{Chapter Five}
Siladhiel touched the glass with sadness in her heart seeing her father's spear in the case as she directed Elrond to keep it safe all those years ago. She was so deep in the thoughts of that final battle that she didn't realize when Legolas appeared next to her.
"My father often spoke of Gil-galad and his spear Aeglos" Legolas whispered in awe staring at the legendary weapon "He spoke of the pure white metal that shined in battle. It must have been a magnificent sight to see"
"It was" Siladhiel confirmed allowing the sad smile to take over her lips in remembrance "Gil-galad held a strength in battle that none would ever be able to contend with"
"You have seen him in battle?" Legolas questioned in complete awe at the information, few remained that remembered the war. Everything he knew were from the tales his father spoke.
Siladhiel smiled softly remembering the way that it shined, it was made of the same Metal that her own twin blades were made of. It was blessed by the Valar to never tarnish or dull, it was one of a kind and only to be wielded by her father. She took a breath to calm the sadness in her heart before turning towards her new friend.
"Shall we meet with the others, they are waiting for us at the gates" Siladhiel commented and Legolas nodded in agreement watching as she gave the spear one last glance before walking off
Legolas glanced at the unique Elleth that he had come to consider a friend feeling her sadness. She held her secrets close, but he could see that she had faced a lot in her past. It was the light that she tried to conceal that drew him it, it was the purest soul he had ever met. He could tell that she was always beautiful even if she kept herself hooded and he could only see the lower half of her face. She was always smiling and helping others, always lightening the mood of the group. He watched as she approached Elrond and once again saw the deep respect that Lord Elrond held for the Elleth. Yes, this Elleth held many secrets.
Siladhiel bid farewell to her friend and his family. She could see their worry as the released her. She stared at them knowing that it may be the last time that she sees them for quite some time knowing that most would be sailing shortly. She stopped one last time as the group continued with Aragorn at her side to take in the image of them before turning and beginning the journey for the destruction of the ring.
"We must hold to his course west of the misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Mordor" Gandalf commented looking at Frodo as Siladhiel stepped to his side, she would stay close to the Hobbit
~Later that night~
Siladhiel stayed in the tree listening to the chatter from the camp while keeping eyes on the surrounding trees. Her eye sight didn't mess a thing considering that her eyes were better than the average elf due to being part Valar.
"You need to eat" Aragorn commented seriously from below her and she smiled in thanks as she climbed down from her station to accept the food "I will take the first watch and wake you for the next shift"
"Thank you, Aragorn," She said softly before approaching a rock and taking a seat next to Legolas
"How is it that you know Aragorn?" Legolas questioned softly seeing the close relationship between the two
"I knew his mother, I came to consider her a dear friend" Siladhiel said softly smiling at the memory of meeting Aragorn as a baby "I met Aragorn when he was less than a summer old"
"Are you from Gondor?" Legolas questioned with interest wanting to know as much about her as he could
"No, but I have traveled there many times in the past" Siladhiel said honestly "I once considered the Numenor dear friends of mine"
"Not many remain that remember them, how many summers are you?" Legolas questioned wondering how far off he was
"6668 summers old, though it does not seem so" She said honestly with a shrug of her shoulders wondering why he wished to know this information
"You saw Gondor at the beginning?" Legolas questioned in realization
"I was there for the formation, it was beautiful" Siladhiel said with a wistful smile at the memory "It was truly one of a kind"
"It must have been a sight" Legolas said in amazement at the knowledge that she had seen the great city before the fall
"I do believe that one day it will return to its former glory" Siladhiel whispered staring at Aragorn, she had faith in him "Get some rest my friend"
Legolas nodded as he watched Siladhiel stand stretching slightly and he could see her curves beneath the thick coverings she wears to hide her appearance. He shallowed thickly taking his eyes off her as she readied for bed. His father would not approve of his behavior.
~A Few Days Later~
Siladhiel sat with Sam at the campfire watching Aragorn and Boromir attempting to instructing Pippin on wielding a sword properly, something she had already taught him. The hobbit was up to no good.
"Get away from the blade, Pippin on your toes. good, very good, I want you to react, not think." Boromir directly causing Sam to nudge her side
"Should not be too hard" Sam commented causing her to chuckle slightly at the little hobbit
"If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they have not, I would say we are taking the long way around. Gandalf, we can pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome. Gandalf clearly thinks that is a bad idea." Gimli stated catching her attention as she loved the Mines during her travels, she would not oppose that
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf said seriously causing her to sharpen her eyes on her friend, just what was he hiding?
"What is that?" Sam questioned drawing her attention to the watch that Legolas was keeping on the sky in the distance
"Nothing...it's just a wisp of a cloud." Gimli questioned as she stood and approached Legolas
"It's moving fast and against the wind." Boromir commented seriously as Siladhiel gasp softly
"Crebain from Dunland!" She and Legolas said at the same time as Aragorn immediately directs them to hide
Before Siladhiel could react, her hand was grabbed, and she was pulled under cover by Legolas. She stilled and stop breathing as she stares into the eyes of Legolas feeling him surround her. She was taken by surprise at the fact that she was extremely close to an attractive Elf for the first time since losing Glorfindel. She wanted to pull away and yet part of her wanted to pull him closer. She closed her eyes and for the first time noticed how comforting he smelled, like sandalwood and pine.
Legolas tensed immediately realizing that he had never been this close to a female before. He hadn't ever expected her eyes to be so memorizing or the unique deep purple color that he wanted to drowned in. The smell of lavender and vanilla surrounded him making it hard to think. It was almost painful to pull away from her when the others began to move but he manage to regain his senses and assisted in moving her to her feet. But not before noticing that her hood had fallen and that she was the most breath-taking Elf he had ever seen with the deep purple eyes and deep black hair that contrasted sharply against her flawless pale skin.
Siladhiel quickly returned her hood to cover her features before the others could see them. She hurried along to Frodo's side as the discussion was made to travel via Caradhras. She traveled with the others staying close to the hobbit assisting them through the snow paths. She stayed away from Legolas although she could feel his questioning eyes on her. She was helping Pippin when Aragorn's voice rang out.
"Boromir?" Aragorn questioned and Siladhiel noticed that Boromir was holding the ring becoming transfixed by it
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing, such a little thing." Boromir whispered as Siladhiel placed her hand on the small sword at her side
"Boromir give the ring to Frodo" Aragorn commanded in a whispered with his hand on the hilt of his sword
"As you wish. I care not." Boromir stated giving Frodo the ring ruffling his hair as the others relax
They continued traveling through the thick snow. Siladhiel wished the others could walk on the snow like the elves. She had even taken her under cloaks off to give to Frodo and Pippin, she had not real use for them other than to hide her form beneath them. Still the main cloak she wore covered her but did little to protect from the harsh wind. She paused suddenly as her hearing heard him on the wind.
"There is a fell voice in the air." Legolas said urgently
"It's Saruman." Siladhiel shouted to Gandalf hearing the black wizard clearly
"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn said urgently trying to protect Frodo
"No!" Gandalf shouted before yelling into the wind a chant to stop Saruman
It was no use as an avalanche begun and snow fell from above them. Siladhiel didn't think as she pulled off her main cloak revealing the cloak wore by her father that was blessed by her mother for the ultimate protection and spread it to protect each of the hobbits and her as they were buried in the snow. Aragorn and the others frantically began to dig as she assisted unburying them giving a toss of the cloak and stood revealing four hobbits and Gimli completely untouched from the snow.
The others stared in awe at the sight before them. The warrior in all her glory in the navy-blue cloak once wore by her father, with the sign of Lindon's army and the marking of the leader in golden weave. The cloak sparkled with the protection from Vala it settled back around her. Her long black hair had fallen out of its braid and flowed freely around her. She quickly concealed the necklace before it could be seen and reveal her true name to the group. It was too late to conceal her appearance, they had seen her for the first time. The only relief was that none here would recognize her father's cloak, other than those that knew her secret.
Legolas sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of her as she moved to conceal her features quickly. He has thought she would be beautiful as all elves were, but she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He could feel his heart quicken and couldn't shake the desire to stare into her purple eyes for all time. He wanted to drown in her beauty and the light he saw thinly concealed under the cloak that was revealed to him. She was much brighter and purer than he had seen before, he knew it was only just a glimpse of her full soul.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city." Boromir said seriously as Siladhiel took a breath at the distraction he had caused to bring attention off her
Siladhiel was concerned over Gandalf's reaction as Frodo chose to go through the mines before walking before the fellowship down the mountain. They walked in silence for some time before Legolas grabbed her hand bringing her to a halt. He couldn't allow her to continue to hide from the world after seeing her true beauty, it would be a crime to allow such a thing. She looked at him in confusion as he pulled down her hood giving her a soft smile.
"Do not hide who you truly are among friends" He commented softly "Do not hide such light and beauty when it is needed in this time of darkness"
Siladhiel stared at him in confusion and shock feeling overwhelmed by the statement. The others looked at them overhearing the statement and smiled at her. She smiled back and nodded in understanding, she would no longer hide from them. Siladhiel turned to Legolas with a soft look.
Legolas smiled at her softly before they continued walking side by side at the lead of the Fellowship. Siladhiel smiled as they neared the dark lake and saw the familiar stones that shined. She had loved her brief amount of time here in the past and owe a great debt to them from years before.
"Have you been to Moria before?" Legolas questioned seeing her joy at the sight before her as the others awed over it and Gandalf attempted to open the doors
"I have been here once, long ago to thank them" Siladhiel commented as the took a seat to wait for the entry way to open
"An elf thanks a dwarf?" Gimli said in shock and Siladhiel nodded seriously
"It was at their assistance with Sauron that Elrond and I survived when Eregion fell all those years ago, they halted him when he went to meet us in battle. I took great pleasure in learning from them" Siladhiel said honestly with a smile from the memory "They were weary of me but welcomed me"
Siladhiel listened as Gimli spoke of his relatives in the mountains keeping her eyes peeled for danger. She watched as Aragorn stopped the hobbits from throwing rocks into the water and she had sensed something from within the water. Legolas had stayed close to her side and she took comfort in his presence as she relaxed when she could. In the end, it was Frodo that solved the Riddle and gave Gandalf the entrance to the mines.
Siladhiel was the last to enter with Frodo at her side tensing at the smell that hit her immediately, she could smell death in the caves. She could hear the others shouting from within the caves and them coming back to the entrance. She had sensed the evil behind her too late. Entirely too late. Frodo was suddenly pulled to the ground as she was turning to see the tentacles coming out of the water. The monster pulled Frodo forward and cried out in fear, she would always remember the look on his face.
Within a moment, she charged with Aragorn at her side, the image of her father and Eleidin fighting together showing in her mind. She took out her swords and jumped into the air slicing through tentacles to free Frodo allowing Aragorn to bring him to safety. The others took up their weapons and fought the beast the best she could. Again, the beast takes Frodo and together with Aragorn the slice the tentacle allowing Boromir to catch him.
"Into the mines!" Gandalf commanded seriously as the others begin to enter the mines for safety
"Legolas! Quenya" Boromir shouted at them
Legolas shoots an Arrow into the creature's head, gaining a few vital seconds to grab Siladhiel and along with the others race out of the water towards the mine. Legolas shelters Siladhiel as echoes are heard from creature ripping the doors away causing the rock slides that caved in the entrance. Legolas could feel Siladhiel clinging to him and her soft breath on his ear causing him to shiver as the darkness filled the cave.
"My thanks Legolas" Siladhiel whispered shakenly from underneath him as Gandalf provided a little light to the caves
Legolas smiled down at her before standing and assisted her to her feet. Siladhiel quickly rearranged her cloak shaking away the dust from the cave floor. She glanced at Legolas and took a deep breath as his eyes met her. She hated to admit it, but it was almost hard to stay away from the elf Prince. It was like she was being pulled towards him, she could not allow such a thing.
"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 the Orcs in the deep places of the world." Gandalf spoke drawing the concerned look from Siladhiel "Quietly, now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence will go unnoticed."
Siladhiel glanced around slightly before following the others feeling Legolas's eyes watching her every move. Legolas was drawn to her movements, he had never known this overwhelming desire to protect another before. It never could be even if he accepted it for it would only cause despair, his father would never approve of this match. Unknown to either of them, that a string of fate had weaved them together.
They continue up a steep stair, passing through a dwarf cemetery. The graves are despoiled where Dwarf skeletons are strewn about, and Goblin Graffiti is scrawled on monuments in dried Dwarf blood. The Atmosphere is very sinister. Siladhiel was extremely uncomfortable and choose to stay close to the Hobbits. She hated when they stopped suddenly at the part where the path splits into three paths.
"I have no memory of this place." Gandalf said frowning as he takes a sit and begins to stare at the possible paths before him
"Are we lost?" Pippin questions as Siladhiel takes a seat away from the group shivering from the darkness she was sensing near her. The only comfort she felt was the from the companions around her and the chatter of the hobbits.