Disclaimer:…I don't own LotR..I own the occasional plot…so shush you stupid lawyers.Oh by the way…I actually updated early…aren't you lucky…
Chapter 7
It was cold, it had been cold, and never has she been so happy to have sewn that wonderfully warm blanket. At first when it started to get cold, the other men refused to show weakness by wanting to share her blanket. Course, she had no impediments.
On the first night she had gone up to Legolas, who was sitting against a rock looking into the distance, and sat down right next to him and curled against him. He was warm, damn the elvish body, but at the same time, thank god for his heat. She had yawned and curled like a kitten. The others looked at her in confusion and shock at the bold behavior. Legolas stared at her for a while, but after figuring she wasn't going to do anything but sleep and be warm, he let her curl next to him. Aragorn laughed as did Gandalf. Gandalf had been unusually smug around her since. She ignored it preferring to be oblivious and concentrate on imagining heat warming her body. That and trying to use the right combination of herbs to make that heat pack she had been told of by the elves and her chemistry book. She was brought out of her thoughts by a sound.
"Ungh!" cried Frodo as he rolled to Aragorn's feet. Malucath sighed. The fellowship had gotten slow and clumsy in the cold…well everyone but Legolas of course.
"Frodo!" Aragorn helped Frodo to his feet. Frodo smiled but then started to panic and pat on his shirt, as if looking for something. Then he turned, looking wildly for something. Boromir then noticed the Ring in the snow, and picked it by its chain.
"Boromir," Aragorn said in a soft but commanding tone. Boromir had a far away look on his face as if pondering about the ring.
"It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing… such a little thing." Boromir muttered. Aragorn and Frodo stared at him in alarm.
"Boromir! Give the Ring to Frodo." Aragorn said firmly as he grasped his sword firmly. Malucath watched as the tension increased with each breath Boromir took with the ring in his grasp. Then Boromir gained a casual smiling look to Frodo./
"As you wish. I care not." When Boromir spoke, Frodo napped the Ring from him. She could see Boromir stiffen slightly but he tousled Frodo's hair as if he forgave him and hoped he would be as well. Boromir then turned and resumed climbing. Ignoring the others suspicious looks, she hurried next to Boromir.
"Everyone's got a stick up there ass. They're so damn stiff." She said gruffly, hoping to off settle Boromir. It worked. Boromir turned and blinked at her in surprise, She grinned and nudged his side.
"Don't take their tension so seriously. Everyone is so stiff because their lack of sleep since it's so cold. Plus, any man or woman's determination wanes when their tired and shit. Everyone is feeling it…so they took it out on you." She said soothingly but jokingly. " Hey how about we share my blanket, so you can get some sleep?" Boromir blinked at the proposition.
"That's improper-"
"Who gives a shit? Not I. Besides I don't care about my reputation. Even if I am portrayed as a harlot. That isn't the worse thing I could be portrayed as." Boromir stared at her and then sighed.
"You're going to be stubborn about this aren't you?"
"Very. Nice to know you're learning."
"…"
Break Break
The whole situation was rather amusing. When she went up and sat next to Boromir and grabbed his and her cloak to put beneath them to protect them from the snow and placed her large wool blanket over them. Boromir was blushing, which made her laugh.
"No funny ideas hmm?" she teased him. Legolas, as she noticed from the corner of her eyes, stiffened. She laughed it off and snuggled into her cloak and wool blanket, tucking the excess material beneath her.
"Aye, lass getting a bit bolder eh?" Gimli announced with an amused tone. She turned to him with a smile and winked.
"What can I say? They can't resist me." She fluttered her eyes flirtaciously and then laughed. "But seriously, you guys are too stubborn to not ask to share my deliciously warm wool blanket. 'Course, I'm forcing Boromir to share my blanket. He needs sleep to gain some sound of mind." Gandalf was quiet but then nodded. She smirked and curled into her make-shift bed.
"Night Boys, don't let the chill bite ya in the bum."
"Night Lass."
"Good night milady."
"Night Malu!"
"Good night Malu-hin"
"Quel du, Malucath."
It was time for bed.
Break Break
When she woke, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist and someone breathing against her neck in a snore. She tensed in alarm and pushed herself out of the persons arms, luckily they let me go. She turned to see Boromir snoring in her blanket. She laughed softly and scooted out of her blanket while taking her cloak with her. She turned to see Legolas watching her. She gave him a grin and pointed back to Boromir snickering. Legolas did not seem to share her humor. She inwardly rolled her eyes.
"Mani naa ta? (What is it?)" For now on to save time I shall italize my elven
"Why do you sleep in a man's blankets when he does not speak for you?"Legolas asked with a frown.
"Why should it matter if we are or are not meant to get marry? It is cold and he has not slept well. His resolve dwindles and he needs rest to ignore the call!"She was starting to get annoyed with the medieval customs. Legolas frowned but wisely kept silent.
"Besides I did not hear any of this from you when I lied next to you!"
"But we did not share a blanket!"
"No, we shared body heat. I was right next to you!" She was steadily getting louder in her anger. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes lightened to silver.
"Perhaps you should start breakfast, Malu-hin" Gandalf interrupted, his voice obviously carrying a command. Malucath turned and looked blankly at Gandalf; though her snowy eyes told a different story, showing her anger and frustration. She turned stiffly and began to go through her pack to retrieve the dried jerky. She wisely decided to calm down and just ignore the incident, though she would be cold to that ignorant prince.
Break Break
She had continued the sleeping routine with Boromir…except with one difference. On the second day of waking, she found a surprise in her sheets. Four hobbits had strayed into her territory, snuggling up against her on every side but Boromir's side, who was still wrapping himself around her. It made her laugh, hysterically. Everyone woke with a start to her evil cackles. That shook everyone up. She had been told her cackles were quite evil. Gandalf had stared at her in disbelief. She could still every once and now at night hear him muttering about her laugh.
Though in the current time, it royally sucked. The spoiled prince is somehow able to prance on top of the snow. She found she was having an easier time then the others though. She was not ontop of the snow like Legolas, but she only went in a few inches, instead of the two feet the others had to plow through. When they first discovered that, Gandalf had given her a very contemplating look. The others, in exception of Legolas, were too busy to notice. She and Legolas were currently racing across the snow. She throwing snowballs at him. He had started it, the bastard. His tinkling laughter could be barely heard in the heard in the harsh winds, but then she could hear something else. She froze and tried to listen.
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya!"
"Wake up cruel Redhorn? May your horn be bloodstained?" she muttered as she stared at Legolas. Legolas looked at her surprise but told Gandalf.
"There is a fell voice on the air," Legolas called to Gandalf.
"Its Saruman!" Gandalf cried. Then the sound of rushing snow filled the air as Malucath ran back to the others and grabbed onto Boromir while muttering shit over and over.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Cried Aragorn.
"No!" Subbornly Gandalf began to chant a counter spell.
"Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith! (Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!)" Voices carried and echoed around the mountain. Lightining flashed on the tip of the Caradhras sending an avalanche onto them. Malucath was dragged by Boromir under the cliff. They were followed by the others. The snowed buried them and Malucath began to panic in her snowy prison. But soon enough, she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her to the surface. She gasped and looked up to the very blue eyes of Legolas. She shook and clinged onto Legolas and looked to the others. Boromir looked to her worriedly but after her nod, he turned to Gandalf.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!" Boromir announced.
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn argued.
"If we cannot pass over a mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria." Pressed Gimli.
"Let the Ring bearer decide," Gandalf said gravely, " Frodo?" Frodo paused and pondered before answering.
"We will go through the mines."
"So be it."
Break Break
It was hot. She was grumpy. The little midgets still stole her bed and she hadn't quite gotten used to it. Boromir still clinged onto her at night, which was odd, he has even become all brotherly during the day.
"Meh…it's hot. The sun is getting its revenge for us leaving it. It has a problem with abandonment." She announced as they walked down the mountain. They could finally see the wonderful sun. The others turned there head to stare at her.
"Aye lass, a jealous temptress that sun of ours," Gimli said gruffly as she looked to Legolas.
"No offense Legolas. But I really think that sun has a thing for you. It's stalking you, growing closer and closer. It's all because you're a pretty boy, damn you." She faked being angry at Legolas. Legolas's baby blue eyes twinkled with amusement.
"I do believe Master Gimli is correct with his statement. The sun is a jealous temptress, but she is also a caring, patient mother." She rose a eyebrow at his statement.
"You make her sound like a married woman." She replied. The other men stared at her and then broke out into laughter. She smiled till she stumbled on the rocks suddenly.
"FRIGGING SONFA-!" She cried out angrily as she stared at her cut knees. She scowled and then stood up shakily. The others look at her amused.
"Miss Dae seems to have quite a poisonous tongue on her." Sam said shaking his finger threateningly at her. She laughed, suddenly reminded of a Batman movie.
"Call me Poison, Poison Ivy," she drawled in a seductive voice. She faked a giggle and a wink at the poor blushing Sam. She started to walk again with the others, being careful on the rocky trail. It was getting worse by the minute. Her balance wasn't saving her at all.
"OW!" Again she fell, but twisting so she fell on her rump and back flipped into Aragorn. He looked at her and sighed.
"I don't think you are going to be able to cross this. Let me hel-"
"Hell no."
"What?" Poor confused Aragorn, he didn't understand the meaning of no.
" Generally Hell no, means I won't do a single thing you are asking of me."
"…" Before she even realized it, she was flopped across his back staring at the back of his calves.
"….You are horrible." She grumbled.
"Very. Nice to know you're learning."….He used her words against her…bastard.
Break Break
To her surprise, they even still continued, the hobbits continue to surround about her, and Boromir still clinged onto her at night. That puzzled her. Why would they stay? Is it habit? Well whatever it was, it was like waking to cats on you. They were everywhere, and Boromir still hugged her to him at night. Though it started to become more of paternal or brotherly way. He watched over her when they traveled and was sure to not her fall; but he backed off when she seemed fine. Legolas…was still not talking to her, even though he saved her at the Cahadras , but he occasionally joked with her. Other then that, she had no conversations with the irritable prince. This aggravated her, extremely. Gimli was talking and joking with her; though Gandalf was ignoring her for Frodo. What ever! He can be like that! Aragorn…was being Aragorn, a little bit arrogant about what she could and couldn't do. He even, when the trail was particularly rocky, threw her over his shoulder after she refused his help…damn him, that was humiliating. She had screeched at him afterward, tha' damned bastard. An excited cry interrupted her thoughts.
"The walls of Moria!" Gimli cried in awe. They walked by the side of the lake, which both her and Frodo accidently slipped into.
"Now, let's see. Ithildin -- it mirrors only starlight and moonlight." Gandalf said pondering as when an convienent moon shined and illuminated the door.
"It reads "The doors of Durin - Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter." Gandalf stared at the walls and thought deeply, but Merry voiced the question in the hobbits head.
"What do you suppose that means?"
"Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend you speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf answered arrogantly.
"Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen! (Gate of the Elves open now for me!)" Nothing happened. Malu yawned boredly.
"Well apparently you are no friend of theirs." Gandalf turned to glare at her while pushing the door with his staff. She grinned at him cheekily.
"Love you too Gandalf, daaahling," she drawled. Time passed quickly as Gandalf continued to try to open the doors. She gave him several suggestions which he ignored. Of course, the first one was the one she meant, after he ignored her she started to get snippy. Everyone was boredly hanging around the door or near the lake, which she stayed away from because of its murky waters.
"Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa! (Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves!)" Cried the exasperated wizard. Aragorn was meanwhile unhitching Bill's bridle.
"The mines are no place for a pony, even one so brave as Bill." Malu blinked, so that was that stupid pony's name. Ohhhhhh! Sam gave a very sad but childish good-bye. Aragorn patted his shoulders and reassured Sam softly. Merry and Pippin were so bored they began to throw rocks into the lake, until Aragorn stopped them with a warning.
"Do not disturb the water." Meanwhile Gandalf gave up to be only upstaged by Frodo, the midget. He figured it was a riddle and they had to say mellon.The stone doors began to slowly swing open. Gimli immediately began boasting to Legolas.
"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!" But he was shortly saying different, the mine was filled with the scent of death and decay.
"This is no mine, it's a tomb!" Malucath stepped closer to Boromir as he announced his opinion. Carrion is icky. Stay away from the ick and let the arrogant man take care of it. Less ick for her.
"Oh! No! Noooo!" Gimli called out filled with anguish and sorrow.
"Goblins!" Legolas cried out after inspecting an arrow. Everyone began to go into panic mode, including her as she drawed her long sword.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here," Boromir talked anxiously. Suddenly, Malucath heard something stir in the water.
"FUCK!" She yelled as she ran towards the midgets, whom were in danger. Though the others left for different reasons.
"Now get out of here, get out!"
"NO DON'T!"…it was too late, something in the water grabbed Frodo, hanging him in the air.
"Frodo!" The other midgets cried out in horror.
"Strider!" Sam called as he hacked at the tentacles. "GET OFF HIM!" The watcher let go of Frodo for a moment and retreated; before many tentacles flew out of boiling water. The tentacles slapped around the hobbits before grabbing the yelping Frodo. Legolas began to shooting at the tentacles; she followed behind with Boromir and Aragorn, slicing at the creature. In its pain, it began to throw around Frodo wildly. Boromir managed to slice the main tentacle holding Frodo's leg. He fell wildly. Malucath came behind Boromir and caught him. She smiled at him as she ran to shore.
"Hello, Frodo-boyo. Hope this creature isn't bringing you down." She saw Aragorn and Boromir running ahead of her. She pouted and hurried as Gandalf called out.
"Into the Mines!"
"Legolas! Aim for his eye! Come on!" Called out Boromir. Legolas followed his advice. The creature pulled back into the water, bleeding perfusely.The others ran inside Moria as Gandalf with help of the other men assisted. Slabs of rocks dropped ontop of them and the roof of the passageway collapses. Total darkness fell causing Malu to flinch. Well, until a beam of light emits from Gandalf's handy walking stick.
"We now have but one choice. 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." Malucath put Frodo down carefully, who smiled gratefully to her. She shrugged and pointed to Boromir.
"Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed." Gandalf continued. Frodo and myself hurried to catch up to the others, carefully picking their way through. At the end of whatever sort of room they were in before, they entered a giant cavern with a very serpentine walkway. Malucath scratched her sweaty neck and sighed.
"Great…I get to rediscover my fear of heights." She said as she noted the steep steps on the side of the cavern. Both Gimli and Legolas stared at her. Both used to heights of these sorts. Pippin grinned.
"Finally something the great Malucath fears!"Pippins ejaculation made her blink and cock her head to the side.
"There are a great number of things I fear…I just happen to be lucky and not have any…episodes on the way here…" This caused Boromir to frown and Aragorn to raise an eyebrow.
"Episodes."
"To be frank…I have a fear of all insects and things that fly…I don't like snakes or frogs…Though I do like lizards and mice" This caught the others by surprise. Gandalf reacted first by giving a hearty laugh, quickly followed by Gimli, Aragorn and the little'uns. Legolas and Boromir simply stared for a bit longer and laughed with them. She scowled and sniffed in distain.
"What?" Aragorn soon responded to her question.
"It seems we forgotten the…characteristics of a female." She scowled at his bias-ness…but it was mostly true though.
"…shush…" She pushed foreward and began to climb to stairs. Behind her she heard a shuffling as if someone lost step and Merry crying out…apparently Pippin shared her occasional clumsiness.