They were each given a room for the night and advised long rest. Before Gilan went to sleep, he walked to the stables once more. He led Lady out of Rivendell and turned to her.
"I will be leaving. And you cannot come with me. The journey will be long and I cannot force you to wait for me here, when there is no guarantee that I will return. Go and be free. Stay safe." He pushed her down the path, away. She walked a few steps and then stopped, waiting for him to follow. When he didn't, she walked back and nudged her snout into his chest. He hugged her. "Farewell, my Lady. Perhaps we'll meet again." He said with tearful eyes.
***
"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessing of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you." They were standing at the gate to Imladris, waiting for Frodo, who was, 'til now, speaking with Elrond.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer." Announced Gandalf and Frodo walked to them. And so they set off on a journey they may not return from.
"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?"
"Left."
***
The day passed by with the members of the fellowship getting to know each other. Aragorn listening to Boromir talk about the glory and beauty of Gondor, the hobbits excitedly jumping around Gimli, begging him for stories. Gandalf and Legolas walking next to each other, talking in hushed voices about Mirkwood. Gilan walked a bit behind, quietly listening to his surroundings. No one approached him and he approached no one. Like always. For the night, they stopped to make a camp at Eregion Hills. Hobbits were exhausted after the long day of traveling and slept immediately. Then the first night watch was to be established. Gilan volunteered, knowing his senses were still sharp and wide awake.
"That won't be a necessary laddie. I'll do it. You go rest." Gimli said ignorantly.
"No, Gimli. Gilan is a better option here. Your sight will not be any help at night. Gilan has the first watch, then switches with me after three hours and then Legolas after the same time." Gandalf said, finality in his tone. The rest settled for the night and Gilan sat with his back to them. If they were to treat him like glass, so be it. He'll prove to them he is more than capable.
As the night progressed, the air became colder. Gimli snored every 7 seconds so Gilan counted to keep track of time. By the time he was at the number 1 536, he heard Gandalf wake up.
"Anything?" The wizard asked, sitting next to him.
"Gollum. But he keeps his distance."
"Hmm..." Gandalf hummed, deep in thoughts already, and Gilan went to sleep.
***
"Get away from the blade, Pippin... on your toes... good, very good... I want you to react, not think." Boromir encouraged the hobbit as he trained him and Merry.
"Should not be too hard..." Said Sam, who was crouching near the campfire.
"Move your feet."
"Quite good, Pippin." Merry smiled.
"Thanks."
"If anyone were to ask for my opinion, which I note they have not, I would say we are taking the long way round. Gandalf, we can pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." Advised Gimli and Gandalf shook his head. Gilan heard a distant clapping of many wings. He stood up on the rock he was sitting on and tilted his head, his right ear towards the sound.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."
"Legolas." The elf turned to Gilan. "What's that over there?" Gilan asked and waved his hand in the general direction of the sound. The elf squinted his eyes at the sky.
"Nothing... it's just a wisp of cloud." Dismissed Gimli.
"It's moving fast... against the wind." Muttered Boromir.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Shouted Legolas as he finally saw the shapes of birds.
"Hide!"
"Merry, Pippin, Sam, take cover!" Shouted Boromir and shoved the hobbits into bushes. Gilan quickly tapped his foot to the ground to find the best cover. Legolas started tugging him to the bushes but Gilan knew Gimli was already there and that they wouldn't fit.
"No, this way." He said and dragged the elf towards a large stone with a small cave underneath. If they were lying down they would fit just right. They rolled in and Gilan threw his gray cloak over his back so that it would cover the entrance. They waited for a few moments before the large birds flew over them. Then, a single bone chilling croak was heard and they started returning the same way they came. Only when Gilan heard Gandalf scramble to his feet did he roll away.
"Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras!" Huffed Gandalf. Gilan reached his hand out for Legolas to grab.
"Thank you." The elf said, taking his offered hand and standing up.
"Don't mention it." Gilan said as he felt Legolas' eyes glide over him, studying him.
***
Gilan swore that if they continued towards the Pass the hobbits would freeze to death. Gilan himself was buried to his waist in snow and the hood of his cloak was doing little to protect him. The sharp wind was whispering death to them.
"Did you hear that?!" Gilan shouted to Legolas.
"Yes! Gandalf, there is a fell voice in the air!" Legolas shouted to their leader.
"It's Saruman!" The wizard shouted back.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!"
"No!" Gandalf then started chanting a counterspell.
"Take cover!" Yelled Gilan when he heard cracking above them and then grabbed the nearest hobbit, Merry, and pressed him against the wall. Then they were buried in snow. The weight on his back almost made Gilan's knees buckle but he stood still. He quickly pushed up, grabbed Merry under his arms and pulled him up towards the air. The hobbit held onto him like a lifeline as his whole body shook from cold.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city!" Gilan heard Boromir.
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard."
"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria."
"Gandalf, the hobbits won't make it if we go further!"
"Let the Ring-bearer decide. Frodo?" Gilan practically felt the tension rolling off Gandalf.
"We will go through the mines." Said Frodo, voice shivering.
"So be it." Gandalf sighed and Gilan felt Merry fist his cloak. The hobbit did not leave his side for the rest of the way.
YOU ARE READING
Out of Sight, Out of Mind//Legolas
FanfictionOnce Gandalf offers him a seat among the Council of Imladris, Gilan joins the fellowship on its way to destroy the One Ring. He is, however, met with some prejudices, for he is just a bard. And blind, but that would have nothing to do with it, right...
