Chapter 4 - Far Too Close
Rei was blushing deeply. How could Boromir be like that? One minute acting so friendly then he had to ruin it by trying to kiss him? Shaking his head he smiled shyly at Legolas "Good morning"
The elf smiled brightly "Yes this morning is good, I can sense that the weather is on our side, for now at least" Rei only nodded, he was already used to the elf's riddles and odd soft words. Rei walked passed Legolas and walked into the tent, smiling down at the sleeping figure before him.
"Its rude to stare" okay maybe not so sleeping figure. Rei couldn't help but smile as Aragorn opened his eyes "You look better than last night" Rei nodded
"There's no storm...clear skys, Legolas seems to think that the weather will be on our side for now" both he and Aragorn chuckled as Rei knelt beside him. Aragorn raised one of his hands and rested it upon Rei's cheek, making the neko-jinn smile. They stayed like that for awhile, in silence enjoying the quite. Aragorn soon pulled his hand away to stand up
"We must not waste today then, come" He held out his hand and Rei didn't hesitate to place his hand upon Aragorns. Rei smiled as he was pulled up, Aragorn pushing a few loose strands of hair behind Rei's ear, slowly his hand drifted down to where the Elven star layed "It really does suit you...you beautiful creature" he whispered gently against Rei's cheek.
Rei smiled at that, it wasn't the first time Aragorn had said this, the first time though Rei was highly offended, being called a creature wasn't something he thought was a compliment, but when he brought up the subject to Legolas the elf explained it wasn't something to be offended by. So Rei took pleasure in it, being called beautiful.
The two walked out of the tent, seeing most where already up, Sam had started breakfast whilst Legolas stood guard. Rei looked up at the bright sun, his eyes squinting lightly before closing them, letting the light of the sun hit him. A flash of fire flashed through his mind making him snap his eyes open, Rei looked around and saw no one had noticed. He was getting odd flashes like this, of fire and what seemed like an eye. He did not bring up his concern though, he did not wish to worry anyone.
As Legolas stated the weather wasn't as bad, at least not until they climbed further up the mountain. Aragorn was behind the group whilst Gandalf lead the way. Rei was behind the hobbits, helping them through the snow as much as he could. Frodo talking to him, asking about his world
"Well...I was living with some friends, we were...a team of sorts, like with sports" Rei explained about the beyblades and all, pulling out his own. "See, they like spin and its a battle of sorts, actually compared to all this stuff it looks...lame?" he chuckled at Frodo's expression "It means silly...pathetic?"
"I don't think its pathetic...if your passionate about it" Frodo said with a smile, which Rei gave him a small one
"I think I was loosing my passion, I mean I love Drigger and all but...its like a childs sport and I had nothing to show for it"
"Drigger?" Frodo asked
"Yeah...its him" Rei pointed to the centre of the beyblade where a picture of a white tiger laid "He's...my guardian as such, even without the blade I don't think I can live my life without him" Rei smiled as warmth came from his blade, indicating that Drigger felt the same. Frodo smiled at Rei, it was obvious that he cared for this...blade? Frodo grunted as his foot lost balance making him fall and roll down the hill.
Luckily Aragorn was there to stop him from falling any further "Frodo! Are you alright?" He asked, a panicked look came over Frodo as he searched for the ring. Rei made his way over
"The ring!" Frodo cried out, but the three fellowship all turned when an airy silence fell upon the group.
The three of them turned and saw Boromir picking up the chain that had the ring upon it. Aragorn helped Frodo to his feet, eyes still fixed on the other male "Boromir" His voice was stern, his hand already reaching for his sword
"It is a strange fate we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing… such a little thing" Boromir was mumbling to himself, only Rei able to pick it up with his hearing. Rei's eyes were widened lightly, as he saw that look...that dark look
"Boromir! Give the ring to Frodo" he growled heavily, making Boromir snap out of his trance, Rei watched as the darkness faded from the mans eyes. Boromir looked at the ring, a frown upon his face before he walked towards the hobbit
"As you wish...I care not" Frodo all but snatched the ring and placed it back around his neck, Rei's eyes now back on Frodo. Boromir jokingly tousled Frodo's hair Before he turns to resume climbing. Frodo looks on suspiciously before he too slowly follows. Aragorn releases his grip from his sword and the breath he was holding onto
"We need to keep an eye on Boromir" He mumbled to Rei, knowing he could hear him
"I do not think Boromir is the only one we need to watch" Aragorn looked at Rei with a single raised eyebrow "Did you not see the look on Frodo's face? That snatch was not something to over look" Both Rei and Aragorn looked over at where Frodo walked up to Sam who held his hand firmly, chatting away to Frodo who seemed not to be listening
"Perhaps you are right...Come on" Aragorn smiled as he placed a hand behind Rei's back helping him up the mountain
"The ring...is it...mind controling?" Rei asked, he knew so little about the ring
"I'm...unsure, I suppose theres a pull there, do not get me wrong sometimes I have these thoughts, how I can use the ring for greater good...I beleive that is what Boromir has through his mind too. The ring is extremly powerful, and it draws you in and thats what the ring wants"
"You speak like the ring has its own mind" Rei spoke confusingly
"When the ring creator, Sauron, died its said his soul was sucked into the ring. And that once the ring is returned so will Sauron himself. The ring wants to get back to its master" Rei bit his lower lip as he looked over at the remainder of the fellowship his eyes landing on Boromir's back
"So...this isn't really Boromir then is it?" He asked looking back up at Aragorn
"No...its not him. Well...remember when you said about a darkness in him?" Rei nodded at this "Well that is the ring, the ring knows the weakness of men, how easily they are corrupted" Aragorn looked down
"You are not Isildure" Rei said, resting his hand upon Aragorn's cheek making him look at Rei "You are Aragorn...King of Gondor, and a great man, I do not see the darkness in your eyes..." he whispered softly Aragorn rested his hand upon Rei's their eyes locked.
"Isildure's blood runs through my vains! His weakness-" Rei cut him off
"Your time will come and I know you will fight this" Rei rested his forehead against Aragorns. Suddenly Rei's head snapped forward, a frown marred his face "What was that?" He spoke out loud
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya"(Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your horn be bloodstained!)
Legolas frowned as he too heard the voice, by now the fellowship where at the cliff side of the mountain "There is a fell voice on the air"
Gandalf gasped and cried out "Its Saruman!" The mountain shook, starting an small avalanche, missing the fellowship only by a inch or two
"Gandalf! He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn cried over, pulling Rei closer to his chest
Gandalf Shook his head "No! We have no other choice!" With that Gandalf rises on the snow, walking to the edge and raised his staff chanting out a counter spell "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!"(Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!)
Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto-carinnar! (Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your bloodstained horn fall upon enemy heads!)
The spell Saruman chanted sent lightning strikes the tip of Caradhras sending a second avalanche onto the Fellowship below. Legolas snatches Gandalf from the edge, pulling him against the cliff just before the snow buries them completely, Aragorn wrapped himself around Rei whilst Boromir did the same around the hobbits. One by one they all emerged from the snow Boromir being the first to recover
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!" He spoke to Gandalf but Aragorn viciously shook his head
"No. The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard! We would be in more danger!" Gimli stood up and shook off the snow, speaking carmly for once
"If we cannot pass over a mountain, let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria. Gandalf we would be a lot safer!" Rei looked up at Aragorn, feeling the ranger tense up.
"Aragorn?" He whispered in worry
"Let the ring barer decide" Gandalfs voice spoke in the background but all Rei cared was Aragorn
"Its too dangerous" Aragorn mumbled as he pulled Rei closer
"We'll go through the mines" Frodo's voice spoken up and all Rei remembers is the look of fear upon Aragorns face