So excited at the reaction i got to the first chapter of this story. I am really enjoying writing this one. So heres the next chapter, hope you enjoy.
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Caradhras
The fellowship trekked along the mountainside, the snow was now above to the halflings waists. Aragorn and Boromir did their best to try and help the Hobbits wade through the it. Aragorn looked up to see Legolas walking over the snow, leaving barely a boot print behind him. They were now walking across a narrow path that wound around the side of Caradhras, their face's were numb from the cold. Gandalf pushed on at the front of the party, using his staff to try and dig a path through the dense snow. Legolas floated past the wizard, his keen ears picking up a faint voice in the distance.
'There is a fell voice on the air.' he said, his eyes trying to see where the voice was coming from.
'Its Saruman!' Shouted Gandalf.
A mighty crack sounded above their heads, and Legolas looked up so see rocks start to fall from the mountainside, narrowly missing the fellowship.
'He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!' shouted Aragorn, as he attempted to shelter Frodo from the snow.
'No!' shouted the wizard and he pushed his way through the snow to the end of the path 'Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!'
'Gandalf, Aragorn is right, we must leave this place.' Shouted the elf after the wizard.
A great bolt of lightning, struck the mountainside above their heads causing snow to tumble down. Legolas managed to grab Gandalf and pull him back before the Fellowship became buried in snow. The elf managed to dig his way out from his white tomb, his heart thumping against his chest as he freed himself. He looked around, relieved to see the rest of the fellowship start to poke their heads through the snow. Images flashed in his mind and he scrunched his eyes in an attempt to banish them from his brain. Flashes of him being chained the wall naked as ice cold water was thrown over his beaten body, danced before his eyes. The pain of whips slicing his soft skin ran down his back and he yelled out causing the fellowship to jump in surprise.
'Legolas?' Said Gimli, making the elf snap out of his nightmare.
'We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!' said Boromir, taking everyones attention away from Legolas' sudden outburst.
'The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!' said Aragorn, turning his attention to his fellow man.
'If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria' finished Gimli.
Gandalf stood in silence for some time, pondering what to do. He knew that they were right, the mountain was too perilous and they would almost certainly die here.
'Let the Ringbearer decide'
Frodo looked at the the Fellowship with a mixture of shock and fear. He could feel their eyes on him, waiting for him to make his decision.
'We cannot stay here! This will be the death of the hobbits!' said Boromir as he held the halflings close to keep them warm.
'Frodo?' pressed Gandalf, watching the Hobbit closely.
'We will go through the Mines' he replied, noticing Legolas face become flooded with fear as he said it.
'So be it.' replied the Wizard, doing little to hide his disappointment.
Slowly the fellowship walked back down the side of the mountain, glad that the snow had begun to cease. Aragorn watched Legolas closely, watching for any signs that he may crack again. Several hours passed and they managed to find a large cave to shelter in for the night. Exhaustion swept over the group like a wave and everyone ate their meals quickly before falling into a deep slumber. Legolas had once again chosen to take the watch, despite feeling as tired as his travel companions but he could not rest for he knew what awaited him if he were to close his eyes.
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He had lost track of the days he had been in this dungeon. His head hung loosely, he no longer had the strength to hold it up. He had been beaten, starved, cut and burned to the point where he knew nothing but pain. Voices floated through the small bar window in his cell door, he couldn't understand the foul speech his captors spoke. He could hear the voices getting louder as they approached his cell, the sound of a key turning in the door sent a shiver down his spine.
Time to wake up, elf scum.' Spat one orc.
Legolas could see that he was holding a long, rusted knife in his hand. He knew what was coming but still he feared the pain. The orc grabbed his blood caked hair with his clawed hand and hulled his head back so that he was staring the creature square in the eyes. His sapphire orbs met his captors red ones but he did not let the monster see his fear.
The master wants me to keep you alive but nothing would make me happier than to gut you.' he said, as he smiled and revealed a set of sharp pointed teeth.
Then what are you waiting for.' He replied as he smirked.
His response angered the orc and he yelled out in pain as the creature stuck his knife deep into his side. He Gritted his teeth as he opened his eyes and glared angrily at the orc, but the creature was no longer looking at him. It pulled the blade out slowly twisting it slightly before bringing it up in front of his face and licking the blood off of it.
Elves never taste as good as they look.' he joked, before shoving the elf's head back onto the stone wall, knocking him unconscious.
Morning came, and the group continued on their path to the mines. Gimli kept the Hobbits entertained with stories of Durin's folk and the great feasts his people would throw. Gandalf kept his place at the head of the company, and Legolas walked with him. He did not speak to anyone, not even Aragorn. The sky had grown dark by the time they Fellowship arrived, Gandalf ushered Frodo to walk with him, speaking to the Hobbit in hushed tones as the others walked passed them.
'Ah! The walls of Moria!' said Gimli suddenly, drawing everyones attention to the sheer cliff face at the bottom of the hill.
In front of it sat a large black lake, its water deadly still and all around it seemed to wither and die. Slowly the fellowship walked around its banks, being careful not to fall in to its murky depths.
'Dwarf doors are invisible when closed' said Gimli as he tapped his axe against the stone wall beside him.
'Yes Gimli! Their own masters cannot find them, if their secrets are forgotten!' said Gandalf.
'Why doesn't that surprise me.' Said Legolas as he rolled his eyes, causing Aragorn to snigger.
Frodo slipped suddenly, his foot touching the water sending ripples across the once still surface. Worried he looked around at the the Fellowship who were now watching as Gandalf fumbled around in the dark in an attempt to find the entrance.
'Ah... now let me see... Ithildin, It mirrors only starlight…' he paused and look up at the night sky 'and moonlight' finished the wizard as he stepped away as the doorway began to glow.
The fellowship looked on in awe at the sight, its beauty standing out in stark contrast to its dull surroundings.
'It reads… The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria, Speak Friend and Enter' continued the Wizard, pointing at the runes with his staff.
'What do you suppose that means?' Quizzed Merry, not taking his eyes off the magical door.
'Oh it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open.' Gandalf placed his staff against a star that sat proudly between two trees entwined around an arch 'Annon Edhellen, edro hi ammen!'
The fellowship stood and waited patiently for something to happen, but the doors didn't move. Gandalf looked at the doors in confusion before raising his arms in front of him.
'Fennas Nogothrim, lasto beth lammen.' chanted the wizard again, but still nothing.
Gimli grunted to himself, and Legolas looked at him in surprise. Secretly he prayed that the doors would remain closed to them, he feared what awaited them in the dark tunnels of Moria.
'Nothings happening.' stated Pippin, but his comment was ignored.
'I once knew every spell in all the tongues of elves, men and orcs' said Gandalf, confusion etched into his features.
'What're you going to do then?' Said Pippin and this time he wasn't ignored.
'Knock your head against these doors Peregrin Took! and if that does not shatter them and I'm allowed a little peace from foolish questions I will try to find the opening words.' Snapped Gandalf as he turned to face the Hobbit.
Gandalf continued to attempt to open the doors, as the rest of the Fellowship found ways to amuse themselves. Legolas stood by one of the trees that sat either side of the entrance. As time went on, his hope that they would have to turn back was strengthened by the fact that the wizard had forgotten the password. He did not notice as Frodo stood in front of the door, his eyes scanning over the runes.
'It's a riddle!' said the Hobbit.
Legolas looked up at the halfling in surprise.
'Speak friend... and enter. What's the elvish word for friend?' he continued.
'Mellon.' Replied Gandalf.
Suddenly the doors started to creak and crack, dust filling the air around them as the stone doorway revealed a pitch black tunnel. Gandalf chuckled to himself and everyone readied themselves to enter the mines.
'Soon Mr Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires! Malt Beer! Red Meat off the bone!' said Gimli in glee as he practically skipped through the archway.
The fellowship walked into the Mines behind Gandalf as he blew gently onto the top of its staff, suddenly it started to glow a pure white light, illuminating everything around them
'This my friend is the home of my cousin Balin and they call it a Mine!' Gimli continued, unaware of what littered the floor 'A Mine!'
'This isn't a mine, it's a tomb.' stated Boromir as he looked around at the bodies, scattered all around them.
'No.' said Gimli suddenly 'Noooooo!'
Legolas walked up to one of bodies, pulling an arrow that protruded from his chest plate.
'Goblins!' he spat as he threw it to the ground and drew an arrow from his quiver.
He could hear his blood pumping as he tried to keep himself calm. He was so distracted that he did not even realise the commotion about him as Frodo was grabbed by a fierce creature that appeared from the depths of the lake. He was brought back to reality as Aragorn barged passed him, and he looked on to see Sam slashing at the creature with his sword whilst Merry and Pippin tried to drag the ring bearer to safety. They were thrown to one side as more tentacles emerged from beneath the water and the creature grabbed Frodo again, dangling him above his huge jaws. Boromir and Aragorn slashed away at it, causing it to drop its prey, but Boromir caught him and ran straight.
'Into the Mines!' shouted Gandalf as he ushered the Hobbits inside.
Boromir ran straight towards the elf before shouting his name 'Legolas.'
Legolas fired his arrow right into the foul creatures eye, and it let out a deep wale before pulling itself onto the bank towards them, angered by its injury. The group ran straight into the darkness of Moria, watching as the doors crumbled under the monsters tremendous weight. Then all went silent.
'We now have but one choice, we must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard, there are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world.' said Gandalf as he tapped his staff against the ground, its white light appearing again.
Legolas looked at Aragorn with wide eyes, before they followed the wizard up the worn stairs that lay before them. Legolas' mind reeled as he tried to block out the memories that probed as his consciousness. His hands shook and his breathing quickened, this was a battle he could not win.
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He awoke to smell of burning flesh. As he became more aware, he realised it was his and screamed as his skin fizzed. The orc laughed as Legolas tried to pull himself away, but he was too weak.
If you keep doin' that, you'll kill im'' said another orc nervously from the corner of the room.
So what.' Spat his attacker as he pulled away the hot poker.
This one's special. E's a Prince.' stated the nervous or 'the master wants to start his experiment on im' soon.'
Legolas shuddered at the creatures words. Experiment? Who was his master and what did he want with an Elvish Prince.
What makes him so special?' said the red eyed orc as he pointed at Legolas' limp form.
E's pure… Sindar.' it replied 'Thranduil's son.'
This caused the orc to look at him differently.
Well well, I didn't know I was hostin' royalty.' he sniggered 'Come, lets leave our Prince to sleep.'
They left the room abruptly, leaving Legolas hanging there. His body was covered in cuts and burns and his torso was now black with bruises. He wondered if he would ever leave this place, see Mirkwood again. He wondered if anyone was looking for him, if he was looking for him. Slowly he drifted out of consciousness again, he welcomed it and soon he fell into a painless slumber. Praying that Estel would find him.
Well theres the next instalment, i hope you enjoyed it and i will try to get the next chapter up soon. Let me know what you thought.