Legolas tore through the snow, the coldness biting at his hands. Ivy had been standing right beside him when the snow had fallen, so why hadn't he found her yet? Where was she? He felt terror grip his heart and panic set in. He continued to dig frantically, all the while his heart beat gaining in speed and his movements becoming more urgent. Off to his left Gandalf searched through the snow with his staff and four cold scared Hobbits did their best to assist an angry ranger sift through the snow, while Boromir finished digging a disgruntled Gimli out of the snow to his right.
At last, he found a woman's hand in the snow. He dug around and found Ivy's limp body. Legolas grasped her around the waist and lifted her out of the snow, laying her down on the cloak that Gandalf had removed from his own shoulders. He pushed the damp hair from her eyes and wrapped her in the cloak. She had no colour in her cheeks and her lips were turning blue.
Gandalf crawled beside him.
"Legolas..." he said, softly, "I will bring her around. She has not passed."
Legolas looked into the wise man's eyes and allowed himself to be moved aside. Gandalf placed a hand on Ivy's forehead and whispered a few well chosen elvish words. Colour slowly spread back into Ivy's face, the blue disappearing from her lips. Her eyelids quivered, but stayed closed.
"We must get her someplace warm" said Gandalf, looking up.
"Let us take the Mines of Moria. My people will provide us with warmth and all the food you could eat!" supplied Gimli. Legolas noticed that Gandalf flinched slightly at the mention of Moria.
"But the Gap of Rohan is not too far. If we make for there, the nearest city is but a day away" said Boromir, from the back of the group.
"It shall be the ring bearer's choice" said Gandalf simply. All eyes turned to Frodo.
Frodo, after a moment's thought came to a conclusion.
"We shall make for the Mines of Moria"
Gandalf closed his eyes and sighed inwardly.
The fellowship began to make their way down the mountain, heading towards where Gandalf guessed the entrance was. Long ago had Gandalf traveled these lands, and his memory was not quite as it once was. The fellowship traveled in silence the worry and concern for Ivy was almost a tangible thing threading its way through the members of the fellowships hearts.
Legolas carried Ivy in his arms, holding her close to his chest, bending to whisper to her and kiss her forehead regularly reassuring himself she was alive and with him. Ivy however had slipped into a deep sleep and was oblivious to her surroundings. Gandalf frowned with concern worried that Ivy would develop a fever. Occasionally Ivy would stir and whimper slightly. Legolas would stop when she did this and call to Frodo for more water.
Finally, just as it was getting dark, they reached a rocky area, not completely covered in snow.
"The door should be here somewhere..." said Gandalf, running his hand over the unusually smooth stone, "Ah here it is... and with a little moonlight...and starlight" he whispered looking to the sky.
The clouds parted, shining moonlight onto the stone. Within seconds a door appeared in the stone, luminescent against the pale grey of the mountain.
"What does it say?" asked Frodo.
"It says, 'Walls of Durin, Lord of Moria, Speak, Friend and enter'" said Gandalf, a frown creasing against his forehead.
Legolas laid Ivy on the ground and felt her forehead. It was getting hot. The colour was still in her cheeks was becoming more red but her body was freezing.
"Frodo" Legolas called out, "More water"
Frodo wandered over with his water bottle and gave it to Legolas. He watched Gandalf try many times to open the door, each time differently. Pippin was standing nearby tossing rocks into the little pool that was beside the door.
After a long moment Frodo called out to Gandalf.
"It's a riddle. Speak, Friend and enter. What's the elvish word for Friend?"
"Mellon" replied Gandalf.
The door opened. Gandalf turned in amazement.
"Do not disturb the water!" said Aragorn sharply at Pippin, watching the water.
The water began to quiver, moving faster and faster until a long slimy tentacle broke the surface, taking hold of Frodo's ankle and yanking him off his feet. Aragorn drew his sword and hacked the tentacle until it let go.
"Everyone inside!" bellowed Gandalf.
Legolas hastily lifted Ivy off the ground and darted inside the door, only just making it inside before the roof and doors caved in from the force of the creature trying to break into the mine.
Boromir looked around.
"This is no mine," he said, "It's a tomb"
Gimli broke down into sobs, kneeling in front of a skeleton.
"Come Gimli, we must move along," said Gandalf, "It is a four day journey to the other side. Be on your guard," he said to the others, "There are older and fouler things than orcs inside these mines"
They walked along in silence, Legolas still carrying Ivy. They reached a sort of vestibule, with doors leading off in different directions. Gandalf stopped sharply causing Frodo to bump into him.
"I have no memory of this place" he said softly.
They all sat on the stone floor, Legolas cradling Ivy in his arms trying to warm her. Aragorn and Boromir built a fire with some wood they found lying around; Legolas shifted closer to the fire under Gandalf's instruction who hoped to avoid the outbreak of a full blown fever.
"She needs food" Gandalf said, "But she cannot eat until she wakes. Try to wake her Legolas my lad"
Legolas gently shook her shoulders but to no avail. He looked up worriedly at Gandalf.
"Warm her some more" Gandalf suggested.
Legolas rubbed his hands down her arms trying to cause friction to warm her. Finally at long last her eyelids quivered and opened. She blinked and stared blankly at Legolas' smiling face.
"How did I get here?" Ivy asked hoarsely.
"There was an avalanche. You were buried under the snow and you must have passed out. Frodo decided to come here, to the Mines of Moria as a way of getting to the Gap of Rohan. I carried you."
Ivy closed her eyes briefly.
"Do you feel well enough to sit?" Legolas asked.
"Yes..."
"You must eat to regain your strength" Legolas said, handing her a parcel of lembas bread.
"I brought it from home," He said, "It should fill you up"
Gandalf came over at that moment.
"Ah Ivy you are awake, you gave us all quite a scare" he said, sitting beside her on a boulder his eyes deep in thought.
Ivy looked at him. Suddenly it all came rushing back to her. Ivy took another bite of the lembas bread. Legolas was watching her closely, as if she would pass out again.
"You are rather quiet Ivy," Aragorn remarked.
Ivy looked at Aragorn, trying to communicate the confusion she was feeling. For once in her life there were no plants to interfere with her thoughts. Ivy sat next to Legolas, feeling the heat radiating off of him. She felt so light headed. The lembas bread had filled her up, but it was beginning to make her feel sick. Unwillingly her head drooped onto Legolas' shoulder. Legolas, bent down and kissed the top of her head. He did not care what the other men thought. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her near. When the other men had drifted to sleep he whispered to her.
"I almost lost you today,"
When Ivy didn't answer, Legolas pushed her hair out of her face and her head went limp in his hands. She was burning up her face was a bright shade of red and she was very hot to touch. She had slipped out of consciousness. Legolas laid Ivy on the floor and moved behind her to support her head.
"Gandalf!" he yelled.
Gandalf leapt up from the floor and raced over to where Ivy laid, her face bright red and lying limply in Legolas' lap.
"She has what I feared. We must make for Lothlorien. Lady Galadriel will heal her. She is beyond our aid." he said softly.
Gandalf woke the others and they rushed around stamping out the fire and getting their things together.
Shuffling was heard below them. Everyone paused. Legolas' shout was heard.
"Quickly into here!" shouted Aragorn, indicating a chamber to their left.
They all raced inside, Legolas once again carrying Ivy. He placed her on the floor next to a tomb that was in the centre of the circular chamber. Boromir was busy trying to block the door. An arrow flew past his head and imbedded itself in the door. He turned to look at them all.
"They have a cave troll" he said sarcastically.
Legolas looked at Ivy with concern. She was so vulnerable lying there on the floor, but he was forced to take his eyes off of her as the threat of the door giving way became more obvious and he helped Aragorn and Boromir brace the door. He then returned to his position in front of Ivy awaiting the attack.
He assisted Aragorn in shooting a few Goblins through the cracks appearing in the door, before it gave way and Goblins started to fill the room. He was forced to leave Ivy's side as the battle became more fierce. The cave troll stumbled towards her and he was forced to take drastic action leaping on to its head in a desperate attempt to bring the lumbering beast down. He failed and as he was jumping out of the way of a blow aimed in his direction he saw a goblin leaning over Ivy. It raised its dagger to plunge into her chest but Legolas was too quick, he back flipped out of the trolls reach and shot the goblin through the head.
The troll moved away, obviously deciding that Legolas was too dangerous, and focused its attention on Frodo, who was nearby. Before any of them could react, the troll raised its spear and rammed it into Frodo's stomach. Frodo lurched, as though he was going to vomit, and slowly slid to the ground. Legolas leapt onto the trolls head and shot two arrows into its head. It stumbled around, barely missing Ivy and fell with a thud to the ground.
Aragorn and Boromir finished off the last few goblins. Sam ran over to where Frodo lay.
"I'm ok..." Frodo said, gasping for air.
Everyone looked amazed.
"I think there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye" said Gandalf.
Frodo drew back his shirt to reveal a chain mail shirt made of mithril rings.
"Oh!" said Gimli, "That is a kingly gift, master hobbit"
"Come," said Gandalf, "We must make for the other side before Ivy's fever worsens"
They left the chamber in great haste. Gandalf stopped, looking around.
"It's his way!" he said, pointing off to the right.
"How does he know?" whispered Pippin.
"Because, Pippin, my lad, The air doesn't smell so foul this way" called Gandalf from the front.
Legolas followed just behind Gandalf, Ivy limp in his arms. They reached a glorious cavern which Gandalf illuminated with a simple light spell. The fellowship stopped and stared in awe at the magnificent surroundings all except Legolas who was looking down at Ivy whispering every healing spell he knew, to little affect. Deep down he knew that if Ivy was beyond Aragorn and Gandalf's healing powers his were far bereft, but he had to try.
There was a horrible screeching sound and goblins begun to crawl down from the roof rushing towards the company. The fellowship tried to out run them, it was a futile attempt but it was one they had to make. As quickly as arrived they vanished and a new more devastating threat loomed over the company. The end of the halls was lit up in a hellish blaze. The Goblins suddenly halted and scurried back to their hiding places, like little black spiders.
"Balrog..." Gandalf breathed.
Legolas stiffened in fear, clenching Ivy closer to his chest. He not sure if he was protecting her or making himself feel safer. Legolas had a childhood fear of the Balrog, a demon of old, a flame beast. Ivy stirred slightly in her sleep for the first time making a gentle moaning noise. Gandalf looked over at her and nodded to signal to Legolas that it was alright. When a being of great power met it was inevitable that it would effect both of them, Ivy was affected by the Balrog's evil powers even in her delirious state and no doubt it was aware of the presence of Ivy's earthly powers.
The fellowship ran towards the bridge of Kaza-Dum, The path to safety in to the light world above. Each of them hoping that they would make it outside before the Balrog reached them. But they knew, in their hearts, this could only end in doom.
The Fellowship ran through the corridors of the great realm of Moria the great stone pillars flying past them. Gandalf's staff casting an eerie glow over beautifully crafted dwarven pillars. They fled from the Balrog, Legolas barely dodging an arrow that was fired at him from above. The goblins had not given up, just retreated to a distance. Legolas felt his heart pound with fear as he ran, Ivy bouncing in his arms limply.
The company hurried across the narrow bridge of Kaza-Dum, the Balrog gaining with every step they took, wreathed in fire and flame. Legolas pulled Ivy closer as he felt his grip slipping. The arrows of the goblins increased in number and ferocity as Legolas swore under his breath. Gandalf had stopped and turned to face the Balrog. Legolas readjusted his grip on Ivy, securing her in his arms. The fellowship looked on as the drama unfolded.
Gandalf raised his staff in a grand and powerful gesture of defiance and then brought it down with a mighty crack. A ring of light arched out, blocking the progress of the fire demon. The ancient bridge gave way under the force of the clash of magic and the Balrog slipped and fell in to the darkness from where it came. Gandalf closed his eyes and his shoulders sagged. The battle had drained him greatly. He turned and smiled weakly at the fellowship, making his way towards them. Legolas jumped forward Ivy still in his grasp running for Gandalf as the Balrog snake like whip twined around his leg. Gandalf slipped hanging over the edge of the precipice.
"Fly you fools" he muttered before being pulled into the canyon below. Frodo ran forward but was stopped by Boromir before he could reach the edge.
Aragorn grabbed Legolas' shoulder and pulled him towards the exit, halting his advancement towards Gandalf's final resting place. The Fellowship ran once more out of the mines. They burst out into the light of the outside world in a mess of tears, dirt and fear. The hobbits slumped to the ground, crying in their own innocent childlike way. Legolas lay Ivy down checking her for any injuries that she may have sustained in their dangerous escape from the evil of Moria. Aragorn stared out into the distance towards Lothlorien. He hesitated for a moment knowing he must now step forward and fulfill his destiny. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes for a moment. He exhaled, letting out the fears of the past. He opened his eyes and turned around to the grieving fellowship.
"Get up my friends, we will find no safety nor rest here this night. The realm of Lorien was our destination let us continue",
Boromir whirled on Aragorn.
"Give them but a moment for pity's sake! Can you not see weariness and grief has consumed them? And Ivy! Look at her Aragorn! She is but a breath away from death"
Aragorn held his hand up silencing Boromir.
"Get up I said, we make for Lorien!"
Boromir, seeing that Aragorn would not be swayed, went around rousing the hobbits muttering under his breath.
Legolas was bent over Ivy nearby, concern creasing his fine features. He checked her forehead peering into her face closely, reassuring him of her safety. Aragorn came over to check on her.
"Is she any worse?" he asked, looking closely at Ivy's face.
"Much the same" Legolas replied, "But if we don't get her to Lorien soon, she may not last"
Legolas collected Ivy in his arms and began the long road to Lorien.
Several days it took them to reach the city of Lothlorien. All of which felt as long to Legolas as any decade, stretching before him in an endless sea of concern and heart wrenching terror as the thought of her death clutched his heart. Legolas carried Ivy the entire way, refusing to let anyone else carry her. The hobbits chuckled along to Gimli's stories about the Lady Galadriel and her mysterious ways, intended to scare the hobbits.
"Stay close young hobbits" said Gimli, "They say a great sorceress lives in these woods and elf witch of terrible power and all who look upon her fall upon her spell…"
Frodo stopped and stood rock still.
"What is it Frodo?" asked Aragorn.
"…and are never seen again" Gimli finished.
"Mr. Frodo?" asked Sam.
"Well, here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
Gimli stopped short, an arrow pointed in his face.
"Oh"
"The dwarf is so loud we could have shot him in the dark" said the elf aiming the arrow.
Aragorn stepped forward.
"Haldir of Lorien, I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. We come here for your protection"
Haldir considered this for a moment. He had heard of this Aragorn, but was unsure of bringing the dwarf into elven territory.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back. Follow me" said Haldir, turning into the trees. The company followed him into the growing gloom of the forest, Legolas clutching Ivy closer as she started to shiver slightly. Beads of sweat formed on her milky white forehead. Legolas started to move a little faster, hurrying towards the lady of the forest and her infamous cures.
Suddenly they were in very small clearing. Before them stood great mallorn trees with stairways that glittered like silver in the moonlight that flittered down from the sky above. Legolas moved forward to the stairs where the lady of the wood and her husband Celeborn stood in waiting.
"Where is Gandalf for I much desire….." She started and then stopped seeing the limp feverish Ivy cradled in the lean elf's arms.
Galadriel rushed forward, gesturing for Legolas to follow her to the healing houses. The trio hurried through the woods, Galadriel's beautiful white dress flowing around her legs like liquid methril. Galadriel held the door open for Legolas as he entered laying Ivy on the crisp white sheets. Galadriel knelt over her touching her forehead. She pulled off her dress and looked at Legolas who respectfully turned his back while Galadriel stripped off her undergarments and slipped a simple cotton night gown over her head. She laid the blankets over her and moved to a cabinet at the side of the room.
Legolas watched as she moved with lightning precision and accuracy tipping various herbs and liquids into a pestle and mortar. Legolas could have sworn he even saw her slip in a live bug. She plucked a hair from her golden locks and tossed it in the stone bowl and started to crush the ingredients into a cloudy potion. Galadriel pushed it aside and grabbed another bowl. She tipped warm water into it from a crystal jug and dropped in some large green leaves with small white speckles.
Galadriel turned to Ivy and poured the first concoction down her throat holding her mouth shut until she swallowed the entire potion. Galadriel pulled to cover back from Ivy's body and Legolas stared wide eyed as her breathing already began to steady. Galadriel dipped her hands into the second bowl and rubbed Ivy's face with them. Her neck down her arms her legs and feet, continuously in downward strokes. After a few moments she kissed Ivy's forehead and pulled the covers back up to her neck. She turned to Legolas.
"She will be fine," She smiled and rested her hand on Legolas' shoulder for a moment before making her way out of the room back to the remainder of the fellowship. Legolas looked at Ivy who looked small and weak in the large white bed. He sat on the edge and stroked her cheek gently. Ivy stirred and instinctively curled up toward him. He smiled and laid next to her, throwing caution to the wind, should anyone find them. He let a silent tear fall down his handsome face. He had almost lost her today and he had only just found her. In that moment he knew all was lost.
Elves only truly love once in their life time and Ivy had touched his heart. He was hers alone and although the thought scared him as she may not have feelings so strong he allowed himself the moment, pushing thoughts and concerns away. He pulled her close to him tucking her head under his chin her held her close his heart warming at the way she fitted against him perfectly seeking out his touch and comfort even in sleep. He stroked her hair softly and then placed a single kiss on the crown of her head.
"Rest well Melamin," he whispered before slipping into a much deserved rest with his beloved in his arms.
Galadriel returned to the fellowship, who were still waiting with Celeborn.
"How is she?" asked Aragorn, rushing forward.
Galadriel held up her hand in silence.
"She will be fine. Legolas is with her now. Her breathing has returned to normal and her fever has broken" Galadriel said, "Now where is Gandalf?"
Aragorn looked away, tears gathering in his misty grey eyes. Galadriel looked at the rest of the fellowship and read the answer in their eyes.
"He has fallen into shadow…" she said, her voice shaking.
"You should get some rest" said Celeborn, "Haldir will take you to your quarters"
The fellowship trooped wearily after Haldir as he led them to a quiet area near a stream. Their hearts were heavy as they lay under the stars thinking of the journey ahead.