Chapter 8

No more Elvish.

Adette's POV

I woke up sweaty and panting to see that the fire had died. Everyone had fallen asleep, including Legolas, who was leaned back against a boulder. His arms were behind his head, sitting cross legged. I saw Aragorn sitting up near my head, hunched over. When I stirred, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Hello." I smiled sleepily.

"How do you feel?" He reached out a hand and placed it against my cheek. He smiled when he pulled back. "Your fever is breaking, but you still need to rest."

I sat up slowly so as not to wake anyone and moved to Aragorn's side. He glanced sideways at me more than once in the silence and I soon turned my head to look at him myself. I could tell that he wanted to say something to me but he kept putting it off.

"What is it Aragorn?" I asked calmly.

"Are you still plagued by nightmares?" He questioned, waiting only a moment to ask. "You were restless in your sleep. I would have woken you but-"

"Yes…I still have nightmares." I slowly looked away, staring into the ashes of the dead fire. He shifted, and I felt his arm snake around my shoulders.

"What happened?"

I took a deep breath, settling back into Aragorn's arm. I closed my eyes and tried to remember. My nightmares were usually pretty hazy and dark, but they had become vivid since the journey. I could only guess that the Ring had something to do with that.

"My recollection of orcs. I saw us in the field where we used to play, when we were children. Do you remember that time the band of orcs attacked us in the night?

We had snuck out and gone to the field to catch fireflies and to play. I wandered away after a firefly and all of a sudden…I was picked up. You took out your dagger, yelling angrily at whatever had taken me. I turned and saw orcs rushing from the trees. I called to you, kicking the orc holding me up. He let me drop to the ground and you ran to help me, but one of them pushed you down and held you there. I picked up your dagger from the ground and slit his throat, and helped you up…your leg was broken." I opened my eyes suddenly, as if I were really a child again, as if I were really helping Aragorn limp away from the orcs. Aragorn's hand tightened on my shoulder.

"I remember." He whispered.

"If the guards hadn't found us, we would have been killed. Our father was furious, but he was so happy to see us safe. He warned us both that if we snuck out again, he would make us stay in our room for weeks.

We always did hate that…staying inside. We were always so free and wanting so much more. I just knew that you would end up traveling Middle Earth, Aragorn…I just hoped you would take me along."

Aragorn used his other hand to grip my chin. He pointed my face in Legolas's direction.

"You and Legolas fell in love, Adette. Would you have wanted to leave him?" He asked softly, letting go of my chin.

"No." I answered quietly. "And then I saw myself in the forests of Mirkwood on…that day. It had been only two months since Legolas and I had been married, and many weeks after you had left.

I was just wandering about, enjoying the fresh air. I remember hearing loud breathing but when I turned, there was only a sharp pain in my head and then nothing else. When I woke up I was-"

"It's okay Adette. Shh." Aragorn had wrapped his other arm around me and was rocking be back and forth quickly. I hadn't realized that I was gasping for air. I took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, calming myself down.

"After Lenwë found me, I began to fade in and out of unconsciousness. All I remembered was always seeing Legolas's face above mine. His eyes were so frightening, Aragorn, I had never seen him so angry. He hadn't left my side, but then…I woke up and he wasn't there. The healers all told me that he had gone after the orcs who had raped and beaten me. I remember knowing how horrible their deaths would be, how livid Legolas would be when he crossed paths with the one who had actually raped me.

I tried to get up from the bed to follow Legolas. The healers forbade me from getting up, telling me that I was still healing. The pain in my body was no match for the pain in my heart." I swiped my hand across my cheek to wipe away the angry tear. My teeth were clenched together, and I had unconsciously made a fist.

"It's okay to cry Adette." Aragorn said gently, pulling me away from him to look into my eyes. "It's okay to cry."

"I don't want to cry Aragorn. If I cry, I'm just letting those who have done me wrong win over me…and I won't let that happen." I muttered.

Suddenly, Boromir stirred. Aragorn and I both watched as he slowly got up and staggered from the camp. His shoulders were shaking a little as he continued down the hill Legolas had tackled him on.

"Stay here." I told Aragorn, rising.

"You should rest Adette." Aragorn reached out and grabbed my hand. "I don't want you going after him."

"Just let me go."

He reluctantly let go of my hand and I started after Boromir. I couldn't see very well from the hill, but I could hear him crying quietly in the dark. I stumbled over the rocky terrain, and reached the bottom without falling.

"Boromir?" I whispered, feeling around. My hand caught something, and I gripped it gently. From the way it felt, I had grabbed Boromir's shoulder. It was shaking, and I could hear him crying.

"Get away from me Adette." He said, trying to make his voice even. He pulled his shoulder back and so I sat beside him. As my eyes adjusted, I could make out his heartbreaking, tear streaked face. I reached out to wipe away his tears but he grabbed my wrist, and his hold was gentle. "Legolas will be angry."

"Boromir, I understand it now. It's the Ring isn't it?" I asked softly. He freed my wrist and laughed tiredly as I wiped his tears.

"I'm not usually like this you know." He offered.

"I can tell. The way you are with Merry and Pippin, you really are a good man Boromir. It isn't your fault." I assured him, placing a hand on his back. He surprised me by drawing close and embracing me.

"I'm so sorry Adette." He choked, grasping my shoulder blades. Although he tugged some of my hair I didn't pull back. I rubbed his back comfortingly.

"It's alright Boromir. You just have to try your hardest to resist the Ring." I murmured soothingly. I felt him nod against me and I gently pulled back, smiling. "You have all of us to count on."

"I don't know about your brother or Legolas."

I laughed and slapped his back. I was finally beginning to see the real Boromir, and I really liked him. He smiled, wiping off his cheeks before getting to his feet.

"Come, you need to regain your strength." He pulled me up and we walked back up the hill together. Aragorn was still awake and he had started a new fire. When he saw us he stopped what he was doing and looked from me to Boromir.

"Is everything alright?" He asked slowly.

"Everything is fine. Good night Boromir, have an easy sleep." I patted his back before he headed back to his bedroll and laid down. Once he was situated, I returned to my own bedroll. "You should sleep Aragorn."

He looked at me questioningly, and I knew he wanted to know what had gone on with Boromir and I. But instead of asking me questions he simply nodded and laid down, our heads beside each other.

"Sleep well Adette." He whispered.

"You too Aragorn."

"Let me risk a little more light." Gandalf muttered. The light on his staff grew brighter, and illuminated the room. Crushed columns laid in pieces upon the floor while some still stood, cracked and aged. Great archways were suspended above our heads and along the walls. "Behold the great realm and dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf."

I saw Gimli's face as he searched the room. He seemed to be searching for one piece of this place that wasn't broken or dead. I knew he must have been feeling horribly, and began walking towards him when I stumbled over a rock.

"Careful." Boromir grabbed my arm before I could fall forward. I brushed myself off when he let go and stood back up. He smiled.

"Thank you. That would have been a long way down." I laughed as I looked over the edge and into the darkness below.

"Adette!" Legolas's voice echoed softly off of the walls. He jogged up to where Boromir and I stood, staring past me. I turned and saw that Boromir had walked away when Legolas had come.

"Yes?" I asked him, a smile still upon my face. He looked doubtful but shook his head, muttering something underneath his breath. I ignored it and took his hand as we followed everyone.

Suddenly Gimli cried out and ran towards a chamber. Gandalf called after him but Gimli didn't stop. I could see a faint light coming from the room, and tugged on Legolas's hand. He looked towards the chamber and his eyes widened slightly when he spied the light too. We all slowly went into the chamber, only to hear Gimli's sobs.

The room was in ruins, just as all of the others were. Skeletons and their forgotten weapons adorned the floors, cobwebs growing over them. In the middle of the room was a stone casket with words etched into it, upon which a single ray of light was shining.

"Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria. He is dead then…it's as I feared." Gandalf said, moving towards a skeleton. He took a tattered looking book from the corpse's hands and began flipping through the torn, bloodstained pages.

I let go of Legolas's hands and went to Gimli's side.

"Are you alright Gimli?" I asked quietly, a hand on his shoulder. He didn't answer, but raised his head to acknowledge me. He wasn't crying, at least. I couldn't take anymore tears.

"We must move on. We cannot linger." I heard Legolas hiss to Aragorn. He looked around the room, as if expecting something to barge in and attack us. He caught my stare and offered a quick smile.

"They have taken the bridge…and the second hall." Gandalf said. I looked up to see that he was reading from the book, his face troubled. "We have barred the gates…but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes."

Gimli stopped his quiet chanting and stood, as did I. I turned to see the Hobbits all collected together with the exception of Pippin.

"Frodo," I whispered, "come, come this way."

He nodded, and they all drifted over to where I was standing. They were all shaking and I knew that they were afraid. I lifted Frodo's chin, and waved my hand to get Sam and Merry's attention.

"Everything will be okay. I'll protect you all." I promised them.

"We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark." Gandalf continued to read, and I wished that he would stop. He was frightening everyone even more and soon we would be on our toes for some unknown danger. "We cannot get out. They are coming."

Everyone was silent then, reflecting on what had been read. Legolas and Aragorn were shooting worried glances at each other while Gandalf continued to stare blankly at the book. Boromir made his way to my side, offering a hand with the Hobbits.

Suddenly there was a clanging sound and I looked up to see Pippin standing by the well. The head of the skeleton that had been resting on the well had dropped back into the well, and as I looked up, the rest of it slipped back as well. Once the echoes had died down, Gandalf grabbed his staff and hat from the embarrassed Hobbit.

"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" He yelled harshly, staring down Pippin. I was about to suggest backing off of him when we heard hushed booming.

"Frodo!" Sam hissed, pointing to Frodo's waist. I looked down and saw that Sting was glowing blue.

"Orcs!" Legolas cried, looking to the doors.

"Stay with the Hobbits." Boromir commanded me quietly. He then turned and went to the doors, looking out into the hall. He jumped in surprise when an arrow ended up lodging itself into the door – right beside his face.

Aragorn dropped his torch and rushed to the doors to help Boromir, and Legolas followed close behind. I went forward to go and help when Boromir turned and shook his head.

"Stay with them like I told you!" He shouted.

Legolas turned his head to look at me, his face bewildered. I nodded, and pushed all four of them behind me, drawing my sword.

"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!" Gimli cried, hopping up onto the casket. His eyes were wild with anger as he swung his axe, ready to kill some orc.

When the doors began to break open, Legolas backed up and shot arrows through the gaps. Screams of agony pierced through the room when his arrows collided with them. Aragorn and Boromir backed away as well and we all waited for the doors to break open. Legolas glided towards me, dipping his head to kiss me quickly.

"Good luck nightingale." He murmured, looking into my eyes one last time before the doors busted open with a deafening crash.

I rushed forward, dodging the arrows Legolas was shooting, and swung my sword at an orc, slicing him in half horizontally. Frodo fought with Sting by my side, stabbing an orc clear through his abdomen. I could see Aragorn behead an orc, blood spurting out, and then look up in horror.

Frodo and I did the same and saw that a ferocious looking cave troll had staggered into the room. It saw Sam cowering in a corner and charged at him, the room shaking with each footstep. He was suddenly stopped, however, and I saw Boromir and Aragorn holding his chains. This angered the troll, and he swung at Boromir, sending him flying across the room.

"Boromir!" I cried out, rushing to his side. He had landed upon the small steps on which the casket rested. He looked fairly dazed. I lifted his neck and wiped blood from his temple with my other hand. "Are you alright?"

When he didn't answer I knew that he was still dazed and so I lifted his arm around my shoulder, and slipped an arm around his waist. I hoisted him to his feet and looked up in time to see the troll standing over me. He reared back an arm to strike, and I turned sideways to guard Boromir, bracing myself for the blow. Instead, it cried out in pain and I opened my eyes to see that an arrow had pierced his chest. Before I could blink, Legolas had taken Boromir in the same way I had, and had helped him towards a pillar.

"I'm fine Legolas." He insisted, taking his sword from me. "Thank you."

Legolas nodded, and Boromir rushed back into battle. I smiled at Legolas, and he returned it.

"Legolas, if you get up there," I pointed to a higher place above the troll, "you can shoot him in the head."

"Keep him there for me." He then took off to follow my plan.

I ran at the troll, standing in front of it. When he finally registered that I was standing there, he swung. I rolled between his legs and when he turned, his chain swung up and nearly hit Legolas. I called out a warning and he dodged it. The chain flung around a pillar, and Legolas ran across it and onto the troll's shoulders. He shot an arrow into the back of the troll's head and then jumped down.

"Aragorn!" Frodo's voice rang out. I whirled around to see my brother lying motionless while Frodo shook him.

"Oh no." I breathed, running towards them. Frodo had run off when the troll had gone after him and it was only Aragorn. I dropped on my knees by his side and checked for a pulse. When I found one I sat him up, shaking him. "Aragorn!"

As his eyes slowly opened I heard groans of pain and turned my head to see Frodo, a spear protruding from his chest. The troll had stabbed him.

"Frodo!" I screamed, looking on in horror as the troll pulled back. Frodo fell to the ground and didn't get back up. I could hear Merry and Pippin yelling in anger and I saw Sam's horrified face.

When I made sure Aragorn was awake, I went to Frodo.

"Frodo no." I whispered, lifting him up. However when I did, he moaned and coughed, touching the place where he had been stabbed. "Frodo?"

There was a thud that caused a sudden earthquake and I knew that the troll was dead. Aragorn had crawled over to where we were, and was staring in shock.

"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar." He said in disbelief.

"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf said simply as Frodo pulled back his clothes to reveal a white, shining shirt beneath it.

"Mithril! You are full of surprises Master Baggins." Gimli chuckled.

"Oh Frodo!" I threw my arms around him and pulled him close. "I'm sorry I didn't protect you."

Frodo pulled away, blushing slightly.

"It's alright Adette. I'm fine." He assured me, getting to his feet. By this time, we were all gathered together in the corner. In the distance was the sound of more orcs approaching.

"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf shouted, already heading for the doors. Everyone else followed close behind, but I stayed back a moment. Legolas noticed and turned, waiting for me.

"Are you alright? Are you feeling tired from the battle?" He smoothed back my hair and felt both of my cheeks. "You're still a bit warm but much better if I do say so myself."

"Come! We must hurry!" We both looked to see Boromir's head in the open doorway.

"We're coming." I assured him. He nodded and disappeared.

"I'm feeling much better…and I love you." I leaned up to kiss him and he met me halfway. We hadn't kissed like that since the day we had left.

"I love you too." He whispered, taking my hand. "Now let's go."