Chapter Eight

On the journey up Caradhras, Haehithien started to get agitated again. Legolas, thinking that she was merely cold, wrapped his cloak around them both, to shelter the heat of his body from transferring anywhere but to her. The going was slow, however. Soon, Aragorn and Frodo drew them to a halt. The Hobbits trudged up the path through the snow behind Nieninque. Frodo, who was carrying the ring on his belt, fell and tumbled down the hill. Aragorn stopped him, and helped him to his feet. As Frodo got up, he found that he had lost the ring. Feeling around his waist frantically, his gaze fell on the snow. A few feet away lay the Ring; Boromir had spotted it, and went to retrieve it.

He hesitated in returning it to Frodo, however, and when they all turned to see what had slowed them up; Legolas noticed Aragorn's hand tighten on the hilt of his sword as he stood behind Frodo, who looked warily up at Boromir. "Boromir, give the ring to Frodo," Aragorn demanded, but still, Boromir hesitated.

Boromir gazed at the Ring as if in a trance. "Curious," he mumbled to himself. "That we would suffer so much fear, and doubt over so small a thing."

"Boromir!" Aragorn said once again, only louder.

Boromir jumped, as if he were suddenly jerked awake. "It's fine by me," he said, and handed the Ring to the Hobbit who, watching him suspiciously returned it to its place around his neck. Boromir turned then, walked up past Legolas and Haehithien, and gazed at the girl out of the corner of his eye as he passed. Legolas saw Aragorn relax his hand, and nod.

Legolas had tensed, sensing a fight, and had been about to back Aragorn up if there was trouble. Legolas did not relax, however, because he felt Haehithien tense in front of him as Boromir walked by. That moment reminded him that the safety of Haehithien was endangered from within the group; he had to be on guard. As they continued up the mountain, a storm came up and Legolas dismounted to lead Nieninque through the driving snow, while Haehithien stayed on the stallion's back wrapped in his cloak. "There's a fell voice on the air," he said as he peered into the distance.

Just then, the storm's fury increased and Aragorn shouted, "Gandalf, we must turn back. He's trying to bring down the mountain!" Gandalf however, would not be easily detoured. Boromir for once was concerned more with the well being of someone other than himself and his desires, and warned the wizard that the Hobbits could die in the cold. All warning was in vain however, because at that moment, there was an avalanche. Everything, including Nieninque and Haehithien was covered. Legolas easily broke through the snow that covered him and freed Haehithien then pulled his horse free. By the time, he was helping her remount; the others had broken free from the snow as well, and were discussing what to do next over the howling wind. At that moment, Haehithien knew she had led them astray; the pass of Caradhras was not their road.

Gimli suggested the mines of Moria where his cousin, Balin dwelled. Gandalf refused the idea but Haehithien knew Gimli was right. Gimli pushed the idea and finally, Gandalf left the decision to Frodo, who chose the mines solely for their lack of wind and snow.

As darkness settled around them, they camped for the night in some caves they had passed earlier that day. Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam had one cave, while Boromir, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin had a second, leaving Legolas to share one with Haehithien then, the fourth and lowest cave housed Bill, Nieninque and the supplies.

Boromir was angry though Gimli, Merry, and Pippin did not know why and just left him to his brooding thoughts. Boromir still desired the girl, and he was furious that the Elf held her. I will have her, he vowed to himself. His anger seethed inside him; boiled down to his loins, and he was hard with lust and anger.

Legolas and Haehithien were sitting in their cave were he built a fire to warm her. "I cannot stay here long, my love. I must take up the watch for a time," he said and kissed her. Then, he removed a long dagger from his boot and handed it to her. "If you feel as though you are in danger, this will protect you until I return. I'll bring some more blankets with me, too." With that, he kissed her on the forehead and departed.

Boromir saw Legolas pass outside the cave, and pushed himself up off the wall. Now's my chance, he thought and as he left the cave, a weight was lifted from Gimli and the Hobbits. Boromir edged around the cave wall and was happily surprised to see that Legolas had left the girl unguarded. "Good evening, my lady," he said, and laughed when she jumped in surprise. He stalked into the cave like a tiger on the hunt, slow, and fluid in his every movement. Haehithien scrambled to her feet as fear gripped her. She did not forget to grasp the hilt of the dagger as she went, though she kept it from his view. Boromir laughed again, a hard laugh without trace of joy. Haehithien backed away as he continued to approach.

"G – get out!" she cried. "Leave me alone!"

"I don't think so, my dear," Boromir sneered at her. "I'm here to rescue you." He laughed coldly as a look of confusion clouded her face. He rushed her suddenly, and knocked her to the ground. She screamed and Boromir laughed wickedly as he ripped open the skirt of her woollen dress as she fought him, ignoring the sound of metal on stone as the dagger she held, clattered to the ground. In the next cave, Aragorn looked up from the fire suddenly, then without a word, quickly left the cave. He alone had heard her scream and went to see what was wrong.

In the cave, Haehithien glanced beside her for the dagger as she continued to struggle. It was just within her reach. Boromir was too distracted with removing his breeches and paid no attention to the momentary pause in her struggles as she reached for it and concealed it just beneath her hip, her hand still clenched around the hilt. "I will not be denied my piece of the pie, my dear," Boromir breathed heavily. "Even if that damned Elf has soiled you!" As quick as a flash, the dagger was at the base of his manhood, just as he lowered himself onto her. The prick of pain caught his attention immediately. His face was ashen, and then suddenly, he laughed. "So, little wildcat, you think you can best me." She glared up at him, her eyes now violet and sparkling dangerously. "I'd like to see you try."

She applied more pressure to the hilt of the dagger and watched as he inhaled sharply in pain. "Would you now?" she hissed. "You know, Boromir," she said quietly. "I could best you with a flick of my wrist. So, if you don't want your religion to change, I suggest you get off me and leave right now."

"So it's true," Boromir sneered. "He's made you his whore," and he was received a slap across his face for his insolent remark. He cursed and pinned her to the floor as he threw her dagger away and she screamed again.

"I don't think I have to best you," she breathed as she struggled beneath him. Just over his shoulder, she saw Aragorn enter on the scene and smiled wickedly. Before Boromir could figure out what she meant, Aragorn had dropped his hand on Boromir's shoulder and whirled him away from the girl.

"What do you thing you're doing?" Aragorn yelled and Boromir glowered at him as Haehithien tried to cover herself with her torn dress. "You will not lay a finger on her! Get out!" he yelled.

Boromir made a mistake then, and retorted, "The damned Elf will not have her!" He was rewarded for his remark by Aragorn's fist in his stomach.

"I was raised by the Elves!" Aragorn hissed. "Leave now!" he said threateningly. "If you value your life." Boromir glared at the woman as she sat huddled on the ground then, clutching his breeches, strode out of the cave. Aragorn went and knelt by Haehithien. "Are you alright?" he asked as he caressed her cheek. He feared he had come to her rescue too late. Haehithien did not answer him. Instead, she drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her torn skirt about them as she hugged them to her, and feeling dirty and humiliated, tears streamed down her cheeks.

Outside on his watch, Legolas noticed Boromir run out of the caves. He followed the fleeting figure until he re-entered the caves. He realized then that Boromir had been in the cave he shared with Haehithien. Fear for her washed over him and he ran down the path to the cave, cursing himself for leaving her alone. What he saw inside filled him with anger. He heard Aragorn talking to her as he entered. "My lady, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" This question did not help Legolas' mood, it just fuelled the fire of his rage. Boromir had done something.

Haehithien didn't answer Aragorn's question. She just sat there huddled on the ground as she trembled with fear. Not far from them, he saw the dagger he had left her laying on the ground. The tip gleamed in the firelight and he saw that it bore crimson specks. Legolas entered cautiously, so that he wouldn't scare her. His shadow fell over them and both he and Aragorn saw her jump in surprise, or was it fear? Aragorn looked up and saw him. He looked back at Haehithien and noticed that her countenance hadn't changed.

Getting to his feet, he drew the Elf to the mouth of the cave. Glancing back over to the woman, he whispered sadly, "She hasn't said a word to me. I heard her talking with Boromir as I entered. She seemed to be fending him off with her sharp tongue pretty well as well as that dagger you left her, and noticed me when I entered but after I pulled him off her, she closed herself off and wouldn't talk. I don't know if I got here in time or not." He sighed as he looked back at Legolas. "I hope so. I'll leave you two now," he said and left to go back to his own cave.

Legolas slowly walked back over near where Haehithien huddled on the ground. He stopped before his shadow fell over her again, then knelt and held out his hand to her. "It's ok," he whispered. "You're safe now." He hated to do it because he knew she was scared already, but he had to know what happened. What had Boromir done to cause her such fear, he wondered. She shifted then, and he saw the skirt of her dress was torn open.

Anger welled inside him once more, even stronger than before. "Did he hurt you?" he asked urgently. He peered down at her, but she wouldn't look at him and didn't say anything. "Haehithien," he said quietly. "I know you're scared, but I need to know. Did he hurt you?"

She still didn't look at him though she slowly shook her head. "No," she whispered. "He tried, but I got away, thanks to Aragorn. I also used the dagger you left me, but he knocked it out of my hand just before Aragorn got here." Legolas got up quickly and headed for the mouth of the cave. He stopped short though when he heard her say, "He called me your whore." His shoulders slumped and he sighed heavily. He turned and saw that she was looking at him for the first time since he'd come in and his heart wrenched when he saw tears in her eyes.

He strode back over to her and helped her to her feet. Then he went and picked up his cloak and wrapped it around her. "Come," he said softly. "I'll not leave you alone here again. Not with Boromir around." He led her from the cave and up the path to the cave occupied by Gandalf. Aragorn and Gandalf looked up in surprise when Legolas appeared with Haehithien at the mouth of the cave. "Please look after her," was all he said before he went back out into the storm.