A/N - This will be our last update. As you may have noticed, we haven't updated in two months, and there are reasons. Life and school. In December, we had finals and Mel didn't have access to the internet, as well as in early January. Many people are thinking, why not use Jen's? Because Mel's flipping computer (the goddamn fucking piece of shit, bitch-ass bastard computer...I have lots of love for that piece of machinery) has a problem with saving files to disks that can be opened by Jen's computer. Than classes started again, and we've both been trying to adjust to the sudden flood of homework and reading. Jen has a boyfriend now, and Mel's roommate has left her and decided to commute (even though the stupid git's still paying for this room...more space for me!) So we hope you enjoy this last update, and please read and review, and...oh yeah....We're just kidding. Lol, you didn't really think we'd stop writing this, did you? We get some sort of sick pleasure out of that instant where you think that it's over, hehe - sorry, we were feeling We're going to finish this story if it kills us! On with the show!
...Leave me be
I don't want to argue
I just get confused
And I come all undone
And if I agree
Well it's just to appease you
Cause I don't remember
What we're fighting for - 'Time' by Sarah McLachlan
Chapter 25
Legolas felt a brief moment of nostalgia as he looked back on the receding lights of Lothlorien. With his eyesight, he could still see the forms of many Elves leaving the shores of the river, and if he looked even harder he could see the lights of the large talans that made up the city of Lothlorien in the trees. The peacefulness that had took hold of him during his stay had been long replaced by sadness - ever since Liana left. It hurt to think about her, but he couldn't help but wonder where she was at that moment, or what she was doing. He prayed she would be safe, and then tried to push those thoughts out of his mind and concentrate on paddling the Elven boat.
Nevada was as quiet as the Elf, lost in thought as she stared down at the swiftly moving water beneath the boat. It was a bit murky, but she was able to see the outline of seaweed and watch the dark bodies of fish move quickly past. She didn't much like the rocking of the boat, but after a while it stopped bothering her so much and she was able to remotely enjoy the tranquility of the boat, at least while it lasted. Nevada eyed Gimli, who was in the front - he hadn't been speaking much since they took off, but she wasn't sure it would last very long. Him being quiet like this wasn't natural, and she was just waiting for him to decide to return back to his normal agenda of making her life a living hell.
The Dwarf remained quiet, however, for some time, and Nevada frowned. The silence had been peaceful before, but now it was just annoying. She stared at the Elf's back, and the smooth motion of his paddling, with both hands gripping the paddle. His eyes were nearly glazed over in thought. Fidgeting, Nev tapped her fingers along the side, then shifted in her seat to make herself comfortable. She shifted a few more times, then lifted her leg up and over the other, resting her boot on her knee and feeling those muscles stretched out. She watched the shoreline for a few minutes until all the trees started to blur together, and she shifted her position again.
" Nevada, do us a favor and find one position to sit in," Legolas abruptly said, his voice smooth with a faint hint of irritation.
She sighed and made a face at his back." Yes, captain." The Elf made a noise that could only be exasperation and turned his head slightly to look at her out of the corner of one blue eye. Nevada smirked, and he rolled his eyes and turned back to his paddling, muttering something under his breath in Elvish.
" What was that?" she asked sweetly.
" I said I cannot wait until it is your turn to paddle."
" So you can make faces at my back like I'm doing to you right now?"
Legolas turned his head around and stared at her smiling face ominously, then decided it wasn't worth it to spend the energy hitting her over the head with the paddle. With a much put upon sigh, he turned back around and continued paddling. Nev pursed her lips. That didn't go the way she wanted it to. She wanted some conversation, *anything* besides just sitting here and waiting for her legs to cramp up.
An idea popped up in Nevada's head not two minutes later, when she realized she had forgotten what the other two had received as gifts from Galadriel." What did you two get from Galadriel?" she asked them.
Legolas paused in his paddling, before gesturing at his back and lightly touching the bow on it." I received a Galadhrim bow."
Nevada took a closer look at the bow in discussion, and whistled appreciatively, running a hand along the runes and carvings on it." Very nice. They used good wood - it looks pretty strong." Legolas gave her an appreciative glance, and she smiled.
" What about you?" he asked her.
" A necklace." Nevada lifted the snowflake from her neck, and Legolas studied it with a slow smile.
" That is beautifully made," he said, and fingered it lightly. He glanced back up at her mischievously, and added," Try not to lose it, Nevada. It would be a terrible loss, losing such a pretty thing as this necklace. After all, since the Elves will be leaving soon, this Lothlorien wrought necklace could become worth more than everything you've ever owned."
" Shut *up*." Nevada had to laugh. Then she became serious, and glared at him." It's mine now, and if it's worth so much, I can just as easily sell it to the nearest filthy rich Man or Corsair." The disgust and horror in Legolas's gray-blue eyes made her laugh in delight." You know, the Corsairs would probably pay a pretty penny for this necklace - "
" If you are not wearing that snowflake when this is over, I will make you barter it back. I do not even care what it costs you."
She finished laughing at the seriousness of his tone, and slapped him on the shoulder." Relax, Legolas, I was kidding. This necklace is far too pretty, and it looks far too good on me to sell."
Legolas snorted, and a not-so-subtle nudge from her boot into the small of his back earned her a full blown Elven glare, complete with set jaw and flashing eyes, to which she responded with a guileless smile.
" Gimli, your turn," she called to the Dwarf, still in a staring match with the Elf. She made a face at him, and Legolas turned away to paddle, suppressing a small smile and a shake of his head.
The Dwarf sat quietly at the helm as if he did not hear her call, his back to them as he stared unseeing into the waters of the Anduin. One of his meaty hands rested on his silver helmet, and his dark red hair was allowed to roam free down his back. Legolas looked at Gimli thoughtfully, and Nevada tilted her head to the side and stared at him.
She was about to open her mouth to speak again, when Gimli's low voice could be heard, rough with emotion." I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest." Nevada's brow furrowed as she tried to figure out what he could be talking about, but decided to stay silent as he continued." Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Understanding bloomed in her eyes, and she looked over at Legolas.
He was looking at the Dwarf with a moer gentle expression." What was her gift?"
Gimli was silent for a long moment, than spoke again, emotion clear in his eyes." I asked her for one hair from her golden head...She gave me three."
Legolas smiled softly down at Gimli, and Nevada was inexplicably touched. It never occurred to her that the Dwarf could feel that way about an Elf, but...she glanced briefly at Legolas's face. She supposed nothing was impossible. Deciding to leave well enough alone, Nev gave a brief smile to Gimli when he turned his head, his eyes misted with his speech.
" Where are you keeping them?" Legolas asked, his voice kind.
Gimli cleared his throat, and looked down as he patted the side pocket of one of the packs." I figured it would be safer in one of these."
" Probably," Nevada agreed. She realized with a mixture of interest and horror that they were all actually having a normal, friendly conversation. Well, she thought to herself, it could be worse. It might not be too bad to share a boat with the Elf and Dwarf.
Lost in thought, she brought her leg down from its resting spot on her other leg, and her knee cracked into the side of the boat with the swift motion. Nevada let out a vivid curse and covered her knee with her hands, hissing with the pain." Damn you people, why do you make your boats so *small*?!"
Legolas couldn't resist a smirk." Do not blame my people for your lack of grace."
" Be quiet, you annoying blonde monkey!" Nevada said through gritted teeth. The sharp pain dulled to a throb, and she carefully let her leg rest on the bottom of the boat again.
Legolas paused in mid-paddle, and slanted a glance behind him at her face." Did you just call me a 'blond monkey'?" Nevada nodded, and Legolas let out a bark of laughter, much to her dismay.
" You were supposed to get mad and go into a pout like you usually do," Nevada muttered.
He raised an eyebrow." A pout?"
" Yes, parrot."
The Elf decided to ignore her last comment." I do not pout. In fact, if anyone around here pouts, it would be a certain Faerie sitting right behind me."
" I do *not* pout!" Nevada nearly shouted indignantly.
Legolas gave her a cool, measured look." Now who is the parrot?"
" Give me your paddle."
" No."
" Give - "
" Nevada and Legolas, we can all hear you loud and clear," Aragorn called from his boat only twelve feet away." Continue your argument in quieter tones so we can all get some peace and quiet."
The Elf and Faerie stopped their bickering; the former continued paddling, and the latter sulked. She hated it when he got after her like that. Giving a mental sigh, Nevada propped an elbow along the edge of the boat and rested her chin on her palm. She stared at the rippling waters for long minutes, unable to think of anything else to do but curse her bad luck, want to hit Aragorn and Legolas, and miss Liana and Gandalf. She stared at her wavering reflection for a bit, then reached down and trailed her fingers along the water, feeling the cold against her fingertips.
When there was a soft splash somewhere nearby, she involuntarily jerked her fingers out of the water and looked up. The Faerie's dark head looked around and surveyed the water warily. She was unable to find any sign of a splash, then shrugged and figured it was just a good sized fish. The same splash came again not a minute later, only louder this time and to her right, behind the boat. Nevada turned slightly and looked behind the boat, her eyes searching from bank to bank of the river.
She waited for long seconds, keeping absolutely quiet to see if her ears picked it up again, and it came, only it was followed by another sound. Something was *swimming* a few yards from the boat. Nevada hadn't been swimming in a while, but she knew what a fish sounded like when it swam, and when something with legs swam. This was definitely not a fish - the soft, telltale swish of water being pushed back by little feet and hands told her as much. Crocodiles did not live in this part of Middle Earth, and it was too large to be a frog or lizard, so she really could not tell what it was.
Nevada watched carefully for the maker of the sound, holding her breath as she studied the water closely. She still could not find the source of the noise, and it annoyed her to no end. She sat upright, and felt her back brush up against Legolas's. Nevada stiffened, and looked over at him. He had stopped paddling, and she realized he must have for some time, for she hadn't heard the noise when she'd been listening for the splashing. Perhaps he heard it, too...
" Legolas," she started quietly, and he held up a hand for silence. He nodded and met her eyes, telling her silently that he heard it, too. Relieved, Nevada relaxed slightly, but still kept looking with him. They were silent and quiet for long minutes, studying the water and letting the boat glide along with the others, maneuvered by Legolas's brief, smooth strokes.
The Elf's ears pricked again, and he turned his head from where he had been looking. He nearly dismissed the area he was drawn too, but movement in the corner of his right eye caught his attention. Legolas stared hard at the spot for a while, then it moved again - a ripple against the current, and the occasional, swift appearance of the top of what he assumed was a head. The Elf recognized the feeling he had about this creature, knew he had seen him before. It was disconcerting to know that the creature had waited for them while they were in Lothlorien to follow further.
Legolas reached over and touched Nevada's shoulder, then grasped her chin lightly and turned her head in the right direction. Her brows furrowed as she stared at the area for a bit, then amazement brightened her eyes, and her gaze turned curious and fascinated.
" What is it?" she whispered.
" What do you think?" Legolas asked just as quietly, and continued to paddle and keep a watchful eye on the bubbling surface yards behind them and to their right." What could have followed us this far, and what could it want? Think back to Moria, Nevada."
She paused and dwelled on his words, and it came to her in a flash of Gandalf's words and the gleam of too-large eyes in the distance of the mines." Gollum," she said with surprise.
Legolas nodded wordlessly.
" How could that little imp keep track of us for this long?" Nev asked, almost to herself.
" Because he needs the Ring," he told her softly." So badly, I have no doubt he would follow Frodo back into Mordor to get it."
Nevada suppressed a shudder at the mention of their destination, and watched the ripples with a more morbid interest." Do you think he'll be a problem?"
Legolas pursed his lips in thought, his gaze out into the trees and water as he paddled." I do not know. We shall see."
The small rippling mass of water yards briefly broke with a peek of a head and large, blinking eyes, solemnly studying the boats before submerging under again with a brief intake of air, thin arms and legs flailing against the current and pushing water like a fish.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Merry, I can see fish!" Pippin exclaimed excitedly. The little hobbit leaned precariously over the side of the boat and stared at the small, sleek streamlined bodies keeping pace with the boat in awe." They're moving so fast!"
" Easy, Pippin," Boromir chided, nudging the hobbit's back lightly with a foot. His arms were occupied with the small paddle, and he pulled it forward and back on the right side of the boat to keep up their pace with the other canoes. The Lorien paddle cut into the water smoothly, and scared away some of the fish, but the majority of them stayed.
" I'm fine," Pippin reassured him, glancing briefly at the man before turning back to the fish." Oh Merry, look, they're jumping!"
The older cousin peered over and watched a few of the fish, perch, he believed, jump out of the water and land in it again with small splashes." There certainly is a lot of them," Merry agreed, and couldn't help but smile at Pippin's delight. His cousin's happiness was so infectious.
Pippin's green eyes grew wide as he contemplated an idea." Maybe we could catch some!" He turned to Merry and clasped his arm, eyes bright with enthusiasm." Could we? We could keep 'em in the boat until we reach shore for the night, than cook them!"
Merry's eyes turned thoughtful, and then he turned to Boromir." Pippin's got a good idea. Can we catch a few fish for dinner? There are plenty swimming along the boat that we could catch."
Satisfied that the current was carrying them swiftly enough to keep pace with the others, Boromir put the paddle down with a grunt and stretched his aching arm muscles. He stared at the two young hobbits for a moment, and decided that they looked excited enough to where he couldn't let them down." All right," he nodded. Pippin cheered, and Boromir smiled tolerantly." Grab two nets from that pack on the left there, and have at it." The hobbits turned to the supplies, and Merry found it first since he was sitting closer. He pulled out two good sized nets, and handed one of them to Pippin while he kept the other.
Pippin fairly bounced as he scooted to the edge of the boat, and Merry scolded him," Pip, you have to be careful. We are in a small boat."
" Oh, quit fussing Merry," Pippin told him brightly. Boromir's eyes lit with amusement as Merry sent his cousin a glare, then returned to staring down into the water. The hobbits were a handful, but they were in fact pleasant company when they were not all together in one place. Since they had begun traveling three days before, they had chatted to each other and sometimes to Boromir, and once tried to shout over to Frodo and Sam before himself and Aragorn silenced them. They were allowed to talk, but shouting would do nothing but harm their position on the river. The man enjoyed listening to their idle chatter and small voices, but it also took his mind off of other matters. Glancing at Aragorn every so often, Boromir couldn't help but feel a little resentment, even though it had been about a week since the scene with Nevada. He knew now in his heart that Nevada would never change her opinion of him, and he could only make the best of it by being her friend. It had still been a bitter pill to swallow, however, and he was only just now coming to terms with all that had happened. Aragorn, however, he still held some vexatious feelings for. Although he knew he had been in the wrong, Boromir did not take kindly to being threatened by the ranger, and his fierce protectiveness of Nevada was unfounded and made him question Aragorn's intentions towards her. Were they like his own previous ones? Or was it merely concern over the last female member of the fellowship? The man watched Aragorn's profile while he thought, noting his silence while Frodo and Sam spoke to one another, and the stern set of the man's jaw. What made him so special? a voice whispered to him. How was this one man supposed to be the savior of his people? Boromir felt his hand tighten briefly on the paddle's handle. Why couldn't he and his family, stewards of Gondor, not save it themselves? Were they not strong enough?
Yet this man is, Boromir pondered, feeling a mix of confusion and growing resentment. This ranger can walk into his country and make things right, as he is trying to do with the fellowship even now. He has taken it upon himself to be Nevada's protector, as well as Frodo's, he thought. Protector from who? It could not just be Orcs, and other enemies of Mordor. Was it from within? Perhaps, himself? Boromir's back stiffened at the realization. He could...understand where the man would get his assumptions, from the few poor choices and words said in the past, but Boromir knew that he was an honorable man, and would do nothing to either of them. Aragorn had no reason to doubt him, and it was insulting to think that he did. He did not need to prove himself to this ranger, for he knew his own strengths well, and did not need the approval of an exiled man.
A loud splash broke Boromir's thoughts, and he shook himself out of his reverie and looked over sharply towards the hobbits to see if they were all right. Pippin was leaned over, the sleeve of his shirt completely soaked, and he looked sheepishly up at Boromir.
" I thought I had a good grip on the fish," he said with some embarrassment. Boromir could not help but shake his head and laugh softly at the hobbit, who flushed even more.
" Did you use the net?" Boromir asked him when he was finished chuckling.
" Of course not," Merry replied, his head over the side and peering down into the water, hands still holding either side of the net." Pip thought he could get the fish with his bare hands."
" It can be done," Boromir saved Pippin further embarrassment, and the hobbit brightened slightly." You have to be more patient, however. We've not much time for that today though, Pippin, so why don't you just try using the nets for now?" The hobbit nodded and brought up his own net to use, eyes holding the promise of being taught to catch fish with his hands for the next day. Boromir promised himself that he would remember to teach Pippin tomorrow.
Merry watched the waters carefully, waiting for the fish to get closer before plunging in his net. When he spotted a large group coming near the surface, their dark bodies wiggling their way up, he slowly submerged his hands and lower arms into the chilly water. Goosebumps trailed up his arms as he sunk them lower with the net. Merry waited a bit longer, and at the right moment, for he had done this before many times at the river near his home in the Shire, he jerked the net down and managed to snare three fish into the tangly net with the motion. Anxious to keep them there, he tugged on the net and closed the top together in his fist so they couldn't escape, and proceeded to pull them up.
" Merry!" Pippin gaped." You caught one!"
" I caught three," Merry corrected him proudly, and pulled up his catches into the boat, causing water to drip all of his clothes and the inside of the boat, which was already damp from water getting in earlier.
Boromir smiled, pulling the paddle to him as he noticed them getting a little behind from the other two boats." Excellent, Merry. Keep up the good work - you, too, Pippin, and we shall not have to hunt for dinner tonight." Pippin whooped while Merry shook the fish out of the net and tossed them into an empty extra sack they had been given. Once he tied the top so they wouldn't escape, he turned and around and prepared to catch more, face flushed with the thrill of fishing - something he hadn't done in many months. Seeing Pippin so happy and even Boromir smiling, Merry couldn't help but be happy, as well. Being with Pippin and having fun brought back fond memories.
Nev scowled in the direction of the laughter from yards away on the left side of the river, but only had a moment to watch and ponder what they were doing before her left hand nearly slipped from the paddle. Cursing inwardly, she firmly grasped it and continued pulling the paddle forward and back on her left side in what she hoped was a smooth movement. It wasn't as if she had done this sort of thing before.
" Having fun, lass?"
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to ten mentally." Loads of it, Gimli."
The Dwarf's smile was smug as he watched the little slip of a Faerie negotiate the paddle for an Elven canoe. The position of her wrists looked awkward, but then again, he honestly didn't know much about the boating business, either. Apparently she didn't, and it was great amusement for him to observe." Remember, Nevada," he said to her from his corner of the boat," use those arm muscles."
The paddle cracked against the side of the boat, and Legolas looked over sharply at Nevada. She had tried counting again, and it just didn't work." Do you want this oar stuck up your-" she started fiercely, but Legolas cut her off.
" Pay him no attention," Legolas leveled Gimli a look, who reluctantly shut up and turned his attention to the water." You only have another two hours, Nevada, and then I will paddle the rest of the way."
Nevada breathed out through her nose and stared menacingly at the Dwarf as she kept paddling." Two hours, Gimli," she said sweetly." And my hands are free."
Gimli snorted." What are you going to do, toss me overboard?"
Her eyes flashed." *Remember*, Gimli, I am holding a heavy paddle for the next two hours. Anymore comments from you, and-"
" Nevada," Legolas stressed, his voice more exasperated than she had heard in hours.
She rolled her eyes at his tone, still miffed at the smug look on the Dwarf's red bearded face. She wanted to wipe it off. Another whoop of laughter came from the other boat, and a splash, and her grip tightened on the paddle. She ignored it for a little bit, than one of the hobbits, she thought it was Merry, shouted.
" What in the hell are they doing over there?!" Nevada snapped." Playing hide and seek with the fish?"
Legolas raised an eyebrow." If that is what you want to call fishing, then yes."
She sighed and gave an exasperated look back to the Elf before growling in the general direction of Boromir's boat. When Legolas only shook his head at her, Nevada let it go with a whoosh of a breath and continued paddling. The muscles in her shoulders were beginning to burn, and it irked her that she couldn't do this without having muscle pains. There were muscles hurting that she hadn't felt pain in for centuries, and that alarmed her. Had she gone soft or something?
Or maybe it's because she'd never actually paddled before - she'd never had to. Sure, there were rivers in Deimos, even canoes, and she had been on them, but she never had to use them as sole methods of transportation. Nevada grunted as she felt resistance in the paddle, then viciously pulled and it came free and continued to run smoothly again. She would hate to, anyhow - too many worried with the large fish that lived in there, not to mention the vast amounts of seaweeds that sometimes floated to the surface in clumps that got caught on the boats and slowed them down. Not practical, Nevada thought. Plus, the rivers there weren't as swift as the Anduin - currently they were, she had to admit, making good speed. Nevada felt discomfort in her right wrist, and frowned down at it as it moved. She was holding this thing right, wasn't she?
Legolas watched her with faint amusement, and decided to make her miserable time a little easier. He moved himself forward and reached out with a hand to grab hers. She stopped momentarily and stared at him quizzically." What?"
" Move your hand a little more downwards, and rotate your wrist so it's in an easier position," he told her, quietly enough so Gimli didn't hear him, who was rummaging through a pack. She watched as he moved her wrist in a more comfortable position, and when she moved her arm again, she found it a relief from the previous position. Pausing for a moment, Nev looked over at his solemn form and said," Thank you."
He nodded to her." You're welcome." Legolas then proceeded to make himself comfortable, bringing up his knee and resting an elbow on it as he surveyed the trees on the opposite bank quietly. While she paddled Nevada watched him, her face pulled into a slight frown of thought. For the past week he had withdrawn, each day getting worse than the last. He had spent some time with Gimli, surprisingly, when they were in Lothlorien, but now that they had been in the boats for three days, she noticed the change in him keenly. Outwardly, he was just as polite as before, just as kind when he felt like reaching out - but it was different. He had reverted back to the way he was when the journey had first started - distant, detached, polite, and emotionless. In all honesty, it worried her, and she didn't like seeing him like that after she knew what he was like when the layers of royal breeding and Elven mannerisms were peeled away. When all that was gone, she saw what Liana saw and fell in love with - a compassionate, charming male with a dry sense of humor she could appreciate.
Nevada knew why his eyes were glazed with faraway thoughts, and why he only saw fit to speak when spoken to anymore - it was the same reason Nevada's irritation level had skyrocketed, and she couldn't seem to tolerate Gimli any farther than throwing him off the boat. Liana's departure. They both missed her badly, and it seemed to be doing as much damage to Legolas as it was doing to her heart. She knew she would eventually have to lay her fears to rest about Liana's well being, and with time she would, but she didn't know about Legolas. Now that she thought about it, Nevada felt bad for him. He really loved her friend, and she couldn't help but be sympathetic to how he must be feeling. They just got their feelings out, and Liana had to leave. I am so glad I don't have to worry about that, Nev thought to herself. But that does explain his withdrawal, even though it still bothered her to see him so...quiet.
Nevada sighed to herself. She wasn't going to be able to handle this damn trip if he didn't at least talk. She refused to make conversation with the Dwarf." Enjoying the scenery, blondie?" she drawled, and noted with satisfaction the stiffening of his spine.
The Elf's jaw tightened at the irate nickname, and he turned his head and pinned her with bright gray-blue eyes." Was there something you needed, Nevada?"
She shook her head and smiled, continuing to paddle, but more enthusiastically. Finally, some emotion out of this Elf." Not at all."
He watched her suspiciously for another moment, to which she smiled blankly back. Then he shook his head at her and looked back to the nearby forest drifting by as they traveled down the current with the other two boats.
" You can watch it all you like, but it doesn't matter anyhow. If you saw anything, you wouldn't be able to do a damn thing about it."
His fingers tightened nearly imperceptibly on the rim of the boat, but she saw it and gloated to herself. Before Legolas could respond, however, a smell came wafting through the air, and Nevada made the mistake of inhaling it as she took a breath in. Starting to cough, Nevada had to stop paddling and throw it down in the canoe, and then proceeded to hack in an effort to expel the terrible stench from her lungs. She missed the faint gleam of satisfaction in Legolas's eyes, as well as the same disgust for the smell, while she had her head bent down.
Nevada's eyes started to water as it grew strong, and once she had her voice back, she grounded out," What the hell is that smell?"
When she looked up to find the source, she found it sitting three feet away from her. The Dwarf watched her through a ring of smoke from his long pipe, which he held in his fingers up to his lips. The foul smell was coming from inside the pipe, and the smoke that was drifting out of it.
" Pipe weed, I take it," Nevada deadpanned.
Gimli nodded slowly." Finest grown on Middle Earth."
" Throw it out."
" Not on your life."
" Do it, or I'll throw it out of the boat with you with it."
Gimli leaned forward." I'd like to see you try," he curled his lip at her.
Nevada lunged forward suddenly, and Legolas caught her arms before she could get any further than a foot from Gimli's face. He bodily dragged her back, and the boat moved precariously back and forth under the movement. Legolas and Nevada sat still as it calmed down, his hands still latched on her arms and her still in an awkward leaning back position that he pulled her away from Gimli into. They watched water slosh into the boat from the sides, eyes wide at the rocking motion their squabble created, and Gimli stayed perched in his spot away from Nevada, eyes even wider in astonishment.
" That," Legolas breathed in relief as the rocking motions slowed," was very foolish."
" It stinks," Nevada gritted out.
" I know," he answered back just as tersely." Let him smoke, it will keep him quiet. And if he smokes it enough, he will run out faster."
Nevada's eyes narrowed in contemplation, and Legolas immediately guessed what she was thinking." If you do not want his axe buried in your head," he whispered in her ear," then you will not do what I know you are thinking of."
Nevada pursed her lips, the nodded. Legolas sighed and let go of Nevada's arms after a brief squeeze, which surprised her. Maybe a thank you for not making the situation more difficult? She shrugged to herself, then settled for a glare in Gimli's direction.
He pointed the pipe at her and narrowed his own eyes." Just stay away from me, Faerie," he told her, his accent thick with annoyance." And we'll all be fine. Another lunge like that, and I'll take you off the boat with me."
The said Faerie grabbed her paddle angrily and proceeded to mutter about Gimli in her own language, inventing creative words to use to describe him and becoming thankful that no one in any of the boats could understand what she was saying.
" Those three shouldn't have been put in a boat together," Sam mumbled to himself as he surveyed the scuffle safely from his boat with Frodo and Aragorn. His hands were folded under his chin as he watched, but when it was over he turned away from the water. He couldn't look at it for very long without getting incredibly nauseous. Gamgees were never swimmers, Sam told himself firmly, and didn't belong anywhere near the water. No sane hobbit did, which proved why Merry and Pippin were so insane. The fact that Sam himself was the one hobbit there who couldn't swim weighed heavily on his mind, as well, and each time the boat lurched, he held on for dear life and prayed Aragorn knew what he was doing with that paddle.
" No other choice, Sam," Aragorn told him cheerfully, still paddling away." It was either those three share a boat, or you and Frodo be put in with Nevada or Gimli."
Sam shook his head vehemently." No, no, they're fine right where they are."
Frodo chuckled at the brief moment of panic in Sam's eyes, and the sturdy hobbit smiled at Frodo uneasily. Poor Sam, thought Frodo. He's having a time of it in this boat." How long will we be on the river?" he asked Aragorn.
The man glanced at Frodo briefly before turning his gaze back to the shore." I would tell you, Frodo, but I don't wish to see Sam's face to turn any greener."
Frodo laughed, and Aragorn grinned broadly. He clapped Sam on the back good-naturedly, and the hobbit lurched forward and grabbed on to the sides of the boat to keep from going anywhere.
" Relax, Sam," Frodo told him, bemused." Aragorn has everything under control."
" Sure, and I'll bet he has control over the water, too," Sam replied, clearly unconvinced." I'll say it doesn't matter how well Strider can maneuver the boat if the water's not willin' to cooperate."
" That is true, Sam," Aragorn agreed lightly." However, I would not let anything happen to you, or Frodo. You have nothing to worry about, Samwise." The gardener continued to mumble under his breath, and his white-knuckled grip on the side of the canoe never lessened.
Seeking to ease his friend, and feeling guilty about his discomfort, Frodo looked towards Aragorn again." If my sense of direction is not completely off, I believe we're close to Mirkwood, where Legolas is from."
Aragorn nodded sagely, keeping a steady rhythm with the paddle on the left side of the boat." We are indeed. Another mile or so, and we should have a better view of the trees there."
Sam's ears perked with interest, and he slanted a glance in Aragorn's direction." Is that the only reason they're called Wood-Elves?"
" For the most part," Aragorn agreed." It was Legolas's grandfather, Orophin, that decided to settle them there. Why is an entirely different story."
The hobbit's curiosity was piqued now. He turned towards the ranger, questions of all sorts beginning to form in his mind." Legolas is certainly high up there, but why doesn't he say so? He never says anything about being a prince."
Frodo's bright eyes looked to Aragorn, as well, and the ranger smiled." I suppose it's a preference of choice. Perhaps he doesn't like being known as prince."
" Liana held that title, though," Frodo pointed out," and she didn't seem to particularly enjoy it, either."
Aragorn laughed." Well, there is a difference there. Liana is the sole leader of her country, whereas Legolas's father, King Thranduil, is the leader in Mirkwood. Liana needs the title to represent her country, and Legolas probably figures that his title isn't needed outside of his home - just his father's."
" That makes sense," Frodo replied. He paused thoughtfully for a moment, then asked," Wasn't Mirkwood called something else at one point in time?"
Aragorn looked vaguely surprised." You certainly do your research, Frodo. Yes, it was - many years ago, it was Greenwood the Great."
" Why did it change?" Sam asked.
" The Shadow, wasn't it?" Frodo glanced at the Man, who nodded in confirmation." They're closer to Mordor, so they probably felt the affects of it."
" Southern Mirkwood, mostly," Aragorn replied," but they all felt it. Orcs, spiders -"
" Spiders," Sam exclaimed." Surely the little things can't be that much trouble."
Aragorn laughed, but his eyes were grim." The spiders found in Mirkwood and elsewhere are far from the little ones you're used to seeing in the gardens of the Shire, Samwise. These spiders live in the trees and build large nests and webs for their pray, which are usually Men, Elves and Orcs alike. Most are larger than two full grown men, and their poison is enough to make the body go numb."
Sam shuddered, and Frodo felt sick to his stomach from the knot of disgust and fear. He could only imagine what the monsters looked like in real life, and he decided that he never wanted to find out." Will we ever meet one on our journey?" he asked quietly.
Aragorn pursed his lips, and was quiet for a good minute while he paddled." I pray we do not," he finally said," but even I do not know what sort of creatures we are intended to meet on this journey."
" Great," Sam muttered." Not only do we have to deal with Orcs and Wraiths, but we've got giant spiders along the way."
" We might not," Frodo told him halfheartedly." And besides, Sam - Legolas has lived in Mirkwood his whole life. I'm sure he knows how to deal with them."
The ranger glanced over in the Elf's direction. He was yards away from them, but he saw the Elf's head turn slightly, his blue-gray gaze slightly amused as he looked at them. Aragorn grinned, now sure that the Elf had heard nearly every word of the conversation." Yes, Legolas has a lot of experience with spiders."
" I'll say, with the way he fights," Sam put in." Although, I'll never understand how the Elves and Faeries can look so young and be so old. I can only imagine how old Legolas is." The Elf in question now had one cool, discerning eye permanently on their boat, and Aragorn couldn't help but chuckle.
" Perhaps you can ask him sometime how old he is." In the other boat, Legolas raised an eyebrow, and Aragorn winked.
Sam shifted uncomfortably at the thought of looking up at the tall, warrior Elf and feeling his piercing gaze on him as he asked him his age. He didn't think he could go through with it." Yes, well...it's not really important, anyhow."
Frodo looked over at his friend, eyes amused and a smile tugging on his lips." Sam...don't tell me you're afraid to ask Legolas."
The hobbit flushed and glared at his companion." I am not afraid, Mr. Frodo, I just don't think it would be proper askin' him his age, or even Miss Nevada's, for that matter." Aragorn caught Legolas nudge Nevada a little, and soon both were listening with rapt attention, much to the Human's amusement.
" Well, it's a lot easier to figure out how old she is," Frodo began, then shifted to sit more comfortably." Liana and her told me that for every one hundred years, they age one year physically. Miss Nevada looks like she's around twenty, so that makes her around two thousand years old. I'm probably off a little," he admitted," but I'm assuming that's around her age."
Aragorn looked at the hobbit, pleased that Frodo was taking an active part in the conversation and that his mind was off any darker thoughts." You're in the right area, very good," he told him." Like you said, it is easier to figure their age than an Elf's. Elves are considered young adults at the age of fifty. Perhaps that is why Elves tend to look at Faeries as less mature than they." The Man watched Nevada mouth 'what?!' to Legolas, who began to defend his people to her, which quickly escalated into an argument between the two, which led to Gimli's voice cutting through the air in a sharp bark of rebuke.
Sam and Frodo ceased their conversation and looked over to their boat, puzzled." What is their problem?" Frodo asked.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" Nevada, do you need help getting out of the boat?" Legolas asked coolly.
" No," she snapped moodily. Legolas's eyes narrowed at her back, and the two lapsed into their previous tension-filled silence. The Elf maneuvered the boat closer to the shore, and once he felt the canoe's bottom scrape against sand, he stood up and exited quickly. The water came up to the middle of his boots, but he paid it to heed as he manually pulled the boat closer to the shore and beached it enough to stay there.
The Faerie stood up noiselessly and grabbed a few packs before exiting. The Elf and Faerie wouldn't look at each other as the former made her way to shore and the latter helped Gimli out.
" I don't know which is worse," Gimli muttered." The two of you bickering to no end, or plotting heinous acts of revenge behind each other's backs."
" I would not go as far as heinous," Legolas said smoothly, his eyes flickering with vague irritation as he stared briefly at Nevada's back." However, I do not know what goes on in her head."
Gimli was spared from commenting as sloshing water to their right alerted them of the arrival of Boromir, Merry and Pippin. The hobbits were chatting away happily, and each held a string of gray fish in their hands.
" I take it fishing was successful," Gimli called out gruffly, his dark brown eyes observing the nine fish from Merry and seven from Pippin with pleasure. Couple that with a few rabbits they could hunt, and they would be eating quite well tonight.
" It was great," Merry gushed, blue eyes sparkling with good humor." I've never seen so many fish just jumping around like that."
" It made it a lot easier to catch them," Pippin put in, careful not to let his string of fish touch the ground." But I almost fell in a couple of times."
" He insisted on chasing after the fish once they were out of his grasp," Boromir said dryly, but softened the comment with a smile. Aragorn came up to them, Frodo and Sam in tow, and grinned down at Merry and Pippin.
" Well, we know who we owe our dinner to tonight. Excellent work, gentlemen," he said, and Merry and Pippin flushed under the praise." Legolas, check the area to see if it's clear, and Gimli, go with him - while you're out, gather wood for a fire. Boromir, could you retrieve our sleeping rolls from the canoes?" The man nodded and moved behind him as Gimli followed Legolas into the woods. Aragorn turned his attention back to Merry and Pippin, who stood looking a bit uncomfortable for something to do. He smiled to put them at their ease." Why don't we clean these fish, and then I will help you cook them."
Pippin frowned slightly." Wouldn't Sam want to do that?"
" I think we'll give Sam a break for tonight," replied Aragorn. He relieved the two hobbits of their catches, and they followed him to the center of the small clearing, where Sam and Frodo were clearing out a spot for the fire." Sam: Merry, Pippin, and I will do the cooking tonight. Give yourself a rest." Sam looked confused briefly, than nodded uncertainly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be relieved of such a task. The hobbit was so used to the way he himself cooked, that he wasn't certain whether he trusted the three enough to cook a decent meal for lack of doing it lately. Strider's been living in the wild for years, the gardener told himself, his cooking skills should be just fine.
Frodo watched the various emotions of doubt cross Sam's face with a small smile. Whatever Sam was thinking, it was always easy to read it on his face, like an open book. Deciding to speak, Frodo told him," Aragorn knows what he's doing, Sam. He'll be able to steer Merry and Pippin in the right direction."
Sam blushed a little and smiled demurely." I figured as much. I'm just a little worried whether or not the fish will be enough for all nine of us."
The dark haired hobbit contemplated this for a moment." I think it should be. We still have supplies from Lothlorien, and the lembas bread."
" That's true," Sam admitted. Boromir walked up from behind them, startling the hobbit momentarily when he set down the bedrolls and packs. Sam shrugged it off and turned his attention to Aragorn, Merry and Pippin. They were going through the unpleasant task of cleaning fish. A thought occurred to Sam as he stared at the gray bodies, and he turned to the packs on the ground where Boromir had left them. He found his, and began to search through it for some herbs. Frowning, he couldn't find the two he was looking for, and decided that he must have ran out.
" Strider," he called out.
Aragorn looked up from his task at the hobbit." Yes?"
" Do thyme and parsley grow in this forest?"
The ranger's brow furrowed in thought briefly, then cleared." I believe they do. Is this for the fish?"
Sam nodded." I seem to have run out, and it would give the fish a nice flavor."
" I'll go fetch it," a voice cut in. Sam and Aragorn both looked over to where Nevada sat, who had paused from sifting through her pack and bedroll to listen to their conversation.
Aragorn had to blink at her offer." I can just as send one of the hobbit's-"
" I can do it, Aragorn," Nevada cut him off, aggravated at the surprised look on his face.
" Do you-" Sam hesitated when her violet gaze settled on him." Do you know what they look like?"
She nodded and stood up, pulling out a small knife from inside of her boot." I'll be back in ten or fifteen minutes." She swiftly walked away from the camp, dark hair flying behind her and leaving her companions in stunned silence.
" That was...nice of her," Sam said almost uncertainly. The Faerie had been in a fairly dark mood since Liana left, and this was the first time in days she went out of her way to do something for one of them. Not that she never did, Sam thought, feeling slightly guilty for thinking ill of her, it was just that she hadn't done so recently.
" That and she probably figured she could get it done faster, anyhow," Pippin pointed out.
" Nonsense," Merry disagreed." Sam's a gardener, for crying out loud. He'd be able to spot them a mile away." Said hobbit began to turn various shades of red." But it was a nice gesture. She's been in a mood as of late."
Similar thoughts ran through Aragorn's head, and he watched her silent, retreating form through the trees, silver blue eyes thoughtful. Perhaps she was turning around and slowly getting over the absence of Liana, as they all were. This was certainly a positive sign, although her and Legolas have another new rift between them. Aragorn smiled wryly, and shook his head. One of these days they would see that they fought so much because they were so similar.
Nevada's boots made hardly a sound on the forest floor as she walked around trees and bushes to find what she was looking for. Any excuse to be able to walk around after sitting in that canoe for hours on end with the two most irritating people she had ever met. It was such a relief to be out of those boats for another night, and the forest smelled quite good.
She scowled when she thought of the Elf and Dwarf. She would really rather shoot herself in the foot with an arrow than get back in the boat with them, but she knew it was unavoidable, and she might as well deal with it. Her argument with Legolas surfaced again, and her face darkened even more.
" Immature," she growled softly to herself." Childish." Her blood boiled once again at the new piece of information she overhead Aragorn tell Frodo and Sam - that Elves thought Faeries were immature. When Legolas grudgingly agreed that that was a true feeling among the Elves, it grated so much that she saw red. She was certain that she had made him mad enough to where he began to point out what traits Faeries possessed (more like what traits *she* possessed) that made Faeries childish, and even before he was finished she was ready to smack him with the paddle. Numerous times.
It was almost frightening at how much she had wanted to hurt him for the degrading realization of being 2,000 and being considered immature, and honestly, it didn't make much sense. She knew the Elves thought ill of Faeries - she had known it her whole life, and all of a sudden it was a serious problem, and it hurt. Perhaps it was because she was slowly beginning to consider him a friend, and his apparent agreement with notion of childishness in most Faeries stung badly. Or maybe it was because he was involved with her best friend, as well, she thought pensively.
Nevada was so engrossed in her thoughts that she walked right past a few thyme bushes to her left. Stopping, she backtracked and stood in front of the bush with the clusters of small white flowers and bright green leaves. Frowning, she had to think about how much thyme Sam would want, then figured he would probably want quite a bit to store for later. Nevada swiftly cut a few bundles of the green leaves, and when she had a good handful, she put them down in the sack she carried on her back. Getting that one out of the way, Nevada lowered her arm and continued the search for parsley, which would be a bit harder to find because of the growing darkness and the difficulty of differentiating the shapes of the leaves.
It took the Faerie another five minutes or so to finally find the plant, and she soon had another large fistful of the rich green, clover-like speared leaves in her possession. She stood back up from her crouching position and began to make her way back towards camp, carefully retracing her steps and identifying trees she had previously passed to find her way back. It was easy going despite the growing dark of the evening, especially since they had started the fire already and she was able to easily spot it against the dark gray light around her.
Nevada stepped into camp and walked past Legolas and Aragorn to get to Sam, a few of them watching her as she did. She crouched down to be ye level with him, and he looked at her, slightly intimidated by her sudden presence.
She ignored it and pulled out the two different herbs." I gathered enough for you to use later on," she told him, and he held out his hands to take the abundance of herbs.
" This is plenty and then some," Sam said in obvious delight. He grinned somewhat shyly at her." Thank you, Miss Nevada."
She shrugged, giving him a slight smile." It was no problem." She moved to get up again, but Sam stopped her by saying her name.
The hobbit held out a few of the leaves of each herb in each hand." Would you please give these to Strider to use for the fish?"
Nevada blinked and slowly took the herbs from his hands." Sure."
" Thank you."
Nevada sighed to herself and walked up to Aragorn, who was busy jamming the fish on stick-made spits to roast over the fire. She handed him the herbs, and he took them with a questioning look in his eyes." The leaves on the left are thyme, the other ones are parsley," she told him blandly.
" I know, thank you," he told her. She moved to walk away, and he added in quickly," Nevada, may I speak with you?"
She closed her eyes, half confused by the irritation she felt and half just plain irritated. The Faerie turned back around and sat down next to Aragorn, who was silent for a moment as he crushed the leaves in his fingers and sprinkled them on the roasting fish." Something's the matter," he said quietly, so quietly that she had to lean in to hear him." And I am not so sure it's just Liana's absence."
Faced with his concern, Nevada found that she couldn't be angry with him, and instead pondered his words and quietly sorted through her own emotions." No, it isn't," she said slowly.
" But that is a large part."
She nodded." It's getting somewhat better, but I still feel her absence."
Aragorn agreed silently. As do we all, he thought." What did you and Legolas fight about?" he asked, changing the subject. He basically knew what it was from, for he knew that they overhead his conversation with Frodo and Sam, and truthfully, he felt partially responsible. He had noted how stiff Legolas's posture was as he carried on the duty of scouting the area and bringing back the firewood, and there was tension still in his shoulders, much as there was tension in Nevada's eyes and posture. He could have said something other than what he did, and if Aragorn had known it would cause this much turmoil, he would have said nothing upon the matter to Frodo and Sam.
She snorted softly, a brief look of disgust fleeting across her face." Don't get me started."
" Surely it wasn't that bad," Aragorn remarked, half watching the roasting fish and half watching her.
" That's part of the problem," she told him, and her voice was bitter and a little puzzled." It really wasn't. I have argued worse with people, yet I seem to have a lot of trouble letting go of this anger."
Aragorn pursed his lips. He had suspicions, but it was beginning to piece together what all of this was. Moods, lately, had not been the greatest between any of them, and little arguments broke out here and there, although never anything serious. He would not have been able to tell the difference between the arguments they had all had before Lothlorien and now if he hadn't been looking for them, but he was. The bickering now was just a little more heated, tempers a little more easily tested than usual, and he was beginning to understand why. Just as he was beginning to watch for the growing weariness in Frodo and watch their surroundings as they headed further south.
" Have you talked to Legolas since you fought?" Aragorn asked.
" No," Nevada said, her voice so sulky it made him smile." And I won't unless he comes to me first."
It was Aragorn's turn to snort. He shook his head as he removed the four fish on the stick and placed the smoking meat on one of the plates to cool. He grabbed four more fish from the string and proceeded to put each of them on the sizzling stick." Then you will be waiting for the better part of a century, Nevada. Both of you are as stubborn as they come."
" Don't compare me to him," Nevada said indignantly, and Aragorn suppressed another smile at her tone." I'm serious, Aragorn."
" I'll bet you are." She glared at him with narrowed eyes long enough for him to feel uncomfortable." Nevada, just speak with him. Resolve this, so the two of you are not bickering by the time we leave." His tone turned serious as his silver blue eyes met Nevada's purple ones." We cannot afford to have the two of you at odds, Nevada. Not at this point in our journey."
She pursed her lips and stared at him for a moment, the firelight playing on one side of his face and making his eyes appear more sky blue than silver. Suddenly unsettled, she nodded and stood up, slowly making her way over to the Elf.
Legolas's gaze swept over to Nevada, his expression never changing as he watched her steadily and in quote a brooding manner. She stopped in front of them, and they stared each other down for several minutes, until Gimli got tired of the apparent showdown.
" For goodness sake, just talk, will you?" he snapped.
" This is none of your business!" both Elf and Faerie retorted at the same time, both too exasperated with the Dwarf to notice.
" It became my business when I had to listen to the both of you argue without any chance of getting away from it," he shot back." Now settle this, or I will not get into that canoe with either of you tomorrow."
" More's the pity," Nevada's tone dripped with sarcasm.
" Enough out of you, blasted Faerie-"
" Gimli," Nevada snapped before Legolas could speak, then lowered her voice when she realized the others were looking on in worry. She leaned down to growl softly to the offending Dwarf." This is between Legolas and myself. Now *leave*, before I slice off your head, scoop out the insides, and *sell* it as a flower vase!"
Gimli stared at Nevada for a long while, half in bewilderment at the threat and half in anger. Finally he growled at her angrily and left, muttering Dwarvish curses under his breath as he went. Nevada straightened up and looked at Legolas, who was giving her much the same incredulous stare.
" Don't say anything," she warned.
The Elf shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the image he was getting from thinking about that being done. He found the mental images way too disturbing, and pushed it out of his head." I would rather leave that comment alone."
" Do that." They fell into silence once more, both trying to collect their thoughts on what to say. Nevada broke it with," That made me very angry."
Legolas raised an eyebrow." I cannot help what other Elves think -"
" I don't give a damn what other Elves think," she told him curtly.
" Obviously you do," he said just as briskly.
" No. It's..." Frustrated, Nevada tugged her fingers through her hair and stared at the ground as thought of how she wanted to make her point." You implied that you felt the same."
Legolas took a deep breath." I said that because you were making me just as angry."
" That doesn't give you the right to call me a child," Nevada said angrily.
" But you are allowed to?" The muscle in Legolas's jaw clenched as he grew more irate." Many things are said in a heated argument, and I seem to recall many an argument where you have done just that - said things when you are wroth with someone that you would not ordinarily say. Is that not what happened with you and Liana?"
Nevada inwardly blanched, and the look on her face made Legolas's anger deflate. They both fell into the silent misery that had enveloped them since her absence, until Legolas broke with a quiet," I am sorry."
" Don't be," she said." It's true."
" We should not be fighting about this," Legolas shook his head.
Nevada glanced up at him." But that was a pretty rotten thing to say. I wanted to punch you."
Legolas smiled, relieved that their previous tension seemed to have dissipated." I was feeling quite volatile myself, which struck me as unusual."
Her ears perked up, and she studied him." Almost as if we should not have been that angry at each other over something that wasn't meant to be a big deal."
He nodded slowly, gray blue eyes distant in thought." I have an idea of what could be the source of this."
" Besides being cramped up in a canoe for over eleven hours, living off of fish and lembas, and listening to the Dwarf complain all day?"
Legolas gave her a look, and she grinned." No, I was thinking of something more solid." Her smile faltered into confusion.
" Solid?"
The Elf's blonde head nodded in a direction behind her, and Nevada turned her head to look. He gestured toward Frodo, and for a moment, she didn't understand. It finally dawned on her, however, when she watched the hobbit reach out for a cooked fish on a plate. His necklace fell out of opening in his shirt, and the object that fell out flared gold against the fire.
" The Ring," she said in a low voice.
" Its presence is like a shadow of evil," Legolas told her in his calm, smooth voice, only it held a darker note to it." It corrupts the purest of minds, plays on fears and doubts..."
" It would have a blast with the feud between Elves and Faeries," she breathed, understanding blooming in her mind.
Legolas nodded, his face grim." As well as the one we share with the Dwarves. That is a sure reason why we seem so short-tempered of late...we have been in its presence for too long."
" But the hobbits don't seem affected at all," she mused.
The Elf shook his head." Not the other hobbits, no. They really have no doubts, no anger to feed upon - no desire for power and advancement."
" And we do?" Nevada turned back around to look at him with a raised eyebrow. The look on his face told her it was obvious, and she bit her lip in silent agreement. She knew he wasn't necessarily talking about absolute power, but the power to change things - to make them better and such. " I suppose you don't need to answer that."
" It does affect Frodo," he said quietly. The Elf had leaned his back against the trunk of a tree, and had his arms folded across his chest, quietly watching each member of the Fellowship as Nevada watched them and him." He is growing more weary each day."
" You can tell on his face," she commented. She felt a pang of sympathy for the shy, brave little hobbit." It's sad, really."
" But it must be done."
She nodded." This arguing...it won't get better."
" Maybe not, but now that we realize it's source..."
" We'll be on the lookout for it," Nevada confirmed. Legolas agreed. Her eyes darkened with conviction as she mulled over this new information, and when she spoke, her voice was fierce." I am not going to let a Ring dictate what I do, or how I act. "
" Then don't let it," Legolas replied. He stood up straight, and gestured toward the campfire." If we wait any longer, there will hardly be food left."
Nevada's face broke out into a grin." I'm sure they'll have left something. Maybe the heads and the tails."
Legolas made a noise of disgust, and Nevada laughed. As they walked back to the others, his voice could be heard in a questioning, disbelieving tone." Nevada...selling the insides of Gimli's head as a flower vase?"
Her jubilant laughter rang out in the night air.
*Please leave a review and let us know if you're still reading this!*
...Leave me be
I don't want to argue
I just get confused
And I come all undone
And if I agree
Well it's just to appease you
Cause I don't remember
What we're fighting for - 'Time' by Sarah McLachlan
Chapter 25
Legolas felt a brief moment of nostalgia as he looked back on the receding lights of Lothlorien. With his eyesight, he could still see the forms of many Elves leaving the shores of the river, and if he looked even harder he could see the lights of the large talans that made up the city of Lothlorien in the trees. The peacefulness that had took hold of him during his stay had been long replaced by sadness - ever since Liana left. It hurt to think about her, but he couldn't help but wonder where she was at that moment, or what she was doing. He prayed she would be safe, and then tried to push those thoughts out of his mind and concentrate on paddling the Elven boat.
Nevada was as quiet as the Elf, lost in thought as she stared down at the swiftly moving water beneath the boat. It was a bit murky, but she was able to see the outline of seaweed and watch the dark bodies of fish move quickly past. She didn't much like the rocking of the boat, but after a while it stopped bothering her so much and she was able to remotely enjoy the tranquility of the boat, at least while it lasted. Nevada eyed Gimli, who was in the front - he hadn't been speaking much since they took off, but she wasn't sure it would last very long. Him being quiet like this wasn't natural, and she was just waiting for him to decide to return back to his normal agenda of making her life a living hell.
The Dwarf remained quiet, however, for some time, and Nevada frowned. The silence had been peaceful before, but now it was just annoying. She stared at the Elf's back, and the smooth motion of his paddling, with both hands gripping the paddle. His eyes were nearly glazed over in thought. Fidgeting, Nev tapped her fingers along the side, then shifted in her seat to make herself comfortable. She shifted a few more times, then lifted her leg up and over the other, resting her boot on her knee and feeling those muscles stretched out. She watched the shoreline for a few minutes until all the trees started to blur together, and she shifted her position again.
" Nevada, do us a favor and find one position to sit in," Legolas abruptly said, his voice smooth with a faint hint of irritation.
She sighed and made a face at his back." Yes, captain." The Elf made a noise that could only be exasperation and turned his head slightly to look at her out of the corner of one blue eye. Nevada smirked, and he rolled his eyes and turned back to his paddling, muttering something under his breath in Elvish.
" What was that?" she asked sweetly.
" I said I cannot wait until it is your turn to paddle."
" So you can make faces at my back like I'm doing to you right now?"
Legolas turned his head around and stared at her smiling face ominously, then decided it wasn't worth it to spend the energy hitting her over the head with the paddle. With a much put upon sigh, he turned back around and continued paddling. Nev pursed her lips. That didn't go the way she wanted it to. She wanted some conversation, *anything* besides just sitting here and waiting for her legs to cramp up.
An idea popped up in Nevada's head not two minutes later, when she realized she had forgotten what the other two had received as gifts from Galadriel." What did you two get from Galadriel?" she asked them.
Legolas paused in his paddling, before gesturing at his back and lightly touching the bow on it." I received a Galadhrim bow."
Nevada took a closer look at the bow in discussion, and whistled appreciatively, running a hand along the runes and carvings on it." Very nice. They used good wood - it looks pretty strong." Legolas gave her an appreciative glance, and she smiled.
" What about you?" he asked her.
" A necklace." Nevada lifted the snowflake from her neck, and Legolas studied it with a slow smile.
" That is beautifully made," he said, and fingered it lightly. He glanced back up at her mischievously, and added," Try not to lose it, Nevada. It would be a terrible loss, losing such a pretty thing as this necklace. After all, since the Elves will be leaving soon, this Lothlorien wrought necklace could become worth more than everything you've ever owned."
" Shut *up*." Nevada had to laugh. Then she became serious, and glared at him." It's mine now, and if it's worth so much, I can just as easily sell it to the nearest filthy rich Man or Corsair." The disgust and horror in Legolas's gray-blue eyes made her laugh in delight." You know, the Corsairs would probably pay a pretty penny for this necklace - "
" If you are not wearing that snowflake when this is over, I will make you barter it back. I do not even care what it costs you."
She finished laughing at the seriousness of his tone, and slapped him on the shoulder." Relax, Legolas, I was kidding. This necklace is far too pretty, and it looks far too good on me to sell."
Legolas snorted, and a not-so-subtle nudge from her boot into the small of his back earned her a full blown Elven glare, complete with set jaw and flashing eyes, to which she responded with a guileless smile.
" Gimli, your turn," she called to the Dwarf, still in a staring match with the Elf. She made a face at him, and Legolas turned away to paddle, suppressing a small smile and a shake of his head.
The Dwarf sat quietly at the helm as if he did not hear her call, his back to them as he stared unseeing into the waters of the Anduin. One of his meaty hands rested on his silver helmet, and his dark red hair was allowed to roam free down his back. Legolas looked at Gimli thoughtfully, and Nevada tilted her head to the side and stared at him.
She was about to open her mouth to speak again, when Gimli's low voice could be heard, rough with emotion." I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest." Nevada's brow furrowed as she tried to figure out what he could be talking about, but decided to stay silent as he continued." Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." Understanding bloomed in her eyes, and she looked over at Legolas.
He was looking at the Dwarf with a moer gentle expression." What was her gift?"
Gimli was silent for a long moment, than spoke again, emotion clear in his eyes." I asked her for one hair from her golden head...She gave me three."
Legolas smiled softly down at Gimli, and Nevada was inexplicably touched. It never occurred to her that the Dwarf could feel that way about an Elf, but...she glanced briefly at Legolas's face. She supposed nothing was impossible. Deciding to leave well enough alone, Nev gave a brief smile to Gimli when he turned his head, his eyes misted with his speech.
" Where are you keeping them?" Legolas asked, his voice kind.
Gimli cleared his throat, and looked down as he patted the side pocket of one of the packs." I figured it would be safer in one of these."
" Probably," Nevada agreed. She realized with a mixture of interest and horror that they were all actually having a normal, friendly conversation. Well, she thought to herself, it could be worse. It might not be too bad to share a boat with the Elf and Dwarf.
Lost in thought, she brought her leg down from its resting spot on her other leg, and her knee cracked into the side of the boat with the swift motion. Nevada let out a vivid curse and covered her knee with her hands, hissing with the pain." Damn you people, why do you make your boats so *small*?!"
Legolas couldn't resist a smirk." Do not blame my people for your lack of grace."
" Be quiet, you annoying blonde monkey!" Nevada said through gritted teeth. The sharp pain dulled to a throb, and she carefully let her leg rest on the bottom of the boat again.
Legolas paused in mid-paddle, and slanted a glance behind him at her face." Did you just call me a 'blond monkey'?" Nevada nodded, and Legolas let out a bark of laughter, much to her dismay.
" You were supposed to get mad and go into a pout like you usually do," Nevada muttered.
He raised an eyebrow." A pout?"
" Yes, parrot."
The Elf decided to ignore her last comment." I do not pout. In fact, if anyone around here pouts, it would be a certain Faerie sitting right behind me."
" I do *not* pout!" Nevada nearly shouted indignantly.
Legolas gave her a cool, measured look." Now who is the parrot?"
" Give me your paddle."
" No."
" Give - "
" Nevada and Legolas, we can all hear you loud and clear," Aragorn called from his boat only twelve feet away." Continue your argument in quieter tones so we can all get some peace and quiet."
The Elf and Faerie stopped their bickering; the former continued paddling, and the latter sulked. She hated it when he got after her like that. Giving a mental sigh, Nevada propped an elbow along the edge of the boat and rested her chin on her palm. She stared at the rippling waters for long minutes, unable to think of anything else to do but curse her bad luck, want to hit Aragorn and Legolas, and miss Liana and Gandalf. She stared at her wavering reflection for a bit, then reached down and trailed her fingers along the water, feeling the cold against her fingertips.
When there was a soft splash somewhere nearby, she involuntarily jerked her fingers out of the water and looked up. The Faerie's dark head looked around and surveyed the water warily. She was unable to find any sign of a splash, then shrugged and figured it was just a good sized fish. The same splash came again not a minute later, only louder this time and to her right, behind the boat. Nevada turned slightly and looked behind the boat, her eyes searching from bank to bank of the river.
She waited for long seconds, keeping absolutely quiet to see if her ears picked it up again, and it came, only it was followed by another sound. Something was *swimming* a few yards from the boat. Nevada hadn't been swimming in a while, but she knew what a fish sounded like when it swam, and when something with legs swam. This was definitely not a fish - the soft, telltale swish of water being pushed back by little feet and hands told her as much. Crocodiles did not live in this part of Middle Earth, and it was too large to be a frog or lizard, so she really could not tell what it was.
Nevada watched carefully for the maker of the sound, holding her breath as she studied the water closely. She still could not find the source of the noise, and it annoyed her to no end. She sat upright, and felt her back brush up against Legolas's. Nevada stiffened, and looked over at him. He had stopped paddling, and she realized he must have for some time, for she hadn't heard the noise when she'd been listening for the splashing. Perhaps he heard it, too...
" Legolas," she started quietly, and he held up a hand for silence. He nodded and met her eyes, telling her silently that he heard it, too. Relieved, Nevada relaxed slightly, but still kept looking with him. They were silent and quiet for long minutes, studying the water and letting the boat glide along with the others, maneuvered by Legolas's brief, smooth strokes.
The Elf's ears pricked again, and he turned his head from where he had been looking. He nearly dismissed the area he was drawn too, but movement in the corner of his right eye caught his attention. Legolas stared hard at the spot for a while, then it moved again - a ripple against the current, and the occasional, swift appearance of the top of what he assumed was a head. The Elf recognized the feeling he had about this creature, knew he had seen him before. It was disconcerting to know that the creature had waited for them while they were in Lothlorien to follow further.
Legolas reached over and touched Nevada's shoulder, then grasped her chin lightly and turned her head in the right direction. Her brows furrowed as she stared at the area for a bit, then amazement brightened her eyes, and her gaze turned curious and fascinated.
" What is it?" she whispered.
" What do you think?" Legolas asked just as quietly, and continued to paddle and keep a watchful eye on the bubbling surface yards behind them and to their right." What could have followed us this far, and what could it want? Think back to Moria, Nevada."
She paused and dwelled on his words, and it came to her in a flash of Gandalf's words and the gleam of too-large eyes in the distance of the mines." Gollum," she said with surprise.
Legolas nodded wordlessly.
" How could that little imp keep track of us for this long?" Nev asked, almost to herself.
" Because he needs the Ring," he told her softly." So badly, I have no doubt he would follow Frodo back into Mordor to get it."
Nevada suppressed a shudder at the mention of their destination, and watched the ripples with a more morbid interest." Do you think he'll be a problem?"
Legolas pursed his lips in thought, his gaze out into the trees and water as he paddled." I do not know. We shall see."
The small rippling mass of water yards briefly broke with a peek of a head and large, blinking eyes, solemnly studying the boats before submerging under again with a brief intake of air, thin arms and legs flailing against the current and pushing water like a fish.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
" Merry, I can see fish!" Pippin exclaimed excitedly. The little hobbit leaned precariously over the side of the boat and stared at the small, sleek streamlined bodies keeping pace with the boat in awe." They're moving so fast!"
" Easy, Pippin," Boromir chided, nudging the hobbit's back lightly with a foot. His arms were occupied with the small paddle, and he pulled it forward and back on the right side of the boat to keep up their pace with the other canoes. The Lorien paddle cut into the water smoothly, and scared away some of the fish, but the majority of them stayed.
" I'm fine," Pippin reassured him, glancing briefly at the man before turning back to the fish." Oh Merry, look, they're jumping!"
The older cousin peered over and watched a few of the fish, perch, he believed, jump out of the water and land in it again with small splashes." There certainly is a lot of them," Merry agreed, and couldn't help but smile at Pippin's delight. His cousin's happiness was so infectious.
Pippin's green eyes grew wide as he contemplated an idea." Maybe we could catch some!" He turned to Merry and clasped his arm, eyes bright with enthusiasm." Could we? We could keep 'em in the boat until we reach shore for the night, than cook them!"
Merry's eyes turned thoughtful, and then he turned to Boromir." Pippin's got a good idea. Can we catch a few fish for dinner? There are plenty swimming along the boat that we could catch."
Satisfied that the current was carrying them swiftly enough to keep pace with the others, Boromir put the paddle down with a grunt and stretched his aching arm muscles. He stared at the two young hobbits for a moment, and decided that they looked excited enough to where he couldn't let them down." All right," he nodded. Pippin cheered, and Boromir smiled tolerantly." Grab two nets from that pack on the left there, and have at it." The hobbits turned to the supplies, and Merry found it first since he was sitting closer. He pulled out two good sized nets, and handed one of them to Pippin while he kept the other.
Pippin fairly bounced as he scooted to the edge of the boat, and Merry scolded him," Pip, you have to be careful. We are in a small boat."
" Oh, quit fussing Merry," Pippin told him brightly. Boromir's eyes lit with amusement as Merry sent his cousin a glare, then returned to staring down into the water. The hobbits were a handful, but they were in fact pleasant company when they were not all together in one place. Since they had begun traveling three days before, they had chatted to each other and sometimes to Boromir, and once tried to shout over to Frodo and Sam before himself and Aragorn silenced them. They were allowed to talk, but shouting would do nothing but harm their position on the river. The man enjoyed listening to their idle chatter and small voices, but it also took his mind off of other matters. Glancing at Aragorn every so often, Boromir couldn't help but feel a little resentment, even though it had been about a week since the scene with Nevada. He knew now in his heart that Nevada would never change her opinion of him, and he could only make the best of it by being her friend. It had still been a bitter pill to swallow, however, and he was only just now coming to terms with all that had happened. Aragorn, however, he still held some vexatious feelings for. Although he knew he had been in the wrong, Boromir did not take kindly to being threatened by the ranger, and his fierce protectiveness of Nevada was unfounded and made him question Aragorn's intentions towards her. Were they like his own previous ones? Or was it merely concern over the last female member of the fellowship? The man watched Aragorn's profile while he thought, noting his silence while Frodo and Sam spoke to one another, and the stern set of the man's jaw. What made him so special? a voice whispered to him. How was this one man supposed to be the savior of his people? Boromir felt his hand tighten briefly on the paddle's handle. Why couldn't he and his family, stewards of Gondor, not save it themselves? Were they not strong enough?
Yet this man is, Boromir pondered, feeling a mix of confusion and growing resentment. This ranger can walk into his country and make things right, as he is trying to do with the fellowship even now. He has taken it upon himself to be Nevada's protector, as well as Frodo's, he thought. Protector from who? It could not just be Orcs, and other enemies of Mordor. Was it from within? Perhaps, himself? Boromir's back stiffened at the realization. He could...understand where the man would get his assumptions, from the few poor choices and words said in the past, but Boromir knew that he was an honorable man, and would do nothing to either of them. Aragorn had no reason to doubt him, and it was insulting to think that he did. He did not need to prove himself to this ranger, for he knew his own strengths well, and did not need the approval of an exiled man.
A loud splash broke Boromir's thoughts, and he shook himself out of his reverie and looked over sharply towards the hobbits to see if they were all right. Pippin was leaned over, the sleeve of his shirt completely soaked, and he looked sheepishly up at Boromir.
" I thought I had a good grip on the fish," he said with some embarrassment. Boromir could not help but shake his head and laugh softly at the hobbit, who flushed even more.
" Did you use the net?" Boromir asked him when he was finished chuckling.
" Of course not," Merry replied, his head over the side and peering down into the water, hands still holding either side of the net." Pip thought he could get the fish with his bare hands."
" It can be done," Boromir saved Pippin further embarrassment, and the hobbit brightened slightly." You have to be more patient, however. We've not much time for that today though, Pippin, so why don't you just try using the nets for now?" The hobbit nodded and brought up his own net to use, eyes holding the promise of being taught to catch fish with his hands for the next day. Boromir promised himself that he would remember to teach Pippin tomorrow.
Merry watched the waters carefully, waiting for the fish to get closer before plunging in his net. When he spotted a large group coming near the surface, their dark bodies wiggling their way up, he slowly submerged his hands and lower arms into the chilly water. Goosebumps trailed up his arms as he sunk them lower with the net. Merry waited a bit longer, and at the right moment, for he had done this before many times at the river near his home in the Shire, he jerked the net down and managed to snare three fish into the tangly net with the motion. Anxious to keep them there, he tugged on the net and closed the top together in his fist so they couldn't escape, and proceeded to pull them up.
" Merry!" Pippin gaped." You caught one!"
" I caught three," Merry corrected him proudly, and pulled up his catches into the boat, causing water to drip all of his clothes and the inside of the boat, which was already damp from water getting in earlier.
Boromir smiled, pulling the paddle to him as he noticed them getting a little behind from the other two boats." Excellent, Merry. Keep up the good work - you, too, Pippin, and we shall not have to hunt for dinner tonight." Pippin whooped while Merry shook the fish out of the net and tossed them into an empty extra sack they had been given. Once he tied the top so they wouldn't escape, he turned and around and prepared to catch more, face flushed with the thrill of fishing - something he hadn't done in many months. Seeing Pippin so happy and even Boromir smiling, Merry couldn't help but be happy, as well. Being with Pippin and having fun brought back fond memories.
Nev scowled in the direction of the laughter from yards away on the left side of the river, but only had a moment to watch and ponder what they were doing before her left hand nearly slipped from the paddle. Cursing inwardly, she firmly grasped it and continued pulling the paddle forward and back on her left side in what she hoped was a smooth movement. It wasn't as if she had done this sort of thing before.
" Having fun, lass?"
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to ten mentally." Loads of it, Gimli."
The Dwarf's smile was smug as he watched the little slip of a Faerie negotiate the paddle for an Elven canoe. The position of her wrists looked awkward, but then again, he honestly didn't know much about the boating business, either. Apparently she didn't, and it was great amusement for him to observe." Remember, Nevada," he said to her from his corner of the boat," use those arm muscles."
The paddle cracked against the side of the boat, and Legolas looked over sharply at Nevada. She had tried counting again, and it just didn't work." Do you want this oar stuck up your-" she started fiercely, but Legolas cut her off.
" Pay him no attention," Legolas leveled Gimli a look, who reluctantly shut up and turned his attention to the water." You only have another two hours, Nevada, and then I will paddle the rest of the way."
Nevada breathed out through her nose and stared menacingly at the Dwarf as she kept paddling." Two hours, Gimli," she said sweetly." And my hands are free."
Gimli snorted." What are you going to do, toss me overboard?"
Her eyes flashed." *Remember*, Gimli, I am holding a heavy paddle for the next two hours. Anymore comments from you, and-"
" Nevada," Legolas stressed, his voice more exasperated than she had heard in hours.
She rolled her eyes at his tone, still miffed at the smug look on the Dwarf's red bearded face. She wanted to wipe it off. Another whoop of laughter came from the other boat, and a splash, and her grip tightened on the paddle. She ignored it for a little bit, than one of the hobbits, she thought it was Merry, shouted.
" What in the hell are they doing over there?!" Nevada snapped." Playing hide and seek with the fish?"
Legolas raised an eyebrow." If that is what you want to call fishing, then yes."
She sighed and gave an exasperated look back to the Elf before growling in the general direction of Boromir's boat. When Legolas only shook his head at her, Nevada let it go with a whoosh of a breath and continued paddling. The muscles in her shoulders were beginning to burn, and it irked her that she couldn't do this without having muscle pains. There were muscles hurting that she hadn't felt pain in for centuries, and that alarmed her. Had she gone soft or something?
Or maybe it's because she'd never actually paddled before - she'd never had to. Sure, there were rivers in Deimos, even canoes, and she had been on them, but she never had to use them as sole methods of transportation. Nevada grunted as she felt resistance in the paddle, then viciously pulled and it came free and continued to run smoothly again. She would hate to, anyhow - too many worried with the large fish that lived in there, not to mention the vast amounts of seaweeds that sometimes floated to the surface in clumps that got caught on the boats and slowed them down. Not practical, Nevada thought. Plus, the rivers there weren't as swift as the Anduin - currently they were, she had to admit, making good speed. Nevada felt discomfort in her right wrist, and frowned down at it as it moved. She was holding this thing right, wasn't she?
Legolas watched her with faint amusement, and decided to make her miserable time a little easier. He moved himself forward and reached out with a hand to grab hers. She stopped momentarily and stared at him quizzically." What?"
" Move your hand a little more downwards, and rotate your wrist so it's in an easier position," he told her, quietly enough so Gimli didn't hear him, who was rummaging through a pack. She watched as he moved her wrist in a more comfortable position, and when she moved her arm again, she found it a relief from the previous position. Pausing for a moment, Nev looked over at his solemn form and said," Thank you."
He nodded to her." You're welcome." Legolas then proceeded to make himself comfortable, bringing up his knee and resting an elbow on it as he surveyed the trees on the opposite bank quietly. While she paddled Nevada watched him, her face pulled into a slight frown of thought. For the past week he had withdrawn, each day getting worse than the last. He had spent some time with Gimli, surprisingly, when they were in Lothlorien, but now that they had been in the boats for three days, she noticed the change in him keenly. Outwardly, he was just as polite as before, just as kind when he felt like reaching out - but it was different. He had reverted back to the way he was when the journey had first started - distant, detached, polite, and emotionless. In all honesty, it worried her, and she didn't like seeing him like that after she knew what he was like when the layers of royal breeding and Elven mannerisms were peeled away. When all that was gone, she saw what Liana saw and fell in love with - a compassionate, charming male with a dry sense of humor she could appreciate.
Nevada knew why his eyes were glazed with faraway thoughts, and why he only saw fit to speak when spoken to anymore - it was the same reason Nevada's irritation level had skyrocketed, and she couldn't seem to tolerate Gimli any farther than throwing him off the boat. Liana's departure. They both missed her badly, and it seemed to be doing as much damage to Legolas as it was doing to her heart. She knew she would eventually have to lay her fears to rest about Liana's well being, and with time she would, but she didn't know about Legolas. Now that she thought about it, Nevada felt bad for him. He really loved her friend, and she couldn't help but be sympathetic to how he must be feeling. They just got their feelings out, and Liana had to leave. I am so glad I don't have to worry about that, Nev thought to herself. But that does explain his withdrawal, even though it still bothered her to see him so...quiet.
Nevada sighed to herself. She wasn't going to be able to handle this damn trip if he didn't at least talk. She refused to make conversation with the Dwarf." Enjoying the scenery, blondie?" she drawled, and noted with satisfaction the stiffening of his spine.
The Elf's jaw tightened at the irate nickname, and he turned his head and pinned her with bright gray-blue eyes." Was there something you needed, Nevada?"
She shook her head and smiled, continuing to paddle, but more enthusiastically. Finally, some emotion out of this Elf." Not at all."
He watched her suspiciously for another moment, to which she smiled blankly back. Then he shook his head at her and looked back to the nearby forest drifting by as they traveled down the current with the other two boats.
" You can watch it all you like, but it doesn't matter anyhow. If you saw anything, you wouldn't be able to do a damn thing about it."
His fingers tightened nearly imperceptibly on the rim of the boat, but she saw it and gloated to herself. Before Legolas could respond, however, a smell came wafting through the air, and Nevada made the mistake of inhaling it as she took a breath in. Starting to cough, Nevada had to stop paddling and throw it down in the canoe, and then proceeded to hack in an effort to expel the terrible stench from her lungs. She missed the faint gleam of satisfaction in Legolas's eyes, as well as the same disgust for the smell, while she had her head bent down.
Nevada's eyes started to water as it grew strong, and once she had her voice back, she grounded out," What the hell is that smell?"
When she looked up to find the source, she found it sitting three feet away from her. The Dwarf watched her through a ring of smoke from his long pipe, which he held in his fingers up to his lips. The foul smell was coming from inside the pipe, and the smoke that was drifting out of it.
" Pipe weed, I take it," Nevada deadpanned.
Gimli nodded slowly." Finest grown on Middle Earth."
" Throw it out."
" Not on your life."
" Do it, or I'll throw it out of the boat with you with it."
Gimli leaned forward." I'd like to see you try," he curled his lip at her.
Nevada lunged forward suddenly, and Legolas caught her arms before she could get any further than a foot from Gimli's face. He bodily dragged her back, and the boat moved precariously back and forth under the movement. Legolas and Nevada sat still as it calmed down, his hands still latched on her arms and her still in an awkward leaning back position that he pulled her away from Gimli into. They watched water slosh into the boat from the sides, eyes wide at the rocking motion their squabble created, and Gimli stayed perched in his spot away from Nevada, eyes even wider in astonishment.
" That," Legolas breathed in relief as the rocking motions slowed," was very foolish."
" It stinks," Nevada gritted out.
" I know," he answered back just as tersely." Let him smoke, it will keep him quiet. And if he smokes it enough, he will run out faster."
Nevada's eyes narrowed in contemplation, and Legolas immediately guessed what she was thinking." If you do not want his axe buried in your head," he whispered in her ear," then you will not do what I know you are thinking of."
Nevada pursed her lips, the nodded. Legolas sighed and let go of Nevada's arms after a brief squeeze, which surprised her. Maybe a thank you for not making the situation more difficult? She shrugged to herself, then settled for a glare in Gimli's direction.
He pointed the pipe at her and narrowed his own eyes." Just stay away from me, Faerie," he told her, his accent thick with annoyance." And we'll all be fine. Another lunge like that, and I'll take you off the boat with me."
The said Faerie grabbed her paddle angrily and proceeded to mutter about Gimli in her own language, inventing creative words to use to describe him and becoming thankful that no one in any of the boats could understand what she was saying.
" Those three shouldn't have been put in a boat together," Sam mumbled to himself as he surveyed the scuffle safely from his boat with Frodo and Aragorn. His hands were folded under his chin as he watched, but when it was over he turned away from the water. He couldn't look at it for very long without getting incredibly nauseous. Gamgees were never swimmers, Sam told himself firmly, and didn't belong anywhere near the water. No sane hobbit did, which proved why Merry and Pippin were so insane. The fact that Sam himself was the one hobbit there who couldn't swim weighed heavily on his mind, as well, and each time the boat lurched, he held on for dear life and prayed Aragorn knew what he was doing with that paddle.
" No other choice, Sam," Aragorn told him cheerfully, still paddling away." It was either those three share a boat, or you and Frodo be put in with Nevada or Gimli."
Sam shook his head vehemently." No, no, they're fine right where they are."
Frodo chuckled at the brief moment of panic in Sam's eyes, and the sturdy hobbit smiled at Frodo uneasily. Poor Sam, thought Frodo. He's having a time of it in this boat." How long will we be on the river?" he asked Aragorn.
The man glanced at Frodo briefly before turning his gaze back to the shore." I would tell you, Frodo, but I don't wish to see Sam's face to turn any greener."
Frodo laughed, and Aragorn grinned broadly. He clapped Sam on the back good-naturedly, and the hobbit lurched forward and grabbed on to the sides of the boat to keep from going anywhere.
" Relax, Sam," Frodo told him, bemused." Aragorn has everything under control."
" Sure, and I'll bet he has control over the water, too," Sam replied, clearly unconvinced." I'll say it doesn't matter how well Strider can maneuver the boat if the water's not willin' to cooperate."
" That is true, Sam," Aragorn agreed lightly." However, I would not let anything happen to you, or Frodo. You have nothing to worry about, Samwise." The gardener continued to mumble under his breath, and his white-knuckled grip on the side of the canoe never lessened.
Seeking to ease his friend, and feeling guilty about his discomfort, Frodo looked towards Aragorn again." If my sense of direction is not completely off, I believe we're close to Mirkwood, where Legolas is from."
Aragorn nodded sagely, keeping a steady rhythm with the paddle on the left side of the boat." We are indeed. Another mile or so, and we should have a better view of the trees there."
Sam's ears perked with interest, and he slanted a glance in Aragorn's direction." Is that the only reason they're called Wood-Elves?"
" For the most part," Aragorn agreed." It was Legolas's grandfather, Orophin, that decided to settle them there. Why is an entirely different story."
The hobbit's curiosity was piqued now. He turned towards the ranger, questions of all sorts beginning to form in his mind." Legolas is certainly high up there, but why doesn't he say so? He never says anything about being a prince."
Frodo's bright eyes looked to Aragorn, as well, and the ranger smiled." I suppose it's a preference of choice. Perhaps he doesn't like being known as prince."
" Liana held that title, though," Frodo pointed out," and she didn't seem to particularly enjoy it, either."
Aragorn laughed." Well, there is a difference there. Liana is the sole leader of her country, whereas Legolas's father, King Thranduil, is the leader in Mirkwood. Liana needs the title to represent her country, and Legolas probably figures that his title isn't needed outside of his home - just his father's."
" That makes sense," Frodo replied. He paused thoughtfully for a moment, then asked," Wasn't Mirkwood called something else at one point in time?"
Aragorn looked vaguely surprised." You certainly do your research, Frodo. Yes, it was - many years ago, it was Greenwood the Great."
" Why did it change?" Sam asked.
" The Shadow, wasn't it?" Frodo glanced at the Man, who nodded in confirmation." They're closer to Mordor, so they probably felt the affects of it."
" Southern Mirkwood, mostly," Aragorn replied," but they all felt it. Orcs, spiders -"
" Spiders," Sam exclaimed." Surely the little things can't be that much trouble."
Aragorn laughed, but his eyes were grim." The spiders found in Mirkwood and elsewhere are far from the little ones you're used to seeing in the gardens of the Shire, Samwise. These spiders live in the trees and build large nests and webs for their pray, which are usually Men, Elves and Orcs alike. Most are larger than two full grown men, and their poison is enough to make the body go numb."
Sam shuddered, and Frodo felt sick to his stomach from the knot of disgust and fear. He could only imagine what the monsters looked like in real life, and he decided that he never wanted to find out." Will we ever meet one on our journey?" he asked quietly.
Aragorn pursed his lips, and was quiet for a good minute while he paddled." I pray we do not," he finally said," but even I do not know what sort of creatures we are intended to meet on this journey."
" Great," Sam muttered." Not only do we have to deal with Orcs and Wraiths, but we've got giant spiders along the way."
" We might not," Frodo told him halfheartedly." And besides, Sam - Legolas has lived in Mirkwood his whole life. I'm sure he knows how to deal with them."
The ranger glanced over in the Elf's direction. He was yards away from them, but he saw the Elf's head turn slightly, his blue-gray gaze slightly amused as he looked at them. Aragorn grinned, now sure that the Elf had heard nearly every word of the conversation." Yes, Legolas has a lot of experience with spiders."
" I'll say, with the way he fights," Sam put in." Although, I'll never understand how the Elves and Faeries can look so young and be so old. I can only imagine how old Legolas is." The Elf in question now had one cool, discerning eye permanently on their boat, and Aragorn couldn't help but chuckle.
" Perhaps you can ask him sometime how old he is." In the other boat, Legolas raised an eyebrow, and Aragorn winked.
Sam shifted uncomfortably at the thought of looking up at the tall, warrior Elf and feeling his piercing gaze on him as he asked him his age. He didn't think he could go through with it." Yes, well...it's not really important, anyhow."
Frodo looked over at his friend, eyes amused and a smile tugging on his lips." Sam...don't tell me you're afraid to ask Legolas."
The hobbit flushed and glared at his companion." I am not afraid, Mr. Frodo, I just don't think it would be proper askin' him his age, or even Miss Nevada's, for that matter." Aragorn caught Legolas nudge Nevada a little, and soon both were listening with rapt attention, much to the Human's amusement.
" Well, it's a lot easier to figure out how old she is," Frodo began, then shifted to sit more comfortably." Liana and her told me that for every one hundred years, they age one year physically. Miss Nevada looks like she's around twenty, so that makes her around two thousand years old. I'm probably off a little," he admitted," but I'm assuming that's around her age."
Aragorn looked at the hobbit, pleased that Frodo was taking an active part in the conversation and that his mind was off any darker thoughts." You're in the right area, very good," he told him." Like you said, it is easier to figure their age than an Elf's. Elves are considered young adults at the age of fifty. Perhaps that is why Elves tend to look at Faeries as less mature than they." The Man watched Nevada mouth 'what?!' to Legolas, who began to defend his people to her, which quickly escalated into an argument between the two, which led to Gimli's voice cutting through the air in a sharp bark of rebuke.
Sam and Frodo ceased their conversation and looked over to their boat, puzzled." What is their problem?" Frodo asked.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
" Nevada, do you need help getting out of the boat?" Legolas asked coolly.
" No," she snapped moodily. Legolas's eyes narrowed at her back, and the two lapsed into their previous tension-filled silence. The Elf maneuvered the boat closer to the shore, and once he felt the canoe's bottom scrape against sand, he stood up and exited quickly. The water came up to the middle of his boots, but he paid it to heed as he manually pulled the boat closer to the shore and beached it enough to stay there.
The Faerie stood up noiselessly and grabbed a few packs before exiting. The Elf and Faerie wouldn't look at each other as the former made her way to shore and the latter helped Gimli out.
" I don't know which is worse," Gimli muttered." The two of you bickering to no end, or plotting heinous acts of revenge behind each other's backs."
" I would not go as far as heinous," Legolas said smoothly, his eyes flickering with vague irritation as he stared briefly at Nevada's back." However, I do not know what goes on in her head."
Gimli was spared from commenting as sloshing water to their right alerted them of the arrival of Boromir, Merry and Pippin. The hobbits were chatting away happily, and each held a string of gray fish in their hands.
" I take it fishing was successful," Gimli called out gruffly, his dark brown eyes observing the nine fish from Merry and seven from Pippin with pleasure. Couple that with a few rabbits they could hunt, and they would be eating quite well tonight.
" It was great," Merry gushed, blue eyes sparkling with good humor." I've never seen so many fish just jumping around like that."
" It made it a lot easier to catch them," Pippin put in, careful not to let his string of fish touch the ground." But I almost fell in a couple of times."
" He insisted on chasing after the fish once they were out of his grasp," Boromir said dryly, but softened the comment with a smile. Aragorn came up to them, Frodo and Sam in tow, and grinned down at Merry and Pippin.
" Well, we know who we owe our dinner to tonight. Excellent work, gentlemen," he said, and Merry and Pippin flushed under the praise." Legolas, check the area to see if it's clear, and Gimli, go with him - while you're out, gather wood for a fire. Boromir, could you retrieve our sleeping rolls from the canoes?" The man nodded and moved behind him as Gimli followed Legolas into the woods. Aragorn turned his attention back to Merry and Pippin, who stood looking a bit uncomfortable for something to do. He smiled to put them at their ease." Why don't we clean these fish, and then I will help you cook them."
Pippin frowned slightly." Wouldn't Sam want to do that?"
" I think we'll give Sam a break for tonight," replied Aragorn. He relieved the two hobbits of their catches, and they followed him to the center of the small clearing, where Sam and Frodo were clearing out a spot for the fire." Sam: Merry, Pippin, and I will do the cooking tonight. Give yourself a rest." Sam looked confused briefly, than nodded uncertainly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be relieved of such a task. The hobbit was so used to the way he himself cooked, that he wasn't certain whether he trusted the three enough to cook a decent meal for lack of doing it lately. Strider's been living in the wild for years, the gardener told himself, his cooking skills should be just fine.
Frodo watched the various emotions of doubt cross Sam's face with a small smile. Whatever Sam was thinking, it was always easy to read it on his face, like an open book. Deciding to speak, Frodo told him," Aragorn knows what he's doing, Sam. He'll be able to steer Merry and Pippin in the right direction."
Sam blushed a little and smiled demurely." I figured as much. I'm just a little worried whether or not the fish will be enough for all nine of us."
The dark haired hobbit contemplated this for a moment." I think it should be. We still have supplies from Lothlorien, and the lembas bread."
" That's true," Sam admitted. Boromir walked up from behind them, startling the hobbit momentarily when he set down the bedrolls and packs. Sam shrugged it off and turned his attention to Aragorn, Merry and Pippin. They were going through the unpleasant task of cleaning fish. A thought occurred to Sam as he stared at the gray bodies, and he turned to the packs on the ground where Boromir had left them. He found his, and began to search through it for some herbs. Frowning, he couldn't find the two he was looking for, and decided that he must have ran out.
" Strider," he called out.
Aragorn looked up from his task at the hobbit." Yes?"
" Do thyme and parsley grow in this forest?"
The ranger's brow furrowed in thought briefly, then cleared." I believe they do. Is this for the fish?"
Sam nodded." I seem to have run out, and it would give the fish a nice flavor."
" I'll go fetch it," a voice cut in. Sam and Aragorn both looked over to where Nevada sat, who had paused from sifting through her pack and bedroll to listen to their conversation.
Aragorn had to blink at her offer." I can just as send one of the hobbit's-"
" I can do it, Aragorn," Nevada cut him off, aggravated at the surprised look on his face.
" Do you-" Sam hesitated when her violet gaze settled on him." Do you know what they look like?"
She nodded and stood up, pulling out a small knife from inside of her boot." I'll be back in ten or fifteen minutes." She swiftly walked away from the camp, dark hair flying behind her and leaving her companions in stunned silence.
" That was...nice of her," Sam said almost uncertainly. The Faerie had been in a fairly dark mood since Liana left, and this was the first time in days she went out of her way to do something for one of them. Not that she never did, Sam thought, feeling slightly guilty for thinking ill of her, it was just that she hadn't done so recently.
" That and she probably figured she could get it done faster, anyhow," Pippin pointed out.
" Nonsense," Merry disagreed." Sam's a gardener, for crying out loud. He'd be able to spot them a mile away." Said hobbit began to turn various shades of red." But it was a nice gesture. She's been in a mood as of late."
Similar thoughts ran through Aragorn's head, and he watched her silent, retreating form through the trees, silver blue eyes thoughtful. Perhaps she was turning around and slowly getting over the absence of Liana, as they all were. This was certainly a positive sign, although her and Legolas have another new rift between them. Aragorn smiled wryly, and shook his head. One of these days they would see that they fought so much because they were so similar.
Nevada's boots made hardly a sound on the forest floor as she walked around trees and bushes to find what she was looking for. Any excuse to be able to walk around after sitting in that canoe for hours on end with the two most irritating people she had ever met. It was such a relief to be out of those boats for another night, and the forest smelled quite good.
She scowled when she thought of the Elf and Dwarf. She would really rather shoot herself in the foot with an arrow than get back in the boat with them, but she knew it was unavoidable, and she might as well deal with it. Her argument with Legolas surfaced again, and her face darkened even more.
" Immature," she growled softly to herself." Childish." Her blood boiled once again at the new piece of information she overhead Aragorn tell Frodo and Sam - that Elves thought Faeries were immature. When Legolas grudgingly agreed that that was a true feeling among the Elves, it grated so much that she saw red. She was certain that she had made him mad enough to where he began to point out what traits Faeries possessed (more like what traits *she* possessed) that made Faeries childish, and even before he was finished she was ready to smack him with the paddle. Numerous times.
It was almost frightening at how much she had wanted to hurt him for the degrading realization of being 2,000 and being considered immature, and honestly, it didn't make much sense. She knew the Elves thought ill of Faeries - she had known it her whole life, and all of a sudden it was a serious problem, and it hurt. Perhaps it was because she was slowly beginning to consider him a friend, and his apparent agreement with notion of childishness in most Faeries stung badly. Or maybe it was because he was involved with her best friend, as well, she thought pensively.
Nevada was so engrossed in her thoughts that she walked right past a few thyme bushes to her left. Stopping, she backtracked and stood in front of the bush with the clusters of small white flowers and bright green leaves. Frowning, she had to think about how much thyme Sam would want, then figured he would probably want quite a bit to store for later. Nevada swiftly cut a few bundles of the green leaves, and when she had a good handful, she put them down in the sack she carried on her back. Getting that one out of the way, Nevada lowered her arm and continued the search for parsley, which would be a bit harder to find because of the growing darkness and the difficulty of differentiating the shapes of the leaves.
It took the Faerie another five minutes or so to finally find the plant, and she soon had another large fistful of the rich green, clover-like speared leaves in her possession. She stood back up from her crouching position and began to make her way back towards camp, carefully retracing her steps and identifying trees she had previously passed to find her way back. It was easy going despite the growing dark of the evening, especially since they had started the fire already and she was able to easily spot it against the dark gray light around her.
Nevada stepped into camp and walked past Legolas and Aragorn to get to Sam, a few of them watching her as she did. She crouched down to be ye level with him, and he looked at her, slightly intimidated by her sudden presence.
She ignored it and pulled out the two different herbs." I gathered enough for you to use later on," she told him, and he held out his hands to take the abundance of herbs.
" This is plenty and then some," Sam said in obvious delight. He grinned somewhat shyly at her." Thank you, Miss Nevada."
She shrugged, giving him a slight smile." It was no problem." She moved to get up again, but Sam stopped her by saying her name.
The hobbit held out a few of the leaves of each herb in each hand." Would you please give these to Strider to use for the fish?"
Nevada blinked and slowly took the herbs from his hands." Sure."
" Thank you."
Nevada sighed to herself and walked up to Aragorn, who was busy jamming the fish on stick-made spits to roast over the fire. She handed him the herbs, and he took them with a questioning look in his eyes." The leaves on the left are thyme, the other ones are parsley," she told him blandly.
" I know, thank you," he told her. She moved to walk away, and he added in quickly," Nevada, may I speak with you?"
She closed her eyes, half confused by the irritation she felt and half just plain irritated. The Faerie turned back around and sat down next to Aragorn, who was silent for a moment as he crushed the leaves in his fingers and sprinkled them on the roasting fish." Something's the matter," he said quietly, so quietly that she had to lean in to hear him." And I am not so sure it's just Liana's absence."
Faced with his concern, Nevada found that she couldn't be angry with him, and instead pondered his words and quietly sorted through her own emotions." No, it isn't," she said slowly.
" But that is a large part."
She nodded." It's getting somewhat better, but I still feel her absence."
Aragorn agreed silently. As do we all, he thought." What did you and Legolas fight about?" he asked, changing the subject. He basically knew what it was from, for he knew that they overhead his conversation with Frodo and Sam, and truthfully, he felt partially responsible. He had noted how stiff Legolas's posture was as he carried on the duty of scouting the area and bringing back the firewood, and there was tension still in his shoulders, much as there was tension in Nevada's eyes and posture. He could have said something other than what he did, and if Aragorn had known it would cause this much turmoil, he would have said nothing upon the matter to Frodo and Sam.
She snorted softly, a brief look of disgust fleeting across her face." Don't get me started."
" Surely it wasn't that bad," Aragorn remarked, half watching the roasting fish and half watching her.
" That's part of the problem," she told him, and her voice was bitter and a little puzzled." It really wasn't. I have argued worse with people, yet I seem to have a lot of trouble letting go of this anger."
Aragorn pursed his lips. He had suspicions, but it was beginning to piece together what all of this was. Moods, lately, had not been the greatest between any of them, and little arguments broke out here and there, although never anything serious. He would not have been able to tell the difference between the arguments they had all had before Lothlorien and now if he hadn't been looking for them, but he was. The bickering now was just a little more heated, tempers a little more easily tested than usual, and he was beginning to understand why. Just as he was beginning to watch for the growing weariness in Frodo and watch their surroundings as they headed further south.
" Have you talked to Legolas since you fought?" Aragorn asked.
" No," Nevada said, her voice so sulky it made him smile." And I won't unless he comes to me first."
It was Aragorn's turn to snort. He shook his head as he removed the four fish on the stick and placed the smoking meat on one of the plates to cool. He grabbed four more fish from the string and proceeded to put each of them on the sizzling stick." Then you will be waiting for the better part of a century, Nevada. Both of you are as stubborn as they come."
" Don't compare me to him," Nevada said indignantly, and Aragorn suppressed another smile at her tone." I'm serious, Aragorn."
" I'll bet you are." She glared at him with narrowed eyes long enough for him to feel uncomfortable." Nevada, just speak with him. Resolve this, so the two of you are not bickering by the time we leave." His tone turned serious as his silver blue eyes met Nevada's purple ones." We cannot afford to have the two of you at odds, Nevada. Not at this point in our journey."
She pursed her lips and stared at him for a moment, the firelight playing on one side of his face and making his eyes appear more sky blue than silver. Suddenly unsettled, she nodded and stood up, slowly making her way over to the Elf.
Legolas's gaze swept over to Nevada, his expression never changing as he watched her steadily and in quote a brooding manner. She stopped in front of them, and they stared each other down for several minutes, until Gimli got tired of the apparent showdown.
" For goodness sake, just talk, will you?" he snapped.
" This is none of your business!" both Elf and Faerie retorted at the same time, both too exasperated with the Dwarf to notice.
" It became my business when I had to listen to the both of you argue without any chance of getting away from it," he shot back." Now settle this, or I will not get into that canoe with either of you tomorrow."
" More's the pity," Nevada's tone dripped with sarcasm.
" Enough out of you, blasted Faerie-"
" Gimli," Nevada snapped before Legolas could speak, then lowered her voice when she realized the others were looking on in worry. She leaned down to growl softly to the offending Dwarf." This is between Legolas and myself. Now *leave*, before I slice off your head, scoop out the insides, and *sell* it as a flower vase!"
Gimli stared at Nevada for a long while, half in bewilderment at the threat and half in anger. Finally he growled at her angrily and left, muttering Dwarvish curses under his breath as he went. Nevada straightened up and looked at Legolas, who was giving her much the same incredulous stare.
" Don't say anything," she warned.
The Elf shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the image he was getting from thinking about that being done. He found the mental images way too disturbing, and pushed it out of his head." I would rather leave that comment alone."
" Do that." They fell into silence once more, both trying to collect their thoughts on what to say. Nevada broke it with," That made me very angry."
Legolas raised an eyebrow." I cannot help what other Elves think -"
" I don't give a damn what other Elves think," she told him curtly.
" Obviously you do," he said just as briskly.
" No. It's..." Frustrated, Nevada tugged her fingers through her hair and stared at the ground as thought of how she wanted to make her point." You implied that you felt the same."
Legolas took a deep breath." I said that because you were making me just as angry."
" That doesn't give you the right to call me a child," Nevada said angrily.
" But you are allowed to?" The muscle in Legolas's jaw clenched as he grew more irate." Many things are said in a heated argument, and I seem to recall many an argument where you have done just that - said things when you are wroth with someone that you would not ordinarily say. Is that not what happened with you and Liana?"
Nevada inwardly blanched, and the look on her face made Legolas's anger deflate. They both fell into the silent misery that had enveloped them since her absence, until Legolas broke with a quiet," I am sorry."
" Don't be," she said." It's true."
" We should not be fighting about this," Legolas shook his head.
Nevada glanced up at him." But that was a pretty rotten thing to say. I wanted to punch you."
Legolas smiled, relieved that their previous tension seemed to have dissipated." I was feeling quite volatile myself, which struck me as unusual."
Her ears perked up, and she studied him." Almost as if we should not have been that angry at each other over something that wasn't meant to be a big deal."
He nodded slowly, gray blue eyes distant in thought." I have an idea of what could be the source of this."
" Besides being cramped up in a canoe for over eleven hours, living off of fish and lembas, and listening to the Dwarf complain all day?"
Legolas gave her a look, and she grinned." No, I was thinking of something more solid." Her smile faltered into confusion.
" Solid?"
The Elf's blonde head nodded in a direction behind her, and Nevada turned her head to look. He gestured toward Frodo, and for a moment, she didn't understand. It finally dawned on her, however, when she watched the hobbit reach out for a cooked fish on a plate. His necklace fell out of opening in his shirt, and the object that fell out flared gold against the fire.
" The Ring," she said in a low voice.
" Its presence is like a shadow of evil," Legolas told her in his calm, smooth voice, only it held a darker note to it." It corrupts the purest of minds, plays on fears and doubts..."
" It would have a blast with the feud between Elves and Faeries," she breathed, understanding blooming in her mind.
Legolas nodded, his face grim." As well as the one we share with the Dwarves. That is a sure reason why we seem so short-tempered of late...we have been in its presence for too long."
" But the hobbits don't seem affected at all," she mused.
The Elf shook his head." Not the other hobbits, no. They really have no doubts, no anger to feed upon - no desire for power and advancement."
" And we do?" Nevada turned back around to look at him with a raised eyebrow. The look on his face told her it was obvious, and she bit her lip in silent agreement. She knew he wasn't necessarily talking about absolute power, but the power to change things - to make them better and such. " I suppose you don't need to answer that."
" It does affect Frodo," he said quietly. The Elf had leaned his back against the trunk of a tree, and had his arms folded across his chest, quietly watching each member of the Fellowship as Nevada watched them and him." He is growing more weary each day."
" You can tell on his face," she commented. She felt a pang of sympathy for the shy, brave little hobbit." It's sad, really."
" But it must be done."
She nodded." This arguing...it won't get better."
" Maybe not, but now that we realize it's source..."
" We'll be on the lookout for it," Nevada confirmed. Legolas agreed. Her eyes darkened with conviction as she mulled over this new information, and when she spoke, her voice was fierce." I am not going to let a Ring dictate what I do, or how I act. "
" Then don't let it," Legolas replied. He stood up straight, and gestured toward the campfire." If we wait any longer, there will hardly be food left."
Nevada's face broke out into a grin." I'm sure they'll have left something. Maybe the heads and the tails."
Legolas made a noise of disgust, and Nevada laughed. As they walked back to the others, his voice could be heard in a questioning, disbelieving tone." Nevada...selling the insides of Gimli's head as a flower vase?"
Her jubilant laughter rang out in the night air.
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