Trapped

Chapter 7

I plodded along as Gimli led us out of the mine.

"If you hadn't suggested the Mines, Gandalf would still be alive right now!" I hissed, and the Dwarf glared at me.

"Is it my fault the demon crawled up?"

"Men! This is no time for placing blame!" Aragorn scolded harshly. "The only thing we need to focus on is getting out." We obeyed the Ranger and remained silent.

Gandalf... what would we do without him? The gray wizard's guidance was invaluable.

"If the Fellowship survived without him, then so can we. Er..." Heads were beginning to turn towards me. Thinking aloud was getting to be a problem.

Gandalf returned though, didn't he? Gandalf the White. This thought gave me more hope.

The dim murkiness of the stone tunnels gave way to light. We were surrounded by rocks, and a river gurgled noisily nearby.

"We can't stop. Let's keep going." Aragorn advised, squinting in the sunlight.

"Give them a moment to grieve!" Boromir spat angrily, gesturing to the Hobbits. Frodo seemed especially shaken up. I noticed a tear coursing down his cheek.

"Five minutes. Then we move on." Aragorn decided, reordering things in his bag.

"Master Hobbit?" I knelt down beside Frodo until he was at eye level.

"Legolas." He sniffed.

"I know it's hard losing someone you care about. I lost my mother." I spoke of the real Legolas's past. I couldn't very well say that one of my friends in an alternate dimension died in a car crash, could I?

"So did I." He muttered weakly. "And my pa." I winced.

"It's hard having people gone from your life when you're so used to them being there. But I've learned that their words can show up in the most unexpected of places." I comforted. Frodo threw his arms around my neck in a childlike manner.

"Thank you, Legolas." He tried to make his voice bright, but I easily heard the underlying sadness. I was tempted to tell him that Gandalf would return, but I'd already learned that the future was set.

"Come along, I don't want any beasts to catch our trail." Aragorn spoke loudly, and Boromir scowled at the long-haired forester.

Hmm... this all seemed a tiny bit different than our lines, but what did it matter?

---

"Soon, we will approach my kin in the Forests of Lorien." I gazed at thy sky.

"Many miles off, princeling." Gimli snorted, and I brushed his insult away.

"At least I didn't lead someone to their death in our cousin's home." I said idly, and it stuck with him. He uttered not a word.

Odd, if you think about it. By this time in the books, Legolas was already a close friend with Gimli. Here, the Dwarf clearly would rip my throat out just for the satisfaction. Lucky for him, the feeling wasn't mutual.

If it was, he'd be dead in a stream with an arrow in his gut. Besides all of that, he was still needed for the quest. I have no clue why, but it's the way Tolkien wrote it.

Gimli must only be here for racial equality. I thought. He never did anything too large, by my count.

"Keep your focus on the path, Legolas." Boromir warned, yanking me back from an edge. "You were about to walk straight off."

"Lost in thought." I responded.

"Unfamiliar territory?" Gimli shot at me.

"For you, maybe." I smirked.

"Enough!" Frodo screeched, and we all looked at the Hobbit in shock. "Let's just... go." I couldn't blame him. He'd lost a dear friend.

Silence overtook us while the sun climbed across the sky. It had been early morning when we had left the Mines. By now, it was likely late afternoon. The trees of Lorien were barely visible.

"There they are! The Forests!" I called out, and Gimli grimaced.

"Let's get this over and done with, please." He growled, moving his axe.

"You'd be wise to not act hostile to my kin."

"Mind your own business, Elf."

"Your choice." The trees loomed closer. It wasn't dark and trapping like the Mines, but spacious and free. Birds trilled in the cover of the leaves. A single breath made me feel clearer and more relaxed.

Frodo looked around nervously, as if someone was calling him.

"Stay close, young Hobbits." Gimli hissed. He grabbed Frodo's arm. "They say there's a great sorceress who lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell..." I glared at the impudent Dwarf, but he paid no heed as usual. I blocked out his voice, and from the looks of it, the Hobbits did as well.

"..and are never seen again!" He finished. I rubbed my temples.

"Mr Frodo?" Sam put an arm around Frodo's shoulder. At least someone else noticed. He'd been skittish ever since we entered Lorien.

"Well! Here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk, and ears of a fox!" Gimli boasted. I relished the next moment. Arrows were pointed directly at his face. Though I was supposed to draw my own bow, I stared triumphantly at the Dwarf instead.

We were surrounded, and Aragorn held up his hands. I knew they would not harm us. Mentally, I recognized Haldir as he stepped forwards.

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."

Gimli growled.

---

The only Dwarf in our party was blindfolded, as he was not trusted. We were brought up to the Mallorn leaf top where we properly greeted our hosts.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." Haldir bowed. Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." I responded graciously, returning his bow. Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.

Haldir spoke again. "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.

The Ranger smiled and thanked him. Gimli, on the other hand, was still upset with his 'treatment'. Very just, actually. To call the Lady of Lorien a witch...

I shook my head. Everything was getting to me.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!"

"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the dark days." Haldir curled his lip to Gimli.

"And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" I widened my eyes. I spit upon your grave!

Aragorn smacked his hand, and I half wished that he'd fallen off thr treetops. "That was not so courteous!"

Haldir looked at both Frodo and Sam. Squinting, he shoved them backwards into the arms of guards.

"Legolas, what-"

"You bring great evil with you! You can go no further!"

They turned to look at Frodo, who was cowering in his boots. Aragorn spoke urgently to the tall Elven male.

"Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven!" We need your protection. The road is fell! Haldir looked angrily at Gimli before moving his gaze back to Aragorn.

My mind clouded, and for a moment... I didn't know what was happening.