Sorry if there are grammatical errors. I tried to hurry up so that you guys had something new to read. Told you this one would be long. I took more directly from the book and movie than I wanted to, but for the purpose of hurrying up, I did. Tell me what you think. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7
Forging Unexpected Paths

For many days the Fellowship journeyed, sleeping by day and traveling by night. From Rivendell, Gandalf led the company by road to the mighty Bruinen, where they left the perils of the open trail behind, and traveled south through unmarked terrain. The wise wizard knew that the Enemy would be ever vigilant, awaiting any sign of the whereabouts of the Ring Bearer and the precious treasure he carried. Gandalf led the companions through deep, dark forests where their position was sure to remain unknown.

The journey was slow, hard, and dreary, without the light and warmth of the sun to lift spirits. Firers were rarely lit for fear of giving away their location, for the Enemy had many spies from all regions of Middle Earth. But through the little talk that occurred, the travelers began to grow closer, creating new friendships and rekindling the old. Auranor remained close with Gandalf and Aragorn, but soon bonded with the rest of the group, even growing to tolerate the Dwarf. Boromir, though usually friendly to all, seemed to pay much attention to Frodo, though distantly, as if he were never satisfied with something concerning the Hobbit. His eyes always darted to the Ring on the chain around Frodo's neck. Auranor noticed this, as well as Aragorn, and both always kept a protective eye on the Ring Bearer. Frodo seemed ever distant and lost within his own thoughts. He rarely smiled, and kept to himself, speaking only when he must. He was not as cheerful and happy as Auranor had remembered him in Rivendell. Something about him had changed. The pain of the heavy burden that the small Hobbit carried began to show more every day. Unlike Frodo, however, the other three Hobbits could always find something to be cheerful about. To Auranor's befuddlement, it seemed that the three couldn't go more than an hour without stumbling upon the topic of food. Strange creatures they were, always worried about second breakfast, elevensies, afternoon tea, and dinner. She couldn't understand how they found food so fascinating. But it never failed; Merry, Pippin, and Sam always managed to keep the Company in good spirits with their strange, often humorous ways.

But of all of the Fellowship, Auranor found herself growing particularly close to Legolas. Beings that he was the only other elf in the Fellowship, she felt a common bond with the Prince of Mirkwood. The two usually walked at the rear of the group, talking occasionally in voices only audible to themselves. Auranor was ever curious about the happenings of Mirkwood, and Legolas was more than happy to satisfy her curiosity. More than once, the two Elves stayed awake together while on watch, reminiscing on the past. They soon discovered that they had been childhood playmates on more than one occasion, and spoke of visiting the trampling ground of their younger days.

"I wish I could see the forests of Mirkwood again. I can barely remember what they look like," Auranor said longingly.

"Mayhap, one day, if we are not overcome by the perils of this journey, you can make it a point to return to Mirkwood," Legolas suggested.

"Mayhap I shall," Auranor said happily, but the smile soon vanished.

"Something disturbs you," Legolas said softly. "Do you not wish to return?"

"I do wish to return, but there are many haunting memories attached to those deep green forests."

Legolas sat silently for a moment, searching for the right words to say, for he knew not what haunting memories lurked in those deep green forests. He gazed into her eyes, his own blue orbs bringing peace and comfort to her soul. "When the time is right, your memories will no longer trouble you, and you shall return."

Auranor smiled at him with a sigh, and silence fell over them.

"You should rest now," he said to her after a few moments passed, sensing the turmoil in her heart. "There are still many leagues to travel before rest may welcome you again."

Auranor nodded gratefully, and retired to the ground beside the Hobbits. Thoughts of Mirkwood danced through her head as she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

After two long weeks of continuous travel, the cool, dreary weather began to break. The sun shone upon the Fellowship, warming their skin and spirits.

"Ah, we have reached the land of Hollin. Elves once dwelt here in happier days when the land was know as Eregion. We have traveled far. The weather should grow more pleasant and bearable, but perhaps more dangerous," Gandalf said to the company as Frodo stood beside him, looking out over the terrain awaiting them.

"But I cannot deny how welcoming a real sunrise it," Frodo said, letting the sun shine brightly upon his face.

"But the mountains are ahead of us," said Pippin. "We must have turned eastwards during the night."

"Nay," Gandalf said. "You can seen further in the clear light. The range bends south-west beyond those peaks. Elrond has many maps, but I suppose you never took time to look at any of them?"

"I looked at them once or twice, but I don't remember anything," said Pippin. "Perhaps Frodo does though."

"I need no map," said Gimli, who had come up with Legolas and Auranor. "Beyond lays the lands of old, where our fathers once worked. Those mountains have been featured in many of our carved works, and songs and tales: Baraz, Zirak, Shathur. Beneath them lies Kazad-dum, Moria in the Elvish tongue. Beyond that stands the tall, cruel Barazinbar, the Redhorn, Caradhras. Still beyond him are the Silvertine and Cloudyhead, Celebdil the White and Fanuidhol the Gray: to us they are Zirakzigil and Bundushathur. There the Misty Mountains divide, and between them lays the valley which we cannot forget: Azanulbizar, the Dimrill Dell, Nanduhirion to the Elves. By knowing this, Gandalf, it seems to me that we are taking the long way around. We could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome!"

"No Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice. Dimrill Dale is where we are headed," said Gandalf, looking out beyond to where the Dell should be. "If we climb the pass called the Redhorn Gate, under the far side of Caradhras, we shall descend near the Dimrill Stair, deep into the valley of the Dwarves, where Mirrormere lies, and the River Silverlode rises in its icy springs."

"I have heard of these places in tales told around the tables of Elrond," said Auranor. "Never did I think I would travel to them."

"It is not an easy journey," Aragorn said to her. "Just as how far we have come thenceforth has been difficult and tiresome, so this shall also be."

"Aye," said Gimli. "Dark is the water of Kheled-zaram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nala. My heart trembles at the thought that I may see them soon."

"May you have joy in the sight, my good Dwarf!" said 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?"

"To the end of the journey – in the end," the old wizard replied, remembering the words of Elrond. "We cannot look too far ahead. Let us be glad that we have come this fare safely. I think we shall rest here, not only for 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. "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 now 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."

"I too can hear them, now that I listen," said Auranor softly, straining to hear more. "In the Second Age, they came and went; now we are all that remains."

That morning, the Fellowship rested. They lit a fire, and Sam cooked a wonderful breakfast, better and merrier that they had had since they set out. As Frodo and Sam sat beside one another, enjoying the much appreciated meal, they watched there kin with Boromir. He was teaching Merry and Pippin some basics in sword fighting technique. Aragorn sat nearby, instructing the Hobbits as Boromir's sword sent easy blows for them to block.

"Move your feet," the Ranger said to them as he leisurely smoked his pipe.

Just then Boromir's aim faltered and the hilt of his sword smashed into Pippin's fingers, causing the hobbit to drop his sword in pain.

"Sorry!" Boromir said sincerely, approaching Pippin to see if he was well.

Pippin ran toward Boromir and kicked him in the shin. Merry then smashed the blunt end of his sword into Boromir's leg, and the two Hobbits bowled Boromir onto the ground, all the while punching and hitting him, playfully.

"For The Shire!" Pippin yelled as the three wrestled around on the ground. All who were watching laughed heartily at the sight.

Suddenly, Aragorn stood up with a confused look in his eyes. He moved away from the battling group, and stood on a rock, listening carefully.

"What is the matter Strider?" Merry called to him, ceasing his fight. "What are you looking for? Do you miss the East Wind?" he joked.

"No indeed," the Ranger answered. "But I miss something. I have traveled through this country many times. Though people dwell here no longer, but there are still many creatures that make there home here, namely birds. Yet, all I hear is silence. There is no sound for miles but us, and your voices seem to make the ground echo. I do not understand it."

"I noticed that too," said Auranor. "But I have never traveled this land, and wasn't sure if the creatures that once dwelt here still made this their home."

"I also found it peculiar that no birds could be heard. Perhaps we are not as alone as the absence of such sounds suggest," said Legolas, now listening harder for any sound other than themselves.

Gandalf looked up with sudden interest. "That could be. Do you suppose it is more than surprise at seeing four Hobbits, two Men, two Elves, a Dwarf, and an old Wizard all at once in a place where nothing, save themselves, has dwelt in centuries?

"I hope that is it," said Aragorn. "But I have a sense of watchfulness, and of fear, that I have never had here before."

"Then we must be more careful," said Gandalf. "If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him, especially if that Ranger is Aragorn. We must stop talking aloud, rest quietly, and set the watch.

Just then, Legolas and Auranors' heads snapped simultaneously to the sky ahead. A black cloud could be seen, moving rapidly towards the hill they all stood upon. Everyone drew their attention to the massive black haze.

"What is that?" asked Sam.

"Nothing. It is just a wisp of clouds," said Gimli.

"It's moving fast," Boromir breathed, "against the wind." All stood and stared at the moving blur, trying to make out what it was.

Legolas strained his eyes to see. "Crebain from Dunland!" he yelled suddenly.

"Hide!" shouted Aragorn. All grabbed their belongings and extinguished the fire while scattering, making way to a bush or boulder for coverage. Auranor dove beneath a holly bush among the boulders, and Legolas followed closely behind.

The silence was broken with the shrill squawks and shrieks of the vile mass of black birds as they flew over the hillside. All watched cautiously from their hiding place as the creatures circled the sky above the boulder covered hill. The birds seemed to be searching for something. They circled twice before flying away over to the next hill, circling in the same searching manner.

The companions cautiously emerged from their concealment, still watching the black mass as it flew away.

"Spies of Saruman," Gandalf said with disgust as he rose from behind a rock. "The passage south is being watched." He looked around at the group, pausing on the Hobbits, who had fear and concern written in their faces. All followed Gandalf's gaze as his eyes rose to the unforgiving, towering, mountain peak that lay higher up the mountain from where they stood. "We must take the pass of Caradhras."

Four days after the crebain had flown over their camp, the Fellowship found themselves trekking through the bitterly cold, snowy pass of Caradhras. Auranor could see the weariness growing in the Hobbits' eyes' as they tried to keep up with the rest of the group.

Suddenly, the exhausted Ring-bearer stumbled over the snow, and went tumbling back down the hill.

"Frodo!" Aragorn yelled, who was now at the rear of the line, as he caught Frodo, hindering his passage.

Frodo rose with Aragorn's aid. He quickly brushed the snow off of his clothes, and groped around his neck for the Ring. It was not there. He looked back up the path he had made when falling, his eyes soon resting on what he sought. There in the snow, lay the One Ring. Frodo stood dumbfounded as hand reached for it. The Hobbit's eyes rose to find Boromir clutching the chain that the Ring was around.

Boromir stared longingly, greedily, at the prize in his hand as he raised it to eye level. All turned to face thee three as silence fell over the pass.

"Boromir," Aragorn said, trying to draw his companion's attention from the Ring.

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt," he breathed slowly, "over so small a thing." Boromir became completely engrossed and entranced by that which he held in between his fingers. "Such a little thing," he whispered as his hand rose to touch the Ring.

"Boromir!" Aragorn said again, this time snapping Boromir out of the trance. He looked absently at Aragorn. "Give the Ring to Frodo."

Boromir slowly approached Frodo, the Ring still in hand. "As you wish," he said as he held the chain out in front of Frodo. "I care not." Frodo quickly snatched the Ring from Boromir, and clutched it tightly in his hand. Boromir gazed from Frodo, to Aragorn, and back to Frodo, then ruffled the Hobbits hair as he threw his shield over his back and stalked away with a possessed chuckle. As Boromir turned his back and walked away, Aragorn released the grip on his sword.

Auranor looked concernedly at Aragorn, whose eyes never left Boromir until he had rejoined the group. She knew that this was only the beginning.

By midnight, the Fellowship had traveled into vast danger. It had begun snowing at nightfall, and the dreaded mountain pass had not ceased its anger upon the trespassers since. The snow was so deep that Aragorn and Boromir had to carry the Hobbits through the path Gandalf struggled to create. Only Legolas and Auranor walked with ease at the rear of the group, for Elves could walk weightlessly on the surface of the snow without even leaving footprints.

As the group struggled on, Legolas hurried out ahead of them to the edge of the cliff they were on. Auranor followed closely behind him, sensing evil. The two Elves stood listening, straining to hear more.

The Elves' keen ears caught a deep muttering of dark, evil words. "Cuiva nwaka Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya!"

"There is a fell voice on the air," Auranor said, looking out into the nothingness. The group behind them stopped.

"It's Saruman!" cried Gandalf, trying to be heard over the blustering wind of the blizzard upon them.

Without warning, a loud rumble was heard from above as a flood of boulders came crashing down from the upper regions of the peak, just barely missing the cliff the Fellowship stood on. Everyone shrank back against the wall of the mountain.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain," cried Aragorn. "Gandalf, we must turn back!"

"No!" cried Gandalf. He drug himself out of the deep path, and stood on top of the snow beside the two Elves. Looking out over the edge of the cliff, he began to chant, "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i'ruith!"

They all stood, listening, as the evil response grew louder. "Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto-carinnar!"

Suddenly, a bold of lightning struck the peak of Caradhras, sending another avalanche if rocks and snow down over the side of the mountain. In one swift movement, Auranor pushed Legolas back and pulled Gandalf against the rock wall of the mountainside. Just as they hit the wall, the avalanche pounded down, with the entire unforgiving ness of Caradhras, on top of them. The falling snow slowly dissipated. Nothing moved.

Then, the sickening quiet was shattered by the sound of rustling snow, as Legolas's head popped out of the white blanket. Instantly, hands, arms, and heads of the other members of the Fellowship began to emerge from beneath the snow. Legolas thrust himself out of the hole, and grabbed an arm that was projecting through the white fluff beside him. He pulled the body up out of the icy barricade, and caught it in his arms. Auranor looked up at him as he caught her, grateful to be alive and out of her snowy trap. Legolas brushed the wet hair from Auranor's face, and steadied her on her feat. They gazed into each other's eyes for a split second before hurrying off to aid the others.

As soon as all had emerged enough to speak, Boromir yelled out to Gandalf, " We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan, and take the west road to my city!"

Aragorn yelled out as he helped Frodo out of the snow, "The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!"

"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it," cried Gimli, as the blizzard began to ease. "Let us go through the Mines of Moria." Silence befell the group, awaiting an answer from Gandalf.

Finally, he answered. "Let the Ring-bearer decide." All eyes turned to Frodo. Auranor's heart filled with pity for the poor Halfling, for he already carried a heavy burden, and now this. "Frodo?"

Frodo looked at those around him, as if searching for an answer in their eyes. Finally he answered realizing their only option for survival, "We will go through the mines.

As the Fellowship descended the dreaded Caradhras, Auranor noticed a great sleepiness settling over the group. Suddenly, Frodo fell to the snow. Boromir ran to his side and scooped the little Hobbit out of the snow, shaking him awake.

"This will be the death of the Halflings, Gandalf," he said, still holding Frodo. "We must do something."

Then, Auranor remembered her pack that she had prepared before leaving Rivendell. "I have something that will help," she said suddenly. She stopped and fumbled through the pack. When her hand emerged, it grasped one of the leathern flasks. "Miruvor," she said with a twinkle in her eyes., "the Cordial of Imaldris."

A smile grew across the faces of Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas, who know what Auranor spoke of. Auranor rushed to Frodo's side, and, lifting his head, poured a small amount of the liquid down his throat. Instantly, the Hobbit perked up, and filled with energy. Auranor helped him to his feet and moved quickly to the other Hobbits. In turn, the results for each were equal to that of Frodo, and soon, the Hobbits were merry again, and ready to travel.

Auranor then passed the flask to each of the other members of the Fellowship, and they too, instantly rejuvenated. When it came back to her, she took a small sip, then replaced the flask in her pack.

"The things an elf-maiden can do to surprise you," Gandalf said to her, shaking his head.

"As I said before Mithrandir, though I am but a woman, I will do whatever I can to help along this journey," Auranor said, smiling at the wizard. "I guess growing up with Nestellon as a caretaker came in handy."

"Indeed it did," said Gandalf, as the group continued down the mountain.

It was nightfall on the third day descending the pass before the Fellowship reached a safe place to rest. They made their way through a wooded area until they found a clearing big enough to build a small fire, but small enough to still be shielded by trees. After the cruel episode on the mountain peak, the company cared no longer about enemy eyes, and built a fire, knowing it would warm their bodies and souls to see the light.

All huddled in a circle around the fire, passing around what was left of the miruvor, and eating the first meal besides lembas since the snow began to fall. They chattered quietly among themselves, glad to be away from the dreaded Caradhras.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, howling angrily at them.

Legolas jumped to his feet, "That is no ordinary wind. The howls of the wolves travel on it. The Wargs have come west of the Mountains!"

"Need we wait until morning then?" Gandalf asked. "The hunt is up! Even if we live to see the dawn, who now will wish to journey south by night with the wild wolves on his tail?"

"How far is Moria?" asked Boromir.

"The door lies south-west of Caradhras, maybe twenty miles as the wolf runs," answered Gandalf grimly.

"Then let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can," said Boromir. "The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears."

"True!" said Aragorn, loosening his sword in its sheath. "But where the warg howls, there also the orc prowls."

Pippin looked at Sam solemnly, and muttered, "Maybe I should have went back to The Shire as Elrond advised. I am no good after all. These howls freeze my blood. I don't ever remember feeling so wretched, and frightened."

"My heart's right down to my toes, Mr. Pippin," said Sam. "But we aren't etten yet, and there are some stout folk here with us. Whatever may be in store for old Gandalf, I'll wager it isn't a wolf's belly."

For their defense, the company distinguished the fire and climbed atop of the small hill they had been sheltering under. Many old, twisted, mangled trees grew there, and a broken circle of boulders surrounded their chosen resting place. They lit a small fire, for they knew they had already been discovered. The fire would also give some light to see if they were indeed attacked.

They again sat around the fire. Gandalf kept watch while the others slept uneasily. Howls surrounded them, and the two guardian saw eyes glowing in the darkness in all directions. Soon, the eyes grew closer, and shadowy figures began advancing in on the company. At the gap in the boulders, a great, dark figure halted, gazing at them. A piercing cry escaped his mouth, as if a leader summoning the troops to the assault.

Gandalf rose and strode toward the Warg, holding his staff out in front of himself. "Hound of Sauron! Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring."

The Warg suddenly leapt toward Gandalf. Before Gandalf could defend himself, there was a sharp twang , and an arrow flew past the old wizard and through the throat of the wretched creature. The warg fell to the ground with a thud, and the last flame of life in its eyes extinguished.

Gandalf looked over his shoulder and found Legolas standing alertly with his bow drawn, and another arrow ready to fly. Boromir, Auranor, and Gimli stood in a circle around the Hobbits, ready to fight. Aragorn had risen and now stood beside Gandalf. The Wizard, Ranger, and Elf moved to the edge of the circle and searched as far as their eyes could see, but the hill was deserted, and the hunting packs had fled. The darkness grew ever more silent all around them. All resumed their sleep and watches.

As the moon waned in the western sky, Frodo started from sleep, catching the attention of Boromir and Aragorn, who were now on watch. Without warning, a storm of howls broke out fierce and wild all about the camp. A great host of Wargs had gathered silently and was now attacking them from every side at once. All were roused by the cacophony of howls, and sprang to their feet, ready to fight.

"Fling fuel on the fire!" cried Gandalf to the Hobbits. "Draw your blades and stand back to back!"

In the dancing light, Auranor could see shadowy figures leaping over their protective circle. She drew he sword, and began slashing at any wolf figure that dared to come near her. All around her, wolves were howling. Between sword hacks, she could see the others fighting the foul beasts. She watched Aragorn thrust his sword through the throat of a large Warg. Boromir had sliced one across the gut, and instantly turned and sliced another's throat. Gimli's axe was drawn, and he hacked happily at the beasts, raveling in the fun of killing off the evil. To her left, Auranor could hear Legolas's bow singing as he released his deadly arrows upon the Wargs. Even the Hobbits, though shaking in their boots, fought off every Warg that came near them.

Just then, Auranor saw Gandalf. He seemed to suddenly grow, tall and menacing. He stooped over and picked up a burning branch. He then strode toward the wargs. They shrank back before him. He threw the branch high into the air, and if flared with a sudden lighting like radiance, as his words thundered in the air.

"Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!" he cried. Suddenly, there was a roar and crackle, and the tree above him burst into flames. One by one, the top of each tree on the hill burst into flames, and soon, the entire hill was alight. Legolas released one last arrow through the burning heart of the Warg leader, and the rest of the hunting pack fled into the night.

The trees slowly burned until only the ashy stumps remained. Over the hill, the blue sky was beginning to turn orange with the coming of the sun. In the remainder of the firelight, Auranor could see the Warg blood dripping off her hands and the hands and faces of the others. She stood in her place, breathing heavily and looking around at the rest of her companions, who were doing the same.

"What did I tell you, Mr. Pippin?" said Sam, sheathing his sword. "Wolves won't get him. That was an eye-opener, and no mistake! Nearly singed the hair off my head!"

When the full light of morning came, no signs of the wolves remained. The dead bodies were burned, and the living had fled. All that remained were the arrows Legolas had shot, each in tact, save one.

"It is as I feared," said Gandalf. "These were no ordinary wolves hunting for food in the wilderness. Let us eat quickly and go! We must reach the doors before sunset, or I fear we shall not reach them at all." And so they did. After they ate, they hastily made their way on the path to Moria.

Response to Reviews

Iwish Chan – Yup, indeed. But I shall write as if Aragorn doesn't know that (of course he doesn't) so some interesting things may happen later, but I'm not sure yet.

BellaRu – I'm glad you like it. Keep reading!