A/N: Okay wow it has been forever since I updated this story. If any of it's fans are still willing to give it a chance I hope that you enjoy this chapter. I'll be updating it regularly now. I just got terrible writer's block whenever I sat down to write on this one. That's why I had to concentrate on other stories for a while. But I'm over it and excited to continue the story, so thanks for the support.
Chapter 10
Inside the Mountain. Outside the Forest
"Lebshen you do not seem to be enjoying yourself!" Nightcrawler called from his horse, standing on one hand while he was riding it. "I have never seen a calmer animal yet you cling to it's bridle as if it was a tightrope!"
"Not all of us have super-human agility ya blue freak!" Jubilee hissed, causing her horse to stir slightly. The teenager felt the blood drain from her knuckles as she gripped the reins as tight as she could. It had been a full day since they had set out from Lorien, now they were on what Gandalf had called the Field of Celebrant. To their far east was the Misty Mountains and to their west, though very far off, was the Great River. Jubilee only prayed that she would be able to survive her horse. They had slowed down a bit to give their horses a rest, but when they had been riding hard...Jubilee was sure that she was going to die.
Cyclops rode along side Gandalf, the two didn't talk much, only enough to ensure that they were on the right path and what needed to be done. Gandalf had informed them that by nightfall they would be reaching the frontiers of Fangorn Forest. Saying that from there they would travel to the other end in preparation to leave to Rohan once they found the Fellowship. They had rode hard once they had left Lorien and now it was almost time for them to make good on their promise to rescue them .
From there Cyclops didn't know what they would do. He knew that Gandalf would want their help in whatever else that he needed, but the mutant leader decided that he would jump that hurdle when he came to it. Looking behind him, the mutant smiled as he saw Storm riding alongside Haldir. The X-men's other leader didn't look as she normally did. The elves had insisted that she allow them to do her long flowing white mane. So amazed by the color that some of them had even asked if they could have a lock...or two. Now the mutant's hair was done up in two small braids on either side of her head and the rest flowing regally down. Even with the wind from riding had not managed to undo the magic that they had done to it. Of all them Storm seemed to get along best with the elves, she and Haldir had spent most of the journey riding alongside each other, and talking when they could.
Nightcrawler seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, Gandalf had to constantly chide him from riding ahead to get a better view or performing a circus act that he had learned as a child. Cyclops could only smile as Nightcrawler obviously saw this as the epitome of a swashbuckling adventure.
Wolverine seemed to be the member of their party that had been most affected by their encounter with the elves. He seemed distracted, and distant, often looking to the sky as though he was remembering something. Cyclops felt a twinge of guilt as he remembered the words they had exchanged before they had been captured by the elves. Wolverine had been hurting just as badly as he had, yet things had gotten too out of hand for them to address it. The mutant glanced to Gandalf who was merely humming softly to himself but looking forward determinedly. With a brief pull on his reins Cyclops pulled his horse back until he was riding alongside the Canadian mutant.
"Logan..." he said, "There's something I have to tell you."
"Yeah Summers," came the answer.
"Look, about what happened with us in Lorien..."
"Save it slim, it's forgotten. We were both grieving and needed to blow steam, best we can do now is make her proud."
Cyclops nodded, happy that they had been able to resolve this. "You were thinking about her just now weren't you."
Wolverine looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Actually I wasn't."
Now it was the other mutant's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Then what has you giving such a reminiscing look?"
"Don't think that it's something you'd understand."
"Try me."
"It's the look o' the place, the ground that hasn't been touched by man. The smell o' the air. It's clean and pure, there ain't no pollution or smoke to cloud it. I haven't smelt nothing so good in my life... well almost nothing."
"What?"
The mutant looked to Cyclops as though unsure if he should tell him. The mutant leader spotted him clutching something in his hand, something small. Wolverine seemed to notice where Cyclops was looking and let out a sigh.
"Well I suppose that I ought to tell you. It's only a matter o' time before Jubilee does. Never gives up that girl. She hounded me until I told her."
"Told her what?"
Wolverine opened his closed fist to reveal a handkerchief of exquisite material and embroidery. Stitched into it were several characters in elvish. Wolverine smiled by just looking at it.
"When Lady Galadriel was asken all o' us what we wanted as a gift. I couldn't bring myself to ask nothing from her. Though she knew what I wanted. That's why she kissed me ya see. That's all I wanted. But then she asked if there was anything else. So I asked if she could give me something to remember her with. And she gave me this."
"Her handkerchief?"
"When I smell it I can see her face shining."
Cyclops smiled wide, for all his gruff demeanor, he had to admit that Wolverine was a romantic at heart. It was wonderful to see him with a peace of mind that he hadn't had in a long time, especially everything that they had just been through. It was just then that Gandalf stopped. Cyclops turned his head to see that they were coming up on a large forest. Though it was still far away, it looked completely black. So black that it was hard to make out any separate trees.
"Behold," said the Wizard ominously. "Fangorn Forest, where more than animals roam and hopefully where we will find our friends. Let us ride hard now, we have little time and much to do."
Gandalf egged his horse forward, and the white horse bolted ahead. Jubilee rolled her eyes and wrapped the reins around her hands.
"Here we go again." she muttered as her horse began to follow Shadowfax as fast as it could.
"That was a dangerous game that you played." Colossus said looking to the blue mutant who sat comfortably in a large chair provided by the dwarves. Beast was rubbing his stomach gently, having gorged himself on the meats that had been served during the feast. He had complained that he was quite sure that he would not be able to move again. In all however he had done better than Havoc.
The mutant could barely stand, having consumed way too much ale. Yet the dwarves had laughed themselves silly when he passed up a sixth mug, claiming that the human was soft and that their grandmothers could drink more than him. Colossus had to carry him to their quarters after the mutant passed out. Everyone was already talking about how grumpy he would be with the hang over he would surely have in the morning.
Each of the mutants had been settled into large guest rooms each furnished with comfortable, beds, stone tables and plush chairs, dwarven tapestries covered the walls, each portarying a different sceen of dwarven bravery. One in particular had caught there attention as it showed a small hobbit holding it's hands up in front of a dragon that obviously couldn't see it.
The X-men separated from the X-women, a prospect that wasn't entirely pleasant for Shadowcat. The dwarves seemed to hold the women with peculiar awe, especially Psylocke with her Asian features. Even still, Xavier was certain that nothing would happen to the X-women, especially after Betsy had put an inebriated dwarf on the floor when he had tried to get fresh with her. He had briefly been worried that, that act would have serious ramifications but most the dwarves merely laughed aloud at the poor fool that had been dumb enough to try Psylocke.
Yet despite all the merriment that they had participated in that evening. Xavier was very much preoccupied. He had now removed the exoskeleton and sat in the bed he had been provided, his thought constantly stretching outward, extending as far as they could in an effort to locate his students...his searching had gone in vain. He had attempted to discuss his concerns with King Dain but the monarch had shrugged and told them that they could discuss the proper course of action the following day.
"Hank when you think that you can at least roll yourself over," Xavier said, "I would appreciate it if you could help me with my exoskeleton. I wonder if we could modify it somewhat to amplify my power."
"You still cannot locate our teammates?" Colossus asked.
"I'm afraid not. This world is teaming with all sorts of life, to be able to find a mutant in ours is difficult enough without aide."
"That's understandable considering the size of it." Beast proclaimed, pulling out a map that he had received from the dwarves. Three mutant's looked over it, seeing what Middle-earth looked like. Beast had drawn a circle around the Lonely Mountain so the others would know their location. "From what I was able to ascertain from my previous conversations with Gimli...the Fellowship came to us from an ancient mine located inside a mountain.
"Yes, Moria." Xavier confirmed, remembering somewhat from the memories of it that he had seen in Frodo's mind when he had scanned it. He had truly hoped that his X-men hadn't landed in there, everything about it screamed doom.
"I would venture to guess that it would be located somewhere in this mountain range." Beast said pointing a clawed finger on a drawing labeled the 'Misty Mountains'. Tomorrow I shall ask the dwarves for more information."
"What of the communicators?" Colossus asked.
"They are ineffectual at the moment." Beast responded, pulling one out of his bag. "They rely primarily on satellite to guide them, and as you may imagine, those are in short supply in this world. I can attempt to use radio waves, but we would have to be very close for it to work."
Xavier rubbed his chin while looking at his map, wondering where his students might be located on it. He had hoped that at least he would be able to find Jean, her powers would have made her the easiest of the group to zero in on, yet he could not feel her presence on the astral plane. Mostly all he could feel on that was darkness, the kind that made him want to avoid detaching his mind to.
Yet as Beast and Colossus began to speak a bit more, the mutant leader let his mind slip into this plane intent on searching it some more, searching for anyone powerful enough to use it. Again he felt foreboding and darkness, there was something else there, something writhing with anger, it reminded the mutant of...Him. Sauron, the Dark Lord of Middle-Earth, Xavier had felt him when he had possession of the Ring, the corrupt thing that had started this all. Facing Sauron was not something that he desired in the least, Xavier may have been the most powerful mutant telepath on Earth, but here...one never knew.
Suddenly Xavier picked up something, a light amongst all the darkness, it was a power that felt familiar...and it was close. So much did feeling it startle the mutant that he almost slipped back into his conscious state. After a brief second to get his bearings he refocused on the other presence. It was not as close as he first thought, but still not too far off, Just on the edges of his ability. Xavier strained to connect his mind with the other. He could begin to feel his head pound from the effort. Not a good sign if he wished to remain on the Astral Plane. Finally one lone thought from the other presence, connected with his mind.
Xavier's eyes snapped open, his body drenched in sweat, Beat and Colossus were staring at him in silence having obviously seen his effort.
"Mirkwood Forest." the Professor panted, "We have to go to Mirkwood Forest."
Storm peered into the blackness in front of them, she had assumed that as they got nearer to Fangorn that the forest would begin to appear friendlier and lighter. She had assumed wrong. If anything it appeared even more menacing. So threatening that now on the edge of it, their horses kept trying to back away, all save for Shadowfax, and Jubilee's horse which appeared very nervous but did not move unless the teenager pulled on it's bridle. What made the forest seem more disturbing was the strange rumblings and groanings that seemed to emanate from it as if their very presence made the trees hiss with anger.
Gandalf was in a lengthy discussion with Haldir speaking in elvish, the mutant could only guess as to what they were talking about, some of her teammates had taken the time to suit up in their uniforms, the forest seeming to ebb the aura of danger. The sun was close to sunset and Storm had at first thought that they would make camp, but Gandalf made no indication of that. The mutant looked as Wolverine was tightening his gloves, one of them seeming to have a slight bulge just at it's base. She could only cock an eyebrow as he lifted it to his nose and sniffed, then had a serene smile that didn't seem to fit on his face. Before she could enquire however, Haldir and Gandalf turned to them.
"My friends this is where most of us will have to part ways." he said, his face unreadable. "Haldir will lead you around to the other side of the forest where we will need to be so we can journey to Rohan. There is much to be done there. I have other matters to attend to in the forest, I would have you travel with me, but I do not believe that he will appreciate too many visitors upon awakening."
"So we won't be going into the creepy forest." Jubilee said, the relief all but shouting off her face, then looking a bit sheepish as she glanced over to Wolverine.
"Who won't appreciate the awakening?" Cyclops asked.
"You would not believe me if I told you," came the reply. "And we will leave it at that."
Storm couldn't see past his visor but she was sure that Cyclops had rolled his eyes when he had heard that.
"What about the Brotherhood?" Wolverine asked, "We going to look for them? Or are you just going to have us wait until they find the Fellowship?"
"Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas are on their way to this forest. Hunting a band of uru-kai, just as the Brotherhood are hunting them. Our best chance is to find the location of the Fellowship first. Either way you will have a chance to face them."
Wolverine gave a somewhat sinister smile at that idea and popped out the claws on one of his hands. Already relishing the thought. "And what if we run into them uru-kai 'n orcs?"
Gandalf gave the mutant a look that seemed to say that he wasn't even going to bother to answer such and obvious question. Only bringing Wolverine's smile wider. The wizard then peered into the forest and at the sky, as if judging clues that none of them could see. Nightcrawler approached Storm and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Perhaps you could fly into the air to be a lookout for us." he suggested quietly, not wanting to disturb Gandalf in what ever he was contemplating over.
"That will not be possible, Kurt Wagner." Gandalf said, startling the elfish looking mutant. "I am afraid that it is time for all of you to follow Haldir...save for Storm."
"What?" came the response from nearly every member of the X-men.
"I have need of her rather...unique talents. Rest assured that she will remain safe, indeed safer than yourselves." Gandalf explained cryptically.
"I would really appreciate if you would let us in on your plan." Cyclops growled, his arms crossed over his chest. "We've accepted your guidance this far, but I can't let you cart off one of my teammates unless I know what she's getting into."
"Do not fear," Haldir responded instead of the wizard. "You must trust in Gandalf's wisdom, as you trusted in Lady Galadriel's. I would also ask an explanation but we are short of time. Please my friend we must leave."
"Not until..."
"Scott," Storm interrupted. "It will be okay, what's most important right now is finding Aragorn and the others. We will see each other again soon."
Cyclops looked as if he was going to argue but in the end sighed in defeat and looked to Haldir and nodded for the elf to lead the way.
Storm could only watch with a slight feeling of trepidation as she watched her teammates file behind the elf, leading their horses, each looking to her as though it might be the last time. Gandalf stood with her, leaning on his staff slightly nodding to each of them as they past his gaze, smiling briefly when Jubilee stubbed her toe on a tree root and had to stop herself from zapping it with her mutant powers. Finally when the group was a little way off, the wizard turned to his horse and began to whisper in it's ear.
Shadowfax then neighed and bolted after the group, followed by Storm's horse, the pair quickly passing the others.
"They will meet with us when we leave the forest." Gandalf explained, then turned to address the forest. The sun had nearly set and the long shadow of the forest now covered them and extended to the hills behind them. More low groans issued from it and Gandalf took that as his cue.
"Now my dear," the wizard said, facing her. "I do hate to ask this of you but I need you to carry me...through the sky."
The mutant looked at him somewhat quizzically, but then ventured to guess why he would ask that, "We need to cover a lot of difference, don't we?"
"Yes, and I am not entirely sure where we are going, but it will take too long by foot or by horse. I only ask that we fly low to the trees as that will be my only clue to where we need to land."
"Do you ever do anything the easy way."
"That would all depend on what you define as easy my dear, now we need to go."
Next time: Xavier and his group set out to Mirkwood, and encounter someone they did not expect, Storm and Gandalf enter Fangorn to encounter someone that the wizard knows and more on the fate of Jean.
