Chapter three! Aren't these daily updates awesome?
A little rant first inspired by a mini-flame review I got:
I realize this is a far cry from canon of LOTR to which I say deal with it. I clearly stated it is an AU which means Alternate Universe! That means I'm changing some stuff around under artistic license. You don't like it, then you don't have to read the story. As for Sam beating Aragorn last chapter, skill is needed in a fight but luck is also a strong factor; trust me on that, I'm a black belt in martial arts (that and Sam did take that warlord down in Emancipation who was possibly more skilled than she). And I'd also like to point out that this fic is more based on the movies than the books. To the purists out there I apologize but the books were too...dry to me. It took me...seven years to read them all; that's how bored they made me (no offense to Tolkien). And I realize Elrond is a bit...sexist (for lack of a better term) towards Sam at first, but the destruction of the world is coming which would make anyone a bit upset and abrupt (at least in my insane mind) and he was worried about Frodo. So with all that said, if you don't like what I've done, then stop reading and go back to the books (no offense).
Now to the chapter!
I still don't own them.
Thanks again to Carter13 for the idea!
Sam walked through the streets of Rivendell, smiling at how peaceful it was. "Sam!" a voice called. She turned and saw Aragorn walking up to her. "Feeling better?"
She nodded. "I didn't realize just how exhausted I was."
"It takes a swift rider to match pace with an Elf," he returned with a smile.
"I barely managed to keep Arwen in sight. How I kept up with her is beyond me. How's Frodo by the way?" Sam asked.
"Improving. He should be well in a few days."
Sam nodded, happy that the Halfling was okay. All four Hobbits had reminded Sam of Daniel and how curious he could become when confronted with something new. She smiled softly at the memory of her friends. "How's Arwen?" she asked.
"Well," he replied.
Sam was no fool and knew that he had feelings for the Elf but she said nothing of it. "Care for a light sparring match?" she challenged. He smiled and nodded. They went over to a training area and began some light contact sparring to warm up. They slowly moved into more complicated moves, attracting the attention of passersby. Sam threw a jab at Aragorn and he deflected it, throwing her to the ground. She remained on her back, staring up at the sky, a smile on her face.
"I think you are still a bit tired," he grinned, helping her to her feet.
Sam shrugged. "Considering I've only really beaten you once in over a dozen matches..." she returned. She clasped hands with him and headed for the kitchen area. Elrond, Arwen's father and the man Sam had encountered two days ago, stepped out of a corridor. Sam bowed slightly to him.
"It is not a woman's place," he said.
"Excuse me?"
"Fighting is not for women to do," he clarified.
Sam glared at him, slightly use to the sexist attitude that had begun towards her when she had joined the Air Force, but it still irked her. She was also surprised at his attitude; Aragorn had said Elrond was a kind person. "I know plenty of women from my homeland who fight better than most men," she returned. "In fact, I've beaten a warlord who had that same attitude you seem have."
"But this is not your homeland. Things are different here. You should be helping the other women and be wearing dresses," Elrond returned calmly. "That is the way of things."
"I'll wear whatever the damn hell I want," she snapped. "And if you don't like me fighting then fine. Don't watch me fight." She strode away with her head high, not giving him the satisfaction that he got to her. She sighed and leaned against the railing of the bridge she had stopped on, staring at a waterfall.
"What troubles such a young mind?" a kind old voice asked.
Sam turned and smiled. "Gandalf!" she exclaimed happily, hugging the old man. "I am glad to see you!"
"And I you," he returned, a warm smile on his face.
"We waited for you at the Prancing Pony," Sam said.
Gandalf bowed his head. "The head of my order has betrayed us and Sauron grows in strength." He told her of what he had seen at Isengard.
Sam looked down. "They'll both come here for the ring, won't they?"
"You are perceptive," Gandalf commented.
She shrugged. "Wasn't too hard to figure out honestly." She looked at the old wizard. "What happens now?"
"The ring must be destroyed."
"But that can only happen in the fires of Mount Doom, right?" He nodded and Sam sighed. "Who can carry such a burden there?"
"That is why Elrond called a meeting of all the races of Middle Earth. To decide the fate of us all."
She nodded. "Samantha!" a voice called out. She looked over and saw Legolas coming up to her, a light tan traveling robe over his clothes. "I am glad to see you again," he said. Gandalf discreetly excused himself and left the two alone.
Sam smiled. "So am I."
"How do you like Rivendell?" he asked.
"It is beautiful, but…I just think Mirkwood has more warmth to it," she said.
The Elf grinned. "Shall we go eat?" She smiled and nodded and the two headed for the food.
- - - - - - - - - -
Elrond looked down and watched as Sam and Legolas practiced sword fighting. Two days had passed since his last conversation with Sam and she refused to listen to him. "Stubborn woman," he muttered with silent admiration. As he watched Sam battle the blonde Elf, images appeared before his eyes. He saw several dozen scores of orcs and goblins attacking Aragorn, the four Hobbits, Legolas, a Dwarf, Gandalf, and another man. He watched as an arrow sped straight at Aragorn and Legolas when suddenly a blonde woman jumped in the way, saving their lives. The Elf leader blinked as the vision faded away. "It seems I was the stubborn one. You are a strong woman who is selfless when it comes to protecting those you care for," he murmured. She is needed if a quest is made to destroy the One Ring… he mused.
- - - - - - - - - -
Sam glanced over and saw Frodo staring off over Rivendell. She made her way over to the Hobbit and smiled down at him. "Feeling better?"
He looked up at her and nodded. "Thanks to you and the others," he said.
Sam shrugged. "I really didn't do much, but I am glad you're getting better."
"I'm just glad my duty is done," he said.
"Your duty?"
Frodo nodded. "Gandalf asked me to bring the ring here and I have done so. Now, now I want to do nothing more than to return home…back to the Shire."
"You miss it, don't you?" she queried, sitting down so she was at eye level with the Hobbit.
He nodded. "For so long I've imagined myself in one of my Uncle Bilbo's stories; off fighting dragons and goblins, making daring escapes from trolls and orcs…living a life of adventure." He looked down. "Now that I have…I long for the peaceful days of the Shire again."
Sam nodded in understanding. "You think adventures will turn out the way you want, but in reality they are nothing like that," Sam said quietly.
"Will you return home after this?" Frodo asked.
"To Mirkwood most likely. That's really the only home I have now."
"I'm sorry. I forgot," he said.
"It's all right. I've been coming to terms with the possibility that I may never be able to return home."
"I wish there was some way you could. You've been so kind to us even though you don't even know us," he said.
Sam smiled. "I know you now," she replied. She rose to her feet and stretched. "Take it easy Frodo," she said. He nodded and she walked away. She rounded a corner and immediately bumped into a man. He had a neatly trimmed beard and chin length brown hair. He wore noble looking clothes and a smile formed on his face when he saw Sam. "Sorry," she said.
"No need to apologize fair lady," he said in a charming voice. "Though I am curious as to why one so beautiful is dressed in men's clothing."
Sam hid her slight annoyance at the man and gave him a forced smile. "Because it's far too hard to kick annoying men in the face with a dress," she returned.
"I am Boromir, eldest son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor," he said.
"Nice to meet you. Excuse me," she said and quickly dodged around him, hurrying away.
"Sam," Legolas called. She turned and smiled, making her way over to the Elf. He glared at Boromir briefly. Why am I jealous of him? I care for Samantha but…can I really say I love her?
"So the meeting's tomorrow, right?" Sam asked, breaking into his thoughts.
"Yes," he affirmed. "Are you coming?"
"Do you want me there?" she asked, hoping he'd say yes.
"I'd be honored if you came," he replied. "After all, you are a part of Middle Earth. This will affect you just as much as anyone else."
"Then I'll be there," she smiled.
- - - - - - - - - -
Sam walked into the meeting area and saw a dozen members of three races: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Boromir walked up to Sam and smiled. "The race of Men is this way fair lady," he said.
"My home is in Mirkwood," she replied and tried to go around him.
He blocked her path. "But you are human," he pointed out.
"And I can make my own decisions." She gave him a faint smile. "I have lived with the Elves of Mirkwood for the past two years since I have lost my way back to my homeland. My home is with them now."
"I apologize," Boromir said. "I meant no offense."
"You didn't offend."
"Is there a problem?" Legolas asked, glaring slightly at Boromir.
"Not at all," Sam said.
"Our seats are this way," he directed to Sam and guided her around Boromir. "Next time, allow her to pass."
Sam sat down and looked at Legolas. "What was that about?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
She shook her head as everyone began sitting down. "Nothing."
Elrond stepped forward and looked at everyone assembled. "Strangers from distant lands…friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stand upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate…to this one doom…" he trailed off and looked at them all. "Bring forth the ring Frodo." The Hobbit got down off his chair and walked forward. He set the ring on a stone column and returned to his seat.
Boromir leaned forward. "So it is true!" he exclaimed.
"Sauron's ring! The Ring of Power!" Legolas said in disbelief.
A Dwarf was next to speak up. "The doom of men!"
Boromir leaned forward in his seat. "It is a gift…a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, held the forces of Mordor at bay. The blood of our people keeps your lands safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy…let us use it against him!"
"You cannot wield it," Aragorn said. "None of us can. The ring answers to Sauron alone…it has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir demanded. Aragorn turned away.
Legolas rose to his feet. "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance!"
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir asked.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added.
"Havo dad Legolas," Aragorn said. (Sit down) Legolas slowly sat down.
"Gondor needs no king," Boromir said dismissively.
"Aragorn is right, we cannot use it," Gandalf agreed.
"But…" Boromir began.
"I am still new to this land and even I can tell this ring is evil," Sam said, her voice cutting in clearly. "In my land, we have encountered evil things that should never be used by anyone, for they corrupt even the purest of people," she went on, thinking back to Daniel and his encounter with the sarcophagus. She looked at Boromir. "I can tell this is one of those things that should be destroyed as soon as possible."
"Then you have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed," Elrond said.
"Then what are we waiting for?" the Dwarf demanded. He picked up his axe and slammed it down on the ring. The axe shattered and he fell back to the ground, staring in disbelief as the ring was unharmed.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this." Everyone grew silent.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir said. "Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust! The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly," he said.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas demanded. "The ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it," Gimli said.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir demanded.
Gimli leapt to his feet. "I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an Elf!" he shouted. Shouts began rising up with Gimli shouting, "Never trust an Elf!"
Gandalf rose to his feet and began shouting at them to stop fighting amongst themselves else Sauron would grow more powerful. Sam watched as Legolas held back the other Elves from attacking the Dwarves. Her gaze shifted to Boromir as he smiled charmingly at her. Her gaze shifted to Frodo as he rose to his feet, shouting something. "I will take the ring to Mordor!" he shouted over the din. Sudden silence fell over the council and everyone looked at him in shock. "Though…I do not know the way," he added softly.
"I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins. For as long as it is yours to bear," Gandalf said, standing next to Frodo.
Aragorn rose to his feet. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." He knelt down. "You have my sword," he pledged and stood next to Gandalf.
"And you have my bow," Legolas said.
"And my axe," Gimli added.
Boromir rose to his feet and walked towards Frodo. "You carry the fate of us all little one." He looked at Gandalf and Elrond. "If this is the decision of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Here!" a voice shouted and Samwise ran next to Frodo. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!"
"No indeed. It is hardly possible to separate you…even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not," Elrond agreed.
Merry and Pippin ran out from behind a bush. "Oye! We're coming too! You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Merry said.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission…quest… thing…" Pippin added.
"Well, that rules you out Pip," Merry joked.
Sam rose to her feet. "Though I was not born of this land, it has become my home in the two years I have lived here. I will not sit idly by when I can help see this task done." She glanced briefly at Elrond then looked at Frodo. "I'm with you." She waited for Elrond to object, but he never did. She looked at him and saw kindness in his eyes and approval.
"Ten companions…so be it," he said thoughtfully. "You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring," he informed them.
"Great! Where are we going?" Pippin asked.
- - - - - - - - - -
Arwen walked to her father. "Atar, why did you not object to Samantha's going with the Fellowship? I thought you were worried of her going should something happen to her."
"Shortly after her arrival here, I saw a vision of her saving Aragorn and Legolas. She is selfless and brave, moreso than most Men of this land. She will be needed on this quest, not just because she may sacrifice herself to let Aragorn and Legolas live."
"Does she know of this vision?" Arwen asked.
"No, and you must not speak of it to anyone, not even her. It may change the future." Elrond picked up a beautifully made Elven sword that was similar to Arwen's. "Give this to Samantha. It will prove useful for her."
Arwen took the blade. "This was newly made for her," she said softly.
"Yes. One of the best swords Elven hands have ever made. Now go. They leave in the morning."
Arwen nodded and put the blade in the sheath. She walked down the halls and stopped in front of Sam's room. She knocked on the door and a voice called out that it was open. The Elf stepped in and smiled at the blonde.
"Arwen, what brings you here?"
"I've a gift for you," she said. She held out the sword to Sam.
The blonde slowly took it and was stunned with how light it was. She pulled the blade free and was further surprised. "It feels like it was made for my hand," she murmured, carefully swinging the sword.
"It is yours to take on this journey," Arwen said.
"Thank you Arwen," Sam said. The Elf smiled and excused herself, slipping past Legolas as he entered Sam's room. "Hey," Sam greeted.
"I have a gift for you from my mother," he said. He held out a cloth bundle and she accepted it. She removed the cloth and a gleaming silver shirt met her eyes. "It is mythril," he explained. "Nothing can penetrate it."
"It's so light," Sam murmured. She smiled and looked up at him. "Your parents are very kind to me."
He smiled. "We consider you to be family," he said.
"Thank you Legolas," she said, kissing him softly on the cheek.
He smiled. "Think nothing of it. You should rest. It is a long journey to Mordor," he advised. She nodded and he left the room, his hand briefly touching where Sam had kissed him.
So? Is it still holding everyone's interest? Drop me a non-flame review to let me know! And I apologize if anyone seemed out of character...don't kill me!...:hides: