Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ XXXIV: Change of Plans ~
Eregion - Hollin, 3019 TA, January 9
Days they had travelled, crossing great distances by foot, and it was the beginning of their goal. Though it was the first time they had camped and lit a fire, they have rested for so long. The sun was rising on the 9th day of the first month finding every one of the Company having their breakfast surrounded by the campfire. Aragorn and Legolas had returned as well. They had spent their night keeping a watch and conversing about the upcoming difficulties and a few more personal matters.
Legolas reached up and removed his hood, seeing that the wind had died down and that the sun rays were gradually warming his face. He was strolling beside his trusty friend, distraught about the news he had received. That he had said a hasty farewell to Arwen after a lengthy talk with Elrond. Because he was concerned about her and how the darkness would treat her if she would wait for him.
"In other words, you agreed with Lord Elrond," Legolas asked as they were returning to camp, "you have much to learn! I dare say, one way or other." Legolas did not much understand about love between males and females. He had never experienced it, but he felt his friends' genuine feelings and after a hard time he ended up accepting them.
"It is difficult to explain, but you already know Legolas," Aragorn frowned "I wish more or less for her to be safe. If she ended up waiting for me, I could be the reason for her doom."
"I ask you, and you believe that your words did not bring sorrow upon Arwen," Legolas said while gazing at his friend "She will not give up on you." It was only necessary to mention that Arwen was not arrogant and she would not easily change her mind.
Aragorn nodded "She can be as stubborn as you, my friend," he acknowledged "But there is no hope. There never was!" His words pained him, but that was the truth and he could not deny it.
"Nay, there is always hope," Legolas assured him and offered a light smile "Let us first take this journey and accomplish our goal. The rest will follow."
Aragorn gave just a short bow, and both parties halted conversing upon their arrival at the camp. They joined the others and received some breakfast. They dine in solitude and watch while Boromir instructs the hobbits on how to properly use a sword. The ranger soon joined them. He took a seat nearby and smoked his pipe. He enthused the hobbits, as Boromir advised them on their next course of action.
"Was it prudent, old man, to drag me along with the Fellowship?" Xena inquired. She gathered her baggage with Gandalf as they prepared to continue on their quest.
"I'm quite sure," Gandalf said candidly. "I like to say that it was a good substitute."
"Not everyone confirms with you. Perhaps I should not have followed. This sort of mission is far beyond my comfort zone." While responding, she ran her fingers over her forehead.
Gandalf gave a smirking smile. The human always admitted that she has a variety of abilities and was not easily scared. "Out of your leak... Are you sure you're terrified now?" he taunted her.
"Do not make fun of me! You understand precisely what I mean." Xena spoke loudly as she searched around to ensure no one heard them.
"We cannot know what forces led you here," Gandalf said, "but you are already fighting for the same cause as we all do."
"However, are we capable of winning?" She shifted her focus to him and gave him a serious look. "You pit a small number against thousands of troops. We are significantly outnumbered."
"We are not here to combat the enemy's forces. Our purpose is to support Frodo in delivering the ring to Mordor undetected. And if danger arose, to assist him." Gandalf said. "It is necessary to destroy the ring. Our only hope is in Frodo."
"It seems to be," she mumbled in agreement with the wizard.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." They were abruptly halted as Gimli spoke.
"No, Gimli, I would not go across Moria unless I was forced to." Gandalf provided clarification.
"What is that over there?" Sam inquired as he rose.
"Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud," Gimli observed.
"It's going quickly... against the wind," he added as he stood.
Flocks of birds flew at breakneck speed, spinning and looping and crossing the whole country as if on the lookout for something; and they were slowly approaching closer. "This is not a gloomy cloud. It's.." Xena said, observing that the object was moving too quickly to be a cloud.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas cried out.
"Hide!" Aragorn hissed "Lie flat and still!"
Confounded and terrified, the hobbits packed their stuff and fled to hide. Sam extinguished the flames and followed. Boromir and Aragorn aided them before fleeing. Behind the rocks, Gandalf, Gimli, and Legolas disappeared. Xena was going to follow when she observed Bill the pony standing in an unusually sporting position. She dashed over and secured it behind some rocks.
Legolas abruptly saw that the human was still in an open range, visible to the birds. He sprang to his feet and dragged her down into the shelter of a holly bush; for a full regiment of birds had suddenly broken away from the main host and flown low towards the ridge. Xena discovered them to be enormous crows. As they passed overhead, in so dense a throng that their shadow followed them darkly over the ground below, one harsh croak was heard.
Xena struggled as she suddenly found herself pinned down by the elf while trying to hide from the spies of Saruman. She felt the warmth and strength of his body against her back as he was holding her too close. "Stay still," he whispered behind her causing her to pause her struggles. The birds circled the hill, then turned and fly back Southward. The Fellowship came out from the rocks. Legolas stood up pulling her with him in one move.
However, upon releasing her Xena flung her head backwards attempting to smash his nose with her the back of her skull. Only this time Legolas evaded her strike and released her. They exchanged a few glares before parting ways without speaking to one other.
Gandalf was concerned "Spies of Saruman! The passage South is being watched." He observed the birds flying further almost disappearing. "We must take the Pass of Caradhras." he sighed, as he looked at the snowing mountain.
"We shouldn't stay here any longer." Xena agreed.
"Gather your stuff we are leaving," Aragorn started calling everyone to get ready to leave.
Pippin objected "But we haven't finished eating yet."
"We will camp, later... When it's night and safe, Pippin." Aragorn said.
At dusk, the Company set out and turning now half east they steered their course towards Caradhras, which far away still glowed faintly red in the last light of the vanished sun. One by one white star sprang forth as the sky faded. The Moon, now at the full, rose over the mountains and cast a pale light in which the shadows of stones were black.
Nothing else occurred that night. The next morning came much brighter than the previous one. However, the air was once again chilly; the wind had already shifted back to the east. They marched on for two more nights, gradually but more slowly ascending as their path curved up into the hills and the mountains loomed closer and closer. Caradhras arose before them on the third morning, a gigantic peak capped in silvery snow but with stark bare sides that were dull crimson as if stained with blood.
There was a black look in the sky, and the sun was wan. The wind had gone now round to the northeast. Gandalf snuffed the air and looked back. A few overheard these words and understood that Gandalf and Aragorn were continuing some debate that had begun long before. They listened anxiously.
"I think no good of our course from beginning to end, as you know well, Gandalf," answered Aragorn. "And perils known and unknown will grow as we go on. But we must go on; and it is no good our delaying the passage of the mountains. Further south there are no passes, till one comes to the Gap of Rohan. I do not trust that way since your news of Saruman. Who knows which side now the marshals of the Horse-lords serve?"
"Who knows indeed!" said Gandalf. "But there is another way, and not by the pass of Caradhras: the dark and secret way that we have spoken of."
"But let us not speak of it again! Not yet. Say nothing to the others I beg, not until it is plain that there is no other way." plead the ranger anxious that it would put more stress on the fellowship, and they were already dealing with a lot of stressful moments.
"We must decide before we go further," answered Gandalf.
"Then let us weigh the matter in our minds, while the others rest and sleep," said Aragorn.
Gandalf and Aragorn walked off together in the late afternoon, while the rest were eating their meal. They stood staring at Caradhras. Its sides had darkened and became morose, and its head was shrouded in grey mist. When they returned to the Company, Gandalf spoke and realised that the weather and the high pass had been agreed upon.
Next, the company would hike through Caradhras...
((Upcoming Chapter Thirty-Five))
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