Again, thanks are in order for all the reviewers. *beams proudly* Ela, I'm taking into consideration your idea of a Legolas/Piccolo pairing…it had been my intention at the first creation of the story but I wasn't sure…I'm still thinking about it, it is still a possibility. And to KitKat whom has been adamantly reviewing many of my works and I am very grateful. *cheesy grin*
Anyway, on with the story before Sandra Lindblom makes good on her threat of blue ants….0.o
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They had been walking for some time, the scenery barely changing around them as the trees only gave way to small clearings and even more trees. The Hobbit's were walking in a small group, Gandalf a pace behind them, Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas a few feet ahead of them. Gimli, for all his stature was going along quite well, a step behind the group of men—and elf—and was animatedly in on whatever they were discussing.
Behind the line of would be saviors, Goku was trying his best to get Vegeta out of his ill mood. Piccolo walked at the end of the line, sharp ears easily picking up on anything that would be following them and enjoying his relative solitude while laughing to himself at Goku's pathetic attempts of humor and Vegeta's horrid stubbornness.
"Come on 'Geta, at least smirk." Goku pleaded, looking down at the small Ouji with large puppy eyes. Vegeta refused to look at him though and their power was lost on him. Goku scratched his head and stuck his tongue out the corner of his mouth in thought. His face brightened, "Hey, 'Geta, did I tell you the joke about the elephant?"
Vegeta snorted, "Which one Kakkarot? The one with the peanut butter or the one about what to do if it comes in your room?"
Goku scratched his head. "I've never heard of the elephant joke being in my room…"
Vegeta looked up at him, his lip twitching as he tried not to smirk. "Alright then Kakkarot, what do you do if an elephant comes in your room?"
Goku walked in contemplative silence for a while, their continual bicker had caught the attention of the Hobbits and Gandalf. The men had looked back but Piccolo wasn't sure if they had heard the joke or not.
"Geez, I don't know."
Vegeta smirked and narrowed his eyes. "Swim."
Goku's face remained placid, "I don't get it." The Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, were covering their mouths as they tried not to burst out in guffaws. Gandalf shook his head and kept in stride. Piccolo mentally groaned and tried his best to shut them out.
They were coming through another clearing and Piccolo could hear the Hobbits grumbling about missing second breakfast. Aragorn called for a short rest but refused the Hobbits to cook.
Piccolo stood leaning against a tree, enjoying the breeze that wound through the pasture. Everyone sat in a rough circle, Vegeta turned mostly away from everyone. Piccolo snorted as he saw Vegeta fight off color in his face as Goku handed him a chunk of bread from his pack and wipe a smudge of dirt off of his cheek. If the two didn't hurry up and admit something he was going to knock them both in the head and superglue their limbs together—that is if he could find superglue on Middle Earth.
Aragorn offered part of his rations to the group, then to Piccolo but he refused. Piccolo studied the faces of the group silently. Aragorn had the look and movement of a born leader, one that either denied his heritage or didn't know. The man had the grace of a warrior, Piccolo decided that his first impressions had been correct, even if he denied them out of annoyance. Boromir sat next to Aragorn, a chunk of bread in his hand and a canteen in the other. He nodded and smiled to the others, a normal looking man and he had the attitude of a fighter but there was something with him that set Piccolo uneasy.
The Hobbits, each of them so different from the other, all reminded him of Gohan when he was a boy. Piccolo watched as Merry and Pippin began to argue and then wrestle on the ground before falling away from each other laughing. Sam sat close to Frodo, the two sharing quiet conversation. Frodo too reminded him of Gohan, but it was the Gohan who had earned his degree. No longer the happy bubbly boy, but the quiet, introverted man he had become. Either way, all four of the Hobbits didn't need to worry, Piccolo had already vowed to himself that no harm would come to them. They were the innocents of the group and he wasn't about to allow Hell's fields to snuff out their candles before they were burnt. –Of course, we already know the tale of the little Hobbits, and even though they struggle and grow separated, they come out with their wicks intact. However, we won't let Piccolo know and maybe find a way to comfort his anger when the time comes.
Gimli and Legolas sat in companionable silence, well that on the part of Legolas anyway. Gimli was scratching his thick beard and regaling stories of the mines of his home. Legolas smiled and nodded his head, now and then throwing in a comment that had the dwarf sputtering in shock while the Elf laughed lightly and thumped Gimli on the back.
The light whistle of the wind through the trees broke Piccolo's reverie and he turned his face to the breeze. The smell of clean water was caught along with it and Piccolo tilted his head as he listened. Somewhere far into the trees a stream ran bubbling along rocks. Torn between staying leaning into a tree or tracing the sound and catching a mouthful of that cool water, Piccolo decided to leave the tree and follow what his throat was calling for.
The stream wasn't as far as he had first thought, the trees blocking much of the sound led Piccolo to believe it was farther away. The little rivulet wound cheerily between the trees, gurgling and churning in complete bliss. Piccolo knelt and scooped a handful, and followed it with a second. He didn't think he would get over how deliciously crisp the water was here and he prayed that he never would.
A twig snapped behind him and to the left, Piccolo blurred and snarled down at his stalker, a pale neck in his thick hand. Piccolo blinked and frowned, dropping his hand. "What are you doing out here?" Legolas rubbed a hand across his throat and frowned at the light bruising already starting.
"I came to fetch you. We're ready to move on." Legolas ceased rubbing the sore chords of his neck and followed Piccolo back through the trees. "How did you know of that brook?"
Piccolo grunted, pushing a branch from his face and let it snap back and looked down guiltily at Legolas as he ducked it while it sprang back and forth. "I was thirsty and I heard it."
Piccolo held a branch back and let if free after Legolas had stepped by him. "So you have excellent hearing as well."
Piccolo nodded. "Yes. The Saiyajins do too, just not as heightened." Legolas' face screwed up in confusion.
"Saiyajins?"
"Goku and Vegeta's race." Legolas nodded, remembering the Ouji's exclamation of being the Prince of all Saiyajins.
"Are there many different races in your world?" Legolas inadvertently touched the bruise on his neck again.
"Not on one planet. Goku was raised there, but Vegeta just showed up." Piccolo watched as Legolas prodded his neck with his fingertips and frowned.
"So they are all like you then?" Legolas saw Piccolo tense. "I do not mean to be bothersome. I will leave you to your peace."
There was silence for a few moments except for the sound of feet on leaves and the growing sound of the voices of the Fellowship as they waited the return of their two companions. Piccolo spoke quietly—had Legolas not had elfish hearing he would have missed it. "No."
Piccolo looked over his shoulder and saw that Legolas was listening to him, even though he didn't speak. Piccolo watched his feet, "My race lived on another planet." Legolas stepped a little quicker and walked beside him to catch the tale. "It was destroyed years ago by a maniacal beast." Legolas eyes widened at the snarl and low growl of anger from his companion. "Goku came to my planet and fought him, eventually killed him, but it was too late, the planet was destroyed. My kind was wished to Earth before it happened and now they live on a new one far from Earth."
Legolas had a little trouble following the story and assumed he had gotten a greatly abridged version but he had a feeling that he was lucky to have gotten what little he had. They exited into the clearing and the group seemed to breath a collective sigh of relief. Aragorn waved Legolas over and the group began its slow progress through the trees.
Goku watched Piccolo as he plodded behind them, the Namek looked a little detached. "Hey, Piccolo. You okay?"
An emerald face looked down slowly, Piccolo's ebony eyes blinked unhurriedly and he looked ahead again. "I'm fine."
Legolas had caught the question and looked over his shoulder. The green giant was gazing far away, lost in his own thoughts. He looked torn between getting angry or remaining sullen. Legolas frowned and faced forward again.
Aragorn looked over to the elf and saw the blue discoloration on his neck and frowned, "Legolas, how did you get those bruises?"
Legolas waved a hand in dismissal, "It was nothing." Aragorn watched him wearily for a minute longer before accepting his friend's answer. Legolas looked over his shoulder again and saw Piccolo had dropped farther behind the group, taking up his usual position, and from the look on his face it appeared that anger had won the battle.
As night reached them, the Fellowship had exited the woods of Rivendell by several miles and was crossing pastures and fields as they bound for Mordor. Legolas had run ahead, scouting the area for anything suspicious before they settled. On his return he saw that a fire had been built and a few of the bedrolls had already been lain out though none had an owner.
"There is nothing on the horizon, we should be fine for the night." Legolas reported. Aragorn nodded and thanked him then offered the elf a seat near the fire. Legolas perched on his bag, the bedroll still wound tight made a rather comfortable seat. Everyone was sitting, talking amiably. Goku and Vegeta were missing, a little shock ran through Aragorn's head at how they could have lost the two but Piccolo put his mind at ease when he told they had gone hunting.
"They had best be safe, there are many dangers in the forests at night." Aragorn pulled a piece of bread from his bag and bit a chunk off. The food was good enough, but he wouldn't have minded going hunting himself.
The firelight deepened the shade of bruises on Legolas neck and the others would catch themselves staring at it now and then even though they were not conversing with Legolas. Growing weary of the looks, Legolas instead lay back and watched the stars for some time. A deep rumble brought him to his feet and he simultaneously pulled up his bow and notched an arrow. Everyone was looking at him in surprise and he lowered his weapon, confused. Piccolo was looking up at him from his seat by the fire, a glint of humor in his eyes.
"I didn't mean to startle you." He smirked, one sharp eyetooth glinting with firelight.
Legolas glowered as he sat on his pack again. The circle laughed and clapped Legolas on the back. Aragorn wiped a tear from his eye and smiled heartily at him. "I dare say we were shocked as well, however it helps to see what is going on around you before shooting off arrows."
Legolas was still confused but smiled warily back at everyone and paid attention. Piccolo was seated with the Hobbit's, the little ones still a little apprehensive of his appearance, but readily accepting him as one of the good guys after their first meeting, had finally ground down his resolve so that they could share stories of the Shire with him. Piccolo had grudgingly sat and listened to their chatter but realized that even though they were the size of children they were adults and even though they alluded to the innocence of youth, had plenty of hearty tales to tell. It had been in the middle of one of the tales, Merry rattling off a chain of events that had happened during a harvest celebration years ago had Pippin glowing in embarrassment with eyes wide in horror of what his friend was going tell a group of strangers. Pippin had leapt from his bedroll, grappling with Merry and grunting out reasons why he couldn't finish his story while giving hopelessly bad excuses for his actions. Mirth had built in Piccolo's stomach and he had grinned during the tale and now with the two nearly in death throes he couldn't stop himself and let out a deep laugh.
The scuffle between the Hobbits was forgotten as soon as the sound ripped from him, the circle of companions staring in surprised shock before realizing it was the alien's laugh and began to laugh themselves over the childish Hobbits when Legolas had leapt from his position in fright aiming to kill the Orc he thought he had heard.
Piccolo let out another deep chuckle and Legolas shook his head, rather embarrassed for acting so stupidly, the others wouldn't let him sulk however, they had complimented him on his quick reflexes and thanked Valar he was on their side.
Nearly an hour had passed and Aragorn was watching the tree line, growing worried about the missing saiyajins when a huge shadow came lumbering through the trees. It was grunting and heaving, the warriors came quickly to their feet—all save Piccolo who was now being used as a shield by the four Hobbits that cowered behind him. The beast came to a halt just outside of the firelight and the warriors all had their respective weapons at the ready when the thing shuddered and fell apart. Stepping back in horror, they watched as a much smaller being stood from the mess and walked forward. When the firelight finally reflected in large pupils and upswept hair, they breathed a sigh of relief and sheathed their swords, axes and bows.
Vegeta squinted at the light while his pupils shrank. He smirked at them, "Anyone hungry?" He walked back to the pile of beasts and pulled a couple to the circle, the warriors all grinning broadly at the hogs and rabbits that were dropped one after the other by their side. Aragorn and Boromir quickly set to skinning the animals and getting them ready for roasting when someone mentioned Goku. Vegeta grunted and sat, taking a skinned animal and skewering it. "He wanted fish the baka."
Delicious smells were wafting through the air, leaving everyone drooling in anticipation of meat when Piccolo heard Goku struggling through the woods. "Goku's coming." Vegeta grunted.
"I know. I was hoping this would be done before his blasted fish showed up." Vegeta stabbed at the meat, frowning at how much longer it needed to be cooked.
"I don't know why you've gotten so many. We won't be able to carry it with us." Aragorn inhaled deeply.
Vegeta snorted. "There won't be any by the morning." Boromir's eyes widened. "Besides, you're lucky I brought anything back for you at all. You'll have to thank Kakkarot when he returns."
Boromir was blowing gently on his burnt fingers after pulling a chunk of hare from its stick. "Why do you call him Kakkarot, I thought his name was Goku?"
Vegeta crossed his arms and huffed. "Kakkarot is his rightful saiyajin name, the weak earthlings call him Goku." Piccolo smirked as he watched Vegeta's lip curl in distaste at the Earth name. The others nodded, at least understanding as much as they needed to.
Vegeta was pulling the hogs from the spit as Goku came crashing through the trees with a gigantic fish on his back. He was soaking wet and grinning like the Cheshire cat. Vegeta's eyes widend a moment before he started barking out insults. "Dammit Kakkarot quit dripping on me! What's wrong with you baka?"
Goku sat with a thump and drove a stick through his huge fish and set it to the spit. The men took in its size with large eyes and whistled through their teeth. Goku smiled brightly and turned it slowly. Conversation was pretty much nonexistent as mouths chewed through the beasts that were cooked to perfection. Piccolo took the opportunity to escape from the Hobbits and sat a couple yards from the ring of people to fold his legs beneath him and meditate. The silence, combined with the clear air and vibrant nature soon had him lulled into his mind, flashes of their arrival spinning lazily through his psyche. When he came back into reality, it was nearing dawn and the sun was pulling its bulk over the lip of the horizon. A quiet rustle of leaves from the right had Piccolo's riveted attention but he recognized the new ki signal and watched as Legolas stepped from the trees and leapt with smooth agility into the lower limbs to sit and wait for the others to rouse.
Piccolo stood, not gaining the elf's attention and stretched himself slowly. The usually brisk air had an undertone scent that sent a small chill down Piccolo's spine and he frowned as he turned to the southeast. Smoke was curling, barely visible in the distance. Piccolo's eye ridges furrowed and he grunted, he would bet dollars to donuts that was Mordor.
Pushing it from his mind, Piccolo finished his stretch and began to move through a rather simple kata to get the blood flowing through his limbs. He hadn't had a spar in some weeks and he knew he wasn't going to get one while he was here, but battle was inevitable and he was going to remain prepared. After a few small faults that any other person would never have seen, Piccolo growled low in annoyance and tightened his reserve before diving back into it with his entire concentration.
Legolas was staring into the horizon, frowning at the red hues that were pooling around the bulb of the sun. The others were stirring slowly and would soon wake. Rubbing absent-mindedly at his throat, Legolas caught movement from the corner of his eye and turned his head with intense lethargy. To an observer he would have looked like a statue just coming to life and testing his joints. His eyes rested on Piccolo, the Namek was soundlessly moving through a series of complicated moves with implausible quickness. First he was on his hands, feet in the air, spinning harshly on the heel of one hand and jabbing into the thin air with his heels, then balancing his weight over splayed legs, moving his arms with blurring speed and fists the size of large hams clenched tightly. Piccolo's antennae swayed with the movements and he stared fixedly at a spot in the distance as he continued his deadly dance.
The others were sitting up, groaning and stretching the kinks from their backs with small pops and squeaking joints. The Hobbits sat quietly, chewing on the scraps from last night's meal while they watched their new guardian. Frodo elbowed Sam, Sam elbowing Merry and Merry elbowing Pippin. Then all nodded to each other with large eyes and took another bite.
Gimli stopped snoring and sat up with a jerk as though someone had stuck him with a pin. He scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands and scratched at his beard. He shook his head at the Namek and set to picking up his bedroll. Vegeta groaned as he rolled over and bumped into Kakkarot who had fallen asleep beside him, he grinned to himself but sat up with a furious look on his face. He poked Kakkarot in the ribs and smirked as he sat up quickly.
"…I'm up Chi…honest…" Goku grumbled to himself. Vegeta growled and buried his fist in the man's ribs. Goku yelped in pain and jumped to his feet. "Oh, morning 'Geta." He smiled sleepily and rubbed at his eyes. Vegeta snorted. He could see the Namek running through his kata and he grinned. He hadn't sparred with Piccolo for a very long time, and he wouldn't now but he decided to test just how well the Namek had kept up in his training.
Walking soundlessly to the edge of the men's groggy circle, Vegeta double fisted his hands and charged at Piccolo, bringing his fists high above his head as he leapt at him. Legolas watched in shock, not understanding why Vegeta would attack his friend, and was going to cry out but it would be too late either way. Instead he watched with mouth clenched tightly shut.
Piccolo had his back to Vegeta as he sent punches at an invisible enemy. A prickle at the back of his mind gave him seconds to respond and he ducked quickly out of the way and blurred, grabbing his attacker by the wrist and flinging him into the ground. Vegeta grinned and turned in the air, landing on the balls of his feet and flung himself at Piccolo again. Piccolo's eyes narrowed as he recognized the Ouji and was partly thankful that they didn't have any ki use here.
The group had all been alerted to what was happening and stood watching, partly in awe of the speed and agility, partly wishing they would stop so they could get moving. Piccolo had no intention of turning this into a spar. He could sense the agitation of Gandalf over everything else, it made him angry that the wizard was irritated with him when all he was doing was a morning kata while everyone was still sleeping, but he understood that this was wasting precious time. Piccolo stood stone still, not bothering to block Vegeta's coming punch or reciprocate. Vegeta realized this and was annoyed but didn't stop himself. The punch came, connecting with Piccolo's jaw and sending him flying twenty feet into the clearing.
Piccolo stood, wiping the trickle of blood from his lip with the back of his hand. Vegeta had crossed his arms over his chest. "What's the matter, Namek? Knew that you would lose and just gave up?" He smirked.
Piccolo grunted. "No. We have more important things to do than beat each other senseless. You of all people should know that time is important, especially when it's short." Piccolo began to stuff things into his satchel, the group was eerily quiet and Legolas came down from his perch.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vegeta came forward, snatching his bag from Goku's outstretched hand.
Piccolo swung his bag onto his shoulder. "You weren't given a chance to save your people because some tyrant stole you away. These people are fighting to save their planet. If you don't want to help get the hell out of the way." Piccolo looked down on the Ouji with narrowed eyes. He could see by the look on Vegeta's face that he may have pushed just a little too far, but Goku set his hand on Vegeta's shoulder and turned him away before he could lash out.
"Come on, Vegeta. Piccolo's right, we're here to help. This could be your chance to save a planet of people that need you." Goku looked down at the prince, his face solemn. Vegeta nodded his head once and shouldered his pack before sitting under a tree facing away from everyone.
Goku sighed and turned to the rest of the Fellowship with a sad smile. "Well, I guess we'd better get going, huh?" Goku looked up at Piccolo and his swelling lip. "Did that hurt?" He smiled brighter, coming back to himself.
Piccolo looked at Goku then to Vegeta, he knew the Ouji could hear from that distance and as much as he didn't want to give Vegeta a pride boost, he didn't want to deal with a cranky Vegeta for the rest of this trial. "Hurt like hell." Piccolo heard Vegeta snort and knew things would be better by the afternoon.
With the fire safely put out the group trudged on, Piccolo now and then tonguing the split in his lip with his purple tongue. Much of the travel consisted of Piccolo listening to the Hobbit's babble about what they would do when they returned to the Shire, or grumbling about being hungry. Piccolo even paused their talk once by offering them what Elrond had packed for food in his satchel. They had grinned widely at him and accepted the jerky. He only grunted at their thanks but as he dropped back to his place he smiled at the back of their heads. By afternoon, the Hobbits were complaining more of aching—mostly Merry and Pippin—and Aragorn called for a rest. They were at the base of a mountain, staring up at it, trying to see its peak in the swirling clouds. They broke out rations and munched happily until looking up the towering peak and sighed. Piccolo sat back, trying to envision what the temperatures would be like on the top, it wouldn't be the first time he had been in the cold. Hell he had been frozen in a glacier in the arctic at one point, he was simply looking out for the best interest of Frodo—in all actuality our dear Namek was pointedly worried about all of the Hobbits but wouldn't let himself be swayed to think that he cared about them, just the mission they were on.
Legolas stood atop a small hill and gazed at the land they had come through. So far they hadn't come across a single Orc, not that he was disappointed.
"Mani um dos edhel eleea elei?" Aragorn called up to him. He smiled down at him and strode quickly to the bottom.
"N'uma'nat'." Aragorn nodded his shaggy head and smiled.
"Rest a while. We're going to cross the mountain before this day is done." Legolas nodded his head. He climbed into a nearby tree, letting one leg dangle and pulled a slab of jerky from his pack. He chewed on it slowly, looking up into the mountain. The tree shook lightly and Legolas looked down to see Piccolo had sat heavily underneath it, legs tucked neatly beneath him and arms crossed over his chest. Legolas stared at the top of his head while he ate. The Namek confused him but he thought he might understand why. Piccolo was tough, a hard character, showing no emotion and remaining an intimidating figure. However when he thought no one was looking, his façade cracked and he would smile, laugh or show pain. But, being a warrior didn't allow for emotion, it was a weakness to allow the enemy to see what you cared about.
Piccolo had cocked his head lightly to one side as the breeze picked up. Legolas himself listened and heard the trees talking lightly to one another. He wondered if the Namek could hear them as well. Finishing the rest of his jerky, Legolas dropped quietly down beside Piccolo and jumped out of his reach when he came to with a start. Legolas smiled down at him. Piccolo realized he had inadvertently plopped himself in the others solitude and did not berate Legolas for popping out of nowhere.
Legolas sat down beside him and turned his head into the wind. "You hear them, don't you?" Piccolo looked at him queerly.
"Hear who?"
"The trees." Legolas opened his eyes and looked over at the Namek. When he saw the open confusion on his face he laughed. "You turn your head into the wind. I just assumed you could hear them."
Piccolo tilted his head again and strained, he could have sworn he had heard a whispering voice but he pushed it aside. The elf was probably insane.
"It takes a little practice. But the trees can tell you many things you may not see coming." Legolas pointed to the clouds at the far horizon. "They say that cold rain is coming. That means it will be snowing on the mountain when we climb."
Piccolo snorted. "You expect me to believe that. At that altitude, it is always snowing. You'll have to do better than that."
Legolas smirked and nodded. He listened into the wind again. "They tell me…" He paused and looked at the Namek from the corner of his eye, Piccolo was patiently waiting. "You are nothing but a softhearted giant." Piccolo stiffened and narrowed his eyes. "And that you wouldn't hit an elf that was only trying to make conversation."
Legolas held his breath and waited for the blow that was sure to come. Instead he heard Piccolo laugh softly to himself—if he hadn't an elf's hearing he would have missed it—and grinned. Piccolo pushed him playfully but Legolas toppled over anyway. Aragorn stood quickly thinking another scuffle had broken out and would be damned if it would continue. Legolas quickly got to his feet laughing. Aragorn sat down again and frowned, still unsure. Legolas stood in the breeze and tilted his head again.
Piccolo watched as the wind and sun played along Legolas' golden hair and frowned in spite of himself. The elf was being friendly, trying to take off some of the pressure of the forced join. Piccolo pondered that for a moment and decided that their going with the Fellowship wasn't forced, even if they had been given a stark choice they would have gone for the adventure and chance for a fight. Goku wouldn't have allowed them to get out of helping anyone defeat a threatening evil. The elf himself was amiable and likeable enough; Piccolo denied that he was actually quite happy to bump into him from time to time. Legolas seemed to know when Piccolo would rather be alone and pensive—which was more often than not—but whenever Piccolo wouldn't entirely mind company, Legolas would slow a bit from the rest and walk silently beside him for a moment before rejoining the men at the front. He could tell the elf wanted to know more about his heritage, but Piccolo was unsure of whether he should bother to divulge the information.
Legolas frowned deeply and the breeze stopped. Piccolo looked away, his little trance broken and watched as the Hobbits jostled each other and laughed heartily. Gandalf was looking at him again, boring holes into his head with his intense gaze. Piccolo wanted to shake the old man and make him spit out whatever it was that he was seeing whenever he got that way, but he was afraid the wizard would fall apart beneath his fingers.
A squeal so loud it nearly shook the earth beneath them caused a great uproar among the folk of Middle Earth. "Hide quickly!" Aragorn shouted at them. Gimli and Boromir were already launching themselves under a great rock outcrop, pushing themselves deep into the hollows. Goku and Vegeta did as they were told, following the others under the canopy of shale with confused looks on their faces. Piccolo and Legolas were running at the first sound, Piccolo swooping down and scooping two of the slower Hobbits under his arms and dove, resting between the others.
They all pressed back into the cold rock, the great whoosh of air as wings beat heavily followed by another shrill screech. "What are those?" Pippin asked, leaning just far enough to catch a glimpse before pulling back.
"They are Saruman's eyes. He knows we are coming." Gandalf let out a slow breath. Minutes passed and the sound of the winged beasts went away. One by one the group came from the shadows and looked nervously around them.
"Pack up, it's time to get moving again." Aragorn called out. The group shuffled their things together.
Piccolo returned to the tree and retrieved his bag, pulling it onto one thick shoulder. He turned to follow the others and noticed Legolas standing stiff, face into the breeze.
"Coming?" Piccolo watched him for a moment before going against his usual judgment and rested a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Legolas?" The word was quiet but the elf blinked and came from his reverie, smiled sickly up at Piccolo and snatched up his pack before trotting off. Piccolo frowned, following the slow moving group as they began up the mountainside.
Gimli looked worriedly up at Legolas as he climbed steadily behind him, huffing and puffing like a coal train. "What's the matter, laddie?"
Legolas looked over his shoulder and gave a thin-lipped smile. "It is nothing." Gimli grunted, knowing he was lying. Legolas continued to climb, not bothering to look back as he spoke again. "The trees Gimli, they tell me something dire is going to happen…"
Gimli grunted. "Well if you ever need to talk, I'll be right behind you." Gimli panted a moment before adding, "If I can keep up…" Legolas grinned and nodded his thanks.
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a/n: I honestly am not trying to make Vegeta seem like an ass…he doesn't come off that way through the rest of the story I promise.
Well that's it for now. Happy Winter Solstice to everyone! ^-^
