Before we come to this chapter, I'd like to explain a few things: I know I promised I'd update the story every one to three weeks, now we are at what, five?
That's because I also said I'd only update when I finished a later chapter- that had been when I was at five chapters written in advance, now we are at one and a half chapter. To prevent not having a buffer anymore, I need to slow the updates even more, because I am currently massively stuck on Chapter 12- a plot-important conversation piece (ughhhhhh).
God, I know this sounds like a lame excuse to get out of work, and I really like writing this stuff here, but I also am absolutely not motivated anymore- one of my co-worker's downright temper tantrums aimed at me (which is entirely his fault for not, I don't know, fucking explain to me what I'm supposed to do and how, he can't keep chewing me out because I have no clue how he wants this shit to be done if he doesn't tell me), and the complete betrayal that comes from one of my family's acquaintance who we've been with for decades and whose entire life we saved because we made her go to a doctor's who recognized the heart problems she had, only for her to turn around and report us to the police for theft when we haven't even been near her for the past few months.
So yeah. I'm currently kind of really tired about everything, including this story that just won't get written. (And no, Betas won't work, because I'd still have to be the one to write stuff down anyways, which is the problem I'm having)
This story will be finished, but it will slow down a lot.
Just that you know.
And, without any further delay: Here is the tenth chapter!
The Elves took them deeper into the forest and up on a series of connected platforms that were only accessible through a rope ladder in their middle. Gimli grumbled unhappily, for Dwarves loathed staying off the ground. Legolas however seemed elated, as he recognized the Elves' leader. Strider and Gandalf both shared his elation, if somewhat mitigated, and all four fell into a conversation of hushed Sindarin once they were on top of the platform- flets, Gandalf said they're called.
Gimli harrumphed. "This conversation does not go the way we need", he grumbled.
And it was true, asides from taking them away from the forest's edge and the possible Orcs hunting them, neither of the Elves were in any way helpful or even polite- unlike the Elves of Rivendell.
A fact Gimli commented on often- and loudly. But that was the way of the Dwarves, wasn't it? To never take the long way around but rather stay blunt and direct. He picked up his voice to snap "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!"
The conversation stopped, and the Elven Leader turned a sour look on Gimli. "There was no need", he said, "For we hadn't had any dealings with Dwarves since the Dark Days." It was evident from his tone what he thought of Dwarves.
It was also evident from the way Gimli puffed up that he picked up on it too. Boromir and Strider both moved to intercept when the Dwarf pulled himself to his full height and glared at the much taller Elf. "And you know", his tone was like fire, consuming everything in its wake, "What this Dwarf has to say to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul"
Strider grasped his shoulder tightly, hissing "That was not so courteous", just as Gandalf's face crumbled and the Elf Leader's expression turned stormy.
"But it is true", the Dwarf scoffed. "One of our own sacrificed himself so we could escape the wretched trap my ancestor's Halls had become." Frodo flinched at the brutal truth and clenched his knuckles so hard they turned white, all the while Gimli continued, "And we fled here, hoping to escape the filthy Orcs that will crawl out of Khazad-Dûm once the sun settles, only to find Elves who don't deem to help us."
The Elf Leader's eyes hardened. "And so it shall be. Death follows you for you bring great Evil with you. You can go no further."
His voice was like a thunderclap in the silence of the woods, draining all air. Frodo didn't think he could breathe anymore, and he thought Gimli was similar because he too turned nearly purple.
Strider and Gandalf both made a noise and immediately followed after the Elf, picking up their voices. Frodo didn't care what they said (but knew they were trying to argue in their favor), only stared.
Gimli's words had hit him deep- they had lost one of their own. Lost to the deep dark pits of Moria.
It hadn't settled until now, they've been too busy running away to even consider the consequences.
But they had lost one of their own. One who'd been with them since nearly the beginning, who had always been there, had always protected them.
Gone in fire and smoke.
Sacrificed himself so they could get to safety- yet safety was refused to them.
"It's not fair", he mumbled into his knees which he'd pulled up to his chest. "He didn't even want to come along. He just wanted to go home."
Someone stopped besides him, putting a hesitant hand on his shoulder. Frodo turned his head slightly to see Boromir. The Man was chewing his lower lip for a moment, then burst out, "It had been his decision, to see us to safety instead of chasing his own goal. And-", he paused for a moment, as if trying to sort his thoughts, "And he said he'll return."
I literally incapable of dying. That's what he said before he went and threw himself and the Balrog off the Bridge and into the depths of Moria. Frodo swallowed and turned towards Boromir. "He could have just said that, to ease our minds."
The Gondorian however shook his head. "He was confident in his own abilities, he was certain of what he was doing. Which means he is fully intending to return to us. Which means he trusted us to escape to safety." He pointed at Frodo, "We shall not betray his trust."
Frodo's brows drew together and he turned slightly to watch Strider and Gandalf talk to the Elven Leader, with Legolas standing awkwardly nearby (like when a friend started arguing with their parents, while one stood next to it unsure how to act).
Boromir noticed his glance, and sighed. "He's scared", he said simply, "This Elf is the Leader of this kingdom's guard. And now he encounters a problem that his heart tells him to hear out, while his mind tells him to protect his home. It is...not an easy thing to decide on."
Gimli scoffed, but Frodo understood. The tone Boromir used told him that the Gondorian was speaking from experience.
And...he couldn't really be angry at the Elves. The Man was right- they were terrified of something he didn't understand.
But that didn't mean he was fine with it. In fact, he felt so hopelessly guilty about everything- about deciding to take the Ring, about deciding to take the Path through Moria, about having allowed to take Merry and Pippin with them (they weren't fighters, and caused more trouble than they solved, but they were his best friends and they knew how to lighten the mood)
Without him, they wouldn't even be here.
"Mister Frodo", Sam's voice spoke up and suddenly the other was right besides him, "Stop thinking too much. None of this is your fault."
Frodo's head snapped up, locking eyes with his best friend. Sam crossed his arms to glare at him. "You think it is your fault Alex is gone. But it's not. It has been his decision to take Gandalf's place. Just as it had been our decision to go with you to Mordor. It is not your fault, Mister Frodo, so stop blaming yourself."
And...it wasn't. Was it?
None of them were here because they had been forced- Elrond even offered them time to rethink their decision, and none of them had done so.
That thought made his heart beat more easily. It hadn't been his fault. He had just been the unfortunate soul whose task it was to make sure the Ring would get destroyed. The Ring which was feared amongst the fair folks of this world.
Including the Elves of Lothlórien.
No. Frodo couldn't be angry at them. They were just as much afraid of the Ring and its power as he was.
Besides him, Boromir stiffened and turned his body away, standing between him and the Elf Leader who approached them with a less than happy expression. He glared at Frodo once, before turning his attention on the Fellowship. "You will follow me", he said in a short clipped tone, "Tomorrow. For tonight, you will rest here."
In the background, Frodo spotted Strider and Gandalf with smug expressions.
The next morning came with the rising of the sun. It wasn't too early, given that it was winter, yet Frodo still felt like he'd been run over by a cart. From the noises his friends from Hobbiton made, they were feeling the same. And Gimli was especially cranky this morning, having been forced to sleep so far off the ground where he felt safest.
Strider and Boromir both looked worse for wear as well, while Gandalf seemed contemplative. Only Legolas was elated and the Elf seemed a lot giddier today than he did the days before.
He kept glancing around the now light-flooded forest, inhaling deeply.
Curiously, Frodo finally started paying attention to his surrounding.
And gasped.
There were trees like he expected in the Shire- oaks and beeches and birches and pines, most of them bare of leaves since it was winter. There were shrubs and small plants and mushrooms.
And pillars of silver- massive trees topped with golden foliage that towered over even the tallest ash.
"They are so huge", Sam whispered in awe. "I have never seen trees this big, not even in the Old Forest."
"Mallorn Trees", Legolas declared once he spotted the Hobbits' expressions. The Elf had a gentle smile on his face as he took in the surrounding area. "Their bark is smooth and gray, shining silver under the light of the moon, and their leaves never fall in autumn. Instead they turn to gold, and they remain there until the new green leaves sprout and the boughs are laden with golden blossoms." His smile turned forlorn. "Golden is the ground and golden is the roof, and silver are the pillars. Lorien is the most fairest dwelling of my people."
"And the safest too", Gandalf added as he came over to them, "For Lady Galadriel's powers keep Evil at bay. Lothlórien would only fall if Sauron himself were to arrive here."
Frodo inhaled sharply- that was the reason the Elves were so afraid of them and so reluctant to let them enter the forest. He was carrying a piece of Sauron, and they were scared he would lure the Dark Lord closer.
Gandalf's hand was on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "You are right to fear the Ring, Frodo. However, Sauron is weak at the moment, and he will not be able to follow his weapon here. And his Orcs won't ever be able to breach the Lands."
Sam snorted. "But these Elves here act like he's breathing down on their necks regardless."
"Because he does", Legolas pointed out, "But at the moment it is an impotent leer. Which is why we need to hurry." He nodded towards the Elven Leader. "Haldir ensured us we should reach the Lady of the Light by dusk tomorrow."
"But only if you stop dawdling", the Elf Haldir said with a venomous tone. He wasn't too pleased Strider and Gandalf managed to convince him to allow the Ring deeper into the Lands he was tasked to protect. Five of his Elves accompanied the Fellowship as they set out.
Around them the forest grew denser, yet not oppressing as Frodo would have expected- it was more like when he was smaller and his down blanket had been the most wondrous shield that protected him against all dangers.
He could tell Merry and Pippin were thinking the same, while Sam was mostly elated about traveling through such a dense and healthy forest. Boromir and Aragorn and Gandalf and Legolas were relieved as they moved away from the forest's edge. And even Gimli was kind of less grumpy, though still tried to cling to his stubborn dislike for everything related to the Elves.
The path they walked was barely visible so they had to march in a row like ducklings to pass through.
Made it easier for the Elves to pick off enemy Orcs, Gandalf explained, because they would be slowed down and distracted by the shrubbery. Not that many Orcs ever managed to venture that deep into the forest, he added.
But truth to be told Frodo only listened half, for he was more amazed by the surrounding nature.
And a little anxious.
"Thinking of the Old Forest too, Mister Frodo?" Sam questioned.
"Thinking about not wanting to meet any kin of Old Man Willow."
"You think there's one of those here?" Pippin piped up, sounding terrified.
"No, he's thinking there could be one around here. I mean, if not here, where else?" Merry commented.
Gandalf chuckled. "Don't fret", he told them, "The presence of the Elves calms the trees. They shall not attempt to harm you." Then his eyes got distant. "However, this is not the case everywhere. Sauron's presence has poisoned so much of the land that even the most gentle of creatures turn on everything they perceive as a threat with tooth and claw, and branch and root. Nowhere is truly safe anymore."
He cleared his throat and glanced at Frodo. "You noticed it too, haven't you? The way all your worries and exhaustion seemed to lift the moment we set foot here in Lothlórien."
And that...that had been true. But he hadn't noticed it then, had believed that the strange feeling that overcame him had been a sign of danger. He hadn't realized that it had been the absence of the buried terror nipping at his heels.
Even the Elves' reluctant and hostile behavior from the night before could barely dampen the soothing effect the woods had on him.
Frodo stopped abruptly, blankly staring at the woods around them. Sam stopped next to him, brows furrowed. "Mister Frodo?"
"Think Alex would have liked this forest?" Frodo questioned in a small voice. He...he still couldn't believe their companion was gone.
Sam eyed him like he understood exactly what he was thinking. And he most likely did. So he put on a show of nonchalance. "He'd have growled and mumbled and been grumpy, but deep inside he'd be ecstatic to be here", he said easily, "You know, just like he'd done in Rivendell."
Those memories brought a watery smile to Frodo's lips. "He'd complained that things were too silent, even when he actually enjoyed it."
"He also would have just walked past Haldir and not care about him threatening him."
Frodo...actually chuckled at that mental image. Alex most certainly would just brush past the Elven Guard without a care, maybe even complain about being treated like a threat. Because he claimed with so much certainty that there was nothing that would ever be capable of injuring him.
But...the Demon?
It was something else entirely. Gandalf had been afraid of it, Legolas had been afraid of it, Strider had been afraid of it- even the thousands of Goblins seemed to have been afraid of it as none of them were close to them as long the Demon had been on their heels.
Alex had been afraid of it too, he'd seen it in his eyes. And yet he faced it, threw it and himself off the Bridge so the Fellowship could escape.
"The Lady Galadriel will want to know of what transpired beneath Moria", Strider whispered, suddenly besides them. "For she is the most powerful of all Elves. She will tell us how to proceed."
It was hope. Just a tiny sliver, but Frodo was determined to grab it and never let go.
The trek took several hours and ended near dusk in front of a wide river. There was no bridge that connected either side, but that was where they needed to go. Aragorn glanced at Haldir, who seemed more than ready to drop them off at their destination and be done with it.
Gimli's constant foul mood certainly hadn't helped his temper much.
"So..." Merry began, "How do we cross this?"
The Elf glanced at the Hobbit, then turned his attention back to the river. A small silver horn was taken from his belt and he gave one short blow, the sound carrying across the water like the ringing of a bell.
A similar horn answered, and one of Haldir's men readied his bow.
The arrow he shot towards the other shore was trailing a gray rope tied to one tree behind it, a rope that went taught the moment the arrow disappeared in the shrubs on the other side.
"We will cross the river with this", Haldir declared, and nodded towards the Elf who shot the arrow. He jumped on top of the rope- barely wider than a finger- and easily walked across it and the river like it was solid floor.
Legolas was the first to follow, balancing just as the other Elf had done.
The remaining Fellowship didn't move. Stared at the thin rope and the raging river.
"Haldir-" Aragorn cleared his throat when his voice betrayed him, "I doubt any of us will be able to cross the river as easily as your kin can."
Haldir's expression soured. "As we are well aware, Son of Arathorn."
A second arrow with a rope came flying from the other shore, and Haldir's men caught it to tie the rope to the tree too. The Elven Leader glanced at them challenging. "Will this suffice for the Dwarf?" He asked with a tone that betrayed exactly what he was thinking of Gimli.
The Dwarf, of course, pushed his chest out and stood straighter to stare the Elf into the eyes.
Aragorn hurried to put a hand on his shoulder. "This is hardly the place or time to pick fights, my friend", he whispered.
Gimli scoffed, but- wonder over wonders- backed down. Gestured to the two ropes. "It would suffice if you could just show us what we're supposed to do with this."
Gandalf stepped towards the shore. "Then pay attention. All of you, for I shall demonstrate." He stepped on the lower of the ropes, and grasped the upper one tightly. Then began to balance across the makeshift bridge with sure foot.
Aragorn glanced at Boromir, who grimaced. Then his fellow Man also began crossing the river- a lot slower and much more uncertain than the Wizard.
But the bridge held, despite his shaking of it.
Pippin was the next one, excited to try himself. He crossed with marginally better results than Boromir, as did Merry who followed his cousin.
Sam and Frodo eyed each other, and it was Frodo who took the challenge next. Sam was more precarious than the other Hobbits- mostly because of his overstuffed bag and the heavy pans attached to it- though even he managed.
Gimli was the next to try, and he was swaying and swearing the entire way over. Once or twice he nearly fell into the waters below, but managed to arrive on the other side safely.
Aragorn was the last of the Fellowship to move to the other side. Then Haldir followed while the four Elves remaining at the other shore removed the ropes and took their leave.
For a brief moment Aragorn wanted to ask them to leave the ropes, as they had a tenth companion who was going to follow.
Alex had been lost within Moria. He had promised he'd return, yet he hadn't told them when.
It would be much better to not leave a way for any possible Orc stalkers to cross the wide river themselves, and Alex would be able to find another way to pass.
He was capable of flight, wasn't he?
It was an encouraging thought. One he held onto for as long as he could.
That night they slept on the forest floor and not the flets, for they were far away enough from the forest's edge. Gimli and the Hobbits welcomed this decision, and even Boromir appeared to be more at ease on the ground than high up in the trees.
The second day of their journey through Lothlórien was a little more enjoyable than the day before. Their irritation at Haldir's previous demand they go no further was gone by now, replaced for the understanding that he'd only done so because he had to protect his home against all that was Evil.
It was also because so deep within the forest the paths were in a better state than those further out, since here the threat of Orcs was extremely low.
The further in they walked, the more Mallorn Trees they encountered. Taller ones than the ones at the forest's edge, so a lot older. They were drawing closer to the heart of the forest, closer to the Lady Galadriel.
Aragorn was intrigued- in all his years as Ranger he'd only ever met Galadriel once, and this meeting had impressed him so much, it still echoed within his chest.
Out of all of them, only Gandalf and Legolas had also been granted the honor to meet with the most powerful of the Elves. He wondered whether the others were aware of this honor.
After noon, the small group climbed a set of hills to stop on top of the ridge. In front of them stretched the golden woods of Lothlórien, with the tallest Mallorn Trees he'd ever seen at their center.
"Behold", Haldir declared, his voice finally soft and reverent as opposed to short and clipped tone he'd shown at the beginning, "Caras Galadhon. The Heart of Elvendom in Middle-Earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
By nightfall, they arrived at the Heart of Caras Galadhon. The forest floor beneath the trees should have been dark but wasn't, lit up by thousands of lanterns that emitted a pale-blue light, with hundreds of Elves weaving in and out of the shadows. Haldir led them to the largest Mallorn Tree of the whole forest, tall like the spires of Minas Tirith.
Wordlessly, Haldir gestured to the roots where steps with wooden arches them had been mounted into the bark. They were wide enough for three people to stand next to each other and solid, but the way they were spiraling up the tree trunk made Aragorn's heart sink. He wasn't one to shy away from heights, but climbing a staircase with barely anything to stop them from plummeting down made him uncomfortable.
Gimli was grumbling under his breath again, but still followed after Gandalf and the Hobbits as they made their way upwards.
The higher the climbed, the more Aragorn's breath caught in his throat. The view from up here was magnificent. He could see the forest, and the Elves' dwellings hidden between the branches of the smaller trees. Everything was lit with pale blue lanterns and the moon shining above.
The stairs eventually became flat platforms that rose towards the center of the tree's branches, where an archway and a grand hall was. Elven Guards flanked the edges of the platforms, and Haldir bade them to stop at the uppermost one, right in front of the archway.
Bright light was spilling from the gate, so intense it should have been blinding them but didn't, just enough to hide the features of the two figures that approached them. The Fellowship tensed, eyes wide and and mouths open in awe (at least in everybody except Gandalf and Legolas) while Aragorn bowed his head in respect.
Two Elves stood in front of the Halls, both dressed in silver and white.
Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.
The Lady glanced at the Fellowship in turn, while the Lord spread his arms to address them. "As overjoyed I am to welcome you, these are dire times. The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hopes of secrecy you had are gone."
"We are aware", Gandalf pointed out, "But we had no other place to go to. No other place that was safe."
Celeborn inclined his head. "We have been made aware that there were ten in your Fellowship, yet only nine arrived. What is of the Creature that is not of the weave of Arda?"
"They didn't cross the borders with you", Lady Galadriel added.
Much to Aragorn's surprise, Gimli shifted "We foolishly entered the net of Moria", he admitted in a subdued voice, "And we woke the Balrog that was lurking within its depths. Our companion stayed behind to ensure we would escape."
"Was it foolish if it was the only way open to you?", Lady Galadriel questioned and Gimli's head snapped up. She was smiling gently. "It was a risk, yes, but just as much as any other path would have been. Do not let the sorrow about the emptiness of Khazad-Dûm fill your heart Gimli, Son of Gloín."
Her attention brushed slightly over the Fellowship, and Aragorn saw Boromir cringe back, saw Merry and Pippin exhale, saw Legolas relax slightly. "These are Dark Times like those ages past. But there is hope-" She cut herself off, eyes narrowing when her focus shifted to somewhere atop them.
A small smile curved her lips. "There is always hope. And things that are believed to have been lost are found again. You will need their power for what is to come."
"My Lady?" Aragorn found himself asking, "What-?"
"They approach", Galadriel pointed out simply.
Lord Celeborn was the first to notice something above as he briefly hissed through his teeth.
The Fellowship and the Guards turned suspiciously, and the Elves bit out a startled noise of alarm.
Flames streaked through the dark sky, trailing red embers and moving faster than anything they'd ever seen. Approaching them at an alarming speed.
Bows were drawn back and arrows readied, hands flew to sword hilts in preparation to yank them free and fight whatever dark being sought to assault them-
Galadriel was merely smiling. "Please stand down, for there is no need to fight." Her attention moved to Aragorn for a moment. "Like I said, what has been lost will return."
The platform shuddered as if a giant had shaken the mighty Mallorn Tree. Cries of alarm rose, intermingling with yells of surprise.
Dark limbs melted into red and gray, framing pits that shone like fire. Dagger-like talons were clutching the decapitated head of the Balrog.
Pale blue eyes settled on the Fellowship from beneath the shade of a gray hood and white teeth were bared in a smirk.
"Please accept my sincere apology, your majesty, but it hadn't been my intention to be this late", the Creature Alex Mercer claimed.
Whoever said Alex isn't a goddamn Drama Queen is lying like a liar.
Also, his respawn time is a lot shorter than Gandalf's. And seriously, if a dude can pick up and throw a tank (60 tons), I doubt ond little measly fire demon's going to stop him.