Disclaimer: Same as the other chapters.
A/n: Ok, now we're getting somewhere. The Fellowship is on its way. Please remember I will be re-writing this when I get my hands on my friend, Gilraen's copy of the extended version.
Chapter 4
The Ring goes south
On the twenty-fifth day of December, the Fellowship left Rivendell. Tigerlily had followed Legolas' advice and asked Elrond for a smaller sword. He had found her one the same size as her first but it was a lot lighter. She had also discovered she had a good aim when Legolas had taught her archery. She left Rivendell carrying a sword. She wore the brown sleeveless tunic, brown trousers and white shirt with her old boots.
"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom," said Elrond, "On you who travel with him, no oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men, and all Free Folk go with you." Tigerlily smiled as she thought of the world being peaceful. Maybe when the war was over she would go see her family.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," said Gandalf. Frodo had been stood in front of them. Frodo hesitated, and then led the way out of Rivendell. They came to a fork in the road.
"Mordor, Gandalf," Tigerlily heard Frodo whisper, "Is it left or right?"
"Left," muttered Gandalf.
She walked behind Legolas as they left Rivendell. He had been so nice to her, helping her out. She smiled to herself. They headed south. According to Gandalf, they were to hold the course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days to the Gap of Rohan. Then turn east to Mordor.
About two weeks out of Rivendell, they found an area to rest in. Boromir was practicing sword-fighting with Merry and Pippin, Sam and Frodo were cooking something in a frying pan and Gimli was complaining as usual.
"Two, one, five," said Boromir as his sword hit Pippin's, "Good! Very good."
"Move your feet," said Aragorn.
"You look good, Pippin," said Merry.
"Thanks," said Pippin.
"Faster!"
"If anyone were to ask my opinion, which I note they're not," said Gimli, "I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome."
"I would not take the road through Moria unless I absolutely had to," replied Gandalf.
Suddenly, Legolas ran up to a rock and stared south. Tigerlily ran up and stood next to him. She stared south and saw a patch of gray moving towards them.
"What is that?" asked Sam.
"Nothing," said Gimli, "It's just a whiff of cloud."
"Its moving fast," said Boromir, "Against the wind." Tigerlily and Legolas' eyes widened with fear.
"Crebain from Dunland!" yelled Legolas.
"Hide," shouted Aragorn.
There was a mad rush to put out the fire and hide luggage under bushes and rocks. Legolas jumped down from the rock and held out his arms to Tigerlily. She jumped and landed in his arms. Legolas felt her warm body collide with his cool one. Why were humans so warm? He pulled her under a bush by her hand. Her skin felt soft and smooth. She lent against him as the crow-like Crebain swarmed over the rocks. Legolas looked at Aragorn who raised one eyebrow. The Crebain turned around and flew back south. When the Crebain had gone, the Fellowship pulled themselves out.
"Spies of Saruman!" barked Gandalf, "The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras!" He indicated a mountain to the east. Tigerlily watched as Merry and Pippin's faces fall. She too felt a bit intimidated.
As they climbed, Tigerlily noticed a huge difference between the temperature here and back in Rivendell. Here it was bitterly cold and she was starting to lose the feeling in her fingers. Even with her cloak she was freezing. She brought her hands to her mouth and blew on them to warm them. Legolas saw what she was doing. He pulled her closer to him and made her stop walking. He gently rubbed her hands with his own to warm them.
"Are you alright?" he asked, softly.
"Yes, thank you," she said.
"Here drink some of this, lass," said Gimli. He handed Tigerlily a small bottle he had in his pocket. She took off the top and drank some of the liquid. It burnt her throat as she swallowed. So the Dwarf had snuck some whiskey along, Gandalf would not be pleased. He had said bare essentials only. That was why Tigerlily had not brought gloves and was now risking frostbite. Tigerlily heard someone fall down as she handed the bottle back to Gimli. She looked and saw that it was Frodo. Aragorn pulled him up. The Ring was missing; it was lying just a few feet away. Boromir picked it up, with nine pairs of eyes watching him. Well, eight as Pippin was drawing pictures in the snow.
"Boromir," said Aragorn, firmly. Now Boromir had nine pairs of eyes on him.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing," said Boromir, "Such a little thing!"
"Boromir!" said Aragorn again, "Give the Ring to Frodo!"
Boromir walked over and gave Frodo the Ring.
"As you wish," said Boromir, "I care not." He laughed and ruffled Frodo's hair. Tigerlily turned to Legolas and tapped the side of her head with one finger. Legolas smiled, knowing what she meant. She thought Boromir was mad. When they reached the pass, they had to fight their way through a blizzard. While the rest of them fought their way through waist-high snow, head-high in Gimli's case, Legolas walked over the snow leaving no footprints. Boromir was carrying Merry and Sam, Aragorn was carrying Frodo and Tigerlily was carrying Pippin, much to her displeasure. She knew Pippin had taken a fancy to her and the last thing she needed was him hanging onto her, grinning as though he had won a pot of gold. She was still bitterly cold but her fingers had got the feeling back thanks to Legolas and Gimli. Legolas peered into the distance.
"There is a fell voice on the air!" shouted Legolas over the roaring wind.
"It's Saruman," yelled Gandalf.
There was aloud crack and rocks fell from above them.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" shouted Aragorn.
'You don't say?!' thought Tigerlily. Because of that rock fall, Pippin was now clinging to her more and pinching her skin and it was staring to hurt.
"Gandalf, we must turn back!" shouted Tigerlily, desperate to get Pippin off her.
"No!" said Gandalf. He got up onto the snow and shouted a counter-spell.
"Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!" he called, but he was too late. Lightning struck the top of the mountain and several tones of snow fell on the Fellowship. When it stopped falling, Aragorn, Boromir, Gandalf, and Legolas fought their way out of the snow. They pulled the Hobbits and Gimli out. It was Legolas who noticed that they were one down.
"Where is Tigerlily?" he shouted to Aragorn. Aragorn looked behind him; she had been right behind him but not any more.
"She's still buried beneath the snow!" he yelled. Legolas pulled himself onto the snow and hurried over to Aragorn. Both of them used their bare hands to dig where Tigerlily had been. They found her. She was unconscious; no doubt due to the fact she had been hit on the head by a rock. The snow near her had turned red; she was bleeding slightly from a wound on her head. Legolas pulled her out as Boromir spoke to Gandalf.
"We must get off the mountain," said Boromir, "Make for the Gap of Rohan, take the east road to my city."
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," said Aragorn.
"If you're going to pass over a mountain, let us go under it!" said Gimli. Gandalf seemed hesitant.
"Let the Ring-bearer decide," he said.
"We cannot stay here!" shouted Boromir, "This will be the death of Tigerlily and the Hobbits!"
"Frodo?" said Gandalf. Frodo looked from Gandalf to Sam and then to Tigerlily's unconscious form in Legolas' arms having a clean cloth pressed against her wound by Pippin. He knew they had to get her off the mountain if she was to have any chance.
"We will go through the mines," said Frodo, "When we get off the mountain, we can help Tigerlily."
"So be it," said Gandalf. The Fellowship turned and headed back down the mountain. Legolas didn't say a word as he carried Tigerlily. She seemed so small in his arms and so helpless.
They made it down from the pass and began to follow the wall of the mountain.
"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," said Gimli.
"Yes, Gimli," said Gandalf, "Their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" said Legolas, sarcastically.
"The Walls of Moria!" said Gimli as they arrived at Moria. Tigerlily was still being carried by Legolas. Aragorn knew no matter how hard Legolas tried to just be friends with Tigerlily he would always be attracted to her. Now he knew she would be immortal if she lived past her twenty-seventh birthday, it was worse. Legolas wouldn't be able to accept he couldn't have her. Tigerlily was very important to her family but Meryn was a kind man; maybe he would let Legolas marry Tigerlily. No! He was getting too carried away. He had always loved Tigerlily like a daughter but Legolas had had many lovers and as far as he knew Tigerlily had no experience in that area of life. It probably wouldn't work out anyway. Deep down, Aragorn hoped it was just a passing fancy. He stopped; they had come to an Elven door.
"Well, let's see," said Gandalf, "Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."
A cloud passed from over the moon and silver writing appeared on the door.
"It reads," said Gandalf, "'The doors of Durin, Lord of the Moria, speak friend and enter!'"
"What d'you supposes that means?" asked Merry.
"Oh, it's quite simple," said Gandalf, "If you're a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open!" He cleared his throat and pointed his staff at the door.
"Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!"
Nothing happened.
"Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!"
Again, nothing happened.
"Nothings happening," said Pippin.
He tried forcing the doors.
Nothing happened.
"I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves, Men and Orcs," said Gandalf.
"What are you going to do, then?" asked Pippin.
"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took!" said Gandalf angrily, "And if that doesn't shatter them and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."
Defeated, Gandalf threw his staff to the ground and sat down. At the sound of a whimper, Legolas turned his attention back to Tigerlily. Her eyes opened.
"What...where are we?!" she asked, trying to stand up from where she lay on the ground.
"No," said Legolas, firmly, "You must rest. We are at the entrance to Moria, you nothing to fear."
"What happened? I can't remember what happened!" she said.
"Can you remember who I am?" asked Legolas. Tigerlily nodded.
"Can you remember the Crebain?" Tigerlily nodded.
"Can you remember what happened on Caradhras?" Tigerlily nodded.
"Then you have not forgotten anything," said Legolas. Tigerlily smiled. Merry was throwing stones into the lake. While Legolas changed the bandage on Tigerlily's head, Aragorn seized his wrist.
"Do not disturb the water," he hissed. Tigerlily thought she saw something move under the waters surface. Legolas helped Tigerlily to her feet; she had trouble regaining her balance and fell into his arms. She gave him a shy smile. Frodo took a good look at the door for the first time.
"It's a riddle," he said, "What's the elvish word for 'friend'?"
"Mellon!" said Gandalf. The doors creaked open. Tigerlily felt a shiver go down her spine as she looked into the dark depths of the entrance. Gandalf led the way into the mine. Tigerlily was walking by herself now.
"Soon, master Elf," said Gimli, "You'll enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone. This is the home of my cousin, Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!"
"This is no mine," said Boromir.
"It's a tomb," muttered Tigerlily. They looked at their feet to see the skeletal remains of dwarves, with arrows through their ribs.
"Nooooo!" cried Gimli.
Legolas pulled an arrow out of one, looked at it and snarled, "Goblins!" He fitted his bow with an arrow, everyone else drew their swords.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan," said Boromir, "We should never have come here. Now get out of here, get out!"
Suddenly something fastened itself around one of Frodo and Tigerlily's legs. It gave a mighty pull. Both of them were dragged down the stone steps. The Hobbits rushed forward to try to save them.
"Strider!" yelled Sam. Merry managed to cut off the tentacles. Just as the others approached, hundreds more tentacles came flying out the water. It grabbed Frodo and Tigerlily by the ankles. It pulled them high above the water. Aragorn and Boromir started attacking the monsters tentacles and Legolas fired arrows. Then the head and mouth of the creature came out of the water. Tigerlily screamed as she was lowered towards the mouth first. Boromir and Aragorn used their sharp blades and cut off the tentacles holding Tigerlily and Frodo. Boromir caught Frodo and Aragorn caught Tigerlily.
"Into the mine!" yelled Gandalf. Boromir ran in, carrying Frodo. Aragorn put Tigerlily on her feet and pulled her into the mine. Tigerlily stooped down and grabbed her sword from where she had dropped it. Everyone ran into the mine, Tigerlily found herself pushed into Legolas. The great monster pulled itself out of the water and crashed the gate of Durin. They were plunged into darkness. Tigerlily felt one of the Hobbits walk into her; she stepped backward, slipped and fell into Legolas' arms again. Gandalf's staff shone a light for them. Pippin raised an eyebrow when he saw them.
"We now have but one choice," he said, "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard, there are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world. Quietly now. It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
They followed Gandalf in a line. Behind Gandalf were Legolas and Tigerlily, then Gimli, followed by the Hobbits with Aragorn and Boromir bringing up the rear. The Caves of Moria were vast and dark. Tigerlily could see no sign of gold or jewels in the walls.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels," said Gandalf as if reading her mind, "But Mithril." Tigerlily looked down the chasm they were passing. Silver light was shining up from the depths.
"Bilbo had a shirt of Mithril rings that Thorin gave him," said Gandalf.
"Mithril rings?" said Tigerlily, "That would be as light as a feather and as strong as dragon scales."
"That is right, Tigerlily," said Gandalf.
"Oh, that was a kingly gift," said Gimli.
"Yes," said Gandalf, "I never told him but its worth was greater then the value of the Shire."
They came to a large staircase. It wasn't Hobbit-friendly. Several times one of the Hobbits fell. Every time Tigerlily passed Pippin, he slipped causing her to grab him by his belt and pull him back. He stopped after he mistook Aragorn for Tigerlily and slipped and was seized by his wrist.
"If you like you can ride on my back?" said Aragorn.
"Err, no thank you, Strider," replied Pippin, his cheeks red. When they reached the top, Gandalf said, "I have no memory of this place." They had to wait. No one else had been in to Moria before. Gandalf was their guide and they could go no further without him. They were forced to wait until he had recovered his memory. Tigerlily sat next to Legolas and slowly drifted to sleep, her head resting on his shoulder. Aragorn was surprised to see Tigerlily smile as she slept; he almost smiled, until he noticed where Legolas had put one of his hands. It was resting on her hip and his fingers were gently massaging Tigerlily's skin that was hidden beneath her clothes. Tigerlily was still shivering. Legolas' head was resting against the stone, his eyes closed. It was then that for the first time, Aragorn realized how relaxed Legolas was around Tigerlily and he knew she was solar-blessed. Aragorn had found himself always worried and stressed about Tigerlily. Back in Bree, she had had a nasty habit of leaving the gates after dark which had made him worry. Her grandparents had died when she was nineteen and left their home and money to her which meant she had money to spend and no supervision.
"Are we lost?" asked Pippin.
"No," said Merry.
"I think we are."
"Shh! Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry, master Hobbit," mumbled Tigerlily in her sleep. Aragorn laughed.
"Tigerlily at her most honest," he said, "When she's sleeping."
"Oh!" said Gandalf, "It's that way." Legolas opened his eyes and gently shook Tigerlily. She opened her eyes, sleepily and Legolas helped her to her feet.
"He's remembered," said Merry
"No," said Gandalf, "The air down here doesn't smell as foul. When in doubt, always follow your nose." Tigerlily wore an expression that read, 'I could have told you that'. Gandalf led the way down some steps into a great hall with great tall stone pillars.
"Let me risk a little more light," said Gandalf, "Behold the great realm and Dwarf-city of Darrowdelf."
"There's an eye-opener," said Sam, "Ain't no mistake."
Suddenly Gimli ran off into a chamber off the hall.
"No. Nooooo!" they heard him howl. The rest of the Fellowship followed Gimli into the chamber. He was kneeling before a great stone coffin; there was an inscription on it.
"'Here lies Balin," read Gandalf, "Son of Hunding, Lord of Moria.' He is dead then. It is as I feared." Gimli began to sob. Tigerlily kneeled down beside him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"We must move on," Legolas whispered to Aragorn, "We cannot linger."
Like the hobbits, she found Gimli an amusing friend. Aragorn, Boromir and Gandalf were people she looked up to. Legolas she wasn't sure of. Even though he had suggested they just be friends, she had been suppressing an urge to kiss him whenever he looked at her with his blue eyes.
Gandalf had handed his hat and staff to Pippin and removed a book from the hands of a skeletal dwarf.
"They have taken the bridge and the seventh hall," he read, "We have barred the gate but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums sound in the Deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming!" There was a noise from behind Gandalf that made everyone jump. Pippin had touched a dwarf skeleton and the skull had fallen down the well. It was shortly followed by the rest of the dwarf and the bucket chained to it. The sound bounced off the sides of the well and around the chamber.
"You fool of a Took," snapped Gandalf, closing the book and throwing it aside, "Next time throw yourself in and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf took back his staff and hat. There was a thumping noise in the distance. They all listened carefully as the noise got closer and closer. Frodo pulled out his sword, Sting, out. It was glowing blue.
"Orcs," said Legolas.
"I hate orcs," snarled Tigerlily, drawing her sword. Boromir ran to shut the door and narrowly missed being hit by two arrows.
"Get back," said Aragorn to the Hobbits, "Stay close to Gandalf."
He and Tigerlily ran to help Boromir. When they managed to shut the door, Boromir let them in on something.
"They have a cave troll," he said.
Legolas found axes with which to block the gates and threw them to Tigerlily who passed them to Aragorn. They drew their weapons and waited for the orcs to come. Gimli leapt onto his cousins coffin and cried, "Let them come! There is yet one dwarf in Moria that draws purpose!"
"I'd really prefer that they stayed on that side of the door," said Tigerlily.
"Don't worry," said Legolas, "I'll protect you." The orcs slammed against the door and they burst open! Everyone joined in, fighting the orcs that were lunging at them. Then in came the troll. It tried to stamp on Sam. Aragorn, Tigerlily and Boromir grabbed the chain and pulled. The troll turned. Aragorn let go of the chain. The troll swung its club. Tigerlily ducked. The troll's club hit Boromir and flung him against the wall. Gimli had a go at it but ended up nearly being squashed. The troll then went for Legolas, trying to hit him with its chain. By accident, the chain wound around a pillar. Legolas took his chance. He got onto the Troll's shoulders and shot an arrow through its head.
"Careful, Legolas," yelled Tigerlily as she fought orcs back. The lighter sword had made all the difference and she wasn't falling over. Her balance was back but she still felt as if she were on the pass. Her fingers felt numb. All she wanted was to curl up in a warm blanket in front of a fire and sleep, but she had to protect Frodo. She felt a particularly violent shudder and halted for a second. An orc grabbed her by the neck and slammed her back against the wall.
"Hello, Tigerlily Solaris," it snarled. As she slowly choked, she recognized the orc. It had been there the day her village attacked. It had been the one who told the Uruk-Hai she was a farmer's daughter.
Legolas turned and saw the orc trying to choke Tigerlily. Her sword lay helpless on the floor. He set an arrow in his bow and fired it at the orc. It fell down dead. The lack of oxygen and the cold she felt made Tigerlily feel weak. She slid down the wall, feeling darkness close in around her.
"Tigerlily, wake up, Tigerlily," said Legolas. She had just fainted and if she didn't move soon, an orc would kill her. He saw one seeking such an opportunity. It was sneaking up on her. Legolas jumped down off the troll and hit the orc with an arrow.
"Tigerlily?" he said, "Tigerlily?" She wasn't moving but she was breathing. A layer of sweat was on her forehead. He heard Aragorn cry, "Legolas, come here!" The troll was dead and Frodo had been stabbed through the stomach with a spear.
Aragorn turned Frodo over to discover Frodo was very much alive! Everyone was amazed.
"You should be dead," said Aragorn, "That spear would have skewed a wild boar."
"I think," said Gandalf, "that there is more to this Hobbit than what meets the eye." Frodo pulled up his shirt to reveal the chain-mail he wore underneath.
"Mithril!" said Gimli in astonishment, "You are full of surprises Master Baggins."
"Where is Tigerlily?" Aragorn asked Legolas. He saw over Legolas' shoulder and saw Tigerlily on the floor.
"She's not injured," said Legolas, reading Aragorn's emotions, "She just fainted." He turned and looked at her. She twitched and woke up. Her head was pounding with a headache. There came the sound of more orcs coming toward them.
"To the bridge of khazard-dum!" said Gandalf. Legolas grabbed Tigerlily's arm and put it around his neck. He half-dragged her into the hall where she regained full control of her body. As they ran, the hall filled with creatures with high voices.
"Did we win?" mumbled Tigerlily.
"Yes," replied Legolas. The Fellowship was soon surrounded and they drew their weapons. There was a deep rumbling noise which not only scared them but the creatures as well; they ran away.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked as the rumbling got closer.
"The Balroq," said Gandalf, "A demon of the ancient world. Run!" The Fellowship ran as fast as they could, through the hall and down the stairs. Unfortunately the stairs did not go far and they nearly lost Boromir but Legolas pulled him too safety. They ran down the other stairs but came to a gap. Legolas jumped across.
"Come on Gandalf," he said. Gandalf leapt across.
"Now you Tigerlily!" said Legolas. Tigerlily just looked down and saw a bottomless drop. She felt sick and a green tinge came to her cheeks.
"Tigerlily, don't look down," said Legolas, "Jump and I'll catch you! I promise." Tigerlily looked at Legolas but still didn't move.
"We don't have time for this!" snarled Boromir. He grabbed Tigerlily by the waist and threw her across. Legolas caught her. She had her eyes screwed up as if she expected to fall to her death.
"Open your eyes, A'mealamin," he whispered. She opened her eyes and felt Legolas' tunic beneath her fingers. He set her on her feet, wondering whether she spoke Elvish. Boromir jumped over with Merry and Pippin. Then Aragorn threw Sam. Tigerlily moved away from the group trying hard not to shiver. Her hands were nearly completely numb. All the time arrows were being fired at them by goblins. Gimli jumped over and nearly fell through the gap. Legolas thankfully found something to grab hold of.
"Not the beard!" yelled Gimli. Just then part of the stairs in front of Aragorn and Frodo fell away and a rock sent by the Balroq crushed the stairs behind them. They were stranded. The unstable rock below them crumbled and it started to move in all directions.
"Lean forward," ordered Aragorn. As he and Frodo leaned forward, the stairs went forward and crashed into the stairs. Aragorn and Frodo fell forward and were caught by Legolas and Boromir. They all ran down the stairs, dodging the arrows. Tigerlily was beginning to tire and feel ill. They soon reached the bridge of khazard-dum and crossed it. Tigerlily walked across it muttering, "Don't look down," to herself. Gandalf was the last to cross. Halfway across he stopped and turned.
"You cannot pass!" he shouted to the Balroq.
"Gandalf!" yelled Frodo.
The Balroq drew itself to its full impressive height. Gandalf muttered a chant. The Balroq couldn't pass by. Tigerlily and the others watched in horror as Gandalf yelled, "You shall not pass!" He struck the bridge with his sword. The bridge split in two and the Balroq fell into shadow. Gandalf turned around but the Balroq's fiery whip flew up and caught Gandalf's ankle.
"Gandalf!" cried Frodo. Boromir stuck out his arm to stop him running to Gandalf. Tigerlily tried to help Gandalf but Legolas held her back. Gandalf was dragged until he was hanging onto the bridge for dear life.
"Run, you fools," gasped Gandalf before he fell into the dark chasm.
"No!!" yelled Frodo. Boromir grabbed him and ran. Legolas tried to pull Tigerlily away from where she stood but she refused to move. He lifted her up into his arms and ran, carrying her. They ran until they were out of Moria. Once outside, the Hobbits dropped and cried. Tigerlily pushed Legolas away from her but soon found herself being comforted in his arms. She cried for the loss of her friend who had taken such good care of her when she had been small. Gimli tried to get back into Moria but Boromir held him back.
"Get them up, Legolas," said Aragorn.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake," said Boromir.
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming for orcs," said Aragorn, "We must reach the woods of Lothlórien." Aragorn went off to find Frodo. Legolas pulled Tigerlily to her feet.
"Come now, Tigerlily. We need to get out of here or we will have a worse fate than Gandalf," he whispered softly. Tigerlily was still shivering and her hands were cold. Legolas thought it was odd as it had been four days since she had been buried under the snow. He went off to help Boromir with Gimli. Tigerlily went to Merry and Pippin.
"Come on, lads," she said, "We need to keep moving. There'll be a time to mourn Gandalf but this is not it." She pulled them to their feet and led them toward the others.
Tigerlily felt terrible when they reached Lothlórien. She couldn't stop shivering, her head pounded and her hands were numb. She could vaguely make out Gimli talking about an elf-witch. Suddenly an elf stepped out from behind a tree.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," he said. Aragorn addressed the elf in his own language. But Tigerlily didn't hear it. She stepped away from everyone else and backed into a tree. Her body felt so weak that the small bump felt like agony. She groaned with pain. Aragorn stopped talking to the Elf. He watched Tigerlily slide down the tree and fall in a heap at the bottom. Pippin ran over and placed a hand on Tigerlily's forehead.
"Soooo c...cold," said Tigerlily, shivering.
"Strider," yelled Pippin, making Tigerlily's head hurt more, "She's burning up." Aragorn and Legolas ran over to her. Aragorn looked at her. Her forehead had sweat on it, her hands were frozen and she kept shivering.
"She has a fever but I can't help her," he said, "We need to keep her warm."
"Take these," said Haldir, handing several cloaks to Aragorn, "We will take you to Queen Galadriel. She can help." Aragorn wrapped the cloaks around Tigerlily's shivering body. Legolas picked her up and held her tightly, hoping he could help keep her warm.
"Don't fade please Tigerlily," he said. Those were the last words Tigerlily heard before she slipped into darkness.