Author's Note: Hello everyone! First off, let me apologize for how freaking long chapter 12 was - that was madness. It took a long time to write, a long time to read, but I enjoyed writing it. Thank you so much to the people that have reviewed - they're much appreciated! Sorry I kept everyone waiting for the last chapter, too, and I hope you didn't have to wait too long for this one. Thanks again, and keep the reviews coming!!
Not a shred of evidence exists
In favor of the idea
That life is serious
~ Brendan Gill
Chapter 13
A soft breeze traveled through the area of pathways, trees, and rocks, warm enough to be a comfort from the violent storm, yet cool enough to leave a body feeling refreshed. This breeze passed by unchecked until it was broken by the presence of a large series of caves, with one in particular. The large opening in the rock was dark except for the faint glow of dying red embers in the middle of the area inside, and by that light sleeping forms could be seen. Ten, to be exact, with eight of them circling the pit of charred, brittle timber that used to house a heated fire. The three larger lumps hardly moved except for the occassional sigh and shift of body weight, with locks of black, golden brown, and pale brown, aptly belonging to two faeries and a human, peeking out of the mess of bedrolls and cloaks keeping them warm. The five smaller lumps were more restless, some mumbling in their sleep, others tightening holds on certain weapons as their slumber became less calming and more gruesome. The human Aragorn could be seen leaning against a rock, sleeping soundly despite the uncomfortable position he was in. Gandalf had set himself off a ways, near the wall, with his face covered by the trademark pointy hat.
A lone figure observed all of this from his station at the mouth of the cave, his gray-blue eyes taking in every detail. It was fascinating to him how they could have fallen sleep hours ago to the sounds of the storm, when he himself would not have been able to rest until the thunder abated. Legolas drew his eyes away from his companions after a few more minutes, intent on keeping his sleeping charged safe by watching the outdoors for anything unusual. He leaned lightly against the side of the cave, arms folded across his chest and his bow and arrows at a reachable distance incase he needed them. He did not mind the nightwatch much at all; infact, he enjoyed it. The peacefulness of the night was a balm to the elf, and the soft glow of the quarter moon was all the light he needed to see everything in the area. His sharp eyes could detect anything from this vantage point, and that, too, was a consoling feeling.
The breeze coming through grew strong enough to entwine with his hair, playing with the golden strands so they brushed away from his shoulders and caressed his face, and the elf allowed himself a moment for the peace to come over him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Since the Fellowship started, it had been a trial just getting to know everyone, and dealing with all of the prejudice that went along with it.' And let me get this straight,' Legolas mused to himself,' the faeries hate the elves, the elves hate the faeries, and the dwarves hate both.' Gimli had certainly made that known, making brash comments to the faeries and especially himself. For the most part, he tolerated it, but there were times the dwarf really dug deep. He knew in his heart that the jibes coming from Nevada, mostly, were in a less heated matter. He sensed that she didn't hold anything against him, but was just jesting with him. And Liana...
Legolas smiled slightly as he spotted her form between Nevada's and Merry's, curled up slightly with one arm out of the blanket, lying limply on the floor. He didn't know what to make of her. She knew how to make him laugh, and she was just a general joy to be around, to talk to, to look at...Legolas shook his head at his turn of thoughts, quelling his feelings down. He fervently hoped this was just a short infatuation he could get over, for the consequences of such a relationship were too great. Maybe-
The elf started at the incredibly loud noise that came from his right. His gaze swept over, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. When he found it, his eyes narrowed in irritation. It was coming from Gimli. The dwarf was snoring. It was exceptionally loud, resonating throughout the cave and making the elf wince every time Gimli breathed in.
Legolas resisted the urge to go over there and kick him. His snoring really was quite loud, especially if it was beginning to wake up the others.
Nevada's bleary eyes shot open as a horrendous noise invaded her ears, making her want to cover them. What in hell was it? Looking around and seeing everyone asleep let her know they weren't under attack, so that couldn't be it. Slowly, the faerie sat up, blinking and looking around. She spotted Legolas standing in the entrance of the cave, and he was glaring at something. She followed where his gaze led, and found the source.
The dwarf.
Aragorn shifted from his position on the rock, opening his eyes and searching for the noisemaker. He was a light sleeper by force of habit, and there was no way he would be able to get back to sleep unless the snoring stopped. He found Gimli a few feet away, snoring like there was no tomorrow. Nevada was awake, too, and had the most horrified look on her face.
" What is he doing?" she asked, her voice slightly rough by sleep.
Aragorn grimaced." He's snoring."
Nevada made a face herself, then turned to poke Liana in the side. The girl moved slightly, but still slept." Ugh," Nevada rolled her eyes." Liana, you could sleep through a war if we let you. Now get up!" she hissed. She hit her friend again, and got the reaction she wanted.
The faerie rubbed her eyes and yawned as she sat up." Cheh...?" she stopped when the snores reached her ears." What is that awful sound?"
" Gimli's snoring," Nevada supplied, and both turned to glare evilly at the offending creature." I knew it had to be him that would ruin a good night's sleep."
Liana shifted her weight to her palms so she could get a better look at him. All thoughts of sleep left her as each snore grew louder and more obnoxious. She'd never heard such a noise come from anything living - it was hideous." How do we shut him up?" Liana whispered, cringing every time he snored. It was so loud, she was afraid it would attract unwanted attention.
" I don't know...hit him or something."
" Why don't you?"
" You're closer!"
" What is it?" Merry awoke, staring at the girls in confusion, than at Gimli." Is he snoring again?"
" Yes," they replied simultaneously. Liana leaned over and shook the dwarf a little." Hey, Gimli!" she whispered, although she didn't know why she was, because if anyone was still sleeping, they'd certainly be awake now." Gimli! Quit it!" She shook him a bit more, even slapped his arm, but all he did was roll over and continue snoring.
" Hey, get Gandalf's staff and poke him," Nevada suggested.
" Neither of you will touch my staff," the wizard grumbled from his position next to the wall of the cave." Find another way to shut the blasted dwarf up."
By this time, the entire Fellowship was up, and staring at the dwarf, not knowing how to quiet him. Liana and Pippin scooted closer, the latter tugging lightly at his beard.
" Maybe if he slept outside," the hobbit suggested.
Liana shook her head." It's tempting, but he'll call attention to us."
" Damn." Nevada sulked as the prospect of leaving Gimli out in the wet mud was shot down.
" He's already calling attention to us with his noise making," Boromir pointed out." If we're going to quiet him, we should do it quickly."
" Plug his nose," Sam, of all people, said. His hand was dangerously straying to the frying pan he used to cook last night's dinner with." Either that or-"
" Sam!" Aragorn cut off, giving him an exasperated look." Put the pan down."
" Sorry," Sam muttered sheepishly, blushing slightly.
" Then what do we do?" Merry asked in a hushed whisper." If we wake him up and he falls back asleep. he'll just continue snorin'."
" Good point," Sam said, almost sullenly. The hobbit was irked that their rest was being disrupted, and it frustrated him to no end that the dwarf couldn't keep quiet. What did it take to get a good night's rest after a hard day's travel?
" Perhaps he can take the next watch, so he'll be awake while we sleep," Frodo suggested quietly.
" Excellent suggestion, Frodo," Gandalf praised, then scooted himself closer to the dwarf, a humorous thing coming from a wizard. He raised his staff above Gimli's head, and sent it flying down to hit the dwarf on the top of his shoulder.
*Thwack!*
" Ahrgh, who hit me?!" Gimli scrambled to his feet, searching for his axe and his enemy as he moved." What bloody idiot hit me? I'll beat them to the ground!"
" Why didn't he let us do it?" Nevada whined.
Liana shrugged." Probably because we would have beaten him within an inch of his life instead of waking him up."
Nevada laughed." Yeah, you're right."
" Gimli, calm yourself," Gandalf ordered, giving the dwarf a deep frown that would have sent the bravest creatures cowering for their homes. Gimli quieted down when he saw the frown.
" Why is everyone awake at this time of night?" he demanded." And frankly, why am I?"
Gandalf's frown broke into a slow smile." How could they sleep, my friend, when your symphony was keeping them awake to its melodic beat?" Snickers could be heard throughout the Fellowship, and even Legolas allowed himself a small smile." We have agreed that it is your turn to take watch this night. Legolas; come and rest, Gimli will take over for you."
The dwarf grumbled the entire way to the front of the cavern, mumbling about unfair wizards, pesky hobbits and faeries, and arrogant elves. On his way up, he passed the elf, and the dwarf growled at him. When he reached the front, he propped his axe on a rock, leaned against the wall, and folded his arms across his thick chest with a "humphf."
" Don't worry, Gimli," Liana laughed," morning will come sooner than you think. Truthfully, it is a blessing you are awake. Samwise would have put a dent in your head if you had been asleep." The others laughed with her, with Sam blushing furiously and Gimli giving the faerie a thunderous frown. When Liana just smiled back, his scowl softened and he just shook his head, a bit of mirth in his eyes. It was just as Liana suspected; the dwarf was all bark and no bite, with a kinder heart than he'd like to let on. What a peculiar group of men her comrades turned out to be.
" Everyone get some sleep," Aragorn ordered, and watched as the fellowship turned back to their bedrolls and cloaks. He smiled briefly as the hobbits Merry and Pippin bickered over floor space and whether the other had his blanket. After a few more minutes of jostled movement, everyone was situated for rest, and not ten minutes later, most were back asleep. The ranger positioned himself next to the rock again, making himself comfortable before folding his arms and letting his eyes slide close.
A disturbance to his left made his head snape up, and when he realized who had sat next to him, he visibly relaxed." You should sleep," he said quietly." You have been awake for quite a while, my friend."
Legolas shrugged lightly, pulling one knee up to his chest and wrapping an arm around it." I will eventually. I have too many thoughts keeping me awake at the moment."
" Care to share?" Aragorn asked carefully. He knew very well that Legolas was a private person, so he might not get anywhere with this, but the elf usually opened up to the ranger because of their close friendship.
Legolas smiled, his gray blue eyes twinkling." I will tell you what troubles me, only if you tell me what troubles you." Aragorn frowned. That wasn't part of his plan at all. At seeing the ranger's reaction, Legolas laughed softly." Someday, then. Now, sleep," the elf ordered." Your body needs more rest than mine. Human," he smirked.
Aragorn rolled his eyes." Between you and Nevada..." he shook his head, letting the elf laugh again before smiling himself and closing his eyes." Boromir and I are beginning to feel outnumbered."
" As you should."
" Quiet, you," Aragorn growled, gentling the rebuke with a grin." I've heard enough out of obnoxious elves."
" You wound me with your careless insults."
" Careless?" The ranger raised a dark eyebrow, opening one blue eye." I think not."
" Sleep."
" You're the one speaking incessantly."
" And if you both do not quiet down, I will personally make sure the two of you receive night duty for the next week," Gandalf rumbled from a few feet away." Silence those tongues of yours so we can *all* get some sleep."
" Yes, Mithrandir."
" Sorry, Gandalf."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Day thirty."
" Twenty-nine."
" What? Liana, what are you babbling about?"
" We're not on day thirty. It's day twenty-nine."
" Oh. Whoops."
" It's an honest mistake."
" Yeah. Day twenty-nine," Nevada continued." Ready to shoot my own foot for some entertainment." Liana's laughter rang out in the daytime air, joined in by Frodo and Merry." Have no idea where we are, just following old man with pointy hat." Aragorn caught a snatch of this and cracked a smile, sharing a look with Gandalf, whose eyes twinkled with humor." Hate the dwarf. Humans are okay. The elf...eh...Blonde. Very clean. What is up with that?" Boromir's lips twitched in an effort to keep from joining Liana, Frodo, Merry, and Aragorn into laughter as Legolas looked over and raised an elegant eyebrow at Nevada." Yeah, I'm talking about you. Turn back around." She motioned with her finger, and the elf shook his head and sighed." Hobbits are fun. Decent cooks, great at card games. Hate this weather. I did not sign up for coldness and dwarves. Or thunderstorms. And if my shoe gets sucked into one more mud puddle, I swear I will snap and kill someone."
" Excellent monologue from Miss Nevada," Gandalf chuckled, raising his pipe in acknowledgement.
She gave him a mock curtsy,skirt and all, eliciting more laughter from the fellowship." I try." The company had not traveled very far from that moment, until they came upon a rock outcrop in the path ahead.
" Ahh," Gandalf smiled, stopping momentarily." A perfect place to stop for lunch."
The hobbits (or, namely Merry and Pippin) whooped and ran for the rocks, clambering over their hard surfaces until they reached a small area with sparse grass in the middle." Sam! What are you making today?" Merry shouted, anxious to get on with the eating. They hadn't eaten in over two hours, and his stomach was letting him know it.
" Nothing, Master Brandybuck, if you do not stop shouting so the whole mountainside can hear you," Aragorn scolded as the rest of them made their way to the outcrop.
" Oh. Right." Merry nodded, and when Sam reached him, he repeated in a quieter tone," What are you making?"
Sam sat down comfortably, pulling out his pan and ingredients as Aragorn and Boromir gatherd fire wood." Sausages and mashed taters, Merry," Sam replied, his stomach already grumbling for the delicious meal.
" Sounds wonderful, Sam," Frodo put in, smiling and sitting down on a rock nearby. The young hobbit was grateful for the chance to rest. He should've been used to the long travel by now, but every once in a while, he found himself missing the Shire and its simplicity - no matter how much he traveled, it would still bee his home. He closed his eyes and let the wind play with his curls, breathing in deep." It's a lovely day out."
" It is, isn't it?" Nevada joined him on another rock, sitting so she had a full view of the path ahead." And I'm even looking forward to Sam's food today." Frodo smiled, and Sam pinned her with a mock glare." Sorry, Sam, no offense."
The gardener mumbled something and shook his head, waving his ladle at her before turning to the food.
" Didn't mean to make him mad," Nevada said, feeling a little guilty. She was developing a soft spot for the hobbits, and while it annoyed her to end, she had to admit they kept good company.
" It's okay," Merry told her. He leaned against another rock and watched as Aragorn and Boromir came back with the fire wood." Sam knows you're kidding." The hobbit watched as Boromir slid his sword out of his sheath and delt the air a few practice swings.
Nevada watched in interest, feeling her battle instincts kick in. Action had been sorely lacking for the past month, and for someone who was used to constant battle, she was starting to feel the effects of its absence. On a whim, she called out," Boromir!"
He turned and gave her an inquisitive look." Yes, Nevada?"
The faerie pulled out her long, lightweight sword with a whistle against its sheath." What say you we have a little battle?" The shock on the man's face mirrored that of the hobbits and Aragorn, and Nevada grimaced, insulted." I *can* fight, you know. I don't wear this for decoration."
Boromir quickly gained hold of his emotions, and then nodded reluctantly. He knew she possessed some fighting skills, or else she would not have been allowed to come on this journey." I suppose we could, yes."
She smiled and stood up, stretching before making her way towards him.
" Who do you think's going to win?" Merry asked, eyes wide at the prospect of a human and a girl faerie fighting.
" Boromir, probably," Sam declared." He seems pretty good."
" Nevada might be just as skilled," Frodo suggested, watching the black-haired faerie carefully. She handled her sword like she knew how to use it, and seemed perfectly comfortable with it." She could win."
" That meddlesome faerie?" Gimli snorted from his vantage point, waiting for the fight to begin." She won't be able to hold a candle against the man of Gondor."
Liana and Gandalf exchanged a look, the latter with a hint of a smile forming on his lips." What do you think, my dear?"
The princess settled herself comfortably up against a rock." Nevada will win."
Gimli sputtered." You actually believe your friend could take down Boromir?"
Liana nodded, looking slightly smug." I'd be willing to wager money on it."
" Done!" Gimli pulled a silver coin out of his pocket and slapped it on a flat rock between them.
Laughing, the dirty blonde pulled out money of her own and set it with his." I will up that a few coins, Master Dwarf."
" And so will I," the dwarf growled, unwilling to lose this bet. He couldn't wait to see the confident look in the girl's eyes dwindle when her friend lost.
Aragorn listened with interest. They couldn't really be betting, could they? Shaking his head, he turned and saw Legolas watching with an exasperated look on his face. He met Aragorn's gaze, and the human motioned him over. The elf shook his head and nodded towards the two warriors, clearly saying he was fine where he was. Aragorn nodded and turned back to the fight. He had been wondering about the faerie's skills himself since he had met her, and now he would finally see them.
" How shall we call the winner?" Nevada asked." First to draw blood?" Ignoring Boromir's shocked look, she nodded emphatically." All right, then. First to draw blood by the sword. Aragorn, would you give the signal?"
The man nodded, now clearly interested in how this spar would turn out. He stood slowly, watching them both intently." Ready?"
Both nodded, but Nevada had one more thing to say." Oh, and Boromir?"
" Yes?"
" Don't hold back." She gave him a feral smile." I won't be." Aragorn gave the signal, and the battle began.
She came at him immediately, surprising most of the fellowship with her speed. Raising her sword with a slight twist of her wrist, it came down with a clang onto Boromir's, who lifted his to meet it. They held for a few seconds, and then drew back, both circling each other warily, their forms hunched slightly in anticipation of attack. Boromir came forward, swinging to catch Nevada on her left side, but at the last second she shifted out of the way and met his blade with her own. Nevada pulled back and came forward again, swinging her blade a few times to confuse the man before coming down on his own left. Boromir caught the movement in time and stopped her, shoving her back with brute strength and sending her a few feet behind. Baring her teeth, Nevada gripped her sword tightly and let him swing a few times, always dodging each blow. Every time Boromir thought he almost had her, she would swiftly sidestep his blade, evade getting hit by manuevering her upper body out of the way.
Aragorn had almost immediately recognized her fighting technique; she was an offensive fighter, one who took control of the battle from the beginning, and she was. Every move Boromir made she evaded and turned it into an advantage to attack him with. They moved back and forth and in circles in the small area, and Aragorn couldn't help but marvel in how quickly she moved; she was *good.*
" Tired, Boromir?" Nevada smiled in mock sympathy, then gained the upper hand and drove him back as far as she could. With a flick of his wrist, Boromir hit her sword away from his body.
" Not yet," he managed to get out. Going into this, he had no idea the little slip of a faerie would give him such a work out.
" Good." With a battle cry, Nevada took the initiative again and came down with a maliciously fast horizontal swing. Boromir blocked it with the base of his sword, bewildered at her expertise with a sword. He was forced to use his strength as an advantage again and push her back enough to get some hedgeway in the battle.
" She's good," Pippin breathed, fascinated with the whole thing. She was so much smaller and thinner than the Gondorian man, it was hard to believe she could actually win.
Liana watched Gimli's mouth open wider at the parry Nevada performed." Would it be prudent of me to tell you now that Nevada is considered one of the best fighters of our world? Top three, actually," she continued, almost bored, as if she were speaking of the weather." Excellent commander, as well." Aragorn overheard and joined Gimli in staring at her, then at Nevada.
Nevada stabbed outward with her blade, met Boromir's, and parried again. They danced around each other for a moment, then Boromir came in again, thrusting his blade quickly and almost catching Nevada in the ribs. Furious, the faerie slapped his blade away with her own and flicked her wrist to knock the sword out of his hand. He held on to it, but was caught off guard when she feigned to do it again - and went the other way.
Her sword slashed quickly through the man's tunic on his shoulder, and a thin slice of red appeared.
" Nevada won!" Merry stood up, and the hobbits clapped excitedly. Gandalf laughed merrily and clapped with them, and Aragorn and Legolas smiled.
Liana turned to a speechless Gimli and closed her hand around the money." I believe this is mine." Grinning, she got up and walked over to Nevada." Damn fine job." Nevada grinned back.
" Good work," Boromir nodded, slightly winded from their fight." I never expected you to do that well."
" Most people don't." She shook his hand, her breathing as normal as if she had spent the past fifteen minutes sleeping." You did good, too."
" I told you Nevada would win," Frodo chided Sam, and smiled when the hobbit frowned good naturedly.
Merry had been watching, fascinated, and then got up his courage to face the two." Where did you learn to fight like that?"
" Here and there," Nevada shrugging, sharing a look with Liana, and then the wizard." I think I'm done for the day, you can teach them, if you like."
Merry turned to Boromir, unwilling to give up." But how did you do all that?"
Boromir paused and looked at the small hobbit." I learned through many years of training." Noticing the longing look on Merry's face, he smiled slightly." Would you like to learn?"
" Yes!" Merry quipped up, nodding vigorously.
" I want to learn, too!" Pippin protested, a frown on his cherub face.
Boromir laughed." All right, you can both learn. Take out your knives, boys. I'll give you some lessons."
" This should be interesting," Nevada mused, turning to watch the three with mild curiosity. She heard a jingling come from Liana's pocket, and looked at her friend curiosly." What is that?"
" Nothing special." Liana slanted a glance at the dwarf, who gave them both a thunderous frown." Just a wager."
" On *me*?" Nevada asked, trying to look insulted but failing when a smile pulled at her lips.
" I knew you would win, so I figured I'd make some money while I was at it-" she cut off, laughing as Nevada gave her a playful shove.
" You brat," she chuckled, swinging her dark hair out of her face. She sat down on a rock to watch them spar.
Aragorn watched the faerie thoughtfully. He was truly amazed at her skill with a blade, and not just that, but the way she moved, with such agility and astounding speed. She slighted nearly every one of Boromir's moves, and was always ready to counter. Deep in thought, he stroked the hilt of his sword and frowned. How long had she been fighting to become that good, for a female? And frankly, what else did he not know about her? Truthfully, he knew next to nothing - only that she once hailed from Deimos in the Faerie Kingdom, served under Queen Emilia, fought well with a blade (*too* well) and had a bad attitude. He watched her laugh at something Liana had said, and push her hair away from her face. She really is beautiful, he thought suddenly. Blinking, he wondered where that had come from, and quickly pushed the thought aside. It was foolish to think such thoughts.
" All right. Pippin, we'll start with you." The hobbit nodded and held his sword the way Aragorn had showed him before they took part in the Fellowship." Come at me and swing like you're going to hit me in the chest."
Pippin looked doubtful." Are you sure-?"
Boromir nodded." Yes, now come on."
Shrugging, the hobbit took a few steps and swung his long knife at the man, aiming for his chest. Boromir lifted his own sword and met Pippin's, the two exchanging blows for a minute or two." Good! Very good," Boromir encouraged. They exchanged blows again, Pippin growing more used to the fighting as they went on.
" Move your feet," Aragorn suggested from his perch on a rock. He watched the sparring through a haze of pipe weed, the pipe clamped between his teeth. Pippin chanced a glance at Aragorn, nodded, and continued.
" That's good, Pippin," Merry complimented through a mouth full of apple he had picked up while the two sparred.
Pippin smiled bashfully and nodded." Thanks."
" Next!" Boromir suddenly moved on to Merry, surprising the hobbit from eating his apple. He extended his dagger and met Boromir's blows, the sharp sound of metal clanging through the air.
" You know," Gimli mused from his position farther up the rock outcrop." If anyone was asking for my opinion, which I note they're not-"
" You're right. We're not. Shut up," Nevada remarked dryly, not taking her eyes off the hobbits and human.
Gimli glared at the faerie's back, still sore over his losing the wager." I'd say we were taking the long way around."
" What makes you say that?" Liana asked. She moved up and sat between Nevada and Gandalf, so she could watch the fight and give the dwarf her attention at the same time.
" We're circling around the mountains to stay on these confounded pathways," Gimli grumbled in response. He pointed in the direction they were taking." We could cut the time in half, Gandalf, and pass through the mines of Moria." The wizard's eyes narrowed at the suggestion." My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
Gandalf shook his head in the negative." No, Gimli," he said quietly." I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."
Liana watched the wizard, intrigued, and was about to comment when a flash of blonde caught her eye. She spotted Legolas, standing atop a tall rock to her left. His gaze was fixed on the horizon as he scanned the area for any signs of trouble. Smiling to herself, she got up and walked silently towards him. When she reached the elf, she stood beside him and kept silent, following his eyes wherever they looked. The faerie kept her face solemn when she said," You know, I am quite sure the scenery isn't going to get up and move anytime soon."
Startled at her comment, Legolas looked at her bright golden eyes for a moment, than laughed out loud, the beautiful sound echoing off the rock walls." No, I suppose it won't."
" Good. Just checking." When he went to return to his vigil, she stopped him with," So, what did you think of Nevada and Boromir's fight?"
He looked contemplative for a moment, and then switched his silver-blue gaze down to the gorgeous faerie that stood next to him." Nevada fought exceptionally well. I was surprised at her ability, althought I should have expected it. We have been told that your race trains both males and females." Liana nodded." I know you must fight, as well."
She smiled." I do, but not as much as Nevada. If the two of us were to fight, she would probably be the victor. We learned under the same trainer, but she thrives on battle much more than I."
" Who trained you?" Legolas asked, wondering what it would be like to see Liana fight. What would her techniques be? As straight forward as Nevada's, or different?
Liana cast a crafty golden eye in Gandalf's direction." A certain wizard..."
" Mithrandir?" Legolas nearly exclaimed, looking in his direction, as well." I have never seen him fight."
" He may look old, but Gandalf's a mean, cantankerous old sword fighter when he wants to be." They both chuckled." What do you say we grab something to eat? You've been standing here for quite some time, and Sam's food looks delicious today."
Legolas smiled." I'm sure it does. Hobbit food is quite...different."
" You've never had it before?" she asked.
He shook his head." No. I have never traveled that far."
" A shame," she replied, meeting his eyes." The Shire is beautiful."
" When did you travel there?" Legolas' curiosity was pricked yet again. How many places had she seen? He never knew of very many faeries who traveled outside their homelands. Just when he thought he knew Liana, she surprised him with another tantalizing tidbit about herself.
" A few centuries ago." She nodded towards the wizard." With Gandalf and Nevada."
" Where else have you traveled?" he asked, honestly wanting to know.
" Careful, now," she said laughingly, nudging his shoulder with her own playfully." One would almost think you're trying to carry on a civil conversation with me, a faerie." Legolas nearly flushed, and opened his mouth to reply, but movement up ahead, in the sky, caught his attention. Staring hard, he watched the dusky cloud in the distance grow closer. What was that?
A sharp clang resonated in the air from the three fighter's direction, followed by an," Ah, shit!" from a certain young hobbit named Pippin.
" Valar, he can curse!" Nevada burst out, eyes wide in astonishment." The hobbit actually knows a curse word!"
" Sorry!" Boromir said to Pippin, then started laughing when the hobbit dropped his knife, hobbling on one foot, and kicked him in the leg." Ahh!" Boromir staggered back, then went down when Merry's sword hit the man's stomach, winding him briefly. The two tackled Boromir to the ground, hitting and smacking as they went along. " Hold him! Hold him down!" Pippin cried out.
Chuckling, Aragorn stood up and strode over to them." Gentlemen, that's enough-"
" Get him!" Merry shouted. The hobbits went for Aragorn's knees, and before the ranger knew it, he was flying backwards onto his back, feet sticking straight up in the air.
Liana, Frodo and Sam burst out laughing, and Nevada crowed with it. She held her aching sides with an arm and pointed at Aragorn with the other, not being able to speak coherently because she was laughing so hard." So...funny!" She threw her head back with mirth and, not judging how big her rock was, went right off the side.
Liana grabbed onto her knees to keep from falling down from a case of the giggles at the sight of Nevada slipping off the rock and plopping on her bottom on the ground.
" Ahh, you've got my arm! He's got my arm!" Merry's voice rang out, as the sounds of their mock battle and more laughter filled the air.
" Liana," Legolas put a hand around her arm to steady her. Still laughing, she stood up and looked at him curiously." Look." She followed his gaze towards the sky, and the laughter died.
" What is that?" Sam asked quietly, his mirth vanishing, as well. Soon, all eyes were on the black mass in the air, heading towards their direction. Feelings of dread filled the hearts of the fellowship.
" Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli denied, but his heart gave him warning, as well.
" It's moving fast," Boromir commented, narrowing his eyes at the ominious cloud in the sky." Against the wind."
' That is not a cloud,' Legolas thought to himself. His ears picked up the sound of distant cawing, and he knew Liana heard it, too, judging from the look in her eyes. Suddenly, Legolas remembered what those were." Crebain from Dunland!"
" Hide!" Aragorn shouted. Everyone scrambled from their perches in a mad rush to hide in the brushes and rocks of the outcrop. Sam took a pail of water and doused the water, covering the smoldering ashes with his cloak to stop the smoke from rising. Frodo ran past him and grabbed his arm, urging him to hurry up. Gimli dropped out of sight behind a rock, Gandalf doing the same, and Aragorn and Nevada took off behind a larger rock. Legolas and Liana jumped down, and the elf pulled her with him under a thin bush, gathering her close to him so both of them kept out of sight. Soon, the entire Fellowship had disappeared, and all that was left was a seemingly empty rocky area.
Nevada stopped breathing and listened to Aragorn's until she heard the sounds of the hundreds of birds coming their way. Evil oozed from their black wings, their harsh caws staining the air, and she knew they had come to find them. This passage wouldn't be safe anymore.
" Who sent them?" Liana whispered from her and the elf's vantage point.
" Saruman, the White Wizard," he said in her ear, tightening his arm around her shoulder." He is watching us." Liana nodded, and then tried vainly to think of other things besides how close he was. He really was a handsome creature, and...she sniffed the area around them. He smelled good, too. Mentally, she shook her head at herself. It could never work, Liana reminded herself fiercely. It was foolish to entertain an idea of anything other than companionship with him. He was an Elf, for crying out loud. Drawing herself out of her thoughts, she breathed carefully, trying not to draw attention to the birds above, and ignoring the feelings she had when she was around Legolas.
When the atrocities left, everyone slowly climbed out of their hiding places and looked at each other silently.
" That could not have been good," Nevada remarked, watching the last of the crows disappear into the distance.
" They are spies of Saruman," Gandalf confirmed Legolas' affirmation." The passage south is being watched."
" Where do we go?" Frodo asked, his blue eyes uncertain.
Reluctantly, Gandalf looked up at the enormous mountain front in the near distance." We must take the path of Caradhras."
" That blasted mountain?" Gimli rumbled unhappily." That takes us over a day out of our way-"
" We have no other choice," Gandalf cut him off." We must." Grim-faced, the wizard waited for everyone to gather their things, then led the party off the path they were on, and onto a different one towards the mountain. As they walked, the full effect of where they were going hit the faeries.
" Wait a minute...We're going up the mountain?" Nevada asked, dread filling her as her eyes took in the white frigid peaks.
" We're going up the mountain," Liana agreed miserably.
" Where there's SNOW?!?"
Not a shred of evidence exists
In favor of the idea
That life is serious
~ Brendan Gill
Chapter 13
A soft breeze traveled through the area of pathways, trees, and rocks, warm enough to be a comfort from the violent storm, yet cool enough to leave a body feeling refreshed. This breeze passed by unchecked until it was broken by the presence of a large series of caves, with one in particular. The large opening in the rock was dark except for the faint glow of dying red embers in the middle of the area inside, and by that light sleeping forms could be seen. Ten, to be exact, with eight of them circling the pit of charred, brittle timber that used to house a heated fire. The three larger lumps hardly moved except for the occassional sigh and shift of body weight, with locks of black, golden brown, and pale brown, aptly belonging to two faeries and a human, peeking out of the mess of bedrolls and cloaks keeping them warm. The five smaller lumps were more restless, some mumbling in their sleep, others tightening holds on certain weapons as their slumber became less calming and more gruesome. The human Aragorn could be seen leaning against a rock, sleeping soundly despite the uncomfortable position he was in. Gandalf had set himself off a ways, near the wall, with his face covered by the trademark pointy hat.
A lone figure observed all of this from his station at the mouth of the cave, his gray-blue eyes taking in every detail. It was fascinating to him how they could have fallen sleep hours ago to the sounds of the storm, when he himself would not have been able to rest until the thunder abated. Legolas drew his eyes away from his companions after a few more minutes, intent on keeping his sleeping charged safe by watching the outdoors for anything unusual. He leaned lightly against the side of the cave, arms folded across his chest and his bow and arrows at a reachable distance incase he needed them. He did not mind the nightwatch much at all; infact, he enjoyed it. The peacefulness of the night was a balm to the elf, and the soft glow of the quarter moon was all the light he needed to see everything in the area. His sharp eyes could detect anything from this vantage point, and that, too, was a consoling feeling.
The breeze coming through grew strong enough to entwine with his hair, playing with the golden strands so they brushed away from his shoulders and caressed his face, and the elf allowed himself a moment for the peace to come over him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Since the Fellowship started, it had been a trial just getting to know everyone, and dealing with all of the prejudice that went along with it.' And let me get this straight,' Legolas mused to himself,' the faeries hate the elves, the elves hate the faeries, and the dwarves hate both.' Gimli had certainly made that known, making brash comments to the faeries and especially himself. For the most part, he tolerated it, but there were times the dwarf really dug deep. He knew in his heart that the jibes coming from Nevada, mostly, were in a less heated matter. He sensed that she didn't hold anything against him, but was just jesting with him. And Liana...
Legolas smiled slightly as he spotted her form between Nevada's and Merry's, curled up slightly with one arm out of the blanket, lying limply on the floor. He didn't know what to make of her. She knew how to make him laugh, and she was just a general joy to be around, to talk to, to look at...Legolas shook his head at his turn of thoughts, quelling his feelings down. He fervently hoped this was just a short infatuation he could get over, for the consequences of such a relationship were too great. Maybe-
The elf started at the incredibly loud noise that came from his right. His gaze swept over, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. When he found it, his eyes narrowed in irritation. It was coming from Gimli. The dwarf was snoring. It was exceptionally loud, resonating throughout the cave and making the elf wince every time Gimli breathed in.
Legolas resisted the urge to go over there and kick him. His snoring really was quite loud, especially if it was beginning to wake up the others.
Nevada's bleary eyes shot open as a horrendous noise invaded her ears, making her want to cover them. What in hell was it? Looking around and seeing everyone asleep let her know they weren't under attack, so that couldn't be it. Slowly, the faerie sat up, blinking and looking around. She spotted Legolas standing in the entrance of the cave, and he was glaring at something. She followed where his gaze led, and found the source.
The dwarf.
Aragorn shifted from his position on the rock, opening his eyes and searching for the noisemaker. He was a light sleeper by force of habit, and there was no way he would be able to get back to sleep unless the snoring stopped. He found Gimli a few feet away, snoring like there was no tomorrow. Nevada was awake, too, and had the most horrified look on her face.
" What is he doing?" she asked, her voice slightly rough by sleep.
Aragorn grimaced." He's snoring."
Nevada made a face herself, then turned to poke Liana in the side. The girl moved slightly, but still slept." Ugh," Nevada rolled her eyes." Liana, you could sleep through a war if we let you. Now get up!" she hissed. She hit her friend again, and got the reaction she wanted.
The faerie rubbed her eyes and yawned as she sat up." Cheh...?" she stopped when the snores reached her ears." What is that awful sound?"
" Gimli's snoring," Nevada supplied, and both turned to glare evilly at the offending creature." I knew it had to be him that would ruin a good night's sleep."
Liana shifted her weight to her palms so she could get a better look at him. All thoughts of sleep left her as each snore grew louder and more obnoxious. She'd never heard such a noise come from anything living - it was hideous." How do we shut him up?" Liana whispered, cringing every time he snored. It was so loud, she was afraid it would attract unwanted attention.
" I don't know...hit him or something."
" Why don't you?"
" You're closer!"
" What is it?" Merry awoke, staring at the girls in confusion, than at Gimli." Is he snoring again?"
" Yes," they replied simultaneously. Liana leaned over and shook the dwarf a little." Hey, Gimli!" she whispered, although she didn't know why she was, because if anyone was still sleeping, they'd certainly be awake now." Gimli! Quit it!" She shook him a bit more, even slapped his arm, but all he did was roll over and continue snoring.
" Hey, get Gandalf's staff and poke him," Nevada suggested.
" Neither of you will touch my staff," the wizard grumbled from his position next to the wall of the cave." Find another way to shut the blasted dwarf up."
By this time, the entire Fellowship was up, and staring at the dwarf, not knowing how to quiet him. Liana and Pippin scooted closer, the latter tugging lightly at his beard.
" Maybe if he slept outside," the hobbit suggested.
Liana shook her head." It's tempting, but he'll call attention to us."
" Damn." Nevada sulked as the prospect of leaving Gimli out in the wet mud was shot down.
" He's already calling attention to us with his noise making," Boromir pointed out." If we're going to quiet him, we should do it quickly."
" Plug his nose," Sam, of all people, said. His hand was dangerously straying to the frying pan he used to cook last night's dinner with." Either that or-"
" Sam!" Aragorn cut off, giving him an exasperated look." Put the pan down."
" Sorry," Sam muttered sheepishly, blushing slightly.
" Then what do we do?" Merry asked in a hushed whisper." If we wake him up and he falls back asleep. he'll just continue snorin'."
" Good point," Sam said, almost sullenly. The hobbit was irked that their rest was being disrupted, and it frustrated him to no end that the dwarf couldn't keep quiet. What did it take to get a good night's rest after a hard day's travel?
" Perhaps he can take the next watch, so he'll be awake while we sleep," Frodo suggested quietly.
" Excellent suggestion, Frodo," Gandalf praised, then scooted himself closer to the dwarf, a humorous thing coming from a wizard. He raised his staff above Gimli's head, and sent it flying down to hit the dwarf on the top of his shoulder.
*Thwack!*
" Ahrgh, who hit me?!" Gimli scrambled to his feet, searching for his axe and his enemy as he moved." What bloody idiot hit me? I'll beat them to the ground!"
" Why didn't he let us do it?" Nevada whined.
Liana shrugged." Probably because we would have beaten him within an inch of his life instead of waking him up."
Nevada laughed." Yeah, you're right."
" Gimli, calm yourself," Gandalf ordered, giving the dwarf a deep frown that would have sent the bravest creatures cowering for their homes. Gimli quieted down when he saw the frown.
" Why is everyone awake at this time of night?" he demanded." And frankly, why am I?"
Gandalf's frown broke into a slow smile." How could they sleep, my friend, when your symphony was keeping them awake to its melodic beat?" Snickers could be heard throughout the Fellowship, and even Legolas allowed himself a small smile." We have agreed that it is your turn to take watch this night. Legolas; come and rest, Gimli will take over for you."
The dwarf grumbled the entire way to the front of the cavern, mumbling about unfair wizards, pesky hobbits and faeries, and arrogant elves. On his way up, he passed the elf, and the dwarf growled at him. When he reached the front, he propped his axe on a rock, leaned against the wall, and folded his arms across his thick chest with a "humphf."
" Don't worry, Gimli," Liana laughed," morning will come sooner than you think. Truthfully, it is a blessing you are awake. Samwise would have put a dent in your head if you had been asleep." The others laughed with her, with Sam blushing furiously and Gimli giving the faerie a thunderous frown. When Liana just smiled back, his scowl softened and he just shook his head, a bit of mirth in his eyes. It was just as Liana suspected; the dwarf was all bark and no bite, with a kinder heart than he'd like to let on. What a peculiar group of men her comrades turned out to be.
" Everyone get some sleep," Aragorn ordered, and watched as the fellowship turned back to their bedrolls and cloaks. He smiled briefly as the hobbits Merry and Pippin bickered over floor space and whether the other had his blanket. After a few more minutes of jostled movement, everyone was situated for rest, and not ten minutes later, most were back asleep. The ranger positioned himself next to the rock again, making himself comfortable before folding his arms and letting his eyes slide close.
A disturbance to his left made his head snape up, and when he realized who had sat next to him, he visibly relaxed." You should sleep," he said quietly." You have been awake for quite a while, my friend."
Legolas shrugged lightly, pulling one knee up to his chest and wrapping an arm around it." I will eventually. I have too many thoughts keeping me awake at the moment."
" Care to share?" Aragorn asked carefully. He knew very well that Legolas was a private person, so he might not get anywhere with this, but the elf usually opened up to the ranger because of their close friendship.
Legolas smiled, his gray blue eyes twinkling." I will tell you what troubles me, only if you tell me what troubles you." Aragorn frowned. That wasn't part of his plan at all. At seeing the ranger's reaction, Legolas laughed softly." Someday, then. Now, sleep," the elf ordered." Your body needs more rest than mine. Human," he smirked.
Aragorn rolled his eyes." Between you and Nevada..." he shook his head, letting the elf laugh again before smiling himself and closing his eyes." Boromir and I are beginning to feel outnumbered."
" As you should."
" Quiet, you," Aragorn growled, gentling the rebuke with a grin." I've heard enough out of obnoxious elves."
" You wound me with your careless insults."
" Careless?" The ranger raised a dark eyebrow, opening one blue eye." I think not."
" Sleep."
" You're the one speaking incessantly."
" And if you both do not quiet down, I will personally make sure the two of you receive night duty for the next week," Gandalf rumbled from a few feet away." Silence those tongues of yours so we can *all* get some sleep."
" Yes, Mithrandir."
" Sorry, Gandalf."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Day thirty."
" Twenty-nine."
" What? Liana, what are you babbling about?"
" We're not on day thirty. It's day twenty-nine."
" Oh. Whoops."
" It's an honest mistake."
" Yeah. Day twenty-nine," Nevada continued." Ready to shoot my own foot for some entertainment." Liana's laughter rang out in the daytime air, joined in by Frodo and Merry." Have no idea where we are, just following old man with pointy hat." Aragorn caught a snatch of this and cracked a smile, sharing a look with Gandalf, whose eyes twinkled with humor." Hate the dwarf. Humans are okay. The elf...eh...Blonde. Very clean. What is up with that?" Boromir's lips twitched in an effort to keep from joining Liana, Frodo, Merry, and Aragorn into laughter as Legolas looked over and raised an elegant eyebrow at Nevada." Yeah, I'm talking about you. Turn back around." She motioned with her finger, and the elf shook his head and sighed." Hobbits are fun. Decent cooks, great at card games. Hate this weather. I did not sign up for coldness and dwarves. Or thunderstorms. And if my shoe gets sucked into one more mud puddle, I swear I will snap and kill someone."
" Excellent monologue from Miss Nevada," Gandalf chuckled, raising his pipe in acknowledgement.
She gave him a mock curtsy,skirt and all, eliciting more laughter from the fellowship." I try." The company had not traveled very far from that moment, until they came upon a rock outcrop in the path ahead.
" Ahh," Gandalf smiled, stopping momentarily." A perfect place to stop for lunch."
The hobbits (or, namely Merry and Pippin) whooped and ran for the rocks, clambering over their hard surfaces until they reached a small area with sparse grass in the middle." Sam! What are you making today?" Merry shouted, anxious to get on with the eating. They hadn't eaten in over two hours, and his stomach was letting him know it.
" Nothing, Master Brandybuck, if you do not stop shouting so the whole mountainside can hear you," Aragorn scolded as the rest of them made their way to the outcrop.
" Oh. Right." Merry nodded, and when Sam reached him, he repeated in a quieter tone," What are you making?"
Sam sat down comfortably, pulling out his pan and ingredients as Aragorn and Boromir gatherd fire wood." Sausages and mashed taters, Merry," Sam replied, his stomach already grumbling for the delicious meal.
" Sounds wonderful, Sam," Frodo put in, smiling and sitting down on a rock nearby. The young hobbit was grateful for the chance to rest. He should've been used to the long travel by now, but every once in a while, he found himself missing the Shire and its simplicity - no matter how much he traveled, it would still bee his home. He closed his eyes and let the wind play with his curls, breathing in deep." It's a lovely day out."
" It is, isn't it?" Nevada joined him on another rock, sitting so she had a full view of the path ahead." And I'm even looking forward to Sam's food today." Frodo smiled, and Sam pinned her with a mock glare." Sorry, Sam, no offense."
The gardener mumbled something and shook his head, waving his ladle at her before turning to the food.
" Didn't mean to make him mad," Nevada said, feeling a little guilty. She was developing a soft spot for the hobbits, and while it annoyed her to end, she had to admit they kept good company.
" It's okay," Merry told her. He leaned against another rock and watched as Aragorn and Boromir came back with the fire wood." Sam knows you're kidding." The hobbit watched as Boromir slid his sword out of his sheath and delt the air a few practice swings.
Nevada watched in interest, feeling her battle instincts kick in. Action had been sorely lacking for the past month, and for someone who was used to constant battle, she was starting to feel the effects of its absence. On a whim, she called out," Boromir!"
He turned and gave her an inquisitive look." Yes, Nevada?"
The faerie pulled out her long, lightweight sword with a whistle against its sheath." What say you we have a little battle?" The shock on the man's face mirrored that of the hobbits and Aragorn, and Nevada grimaced, insulted." I *can* fight, you know. I don't wear this for decoration."
Boromir quickly gained hold of his emotions, and then nodded reluctantly. He knew she possessed some fighting skills, or else she would not have been allowed to come on this journey." I suppose we could, yes."
She smiled and stood up, stretching before making her way towards him.
" Who do you think's going to win?" Merry asked, eyes wide at the prospect of a human and a girl faerie fighting.
" Boromir, probably," Sam declared." He seems pretty good."
" Nevada might be just as skilled," Frodo suggested, watching the black-haired faerie carefully. She handled her sword like she knew how to use it, and seemed perfectly comfortable with it." She could win."
" That meddlesome faerie?" Gimli snorted from his vantage point, waiting for the fight to begin." She won't be able to hold a candle against the man of Gondor."
Liana and Gandalf exchanged a look, the latter with a hint of a smile forming on his lips." What do you think, my dear?"
The princess settled herself comfortably up against a rock." Nevada will win."
Gimli sputtered." You actually believe your friend could take down Boromir?"
Liana nodded, looking slightly smug." I'd be willing to wager money on it."
" Done!" Gimli pulled a silver coin out of his pocket and slapped it on a flat rock between them.
Laughing, the dirty blonde pulled out money of her own and set it with his." I will up that a few coins, Master Dwarf."
" And so will I," the dwarf growled, unwilling to lose this bet. He couldn't wait to see the confident look in the girl's eyes dwindle when her friend lost.
Aragorn listened with interest. They couldn't really be betting, could they? Shaking his head, he turned and saw Legolas watching with an exasperated look on his face. He met Aragorn's gaze, and the human motioned him over. The elf shook his head and nodded towards the two warriors, clearly saying he was fine where he was. Aragorn nodded and turned back to the fight. He had been wondering about the faerie's skills himself since he had met her, and now he would finally see them.
" How shall we call the winner?" Nevada asked." First to draw blood?" Ignoring Boromir's shocked look, she nodded emphatically." All right, then. First to draw blood by the sword. Aragorn, would you give the signal?"
The man nodded, now clearly interested in how this spar would turn out. He stood slowly, watching them both intently." Ready?"
Both nodded, but Nevada had one more thing to say." Oh, and Boromir?"
" Yes?"
" Don't hold back." She gave him a feral smile." I won't be." Aragorn gave the signal, and the battle began.
She came at him immediately, surprising most of the fellowship with her speed. Raising her sword with a slight twist of her wrist, it came down with a clang onto Boromir's, who lifted his to meet it. They held for a few seconds, and then drew back, both circling each other warily, their forms hunched slightly in anticipation of attack. Boromir came forward, swinging to catch Nevada on her left side, but at the last second she shifted out of the way and met his blade with her own. Nevada pulled back and came forward again, swinging her blade a few times to confuse the man before coming down on his own left. Boromir caught the movement in time and stopped her, shoving her back with brute strength and sending her a few feet behind. Baring her teeth, Nevada gripped her sword tightly and let him swing a few times, always dodging each blow. Every time Boromir thought he almost had her, she would swiftly sidestep his blade, evade getting hit by manuevering her upper body out of the way.
Aragorn had almost immediately recognized her fighting technique; she was an offensive fighter, one who took control of the battle from the beginning, and she was. Every move Boromir made she evaded and turned it into an advantage to attack him with. They moved back and forth and in circles in the small area, and Aragorn couldn't help but marvel in how quickly she moved; she was *good.*
" Tired, Boromir?" Nevada smiled in mock sympathy, then gained the upper hand and drove him back as far as she could. With a flick of his wrist, Boromir hit her sword away from his body.
" Not yet," he managed to get out. Going into this, he had no idea the little slip of a faerie would give him such a work out.
" Good." With a battle cry, Nevada took the initiative again and came down with a maliciously fast horizontal swing. Boromir blocked it with the base of his sword, bewildered at her expertise with a sword. He was forced to use his strength as an advantage again and push her back enough to get some hedgeway in the battle.
" She's good," Pippin breathed, fascinated with the whole thing. She was so much smaller and thinner than the Gondorian man, it was hard to believe she could actually win.
Liana watched Gimli's mouth open wider at the parry Nevada performed." Would it be prudent of me to tell you now that Nevada is considered one of the best fighters of our world? Top three, actually," she continued, almost bored, as if she were speaking of the weather." Excellent commander, as well." Aragorn overheard and joined Gimli in staring at her, then at Nevada.
Nevada stabbed outward with her blade, met Boromir's, and parried again. They danced around each other for a moment, then Boromir came in again, thrusting his blade quickly and almost catching Nevada in the ribs. Furious, the faerie slapped his blade away with her own and flicked her wrist to knock the sword out of his hand. He held on to it, but was caught off guard when she feigned to do it again - and went the other way.
Her sword slashed quickly through the man's tunic on his shoulder, and a thin slice of red appeared.
" Nevada won!" Merry stood up, and the hobbits clapped excitedly. Gandalf laughed merrily and clapped with them, and Aragorn and Legolas smiled.
Liana turned to a speechless Gimli and closed her hand around the money." I believe this is mine." Grinning, she got up and walked over to Nevada." Damn fine job." Nevada grinned back.
" Good work," Boromir nodded, slightly winded from their fight." I never expected you to do that well."
" Most people don't." She shook his hand, her breathing as normal as if she had spent the past fifteen minutes sleeping." You did good, too."
" I told you Nevada would win," Frodo chided Sam, and smiled when the hobbit frowned good naturedly.
Merry had been watching, fascinated, and then got up his courage to face the two." Where did you learn to fight like that?"
" Here and there," Nevada shrugging, sharing a look with Liana, and then the wizard." I think I'm done for the day, you can teach them, if you like."
Merry turned to Boromir, unwilling to give up." But how did you do all that?"
Boromir paused and looked at the small hobbit." I learned through many years of training." Noticing the longing look on Merry's face, he smiled slightly." Would you like to learn?"
" Yes!" Merry quipped up, nodding vigorously.
" I want to learn, too!" Pippin protested, a frown on his cherub face.
Boromir laughed." All right, you can both learn. Take out your knives, boys. I'll give you some lessons."
" This should be interesting," Nevada mused, turning to watch the three with mild curiosity. She heard a jingling come from Liana's pocket, and looked at her friend curiosly." What is that?"
" Nothing special." Liana slanted a glance at the dwarf, who gave them both a thunderous frown." Just a wager."
" On *me*?" Nevada asked, trying to look insulted but failing when a smile pulled at her lips.
" I knew you would win, so I figured I'd make some money while I was at it-" she cut off, laughing as Nevada gave her a playful shove.
" You brat," she chuckled, swinging her dark hair out of her face. She sat down on a rock to watch them spar.
Aragorn watched the faerie thoughtfully. He was truly amazed at her skill with a blade, and not just that, but the way she moved, with such agility and astounding speed. She slighted nearly every one of Boromir's moves, and was always ready to counter. Deep in thought, he stroked the hilt of his sword and frowned. How long had she been fighting to become that good, for a female? And frankly, what else did he not know about her? Truthfully, he knew next to nothing - only that she once hailed from Deimos in the Faerie Kingdom, served under Queen Emilia, fought well with a blade (*too* well) and had a bad attitude. He watched her laugh at something Liana had said, and push her hair away from her face. She really is beautiful, he thought suddenly. Blinking, he wondered where that had come from, and quickly pushed the thought aside. It was foolish to think such thoughts.
" All right. Pippin, we'll start with you." The hobbit nodded and held his sword the way Aragorn had showed him before they took part in the Fellowship." Come at me and swing like you're going to hit me in the chest."
Pippin looked doubtful." Are you sure-?"
Boromir nodded." Yes, now come on."
Shrugging, the hobbit took a few steps and swung his long knife at the man, aiming for his chest. Boromir lifted his own sword and met Pippin's, the two exchanging blows for a minute or two." Good! Very good," Boromir encouraged. They exchanged blows again, Pippin growing more used to the fighting as they went on.
" Move your feet," Aragorn suggested from his perch on a rock. He watched the sparring through a haze of pipe weed, the pipe clamped between his teeth. Pippin chanced a glance at Aragorn, nodded, and continued.
" That's good, Pippin," Merry complimented through a mouth full of apple he had picked up while the two sparred.
Pippin smiled bashfully and nodded." Thanks."
" Next!" Boromir suddenly moved on to Merry, surprising the hobbit from eating his apple. He extended his dagger and met Boromir's blows, the sharp sound of metal clanging through the air.
" You know," Gimli mused from his position farther up the rock outcrop." If anyone was asking for my opinion, which I note they're not-"
" You're right. We're not. Shut up," Nevada remarked dryly, not taking her eyes off the hobbits and human.
Gimli glared at the faerie's back, still sore over his losing the wager." I'd say we were taking the long way around."
" What makes you say that?" Liana asked. She moved up and sat between Nevada and Gandalf, so she could watch the fight and give the dwarf her attention at the same time.
" We're circling around the mountains to stay on these confounded pathways," Gimli grumbled in response. He pointed in the direction they were taking." We could cut the time in half, Gandalf, and pass through the mines of Moria." The wizard's eyes narrowed at the suggestion." My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
Gandalf shook his head in the negative." No, Gimli," he said quietly." I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."
Liana watched the wizard, intrigued, and was about to comment when a flash of blonde caught her eye. She spotted Legolas, standing atop a tall rock to her left. His gaze was fixed on the horizon as he scanned the area for any signs of trouble. Smiling to herself, she got up and walked silently towards him. When she reached the elf, she stood beside him and kept silent, following his eyes wherever they looked. The faerie kept her face solemn when she said," You know, I am quite sure the scenery isn't going to get up and move anytime soon."
Startled at her comment, Legolas looked at her bright golden eyes for a moment, than laughed out loud, the beautiful sound echoing off the rock walls." No, I suppose it won't."
" Good. Just checking." When he went to return to his vigil, she stopped him with," So, what did you think of Nevada and Boromir's fight?"
He looked contemplative for a moment, and then switched his silver-blue gaze down to the gorgeous faerie that stood next to him." Nevada fought exceptionally well. I was surprised at her ability, althought I should have expected it. We have been told that your race trains both males and females." Liana nodded." I know you must fight, as well."
She smiled." I do, but not as much as Nevada. If the two of us were to fight, she would probably be the victor. We learned under the same trainer, but she thrives on battle much more than I."
" Who trained you?" Legolas asked, wondering what it would be like to see Liana fight. What would her techniques be? As straight forward as Nevada's, or different?
Liana cast a crafty golden eye in Gandalf's direction." A certain wizard..."
" Mithrandir?" Legolas nearly exclaimed, looking in his direction, as well." I have never seen him fight."
" He may look old, but Gandalf's a mean, cantankerous old sword fighter when he wants to be." They both chuckled." What do you say we grab something to eat? You've been standing here for quite some time, and Sam's food looks delicious today."
Legolas smiled." I'm sure it does. Hobbit food is quite...different."
" You've never had it before?" she asked.
He shook his head." No. I have never traveled that far."
" A shame," she replied, meeting his eyes." The Shire is beautiful."
" When did you travel there?" Legolas' curiosity was pricked yet again. How many places had she seen? He never knew of very many faeries who traveled outside their homelands. Just when he thought he knew Liana, she surprised him with another tantalizing tidbit about herself.
" A few centuries ago." She nodded towards the wizard." With Gandalf and Nevada."
" Where else have you traveled?" he asked, honestly wanting to know.
" Careful, now," she said laughingly, nudging his shoulder with her own playfully." One would almost think you're trying to carry on a civil conversation with me, a faerie." Legolas nearly flushed, and opened his mouth to reply, but movement up ahead, in the sky, caught his attention. Staring hard, he watched the dusky cloud in the distance grow closer. What was that?
A sharp clang resonated in the air from the three fighter's direction, followed by an," Ah, shit!" from a certain young hobbit named Pippin.
" Valar, he can curse!" Nevada burst out, eyes wide in astonishment." The hobbit actually knows a curse word!"
" Sorry!" Boromir said to Pippin, then started laughing when the hobbit dropped his knife, hobbling on one foot, and kicked him in the leg." Ahh!" Boromir staggered back, then went down when Merry's sword hit the man's stomach, winding him briefly. The two tackled Boromir to the ground, hitting and smacking as they went along. " Hold him! Hold him down!" Pippin cried out.
Chuckling, Aragorn stood up and strode over to them." Gentlemen, that's enough-"
" Get him!" Merry shouted. The hobbits went for Aragorn's knees, and before the ranger knew it, he was flying backwards onto his back, feet sticking straight up in the air.
Liana, Frodo and Sam burst out laughing, and Nevada crowed with it. She held her aching sides with an arm and pointed at Aragorn with the other, not being able to speak coherently because she was laughing so hard." So...funny!" She threw her head back with mirth and, not judging how big her rock was, went right off the side.
Liana grabbed onto her knees to keep from falling down from a case of the giggles at the sight of Nevada slipping off the rock and plopping on her bottom on the ground.
" Ahh, you've got my arm! He's got my arm!" Merry's voice rang out, as the sounds of their mock battle and more laughter filled the air.
" Liana," Legolas put a hand around her arm to steady her. Still laughing, she stood up and looked at him curiously." Look." She followed his gaze towards the sky, and the laughter died.
" What is that?" Sam asked quietly, his mirth vanishing, as well. Soon, all eyes were on the black mass in the air, heading towards their direction. Feelings of dread filled the hearts of the fellowship.
" Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli denied, but his heart gave him warning, as well.
" It's moving fast," Boromir commented, narrowing his eyes at the ominious cloud in the sky." Against the wind."
' That is not a cloud,' Legolas thought to himself. His ears picked up the sound of distant cawing, and he knew Liana heard it, too, judging from the look in her eyes. Suddenly, Legolas remembered what those were." Crebain from Dunland!"
" Hide!" Aragorn shouted. Everyone scrambled from their perches in a mad rush to hide in the brushes and rocks of the outcrop. Sam took a pail of water and doused the water, covering the smoldering ashes with his cloak to stop the smoke from rising. Frodo ran past him and grabbed his arm, urging him to hurry up. Gimli dropped out of sight behind a rock, Gandalf doing the same, and Aragorn and Nevada took off behind a larger rock. Legolas and Liana jumped down, and the elf pulled her with him under a thin bush, gathering her close to him so both of them kept out of sight. Soon, the entire Fellowship had disappeared, and all that was left was a seemingly empty rocky area.
Nevada stopped breathing and listened to Aragorn's until she heard the sounds of the hundreds of birds coming their way. Evil oozed from their black wings, their harsh caws staining the air, and she knew they had come to find them. This passage wouldn't be safe anymore.
" Who sent them?" Liana whispered from her and the elf's vantage point.
" Saruman, the White Wizard," he said in her ear, tightening his arm around her shoulder." He is watching us." Liana nodded, and then tried vainly to think of other things besides how close he was. He really was a handsome creature, and...she sniffed the area around them. He smelled good, too. Mentally, she shook her head at herself. It could never work, Liana reminded herself fiercely. It was foolish to entertain an idea of anything other than companionship with him. He was an Elf, for crying out loud. Drawing herself out of her thoughts, she breathed carefully, trying not to draw attention to the birds above, and ignoring the feelings she had when she was around Legolas.
When the atrocities left, everyone slowly climbed out of their hiding places and looked at each other silently.
" That could not have been good," Nevada remarked, watching the last of the crows disappear into the distance.
" They are spies of Saruman," Gandalf confirmed Legolas' affirmation." The passage south is being watched."
" Where do we go?" Frodo asked, his blue eyes uncertain.
Reluctantly, Gandalf looked up at the enormous mountain front in the near distance." We must take the path of Caradhras."
" That blasted mountain?" Gimli rumbled unhappily." That takes us over a day out of our way-"
" We have no other choice," Gandalf cut him off." We must." Grim-faced, the wizard waited for everyone to gather their things, then led the party off the path they were on, and onto a different one towards the mountain. As they walked, the full effect of where they were going hit the faeries.
" Wait a minute...We're going up the mountain?" Nevada asked, dread filling her as her eyes took in the white frigid peaks.
" We're going up the mountain," Liana agreed miserably.
" Where there's SNOW?!?"
