiled taking up the climb again. And so we reached one of the ledges and the wind was harsher blowing snow in every direction. Gandalf used his staff to clear a path and with him Gimli followed. The hobbits by pairs were tucked under the cloaks of Aragorn and Boromir. Legolas and I treaded lightly on the snow quickly overcoming the others. I tangled my fingers into my hair to rid the snowflakes in my bangs.
"Legolas do you hear that?" I immediately heard a voice of chanting through the wind.
"I hear a foul voice!" he cried out.
"Saruman!" Gandalf shouted. I turned to ask him how to counteract it but a loud rumbling sound was present above my head. Snow was coming down in chunks and it forced us to crouch near the wall of the mountain.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain, Gandalf we must turn back!" Aragorn yelled.
"No!" Gandalf protested.
He climbed up and raised his staff trying to counteract Saruman's voice. My hand strayed to the water bracelet on my wrist but another quickly plucked it.
"No, you know you cannot hold the mountain!" Legolas reasoned.
I was about to argue when lightning struck the mountain and this time snow was sliding towards us.
"Legolas! Gandalf, get him back!" I yelled.
My heart beat hard against my chest and I found it hard to breathe as the few seconds that Legolas ran over to Gandalf and pulled him to the wall beside him. By the time he reached my side, the pounding noise of snow echoed my ears and I fell into darkness.
It was like drowning except I wasn't. My body felt paralysed and any struggle made me feel weaker. Suddenly a pair of arms pulled me up holding me close.
"Meleth, are you alright?"
We stood emerged in snow up to our chest. I took a couple of shaky breaths.
"Yes, yes I am fine. Hurry we must get the others out."
One by one the fellowship emerged from the thick snow.
"We must get off the mountain, make for the Gap of Rohan to my city." Boromir suggested.
"Rohan leads us to close to Isenguard." Aragorn argued.
"If we can't pass the mountain, let us go under it, let's go to the mines of Moria." Gimli stated.
Moria, somehow Gandalf didn't seem comfortable with that.
"Let the ring bearer decide."
There was a moment as Frodo contemplated.
"We must get off, this will be the deaths of the hobbits." Boromir urged.
"Frodo." Gandalf directed.
"We will pass through the mines," he announced.
"So be it."
So we began to venture down the mountain. Later we made camp at the base of mountain. We had a small fire going and this would be one of our longer rests. I accepted a strip of dried meat from Aragorn and waited for night to approach. Legolas and I had been given the last watch.
"I do not wish to go through the mines," Legolas said during our watch.
I laid my hand over his.
"Nor do I, but we have no choice, not unless you want to be confronted by Saurman,"
"Nay, but I do not find comfort in the dark," he replied taking my hand and kissing it.
"Nor do I, meleth-nin,"
While the road was not too difficult to walk, there were many twists and turns aboard and I had to be led by Legolas.
"I have longed to see the Halls of Moria." Gimli sighed out loud to himself
"Then you shall see them for I desire to walk among the halls as well." I replied back. He was walking behind us and he seemed rather surprised that he halted.
"What do you know about them?" he asked suspiciously.
"Nothing for I only heard tales,"
"From whom"
"My father."
That seemed to shut him up.
We spoke no more after that and kept on moving. At last we reached the opening of the caves. The air was cold and I began to feel a sense of dread. I gripped Legolas' hand tightly as we walked closer into the opening of the cave.
I stood patiently by Legolas' side as Gandalf attempted to speak the words that would open the door. Nothing happened. After a few more minutes, the fellowship began to grow restless and scattered about.
"This is no place for a pony, even a pony as brave as Bill," I heard Aragorn's voice from across.
"Goodbye Bill," Sam said emotionally.
I glanced in Sam's direction before straying to Gandalf. He was still muttering, trying to figure out the password.
I twisted slightly in Legolas' arms. He seemed tense, but we both knew the reason for that.
"Do not fear, for I am with you." He whispered in my ear.
"That is not what I fear. Something is drawing me here. We must part once more, meleth-nin." I spoke softly tracing circles on his chest with my fingertips. His arms tightened around me as I said those last words.
He turned his head and placed a kiss into my hair.
"I will not allow it."
"But you must, you have pledged an oath to protect Frodo, you must not stray from that." I reasoned with him tracing the contours of his face.
"I don't wish to lose you again."
"You will not lose me," I assured.
He said nothing and after a pause he asked, "How will you know?"
"I am not sure, but I think we will both know when the time comes." I laid my head against his chest again.
I closed my eyes around me I could hear the gentle ripples of the water. Something dark lurked there. I was about to mention something to Legolas when I heard the sound of stone grating at each other. The door had been opened. We immediately rushed over and stood before the gates. Gandalf stepped in first and the rest of us followed suit.
"Soon Master Elf, you will enjoy a feast, red meat fresh from the fire. They called this place a mine… a mine!"
"This is no mine, it is a tomb." Boromir said.
"No, nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Gimli howled.
Feeling as I was being watched I turned around to the hobbits.
"Stick together."
"Goblins," Legolas said and drew out his bow and quiver.
Boromir and Aragorn both unsheathed their swords.
"We should have never come here," Boromir said.
I gripped the hilt of my sword and began to let out my senses. There was the smell of death everywhere but it was the earth that screamed it out the most.
Suddenly, I heard shouts from behind me.
"Strider!" Sam's voice called out.
I turned to follow out but a spray of water blasted me.
"Frodo!!!" the hobbits cried.
I was about to move out, but Legolas held me back.
"Stay back, we'll take care of this. Stay with Gandalf."
I waited for a few moments but then decided to go out. Outside, there were the cries of Frodo and a strange sea creature. I came upon the other hobbits that were standing at the edge of water.
"Sam. Merry, Pippin, inside quick!" I urged.
"Legolas!" Aragon's voice shouted.
"Aim for the face!" Boromir yelled as well. I knew Frodo was safe, so I ushered the hobbits to grab the supplies.
"Hurry, inside!" Gandalf said and we all ran in.
The creature re-emerged despite Legolas' shot and its tentacles began to slither closer. However its body would not fit and so the cave began to collapse and we were forced to run into the dark.
Harsh breaths. A hand reached mine.
I am here
"So it seems we are forced to take the long journey through Moria. Be alert, there are far more foul things lurking in the shadows," Gandalf warned and proceeded to lead us.
I walked behind Legolas, touching his shoulder or arm to guide my way. The pathways were narrow so we had to walk in a single line. There were sometimes enormous lengths of stairways and then Legolas would take my hand and lead me up. We had been walking for quite some time when Gandalf suddenly announced that he had no memory of the place. With the exception of Legolas, we all sat down around some rocks.
"Merry?" Pippin said.
"What?"
"I'm hungry," he said.
I was sitting next to the hobbits and couldn't help but feel sympathy for them. They were never used to these kinds of conditions.
"Just think about all the food you can eat once we get out of there, Pippin," I said.
He seemed to brighten up and starting chatting about food with Merry.
I forced a small smile on my face but it didn't last very long.
We are being followed
It is Gollum, what should we do about him?
Nothing, Gandalf must have good reason to let him follow
I wonder how long we will be here
Closer, come closer.
We wish to play.
I frowned. Where had that come from?
"Melethril?" Legolas questioned.
I waited a few more seconds and when I heard no more voices, I took Legolas' hand and we began to walk again.
"He remembered!" Merry rejoiced. I snapped quickly out of my mind speech and stood up along with the others.
"Behold the great realm and city of the Dwarrowdelf." Gandalf said.
"Well that's an eye opener," commented Sam.
It didn't take long before to pass through the great hall but suddenly Gimli left our group.
I let Legolas lead me to where Gimli had fled. When we reached the interior, Gimli was already weeping.
"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria. He is dead then, I feared it was so," Gandalf said regretfully
Closer, closer
I strayed from Legolas as Gandalf began to read the book. His voice was tense and hushed as I moved closer to the tomb. My fingers skimmed the cold surface.
Who are you?
You already know.
Where are you?
Come and play we'll show you
BANG!
I lost my train of thought and turned to that noise. It rattled and banged causing our faces to look in every direction.
We all seemed to hold our breaths and after a few moments everybody relaxed.
"Fool of a Took, next time throw yourself in," Gandalf snarled.
There was no time for sympathy for there was another sound.
BOOM. BOOM. We remained still.
"Orcs!" Legolas detected.
There was movement again.
"Stay with Gandalf," I heard Aragorn say to the hobbits.
I walked up to Legolas who was gathering up spare axes.
"Melethril, stay as close to Gandalf as you can," he said bending down to pick up axes to bar the door.
"Be careful." I replied.
He paused a moment to touch my cheek. "I will, now go."
I stood with the hobbits now, as we are stand waiting for them to come. Gimli came to his senses and was ready to fight. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas stood in front of us readying their weapons.
Melethril
You know my name as well
Of course, you are bound to earth and water you are bound to wind as wellHow do I find you?
Soon you'll be able to play with us"For the Shire!"
I snapped out again. This was the second time but I had no time to contemplate for orcs had broken in. I pulled my sword from its sheath and fought with the others. Time seemed blurred to me, I had heard the bellowing of a troll but paid no heed to it. I had other things on my mind. Orcs circled around me and the fight must have left me strayed from the others.
Behind youI spun around and plunged my sword into an orc. I leaned against a stone column and wiped my forehead. I heard an anguish cry. I ran towards it and discovered it was the troll. It had been defeated.
"What happened?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Thank the Valor! I have been looking for you," Legolas cried running to me.
"I was fighting some orcs back there," I gestured with my arm.
"Legolas, Melethril!" Gandalf called to us.
We went over to him and the rest of the fellowship was there. Frodo had been hurt but wearing Bilbo's gift of mithril, he survived.
BOOM! BOOM!
"Quickly, to the bridge of Khazad-Dum!" Gandalf said.
We fled running back through the way we came in. Within seconds we were surrounded by orcs. Legolas hovered protectively in front me preparing his bow.
BOOM! BOOM!
The orcs fled back into the tunnels and holes they had come from. However, it was something that scared them. We remained standing where we were waiting for Gandalf's command.
"What new devilry is this?" Boromir asked.
"A Balrog, this is beyond any of our skill, run!"
Closer closer closerTheir voices grew louder and clearer in my mind as we fled. I paid no attention to anything around me and I was lucky for Legolas lead me. At last we had reach the bridge and we began crossing.
"You cannot pass!"
I had reached the other side and I turned to hear Gandalf not with us.
"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow!" Gandalf spoke to the Balrog. A demon of evil so close to me and yet my mind was not set on that.
JumpI felt my feet move along the ground. The magic was so close to me. Someone gripped my arm. I stiffened and turned around. I had not wanted this moment to come.
"Let me go, Legolas." I urged.
"I can't." His voice was so full of sorrow.
"You must."
I took a step forward and another. He did not stop me but did not let go. Finally we reached a point where we could no longer hold onto each other.
Amin mela lle, LegolasI looked one last time in his direction and then turned to walk toward Gandalf. Before I could reach him, it was already too late.
"Fly, you fools," he sputtered and then he was gone. I ran to the spot where he was before.
Jump jump"Melethril," Aragorn tugged at my hand. I jerked it away.
"No, this is where we part Aragorn," I began to walk away from him.
"This is dangerous, you will have no one to protect you!" His words caused me to turn around.
"Legolas let me go, will you?" I asked. "You must make for Lothlorien, namaarie Aragorn"
"Namaarie, my dearest friend," he bid.
I walked straight until my toes curled over. I was at the edge.
Jump.
I took a deep breath and fell.
Author's Note: You may have noticed that I used dialogue from movie.
Amin mela lle- I love you
Namaarie- farewell (Quenya)
meleth-nin my love
meleth- love