Link sat on a rock. Elbows on his knees, head in his hands. He just sat. Feeling numb. He and Gandalf had been threw so much together and just like that; he's gone. Just like with Thorin, Balin, and the rest of the old company.
" Legolas, get them up." Aragorn said, motioning to Pippin and Merry.
" Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir said to him.
" No, Aragorn's right." Link said standing with a tear less face which mildly surprised everyone.
" Have you no pity for Gandalf?" Boromir asked.
Link clenched his fists at that, furry raging in his eyes. Legolas put a hand on the Hylians shoulder.
" Calm yourself. Gandalf would not have wanted us to fight with one another." The Elf said. Link calmed down, but hidden rage still boiled inside him.
" By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orc's. We must reach and find sanctuary in the Woods of Lothlorien." Aragorn explained.
Just when I thought I was rid of Elves, Link thought bitterly, but said nothing.
Only the knowing glace that passed between him and Legolas gave any indication that they were worried about the Woods.
" Come Boromir, Legolas, Gimli. Get them up." The Ranger said to them as he walked to Sam and pulled the Hobbit to his feet.
" Frodo? Frodo?!" He called out. Link spotted him before the others, but soon they did as well.
Frodo was walking away slowly in the direction they were heading, but he turned around when Aragorn called.
Even from this distance, Link easily saw his red, tear stained face.
Lothlorien forest was soon within sight.
The Fellowship Band ran threw the tall grass at the beginning of the forest, heading into the slowly densing woods.
" Stay close young Hobbits. They say that a great Sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-Witch of terrible who look upon her, fall under her spell." Gimli said in a hushed voice.
Great. Just what I need. A powerful Sorceress who will hate me for doing nothing more then being a Hylian. Link thought as they continued on, rolling his eyes.
" Frodo!" someone called. Frodo turned his head, looking for it, unawear that Link had also heard the voice, but no one else apperaently. Link noticed and frowned at this.
Great, the Witch is using her magic already and we're barely even in the forest. He grumbled in his mind.
" And are never see again." Gimli finished with the story.
" Your coming to us is considered as the footsteps of doom…. You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer." Link and Frodo heard again.
Link wanted to snarl. He was already tense from loosing Gandalf. Adding a blood feud was not what he needed to add. Angry Link + Terrible Sadness + Elven Blood Feud = Destroyed Forest. Simple, and yet everyone seemed to be wanting to add all the dangerous items together. Frodo stops and looks around after the voice has spoken.
" Mr. Frodo?" Sam asks. The Hobbit doesn't answer. Link sighs dejectedly.
" What?" Legolas asked, who was walking right next to him. Link just shook his head and looked to the poor, unsespecting Dwarf as the Hylian stopped and leaned against a tree.
" Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare that easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." The Dwarf said as he turned around to face the front again; only to see an arrow in his face.
" Oh." He said.
Even though Link had sensed them, and that their numbers were greater then theirs, it didn't stop him from bringing out his sword, preparing to fight if necessary. The others unsheathed their weapons too, looking at the archers.
" The Dwarf breaths so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." A blond elven archer said.
" We would prefer if you didn't thank you. Despite what you may believe he is rather quiet useful." Link said calmly. The Elf's eyes looked at him, and flashed with disgust and hatred. Suddenly, all of the elves aimed their weapons at him.
" What is that disgusting creature doing in these woods?" the same Elf hissed angrily.
" He is under the protection of-" Legolas started.
" Don't bother Legolas. While you and other have got over this pointless feud of our races, there are many that still haven't." Link said, sheathing his weapon.
" Get him!" the blond Elf hissed.
Not even Link expected it as the Elves lunged, holding Link's arms behind his back and the others back as one came forwards with Link's worst nightmare in his hands. A collar.
" You will not put that on me!" he snarled.
" Shut it Hylian." The Elf spat as he put the collar around the unwilling victims neck, and tied it. Link let out a yelp in pain as the Collar began to burn his skin, but it came out as a wolf bark.
Suddenly he exploded into his wolf form unwillingly, and a Elf made muzzle was put around his mouth and a painfully tight leash around the collar. Link tried to lung but the collar prevented him from going more then a few inches from where it was. The muzzle was seriously annoying as well!
" He has done no wrong then be a Hylian!" Frodo and the other Hobbits yelled.
Aragorn went up to the blond Elf who seemed to be in charge, and said in the Elven language," Haldir of Loeuen, we have come here in peace and ask for nothing but protection and help. Please, let our friend go."
" That disgusting creature will remain as he is until The Lady decides his fate. You will follow us to her. Should any of you attack, that beast will be the first thing to die." Haldir hissed as the Elves formed a circle around them, Link smack dab in the middle. Despite the obvious anger for being forced into his wolf form, the muzzle, and the leash and collar, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness.
First Hyrule, and now here. Appearently, it doesn't matter if I help save even two worlds. No matter where I am, I'll always be considered a beast. Link thought to himself. He walked, looking emotionlessly to the ground as he recalled the memory.
All of Hyrule hated him because of the fact he shape shifted into a wolf.
Well, Zelda, Midna, all those in Ordon Village, the Gorgons, Telma and the gang, and the Zoura's didn't hate him, and tried to help. It was useless though. In Castle Town he was given dirty looks, people stayed away from him.
Some went as far as shutting their stores down as soon as they knew he was in town, or others snarling at him to get out. That he belong with the Goblins and should stay there. Even in Ordon Village, though they accepted him, he still saw fear in their eyes at times. 8 out of 10 times the adults, not including Bo, Rusl or Uli, discouraged their kids from even being around him.
After having his own family, the people of Ordon Village, do what others who hated him did, he couldn't stand it anymore. He would switch from living with the Gorgons, Zoura's, and living in Faron Forest.
Now when he was finally recognized as a friend with no fear in their eyes, here come the Elves just reminding him of what he already knew. That he was a monster, and always would be.
Finally they were forced to climb a huge stair case, and stop on one of the landings as Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn came down the steps. Link was forced on his stomach, hating it every minute, as the others gathered around him. Being on his stomach said one of two things. That he feared the on coming creature or person, or that he surrendered to them.
He hated the idea of both.
" The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secerecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him, I can no longer see him from afar." Lord Celeborn said.
" Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Lady Galadriel answered sorrowfully.
" He was taken by both shadow and flame: a Balrog of Morgoth." Legolas said with anger in his words. Then Lady Galadriel looked to Link, as if just noticing him. Her eyes widened in surprise.
" Release the Hylian." She said immediately.
" But My lady-" one of the Elven guards started to say.
" Do as she says." Lord Celeborn agreed, but reluctantly so. The guards seemed a little angered, but they took off the muzzle, leash and collar on the wolf. As soon as they moved Link immediately transformed back, and stood, a little anger still lingering in his eyes.
" Why is a Hylian with your Fellowship?" Lord Celeborn asked with accusing eyes at Link. As if everything that was happening was because of his presences.
" Link does not wish to continue with the Blood Feud no longer and has agreed to join the Fellowship because of it. He has saved us and has been nothing but a valuable assest to this Fellowship." Aragorn answered.
" I have no doubt that he shall both assist and harm the battle for Middle Earth. However, with the concern of Gandalf, needless were none of the deed of Gandalf's life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart Gimli son of Gloin." Lady Galadriel spoke.
Link didn't paticuatly like what she said about him being both an assist and harm to Middle Eart. He had a feeling she didn't mean harm as in to the enemy.
" For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, loveis now mingled with grief." The Lady added, looking to Boromir. The Hero of Time didn't miss the sad pain that washed over Boromir's face.
" The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains, while the company is true." She continued looking to Sam as she said it.
" Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Even those who had behind masks." The Lady added, looking to Link.
It unnevered him and also made it curious about how she could tell all of a persons secrets like this.
" Tonight you will sleep in peace." She finally finished looking at them all, specifically Frodo. Link scoffed inwardly to himself at the last statement.
The only way I could sleep in peace in this forest is if all of the items to be used as weapons were burned and all Elves were miles away from me. He thought to himself. As if he had spoke it aloud, the Lady of the Forest looked to him with knowing eyes. It disturbed Link how easily he could see Zelda be the one to stare at him instead. Then he heard the Lady's voice inside his head.
No Elf shall bother you tonight except for Legolas. I will see to that. But do not forget that you are still disliked here Hylian. I have seen many things, and if I had not the feeling you play a greater role then the role I have seen you play I would have the right mind to kill you myself. Though not because of the Elven and Hylian Feud. Do not loose your way Link of Hyrule, Bearer of the Triforce of Courage. The Lady said in his head.
This only confused Link.
What role did Link have in the future besides that of helping the Fellowship?
But Link was moved away with the others to where they would be staying for the night before he could ask a single question.
Hi. I know, I haven't updated in a long time. I have no excuse for that except the fact that I can get really distracted. I really wanted to do this chapter though because I always had the idea of having Link being forced into his wolf form and so on. And no, in case you're wondering I will not tell you exactly what the other role Link will play. And trust me, there is another role. As usual, leave comments if you want flames or not, and send me any questions you might have. Bye!