Authors' note: Hi all! This chapter has changed so many times it really had my head spinning. Just a warning that there are changes in the point of view so I used lines to make this more clear and less confusing. Apologies in advance if you find it headwrecking but I thought it would be interesting to shake it up a bit :) Thanks again to my reviewers;
JamieT19: Just a public statement it should only be about one or two more chapters before everything splinters as such. . . . or three. . . Thanks for the detail I really enjoy pouring over reviews and then returning to the story with those suggestions in mind, Divinesubjugation: Once again thank you for reviewing, the future for Indil and the Fellowship shall be interesting and finally to Nichole: newbie on the block, thank you for taking the time to review.
So on with the story. . . .
Once Pippin had regained his seat the meal continued much in the same way as it had before Lady Indil and Gandalf left.
The Hobbits chatted merrily amongst themselves while mocking Pippin for his graceful departure from the table. Heads bowed together the elven prince and ranger resumed the serious discussion that had preoccupied them, sharing significant looks as they spoke in hushed tones. Boromir did not care much since it was impossible to hear with the Hobbits separating himself and Gimli from the pair, even if they had wanted to, conversation would have been impossible. Still it struck him as being rude when they held these private talks at the table in company.
"Elves and their ways" huffed Gimli, sitting opposite to Boromir, "cannot tell myself why everyone thinks of them as being courteous."
"Quite, master dwarf." Replied Boromir, wrenching his attention from the enigmatic pair.
As if realising they were being watched prince Legolas turned more fully in his seat to face Aragorn. Not so much as to be blatant but enough for both the Gondorian and dwarf to know that their observation was not welcome.
"Ignorant princeling."
"I would not mind so much if they were not in company, but to shun companions at a common meal ," Boromir shook his head ". . . In any case, master dwarf how fare your people and the men of Dale?"
Gimli, thankful for some distraction, related the worsening situation that continued to prevail in his homeland.
". . . and not just farm matters, trade is nearly a thing of the past. Fewer and fewer merchants pass through the Dale and Rohan has more than enough trouble to be dealing with . . ."
"I heard that the land ruled by King Theoden has suffered greatly since the arrival of one Grima Wormtongue?"
"Aye lad, that is the truth of it. No wonder, yon King Theoden has lost his control an' some say his mind."
Boromir could not help but be saddened at the thought of Eorls' people living in such dire conditions. What use would it be when Gondor, battling for its' very survival, could not look to the coming of the rohirrim. . . . then again what had Gondor done for Rohan? The accusations made by Legolas and Aragorn rang through his mind ominously . . . they had been disparaging of his homeland. What would they know? What could they know of the suffering in Gondor? The fear? Each new dawn brought with it more sorrow and death. What did the people of Rohan think? Do they believe we have forgotten them in these dark times?
"I cannot say verily whether Gondor could have prevented that. . . but I am truly sorry. . . for long have our peoples held each other in friendship and trust. I dare not think what the horse lords make of Gondor in these dark times. . ."
"Ah lad. Everyone has their own troubles to be dealing with . . . people are not as close as they once were. . ."
Boromir smiled grimly at the dwarf for his attempt to console him. Still he could not push from his mind the idea that he could have done more . . . his father could have done more. . .
"What about Gondor? How does the white city fare?"
Almost wishing the dwarf had not asked him anything Boromir broke some bread in his hands.
"Much the same master dwarf, much the same. The city still stands as bright as ever it was in my childhood but now the shadows of Mordor have grown longer. There is a despondency that was once not there . . . life goes on as normal, or as normal as can be expected but it is still not the same. Happily we have regained Osgiliath though it is little more than a ruin. Briefly I glimpsed what Gondor once was . . . a mighty Kingdom of men . . . It was only when I faced Mordor once more that the vision faded."
Gimli nodded in sympathy. Every race longed for the days of glory, the times in which each had its' jewels and beauty. All or most has faded now . . . lost in the tales of ancient splendour.
"Aye that is the truth if ever I heard it. What great dwarven realms remain? . . . my cousin Balin set out not too long ago with a company of dwarves to retake Moria. We have not heard from him in a while but I hope that in the future Moria will be open for trade as it once was. The magnificence of the darrowdelf for all to see and admire . . . lest it fade into legend and myth."
Boromir recognised the set of despair in Gimli's shoulders. He had not had much experience of dwarves but they were renown for their pride . . . undeniably he had become more familiar with the dwarf during his time at Rivendell but now he realised how much more he did not know of his companion.
"Come these are mournful tales of woe and pity! Let us look to the future and hope!" stated Boromir, in a tone of strength that he did not fully trust himself.
"Aye lad," grinned Gimli, beneath his beard. "what use is there in the past? All that matters is what lies ahead of us."
"I do not like it Aragorn."
The ranger studied his friend grimly from his seat. Legolas recognised that look. . . it was the same one that Aragorn wore when he were considering an unlikely opportunity when hunting.
"Legolas I do not understand why it troubles you so. What does it matter if Boromir and Indil spend time in each others company?"
Despite his words Aragorn knew exactly why it troubled Legolas but it was never wise to confront an elf on such matters . . . his years in Rivendell had taught him that.
"You saw how the Gondorian reacted to the ring at the council! Aragorn we leave in little more than a week . . . he is a liability. If the Lady Indil should become attached to the man what might she do to protect him? You know that Gandalf places great confidence in her. . ."
"My friend, it is natural for Boromir to attach himself to those who are most like his kind. He is surrounded by elves here. . . and you have heard of his father, Denethor? A suspicious man at best. Look he talks to Gimli and the Hobbits as well. The only reason he does not approach me is due to my ancestry."
Legolas could see the logic in his arguments but he still felt that Aragorn should pay more heed to the developing friendship between the two.
"I still think it is unwise not to watch them . . ."
"Legolas, it will be of no good. As you said yourself we leave in a week after that there is nothing that Indil can possibly do to protect Boromir."
"You are right I suppose."
Aragorn smiled at his elven companion. The woodland elf had always been the most cautious of his friends, though Halbarad might come close.
"Come I wish to sharpen my archery skills. They have become dull as of late with all this waiting."
Glancing up at Aragorn the elf shook his head.
"Nay I think I shall pay the library a visit. I have not talked with Erestor in quite some time. Is shall meet you on the archery fields later on."
"Very well." Replied Aragorn, with a puzzled expression on his face.
Watching his friend go Legolas knew that he would have to look elsewhere for help. Aragorn might not see the importance of this but I cannot let it endanger the quest. Pushing himself from his chair Legolas strode from the room without looking back.
"What do you make of that?" muttered Gimli darkly, scrutinising the prince as he left the room.
Boromirs' frown was all the answer he needed. The ranger and elf seem to be fairly close, no use in looking for friendship there.
"I am not sure Gimli."
Crossing his arms, Gimli leaned on the table conspiratorially.
"Listen here laddie. I see no niceties in the behaviour of those two. The ranger I do not like and the elf. . . ."
Twisting his mouth into a grimace beneath his beard Gimli leaned still further in Boromirs' direction.
"Exceptin' for the present company," Gimli nodded in the busy Hobbits direction, "we are on our own. The wizard is great friends with the northern man so I count him as one of them. Gandalf always seemed to blow with the fairest winds. Way I see it we have to stick together if we are goin' to get anything done."
Boromir stared at the table. The dwarf was right . . . he was on his own. Aragorn scorned him, the elf followed suit and Gandalf . . . he had always preferred his brother.
"Fair enough master Gimli. We are in this together."
Raising his eyes to the dwarf Boromir matched his stare. Holding out his hand he waited. Gimli gripped it without a moments hesitation.
"I think we have just entered into a pact lad, where I come from that stands no matter what."
Boromir nodded seriously, hardening his grip for a moment before releasing the dwarfs' hand.
"Now would you care to join me? I think I will see what state my horse is in. He might need new shoes if he is to be used as a pack animal."
"Aye, why not. Nothin' else to do around here but sing or read."
Once the man and dwarf had left the Hobbits stared at each other.
"Can you believe it? Nobody trusts anyone!"
"It has been like that from the very beginning' Master Merry. As my ole gaffer used to say 'Good fences make good neighbours'."
Pippin snorted at Sams' suggestion.
"Good neighbours? More like good enemies! You don't suppose that it will come to close quarters?" he whispered.
When he got no response other than confused looks Pippin continued.
"You know. A duel? A fistfight? Like when old man Proudfoots' had one to many and starts to goad Toby Cotton. Last year Toby lost his senses and struck Proudfoot. No more arguments."
"Ahhh Pip! They could not do that in Rivendell. I don't think that Lord Elrond would be too happy about that do you?"
Frodo had remained silent throughout this exchange of ideas. He too had been listening into both conversations.
"Don't be worrying Mister Frodo. Gandalf will sort them lot out to be sure. He won't broke no arguments will Gandalf."
Picking up on Sams' concern Merry and Pippin began chorusing similar thoughts to try and alleviate their fellow hobbits' anxiety.
"How am I to get through all this?" wondered Frodo aloud to no one in particular.
The three remaining Hobbits shared a fleeting looks full of meaning. They could not allow Frodo become too overwhelmed by the whole venture, he was still not fully recovered from his experience on the road to Rivendell.
"I say we forget about it!"
"Quite right Pip. What is the point in worrying? There is nothing us Hobbits can do about it anyway."
"I agree with Master Pippin and Master Merry. Say Mister Frodo why don't we go find Bilbo? He has to finish that tale of Smaug yet and I never tire of hearin' it."
Frodo cracked a smile in Sams' direction. Good old Sam always knew how to take his mind off of things.
"Quite right Sam. Let's go find Bilbo."
"So are you ready to leave?"
Indils' question broke the deepening silence that had grown between the two Istari ever since they had entered the gardens.
"Yes. I have just come from a meeting with Lord Elrond about our chosen course and we have come to a loose agreement of what it will be."
"Really?" replied Indil, surprised that Gandalf had decided on a route at all since it was more characteristic of him to wait and see where he would go.
Gandalf did little more than raise an eyebrow at her incredulous tone.
"Yes, really."
Yet again the silence spread between the pair. Indil knew he was waiting for her to ask so she played along.
"Well would you care to enlighten me?"
Smiling briefly Gandalf stopped momentarily as if to admire the flourishing blossoms. Then without any warning he moved off, forcing Indil to follow him to a stone bench. The same one on which she had spoken with Aragorn. Settling himself on it Gandalf waited until Indil was seated.
" Both of us know that now the nine have knowledge of Frodos' whereabouts we can be certain that Sauron and Saruman will have their spies waiting scouring every possible route. Lord Elrond and myself discussed the matter and have come to the conclusion that the Redhorn Pass into the Dimrill Dale is the best course to take. On from there I would hope to use the Silverlode and so come to the Golden wood, realm of Galadriel. It is the one way the Fellowship might be granted some favour and remain hidden. I seem to remember that you once visited the fair Lothlorien?"
Indil smiled at Gandalfs' carefully worded question. Indeed she had visited the secret woods before but had not received a warm reception from its warden.
"No matter. Then the Great River would allow us to approach Mordor from the north. Though of course we would have to travel by foot from the Falls of Rauros through the Dead Marshes."
Indil considered the proposed route. It was nearly the exact same as the one she had debated with Legolas a few days earlier. Gandalf was really allowing for the fact that Saruman knew they had the ring.
"It is a fair course. I could not have chosen better myself. You will need warm clothing for the mountain passes and boats . . ."
"Ahh yes. Lord Elrond has the seamstresses working on our clothing at this very moment. As for boats I am positive that the Galadrim will give us two of their own if not three. That is if I ask the marchwarden politely." Answered Gandalf, smiling to himself.
"Yes. The marchwarden is all politeness." Grimaced Indil.
The sun was now in the western half of the sky and it would not be long until its' descent would begin. Sensing that the time had come to return to the room Indil turned to her companion.
"By any chance were you in contact with Radagast?"
This time it was Gandalfs' turn to frown while considering a question.
"No. I am afraid that with all this business of the nine and Frodo I had forgotten to talk to him. Though. . . yes. . I do believe that Lord Elrond sent a messenger to Rhosgobel to summon him."
"I think I will have a word with Lord Elrond and see if he has had any response. He should have if he sent that messenger before the council."
"Do that. We will need all the help we can get . . . I can only hope that Saruman has not contacted Radagast. I do not think he would bother. . . he always considered him a fool. . ."
"We cannot know for sure. Saruman might find many uses for Radagast. Least of all his affinity for animals. I shall speak with you later."
Nodding thoughtfully Gandalf pulled out his pipe and started filling it with tobacco. Indil left him to his thoughts.
The Hobbits might not have wandered far, hopefully everyone will remember we have not finished our discussion.
Standing in the corridor she looked left then right. More than likely they would still be in the Great Hall. Walking along the hallway Indil contemplated their newest problem. Would Saruman bother Radagast? He had often referred to him as Radagast the Fool but would that stop him.
"Radagast is by far the most connected with nature of our order. He can communicate with animals in such a way that the elves have often remarked upon it." Indil wondered to herself.
So caught up in her own thoughts she did not see Legolas when he rounded the corner. With a small surprised cry she managed to grab his arm to stop her from falling. He too seemed just as surprised clutching her wrist tightly.
"My apologies Lady." Mumbled Legolas, helping Indil regain her balance.
"Do not trouble yourself Prince Legolas, I am afraid I was lost in my own mind just now and was not paying attention to where I was going." Replied Indil sincerely while straightening her cloak.
"I tend to do that quite often. I was just looking for the Hobbits so that we could return to the meeting room. Have you seen them?"
"They were in the Great Hall not long ago. I myself am on my way to the archery fields from the Library. I am to meet Aragorn there. Will I pass on the message to return to the room?"
"That would save me a lot of walking. Thank you, your highness."
"Please. Use my given name. It is strange for you to be calling me your highness when the Fellowship are together. I do not wish to seem as if I am above them." Stated Legolas solemnly.
"Of course, Legolas." Replied Indil earnestly.
Nodding briefly the Elf turned and continued in the direction he had been heading in.
Indil could not help but stare after him dubiously. That elf is very strange. Shaking herself she set off once again in search of four Hobbits.