Chapter 8
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(JAMIE'S POV)
I knew it was coming…but it was still sad. We kept walking and walking and finally we came to a crypt that held Gimli's cousin, Balin. Gimli ran forward and I turned to Jackie. She wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I always hated this part in the movie and forced her to fast forward to the fighting bit. If only I could fast forward this…I so would in like a second.
"We must move on." Legolas said. Jackie and I looked at him. "We cannot linger."
"Let him grieve brother." I said. Jackie nudged me.
"They have taken the bridge…" Gandalf read. I sighed and walked over to him, Gimli and Boromir. "And the second tunnel." I looked at Gimli to see him looking at Gandalf. He wasn't crying anymore (thank god). "We have barred the gates…but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes." I shivered and felt a hand on my shoulder. I was surprised to look up and see Boromir there. "Drums…drums in the deep."
--Here comes your favourite part Jam.—Jackie said mentally.
--Yeah…in the movie…now it's real…dude I am so gonna kick ass.—I replied.
"We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark." Gandalf continued. "We cannot get out…" He looked up. I hate uncomfortable silences. "They are coming." I backed away a bit then jumped when I heard the skull falling down the well. In an instant, Aragorn was next to me. "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"
"He was curious…no doubt." I said. I looked at Pippin. "Exercise caution with curiosity master hobbit." Pippin nodded. A booming noise started and I groaned and nearly fell over if it not for Aragorn's arms around me.
"Nienna?" Aragorn said, worry all over his face.
"Frodo!" Sam said. Both mine and Aragorn's attention got pulled to the hobbits.
"Orcs!" Legolas and Jackie said. Boromir and Aragorn rushed to the doors as arrows started flying.
"Get back!" I said, looking pointed at the four hobbits. "Stay close to Gandalf!" Boromir and Aragorn got the doors closed.
"They have a cave troll." Boromir said.
"Lovely…just lovely." I said. "First the watcher, then orcs, now a cave troll. Soon we're gonna get…" Jackie ran over to me and covered my mouth.
"Ignore her." She told everyone else. That obviously didn't make them feel any better. "Play by the script Jams!" She whispered that. I sighed and moved to help Gandalf keep the hobbits save. My eyes didn't leave Aragorn though. I hoped this went the way of the movie and books and NOT a different way. I couldn't stand it if I were to lose him. There was pounding outside and soon the doors were getting broken down.
--Jackie.—I said mentally.
---Relax.—Jackie replied.
--I don't like this.—I said.
--Jams. Relax. Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas won't let anything happen to us.—Jackie said. –All we are is just two extra characters in the movie. We win remember.—
--Right…but what if this goes differently?—I asked. I jumped when Legolas shot something through a gap in the broken door. He put another arrow into his bow just Aragorn shot another creature. I jumped again when the door got completely broken down and the real fight began. A wave of Orcs charged through towards us. Aragorn, Legolas and Jackie all shot them with arrows while Boromir fought them off with his sword. I drew my sword and followed Gandalf and the hobbits into the fray. I looked up at the same time as Sam and groaned as I saw that stupid cave troll smash through the doorway. Legolas shot it in the shoulder with an arrow.
"Go brother!" I muttered. I looked at Sam and pulled him under the troll's legs just as it swung it's mace at him. "Careful Sam." I suddenly realized that we were cornered. "Oh…damn." I watched as the troll fell back. I smiled when I saw Aragorn and Boromir pulling on the chains. The troll twisted its arm and whipped Boromir across the room. I wasn't sure if I should cheer or not. I hated the guy but I didn't want to see him die before his time. Boromir landed in a recess of the wall. Aragorn slung his blade into an Orc's neck that was standing over Boromir.
I looked around at Jackie and Legolas who were still shooting arrows at the orcs. I didn't have time to calculate exactly how many arrows my sister and brother had. All I knew was that they sure as fuck had a whole shit load of them. I looked at Merry and Pippin who had pushed Frodo to safety behind a pillar. Gimli was going crazy, hacking away at the orcs and ducking blows from the troll. Gandalf looked like he was having fun, knocking orcs unconscious.
--Jamie! Here's my favourite part!—Jackie said mentally. I looked over just in time to see Legolas run onto the troll's shoulder and shoot it in the back of the head before jumping off. The troll whimpered and stumbled, snapping free from the pillar.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this!" Sam said from next to me. I looked and watched as he swung as some orcs with a skillet. Hobbits were so funny.
"Frodo!" Aragorn shouted. Damn! The troll was attacking Frodo and I didn't even notice, let alone remember. I moved around the orcs before sighing and deciding to use the skills I got when Jackie and I were signed up for gymnastic lessons. I took a few steps back before flipping. As soon as my hands touched the ground I used all the upper body strength I could muster to spring myself closer to Aragorn to help him get to Frodo. It worked pretty good but I still had to fight a bit before getting to him.
The troll blasted around the pillar that Frodo was hiding behind. I looked up from my own fighting to see the troll lift and drag Frodo off the edge of a recess.
"Aragorn! Nienna!" Frodo yelled. I looked over at Aragorn and saw he was exhausted but was still fighting. I kept fighting as well, making the way easier.
"Frodo!" Aragorn shouted. I saw the troll drop Frodo. Just as the troll started to swing its mace, Aragorn leapt down into the recess.
--Stop!—Jackie said.
--But…-- I said.
--Let it play out!—Jackie said. –If you go…it'll change everything. I know it will.—
--Man! I hate it when you're right.—I whined. I stood and watched as the troll stabbed Frodo in the chest. Merry and Pippin suddenly jumped into it's back, stabbing it.
"Yaaahh!" Both of them shouted. Ok…in the movie…this was funny…but now…it's not.
"Frodo!" I heard Sam shout. "Frodo!" He rushed towards Frodo. I growled for some odd reason and joined Aragorn, Boromir and Gandalf in fighting to reach Frodo as well. The troll threw Merry to the ground. Jackie and Legolas were fighting with me and the others against these damned orcs and that stupider then hell troll. Pippin stabbed the troll once more in the head and, when its mouth was open, Legolas shot the deathblow. The troll stopped fighting, moaned a long, painful moan, then collapsed. Pippin got thrown to the floor. I was starting to wonder that, by all rights or something…the amount of times that hobbit gets thrown somewhere, he should have been dead long ago.
Everyone was quiet for a moment, all orcs either dead or have run off. Gandalf and Aragorn rushed to Frodo with Sam walking slowly over. I looked at Jackie and couldn't help but smirk.
"Oh no!" Aragorn said. He rolled Frodo over.
"3…2…1…" I muttered. Frodo groaned and gasped for air.
"He's alive!" Sam said, looking at Gandalf.
"Of course he's alive." I said, unable to contain myself any longer.
"I'm all right, I'm not hurt." Frodo said.
"You should be dead!" Aragorn said. I giggled softly and Jackie elbowed me. Aragorn looked at me. "That spear would have skewered a wild boar."
"There's more to that hobbit then you think, love." I said. I nodded at Frodo. Aragorn looked at him. Frodo revealed his Mithril shirt. This time Jackie laughed with me.
"Mithril!" Gimli said, in awe. "You are full of surprises, Master Baggins." I sighed when we heard orcs again.
"To the Bridge of Khazad-dûm." Gandalf said.
"And to your death." I muttered quietly so that only Jackie heard me. We ran out the rear door of the chamber into a high, ornate hall of pillars with a ray of light breaking through from some high shaft. I must have shown some sign of fear or something after looking around at all the orcs because Aragorn had grabbed hold of my hand and gave it a squeeze. Somehow I felt better. The dread I felt about knowing that Jackie and I had to let Gandalf die made me feel worse again. No matter how reassuring Aragorn thought he was being…it wasn't working the way he had planned.
A fiery light appeared at the end of the hall, followed by a thunderous rumble. The orcs fled in all directions.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked. No one answered him. I looked at Gandalf to see his eyes closed. The rumble happened again and Gandalf opened his eyes.
"A Balrog…a demon of the ancient world." He said. I bit my lip and caught Jackie shooting me a 'no standing in the way' look. I glared at her. The Balrog growled, still hidden around a corner. I didn't even have to look at Legolas to know he was afraid. "This foe is beyond any of you." He looked at Jackie and me. "Run!" Aragorn pulled me between a row of pillars with the others. We came out to a small doorway in the wall that Gandalf shepherded us through. "Quickly!" I yanked my hand from Aragorn's just to be pushed forward by Gandalf. We entered a passageway and went down a flight of steps. Boromir nearly fell into the fires below the missing segment of the steps but Legolas pulled him back. The hobbits stopped short of falling in.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn said.
"Lead them on, Aragorn!" Gandalf said. "The bridge is near!" I couldn't help but groan at that statement.
--Don't even think about it Jamie!—Jackie said. –He has to or else he won't come back as Gandalf the White.—
--Fuck man!—I said. Aragorn moved towards Gandalf but he just pushed me roughly into Aragorn's arms, pushing both of us away from him.
"Do as I say!" Gandalf said. I looked at Aragorn and nodded. "Swords are no more use here!" The Balrog roared again. We went down another flight of stairs that twisted into the fiery depths that rose from the ground far below us. I gulped down a rather big lump in my throat at the thought of falling down there. There was a gap in the stairs that Legolas and Jackie leapt across and landed on the other side.
"Gandalf!' Legolas said, beckoning. Gandalf leapt across after them. Arrows whistled past us and I ducked just in time to miss getting hit by one. Legolas and Jackie shot arrows at our attackers. Boromir took hold of Merry and Pippin.
"Merry! Pippin! Hoo-aah!" He shouted, jumping across.
"Sam!' Aragorn said, throwing Sam across the gap to be caught by Boromir. Aragorn was about to pick up Gimli.
"Nobody tosses a dwarf." Gimli said. I laughed quietly for a second, thinking about the time in the future where Gimli told Aragorn to throw him. Gimli leapt the gap but nearly falls backwards. Legolas grabbed his beard and pulled him up. "Not the beard!"
"Go!" I said, pushing Aragorn forward. He jumped before risking the fall. I pushed Frodo back up the steps and went after him.
--Taking Aragorn's part aren't ya sis?—Jackie said.
--Shut up!—I said. Frodo and I got to our feel. "Hold on!" I yelled at Frodo, grabbing hold of his shoulder. A huge rock fell from the ceiling, smashing the steps behind us. "Hang on! Leah forward!"
"Come on!" Legolas and Jackie yelled. I shifted my weight forward, as did Frodo, tipping the stairs across the divide and slamming into the steps where the others were. Frodo and I leapt across to safety and Jackie instantly hugged me.
"Don't do that again!" She said.
"Umm…remember where we are sister." I said. We all ran down the rest of the stairs. We went around a great pillar in a fiery hall with Gandalf leading us. I could feel the heat of the flames behind us.
"Over the bridge! Fly!" Gandalf said. We all ran across, again Gandalf had to push me to go. Jackie pulled me. Gandalf ran after us after a moment. We all made it across the bridge and I turned just in time to see Gandalf turning to face the Balrog.
"You cannot pass!" He shouted.
"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted.
"I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor…" Gandalf said, raising his staff. A light radiated from it. "The dark fire with not avail you, Flame of Udûn!" The Balrog lifted its arm and a sword of fire formed in its hand. I looked at Jackie. We were closer to Gandalf then the others were. Everyone else was seemed stunned. I looked back at Gandalf when Frodo gasped. "Go back to the Shadows!"
"There it is." I muttered as the whip of flame issued from the Balrog's maw. It stepped onto the bridge, lashing the whip around menacingly. Gandalf raised his sword and staff. I had no clue I was holding my breath.
"YOU…SHALL NOT…PASS!" Gandalf shouted. He drove his staff into the bridge, making a bright flash of blue light appear. The Balrog stepped forward onto the bridge. The bridge collapsed under the weight and stopped breaking up to Gandalf's staff. The Balrog fell backwards into the chasm.
--Don't.—Jackie said.
Gandalf watched the Balrog fall then turned and headed towards us.
--Jamie don't.—Jackie said. I let out the breath I was holding but not in a relieved way.
The whip lashed out from the depths of the abyss and grabbed Gandalf's ankle, dragging him to the edge. Gandalf clung to the bridge but it was obvious that it was hard for him to keep his grip. I shot Jackie a glare before I ran forward at the same time that Frodo did. No one held me back though.
"No, no!" Boromir said. I slid then grabbed one of Gandalf's hands. "Nienna has got him!"
"Nienna save him!" Frodo shouted. I looked at Gandalf.
--Let him go!—Jackie said.
--I can't!—I said.
--Yes you can!—Jackie said.
--No really I can't. He's holding into my hand as well.—I said.
--Oh.—Jackie said.
"Keep them save." Gandalf said. I nodded. "Let him know how you feel Nienna." I gave him a confused look. Gandalf nodded at me and I stood up, releasing his hand before stepping back. Gandalf directed his attention to the others. "Fly, you fools!" Gandalf let go of the stone and fell into the chasm.
"Nooooooooooo!" Frodo screamed. I felt a hand on my arm and looked at Jackie. I followed her back to the others.
"Aragorn!" Boromir shouted, giving me a dirty look. I looked at the ground. The others started up yet another flight of steps. I looked at Aragorn who was still in stunned faze.
"Noooooooooo!" Frodo screamed again. Jackie let go of my arm and joined Legolas. I stood next to Aragorn and stared at him. The arrows started flying by again. Aragorn put his hand on my back and shoved me forward before the two of us followed the others up the stairs. We came out into the brightness of the day. I watched Sam sit on the ground, Merry consoling Pippin, Boromir trying to restrain a very upset Gimli, and Legolas looking shocked.
"Legolas, get them up." Aragorn said. I looked at him as he re-sheathed his sword.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir said.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the roods of Lothlorien." Aragorn said.
"Aragorn. Just a moment." I said. "We can spare that much." Aragorn looked at me. The look he gave me scared the hell out of me so I backed away from him.
"One minute then." Aragorn said.
"They knew this was going to happen." Boromir said suddenly. I looked at Jackie and she looked at me before we looked at him. "Didn't you? You knew Gandalf would die!"
"Yes." Jackie said simply.
"You let him die!" Frodo said, rejoining everyone. He was looking at me with the same sort of look Aragorn gave me except Frodo's was angrier. "You were there! You let him go!"
"He…I…" I said, not sure what to do. Everyone but Jackie an Legolas were giving me cold looks now.
"You could have saved him!" Frodo said.
"Frodo." Jackie said. The hobbit ignored her.
"You could have saved him but you just stood back and let him fall!" Frodo shouted.
"I couldn't help it!" I said.
"Why not?" Boromir asked. "You are an elf are you not? You could have done something."
"It's not that." I said. "I wanted to save him. God…I did, believe me. But he had to."
"NO HE DIDN'T!" Frodo yelled.
"FRODO!" Jackie yelled, grabbing everyone's attention. "It was not Nienna's fault. She's right. He had to die." I am very thankful that Jackie is the forceful one. She can make it so that no one argued with her. "Remember…Boromir is right. We knew it was going to happen. We know what is going on. We know what will happen in the future. And we knew Gandalf was going to die…although I doubt die is a good word."
"Alatariel." I said, warning. "You warn me about not giving away anything. Now I'm warning you." I looked at Aragorn. "I don't get why you're so mad at me. You know I know this stuff. You know HOW I know this stuff. And so does Frodo so what the hell?" Neither of them said anything.
"We leave for Lothlorien now." Aragorn said. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to get control over myself again.
"It's ok." Jackie said, laying a hand on my shoulder. Legolas was at my other side. He had a hand on my shoulder as well. I just shook my head and brushed their hands away before following the others.
We made it to Lothlorien in silence. Jackie tried talking to me verbally and mentally quite a few times but I ignored her. Even Legolas tried.
"Stay close, young Hobbits!" Gimli said. I brought my eyes up from the ground and looked at the back of the heads of the five short people in front of me. "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell and are never seen again." I felt like hitting Gimli. He was so going to get what was coming to him for insulting my grandmother. A witch…yeah right.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam said, uncertainly when Frodo stopped.
"Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily." Gimli said. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" An arrow appeared right in front of his face. "Oh…" Other bows appeared around us. Legolas got his own out but Jackie laid a hand gently on his arm. I smiled slightly as everyone else but Jackie and I looked around in alarm. A tall, blonde elf came over to us. My smile grew.
"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." Haldir said.
"Grrr…" Gimli said.
"Oh be quiet." I said, moving forward to stand in front of Haldir.
"Lady Nienna!" Haldir said, looking surprised. He looked over my shoulder. "And Lady Alatariel!" He dropped into a bow.
"Hey. No formal stuff, Haldir." I said. Haldir stood straight. My smile dropped to show that I was serious now.
"Forgive the bows." Haldir said, waving his hand. The other elves all lowered their weapons. "We don't like intruders."
"I know that." I said. "You did the same thing to my sister and I when we arrived her half a century ago." Haldir gave me an apologetic look. "Never mind. Lead us on."
We got to a platform before Haldir actually greeted anyone besides Jackie and I.
"Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil and husband of Lady Alatariel." He said, looking at Legolas and Jackie who were standing close to each other.
"Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lorien." Legolas said. His debt? Try my debt. I rolled my eyes and Jackie, catching it, giggled softly.
"Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us." Haldir said, turning his attention to Aragorn.
"Haldir." Aragorn said. Haldir looked between me and Aragorn. There was a look of confusion at the big gap between us. I just shook me head.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves!" Gimli said. "Speak words we can also understand." I turned to Gimli and gave him a warning look.
"We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." Haldir said.
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimli said. I sighed.
"That was not so courteous." Aragorn said. I looked at Haldir who was looking at Frodo.
"You bright great evil with you." Haldir said. He looked, first at me, then at Aragorn. "You can go no further." He walked away a bit before I caught up to him.
"We need grandmother's protection. The road is fell!" I said.
"Your grandmother would not allow the ring to enter." Haldir whispered.
"She will." I said.
"How are you certain?" Haldir asked.
"Because I'm her granddaughter am I not?" I said, smiling slightly. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Please Haldir. If we were ever friends…please do this." Haldir sighed and finally nodded. I hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much." We returned to the others.
--Stealing Aragorn's part again.—Jackie said. She was smiling.
--Haldir's my friend remember. He can't say no to me.—I said.
"You will follow me." Haldir said to the others. Jackie moved away from Legolas and joined me at the front of our group.
"You look happier." She said as we, plus a caravan of Elves, made our way through the woods.
"We're going to see our grandmother again." I said. "How can I not be happy?" Jackie laughed and put her arm through mine. The group came to the end of the high ridge where below us, behind the mists and under the sunset, was a great glade of threes.
"Caras Galadhon." Haldir said, more for the Hobbits, Boromir and Gimli then to anyone else. "The head of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." Jackie and I smiled at each other before I caught Boromir's eye. He was giving me that same cold look as he did before. My smile dropped.
We arrived at Caras Galadhon, climbing a winding trail among the trees just as the last rays of the sun streamed through the trunks. We climbed, yet another, twisted stair from the trunk of a tree. We came to the palace in the trees, lit with silver lights as always. My smile was back again. We gathered before the arch and Haldir stepped to one side and looked up.
"Grandma." I said quietly. Only Jackie and Haldir heard me. Celeborn and Galadriel came down the stairs, hand in hand. Galadriel's eyes were on Frodo.
"The Enemy knows you have entered here." Celeborn said. "What hope you had in secrecy is not gone. Ten there are here, yet eleven there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf?" Galadriel's eyes flickered to Aragorn before resting on Jackie and me. She seemed to be restraining herself as much as I was. I couldn't wait to hug her again. "For I much desire to speak with him…I can no longer see him from afar."
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land." Galadriel said, staring into my eyes. "He has fallen into shadow." I looked down at the ground again.
"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: A Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas said. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life." Galadriel said. "We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart, Gimli, son of Gloin." I looked at Jackie to see who looking back, probably at Gimli. "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
"What not becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hoe is lost." Celeborn said. There was a moment of silence
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Galadriel said. Why did grandma have to talk in riddles? "Yet hope remains while the company is true." I looked at Galadriel. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." I could tell she was doing some mind thingy to Frodo…I just knew that's what she was doing.
"Are you done with the messages now?" I asked.
"Yes." Galadriel said.
"Good." I said, before moving closer to her and hugging her. I could tell everyone but Jackie, Legolas and Aragorn were shocked by this. Galadriel hugged me back. I moved away and stood next to her, looking at Gimli. "Gimli…Galadriel…is Alatariel and mine's Grandmother." The look on Gimli's face was priceless. I smiled in a mischievous way. He had talked badly about my grandmother and now he was going to get what he deserved. There is some good in growing up with my brothers.
Later, in the area that Galadriel provided us (Jackie and I were given the rooms we used when we lived her, but we decided to stay with the others), The hobbits were settling down to rest. The Elves' were singing.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas said. I watched him and Jackie as they both looked between their entwined hands and around at the various members of the group. I pulled my legs up, wrapped my arms around them, and rested my chin on my knees before looking over at Aragorn. He was sharpening his sword. Gimli was fast asleep next to him.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked.
"I have no the heart to tell you." Legolas said. "For me the grief is still too near." Merry looked at Jackie who shook her head. He then looked at me. I sighed.
"It's best you not know Merry." I said. "For it will keep you up with the tears you cry."
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks." Sam said. I shook my head. "There should be a verse about them." I glanced at Frodo before setting my eyes on the other hobbits. "The finest rockets ever seen, they burst in stars of blue and green." I smiled very slightly as Gimli snored loudly. "Or after thunder…silver showers." A grunt from Gimli told me that Aragorn had hit the pillow. "Come falling like a…rain of flowers." Sam squatted down again. "Oh, that doesn't do they justice by a long road."
"No…that it doesn't." I muttered. I looked at Aragorn as he stood and moved past the table, over to Boromir.
'Take some rest." Aragorn said. "These borders are well protected."
"I will find no rest here." Boromir said. I looked down at the ground but still heard what the men were saying. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now, there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope." I stood up.
"What's wrong?" Jackie asked, looking up at me.
"Nothing." I said, before walking away. Ok so maybe I should have taken back my room. I walked all the way up to it and plopped down on the soft bed.
I returned to the others when I was sure they were all asleep. Frodo was gone but that didn't surprise me. I crept over to Gimli and poured some blue colouring into his hair and beard. Within seconds the red was gone and was replaced by blue.
"You are like your brothers." I jumped when I heard Aragorn's voice. I looked at him.
"So you are awake." I said, straightening up. Aragorn stood. I didn't look at him.
"I did not sleep. Waiting for you to return." Aragorn said.
"Why? Do you want to do what Boromir did?" I asked. "Do you want to make me feel even worse about not pulling Gandalf to safety?" Aragorn didn't answer and I didn't look to see what expression he wore. "That look you gave me…once we got out of there. That look scared me. And it hurt me too." I slid the ring off my finger. I took Aragorn's hand and placed the ring in his palm. "If you still believe there is hope for us. If you are willing to accept that I do not want to change the future so I must let people die…you know where I will be." I turned and left before Aragorn said anything.
"Has he yet to tell you?" Haldir asked. I looked at him, not even realizing he was there. He waved his hand and I nodded before following him for a walk.
"Tell me what?" I asked, looking around.
"He does love you. Does he not?" Haldir asked.
"He has told me so." I said.
"Then why are you fighting?" Haldir asked, sounding and looking confused. I sighed.
"Because I could have saved Gandalf. But yet I let him fall to his death." I said. "I had his hand…then I let go and stepped away from him. He delivered his final message to the others then let go and fell."
"And you believe it to be your fault?" Haldir asked.
"I…" I said. Again I didn't know what to say. I looked at Haldir who was giving me a 'you know what to do' look. I sighed and smiled softly at him. "Thanks."
"For what?" Haldir asked.
"Still being my friend after all these years." I said. Haldir smiled and nodded before hugging me.
"I will always be your friend." Haldir said. I felt really sad at that moment. I had grown so attached to Haldir. I didn't want to see him die. Could I warn him now? Would Jackie kill me for doing that? What would happen if he didn't die at Helm's Deep?
"I don't want to lose you." I muttered.
"What?" Haldir asked. "Lose me?"
"Ah…" I said. Damn!
"You won't." Haldir said. "I will always be here for you. I am your friend forever." I nodded before saying I was tired and headed back to my room. I stopped then headed back to the others. I wanted to be there when Gimli woke up. I sat on my sleeping spot, near Jackie and Legolas. Aragorn was gone, Frodo was back.
"Nienna." Frodo said. I looked at him. He walked over and sat next to me. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I asked.
"For being mad at you like that." Frodo said. "You were right…you know what was going to happen. You don't want to alter the future." He sighed. "It's just so hard. Gandalf was like my grandfather."
"You will see him again, Frodo. Don't worry." I said.
"Can you sing again?" Frodo asked. "I remember…back in Rivendell. You and Alatariel sang."
"What would you like me to sing?" I asked.
"Anything." Frodo said.
"There's a song I know called Be Strong." I said. "Would you like to hear that one?" Frodo nodded. I knew he would. I took a deep breath then started singing one of my favourite Delta Goodrem songs.
Are you swimming upstream in oceans of blue?
Do you feel like you're sinking?
Are you sick of the rain after all you've been through?
Well I know what you're thinking
When you can't take it
You can make it
Sometime soon I know you'll see
'cause when you're in your darkest hour
And all of the light just fades away and
When you're like a single flower whose colours have turned to shades of gray
Well hang on, and be strong
We're taking each step one day at a time
You can't lose your spirit
Let live and let live forget and forgive
It's all how you see it
And just remember keep it together
Don't you know you're never alone
'cause when you're in your darkest hour
And all of the light just fades away
When you're like a single flower whose colours have turned to shades of gray
Well hang on, and be strong
No you're not defeated
And soon you'll be smiling once again
Then you won't have to feel it
Let it go with the wind
Time passes us by
And know that you're allowed to cry
'cause when you're in your darkest hour
And all of the light just fades away
When you're like a single flower whose colours have turned to shades of gray
Well hang on and be strong
oh oh
hang on, hang on
be strong
hold on and be strong
I looked at Frodo to see him smiling. I smiled back at him.
"Thanks." Frodo said.
"It was my pleasure. It made me feel better too." I said. "Now get some sleep." Frodo nodded and returned to his bed. I sighed and looked around. Aragorn was still gone. I wonder if he went up to my room or not. I sighed again and lied down. Surprisingly I did fall asleep.
Jamie: Ok Jackie. You're turn. You're better at the romantic shit then I am.
Jackie: That's obvious. Seeing as how you can't open up to people.