Chapter 3: To the mountains
After a few days of traveling, the Fellowship came across the Ford of Bruinen.
'We will head south from here.' Gandalf replied. 'But not till tomorrow. We have made great progress these past days. Even if danger lurks about, our company needs some rest.'
'Agreed!' Merry and Pipin replied in unison as they sat beside each other.
'My dear hobbits! You better not be telling me that you are already tired of throwing things at the elves!' Gimli said in dismay.
'No, Gimli. We need our strength when Legolas comes to the middle! Legolas has better senses than Elly.' Pipin said
'Elly?' Aragorn asked.
'Eldiriel.' Merry said. 'We got tired of saying 'Eldiriel, so we nicknamed him Elly.'
Aragorn tried to stop his laughter but couldn't stop, Boromir and Gimli quickly followed in with their laughter.
'I don't see what's so funny! It's not as bad as Legolas's!" Eldiriel said sulking.
'Elly, please don't be mad. It's just hard to pronounce for such a small hob---' Pipin started but sneezed in the middle of his sentence.
'Here Pipin, sit near the fire.' Legolas said kindly. 'Elves don't feel the cold, hobbit's do.' Legolas got up from the group and found the nearest tree. He elegantly climbed up to take watch and feel more at home
.'You were telling us about Legolas's nickname! What is it?' Merry asked happily.
'You really want to know?' Eldiriel asked.
'Yes!' Merry and Pipin said in unison.
'Alright but make a promise to me. You always address him by it....alright?' Eldiriel asked.
'Alright!' Merry and Pipin said again.
'Legs.' Eldiriel stated. Merry and Pipin erupted with laughter. Gandalf smiled as he sat with Aragorn and Boromir. They knew this might be the last time the lively hobbits will get to laugh
.'How can the laugh at a time like this?' Boromir asked
. 'They are protected by Rangers that keep the Shire safe, Boromir. They rarely know what happens outside the Shire. Let them have their fun, they don\rquote t' know what this journey means to Middle Earth.' Gandalf replied.
Legolas sat on a branch near their camp. He heard every word that Eldiriel said.
'Why does your cousin make fun of you?' A small voice asked from above him. Legolas looked up to find Frodo sitting on a branch near him.
'We don't get along. He had things I longed for. I had things he longed for.' Legolas answered quietly.
'You had a kingdom, he wanted it. He had a family, you wanted. Am I right?' Frodo asked.
'Correct Frodo. Hobbits are smarter than they appear.' Legolas smiled. 'I also have another thing he wanted, the thing that divided us from ever being close cousins.'
'I can tell you don't want to talk about it. I won't push.' Frodo said looking sadly at Legolas. \\par\par
\\tab 'Thank you my friend.' Legolas replied.
'Legolas, Mr.Frodo...There is food down here if you want it!' Samwise yelled from the base of the tree.
'Good old Sam!' Frodo said. 'He didn't want to climb the tree or he would have been up here questioning you about everything Elvish!' Frodo said smiling.
'Why doesn't he ask Eldiriel?' Legolas asked.
'Sam doesn't feel safe around him. Like Boromir. Either do I.' Frodo replied.
'He wouldn't harm you or your friends Frodo. Eldiriel is a good elf.' Legolas replied.
'But not to you.' Frodo said.
'No, he lost my trust and respect a long time ago.' Legolas said looking up at the stars.
'Well, I'd love to hear the story, but my stomach says other wise. Are you coming?' Frodo asked.\\par\par
\\tab 'I'll be down soon.' Legolas replied. After the young hobbit left the tree, Legolas looked up at the stars and remembered the that far away day that Eldiriel and he burned all the bridges to each other.
*************
It was a bright sunny day, but it didn't show under the many trees that made up Mirkwood. Legolas and Eldiriel were competing each other in archery. 'Ha ha! Look cousin, bulls eye again!' Legolas bragged. 'Oh do shut up!' Eldiriel snorted. 'Well, look who is coming down the path.' Legolas looked and saw Lorlome, the elf that came with Eldiriel to help with the orc problem. She also was the prettiest elf in Middle Earth, in Legolas's eyes.
'Good morning Lady Lorlome.' Legolas said as he took her hand and kissed it.
'Good morning Prince Legolas.' Lorlome smiled.
'Legolas will do just fine.' Legolas smiled back.
'We were competing in archery, Lady Lorlome. Would you like to watch?' Eldiriel asked.
'No, I came to ask Legolas if he had some free time to walk with me. We never have much time together.' Lorlome said.
'You? Him? When?' Eldiriel asked stunned.
'He came down to Lothlorien last fall. A message about the orc problem here. The Lady of the Wood granted Legolas to stay for a while. He stayed near were I grew up with my family. We met one day and started a friendship.' Lorlome replied to the stunned Eldiriel.
'More than friendship, I hope, Lady.' Legolas replied.
'What was all those dances you attended with me?!' Eldiriel asked annoyed.
'Eldiriel, my friend, I went with you as a friend. Nothing more.' Lorlome said. 'I'm sorry, ever so sorry, if you got the wrong impression.'
'Eldiriel, Lorlome and I have been writing each other ever since. I have also asked for her hand in marriage. You are the first to know, besides our parents.' Legolas smiled happily.
'Marriage!?!' Eldiriel whispered. 'Why do you take all the ladies! WHY? Can't I have one!' Eldiriel yelled. 'You've been like this all along! You know, Legolas, they say that beauty is ONLY skin deep! You, why didn't you tell me? Or do you like leading on other elves when your lover isn't around?'
'Eldiriel! Never say anything about me or my fiancee! NEVER! Come, Lorlome, if I stay another moment longer I might not be able to contain my anger.' Legolas said as he held out his arm.
'Thank you Legolas. Eldiriel, I'm so sorry. I thought you knew from your sister. We talk about everything.' Lorlome said sadly. She looked up at Legolas and smiled. 'Let's go for a picnic.'
Legolas and Lorlome walked away. Eldiriel was fuming! He turned around and ran his hand threw his hair. Smiling wickedly, Eldiriel picked up an arrow from his quiver and quickly aimed it at Lorlome's body.
'If I can't have her...No one will!' Eldiriel thought as he let go of the arrow. Legolas was walking beside Lorlome, listening to her and his surroundings. Mirkwood was becoming more and more dangerous to walk in. Legolas was trained to listen to his companions and the surrounds as they walked. He heard the faint sound, a sound like an arrow going through air! Legolas quickly turned and saw the arrow coming towards Lorlome, He quickly pushed her out of the way and was hit by the arrow in the arm. Falling, he saw Lorlome's face turn white as Eldiriel came running towards them, arrow ready to fire. Eldiriel ran swiftly and was soon aiming the arrow at Lorlome.
'That arrow was meant for you, my dear. If I can't have you, no one will!' Eldiriel growled, as he pulled the bow tighter but stopped when he felt a dagger at his throat.
'Put down the arrow, or I swear I will slit your throat.' Legolas hissed.
'Never.' Eldiriel said slightly turning his head. Legolas dug the dagger deeper into Eldiriel's throat.
'Put the arrow down and I won't say anything about this. As long as you never, NEVER, set foot in Mirkwood again.' Legolas said in a low voice. Eldiriel knew that voice well, it was worse than having Legolas scream at you, he rarely did, so he used his low, threating voice. Eldiriel heard if often when Legolas and King Thranduil fought. Eldiriel put his arrow down. Eldiriel also knew that if he didn't agree, Legolas would go to the Royal Guard and turn him in, for the attempted assasination of the Prince of Mirkwood and his future bride. That would mean dealth.
'I still have to get revenge.....' Eldiriel thought.
'Now go.' Legolas as he took the dagger away from Eldiriel's neck.
'My pleasure.'
******************
Legolas quickly snapped out of his thoughts and climbed down the tree.
'Master Elf, I'm sorry we thought you weren't coming down. Merry and Pipin divided up your meal between the two of them.' Gimli stated smartly.
'Thank you for informing me, master dwarf. I'm glad you enjoyed it Merry, Pipin.' Legolas said as he sat next to Gandalf.
'You aren't mad that we ate your dinner are you?' Pipin asked.
'No' Legolas said smiling at the hobbit. Pipin smiled back.
'Told ya he wouldn't be mad!' Merry whispered to Pipin as he sat down. Legolas smiled to himself.
'Everyone get some rest. We set out early tomorrow. Eldiriel you have first watch, than Boromir, Merry and Pipin, and lastly Aragorn.' Gandalf said. 'Sleep well.'
Days past and the weather got colder and more dreary. The hobbits, at least Merry and Pipin, kept traveling light with their troublemaking. Once Merry was throwing rocks at Gimli. Gimli blocked one rock with his ax and it deflected and hit Gandalf in the head. Eventually, the fellowship made it to the edge of Hollin. There they stopped and camped for the night. Gandalf looked in the distance, soon most of the company, except for Boromir and Aragorn who were looking for wood to start a fire.
'Are those mountains there Gandalf?' Pipin asked.
'No, Pip, they are just big piles of dirt.' Merry teased.
'Really?' Pipin asked.
'They are mountains, Peregrin.' Gandalf said.
'Grand mountains they are!' Gimli added. 'Over in those mountains lies Khazad-Dum!'
'Khazad-dum?' Eldiriel asked.
'Moria in elvish.' Gimli said bitterly.
'Don't you mean a big hole in the ground?' Eldiriel asked.
'Don't insult him, Eldiriel.' Legolas warned.
'Of course your highness.' Eldiriel mocked
.Gimli, ignoring the rude comments of the elves, continued, 'Not just a hole in the ground, Elf, but a great, vast, wonderland of stone. Over yonder lies, Barazinbar, the Redhorn, Caradhras and a deep valley called Dimrill Dale.' Gimli said in wonder.
'We are heading towards Dimrill Dale.' Gandalf said cutting in. 'I'm going to talk to Aragorn and Boromir. Please don't draw to much attention to yourselves.' Gandalf warned as he walked by the group.
'A big hole in the ground. That's all they are.' Eldiriel repeated.
'I wouldn't test me, elf! ' Gimli said starting to get angry.
'Holes are dark you know. Their holes hide their extreme ugliness!' Eldiriel hissed.
'Eldiriel! Why can't you be nice to anyone? Gimli is talking about Moria, the same way you talk about Lorien or Rivendale. Or the way I talk about Mirkwood. Besides, hobbits live in holes also. They aren't ugly. The only thing ugly here is you.' Legolas said. 'Please if we are going to destroy this Ring. We have to get along and work together. We may be good with our bows and small blades, but Gimli is talented with an ax. That ax may save yours and my life.'
'Are you done now. Or are you going to banish me from your presence also?' Eldiriel challenged.
'You deserved what your punishment, Eldiriel. You brought upon yourself.' Legolas said in his normal enimagtic voice. 'Excuse me.' Legolas said as he sprung from his place on a rock and walked lightly down the path.
'Spoiled little brat.' Eldiriel said under his breathe.
Soon after that, everyone gathered around the fire, ate and went to s
