Life Sucks
By: Honolulu
Authors Note: Finally, a new chapter to post! Yea! Thank you to all those who reviewed my story. Thank you to all who have stuck around to read my story this long. My story is going to be translated into French by elentir girl. So look out for it if you're French! Thank you to LalaithoftheBruinen who reviewed my new story ' Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder', thank you very much! Okay, enough of this, lets move on to the story! Enjoy and Review! Please and thank you!
As the fellowship finished trekking down Caradhras, Gandalf had advised them to all continue walking. It was January 12, Maria walked with the hobbits, Gandalf, Gimli and Aragorn leading the way. Maria cupped her hands around her mouth to cover her yawn. She blinked constantly to keep herself awake. She held hands with Merry and Pippin to keep in touch with each other in the late hours of the night but mostly to keep each other from stumbling.
Maria stifled another yawn when Gandalf said that they would make camp. ' Oh thank god!' She thought as she sat down to rest her sore legs. " Maria!" A voice called out. She opened one eye to see Legolas motioning her to sit by him. She groaned and warily stood up and walked to him. When she stood next to him, she collapsed on the ground again.
" What do you want? I'm trying to sleep here." She told him. He smiled.
" I need to see that wound on your head. It will only take a minute." He said. Maria tilted her head back to give him more access to her face. He parted some of her hair away from the cut to look at it. Legolas removed the piece of his tunic that he used to stop the bleeding. He looked at the cut and saw it was not deep but only a surface wound. " We will need to put some ointment on the cut so it will not get infected." No answer. " Maria?" He looked at her and saw that she had fallen asleep in his hands.
Legolas smiled, he grabbed some ointment from a pack on Bill's back and rubbed a little on Maria's cut. After he cleaned his hands, he lifted Maria from the ground and cradled her against his chest as he laid on a tree. He listened to the others as they held a counsel on whether there was any other route to take besides the Mines of Moria. Legolas did not wish to travel through there. As he listened, Maria shifted and buried her face in his neck. Her breath tickling his skin.
Legolas found comfort from her presence. He breathed in her scent, though her hair lost the smell of the green apples, she smelled of the open air and the forest. Knowing that Aragorn would want to take first watch he allowed his body to relax. As his eyes started to glaze over a howl pierced the air. His eyes focused again. Maria stirred from her sleep, slowly her eyes opened. " What was that?" She asked, her voice laced with sleep and concern. Legolas looked down at her.
" Stay close to the hobbits. I'm going to look around." He told her. Legolas guided her to the hobbits, strapped on his quiver and bow, he walked into the forest. Maria was fully awake now.
Suddenly Aragorn leapt to his feet. " How the wind howls!" he cried. " It is the howling with wolf-voices. The wargs have come west of the mountains!" (FOTR pg.310)
" Need we wait until morning then?" Said Gandalf. " It is as I said. The hunt is up! Even if we live to see the dawn, who now will wish to journey south by night with wide wolves on his trail?"
" How far is Moria?" Asked Boromir.
" There was a door south-west of Caradhras, some fifteen miles as the crow flies, and maybe twenty as the wolf runs," answered Gandalf grimly.
" Then let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can," said Boromir. " The wolf that one hears is worse then the orc that one fears." ( FOTR pg.311) Maria listened to them grimly, not liking anything about it. She looked at the hobbits and noticed how uneasy they looked. Merry, Pippin on her left and Frodo, Sam on her right. She wrapped her arms around their shoulders.
" Have no fear guys. Try to sleep, I'll be here to protect you if anything is to happen." She tried to comfort them. They nodded. Maria laid down on the ground. Pippin and Frodo wrapped themselves in her arms. Sam's head laid on her thigh while Merry used her stomach as a pillow. From a branch in a tree, Legolas smiled at the sight laid before him. As they slept he kept watch from the branches. His eyes saw the figures of the wargs as they approached the camp. He armed his bow with an arrow and took aim.
Gandalf noticed the piercing gaze of them bearing down on the fellowship. Gandalf stood up and strode forward, holding his staff aloft. " Listen, Hound of Sauron!" He cried. " Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring." The wolf snarled and sprang towards them with a great leap. At the moment there was a sharp twang. Legolas had loosed his bow. There was a hideous yell, and the leaping shape thudded to the ground: the elvish arrow had pierced its throat. ( FOTR pg 311-312)
Gandalf and Aragorn looked around to see if the other wargs lingered. The hills were empty, the hunting packs had fled. Throughout the night the three of them kept watch. Hours past but nothing happened. Aragorn started to relax slightly. Suddenly Frodo started from sleep. Without warning a storm of howls broke out fierce and wild all about the camp. A great host of Wargs had gathered silently and was now attacking them from every side at once. " Fling fuel on the fire!" cried Gandalf to the hobbits. " Draw your blades, and stand back to back." (FOTR pg. 312)
Maria drew her blades from her thighs and sliced through a warg that approached her and the hobbits. She stood in front of them, trying to block wargs from gaining on them. Legolas' bow sang, Boromir lopped a wargs head off, Gimli stood with his feet apart swinging at any warg that dared to approach him. Aragorn thrust his sword inside of one.
" Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!" Gandalf yelled. There was a roar and a cackle, and the tree above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The fire leapt from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with dazzling light. The swords and knives of the defenders shone and flickered. The last arrow of Legolas kindled the air as it flew, and plunged burning into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain. All others fled. (FOTR pg.312)
Slowly the fire died and all that was left were the dead bodies of the enemies and ash. The company looked around to see if any had linger but none had stayed. " We must move quickly. We will reach Moria today." Gandalf told them. Legolas moved to grab all his arrows then walked to Maria to see if she was hurt.
" I'm fine." She told Legolas to stop his poking and prodding.
" What's that?" He pointed to a spot on her shirt. She looked down to see a wet spot on her shirt.
" Merry!" She cried. Merry turned at his name. " You drooled on me!" He smiled sheepishly . " Eww, nastiness!" She wiped at her shirt to get it off. After they had a quick breakfast they started off again. She walked beside Aragorn and Boromir this time. They walked for hours never taking any breaks, the light of the morning turned to the afternoon the to night as they finally approached the walls of Moria. Maria looked at the sight before her. Walls and walls of rock laid before her. " Wonderful." She muttered.
As they walked against the wall of rock, a lake of filthy, murky water pooled beside them. Frodo's expression contorted to one of disgust as his slipped into the water. He quickly pulled it out and continued walking. Gimli lead them, excited to see the Mines of Moria. " We're here." Gandalf announces. Maria stops walking and looks up to see just a wall of rock.
" The walls of Moria." Gimli says in awe. Gandalf walked to the wall and placed his hand against it.
" Well, let's see…Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf looks at the sky with his staff in hand. He murmurs a few words and the clouds covering the moon move aside giving a perfect view of it. The moonlight shines down on the wall to reveal a door. The rest of the fellowship gaze at it with awe. " It reads: ' The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'"
" What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.
" Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend , you speak the password, and the doors will open." Gandalf placed his staff on the door. " Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! ["Gate of the Elves open now for me!"]" The fellowship looked on expecting the doors to open. Nothing happened. Maria stifled her laugh and sat by Legolas. " Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa![ Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves!]" He chanted. Nothing happened again. Aragorn removed all the packs from Bill. Sam's face was etched with sadness as he watched Bill walk away.
Maria watched Merry and Pippin throw walks into the water until Aragorn told them not to. She leaned against the only tree in the area and closed her eyes, hoping it would take a while for Gandalf to figure out the password, so she catch some sleep. Gandalf sat down and took off his hat. " It's useless." He huffed. Frodo looked at the door curiously. He stood up seeming to have an idea.
" It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo asked.
" Mellon." Gandalf replied. Surprising them all, the doors opened. Legolas, who was watching Maria, turned his head at the sound. Maria opened her eyes and mouthed 'Damn.' She got to her feet and put on her backpack.
" Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!" Gimli boasted as they entered. Maria looked around and her eyes widened at the sight. She almost screamed but held it down.
" This is no mine. It's a tomb." Boromir stated. The mine was filled with corpses of Dwarves and Orcs. Most skeletons were embedded with arrows. Legolas approached a body and took an arrow out.
After examining it he tossed it to the side. " Goblins!" He exclaimed. With the hobbits behind her, Maria started to walk backwards trying to escape the sight.
" We make for the Gap pf Rohan. We should never have come here! Now get out of here! Get out!" Boromir yelled. As they backed out, they didn't pay notice that a tentacle came out of the water until it wrapped its self around Frodo's leg and dragged him into the air.
" Aragorn! Help!" Maria yelled, cutting at the tentacles to get to Frodo. Boromir and Aragorn came running to help. The rest of the body of the creature surfaces. Legolas shoots at it with his arrows. Aragorn manages to cut the tentacle holding Frodo, Boromir catches him.
" Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled out to them.
" Legolas! Into the caves!" Boromir called.
" Run!" Maria shouted as she ran into the caves. The creature pulls its self out of the water and moves to the caves. It tried to enter but only crumbles the entrance blocking their way out and the light. Maria waves a hand in front of her to see nothing but darkness. Frightened, she reached out to the nearest person, Boromir, and hanged onto him. Boromir pats her hand to reassure her.
" We now have but one choice." Gandalf's voice called out. He puts a stone on the tip of his staff producing light. " 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." Gandalf walked ahead leading them. Maria almost jumped at the hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Legolas, she grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his. She walked between Legolas and Boromir.
They soon walked to a case of high and steep stairs. Maria looked up to see the stairs keep going up until the dark blocked her sight. She gulped and started to climb more than walk up them. She followed behind Merry and Pippin. 'Don't look down, don't look down.' She kept chanting to herself. Her foot slipped on some pebbles and her ribs collided with the steps. She clenched her teeth at the pain. 'That's gonna leave a mark.' " Maria, are you alright?" Aragorn asked from behind her.
" Yeah, I'm peachy keen." Pippin ran into a similar problem but instead part of the stairs crumbled under his foot.
It was after nightfall when they had entered the Mines. They had been going for several hours with only brief halts, when Gandalf cam to his first serious check. Before him stood a wide dark arch opening into three passages: all led in the same general direction, eastwards; bit the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level but very narrow. " I have no memory of this place at all!" claimed Gandalf. (FOTR pg.326)
While Gandalf tried to recall his memory, the rest of the fellowship sat down for a breather. Sam was worried about Bill and often spoke of him. Boromir and Aragorn smoke their pipe weed while Legolas and Maria sat away from the smoke. " Are we lost?" Pippin asked.
" No." Merry replied.
" I think we are."
" Shh! Gandalf's thinking."
" Merry…"
" What?"
" I'm hungry." Hearing Pippin's voice, Maria tossed him a piece of her bread which he quickly scarfed down. She sat down on a boulder trying to get comfortable. She quickly clutched her ribs and hissed.
" What's wrong?" Legolas asked.
" I think I bruised my ribs." Legolas got up and walked to her. He squat down before her.
" Show me where it hurts." She grabbed his hand and lifted it right under her left breast. He pressed his hand against her ribs and she winced. He started to lift up her tunic. She swatted his hands away.
" Hey, hey! What are you doing?" He rolled his eyes.
" I have to look at it and see if anything else is wrong."
" Fine, but no peeking." She lifted her tunic and raised it up until her breasts. He saw nothing too bad but some bruising. He ran his fingers lightly over her skin. Maria shivered at his feather touch and closed her eyes. He noticed her reaction and ran his fingers around her stomach then stopped. She opened her eyes when she no longer felt his fingers. Legolas looked at her and placed hands on the side of her face.
He brought her down towards his face. Maria closed her eyes anticipating his lips. He gently brushed her lips with his then gave her a feather kiss. Maria leaned into him more wanting to deepen the kiss. He outlined her bottom lip with his tongue silently asking permission. She opened her mouth allowing him access. His tongue slipped in and tasted her. Maria knew she moaned. She felt Legolas smile against her lips. They soon separated to catch air. As they pulled apart Legolas heard Gandalf's voice. " Ah! It's this way!"
" He's remembered!" Merry said.
" No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." Maria followed Gandalf's lead. 'Thank god it's dark in here.' She thought as her face brightened to the color of a tomato. " Let me risk a little more light." The light from his staff brightened, the fellowship found themselves in a great hallway with tall pillars as far as the eye can see. " Behold the great realm of the Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf."
" There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam murmured. As they walked Gimli notices a door on the side and runs in.
" Gimli!" Gandalf called.
" No! Oh no! NO!" Gimli yells as he starts to weep. The rest entered the room and saw Gimli standing before a tomb.
" Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." Gandalf read. " He is dead then. It's as I've feared." He notices a book on the ground. He hands Pippin his hat and staff and retrieves the book. He opens it and reads the last passage.
" We must move on. We cannot linger here." Legolas whispers to Aragorn.
" They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming." As Gandalf read the passage, Pippin looks around the chamber. He notices a skeleton sitting on a well with an arrow through its chest. He touches the arrow and twists it but this causes the skeleton to become unbalanced. The skeleton falls down the well with its chains and a bucket with it making a lot of racket.
Maria flinches at the noise. When it stopped, no one dared to make a noise as they listen to see if anything noticed it. After awhile they sighed in relief. Gandalf walks to Pippin and snatches his hat and staff back. " Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity." Gandalf tells him. Maria felt sorry for him. They stopped moving when they hear the sound of drums beating. Frodo pulls out the sting and sees it's glowing blue.
Boromir runs to the door only to snatch his head back when two arrows embedded themselves in the door. " Orcs." Legolas said.
" Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the hobbits. Gandalf and Maria positioned themselves in front of the hobbits.
" They have a cave troll." Boromir said. Gimli stood on top of the tomb, ready for the orcs. Legolas tossed axes and spears to Boromir and Aragorn to bar the doors.
" Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath." Gimli shouted. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas back away from the door. Legolas and Aragorn both prepared to fire their arrows. As the orcs started to cut through the door Legolas let an arrow fly, a cry acknowledge that it hit its mark. Soon the doors busted open and swords clashed. Maria brought out her sword and started fighting against the orcs in her direction. She tried to stay near the hobbits but the hobbits scattered.
She thrust her sword in an orcs stomach but as she tried to pull out she found it wouldn't budge. She ducked as a sword swung at her head. Forgetting the sword, she grabbed her daggers at her thighs and sliced at the orcs. As Maria fought she didn't notice an orc fire a arrow at her until it was too late. The arrow embedded itself in her shoulder. She cried out but it was droned out by the entrance of the cave troll coming in and swinging around it's club.
Maria hid behind the well and sat down. She breathed heavily and looked at her shoulder. She grabbed the end and clenched her teeth. With once swift pull, she yanked it out of her shoulder. She swallowed her scream down and closed her eyes as tears quickly streamed down her face. She ripped off a strip of her tunic and wrapped it around her shoulder. After wrapping her shoulder, she covered up the wound by using her cloak. Maria noticed the silence in the room. " He's alive." She heard Sam yell.
She slowly pulled herself up and watch the scene before her in confusion. " To the bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf commanded. Maria followed them as they ran out of the room. Nearing the stairs, goblins and orcs started to fill the hall until they were forced to stand back to back. Legolas had his bow ready to fire. The orcs started to pull back, the fellowship noticed a red glow at the end of the hall. Legolas lowers his bow.
" What new devilry is this?" Boromir asked.
" A balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!" Gandalf exclaims as they turn and run to the stairs. As they run down the stairs, it starts to crumble. Legolas jumps to the other side and turns to help the others. Frodo and Aragorn were the last to reach the other side. " Over the bridge. Fly!" They run across the bridge waiting for Gandalf but he runs until the middle of the bridge and faces the balrog. " YOU CANNOT PASS!"
" GANDALF!" Frodo shouted. The balrog walks towards Gandalf. He raises his staff as a blue sphere surrounds him.
" I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Arrghh! Go back to the Shadow!! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" Gandalf slams his staff against the bridge making it crumble beneath the balrog. The balrog falls to the abyss below. Gandalf sighs and turns to walk when the whip of the balrog catches his ankle dragging him of the bridge. He grabs the edge of the bridge but starts losing his grip. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas stop the hobbits from running out to him but Maria slips through their grasp.
" Fly you fools." He tells them as his grip starts to fail. The fellowship starts running out as orc arrow fly upon them. Maria grabs Gandalf's hand as he lets go of the bridge. She starts to slide down the bridge with his weight but grabs onto a break in the bridge. She screams out as she feels the pull on her injured shoulder. " Let go!" He yells at her.
" NO! I got you! I won't let go!" She retorts. She grinds her teeth as she tries to pull him up.
" You don't have the strength. Let go!"
"NO!"
" Maria, I'll be fine. My fate does not end here." She looks into his eyes, confusion written on her face. Gandalf lets go of her hand, his hand slips through her grip. She screams as she watches him fall into the abyss. Maria slaps her hand on the bridge in frustration and anger. She pulls herself up and runs out of the mines. She walks out to hear Boromir.
" Gives them a moment for pity's sake."
" By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn states. He walks to Sam and pulls him up. " On your feet Sam. Frodo? Frodo!" Maria turns to see Frodo stop walking, he turns around as a single tear rolls down his cheek. She walks to him and kneels down. She opens her arms to him and without a word he runs into them, burying his head in her hair. She feels his tears as they run down her neck.
She lifts him up and places him on her hip like she would a toddler. The fellowship watches her, she turns to face them. Her eyes and face hard. " Lead the way." She tells Aragorn. He nods and walks off. Legolas passes her but says nothing. " Come on little hobbits." Maria extends a hand to them. Pippin grasps her hand. Merry held Pippin's hand and Sam held his creating a chain. With Frodo on her hip, she followed the others.
They walked for what seemed like years but as they neared the borders of Lothlorien, Maria put Frodo down so he could walk with Sam and the others. She walked beside Legolas who immediately took her hand. She looked at him questionably but said nothing. " How do you feel?" He asked.
" I feel numb with grief." 'And pain.' She added silently. " How do you feel?"
" For me the grief is filling my soul and heart. I am not use to death." He answered.
" I should be use to it." She replied silently. He looked at her and saw blood on her shoulder.
" You're bleeding." Maria looked down to see blood on her cloak by her injured shoulder.
" It's not my blood. It's orc blood." She lied. Legolas nodded accepting her answer. He stopped in his step and brought out his bow and arrow. " What are you…" She stopped as an arrow was directed in her face. Legolas was surprised as an arrow was also pointed at him. She looked up to see the fellowship surrounded by elves with arrows directed at them. One elf stepped out.
" The dwarf breathes so loud, we could've shot him in the dark." The elf tells them.
" Haldir o Lórien. Henio aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn.[ Haldir of Lorien. We come here for help. We need your protection.]" Aragorn spoke the elf in elvish. Haldir looked at the fellowship warily but nods.
" Follow me." Legolas follows Aragorn and Haldir bringing Maria with him by the hand.
" Legolas, who was that?" She asked.
" That was Haldir, march warden of Lothlorien. He guards these woods." He told her. She nodded her head. Haldir led them to a part of the forest, talons built around the treetops of the trees.
" The hobbits and the lady will stay in this talon with us for we do not fear them. You four will stay in the other talon in the next tree, there you will take refuge. You, Legolas, must answer to us for them. Call us, if anything is amiss! And have an eye on the dwarf." Haldir spoke to Legolas in elvish. Legolas translated to them what Haldir said. As Legolas moved to climb the second talon Maria caught his hand.
" Can we trust them?" She asked him. He placed a hand on her cheek.
" Don't worry. They're elves and they won't bring harm to you." She nodded and let go of him. He kissed her forehead and followed Aragorn. She eyed Haldir but climbed up the rope that led to the talon after Sam. When she got to the top she noticed the elves just staring at the hobbits. The hobbits fidgeted under their gaze. Maria stepped in front of the hobbits blocking their view. She met their looks head on until Haldir climbed up. She sat down protectively in front of them.
" Maria?"
" Yes, Frodo."
" I'm getting hungry." She nodded.
" Sam, do we have any more provisions?"
" No." Sam answered. Maria got to her feet and walked to the elves who stopped talking when she approached them. She kept her gaze on Haldir.
" My companions are hungry. I was wondering if you had any food you could spare." Haldir nodded and handed her a sack. " Thank you." She walked back to the hobbits and passed food to them. After eating, the hobbits dozed off as night fell. Maria rose from her seat and walked to the railings and looked around. She felt another presence and looked to her right to see Haldir watching her.
She turned to look at the sky again. She groaned as a wave of pain hit her. " Are you hurt?" Haldir ask.
" No, I'm fine. Just stomach pains." She replied.
" You're bleeding."
" It's not my blood. It's orc blood." She lied once again.
" You should sleep. We'll be taking watch." She looked at him.
" Even though you're elves and Legolas told me you won't cause any harm doesn't make me trust you. I would feel much better if I watched over the hobbits. No offence." Haldir cracked a smile. 'Whoa! Why do I have the feeling he doesn't smile very often.' She thought. " So who are the other two?" She nodded to the other elves.
" They're my brothers. Rumil on the right and Orophin on the left. They don't speak much common tongue so they can't understand what you're saying."
" I guess you don't speak much common tongue hence the heavy accent."
" You would be correct in your guess."
" One question, why do your brothers stare at me so?"
" It surprises them to see a lady in the company of the fellowship. There are very few lady's who fight if there are any at all." Haldir told her.
" Hang around me long enough and you'll find I'm no lady." She turned at the sound of whimpering. She looked to see Frodo thrashing in his sleep. " Excuse me." She walked to Frodo and slowly woke him up. " Frodo, Frodo." She called out to him and shook him gently. He woke up. " You were having a nightmare." Haldir and his brothers watched the interaction between them with interest. Maria pulled Frodo in her embrace and rocked him gently. " Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake."
Frodo went to sleep in her arms. Soon the other hobbits moved close to her as well and fell back asleep. The exhaustion started to seep in and Maria closed her eyes and fell asleep. Hours later, Legolas crawled up to their talon and smiled at the sight. " How long have they've been asleep?" Legolas asked.
" The hobbits slept all through the night while your lady companion went to sleep only hours ago." Haldir answered. " You have to wake your companions, we're leaving soon." Legolas nodded and walked to them. He nudged Maria awake.
" Hmmm? Legolas?"
" Maria, it's time to go." She nodded and slowly woke the others. They grabbed their packs and walked down the talon. Maria went down last with Haldir helping her. As her feet touched the ground, she swayed as her vision darkened. Haldir held her shoulders.
" Are you alright?" She shook her head to clear her vision.
" Yeah, I'm fine just still tired." He looked at her suspiciously but nodded and let her go. She sighed in relief and grabbed her pack. Haldir led them into Lothlorien and up a stack of stairs. Her following them in the back. Her vision darkened again and she collapsed against the stairs. No one paid notice since they didn't see or hear her. Maria breathed heavily and pulled herself up, her face loosing color. As she continued her flight up the stairs, a red handprint laid on a step. Droplets of blood trailing behind her. Maria's hand covered in blood.
She reached the top and stood behind the rest of the fellowship. A bright light distracted her from her pain as she looked forward. Two figures walked towards them. " May I introduce Lord Celeborn and Galadriel the lady of Lorien." Haldir announced.
"Nine that there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." Celeborn spoke. Galadriel looked amongst them.
"He has fallen into Shadow. The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel spoke and then looked upon Boromir. He started to sweat and looked away. " Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace…" Her gazed moved from Frodo to Maria.
" It's not your fault that Gandalf fell." Maria looked startled and looked at Galadriel who didn't even move her mouth. " Don't fear me my child. For I am speaking to you in your mind. Gandalf knew of his fate and accepted it. His path will cross with yours again soon." Galadriel told her. Maria bent down to the ground as a tremor of pain went through her. She gritted her teeth and stood up again. Galadriel gasped and called out to Haldir. The fellowship turned to look at Maria just in time to see her eyes roll back into her head.
Maria started to propel backwards ready to fall of the ledge when Haldir caught her hand and pulled her up. She slumped in his arms. Legolas and Aragorn ran to her. Haldir felt something warm in his hand. He looked to see Maria's blood trickle into his hand. Legolas' and Aragorn's eyes widen. Aragorn pulled out a dagger and cut open her shirt. A cloth was wrapped around her left shoulder drenched in blood. Aragorn removed the cloth and saw a small entrance wound. " An arrow pierced her." Legolas said.
" This is just no arrow wound. Poison was on the tip, you can see by looking at her veins. We must take her to see the healers quickly or surly she will die." Haldir told them. He lifted Maria and ran down the steps with Aragorn and Legolas trailing behind him. The rest of the fellowship looked on in horror, worried that they would lose another companion so soon.
To be continued…
Authors Note: There you have it! Hope you guys liked this chapter! Let me know by reviewing. I'll try to update again soon! Review!
By: Honolulu
Authors Note: Finally, a new chapter to post! Yea! Thank you to all those who reviewed my story. Thank you to all who have stuck around to read my story this long. My story is going to be translated into French by elentir girl. So look out for it if you're French! Thank you to LalaithoftheBruinen who reviewed my new story ' Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder', thank you very much! Okay, enough of this, lets move on to the story! Enjoy and Review! Please and thank you!
As the fellowship finished trekking down Caradhras, Gandalf had advised them to all continue walking. It was January 12, Maria walked with the hobbits, Gandalf, Gimli and Aragorn leading the way. Maria cupped her hands around her mouth to cover her yawn. She blinked constantly to keep herself awake. She held hands with Merry and Pippin to keep in touch with each other in the late hours of the night but mostly to keep each other from stumbling.
Maria stifled another yawn when Gandalf said that they would make camp. ' Oh thank god!' She thought as she sat down to rest her sore legs. " Maria!" A voice called out. She opened one eye to see Legolas motioning her to sit by him. She groaned and warily stood up and walked to him. When she stood next to him, she collapsed on the ground again.
" What do you want? I'm trying to sleep here." She told him. He smiled.
" I need to see that wound on your head. It will only take a minute." He said. Maria tilted her head back to give him more access to her face. He parted some of her hair away from the cut to look at it. Legolas removed the piece of his tunic that he used to stop the bleeding. He looked at the cut and saw it was not deep but only a surface wound. " We will need to put some ointment on the cut so it will not get infected." No answer. " Maria?" He looked at her and saw that she had fallen asleep in his hands.
Legolas smiled, he grabbed some ointment from a pack on Bill's back and rubbed a little on Maria's cut. After he cleaned his hands, he lifted Maria from the ground and cradled her against his chest as he laid on a tree. He listened to the others as they held a counsel on whether there was any other route to take besides the Mines of Moria. Legolas did not wish to travel through there. As he listened, Maria shifted and buried her face in his neck. Her breath tickling his skin.
Legolas found comfort from her presence. He breathed in her scent, though her hair lost the smell of the green apples, she smelled of the open air and the forest. Knowing that Aragorn would want to take first watch he allowed his body to relax. As his eyes started to glaze over a howl pierced the air. His eyes focused again. Maria stirred from her sleep, slowly her eyes opened. " What was that?" She asked, her voice laced with sleep and concern. Legolas looked down at her.
" Stay close to the hobbits. I'm going to look around." He told her. Legolas guided her to the hobbits, strapped on his quiver and bow, he walked into the forest. Maria was fully awake now.
Suddenly Aragorn leapt to his feet. " How the wind howls!" he cried. " It is the howling with wolf-voices. The wargs have come west of the mountains!" (FOTR pg.310)
" Need we wait until morning then?" Said Gandalf. " It is as I said. The hunt is up! Even if we live to see the dawn, who now will wish to journey south by night with wide wolves on his trail?"
" How far is Moria?" Asked Boromir.
" There was a door south-west of Caradhras, some fifteen miles as the crow flies, and maybe twenty as the wolf runs," answered Gandalf grimly.
" Then let us start as soon as it is light tomorrow, if we can," said Boromir. " The wolf that one hears is worse then the orc that one fears." ( FOTR pg.311) Maria listened to them grimly, not liking anything about it. She looked at the hobbits and noticed how uneasy they looked. Merry, Pippin on her left and Frodo, Sam on her right. She wrapped her arms around their shoulders.
" Have no fear guys. Try to sleep, I'll be here to protect you if anything is to happen." She tried to comfort them. They nodded. Maria laid down on the ground. Pippin and Frodo wrapped themselves in her arms. Sam's head laid on her thigh while Merry used her stomach as a pillow. From a branch in a tree, Legolas smiled at the sight laid before him. As they slept he kept watch from the branches. His eyes saw the figures of the wargs as they approached the camp. He armed his bow with an arrow and took aim.
Gandalf noticed the piercing gaze of them bearing down on the fellowship. Gandalf stood up and strode forward, holding his staff aloft. " Listen, Hound of Sauron!" He cried. " Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring." The wolf snarled and sprang towards them with a great leap. At the moment there was a sharp twang. Legolas had loosed his bow. There was a hideous yell, and the leaping shape thudded to the ground: the elvish arrow had pierced its throat. ( FOTR pg 311-312)
Gandalf and Aragorn looked around to see if the other wargs lingered. The hills were empty, the hunting packs had fled. Throughout the night the three of them kept watch. Hours past but nothing happened. Aragorn started to relax slightly. Suddenly Frodo started from sleep. Without warning a storm of howls broke out fierce and wild all about the camp. A great host of Wargs had gathered silently and was now attacking them from every side at once. " Fling fuel on the fire!" cried Gandalf to the hobbits. " Draw your blades, and stand back to back." (FOTR pg. 312)
Maria drew her blades from her thighs and sliced through a warg that approached her and the hobbits. She stood in front of them, trying to block wargs from gaining on them. Legolas' bow sang, Boromir lopped a wargs head off, Gimli stood with his feet apart swinging at any warg that dared to approach him. Aragorn thrust his sword inside of one.
" Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!" Gandalf yelled. There was a roar and a cackle, and the tree above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The fire leapt from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with dazzling light. The swords and knives of the defenders shone and flickered. The last arrow of Legolas kindled the air as it flew, and plunged burning into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain. All others fled. (FOTR pg.312)
Slowly the fire died and all that was left were the dead bodies of the enemies and ash. The company looked around to see if any had linger but none had stayed. " We must move quickly. We will reach Moria today." Gandalf told them. Legolas moved to grab all his arrows then walked to Maria to see if she was hurt.
" I'm fine." She told Legolas to stop his poking and prodding.
" What's that?" He pointed to a spot on her shirt. She looked down to see a wet spot on her shirt.
" Merry!" She cried. Merry turned at his name. " You drooled on me!" He smiled sheepishly . " Eww, nastiness!" She wiped at her shirt to get it off. After they had a quick breakfast they started off again. She walked beside Aragorn and Boromir this time. They walked for hours never taking any breaks, the light of the morning turned to the afternoon the to night as they finally approached the walls of Moria. Maria looked at the sight before her. Walls and walls of rock laid before her. " Wonderful." She muttered.
As they walked against the wall of rock, a lake of filthy, murky water pooled beside them. Frodo's expression contorted to one of disgust as his slipped into the water. He quickly pulled it out and continued walking. Gimli lead them, excited to see the Mines of Moria. " We're here." Gandalf announces. Maria stops walking and looks up to see just a wall of rock.
" The walls of Moria." Gimli says in awe. Gandalf walked to the wall and placed his hand against it.
" Well, let's see…Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf looks at the sky with his staff in hand. He murmurs a few words and the clouds covering the moon move aside giving a perfect view of it. The moonlight shines down on the wall to reveal a door. The rest of the fellowship gaze at it with awe. " It reads: ' The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'"
" What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.
" Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend , you speak the password, and the doors will open." Gandalf placed his staff on the door. " Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! ["Gate of the Elves open now for me!"]" The fellowship looked on expecting the doors to open. Nothing happened. Maria stifled her laugh and sat by Legolas. " Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa![ Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves!]" He chanted. Nothing happened again. Aragorn removed all the packs from Bill. Sam's face was etched with sadness as he watched Bill walk away.
Maria watched Merry and Pippin throw walks into the water until Aragorn told them not to. She leaned against the only tree in the area and closed her eyes, hoping it would take a while for Gandalf to figure out the password, so she catch some sleep. Gandalf sat down and took off his hat. " It's useless." He huffed. Frodo looked at the door curiously. He stood up seeming to have an idea.
" It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Frodo asked.
" Mellon." Gandalf replied. Surprising them all, the doors opened. Legolas, who was watching Maria, turned his head at the sound. Maria opened her eyes and mouthed 'Damn.' She got to her feet and put on her backpack.
" Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!" Gimli boasted as they entered. Maria looked around and her eyes widened at the sight. She almost screamed but held it down.
" This is no mine. It's a tomb." Boromir stated. The mine was filled with corpses of Dwarves and Orcs. Most skeletons were embedded with arrows. Legolas approached a body and took an arrow out.
After examining it he tossed it to the side. " Goblins!" He exclaimed. With the hobbits behind her, Maria started to walk backwards trying to escape the sight.
" We make for the Gap pf Rohan. We should never have come here! Now get out of here! Get out!" Boromir yelled. As they backed out, they didn't pay notice that a tentacle came out of the water until it wrapped its self around Frodo's leg and dragged him into the air.
" Aragorn! Help!" Maria yelled, cutting at the tentacles to get to Frodo. Boromir and Aragorn came running to help. The rest of the body of the creature surfaces. Legolas shoots at it with his arrows. Aragorn manages to cut the tentacle holding Frodo, Boromir catches him.
" Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled out to them.
" Legolas! Into the caves!" Boromir called.
" Run!" Maria shouted as she ran into the caves. The creature pulls its self out of the water and moves to the caves. It tried to enter but only crumbles the entrance blocking their way out and the light. Maria waves a hand in front of her to see nothing but darkness. Frightened, she reached out to the nearest person, Boromir, and hanged onto him. Boromir pats her hand to reassure her.
" We now have but one choice." Gandalf's voice called out. He puts a stone on the tip of his staff producing light. " 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." Gandalf walked ahead leading them. Maria almost jumped at the hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Legolas, she grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his. She walked between Legolas and Boromir.
They soon walked to a case of high and steep stairs. Maria looked up to see the stairs keep going up until the dark blocked her sight. She gulped and started to climb more than walk up them. She followed behind Merry and Pippin. 'Don't look down, don't look down.' She kept chanting to herself. Her foot slipped on some pebbles and her ribs collided with the steps. She clenched her teeth at the pain. 'That's gonna leave a mark.' " Maria, are you alright?" Aragorn asked from behind her.
" Yeah, I'm peachy keen." Pippin ran into a similar problem but instead part of the stairs crumbled under his foot.
It was after nightfall when they had entered the Mines. They had been going for several hours with only brief halts, when Gandalf cam to his first serious check. Before him stood a wide dark arch opening into three passages: all led in the same general direction, eastwards; bit the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level but very narrow. " I have no memory of this place at all!" claimed Gandalf. (FOTR pg.326)
While Gandalf tried to recall his memory, the rest of the fellowship sat down for a breather. Sam was worried about Bill and often spoke of him. Boromir and Aragorn smoke their pipe weed while Legolas and Maria sat away from the smoke. " Are we lost?" Pippin asked.
" No." Merry replied.
" I think we are."
" Shh! Gandalf's thinking."
" Merry…"
" What?"
" I'm hungry." Hearing Pippin's voice, Maria tossed him a piece of her bread which he quickly scarfed down. She sat down on a boulder trying to get comfortable. She quickly clutched her ribs and hissed.
" What's wrong?" Legolas asked.
" I think I bruised my ribs." Legolas got up and walked to her. He squat down before her.
" Show me where it hurts." She grabbed his hand and lifted it right under her left breast. He pressed his hand against her ribs and she winced. He started to lift up her tunic. She swatted his hands away.
" Hey, hey! What are you doing?" He rolled his eyes.
" I have to look at it and see if anything else is wrong."
" Fine, but no peeking." She lifted her tunic and raised it up until her breasts. He saw nothing too bad but some bruising. He ran his fingers lightly over her skin. Maria shivered at his feather touch and closed her eyes. He noticed her reaction and ran his fingers around her stomach then stopped. She opened her eyes when she no longer felt his fingers. Legolas looked at her and placed hands on the side of her face.
He brought her down towards his face. Maria closed her eyes anticipating his lips. He gently brushed her lips with his then gave her a feather kiss. Maria leaned into him more wanting to deepen the kiss. He outlined her bottom lip with his tongue silently asking permission. She opened her mouth allowing him access. His tongue slipped in and tasted her. Maria knew she moaned. She felt Legolas smile against her lips. They soon separated to catch air. As they pulled apart Legolas heard Gandalf's voice. " Ah! It's this way!"
" He's remembered!" Merry said.
" No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." Maria followed Gandalf's lead. 'Thank god it's dark in here.' She thought as her face brightened to the color of a tomato. " Let me risk a little more light." The light from his staff brightened, the fellowship found themselves in a great hallway with tall pillars as far as the eye can see. " Behold the great realm of the Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf."
" There's an eye opener, and no mistake." Sam murmured. As they walked Gimli notices a door on the side and runs in.
" Gimli!" Gandalf called.
" No! Oh no! NO!" Gimli yells as he starts to weep. The rest entered the room and saw Gimli standing before a tomb.
" Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria." Gandalf read. " He is dead then. It's as I've feared." He notices a book on the ground. He hands Pippin his hat and staff and retrieves the book. He opens it and reads the last passage.
" We must move on. We cannot linger here." Legolas whispers to Aragorn.
" They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming." As Gandalf read the passage, Pippin looks around the chamber. He notices a skeleton sitting on a well with an arrow through its chest. He touches the arrow and twists it but this causes the skeleton to become unbalanced. The skeleton falls down the well with its chains and a bucket with it making a lot of racket.
Maria flinches at the noise. When it stopped, no one dared to make a noise as they listen to see if anything noticed it. After awhile they sighed in relief. Gandalf walks to Pippin and snatches his hat and staff back. " Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity." Gandalf tells him. Maria felt sorry for him. They stopped moving when they hear the sound of drums beating. Frodo pulls out the sting and sees it's glowing blue.
Boromir runs to the door only to snatch his head back when two arrows embedded themselves in the door. " Orcs." Legolas said.
" Get back! Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn told the hobbits. Gandalf and Maria positioned themselves in front of the hobbits.
" They have a cave troll." Boromir said. Gimli stood on top of the tomb, ready for the orcs. Legolas tossed axes and spears to Boromir and Aragorn to bar the doors.
" Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath." Gimli shouted. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas back away from the door. Legolas and Aragorn both prepared to fire their arrows. As the orcs started to cut through the door Legolas let an arrow fly, a cry acknowledge that it hit its mark. Soon the doors busted open and swords clashed. Maria brought out her sword and started fighting against the orcs in her direction. She tried to stay near the hobbits but the hobbits scattered.
She thrust her sword in an orcs stomach but as she tried to pull out she found it wouldn't budge. She ducked as a sword swung at her head. Forgetting the sword, she grabbed her daggers at her thighs and sliced at the orcs. As Maria fought she didn't notice an orc fire a arrow at her until it was too late. The arrow embedded itself in her shoulder. She cried out but it was droned out by the entrance of the cave troll coming in and swinging around it's club.
Maria hid behind the well and sat down. She breathed heavily and looked at her shoulder. She grabbed the end and clenched her teeth. With once swift pull, she yanked it out of her shoulder. She swallowed her scream down and closed her eyes as tears quickly streamed down her face. She ripped off a strip of her tunic and wrapped it around her shoulder. After wrapping her shoulder, she covered up the wound by using her cloak. Maria noticed the silence in the room. " He's alive." She heard Sam yell.
She slowly pulled herself up and watch the scene before her in confusion. " To the bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf commanded. Maria followed them as they ran out of the room. Nearing the stairs, goblins and orcs started to fill the hall until they were forced to stand back to back. Legolas had his bow ready to fire. The orcs started to pull back, the fellowship noticed a red glow at the end of the hall. Legolas lowers his bow.
" What new devilry is this?" Boromir asked.
" A balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!" Gandalf exclaims as they turn and run to the stairs. As they run down the stairs, it starts to crumble. Legolas jumps to the other side and turns to help the others. Frodo and Aragorn were the last to reach the other side. " Over the bridge. Fly!" They run across the bridge waiting for Gandalf but he runs until the middle of the bridge and faces the balrog. " YOU CANNOT PASS!"
" GANDALF!" Frodo shouted. The balrog walks towards Gandalf. He raises his staff as a blue sphere surrounds him.
" I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Arrghh! Go back to the Shadow!! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" Gandalf slams his staff against the bridge making it crumble beneath the balrog. The balrog falls to the abyss below. Gandalf sighs and turns to walk when the whip of the balrog catches his ankle dragging him of the bridge. He grabs the edge of the bridge but starts losing his grip. Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas stop the hobbits from running out to him but Maria slips through their grasp.
" Fly you fools." He tells them as his grip starts to fail. The fellowship starts running out as orc arrow fly upon them. Maria grabs Gandalf's hand as he lets go of the bridge. She starts to slide down the bridge with his weight but grabs onto a break in the bridge. She screams out as she feels the pull on her injured shoulder. " Let go!" He yells at her.
" NO! I got you! I won't let go!" She retorts. She grinds her teeth as she tries to pull him up.
" You don't have the strength. Let go!"
"NO!"
" Maria, I'll be fine. My fate does not end here." She looks into his eyes, confusion written on her face. Gandalf lets go of her hand, his hand slips through her grip. She screams as she watches him fall into the abyss. Maria slaps her hand on the bridge in frustration and anger. She pulls herself up and runs out of the mines. She walks out to hear Boromir.
" Gives them a moment for pity's sake."
" By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn states. He walks to Sam and pulls him up. " On your feet Sam. Frodo? Frodo!" Maria turns to see Frodo stop walking, he turns around as a single tear rolls down his cheek. She walks to him and kneels down. She opens her arms to him and without a word he runs into them, burying his head in her hair. She feels his tears as they run down her neck.
She lifts him up and places him on her hip like she would a toddler. The fellowship watches her, she turns to face them. Her eyes and face hard. " Lead the way." She tells Aragorn. He nods and walks off. Legolas passes her but says nothing. " Come on little hobbits." Maria extends a hand to them. Pippin grasps her hand. Merry held Pippin's hand and Sam held his creating a chain. With Frodo on her hip, she followed the others.
They walked for what seemed like years but as they neared the borders of Lothlorien, Maria put Frodo down so he could walk with Sam and the others. She walked beside Legolas who immediately took her hand. She looked at him questionably but said nothing. " How do you feel?" He asked.
" I feel numb with grief." 'And pain.' She added silently. " How do you feel?"
" For me the grief is filling my soul and heart. I am not use to death." He answered.
" I should be use to it." She replied silently. He looked at her and saw blood on her shoulder.
" You're bleeding." Maria looked down to see blood on her cloak by her injured shoulder.
" It's not my blood. It's orc blood." She lied. Legolas nodded accepting her answer. He stopped in his step and brought out his bow and arrow. " What are you…" She stopped as an arrow was directed in her face. Legolas was surprised as an arrow was also pointed at him. She looked up to see the fellowship surrounded by elves with arrows directed at them. One elf stepped out.
" The dwarf breathes so loud, we could've shot him in the dark." The elf tells them.
" Haldir o Lórien. Henio aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn.[ Haldir of Lorien. We come here for help. We need your protection.]" Aragorn spoke the elf in elvish. Haldir looked at the fellowship warily but nods.
" Follow me." Legolas follows Aragorn and Haldir bringing Maria with him by the hand.
" Legolas, who was that?" She asked.
" That was Haldir, march warden of Lothlorien. He guards these woods." He told her. She nodded her head. Haldir led them to a part of the forest, talons built around the treetops of the trees.
" The hobbits and the lady will stay in this talon with us for we do not fear them. You four will stay in the other talon in the next tree, there you will take refuge. You, Legolas, must answer to us for them. Call us, if anything is amiss! And have an eye on the dwarf." Haldir spoke to Legolas in elvish. Legolas translated to them what Haldir said. As Legolas moved to climb the second talon Maria caught his hand.
" Can we trust them?" She asked him. He placed a hand on her cheek.
" Don't worry. They're elves and they won't bring harm to you." She nodded and let go of him. He kissed her forehead and followed Aragorn. She eyed Haldir but climbed up the rope that led to the talon after Sam. When she got to the top she noticed the elves just staring at the hobbits. The hobbits fidgeted under their gaze. Maria stepped in front of the hobbits blocking their view. She met their looks head on until Haldir climbed up. She sat down protectively in front of them.
" Maria?"
" Yes, Frodo."
" I'm getting hungry." She nodded.
" Sam, do we have any more provisions?"
" No." Sam answered. Maria got to her feet and walked to the elves who stopped talking when she approached them. She kept her gaze on Haldir.
" My companions are hungry. I was wondering if you had any food you could spare." Haldir nodded and handed her a sack. " Thank you." She walked back to the hobbits and passed food to them. After eating, the hobbits dozed off as night fell. Maria rose from her seat and walked to the railings and looked around. She felt another presence and looked to her right to see Haldir watching her.
She turned to look at the sky again. She groaned as a wave of pain hit her. " Are you hurt?" Haldir ask.
" No, I'm fine. Just stomach pains." She replied.
" You're bleeding."
" It's not my blood. It's orc blood." She lied once again.
" You should sleep. We'll be taking watch." She looked at him.
" Even though you're elves and Legolas told me you won't cause any harm doesn't make me trust you. I would feel much better if I watched over the hobbits. No offence." Haldir cracked a smile. 'Whoa! Why do I have the feeling he doesn't smile very often.' She thought. " So who are the other two?" She nodded to the other elves.
" They're my brothers. Rumil on the right and Orophin on the left. They don't speak much common tongue so they can't understand what you're saying."
" I guess you don't speak much common tongue hence the heavy accent."
" You would be correct in your guess."
" One question, why do your brothers stare at me so?"
" It surprises them to see a lady in the company of the fellowship. There are very few lady's who fight if there are any at all." Haldir told her.
" Hang around me long enough and you'll find I'm no lady." She turned at the sound of whimpering. She looked to see Frodo thrashing in his sleep. " Excuse me." She walked to Frodo and slowly woke him up. " Frodo, Frodo." She called out to him and shook him gently. He woke up. " You were having a nightmare." Haldir and his brothers watched the interaction between them with interest. Maria pulled Frodo in her embrace and rocked him gently. " Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake."
Frodo went to sleep in her arms. Soon the other hobbits moved close to her as well and fell back asleep. The exhaustion started to seep in and Maria closed her eyes and fell asleep. Hours later, Legolas crawled up to their talon and smiled at the sight. " How long have they've been asleep?" Legolas asked.
" The hobbits slept all through the night while your lady companion went to sleep only hours ago." Haldir answered. " You have to wake your companions, we're leaving soon." Legolas nodded and walked to them. He nudged Maria awake.
" Hmmm? Legolas?"
" Maria, it's time to go." She nodded and slowly woke the others. They grabbed their packs and walked down the talon. Maria went down last with Haldir helping her. As her feet touched the ground, she swayed as her vision darkened. Haldir held her shoulders.
" Are you alright?" She shook her head to clear her vision.
" Yeah, I'm fine just still tired." He looked at her suspiciously but nodded and let her go. She sighed in relief and grabbed her pack. Haldir led them into Lothlorien and up a stack of stairs. Her following them in the back. Her vision darkened again and she collapsed against the stairs. No one paid notice since they didn't see or hear her. Maria breathed heavily and pulled herself up, her face loosing color. As she continued her flight up the stairs, a red handprint laid on a step. Droplets of blood trailing behind her. Maria's hand covered in blood.
She reached the top and stood behind the rest of the fellowship. A bright light distracted her from her pain as she looked forward. Two figures walked towards them. " May I introduce Lord Celeborn and Galadriel the lady of Lorien." Haldir announced.
"Nine that there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." Celeborn spoke. Galadriel looked amongst them.
"He has fallen into Shadow. The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel spoke and then looked upon Boromir. He started to sweat and looked away. " Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in peace…" Her gazed moved from Frodo to Maria.
" It's not your fault that Gandalf fell." Maria looked startled and looked at Galadriel who didn't even move her mouth. " Don't fear me my child. For I am speaking to you in your mind. Gandalf knew of his fate and accepted it. His path will cross with yours again soon." Galadriel told her. Maria bent down to the ground as a tremor of pain went through her. She gritted her teeth and stood up again. Galadriel gasped and called out to Haldir. The fellowship turned to look at Maria just in time to see her eyes roll back into her head.
Maria started to propel backwards ready to fall of the ledge when Haldir caught her hand and pulled her up. She slumped in his arms. Legolas and Aragorn ran to her. Haldir felt something warm in his hand. He looked to see Maria's blood trickle into his hand. Legolas' and Aragorn's eyes widen. Aragorn pulled out a dagger and cut open her shirt. A cloth was wrapped around her left shoulder drenched in blood. Aragorn removed the cloth and saw a small entrance wound. " An arrow pierced her." Legolas said.
" This is just no arrow wound. Poison was on the tip, you can see by looking at her veins. We must take her to see the healers quickly or surly she will die." Haldir told them. He lifted Maria and ran down the steps with Aragorn and Legolas trailing behind him. The rest of the fellowship looked on in horror, worried that they would lose another companion so soon.
To be continued…
Authors Note: There you have it! Hope you guys liked this chapter! Let me know by reviewing. I'll try to update again soon! Review!