Chapter Four

The journey to the Misty Mountains was an uneventful one, that is until we reached a certain area when the snow began to fall. From there on the snow became harder and thicker as we climbed higher and even higher. This weather condition had little if no affect upon me, but my weary companions were troubled by it. The poor hobbits were practically waist deep within snow while the taller beings and myself had snow up to our calves. All were freezing, but myself who is barely affected by the cold.

I glance to my left when I feel a half frozen body slam into me only to find a shivering Pippin trying to make his way through the snow. I cease my movements and bend down until I am eye to eye with the frozen hobbit. I can hear his chattering teeth as he looks at me in a pleading fashion. Of course, I take pity upon him, I cannot stand to see him suffering. With a strong arm I lift him up; deciding to carry him for a while... just long enough for him to warm some. Glancing behind me I see Boromir lifting a trembling Sam while Aragorn places Frodo in his protective arms. Merry, however, looks at me with a pout on his blue face and I can't help smiling at the expression, motioning for him to come to me. A wide smile graces his face as he struggles to reach me and I can hear the others' joyful laughter as they watch him. Deciding to take pity on him, I move the rest of the way in a few short steps and pick him up as well.

Both hobbits place their heads against my chest as we push further up the mountain, but I can hear Gimli grumbling from behind about Hobbits being carried while he has to suffer the chill of the god awful snow. I turn my head slightly to look back at him and have to resist the laugh that threatens to escape at the sight of the dwarf. He is just about waist deep in snow, but the funniest part of the sight is the mountain of snow that has gathered on his head.

"I highly doubt you would appreciate being carried Gimli." I say quite fondly and this earns me a glare from the rediculous looking dwarf.

Fortunately he just huffs, but says not another word. Turning my head forward, the smile graces my features a bit longer as we continue walking. I can hear Boromir speaking to Aragorn, but choose not to focus on their words. I am aware they wouldn't speak openly of their love in front of the hobbits though, so I know their conversation is not about that but more likely about the journey, or of maybe their kingdom. Either way I know it is not my buisness so I do my best to stay out of it and not eavesdrop on a conversation where I am surely not wanted.

We stop walking when Gandalf comes to a halt and I question him with my eyes when he turns to look at us. In a commanding tone he tells me to go ahead and scout the area. Without arguing, I place Merry and Pippin on the snow covered ground and move ahead with not so much as a word. I can feel the fellowship's eyes upon my back as I move attop the snow and once I am finished scouting the area, making sure all is safe and checking the road ahead, I make my way back in their direction.

"The road ahead is long and I am afraid it seems the snow becomes deeper." I say just before a rumbling sound is heard from above our heads.

I look up just in time to see a wave of snow heading straight for us. Apparently Gandalf sees this as well for he suddenly yells for all to take cover. With quick movements, we throw our bodies toward the mountain side. I make sure Pippin and Merry reach the mountain side, but before I make it I am covered roughly by fallen snow that closes in all around at a rapid pace.

When the rumbling and earth quake motions cease I begin to dig my way out of the snow pile. For some reason I seem to be buried beneath ten feet of snow so it takes a great deal of time for me to find the surface. I can hear voices, they sound far away, but I can hear the words clearly.

"Is all alright?" Gandalf's rough voice asks.

"A little snow never hurt anyone I suppose." Boromir responds in a somewhat cheerful voice as Aragorn agrees with a laugh.

"Stupid snow, it be an awful thing I tell ya... the devil sent it himself." Gimli grumbles and I have to smirk at this, typical Gimli sentence.

"We are alright thanks to Legolas." Pippin says in a panting voice. "Where is Legolas?"

At this I hear some shuffling as all look around for me and I try to speak out to them, but somehow get a mouthful of snow that prevents me from speaking. Just wonderful, now my mouth feels numb, I think bitterly to myself as I once again try to make my way to the surface.

"Legolas... Legolas, where are you?" Gandalf calls out.

"Legolas, say something." Aragorn's sweet voice rings out, dare I say he sounds a bit concerned.

I grumble out a resonse, but it sounds muffled and I have to wonder if I can even be heard. Pushing my hand up higher I sigh in relief when it is breaks through the snow and is met with naught but air. A slightly chilled hand wraps around my own and pulls until my head and torso is no longer confined within snow. I shake my head to rid it off excess snow as the hand releases mine and I raise my eyes to meet Aragorn's. He smiles at the sight of me and I give a small one of my own in return, feeling overwhelmed by his caring eyes.

I struggle a moment before I am able to stand and then proceed to brush the remaining snow from my clothing as best as I can. I find Boromir holding onto my shoulders, as if to steady me, as if I need help keeping my balance or something. This of course is not a problem for me since I am an elf, but I do not say anything to him about this. If it makes him feel any better to think that he is helping me then I will not be the one to embarrass him.

"How do you fare Legolas?" Gandalf asks in concern.

"I fare fine Mellon-nin, twas simply difficult for me to get out from beneath so much snow." I reassure him as best as I can, giving him a warm smile.

"I for one do not think we should continue this way." Gimli speaks up after a moment of silence.

"And what would you suggest we do instead?" Gandalf asks in what sounds to my elven ears to be annoyance.

"There be the Moria mines just below the mountain, if we go back the way we came we could take that path instead of getting stuck in the snow and possibly freezing to death."

Gandalf looks unsure of this plan, and I for one am feeling rather uneasy about the idea. I in no way want to go underground where no sunlight can reach. It is not for me to decide, however, and my pride refrains me from complaining or voicing my fears. I just silently hope and pray that we do not decide to take that plan of action. I honestly do not know how I would fare being confined in such a dark place.

Unfortunately for me Gandalf says to let Frodo decide and just by looking at him I can tell which path he chooses to take. So when he says we are to take the path through Moria, surprised I am not. Being his size I can understand why he would choose this path, but that doesn't mean I don't remain unsettled at the idea of it. I would much rather continue with the path we are heading, but do not voice my opinion. The decision has been made and there be not a thing I can do about it. I can only try to remain my calm and cool facade as well as my composure. I cannot let on to the rising panic within my being.

So, grudgingly, I follow along behind the others as we make our way down the mountain; trying to summon up the courage to go inside Moria. Aragorn glances behind him in my direction and instantly I know he is aware of how I am feeling. This really shouldn't surprise me, however, because he was raised by elves and knows that the darkness of mines can make an elf go insane. An understerstanding passes between us and I try to draw what comfort I can from his sympathtic, yet encouraging expression.

:0Ж0:

I grab a hold of Aragorn's shoulders as I rush the both of us into the mine and watch with growing dread as the enterance caves in. After all settles down and we are left within unsettling silence Gandalf uses his staff to provide light and Aragorn removes himself from my arms. The loss of his warmth puts me at unease, but I don't let my current feelings show.

Gandalf asks if we are alright as he looks over each of us in turn and when he is assured that all of us are unharmed he says that we have no choice but to push onward through the mine. This does naught to put me at ease and I am quick to follow closely behind him, staying as close to the light as I can without making my actions noticeable. I cannot have the fellowship seeing my weakness, even as a growing feeling of dread and regret settles in the pit of my stomach.

TBC...