Disclaimer in Chapter 1 - They may yet be alive.
Nin-dethro hîn, Mellon-nin.
Chapter 3 - Don't you hurt my baby!
Sam couldn't take any longer. The creature that he and Frodo had been attacked by, a creature named Gollum, wouldn't stop screaming and crying. It was driving the Hobbit insane. He didn't understand how Frodo could bear such noise. "Would you shut up?!" The blonde Hobbit finally burst.
"It burns!" Gollum screamed as the Elven rope, tied around his neck, rubbed against his skin. "It burns us!" The creature wobbled the slightest and then fell to the floor as Sam pulled on the Elven rope hard. "Freezes!" He cried once more.
"First you say it burns; now it freezes?!" Sam shouted which made Gollum wiggle around on the floor, looking like a child who was throwing a tantrum because they didn't want to have a bath.
The scene in front of Frodo made him think of a worm on dry land. The poor Hobbit hadn't spoken a word since they had been attacked by the creature.
Night had approached quickly for Frodo and Sam as the slowly made their way towards Mordor. Both Hobbits were both staring at each other for they were waiting for the creature that had been following them since Moria.
Frodo had realized they were not alone a few hours ago. Sam had immediately come with a plan to try and catch this creature. The blonde Hobbit had no idea that the same creature had been following since the mines and thought it would be an Orc scout or some other foul beast of Sauron. Frodo knew that this creature knew the way to Mordor, it would be useful for him to guide them there.
Time seemed to pass slowly. They both knew the creature was near them for they could here small rocks now making their way down the side of the cliff they were sleeping next to. Small hissing sounds, from above, made them both shiver and the sounds grew much louder as the creature made its way down towards them both. Frodo and Sam could now defiantly hear what the tormented, twisted creature was now saying.
"The thieves. The thieves." The creature hissed, never taking its eyes off of the small beings before him. "The filthy little thieves." It growled deeply in its throat.
Frodo stared deeply into his gardener's eyes and saw a faint flicker of fear dance within them. The young Hobbit also felt fear for this creature had been stalking their every footstep and even made its way easily over large rocks and down steeps cliffs that had been proved as a challenge to both Hobbits. This thing was like a spider, stacking to the walls and not once falling off.
"Where is it?" The creature asked itself "Where is it?" The creature got ever closer to Frodo and Sam but did not know it was walking into a trap. "They stole it from us. My Precious." Frodo had noticed that it purred the last two words. "Curse them, we hates them! It's ours it is and we wants it!"
Both Hobbits sprung from where they laid and grabbed the creature by its bony hands, dragging it to the rocky floor. Just before the Hobbits could grab its hands, the creature's eyes were wide with shock. He did not expect such beings to know his exact location on the cliffs face.
The creature screamed as it was dragged to the floor. He suddenly realized what was happening and snapped out of his shocked state, ripping his hands free and pushed Sam into the cliffs face and Frodo onto the floor.
As the young Hobbit hit the floor the Ring that had been inside his shirt, fell out and now lay apon Frodo's top, shining as the moon's ray hit it.
The creature growled and circled itself, watching both Hobbits carefully as the tried to regain themselves but it was this exact moment, when it saw the Ring on Frodo's chest. It stared at the Hobbit for a couple of seconds as if in a trance but quickly shook its head and screamed as it leapt towards the Hobbit, reaching its skinny fingers towards the Ring.
Frodo tried, with much difficulty, to pry the hands away. The weight of the creature was shocking for he felt like a feather but the amount of strength it had was great, making it difficult to get the creature off.
Sam got up from where he was pushed and grabbed the creature by its ankles, pulling it successfully away from Frodo. Just when the blonde Hobbit thought it couldn't get any worse, the creature grabbed a rock from beside him and slammed it against Sam's head. The impact made Sam dizzy and he fell to the floor, his hands going straight towards the spot where the rock had hit. As the blonde Hobbit's hands went to the wound, he could feel a trickle of blood run down his face.
Sam shook of the dizziness, wiped the blood away with his cloak and looked towards his friend. He saw that the creature was back on Frodo, trying its best to get the Ring. The Hobbit roared in anger and lunged for the creature, grabbing it by its skinny waist and lifting it into the air.
The creature wiggled with all its strength and wacked the blonde Hobbit once more around the head and it slowly felt the grip loosen so it quickly turned and grabbed Sam by his neck with both hands and began to slowly squeeze his throat.
The blonde Hobbit and the skinny creature fell to the floor and Frodo could only look on in fear for his dear friend needed to breath. "Help him! Move already. Do something!" The young Hobbits mind screamed at him and he quickly drew Sting from his belt and pushed the creature off of Sam with much force, knocking it to the ground. Frodo then quickly went over to the creature and held Sting underneath its throat.
The young Hobbit heard his friend coughing and gasping as he tried to suck in the air that had been cut off a few moments ago. "This is sting." He said as he saw the creature hold its bony hands to its face and the fast breathing it had been making for some time now, slowly began to return to its normal pace. "You've seen it before, haven't you..." Frodo growled "...Gollum."
Sam stood next to his friend and watched as the creature slowly broke down into tearful cries.
"Nasty Elveses twisted it." Gollum quickly grabbed onto the closest rock, holding onto it for his dear life.
"Surely something like this cannot harm you?" Frodo spoke. He watched as Gollum let go of the rock and held the rope out in front of him.
"It does! It does! Please take it of us!" The creature screamed. Its eyes were sad and held much hurt.
"No!" Sam shouted and pulled on the rope once more, nearly chocking the creature to its death. "Mr. Frodo, we cannot. He will kill us in our sleep!" Sam at that point turned to his friend, fear within his own eyes.
"How did the Elves twist it?" Frodo asked as he ignored the pleas that came from the creature and his friend.
"We don't know." Gollum answered. "Nasty Elveses tricks us. And ranger. And Bagginses'. And Orcses, nasty filthy Orcses. Gollum, Gollum" The creature choked harshly which made Sam wince.
Frodo furrowed his eyes and asked "Who is this ranger you speak of? He was curious to know more about this ranger, who he had figured it had to be Strider. The future King of Gondor had too many secrets but then again every member that was within the Fellowship did.
"Ranger took us. Grabbed us and took us to nasty Elves' in a dark wood. Lots of spiders, lots and lots." Gollum's voice suddenly changed. "Wicked Elves'. Kill them all! Gollum, Gollum." It was harsh and deep. Almost like an Orcs.
Frodo looked at Sam and notice that the blonde Hobbit knew what place Gollum was talking about. The young Hobbit also knew what place he was talking about for they had heard the story from Bilbo himself when he had told them about Mirkwood's terrible past along with Legolas'.
"Mirkwood is a…dangerous place." The old Hobbit explained "It is infested with Orc's, Wargs and most of all, giant spiders."
"You are talking about Mirkwood?" Sam questioned "Why were you there?"
Gollum growled angrily "We just told's its! Stupid ranger, tooks us there!"
Frodo looked up towards Sam "Strider probably thought it was best to take him there for Mirkwood has a great dungeon system running below it. I don't think Lothlórien or Rivendell have such things below their grounds." The young Hobbit explained.
"I feel like us Hobbits are the only ones that haven't been to this Mirkwood." Sam smiled but didn't notice Gollum go stiff "I mean, Mr. Gandalf has probably went ten times as more as when he visits the Shire, Strider had probably gone loads too considering he was foster son to Lord Elrond, Gimli...I have no clue but I wouldn't think so and finally Mr. Bilbo. I wonder who else has gone that we know of."
Frodo smiled "Don't worry Sam. I bet when this is all over, we will..."
The Hobbit was interrupted when he heard Gollum ask "Hobbitses? You are...Hobbitses?"
The brown haired Hobbit then faced Gollum and saw anger in his eyes "We are." Frodo said as he furrowed his brow in suspicion.
Gollum looked at both Hobbits and then the anger suddenly disappeared and was replaced with one of sadness "Take it of us." He held out the rope as he pleaded.
Sam glared and knelt down next to his friend, whispering "I think we should tie him up and leave him."
"No!" Gollum shouted "That would kill us! Kill us!" He then fell to the floor with a throaty cry.
"Why shouldn't we?" Sam got up from where he had been kneeling and looked at Gollum, anger within his eyes "You tried to kill us, you could do it again!"
"Maybe he does deserve to die..." Frodo's voice trailed off as he watched Gollum continued his cry and wiggles on the ground. He would have laughed if the situation was completely different and less tense. The Hobbit then get closer to Gollum and watched as the creature slowly started to stop his wiggling as he watched him approach.
Sam couldn't believe his eyes at what his was seeing.
Frodo lifted the rope from around Gollum's neck and said "You know the way to Mordor?" Gollum nodded but didn't say anything. "You've been there before?" Gollum nodded once more. "Perfect. You will lead us to the black gate."
Gollum nodded, still silent as he began to lead the Hobbits to the right road where the black gate would be.
"How's your head?" Frodo asked as he walked along with his friend, still keeping a close eye on their new guide.
"It's quite alright Mr. Frodo" Sam replied with a smile "It doesn't hurt as much as it did before."
"That's good." Frodo returned the smile but then it faded as he said "I'm sorry Sam."
"Whatever for?" Sam furrowed his brows as he continued to walk next to his friend.
It was silent for a few minutes until Frodo finally answered "It's nothing."
Sam knew something was upsetting his friend and he wasn't going to stop until he knew full well what he was sorry for.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli rode towards the border of Fangorn forest. The smell from the Uruk-hai's burning flesh could be smelt from many miles as the wind carried it through the great plains of Rohan. Aragorn was the first of his horse and then with help from Legolas; Gimli was the last on the ground.
"I've never liked horses." Gimli grumbled and took a few steps back when Arod neighed, stamping its hoofs on the ground.
"And why not? They are such peaceful creatures." Legolas stroked Arod's nose as he tried to calm the horse down.
"Peaceful?" Gimli puffed "I will have you know, master Elf..."
"Gimli." Aragorn warned. "Do you really think this is the right moment to be talking about horses?" When Gimli didn't reply, the ranger continued "Come. Merry and Pippin are inside." When he finished, the ranger then began to walk towards the edge of Fangorn.
"What would exactly lead our two little friends in there?" Gimli questioned as he slowly walked towards the edge of the forest, along with Legolas beside him.
They all turned around, quickly when they heard their horses cry out as if in distress. Aragorn and Legolas ran towards as both Arod and Hasufel kicked and reared as if they were attacking some unknown foe. As the two beings got closer to their horses, both creatures suddenly ran away from them galloping back towards the plain they had just rode from.
"Hasufel!" Aragorn shouted as he watched the horse neighing while galloping away with Arod.
"Let them go Laddie" Gimli spoke as he placed a gently hand apon the rangers shoulder. There was the slight sadness within his voice but then again...The horses were the only thing that got them around quick enough and Gimli was glad about that.
"They will come back, mellon-nin." Legolas smiled
Aragorn nodded "They were probably scared. I have always avoided going through this forest when I was with the rangers from the north."
"Why on Middle-earth where you down here on ranger duties?" Gimli asked as he, the Man and Elf walked back towards the Forest.
"We rangers don't just stay in the North, Gimli." Aragorn smiled as he began to explain "We were on our way to Edoras to bear a message to King Thengel of the Golden hall."
"What was that message?"
He received no answer as he jumped at a loud grumbling sound. He had no idea that he was now within the forest of Fangorn.
Aragorn bent down and placed his hand on the earth beneath him "I noticed these tracks just awhile back for they were on the borders of this forest. They are strange indeed."
"The air is so close in here." Gimli jumped over a little stream as he slowly felt himself falling behind.
Legolas walked around and placed a hand apon one of the trees trunks "This forest is old." He let his hand go of the tree and faced Aragorn who had now got up and walked further on, following the tracks that he had found "Very old. So old that I almost feel young again." The young Prince wasn't expecting a memory of the past to resurface...But it did.
"Don't you hurt my baby! Please I will do whatever you like, just please don't hurt him!" The Queen of Mirkwood screamed as the Orcs gagged and bound her son. She could hear him screaming through the gag and tears were slowly making their way down his little cheeks.
Estelwen had forgotten all about the arrow wound in her side but the pain was still there. The Orcs had seized her arms and their black fingernails dug into her fair skin, silver-reddish blood ran down her arms as she continued to cry out for her child. "Please don't hurt him!" She begged.
"Oh, did you here that little Elfling?" A tall Orc, that seemed to be the leader of the army, walked towards Legolas with a huge grin on his face. "She wants us not to hurt you." The Orc pouted as he mocked the small being before him and laughed.
Legolas continued to cry for his mother but the gag only muffled his sounds. He felt helpless completely useless.
The Orc then walked over to Estelwen, her deep blue eyes glared at the creature but the tears did not stop. She couldn't help these from falling. The Queen was angry for one thing; the Orc had just mocked her child and laughed. The foul creature was going to pay. "What is your name, Orc." She spat.
The Orc laughed and answered "Vretkag, your majesty."
-"Aragorn, what's wrong with him?"-
"Then I place a curse apon you and your entire army." She began and she quickly glance over at her baby whose eyes were wide for he knew what she was about to do.
"A curse?" Vretkag laughed harder but the rest of the army fidgeted.
"I hear by name you all, killers and murderers…"
"Captain!" One of the Orcs yelled "Master warned us about…"
The Orc was interrupted when his Captain shouted "Warned us about what?"
"…For your sins, you shall all be swallowed up by the dark abyss…"
"About the curses!" Another Orc yelled. "Master warned us about these Elves and their magic!"
Vretkag remained laughing as he pulled a dagger from his belt and walked towards the Elven Queen who was still chanting the curse she wished to lay apon them. The clouds above had turned black and heavy raindrops began to fall.
Legolas could only watch in fear as the Orc slowly made his way to his mother, a dagger within its black hand.
"…And to be…"
Estelwen was cut short as the breath in her lungs suddenly disappeared. Her body slowly began to shake as she looked down towards her stomach. There lay, embedded within her, was Vretkag's dagger.
The only sounds that Legolas could hear were the sounds of rain falling onto the ground and the distant sound of thunder. He jumped within the hold of the two Orcs when he heard Vretkag's laughter. The Orc slowly stepped away from his mother and his eyes widened as he saw the dagger that was now imbedded within her body.
Legolas couldn't find his voice. His breathing slowly began to quicken and the tears that were within his eyes fell once more. "Naneth." He tried to speak through the gag but the sound still came out muffled. Suddenly, the scene in front of him became too much for the young Prince and he screamed through the gag as loudly as he could.
-"Laddie?"-
With all the strength he could find, he wretched his arms free of the two beasts that held him and ran towards his mother. His chubby hands, that were still tied together, went to the gag on his mouth and he ripped it off with as hard as he could, all the while screaming for his mother.
That was the trigger that sent the Orcs into action.
-"Legolas?"-
"Naneth!" Legolas continued to scream. Why did it feel as if his mother was so far away?
All those that were close to the young Elfling ran to try and gag him once more.
"Nana!"
-"Oi, Laddie, snap out of it!"-
As two Orcs finally got a hold on him, Vretkag punched him hard across the face and silenced the screaming Elfling before him. "You are proving to be a lot of trouble, little Prince." The creature snarled. He grabbed Legolas by the head and forced him to look at his mother although the young Elf never let his eyes stray from her. "Shall we punish your mummy?" When Legolas didn't answer, Vretkag smiled "Shall we punish her for your foolish mistake?"
Legolas' tears fell harder and then a whimper came from his mouth. "Don't." He whispered.
Vretkag laughed.
"Let's have some fun, boys."
-"Legolas!"-
Legolas jumped and looked at his two friends in front of him. He smiled sadly and then walked away from them.
"Laddie? What's wrong?" Gimli asked. Legolas had been out for about five minutes and it worried him.
When the Dwarf received no answer, Aragorn spoke "Legolas, you were crying."
Legolas' eyes widened and he raised a hand towards his face. By the Valar, he was! The wet lines that had stopped trailing down his cheeks still remained and he felt disgusted that they were still there. The Prince quickly wiped them away.
"Are you okay, Legolas?" Gimli tried again and stepped forward but stopped as Legolas turned back around to face both he and the ranger.
"I am sorry, my friends…I was distracted by a memory." Legolas finally answered but it did nothing to help relieve the Dwarf and Man. The blonde Elf then scanned the trees and said "I could have been happy here if I had come in days of peace..." He paused and then his blue eyes widened "The memory that this forest holds is great…And the anger is also."
Aragorn and Gimli were worried more than usual. They both believed that he was in a talk with Sauron for it was for a long time but Legolas even said himself that the dark Lord had not been haunting his thoughts as long as he used to.
Aragorn stepped towards his friend and placed a gently and soothing hand on his shoulder. Legolas only replied with a smile for before he could say anything a loud creaking and groaning noise spread throughout the entire forest which caused and Gimli to immediately lift his axe into the air in case some sort of foul beast was about to approach them.
"The trees are speaking to each other." Legolas raised his voice slightly so that the ranger and the Dwarf could hear what he was saying.
"Gimli!" Aragorn whispered as he rolled his eyes at the Dwarf.
"What?" Gimli asked, twirling slightly to get a look at both his left and right sides.
"Lower your axe." Aragorn made a gesture in which he lowered his arm.
"Oh." Gimli then chuckled a bit. He felt foolish for some reason but shook of that feeling and did as he was told, lowering his axe slowly.
"They have feelings my friend." Gimli stared at the Prince for Legolas had such a serious expression that made him wonder what he could be so serious about.
"Come now Legolas. Don't pull that face. They are just trees." Gimli raised his axe once more as the moans and creeks grew louder. The Dwarf could feel Legolas' eyes burning into him.
"They are more than trees. They have lived far longer then you, Dwarf, please do not act childish in their presence." The Prince shouted but immediately said "I am sorry, friend Gimli. I did not mean that. I let my feelings get the better of me."
Gimli glared at the Elf and just nodded as a reply. He was thankful for the creaking and moaning for they had begun to quieten down. It was like the trees were connecting to Legolas' anger. He found it strange. Very strange indeed.
Suddenly Legolas' head shot up and turned to the side, his eyes caught something within the distance which only he could see. "Aragorn, nad no ennas." *There's something out there."* He said as he ran passed the ranger and stood on a tree root, looking for the thing that caught his eyes.
"Man cenich?" *What do you see?* Aragorn asked in the grey tongue as he stood by Legolas' side. He looked too his right and saw Gimli, with his axe raised again, by his side.
"The white Wizard approaches." The Prince turned his deep blue eyes towards a small opening that happened to be where they needed to go.
"Do not let him speak..." Aragorn whispered as he slowly unsheathed his sword "…He will put a spell on us."
Gimli gripped his axe and readied a throwing one as well. Legolas silently pulled an arrow from his quiver and loaded his bow, his fingers gracefully feeling the green and yellow feathers they had on them.
"We must be quick." Aragorn lifted his head high. He was slowly starting to fear for their two Hobbit friends. He breathed in deeply and then with a shout and the sound of metal being pulled together, he turned around quickly, Gimli and Legolas following his every move.
Gimli roared as he threw his axe but the Wizard deflected it. Legolas released his arrow but the Wizard deflected that also.
Aragorn ran towards the Wizard but was blinded by the great white light that surrounded Saruman. He slowly felt his hand starting to burn and he looked down in horror to see his sword covered in bright red, heat slowly rising from it. With a cry the ranger dropped his sword and placed a hand in front of his eyes to shield them from the Wizards light.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." Saruman spoke, his voice was a little deeper to what Aragorn and Legolas could remember.
"Where are they?" Aragorn shouted "What have you done to them?"
"I will have you know, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, that I have done nothing to your little friends." Saruman spoke as a matter of fact "As for where they are, they passed this way, a day before yesterday. They met someone they…Did not expect." A slight pause was made until the three hunters could see a faint smile appear on his face. "Does that comfort you?"
Aragorn stared with a little confusion in his eyes. "Who are you?" He knew that Saruman did not say such things especially to his enemy's. "Show yourself!" He shouted. This wasn't Saruman at all.
Suddenly the light faded to reveal an old face that each of them had wanted to see since his 'death'. The three hunters stood, staring in disbelief as they saw the face of their old and very dear friend, Gandalf the grey.
"It cannot be." Aragorn whispered, looking the Wizard up and down, not believing what he eyes were showing him.
Gimli's jaw had dropped completely "It is impossible." He mumbled. The Dwarf couldn't tare his gaze away from the form Gandalf now possessed.
"Forgive me." Legolas quickly knelt to the ground, bowing, unable to show the joy and relief he had apon his face. "I mistook you for Saruman." He felt a small tear slide down his face.
"I am Saruman." Gandalf spoke, raising his head high "Or rather, Saruman as he should have been."
"Gandalf." Aragorn whispered once more as he took a step closer to his old friend.
Gandalf looked at the ranger, confusion on his face "Gandalf?"
Gimli stood close to the ranger and watched as Gandalf remembered his name.
"Yes." Gandalf smiled "That is what they used to call me."
By now, Legolas had joined the three, his tears no longer showing. Gimli patted him gently in his back and the Prince smiled his thanks.
The Wizard saw a nod come from the ranger "Gandalf the grey." Gandalf's smile widened "I am no longer Gandalf the grey, my dear friends. I am Gandalf the white." The three hunters saw the Wizards face turn grave.
"I come back to you know...At the turn of the tide."
I am so slow at writing! I am stressing out! As I am writing this it's now 1:43 and by the time I am finished and it uploaded it will be 2:30 something :( I am from England and this is way too late! It's nearly 2 in the Morning :'( Wahhhhhhh! I am so tired :''(
More reviews for next chapter? Please and thank you? :3
Things you might want to know?
1. Did anyone see a "The Hobbit" reference? ;D
2. I know…This chapter is has quite a few flashbacks in but they are necessary.
3. The flash back moments with Legolas are also spoilers to the prequel I am doing so you better all like them ;)
That's it I think? ;)
Reviews;
BrightWatcher; I love him to :') His time will come indeed ;) Thank you and now that I think about it…How did he know that o.o Merry and Pippin probably told him, your right :L I don't think an hour…more like a whole night! :o! xD
ArwenElf16; Ahhh thank you! He is cool, my favourite as always :') Hope you like this chapter? ;) Thank you :D I felt like Treebeard needed to come in early and the riders to be friends with him :3 Poor Treebeard, he had only the forest as his friend ;D
NIghtRunner144; Thank you :) Really?! I have never actually thought about a plot for this :L I just started writing about it one day xD It takes me forever, about four to maybe 7 hours to write a single chapter containing 3,000 or more words…I am just a slow writer…It must be because of this new story, I probably need to get into it a bit more and then I will slowly speed up I guess :P Ahaha! Thank you :'D
Exotic Nightmare; Thanks ;D He is being so naughty lately -.- Good thing he actually listened to me this time ;) I have made up Legolas' age because Tolkien never gave a specific date. BUT Peter Jackson has now given Legolas a birth date and has said that his age is 2,931 years old at the time of the "War of the Ring". I made up his age before Peter released his birth. I was pretty close, I must say :o!
will zona; Thank you and I will! :D And I did :D I will try to make it a happy ending! I can't promise that but I will try :) And happy belated new year to you, my friend :D Ahaha ;)
Why. So. Serious96; I did last time :o! I don't have a clue on how he got out! O.o Ahaha Aren't you glad that he didn't ;) Thank you! I can't wait either :p :D xxx
Gandalf: I am back! Finally :O!
I am sorry I made you wait Gandalf :')
Gandalf: You should be! I have waited so many long days for this chapter.
I am sorry :)
Gandalf: Do you know what it's like being pushed into a closet by some ranger?
I am…What did you just say?
Some ranger pushed me in a closet -.-
FARAMIR!
Namarië!
By the way...It's now 3:08...IN THE MORNING! :'( I need sleep!