Author's Note:
Hmmmm. *tries to think of something to postpone the chapter more* Nope! Nothing happened in my life. Well, Spades knows what happened. and I think *she* should tell you, not me. I helped her on a story, which by the way is a brilliant idea. ^^ It was fun! First ever that anyone has come to me with an idea and asked if I like it. *is awestruck* Gaaaaaahhh.. It is very awesome.
I have 96 reviews! 96! Wooooo! *happy dance* This is my first story and I have 96 reviews? *faints* x.x .. *pops back up* Well, I can stay passed out because I have a story to update! And, well. luvvicks would kill me if I didn't. *bows to luvvicks* Not the donuts! Eeee! *screams in terror* I do have to ask you one thing, How was the fish for breakfast?
Alright, unfortunately, I have no more Author's Note to write. for once. Wait! I will be giving some physical land features. I apologize for any mistakes! -.- I am not a Middle Earth expert etc. etc! General ramblings to reviewers where? *a mixed cry echoes from the small audience* Thank you! At the bottom! And now, I give you Chapter 11, the number after 10 but before 12.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chapter 11: More Trailing
Aragorn and Gandalf rode atop Shadowfax, whose hooves left little or no trace that it had even been there. The air seemed to be fresher and more welcoming than it had the previous night. With the knowledge of the prince having survived filled the ranger with a new sense of hope that drove him onward. The man continually peered at the grassy ground that was smashed, torn up, and various our things. At the current moment, boulders lined the king's side views and knew that if the rail continued in the same way, then he and the wizard would arrive at the Misty Mountains, but they were only but a little less than a half day's ride away from the rocky eastern border of Eriador. The rugged man let out a small sigh of relief at this. Rivendell dwelled on the other side of the mountains and if either of his companions had been injured, then it would take long to get them to Elrond and aid.
Gandalf knew not of what the younger man was pondering, but at the sigh he heard, he assumed it could be good. The wizard's cloak billowed out behind him as they rode on and the sun smiled down upon the two riders. The day was beautiful, crisp, and clear. A perfect day for tracking. The trail was still fresh, which made it easier to follow. The younger of the two raised an eyebrow when they came to an area where the grass was covered in a blanket of dark blood, which obviously did not belong to a dwarf or an elf. An ugly orc head lay several feet from its body.
"Gandalf," he murmured. "Stop here, just for but a moment."
"As you wish, young Elessar," the wizard replied. "But do not take more than your moment, we must make has if we are to find Gimli and Legolas."
"Haste?" Asked Estel. "It is still early in the day. The sun is shining, the sky blue."
"Do you wish to find your friends?" Inquired the Istari.
The king nodded curtly, he had already known the fact, but not quite comprehended that. It was true they needed to find them and he could not slow their pace. He slid from the horse's back swiftly, almost as fluidly and gracefully as an elf. He quickly crossed the area between Shadowfax and the decapitated orc. The ranger let his hands scan the earth before he turned to a particularly interesting patch of nature. He traced and retraced the area many times with his calloused hands.
"They stopped here," he said to himself more than to Gandalf. "Wait, paused would define it better. Not for long though, they moved on shortly after a small conflict and."
Aragorn slid forward a little, dropping to his knees, cutting short his statement. The ground was puzzling the man. There was a small area that appeared to be untouched, surrounded by heavily trodden grass that carried the footprints that were a characteristic or orcs. The small area was the only place that he could see in the surrounding soil that was standing nearly straight up, except for a small piece that was a little more bent than its neighbors. He easily saw that this signified that something had jumped, catching the edge of that single blade of the green plant. Strider allowed his eyes to drift a little farther along and saw that the outline of a leg, upper calf, was indented into the grass, with heavy footprints leading away from it. The something had jumped onto a lighter being, and easily broken the lighter one's leg. The king had no questions as to who that lighter being was.
The ranger drew himself up from the ground and strode back to Mithrandir, warily eyeing the torn soil. He avoided looking at the patch again. The man tried not to let his heart despair as he remounted Gandalf's steed. The white wizard gave the stallion a gentle nudge with his legs and they continued down the trail.
*~*~*~*~*
Gimli awoke to a steady thrum that echoes through his head. He was greatly surprised at what he saw when he opened his eyes. The two companions were in a dimly-lit room with completely solid black and blank walls. Not a single painting or item of décor hung from them. The ground was littered with various pitchers, bowls, ladles, mortars and pestles, and at the far end of the room, he saw a circular opening in the grim, stone floor. It emitted a pale sea blue glow. On the ceiling, a reflection of a fluid rippled across it, although there was no wind to blow it. The ripples caressed the otherwise dark stone, giving it an eerie glow. Silence hung heavy in the air, making every breath he took sound as loud as a freight train. The dwarf was reminded of his time in the Golden Wood. Haldir had said that he could've shot the stout being in the dark. The dwarf had to smile at that.
His smile quickly faded when he looked up again and spotted Legolas standing at the edge of the opening, transfixed by the site he saw. The blonde's hair was thrown about his face, as if some wild animal had tried to braid his hair. The elf's still bare back was to him. Not even a small scar remained of the wound that had killed the prince just moments before. His leggings were ragged and his normally fine boots let off a thick odor which was obviously the smell of blood. This was no surprise, for the archer's boots were now a dark crimson, stained by his own blood. The blonde must have felt the dwarf's gaze on him, for he turned to face his companion.
Gimli was shocked by the elf's face and torso. Legolas's face was a ghastly white, and his face was sunken it. No longer charming and sweet, but it gave him a skeletal appearance. His skin had lost its healthy glow and seemed to be the only thing that covered his bones. His chest was covered in what appeared to be black moss or fungus that was spreading from a dark lump over his heart. The dwarf gasped at this. It was worse than before. The demon was taking control mentally *and* physically. But, something confused him. If the demon wanted only a strong host, then why did the elf look so thin and weak?
"Legolas." He murmured, his voice coloured with concern.
"What is happening to me?" came the prince's voice, full of sorrow.
The dwarf knew the source of that sorrow. The elf had always hated being weak and vulnerable. That was what normally made him stubborn. To him, to be a weakling and to have to depend on a friend too much, was a death sentence to that person. It pained the stout being to see his fair companion so thin, . stretched as if there suddenly wasn't enough skin to cover him. The blonde took a step and the shorter of the two saw that the archer's boots were easily too big for him and that the prince had tightened his belt several notches to keep his leggings around his nauseously thin waist.
"Are you alright?" He asked the dwarf, who was still on the ground amidst the presence of two pitchers, each filled with a pale blue liquid.
The stout being had been in pure shock. The elf had been naturally worried that his companion had sustained lasting injuries, but he was only surprised at the blonde's appearance.
"I am fine," came a short reply. The bearded one moved into a sitting position.
His body was sore and felt as if an orc was sitting on him. Bruises were sprouting everywhere on his body, making his skin a dark purple. Legolas meandered towards his companion, looking like the living dead. His boots came off after only a few steps, the archer; however, took no notice. He continued on barefoot before sitting down very ungracefully, which sent a rattle through his nearly bare limbs. It was then when he asked a question that neither of them could answer.
"What do we do now?"
*~*~*~*~*
Heeey! ^^ That was an okay sized chapter, . compared to chapter 6. Well, onto the general ramblings I warned you about! *hands skittles to all the reviewers* I love you!
Orlandofan13: Evil? Well, yes! If you hadn't already figured that out. Thank you for the compliment!
JUST JORDY: Thank you! Yes, I am sinister! I have even perfected the laugh! Lol *laughs maniacally*
Luvvicks: A few pieces of advice. Don't eat donuts, they make you hyper! Jesus Christ! You were bouncing off the walls on Monday. Piece two, don't eat fish for breakfast. Fish don't like to be eaten, they like to swim around! Piece three, You'll eventually learn how to laugh! ^^
Star-Stallion: YES! Inside joke! ^^ I love them. Tee hee! Did you really think that I'd kill him off this early in the story? Well, if you did.. you're wrong! He still has a lot more to live through.
Mogcat: Yes, I know. I'm sorry if you didn't like that. I did leave a warning at the beginning of the story saying that I might be graphic. The soundtrack makes you cry too! I'm not alone! ^^
Legolas' Cousin: ^^ *listens to all the evil things being said* I *am* evil. It feels so good to be evil. I told you needed Kleenexes! You doubted me? =P Misty Mountains!
Amael: Thank you for the compliments! Also, for the clarification on the Elvish. I know Elvish as well as most people know Iraqi, I don't. I will try to make that more clear. Thank you for telling me that.
Gwyn: Thank you! I *am* sorry the spiders didn't seem real u.u I just have problems like that. I'm not that good of a writer, so grammar would be kinda bad. I just don't think that my story deserves a beta reader, it's .well. I've started this argument many a time with other reviewers, so I'll just zip my lips. *pulls out zipper*
Elfmage: Yes, 'tis the evil cliffie! Mwahahahaha! Thank you so much! I love to get such encouragement! ^^ It makes me so happy! =D It makes me want to update quicker! Ah ha ha ha, no. Actually, only my Language Arts class and no homework can make my update come quicker. but sometimes that homework can wait. *winks* Did you seriously nearly fall off your chair? I'm sorry for any injuries!
IMS Chess Maniac: Thank you! ^^ You're too kind!
Colagreenleaf: Thank you! You really thought I did Gandalf well? Hmmma..
Peppylongstocking: Thank you for that help there! I needed it. Gimli couldn't stay a Halfling forever. even if we wanted him to!
Wow! 16 reviews for this chapter alone! O.o Wow.. Well, I hope you liked this installment of this story! By the way, I am doodling out the covers for the story and may have them uploaded. If I do I will probably stick the links in my bio. I will have you vote on which one you want, because I have multiple covers and can't decide which to use. Another note, these are not very good drawings so please, PLEASE don't criticize me on them, alright? Thanks!
Dha
Hmmmm. *tries to think of something to postpone the chapter more* Nope! Nothing happened in my life. Well, Spades knows what happened. and I think *she* should tell you, not me. I helped her on a story, which by the way is a brilliant idea. ^^ It was fun! First ever that anyone has come to me with an idea and asked if I like it. *is awestruck* Gaaaaaahhh.. It is very awesome.
I have 96 reviews! 96! Wooooo! *happy dance* This is my first story and I have 96 reviews? *faints* x.x .. *pops back up* Well, I can stay passed out because I have a story to update! And, well. luvvicks would kill me if I didn't. *bows to luvvicks* Not the donuts! Eeee! *screams in terror* I do have to ask you one thing, How was the fish for breakfast?
Alright, unfortunately, I have no more Author's Note to write. for once. Wait! I will be giving some physical land features. I apologize for any mistakes! -.- I am not a Middle Earth expert etc. etc! General ramblings to reviewers where? *a mixed cry echoes from the small audience* Thank you! At the bottom! And now, I give you Chapter 11, the number after 10 but before 12.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chapter 11: More Trailing
Aragorn and Gandalf rode atop Shadowfax, whose hooves left little or no trace that it had even been there. The air seemed to be fresher and more welcoming than it had the previous night. With the knowledge of the prince having survived filled the ranger with a new sense of hope that drove him onward. The man continually peered at the grassy ground that was smashed, torn up, and various our things. At the current moment, boulders lined the king's side views and knew that if the rail continued in the same way, then he and the wizard would arrive at the Misty Mountains, but they were only but a little less than a half day's ride away from the rocky eastern border of Eriador. The rugged man let out a small sigh of relief at this. Rivendell dwelled on the other side of the mountains and if either of his companions had been injured, then it would take long to get them to Elrond and aid.
Gandalf knew not of what the younger man was pondering, but at the sigh he heard, he assumed it could be good. The wizard's cloak billowed out behind him as they rode on and the sun smiled down upon the two riders. The day was beautiful, crisp, and clear. A perfect day for tracking. The trail was still fresh, which made it easier to follow. The younger of the two raised an eyebrow when they came to an area where the grass was covered in a blanket of dark blood, which obviously did not belong to a dwarf or an elf. An ugly orc head lay several feet from its body.
"Gandalf," he murmured. "Stop here, just for but a moment."
"As you wish, young Elessar," the wizard replied. "But do not take more than your moment, we must make has if we are to find Gimli and Legolas."
"Haste?" Asked Estel. "It is still early in the day. The sun is shining, the sky blue."
"Do you wish to find your friends?" Inquired the Istari.
The king nodded curtly, he had already known the fact, but not quite comprehended that. It was true they needed to find them and he could not slow their pace. He slid from the horse's back swiftly, almost as fluidly and gracefully as an elf. He quickly crossed the area between Shadowfax and the decapitated orc. The ranger let his hands scan the earth before he turned to a particularly interesting patch of nature. He traced and retraced the area many times with his calloused hands.
"They stopped here," he said to himself more than to Gandalf. "Wait, paused would define it better. Not for long though, they moved on shortly after a small conflict and."
Aragorn slid forward a little, dropping to his knees, cutting short his statement. The ground was puzzling the man. There was a small area that appeared to be untouched, surrounded by heavily trodden grass that carried the footprints that were a characteristic or orcs. The small area was the only place that he could see in the surrounding soil that was standing nearly straight up, except for a small piece that was a little more bent than its neighbors. He easily saw that this signified that something had jumped, catching the edge of that single blade of the green plant. Strider allowed his eyes to drift a little farther along and saw that the outline of a leg, upper calf, was indented into the grass, with heavy footprints leading away from it. The something had jumped onto a lighter being, and easily broken the lighter one's leg. The king had no questions as to who that lighter being was.
The ranger drew himself up from the ground and strode back to Mithrandir, warily eyeing the torn soil. He avoided looking at the patch again. The man tried not to let his heart despair as he remounted Gandalf's steed. The white wizard gave the stallion a gentle nudge with his legs and they continued down the trail.
*~*~*~*~*
Gimli awoke to a steady thrum that echoes through his head. He was greatly surprised at what he saw when he opened his eyes. The two companions were in a dimly-lit room with completely solid black and blank walls. Not a single painting or item of décor hung from them. The ground was littered with various pitchers, bowls, ladles, mortars and pestles, and at the far end of the room, he saw a circular opening in the grim, stone floor. It emitted a pale sea blue glow. On the ceiling, a reflection of a fluid rippled across it, although there was no wind to blow it. The ripples caressed the otherwise dark stone, giving it an eerie glow. Silence hung heavy in the air, making every breath he took sound as loud as a freight train. The dwarf was reminded of his time in the Golden Wood. Haldir had said that he could've shot the stout being in the dark. The dwarf had to smile at that.
His smile quickly faded when he looked up again and spotted Legolas standing at the edge of the opening, transfixed by the site he saw. The blonde's hair was thrown about his face, as if some wild animal had tried to braid his hair. The elf's still bare back was to him. Not even a small scar remained of the wound that had killed the prince just moments before. His leggings were ragged and his normally fine boots let off a thick odor which was obviously the smell of blood. This was no surprise, for the archer's boots were now a dark crimson, stained by his own blood. The blonde must have felt the dwarf's gaze on him, for he turned to face his companion.
Gimli was shocked by the elf's face and torso. Legolas's face was a ghastly white, and his face was sunken it. No longer charming and sweet, but it gave him a skeletal appearance. His skin had lost its healthy glow and seemed to be the only thing that covered his bones. His chest was covered in what appeared to be black moss or fungus that was spreading from a dark lump over his heart. The dwarf gasped at this. It was worse than before. The demon was taking control mentally *and* physically. But, something confused him. If the demon wanted only a strong host, then why did the elf look so thin and weak?
"Legolas." He murmured, his voice coloured with concern.
"What is happening to me?" came the prince's voice, full of sorrow.
The dwarf knew the source of that sorrow. The elf had always hated being weak and vulnerable. That was what normally made him stubborn. To him, to be a weakling and to have to depend on a friend too much, was a death sentence to that person. It pained the stout being to see his fair companion so thin, . stretched as if there suddenly wasn't enough skin to cover him. The blonde took a step and the shorter of the two saw that the archer's boots were easily too big for him and that the prince had tightened his belt several notches to keep his leggings around his nauseously thin waist.
"Are you alright?" He asked the dwarf, who was still on the ground amidst the presence of two pitchers, each filled with a pale blue liquid.
The stout being had been in pure shock. The elf had been naturally worried that his companion had sustained lasting injuries, but he was only surprised at the blonde's appearance.
"I am fine," came a short reply. The bearded one moved into a sitting position.
His body was sore and felt as if an orc was sitting on him. Bruises were sprouting everywhere on his body, making his skin a dark purple. Legolas meandered towards his companion, looking like the living dead. His boots came off after only a few steps, the archer; however, took no notice. He continued on barefoot before sitting down very ungracefully, which sent a rattle through his nearly bare limbs. It was then when he asked a question that neither of them could answer.
"What do we do now?"
*~*~*~*~*
Heeey! ^^ That was an okay sized chapter, . compared to chapter 6. Well, onto the general ramblings I warned you about! *hands skittles to all the reviewers* I love you!
Orlandofan13: Evil? Well, yes! If you hadn't already figured that out. Thank you for the compliment!
JUST JORDY: Thank you! Yes, I am sinister! I have even perfected the laugh! Lol *laughs maniacally*
Luvvicks: A few pieces of advice. Don't eat donuts, they make you hyper! Jesus Christ! You were bouncing off the walls on Monday. Piece two, don't eat fish for breakfast. Fish don't like to be eaten, they like to swim around! Piece three, You'll eventually learn how to laugh! ^^
Star-Stallion: YES! Inside joke! ^^ I love them. Tee hee! Did you really think that I'd kill him off this early in the story? Well, if you did.. you're wrong! He still has a lot more to live through.
Mogcat: Yes, I know. I'm sorry if you didn't like that. I did leave a warning at the beginning of the story saying that I might be graphic. The soundtrack makes you cry too! I'm not alone! ^^
Legolas' Cousin: ^^ *listens to all the evil things being said* I *am* evil. It feels so good to be evil. I told you needed Kleenexes! You doubted me? =P Misty Mountains!
Amael: Thank you for the compliments! Also, for the clarification on the Elvish. I know Elvish as well as most people know Iraqi, I don't. I will try to make that more clear. Thank you for telling me that.
Gwyn: Thank you! I *am* sorry the spiders didn't seem real u.u I just have problems like that. I'm not that good of a writer, so grammar would be kinda bad. I just don't think that my story deserves a beta reader, it's .well. I've started this argument many a time with other reviewers, so I'll just zip my lips. *pulls out zipper*
Elfmage: Yes, 'tis the evil cliffie! Mwahahahaha! Thank you so much! I love to get such encouragement! ^^ It makes me so happy! =D It makes me want to update quicker! Ah ha ha ha, no. Actually, only my Language Arts class and no homework can make my update come quicker. but sometimes that homework can wait. *winks* Did you seriously nearly fall off your chair? I'm sorry for any injuries!
IMS Chess Maniac: Thank you! ^^ You're too kind!
Colagreenleaf: Thank you! You really thought I did Gandalf well? Hmmma..
Peppylongstocking: Thank you for that help there! I needed it. Gimli couldn't stay a Halfling forever. even if we wanted him to!
Wow! 16 reviews for this chapter alone! O.o Wow.. Well, I hope you liked this installment of this story! By the way, I am doodling out the covers for the story and may have them uploaded. If I do I will probably stick the links in my bio. I will have you vote on which one you want, because I have multiple covers and can't decide which to use. Another note, these are not very good drawings so please, PLEASE don't criticize me on them, alright? Thanks!
Dha