A/N: Okay, it's getting tiring writing these notes before every chapter, so, if you see something you recognize in the scene descriptions, words spoken…etc. then we've borrowed from the movie and/or books. None of it is ours. I probably won't do this type of note for future chapters unless they have majorly taken from the movie or books. Other than that, it's kind of obvious what we do and don't own.
Now, onward through Moria we go.
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Chapter 11
Moria
Boromir wasn't exactly sure how long they'd been in Moria but the Fellowship had camped once and Legolas had gotten sick twice. That all led him to believe they were on their second day in the mines. It was an odd way to keep track of time but Boromir believed if something worked, use it.
Since entering the mines he'd kept a close watch on the elf, worried about his reaction to the darkness and enclosing stone. He was happy to notice that Aragorn and the elf seemed to be working through their problems though.
The man and the elf had taken their watches while the Fellowship camped at the same time and they'd obviously talked and seemed to be on better terms with each other. Aragorn hung close to the elf, also worried about him.
Boromir's attention was drawn to the wizard at the front of the line when he called for a halt, "We will make camp here and begin again after we get a few hours sleep."
The hobbits barely let him finish before plopping themselves down in a huddle. Since there was no means to make a fire, Sam started digging through his pack for the camp rations Lord Elrond had given him for just such an occasion.
Legolas stood a few feet off to the side, his whole body tense. Of the Fellowship, he was having the hardest time. His senses were almost on overload due to the menacing feel of the darkness surrounding him. And the ongoing stench was playing havoc on his already queasy stomach.
"Legolas?"
Legolas met Aragorn's gaze when the ranger stopped beside him. His breathing was somewhat erratic when he whispered, "I must get out of here, Estel. The darkness suffocates me. There is overwhelming danger."
Before either the elf or the ranger could continue Sam walked up with food, "I brought you dinner, Strider, Master Legolas."
Legolas paled at the thought of food but forced himself to smile at the hobbit, "I thank you, Sam. But I am not hungry."
Aragorn, who had started to take the food, released an unhappy sigh, "Take it, Legolas. You do not eat right."
"I am not hungry, Estel." Legolas growled before stalking off, leaving the hobbit and the ranger staring after him.
Man and hobbit exchanged a look. Finally Aragorn sighed, "I'll go after him. Nobody should wander these mines alone. Go back to the group, Sam."
Making sure the hobbit got back to the group, Aragorn went after his wayward lover. Something was up with the elf and he aimed to find out what.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boromir watched Aragorn follow Legolas away and almost grinned. Chances were they wouldn't see either the elf or the ranger until morning.
Boromir couldn't contain his smirk when the dwarf grunted that very thing under his breath. The hobbits apparently heard as well and Sam piped up, "Nay, I think Strider will make sure Legolas is back tonight to make sure he eats. He didn't eat yesterday."
"They won't be back tonight." Boromir said, knowingly.
Merry jumped up. "We say they will."
Boromir and Gimli met each other's gaze before turning back to the hobbits and Gimli shook his head, "Nay, tomorrow…if they know what's good for them."
Pippin cocked his head, "Why would staying away all night be good for them?"
Nobody answered the hobbit's innocently asked question. Frodo turned to the wizard, who'd remained out of the conversation, "What do you think, Gandalf?"
Gandalf lit his pipe, "I'm staying out of this little bet. It would be good for them to be alone to work out the rest of their problems…but, they could very well return before morning."
That said Gandalf motioned for his companions to settle in for the night, "Now, I suggest you all get some sleep. I will take the first watch."
While the hobbits, Boromir and Gimli did as they were told Pippin mumbled, "I'd still like to know why staying alone all night can be good for them."
That time Boromir and Gimli exchanged knowing grins. How so indeed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn stopped a couple feet from Legolas when he found him, "Legolas, I'm sorry. It's just…you've barely eaten more than two meals in four days. You didn't eat yesterday. I'm worried."
Legolas faced the human with a sigh, "Estel, I can take care of myself. I have for centuries before you were even born."
Aragorn took a chance and pulled the elf into his arms, "I know, but now that you're mine…let me take care of you."
Legolas chuckled, "I'm yours, am I? Does that mean you are mine?"
"Hmm." Aragorn mumbled, pressing his lips to Legolas'.
Legolas let the kiss happen for a moment before pulling back with a small smile, running his fingers through Aragorn's hair, "I thought you said this wasn't going to happen again."
Aragorn grinned back, fisting his hand in Legolas' silver-gold hair, "I lied."
"Wonderful." Legolas murmured, resuming the kiss. Aragorn merely chuckled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn woke up the next morning alone and looked around for Legolas, "Meleth?"
A muffled moan drew his attention toward a darkened corner, "I'm over here, Estel."
Getting to his feet the ranger walked toward the elf. As he got nearer he saw Legolas double over and heard him gag, as if throwing up.
"Legolas, are you…"
He cut off when the elf threw up again just as Aragorn got to his side. The tangy scent nearly made the adan throw up himself.
When Legolas straightened up Aragorn wrapped his arms around him, "How long have you been doing this?"
Legolas moaned and slumped in the man's arms, "Never mind that. I've got some ginger water in my pack. Let's just go back to the others. Please."
Aragorn sighed, "Alright. Lean on me. We'll go slow."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boromir was taking his turn at watch when he saw the ranger and the elf return. Aragorn had his arm around Legolas' waist and the elf leaned heavily against him.
Boromir grinned. The elf was sick, that meant it was morning and the hobbits had lost the bet.
Almost immediately Boromir felt a little guilty at being somewhat amused at the elf's illness. As he watched Aragorn help Legolas sit down Boromir wondered how much longer the poor elf would have to suffer.
Aragorn handed Legolas his water skin, "Will you be okay now?"
Legolas took a sip of his water and sighed as the ginger root went right to work, settling his stomach. He smiled at Aragorn, "It's just a little nausea, Estel. And the ginger water is settling it. I'm fine."
Aragorn nodded and dropped a quick kiss on the elf's lips, "Alright. I'm going to talk to Boromir."
Legolas grinned, "Play nice."
Smirking, Aragorn got to his feet and walked over to the younger man. Boromir nodded a greeting when Aragorn sat down. Aragorn hesitated a moment before speaking.
"What do you know about this illness of his?"
Boromir sighed. "We know nothing beyond the fact that he's been getting sick in the morning for a while. Gimli and I have caught him a few times."
Aragorn thought a moment, mumbling, "Sick in the morning." He met Boromir's gaze and held out his hand for a warrior's handshake, "Thank you, Boromir, for watching out for him."
Boromir hesitated only a second before accepting the metaphorical olive branch and clasping Aragorn's forearm, "You're welcome…friend."
Both men jumped when Gandalf suddenly spoke, "It's about time you two became friends. Now perhaps we can finish this quest without you being at each other's throats."
The two humans grinned sheepishly as the wizard got to his feet and woke the hobbits and Gimli. After a quick, cold breakfast, which Legolas once again refused, the Fellowship continued their journey.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn sat down and smoked his pipe while at the same time cursing Gandalf in his head. The Fellowship had gotten a good start on traveling that morning only to stop again at noon…at least Aragorn thought it was noon. Who could tell in this hole! And the whole reason they were stopping was because Gandalf was being a typical old geezer and couldn't remember which passage they were supposed to take. So, the entire Fellowship was sitting down in front of three passages while Gandalf tried to figure out which way to take.
Aragorn didn't really mind for himself, it was Legolas he was concerned about. The elf had gotten even paler as the Fellowship continued through the mines. Staying in the mines wasn't helping and he had only recently eaten something that day.
And the only reason Legolas had eaten anything at all was because Boromir had threatened to force the food down the elf's throat if he didn't take the food Aragorn was offering. Everyone had thought Boromir was being a little harsh on the elf, but even Gandalf had shut up at the look on Boromir's face.
Consequently, the long trek through the mines and Boromir yelling at him had put Legolas in a really bad mood and he was currently snubbing everyone. Gandalf, in the meantime, was quietly discussing something with Frodo.
Aragorn tried to ignore them, but eventually he jerked his head in the wizard's direction and threw Boromir a look that seemed to say: 'He doesn't know where we're going.'
At the same time Boromir heard the hobbits talking behind him.
"Merry?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
The combination of the hobbits' silly antics and Aragorn's look caused Boromir to get a silly grin on his face. Trying hard not to laugh, Boromir covered hi face with one hand, but he wasn't fast enough for Aragorn. He still noticed.
Raising an eyebrow in question and holding his pipe suspended in the air, Aragorn asked Boromir, "What is so funny?"
Boromir shook his head and rolled his eyes while replying, "My life."
Luckily, Gandalf saved him from explaining further, "Ah! It's that way."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Most of the Fellowship all breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the Great Hall. Legolas was probably the most grateful because the wide open space of the hall at least made him feel less queasy and suffocated. Of course, that was before Gimli decided to take off in a huff toward a side room connected to the hall, which left the entire Fellowship to follow or be left behind.
Legolas clenched his teeth together as the group followed Gimli into the side room. He was just about ready to stride in and throttle the dwarf for causing them any more delays, but then he saw Gimli crouched in front of a tomb, sobbing in grief and Legolas forgot all the harsh words he'd intended to say to the dwarf. Gimli had obviously just found his cousin's tomb.
Gandalf confirmed this a moment later when he read the inscription on the tomb, "Here lies Balin, Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He paused before adding gravely, "He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Gimli continued to cry out in grief even louder as Boromir put a comforting hand on his shoulder and Gandalf picked up a book that was falling apart. Obviously a record book of some kind.
Legolas didn't want to be rude or insensitive, but all he wanted was to get out of there. His queasiness was returning from all the dead dwarf bodies strewn around the room. And besides, the place had an evil feel about it.
"We must move on." Legolas whispered urgently to Aragorn, "We cannot linger."
Aragorn nodded and squeezed the elf's hand gently in reassurance, but allowed Gandalf to start reading the last entries from the book.
Legolas suppressed a groan while only half listening to Gandalf's words. However, he was brought fully back to the moment when a loud 'bang' echoed through the room.
Everyone turned to look at a very guilty looking Pippin. Apparently he'd been playing around with a skeleton resting on the edge of a well. The skull had fallen off and hit the side of the well as it fell. That had been the 'bang' sound that Legolas had heard.
Pippin stared straight at Gandalf with a wide-eyed look on his face while from behind the hobbit, the rest of the skeleton tumbled into the well.
The whole Fellowship froze in place and no one dared to breathe as a series of bangs sounded throughout the otherwise quiet mines. Every orc hidden in the deep mines must have heard it.
Pippin winced at each bang until the last echo faded away completely. The Fellowship waited a whole breathe expecting a huge troop of orcs to come storming into Balin's tomb. When the mines remained silent, everyone visible relaxed. Most noticeable was Boromir's shaky sigh as Gandalf closed the book in his hands and glared at Pippin.
"Fool of a Took!" the wizard said angrily, "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"
Aragorn didn't notice any of this as he quietly pulled Legolas a little to the side. All that had been running through his head as the banging echoed through the mines was the thought that he might never see Farothen again. And right on the heels of that thought came another. Legolas would never know they had a son.
Aragorn sighed as Legolas looked at him in confusion. Regardless of the timing, Legolas had to know about Farothen. Who knew if they were going to get out of Moria.
"Legolas…" Aragorn began, swallowing through the lump in his throat, "Remember that day in Rivendell…when I told you that you'd left me a gift."
Legolas smiled fondly, "Yes, meleth nin."
Aragorn swallowed again. There was going to be no easy way to tell Legolas this, "I think you should know…I mean…that gift…it kind of was…"
Aragorn never got a chance to finish. Just at that moment, a low rumble sounded through he mines.
The Fellowship froze and turned to Pippin as if expecting an answer from the young hobbit. However, the look on Pippin's face clearly said it hadn't been his fault this time.
The rumbling continued and it sounded like drums. Frodo pulled Sting from its sheath, only to be horrified that the blade was glowing blue.
"Orcs!"
In response Boromir quickly ran to the door, only to narrowly miss getting hit in the face with two arrows. As Aragorn ran up to aid the younger adan in blocking the door, he almost laughed at the defiant look in the man of Gondor's eyes.
Together the two men slammed the door shut and Boromir faced Aragorn, leaned almost nonchalantly against the door and said in an exasperated tone, "They have a cave troll."
'Why me?' Aragorn thought as Legolas tossed the two men a couple long axes to bar the doors with.
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'Ai Elbereth! Orcs. A cave troll. A balrog.' Aragorn would have cursed Gandalf for brining them into the mines except it had been Gimli's idea, Frodo's decision…and it was wrong to speak ill of the dead.
As Aragorn watched Boromir trying to hold Gimli back to stop the dwarf from running back into the mines, and the hobbits crying all around him, he still couldn't believe that Gandalf had fallen.
Suddenly, snickering drew Aragorn's attention to Legolas as the elf asked, "You think Gandalf would have looked if we actually started flying?'
Boromir and Gandalf looked at Legolas like he was insane until they remembered Gandalf's last words: "Fly you fools."
"Legolas, don't you think you're being a little disrespectful?" Boromir hissed.
Legolas continued to smirk a little, even as he burst into tears, "I'm sorry. I'm really very sad."
Aragorn groaned inwardly as Legolas continued to cry. 'This group is hopeless. Especially without Gandalf,' the ranger thought.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn said, referring to the hobbits lying on the ground. Wiping tears from his face, Legolas moved to give Merry and Pippin a hand up.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir interrupted.
Aragorn admired the man's empathy, but they couldn't afford to waste time, so he spoke to the whole Fellowship when he said, "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs."
Boromir's face fell when he realized Aragorn was right. They weren't safe yet. They were vulnerable and out in the open.
"We must reach the woods of Lothlorien," Aragorn continued. 'And hopefully by the time I get there I can figure out how to tell Legolas about Farothen.'
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A/N: I don't think we used any Elvish in this chapter that we haven't translated at some point in one of the other chapter. If you find any let us know.
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Replies to reviews:
Aislynn: I just wanted to clear up a couple things. Legolas didn't go looking for Estel once he found out he was from Rivendell wasn't because he thought the human had found another love. He didn't go because the two realms weren't on good speaking terms with each other, also, when he talked to Galadriel, chances were she would tell him Estel was alright.
VaniaHepskins: The scene where Legolas jumps behind Aragorn as the doors of Moria collapsed is one of my favorite in the movie so I insisted it stayed in this story…it also worked in well.
Legolas19, Cinnamon-Sweet-Heart (cute name by the way), Figwit, Vuaryn, Leandra, Endurwen en' kalina and Legolas' fanatical fan girl (aren't we all): I'm glad you're all enjoying this story. We do our best to please.
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Next chapter:
The moment you've all been waiting for. The Fellowship reaches Lorien, Legolas finds out why he's been getting sick and he FINALLY meets Farothen. I've been waiting for this part too, and we're finally there.
Now, onward through Moria we go.
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Chapter 11
Moria
Boromir wasn't exactly sure how long they'd been in Moria but the Fellowship had camped once and Legolas had gotten sick twice. That all led him to believe they were on their second day in the mines. It was an odd way to keep track of time but Boromir believed if something worked, use it.
Since entering the mines he'd kept a close watch on the elf, worried about his reaction to the darkness and enclosing stone. He was happy to notice that Aragorn and the elf seemed to be working through their problems though.
The man and the elf had taken their watches while the Fellowship camped at the same time and they'd obviously talked and seemed to be on better terms with each other. Aragorn hung close to the elf, also worried about him.
Boromir's attention was drawn to the wizard at the front of the line when he called for a halt, "We will make camp here and begin again after we get a few hours sleep."
The hobbits barely let him finish before plopping themselves down in a huddle. Since there was no means to make a fire, Sam started digging through his pack for the camp rations Lord Elrond had given him for just such an occasion.
Legolas stood a few feet off to the side, his whole body tense. Of the Fellowship, he was having the hardest time. His senses were almost on overload due to the menacing feel of the darkness surrounding him. And the ongoing stench was playing havoc on his already queasy stomach.
"Legolas?"
Legolas met Aragorn's gaze when the ranger stopped beside him. His breathing was somewhat erratic when he whispered, "I must get out of here, Estel. The darkness suffocates me. There is overwhelming danger."
Before either the elf or the ranger could continue Sam walked up with food, "I brought you dinner, Strider, Master Legolas."
Legolas paled at the thought of food but forced himself to smile at the hobbit, "I thank you, Sam. But I am not hungry."
Aragorn, who had started to take the food, released an unhappy sigh, "Take it, Legolas. You do not eat right."
"I am not hungry, Estel." Legolas growled before stalking off, leaving the hobbit and the ranger staring after him.
Man and hobbit exchanged a look. Finally Aragorn sighed, "I'll go after him. Nobody should wander these mines alone. Go back to the group, Sam."
Making sure the hobbit got back to the group, Aragorn went after his wayward lover. Something was up with the elf and he aimed to find out what.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boromir watched Aragorn follow Legolas away and almost grinned. Chances were they wouldn't see either the elf or the ranger until morning.
Boromir couldn't contain his smirk when the dwarf grunted that very thing under his breath. The hobbits apparently heard as well and Sam piped up, "Nay, I think Strider will make sure Legolas is back tonight to make sure he eats. He didn't eat yesterday."
"They won't be back tonight." Boromir said, knowingly.
Merry jumped up. "We say they will."
Boromir and Gimli met each other's gaze before turning back to the hobbits and Gimli shook his head, "Nay, tomorrow…if they know what's good for them."
Pippin cocked his head, "Why would staying away all night be good for them?"
Nobody answered the hobbit's innocently asked question. Frodo turned to the wizard, who'd remained out of the conversation, "What do you think, Gandalf?"
Gandalf lit his pipe, "I'm staying out of this little bet. It would be good for them to be alone to work out the rest of their problems…but, they could very well return before morning."
That said Gandalf motioned for his companions to settle in for the night, "Now, I suggest you all get some sleep. I will take the first watch."
While the hobbits, Boromir and Gimli did as they were told Pippin mumbled, "I'd still like to know why staying alone all night can be good for them."
That time Boromir and Gimli exchanged knowing grins. How so indeed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn stopped a couple feet from Legolas when he found him, "Legolas, I'm sorry. It's just…you've barely eaten more than two meals in four days. You didn't eat yesterday. I'm worried."
Legolas faced the human with a sigh, "Estel, I can take care of myself. I have for centuries before you were even born."
Aragorn took a chance and pulled the elf into his arms, "I know, but now that you're mine…let me take care of you."
Legolas chuckled, "I'm yours, am I? Does that mean you are mine?"
"Hmm." Aragorn mumbled, pressing his lips to Legolas'.
Legolas let the kiss happen for a moment before pulling back with a small smile, running his fingers through Aragorn's hair, "I thought you said this wasn't going to happen again."
Aragorn grinned back, fisting his hand in Legolas' silver-gold hair, "I lied."
"Wonderful." Legolas murmured, resuming the kiss. Aragorn merely chuckled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn woke up the next morning alone and looked around for Legolas, "Meleth?"
A muffled moan drew his attention toward a darkened corner, "I'm over here, Estel."
Getting to his feet the ranger walked toward the elf. As he got nearer he saw Legolas double over and heard him gag, as if throwing up.
"Legolas, are you…"
He cut off when the elf threw up again just as Aragorn got to his side. The tangy scent nearly made the adan throw up himself.
When Legolas straightened up Aragorn wrapped his arms around him, "How long have you been doing this?"
Legolas moaned and slumped in the man's arms, "Never mind that. I've got some ginger water in my pack. Let's just go back to the others. Please."
Aragorn sighed, "Alright. Lean on me. We'll go slow."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Boromir was taking his turn at watch when he saw the ranger and the elf return. Aragorn had his arm around Legolas' waist and the elf leaned heavily against him.
Boromir grinned. The elf was sick, that meant it was morning and the hobbits had lost the bet.
Almost immediately Boromir felt a little guilty at being somewhat amused at the elf's illness. As he watched Aragorn help Legolas sit down Boromir wondered how much longer the poor elf would have to suffer.
Aragorn handed Legolas his water skin, "Will you be okay now?"
Legolas took a sip of his water and sighed as the ginger root went right to work, settling his stomach. He smiled at Aragorn, "It's just a little nausea, Estel. And the ginger water is settling it. I'm fine."
Aragorn nodded and dropped a quick kiss on the elf's lips, "Alright. I'm going to talk to Boromir."
Legolas grinned, "Play nice."
Smirking, Aragorn got to his feet and walked over to the younger man. Boromir nodded a greeting when Aragorn sat down. Aragorn hesitated a moment before speaking.
"What do you know about this illness of his?"
Boromir sighed. "We know nothing beyond the fact that he's been getting sick in the morning for a while. Gimli and I have caught him a few times."
Aragorn thought a moment, mumbling, "Sick in the morning." He met Boromir's gaze and held out his hand for a warrior's handshake, "Thank you, Boromir, for watching out for him."
Boromir hesitated only a second before accepting the metaphorical olive branch and clasping Aragorn's forearm, "You're welcome…friend."
Both men jumped when Gandalf suddenly spoke, "It's about time you two became friends. Now perhaps we can finish this quest without you being at each other's throats."
The two humans grinned sheepishly as the wizard got to his feet and woke the hobbits and Gimli. After a quick, cold breakfast, which Legolas once again refused, the Fellowship continued their journey.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aragorn sat down and smoked his pipe while at the same time cursing Gandalf in his head. The Fellowship had gotten a good start on traveling that morning only to stop again at noon…at least Aragorn thought it was noon. Who could tell in this hole! And the whole reason they were stopping was because Gandalf was being a typical old geezer and couldn't remember which passage they were supposed to take. So, the entire Fellowship was sitting down in front of three passages while Gandalf tried to figure out which way to take.
Aragorn didn't really mind for himself, it was Legolas he was concerned about. The elf had gotten even paler as the Fellowship continued through the mines. Staying in the mines wasn't helping and he had only recently eaten something that day.
And the only reason Legolas had eaten anything at all was because Boromir had threatened to force the food down the elf's throat if he didn't take the food Aragorn was offering. Everyone had thought Boromir was being a little harsh on the elf, but even Gandalf had shut up at the look on Boromir's face.
Consequently, the long trek through the mines and Boromir yelling at him had put Legolas in a really bad mood and he was currently snubbing everyone. Gandalf, in the meantime, was quietly discussing something with Frodo.
Aragorn tried to ignore them, but eventually he jerked his head in the wizard's direction and threw Boromir a look that seemed to say: 'He doesn't know where we're going.'
At the same time Boromir heard the hobbits talking behind him.
"Merry?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
The combination of the hobbits' silly antics and Aragorn's look caused Boromir to get a silly grin on his face. Trying hard not to laugh, Boromir covered hi face with one hand, but he wasn't fast enough for Aragorn. He still noticed.
Raising an eyebrow in question and holding his pipe suspended in the air, Aragorn asked Boromir, "What is so funny?"
Boromir shook his head and rolled his eyes while replying, "My life."
Luckily, Gandalf saved him from explaining further, "Ah! It's that way."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Most of the Fellowship all breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the Great Hall. Legolas was probably the most grateful because the wide open space of the hall at least made him feel less queasy and suffocated. Of course, that was before Gimli decided to take off in a huff toward a side room connected to the hall, which left the entire Fellowship to follow or be left behind.
Legolas clenched his teeth together as the group followed Gimli into the side room. He was just about ready to stride in and throttle the dwarf for causing them any more delays, but then he saw Gimli crouched in front of a tomb, sobbing in grief and Legolas forgot all the harsh words he'd intended to say to the dwarf. Gimli had obviously just found his cousin's tomb.
Gandalf confirmed this a moment later when he read the inscription on the tomb, "Here lies Balin, Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He paused before adding gravely, "He is dead then. It is as I feared."
Gimli continued to cry out in grief even louder as Boromir put a comforting hand on his shoulder and Gandalf picked up a book that was falling apart. Obviously a record book of some kind.
Legolas didn't want to be rude or insensitive, but all he wanted was to get out of there. His queasiness was returning from all the dead dwarf bodies strewn around the room. And besides, the place had an evil feel about it.
"We must move on." Legolas whispered urgently to Aragorn, "We cannot linger."
Aragorn nodded and squeezed the elf's hand gently in reassurance, but allowed Gandalf to start reading the last entries from the book.
Legolas suppressed a groan while only half listening to Gandalf's words. However, he was brought fully back to the moment when a loud 'bang' echoed through the room.
Everyone turned to look at a very guilty looking Pippin. Apparently he'd been playing around with a skeleton resting on the edge of a well. The skull had fallen off and hit the side of the well as it fell. That had been the 'bang' sound that Legolas had heard.
Pippin stared straight at Gandalf with a wide-eyed look on his face while from behind the hobbit, the rest of the skeleton tumbled into the well.
The whole Fellowship froze in place and no one dared to breathe as a series of bangs sounded throughout the otherwise quiet mines. Every orc hidden in the deep mines must have heard it.
Pippin winced at each bang until the last echo faded away completely. The Fellowship waited a whole breathe expecting a huge troop of orcs to come storming into Balin's tomb. When the mines remained silent, everyone visible relaxed. Most noticeable was Boromir's shaky sigh as Gandalf closed the book in his hands and glared at Pippin.
"Fool of a Took!" the wizard said angrily, "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"
Aragorn didn't notice any of this as he quietly pulled Legolas a little to the side. All that had been running through his head as the banging echoed through the mines was the thought that he might never see Farothen again. And right on the heels of that thought came another. Legolas would never know they had a son.
Aragorn sighed as Legolas looked at him in confusion. Regardless of the timing, Legolas had to know about Farothen. Who knew if they were going to get out of Moria.
"Legolas…" Aragorn began, swallowing through the lump in his throat, "Remember that day in Rivendell…when I told you that you'd left me a gift."
Legolas smiled fondly, "Yes, meleth nin."
Aragorn swallowed again. There was going to be no easy way to tell Legolas this, "I think you should know…I mean…that gift…it kind of was…"
Aragorn never got a chance to finish. Just at that moment, a low rumble sounded through he mines.
The Fellowship froze and turned to Pippin as if expecting an answer from the young hobbit. However, the look on Pippin's face clearly said it hadn't been his fault this time.
The rumbling continued and it sounded like drums. Frodo pulled Sting from its sheath, only to be horrified that the blade was glowing blue.
"Orcs!"
In response Boromir quickly ran to the door, only to narrowly miss getting hit in the face with two arrows. As Aragorn ran up to aid the younger adan in blocking the door, he almost laughed at the defiant look in the man of Gondor's eyes.
Together the two men slammed the door shut and Boromir faced Aragorn, leaned almost nonchalantly against the door and said in an exasperated tone, "They have a cave troll."
'Why me?' Aragorn thought as Legolas tossed the two men a couple long axes to bar the doors with.
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'Ai Elbereth! Orcs. A cave troll. A balrog.' Aragorn would have cursed Gandalf for brining them into the mines except it had been Gimli's idea, Frodo's decision…and it was wrong to speak ill of the dead.
As Aragorn watched Boromir trying to hold Gimli back to stop the dwarf from running back into the mines, and the hobbits crying all around him, he still couldn't believe that Gandalf had fallen.
Suddenly, snickering drew Aragorn's attention to Legolas as the elf asked, "You think Gandalf would have looked if we actually started flying?'
Boromir and Gandalf looked at Legolas like he was insane until they remembered Gandalf's last words: "Fly you fools."
"Legolas, don't you think you're being a little disrespectful?" Boromir hissed.
Legolas continued to smirk a little, even as he burst into tears, "I'm sorry. I'm really very sad."
Aragorn groaned inwardly as Legolas continued to cry. 'This group is hopeless. Especially without Gandalf,' the ranger thought.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn said, referring to the hobbits lying on the ground. Wiping tears from his face, Legolas moved to give Merry and Pippin a hand up.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir interrupted.
Aragorn admired the man's empathy, but they couldn't afford to waste time, so he spoke to the whole Fellowship when he said, "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs."
Boromir's face fell when he realized Aragorn was right. They weren't safe yet. They were vulnerable and out in the open.
"We must reach the woods of Lothlorien," Aragorn continued. 'And hopefully by the time I get there I can figure out how to tell Legolas about Farothen.'
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A/N: I don't think we used any Elvish in this chapter that we haven't translated at some point in one of the other chapter. If you find any let us know.
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Replies to reviews:
Aislynn: I just wanted to clear up a couple things. Legolas didn't go looking for Estel once he found out he was from Rivendell wasn't because he thought the human had found another love. He didn't go because the two realms weren't on good speaking terms with each other, also, when he talked to Galadriel, chances were she would tell him Estel was alright.
VaniaHepskins: The scene where Legolas jumps behind Aragorn as the doors of Moria collapsed is one of my favorite in the movie so I insisted it stayed in this story…it also worked in well.
Legolas19, Cinnamon-Sweet-Heart (cute name by the way), Figwit, Vuaryn, Leandra, Endurwen en' kalina and Legolas' fanatical fan girl (aren't we all): I'm glad you're all enjoying this story. We do our best to please.
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Next chapter:
The moment you've all been waiting for. The Fellowship reaches Lorien, Legolas finds out why he's been getting sick and he FINALLY meets Farothen. I've been waiting for this part too, and we're finally there.