Hello...hello...hello... I am sorry that I haven't updated in such a long time but everything has been chaotic. So I would like to thank all of those who reviewed. I also apologize for my spelling... It sucks but I will try to fix it. Thanks to all and here you go...
Chapter 11
On the Road Again...
Legolas POV
It was just before dawn, I stood over looking the elven realm of Rivendell from my balcony. The mist of the waterfalls covering the grass, and the small candles burning within the many homes casting a faint glow over the ground below. I felt relaxation take hold of me. The very relaxation I had yearned for this passed night. I had not slept at all because of our doomed departure this very morn. My mind has told me that it is all hopeless, but somewhere, deep with in, my heart is telling me different. My heart...a scary concept these days. I have many who now hold a part of it, my family, friends and now the fellowship. But there is one person I do not know where to place among the ranks within my heart. Gwen...she is very dear to me as a friend and she was also a reason for my lack of sleep. The thought of her going into this journey and not coming out hurt more then it had any right to. I had thought about losing each member of the fellowship...but the thought of her dying, overwhelmed them all and I had only known her a short time, my mind could make no sense of it.
I then heard the faint sound of footsteps below me and I saw Gwen emerge from the shadows carrying her pack. Her hair was braided and tied. She wore elven traveling clothes, a blue tunic and black leggings. Her weapons were also strapped to her back and sides. She looked like an elf dressed as she was, and the thoughts that came with that image startled me. She was a friend nothing more, I should distance myself from her a little more until I know what is happening within me. I sighed. I watched as she stopped and looked up at the sky. Then she looked strait at me, smiled and waved lightly. I smiled back and my heart sank as she turned to make her way to the front of the palace, staying away would prove harder than I thought. I turned and grabbed my pack it was time for me to join those out front. It was time to go.
Gwen POV
For some strange reason I had slept well last night and I was awake this morning and strangely excited. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because I was ready to start this journey or... oh I have know idea. I walked slowly humming softly to myself as I headed toward the front of the palace to leave.
Rivendell was so serial looking near dawn as everything seems to glow faintly. The air smelled of wild flowers and the bird sang softly above. I looked up watching as the clouds slowly turned from dark to bright colors of pink and yellow when I caught someone watching me from above. It was Legolas. I smiled and waved to him as if to say good morning, he smiled back but it seemed troubled and drawn. His hair hung loosely from his usual braids he wore, causing his hair to frame his face, he glowed lightly like the land around him, he was so damn beautiful. I often wondered at what I truly felt, every time I am with him he sets off butterflies in my stomach and at the same time he comforts and supports me. I know he is my friend and is only such, but a part of me wants more.
I turned away with a faint blush on my cheeks and started again to my original destination. I needed to keep myself in check nothing could ever come of us, it would be a distraction and his father would kill me...literally.
I adjusted my pack and came around the corner to find everyone but the hobbits and Legolas there. I smiled as I saw Aragorn walking away with Arwen's hand clasped with in his own. I walked up to Gimli and Boromir.
"Good morning you two." I said while grabbing some supplies from the ground and handing them to Boromir to attach to Bill, our pack pony. He smiled in greeting as did Gimli but the faces were solemn. I couldn't blame them, they were scared. I was to, but maybe not so much because I know what is going to happen.
"Good morning." Boromir said removing the items from my grasp. "Sleep well?" he questioned.
"Strangely, Yes." I said looking at them both who had rings around there eyes. "Why? You not so much huh?"
"Not a wink lass." Gimli replied grunting as he lifted another pack on the pony. I looked at Boromir and he just shook his head in agreement. Now I felt bad. I turned at the sound of voices as the hobbits arrived followed by Legolas and Aragorn. They all looked as if they hadn't had a moments rest. No sooner then we all arrived Elrond and Gandalf came forth.
"You are to set out on a journey many think of as folly. But stay true to you companions and you will not be led a stray. Great leaders are among you, trust in them. Knowledge awaits your use, and your strength will be your savior. Use what you have and you can succeed. I wish all of you well and may you all serve each other well." Elrond said as Gandalf took his place with in our group. "Goodbye my friends, and be safe."He turned and walked to the top of the steps with a nod. Gandalf turned and walked away from the palace. I waved goodbye to Elrond who smiled and bowed his head. I then followed the fellowship out of the court yard.
As we walked among the trees with Gandalf in the lead. I heard many things around us. Everything suddenly seemed louder that usual. I shook my head and became somewhat dizzy. I almost lost my balance when I felt someone steady me. I looked down and saw my necklace faintly glowing and then dying away, I then looked up as the dizzy spell subsided and saw it was Legolas that steadied me.
"Are you well?" He asked quickly.
"Yes, it was just... I don't know what it was!" I answered in confusion.
"Are you sure?" he asked again which by now had drawn the attention of the entire fellowship.
"Yes ." I finished shaking out of his embrace. "I am well."
I started to walk and the rest did as well eyeing me with an unnecessary amount of concern. Legolas stayed at my side as we continued on, 'not that it bothered me any' I mused. I watched once again as Aragorn walked next to Gandalf at the lead. He was going to need his leadership abilities sooner than he realized.
about 1 week later
"Gwen, you must wake" I heard the call faintly and acknowledged it begrudgingly. It was my turn for watch again. We had set up a rotation for each night that had Legolas first watch, Aragorn, me and then Boromir. I looked up at Aragorn and nodded he pulled my tired form from the ground and smiled.
"Still not quite used to this are you?" He jested. I sent him a dark look..
"I am just fine Aragorn. "I said. He patted me on the back.
"Well just don't let your fatigue affect your watch." he prodded. I just smiled.
"For your information Aragorn, I may be tired, but I could still kick your kingly behind from here to Minis Tirith. Just remember that." I said laughing softly at Aragorns look. He patted me on the back.
"Aye, I bet you could. Now get to work." he finished as he walked over to his bed roll next to Legolas.
I tip-toed over the sleeping hobbits who had now out of habit slept around me every night. The hobbits and I have become close in our time of travel. They are like little brothers I never had. I smiled at the thought as I walked around camp. I was glad to be here, though I do miss my grandparents, but only slightly. In away I felt bad about leaving them behind without any family left, but I couldn't live up to there expectations and some how I felt as if I failed them.
I stopped thinking about the past and looked at the empty plain before me. I could see ok because the moon was still over head, but I knew as time passed soon it would be so dark that Legolas would even have trouble seeing. The thought made me shiver. We hadn't run into any trouble yet and for that I was glad, because even though I had read the books me just being here could have changed the outcome of what happened while traveling.
No sooner then I had thought that I heard a noise behind me, a faint one but it was there. I was pretty far from camp and knew that it would take sometime for help to come. I moved my hand to my hilt and I heard it get closer and then...
"Gwen." came a voice. I sighed, I was Legolas.
"Why do you always insist on trying to sneak up on me while I am on watch?" I asked turning towards him with a hint of a smile.
"What do you mean try, I always succeed in doing so." he said smiling innocently.
" No you have not, I heard you behind me, your steps were faint, but not faint enough." I said as I watched a bigger smile grace his lips.
"What ever you say, Gwen" he finished I was about to reply when he held up his hand. "Peace I only came to talk, enough jesting for now." he finished
"Why aren't you sleeping?" I asked as he now stood next to me. I watched as the moonlight reflected in his eyes and hair.
"Elves do not need as much rest as humans." was his simple reply, I knew there was more to it than that, so I sat in silence waiting for him to continue. " I feel, a shadow has been cast about the fellowship the farther we travel South" he sighed. " tell me I am wrong Gwen, tell me that we will not wander astray and be caught within the ties of Sauron's net." I looked into his pleading eyes, wishing I could make his uneasiness vanish. I shook my head in defeat.
"I wish that I could Legolas, tell you it was all going to be ok, but I can't, even you know that there are things that are uncertain in times of war, many things can and will happen." I finished sadly. "Even I do not know exactly what will come."I whispered. He looked at me sharply.
"I thought you said you knew the future?" He said icily as if he had been betrayed by someone close to him.
"I do know what is to come, but who is saying that me being here will not change the very outcome I know of?" I questioned .Understanding brushed his features and anger washed away.
We were silent for the rest of my watch. He stayed with me the entire time just keeping me company. I felt safe with him around and that alone scared me. After my parents had died I had trouble trusting and now I would trust each and everyone of these men with my life and unfortunately one of them I could trust with my heart. Funny how the world works, isn't it.
"Come Gwen your watch is up, it is Boromir's turn to rise." I nodded and we headed back to camp to get Boromir for the final watch of the night.
When morning came everyone seemed rested, but I didn't rest at all. After my conversation with Legolas I had felt very uneasy. He must have felt the same for he stayed seated next to me all night looking at the sky in silence, just thinking, as I did. Strangely enough I was not that tired, I was tired in mind, but in body, not so much. It was strange really. Nothing in my life made sense anymore. I gave up on asking Gandalf because he wouldn't budge. He answered none of my questions. I was thinking of what stage of the journey we were in when I suddenly recognized the area around me. We were near Caradhras. Up ahead of me was the rocky area in which they rested. Soon the crebain would come and we would climb the dreaded, god-forsaken Mountain only to come back down again. I wondered for a moment if I should tell them what will happen on the mountain but that I realized, could mess up the time line of events and something could go wrong. So up the mountain it was...Damn!
I had settled in to talking with the hobbits during travel because no matter what mood I was in they would always cheer me up. I loved that about them I really did. But today I stayed near Legolas, I could give them fair warning of the birds before they got here.
"You seemed troubled." Legolas stated as we came to our resting place at the base of Caradhras.
"No, I am ok only in deep thought." I lied. He raised an eyebrow but said no more on the matter for which I was grateful.
We started to set up camp and the hobbits immediately began to make a fire.
"Don't make a fire." I said as I stepped on the small flame to extinguish it.
"And why not?" Asked Merry standing with his hands on his hips.
"Yes and why not?" questioned Gandalf behind me who was standing with Legolas, Aragorn and Boromir.
"Because, it will draw attention to us." I said looking at them sternly. I locked my gaze with Gandalf as he searched my face.
"She is correct don't start a fire, we can be seen from here." He finished turning to the hobbits. They huffed and quickly packed up their cooking supplies. I smiled at the looks the hobbits sent me.
"Come Hobbits, you could use some more training." Said Boromir. Merry and Pippin nodded happily while Sam and Frodo passed. We then sat down to rest. I sat near Aragorn who offered me a piece of dried meat that I gratefully excepted. We sat and watched Boromir instruct the hobbits. He accidently nicked Pippin in the arm. He apologized but the hobbits would have none of it.
"For the Shire!" cried Merry as they tackled Boromir to the ground. I laughed out right at the sight. Everyone else did as well. I had almost lost track of the time when I heard Legolas ask about the dark cloud. Before anyone could answer I jumped to my feet looking in the direction of the crebain.
"It is Crebain HIDE!" Everyone looked at me and then sprung into action as we wiped away the evidence of our camp site. I dove between a rock and a bush only to land on top of someone. With a grunt we remained hidden as the cursed crows flew over head screeching. The sound made me start to shake involuntarily. I felt arms wrap around me and I stopped shaking and felt calm again. I looked up to find that I had jumped right on top of...Legolas. I looked at his face and he smiled at me causing me to blush crimson. Stupid Hormones. I buried my face in his chest and waited silently for Gandalf to clear us.
"Come we must move on." Gandalf said as to which we all came out of our hiding spots and I noticed that Legolas hand remained around my waist longer than was needed. I slowly slipped away.
. "This path is being watched we must climb Caradhras. It is now the only way." he looked over at me and nodded his head. Everyone looked at me and I shrugged and headed on following near Gandalf as we headed to the stupid mountain!
COLD...COLD...COLD that was the only feeling and thought that registered at the moment. My hands were numb and my face burned from the wind that seemed to get fiercer the higher we climbed. I had always enjoyed the snow during winter and the crisp breeze. This whole experience just proved to me how stupid I actually was. The cold sucked! We had been traveling this mountain now for two days and I knew that today was the day we would head for Moria. I sighed, Moria sounded like a good thing, but when you know what really lie there, you would just rather challenge a mountain. I knew that we would lose Gandalf to the 'shadow and flame' as Galadriel called it, but he need to fall no matter how much it would hurt. I turned back to the present when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over to find Aragorn with Frodo in his arms.
"Gwen, we need you help, grab Merry and help him through the snow, he is in your charge while on this mountain." I nodded and dropped back to pick up Merry.
"Come Merry, I'll carry you." I smiled as he nodded. He was colder than I was. His teeth were chattering when I took him in m arms. He snuggled closely in to what warmth I had left. Soon he relaxed as we continued.
"I think I got the better end of the deal by having you carry me." Merry muttered sleepily.
"Really how so" I asked sweetly. Trying to keep the Hobbit awake. He snickered softly and smiled looking up at me.
"Well you are by far the most beautiful out of all our escorts!" he said laughing. I on the other hand almost choked.
"Merry! If you want me to carry you I suggest you keep that kind of comment to yourself next time." I said trying to keep a strait face.
"Oh fine." he said "But it's true" he whispered. And snuggled into my chest, he fell asleep with a content sigh. I couldn't help but laugh.
" Silly little hobbit." I whispered and held him tighter.
I looked up from Merry's face and noticed that Legolas was no longer beside me. He had moved up to the front of the line and was now perched on top of a large drift of snow. He seemed to be focused intently on something. The company froze and everyone's gaze was drawn to the blonde Mirkwood elf.
" There is a fowl voice in the air." He yelled back to the rest of us.
" It is Saruman he is trying to bring down the mountain." I yelled of the howling wind. Gandalf moved to the edge of the mountain and began to chant in a language I did not understand.
" Stay close to the mountain side."
I yelled as the mountain began to quake. Lightning suddenly struck the peak of the mountain. I jump to the mountain side, pressing Merry to the wall. We were suddenly berried beneath an enormous pile of snow. It hit me hard and my knees buckled under its weight. My breath was forced out of my lunges and I gasped for air but all I got was a mouth full of snow.
I began to wiggle, trying desperately to move. Merry began to move as well, so I began to open a small area to breathe. Merry was calling my name but I could vaguely hear it. I reached to grab him only to have my hand intercepted by another and I was roughly brought back to the surface. I gasped as the cold air entered my lungs. I was on my knees trying desperately to calm myself. But where's ...
"MERRY!" I choked out grabbing for my saviors collar. I looked up to find Aragorn.
"Shh... he is fine Legolas has him." He answered rubbing my back gently until I had fully calmed myself.
"Thank you." I said giving him a slight smile. He nodded and got up and headed to check on everyone else.
"We must get off the Mountain" Boromir yelled over the wind to Gandalf. "If we continue it will be the death of the Hobbits."
Gandalf looked at me.
"Let us make for the gap of Rohan." He continued.
"That route takes us to close to Isenguard." I replied.
"Then why travel over the mountain when we can go under it. To Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome" Gimli interjected.
"Let the ring bearer decide." I added intently looking at Gandalf. Frodo looked from each member slowly.
"I say we pass through Moria." Frodo said finally.
"Then so be it, we will make our way to Moria." Gandalf said solemnly. I was hauled to my feet by Legolas and we started our long trek down the mountain. It had defeated us.
