Lady Hope of Middle Earth

Chapter 7: The Caradhras and Hope's Feelings

Hope's POV:

We trudge through the snow covered mountains. I have a floating fire enchantment going next to everyone to provide a little warmth. As we are walking Frodo suddenly slips and rolls back a little. "Frodo?" Aragorn asks as the two of us help him up.

He feels his chest and there is a panicked look on his face. The ring. I look over and see Boromir kneel down and pick it up. "Boromir." Aragorn tries. Nothing. "Da mihi, quod cupio." I mutter. The necklace flies into my hand. Everyone looks at me. I hand the ring to Frodo.

"Let's go, it's cold." I state, pulling my cloak tighter around me and walking forward. No one questions it and we all begin to walk. As we continue to walk the snow comes down hard. Everyone except Legolas is walking waist deep in snow.

Boromir and Aragorn are carrying two Hobbits each so that they aren't lost in the snow. Legolas walks past everyone else. "There is a fell voice in the air." He says. I scrunch my eyebrows at this. What? "IT'S SAURAMON!" Gandalf yells just as rocks flies down the mountain.

We all press up against the sides as they go past us. Then Gandalf begins to chant. I have no idea what he's saying, but it's not helping seeing as the mountain is shaking. "HE"S TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN! GANDALF, WE MUST TURN BACK!" Aragorn yells. I huddle behind him.

"Can you do anything?" He asks. "Not until I know what counter spell to do. I have no idea what he's saying." I explain. As Gandalf chants I can faintly hear another voice countering him. "GANDALF CHANNEL ME!" I yell. He ignores me. Lightning strikes the top of the mountain.

A heap of snow is about to bury us. "BRACE YOURSELVES!" I yell  to everyone. I extend my arms above me. "Buella" I chant. When the snow reaches us it bounces off like it's hitting a bubble. I grunt at the struggle. It's a lot of weight.

The weight is more than those bugs that the mummy sent at us and I had the twins with me.  Once all of it is gone I lower my arms and go to collapse. "HOPE!" Aragorn calls out. Legolas catches me. I let out a tired breath. "Thanks." I mutter, getting myself up from his arms.

"Thank you Hope." He says. I just nod. I then notice the yelling going on behind us. I look over to see Gandalf contemplating something. "What were they talking about?" I ask Legolas. He lets out a sigh like the conversation that has just taken place annoys him.

"Gimli wants to go through the Mines of Moria. It's our only way, but Gandalf seems hesitant. I trust his instinct, yet I want to know what's down there that scares him so much." He explains to me. I nod. "Let the Ring bearer decide." Gandalf says.

"We cannot say here, this will be the death of the Hobbits." Boromir calls. "Frodo?" Gandalf asks. "We will go through the mines." He chooses. "So be it." With that we make out way down to the mines.

I am very thankful for the lack of snow down here, but I can't get what Legolas said out of my head. What is down here that makes Gandalf so reluctant to take this path? It can't be good. "The walls of Moria." Gimli says. It just looks like a blank rock wall.

"Dwarf doors are invisible when closed." Gimli explains. "Sometimes even their masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten." Gandalf says. "Why doesn't that surprise me." Legolas says. I roll my eyes and elbow him. "Be nice." I chide.

"You should see it Lady Hope. Tonight we will feast like Kings and of course Queens." He says. I smile down at him. "I look forward to it." I say. I've grown to like Gimli. Sure he's prideful to a fault, but he's funny as well. I've grown close to all of the Fellowship.

Even Boromir is slowly growing on me. After the whole incident on the mountain he has tried to make up for it and I'm thankful for his efforts. Finally we find the door as it glows in the moonlight. "It reads, 'Door of Durin Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter'." Gandalf informs us.

"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asks. "It's quite simple. If you are a friend you will speak the password and the doors will open." Gandalf explains. He places his staff on the door and yells words out in a very convincing voice, but nothing happens.

He then tries again, this time with his arms raised. Nothing. Well, we're going to be here for a while. I turn and sit down with Legolas. We start talking when he decides to bring something up. "When did it happen?" He asks. I look at him confused. "When did what happen?" I ask.

"When did you realize your feelings for Aragorn. I've noticed it this whole trip. I just waited until I was absolutely sure of what I was seeing. Did it happen while I was away." He says. I laugh. "Aragorn is my best friend. I don't have feelings for him." I say. He gives me an unconvinced look.

"Sure you don't. I can see it in your eyes friend. Whenever you're talking with him your eyes light up. When he calls you friend do you get a sinking feeling in your gut?" He asks. "How did y-" "Like I said, I've been able to sense it." He says. "It's not because I have feelings for him." I insist.

He just gives me a small smile. "Ok, you can believe that all you want." With that he gets up and walks off. I look at the dark water and think. Do I have feelings for Aragorn? I can't, he's my best friend. The feelings I have towards him are friendly, right?

I think back to all the times we've been together over the years. Then I think back to what I felt when I was with Landon. I thought I loved Landon, but I wasn't as happy hanging out with him as I am with Aragorn. Landon and I were always fighting, but Aragorn and I work together.

Oh my God. Damn it Legolas! How can I just now realize that I've been falling for Aragorn since the moment I met him and I'm just now realizing it. My eyes widen as I glance at the ranger sitting a few yards away. I can't have feelings for my best friend. He's in love with Arwen.

Although he does refuse to admit it, but I can't lose him as a friend just because I am just now realizing a stupid crush. I won't lose him to my feelings. I won't. With that I decided to do a few things. Two to be exact.

One, I'm going to kill Legolas for making me realize these things and two, I'll push my feelings to the side in hope that they will disappear. Yep, that's what I'm going to do. I glance at Aragorn to see him already looking at me. I stare back into his blue/grey eyes. Shit. This is going be hard.