whoa man...the actual writing alone is 3,528 words... that's a record...
and it took a record time to write this too...
Just before we get to the main story, i'd like to thank Zoids Fanatic for the message, and for those readers wondering: Yes it's true, Kagome will not be a major character in this story.
she will make a brief appearance in a later chapter, but that is all.
now onto the story, hope you like it, and reviews are appreciated :)
DISCLAIMER: i wish i owned them...but i don't...
p.s just as a note, during the prologue, they are speaking in Elvish. ( i tried to find a translator, but failed miserably) in this chapter, they are speaking only in elvish up until the double lines that i placed within the story. ( i was going to italicise the whole thing, but found that pointless.) when among others who don't speak elvish italics in quotation marks are used when someone is speaking elvish out loud, and thoughts are in plain italics.
"Speaking in elvish"
Thoughts
Common tongue
CHAPTER THE FIRST
"Is it true Father? Is what Amrod told us true?" the two princes of Mirkwood knelt before their father and king.
He nodded solemnly. "It is true. Lord Elrond has called us as well as several others. Men. And dwarves." He added with contempt. "He has asked me to send three representatives to attend."
"And they are?"
"Nerwen will be going. As well as you both." He said, looking down at them. "You are to represent the elves of Mirkwood. Nerwen has already prepared provisions for you. She is waiting for you by the gates." He said dismissing his sons.
They bowed and excited the throne room.
"Excellent. Something to look foreword to." The silver haired elf grinned at his brother. "Can't believe that dwarves of all people will be there though."
"Now brother, don't need to sound so prejudiced. As annoying as they are," the second prince grimaced. "They can handle themselves well in battle…"
"That was once! And did you actually fight beside one? I'm trying to save his skin from an orc when he nearly chopped my head off, the way he was swinging that axe of his." They were about to continue when someone ahead of the two cleared their throat disapprovingly.
"Young master Legolas. Young master Líndal." Nerwen said, looking at the two disapprovingly. " If that's how you're going to behave I'm going to have to ask your Lord to reconsider you accompanying me to Rivendell." But she looked directly at Líndal while saying it. Líndal smirked, and mounted his horse.
"Need not worry Nerwen, I vow to be on my best behaviour." Nerwen sniffed primly and urged her own horse into a brisk trot. Líndal winked at Legolas. Unbeknownst to most of the Mirkwood elves, the two Princes-Legolas and Líndal Greenleaf were not biological brothers. Legolas was indeed the true heir, but Thranduil had adopted Lindal. There were only 4 people who knew of this, and Nerwen was one of them. Although, she did not approve…
"Who do you think found the One Ring?" Líndal asked, as the two princes rode quickly, trying to catch up with Nerwen. "I bet you Strider has something to do with its discovery."
"The last time I saw Strider, he was off on an adventure with that Gandalf." Legolas said over his shoulder, his hair whipping around his face as they galloped along the forest trail.
"Exactly my point, where ever that wizard is, something's bound to happen!" Líndal laughed, kicking his horse forward, overtaking his adoptive brother.
"Will you two hurry? We don't have time for this!" Nerwen shouted.
"Alight already!"
After several days of hard riding, they finally arrived at Rivendell. "Behold my young masters, the home of Lord Elrond. The Last Homely House." Nerwen said proudly, with a hint of awe in her voice.
"Or the first." Líndal muttered to Legolas, who grinned. Nerwen turned to them and glared.
"Líndal! I will not tolerate you acting like a child! You are a prince of Mirkwood, and I expect you to behave as one!" Nerwen hissed, not caring if she was being disrespectful.
"I think that you should listen to her Líndal." Legolas advised his brother.
"Alright. I promised I'd be good didn't I?" Líndal said, looking at them exasperatedly. "Honestly! Since when do I back down on a promise?" Legolas smiled, and Nerwen sighed. Líndal smirked, and sauntered off to explore.
Walking through the halls Líndal grinned when he saw the back of a dear friend's head. He was about to shout a greeting when he noticed that he wasn't the only one approaching.
A man walked out from a different corridor, pausing to stare at the mural of Isildur cutting off the One Ring from Sauron's hand. He turned, sensing another's presence in the room. He glanced at Strider, and finally began to speak.
"You're not an elf." The man said, stating what was obvious. Strider nodded.
"The men of the South are welcome here." Strider nodded at him, and Líndal stared at the new man. Something about him seemed familiar. He was sure that he had met the man before, on one of his many travels away from Mirkwood.
"Who are you?"
"I am a friend of Gandalf the Grey." Strider said.
The corners of the man's lips rose slightly, "Then we are here on common purpose…friend." He seemed happy that he found someone here who had something in common with him. Strider looked down, and assumed reading the book that Líndal hadn't noticed before.
Líndal was about to make his presence known-he didn't like the feeling that this man gave him- but a gentle hand on his shoulder stopped him. The beautiful and familiar She-elf touched a finger to her lips, signalling for him to stay silent.
They watched as the man glanced around uncertainly, then went over to the altar of a woman holding up the pieces of an old broken blade.
"The shards of Narsil." He said in quiet awe." The man slowly wrapped his hands around the hilt and held it up in front of him, grasping it firmly. "The blade that cut the Ring from Sauron's hand." He said quietly, running a finger up the blade, flinching when he accidentally cut himself. "it's still sharp…" he glanced at Strider who arched an eyebrow at him. The man placed the sword back on the altar hastily. "But no more than a broken heirloom." He turned and hastily placed it back. He turned as the broken hilt clattered to the floor.
After he had disappeared from sight, Strider stood up slowly and settled it back to its proper place. He stared at the broken sword warily.
"Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir…not Isildur himself." The She-elf said softly, stepping out of the shadows where Líndal was standing. "You are not bound to the same fate."
"The same blood runs through my veins." Strider said, stepping back away from the broken sword, "The same weakness." He added softly, turning to Arwen. Both Líndal and Arwen knew that doubt festered deep in his heart.
"Your time will come." Líndal said, finally stepping out of the shadows. "You will face the same evil, and defeat it." Strider looked up, and had an extremely surprised expression when he saw his friend.
"Líndal! I didn't know that you had arrived already." Strider grinned-the tense atmosphere shattering- and walked up to his friend to give him a hug.
"It's great to see you." Líndal smiled, punching his shoulder lightly. "And by the way. What was up with that surprised expression earlier?"
Strider laughed, "I didn't expect words of wisdom to come from you. If it was from Lady Arwen, I wouldn't be surprised. But you?" Strider ducked as Líndal's fist whizzed over his head.
"Maybe instead of spouting words of wisdom, maybe I'll just knock it into you." Líndal threatened as Arwen smiled.
"Now Líndal, I thought that you promised Nerwen that you'd be on your best behaviour. I can't have you injure one of our guests." She smiled at Líndal who was about to put Strider into a headlock as they scuffled while she talked. She laughed quietly, shaking her head, as the two of them fought like young boys. "Honestly, the way you two behave around each other. It's hard to believe…" she broke the two apart, smiling at the two men.
"In that case, I will make myself scarce and wander the halls." Líndal gave them a deep, sweeping bow. "And yes, I will stay out of trouble." He added as he walked in the other direction, away from the two.
"That won't be of any use." Líndal heard Strider mutter from behind him as he and Arwen walked away.
"And why would that be?"
"Líndal might not look for trouble, but trouble always finds him." Líndal could practically hear Strider's smirk.
"I heard that!" Líndal yelled over his shoulder.
The next morning, Legolas and Líndal were clad in matching tunics, and sturdy pants. They over their tunic they both wore a light cloak, silver for Legolas, a pale gold for Líndal.
Upon coming to the ring of chairs, all facing a pedestal, they sat down. Soon after, the chairs began to fill, a trio of dwarves, and several men arrived. Among them was the man from Gondor whom Líndal saw talking to Strider.
Just before the council began, Gandalf the Grey appeared, followed by what seemed to be a young child with blue eyes and dark curly hair. Líndal arched an eyebrow, but Nerwen leaned forward and whispered into his ear.
"That is he. the one who found the one ring." She whispered into his ear.
"But he is just a child." Líndal stared at the boy in disbelief.
"He just looks like a child." Legolas said softly, noticing their quiet conversation. "His race is known as 'hobbit'. They seldom grow taller than his height now. I've heard that his name is Frodo Baggins."
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old." Elrond began, and the three looked up in surprise. For they had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed him enter.
"You have been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor." He said, the last word, with contempt. "Middle Earth stands on the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall." He said, his gazing resting on each race-Elf, man and dwarf. "Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom." He turned to the hobbit. "Bring forth the ring Frodo." He said gesturing to the pedestal at the centre of the circle.
The hobbit stood uncertainly, and walked slowly to the centre of the circle, and placed the little thing at the centre of the table. Líndal stared at it warily.
"So it is true." The man from the night before said quietly, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Frodo sat back down in his chair and sighed deeply.
Líndal was about to say something, when a dark feeling passed over him, and glancing around the circle, he could tell he wasn't the only one to feel it. He shared a look with his brother when a soft whispering-to indistinct for even him to understand- seemed to come from the centre of the circle. Líndal inhaled sharply, and noticed that others around the circle had tensed as well. Líndal glanced at the man from Gondor and a chill ran down his spine. In his eyes, there was caution…but also a hint of greed. And the wizard noticed too.
"In a dream." The man began, standing. "I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. But in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying. 'Your doom is near at hand.'" He said, stepping closer to the ring. "Isildur's bane is found. Isildur's bane." He said the last part almost inaudibly, reaching out for the ring.
"Boromir!" Elrond exclaimed, just as a deep voice began reciting words, words in a language that made Líndal want to retch.
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
Ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Boromir retreated back to his seat as the sky darkened, and the ground shook. The others looked around warily. One of the dwarves had even grabbed his axe. But once the wizard finished reciting the words, he leaned heavily on his staff as the sky lightened and everything retuned to normal.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imaladris." Elrond said in quiet anger and horror.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond." The wizard said roughly, easing onto his heals, whatever had happened just now had sapped his strength. "For the Black Speech of Mordor may be heard in every corner of the West!" he said looking around the circle several times. "The ring is altogether evil." He spat at the end, turning to return to his seat.
"It is a gift." Boromir said in awe. Everyone looked at him in shock. Líndal shared a look with Legolas. Is this guy crazy? " A gift to the foes of Mordor."
He rose to his feet, "Why not use this Ring?" he asked with hope, insisting. "Long has my Father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe." He said looking at each person in turn. His pride of his father, of his country was apparent in his voice. " Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."
Líndal was about to object to this- to tell him what a stupid idea this was, but Strider beat him to it.
"You cannot wield it. None of us can." He objected, appalled at what he was suggesting. "The One Ring answers to Saruon alone. It has no other master."
"What would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir demanded, staring at him, scoffing.
"This is no mere Ranger!" Legolas said, jumping to his feet-his temper getting the better of him for once, rather than Líndal,(who's short temper was quite famous). "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Líndal felt pride for his friend swell in his chest. Boromir's look of surprise was priceless. Though, Líndal sensed the tension in his brother's body and grabbed Legolas's arm, knowing that his temper just might flare again.
"Aragorn…" Boromir said in disbelief. "This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor…" Líndal added quietly, piercing Boromir with his stare, daring for him to challenge this.
Aragorn leaned forward, not wanting for them to fight. Now wasn't the time. "Sit down Legolas, Líndal." He sighed, but was glad that his friends stood up for him. Boromir glared from the two elves to Aragorn. "Gondor has no king." He turned back to his seat. "Gondor needs no king."
" Aragorn is right. We cannot use it." The wizard said after a moment of silence.
"You have only one choice." Elrond stood looked at them all, staring them down. "The Ring must be destroyed."
"What are we waiting for?" one of the dwarves demanded, grabbing his axe, standing and swinging it down upon the Ring.
"Don't-!" Líndal tried to warn him, but there was a great flash of light, and ringing noise as the dwarf was thrown backwards. Líndal glared at the little ring with contempt. Around it were the broken shards of the axe…and yet the ring remained unscratched. He looked around and noticed the hobbit had the look of pain and discomfort in his eyes.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess." Elrond said, staring at him, and around the circle, lighting on those that he deemed the ones possessing the most powerful weapons. "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade." Elrond's eyebrows furrowed even more. "It must be taken deep into Mordor, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." He paused, letting the information sink in. "One of you must do this."
"One does not just walk into Mordor." Boromir spoke with a tired voice. "its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that never sleeps. And the Great Eye is ever watchful." He paused, and then continued as if the information had been drilled into his head from a young age. As if it still scarred him today. "It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Líndal said in frustration. "The Ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose that you think you are the one to do it?" The dwarf from earlier growled angrily.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir demanded, standing to challenge the two. The dwarf glared at the both of them, and Legolas went and stood by his brother.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" the dwarf declared. And even Nerwen rose to her feet in anger.
Damn it! Why is it when I actually try and make a point it always ends up as a fight? Líndal though in exasperation, keeping back the other elves from ripping the dwarves apart.
"Never trust and Elf!"
around Líndal raised voices and threats were heard on both sides, as he tried his best to stay neutral in the matter. He glanced around to see the only ones not out of their seats were Lord Elrond, Gandalf, the little hobbit, and Aragorn. He watched as the wizard sighed angrily and stood to join the melee. Líndal gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes.
"I will take it." He heard an uncertain voice say. "I will take it!" it said with more confidence.
The yelling died down, and they all turned to the hobbit with disbelief etched on their faces. "I will take the Ring to Mordor…" he said looking up at the wizard, his eyes begging for guidance, "Though…I do not know the way…" he added, beginning to feel self conscious of how the others were staring at him.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins…" Gandalf said, patting the hobbit's shoulder and going to stand beside him.
Aragorn stood. "By my life or death can protect you." He said surely, "I will."
He went to kneel by the hobbit. "You have my sword."
"And my bow." Legolas added.
"And my axe." Gimli the dwarf said, going to stand by the four of them.
Líndal grinned and stepped forward as well. "You are very courageous Frodo Baggins. I may attract trouble, but I'll kill it before it kills you." He promised the young hobbit, going to stand by his brother and new comrades.
Boromir sighed and stepped forward. "You carry the fates of us all little one." He said. "But if this is indeed the will of the council, the Gondor will see it done."
Just as he finished, a loud shout was heard from behind him, and a second hobbit dashed out from behind the bushes. "Frodo's not going anywhere without me." He said, rushing to his side.
"It's hardly possible to separate you, even when he is invited to a secret council and you're not." Elrond said with dry humour.
"Hey! We're coming too!"
Elrond whipped around in surprise and indignation to find two more hobbits were eavesdropping as well.
Líndal glanced at his brother, and smirked. Where were all these hobbits coming from anyways?
"You'll have to tie us up in a sack to stop us." The one in a beige coat declared, dashing to Frodo's side.
"Anyways," the other in a green coat added. "You need people of intelligence of intelligence on this sort of…mission…quest…thing." The wizard laughed softly.
"Well that leaves you out, Pip." The first one smirked, at his friend's annoyed expression.
"Ten companions…" Elrond noted. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Alright." The green clad hobbit declared. "Now, where are we going?"
Líndal tried to resist, but laughed all the same.
there we go, a nice long chapter.
if any of my other readers are reading this, i apoligize if the wait for the next chapter of Chasing Time is getting way too long. i may not have anything to do really in the summer, but i'm finding it hard to write, and i'd like to finish this story asap as well
well anyways, thanks for sticking with it, and i'll see you all soon...i hope ^^"
-moonlightrurouni