A/N: Once again, some lines we've taken directly from the movie, some are from the movie but have been altered slightly and the rest is…well…you know.
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Chapter 9
TA 3018 December 30
Legolas straightened up and leaned back against the tree, sliding around it away from the mess he'd made on the ground, and pressed a hand to his convulsing stomach. A full month. How long was this strange illness going to last?
There were other things he noticed as well, a sense of fullness in his lower abdomen, a constant dull ache in his lower back. His bladder seemed to have shrunk as well.
Legolas glared down at his stomach suspiciously. The snap of a twig brought his head back up though, and saved his stomach from the intense glare.
Hearing nothing more Legolas leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes, battling back the wave of fatigue that was his constant companion lately. Elves could go on very little sleep, yet Legolas felt as if he could drop where he was and sleep for weeks.
The Fellowship had been traveling for 5 or 6 days now, but he couldn't be exactly sure. Between being ill every morning and walking all day there had been no chance for the elf to corner Estel or question Gandalf about the illness affecting him, or his suspicions about said illness.
Legolas suddenly straightened, hearing a gruff curse to his left, "You can show yourself, Son of Gloin. I know you are there."
A second later the dwarf stalked up to Legolas, "They're lookin' for ye, Elf."
Legolas tried a grin, "So they sent you, Master dwarf, to fetch the wayward elf?"
Gimli huffed, "I was the only one who knew which direction to search. I see ye leave every mornin', Elf."
"Every morning?" Legolas asked with a small chuckle, "And here I thought dwarves were such deep sleepers."
"That's a myth, laddie." Gimli growled before nodding to the elf's hand still pressed to his stomach, "Now what ails ye?"
Legolas let his hand drop while shifting his gaze away from Gimli's and mumbled, "Nothing, Master dwarf."
Gimli leaned on his axe, "Ye don't empty yer stomach every mornin' over nothin', laddie."
Legolas sighed, "It's my problem, Master Gimli. Tell no one of this." He paused before meeting the dwarf's gaze, "Please."
After a tense moment Gimli huffed and stomped away grumbling, "An elf and a dwarf havin' a secret. It's indecent I tell ye."
Legolas watched Gimli for a moment grinning. Finally he called after the departing dwarf, "So we have an understanding, Master Gimli?"
The dwarf stopped and faced him with another huff, "Aye, Elf, we have an understanding."
While Gimli continued back to camp Legolas released a full laugh. Aye, an elf and a dwarf having a secret. Indecent indeed. King Thranduil would be unbelievingly amused at his son's predicament.
Especially since the dwarf in question was the son of one of the very dwarves Thranduil had imprisoned over a misunderstanding nearly 80 years earlier.
Aye, Thranduil would definitely be amused.
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December 31
By the next morning Legolas was just about ready to tear his stomach out or stop eating all together. Although it probably wouldn't have made any difference anyway, he thought to himself as he continued to throw up the previous night's dinner. He was almost positive he hadn't eaten THAT much.
"When will this torment end?" he moaned to himself as he sat back on the grass.
"Perhaps you should consult with Gandalf, fair elf," a voice spoke up from behind Legolas.
Startled, the elf jumped up onto his knees and spun to see a very concerned Boromir standing behind him.
"Ai Elbereth I must be losing my touch," Legolas said in frustration, "I got up early and started going a different route so I wouldn't disturb anyone and yet first Gimli follows me and now you."
"Peace, Elf," Boromir said, "Old habits tend to die hard and as a warrior I've trained myself to wake up early."
Legolas sighed, "Does anyone else besides you or Gimli know?"
Boromir shook his head, "The hobbits are too preoccupied with other things…but Aragorn and Gandalf suspect."
Legolas sighed again and stumbled to his feet. Boromir immediately held out a hand to steady the elf.
"I know you and Aragorn still have…issues to resolve, but…would you at least consult Gandalf," the adan asked, "I don't know much about elves, but I know they are not prone to sickness."
Legolas nodded as he and Boromir started heading back to the camp, "I will speak to Gandalf as soon as I can speak to him alone."
Legolas' stomach continued to churn as they made their way to the camp. Unfortunately, it turned really queasy just as they got to the camp, which caused Legolas to stumble forward. Boromir had to catch Legolas to keep the elf from falling flat on his face.
And this is how Aragorn first saw the two.
"Are you well, Elf?" Aragorn asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Legolas' head darted up in fear as he regarded the ranger. Whatever he saw in the human's expression caused him to dart away toward Gandalf and the hobbits.
With a scowl, Aragorn turned on his heel to head in the opposite direction, but Boromir caught him by the arm first, "Don't let senseless jealousy ruin your chance for happiness, Aragorn!"
Aragorn glared at Boromir, "Stay out of this, Steward's heir. It is not your affair!"
Boromir's eyes narrowed at the way Aragorn slurred the phrase 'Steward's heir'. "It is if you think to hurt both yourself and Legolas over me. I seek nothing from Legolas beyond friendship. Any fool can see that he loves you!"
Aragorn lost his anger at Boromir's words and he suddenly looked sad, "It was a long time ago. I'm not sure our love can be saved."
"Try Aragorn," Boromir said, "Legolas needs you..and somehow, I think you need him."
Boromir left Aragorn behind as he walked back to camp. So he didn't see the single tear slide down Aragorn's cheek.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By the time mid-afternoon rolled around the Fellowship had reached a grouping of rock at the base of Caradhras, where they decided to rest for a bit. It gave Gandalf a chance to contemplate the road ahead of them and Sam a chance to cook something for everyone.
The hobbits never missed a possible chance to eat.
Legolas, in the meantime, was snubbing Aragorn by keeping a lookout and generally ignoring everybody else. The antics of that morning had apparently put the elf in a rather foul mood.
Gimli spent his time grumbling to Gandalf about going through Moria, to which Gandalf held a steadfast 'no way'.
Aragorn, Sam and Frodo all sat gathered around a clear area watching Boromir spar with Merry and Pippin. Aragorn was smoking his pipe, Frodo and Sam were eating Sam's finished food.
Merry and Pippin, amazingly, weren't eating even though there was food waiting for them. Instead, they were having fun sparing with the man of Gondor. And Boromir looked like he was having fun as well.
"Good. Very good." Boromir praised Merry before turning to Pippin and going through similar moves with him.
"Move your feet." Aragorn told Pippin. He half expected Boromir to grumble that he didn't need any help training the hobbits, but the man ignored him. Aragorn himself was still a little sour over Boromir's words to him that morning. Even though he knew somewhere in his head that Boromir had made a valid point, his pride wouldn't allow him to ever admit it.
"That's good Pippin," Merry said to his cousin as he finished his little skirmish.
"Thanks," Pippin replied as Merry took his turn. How is it those two could remain so perky all the time, Aragorn wondered.
Frodo and Sam were laughing amongst themselves as they watched Merry and Pippin. Most likely making fun of their friends.
Meanwhile, a little ways behind, Gandalf was getting a headache listening to Gimli continue to grumble while at the same time shaking his head at Legolas and Aragorn, who both had their backs to each other.
With Aragorn's excessive pride and Legolas' temper how those two had ever gotten together to begin with was beyond the wizard.
Before Gandalf could contemplate that thought any further, Legolas suddenly moved from his perch and jumped up onto a higher rock. His Elven senses having picked up something.
Curious and concerned, Gandalf looked to where Legolas' gaze was directed, the sounds of Boromir and the hobbits in the background. Boromir was a great swordsman, but even he had a slip up once in a while. Which is what happened when his sword, which was longer than Pippin's, slipped and hit the hobbit right on the wrist.
Pippin winced and pulled his hand, dropping his weapon, just as Boromir quickly said, "I'm sorry," and stepped toward him out of concern.
However, Pippin still hadn't reached majority yet so he still had some childish antics in him. Acting on impulse, the hobbit just simply kicked Boromir in the shin.
Boromir jumped back a little and cried out, but it wasn't out of pain, since Pippin was barefoot, but surprise. Pippin still had a few surprises though, as he ran forward and tackled Boromir to the ground before the man had a chance to recover. Of course he had some help from his cousin when Merry joined in and both hobbits yelled out, "For the Shire!"
Aragorn heard Frodo and Sam laughing as he himself fought to keep from bursting into laughter, but he couldn't keep the grin from spreading across his face.
Serves him right for being so pompous and arrogant and making eyes at Legolas, the ranger thought to himself.
Boromir, in the meantime, was thinking how ridiculous it was that the Captain of the White Tower had gotten tackled by two halflings while he was training them. The absurdity of the whole situation didn't escape him and he couldn't help but laugh as he simply let Merry and Pippin keep him pinned to the ground. It felt good just to laugh for once.
Aragorn scowled at the trio. 'He has to ruin my fun by laughing at himself'. Putting aside his pipe Aragorn stood up and walked over to the trio.
"Gentlemen, that's enough!" the ranger said with a harsher than he'd intended.
However, Merry and Pippin's playful antics had been caught by Boromir and the younger man moved his right leg in a side sweeping motion just as the hobbits made to grab Aragorn's legs.
Aragorn guessed their intent a split second too late and suddenly found himself flipped onto his back while Boromir, Merry and Pippin laughed at his expense.
Their laughter died down though, when the 4 of them got to their feet and realized not even Sam and Frodo were paying attention to them. Everyone else was looking at a black wisp in the sky that seemed to be growing larger by the second.
"What is that?" Sam asked.
"Nothing," Gimli grumbled, "It's just a wisp of cloud."
"It's moving fast," Boromir pointed out, his warrior's instincts on full alert, "Against the wind."
The Fellowship continued to watch the wisp nervously until Legolas suddenly yelled down from his perch, "Crebain from Dunland!"
"Hide!" Aragorn yelled as the rest of the Fellowship scrambled to get under some cover.
Boromir made sure Merry and Pippin were okay while grabbing their swords, Sam quickly put out the fire and everyone else grabbed some of their things while ducking down.
They got out of sight just in time as the birds came swooping around and over the rocky outcropping where the Fellowship had just been sitting.
Luckily no one in the Fellowship was spotted and the birds flew back the way they had come after a minute, but the incident was still enough to make everyone nervous.
Legolas, who had been hiding under a bush, winced at the dull throbbing pain in his lower back as he stood up. An action that didn't go unnoticed by Boromir or Gimli. Or Gandalf for that matter. But the wizard chose to wait for the elf to come and talk to him. Besides, the Fellowship had more urgent matter to take care of right then.
"Spies of the enemy. The passage south is being watched." Gandalf declared, turning toward the rise of Caradhras and studying it nervously for a moment, "We must take the Pass of Caradhras."
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January 11
They'd been climbing for hours and everyone was getting tired, except possibly the elf, who was walking on top of the snow. Though, given his daily stint of illness, even he seemed to be unusually fatigued.
Boromir kept a watchful eye on the elf, knowing he'd been exceptionally ill that morning before beginning the climb. He also seemed to be favoring his lower back more than usual.
Gimli, the only other member of the Fellowship who knew of Legolas' illness was walking right behind the elf, keeping him between himself and Gandalf. After all, if anything happened to the sick elf Gandalf would be the one most likely to know what to do.
Boromir's thoughts were pulled away from Legolas when he heard Frodo grunt behind him, followed by a soft thud and Aragorn saying, "Frodo!"
Boromir turned in time to see the ranger help the hobbit to his feet. While Frodo dusted himself off Boromir, seeing the ring on the snow, bent to pick it up.
Holding the ring by the chain the Boromir studied it, "It's a strange fate that we suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing."
As if someone stood beside him, whispering in his ear, he heard a small seductive voice chanting, "Take it. Now is your chance. It's yours. It belongs to you."
Slowly he lifted his other hand, ready to close it over the ring, whispering, "Such a little thing."
"Boromir!"
At Aragorn's voice Boromir jerked, suddenly afraid, desperate to get the ring out of his hands. He looked at Aragorn and realized the ranger hand his hand on the hilt of his sword. Boromir's warrior instinct took over, as did his pride.
"Give the ring to Frodo." Aragorn said.
Boromir chafed at the haughty tone and stepped forward, once again hearing that whispering voice.
Still fearful, but not letting it show in the face of Aragorn's scorn, Boromir handed the ring to Frodo muttering with slight disdain, "As you wish. I care not."
Frodo grabbed the ring quickly and Boromir chuckled, ruffling the hobbit's hair. Repositioning his shield the Gondorian turned and continued up the slope. Behind him Frodo sighed and Aragorn let go of his sword.
The ranger narrowed his gaze. It was starting. The ring had chosen it's first victim.
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The next day, as the Fellowship neared the top of Caradhras, Legolas was feeling amazingly well. He still had the dull thro in his lower back but the nausea was wonderfully absent for the first time in a month and he almost felt like skipping. If that pass-time hadn't been a little…un-princely he might have.
As it was, he was walking lightly on top of the snow, unaffected by the wind and flying snow. Hearing one of the men grunt Legolas looked down and was hard pressed not to laugh. The sight before him was unbelievably humorous though…and Legolas had been unusually cheerful the last few days…at least when he wasn't retching his guts out.
Taking that into consideration, it wasn't surprising that Legolas found the sight of the rest of the Fellowship buried in snow funny. Gandalf was buried up to his waist and was using his staff to dig himself a path. Gimli, following close behind the wizard, appeared to be nothing more than a helmet floating along from the elf's vantage point. The men, each loaded down with two hobbits, were buried up to their chests, the hobbits appearing as nothing more than heads. Bill the pony was following Aragorn, whether of his own free will or because Sam still held the lead Legolas wasn't sure.
Hearing something over the roaring wind the elf stepped lightly past the Fellowship to the edge of the ledge they were walking on.
Aragorn gave Legolas a disgusted glare as the elf stepped over his head, completely unaffected by the snow and wind.
The ranger shook his head and grumbled, "He is not making me want to throw myself into his arms and declare my undying love."
Boromir growled when the elf passed over him and muttered, "Light-foot. The least he could do is take at least one of the hobbits."
Legolas couldn't stop his grin at the humans' complaining. Ignoring them he cocked his head and gazed out, toward Isengard, calling over the wind, "There is a foul voice on the air!"
Behind him Gandalf struggled toward the edge, "It's Saruman!"
Looking back Legolas helped the wizard toward the edge before stepping back to let Gandalf take over. The wizard did so, shouting a counter spell in Sindarin.
The only answer he got was a bolt of lightning striking the ledge above the Fellowship, sending a ton of snow down on them. At the last possible second Legolas leaned forward and pulled the wizard back to safety.
Almost the moment the avalanche buried the Fellowship the wind died down. Legolas popped his head out of the snow and started digging for his friends. The first one he found was Gimli. The dwarf released a growl as the elf pulled him free of the snow."
"Gandalf, we must turn back!"
Legolas jumped slightly at Aragorn's words, realizing for the first time the rest of the Fellowship had dug themselves out. Gandalf shook his head and started to reply but Boromir beat him to it.
"We must get off the mountain," the younger adan yelled, "Make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the West Road to my city…"
Aragorn shook his head, interrupting Boromir, "The Gap of Rohan takes us to close to Isengard!"
Gimli looked at Gandalf, "If we cannot go over the mountain, let us go under it, through the Mines of Moria."
Gandalf hesitated. He didn't want to go through Moria. He knew some of the dangers the mines presented. Things far worse than orcs.
Shadow and flame.
The wizard sighed. He had 3 choices. Moria he feared. The Gap of Rohan was a risk with Saruman wanting the ring. And the West Road through Minas Tirith was a gamble with the ring working its evil on Boromir.
"Let the ring-bearer decide." Gandalf said almost unwillingly, "Frodo?"
"We cannot stay here!" Boromir yelled, "This will be the death of the hobbits!"
Frodo seemed to think a moment. Finally he said, "We will go through the mines."
Gandalf closed his eyes with a dejected sigh, "So be it."
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Since there were no real questions that need to be answered we'll just say thanks for the great reviews.
~Becky and Brina~
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Chapter 9
TA 3018 December 30
Legolas straightened up and leaned back against the tree, sliding around it away from the mess he'd made on the ground, and pressed a hand to his convulsing stomach. A full month. How long was this strange illness going to last?
There were other things he noticed as well, a sense of fullness in his lower abdomen, a constant dull ache in his lower back. His bladder seemed to have shrunk as well.
Legolas glared down at his stomach suspiciously. The snap of a twig brought his head back up though, and saved his stomach from the intense glare.
Hearing nothing more Legolas leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes, battling back the wave of fatigue that was his constant companion lately. Elves could go on very little sleep, yet Legolas felt as if he could drop where he was and sleep for weeks.
The Fellowship had been traveling for 5 or 6 days now, but he couldn't be exactly sure. Between being ill every morning and walking all day there had been no chance for the elf to corner Estel or question Gandalf about the illness affecting him, or his suspicions about said illness.
Legolas suddenly straightened, hearing a gruff curse to his left, "You can show yourself, Son of Gloin. I know you are there."
A second later the dwarf stalked up to Legolas, "They're lookin' for ye, Elf."
Legolas tried a grin, "So they sent you, Master dwarf, to fetch the wayward elf?"
Gimli huffed, "I was the only one who knew which direction to search. I see ye leave every mornin', Elf."
"Every morning?" Legolas asked with a small chuckle, "And here I thought dwarves were such deep sleepers."
"That's a myth, laddie." Gimli growled before nodding to the elf's hand still pressed to his stomach, "Now what ails ye?"
Legolas let his hand drop while shifting his gaze away from Gimli's and mumbled, "Nothing, Master dwarf."
Gimli leaned on his axe, "Ye don't empty yer stomach every mornin' over nothin', laddie."
Legolas sighed, "It's my problem, Master Gimli. Tell no one of this." He paused before meeting the dwarf's gaze, "Please."
After a tense moment Gimli huffed and stomped away grumbling, "An elf and a dwarf havin' a secret. It's indecent I tell ye."
Legolas watched Gimli for a moment grinning. Finally he called after the departing dwarf, "So we have an understanding, Master Gimli?"
The dwarf stopped and faced him with another huff, "Aye, Elf, we have an understanding."
While Gimli continued back to camp Legolas released a full laugh. Aye, an elf and a dwarf having a secret. Indecent indeed. King Thranduil would be unbelievingly amused at his son's predicament.
Especially since the dwarf in question was the son of one of the very dwarves Thranduil had imprisoned over a misunderstanding nearly 80 years earlier.
Aye, Thranduil would definitely be amused.
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December 31
By the next morning Legolas was just about ready to tear his stomach out or stop eating all together. Although it probably wouldn't have made any difference anyway, he thought to himself as he continued to throw up the previous night's dinner. He was almost positive he hadn't eaten THAT much.
"When will this torment end?" he moaned to himself as he sat back on the grass.
"Perhaps you should consult with Gandalf, fair elf," a voice spoke up from behind Legolas.
Startled, the elf jumped up onto his knees and spun to see a very concerned Boromir standing behind him.
"Ai Elbereth I must be losing my touch," Legolas said in frustration, "I got up early and started going a different route so I wouldn't disturb anyone and yet first Gimli follows me and now you."
"Peace, Elf," Boromir said, "Old habits tend to die hard and as a warrior I've trained myself to wake up early."
Legolas sighed, "Does anyone else besides you or Gimli know?"
Boromir shook his head, "The hobbits are too preoccupied with other things…but Aragorn and Gandalf suspect."
Legolas sighed again and stumbled to his feet. Boromir immediately held out a hand to steady the elf.
"I know you and Aragorn still have…issues to resolve, but…would you at least consult Gandalf," the adan asked, "I don't know much about elves, but I know they are not prone to sickness."
Legolas nodded as he and Boromir started heading back to the camp, "I will speak to Gandalf as soon as I can speak to him alone."
Legolas' stomach continued to churn as they made their way to the camp. Unfortunately, it turned really queasy just as they got to the camp, which caused Legolas to stumble forward. Boromir had to catch Legolas to keep the elf from falling flat on his face.
And this is how Aragorn first saw the two.
"Are you well, Elf?" Aragorn asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Legolas' head darted up in fear as he regarded the ranger. Whatever he saw in the human's expression caused him to dart away toward Gandalf and the hobbits.
With a scowl, Aragorn turned on his heel to head in the opposite direction, but Boromir caught him by the arm first, "Don't let senseless jealousy ruin your chance for happiness, Aragorn!"
Aragorn glared at Boromir, "Stay out of this, Steward's heir. It is not your affair!"
Boromir's eyes narrowed at the way Aragorn slurred the phrase 'Steward's heir'. "It is if you think to hurt both yourself and Legolas over me. I seek nothing from Legolas beyond friendship. Any fool can see that he loves you!"
Aragorn lost his anger at Boromir's words and he suddenly looked sad, "It was a long time ago. I'm not sure our love can be saved."
"Try Aragorn," Boromir said, "Legolas needs you..and somehow, I think you need him."
Boromir left Aragorn behind as he walked back to camp. So he didn't see the single tear slide down Aragorn's cheek.
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By the time mid-afternoon rolled around the Fellowship had reached a grouping of rock at the base of Caradhras, where they decided to rest for a bit. It gave Gandalf a chance to contemplate the road ahead of them and Sam a chance to cook something for everyone.
The hobbits never missed a possible chance to eat.
Legolas, in the meantime, was snubbing Aragorn by keeping a lookout and generally ignoring everybody else. The antics of that morning had apparently put the elf in a rather foul mood.
Gimli spent his time grumbling to Gandalf about going through Moria, to which Gandalf held a steadfast 'no way'.
Aragorn, Sam and Frodo all sat gathered around a clear area watching Boromir spar with Merry and Pippin. Aragorn was smoking his pipe, Frodo and Sam were eating Sam's finished food.
Merry and Pippin, amazingly, weren't eating even though there was food waiting for them. Instead, they were having fun sparing with the man of Gondor. And Boromir looked like he was having fun as well.
"Good. Very good." Boromir praised Merry before turning to Pippin and going through similar moves with him.
"Move your feet." Aragorn told Pippin. He half expected Boromir to grumble that he didn't need any help training the hobbits, but the man ignored him. Aragorn himself was still a little sour over Boromir's words to him that morning. Even though he knew somewhere in his head that Boromir had made a valid point, his pride wouldn't allow him to ever admit it.
"That's good Pippin," Merry said to his cousin as he finished his little skirmish.
"Thanks," Pippin replied as Merry took his turn. How is it those two could remain so perky all the time, Aragorn wondered.
Frodo and Sam were laughing amongst themselves as they watched Merry and Pippin. Most likely making fun of their friends.
Meanwhile, a little ways behind, Gandalf was getting a headache listening to Gimli continue to grumble while at the same time shaking his head at Legolas and Aragorn, who both had their backs to each other.
With Aragorn's excessive pride and Legolas' temper how those two had ever gotten together to begin with was beyond the wizard.
Before Gandalf could contemplate that thought any further, Legolas suddenly moved from his perch and jumped up onto a higher rock. His Elven senses having picked up something.
Curious and concerned, Gandalf looked to where Legolas' gaze was directed, the sounds of Boromir and the hobbits in the background. Boromir was a great swordsman, but even he had a slip up once in a while. Which is what happened when his sword, which was longer than Pippin's, slipped and hit the hobbit right on the wrist.
Pippin winced and pulled his hand, dropping his weapon, just as Boromir quickly said, "I'm sorry," and stepped toward him out of concern.
However, Pippin still hadn't reached majority yet so he still had some childish antics in him. Acting on impulse, the hobbit just simply kicked Boromir in the shin.
Boromir jumped back a little and cried out, but it wasn't out of pain, since Pippin was barefoot, but surprise. Pippin still had a few surprises though, as he ran forward and tackled Boromir to the ground before the man had a chance to recover. Of course he had some help from his cousin when Merry joined in and both hobbits yelled out, "For the Shire!"
Aragorn heard Frodo and Sam laughing as he himself fought to keep from bursting into laughter, but he couldn't keep the grin from spreading across his face.
Serves him right for being so pompous and arrogant and making eyes at Legolas, the ranger thought to himself.
Boromir, in the meantime, was thinking how ridiculous it was that the Captain of the White Tower had gotten tackled by two halflings while he was training them. The absurdity of the whole situation didn't escape him and he couldn't help but laugh as he simply let Merry and Pippin keep him pinned to the ground. It felt good just to laugh for once.
Aragorn scowled at the trio. 'He has to ruin my fun by laughing at himself'. Putting aside his pipe Aragorn stood up and walked over to the trio.
"Gentlemen, that's enough!" the ranger said with a harsher than he'd intended.
However, Merry and Pippin's playful antics had been caught by Boromir and the younger man moved his right leg in a side sweeping motion just as the hobbits made to grab Aragorn's legs.
Aragorn guessed their intent a split second too late and suddenly found himself flipped onto his back while Boromir, Merry and Pippin laughed at his expense.
Their laughter died down though, when the 4 of them got to their feet and realized not even Sam and Frodo were paying attention to them. Everyone else was looking at a black wisp in the sky that seemed to be growing larger by the second.
"What is that?" Sam asked.
"Nothing," Gimli grumbled, "It's just a wisp of cloud."
"It's moving fast," Boromir pointed out, his warrior's instincts on full alert, "Against the wind."
The Fellowship continued to watch the wisp nervously until Legolas suddenly yelled down from his perch, "Crebain from Dunland!"
"Hide!" Aragorn yelled as the rest of the Fellowship scrambled to get under some cover.
Boromir made sure Merry and Pippin were okay while grabbing their swords, Sam quickly put out the fire and everyone else grabbed some of their things while ducking down.
They got out of sight just in time as the birds came swooping around and over the rocky outcropping where the Fellowship had just been sitting.
Luckily no one in the Fellowship was spotted and the birds flew back the way they had come after a minute, but the incident was still enough to make everyone nervous.
Legolas, who had been hiding under a bush, winced at the dull throbbing pain in his lower back as he stood up. An action that didn't go unnoticed by Boromir or Gimli. Or Gandalf for that matter. But the wizard chose to wait for the elf to come and talk to him. Besides, the Fellowship had more urgent matter to take care of right then.
"Spies of the enemy. The passage south is being watched." Gandalf declared, turning toward the rise of Caradhras and studying it nervously for a moment, "We must take the Pass of Caradhras."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
January 11
They'd been climbing for hours and everyone was getting tired, except possibly the elf, who was walking on top of the snow. Though, given his daily stint of illness, even he seemed to be unusually fatigued.
Boromir kept a watchful eye on the elf, knowing he'd been exceptionally ill that morning before beginning the climb. He also seemed to be favoring his lower back more than usual.
Gimli, the only other member of the Fellowship who knew of Legolas' illness was walking right behind the elf, keeping him between himself and Gandalf. After all, if anything happened to the sick elf Gandalf would be the one most likely to know what to do.
Boromir's thoughts were pulled away from Legolas when he heard Frodo grunt behind him, followed by a soft thud and Aragorn saying, "Frodo!"
Boromir turned in time to see the ranger help the hobbit to his feet. While Frodo dusted himself off Boromir, seeing the ring on the snow, bent to pick it up.
Holding the ring by the chain the Boromir studied it, "It's a strange fate that we suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing."
As if someone stood beside him, whispering in his ear, he heard a small seductive voice chanting, "Take it. Now is your chance. It's yours. It belongs to you."
Slowly he lifted his other hand, ready to close it over the ring, whispering, "Such a little thing."
"Boromir!"
At Aragorn's voice Boromir jerked, suddenly afraid, desperate to get the ring out of his hands. He looked at Aragorn and realized the ranger hand his hand on the hilt of his sword. Boromir's warrior instinct took over, as did his pride.
"Give the ring to Frodo." Aragorn said.
Boromir chafed at the haughty tone and stepped forward, once again hearing that whispering voice.
Still fearful, but not letting it show in the face of Aragorn's scorn, Boromir handed the ring to Frodo muttering with slight disdain, "As you wish. I care not."
Frodo grabbed the ring quickly and Boromir chuckled, ruffling the hobbit's hair. Repositioning his shield the Gondorian turned and continued up the slope. Behind him Frodo sighed and Aragorn let go of his sword.
The ranger narrowed his gaze. It was starting. The ring had chosen it's first victim.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, as the Fellowship neared the top of Caradhras, Legolas was feeling amazingly well. He still had the dull thro in his lower back but the nausea was wonderfully absent for the first time in a month and he almost felt like skipping. If that pass-time hadn't been a little…un-princely he might have.
As it was, he was walking lightly on top of the snow, unaffected by the wind and flying snow. Hearing one of the men grunt Legolas looked down and was hard pressed not to laugh. The sight before him was unbelievably humorous though…and Legolas had been unusually cheerful the last few days…at least when he wasn't retching his guts out.
Taking that into consideration, it wasn't surprising that Legolas found the sight of the rest of the Fellowship buried in snow funny. Gandalf was buried up to his waist and was using his staff to dig himself a path. Gimli, following close behind the wizard, appeared to be nothing more than a helmet floating along from the elf's vantage point. The men, each loaded down with two hobbits, were buried up to their chests, the hobbits appearing as nothing more than heads. Bill the pony was following Aragorn, whether of his own free will or because Sam still held the lead Legolas wasn't sure.
Hearing something over the roaring wind the elf stepped lightly past the Fellowship to the edge of the ledge they were walking on.
Aragorn gave Legolas a disgusted glare as the elf stepped over his head, completely unaffected by the snow and wind.
The ranger shook his head and grumbled, "He is not making me want to throw myself into his arms and declare my undying love."
Boromir growled when the elf passed over him and muttered, "Light-foot. The least he could do is take at least one of the hobbits."
Legolas couldn't stop his grin at the humans' complaining. Ignoring them he cocked his head and gazed out, toward Isengard, calling over the wind, "There is a foul voice on the air!"
Behind him Gandalf struggled toward the edge, "It's Saruman!"
Looking back Legolas helped the wizard toward the edge before stepping back to let Gandalf take over. The wizard did so, shouting a counter spell in Sindarin.
The only answer he got was a bolt of lightning striking the ledge above the Fellowship, sending a ton of snow down on them. At the last possible second Legolas leaned forward and pulled the wizard back to safety.
Almost the moment the avalanche buried the Fellowship the wind died down. Legolas popped his head out of the snow and started digging for his friends. The first one he found was Gimli. The dwarf released a growl as the elf pulled him free of the snow."
"Gandalf, we must turn back!"
Legolas jumped slightly at Aragorn's words, realizing for the first time the rest of the Fellowship had dug themselves out. Gandalf shook his head and started to reply but Boromir beat him to it.
"We must get off the mountain," the younger adan yelled, "Make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the West Road to my city…"
Aragorn shook his head, interrupting Boromir, "The Gap of Rohan takes us to close to Isengard!"
Gimli looked at Gandalf, "If we cannot go over the mountain, let us go under it, through the Mines of Moria."
Gandalf hesitated. He didn't want to go through Moria. He knew some of the dangers the mines presented. Things far worse than orcs.
Shadow and flame.
The wizard sighed. He had 3 choices. Moria he feared. The Gap of Rohan was a risk with Saruman wanting the ring. And the West Road through Minas Tirith was a gamble with the ring working its evil on Boromir.
"Let the ring-bearer decide." Gandalf said almost unwillingly, "Frodo?"
"We cannot stay here!" Boromir yelled, "This will be the death of the hobbits!"
Frodo seemed to think a moment. Finally he said, "We will go through the mines."
Gandalf closed his eyes with a dejected sigh, "So be it."
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Since there were no real questions that need to be answered we'll just say thanks for the great reviews.
~Becky and Brina~