Hi!

Sorry for being MIA, real life happened and I couldn't find time to update this one : ( But I'm back with a extra long chapter here :D

A bit of canon in this one, just so I follow the plot and where people go...

Hope you enjoy...please review!

Enjoy!

Onwards...

The air was colder under the trees. The small canopy that sheltered them from the sun was quickly thinning and Gandalf drew his staff nearer. With the Wargs and the Wraiths close by he wasn't taking any chances.

Aragorn and Boromir walked at the rear of the group, talking quietly. The Gondorian was still set on taking the Fellowship to the Gap of Rohan, nearer to his City. Aragorn, though second in command, was adamant that they would not take that path unless they had any other option- it was just too risky.

Frodo stumbled, his eyes closing for just a second, slender fingers clutched around the circle of gold hanging from his neck. Sam caught his elbow quickly, steadying his friend, a worried look covering his features. It had been long since they had stopped, although they all took solace in the fact they could see they were nearing the rock formations at the bottom on the cliff-face.

'We will rest now.' Stated Gandalf, walking them out into a clearing, pulling up his robes to make it easier as he stepped onto a rock, hauling himself upwards towards the sprawling mass of white-grey stone.

Legolas stepped forwards and took Merry's arm, hoisting him upwards next to Gandalf, the Hobbit nodding with thanks, unwilling to speak through fatigue. The Elf followed suit with the rest of the Hobbits and turned to Gimli.

'A Dwarf can climb his own way over rocks.' Growled Gimli, throwing his axe in front of him, shimmying up the cold stone on his stomach, before straightening up and sending Legolas a smug smirk.

The Elf ignored him and hopped up himself, knowing that Aragorn and Boromir were not far behind. The blood was now dry on his tunic and leggings, the gash in his shoulder almost completely healed; now only a twinge of pain remained.

The Heir of Gondor waited for Boromir to climb first, sighing gently as he followed behind him. The Gondorian moved away from the rest of the group, setting himself down on a small stone ledge, sighing with relief as he removed his shield from around his body.

'I'm starving.'

Frodo smiled and looked over at his youngest cousin. Pippin was lying on his back, eyes open, both hands rubbing his hunger-sore belly.

'Well, isn't it a good job I can fix that, eh?' Sam smiled as Pippin's eyes snapped open wider, watched him scramble towards him as he started to get out his cooking things.

'While the food is cooking.' Called Boromir, standing up and picking up his sword, unsheathing it. Aragorn, instinctively, clutched at his own sword hilt. 'Why don't I teach the Hobbits how to weild a proper weapon, as promised?'

'A sword?' Merry grinned, like a child at Yule. 'You'll teach us?'

'Of course, Aragorn will too if he has no objections.'

He looked over at the darker haired man, who was just pulling out a wallet of weed to place in his pipe. 'Of course not, the Hobbits must learn.'

'Better a weapon that is useful in war than one that isn't.' Boromir sent a look at Legolas, who ignored him, stepping lighting to the highest rock, eyes narrowed.

Aragorn noticed Boromir's eyes linger for a second too long at the Elf before he snapped out of it, turning back to the mass of the group.

Gandalf had sat himself down on a ledge, and was rubbing at his back, rolling his neck to ease some tension. Gimli was stood a little way away, having found a flint to sharpen his axe with.

'Well.' Boromir pointed his sword at the two wide eyed Hobbits before him.'

'Who wants to go first?'

-x-

Gandalf stretched his fingers out in his lap, uncrossed his feet and let out his breath slowly. It was still the middle of the day and they still had a long way to travel, but for now he felt content. If only for a few moments.

He heard heavy footsteps next to him and looked over to see Gimli stood next to him, an indignant look on his face.

'If anyone were to ask my opinion' he growled. 'Which I note they're not. I'd say we were taking the long way around.'

Gandalf let out an annoyed sigh.

'Gandalf.' Continued the Dwarf. 'We could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome.'

'No, Gimli.' Gandalf retorted flatly. 'I will not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice.'

The ageing wizard turned away from the Dwarf, mind unsettled. He had no desire to even contemplate going through the Dwarven Mine. He knew exactly what had happened in those dark caverns, what the Dwarves had awoke in the dark.

'One, two...very good!' Boromir blocked a shot from Merry, who had his tongue stuck out with concentration.

'You look good, Merry' remarked Pippin, clutching his own sword, looking up at the Gondorian, stepping forwards when it was his turn to block.

'Thanks.'

Aragorn sucked on his pipe, sending tendrils of smoke billowing above his head. 'Move your feet.' He barked, watching as Pippin almost tripped.

Frodo smiled, nudging Sam as Merry yelled as his clashed swords with Boromir. Pippin lunged forwards too, now the Man's sword connected with his and the Hobbits eyes widened as the sword tip fluidly came towards him, nicking his fingers.

'Aah!' he yelled, pulling his hand back in pain.

Boromir dropped his sword point. 'I'm sorry!' he leaned forwards, to check Pippin's hand. He missed the look the two cousins gave each other.

'Get him!'

The Gondorian laughed good naturedly as he Hobbits tackled him to the ground, smacking him in the armour with the blunt side of their swords.

Aragorn smiled, then thinking about the things this commotion would attract, he stood up. 'Gentlemen.' He called. 'That's enough.'

He bent down to pick a Hobbit up when two small arms shot out of the pile of bodies, grabbing his ankles and pulling. He landed with a flump on the ground, the wind knocked out of his lungs.

'You've got my arm!' complained Merry, struggling.

Sam grinned, stabbing at a sausage with a long knife, checking it was cooked. He stretched his neck, nostrils filled with the meaty aroma and he frowned as he looked up into what should have been a clear blue sky.

Legolas, it had seemed, had already noticed this and had lightly hopped from rock to rock, hardly making a sound as he stood stock still atop a tall, pointed rock.

'What's that?' asked Sam, now nudging Frodo.

'It's nothing.' Dismissed Gimli, leaning on his axe. 'Just a wisp of cloud.'

Boromir, sensing the unrest, untangled himself from the Hobbits, who were lying on the ground, dazed.

'It's moving fast.' He observed, watching as Aragorn shot Legolas, who had his back to them, a look.

'Against the wind.'

Legolas narrowed his eyes, then widened them, realisation dawning. 'Crebain from Dunland!' he shouted, turning towards Gandalf who had already stood up.

'Hide!' yelled Aragorn, pushing Pippin and Merry in front of him, Boromir grabbing the swords and Sam dousing the fire, collecting all his cooking materials.

They all sought solace under the thickets growing on the mountain side, Aragorn throwing himself under the greenery with Frodo, who he noticed was still clutching at the Ring.

Gimli held his breath the best he could as the huge black crows invaded their air space, screeching as loud as the war cry of an Orc, wings thundering through as they circled the mountaintop.

Pippin clutched at Merry's shoulder, eyes tightly closed as the last of the crows flew by.

They waited a few moments before Gandalf deemed it safe to come out, brushing the twigs from his robes.

'The Passage South.' He announced morosely. 'Is being watched.' He surveyed the group around him, eyes dark. 'We make from the Pass of Caradhras.'

He turned away before anyone could protest, but not before catching Gimli sigh.

'We make for the snow and ice of a mountainous path!' he complained, picking up his axe. 'That will extend our journey about three days more!'

'If it will keep Frodo safe, we will do it.' growled Aragorn, staring the Dwarf down.

The Hobbits all huddled together, looking up at the mountain next to them, higher than they could possibly see.

It was going to be a long, cold three days.

The next chapter is going to be very cold! I'll be elaborating on the trip of the mountain, seeing as I don't think they could have made it as far as they did in one day...lots of shenanigans will happen through the snow, I think : )

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'd love to know what you think of it! Oh, and a thank you to all my contrastive criticism-y reviews :D It's good that you're here, it helps keep balance to my writing, please keep commenting! : )

Back soon...

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