For Pride, For Gondor

I

Legolas tensed as the scream of fear and pain pierced through his sensitive ear drums. The rest of the Fellowship had heard the blood curdling scream, but clearly the undertone that only one who had been viciously betrayed could adopt had missed their mortal ears. Elf, Man, Dwarf and Halfling moved as one, standing and dashing into the trees to find their companions.

Once inside the forest, the six companions split into three groups of two: Merry and Pippin, Gimli and Legolas, and Aragorn and the petrified Samwise. Legolas disdained at the idea of cooperating with the gruff dwarf but knew he must ignore, if not work with Gimli for now. Sprinting off into the forest, not caring about the stumbling dwarf trailing behind him, Legolas followed the hobbit's trail, not missing the much heavier prints that lay beside them. With the tree's whispers guiding him, it was not long before the pair came to a clearing. On any other day it would have been a most serene sight, with its lush green grass and birds chirping, however Legolas and Gimli were not blessed with such a view, instead their eyes were assaulted with the pale body of the Ring-Bearer and dear friend lying in the center of the clearing. Frodo lay on the floor, his fair skin punctuated in many places by red streams of what could only be blood. Legolas knelt beside the wide-eyed Boromir, who was already at the Hobbit's side. Pressing his trembling fingers to Frodo's wrist, Legolas felt for the pulse he already knew would be missing.

Legolas slowly shook his head. "He is gone. Passed beyond the realms of this world. I am sorry." he announced with regret. Glancing at Boromir, he thought he saw a flash of guilty pride in the Man's eyes, but had it been there, it was quickly sniffed out before Legolas could be sure. Hearing the rest of the Fellowship approaching through the trees, Legolas sent Gimli to find them to ensure they did not lose themselves before they made it to the clearing. Sam let out a horrified wail at the sight of his beloved master lying dead on the floor. He rushed over to Frodo's side, even managing to catch the nimble-footed Legolas off guard as he bumped him in his rush to his dead master. Merry and Pippin did not waste time in following their distraught friend. Legolas turned to see an alarmed Aragorn quietly conversing with Gimli. "Who shall bear the ring next?" Gimli asked in his heavily accented voice, "I know not. We will have to discuss matters of such importance with our remaining companions" explained Aragorn. As Aragorn called the rest of the Fellowship over, Legolas contemplated over the identity of the new Ring-Bearer, his first thought went to Sam, but the poor Hobbit was too distraught, and the rest of the halflings had not the wont. Gimli had not the strength of mind and Legolas could not trust Boromir with Isildur's Bane. Aragorn needed to grow and test his leadership; he could not do that with the Ring in tow. "I shall bear the Ring, if we are all in consensus" Legolas whispered. Aragorn looked up at him, grief mingled with approval in his gaze. Glancing around at his companions, he saw approval in all the rest of the Fellowship's faces, save Boromir, whose expression was one of anger and exasperation. Silently, Legolas walked over to Frodo's body, which had since been put into a more restful position, with flowers along his brow, and gently removed the Ring, trying not to disturb Frodo's final rest. Slipping the silver chain around his neck, he was shocked at the weight such a trinket could carry. The Ring was in his care now. 

A/N 

They're gonna be short chapters because I physically cannot write longer ones...but at least with shorter chapters I can update more...maybe