Chapter 7

The Shadows Spread

Legolas shivered in the cold morning. He still could not see much through the fog and could barely see Aragorn a few feet away from him. They had been struggleing with their bonds for about an hour now. It utter frustration, Legolas smacked his hands to his head. When the metal clasped to his hands hit his forehead, he deeply regretted his decision. Pain seeped through his entire body and made him cringe. 'Never do that again,' he scolded himself, but he had every reason to be frustrated. The rest of the Fellowship would probably leave him and Aragorn for dead. In a way, Legolas hoped they would. Their Quest was to destroy the Ring. They would escape together, he and Aragorn. They'd both been in worse situations, wounded and nearly dead. They were better off now together and fully functional. Well, mostly functional, Legolas corrected himself as his side insisted it was not okay. He hoped Aragorn hadn't been seriously wounded. He would never admit he was, nor could Legolas do much to cure him, since he had not the use of his hands.

An Uruk came and yelled something at the companions. He kicked Legolas repeatedly. The Elf wished he could understand what the vile creature was saying. So he would stop kicking him. He was losing blood and felt as if he would pass out. After trying to understand the Uruk several times, Legolas caught two words: up and verash. Verash was a variation on some Elvish word, but the pain from his wound was affecting his concentration . . . um . . . er . . . half, half, . . . halflings? What about the halflings? The Uruks were from Isengard, so maybe . . .

Legolas only got that far before an Uruk gave him a sharp kick and he knew no more. A few feet away, Aragorn barely saw Legolas' body go limp, but wasn't worried. He had seen his friend's wounds and, although they were serious, none were fatal. then he heard it, the ill voice he sincerely had hoped he would never hear again.

"He wants you to rise, Elessar."

"Why do you tell me this?" Aragorn yelled into the wind.

"You do not need a demonstration of my power. You know I can destroy the world of Men."

"Then do it and start with me," Aragorn dared the Wizard.

"I need you, Elessar. You can join me and become the most powerful of all men. Together you and I can rule this Middle-Earth. You can stop the destruction which would surely occur should the Ring fall into the hand of Sauron. But under Aragorn and Saruman, the world will prosper." The Uruk now came over to Aragorn and stood over him, yelling. Aragorn arose and head-butted the Uruk, which fell over. The others raced to it and ripped its flesh apart, devouring every part of it. Aragorn, forgetting that his feet were bound, tried to run to Legolas, but fell after a few unbalanced steps. He proceeded to crawl to his friend's side. Upon exaamination, he found that Legolas' wound had reopened, the wound in his side, which may have become infected by now, as well as an arrow wound in his back.

"Legolas, Legolas!" the ranger called. He needed to know if there was any way he could help his companion. After a few moments, the elf opened his eyes.

"Aragorn, they think we're the hobbits." Aragorn knew better than to ask how his friend had come across that information.

"Mellon nin, you're hurt. You have to get out of here."

"How do you suggest we do that? The Uruks would notice we were gone and recapture us before we reached the others or another safe haven," Legolas whispered, obviously in a great ammount of pain.

"The others will be long gone before we find them in this fog," Aragorn sighed. For a moment, he wondered what would become of the others, or what had become of them.

"Maybe Gimli will come for us. It'll be good for his record to say he rescued a no good, pointy eared, elven princeling," Legolas joked, trying to keep his spirits lights. Neither he nor Aragorn had the heart to manage more than a smile. Aragorn was sincerely hoping that the remaining members of the Fellowship would not come seeking for them, since that would delay the quest. Aragorn could just see himself taking revenge on Saruman for all the evils that had been incured since his turn to evil.

"Gondor is obviously the safer route. Many of my people would be willing to enter Mordor when the time comes. Gondorians have courage to match taht of even Aragorn, son of Arathorn. It would be folly to rush into Mordor with only the six of us," Boromir said.

"Five of us going to Mordor, if what you've been saying since we left Rivendell is true an' you're headin' to Minas Tirith," Sam corrected. The council had begun nearly an hour ago and nothing had been accomplished as of yet. Not one of them knew who would lead the compqany, where they were bound, or how they would get there.

"It would be god to rest without much fear of the enemy," Gimli added.

"But that would give Sauron more time ot build his armies. I feel there is great need for haste and I fear . . ." Frodo faltered when Boromir's eyes met his own.

"What do you fear, Frodo?" Boromir asked.

"What would become of Middle Earth if Sauron would maximize his power," Frodo replied. Boromir looked as if he doubted Frodo's answer, but said nothing further. Thus far in the council, Pippin had said almost nothing , not wanting to sound like a complete imbecel, but now he spoke up.

"It seems to me that we all need a break before the last . . . um . . . lap of our journey. Gondor might not be as magical as Lorien, but it'd be a relief from so much fighting and business." Frodo felt he was losing his battle. Merry, Boromir, and Gimli, had seemingly already opted for Gondor. Now, it seemed they would either go to Gondor, or the fellowship of the ring would be broken even further. Frodo wanted so badly to escape by himself to Mordor and continue the quest without further endangering the lives of those he loved, but he could not do so now, not with all five pairs of eyes fixed on him. Their eyes waited anxiously for his answer. What would become of their fellowship?

Author's Note:So, what do you think? Where is the fellowship going? In response to the question about Saruman becoming a telepath, I figured it would only be fair to extend his powers as a wizard once he was in league with Sauron. I know it's been a while since I updated, and I apologize. I will do better this year, honest. Farewell for now. Oh, yeah Read and review.

-MornieGalad