Disclaimer: This really is painful. I do not own anything written by Tolkien or created by Jackson. I also do not own the Governator.
Chapter 15- They're Comin' Round the Mountain
"Walking blows," Almira said suddenly to me in English as we stopped midday to make camp after our fourth night of travel. The wind was bitterly cold and the sun was hidden behind gray clouds as we settled in one of the many thickets that grew in this harsh territory.
"Tell me about it. I keep hoping Arnold Schwarzenegger will come driving over the next hill in one of his fourteen Hummers. He'll get out, toss me the keys and say "Walking is for girly men."
She started laughing quietly. "That was a pretty good impersonation."
"Thanks." I went and retrieved our bedrolls off of Bill before coming back to the tangled thorn-bushes we were going to use for cover as we slept and tossing her hers.
"What can you possibly find amusing out here?" Merry asked incredulously as he and Pippin set up their beds in the bush next to us.
"We were merely discussing our dislike for walking in such conditions," I explained and he snorted his agreement. I caught Boromir's annoyed scowl and apparently so did Almira because she started muttering in English "Why that no good dirty-"
"Down girl," I said amused. "You have to admit it did sound a bit flaky."
She sighed. "Alright that's true. Still Middle-earth does not know what it's missing concerning the car."
At that moment Frodo and Sam came and laid out their bedrolls near ours. "Mind if we join you?" Frodo asked.
"Not at all," I said as I crawled under my thorn-bush and plopped down on my own bedroll groaning in satisfaction. Almira crawled in after me, shivering as another strong gust of wind hit us.
"I thought elves were not supposed to feel cold," she moaned, curling into a ball and pulling her cloak tightly about her.
Echoing her movements I responded, "So did I. Apparently we thought wrong."
"Not exactly," Legolas said crouching next to our thorn-bush, a small smile on his face. "You do feel cold…but not to the degree other races feel it." He nodded to the Hobbits that could not stop shivering.
"You're right," I said. "I really only feel it when we are hit with a particularly strong gust of wind."
"This is so wack," Almira muttered before snuggling deeper under her cloak. "Wake me in a couple hours." I watched as her eyes glazed over and sighed.
"You should rest as well," Legolas stated quietly, gazing at me concernedly.
"I know, I know." I wiggled around until I got comfortable, as he watched amused.
"What about you? Shouldn't you sleep too? I mean, you have not been resting from what I can tell."
"And why should I? The others need it more and I am used to going without sleep."
"But still-" I stated rising slightly.
"Soon, my love, soon I will rest," he replied in a placating voice. My retort died on my lips as I felt a silly grin steal across my face.
"What?" he asked, tilting his head to one side, a small smile on his face.
"That's the first time you have called me your love," I responded quietly.
His smile widened. "So it is…and it will not be the last."
"I should hope not," I joked before lying down again. "You will wake me in a few hours?"
"Of course, rest well my love." I beamed at him before stepping out onto the path of dreams.
I felt a gentle shake and blinked a few times as my eyes slowly focused on my surroundings once again and Legolas' smiling face came into view.
"What?" I asked curious as to what he was on about.
He did not respond, merely reached up and plucked a twig from my hair. I blushed and muttered, "Stupid bush." He laughed softly before helping me to my feet. I poked him before turning to gather my bedroll and pack it away as he went to wake the hobbits. I looked over at Almira as she crawled from her sleeping spot and pulled a twig or two from her hair. "Stupid bush," she muttered, giving me a wry smile.
"I said the same thing," I replied. As we finished stowing our stuff on Bill, we gave him a quick pat before walking over to where Sam was passing out our chief meal of the day.
As we sat and ate, I did my best to control my grimace. "Forget egg nog, we should have created a Power Bar."
Almira snorted in agreement. "And what about trail mix?"
I groaned. "Good point. What were we thinking?"
"I think it's obvious we weren't."
"Apparently," I agreed readily. We finished our meal quickly and took up our places in the line we traveled in. Legolas was our rear guard and I was in front of him, Almira in front of me, with any variation of the four hobbits in front of her, then Boromir then Aragorn and finally Gandalf. Bill, with only a word from Legolas, obediently followed him without having to be led.
"I will never get over that," Almira said to me as she dropped back to walk beside me, nodding towards Legolas and Bill.
"My boyfriend: the horse whisperer," I stated dryly.
She gave a soft laugh. "At least you'll always have a ride," she quipped.
"Damn straight, you know how I do." She laughed harder and I joined in, though we were as quiet as possible seeing as we did not feel like giving Boromir any more reason to resent us.
We soon fell into silence as we trudged on, the wind sending chills through our body sporadically, but just often enough to darken our moods. It was this way for about a fort night. The same routine every day: travel all night and into the morning, rest briefly, eat a cold meal, then start all over. The mood was generally glum intermittent with brief moments of cheerfulness. And those moments were getting fewer and briefer if possible.
The sun finally made an appearance as we reached the borders of Hollin. Almira and I hung back as Frodo and Gandalf began speaking soon joined by Pippin then Legolas and Gimli.
"I am not looking forward to this next part," Almira whispered to me in English staring at the mountains surrounding us.
"Nor am I. We are going to have to climb that bloody mountain only to come right back down," I muttered dragging my hand through my hair.
"Then Moria, right?" she asked and I noticed Aragorn give a sharp glance in our direction.
I nodded uneasily. I should have realized names would sound the same no matter what language they were spoken in. "Let us speak no more of this, not now anyway."
She nodded and we joined the rest of the company near Gandalf in time to hear Merry ask, "Yes, and where then?"
"To the end of the journey-in the end," said Gandalf. "We cannot look too far ahead." Almira and I shared uneasy glances. Did he have a clue as to what was coming? "Let us be glad that the first stage is safely over. I think we will rest here, not only today but tonight as well. There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there."
"That is true." said Legolas. "But the Elves of this land were of a race strange to us silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now remember them. Only we (he nodded at Almira and I, causing the Hobbits to look at us in awe) hear the stones lament them: deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone.They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago." (1)
It always freaked me out being able to hear nature speak. It made me feel guilty eating vegetables or using paper, especially when I would walk outside after dinner in Rivendell and could hear the trees and grass whispering. What if I just ate their cousin? It was also weird hearing Legolas speak those lines. He always seemed so mysterious in the books, and well, strange. I was seeing a different side of him on this quest, his more serious and quiet self: the warrior.
As we moved into a deep hollow surrounded by large bushes of holly for breakfast, he appeared at my side. I gave him a small smile. "I am really, really, really looking forward to a hot breakfast."
He gave a soft laugh. "Me too." We settled around the fire, chatting merrily with the rest of the Company as Sam began cooking our supper-breakfast. We took our time eating as we were not going to be traveling again until the following night.
"This is very good, Sam," Almira said. He blushed as the others added similar sentiments.
Looking at Legolas I smiled mischievously and he raised an eyebrow in question. Waiting until he took a sip of water I whispered in Elvish, "It's kind of sexy when you act all wise and mysterious like you did earlier explaining about the Elves of Eregion."
I laughed as he choked and looked at me with wide eyes. Almira and Aragorn were chuckling as well, and Gandalf was smiling widely at Legolas. "I told you so," he stated smugly while Legolas glared at him. I looked questioningly between Gandalf and Legolas, but shrugged when neither one of them was forthcoming with an answer. Aragorn had explained to the Hobbits, Boromir and Gimli the gist of what I had said and they had joined in on the laughter.
Blushing slightly, Legolas turned to me and said, "I hope you know this is war."
"Bring it on." He smiled almost deviously and I was filled with giddy anticipation. What was I? Twelve? Get a grip, I reprimanded myself and rejoined the conversation around me. We continued laughing and talking as we finished our dinners, cleaned up, and then lounged around the fire.
All of a sudden, Aragorn got up and walked away to stand beneath a tree on the ridge. My gaze sought Almira's and I saw her furrowed eyebrows. Sensing my gaze she turned to me and raised an eyebrow. And I remembered she had not read the books. I mouthed 'Later' and she gave a barely perceptible nod. I turned and found Legolas studying me intently. The others had gone back to talking, breaking the surprised silence that had greeted Aragorn's sudden departure.
"Our path is going to be beset by peril and desperate decisions will be made," I explained quietly so only he could hear, leaning back to rest on my elbows and Legolas followed suit.
He sighed, his gaze pensive as he stared into the fire. "So our luck has run out."
"Unfortunately it is about to. As they say all good things must come to an end," I muttered a tad bitterly.
Legolas looked down, a small smile on his face as he took my hand and stroked it with the back of his thumb. "Not all things," he said softly, raising his eyes to mine.
My heart lurched almost painfully in my chest. Slowly I leaned in and pressed my lips to his briefly. "Not all things," I amended, my face still mere inches from his.
Gagging noises destroyed the moment and we both turned amused, if not slightly annoyed gazes, on Merry and Pippin.
"Jealous, gentlemen?" Legolas asked.
"Ew," Pippin said, his nose crinkling in disgust while Merry made a similar face.
"Hey!" I cried, sitting up indignantly and Legolas just started laughing with the others quickly following suit. "Thanks a lot, dear," I said sarcastically to the elf cackling next to me.
"It is not anything personal," Merry stated quickly glimpsing the murderous look on my face. "It is just you are our friend and we do not think of you that way."
"Besides Legolas would probably kill us," Pippin added with one of those adorable little hobbit smiles that could melt even the hardest of hearts.
"I would not kill you. Maim you certainly, but kill you? That is a bit harsh," Legolas stated in as serious a tone as he could muster.
"That is good to know. As long as they get to keep all their limbs who cares if they are horribly mangled?" Boromir interjected and the Company dissolved into laughter.
It was then Merry noticed Aragorn standing on the brink of the dell watching us. "What is the matter, Strider?" Merry called up. "What are you looking for? Do you miss the East Wind?" (1)
"No indeed," he answered. "But I miss something. I have been in the country of Hollin in many seasons. No folk dwell here now, but many other creatures live here at all times, especially birds. Yet now all things but you are silent. I can feel it. There is no sound for miles about us, and your voices seem to make the ground echo. I do not understand it." (1)
"Why couldn't you be the kind of Mary Sue that wanted to be a Ranger? That would have been seriously cool to have mad Aragorn-like skills," I asked Almira quietly.
She just glanced pointedly at Legolas. "Right you are," I said giving said elf a warm smile that he returned.
We returned our attention to the conversation at hand. "But what do you guess is the reason?" Gandalf asked. "Is there more in it than surprise at seeing four hobbits, not to mention the rest of us, where people are so seldom seen or heard?" (1)
As if on cue, everyone returned their gaze to Aragorn. And if I had not been filled with dread by the meaning behind his words and what was to come, the situation would have been comical.
"I hope that it is," answered Aragorn. "But I have a sense of watchfulness, and of fear, that I have never had here before." (1) The smiles left the faces of the hobbits and there was fear in their eyes. The more experienced and worldly members, namely Gandalf, Boromir, Gimli and Legolas, had adopted varying expressions of grim determination. Almira and I however were trying to keep our dread from being too obvious. It would not be a good idea to let them know we knew something unpleasant was coming.
"Then we must be careful," said Gandalf. "If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him, especially if that Ranger is Aragorn. We must stop talking aloud, rest quietly and set the watch." (1)
And just like that everyone rose and began readying for bed. While I searched about for a decent sized bush, Almira went and retrieved our packs seeing as it was her turn. I was standing by the bush we would share and was slightly surprised when both Almira and Legolas came walking towards us.
"Yes I am actually going to rest," Legolas teased correctly interpreting my expression. While we all took turns standing watch he had taken more than his fair share and I was not thrilled. "And I would do so near you," he added softly. "This talk has me uneasy." I nodded, touched at his concern and we silently set up our bedrolls. I noticed then Almira had not joined us. "You know I think I will camp with the hobbits," she said suddenly. "They look like they could use a bit of comfort." Smirking, she added teasingly, "Plus I really would not want to watch you and Legolas snogging."
"And we would not want you to interrupt," Legolas stated with a wicked grin standing and placing an arm around my shoulders, and then promptly covered his laugh at our shocked expressions. "Come now, don't look so surprised. It wasn't hard to figure out the meaning given the context clues and her tone."
I blushed and elbowed him in the ribs but he just pulled me closer placing a kiss to my temple. "Like I said...this is war."
Almira's smile widened. "This is going to be interesting. I'm going to set up my bed then we can talk." I nodded and she moved off. When she reached the hobbits I heard Pippin ask, "Are they really going to snog?"
My blush deepened as I felt Legolas shaking in suppressed mirth next to me and watched Almira try and answer Pippin's question without erupting into loud and therefore inappropriate laughter. As I shook my head, Frodo shot me a sympathetic glance and I decided that he was definitely my new favorite hobbit.
Once Almira returned, Legolas wished us pleasant dreams before lying down and quickly drifting to sleep. Once we were sure he was fairly deep in reverie, Almira and I walked a few paces away and began our conversation.
"What is going on?" she whispered in English.
"Remember the scene in the movie with the birds and everyone hid?" She nodded and I continued, "That actually happened while everyone except Sam and Aragorn were resting."
"So today-" she began eyes wide. I nodded and said, "We will wake in the late afternoon and be informed we will be traveling at tonight and no more hot meals. We will also be making our way towards Caradhras."
She shivered and I had to smile at the involuntary action. "This is going to suck."
"Pretty much, until Lothlórien that is."
"True. We are safe though, right, for now?"
"Yeah," I said softly. "It's okay to sleep."
She let out a pent-up breath and nodded. "Goodnight then." Even though it was still day-time it was hard to break the habit of saying 'Goodnight' before going to sleep.
"Goodnight," I replied with a small smile. We returned to our respective sleeping areas and gave into sleep, silently dreading the swiftly approaching afternoon.
I awoke just around mid-morning and felt something pressed against my back. Unused to such a sensation it took me a second to realize it was Legolas. During the morning I had moved so that I was snuggled up against him, back to back. I felt him move, and dread entered me. I did not want to keep going and stubbornly refused to open my eyes. Mornings and I did not get along.
"What is it? Why are you up? Is it time to rise?" I asked tiredly, without rolling over. The wind blew a little harder, causing me to shiver and Legolas slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me back against his chest and I sighed contentedly as warmth flooded me.
"No, it is mid-morning. I just have the habit of not sleeping for more than a few hours at a time in situations like this. Whether that habit is good or bad I cannot say," he replied in a whisper.
My eyes snapped open as I felt his lips on my neck and I turned to look at him feeling a combination of amazement and disbelief. "What are you doing?" I asked incredulously.
Legolas raised an eyebrow impishly. "I would think it is rather obvious," he stated in a low, amused voice.
I gave a short laugh. "Ok, true. I am just surprised." And I raised an eyebrow questioningly, fixing him with a curiously amused glance.
His countenance softened as he explained, "I was just thinking how happy I am to have found you." It seemed he was holding back a bit, but I was not going to press for anything more. Such a statement was good enough for me.
I blushed and placed a soft kiss to his jaw. It was unbelievable that I was here with him, and it felt like time stood still for just a moment as I forgot how desperate our situation was. His eyes closed as I began to speak, each word emphasized with a kiss to his jaw line. "I...feel...the..same." Placing one last kiss to my lips, he said softly, "We should rest. We still have several hours more until we must rise."
"If we must, we must," I replied just as quietly and turned back onto my side. Legolas did the same, and pulled me close effectively wrapping me in his cloak. "Thank you, dearest." I felt his surprise and pleasure at the appellation and he gave me a slight squeeze with the arm encircling me. I drifted into reverie for the second time that day, a contented smile on my face.
I awoke in the late afternoon to find Legolas watching me. "That's just a tad creepy," I said.
He gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry. We are supposed to remain in hiding for the rest of the day and I'm rather bored. You knew about the crebain?"
"Of course," I sighed disappointed at being stuck in this bush for the next couple hours. "Well, it could be worse. At least we are stuck in here together," I said.
"Do not sound so excited," he stated dryly.
"You know it's not personal," I replied, delivering a swift kiss to his cheek.
"I know...stupid bush." I laughed and we spent the rest of the time talking quietly, laughing and joking together.
At dusk the Company set out and made our way towards Caradhras. We were on what seemed to be an ancient road and therefore made good time. It was approaching dawn when a shadow passed over us.
"What the hell was that?" Almira whispered frantically, dropping back next to me.
"I have no idea," I replied thoroughly spooked and nodded in the direction of the head of the Company where Frodo had just asked Gandalf something similar. "No, but I felt it, whatever it was," Gandalf answered. "It may be nothing, only a thin wisp of cloud." (1)
"It was moving fast then," muttered Aragorn, "and not with the wind." (1)
Almira and I exchanged dark glances. "Bummer," she muttered before returning to her place in the line.
"Major bummer," I amended, glancing back at a concerned Legolas who gave a shrug of his shoulder. So much for the knowledge of the elves. Mysterious flying shadows are not cool. I suppressed my shiver, but barely.
Two more nights of such travel brought us to the foot of Caradhras by dawn of the third day. We quickly set up camp and took our rest. When we rose in the late afternoon to take our chief meal the weather surrounding Caradhras was looking ominous. When it was decided that we would brave the mountain pass Boromir suggested we each bear a faggot of wood. I rolled my eyes as Almira giggled when he said faggot. "Seriously?" I asked in English as we went about gathering our wood.
"Sorry," she said. "Old habits die hard."
We set out again, making good time at first but before long it became steep and difficult and our pace slowed dramatically. By midnight we reached what Tolkien had referred to as 'the knees' of the mountains. Caradhras loomed above us, though you would not have known it given the dreary night that had settled around us. And to make it even better, a deep ravine bordered our other side so we were surrounded by near-impenetrable darkness. As we labored on it began snowing, falling faster and faster as we climbed. Even as an elf I could barely see the front of the Company. I could barely hear Aragorn and Gandalf talking and was only aware of their conversation when I heard Boromir chime in. "I wonder if this is a contrivance of the enemy," he said. "They say in my land that he can govern the storms in the Mountains of Shadow that stand upon the borders of Mordor. He has strange powers and many allies."
"His arm has grown long indeed," said Gimli, "if he can draw snow down from the North to trouble us here three hundred leagues away."
Once again I barely heard Gandalf's reply, but the quiet declaration filled me with dread. "His arm has grown long," said Gandalf.
While we were stopped the snow and wind had calmed until they were almost forgotten. But not long after we had started up again they started up again with a vengeance. Even Almira, Legolas, and myself who were spared the trudging of the rest of the company due to the fact we could walk on top of the snow, began having a difficult time trying to keep going. All of a sudden the Company halted and I sent a silent prayer upwards. As the rest debated what to do, I stared into the darkness listening to the eerie noises coming from the mountain. I heard what sounded like shrill cries and laughter and it was seriously freaking me out. Not to mention the stones and boulders that had been falling for some time now that seemed to be aiming for us. I let out a strangled cry as I was pulled swiftly backwards, slamming into a hard chest.
"Are you alright?" I heard Legolas ask.
I nodded mutely as I stared at the small boulder resting where I had been standing. I felt his breath rush by my cheek and I realized he must have been holding his breath. "Yeah, I am...thanks to you." I gave the arm around my waist a squeeze and moved out of his embrace to lead him toward the cliff where the rest of the Company was heading to try and get out of the wind. Almira motioned to me and I huddled next to her. The poor hobbits were practically encased in snow before they were pulled out and Gandalf decided to pass around the miruvor.As soon as I took a sip I felt a curious warmth spread throughout my entire body.
"This stuff is amazing," I said, Almira nodded vigorously in agreement as Legolas just looked at us bemused, seeing as he had had it several times to date. "I wonder how much it would go for in the States," I mused. The miruvor had given us our second wind. But despite our more cheerful miens, the storm did not relent. In fact, it seemed to be worsening.
"Enough to make us both rich," Almira stated before falling into contemplative silence and I followed suit.
Boromir finally asked about a fire after more time had passed and the storm had worsened and Gandalf finally tiring of the pathetic attempts to try and light a fire, used magic to do so. I had never been so happy to see a fire in my life. The night passed slowly and we had used up all our wood by the time the sky lightened and the snow finally stopped. It was decided that we could not go further as it looked like if we even tried the mountain would destroy us and enjoy it. The return was slow as the Men of the Company toiled ahead of us clearing a path for the hobbits. It was odd but I found myself in a fairly good mood, of course, I had not been almost buried alive like the hobbits. Ah, the joys of being an elf, I thought. About an hour later the men returned along with Legolas, who had gone to search for the sun and see where the snow was not as deep. I hopped on top of the snow along with Almira and joined Legolas as we made our way swiftly to where the snow was only a foot deep.
"This is so crazy. I keep thinking any moment I am going to sink through," I stated, walking gingerly.
"I know. I cannot get over it," Almira agreed.
Legolas said, "I remember my first snowfall. I felt the same way you do now. You both make me feel so old."
"I was just thinking how young you make us feel," Almira said with a laugh which I shared.
We hopped down just passed the great drift a few minutes before Merry and Pippin arrived. We waited for the rest of the Company to arrive and as soon as Frodo had touched his feet to the ground there was a great rumbling portending an avalanche. We were half-blinded by the spray and when it was finished we saw the path behind us had been blocked. "Talk about adding insult to injury," I muttered. Almira nodded in agreement shooting a black look at the mountain before we once again began trudging wearily down the slope. Caradhras has defeated us. (1)
(1) Passages quoted from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring-Book II, Chapter 13-The Ring Goes South
