Chapter 3- The Pass of Caradhas

Chapter 3- The Pass of Caradhras

It was early the next morning when I awoke; the sun hadn't risen, yet dawn was upon Rivendell. I had hardly slept last night, I was too excited about the adventure that I would be embarking upon in the morning. I had packed last night and decided to travel light. My clothes were durable and would last me at least six months at the most, so I needn't worry about bringing a change of attire. I had packed my satchel full of lembas bread, pommes, and several other small items including my sketch book and pencils. I even included a second book for journaling and a map of Middle Earth, both to document my travels.

It took me a while to find proper apparel and I would have been lost if it hadn't been for Aragorn. I ended up choosing a warm pair of brown trousers, and a long-sleeved, cotton chemise, with my leather breast plate. I wore fingerless gloves and dark, leather bracers on my forearms and my deer-skin boots. My Eregethian blades were sharpened and at my sides along with my hunting knife. I decided to braid my hair back again, seeing as it might be an issue on my travels and with a silent farewell, I exited my home, satchel over my shoulder and whispered goodbye to everything I had once known.

Lothrayel belonged in Rivendell, but Rayel belonged where adventure thrived. And that wasn't here, that was on the other side of the Misty Mountains and that was where I was going.

It took me but a few minutes to find my Companions, they were all heading to the gate from whence they had entered the day before. They looked eager, worried and sober, as if they knew that we would not all be together in Rivendell again.

"The Ring-bearer," Elrond started, after we had all quieted down. "Sets off on his quest for Mount Doom, and you who travel with him, no bond is laid upon you to go farther than you will." he looked on all of us with sad eyes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aragorn, but he was not listening to Elrond, he was looking upon my cousin Arwen. She was staring right back, and in both their eyes, I saw love, understanding and commitment. They loved each other and nothing- not orcs and not even the forces of Mordor- could break them apart.

"Farewell," Elrond bowed his head. "Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves, men, and free folk go with you." He raised both his arms and blessed us.

"The Fellowship," Gandalf said, holding his staff tightly. "Awaits the Ring-bearer."

Frodo, who had his back turned to us during Elrond's speech, turned around slowly and smiled. He took in the woods of Lorien and the falling leaves before he started toward us and lead us out of Rivendell.

As our party moved forward, I turned to look over my shoulder and mouthed "Goodbye" to Arwen and Elrond. I feared that I would not see them again for a long while. I bid farewell to my home and blinked away the tears that now stirred in my eyes. I was going on an adventure and I had no regrets.

"Gandalf?" Frodo whispered as we exited the Gate and crossed the great Bridge.

"Yes?"

"Which way do I go? Is it left or right?" he nodded to the upcoming T in the road.

"Left," Gandalf murmured.

I smiled and turned to say something to Aragorn, but to my surprise, he was standing by the gate, still within the realm of Rivendell. His eyes were locked with Arwen's and she looked like she was holding back tears They exchanged a simple nod to each other and Aragorn followed, not looking back. .

"Everything will be fine," I whispered to Aragorn, finally breaking the silence.

"What?" he asked, he looked distant and forlorn.

"You'll see Arwen again," I promised. "She loves you."

He smiled faintly taking my hand in his and squeezing it softly. "Thank you, Rayel."

I stood near the back of the line, behind Sam who was leading Bill the pony and beside my brother. In the front of the group were Gandalf and Frodo, our leaders. Behind them was Legolas, followed by Boromir, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Bill, myself and Aragorn

The group was quiet, were it not for Merry and Pippin, arguing whether or not the ale or the Long-Bottom Leaf was better. "You're daft!" Merry objected. "The ale is better!"

"No it's not! The Long-Bottom Leaf is!" Pippin smiled impishly.

They argued for another hour on various topics including fighting and the unhappy situation that no one understood their needs for "second breakfast" and "elvensies".

Hours dragged by as we trekked across many grassy plains and forested hillsides until something caught my eye and left me breathless. "Amon Sul." I whispered stopping and gazing up at the marvel before me. I took in the crumbling ruins and the toppling pillars. At one point and time, this was a great defense of man, but it had fallen.

The Hobbits shifted nervously, and Frodo rubbed his chest as if he could still feel the blade in his chest. "Please Gandalf," I heard him whisper. "Let us depart from this place quickly, for I do not want to be reminded of what happened here only a few short days ago.

"As you wish," Gandalf smiled, quickening his pace and leading us away.

"Promise me that someday you will show me many great ruins, brother," I pleaded.

"I will," he smiled. "When you come of age, I will take you on many adventures."

"Promise?"

"I promise," he smiled.

It wasn't long before my energy started to drain, and I wasn't the only one. Already the Hobbits and Gimli were beginning to slow down and pant. The Mirkwoodian Elf, Legolas, seemed unaffected by all of this. His strides were as long as ever and he never seemed to stop, he just pressed forward.

"The energy," Gimli huffed, "Is wasted on the Elf. I won't be outdone by a pointy-eared pansy." He mumbled to himself.

I chuckled softly and quickened my pace to match Legolas'. We shared a small nod and a fleeting glance at each other; there was no need for words. We were the same race, and as Elves, we only required the presence of one of our own kind.

"Why don't they speak to each other?" I heard Pippin whisper.

"I don't know," Merry admitted. "It must be an Elf thing."

~Hours Later~

"We must hold this course West of the Misty Mountains for forty days," Gandalf announced, after we reached the bottom of the slope "If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns East to Mordor."

"Forty days?" Sam asked. "I beg your pardon, sir, but that's an awful long time."

"Yes, it is, Samwise Gamgee," Gandalf stopped and turned to face all of us. "We will rest here for a while."

Upon hearing the word "rest" the dwarf and the Hobbits collapsed with exhaustion before mumbling something along the lines of starving and weak with hunger. It wasn't long before Sam had a fire going and supper to go with it. He had prepared tomatoes, sausage and some other greasy Hobbit food. The Hobbits, Gimli and the men ate heartily, eating everything before too long. The food was far too rich for me, so instead I took a small bite of my lembas bread before immediately feeling my strength return.

Legolas stood slightly away from the group, keeping an ever-watchful eye on the horizon. He neither ate nor drank.

"Pardon me," someone said, drawing me away from my thoughts. "I don't think we have been properly introduced. My name is Boromir, Son of Denathor."

I nodded, "I am Lothrayel Brendawyn Andasfaith, Daughter of Elros. You may call me Rayel."

"Rayel, is a beautiful name, for a beautiful Elf."

"Thank you," I forced a small smile.

"Excuse me, Rayel," Boromir bowed slightly. "But I gave my word to Merry and Pippin that I would show them a thing or two on how to use a blade." He walked away from where I was standing and retrieved the small Hobbits, handing them each a small foil. He then proceeded to slowly send swipes toward them with his own sword.

Aragorn offered me a seat beside him on the boulder he was reclining on and I gratefully accepted. He had his pipe between his lips and an amused look upon his face.

There was the clang of metal against metal and a cheer from the Gondorian. "Good! Very good!' Boromir laughed.

"Move your feet," Aragorn chimed in.

"Quite good, Pippin!" Merry noted.

"Thanks!" he replied.

"Faster!' challenged Boromir, swinging his blade at Merry, who blocked instinctively.

My attention was drawn away from the sword play and up on the ledge behind me. "And if you were to ask me for my opinion" he started.

"The opinion of a dwarf?" I asked, holding back a small smile. "What would your opinion be?"

I heard several chuckles, even gaining a smile from the ever-quiet Legolas.

"I would say we were going the long way around. Gandalf," Gimli stated, ignoring my previous comment. "We can pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome.

Gandalf swallowed hard, his eyes hardened and his lips tightened. "No, Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf replied.

I agreed with Gandalf, I never wanted to go underground again; if we stayed on this course for forty days, we would be fine.

"Ow!" I heard Pippin shout. He was holding his hand and glaring at Boromir. Suddenly the small Hobbit threw down his blade and kicked Boromir in the shin with all his strength, tackling him to the ground. Before long, Merry was right there too, helping his injured friend succumb the man of Gondor.

"For the Shire!" one of them shouted.

I laughed, tossing me head back and looking over to my brother. Even the gravely Aragorn smiled and chuckled.

"Rayel," Boromir muttered. "Some assistance would be nice!" he shouted over the laughter.

"Gentleman, that's enough!" I ordered, I got to my feet and strode forward a few feet and leaned down to lift one of the flailing Hobbits, but suddenly, my legs were kicked out from under me and I too, tumbled to the ground. Before long, I was at the mercy of three who decided to tickle me. "No!" I objected, smacking Boromir in the side with my hand. "Stop!" I laughed.

"Get her!" the Hobbits laughed, finding a tormented Elf to be the facetious thing in Middle Earth.

"I will cut you!" I threatened, before Boromir told them to stop.

"It was all in good humor," he chuckled, leaning over to help me to my feet. I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet. "Forgive us?" he chuckled.

"You are forgiven, but I meant it when I said I will cut you. I will if you do it again," I smiled.

"What is that?" I heard Sam ask.

"What do you see?" I turned to the direction that my Company was looking.

There was a thick, dark smoke drawing ever near to us, it was moving quickly. My eyes were keen but I could not make out what the black haze was.

"It's a cloud," Gimli said gruffly.

"It's moving fast against the wind," Boromir added, worry evident in his face.

"Crebain!" Legolas shouted. "From Dunland!" he threw his head over his shoulder toward us.

"HIDE!" Aragorn yelled straightaway.

"Take cover!" Boromir shouted, grabbing Merry and Pippin and pulling them into the rocks with him. Aragorn rolled under a small overhang, taking Frodo with him. I know not where everyone else hid; all I knew was that I needed to find a place. I rushed around the corner and suddenly was grabbed my s set of green-clad arms. "Wha-?"

"Shh!" Legolas ordered, bringing his hand over my mouth to silent me. He pulled me to his chest and together we crouched down among the bushes.

The Crebain were raven and crow-like birds, who were sent out to spy on the surrounding territories of Mordor. I heard them cawing and screeching to each other as they flew over our hiding places and back into the sky. In a matter of seconds, they were gone and Legolas removed his hand, holding onto my forearm and helping me to my feet.

"Thanks," I said sincerely.

"I only did as what was required. I will not allow you to come to any harm; you are part of the Fellowship." He smiled.

"Spies," Gandalf muttered, coming out of hiding. "Of Saruman. The passage South is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhas!"

"Take care," Boromir said bitterly. "To find a hiding place with more haste, next time. You endangered the life of us all."

It was directed at me and I frowned. "I'm sorry; I'm slightly new to this."

"We don't need your petty excuses."

What respect and friendship I had with this man seemed to drain away instantly.

"Boromir," Aragorn scolded. "You won't talk to my sister in that way."

"I will not take orders from a Ranger," Boromir spat.

Legolas had to restrain me as I lunged for Boromir. "He isn't a mere Ranger!" I yelled. "He is the heir of Gondor!"

"Gondor needs no King!" Boromir bellowed back.

"Let go of me!" I pulled away from Legolas and jabbed my finger into Boromir's chest accusingly. "Yet your father, Lord Denathor, seems it fit to rule as if he is one! I will not stand by idly as you disrespect my brother! He is more of a King than your father ever will be!"

"I would hit you, were it not that I do not strike a woman." He threatened.

"Rayel!" Aragorn snapped. "Boromir!"

"Well," I smirked at Boromir. "Then it is good that I am not a woman." I threw my fist into his jaw and winced at the collision my knuckles felt. "I am an Elf."

Boromir seemed taken back and altogether stunned by what had happened, even I was astounded by my behavior. "Why you-," he took a threatening step toward me before Gandalf bellowed out; "ENOUGH!"

Both of us stopped, turning to face the Greyhelm before us. "I won't have you all squabbling around like the Wild Men of the North!" he glared at the both of us. "I don't know how this all started, but I trust that it will not happen again."

Boromir and I nodded. "Yes, Gandalf."

The Fellowship divided for a short time and I turned to face Boromir, who was nursing a bloody lip. "I'm so sorry." I apologized. "I-I don't know what came over me. Will you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"Yes, for it is partly my fault that this happened. I forgot how loyal relations can be... I would've done the same thing if someone had spoken about my brother in such a way."

"You have a brother?" I asked curiously.

"Yes," he smiled. "My brother is in his early twenties. His name is Faramir."

"Lothrayel!" I winced at Gandalf's tone. "Come here, I must speak to you."

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, ignored the watching eyes, and crossed over to Gandalf's side. "Yes, Mithrandir?"

"Where did you learn to hit like that?" a small smile played across his lips.

"Aragorn taught me when I was young," I answered softly. "Though I must say, this was the first time I have ever struck someone."

"You fight with the strength of your father, but you resemble your mother," he patted my shoulder. "Carry on, young Rayel. Carry on."

"Thank you," I smiled.

I made my way back to join the Hobbits who looked at me and smiled, all except Pippin who begrudgingly handed Merry something. "Fine, you win." He muttered.

"What did you win?" I asked Merry, smiling.

Merry grinned; "I won some of Pippin's Long-Bottom Leaf."

"It wasn't a fair bet," Pippin announced, turning to me.

"What was the bet?"

Pippin and Merry exchanged a small frown and looked down. "I bet that you, being a she-Elf, could never hurt someone."

"But I never doubted you!" Merry chimed in.

"A she-Elf I may be, but I will never allow someone to speak badly about my brother."

"Well we know not to offend you, now." Sam chuckled.

~~~~~~~Days Later~~~~~~

Many days had passed as we continued on our journey. In this time, I had become good friends with everyone, especially the Hobbits. When I was with them, I felt like I didn't have to act fifty-three years old, I could act younger and laugh. That was something I could never do in Rivendell.

We were camping at the base of the mountains and in the morning, we would trek to the Pass in the Mountain, but until then, we were gathered around the fire and eating what the Hobbits had prepared. The greasy sausage seemed to satisfy Gimli and the men and already I could hear them laughing and talking amongst themselves. It wasn't dark yet, but it was growing close to night so I was making the most of what light I had left. Since we left Rivendell, I had tried to sketch as much as I could, but with the all the walking I didn't have much time.

I had been working on a sketch of Legolas for a few nights now and just moments ago I had finished. The likeness to the Elf was far beyond my usual talent, but for some reason, the sketch was perfect. It seemed to capture everything: his eyes, his lips, the small braids he wore in his hair, his strong jawline and even more, the twinkle in his eyes.

"What are you working on?" Legolas asked, coming up behind me.

I slammed my journal shut and stood. "Nothing," I turned to face him.

"Why aren't you with the rest of us? It's dangerous to be over here by yourself," he said pointedly.

"You are all but a stone-throw's away from where I am," I gestured to the campfire only fifteen yards to my right.

"You need to be careful," he frowned. "If we were to be ambushed..." he didn't finish. Aragorn had told him about my parents and how they had been killed by orcs. "Sorry," he apologized.

"It's okay," I waved it away.

"Come with me," he offered his hand and I took it as he led me to where Sam's pony Bill was standing. "I have something for you." Legolas pulled something from one of Bill's saddle bags. "Here," he smiled. "You'll need this in Caradhas and you'll freeze in what you're wearing." He handed me a warm, black-hooded cape.

"Thank you, Legolas," I took the cape from his hands and fastened it around my neck.

"You're welcome," his blue rimmed iris glinted with light and mischief. "Have you ever seen snow?"

"No," I admitted quietly. "But Aragorn has told me about it many times."

"Tomorrow morning, I will show you firsthand what it is." He promised.

"Why wait until then! We are a short climb from the snow!" I pointed up the side of the Mountain where the snow laid.

Legolas looked thoughtful and then nodded. "Alright, hurry." He took my hand and the two of us ran up the Cliffside. My face met the cool wind and my skin grew cold, "Close your eyes," Legolas ordered. "Open your hands."

I did as I was told and within seconds something cold and wet was placed in my hands. I peered down at the white frost and gasped. "This is snow?" I whispered.

"Yes," Legolas chuckled. "Do you know what's even better than holding snow?"

"What?"

Legolas knelt down and scooped up a handful of snow and rolled it into a ball. "Snowball," he said. "Fight." He threw the ball at me and it hit my chest, knocking me backward a step or two. I fell backward into the drifts before leaping up with my own snowball. I threw it at him, catching him in the arm.

We continued this behavior for about an hour before it grew too dark to continue. "Come on, Rayel," he smiled, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "You're freezing and we need to get you warmed up."

I smiled up at the mysterious Mirkwoodian Elf and suddenly, I realized something. I think I'm falling for Legolas.

~~~~The Next Day~~~

After you have been shuffling through snow for a few hours, snow started to lose the enchanting feelings and becomes more of a torture as time wears on. At first I showed the Hobbits what a snowball fight was and how to roll them into balls as Legolas had shown me the previous night. "And then, you wait for the opportune moment to strike." I smiled, as I kept the Halflings in stride with the rest of the group. "Watch this," I whispered. With a sheer moment of fluid motion the snowball soared from my hand and into the back of Legolas.. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, a look of surprise on his face.

"Did you're Elf eyes see that?" Gimli laughed.

Legolas produced a snowball and tossed it at me, catching me in the leg. "Ow!" I exaggerated, clutching my leg.

We both laughed and continued back up the Mountain, dodging occasional snowballs that Merry and Pippin had launched. That's about the time when Frodo slipped on an exposed piece of shale and went tumbling backward and down the hill, only to be caught by Aragorn. "Frodo!" he exclaimed, stabling the small fellow.

"Are you alright?" I called down to him.

But Frodo didn't answer me, he was too busy clutching his chest and searching for something. "The Ring!"

Before any of us could react, Boromir knelt down and picked up the metal chain Frodo wore around his neck, and on that chain was the Ring. He was mesmerized, holding the swaying chain with his gloved hand. "It's a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over such a small thing... Such a little thing." He rambled quietly.

"Boromir, give the Ring to Frodo," ordered Aragorn, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

The Gondorian snapped out of his trance and chuckled, "As you wish," he held out the Ring in front of Frodo and the Hobbit snatched it up. "I care not," he ruffled Frodo's hair and clambered up the Mountain.

The Fellowship climbed for many hours, eventually we stumbled into a blizzard. The wind howled, nipping at our bare faces and chilling me to the bone. My teeth chattered and my eyes watered; this was something completely new to me. The cloak Legolas had given me gave me warmth, but not enough. I was freezing. Gandalf was leading us, followed by Legolas, myself, Boromir, the Hobbits, and Aragorn bringing up the rear.

The blinding storm blurred my vision, and the snowflakes kept getting in my eyelashes. "I don't think I like snow anymore!" I shouted to Legolas over the roar of the wind.

"Neither do I!" he yelled back.

I slipped, crashing down into the snow and gasping slightly at the impact. "Rayel!" Legolas turned, grasping my wrist and pulling me up. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Be careful, Rayel," Boromir said. "It's a long fall."

"There's a faint voice on the wind," Legolas muttered, peering off at something in the distance. Seeing something through the blizzard- a blizzard of this size no doubt, astounded me. Not even my vision or hearing was that impressive.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf shouted over the roaring wind.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" Aragorn yelled. "We must turn back!"

"It's not worth it!" Boromir added. "Think of Rayel and the little ones! I'm not sure how much more they can take of this!"

"No!" Gandalf objected. "Losto Caradhas, sedho, hodo nuitho I ruith! (Sleep Caradhas, be still, lie still, and hold your wrath.) There was crack of lightning on the ledge above us and suddenly a wall of snow came tumbling down on top of us. I was engulfed in a blanket of snow, freezing me and suffocating me under the weight. I wouldn't have gotten out had Legolas not been gripping my hand when the avalanche happened. He pulled me up out of the snow and engulfed me in his arms.

"We must get off the Mountain!" Boromir yelled, digging Merry and Pippin from the snow. "Make for thhe Gap of Rohan and ride West to my city!"

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!" Aragorn objected, pulling Frodo and Sam from the cold drifts.

"We cannot pass over the Mountain!" Gimli shouted. "Let us go under it- through the Mines of Moria!"

Gandalf was quiet and a look of fear blanketed his face. "Let the Ring-Bearer decide." He whispered.

Frodo looked thoughtful. "We shall go through the Mines," he finally decided.

Gandalf was quiet for a long and while and then uttered: "So be it."