Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)

Title: The Crosses Enigma (#46)
Author: Legowen
Chapters: 10

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: Continuation of Gypsy's Way, Gandalf brings unto himself a new company in search of mysterious Elven Jewl's. But there fate is entwined with the future of Middle-Earth.
Published: 19 May 2003
Updated: 19 May 2003
Warnings: Non-Consensual Sexual Situations,
Type: Action/adventure
Characters: Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Pippin


Chapter 1 - Prologue: "Tales lost in the Telling”

-The Continuation of Gypsy�s Way-





Legends speak of the Forgers whom molded great rings of power, from which the strength to rule over their people with great authority was supposed to be granted to their bearers. Yet even evil did not keep its dark hand from tainting such glorious works. For in secret the Dark Lord Sauron forged a dark ring...a ring of power.

"One Ring to Rule them all...."



Upon the discovery of that deception, the three rings of Elven power were hidden, and all others whom deviled in such works cast aside their trade.

All that is but one.

One believed that the one ring would someday be destroyed and the powers of Air, Fire, & Water would be lost to Middle Earth, forever.

So by his skill, he crafted lesser creations of those first three. Three small jewels, alike to crosses in there making, delicate and intricate in design were forged. Within them, the three lords of the Eldar allowed a small but ample amount of their rings powers to live.

Why, they knew, but for what purpose these crosses would serve they could not fully foresee.

They were allowed just enough power, so the Dark Lord Sauron would not discover them. So great was the mystery surrounding their purpose that they came to be known as Enigma Crosses.

Corandril, a young man-elf of the Noldorin, was the one to forge the jewels. By his great skill, adapted from father to son through the finest lines of the Elvish Smiths, were the crosses delivered to Middle-Earth.

The Cross of Air, forged to hold a power akin to that of Vilya was wrought in Gold and Mithril. In its center laid a small sapphire. Like its ring counterpart, it remained the most powerful of the three. Its authority was that of foresight, and to enable its bearer to use great powers in his or her deeds. It was spoken that this ring could veil it wearer as the invisible air around you.

The second was the Cross of Fire. Fashioned of Copper and Mithril, and a ruby in it's center, its influence commanded that which was within. It fortified its bearer with a great passion and energy through their deeds. It was said often to be warm to the touch.

Last was the Cross of Water. Most similar to its ring counterpart Nenya. It was made of pure Mithril and at it's center was a clear stone that would shimmer with light. It too contained great influence, though it tended to shroud its bearer with an air of intrigue as deep as the origins of the Crosses themselves.

All three would glow pale blue when Orc's were near. A premonition of the evil times to come. And as the rings, it seemed the Crosses had minds of their own. For their bearers were not to be chosen, the Crosses chose them.

Alas, as many things go within Middle-Earth, the creation of the Enigma Crosses was known only to few. Their true purpose known to even fewer, and those that were aware of the secret spoke not of it. For the time had yet to come when they would be needed.

One by one the crosses took upon lives of their own accord, finding bearers that were of their same mind. Their intent had not been clear even to the great ring bearers, Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf. Their purpose had been only to insure that in the least, an amount of the natural powers of the rings would remain in Middle Earth upon the time of the rings departures...or demise.

Time passed and the War of the Ring was upon them. Sauron rose again, and still yet the Crosses went forgotten to the evil. Others found places and lives that would be recorded in history and sung for ages to come. A King of Kings returned to his throne and alliances made that still hold true even in this age.

The great lords of Elves and Spirits who had carried the three rings grew weary. Their time would soon be passed, their powers spent, and though their deeds had indeed been great, their home would soon be beyond the reach of Middle Earth.

The power of the rings had begun to fade and yet elsewhere another power began to stir. A power long-anticipated, a force that would ensure the survival of the remnants of Air, Fire and Water in Middle Earth for all the ages of Arda.

The Crosses time had now come.

Their present state unknown, had to be found and bearers for the Crosses needed to be called. For it was now their time to lead and preserve the traditions of Middle Earth and the Eldar.

Legend told the tales of great hero's, of battles and of love gained and lost.

It speaks of those who took part of these tales and that none other of such caliber came after unless...

Some tales are lost in the telling, and thus the story of great deeds may go untold.

Until now...


Chapter 2 - Chapter One: "The Tempest..."

She was one of many.



This was usually a source of comfort for the girl, who was dressed as if Royalty.
She lifted her shawl up and covered her face as she passed two running guards, then let it drop again.
It was a force of habit for her. Somehow it had been deemed proper for a young woman of her standing to act the shy and hidden.

She rolled deep blue eyes. They contrasted her dark features and almond skin vividly. Behind her hair bounced against her back, forming thick dark ringlets at the ends. Small fingers slipped her shawl over her shoulders again.

Another two guards passed but this time she didn't bother, what was the use if they were in such a rush.
She paused in the hall, her feet silent on the marble floors, as where the guards heavy rushed steps echoed off the stone walls.

Why where they rushing?

Tempest shrugged it off and continued on her way, though an odd apprehensive feeling began to creep into her stomach. She sighed again, what guards did was none of her concern as long as they let her be.

She could but wait to exit those annoying clothes. They were way to gaudy for her tastes.
She looked down at the gold and orange garb that she donned, beaded and obviously suited for those of high stations. They were lovely yes, but not her pick if she had one.

//The wears of a royal slave// she thought darkly. This was all she was. A toy, a Courtesan to the Baron Galttaro of Brikidan.
And like many other Barons, she was not the only one.
He had many ladies in his keeping, though it was quite clear that Tempest was in his favor.
And she rightly knew why.

How could she not know with all the other courtesans constant whispers, and jealousy.
If it weren't for all the years of practice, she would have reached up and touched the tip of her pointed ear. And Elven ear, though the rest of her body betrayed the Eldar blood that flow through her vanes.

She had learned long ago it only brought Galttaro's attention to her more, if she brought attention to her "abnormality".
That was all it was to her, something to hate. Why had she been cursed with such a gift? Why had Iluvitar chosen to grace her with this lineage?
It did her no good, and would do none, she could see no purpose for it in the future.
And as far as she was concerned, it just made her the object of unwanted affection for the Baron.

The other girls thought her odd. It was enough that she was beyond different, her Elven beauty seeping through no matter what she did to draw attention away from herself.
Yet they saw it strange that she would not wish the advances of the Baron.
How could any woman not wish the favor of such a handsome and wealthy man.

//because he is as charming as an orc// she grinned through perfect white teeth.
Reaching her quarters she was glad that whatever disturbance had given her leave to seek her own room. It was the only time she was truly at peace.
And not even then.

Tempest, a gypsy girl turned royal courtesan turned the corner into her station and was immediately restrained.
One slender arm slung itself around her neck, pressing something near her neck.
She froze...

"What is the matter, afraid?" the cold voice hissed. Tempest had to resist the urge to elbow them right there.
Alkameen was the last person she wished to be alone with right now.

"Let me go sorceress before I rip that silver lined tongue out of your head" Tempest mummer just as icily. And was awarded with a yank to her hair. She took in air through gritted teeth and held down her anger.

"Now now, wouldn't want to anger me. Then I should have to hurt you, and that wouldn't do..."
Something in the witches voice made Tempest know she cared not if she was injured. This time she did not honor the comment with a response.

"So quiet, snake got your tongue? Don't worry, I wouldn't hurt Galttaro's precious toy." Alkameen held the girl tighter, her hand curling around the girls tender neck.
On her finger lie a 'Saeweg', it fit on her index finger like a claw. Intact in a way it was hewn to resemble a claw, and on its tip a clear liquid glistened in the dim light of Tempest room.

And as it was pressed nearer the soft flesh of her neck, Tempest did not believe a word the woman said to her. She laughed dryly. "You lie, you mean to tell me you've come to my quarters to sup and speak of fond memories?" the sarcasm was not lost on Alkameen, and a quick sharp stabbing pain in Tempest neck told her she had gone to far.

She held her hand to the side of her neck, a trickle of blood rolling down to the front of her collar bone. Disappearing under the front of her dress.

The warm, thick crimson liquid tickled her skin and made her swallow.
The strangest part was, she felt nothing odd. She felt normal for the situation. The small sting from the puncture, yet no dizziness...

Alkameen released the girl harshly, pushing her to the floor and looked down upon her with slanted black eyes. They were lined with dark makeup which enhanced there slant.
Her long bone-straight jet black hair was tied at the top of her head, and hung down like a river of raven silk.
If it weren't for the sneer upon her pale face, she would have been beautiful.

"Let me rephrase that. I would not harm you, if I knew I would be found out" She grinned. "Enjoy your last few days of life young one, for that is all you have left"

Tempest slid her hand down her neck, fingertips wiping the blood. She looked from her crimson stained fingers to the evil witch before her. "What have you done to me witch, what have you poisoned me with."

She only received a icy ghost of a smile.
"It seems that a support beam from the north wing has collapsed, crushing many workers. Every guard has been called to assist and all the entrances are left unguarded, what a shame. Those poor peasants." The woman of the lands far beyond Harad looked down at her curved finger weapon and smiled a chilly smile at her hint, then turned and disappeared.

Tempest did not get up for a long while. The words had not sunk in, as she still was wrestling with the fact that she had just been poisoned.
Alkameen never favored her, in fact, she hated her with the utmost loathing possible.
She was the Barons right hand and advisor and Tempest suspected also his lover. One of them anyway, and she was jealous of the attention the Baron paid to the gypsy girl ever since she arrived.

Tempest would have none of the Barons advances and for some reason he had not just "taken her" as he would have with any other woman who refused.
It was almost as if he wanted her to give herself to him.
That would not happen in all the ages of Arda. This was a promised she solemnly made many a time.

The girl gasped at the final realization. It could be a trap, but what would that matter if she was to die anyway.
She had a chance to escape.
With shaking hands she pushed herself off the floor, her blood stained hand unstable as it slipped on the marble floors, making a small red streak.
Flinging the shawl aside and ran to her wardrobe and begun to pull the least attention drawing grabs she could find. And changed.

In her hands she ran the silky material through her tiny fingers. It was one of her many shawls, she wore them on the few times others had come to the estates. It was a gypsy tradition and it irked Galttaro, she grinned at the thought that she might be free form him so suddenly.
Even if it was with her dying breath.

A plan began to form in her mind and she packed the skirts, Choli's, and head shawls in her pack. She would look as nothing but a young gypsy girl.
A smile played on her lips despite the slight wave of Nashua that rose in her stomach.
To be what she was intended to be, even if it was just once more.
She could go in search of her gypsy relations. They would recognize her as such and would help her certainly.
Excitement rose and with a rush of adrenaline as she finished her packing. Her hands grabbing what she would need.

Tempest wanted nothing to do with the fancy opulent bearings that were gifts from her unwanted suitor. No fancy jewelry, only the silver hoops and studs she wore in her ears.
Reaching the bottom of her wardrobe she pulled out a dark green shawl, and with one motion pulled it over her head, securing it tightly.
She turned a gazed at herself in the mirror. No one would know she was a 'princess', they would only see a gypsy.

Her hand shook as she moved faster than seemed normal. She slipped on plain slippers and slung the pack across her body, pushing the bag to the back.
She would have no time to find food, but she had money.

She had never had the wish to use it before, but shoved the coins into her pouch. It was almost tempting to take some of her jewelry with her though. That would serve him right.

The sound of footsteps echoed far from where her room was, but to her sensitive ears it sounded far to close for comfort. She tied sheet after sheet together at the ends and then secured them at the post of her bed. They were enough to reach the ground and she began to climb, dropping into a bush. Her room was on the far side of the estate and she would be unnoticed now that the guards did not make there rounds.

In the far distance her acute ears picked up what sounded like shouts and commands.
It was now or never again.
And with a rush of adrenaline she took off for outside the estates grounds. Her footsteps were silent, ghostly so.
Though she often shunned and cursed the blood that was apparently from an Elven father she had never known, she knew this blood would also save her. It made her bones light and hollow, her muscles defined, strong and fine-tuned. Her hearing, sight, smell and other senses were as acute as an animals.

She would be free, if she could find someone who could cure the poison from her body.
Otherwise, she would perish.






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Arod threw his head high and his nostrils flared as he stretched his gate a bit more. His tail swishing back and forth and his proud neck shook his mane and he nickered lightly.
A light wondrous laugh echoed across the forests.
Legolas, Elf lord of Ithilien was amused by his mounts antics. Acting as if he were simply a colt.

It was not often that they had the opportunity to ride so un-hindered by others or heavy war equipment.
Though he had become used to using reins, Legolas did away with the saddle for this trip. Instead opting for a finely crafted bareback pad and light stirrups.
His person to was lighter, only his quiver filled with arrows, and short knives that hung from his back. His favorite jerkin covered a silvery green tunic, not unlike the one he had worn months before during his trip to Rivendell and throughout his journey with the fellowship.

It would be good to see his companions once more.
He looked about him and smiled almost mischievously. It was even nicer to be alone for once. Being a new lord of his own realm that needed much work, he had not the time to be by himself.
A lord could not afford such, pleastries.

So it was an instant decision to make the journey to Imladris on his own. He could have awaited Lord Aragorn, but felt not like being flanked by legions of Royal soldiers that would certainly flank the King of Gondor.
He shook his head and smiled. How he would have wished to hear the defensive argument Estel would put up when presented with the fact that he would be flanked by soldiers.

His thought of how he would tease the former ranger on the matter was halted.
His mount skittered and turned his back end away from the right side of the forest. The stallions ears perked up curiously and his nostrils flared.
Legolas stopped the Rohan horse.
"man no I presto lagor min?"

The Rohan horse snorted in response. In one swift movement Legolas dismounted to the ground, an arrow instantly in hand and notched to his bow. His steps were absolutely silent to even himself as he made his way through the thick trees. The sounds of water coming to his ears almost instantly. He had known it was there, but had pushed the thought away. The small extensions of the Bruinen were nothing of a concern.
But over the splashing of the brook he could distinctively hear breathing.

Soft and hitched.

Sidling behind a tree he calculated the breathing pattern in his mind. The exhale of breath was the best time to catch whatever it was, it would be weakest then.
Pulling on his bow silently, it pointed down to the ground in a ready position.
Murmuring his countdown silently in his mind.


//min...tad..........// with a breath he turned round the tree onto the banks of the small watery stream, his arrow trained between the shoulders of whatever it was. Ready to shoot if it be something evil.
"neled?" he finished his count, dumbfounded.

Before him on their knees, facing away from him, was a person. A human it seemed, a female if he was not incorrect.
Her back was turned to him, her reflection slightly in the streams cool flowing waters.
Legolas instantly dropped his bow away from her and slipping the arrow back into his quiver he slung his bow over his shoulder.

The woman acknowledged him not, which made him think perhaps he had been to silent for the mortals ears.
If she did not hide her head with that cloth, Legolas would know that thought was far wrong. She indeed heard him, but was far to weak to care.

Legolas was not sure if he should move forward or speak, he might startle her. But opting that she might turn and fall dead from fright, he thought to say something.
"Is all well?" he asked, his head tilting in the most Elven way when he did not receive an answer.
Perhaps she was, what was the term...deaf? Estel had explained that loss of hearing and even sight or speech happened among mortals.

He idly lean forward opting to gently touch the woman on her shoulder and gasped as she fell back. Instinctively he lurched forward, down on one knee, and caught her deftly in his arms.
He pulled her away from the waters and looked down at her dark features. His head tilted for a moment not knowing what to do.
His strong hand reached to her temple, as her neck was hidden under the heavy head coverings. Her pulse was rapid and weak.
Her heart shaped face covered in sweat and her body was trembling.

He concluded she had been poisoned. Luckily they were but a few short hours distance from Rivendell. He hoped it would be swift enough to help her.
She was no weight in his arms, and he wondered if all young human females were so slight.
The form of her seeming a bit heavier by her look.

Ducking he picked up her pack and slung it over his shoulder.
With a resounding bird-like whistle Arod came round, chewing on his bit.

Legolas rose his arms above his head, pushing her easily into the stallion's back, then swung himself up, securing the girls pack behind him beside his own.
All the wonders, of where she hailed from and how she had been poisoned were pushed from his mind as Arod rose slightly on his hind-legs, taking off directly into a gallop.







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Dark blue eyes watch a leaf make its way from towering tree to babbling water.
The wind carried the crimson leaf, embracing it in its invisible hands and set it down in the water that pooled before the falls.

Autumn had long come in Imladris, and Elrond knew winter was not far.
He almost smiled, though it was a thing far beyond sad, he would be glad for it.
It was almost time.

Time for rest from his endless duties, time to look upon his people happy and free from death and the torments of this world.
Free to hold his beloved Celebrian in his arms. How he missed her. He had not looked upon her fair face and golden hair, and eyes like a pale blue sky, in so long it made him ache.

Another thing made him pain so.

He sat back, taking the newly found silence to his advantage.
His mind drifted like that single leaf to his children.
Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen.

It made his heart ache, that he would have to leave them behind.
//Nay// he scolded his own self. //You do not leave them, they chose to stay, and rightfully so//
It had not been an easy decision to accept, that he would go home and they would not. To him it seemed a choice of death and sorrow.

Elladan and Elrohir ever the protectors would stay behind and take handle of Imladris. Elrond also strongly suspected that they would never leave there sister.

Arwen's choice to Marry Aragorn had been her own, though still part of him wished she had not.

Another ache snuck up on Elrond as he sat in thought, going over all that had been said and done in the last year.
And among all the great and prominent things.
The battles, the destruction of the ring and the Dark Lord. And his daughters wedding to the newly appointed King of Gondor, one small thing came to mind.

His talk with Aragorn before he departed with the fellowship. He had not accepted Arwen's choice then, though he did with slight resignation now, it was still accept ion.
His words had been harsh with Aragorn.

//Estel, his name is Estel.// Had he forgotten all his love for the human in his moment of determination to change Arwen and his mind.

The answer shamed him. He almost had.

In the last few years before the destruction of the ring, Aragorn, nay, Estel had become estranged in his burden.
Taking almost fully to the wild, and returning only when he had need.
Where had the years gone? Where had the hopeful, stubborn, joyful young human gone?

//He grew thus into the Man you know as the King of Gondor. Was this not what you wished?//
The annoying voice sounded awfully like Mithrandir.
He could almost see the Leader of the Istari leaning on his white wooden staff, one bushy eyebrow raised because it had not been a question but a statement.

//You knew his love for Undomiel was as great as thus of Beren for Luthien. Was it not you who spoke to him that you would Marry your child to no one who was anything less than King of both Arnor and Gondor. And that he did, and is now King of Both. Did you expect him to fail?//

That last question troubled him. Had he expected Estel to fail, had he lost so much of his care for the man he once cared for as his own.

His long memory brought him to the day Gilraien and Aragorn arrived at Rivendell. She had been young, lovely, and afraid. Though despite that fear, she was strong and determined.
Aragorn had been a joy the very first day, bringing the light of a child back into the land that had seen none in so many long years.

Not since...

Another moment of sorrow it seemed. He had pushed that thought far back in his mind.
The sorrow of Elrohir.

It would not be spoken in tales of valor and adventure, but Elrohir had been wed at one time.
An elf maiden whom attended Celebrian. Celelinn she was called, and fair as the Elves of Rivendell come.
Dark eyes that were almost green in there color, and hair of chestnut. She had been most loyal to her mistress, and fell for the amusing antics of Elrond's twin sons.
Elrohir most especially.

She adored him, the most sensitive of the two, and they were wed the next spring.
And to him she bore two daughters, Adara and Aerviel.

Adara remained in Rivendell until this day, and did not follow her mother over sea. Eventually becoming her Grandfather Elrond's assistant in his healing duties.

Her mothers loyalty taking her to the undying lands with her beloved mistress Celebrian.

It was the youngest story that made his heart heavy.
She fell for a human, a Ranger of the North...and departed to be with him.
Once she returned, and bringing with her the last child to enter Rivendell until the arrival of the Perinath.

They journeyed to return to there home, and had never returned.

This was why Elrond had been so outright against Arwen marrying Aragorn, he realized as he took a deep breath.
He mortally feared the lost of his youngest as they had lost Aerviel.



A noise brought his attention around and slight curiosity bid him to go see what it might be.
As he left the room he briefly looked back at the fountains. Another leaf had dislodged from its tree and was making its way below as countless others had.

Like the years, they fall away even if no one is there to notice. They do not stop falling even if you see them, even if you will them not to.

He made a promise in that moment to make things right with Estel. He was proud of the man, his son.
His long red and violet robes moving about him as he made his way outside his study.

Leaning over the rail his keen Elven eyes could pick up a rider mounted on a grey horse.
His eyes momentarily went wide, It was Legolas. And he carry something.

The Elf lord rushed to meet them.






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Elrond of Imladris, lord of the last Homely house reached the stairs and took them swiftly. His eyes trained on the young Sindarin prince, taking in the odd scene.
He had assessed the situation by the time his foot met the last step.

In the blonde Elf's arms was what looked like a very young girl. Her eyes were closed, which lead Elrond to assess she was either in much pain, or unconscious. Her slight body slumped back against the Princes own.

Moving swiftly across the yard, he could hear soft footfalls behind him as Adara followed, obviously drawn by the disturbance.

"How long has she been Unconscious" he asked, touching the girls neck and finding a red puncture. A bite perhaps?

He checked her pulse, it was stringy and weak. Her breathing labored, her skin clammy and body slightly trembling.
Poison.

"Legolas?" Elrond asked softer this time, the young Elf lord seemed at a loss.
Finally he looked back at Elrond, seeming to see him for the first time. "An hour or more.." his brows creased, frustrated with his inability to calculate the exact time.

"man he cuinar, adar ned nin adar?" Adara's soft voice questioned, looking over to her grandsire with concern.

"he lothron" Was all he had time to reply before he delivered the girl from Legolas arms to his own. The sun was beginning to set behind the Mountains and dusk was setting in. Adara scooped a lantern and lit it quickly, following in Elrond's footsteps, her hand on the front of her gown in order to keep her feet free to move.

Elrond could be heard calling out commands to his helpers, moving in all haste to help the unknown child.

The sun spilled its last rays, as if Arien dispelled a special amount of light in a last attempt to warm the land below, before she slipped from sight.
It washed Legolas with hues of orange and yellow, highlighting his already corncob golden hair, and sky blue eyes set in a fair face.

The young prince stood in the center of the courtyard unmoving as the sun dipped and faded into the west.






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Translations:

Saeweg= poison-thorn

"man no I presto lagor min?"="What be the trouble swift one?"

min= 1
t�d= 2
neled =3

"man he cuinar, adar ned nin adar" = will she live, father of my father

"he lothron" = she may


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Chapter 3 - Chapter Two: "Playing the part…"

Aragorn, King of the Reunited Kingdom was annoyed.

As King of Gondor, and the first to be so in a very long time, he had expected to be escorted by the Guards of Minas Tirth.

It was only natural of course.

But as pulled on his old boots, tugging them into place, he could not help but feel how ridiculous being surrounded by so many soldiers just because he was the King.

He was a ranger and had lived more than 80 years of his life as such.

//You were a Ranger Estel, but no longer. Now you are King Elessar of Gondor and the reunited Kingdom.//

"Sulking does not become you my Love..." He had not heard Arwen enter the room, her soft bare feet quiet on the smooth palace floors.

She wrapped a creamy white throw about her shoulders and sat beside him, placing a warm pleasant kiss on his bearded cheek.

He wrapped one arm around her person, stroking her long dark hair.

The throw was her favorite ever since she arrived in Minas Tirth, it reminding her of Lothlorien with its silvery white color.

Sighing he kissed her upon her forehead, she of course was more correct than he would like to admit.

Imagine, the King of Gondor sulking from something as menial as being flanked by the guards who's jobs were to protect him and his family.

"You would make a formidable enemy to know me so well Undomiel..." he said, some of his disappointment that he could not play ranger just once more, fading away as he kissed her lips.

As newlyweds they were still quite feeling the euphoric emotions that newly married young people felt, but as King and Queen of all of Gondor and Arnor, they did not get to express these feelings as often as they should like.

"All will be well while you are gone Estel, Faramir and I shall see to it..." she assured, rubbing her hand across his chest affectionately.

"hmm" was his version of yes, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the small interval before he departed to Imladris. The mission ahead of him was important as any, if not filled with fewer dangers.

He had fallen somewhere between dozing and day-dreaming, the warm feeling of her at his side had been something he had yearned to have for nearly eight decades. Even if they could not spend every waking moment together because of duties, it was what they had always wished.

The fact that they were finally together, that Gondor was restored and the WR was over still felt like a waking dream. As if it were not real but his imagination.

Finally he knew his Guard, Gandalf and Gimli would be awaiting him. He opened his eyes to see his Queen watching him. A secret smile gracing her full lips.

"I shall miss you oh' Queen of Gondor" his ran his hand through her hair, settling his palm against her smooth porcelain cheek.

"And I you oh' King of Gondor" she said with humor lacing her fair voice, she leaned in and graced him with a kiss. He sighed after they pulled apart and stood, reaching for his cloak to pull over his dark long tunic.

He might have to look the part of king, and he did just this. But he would always carry his past as a man raised among Elves and as a Ranger.

The tunic�s outer part had obvious Elven influences, the colors were black, grey and maroon. Colors he had adopted as he dressed more and more the part of human, instead of his well worn ranger wears, or his fair Rivendell dressings.

As king he at least had freedom in what he wear, and thus, everything he put upon himself was a subtle mixture of his past.

Arwen watch him quietly as he slipped his cloak about his shoulders. He looked upon his clasps and seemed to be at an in pass of which one to use.

She smiled and stood, letting the shawl drop upon the royal bed.

Not one to conform to the standards of what a Woman should be, Arwen would not say she helped Aragorn dress simply because she was Female.

She set out his clothing because she enjoyed watching him dress.

Then again, he would wear the same colors and styles every day if it were up to Aragorn. And she hid her smile, standing at his shoulder as he continued to contemplate something as simple as a broach to keep his cloak in place.

Their were ones fit for court, ones given as gifts (which were often to opulent even for a formal affair) and ones for simpler outfits.

He was not aware of her beside him, as his hand hovered between his Fellowship broach, Rangers insignia, and a Golden one given to him by Elrond.

Part of him wished to wear the fellowship one, as it brought back such fond memories. But it did not seem right without the others there.

His Rangers broach also seemed very tempting, his desire to play "Strider" just once more weighting heavily.

And the last, he could not figure out why he second Guessed Elrond's gift.

He touched it, half removed it, and then let it fall again unsure.

Arwen's light hand picked it up and he turned surprised to see her standing there. She removed the Elven forged broach wrought of gold, the insignia of the house of Elrond and begun to knowingly clasp it to his cloak.

"Tin meleth dar-na le, Estel" she said, her eyes concentrated on her work to place the clasp firmly.

He said nothing as she continued to speak. "sen innas al-presta..." she did not finish as she look upon him. He was looking away from her, lost in thought.

Her hands pulled away from the golden clasp, and cupped his face to look at her.

"His love also does not wax or wane..." he seemed so lost in the moment, she realized just how hurt he had been by Elrond's insistence he not marry Arwen.

Though he speak no more of his disapproval, things had not been the same since that fateful day Aragorn departed for the Wild's.

She was reminded just how very young Aragorn was compared to her people�s long years.

He seemed the 20 year old he had been when she first met him. A young man who hurt still, deep down in his heart at disappointing the only father he had ever known.

She said nothing more, wrapping her arms around his cloaked shoulders...

She made a note to speak with her 'Adar', she would set this right.

Before the call of the sea was answered, and it was forever too late.




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As Aragorn ascended the flight of stairs and made his way closer to the company gathered for the trip to Rivendell, he caught sight of two people that made him smile.

Gandalf the White, and Gimli son of Gloin.

The Maia stood towering over the Dwarf, and his lips were moving in conversation with the Lord of the Glittering Caves.

And Gimli was shaking his head, feet planted firmly.

Aragorn knew that look.

"...no, no no..." Gimli was saying again, and the words faded as he eyed Aragorn entering their presence.

The Capitan of Aragorn's guard called orders to his soldiers and they turned and saluted the king.

Aragorn simply nodded his approval and eyed Gimli, arms crossed and look of stubbornness strewn across his face, then looked at Gandalf.

The Wizards mouth twitched and Aragorn instantly knew he was amused.

"Good day Gentlemen, prepared for our journey" he asked casually, giving Gandalf a look of his own, silently questioning what was being said between the two.

"Indeed, you look well Aragorn. How be your fair Queen?" Gimli asked, changing the subject.

"Well, I thank you for asking. She sends her love to both of you, and apologizes that she cannot be here to see us off. She has other engagements this day, tell me what were you two 'discussing' before I arrived..." Aragorn was no Legolas, but he was deft at the changing of a subject, and he knew it.

"I was offering Master Gimli a ride upon Shadowfax, but it seems he has his doubts" Gandalf's eye lip twitched again, feigning off humor.

"I don't like the way he looks at me" Gimli sated simply, and Shadowfax not to be out-done snorted and stomped one elegant foot. His tapered ears pinned down as he lowered his head in a mock glare of the Dwarf.

Gimli glared back at the Meras, arms firmly crossed upon his puffed out chest.

It took all of Aragorn's might to not erupt in a fit of laughter at the scene before him.

Lord of Horses against the Lord of the Glittering Caves.

"Well, you may ride with me Gimli if you like" stated Aragorn watching the Dwarf with high amusement. "Roheryn may not be Arod nor I Legolas...but we can carry you all the same"

Knowing that Gimli would never refuse Aragorn of this, because it had been more a statement and not a question, Aragorn moved off to his own Steed. Smiling at his victory won.

He gave Roheryn a fond pat upon his head, scratching behind his ears and rubbing his palm down his fine neck. In one swift movement he mounted, adjusting Anduril in its hilt.

Aragorn put out a hand, hiding his humor at Gimli�s vexed expression and gave the Dwarf a hand up.

All others followed, all mounted and ready for their journey to Rivendell.

Aragorn nodded to his Capitan Romir, and with a motion of his hand, all were off. Riding through the streets of Minas Tirth on one last mission for the Good of Middle-Earth.

People came out to watch, still awed by the idea of having a King. They headed towards the waiting gate of his city, and onward to there duty at hand.

Though he thought fleetingly, that this would not be the last time.






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Translations:

"Tin meleth dar-na le Estel"="His love remain with thee, Estel"

"sen innas al-presta"= This will not change...


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Chapter 4 - Chapter Three: "A long expected journey…"

-�The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can�-







The joyous sounds of Hobbits singing echoed through the eves and pathways that lead to the hidden Elven city of Rivendell.

Two of the Halflings, sitting astride fat and sassy ponies, trot along the path. They were close and this was a reason for singing. Then again, with Hobbits alot of things were a cause for celebration.

Meriadoc Brandybuck, Knight of Rohan, smiled as he finished his verse. Turning his head and dramatically dipping his hand, offering the next part to his companion. Perigrin Took, Knight of Gondor. Both despite their tittles, they were Hobbits none the less, and that was an excuse to be happy.





-�Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? Roll in Bails of HAY�-





Perigrin, better known as Pippin snickered loudly as Meriadoc, otherwise known as Merry, sent him a scathing glare. But Pippin paid him no mind, he was quite proud of changing that last line to hay instead of the intended closing phrase "I cannot say". And no one could tell him the otherwise.

But despite trying to be stern and disapproving, Merry slowly added the chuckle of his own.

Both Hobbits were happy to be taking a trip to Rivendell. They had been awaiting this for a very long time, as each had been so busy with helping restore the Shire...they had not had time to think about making any trips.

Taking trips of any sort outside the Shire was a very un-Hobbitish thought indeed, but Merry and Pippin were not like other Hobbits. And their was no need to pretend the otherwise. They had seen to much and done to much to forever stay in the confines of their homeland. No matter how comforting it was to do so.

Sometimes, it was more comforting to know that you were about to visit friends you haven't seen in a good long while.

The last time either had seen any other than Gandalf and the other Hobbits who had joined the Fellowship, had been at the Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.

Before they departed they had been spoken to of one last thing to be done before the Ring bearers departed this land. And a few short weeks ago Gandalf had left, but not before he offered the Hobbits to join them in Rivendell. Speaking that the last thing to be done would require a few able bodies, and even Hobbits.

Merry secretly thought that the only reason Gandalf would care to relay this information, was because he could see how very bored they were becoming. The shire had been much missed, harshly so, but it was hard to go back to normal when you've tasted adventure.

And so set out Merry and Pip together on their own little mission to Rivendell, or so they fancied.

It had of course interested Sam, who too had seen adventure and was just a tad bit craving it. And wished badly to see the Elves once more, this time under happier circumstance. Yet he was a new Husband now, and would not leave his Rosie.

As for Frodo, he was not well. Merry frowned at the thought, as sometimes Frodo would become quiet and withdrawn. Sometimes more than others. Sam would tell him that sometimes he would be stricken with a great pain...and Merry knew that being the Ring Bearer had not done well for Frodo in the long run.

So neither had joined in the travel, but Merry and Pippin were happy to go.

Soon the familiar path leading to Rivendell came into view, they were close. Pippin turned smiling eagerly at Merry, thinking the same thing.

They rode halfway down the long wooded path and slowed down. "Hullo there fair friends" Merry called out, and was rewarded by the lovely sounds of Elvish laughter.

After a moment, a few Elves of dark hair begun to appear. They were Rivendell Elves, and friends.

"Well met friend Perian. I welcome you in your return." Said the handsome brunette elf that Merry recognized as Elrohir. The only way he could tell him apart from his identical twin brother, was the fact that Elrohir was more prone to smiling, and Elladan not.

Or was this the other way round.

"I should like you to meet someone" he said, walking alongside the Hobbits ponies as they continued towards Rivendell. The other elves bid them goodbye, and returned to the trees with no effort at all.

Only one other Elf remained, walking on the opposite side next to Pippin's mount.

"This is Corandril, he is my son in by marriage." Elrohir stated motioning towards the brown haired elf. He smiled in a friendly manner, his hand upon his breast as he bowed his greeting. Pippin could tell that he would like him instantly. "It is well to meet you, for I have heard much about you." He said, and his voice was very fair to the Hobbits ears. It made Merry think of warm fires and happy times.

Merry said a polite hello to the new face, then looked back at Elladan (or was it Elrohir), still not sure which twin it was exactly.

"Where is your brother?" He asked, hoping the question wasn't two obvious.

"Ahh, Elladan is down another path with another scouting party. They await Aragorn�s company" Merry nodded, glad that had been cleared up. He would have to find another way in telling the Twin sons of Lord Elrond apart.

It hit him after a moment and he looked back at Elrohir. "Did you say son-in law? I didn't know you were Married Elrohir" he stated. He truly didn't know the elf lord that well, but he was sure it would have been mentioned at least once before.

"Aye, I was. And yes, I have daughters, I believe you have met the lady Adara, she serves her Grandsire as his Aid in his Healing abilities. She serves him as we speak."

Something passed through the Elves cobalt blue eyes and Merry glanced at Pippin, who had also noticed it. Neither Hobbit asked of what it meant that he 'had' a wife, as they could guess it was not a joyful tale. And any questions of any other Daughters, as he did say daughters and not daughter, were also pushed to the back of their minds.

Something told them to let it be, and ask Gandalf later on.

Much later...

Soon the Valley that held Rivendell came into view, and they all paused to take it in. It was as lovely as ever, and it was hard not to be in awe of it every single time you came upon it. Weather you were an inhabitant like Elladan, and Corandril.

Or if you were a returning friend...






----------------------------------------------------------------







It had been an uneventful journey from Gondor to Rivendell, and for this all in company were grateful. It seemed a rarity that nothing out of line should happen when members of the Fellowship were involved.

They came nearer to the pathways that joined the valley that encompassed Rivendell, and Aragorn held back a smile.

He knew this place better than all with the exception of Gandalf.

Riding beside him was the said Wizard, behind him Gimli holding of for dear life, and his Captain to his left.

The few soldiers that rode with them were beginning to become curious, many of them had never been out of Gondor itself. None of them had ever been this far away from home, and they were both apprehensive and curious.

They would learn, Aragorn knew.

He held up his hand suddenly and the Captain called for a silent halt. He looked warily at his King, not sure what would bring this sudden pause.

Gandalf turned his head slightly to hide his smile.

Aragorn looked up, smiling as he recognized the familiar presence and the fact that they had been following instead of revealing them-self.

He was being tested and he finally knew who it was.

"Tolo edo lin dolen dor, Elladan nin muindor" Aragorn called clearly, and Romir looked to his king, wondering at such strange behavior.

Suddenly several Elves appeared seemingly out of nowhere at all. They seemed to mesh with their surroundings as they appeared. From the brush, and from the trees.

The soldiers were uneasy, having had no sign that they were surrounded.

"Peace Romir, they are dear friends" Aragorn said, and though he was still unsure Romir managed to turn to his men and bid them stand down.

One brunette elf dropped directly from the high branches directly above them and landed silently upon the ground before them. Aragorn�s smile was wide and Romir recognized him slightly.

To him it was difficult to tell Elves apart.

"Mae Govannen tithen muindor, le sui mae Mithrandir." Elladan said nodding to both.

Not that Elladan cared, but he did not see the stunted one among them. He thought Legolas had claimed he would arrive with Aragorn and Gandalf.

"...a i naug?" he asked finishing his search of the small company, his eyes settling on Aragorn. To his surprise the Dwarf in question popped his head from behind Aragorn. Elladan had not seen him at all.

"Right here Master Elladan" he said in his peculiar accent and gave him a defiant look. It made him uneasy that one he so quickly was learning the Elven tongue, and two that he could tell him apart form his twin. He raised an eyebrow but thought it best not to say anything of it.

"Very well, that we are all here. Elrohir goes to retrieve the Periannath, and Legolas has already arrived."

"That is well, Romir a horse for Elrohir." A horse was brought forward and Aragorn turned and asked the saddle be removed.

When Elladan was mounted, his horse sitting quietly with ears facing backwards to listen to his Elvish rider, all began to ride ahead.

The Elves remained behind, saying their farewells to their friends and newcomers and returned to their posts.

Elladan moved his horse between Roheryn and Shadowfax and looked at the Wizard.

�As soon as you arrive, father wishes a word with as soon as you Mithrandir." he commented cryptically. Gandalf nodded, seeing it was something of much importance.

Aragorn wondered what.

"Let us move forward Romir" Aragorn said, ready to be there. And they started a fast trot towards Rivendell.

It had been a most joyous meeting of old friends that evening. Men, dwarf and Hobbits. But one had been missing.






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"Where is that Elf" Gimli muttered to Aragorn. It was not like Legolas to be absent from their arrival. It was more like him to be here to greet them, always the Prince.

But he had not been, and this made Aragorn wonder.

After he settled his guard he left the curious men, shaking his head at their awed faces. They would leave tomorrow morning and return to Gondor with Elladan and Elrohir, and for that Aragorn was grateful. That would mean he would be able to breathe free air once again.

And Gondor would not be lacking even a few of her protectors.

He left Gimli behind with the Hobbits, heading to the dining hall to partake in a late meal. The Hobbits had come to greet them, and happily went back for another.

Aragorn assured them that after he met with Elrond, he would go after Legolas.

"And bring him to me so I may question him of that empty head of his" Gimli said with an amusing scowl and smiled, following the Hobbits.

He watched them go and when he was finally alone he took a deep breath. Better to get it over with now.

He would be lying if he said he did not Miss Elrond, as he did.

But what he missed more was the old bond they once had, of father and son. It was no longer quite like that, now he was more the human who had taken his precious immortal daughter. Who had condemned her to death away from her kin.

Aragorn almost groaned at the thought, it had been Arwen�s decision, he had even attempted to convince her he wished to separated from their bond.

But he had not fooled her and their love was yet strong and held. And now she was his wife, and his Queen. Though to say that he was much looking forward to this meeting was also saying allot.

He had not been alone with Elrond much since the wedding, they had not spoken as they once did. And Aragorn secretly dreaded that Elrond blamed him completely for her decision. Though he accepted it.

He made his way to the Elven lord�s library and knocked softly on the open door, only pausing for a moment before he entered.

Elrond had been sitting in his favorite chair, reading or doing some research. He stood as Aragorn entered, and there was something strange in his eyes that Aragorn could not read.

"Mae Govannen, Estel" Elrond said walking to him. Aragorn blinked, had he just called him Estel?

Elrond had not called him this since before the final WR.

"Suliad..." he did not know what to call him. Deep within him he yearned to call him Adar again, but long ago he had made himself address him properly as Elrond or my Lord.

Both men, rulers among their own kin stare at each other.

Elrond wished to speak all he had thought, but now was not the time as he heard someone approach and knew whom it was before they entered.

"I do not interrupt something I hope" said Gandalf, leaning upon his staff a glint in his eye.

"Nay, I must speak with you anyway Mithrandir." Elrond stated, the tension breaking somewhat between Elrond and Aragorn.

The human turned and look round him, as if he had not been in this room a million times before.

"Well then, as long as I�m not" Said Gandalf, retrieving his pipe from an inner pocket. He knew he had interrupted something, but to get either Elrond or Aragorn to admit it was like getting a Warg to play nice.

"I shall find Legolas" said Aragorn and departed before Elrond could speak any other word.

As he left he could hear the sound of Gandalf speaking, and Aragorn swallowed and sighed.

That had not gone quite as he wanted. He began to climb a set of stairs that lead to the wood.

"Where IS that blasted elf?" he repeated Gimli's inquiry to himself.








----------------------------------------------------------------







For all of him, Aragorn had not managed to find his friend. And he knew instantly, Legolas was avoiding him.

But why he knew not. And this made him worry more than ever.

It had been long since Legolas had been so distraught that he chooses to stay away from Aragorn. It was simply not like him...when he was troubled, it was usually Legolas who sought the company of the King.

Though it would take subtle prying to get the Elf to clearly speak of what troubled him so, he would eventually reveal it to the confidence of Aragorn.

This was always the nature of their relationship. And when Aragorn was much troubled, he would seek out Legolas as well. Though in the same way they often would not speak of the troubled thoughts at all, just the simple silent presence of the other would be enough to help him clear his mind.

His guard had departed that morning after a meal.

Romir was wary of leaving his King without protection, but would not question his league. He looked at the two elves on either side of him, identical in every sense.

One wore dark blue, and a similar cape upon his shoulder. Making him look both royal and formidable, and the other...wore almost the same exact garb. Except he chose a slightly lighter blue shade, but he looked no less noble and no less deadly.

"Do not worry for me Romir, I shall be in safe hands here. Almost as safe as in your loyal guard." Aragorn smiled at the look upon the Gondorian Captains face. He was very loyal, brave and humble, Aragorn liked him very much.

"Elladan and Elrohir will guide you home from here, Elladan and Elrohir are family. I�m counting on you to see that they arrive safely..." Aragorn said, nodding his head to each of the Elves as he stated their names. Romir was quite thankful for this, at least now he could tell them apart.

"Worry not brother, Elladan and I shall be safe in the hands of your Captain. We will send our love to our dear sister for you" Elrohir said with a mischievous smile and Aragorn rolled his eyes.

"Yah, yah" he murmured much to the twin�s amusement as they turned and rode out and away from Rivendell.

Aragorn watch them, arms crossed in amusement. //Valar help Gondor when those two arrive// he mused, turning to return inside.

He stopped before he made a step, staring straight at Legolas.










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Translations:

"Tolo ed-o lin dolen dor, Elladan nin muindor"=Come out from thy hidden place, Elladan my brother

"Mae Govannen tithen muindor, le sui mae Mithrandir."= �Well met my brother, thee as well Mithrandir.�

"...a i naug?" =and the dwarf (stunted/dwarf)


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Chapter 5 - Chapter Four: "The Wizards apprentice..."

Aragorn blinked in surprise.

He did not startle easily, yet the Elf's tendency to appear silently could be unnervingly accurate. He heard no sign of the Sindarin prince come near.

After the initial shock of being caught off guard faded, he note with concern the expression his friend wear. His brows were drawn down in a frown, and his lips pressed together. A true sign of something amiss.

"I have been looking for you, as has Gimli" Aragorn figured he should be the first to break the silence, as in this mood Legolas would not.
"I begun to become worried 'gwador'. What troubles you?"

To his relief Legolas expression softened from his scowl and he almost smiled. Leave it to Aragorn to know him so well. He gripped the Kings shoulder and they both began to walk to the main building.
"Come, we should find Gimli before he has my head for not greeting you whence you arrived."

Aragorn gave him a warning look. He was attempting to skip round the issue.

�Do not make me pull rank on you Lord of Ithilien, I am your King and I will know what troubles you." he stated with his best 'High King of the Reunited Kingdoms' expression. But it was short lived as a smile tugged on his lips, �Don�t make me beat you up"

Legolas chuckled and shook his head "I should like to see you try human". This time it was Aragorn's turn to laugh.
"I will enlist Gimli and the Hobbits if I must. Come, speak to me." He became serious, worried for Legolas strange behavior. The blond Elf was still skirting the issue at hand.

The blonde elf met his eye and nodded solemnly, "Very well, but let us first find Gimli. It will soon be time to depart. Then I shall have time to speak to you of what is on my mind."

Aragorn accepted this and they head to the stable courtyard where they knew the rest of their company would be ready to depart.

Their mission of sorts was to accompany Gandalf in finding some type of useful jewels. He had called them crosses of a sort, as they consisted of two vertical lines in a crossed shape. He had claimed that they had been created in order to keep a regiment of the Rings powers within Middle-earth once the Ring bearers themselves had departed these lands.

Aragorn was quick to offer his aid, partially because he knew it must be of importance if Gandalf has specifically asked him. He also know his skills were yet valuable to the cause.
Part because it was a chance to play 'ranger' again.

He also knew that it was another chance to enjoy the presence of Gandalf before he left; he was quite looking forward to it.

And thus two weeks after Legolas arrival, they all entered the safety of Rivendell for one last 'Adventure'.




The two made their way across the yard and came into view of the others, Aragorn looking up and taking in the view of the horses and ponies laden with provisions and everyone in ready.
He took a deep breath of air, and then stopped.

Beside him Legolas had gone rigid, staring straight ahead.
His friends gaze led to Gandalf and beside the wizard someone he had never seen before.



He knew not what to say, as the scene could not easily be described.
Beside the tall Istar, his long flowing white beard and long grey cape, was a girl.
Small in stature compared to the towering Wizard. Petite and clad in colorful garments, her head covered in an article he recognized. A type of shawl.



A gypsy.


Gypsy's were a common sight long ago in the dawning of his Ranger service. Yet as the years had passed, they became more scarce and a rarity to come upon a full caravan. The Gypsy's were known to have a turbulent time with acceptance, which always saddened him. They were a kind people and had a friendship with all Rangers.

Once it had been said that they roamed in vast numbers, large caravans gathering in the summer and winter seasons for festivals that lead to colorful parades and festivities. Yet with the fall of the Dunedain and the rise of evil the Gypsy's fled for other lands. A colorful and misunderstood people.

Last he knew there were but a handful left, if even that.
But what she was doing there he knew not. She stare back at them and it took him but another moment to realize it was Legolas who held her attention.

She stare at the Tall Blonde Elf with startled blue eyes.

//Valar, her eyes are blue. I have never seen one of her kind with such a color them// Aragorn could not help thinking. From what he remembered Gypsy's were mostly people of native origin to Angmar, Harad and beyond those lands. Some of the Dunedain blood had also seemed to be found here and there, and he even heard tale of strong Wosie influence in some.
A mixture of lineage from almost all the human nations of Middle-earth, from a happier and nobler time. Perhaps she had a strong amount of Dunedain blood in her veins.

//that would most definitely make for an interesting lineage, and story//
As a former Ranger Aragorn knew of them well enough to say, she must have been one of the more eclectic bands.


He and his Ranger Company had often crossed paths with them in the very early days. He reckoned that last time he had come across a Gypsy's Caravan, he had been no older than 30. And this was long ago.



"Ahh" Said Gandalf, noting their arrival.
"Aragorn I should like you to meet someone." He smiled, and sent a strange look toward Legolas whom still seemed to be staring in surprise at the girl.

"This is Tempest" He put a hand behind the girls shoulder, affectionately smiling down at her. "She shall be joining us on this mission of sorts. She is my Apprentice..." He nod and smiled as if this was some common news.


If all in company jaws fell any lower, Aragorn was sure that they would be certain to touch the ground.
They had naught left the yards of Imladris, and things were already getting interesting.






----------------------------------------------------------------





Soon they were on the well worn path, coming across tree and hill.

Aragorn pulled Roheryn up beside Gandalf and Tempest, who were riding upon Shadowfax.
The girl seemed a bit pale and he was sure this had not gone unnoticed by Gandalf.
The wizard looked at the area below, a line that was the Misty Mountains to their right in the distance.

They would have to make camp soon he knew, and being so close to the mountains, even after the end of the WR was quite dangerous.
Especially on their path nearing closer to Angmar.

Aragorn had learned a little about the girl on there way.

She indeed had been a gypsy, but of her caravan and family she would say naught.
Aragorn did not push this issue; he knew all too well how difficult Gypsy's roads could be.
And that not many were left, the chance they had perished was very strong.

She was mostly soft spoken, shy he figured. Being around many males of many species and her being the only female besides Pippin's pony could not be an easy task.
Yet, quietly she hold her own.

The Hobbits though relished the thought of someone who would listen to there stories. Merry and Pippin retelling there tales, and Tempest listening silently. It was almost as if she were awed by the accounts of the WR and such.
Aragorn smiled, he never knew Hobbits were such masters at embellishments.
It was quite the scene, Merry and Pippin reacting parts of the tales. They almost seemed to be in a small battle for her attention, and she gave it freely.



During day rides, Gandalf seemed to tutor her in his art. It was shocking at first to think Gandalf would take an Apprentice, and a mortal one. Somehow Aragorn thought that only Maiar could be wizards, but then again...he had seen stranger things in his life.



Soon they would come to a halt, being on the road for many days already.
They were in search of those crosses, and unfortunately not even Gandalf was sure exactly of their locations.

But to Aragorn's surprise, Gandalf revealed they were not in search of those jewels yet. Instead they were in search of someone. He would say naught else, only that they would help make getting them back much easier.
The King of Gondor knew better than to push it any further than this, he would get no more information until the Istar was ready to give it.



It would be up to luck and a bit of problem solving to find all three 'crosses'. They were quite an enigma, and Aragorn suddenly knew why they were named such.



"Let us stop and make camp for the night" he commented to Gandalf, and the wizard nodded in approval.
Tempest smiled weakly in thanks, he returned the smile.
He was becoming very fond of the young wizards apprentice...


The surprise still hung over them yet, that Gandalf would tutor one when he was now so close to leaving Arda. Unless his true intentions were to stay. It made him both unsure and relieved to think it possible, that Mithrandir would remain just a bit longer.



Aragorn shot a glance over to Legolas. He had been skittish and wary ever since they left Rivendell...
Something was still amiss with the Elf, and he would not speak of it more than the explanation of finding the girl.


The Wizard would offer no more on the subject as well.
And somehow Aragorn felt as if Gandalf had a whole lot more in mind than what he was leading on to.
And somehow, this 'Apprentice' had something to do with it.
Perhaps this was why Legolas was acting most odd.

He shook his head, shaking long coppery-brown curls. Then looked back to the Girl sitting behind Gandalf, his mind wandering.
He shake his head once more ever so slightly, //This is definitely, without a doubt, going to be an interesting journey//.





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Translations:

Gwador= brother, especially ones that were not of blood. Like a sworn brother.



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Chapter 6 - Chapter Five: "Fire and Water"

The sound of loud talking and grumbling woke her from her slumber, and she slowly raise her head out of the blankets to see what was passing her trail.

By what she was hearing whoever it was were preparing to make camp quite close to her.
She momentarily wondered who in there right mind would be traveling so close to Angmar. They would have to be those that were native to the area or at least had been to the Westron lands often.

Yet if she were correct, they sounded as if they were speaking the common tongue.


Silently rising from her rest position to get a closer look, she viewed them in the distance setting up camp.

Stuffing her blanket quickly into her pack she hid it under the tree she was sleeping beside. The inside was hollow and made a good hiding place for treasures she acquired. Grabbing worn dagger holders and strapping them around her thin waist, she began sneaking towards the camp.

There weren't many travelers in this part of the world she had found. It was said to be the passage between two Elven cities, or so she had heard. And not much more than said Elves crossed her path.
Moving about silently and quickly over the mountain passages.

But even so, she hadn't found enough to travel further out into the wild's as of late. She was no fool and would not pick Elves as her targets.
This group however, could provide her with much.

Balancing on the balls of her feet she took in the group from a safe distance.

A handsome man with dark slightly wavy hair stood surveying the area, one hand stuck upon his swords hilt. His clothes were black and his expression dark.
A Ranger.

The stout being whom was aiding in building a fire had the tell tale long beard.
A Dwarf.

Speaking something that she could not catch and towering above the stout creature was an Elf. This surprised her immensely, as if she were not wrong there two peoples were said to be enemies.

Yet these two stood beside each other with ease, the Elf turn his head sharply in her direction...seeming to stare at her. Then turning back he collected his bow under his arm and began too to survey the area as well.

She pursed her lips, the Ranger and Elf would be a problem.

So caught in the forming of a plan she had to blink when she caught sight of something almost as rare as a Dwarf and Elf in the same company.

Hobbits!


What the wee folk were doing so far from there native Shire land, she knew not. It was interesting to watch as she had seen perhaps only one or two in her life, when she traveled to Bree.

And among them was something to make her cringe in disgust. A gypsy.

She weighed her options; it would not be wise to attempt nothing. They very well might be the last few faces she saw in a long while.

She watch the group, her mind working quickly in her plot.
Suddenly the tall woman, coppery curls hanging to her face, bit her tongue....

Gandalf the grey.


Her eyes focused on the now different looking old man and she began cursing her luck.
"Of all the people to travel this trail, why him?" she muttered and began to turn back towards the place she left her things.

The hit was a miss, she turned to leave. Yet before she could turn completely away, she noticed the gypsy break off and head away from the group.

The lanky woman sneered again.


Gypsy's were a known enemy of the thieves she grew up with, she decided this was her chance to at least get something of profit.
A gypsy was a gypsy, and she had to have some baubles.




She climbed the nearest tree and began to follow the girl, quietly. Easily moving along the branches and eves as silent as any woodland creature.

It was a typical gypsy alright. Colorful robes and head wrap, darkened skin, and the same snooty looking face that made her growl in dislike.
Thieves and Gypsy's were like fire and water.

Finally the girl stopped and Greer took one more quick look to make sure no one followed them to there seclusion.

With practiced control she dropped from the heights and crouched low to the ground before moving in on the girl. Standing to her full height she softly grinned, this was the fun part.

"Hello, gypsy, mind handing over your valuables?"





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For all her alertness Tempest had heard no one approach.

She sucked in a breath silently and turned completely around to find one of the persons she was least happy to see.
A thief.

Tempest was cold, wet, and weary from the poison that had attempted to sap all life from her body. The usually soft spoken young woman was in no mood for this tonight.
She wished but to seek the bit of herb for the evening meal, and return to camp to rest.

Tempest stare up at the taller woman before her, suddenly not knowing what to do. She had nothing truly of value, had she?

"Leave me alone Thief, I have nothing of your want and have no time for such games" The words came of there own accord and Tempest hopped she infused enough force into her voice. Decidedly turning away, walking back to camp.

"I know gypsy's well." The taller woman sneered the warning in return, ready for a fight if need be.
The other looked rather worn and tired, it wouldn't be hard to snatch whatever it was she had and was hiding.
"You have to at least carry a small bit of provisions, or a gold chain I could make use of. Hand it over or I'll be resorted to take it from you." her hand rested nicely on the hilts of her daggers. If the gypsy wanted a show she'd give her one.


Tempest could not help but roll her eyes, then turned dark blue orb's that seemed black in the dark light, back on the Thief. One eyebrow rose as she truly began to become frustrated. She had no such provisions; she had left all she had behind with that dolt of a Baron.
And did not wish to think about it ever again.


She came away with simple silver ear jewels that hung from each ear, and a typical gypsy cuff round her wrist which she had since childhood. And a few other such wears that were back in the camp.

She realized suddenly that gypsy crafts were considered very valuable.
This one was basically priceless to anyone other than one of her kin.
If there were any left.

Her hand slid slightly behind her without thinking. Perhaps she could call out before the woman attacked her; she was in the company of warriors, and a wizard. She had nothing to be afraid of, her chin tipping up definitely. Only if her nervous heart would feel the same.

"Oh, go and bother someone else...thief" She mummer the last word under her breath, the title taking on the form of a curse.

Gypsy's and Thief�s were no allies.

Never have been, probably never would be.
She tilted her chin up, something learned over years of being treated as a royal and turned rolling her eyes making her way back up to camp. Retrieving herbs forgotten for the moment.

The copper haired woman growled lowly and began walking after the gypsy. "Ah, I see you know the rivalry between our kinds. So let us not play stupid, hmm?" The thief wasted no time and drew a dagger and started for the girl in a lunge. "I know you at the least have the bands of your peoples making, every gypsy has them."
The tall thief caught tempest by the wrist and held her with surprising strength, the glint of the said cuff shining in the dim light.

Looking from the point of contact up to the woman's face, Tempest hoped her anger shown fully in her gaze. It was usually something that was shockingly unnerving to most people.

She went to yank her hand away from the woman's grip but to no avail.
"Let...me...go" hissing the poison laced command. It had turned into a contest of silent wills.

Tempest was not afraid to die; she had faced it all her life. What she was was highly annoyed. She did not like to be touched, not at all. Yanking again with surprising strength of her own, both women became unbalanced.
The gypsy's girl took the moment and pushed hard against the Thief.

The taller of the two fell backwards and flipped over so not to loose her footing completely. "Stubborn woman." she growled and came up off her knee, dagger in hand she moved forward again this time tackling the gypsy to the ground and pinning her, using her taller body as leverage.

"Give up what you have, your already gifted with a band of travelers and a few jewels missing will not hurt other than your pride." she stopped and pushed the dagger tip to the girl's neck. "This is much better than forfeiting your life."

This time Tempest turned dead eyes on the Thief.
The quiet helpful demeanor slipping away to reveal the truth that was deep inside.
She had never been afraid to die, sometimes, she had wished for it.

The threat of the Thief meant nothing to her. Her eyes reflected this, mocking the Thief.

She made no motion to move to give her cuff up, or to refuse. She would not give it away willingly, it was one of the only things she had left to her, to remind her of what she truly was.

"Kill me then and take what you wish. I will give you nothing." Tempest secretly thought she saw surprise in the Thief�s eyes. What did Tempest care if it ended later or now, to her it was all the same.
The Greer's cobalt blue eyes flashed in surprise at the sudden cold unafraid look in the smaller woman's own.

She started at the gypsy in dead silence. Kill. Here was where her regard for life got her in trouble. Some people just had too much pride left to give up what they had and let her have some fortune of the night. She straightened a little and took the tip of her dagger away from the neck of the gypsy.
She couldn't kill.

Before she could get off of a swords edge came surprisingly close to her own jugular and she froze where she was.

"Tempest?" a voice called from ahead of her and she knew the gypsy's companions had come to her aid. She was in trouble.
She dropped both daggers and slowly stood, hands held up to show her surrender.

She hated when she was caught.

"A thief." a rough voice said and she caught glimpse of the dwarf. The elf was helping the gypsy stand and get away from her and the ranger was well intent on beheading her if she made any false moves.

"I surrender my self." she uttered lowly, keeping her gaze un-threatening.
"Your friend's bold disregard for her own life forced me to give up this hit and I'll be returning to the forests if you don't mind."
Her hands were kept raised and empty with daggers on the ground, but she almost smiled at the feel of the cold metal of the gypsy's band that had slipped from her palm down her sleeve.
The gypsy would be none the wiser.

The ranger regarded her faintly amused, yet the deadly seriousness never left his eyes. "Why should we let you roam to hit other unsuspecting passer-bys? To do so would be folly on our part, wouldn't you say?"

She groaned. Damned Ranger's sense of right and wrong. She was about to make a break for it when a laugh made her stop and groan even more.

"Lower your sword Strider." the kind voice said and she knew instantly Gandalf had decided to join them. "This young thief I know well."

The ranger's sword lowered and she lowered her hands. "Gandalf the grey, to what do I owe this honor?" she muttered.

"Greer, what luck it is to run into you." the old wizard leaned on his staff, which she noticed to be different from what she remembered. "A thief in the wilds is rare indeed. And I am known as Gandalf the white Now" There was a strange glint in his eyes she did not like, he was up to something.

"A thief in the wilds is also dangerous," the ranger said to Gandalf, his sword ringing clear as he re sheathed it. Greer smirked to challenge his assumption.

"Greer holds no danger. She is a rather honest thief if I might say."

"Oh thank you oh honorable Istar." Greer scoffed. "Again I ask why you trail this far from the tower Isengard or lands of the elves."

In the slight distance a sarcastic snort could be heard as Legolas guided the young woman back to camp.

"The word honorable and thief do not belong in the same sentence"
Tempest paused and watched the group behind her, arms upon her hips defiantly. Legolas stopped slightly behind her, warily watching.

"And a gypsy is worthless away from her caravan." Greer shot back. She wanted to jump the girl again and see how far she could get before the ranger killed her.



At the mention of her caravan Tempest waste no time in lunging forward, luckily Legolas was in such a close proximity that he easily held her fast around her waist.

"You no NOTHING of my Caravan..." she spat at the Thief with an anger that made even Legolas start in surprise.
The emotions of humans were usually easy to discern, but not so to understand. He could neither discern the complex whirl of feelings than he could begin to understand and separate the hate and the sorrow that was now emanating from her.

//Such emotions for one so young// he thought shocked.

He hold her even closer because it seemed that if he were to let her go, she would indeed try something that would not end well. For someone who had been on the verge of death less than a few days ago, she was surprisingly strong.

Greer only smirked a little. "At least I left my guild on my own accord; I heard it's not the same for gypsies."

Before Tempest could respond Gandalf stepped between the two and glared hard at the thief.
"Enough. Both of you." he said while glancing at Tempest then returning his gaze to Greer.

"I will deal with you myself; Legolas take Tempest back to the camp."






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Gimli was slightly amused.

He knew perhaps he should not be, but these two females were a bit more feisty than the thought. He liked the lass, though he did not approve of her attack on the young gypsy.
Standing with feet apart and axe hold firmly before him, he watched as Tempest continued to struggle against Legolas hold.

Even more confounding to him was the fact that it seemed Legolas was actually having a bit of a problem holding her back. He didn't see how such a small thing could be strong enough to pose any challenge to an elf.

Gimli noted that thought away for later, perhaps something he could use against him later on. Imagining the look on Legolas face as he restated the fact that she was barely taller than himself and weighed almost less than the Hobbits, and He was a 'Great Elf lord and Prince". It would make for interesting conversation.


A grin was hidden by his beard in the dark as Legolas, with a sigh, finally reached down and then suddenly lifted the girl completely off her feet, over his very shoulder, and turned and delivering her away from the group.

He could not help but chuckle softly as Legolas blend in seamlessly into the woods behind him, his form silent, but the child's resounding protests to be let down rang clear.

"Glad someone else finds her amusing." Greer noted, watching the dwarf's small hidden smile.
"And deal with me?" she turned to Gandalf. "I find it amusing Gandalf that you would have to deal with me when I am not under your rule."

"You come under my rule when you attack one of my companies." Gandalf eyed her.

Greer only crossed her arms in front of her and held the gaze with the Wizard. "...and such an interesting company you keep. A Ranger, a Dwarf, Elf, I believe I saw some Hobbits and of course, our dear Gypsy friend!" She managed to raise her voice to a yell at the mention of the gypsy, relishing the sound of struggling in the brush.


From the distance a resounding answer to her last word echoed.
"...bitch!"


All heard clearly what Tempest had said, and if Aragorn didn't know better, that was Gimli chuckling.
He turned a sideways look on the Dwarf who silenced immediately.

Aragorn had to admit, it was difficult to keep the grin from his face well, and Gandalf's eyebrows rose at him.


Not even the wise Istar had known that the youngest of there group could be as turbulent as the weather she was named for. After a moment the struggling was to far away for him to hear without effort, and so he looked from Aragorn, whom was smirking behind the thief, back to Greer herself.

"I have a proposition for you Greer of the Eagle Guild"





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Legolas reached one side of the Camp where her things had been.

Pippin was trying his very best not to ask questions, eyes wide as he watched the scene unfold.
Merry just seemed to be trying not to look overly scandalized, or to burst into a fit of laughter.

Finally Legolas put Tempest back on her feet. After a moment of struggling, he was able to gently but firmly shove her to the ground. Guiding her with both hands into a sitting position, and he crouch in front of her. Now eye to eye he waited as she breathe in and out heavily.

"Is it well for me to release you or must I resort to restraining you with a rope" he asked with a glint of humor that was not lost on Tempest. She took one huge sigh and looked at him square in the eyes.

"I�m done" she mummer defeated.
He smiled, realizing this was the most interaction between any of the travelers and Tempest, with the exception of Gandalf.

"Now see what you've accomplished with such anger? You are spent. She is not worth the emotion if you are to harm yourself further" Legolas eyes caught hers again.

She could not help the tired half smile, noticing the wisdom in his words.

The light of the fire caught her face momentarily and it was Legolas turn to do the noticing.
"Your eyes...they are, blue" He mummer somewhat surprised at his conclusion.
"Very astute of you Master Elf." she said with her own humor this time.

"So are yours" It had been meant to be sarcastic, yet came across softer than she had wished though. This time her eyes like the blue-sea met his of blue-sky.






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Pippin slipped from the log he was perched on, and slid down into a comfortable position on his sleeping blanket. He yawn and turned to ask Merry if he shared in the Took's newly awoken hunger when he noticed that Merry was watching Legolas, who was very closely watching Tempest.

Though he wouldn't call that watching, it was more like...gazing?


Legolas did a lot of those types of looks. He would never call anything he did watching. There was glaring, oh did he glare, and when he glared you felt it.

He gazed, yet, this definitely was not gazing. When he looked afar, he gazed.

He peered, and could see things that no one else but an elf could.

And he even glanced...but this was more along the lines of staring.

He had seen Sam look at a pie like that once; it was the same look he gave Rosie. And as most things, it hit him a little late that it was not a normal look.






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Legolas was aware of the small distance between them. How could he not be? Even stranger and more vexing than his inability to ignore there proximity, was the fact that the more he tried the more he took notice of it.
He still had his hands firmly placed on her shoulders to keep her from rising from her sitting position before him. There was something he should be saying. Why could he not remember?

It was her eyes.
He had not noticed they were blue. Something seemingly so obvious.
Perhaps he had fleetingly taken note, but it had not occurred to him that most humans of her dark skin-tone did not have eyes of that shade. Not that he came across any.

They were penetrating, as penetrating as any elf he could say.
Like the sea.

Humans should not have that kind of power he decided.
His mind agreed with his conclusion, and would have nodded that agreement. Then why in the Valar was he not moving away. He wished to shake his head empty of all such thoughts.
Instead he was dangerously close. She had made no effort to move or look away from him either. She just watch him with those eyes.

He suddenly realized that she was indeed lovely, as lovely as one so young could be. Her skin was smooth and flawless except for a few freckles that graced her cheeks. He found his stubborn hand moving and gently touching one of them before he could chastise himself.


Tempest could hardly feel his touch. It was so feather light and gentle that she did not think to move away. In that moment she trusted Legolas completely, and knew she would perhaps forever. How she could tell she did not know. He had saved her very life, and never pushed her to speak or to do anything that was not for her good. And in her book, these were enough.

She found she was not vexed by his touch, more so, she enjoyed his gentle hands and protective glances.
She enjoyed the attention...

This was perhaps why she did not move away but closer to him when his hand graced her cheek.
She wondered what he was looking for in her eyes; he seemed to be searching for something.

For a moment in time there was a peace about the two and neither wished to break whatever spell they had been gifted, but a sound behind them made them wish they had.
Tempest eyes suddenly shifted to look behind him.

The obvious sounds of one clearing their throat echoed across the camp.
And to each ones horror, Aragorn stood, arms crossed and a grin plastered across his face.

Tempest swallowed and turned her face away, hiding the dark flush of her cheeks. She felt Legolas stand before her and move away, eyeing the Ranger with a look that could melt Mithril.

Aragorn watch Legolas lean against the closest tree and shifted his attention so suddenly one would not have thought he had just been caught ogling Gandalf�s young Apprentice.

Of course in the Princes mind, he did no such thing. Simply admired her in a harmless way.

To Aragorn, it was ogling in the true sense of the word.

Legolas looked once back to Aragorn, the scathing glare still in full power. Aragorn would have laughed if he did not hear Gandalf approaching at that moment. He shrugged at Legolas, and the elf sent him a 'speak a word and ill shall come to you', look.

Again Aragorn hold down his mirth.

He had been correct, as less than a moment later the Wizard returned with Gimli and the Thief Greer in tow.

The same look Legolas had just sent Aragorn�s way was now being pinned on Greer by Tempest.
And the thief did not hesitate to glare daggers in return.

Gandalf sighed and sent Tempest a warning look, then turned and sent one in Greer's direction. Seriously looking from girl to girl, setting a metal barrier on behavior.
Then he settled his gaze back on the thief.
"Now..." he mummer to her, and she sighed deeply and moved slightly in front of Tempest.

Only Aragorn�s keen eyes picked up the tension suddenly making its way to Legolas' shoulders. He too tensed, wondering what her intentions were.

"You should be more careful Gypsy and remember. I am a thief..." Greer flicked her wrist downward, and in her palm appeared a small silver-colored wrist cuff. She tossed it to the gypsy, who caught it deftly and examined her arm which was indeed void of the bracelet.

To everyone�s surprise, Tempest did not make another angry attempt to behead the Thief. This time she almost seemed amuse and reach to her back.

"Hey..." she called to Greer and wait as the Thief turned and eyed her warily.
"You would do well to remember something also..." For a moment all were tense as it seemed the air filled with scathing electricity between the two females.

"And what�s that" Greer did not hold back her annoyance or sarcasm this time, if this little tart was going to push her not even Gandalf could hold her back.

"That I am a Gypsy" Tempest sent the object flying through the air and it was Greer's turn to catch, and she examined the dagger in her hands, it was still in its sheath.
Then reaching down to her waist she realized it had been missing. She hadn't even noticed.

With lips pressed together in an annoyed gesture, Greer popped the dagger in air the lightly and caught it, turning in the opposite direction.

"Ill be back, I need to retrieve my things" she stopped before Aragorn, hands in air in a surrendering gesture. Then vanished momentarily to do as she had said.
Aragorn�s ears were tuned to her moments just down the way the whole time, and by Legolas still tense posture, he was more than sure so were his.

The thief known as Greer returned shortly with her said belongings, and taking a place as far from everyone else, without being out of camp, she settled and was quiet.

Aragorn sighed in return; at least there would be peace tonight if none ever again during the journey.

// I said this Mission would become interesting, and why do I have a sense the oddities have yet to stop?// he thought with a long deep sigh.


He sat, leaning on his sleeping roll. Eyeing the rest of the camp.








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Gimli removed his pipe from his pack, filling it and lighting it with steady hands. It had been something he had done countless times, and he enjoyed the first lung full of smoke. It billowed out and away by the wind.

Musing over the day�s events he suddenly began to notice how elemental each girl was.


Greer's snappish, intense, and with a quick anger that blazed like fire. She could have made a fine Dwarf woman indeed.

Tempest was quick to change from deathly calm to turbulent at a moments notice, as she proved this night. It reminded him much of Legolas extremes in temperament.
Too much like an elf that one.

He smiled, biting down on his pipe and settling deeper into this spot, content to play this game for a little while longer.
His hands working against the blade of his Halbard examining it closely.

He hold back a smile and made a deal with himself, to keep tally on the two lasses arguments.
He was sure there were plenty more to come. After he was sure his weapon could use no more inspection he set it aside, close enough to reach if need be, and rest his unused hand over his chest. The other gripping the pipe firmly.

His eyes began to drift and he puffed contently,

//Fire: 1 Water: 1//

Gimli was sure it would not remain a tie for very much longer.


Chapter 7 - Chapter Six: "Eight is Company"

The pace hastened the very next morning.

The dawn came hidden behind dark, stormy clouds that seem to stretch on forever from horizon to horizon. The winds had picked up slightly and on a small hill in the distance Legolas stood, his head turning and taking in all his eyes could see.

His head tilted sharply, his eyes following a stray bird and Aragorn was once again reminded of a cat on the hunt. Legolas could often be of a very serious mind, not speaking for hours or even days save for answering a question posed to him.
He let his deathly precise actions speak louder than his words.

Yet he seemed especially quiet this day.

Aragorn sighed, at least it served a purpose for the prince to be so tense. Nothing would easily pass his attention.
But the Ranger turned King doubt it was of looming danger and fluttering birds that had his friends attentions today.

"Do you sense anything of ill intention Legolas" Gimli asked coming closer as he slipped is axe into his belt.
His strong thick fingers adjusting the weapon as it slipped a bit forward.

"Nay, nothing" He stepped lightly from the rocky hill and passed the dwarf, whistling softly for Arod.
And Aragorn watched the interaction as Gimli stomped after him, Legolas definitely was acting out of character as of late.

It worried him, for changes of temperament in the Sindarin Prince were not to be taken lightly.

But even though the reasons were not spoken, Aragorn knew them clearly in his heart.
He turned his mind away from that, it was difficult to think about.

Aragorn turned away to check Roheryn. He would be carrying two today.
He tugged gently on the horses Girth once more and pat him on the neck, speaking soft Elven words to the steed.
Putting his hand vertically between the withers and the pommel, he then slipped two fingers between the brow-band of the animal�s bridal. He was now satisfied that all was proper in its fitting.

Looking over at Gandalf , who was adjusting his grey cloak over his shoulders nodded to Aragorn, signifying that he was ready to depart.






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Legolas picked up on every sound, smell and sight his keen Elven senses could.
Anything to keep his mind away from treacherous thoughts.

He knew the positions of each of the Fellowship, as he could discern there unique foot falls easily without looking. There footsteps were as unique to them as were the fingerprints upon a humans finger.

To his right he could feel Aragorn watching him, and he made no effort to show he knew this. The prince was not in a light mood and did not wish to indulge in any of the man's humors, especially pertaining to the events of the previous night.

Legolas did not like being caught unawares.
And last night had been a prime example of his waning attentions. His mind seemed to be everywhere but where it should be as of late.

Perhaps it was the fact that he had much on his pallet.
A new Elven land to see to was not exactly an easy task. Ithilien was beautiful already, but far from perfect.
He and his fellow woodland elves were working hard to get to a stable position in its progress. They were actually moving forward quicker than he had originally planned.

The shadow from Mordor had been great, but the roots ran deep and things were changing.

The Elves loved the challenge, and made it there home readily.
Change had been so rare in there lives as of late, they had neither changed there surroundings than they had changed themselves.

Many of the Mirkwood elves found themselves more than eager to follow there Beloved Prince to the new unknown regions, to which they had never seen before.
And it had been worth it.

Leaving his fathers court had been difficult as well. The king had already lost two sons, including the Crown prince, to mysterious circumstances.

For Legolas to leave as well had not made him please in the least. Legolas knew quite well that Thranduil did not agree with his friendships, he down right was against it.

But Legolas had found a dear friend in Gimli, despite the odd pair they made.

He would die for the Dwarf, as strange as it sounded. He loved Gimli, as one would love a brother...or perhaps an uncle.

Funny how he was Gimli�s Elder by several hundred years, though he was the youngest Elf of his day...and considered the fairest Male, Gimli treated him as the younger.

Somehow it worked.


Legolas shook his head, his thoughts were drifting again.

And in this, Legolas lack in concentration had begun to become more obvious, and he knew Aragorn could tell. This was, he knew, what was vexing him so.
He did not wish anyone to know he had such lacks in concentration.

He was a prince for Valar's sake, princes from his home did not just slip into daydreams so easily as he could now.

//Princes from your home have not encountered the smothering call of the sea// Legolas closed his eyes momentarily and let a wind sweep his hair away from his shoulders, playing with the feathered tips of his arrows sitting in his quiver.

He fancied that he could almost smell its sweet salty scent in the air. It was folly he knew, the sea was far to distant for that...

His daydreaming took him far from that small glade, so much he did not hear the footsteps of Gimli behind him, "Do you sense anything of ill intention Legolas"

Legolas eyes shot open, and he was grateful for the fact that his back had been turned. Lest the Dwarf interpret his afflictions.





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Gimli watch Legolas back, his shoulders were relaxed as the wind played with his golden locks.
The Elf had not moved for many moments, and things such as a stray bird that would have triggered his sharp senses, went unheeded.

Gimli sighed, this did not bode well. They were but days into there journey and already Legolas seemed to drift. He called out to his friend, but only after a long moment contemplating what he wish to say. Lest he were to obvious and the Elf see right through the diversion tactics.

He called his question clear, "Do you sense anything of Ill intention Legolas?". It had been simple enough, and the elf tensed.

Gimli almost sigh again, the Elf had been indeed far away.

//Most likely thinking of the blasted sea// Gimli thought bitterly, he could not comprehend how a body of water could make him so angry and yet so scared all at once.

It was but a moment that Legolas stood with his back to him before he answered, his tone a bit sharp.
"Nay, nothing" was all Legolas said, and stepped down and past him.
Gimli frowned, watching him go to collect Arod and sighed out loud. This would not be a pleasant ride, and he hoped that the young lad would be spared a strong bout of the Aerpaw.

//Wither does your mind go dearest fool?// he thought somberly, watching the retreating back of his friend. So ancient and yet so young in many ways.

The Dwarf finally began to follow the archer, his own thoughts drifting.







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Gandalf turned to the young girl who was now known as his apprentice.

It had of course been a ruse, a title given for her protection. For if she was under his apprenticeship and care, no one could claim guardianship.

Gandalf knew her story, he knew of her past. Or at least as much as she had remembered. And he knew her secrets.

But what he hadn't counted on was the fact that she actually was capable of learning the magic.
He had discovered the first night that she in fact a quick learner. Elrond must have sensed this in her, as he was the one who suggested the possibility.
How he had not seen it himself, only Eru knew.

So now it became more than a simple title for her protection, as he find himself teaching her more as the days passed. She was upright tenacious in her hunger for knowledge. Committed to her second chance like the promise of sweet merciful air when one were engulfed by the unforgiving sea.

It was an admirable quality, and despite the obvious, he find himself considering staying for a while longer to instruct her to her full potential.

//If I leave her partially instructed, she could become but a poisoned dragon. Powerful and dangerous without guidance.// he thought. His thoughts seemed to have taken sides in the debate, and he suddenly found the side that wished to stay longer...winning.


It was a tempting thought that he was beginning to seriously consider. She was no Maia, but she was the second best thing.

"Ready little one?" he asked patting Shadowfax's bare back, the horse stood perfectly still as she nodded and moved up to his side.
Gandalf mounted in one swift motion, offering his hand and pulling the girl up behind him.

It was beginning to become habit, and the Mera's was more than happy to carry both.
The girl was very slight and petite, to him she felt no more than the caressing wind of his home plains of Rohan.

In fact, Gandalf thought that Shadowfax was showing off a bit. Carrying his head high and riding as if he had no one upon his back at all.
It was almost as if the white steed intended to hail to anyone who would heed the message:
'Yes look upon me. For I AM King of horses. Strong, am I not?'.

Gandalf shook his head and lean in, one hand on either side of the steed�s sleek white neck. "Keep showing off like that and you may hurt yourself oh' lord of Equines" he murmured, and Shadowfax placed his ears against his head.

//Me? Hurt myself? Never!// He stomped one royal hoof and turned, choosing to ignore the wizards obvious ignorance. His head once again went high and his dark nostrils flare.
If it had not been for the little one upon his back as well, he would have shown the old crow just how capable he was.

Gandalf chuckled and straighten back up as everyone mounted.

Beside him Aragorn offered Greer a hand up, she took it with an indignant scowl and sat easy behind him. Gandalf knew half the reason he had offered her the ride was to keep an eye on her.
Aragorn shook his head exasperated and Greer kept scowling.

//I should have not sold Briar// she thought with a sigh, suddenly regretting the lack of her pack animal she had relinquished a while back.

Legolas and Gimli were already securely upon Arod, and he noted Legolas was still in a foul mood. Gimli seemed to have caught some of this mood as he was now frowning.

And the Hobbits were last to mount, Merry upon his grey pony Strider and Pippin upon a brown mare named Potato. Her ears swiveled round and she chew her bit nervously, she was not used to so much activity. Gandalf resisted the strong urge to roll his eyes, leave it to a Took to name his mount after a vegetable.

With all in ready; packs packed, camp unmade, and riders in wait, Gandalf nod his head and all turned towards the path.

Gandalf shook his head as they moved away at a trot for the southern end of the Misty Mountains, and thought mutely. //This shall be a long Journey//







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For once in there life, they were on time.

Reaching the southern edge of the Misty mountains in due time as he had planned. Rare was it when any plan of any importance went accordingly these days.
Yet they had accomplished it somehow, and Gandalf was now managing not to yell in frustration.

They were at it again.



"Read my Lips Gypsy..."

"Oh, you know of Reading. I am surprised" Tempest interrupted, causing Greer's eyes to squint dangerously at her. There already deep cobalt color going even darker with her anger.

Before her Tempest stood, a bowl of crushed herbs still in hand.

As if to echo his own thoughts, he heard Aragorn sigh deeply. He sent a sidelong look towards the King. The continued bickering fading a bit the tip of his pipe.

"They are getting better do you not think?" he asked the Lord of Gondor casually. Aragorn turned a 'are you senile' look upon him causing him to chuckle softly.

"Nay Strider..." he stressed the Kings former Ranger name, as he almost called him Aragorn. It had been a silent knowing upon all those who had been in the Fellowship that he was now to be known as Strider, and not Aragorn.

Only Tempest and Greer were yet unaware of his identity, and it was best to let it stay as such.
For now.

"What I mean to say is, they are becoming more skilled in the art of trying each others nerves" he lowered his bearded chin in an amused grin.

Aragorn rolled his eyes and put the tip of his own pipe to his lips, taking a deep breath in, filling his lungs with the sweet pip-weed.
Then letting it out into an almost perfect puff, and watching that puff be carried away by the winds.

"Yes, they are almost as skillful as a certain Dwarf and certain Elf were when they first met" he tweaked his eyebrows upwards slightly at the inclination. This time it was Gandalf�s turn to chuckle.

The thought was interrupted as the sound of the bowl clattered to the ground and a yell filled the air. In the distance Shadowfax's head bolt up, ears pricking forward to the disturbance.


Both King of Gondor and head of the Wizards order groaned at the same time and stood, putting there pipes aside quickly.

Because he and Gandalf were closer, Aragorn was the first to reach the scuffling females. Moving behind her, going under the guise of Strider the Ranger, Aragorn securely gripped Greer round her thin middle and lift her clear from the ground.

The woman did not make it easy, using some hidden strength that shocked him. She pushed her hands against his restraining arms, ready to complete her task of effectively strangling the little Gypsy. Her bottom lip glistening with blood from the breaking of the delicate skin.



On the other hand, Legolas though farther away, was quicker and reach the struggling two only a second after Aragorn.

Lifting Tempest slightly off her feet and swiftly but gently putting his body between the two. Holding her firmly in his arms, he basically towered over her slight frame. She only seemed as if she would struggle, but her tugs were half hearted as she got a look back at the Thief. Aragorn could see the stream of blood from her nose.
It did not seem broken, but enough for him to want to keep an eye on her for the rest of the eve.

Even with the struggling woman in his grasp, Aragorn could easily catch the scathing glare Legolas sent to Greer.
It was often enough to wither Aragorn and Faramir and Eomer, at once!
And most likely all their forces as well.
But it only seemed to make the thief stand almost straight and stare back in challenge.

"I will release you now my lady, are you through?" he asked with amusement edging his words. She roughly shrugged away from him, straightening her tunic, her hand quickly reaching for her hair.
Both hands flattening down the red tendrils surrounding her head, and then wiping her mouth cleaning it in one move.

Aragorn rolled his eyes and shook his head as she moved clear across the other side of the encampment, pass Gimli.
//Even in the eye of her angry fury, she worries about her hair.// He noted he would never understand the Female, of any species.


"Calm down lass" Gimli murmured quietly to her and continued to smoke his pipe once more. It seemed he was the only one who could offer anything close to a command without receiving an indignant or annoy glare from the woman.

The Dwarf watch her for another second to make sure she had indeed calm down.

//Fire: 4 Water: 2// the young Gypsy was still far behind, though the bouts were getting more and more interesting thought Gimli. He bit the tip of his pipe to keep from laughing.


His mirth was rewarded with a reprimanding glare from Legolas, sending him a 'you are not helping Dwarf' look. In return Legolas received a look strangely akin to a silent spoken 'do not start Elf'. Both took a deep breath at the same time and it seemed they eerily mirrored each other.
Then Legolas turned away, watching Tempest as she reclaim her bowl and. return the herbs to it.

He removed the bowl from her hands and sat her down in her sleeping spot, then rummaging though the small attached pouch off of Aragorn�s pack; he found what he was looking for. He turned and began to clean her nose, being careful as she winced when he first touched her.

"Set water to boil Pippin if you might" Aragorn requested and his 'royal messenger' hopped to his big hairy feet, instantly happy to have something to accomplish that might break the tense silence.

It had not passed Aragorn how very different the two had acted. It was almost as if, as if they had grown up so much more. They asked fewer questions, and had managed to get into no trouble what-so-ever. In fact it had been up to both of the younger women in the group who caused the disturbances now.

"Ill get some tea" Merry offered, and Aragorn nodded thankfully at the blonde Hobbit. He seemed more mature than ever. Aragorn had always had a special liking for Merry, it was he whom thought of all the Hobbit's Merry was mostly suited to the tasks of the Fellowship that left Rivendell to destroy the Ring.
Pippin seemed to be a sort of comic relief, but as his messenger he knew that this young Hobbit was nothing of the sort.
He was caring and sensitive and empathetic to others. Aragorn concluded his previous blunderings, though partial from his constant lighthearted presence, was mostly due to his young age.
The events of the year past brought years to there soul, though under troubled circumstances.
Now he had matured very much, and both never ceased to impress him.

Aragorn glanced in Greer's direction. And started, finding her watching him.
She blinked just as quickly and glanced away, and began searching through her pack which was leaning against a tree trunk.

She seemed well, and that calmed his nerves a bit as he turned away.

"Tell me Master Brandybuck" Gimli started, his gaze going from Aragorn to the Hobbit. "How fares Master Samwise and Frodo?" the question was innocent enough and Aragorn was grateful, Gimli understood the tension within the camp.


Merry put his hands momentarily in his vest pocket.
"Mr. Frodo is well enough most of the time, but, there are moments when...he�s not, feeling his best." Merry admit. Pippin glanced at him with a knowing look.
None who knew of what had occurred to the handsome, dark haired, robins-egg blue eyed Hobbit needed to know why he would not be 'feeling his best'.
Gandalf least of all, who nodded silently.

"He sends his best though, and sends greetings to the Lady Arwen and Lord Faramir" Pippin said, making the air lighter with the comment.

"Then they shall get these greetings the moment I return to Minas Tirth."
Everyone fell silent again, knowing that before that happened...a few of there most beloved friends would be leaving for Valinor. Forever.

Aragorn did not wish to think of this, he willed his thoughts elsewhere.

"And of Sam?" he asked casually.

Merry smiled cheekily at him "Sam? He's better than ever." he winked and Pippin turned from attending the water.
"Oh yes, he and his Rosie couldn't be happier" Pippin finished with his 'matter of fact' comment.
Aragorn chuckled along with Gimli this time.

"It is well to hear that they are happy." Aragorn looked to Gandalf, and the Wizards eyes were twinkling with something unspoken.

'What' he mouth to the Wizard, only to be rewarded with a low chuckle from the Istar.
"What?" he asked lightly, humored by the light mood of his old friend?

He looked back to the Hobbits who were also smiling at each other in something shared, and Aragorn had to look to Gimli to confirm he wasn't the only one who was at a loss.
The Dwarfs eyebrows rose in question and furrowed, suddenly wishing to know also.

Legolas watched just as curious, Tempest noise taken care of, yet he did not seem ready to move from her side. Despite the look he had received from both Aragorn and Gimli.

"Come now Master Hobbit, it is not kind to keep us waiting" Gimli said, his curiosity finally taking over.

"Well, see Gimli, Sam wanted to come no doubt about that." Merry started with a hidden smirk, he looked to Pippin to help.

"Right, he wished to see the Elves again and of course you and Gimli and Legolas and the whole lot. But he dare not leave now." Pippin again offered the information in his heavy accent, as if he were reading it from a text. He then managed a glance sneakily at Merry and both Hobbits were hiding grins now.
"It is just" Merry shrugged and opened his mouth but Pippin easily cut him off. "Rosie and He are expecting!" the young Took exclaimed with unabashed mirth.

Almost the whole camp erupted into joyful laughter, even Legolas chuckled.
The two girls were pretty much at a loss and shrugged, though Tempest smiled and Greer smirked.

"Well that is splendid news" Gimli said after his laughter had subsided. Those Halflings could be so very amusing at times, with there off beat humor.

"Yes it is and Arwen shall be overjoyed." Aragorn commented and Legolas nodded firmly to Pippin with a smile upon his own face.

"You will have to send best wishes to them" Legolas stated, re-wrapping cloth he had torn a piece off to clean tempest injury. Her nose had been bruised but did not swell and was only very tender. The bleeding had ceased and that was good. But her slight admittance to being slightly dizzy did not sit well with him.

He stuck close to her, and would do so the rest of the night. He cared not for at the moment for Aragorn accusation that he had, what was the term? 'Oggled', the girl. She was but that, a young and lovely child. It was not unlike an Elf to admire something beautiful, closely.
That is all he had done.

The idea that he had been 'ogling' her, he shook his head at such a crude word, was outrageous and made him laugh dryly at Aragorn�s assumption.

He rolled his eyes and pushed away such a thought from his brain, concentrating on repacking the supplies.
Yet his mind stubbornly drifted to the comment by Aragorn, and there conversation the eve before.







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-The previous night...-










"I think that Mithrandir would not be pleased that you were Ogling his young apprentice Legolas. I know you do not receive much contact with the female of the species..."

Aragorn had basically been laughing through his comment. The humor totally running his attempt to be stern, hands upon hips in a serious bodily gesture.
In return the scathing look the Elf prince was sending him was not doing anything to ease the Kings mirth.

"...and what species do you speak off" Legolas murmured with dry sarcasm, noting the fact that he was Elf and Tempest was human.
Aragorn shrugged at the implication and Legolas almost groaned aloud. How could he forget, such things did not matter to the Human who was wed to the most beautiful Elven woman of her time.

The fairest Elven male of his time, was not humored by the stifled snickers of his supposedly oldest and dearest friend next to Gimli. He raised one perfect dark eyebrow, pressing his supple lips together into a line.

"I jest Legolas, though I do worry. I saw the way you looked at her" he was still enjoying his jest and it was clear not ready to relent.

"I simply stated the fact that her eyes were quite blue, and admired them for that. I believe that people of her lineage do not usually have eyes of such a hue. Am I not correct? There is nothing wrong in that" Legolas stated sharply, chin raised and body rigid.

Aragorn shivered slightly and regarded his friend with a raised eyebrow of his own. How Legolas Thranduilion managed to turn into Thranduil Oropherion in a moments notice, Aragorn knew not.

The Elf prince did resemble his father after-all. Light blonde hair, sky blue eyes and fair skin. His dark brows and facial expressions were also inherited from his father.
//as well as his Superiority complex// Aragorn note as well.


Though Legolas did remind him of Thranduil from the few times he had been in the presence of the Elven King, yet from what he had been told Legolas Eldest brother Mithisil had been almost an exact copy of the King.

As the two eldest sons of Thranduil had vanished years ago, Aragorn did not bring up this conclusion to Legolas, he wished to be humorous. He did not wish to drudge up old wounds.

"Very well then Lord of Ithilien, I believe you" he said most unconvincingly, with the amused grin still plastered to his handsome bearded face.

Legolas rolled his eyes, "...forn Estel, a im naris o Gondor" he muttered sarcastically.

Aragorn bowed low, humor in every tether of his being. "Your highness" he said with a wink. Legolas rolled his eyes once more and stalked off, muttering a very unpleasant Dwarvish curse.

Behind him the resonating sound of Aragorn chuckle could be heard. Even as he moved away back to camp he could not help three things.

Firstly, he wondered if he managed to hide the body well enough he might slip far away from the Gondor forces.
Aragorn definitely had it coming tonight, and as if in answer Aragorn�s laughter seemed to get louder. Legolas grit is teeth, damn King would get his way...tonight.

Second, a smile threatening to break upon his fair face. Like the first light after a terrible storm that sapped all life from fair lands. Aragorn�s light manner did amuse Legolas in the worst way.

And the third, he could not help but feel stung by Aragorn�s comment.
Yet he knew not why.






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Legolas thoughts quietly drifted back to the present.

All was settled round him and a warm fire was going in the center of the camp.

There were no arguments, no disagreements besides the soft muttering between Merry and Pippin.

'I'm tellin yah Pip, Greer's got the upper hand. She's taller, stronger and older. She's a thief at that and can fight for her part. "

"I have to disagree" Pippin said, managing to pull of his attempt at coming across as intellectual. Merry only thought he was coming across as daft.


"Tempest is small so that makes her quick, and she IS Gandalf�s apprentice. He won't let anything serious happen to her, and then there is Legolas..." Pip trailed tapping his cheek. Merry couldn't help but rub his chiseled chin and nod slightly.

Both Hobbits took in the Elf lord, and two women.
"You know something Pip" Merry said looking to his best friend.
"I think you might be on to something..."






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Legolas took notice of his surroundings.


Gimli sat in the same spot, smoking contently upon is pipe and Aragorn had settled into his own spot as had the remaining members who were still awake.

Gandalf currently was not. The Maia made a soft sound that alerted to the Elf he was in light slumber.

Turning his head behind him to where Tempest was lying, he watch her for several moments before he confirmed her own sleep. It was quiet enough and though he wondered with her earlier dizziness if she should be sleeping so soon, he was content that she seemed well enough. Aragorn would have stated other wise if he did not feel she was well enough.

Turning is face back to the man he squinted his eyes slightly at him, Aragorn was watching him with a Grin.

Again Legolas eyebrow rise questioningly.

The King was giving a most peculiar look that the Elf could not pinpoint, he liked it not.
It seemed oddly familiar, and with horror he realized where he had seen that amused and determined stare.

It was the look his father Thranduil gave his youngest son right before he brought up the 'settling down' discussion with either one of his two remaining sons.

His elder brother Malwe usually fled smartly to some made up duty, leaving Legolas to receive the brunt of Thranduil's 'advising' fatherly speeches.

He sent Aragorn his best warning look, but only received another shiver as it seemed that Aragorn was now determined to stick to his idea.

Was he encouraging Legolas to advance affections upon Tempest!? The human could not honestly think...

Legolas shook his head stunned at the Man, was he mad?

Aragorn chuckled slightly and gave him a 'defeated, for now' look, and Legolas liked it even less than the previous gestures.

As the King settled back, feigning innocence while he turned his attention to his pipe smoking, Legolas sat with hands hanging between his knees. His long limbs now relaxed and his lean lanky body rested upon his knees and thighs as he sat upon his spot against the large tree. His upper body resting against his legs for support, and his long smooth back lying upon the tree for the same.

The lands murmured to him and he listened, attempting to clear his thoughts.

He regarded his friend for many more moments, thinking many things then only one thing as his mind begin to panic by the route his thoughts were now taking.
He had let the thoughts wander and they had led him to a dangerous place, his eyes widened as he glanced at Tempest quickly then back to Aragorn.

The Man had gone insane, that had to be it.

He pushed his thoughts to what they had been previously, and schooled them to a safer decision. He had concluded that he would train Tempest.


//yes, this is what the nature of my relationship with her shall be. I shall teach her the use of a weapon so she will not be helpless again."// he nodded to himself pleased with his decision. He nod again, as if nodding in agreement to another persons comment.

Then he sit back, wide awake as the first watch had been set as his.

His eyes shifted to his side at the sleeping Gypsy's and without thinking his hand tugged upon her blanket, covering her from the nights chill.

Realizing his err, he pulled his hand back and looked over to Aragorn expecting to see a triumphant look upon his devious face.

But Aragorn did not watch him, nay, as a matter of fact no one watch him.
All in his presence were dozing now.

He had to admit to himself that it was his paranoid thoughts that caused him such stress. He glared at Aragorn, and the man shifted slightly in his light sleep. Legolas did not doubt that the Dunedain could sense his strong Elven glare.

//Good. That is for your silly inclinations// he thought, crossing his arms across his chest. His silky sun blonde hair fell over his shoulders in small bundles as he stare at the fire.

How could anyone mistake simple protective gestures to a young one as anything else. He resented such a notion, but concluded that Aragorn was simply having fun with his pride. Like old times.

He press his body into the tree behind him, stretching one leg out before him and sighed deep and long.

//Insane. Definitely, insane// he stated finally.
But whither it was Aragorn or himself he spoke of, he was not so sure anymore...





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Translations:


"Aerpaw"= sea-sickness. A word of my own making roughly translating into sea sickness.
I know many people have many renditions of a term for the Sea Longing; if mine came out even anywhere near to yours, please know it is coincidental. I tried to make it far from others I've heard as they do not think I copied, that�s the last thing I wish is to copy when they do no wish me to.


"forn Estel, a im naris o Gondor"=right Estel, and I am Queen of Gondor


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Chapter 8 - Chapter Seven: "Over Hill and Under Mountain"

Meriadoc Brandybuck had a question.

It burned in his mind until he could think of nothing else. And because it remained unanswered, it seemed to bring many friends in the form of other questions.

He drum his fingers across his elbow, arms crossed in front of him.

The morning had been a quiet one, and though it was a peaceful silence, it had also been unnerving. This Hobbit had learned over the past year that absolute silence could serve as trouble.

He sighed and shifted his seat, flipping blonde curls away from his eyes.
It was too quiet.

Most were present in the camp: Gandalf, Pippin, Strider, Gimli, and Greer.
And none of them had spoken a word since over an hour ago.

It was driving him crazy.

He had so many questions.

//Where were they going? What was for time lunch yet? Who had that which they were looking for? When was lunch? Why hadn't Gandalf told them more about the mission? Was anyone else aware it was time for Lunch??//

Merry turned his head resting his ear and cheek in his upturned palm, one eye shut, the other looking towards Pippin.

The Brandybuck wondered how the Took could seem so entertained when he himself was bored and frustrated.

"How can you be so calm?" he asked annoyed by the seemingly constant smile, and the joyful humming of his friend. Pippin simply shrugged in response and continued to hum his tune, tapping a stick against the log he sat upon. It created a rhythm to go with his song.

After another annoying moment Merry couldn't take it anymore. "Stop! just...stop" he reach over and yank the stick from Pippin, pinning him with his 'angry elf gaze' imitation.
Pip shrugged and rest his chin his hands.

Finally, there was silence that pleased Merry. Between his hands he slightly bent the thick twig, and it was strong enough that it gave way and did not snap under the tension.
At least if he had to deal with his minds consistent questions, he could do it in silence.

"Merry?" Pippin muttered cautiously, eyeing the older Halfling.

His arms crossed back over his chest and eyes now closed, Merry was not in the mood to be bothered. He opened his eyes again, slowly. "What is it Pip?"

"I'm Hungry"







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The morning had risen cloudy and overcast.
Again.

In the distance those clouds loomed, and though Aragorn could tell they were pregnant with rain, he could not tell if they intended to turn towards there direction.
He needed better eyes, better senses for that.
He needed Legolas.

Yet said Elf was nowhere to be seen. All had been in camp during the morning, none saying very much. Legolas least of all.

But a hour ago Gandalf had sent Tempest in search of a particular herb she would need to complete the lesson of this day. She was learning quickly and could almost identify every herb, root and leaf in this area that was good for anything.

She could name and categorize each and Aragorn would smile as she would mummer their names as they passed them along the way.

Gandalf had simply stated that it was time for her to move on to bigger and more complicated things. It was time for her to learn to use those herbs for healing and other skills.

Aragorn sighed at the clouds again. He liked them not.






----------------------------------------------------------------







Patience had been surprisingly strong among the camp these days, and he was shocked by it.

Things were stressed between many, but each had managed to do a decent job of keeping there impatient thoughts to themselves.

The Hobbits specifically, though he could tell Merriadoc's was beginning to spread thin.


Gandalf chuckled at the sight of the Brandybuck reprimanding the Took, waving a stick to punctuate each angry phrase.
He would have to speak of his intentions soon, or the stout Hobbit might drag it out of him.

He looked up at rustle in the brush, but it turned out only to be the wind. He knew Tempest was in safe hands, as Legolas had accompanied her.

Again he grinned; the Elf was becoming awfully protective of her.
It made sense to him, as Legolas was such a type to wish to aid others at all times. And Tempest would trust him; after all he did save her life.

His grey eyes turned towards the resident Dwarf. He was sharpening his Halbard and smoking on his pipe. Behind him, leaning against a tree was Pendleton, doing the same with her Daggers.
Those two had become comfortable in each others presence. Gandalf thought it was because they could stand each others personalities quietly easily enough.

Gimli could deal with her short fiery temper and sarcastic humor, he even enjoyed it. And was not phased by that temper or her outbursts, he could thank having Legolas as his closest friend for that.

As for Greer, the Wizard shook his head. Quite an Enigma herself that one and his smile widen.

He had known her as of her younger days as a Thief in Brikidan.

The incident of the stealing of his staff came to mind. She had been young and quick, but he had been quicker. He still remembered her huge cobalt eyes staring up at him, expecting the worst for stealing from a Wizard. Yet he found it amusing and let her go.
She never attempted to steal from him again.

Now she was all grown up, a woman. A fiery young woman at that.
//Valar help the man she chose as husband, he shall have to be exceptional.//

She was one of the best thieves ever, he was sure of it. And in this she would aid them, as was there deal. She had been eager for the challenge and accepted readily. The pay was decent and he guessed where she had been, there was not much traffic where she could pick and choose her catches.

But why she had been away from Brikidan was the question. The Thieves of the Eagle Guild did not strive to be farther away from the Trollshaw's or the lands just above it, not often anyway.

She was very far away from Brikidan, damn near Angmar.
He made a mental note to find out why she had left her Guild.


With that settled in his mind he looked skyward. Clouds were forming in the distance, though the area directly above was yet clear of the ominous looking grey forms.

Standing Gandalf made his way to Aragorn's side, watching in the direction he was.
"Looks like Rain" he murmured, glancing sideways at the 'Ranger'.
He received a grunt of approval as the King continue to stare ahead. Gandalf only shook his head. At least Aragorn was playing the part of 'dark and mysterious Ranger' to the fullest.

"I need Legolas' opinion to tell if it will come in this direction. I sense it will, but I cannot be sure. Do you know where he is?" Aragorn kept his eyes on the clouds, as if giving it once last chance in his attempt to discern the storms direction.

"I sent him to escort Tempest in searching of herbs for her lesson" Gandalf stated, again eyeing the King playing Ranger. The man's lips twitched and Gandalf recognized that as the holding back of a smirk.


His bushy eyebrow raised in inquiry as Aragorn continued his battle against his mirth.
"What is so very humorous, Strider..."

Finally Aragorn could hold it no longer; the smile broke free like water from a bloated damn. But the man only shook his head as if in an attempt to pass it off.
"Oh nothing, Perhaps I should go see what takes those two so long" he tweaked his eyebrows in a manner that was far too mischievous for Gandalf's liking.

Watching him move into the brush, Gandalf could not help but wonder if he had missed something.







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"I cannot..." her voice came in a short quick breath.

"You can, and you will" his was like music echoed upon clam water, its edges hinted of sternness in his command.

"It is too, difficult" she whispered breathless.

"Again" was all the warning she got as Legolas came at her again. Counting in his mind and timing his steps properly, he swung one knife in a slow and deadly dance.
And she blocked, one after another.

Turning, ducking and swiping with a matching knife to use as her own.
In a moments notice he sped up, almost faster than the eyes of a mortal could see, and brought the tip of the cool metal to her neck.

He sighed. "You left yourself open again. If I had been an assailant, I could have killed you twice over" Legolas stern, no nonsense tone echoed in the opening of tress and brush.
He had been showing her for the last few days the use of a short knife and bow.

Legolas turned stern sky-blue eyes upon her again. He was one to let his actions speak for themselves, but was far from cruel or cold. Yet when he instructed in the fighting arts he became as serious as those captains whom taught him. He did not wish to push her so, only to stress the importance of what he taught her. Those skills would save her life, and after watching Pendleton take her out twice-he would make sure it should never happen again. At least not as easily.

She watch him with a ghost of a smile playing upon her full lips, and saw as his expression changed from cool and discerning, to confusion.
"What?" he asked, giving in to his curiosities.

"You said if you had been after my life you would have had it, twice even. Well I say to you Legolas of Mirkwood, I would have had yours as well. We would have both fallen in this battle" and with that, she turned her eyes downward. Legolas furrowed his brows frowning, not understanding. He turned his head slowly looking down and froze in an expression of shock.

In the slight space that remain between them Tempest had maneuvered the borrowed knife right under his rib-cage.
The tip remained inches from him, and in his effort to gain his point, he had not noticed a more dangerous 'point' aimed for his stomach, and vital organs.


It would have been a killing blow he realized, a smile pulling on his pink lips.
His eyes glint mischievously.
The hair that fell forward upon his pale brow slid back one more, like strands of golden silk as he turn his face and sky-blue eyes upon her.

"Impressive"

He had again been caught unawares, but this time it was not Strider's appearance that made him jump. But Tempest's shout.
It was not a yelp of surprise, but a brief stricken out-cry. It sent shivers down Legolas spine, and not the good sort.

The short knife in her hands had dropped the moment they had been startled and landed upon its sharp end, lodging itself in the soft earth. Its balance was perfect, as it had been made and maintained by Elvish hands, and so it landed impaling the ground.

Aragorn too had jumped by the tone of her yell, it sounded as if she had awaken from a disturbing dream, only to find a nightmare.

Had he startled her that much?
His head shake to-and-fro, and he step forward. "I am sorry" he breathed, automatically regretting catching the two off guard. He had not seen the knife she had placed between her and Legolas, never imaging that she could catch the Elf off his guard.
In there surprise they could have injured each other, Aragorn grimaced



Her hand was upon her heart and it seemed she had gone pale for a moment, her color coming back with much ferocity making her cheeks flush with an undertone of pink to there already almond-brown tone.

Horrified by her show of weakness, or perhaps something else deeper, Tempest bent down and grip up the knife by its white handle.
She handed it to Legolas silently and turned to Aragorn, "It is well, you simply surprised me. That is all" and with that she retrieved the pouch of herbs she had collected for her lesson and moved back towards the camp.

The expression upon her face made Aragorn know all was not well. What he had said struck a dark cord with her, and he could not help wonder what.

He watch her go and felt his heart wrench. Aragorn was very fond of the young girl, and did not wish to cause her undo grief.


Beside him Legolas re-sheath his knifes and retrieve his bow and quiver, strapping it upon his back in one movement. He stood beside Aragorn and watch the direction she had gone.

"What did I say?" Aragorn murmured, still at an utter loss for her reaction. Legolas could offer him no answers and simply put his hand upon his shoulders and shake his head, following her quickly. He was supposed to be seeing that she was safe moving about under the trees.

With a heavy sigh the King, playing the part of resident Ranger, followed after.







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Tempest walked in silence, even after Legolas had managed to catch up with her and pulled up to her right side. She did not acknowledge him, nor make it known if she wished to be alone. Slowing her steps made him think that perhaps she wished the company, yet her features were still stressed.


"Do you wish to speak of it?" Legolas asked, softly breaking the silence. Tempest continued walking with no sound.

The Prince ducked his chin and continued walking in quiet, it seemed she did not wish to discuss anything, so it was a surprise to him when she stopped dead in her tracks.

"I have this nightmare, of a memory." she begun, her voice silent enough for only keen ears to hear.
"It feels so long ago, it is difficult to remember-save in my dreams. He said that...and he snuck upon us as well" Her expression was dire as she stare ahead stonily.

Legolas wanted nothing more than to aid her in feeling better, but he did not know of what she spoke. He was confused, and he watch her unsure of what to say. His hand moved from gripping his bow, to cupping his right hand upon her shoulder.

"Who said what, who snuck upon who?" he asked squeezing his hand tight to show his support, willing her to explain in more detail so he could learn more, so he could help her.

Her head shook and the material of the shawl that framed her face moved.
"The one who killed them all. They didn't even hear him coming, and he said that. "Impressive"...and then, he killed them all" her face crumbled suppressing sobs and not knowing of aught else to do, Legolas hand moved from her shoulder to her chin. His head nod, though he was still at a loss of the whole story. He had heard enough to know, this is what had happened to her family.

His hand moved again, unsure as he wiped away a tear from her cheek with his thumb, then slid his hand behind her head pulling her into his embrace.
She went willingly, not caring whom saw or happened upon them. The faded memories were far to much to deal with alone.









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In the distance Aragorn approached and his ears picked upon the air the sounds of her emotion filled comment.


'The one who killed them all. They didn't even hear him coming, and he said that. "Impressive"...and then, he killed them all'



The Ranger stepped back into the brush, not wishing to be seen. The pieces fell quickly into the puzzle, making a more definite picture. His hand rest upon the hilt of Anduril and he closed his eye slightly, sighing.

He had been correct, her caravan and family had indeed been destroyed. This made many things more understandable about the mysterious young woman, and his heart ached.

He had most likely scared her half out of her wits, coming up on them like that. His jaw clenched and he sighed softly, turning away and leaving Legolas to fix what he had set wrong.






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It was a subdued and silent Aragorn that returned to camp. Now a far cry from the mischievous, and humored one who left intent upon proving a theory about the relationship of a certain Elf Prince and Gypsy.
The one who return was now dark in his mulling over his mistake.

Gandalf raised an eyebrow at him and frowned at the expression. He knew that look.
"Of Tempest and Legolas?" he asked, hiding most of his true question.

"They are coming, he was instructing her in the use of a long knife" Aragorn revealed, sitting with his hand still upon his sword.

"ahh" Gandalf nodded. "Yes, I know. Legolas inquired if I would mind much that he should teach my student in this art. Well of course I agreed, who better to teach her the use of a long knife and bow" Gandalf murmured in return, and Aragorn turned a surprised gaze upon him. He hadn't known about it, not that he felt he should have, it was just curious that Gandalf had said nothing.

Gandalf smiled upon the Ranger, half at his surprised expression. Mostly though because the comment had succeeded in taking his mind away from whatever it truly had been that was bringing him down.

"I shall wait for them to return then. All should be present, so I may explain to them our mission." he huffed slightly as he stood to go check on Shadowfax and the other horses.

Leaving Aragorn to his thoughts.







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Silently Legolas slipped between two trees that lined the camp. Tempest before him, pouch in hand. She moved away to the side of the camp where Gandalf's supplies were. Lowering herself, she lean in and began her task of separating the different leaves and herbs.

He instinctively remained between the two trees, looking upon the camp and taking it in.
All seemed well enough, if not for the odd tension in the air.

Tempest busied herself with her chore.
To his right, the Hobbits were curiously tugging upon a stick. One to each side, they struggle for it as if it were food. Legolas raised an eyebrow at this, but optioned not to ask...he was sure he did not wish to know.

To the left of the circle Gimli look up and regard him with a questioning look. He nod his head assuring which seemed to settle the Dwarfs curiosity, but Legolas already knew it was only temporarily.
And slightly behind Gimli farther to Legolas left, Pendleton sat with her arms crossed. Her eyes were locked on Aragorn with curiosity heavy in them.

And finally he turned to Aragorn.
The Ranger sat directly before him, far on the other side of the camp's circle.
Legolas drew in a deep breath and sighed, rolling his eyes and suppressing a groan.

This was the last thing he needed. Aragorn was suffering from a bout of 'Ranger Syndrome'.

It was as if every time one of there company fell ill, injured, or were distressed...the mortal blamed himself. Even if he were not directly involved, often when he was not even present.

He knew automatically that Aragorn blamed himself, and he wished that he could tell him exactly why he was not. But he had sworn to speak of it to no one. It was a promise he intended to keep.
Perhaps if he explained to Tempest what Aragorn was feeling, she would take it upon herself to explain.

The Elf prince grimaced, that was not a very good idea. For her to relive that was not well. He did not wish her to despair, it had been so hard on her already.
He decided he had to do something and opted to try and convince him it was simply not his fault and hope he would understand why he could not explain why, when Tempest appeared blocking his view of Aragorn.


Legolas stopped his forward motion before it even seemed to begin, and watch.

Watched, and hopped.








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Aragorn's mood was dark.

If there was one thing that could transform his feelings, it was the event of one of those under his care hurt because of him.

Of course Tempest was not exactly under his care, she was Gandalf�s charge. And he was not healing her in the sense of the word.
But she still was among this group, the youngest, and he saw her as his responsibility if nothing else.

He also did not mean to cause her harm, but many people who do not mean to do things...do them anyway.

His thoughts would have continued down that dark path of self-blaming if it hadn't been for the shadow blocking out the little sun of the overcast noon.

Grey-blue eyes shifted upwards to meet almond shaped sea-blue ones. The look on his face transformed from brooding, to surprise.
"May I sit here?" Tempest asked softly, unsure if it had been wise to interrupt the Rangers brooding.

She received her answer in the form of a soft nod, and instantly took a seat beside him, hands clasped in her lap.
There was another long stretched silence, as both were unsure if they should speak.

"I am so sorry.."
"It is not your..."

Both had begun to speak at the same time, and laughed at the realization of how silly it sounded. Then after another soft pause Aragorn spoke.

"I apologize little one, I meant not to cause you so much distress" Aragorn's brow's rose pleading with his sincerity. A face that was stern enough to command the legions of Gondor, was now full of worry.
He had not intended to startle her as such, and had not expected to harm her.

Tempest could somehow see all this in his eyes, understanding more than even he realized.


If only he had known the depth to which she could see. He had no way of knowing that, knowing she could sense all of his sincerity and true caring for those around him.
She saw beyond a Ranger, and in her heart she saw something more. Though she would keep the discovery a secret, she saw some kind of great nobility that she thought was only supposed to belong to great Lords, or Kings.

"It is not your fault, Strider" that name did not seem to fit him as much anymore, but she was intent to show him he was not the cause of her harm.

"You must believe me when I say you are not to blame. It is not your fault, and you startling us was not the cause of it. It was the word you said, it brings back unwanted memories. But you could not have known this, you did not have ill intentions. I knew this all along. But please, do not ask me to explain" her own eyes were pleading now with the thought of having to relive those terrible memories.

Tempest was truly relieved when Aragorn smiled at her and nodded.

"Very well then little one, if you are well-then we shall speak of it no more" patting her hands and receiving a smile that warmed his heart.

She stood and returned to her duties, now separating the herbs and leaves into there own separate designated bags. He watch her for a moment before his eyes turned forward, only to meet Legolas'.

The Elf was watching him with the same smile he had graced him with when Aragorn had returned from the brink of death back to Helms Deep.


Legolas had stood before him then, catching the Ranger off guard with a smile that spoke volumes of how relieved he was to simply see the man breathing.
Of all the adventures Legolas and he had endured when they were younger, of all the scares and near fatal accidents that had to have been one of the closest times he had come to death.

And he knew that Legolas had thought him dead for those horrible few hours, even if slightly he wished him to not be because his heart was unwilling to let the human go from his life.

Yet he had lived. And as Aragorn halted unsteadily, damp and ragged, looking up to find his greatest friend standing before holding Undomiel's pendant, he saw that smile Legolas had given him hundreds of times after hundreds of mishaps.

It was the grin that meant //welcome back//.

Aragorn smiled to him in return, his own responding //thank you//

The Elf turn turned his eyes away and look back at Tempest, and this time Aragorn did not feel compelled to note it. All humor in his joke of insisting Legolas had feelings for her, had drained away. She needed someone to look after her, and no one was better than Legolas, he knew this now.

This time he sat back, lazily letting his head turn to the Hobbits.
One eyebrow rose as he took in the strange scene indeed.

The two were quarreling over what seemed to be a simple twig. Merry looked to have the upper-hand as he held the piece of wood far away from the Took, one hand upon Pip's forehead-holding him back as Pippin swung his arms in a futile attempt to reach.
Aragorn shook his head, he did not wish to know.



Turning his face to his right he again caught Greer's eyes.

She blinked in surprise then with cheeks flushed she looked away. This too made his eyebrows rise, as it had not been the first incident when he caught her watching him.
He also felt her eyes upon him when they rode. He did not wish to seem vain, but he was beginning to think she might have a slight infatuation with him.
It was a curious thought that he did not know weather to be humored, or be very afraid.







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The camp that Gandalf returned to was as curious as anything he had ever seen.

Yes he had seen questionable scenes often enough in his long, long life in Middle-earth, but hardly anything this strange.


A Dwarf who was examining his weapon, a thief who was examining a King, said King disguised as a Ranger...who was also attempting to pretend not to notice the thief who was watching him-again, an Elf who was watching his apprentice (which made his eyebrow rise) and his apprentice who was closely examining a pile of leafs and herbs.

Then there were the Hobbits.

Gandalf groaned softly, and placed his hands upon his hips.
Pippin was currently sitting upon Merry. He was pinning the Brandybuck to the floor and tugging the stick from his grip.

"Ehh-Hem!"
Merry and Pippin stopped struggling instantly, Merry sitting up suddenly and throwing Pippin off his back. Both stood and straightened themselves out, the stick forgotten for the moment.

"Now that I have your attention. It is time that I properly brief you all on why we are here" He started, turning around making sure all were playing attention to him instead of each other or there weapons.
They were, so he continued.

"You are all here for one reason, as are we all. To find the Crosses." He moved to the Log beside Aragorn and sat, lighting his pipe and taking a moment to draw in a nice breath of it before he continued.
A triangle shaped puff of smoke went up, then was outdone by a larger one in the shape of a square.

"As the legend says, there were three crosses. One of Fire, one of Water and one of Air. They are infused with a small bit of power from the Rings of Elrond, Galadriel and myself" he said, looking around at each. He had there full attention now.

"Each had been sent into safe keeping, you see the rings chose there masters and not the other way around. Once bearers were found they were sent to them. One remained in Rivendell, one sent to Lothlorien and the other, to Mirkwood."

Legolas brows furrowed at the mention of his birth home. He had not known of this fact and now he wished to know more.

"Unfortunately the two which were sent to the woodland realms never made there destinations. Though I have a very good idea of where we shall find them. And the last, well that last too was lost a while ago" Gandalf said looking around again, his gaze briefly falling to Greer, then meeting Legolas.

"I do not pretend to know precisely where we shall discover them, and I will say this now. We may never find them all, or even one. But we must look, we must try."


His gaze turned to Tempest and he held her eyes momentarily, a look in them she could not understand.

Everyone nodded there agreement, they all would willingly do anything that Gandalf would ask.

"Very well. We shall eat a quick lunch now" he said, standing and stretching his legs giving the Hobbits a glance and winking at them.

"Then we will begin"

Greer stood to her full height, her long thin legs stretching a bit, then she turn to Gandalf.
"So those are what you wish me to help you...recover" she emphasized the last word, as that�s what he had used. In her mind she knew he would want her to steal them back if they were in the possession of someone who would not relinquish them.

Gandalf nodded and she nodded back, her hand going to the front of her tunic and clutching whatever was under. She let her hand drop and placed them upon her hips mimicking the Wizard.

"So, where to oh wise leader?" she asked, one thin eyebrow rising.

The Wizard stare ahead and take a few steps forward, leaning heavily upon his staff. In the distance the Misty mountains loomed, the southern end in which they camp before.

The question had captured everyone�s attention, even the Hobbits who had previously been only interested in getting the beginnings of a meal prepared.

He raise his staff and point forward to the looming monoliths of rock and snow.

"To get here we have moved over many a hill but now..." He looked at the Thief, lowering his staff again and leaning upon it. Then returned his gaze to one exact point he knew they could not see. Yet he knew what was there.

His eyes squinted seriously as he take in the formation before them.

"Now it is time, we have gone under the Mountain"


Chapter 9 - Chapter Eight: "The passage into Thurin Tham"

Greer of the Thieves of Brikidan dropped over the edge of the small shelf onto the ground. She landed silently on the other side and moved back as Gimli followed.
Turning around she took in the ominous mountain before them.
She did not like this idea anymore.

They had left camp a day ago, resting yesterday night at the woods end. Leaving as the sun rose, the company made there way toward the looming monstrosity that was known as The Misty Mountains.

She was uneasy and pulled her cloak about her as she felt drops of water begin to speck the air. The drizzle was not making this crossing any better.
The clouds that Aragorn had inspected had changed course and came in there direction, looming above like a canopy of grey.

Pebbles rolled from beneath her feet, and she turned her head quickly to watch as they tumbled back down the ever escalating path. They were ascending now, horses in tow. Though Greer wondered, if they were to enter somehow, how would they to bring the horses?

//Perhaps we are to leave them outside with someone standing guard?// she thought ominously, somehow she did not think this was the idea.

Behind her was Gimli bringing up the rear. She was surprised he did not move to the front as he seemed highly intruded by the makings of the earth and rocks about them. Apparently he had never explored this part of the Mountains.
Yet he trailed behind, most likely to keep guard on the rear.

And Behind him was Strider. The Ranger pulled his cloak tighter round him as the rain began to fall heavier from the ominous dark clouds above.

He too was there to pull up the rear, coming around the shelf with Roheryn in tow. He was in the back to guard the Company's back as well
or to watch over her, she rolled her eyes at that.

Directly Ahead of Greer walked the Hobbits, and there foot falls mostly quiet with the occasional stirring of debris.
And ahead of those two were the Elf and the gypsy.

Greer managed to keep a scowl from her face.
That Gypsy brat was more trouble than she was worth.
The thief had to give up what could have been potentially a decent hit, because the little tart was in good favor of all in her company.
She still was perplexed how the girl pulled off swiping her dagger the night she came upon them.

That was a hard move to do on a thief, even by a thief.

She shook her head under her hood, rattling slightly damp copper curls (they always turned curly in the rain).

If she tried to figure out at this moment how the Gypsy swiped her daggers from her, it would drive her insane. Besides they had reached a dead end and were stopping.






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Way to the front of the Company Gandalf the white lean upon his staff, waiting for the others to fully catch up.

Before him a part of the mountain side was now close enough to touch, and he moved up to it putting his hand flat against the stone.

As she moved ahead of the Hobbits, Greer could not guess why they were there. And frustration was beginning to build up in her. She couldn't see the purpose, this was obviously a dead end.

"Well wise Leader, where to now?" she asked sarcastically watching the wizards back. Her arms crossed over her chest and she shifted her weight to the side.

Feeling someone brush by she scowled even deeper as Tempest passed her, moving to stand beside Gandalf . The Gypsy tilted her covered head up curiously and then turned her face to the Wizard.
He said nothing for a moment, only smiled.

"Give me your hand young one" he murmured and she did so without hesitation. Her hand was tiny compared to his, perfect little fingers resting in his worn calloused one. He turned his hand around gripping the top of hers in his palm and led her closer to the seamless formation of stone.

Behind the Two the rest of the company watched in confusion and anticipation.






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Being a Dwarf, Gimli had instantly assessed and admired this end of the mountain. The section was not unique, just a continuation of the rocky chain that formed the Misty Mountains itself. But also being one of the children of Aule, he knew that each mountain was different. It had its own character, its own secrets...
He could not help but wonder what untold tales this one hand. He also wondered if those secrets would be revealed by star and moon light this time as well.


Greer felt the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stand up, as if some energy had penetrated the air. She looked over to her Left to find Legolas head tilted skyward in the wet darkness, staring straight into the inky darkness above them.

Turning her head to Gandalf again she was taken aback to see the Gypsy's head too turned skyward in an attempt to see beyond the looming mountain.
Had they felt it too?

In that moment the steady rhythm of the rain was shattered by a blinding flash of lightning and earth shattering thunder. So powerful and so close it caused Aragorn to take a step back in surprise.

As the thunder faded she could feel it roll among the clouds, joining smaller bouts of thunder along its way.
If Pendleton did not think better of it, she would have sworn that the winds had just picked up.

"Repeat what I say" Gandalf called over the wind and thunder, a storm was approaching faster than even Legolas had speculated and there was little time now.

Tempest turned her face back to her teacher and nodded. She turned back to the stone, not sure what was wanted of her.
The stone under her finger tips was cool as she pressed her palm.

"Repeat what I say, exactly as I say" he called again trying to be heard clearly over the howling wind.
"Edro annon o i thurin tham!" he shout.

Tempest swallowed and as best she could she called over the storms rising power, "Edro annon o i thurin...tham!" she finished with hesitation. After less than a second she could see a lighter pattern forming along the stone.

It spread like tendrils of silver rising out of the stone itself. Similar to Ithildin in looks, it glowed as the form of a door appeared with Elvish writing upon it.
With the sound of stone grating upon stone the now two defined halves split at the same moment, and slowly begun to slide open.

Before them now was a long dark wide tunnel-way, and what beyond no one knew for certain.

"Maer du!" Aragorn exclaimed, the storm diminishing his words to a whisper to there ear's.

All others stood speechless.

As they opened completely, clicking and locking, Gandalf tipped the top of his white staff towards his lips and blew softly on it. It flared to life silently and lit a smooth long passageway.
"Shall we?" he asked as if inviting his company on a walk in the woods on a sunny spring day.

None were more shocked than Tempest, she stare at her own hand dumbfounded.
She would have stayed that way, her mind attempting to comprehend what had just happened, but she felt a firm hand upon her back.
It was Legolas, his right hand between her shoulders, the other gripping his bow with string securely under his arm.
His wary expression turned into a hint of a smile upon his wet face, as if he were pleased with her.

Saying nothing he guide her inside. The other followed, looking about.
Still in shock, still wary...they had been through this song and dance once before and would take no chances.

Merry looked around cautiously, mountains that had caves had large caves. Those caves were dark and scary, and where there were large dark scary mountain caves, there could be orc's.

Pippin simply rushed ahead, putting his hand in his pocket and resuming his normal walking speed just slightly behind Gandalf.
He wasn't touching anything, and he was not letting the Wizard out of his sight this time round.






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Gimli son of Gloin, newly appointed lord of the Glittering Caves of Rohan was shocked.

Beyond belief even.
He had never in his years seen such a hall that had been kept secret.
And he was the lord of a realm as stunning as Aglarond.

The Dwarf could not help but turn round in circles as they made there way forward.
Behind him a new light rose as Aragorn ignited a torch of his making, causing the whole hall to come to life.

He had to stop, he had to stop and turn his head up and around and take it all in.

They were not towering rows of pillars and halls of black obsidian like stone like in Moria.
They did not glitter and shine with yellow, pink and blues like his new home.

They simply shone.
With Mithril.

Gimli felt like a child who had been offered its birthday and Yule Gifts all at once.
His steady thick fingers ran down one of the walls, pulling away covered in sparkles of silver.

"Mithril..." he did not know what else to say. It was very well the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Not because of the wealth it could afford, but because it had not been touched.
This was Mithril at its rawest, the way it had been intended to be.

"Yes Master Dwarf, it seems we now know where the Gypsy's found the raw materials for there goods."

Gandalf turned and glanced at the Dwarf. "They took only what they needed and left all else untouched, Gypsy have much respect for nature...even rocks" There was a humorous glint in his eye as he turned his gaze toward Pippin.

The Hobbit was sticking to him like glue and Gandalf knew why. He smiled wider when the Took look back, green eyes meeting grey.
"Worry not master Took, I�m not going anywhere" he murmured just enough for the Halflings ears. Pippin blushed, nodded and turned his face away to his pony. He pet her and got a better grip on her reins as she was very unsure and skittish at the moment.

Legolas heard what Gandalf had spoken and smiled softly as well.

He turned back toward there path and tilted his head, listening.
Beside him Arod paused beside his rider.

Gimli stood just a while back from Legolas, leaning on his Halbard, his head still tilted up in deep interest and curiosity.

Legolas Grey Rohhirim stallion turned his muscled neck, and looked at the Dwarf.

After a moment, content that he had seen all he could in the darkness he turned his face forward to inquire why the Elf had paused. He met the big brown eyes of Arod.

Gimli did not care for the look the blasted creature was giving him, and he frowned. The horses ears slowly lie back against its head, and not to be out-done Gimli glared even more...growling slightly.
Without warning a mass of slopping wet long grey tail hair slapped the Dwarf in the face, and Arod snorted in victory.

Gripping his weapon tighter, Gimli was prepared to make dog food out of the 'blasted demon' for once and for all.

Greer could not help but chuckle out loud, and Aragorn had to clench his teeth tightly not to laugh also.

He would have to do something, or horse and Dwarf would have at it. And he did not wish to see Gimli injured.

"Man caro lin lagel lhaw pedo le, Legolas?" he asked before one of Arod sodden hooves made there way to Gimli's face, or the Dwarves axe to the Stallion's neck.

"Lanthir" was all that the deep even voice offered and continued ahead.

"A waterfall?" Gimli asked, deciphering the grey tongue. He knew that word as Legolas part of Ithilien had several. Legolas begun to move again, and so Gimli followed. Being sure to keep a wide berth between himself and the Horses backside.

Like the opening of huge doors, the long hall spread wide and suddenly. The ceiling towered high straight up and in the distance one could not only hear the tell tale sounds of a waterfall. But they could hear several of them, and water trickling off the walls as well.

Gandalf tapped the end of his staff down upon the stone floor and his light blazed brighter, illuminating the whole cavern.

Even his eyes opened wide in surprise.

Before them was a treasure trove that would rival the horde of Smaug. Not gold, not silver. Neither Elf, Dwarf or Man-made.

The years of water on rock eroded the stone away to reveal jewels in the thousands...even millions.
They glittered of blue and yellow, amber and green, clear, pink, and ones that seemed to reflect all those colors. Some where flat, some were huge, some were blood red and others were brown like the earth.

All stood, gazing up and around in astonishment.

Tempest was the first to move, slowly and hesitantly at first, but then her soft silent foot falls to her to one of the walls.

She touched it, the stones smooth or bumpy under her fingers. Reaching to her sleeve she pulled it back to reveal her Gypsy cuff. The only heirloom of her family, the only evidence of who she had been.

The stone was so similar to the one imbedded in the wall before her, it could not have come from any other place. It was uncanny, and then she realized.

Turning suddenly she walked away from that wall, feeling her heart pound and her breath caught.
She did not like being enclosed like this, it was as if the walls were closing in on her.
Her blue eyes darted to and fro as if for a way out, but her body stopped at the edge of the small pool of water at the falls base.

She could see her reflection in it.
Tempest watch herself, finding it hard to breathe.

They were here, they had been here. This very place her Family had passed by, perhaps even camped in this cavern.
Had her mother stood here as well, staring back at herself.
She wished terribly she could remember her face, but the memory was long washed away.

No one said anything, they dare not. As none of them knew much of the ways of the Gypsy's, with the exception of perhaps Greer, Aragorn and Gandalf.
The Hobbit's, Gimli, and even Legolas himself had never even seen any.

Even Greer's memories of true traveling Gypsy's were shady at best. The Merchants in Brikidan were related to them, but it was exactly the same. They had different customs, different lifestyles.

Not even Gandalf made a motion to sooth Tempest, he knew she did not need his words. But he also did not stop Legolas as the Elf prince moved forward silently, walking and standing beside her. He did not speak, simply place one hand upon her shoulder.


Turning away Gandalf pet Shadowfax upon his neck, asking him softly to stay where he stand.
The horse breathe out softly and give the Wizard an affectionate nudge with his muzzle.

Patting him once more upon his brisket, the Istar turned and continued his examination of the back of the cavern.
It dipped severely, shadowing whatever lie beyond. He bent over with his knee upon his thigh and with a grunt he dipped beneath it as well.

Aragorn turned curiously watching the Istar go, he did not think it such a well idea. But Aragorn had learned long ago not to question the doings and goings of Wizards more than needed, or even at all, for they naturally were quite subtle.

//Not to mention quick to anger// Aragorn thought with light humor.

"Ganda..." he never finished the name, as the Wizard turned from his bent position shadowed under the outcropping and put a finger to his lips hushing the King.

Aragorn's jaw shut tightly and his eyebrows rose.
//What is that Istar up to// he could not help but think it.


Soon the light of Gandalf's staff faded, leaving the flickering torch the only source of light, and with that Aragorn became more nervous. He felt like pacing, back and forth until he deviled a dent into the very stone beneath his feet. Instead he gripped and released his fist upon the hilt of Anduril.

A few minutes passed, turning into several minutes. Those turning into half an hour. Finally Aragorn had just about as much he could take. It had been an hour or so as he could reckon, and Gandalf had not come back.

Gimli had become content with exploring the cavern for the better part of the hour, but was now satisfied and sitting upon the stone floor gazing up.
Beside him Greer lean against a smoother part of the wall, eyeing everything as well. He hoped she was not considering using her skills upon this place, Tempest might have her head.

As for the Gypsy herself he would expect she would be watching Pendleton like a hawk. Yet she was not. Instead she stood beside the pool. Her hands here folded within her cloak and he was sure it was not because of the cold. She was uneasy, and in return so was Legolas.
The elf prince stood beside her, his lean form towering next to her petite stature.

One tall, lean, fair and golden. Like the sun on a frosted winter morning rising above snow covered lands.
The other small, dark, exotic and colorful. As a warm summer night, just as twilight reveals the stars above.

Aragorn shook his head, //as night and day// he thought as his mind drifted. When his eyes took in Legolas once more the Elf's head was turned toward the back opening of the cavern. His hands held his bow down in a ready position, an arrow already notched.

Strider found himself shifting his grip on Anduril, a motion caused by instinct of over 80 some odd years of friendship and companionship of the Elf. Something was coming, Legolas could hear it.

Tempest too was watching in that direction and to his surprise, Greer�s head was turned as well. Her back stiff and he saw the glint of a dagger concealed within her palm.

Aragorn had did not allow himself to contemplate this, but a moment later he could see a light as Gandalf appeared.

There was a collective sigh from Aragorn, Greer and Tempest. Legolas simply rested the tip of his bow upon the ground and relaxed.

Gimli looked up to find Gandalf had returned, thick red eyebrows rose in surprise.
"There you are Gandalf, we were beginning to worry" he stated everyone�s thoughts exactly.

"Ahh well then no need to worry, yet." Gandalf's lip twitched in hidden mirth as he turned to Aragorn.
"Well I have found our way, let us proceed. Greer, Tempest if you will? I should like to have a word with you both." He said, motioning to both girls.

Both Legolas and Gimli stiffened at the same time.

The girls looked at each other, Tempest's chin tilting upwards as she moved beside her Teacher.
Greer simply rolled her eyes, reseating her dagger and striding with long legs over to the Istar.

Aragorn turned and collected Roheryn's reins, patting the horse upon his grey neck to reward him for good behavior. The spirited Stallion was taking being within a cavern very well indeed.

Arod was being similarly well behaved, and Shadowfax seemed as if he had walked this path plenty of times.
Merry's pony, Strider, was in a playful mood. He tug on his riders cloak and nudged his back causing Merry to laugh at him. His playfulness most likely stemming from boredom of an hour at a standstill.

As for Pippin, his pony mare was not fairing as well.
She continued to nod her head up and down in a troubled manner. She was unsure and skittish since the beginning of this journey, and now this only heightened her apprehension.

"Its alright Potato, I promise" Pippin tried reasoning with his beloved mare, but she continued to nod her head in her fear.

It was time for motion again, and they moved forward.


Tempest paused for a moment and looked back. What was in her mind none could tell, but a familiar grip upon her shoulder told her it was time to go.
She looked up and smiled ever so slightly at Legolas, he always knew what to do.
His simple presence gave her strength enough to turn away from this place and move forward.

In more ways than one.





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Translations:

'Thurin Tham'= Hidden Hall

"Maer du!"= Good night!

"Edro annon o i thurin tham"=open great door (gate) of the hidden hall

"Man caro lin lagel lhaw pedo le, Legolas"=what do thy elf ears tell thee, Legolas?

Lanthir= waterfall



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Chapter 10 - Chapter 9- "Gwelumir"

The flicker of fire, the trickle of water and the cold whistling air.



In the Hidden Hall the passing of strangers had been as familiar as the silence that preceded and followed a visit. The four beat clatter of a Steeds sodden hooves, the creek of a wagon wheel, the soft muttering of voices.

Now an echo of the past wrought its shadow upon the walls.
Again was the forgotten Hall filled with the sound of voices, the foot falls of strangers, and the clip-clop of a horse's hoof.

But the mountain was not so discerning in whom it allowed within its confines, and so a shadow passed just beyond the senses of even the Sylvan Elf whom walked the halls at this hour.
It hovered on the edge of his senses, like the whisper of a warning upon howling winds. Like a shadow one thought they had seen from the corner of there eye, or a flickering darkness that lie just beyond his reach.

He had been uneasy from the very moment this mission had begun. Though not all for the same reasons, his worry blend into one as they stretch on and on.
Legolas grew weary of apprehension, but would not admit this at any cost.

Legolas grew weary period. Again, a thing he would never admit.
He disliked this Cavern almost as much as he had Moria. And that threat continued to grow, causing him to become wired and taught like a bows string wound far to tightly. Every sound, every flicker was picked up by his senses.

He cause himself to breathe, it could be even worse. He glanced at Tempest, ever beside him. It had taken her some time to calm from the brink of panic, and he did not blame her in the least.
//She Dislikes these dark halls of stone as much as I do. Perhaps even more// he realized. He could sense it emanating from her. And he again realized something else, he must be picking up her nervous energy.

This caused him ease, and his chest loosened with another breath. It had not been some looming threat he was sensing, but Tempest own nervousness.

He was able to push the thoughts to the back of his mind, letting them loom where they may.

Yet he did not completely omit a chance of a threat, even while he remained caught in his own thoughts at the moment.
His head shot to the side, listening for a moment at the hint of a sound that seemed to be alien to his ears.

When he heard nothing more he continued to walk; Arod's reins lose in his palm, Tempest at his side, and the Companions in search of the elusive Elvish Crosses.








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They had been waiting.

Far to long in there twisted cruel minds. In the cold dank dark they loved so much, they patiently lie low.

Goblins had no want of jewels or treasures such as these. They had no eyes for the beauty of the Hall, or the natural formations of the mountains. The Mithril could be fools gold for all they cared.

What they did want, was the Caverns itself.

It had occurred to the foul Mountain Orc�s that the Caverns were empty almost a year ago at least. How long they had been empty they did not know. In fact, they happened upon that way purely by chance.

The smell in the air was that of stillness and abandonment. Of course they could pick up the hint of human flesh and horse fur...of fires long gone out, but they could also tell the travelers were long ago gone from this place.

And now it was there's.

Like many small, ugly, smelly little Dragon lings they hoard all they could.
It made no sense, they had no need for such wonders. But that mattered not to them.

Goblins were nomadic at best, moving from place to place. Yet when one could find such a home, so dark, so cold, so wet and so far away from the shining sun it was surely to be taken.
And defended fearsomely.

And so the sound of the Gates opening caught them off there guard.

"I says' we rips there bloody heads off" one murmured low in a screechy voice.

The others agreed and if it hadn't been for the scathing glare sent to them by there leader, they would have done just this. Ripping off heads and arms and legs in the process.
Fresh meat was just what they craved.

"I'm ah leader here, hear me?? And you'll does what I tells yah. We gonna have fresh meat tonight boys, but hardly ain't enough of us to take them you see" to say the leader was ugly was to call a Balrog a small flame.

Scars crisscrossed what would have been his face, none of his nose remained. Instead there was a gaping black infested hole, and where his rotting flesh had been torn a plate of crude metal had been welded in place.

"What�s you mean we ain't got enough of us to takes them?" another dark greenish orc asked dumbfounded. His stomach was growling and he did not see a reason for waiting.

"Opens those eyes maggot brain! They's got an Elf..." he trailed off, sniffing the air. The rest of the dark creatures sneered and growled.
"More than one..." he ground out again, turning back to where they had gone. The light of the tall ones stick was dimming into darkness.
"And theys got the White one with them. We needs to be careful, and well get them."

He turned his head set on a greasy stiff neck, his bones cracking as he did. A sneer appeared, showing razor sharp teeth.
"I gots a plan"








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"...one, two, three, go!" Merry�s hand shot out, his fist clenched. "blasted"
"One, two, Three GO!" again, he and Pippin's hands shot out at the same time. Both fists clenched tightly before them. They sighed, it was a tie again.

"Stone, Parchment, Shears GO!" and again with fist�s clenched to represent stone, flat for parchment and index and middle finger extended for Shears they shot out randomly.
Both fists balled before them. Another tie.

This game had gone on for nearly an hour. And for that hour both had ended using Stone. It had been a tie the whole time.

"Stone, Parchment, Shears..." Merry stopped mid sentence and stare ahead. Pippin's hand though continued to shoot out, using stone again. The Brandybuck had held up his hand to pause the game, but Pippin taking it for meaning parchment changed his hand to Shears as Merry was not paying attention.
"I win" he said, a grin plastered upon his faze. You doze you lose he always said.

"No, look" Merry said pointing ahead and causing the younger redheaded Hobbit turned round to stare at that Merry was.

A fork in the road.

The Caverns now split into two separate halls.
Aragorn step forward ahead of the Halflings and passed Gimli and Greer. He stood right up to where Gandalf was.

"What now Gandalf" he murmured. And the look the Wizard turned upon him made his heart drop into his feet. He suddenly hoped he wasn't thinking what he thought he was.

"No.." he began but sighed instead of continuing. He knew this part of the plan, and had not agreed with it. Not at all.

"It must be done, and the fewer the better." Gandalf stated lowly as the others mulled about finding a place to rest for a moment.
"But how can you know if you may Trust her, and the young one? She is not completely well, though she hides it." Aragorn was adamant on turning his dear friend away from this path. It had been pushed out of his mind, but now it crept up so quickly he had not the time to think up a well enough argument.

Gandalf watched the King under scrutinizing grey eyes and sighed, opting for the straight forward path.
"Do you trust her?" he asked. Never faltering in his gaze.

"Not as much as I should like." Aragorn admitted. He did not know Greer well enough to tell her true character. And again he sighed. "Yet, if you see her fit for this task. I will trust you." And with that settled Gandalf nodded his agreement.

"Yet what of the Little one? Are you so sure? Legolas will have your head you know" A hint of a grin crossed his lips as his head turn in the direction of the Sylvan Elf, noting he was not listening.
Or at least it didn't seem like he was, he knew Legolas well enough to know that he might be.

"Yes I know, but he will simply have to understand. This is why Greer has been acquired, for this purpose, and as for my student� I would have her at my side no matter what, for more reasons than one" Gandalf said tilting his chin inward at his meaning. It made Aragorn wonder just what those other reasons were. But there was no time to question them. The sooner this was over, the sooner they could leave this place.

"Very well, are you going to tell him or...your going to tell him" Aragorn stated stubbornly, he did not want to be on the receiving end of that glare.
Gandalf chuckled and nodded his head, Aragorn simply rolls his eyes.

"Legolas, min peth?" Gandalf request, moving away from the rest of the Group. The Elf quickly responded, a surprised look upon his face at being called. The conversation faded to Aragorn�s ears as he and Gandalf strolled away, engulfed in there talk.








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After what seemed like an eternity of debate Gandalf sighed in relief as Legolas gave in. He was stone set against leaving not only Gandalf�s but Tempest side.

"I still do not see your reasoning Mithrandir, it is not wise to be alone." he said one last time. Gandalf nodded his head tersely. "Yes, yes young Prince this I know. But you must trust my judgment...Tempest does" Gandalf tilted his chin down and sent a look to Legolas.

With a defeated, frustrated sigh Legolas moved away.

//That was easier than It should have been// Gandalf noted, a bit concerned at how quickly Legolas had given in. The Elf was highly protective of his apprentice, and of Gandalf himself. It should not be so simple to persuade one of the first born when there minds were set to something.

Yet time was running out, he sensed the need for urgency. And Gandalf the White never, ever ignored that need.

"Tempest, Greer..." He said coming forward.

"You two shall come with me. As for the rest, you shall follow Aragorn and he will lead you beyond the halls. There will you wait for our coming." He said, leaving no room for argument. When he adopted this tone, people listened more and questioned less.

Every single one of them, Hobbits and Humans, Elf and Dwarf...even the horses were paying attention intently.

"We shall complete the task at hand, then regroup outside. Understood?" he said hand upon his hips, eyeing everyone to make sure there was no room for hesitation.

Pippin shoved his hands in his pockets as he nodded among the murmured agreements. He did not like the idea of leaving Gandalf. What if something happened?
He knew of course the Wizard could easily take care of himself. But that thought did nothing to soothe his fears as visions of shadow and flame well up form his memory.

Gandalf passed directly beside him, placing one weathered hand upon his shoulder. Pippin swallowed and looked up, feeling hot tears in his eyes. He was even more upset at his show of emotion, he was a Knight of Gondor after-all!

He felt Gandalf squeeze his shoulder tighter.

"Chins up now, that�s it" he tapped Pippin's chin and smiled. That was the Gandalf Pippin had known since he had memories.

"The quicker we do what is needed, the sooner it is done" Gandalf said most cryptically. It did not answer any questions, but it soothed souls and even Pippin could not help but smile through tears.

"I will need you to be especially brave Perigrin. You and Merry must see that Legolas, Gimli and Strider do not get into much mischief" and with that he nodded, leaving Merry to drape his arm about the Took's shoulders.

Gathering up the reins of his horse, Aragorn untied Roheryn, muttering soft Elven words to the steed.
He spoke to him of what he would do, the horse did not seem pleased but accept his master�s commands none the less.

The 'Ranger' removed his saddlebag from the creature, carrying healing supplies, and stuffed them into his own pack.

Then he turned him around, handing the reins to Gandalf. The Wizard, pat Aragorn�s forearm assuredly and nodded. Aragorn nod in response, showing though he did not agree he would follow Gandalf to the void and back if need be.

To there far left Legolas removed his own saddlebag silently. He turned and tossed the bag, and behind him Gimli caught it deftly. Yet the Dwarf said nothing, he knew Legolas well enough not to.

Turning around he began to unfasten and readjust his stirrups. As an Elf he had not cared for the Equipment used by men. They seemed restricting, but he found that they were comforting to Arod in some way.
And so he used a light treeless saddle, something that could support Gimli easily as well.

His legs though were far to long and he needed to shorten the leathers. With that done he give Arod a fond pat and repeating what Aragorn did as he made his request of the horse.
As if in agreement Arod turned his head a bit and nudged the Elf.

"heb-band i tithen min, lagor meldir" Legolas murmured with a final pat, turning the creature around and giving the reins to Aragorn.

Unsure of what to do, Greer moved forward. Arms crossed as she stood beside the Wizard.
To her surprise Roheryn's reins were handed in her direction. It took her a moment to take them from Strider.


"He shall do as you command him. Keep him well, he will do the same" Aragorn said and Greer nodded, speechless.

As for Tempest Aragorn passed the Reins of Arod to her and she nodded, too nervous for words.
From the horse�s rear Legolas ran one hand along his hindquarter, then slid his long slender fingers across the leather of the saddle, until his hand rest across the shoulder of the grey Rohan horse.
He stood face to face with Tempest, running his hands through the horse�s forelock.

She said nothing, the reins gripped tightly in her small fingers.
With a swift movement Legolas reach up and over his own head and into his quiver. When his hand swiftly came down he hold one of his long white knifes at his side.
He take another step forward till he stand inches from Tempest, and taking her free hand he place the Knife in her own and close her fingers over it.

"As I've shown you." he murmured for her ears only, his eyes unwavering.
His hand remained clasped over hers for a long moment, and her eyes darted from them back up to his face.


How it was that he always made her feel so strong, yet so very weak at the same time, she knew not.
Swallowing she nod and he finally released her hand.

Tempest breathed a sigh of relief and clasped the knife's strap about her waist. Finally turning her face to Arod she took another cleansing breath and wondered how she was ever going to get on the towering steed.









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"I shall wait for you my friend" Aragorn said, standing with his hand upon Anduril.

"And I shall come" Gandalf said, adjusting his cloak about his shoulders for ridding.

"As you always do" it was more a request than a comment. He wanted noting more than to turn his head towards the Halls gate when this was all finished, and find Gandalf and the girls exiting the caverns.
Crosses or no.

Moving to his own horse he mounted Shadowfax swiftly and turned him with leg pressure.

They face the rest of there company, they were to exit straight out of the Caverns.
As for Tempest, Gandalf and Greer (whom sat each on one side of the Wizard), they had other business.

He nod his head at the all and turning Shadowfax made his way at a walk and then a trot down the left pathway.
In his wake Greer followed, posting easily to Roheryn's floating trot.

After a moment they were followed by Tempest as well, she finally managed the correct stirrup length. Not used at all to the feel of a saddle beneath her while riding with Gandalf.
She looked back once and then trot off after her teacher, and into the darkness that not even Legolas eyes could see.

"Let us make for the exit of this place. The quicker we leave, the sooner they will come" Aragorn said, not fully believing those words.
They brought him little comfort, and were only an attempt to sooth the Hobbits worries.
They did not seem very convinced either.

But something was now looming on the edge of Aragorn�s mind. A warning of sorts, ominous and fell.






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Aragorn was fully convinced they were being watched.

They were moving through the remaining distance of the Caverns and he slow down his feet, as to catch up with Legolas at the rear. Ahead Gimli led the Hobbits and Aragorn continued to walk beside Legolas.

"Legolas..."

"They are behind us" Legolas said tensely. An arrow had been removed already and was notched to the Elf warrior�s arrow string.

"Many?" Aragon said, his hand upon his own sword gripping it even tighter. It sung softly as he loosened it in its sheath.
At the soft sound Gimli�s head slowly turned as he continued to walk.
He brows furrowed, he too was sensing the fell creatures behind him all of a sudden.

"Enough" was all Legolas said, his Elf mind moving swiftly to calculate all he could smell, and hear.

Aragorn nodded to Gimli and the Dwarf removed his Halbard from his belt, alerting the Hobbits to danger.
A year of 'adventure' had taught them well enough that they continued to walk as Gimli did, each with a hand upon there own 'swords. Instead the dwarf shook his head and nodded to there ponies.
Not questioning anything at the moment, they mounted best they could while in motion, with Gimli's help.

"Revio!" Legolas slipped into his native speech at his urgency, and at that one word they began to run.

Legolas had become aware of the threat little than twenty minutes after there separation from Gandalf. And now as they ran he could hear the tell tale sounds of foul claws upon stone and rock.


They had to be 40 at the least he realized. It would have been enough for them to take if the Hobbits had not been there. It would be dangerous battle and he would not risk there lives, so instead they flee.

Ahead of him the Hobbits kept an even canter, maintaining speed but not going to far ahead of the others.

Turning his body as they ran, feet making no sound over the stone, Legolas shot an arrow as the first foul goblin appeared.

Then another, and another.

He wished to save his arrows as need be, but he would take down as many as he could if they came too close.

And Legolas could not help but think one thing.

How were Gandalf, Greer, and Tempest to escape?











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-20 minutes before...-








Ridding at a canter, within the towering stone walls of a mountain cavern would have been a horrible idea. If the horses that the three rode were any other than Elvish or Rohan steeds.

Yet they were not, and these were Elvish and Rohan horses, and because of this speed was possible even in such odd conditions.

They came to a narrowed passage that turned sharply to the left.
As they did moved with it, Gandalf�s hand shot out and gripped a piece of wood that had been intended to be a torch. It remain un-lit and cold.

All three abruptly stopped there horses once entered within this new room.
More light was needed and so Gandalf leaned in tilted the un-lit torch towards Tempest

She took it in one hand, letting Arod�s reins drop.
One slender small finger was placed to the base of the wood, and Tempest muttered words so soft it was hard for even Greer to hear.
"Naur an edraith ammen" and she pulled her finger away quickly as the top of the stick flickered rapidly with a blue flame, then caught and turned red with fire.

The Cavern filled with light and Greer's shock turned from the magic she had just witnessed, to the cavern around her.

It was a Thieves wonderland.

Before her was a hoard that would rival all the Dragons that had ever lived.

"With haste Greer" he said, pointing to the area ahead of him.
Stairs in the center of the room lead up to a platform, a pedestal at the top. Gandalf relieved the torch from Tempest and handed it to Greer.

The change in the woman was a swift one. She transformed from a sarcastic, fiery, amused Thief of Arnor...to a vessel of utter concentration.

Stopping just before where they stood, she lean down to her knees getting as low to the ground as possible.
Her hand slid across the sandy cavern floor and gripped a handful of dirt. Opening her hand, palm up, she blew once spreading the dust fine granules in the air.

Silver tendrils appeared before her, cris-crossed strings of Mithril so thin they seemed invisible. This trap had been set long ago, and she had no way of knowing at the moment who. But she was correct when she thought that it was no craft of the Orc's. They must have taken the Crosses and used the ancient trap to keep it safe, ascending from over and above to avoid whatever deadly tricks there were.

"Clever, very clever" she murmured.

�Very well then, if you wish games...two can play" she said, straightening back up and backing a few steps.

Her eyes were downcast as she memorized the pattern before her, she had to be absolutely sure.
Then turning she handed the torch to, surprisingly, Tempest.

"Watch and Learn Gypsy" she said with a grin upon her face.

Then without warning she stepped once quickly, then skipping with hands in air she rounded off and began to tumble.
Her hand placement was perfect, her feet together as she tumbled three and then four times...coming to a stop on the other side, hands coming down from over her head.

Greer wiped her hands together.
"Hobbit pie" she said and smiled at the shocked look upon the Gypsy face.

After the initial shock wear off Tempest roll her eyes and deftly toss the torch across the way.
Greer caught it easily, and turned.

"Ok, now for the hard part" she murmured to herself.

Without another moment of hesitation she moved forward, and only a few steps had she gone before she paused again.
There were etchings among carved tiles before her. And that never bode well.

Leaning down again, she tilt her head and instantly saw the pattern. It was simple mathematics, a number pattern before her in certain tiles.

//either I must step upon these, or I must avoid them// deciding that she wondered if they had made it obvious because they did not think that anyone would look upon it as she had, or that they expected her to follow the obvious.

''The obvious would be to avoid the etched tiles, but they may expect that" she said squinting and speaking to herself.
"But then they may expect me to expect that and do the opposite of my good judgment, and step upon them anyway...but that too could be a trap. Oh I have no time for this" Frustration getting her she moved her foot over the first etched tile and let her foot fall, moving it at the last second over the tile directly in front. It was not carved with anything, simply plain.

Nothing happened, Greer sighed with relief.

//Well whoever you may be whom crafted these traps, either you were terribly clever...or stupid// she thought highly amused.

This was going to be the easiest earned job ever.

After she was absolutely sure there were no more hidden traps she climb the last step to the top. And before her was the pedestal of marble.

And lying on it, untouched for an untold many years, a jewel who's two 'arms' formed the shape of a cross.
The parts were equally even, and it was wrought of Mithril and gold, at its center a small sapphire.
The chain that hang from its top lie upon the marble, as if waiting.

Greer's hand suddenly shot up to just below her neck, gripping the front of her shirt...griping what was under.
She felt familiar warmth and swallowed.

Reaching quickly into her hip pack she revealed a satchel. Inside was sand she had prepared ahead of time.
This was a common trigger, once the thief thought they had there treasure, they were tricked once more by a weight measuring platform.

Her hand hovered above the cross, and she could feel the warmth under her tunic just at the base of her collar bone intensify. Her hand swiped by like lightning, exchanging the small cross with the small leather bundle.

She stayed like that, bent above the pedestal. Nothing happened, and she sighed smiling.
"like I said, Hobbit pie"

Then something caught her eye, the cross within her hand, it was glowing.
Blue.

She was suddenly reminded what the warmth hanging from the silver chain upon her neck meant.

Turning abruptly she ascended the stairs, careful to take only the ones safe. Greer pocket the cross and taking another breath she grimaced as she forced herself into another round of tumbling. So fast and so forced was her motion this time, she ended in a roll, coming upon one knee.

Her hand reaching into the satchel at her side confirmed she still had the goods.

"Hurry, I think we are being followed" Gandalf said uneasily, and moving around him she mounted Roheryn pushing from the ground, completely passing the aid of the stirrup by.

"No Kidding, I think there's a reason its glowing" she said passing the cross to him.

"Indeed the same reason my sword glows at the moment" he muttered and put the jewel away safely. Tempest had not a chance to see it, but was too concerned by what the glowing of the jewel and Gandalf�s weapon meant.

"Orc�s" he stated simply at her confusion, but she was not listening.

Her gaze was glued before her, head tilted in an unnerving way. //That girl has more of the Eldar in her than she is willing to show// he thought and followed her eyes.

"Is that supposed to happen?" Tempest asked, feeling Arod step back uneasily under her.

"I should like to say, I don't think so. 'Yurg iar' I must have triggered something anyway" she cursed her luck as the pedestal began to ascend.

Suddenly what sounded like the strings of a minstrels lyre being popped, as if wound far to tightly, filled the air. Over and over again the strings lining the ground loosened themselves and wiped through the air.
A shower of debris and stone began to fall from above, and beneath the earth shook and the horses whinny in fright.

"Fly" Gandalf called, Turning Shadowfax swiftly. Greer did not need a second word, she turned as well ready to leave.
But Tempest seemed frozen, with fear.

The Walls were closing in upon them, and the roof above there very heads falling.
And she could not move no matter how hard she try.

Arod took matters into his own hands, leaping off his hindquarters and rushing forward. All Tempest could do was hang on for her life, gripping his grey mane between her fingers.

Now they thundered back towards the passage.

Greer was the first to reach it, Roheryn turned the corner slightly stumbling on the smooth stone. He gained his footing and continued into the adjacent hall.

Behind him Gandalf on Shadowfax turned to make sure Tempest was indeed behind him. She was, or at least Arod was, Tempest was simply clinging to the horse.

Gandalf�s heart clenched, she knew she was terrified of small spaces. And she had been brave thus far, but this was far beyond he would have expected her to keep her calm.

Shadowfax swerved to avoid a huge chunk of roof stone, and Gandalf turned to regain his balance. Making his way through the opening and around.

And earth shattering sound broke through the air, and the ground shook violently and Roheryn stumbled again sending Greer tumbling.
Gandalf managed to stay mounted, barely.

A rain of sand and debris showered them from above and the whole world seemed chaotic for several long moments.
Then it suddenly stopped, and shaking his bearded face and turning his head sharply he felt a sudden cold dread he had not felt since he felt the stone slip away from his hands as he tumble into the unknown of Mordor.

Behind them the passageway was completely blocked off with fallen chunks of stone.


He and Greer upon one side, and Tempest trapped on the other.





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Translations:

Gwelumir ('air-jewel') Referring to the Elven 'Cross' of Air. (The Crosses were named so because they consisted of two lines in the form of a cross. More like an x turned on its side, as each 'leg' were equal in length)

"Legolas, min peth?"= Legolas, one word?

"heb-band i tithen min, lagor meldir"=keep safe the little one, swift friend

'Yurg iar'= Orc blood (a curse)

"Revio"= Fly!


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