Journey to Middle Earth

7/29/2019 Journey to Middle Earth

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JourneyToM idd leEarthbyDarkAlana

Cha pter1

ID ream

Ithad beenayearsinceCaspianhadbeenrestoredtotheTelm a rinethroneandpeacehadbeenfullyrestoredtoallNarnia.

Peternow tw e n tyyearsold,Susannineteen,E d m u n dfifteen andLucytw elvewereallliving atthen e w lyrestoredCa irParavelandwererulingoverNarnia.AlthoughCaspianhadbeencrownedKingoftheTelm a rinesandpeacehadbeenestablishedbetw e e nm enandtheNarnians,am ajorityoftheNarniansw a n tedtoberuledbyw h a ttheybe lievedtobetheironeandonlytrueleaders,theKingsandQue e nsofO ld.

Thereforetheland w heretheTelm a rinesinhabitedw assep aratedfrom thelandsthatbelongedtoNarniaandw asrenam edTela m a raftertheirh om eworldandwastoberuledoverbyCa s p ianandhisdescendants.TherestofthelandinNarniainclud ing theforestw asruledoverbythePevensies.

SusansatattheedgeoftheriverbankinNarniainaw hiteofftheshoulderg o w nasAslanappearedontheriver'sedge,m o ving to w a rdsher.Susansm iledasAslan'sm a nebrushedagainsthera rm .

"Hellodearone!"Aslanspokeinhisdeepand calm ingvoiceasSusanturnedtofacehim andplacedherforeheada ga insthism u zz le."Aslan!"Susansaidasshestaredintohisgolde neyesasshefeltaw a v eofco m f ortw a s hthroughher,butfeltslightfearfulasshebrushedherhandagainsthisfur.

"W h a tisitm ychild?"Susangaveasm a llsm ile;sheshouldhavekno w nshew o u ldn'tbeablehideanything from Aslan."PeacehasbeenbroughtbackintoNarniaandalliswell,bu tIfeelasifm ypurposeisnotdone!"Susanlookedd o w natthegroundbeneathherasshespoke.

"M ydearchildyourdestinyliesfarbeyondtheshoresofNarnia!"Susanlookedupathim confused."Ifm ydestinyliesbeyond Narniaam Itoleaveand nevertoreturn!"AslanlookedatSusan,hiseyesfilledw ithsecurity.

"No.Narniaisyourkin g do m ,yourland,yourh om eandyouw illneverbepartedfrom it.Bu tyouhaveagreaterpu rpose.B yyourhandyouhavehelpe dbringpeaceandprosperitytothisland,butnow youm u sthelpdefinethefateofanother!"

Susanjolteda w a ke ;bu tfeltaw a v eofreliefw a s hthroughherasshesaw thefam iliarsiteofherbedcham bers.Susanpu lledthebedcoveringoffasshegotupandw alkedtowardsherthebalconythatoverlookedthebeachandsm iledasthew arm sunbeatd o w nonherface,butitqu icklyfadedandshere m e m b e re dherdre am .

She hadbeenhaving thatsa m edream forthepastw e e kand itdeeplyconcernedher.Sh eknew sheshouldjusttrustAslan'sword,bu tshew a n teda ns w e rs,shew a n ted toknow herpurpose.

Susangotdressedand headedforthestables.She hadreceivedwordthatCaspianwasonhisw ayandshew a n tedtoleavebeforehew o u ldarrive.A lthoughshecaredforCaspian,Caspian'sprofessorhadletitslippedthathew a n tedtocourther,butSusandidnotfeelasstronglyforCaspianashedidforher,butwasafraidtorejecthim byriskingthestationoftheirfriendship.

Susanjustw a n ted tobealone andclearherhead.Susantookherhorseandrodeoffdeepintotheforest.Sh erode toriverbankinherdream anddis m o u nted herhorseasshedetachedherbow and quiverfrom herbackassheliedd o w nonthegrassbeneathher.Susanstaredupatthecloudsasshetriedfigureoutthem e an ingofherd re a m .

Soonhereyelidsb e ca m eheavierasshedriftedintoadeepsleep.

IIStrangeLand

Susana w o keinastrangela nd ,thesunhadsetandshew aslyingonapatchofgrass.Thegrassfeltfam iliarbu teverything elsese e m e dstrange.Sheobservedtheland shew asinandfoundherselfintheruinsofanoldw atchtower.She noticedthatherqu iverandbow w erelyingbesideherassheheardaloudscreech.

Susangotupandplacedherbow andquiveronherbackasshem o ve dtow ardthesound.She m o ve dto w a rdsasm a llboulderand lookedoverandsaw fivedarkridersw iththeirsw ordsdraw nadvancing onfours m a llchildrenw iththeirsm a lldaggersdrawn.B utasSusanlookedcloser,shenoticedtheywerenotsm a llchildren,bu ttinym e n.

Threeofthes m a llm enwerestanding infrontofthefourthasifthey wereprotectinghim asoneofthedarkfigures,w hichSusanpre su m e dtobetheleaderpushthem asidew itheaseashebegantom o veclosertothefourth.

Allofasuddenthes m a llfourthm anse e m e dtohavedisappearedintothinair.Susanstoodthereinshockasshelookedforthes m a llm a n,bu tqu icklylookedbacktospotw herehehadvanished,w h e nsheheardaloud cryinpain.

She qu icklydrew herbow andanarrow andaim edfortheleader'sheartassheletloseherarrow.The arrow pierceditstarge tasitletoutaloudscreechasthearrow burstintofla m e sand turnedtoash.Althoughthearrow hadhurtthecreatureitdidn'tseem tostopit.

Susanju m p e dd o w nofftheboulderandlandedinfrontoftheNa zgu lasthesm a llm anreappearedbehind her.Susanquicklynotchedanotherarrow andaim edforthesa m edarkcreature.Itagainhadthesa m eoutco m e .

O utofthecornerofhereyeSusannoticedtheotherthreegettingup ,fearclearlypresentontheirfacesastheytowardstheco m p a n ion."Getbehind m e!"Shesaidastheyranbehindher.

The airaroundthem grew eerilystillasallthecloakedfiguresm ovedclosertoth em .Theleaderofthedarkride rsstruckhissword.Aringingsoundaroseasthem etaloftheblad em a d econtactw ithb o w .Susanbow w a sm a g ical,itsw o o de nfra m ewasstrongerthananys w o rdandcouldw ithstand anym etalandcouldnotbebroken.

Susanswungherbow againstthecreaturebutagainandagaineverytim ehew o u ldblockitw ithease.O nherlasttry,theleaderblockedtheblow againands w unghiss w o rdagainstherchest.Susancriedoutinpa inasshefellbackintothegroundbeneathher.A lthoughitwasasm a llscratch,itfeltasifherchestwasonfire.

H ervisionbegantoblurasacryca m efrom thearchway.Susanturnedherheadtoseeam anrunning thearchwayandto w a rdth em .H ecarriedhisswordinonehandandatorchcoveredw ithfla m e sintheother.Susanw a n tedtokeephereyesopen,butbeforeshecouldseew h a tw o u ldb e co m eoftheotherseverything turntoblack.

IIIRivendell

Susanwasconstantlyinandoutofconsciousness.W henSusanfinallya w o keshefeltasharppaininherchestassheopenedhereyelids.Sh efoundherselflying inabed inagrandroom inabeautifulcastle.Itwasbeautifullydecoratedw ithw o o de nfurnitureandw hitelinensandthebedonw hichshelaidwasextre m e lyco m f ortableasifshewaslyingonacloud.Thesheetss m e lledfreshoffreshflowersandfreshfruitasshecontinuedtostudy thero om .

Susanlookedbeside herbedtonoticetherewasatallm anw ithlongbrow nhairw ithpo intyearsstandingbesidethebe d .She sighedbeforedeciding tositup ."W h a thappened?"Sheasked."Yousufferedfrom apoisonousblow from aNa zgu landhavebeenunconscious forthethreedays.B utourhealersw ereabletofullyhealyou."H eansweredherashelookedd o w natherandhandedheraglassofw ater."Thankyou!"Susansaidashetooktheglassand drank.

W he nSusan'sthirstwasquenched,shespoke."W h oareyou?"Them anhesitatedforam o m e n tbeforegiving as m a llbow ashereplied."M yn am eisElrond!An dyouare?""SusanPevensiesofNarnia!Co u ldyoupossiblytellm ewhereIa m ?A n dw h a tisaNazgul?"Them ansm iledgracefullyandreplied ."YouareinRivendell ""Rivendell?"Susansaidasshecuthim off,shelookedattheElrondclearlyconfused."Perhapsitw o u ldbebestifyoutoldm eaboutyourselfand how youca m eheretokno w ."Susanhesitatedforam o m e n tandthennoddedbeforestarting totellhim herstory.

AfterSusanexplained everything aboutherpastandNarnia,Elrondhadw elco m e dherw ithopenarm sand introducedhertoArwenand wasproperlyintroducedtoAragon,G a nda lfandtheho bb its,S a m ,M erry,Pipp in,BilboandFrodo.

Sincearriving inM idd leEarthSusanhadfo rm e dafriendshipw ithArwenandsheevenbe ca m eclosetoElrondandFrodoandw o u ldspendherdaysonthepracticefieldw ithherbo w andarrow and listentoB ilbo 'scountlesstalesofhisadventuresandthelittlepeopleoftheSh ire.SheevenlearnedaboutElven cultureand othercreaturesthatlived inM idd leEarth.

A r w e nandElrondevenbegantoteachhertheirnativetongueandshew a sbe co m ingverygoodatitasthew eekspassedon.ElrondalsotoldherallabouttheNa zgu l,Sa u rm o nand thegreatbattlethathappenedthreethousandyearsagoandthegreateviloftheringandthegreatburdenthatFrodocarried.


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IVTheFello w s h ipArrives

Susandecide dtogoforaride onem o rn ing.Sh eworealigh tblueg o w nw hichisseem edtohighlightherdarkbrowneyesandtanskin;shehadw hiteflow ersinherdarkbrow nhairastheyliedincurlsallthew ayd o w ntothem idd leofherback.H erg o w nhadgolden strapstoholditinplacew hilekeepinghershouldersbare.

She w alkedoutofherroom doorand intothem arblecorrido rasshem ad eherw ayovertotheclearingbytheriverwerethehorseswerekno w ntoroam asshelookedatthebeautifultreesthatwerethecolorofash,theperfectlycutgreengrasses,andthem istyw aterfallthatpouredd o w nintoariverthatranthroughtheheartofthecity.

AlthoughshehadbeeninRivendellforso m etim e,shew o u ldalw a y sbetakenbackbythebeautifullandsthatbelongedtotheElvencity.Aftertheherfightw ithNazguland shehadregained herstrengthand hadgotacustom tohersurroundings,shenolongerneedhelptogetaroundandwasabletow alkaroundRivendellw ithease.

PrinceLegolasandhiselvenc om p a n ionsarrived inR ivendellandwheregreetedbyAragonastheyenteredthecity.Theywerearriving from M irkwoodaftertheyhadreceivedacallfrom LordElrondofgreatim p o rtance.Theywerenottoldofthem atter,bu twheretoldtheyw o u ldbeinfo rm e datthecouncilm e eting to m o rrow m o rn ing .

Legolasandhisco m p a n ionslaughedasthere m iniscedabouttheirlasttim einRivendell.Aragonhadleftshortlyaftergreeting them togoand speakw ithAr w e nasthey begantow alkaroundthegrounds.Theybegantow alkpasttheclearingasso m e thingcaughtLeoglaseye.

H eim m e d iatelyca m etoanabrupthaltashem o ve dclosertothew indow togetabetterlookashelaideyesonthem o stbeautifulw o m a nhehadeverseen.H ew atchedinaw easshepetthew hitehorse'sm uzzleasherlong darkbrownhairw o u lds w a yasitblew inthew indandherskinw o u ldb e co m easgolde nhoneyasthesuntouchedit.Shew asabsolutelybeautiful.

Legolasjustcontinuedtostareatthisunearthlybeautybeforehim .H eperusedeverfeature,everydetailofherface,herdarkbrowneyesanddesirablelipsandthenhecaughtsigh tofherears.She w a s hum a nbu thadbeautythatcouldrivalthatofelves.H esuddenlyfeltbu rdenedkno w ingthathew o u ldoutliveher.

Legolas'co m p a n ionsca m etostandbeside him astheyfollo w e dhisgaze."W h a tbeauty!"Oneoftheco m p a n ionsexclaim edashesaw her.Legolaswassurprisedbythew a v eofjealousythats w e ptthroughhim astherestofhisco m p a n ionsco m m e ntonherabeauty.H ew a n tedher,hehadtoknow her.

Cha pter2The CouncilM e e ting

"Beautifulisn'tit?"Susansaidasshelied onthegrasslookingupatthestarsasFrodoca m etositbesideher."Yes!"Frodosaidashisvoicewaslacedw ithdespair.SusansatuptolookupatFrodoasshetouchedhishand."Iknow youcarryagreatburden,butsoonitw illbelifted ."Frodoturnedtolookatherandgaveheras m a llsm ile.Susanknew thatFrodostillcarriedtheringand althoughshedidn 'tunderstand it,sheknew hewasstruggling.

The nextm o rn ingSusana w o ketoaknockatherroom door.Sh eopenedthedoortofind Elrond."Goodm o rn ingQue e nSusan!"Susansm iledathim ."LordElrond!C o m ein .iseverythingalrigh t?"Elrondgaveheras m a llsm ileasSusanm o veasideallow ing him entry."Yes!Thereistobeasecretcouncilm e eting thism o rn ingand Iw o u ldlikeforyoutobeinanattendance."SusanlookedatElrondclearlyconfusedassheclosedthedoor.

"W h y?Ithoughtw o m e nwerenotallo w e dintothecouncil."SusanhadlearnedaboutElven custom sinhertim einRivendellandalthoughshedidnotagreew iththeirsexistw a ys ,sherespectedth em ."Yesthatistrue,bu tIthoughtaboutthedream youtoldm eaboutand Ithinkyourfateissom ehow intertw ined w ithM iddleEarth,sounderthecircum stancesIw illm a keanexception."SusanagreedasElrondgaveasm a llbow andtookhisleave.

AsSusanm a deherw aytocouncilroom shethoughtoverElrond'swords,m a yb ehew asright.W hyelsew o u ldIbehere?Shethought.Susanenteredthecouncilroom andshenoticedElrondw aiting forher.H egaveherasm a llnoddedbeforedirectinghertotheseatrightnexttohim notfarfrom Frodo.M u m m e rseruptedallofovertheroom astheyw atchedSusanw alkw iththegraceofaqueenand sitonElrond'slefthand.

Legolasfelthisheartstopashenoticedtheravenhairedbeautyenterthero o m .Sh eworeadarkredlongsleevedg o w nthatkepthershoulde rscoveredandherdarkbrownhairloosed o w nherback.H ewastakenoffguardashew atchedElrondgreether.W how asshe?Shem u stbeso m e o neofgreatim p o rtancetobeallo w e dintothecouncil.H ethoughtashequicklyavertedhiseyesbacktotheunearthlybeautyashefeltanupsurge ofjealousyeruptthroughhim ashelistenedtoallthem enedwarf sfoundherattractive.W h atw asitaboutthisgirl?

Susanheldherheadhighasallthem encontinuedtostareather.AsshesatElrond'slefthandshenoticedthateveryonese e m e dtobesitting inorde rofracetherew asFrodoandG a nda lfsittingonherleftandthen thereweretheelves,dwarvesandh u m a n sshedidnotkno w ,w iththeexceptionofAragon.

Susanb o w e dherheadtow ardshim inasilentgesturetosayhelloandAragonnoddedinreturnbeforereturning hisgazetoFrodo.The exchanged didnotgounnoticedtoB o ro m irandLegolas.H ekno w sher!Theythoughtinunisonastheycontinued tostareatSusan.Bo ro m irhadtoad m itw h e nhefirstsaw her,hethoughtshew aself,forshehadthebeautyofone,butshew a shum a n .H ow co m ehehadneverseenherbe foreandw hyw asshelivingw ithelves.

Susanavertedhergazefrom thegroupand lookedto w a rdsFrodoandnoticedhelookedratheranxiousashesatlookingd o w nattheground.Frodose e m e dtofeelthequeen'seyesonhim and lookedupather.Sh esm iled,trying togivetheho bb itsenseofco m f ortasFrodogaveherasm a llhalfheartedsm ileinreturnbeforelookingbackd o w ntotheground.

"Strangersfrom distantlands,friendsofoldyouhavebeensu m m o ne dheretoanswerthethreatofM ordor.M idd leEarthstandsonthebrinkofdestruction,nonecanescapeit.Youw illuniteoryouw illfall.Eachraceisboundtothisfate,thisoned o om B ring forththeR ing,Frodo"LordElrondcalled,causingFrodotoju m p .H iseyesdartedaroundtheroom andthen to w a rdsSusan,hisfaceridde nw ithfearashestoodup ,w alkedovertoasm a llstonetableinthem idd leofthese m icircle,andplacedtheagoldringonit.

The racesofM idd leEarthbegantow hispertoone anotherastheyallstaredw ithaw eattheRing ofPow er.Susanalsocouldn 'thelpbutstareatthering asshefeltacoldshiverrund o w nherspine.AsSusancontinuedtostareatthering,itlookedasifitwasliving;breathing thing.Itw asifshecouldhearadarkvoicew hisperinghern am e .Aringofpower...d oo m yo ucanhavethep o w e r ..Itw hispered.U ntilnow sheneverreallyunderstoodw hythepeopleofM idd leEarthfeareditso,butnow shedid.

"Adre am !"Borom irsaidashegotupandstartedslow lytom o veto w a rdsthering."Isaw theeasternskygodarkand inthew e s thailligh tening init.Avoicew ascryingd oo m ,doom isnearathand.Sauron'sbaneinfound.Sauron'sbane."Borom irsaidashehandreached thering ,butqu icklyw ithdrew hishand,hisfaceridde nw iths ha m easbothElrondandG a nda lfcalledouthisn am einadeepco m m a nd ing tone.

G a nda lfbegantochantso m eunkno w ntongueastheskyw e n tblackandSusancouldfeelherbloodruncold.Shedidn'tknow w h y ,bu tthosewordsm a d eherfeelasifdarknessw asdraw ing near.She hadtoshuthereyes.

Onc eG a nda lfhad finishedspeakingSusanopenedhereyesasshew atchedtheskyb e co m efilledw ithlightoncem o re ."Neverbeforeasanyvoiceutteredawordofthattonguehereandinlaterus!"LordElrondannouncedashelookedtowardsGandalf."Idonotaskyourpardo nM a s terElrond.FortheblackspeechofM o d orm a yyetbeheardineverycornerofthew e s t.Thering isalltogetherevil."Gandalfrepliedashesatd o w nagainbesideFrodo.

"Itisagift."Borom irsaidasheagainrosefrom hisseatw ithas m a llsm ileonhisface."Agiftofthethrow sofModor.W hynotusethering?Longasm yfather,theste w a rdofG o ndo rkepttheforcesofM o d o ratbay,bythebloodofourpeopleareyourlandskeptsafe.G iveG o ndo rthew e a p o nofthee n em y ...letususeitagainsthim !"

"Youcannotw ieldit.No neofuscan.TheringanswerstoSauronalone.Ithasnootherm a ster."SusanlookedatAragonashefinallyspoke.Bo rom irturnedtolookedbackathim clearlyannoyedashebegantobelittlehim .Thenaha ndso m eelf;w h o m SusanhadneverseenbeforestoodupanddefendsAragon.

Susanwasclearlycaughtoffguard,Aragonwasroyaltyand anheirnoless.W ow !W a sa llshecouldthinkof,bu tSusan'sthoughtswerem o reconcernedabouttheha ndso m eblondelfthatstooduptodefend him .

"Havodad Legolas!{S itd o w nLegolas!}"Aragonsaidincalm toneashehelduphishand.Itwasclearhew a n tednotrouble.Legolas!W h atawonderf uln am e !Susanthought,bu titwasnowhereaswonderf ulashiswonderf ulblueeyesandthatgolden blondhair.

"Gondorhasnoking!G o ndo rneedsnoking !"Borom irsaidw ithresentm e ntashesatbackd o w n ."Butnone thelessyouow ehim yourrespect!Forheisrigh t.W ecannotuseit"Susansaidw ithacalm butco m m a nd ing voiceofaqueenasshelookedto w a rdsB o ro m irw ithherheadheldhigh .

Legolaslookedtow ardsSusanw ithco m p letead m irationasshedefendedAragon."W h oareyouandw h a tareyouevendo inginthiscouncilm e eting?"Borom irsaidstillclearlyannoyedashelookedto w a rdsher."Lasttim eIchecked,w o m e narenotallo w e dhe re ."LegolaswantedtokillBo rom irrigh tthen andnow forhisinsolenceto w a rdsSusan,bu tbeforehecouldopenhism o uthtorespond,Elrondspoke.

"QueenSusanisherebym yrequest!"Borom irsatthereinshockatElrond'sstate m e nt,bu ta ga inbeforeanyone couldspeakElrondspokeagain."Backtothem atterathand.W ehaveonlybu tone choic e theringm u stbedestroyed!"


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"Thenw h a tarew ew aiting for?"adwarf saidashegottohisfeetw ithanaxeinhandand struckthering.Therewasaflashofligh tasthedwarf wasknockedtothefloorbyaninvisibleforce.Susanlookedandnoticedshardsoftheaxeliedaroundthering w hileitre m a inedintact.Co u ldtheringevenbedestroyed?Shethoughttoherself.H ewashelped tohisfeetbyso m eotherdw arvesasSusannoticedthedifferencesbetw e e nthesedwarvesandtheonesinNarnia.M idd leEarthdw arvesw erem u chm o rebuiltanrierthanNarniandwarvesandspokew ithanIrishaccent.

"Theringcannotbedestroyed,G im li,sonofG loin,byanycraftthatw eherepossess.Theringw asm a d einthefiresofM o u n tD o o m andonlytherecanitbedestroyed.Itm u stbetakendeepintoMordorandcastbackintothefierychasm from whence itca m e .O neofyoum u stdothis,"Elrondsaid,looking aroundatthea ss e m b ledguests.Astunnedsilenceca m ed o w nuponth em .

The m eninthecirclealllookedaroundsilentlyasiftrying tofindoutw how o u ldbew illing todestroythering."Onedoesnotsim plyw alkintoM ordor.Itsblackgatesaregua rded bym o rethanjustorcs.Thereiseviltherethatdoesnotsleepandthegreateyeiseverw atchful.Itisabarrenw a s tela nd ,ridd ledw ithfire,ash,andfla m e .Theveryairyoubreathisapoisonousfu m e .N otw ithtenthousandm encouldyoudothis.Itisfolly."Borom irsaidsternly.

"Haveyou heardnothing thatElrondhassaid?The ringm u stbedestroyed!"LegolasyelledashesprangoutofhisseatlookingatBo ro m ir."Oh,and Isupposeyouthinkyoushouldbetheone todoit?"G im liyelledback."Andw h a tifw efail.W h athappensw h e nSaurontakesbackw h a tishis?"Borom irsaidashegotup ,glaringatLegolas.

"I'dratherdiethanseetheringinthehandsofanelf!"Assoonasthew ordshad leftG im li'sm o uth,theotherelvesstood upbesidesLegolas,toweringoverthedw arvesangrily,scream ingateachotherandthen thesoonenoughtheentireroom wasinchaos.

SusanandElrondsighe d .Leavingw ellenoughalone,Elrondsatbackd o w nintohischairandplacedhisheadandw aitedforthem entocalm th e m s elvesd o w n .Susantorehereyesawayfrom theangrym obtoFro do ,w how asstillstrangelysilent."Frodo?"Sheasked,butreceived noanswer.Susangotupandm a deherw ayovertoFrodo.Susan'seyebrowsscrunchedupasshenoticedFrodos ee m e dtobeinpainbythem e n'swordsashestaredatthering.

AllofasuddenFrodoju m p e dupfrom outofhisseatandspoke."Iw illtakeit!"H esaidw ithauthority.Susaneyesw iden inshockasthew ordsleftFrodo'sm o u th."Iw illtakeit!"H erepeatedw h e nnoonese e m e dtohaveheard.Thensuddenlyallthevoicesfadedasallthem enstaredatFrodo,theirfacesridde nw ithshock.

Susanca m etostand behind him and pu tareassuringhandonFrodo'sshoulderashefacedthecrowd."Iw illtaketheringtoM odor."Frodosaidw ithhisheadheldhigh ."T ho ugh Idonotknow thew a y."

G a nda lfgaveasm a llsm ileashetookadeepbreathandsteppedforward."Iw illhelpyoubearthisburdenFrodoBa gg ins.Aslongasitisyourstobear."H esaidasheca m etostandinbehindFrodoandpu thishandonhisfreeshoulder.

Instantly,Aragonca m eandkneltd o w ninfrontofFrodoandlookedhim intheeye."W he therwithm ylifeordeath,Icanprotectyou.Iw ill.Youhavem ys w o rd."H esaidashem o ve dtostandbesideSusan."Andm yb o w ."Legolassaidashetootookastepforward."Andm yax."G im lisaidasheandLegolasexchanged abriefglare.

"Youcarrythefateofusalllittleone.Ifthisis,indeed,thew illoftheCouncil,G o ndo rw illseeitdone."B o ro m irsaidashelookedatFrodoashem a d ehisw aytoFro do .Bu tSusanfeltasifhecaredm o reaboutthefateofthering,thanFrodo's.

Frodosm iled alittlebeforelookingbackatSusan.Susanlookedd o w nathim ."Iw assenthereforareasonand Ithinkthisisit.Frodo!Isw ear,Iw illstandbyyouw h e therw eshouldfailorsucceed.Iw illprotectyouw ithm ylife.Youalsohavem yb o w ."

"W a it!"Avoiceyelled from behind .Susan,AragonandG a nda lfturnedtoseeSam runningupfrom behindascrubtostand nexttoFrodo."M r.Frodoisn'tgoinganywhere w ithoutm e."H esaidsternly.LordElrondraisedhiseyebrowsassm irkappearedacrosshisbeautifulface."Clearly!Becauseitseem sitishardlypossibletoseparateyou.Evenw h e nhew assu m m o ne dtoasecretcouncilm e etingandyouarenot!"H esaidashelookedbetw e e nSam andFrodo.

"Oy!W e'reco m ingtoo.You'regoing tohavetosendush om etiedupinasacktostopus."SusancouldseeG a nda lfshakehisheadinthecornerofhereyeasM erry'svoiceappearedoutofnow hereandsoonenough,thetw ohobbitsrantostandbesideFrodo.

"Anywayyouneedpeopleofintelligenceforthissortof...m ission...quest...thing ."Pipp insaidw ithafinalnodofhishead."W e llthatrulesyouout."M errysaidashelookedathiscousin,annoyanceclearinhisvoice.Pipp in'sfacefellalittlebu tthenturnedhisheadtolookatSusan."Andbesidessom eoneneedstoprotectthebeautifulqueenfrom danger."Susansm iledd o w natherpintsizefriends.Susanno rm a llyhatedw h e nm enw o u ldtreatlikead a m s elindistressoraporcelaindoll,bu tw h e nitca m efromPipp inorM erryitsoundedabsolutelyadorable.

LordElrondstaredatthegroupforam om e ntbeforeas m a llsm ilefo rm e donhislips."Tenc om p a n ions...youshallbetheFello w s h ipoftheRing."H eannounced sturdily."Great!"Pipp insaid,excited ly."W herearew egoing?"

Cha pter3

The RoadToM ordo r

Afterthecouncilm e eting,preparationswerem a d eforthefello w s h iptosetoutintw odays.The routetowardsModorhad beenplannedandsupplieshadbeenpackedfortheirlongjourneyahead.Asagift,A r w e ngaveSusanattirethatwasf itforbattle.Itwasalightbluetunicsim ilartoLegolas'w ithblackpantsandboots.Susanalsoworeablackleatherbracesonherw rists,w hilethefronthalfofherhairw aspu lledbackintoaponytailastherestliedincurlsd o w nherback.LordElrondalsogaveSusantw ofightingknives,liketheonesthatLegolashad.Theybothhadasteelbladeandagoldtonecolorand theirsolidw o o d e nhandlesofferedelven vinedesign.

W he nitwastim etoleaveRivendell,thefello w s h ipgatheredbyasm a llgateandafew elvesofthehouseofLordElrondgatheredtoseethem off,includ ing ArwenandLordElrondhim se lf.LegolasandG im lise e m e dtohavem ad epeace,butSusancouldtelltherewasstilltensionbetw e e ntheh a nd s om eelfandtheredheadeddwarf .Susanlookedthroughthecornerofhereyeasshew atchedAragornandArwenexchange theirsilentgoodbyesasLordElrondspoke.

"TheRing -bearerissettingoutonthequestofM o u n tD o o m .An dyouthattravelw ithhim ,nooathorbondislaidtogofurtherthan youw ill.Farewell!An dholdtoyourpurpose.M aytheblessingsofelvesandm enandallfreefolkgow ithyou,"hesaidinaproudbu tsaddentone.

"Thefello w s h ipa w a itsthering -bearer!"Gandalfsaidastheotherm e m b e rsofthefello w s h ipsteppedasidetocreateapathforFrodo.FrodoturnedtowardsGandalfandtherestofthefello w s h ipandw alked throughthearchw ayintotheunkno w n be forecastingonelastlonginglookatthebeautifulelfcity.G a nda lffollo w e drigh tbehindFrodoasSusanfeltherheartsinkashew atchedAragornexchangedoncelastglancew ithArwenbe foreturning toleave."M ordor,G a nda lf,isitleftorrigh t?"Frodo'svoiceaskedinaw hisperfrom thefrontoftheline."Left,"Gandalfrepliedinaw hisper,butlacedw ithconfidence.

The fello w s h ipw alkedinaco m p a n ionablesilence.Susanbe h ind Frodo,Sam andG a nda lfw ithLegolasbesideher.M erryandPipp instoodonherothersideoccasionallygivingherdorkyflirtatiouslookscausingSusantosm ile.H o w e v e rG im liw alkedasfara w a yfrom Legolasaspossiblew ithoutbe ingseparatedfrom groupasAra go nandBo ro m irre m a ined intheback.

Theywereafew daysoutofRivendellandtheystoppedtom a keca m pbyas m a llrockyoutcropping .G a nda lfwassitting onarock,s m o kinghispipeand lookingdeepinthought.G im liw asnearbyasFrodoand Sam weresittingonaflatrockbesideSusan,w hileAragornwassitting onlyafew feetd o w nfrom them andw ass m o kinghisow npipew ithLegolasathissideastheyobservedthelessonbe ingtaught.O naflatpieceofsandyground,Bo ro m irw asteachingM erryandPipp inhow tofigh tw

"Moveyourfeet,"AragorninstructedasBorom irtrained Pipp inw ithas w o rd."W e llthat'sgood,Pippin,"M errysaidashesm iledto w a rdsPipp in."Thanks."Pipp insaidasMerrycontinuedtosparw ithBo ro m ir.TheycontinuedtosparuntilBo ro m iraccidentallycutPipp inandPippinkickedhim intheshinandsoonenoughM erryjoinintoo.

W ithinm o m e n ts,thetw oHo bb itswrestledhim tothegroundm u chtoAragorn'sandLegolas'a m u se m e nt.Aragongotupand w e n ttotrytohelpBo ro m ir."That'senough,gentle m e n,"AragornorderedasMerryandPippinturnedaroundfrom alaughing Bo ro m irand grabbedAragorn'sanklesandpu lledthem outfrom him ashefelland landedonhisback.

"How didyouco m etobeaqueenofNarnia?"Frodoaskedqu ietlyasheturnedtolookatSusan.An alm o stim m e d iatesilencedescendedontheca m pasthey allturnedtolookatSusan.A r w e nandElrondweretheonlyonesw hoknew thestoryandSusancouldtelleveryonew a n tedtoknow thestory."W e ll,it'squitealong story,"Susanbegan.Shereceivedencouraging nodsfrom thegroupastheyca m etositaroundher.

"Therewasatim ew h e nm ysiblingsand Iweren'tevenawarethatNarniaexisted.W eco m efrom adifferentw orld,calledEng land.Atthetim e,therewasaterriblew argoingonandthesafetyofourpeople,especiallythechildrenwasofgreatconcern."Sh esaidslow lyasshelookedaroundthegroup.

"Ourfatherw asfigh ting inthew arandourm otherwasanurseanddidn 'tw a n tustogetcaughtup inawar,soinordertokeepussafe,w eweresenttostayw ithaprofessorandhism e anhousekeeperinthecountryside."Susansaidasshereceivedsm a llsm ilesfrom thegroupastheylistenedattentivelytoherstory."LucywasthefirsttodiscoverNarnia.W ewereplayingag am eofhideandseekandshew e n ttohide inaw ardrobeand literallyw alkedintoNarnia,whereshem etafaun n am e d ,M r.T um nus."Scedtheconfusedlooksontheir."Afaunishalfh um a nandhalfgoat!"Sheaddedqu icklyaslooksofaw espreadacrosstheirfaces.

"M r.T u m n u stoldLucyallaboutNarniaand itsevilrulerJadis,thew hitew itch.By thep o w e rofthew hitew itch,Narniahadbeenliving throughaw interforthelasthundredyearsandthew hite w itchw a n tedanyh um a nthatwasdiscovered inNarniatobekilled.M r.T u m n u sw asgo ingtohandLucyovertothew hitew itchbutthen helped hertoescapebacktoourworld.B utnotim ehad passedinourworld,sow h e nLucyfirsttoldusaboutNarnia,w edidn'tbe lieveher.W ethoughtshewasjustm a king itupbecauseitjustw a s n 'tlog icalthatam a g icalworldcouldexistinaw ardrobe.The secondtim eLucyw e n tintoNarnia,m ybrotherE d m u n dhad follo w e dher.W hileshew e n tofftoseeM r.T u m n u s.E d m u ndhadm etthew hitew itchandatthetim edidn 'tknow anything aboutNarniaortheevilqueenexceptthatitexisted.She convincedE d m u n derpalaceandprom isedtom a kem ekingofNarnia."Susanhesitatedforam o m e n tassheb o w e dherheadtolookattheground.

"Sadly,E d m u n dbelievedher.Atthetim e,becauseofthew arE d m u ndw a s n 'tinaverygoodplace.E d m u ndandLucysoonenoughreturnedtoourworldandspokenow ordofNarnia".Susansaidasshefinallyliftedherheadtolookbackatthegroup,w howerestillstaringinaw ebythestory."Afew dayslater,w ewereplaying w h e naballw e n tthroughaw indow andbrokeso m e thing.O utoffearofgetting intotrouble,w eranandE d m u ndsuggestedhiding inthew ardrobeandw eco m p lied.Tarniaandofcoursew efeltabsolutelyterribleaboutnotbe lieving Lucy.Sotom a keupituptoher,w edecide togoandseeM r.T um n u sonLucy'request.However,w h e nw egottohishouse,ithad beenraide d .H ehad beenarrestedbythew hitew itch'ssecretpolice o rguardifyouw ill."

"Hehadbeenarrestedforkno w ing aboutLucyandnotreportinghertothew hitew itch.O utofgu iltandw orry,w edecided totryand helphim .W h enw ew alkedoutofhishouse,w em etabeaverandgo tquiteascarew h e nw erealizedhecouldtalk.W ehadnoideaaboutthetalkinganim als,bu titse e m e dtheywerequ iteco m m o ninNarnia."Susansaidasshelookedaroundthefello w s h ipandnoticedtheirm o uthswerehangingw ide open,evenG a nda lf's.Susansm iled.

"W efollo w e dM r.Beavertohisdam and m ethisw ifeandtheytookusinandservedusabitofdinnerastheytoldusaboutw h a thappenedtoM r.T u m n u sandthen aboutA slanandtheprophecy."Susansm iledatthem e m o ryasshetoldthem abouttheprophecy:

"Therew illco m etw osonsofAda m andtw odaughtersofEve,


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Theyw illsitonthethronesofC airParavel,

An dthen thiseviltim ew illb e co m eundone."

The m e m b e rsofthefello w s h iplookedatSusanaslightconfusedasSusanexplaine d ."Theprophecyforetoldthattw osonsofA d am ,PeterandE d m u n dandtw odaughtersofEve,Lucyand Iw o u ldco m eand defeatthew hitew itchandreturnpeacetoNarnia.""W hoareAda m andEve?An dw h a tisCairParavel?"Sa m askedshylyasSusansm iledathim ."That'sjustaw ayofdescribingh u m a n s.Ada m ism a leandEveisfe m a le.C airParavelisourpalace"Susansm iledthefello w s h ip

The fello w s h ipnoddedasSusancontinuedthestory."Itw asthen thatE d m u n dhadlefttoseethew hitew itch.W estilldidnotknow abouttheirm e eting,butbythetim ew ediditwastoolate.W h enE d m u ndarrivedatherpalace,sherevealedhertruenaturetohim andplacedhim intoaprisoncell,nexttoM r.T u m n u s.Soonenoughhersecretpoliceca m eafterus,butw em a n ag e dtoelud eth em ."Susancouldseethehobbitssign ing inreliefasshegavethem asm a llsm ile.

"Atone point,w ethoughtshehadcaughtusbutitturnedouttobeFatherChristm a sw h ogaveuspresents.H egavePeterhissw ordthatw o u ldneverrustordullw iththeinscriptiononm ybladesaying 'W h enAslanshakeshism a ne ,w interm e etsitsdeath'andhisshield.H egaveLucyhercordialanddagger.O nedropofhercordialanditw illhealanyw o u n d .H ealsogavem em ybo w andm yhornandm ym ag icalquiverthatnevere m p tiesandsaidaslongasItrustinm yb o w ,Iw illneverm issandm yom atterwhereIw a s ,helpw o u ldalw a ysco m e ."Susansaidasshepointed toherweaponsandhornasLegolasstaredatherw ithad m irationinhiseyesasabsentlyranhisfingersalong hisbow,bu tquicklyfeltatw ing eofjealousyashesaw thes am elookinBo ro m ir'seyesashishandlied onhishorn.

"Now w ithAslan'sreturnthew hitew itch'sp o w e rbegantow e a ke nsothereforesu m m e rw asreturning.W eonlyhadtocrossarivertom a keittoA slan'sca m pbu ttom a kem attersw orse,hersecretpo licehadcaughtupw ithusandsincesu m m e rw asreturning theriverw a s s w iftlym elting .AsSusancontinued totellherstoryafew sm irksofunderstandingplayedonthefacesoftheotherm e m b e rsofthea ud ience.

"Theyhad cutoffourpathandnoneofushadanyexperiencew ithdefendingourselves,sow ewereco m p letelyhelpless.Bu titse e m e dluckwasonourside ,w em a na g e dtousetheicetoouradvantag eandfloatedd o w ntheriveronasm a llglacierasthew aterfalleruptedthroughthem elting ice."

"Oncew em ad eittotheriverbank,w enoticedthatLucywasgone,"Susancontinuedasshenoticedthedreadlooksontheho bb its'faces."Butsheeventuallyfoundus."ThetensehobbitsrelaxedasSusancarriedonsharinghertale.

"Shortlyafter,w em a deittoAslan'sca m p .W etoldhim offE d m u n dand heagreedtohelpus.W hileLucyand Iwerenearariver,M augrim theleaderofthew itch'spoliceand oneotherw olfhadso m e ho wsurvived theriverandsnuckuponusandtriedtoattackus.Im a n ag e dtogetto w a rd sm yhornandblow itbeforeLucyandIretreatedtothesafetyofanearbytree.ThankfullyPeterhearditandracedtofindus,w ithAslanandafew m e m be rso f thearm y.Peterkilled Ma ugr im andAslansenttheothersafterthedw olftofindE d m u n dasAslanknigh tedhim SirPeterw olf'sbane,knigh tofNarnia."Susansaidasshesm iledatthem e m o ry .

"OnceOreious,Aslan'ssecondinco m m a ndandtherestofsoldiersfreedE d m u nd .Itw asthen thatw edecided tostayandhelpfightsow ew e n ttotrain.W ehadbeentraining foraw hilew h e nw ereceived w ordthatthew hitew itchw asco m ing intotheca m pafterrequestingana ud iencew ithAslan,w hichhegranted.Sh eca m etod e m a n dE d m u n d 'sblood forbeing atraitor,accordingtoNarnianlaw ,butAslanrefusedherandagreedtotalktoherinprivate.Afterw h a tfeltlikeaneternity,sheleftandAslanannoshehadrenounced herclaim onE d m u n d 'slife.Laterthatnight,Lucyhad noticedAslanw alking pastourtent.Sh ea w o kem eandw edecide dtosecretlyfollow Aslan,bu tw edidn 'tre m a insecretforlong.H ew elco m e dourco m p a nyatfirst,bu tthensaidthatheneededtocontinue onbyhim se lf.B utw edidn 'tgobacktoca m p ,w ew atdfrom adistanceashem ad ehisw aytothestone tablewherethew hitew itchand herso m eofherfollowerswerew aiting ."Susanstoppedand lookedtolookattherestofthefello w s h ipastheyallgaveasilentnodforhertocontinue.

"W ew atchedasthew hitew itchkilled Aslan!"Them e m b e rsofthefello w s h iplookedshockedandconfusedatthes am etim easSusancontinue d ."AslanhadtradedplaceswithE d m u n d ,inordertosavehislife.W esoonsentw ordtoPeterandE d m u ndofAslan'sdeaththroughthetreen ym p h s.W ehadstayedw ithAslanallnightand bym o rn ingandLucyand Igotuptoleaveand assoonasw eturnedourbacksthegroundshookasweheardaloud crack.W h enw eturnedarolf.TosayLucyandIconfused,w o u ldhavebeenanunderstate m e nt.Afew m o m e n tspassedasabrightligh tca m efrom thearchw ayabovethestone tableandAslanappeared."Susannoticedtheconfusedand looksaw espreadqu icklyacrosstheirfaces.

"Thedeepm ag icbroughthim backtolife.Youseeifaninnocentpersoniskilledonatraitor'sstand,thestone tab lew illcrackandevende a thitselfw illturnback."Susanexplained asthefello w s h ip'sfaceswerestillriddenw ithshock,butse e m e dtorelaxabitasshecontinuedthestory.

"W eracedtoJadis'palaceand freedherprisonersinclud ing M r.T um n u sbeforew eracedtohelpPeterinthebattlethathadalreadystarted."Susanfacefellsligh tlyasshecontinue d ."Unfortunately,inthecourseofba ttle,E d m u n dendedupfightingJadisandm a n ag e dtodestroyherw a n dbutw asm o rtallyw o unde d .Peterwasf igh ting herasw earrived.Aslanthenkilled theJad isandLucyusedhercordialtosaveE d m u ndandm a nyotherw o unde dsoldiers."Susansaidasshesm iledandcontinuedtolookatthep.

"Afterthebattle,ourcoronationtookplaceatCa irParavelasAslann am e dustheKingsandQue e nsofNarnia.Peterw asn am e dH ighKingPetertheM a g n ificent.Iw a sn a m e dH ighQue e nSusantheG e n tle,andE d m u n dandLucyweren am e dKingE d m u ndtheJustandQue e nLucytheVa liant,"Susansaidasconcludedhertale.H era ud iencesatinsilenceandstaredather."Thattrulyisagreattale!M ygentlequeen!"Legolassaidashesm iledatSusan,w hichSusanreturned.

Cha pter4:TheM inesofMoria

AfterhearingSusanstalethegroupslow lydispersed.FrodoandSam re m a ined sitting ontheflatrocksw hileBo ro m irre su m e dteachingM erryand Pipp inhow tofightasAragornw atched.SusanandLegolasstartedtow a nde raroundtheoutcroppingasGim liandG a nda lfspokeonlyafew feeta w a y.

Legolasw a s am a ze dbySusan."Youaretrulya m a zing !"H esaidbeforehecouldstophim se lf.Susanlookedathim andsm iled."Hardly,Ithinkyou'retheone that'sa m a zing.Arwentoldm eofalltheenhanceabilitieselveshaveandtheirlong lives."Susansaidasshecontinuedtosm ileathim ,butLegolasfeltsadbythem e ntionofhislong life,thatonlyre m indedhim thathew o u ldoutliveher.

SusanandLegolasw erelaughingastheyexchanged storiesandlearningm o reandm o reabouteachotherastheycontinuedtow alkabouttheoutcropping."W h a t'sthat?"Susansaidasherattention wasdivertedtoastrangelookingcloudonthehorizon."Nothing.It'sjustaw ispofclo ud ,"G im lisaid,dism issingitw ithaw a v eofhishand."It'sm o v ing fast ag ainstthew ind ,"Borom irsaidsternly."Crebain!From D un land!"Legolassuddenlyannounced."H ide !"Aragornshouted .

Everyone startedtom o ve .Supp liesw erehidde nbeneaththerocks;theca m p f irew asextinguishedaseveryonedoveunders om esortofcover.SuddenlySusanfoundherselfunderthecoverofabushw ithLegolasontopofher,hiseyesstaringintoher.

Legolascouldfeeltheriseand fallofherchestashestaredintoherbeautifuldarkbrowneyes;hew a n tednothingm o rethan tohavehislipsa ga insthers.SusanfeltasifherhearthadstoppedasshegotlostintoLegolas'deepblueeyes;shehadneverfeltanattraction likethisbe fore,noteventoCaspian.

LegolasandSusanneverbrokeeyecontactuntilacloud ofbirdsdescendedontheirc am ps ite.Onc ethebirdspassedand everyoneca m eoutoftheirhidingplaces."SpiesofSarum an,"G a nda lfsaidindisgust."Thepassagesouthisbeingw atched.W em u sttakethePassofCaradhras."H esaidasheturnedtolookatthesnowcappedm o un tainpeak.

The fello w s h ipw asclim bing overthefreezing ,snow coveredm o un tain.SusanandLegolasw alkedsidebyside ."Areyou w ellyourhighness?"Legolasaskedashisvoicedwaslacedw ithconcern."I'm alrigh t.Bu tIw ishyouw o u ldcallm eSusan."Sheansweredasshelookedathim .Legola ss m iled ."Susan!"Susansm iledbackasshefeltherheartjum pinherchest,shelovedthew ayhern am esoundedonhislips.

The tw o'seyesthenconnected ,notdaringtopartasLegolasabsentlym o ve dclosertoSusanashisfacewasonlyafew inchesapart,w aiting forhertoclosethedistance.Susanbegantom o vecloser,butitw asonlythen w h e ntheyheardFrodogaspthattheylookeda w a y.Ininstant,bothturnedreaching fortheirbo w astheynoticedthepoorho bb ithadsim plyfallen.

Fartherupthem o un tain,thesnow wasgettingdeeperandthehigherastheyclim b ed ,ittookgreaterdealofenergythan beforetotaking one stepafteranother.O nlyLegolasseem edtobetheonlyone notstruggling .Itprobablyhadso m e thing todow iththefactthathew asactuallyw alkingeffortlesslyabovethesnow insteadofthroughit.

Legolashadm o ve dfurtheruptothefrontofthegrouptoscoutasSusanthoughtoftheirencounterafew hoursago.Susanclosedhereyesatthethoughtofhim .Sh ew a n tednothingm o retofinishw h a ttheystarted,butthat'snotwhereherheadshouldbeat.Frod oc om e sf irst!She thoughttoherselfasshem e ntallyscolde dherself.

"Susan?"Asm a llvoiceinquired.Susanlookedd o w ntoseeM erryandPipp inlooking upatherw ithtiredeye.Shegaveasm a llsm ile."Yes?""Areyoualright?"M errysaidashisvoicedfilledw ithconcern."I'm finethankyou.Areyoutw oalrigh t?"Susansaidasshecontinuedtosm ileattheho bb its.

Susanw atchedastheho bb itsnoddedbeforeclinginguntoeachotherforsupportasthey shiveredasthew indkickedup,ruffling theirthincloaksastheyhikedfurtherupthem o un tain.O nlyam o m e n thad passed,be foreAragonfellintostepw ithSusan."Youfearthattheyw illnotm a keit.They'llbealright."Aragornreassuredherashefollo w e dSusan'sgazeandsm iledsligh tlyasSusangavehim asm a llnoddedbeforeturning herattentionbacktotheho bb its.

The fello w s h ipcontinuedontheirjourneyupthem o un tainastheyencounteredasnow storm thats ee m e dtobem o sttreacherous.Legolashadm a d ehiswaybacktoSusanandca m ed o w nfrom abovethesnow and keptafirm arm onherw aist,trying tohelpherpullherfeetthroughthesnow thatonlyse e m e dtogethighe rand thickerw itheverystep.G a nda lfledthew ayusinghisstafftom a keapathasBo ro m irheldM erryand Pipp inineitherarm asFrodoand Sam werecrowfth em .

"Thereisafoulvoiceontheair."Legolassaidashecontinuedtoholdafirm handaroundSusan."ItisSarum an!"G a nda lfshoutedfrom up aheadandthenallofsuddenafew rockfrom abovefellbeforeus,m issingusbyonlyafew feet."Heistrying tobringd o w nthem o un tain!G a nda lfw em u sttrackback!"Ara go nshoutedabovethestorm totherestofthefello w s h ip."No!"Gandalfyelled.Stubbornoldm a n .Susanthought.

Inaninstant,athunderbolthitanoverhanging sectionofthem o un tainrigh taboveth em ,causing thesnow banktoexplo de ,causinganavalancheonthem o un tainside .The fello w s h iptriedtotakew h a tlittlecoverastheycouldunderthem o un tainledgeasthem o un tainside fellsilent.

Susandidnotknow how longshew asunderthesnow butsheknew shehadtoescapeit.Theairinherentirebodys ee m e dfrozen.Assuddenlyasithappened,Susanfeltherselfliftedupfrom thesnow andintotheopenair.Susangaspedasshefeltairfillherfrozenlungs."Susan,areyoualright?"Legolasaskedashetoogaspedforair,bu tstillkeepingasecurearm aroundher.Susannoddedaswatchedtheheadsoftherestofthefello w s h ippo pp ingup outofthes no w ;SusansighedasshecaughtsightFrodo.

"Gandalf!W em u stge toffthem o un tain!"Borom ircalled from behind LegolasandSusan."Thisw illbethedeathofthelittleones!"Susanw atchedG a nda lfashes ee m e dtobedebating w h e therornottoturnback.Finally,G a nda lflookedupandlookeddirectlyatFrodo.

"W eshalllettheringbearerdecide ."Thefello w s h ipturnedtolookatFrodow how ithlittlehesitationannounced hisanswer."W egothroughthem inesofMoria."Thejourneyd o w nthem o un tainwasjustasunpleasantasgoingup.Onc etothebo ttom ofthem o un tain,itwasanotherfew foursuntiltheyreachedtheentrancetothem ine.


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G a nda lffeltalongtheedgeoftheravine untilheca m etow h a thew aslooking for."Thisisit."H eannouncedtotherestofthefello w s h ip.Atthatverym om entthecloudsintheskypartedandallo w e dthem o ontoshinethrough.Thelightraysfrom them o onreflectedoffoftherockandrevealedabeautifularchwayw ithw h a tlookedlikeelvenvine designsandabovethedoorwayw asaninscription inw h a tlookedlikeelvish,butSusanwasnotsure.

"W h a tdoesitsay,G a nda lf?"Sam askedasSusanplacedahandontherockdoorandtracedalongthevinedesign thatw ascarvedintoitasitglo w e dblueinthem o on light.

"ThedoorsofDurin,LordofMoria.Speak,friend,and enter."G a nda lfinterrupted ."It'squitesim plereally.Ifyouareafriend,youjustneedtosaythepasswordandenter."Gandalftookastepbackfrom theravine andputhisstaffuptothedoorsand spokeasim plewordinab oo m ing voice.Thefello w s h ipw aitedanxiouslybu tthedoorre m a inedclosed.G a nda lfclearedhisthroatandtriedoncem o re ;yetagain,nothing happened.

Susanjustshookherheadandturneda w a ytolookoutattheblacklakethatstretchoutnexttothem o un tainasshelistenedtothesoundofM erryandPipp intossingstonesintothelake,causingripp lestoappearonthew ater'ssurface."Don'tw orry.I'm sureG a nda lfw illfigureitoutandw ew illbeonourw a y ."Legolassaidfrom nexttoher.Susanturnedtolookathim ."Ihopeyourrigh t!"Sh esaidbeforeasilencefellupo nthefello w s h ip.

"W h a tistheelvishw ordforfriend?"Frodosaidashisvoicesuddenlyeruptedthesilencethatwaspresenta m o ngthefello w s h ip." Me llon..."Gandalfstated.An dassoonasthew ordlefthism o uththestonedoorbegantocreekand opened,revealingadarkcavernw ithin.

W ithinseconds,thefello w s h ipenteredthecavernastheydrew theirw e a po ns ,allexceptthehobbits.SusanandLegolasbo thhad anarrow notched intotheirbow andhelditatthereadyasthehobbitsstoodbehind them w ithaterrifiedexpressionontheirfaces.

"M ycousinw illgiveusthem o stroyalofw elc om e s !"G im lishoutedasthem ad etherew aydeeperintothedarkness.G im licontinuedtospeakofthem arvelsthata w a itedthefello w s h ipuponm e etingotherofhiskinasSusanb e ca m everytense,therew a sso m e thing verywronghere,theairw aslacedw ithdespair,paina n d d e ath.

Allofasuddenthecavew asfilledw ithablind ing w hiteligh tthatca m efrom G a nda lf'sstaffasheputacrystal-likeobjectontothetopofhiswoodenstaff.Assoonasitb e ca m eclearenoughforthem tosee,gaspseruptedfrom theentirefello w s h ipastheysaw thescatteredskeletonsofdwarvesthathadbeenbrutallykilledandlefttorotonthecavernfloor.

"Thisisn'tam ine.It'satom b !"Borom irsaidasthehobbitsbegantobackoutofthem o un tainastherestofthefello w s h ipfollo w e dslow lybehind th em ."W em a kefortheG apofRohan.W eshouldneverhaveco m ehere."Borom irstatedfirm ly.

Suddenly,andw ithoutwarning ,Frodoscream ed.Susanand therestoffello w s h ipturnedand saw thesm a llhobbitbeingdragged backw ardsintothew aterbyw h a tlookedlikeanoctopustentaclearoundhisankle.W ithouthesitation,Susanshotheralreadynotchedarrow asitplungeditdeepintothetentacle."Frodohangon!"Susancalleduptoaterrifiedlookinghobbit.Asthefaceofthebeastthene m e rge dfrom thew aterw ithacryinpain.Susangaspedatthesightofthecreature.Itw a s ,infact,anoctopus-likeanim albutithadonlyone eyeandthreerow sofrazorsharpteeththatwerereadytodevourFrodo.

Susannotchedanotherarrow asshesaw thatFrodowasdanglingnearthecreature'sm o uth.Susanaim edforthecreature'seyeasshereleasedthearrow asLegolas'arrow hittheexactsa m espotand thecreatureletoutanothercryinpain.

AllofasuddenatentaclewrappedaroundSusan'sankleandpulledherintotheairandsla m m e dheragainstthem o un tainw allbeforereleasingher."Susan!"Thefello w s h ipcalledasSusanfelltothegroundbeneathher.

Afew m o m e n tspassedbe foreSusanfeltafirm arm w raparoundherw aistandpulledherupandrestedherheadagainsthisknee.Susanopenedhereyesandsaw thatshewasbeingcradledinBo ro m ir'sa rm s .

"Intothem ine!"Gandalfcalled tofello w s h ip.Susanim m e d iatelygatheredherselfanddidasinstructedandw ithallhast.Assoonafterallofthefello w s h ipreachedthecavern,them o n ster'slargetentaclescollapsedtheentranceintothem o un tainsideand plungedthefello w s h ipintoutterdarkness.

Therew asnosoundforafew m o m e n tsasSusancouldfeelBo ro m ir'spresencenexttoherasG a nda lfreattachedthesm a llcrystaltohisstaffasitreproducethelight.SusanturnedtolookatBo ro m irasshenoticedhewassta nd ing alittletoocloseforco m f ort."Thankyou."ShesaidasBorom irsm iled."You'rew elco m e ."Borom irsaidashecontinuedtosm ileattheyoungqueen.

The exchanged didnotgounnoticedtoLegolas.Legolasfelthisangerrisingashesaw thew ayBo ro m irlookedatSusan.H ewasalm o statte m p tedtoshoothim righ thereandn o w .

Susanturnedherattentiona w a yfrom B o ro m irasshequ icklyscannedthecavern toseeifshecouldfindFrodo.Aw a v eofreliefw a s he dthroughherasshespottedSam andtherestofthehobbitshovering overthedrenchedringbearer.FrodoandSusanlockedeyesforam o m e n tashesm iledasm uchashewascapableofinhisweakenstateasSusandidthes am e .

"Its ee m sw e havenochoicebu ttoendurethedark,lifelessm inesofM oria."Gandalfsaidsoundingannoyed andw orriedallatthesa m etim e.

Cha pter5:TheD e a dCityofMoria

Afew hourshad passedsincethefello w s h iphadenteredtheoncegreatcityofMoriaand thedarknessinw hichnow laidpresentonlygotthickerandthickerasthew e n tdeeperanddeeperintothem ines."W eshallstophere."Gandalfsaidashesatonanearbyrocktocatchhisbreath."W hy?"Sam asked,G a nda lfsighedashelookedatthesm a llhobbit."BecauseS a m w iseG a m g eeIdonotknow w hichw aytogo !"Thew izardsaidclearlyirritated ."So,youhaveforgo ttenthew ay?"M erryaskedasGhobbits;astheythenretreatedbacktostand behind Susan.

The fello w s h ipsoondecidedtousethissetbackasaw ell-deservedbreakasthefourho bb itssatandate,acoupleoffeetfrom G a nda lf,w how a ss m o k ingapipeasstaredatthetw opassagew a ys ,one thatforkedtotheleft,anothertotherightthatstoodbeforehim .Bo ro m irandAragornwerehudd ledtogether,talking asLegolasandG im lisatoneithersideofSusan.

"SodoesNarniahavestrongw arriorslikem y se lfm ylady?"Gim liaskedproudly.Susanchuckledasshesaw Legolasrollhisbeautifulblueeyes."Infacttheydo.M ysister,Lucyhappenstobegreatfriendswithone."Shetoldhim ashefacelitup."SodoesNarniahaveanycreatures,likeonesfoundhereinM idd leEarth?"Legolasasked.

"No."SusanfeltherheartstopasshegazedintoLegolas'eyes."Butw ehavegriffins,parteagle,partlio n a lsothereareM inotaurs,halfbu ll,halfm anandcentaurs,halfm a n,halfhorseandfawnsandofcourseyouroccasionaltalkinganim al!"Legolas'eyeslitupasSusansm iled athim .

"W eshallcontinu eon."Gandalfannounced."He'sre m e m b e re d !"M erryexclaim e d ."No."Thew izardsaidstillclearlyirritated ."Theairislessfould o w nthispath...w h e nindoubtalwaysfollow yournose,Meriadoc."Gandalfsaidasheleanedheavilyonhisw alkingstickandstoodupandheadd o w noneofthepassagew ayastherestofthefello w s h ipfollo w e dhise xam ple.

"Som ylad yafteryou haddefeatedthew hitew itchyouca m etoM idd leEarth?"Sa m askedasheca m etow alkbesideher."N o b u tthat'salongstory."Susansaidasshegavetheho bb itasm a llsm ile."A w w tellu s p lease!"Pipp inpleaded.Susan'ss m ilegotw iderasshebegantherestofhertale.

Astheyw alkedfurtherintothem ines,thefello w s h iplistenedintentlytoSusan'stale.LegolaslookedatSusanw ithad m irationasshetoldthem aboutthegolden age,thetim eofherfirstrule.Shetrulyisa m a zing.Legolas'thoughttohim se lfina w e .Bu thisa d m irationquicklyturnedtojealouslyasSusantoldthem ofCaspian.Therestofthefello w s h ipse e m e dob livioustothew aySusanreactedtothesoundofhisna m e .B utLegolascouldtelland itm a dehim feelanew foundsenseofragew a s hthroughhim .

Afterafew long hours,thenarrow passagewaysuddenlyopeneduptorevealaspectacularhallofsorts.Itwassim plybeautiful,notlikeRivendell,butw ascertainlyinteresting lydesigne d .Co lu m n ssprangoutacrosstheflooreverytw e n tyfeetorso,holding theceiling upabovethem asthehalls ee m e dendlessinalldirections.

"W e lco m efrie nd s toDwarrowdelf."G im liannounced w ithasm ileasSusanlookedinaw eatthehall'sarchitectureashereyeslandononeblueeyedbeauty,Legolas.H iseyesm e ethersasBorom irca m etostandbeside Susan."Areyoualrigh tm ylady?"Bo ro m iraskedSusanashereyesleftLegolas'."Fine thankyou."Shesaidw ithaforcedsm a llsm ile.

G a nda lfsoonpressedthem tocontinue on;andtheyob ligedastheyw alked throughtheneverendinghall.G a nda lfw alkedaheadasG im liandthehobbitsfollo w e dbehindw ithSusanandB orom irandLegolasandAragonattherear.

The exchangebetw e e nLegolasandSusandidnotgoun-noticetoBo ro m ir.W h atdoesthatelfthinkheisdoin g sh edeservesbette r s hedeservestobew ithherow nkin d sh edeservesm e.Bo ro m irthoughtangrilyashew alked besideSusanob livioustoLegolas'deathglareathim .Iw illnotlethim haveh e r Ihavespent2,96 8trying tofindhe r a ndIw o n 'tlethim takehera w ay Iw illhaveherheart a ss heha sm ine.Legolasthoughtasthefello w s h ipcontinuedon.

Afew m o m e n tspassedbe forethefello w s h ipnoticedalightco m ing from aroom up ahead,co m ing from s o m e w he rehighaboveth em .Susan'sbreathcaughtinherchestasGim licriedoutingriefandinangerasheranintoroom w ithatom binthem idd le.G im likneltd o w natthefootofthesarcophagusandlethisheadfallagainstthecoldm arbleashesobbed.

"HereliesBalin,LordofM oria...heisdeadthen."G a nda lfsaidsadlyasSusanfeltherheartsink.Shefelttearsso m etohereyesasshefeltso m e o new hograbholdofherhandandw a v eofloveandco m f ortwashthroughher,sheturnedtolookbeside hertofind thesourceofhersecurity Legolas.

She gavehim asm a llsm ile,w hichwasreturnedasshetookastepforwardtoG im liasLegolasreluctantlyreleasedherhand.Susanplacedherhandonthedwarf 'sshoulder,althoughsheknew thatG im liw o u ldnotliketobeseenasweak,butits ee m e dnow w asexceptionasheraisedhishandtohisshoulde randgrabbedholdofherhandandheldontightly.

Susanlookedup from thegrievingdwarf asGandalfspoke."Theyhavetakenthehallandthew e s tgate..."Theoldw izardsaidasheflippe dthroughso m ethedrypages,untilheca m etothelastw ritten recordandsigheddeeplyashebegantoread."Theyareco m ing theyareco m ing theyarehere."Susanfoughtthetearsinhereyesasshetigh tenedhergriponG im li,oblivioustoPipp in'scuriouseye.

Pipp in'ssm a llfingersgrazedthefeatheredendofthearrow ,causingthedecayedbodytoshakeand theheadtofallbackw ardsintothew ell.The restofthefello w s h ip'sallturnedtheirattention tothes m a llhobbitastheylistenedtotheheadfalld o w nthew ell.M a k ingloud clinksandclangsasitw e n td o w nandfatherd o w nthew ellastherestofthedecayedbo dyfollo w e dthehead'se xam pleshortlyafter.


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The fello w s h ipstoodthereinfearastheyweresoonleftinuttersilence,they knew thiswasbad.Iftherewereanyoftheanym orego b linsleftinthesedeadm ines,they w o u ldsurelyheardtheruckusandco m elooking ."FoolofaTook."Gandalfsaidclearlyangryasheadvancedonthesm a llho bb it."Nexttim ethrow yourselfinandsaveusallthetroubleofde a lingw ithyou."

SusannarrowedhereyestoPipp inandcaughthisgazeassheopenedherm o uthtoco m f ortthesm a llhobbit,shewashoweverthegentlequeen,bu tbeforethew ordscouldleaveherm o uth;anoiseirruptedintheto m b .

B O O M .

"Drum s..."Susanw hispered.

B O O M .

"W ehavec om pa ny "L ego lassaidasheturnedto w a rdsthedoorand therestofthefello w s h ipfollo w e d .

B O O M .

"Frodo!"Aragorn'scalledtothesm a llho bb it.

The restofthefello w s h iptolooktowardstheringbearerasheheldontoasw ordthatwasglow inganeeriebluecolor.Thisstrangew e a p o nthrew therestofthefello w s h ipintofullbattlereadym o de .Bo ro m irandAragornrantothedoorsandhurriedtoclosethem asanarrow flew righ tpastBo ro m ir'sheadand lodgeditselfintothedoorbehindhim .Bo ro m irjustlookedm o reannoyed than anything asheandAragonbarricadethedoor.

AragonandBo ro m irfinishedasscreechesandgrowlsbegantogrow from outsideofthedoor;follo w e dbypo und ingasthedecayingdoorsbegantocreak.Susanstood infrontofG im li,w howasthenstandingontopofhiscousin'ssarcophagus,axeinhand,growling."Letthem co m e ."H egrow led."Thereisstillonedwarf inM o riathatstilldrawsbreath."

LegolasandAragornca m etostand oneithersideofSusanastheyalltookouttheirbowsandnotchedanarrowinthestrings.Bo ro m irplacedhim se lfbesideLegolaswithhissw ordoutbyhissideasthehobbitswereplacedbe h indG a nda lf,eachequippe dw ithasm a llsword.Ano therpo und ingnoiseca m efrom thedoorand thefello w s h ipknew thetim eforbattlewasnearathandasthethreearcherspositionedth e m s elvesreadytofire.

The doorsvibrateda ga inasacrackappearedasthew o o dduetotheforcesplinteredasavile,blackfacecreatureappeared intheholeand instantlySusanandLegolasshotanarrow.Theirarrow sinstantlyhittheirtarge tatthesa m etim e.Sh esm iledtoherselfasshecaughtasm ilegraceLegolas'faceoutofthecornerofhereyebeforesheturnedhereyesbacktothee ne m yastheyw erecloserandclosertobreakingthroughthebarricade.

The threearchersshotafew m o reopponentseachbeforethegoblinsbrokethroughandtheblackcreaturespouredintothetom b .Aragornsw itchhisbow foralarges w o rdasheBo ro m irchargedforthegoblins.AsSusanandLegolasshotarrowafterarrow ,eachofw hichkilledthecreatureitwasintendedfor.

The fello w s h ipdispersedastheroom filledw ithm o reandm o reoftheire ne m iesuntiltheyweresurroundedbyth em .G im liwastangledw ithoneofthecreaturesasanothergoblinca m eup from behindand instantlySusantookhim out.Susanstrappedherbow backontoherbackbeforereplacing itw iththefigh tings w o rdsLordElrondhadgiven herassheengagedincloseco m b a t.

Agoblin,largerthanherinsizes w ungitsswordafterherasSusanskillfullyblockedandcounteredeachattackasshew aitedforhertim etostrike.W h enitfinallyca m eshestuckhim inthesto m a chasthegoblincriedoutinpainand felld o w ntohiskneesasSusanstruckhers w o rdstraightthroughitsjugularasitliedonthetom bfloordeadasecond later.

The m a rk sm a nqueenusedherskillsw iths w o rd,occasionallyw hiplashing herarrow stodistantopponentstocutherw aythroughthem assofblackcreaturesthatstoodbe tw e e nherand herco m p a nionsandvictory.

She wasrelievedtoseethatherLegolaswashandling hisow nm a rve lously;stillhaving thatcalm expressioneverpresentonhisface.The hobbitsalsose e m e dtobedoingw ellandshesaw Aragon,B o ro m irandG a nda lfkilling theiropponentsw ithease.O nebyone,thefello w s h ipkilledtheire ne m iesbyso m em iracleorso m estrangepower,se e m e dtohavedefeatm o stofthecreaturesinonlyseconds.

The fello w s h ipagainturnedtheirattentiontotheentranceastheyheardaterribleroarco m efrom inside thehall.Susanfeltaw a v eoffearasalargegraybeastca m estom p ingthroughthedoor,breakingthere m a inde rofitoffitshinges."Cavetroll!"Aragonyelled.

Suddenlyasw ords w ungnearSusanheadasshefelltothegroundtoblocktheattacktripp ingoveradeadbody.Susanquicklyrecoveredand lookedupandsaw alarge go b lintoweringoverher.She saw itssworddescendinguponherassherolledtotheside,justintim etoavoidtheim p a ctasshestruckoneofhersw ordsintoitsrigh tleg,bringinghim d o w ntothefloorasthem o n sterletoutacryinpain.

Susanim m e d iatelystoodupandsheskillfullyusedhersw ordsandsevereditsheadfrom itsbody.Susanlookedbackupatthechaosasallofthem o n sterslieddeadonthetom bfloorasthelargecavetrollnow onlyre m a ine d .Susansaw aflashofblondhairinherperipheralsandlookovertoanunharm edLegolasasheraisedhisbow andshotanarrow atthetroll'sneck.Thecreaturescream edinpainbeforedirecting itsattention toLegolas.

The cavetrollworeachainaroundhisneckthatusedasaw e a po nasits w ungthechainaboveitsheadbeforeletting itgolooseinLegolas'direction.Legolasgracefullyduckedoutofthew aybehindalargepillar.The chainlandedinthespotthathehadpreviouslyoccupiedw ithalargem etallicclang,leavinganindentinthestonefloorandrubleunderneath.

Susanplacedherswordsbackuntoherbackasshetookoutherbo w andnotchedanarrow intoherbo w beforetakingdeepbreathand aim edforhertargetandletloosethearrow .Inaninstantthearrow lodgeditselfintothetroll'seye,blindingthecreature.

The painofitalldistractedthebeast,givingLegolas,w hohadnow gonetohigherground,enoughtim etojum pontothetroll'sshoulders.H ew o b b ledforonlyam e retw osecondbeforegainingbalance onthefranticcreatureashesoonloadedtw oarrowsontothebo w andfiredthem rightintothetopofthetroll'shead.

The trollfellsilentasthedepthsofhisw o u n d stooktheirtoll.Justasthecavetrollwasabouttofall,Legolasju m p e dbackontothesolidgroundand landedinfrontofSusanandw atchedasthebeastcollapseddeadontothefloor.

Legolasthen turnedhisgazebacktoSusanandsm iled.Susanfelthercheeksblushabrigh tredasshesm iledback.Susan'ss m ilefadedasLegolas'faceb e ca m efulloffear.

"W h a tisit?"Susanasked."W em u stgetoutofhere."LegolassaidashelookedovertoherbeforehegrabbedholdofSusan'shand,creatingbu tterfliesinhersto m a chastheyheadedto w a rdstherestofthefello w s h ip.

Susanfeltherheartstopasshesaw Aragornleaningoverasm a llbodyafew feetinfrontofth em ."Frodo."Susanbreathed outhergriptightenedonLegolas'shandastheyca m etostandbehindAragon.Sam wasnow alsokneeling nexttoFrodo,w howasnow lying faced o w nonthefloor,co m p letelystill,w ithaspearsticking outofhisa b d om e n .

Susanputahandoverherm o uth,inastateofco m p leteshockasthetearstothreatentofallasLegolaswrapp edhisarm saroundSusanasasm a lltearescapedher.Aragornpu lledthespeargentlyoutofthesm a llhobbit.H esighedsadlyandhung hisheadingriefasheturnedtheho bb itontohissto m a ch .Thefello w s h ipgaspedastheynoticedhischestw a s m o ving.W ithinasecond,Frodoca m etogasping forairandtaking deep,heavybreathsashiseyesflutteredopen,s ho w ing hewasalm o stasthefello w s h ip.

"M r.Frodo?"Sam askedha pp ily."I'm alright."Frodosaidashenoddedandreassuredtherestofthefello w s h ip.Susanpu lledbackfrom Legolasem braceandlookedupathim andsaw thathisusuallycalm andgracefulfacewasf rozenina w e ."Thatspearw o u ldhaveskew eredaw ildboar."Aragornsaid,hisfacem irroringLegolas'andtherestofthefello w s h ip."Itlookslikethereism o retothisho bb itthan m e etstheeye."Gandalfsaidw ithakno w ing sm ileplayingacrosshisface.

Frodostaredathim foram o m e n tbefores om e things ee m e dtohaveregisteredinhisbrainasthesm a llhobbitlookedd o w nathisshirtina m a ze m e ntbeforeundoingafew buttonsatthetop,revealing abeautifulshirtthatlookedlikechainm ailonlytheselinkswereligh terincolorthatliedunderhisshirt.Sa m placedhishandsoverthechainm ailshirtandsm iled."M ithril."G im lisaidw ithagrow ingsm ile.Asm ilegracedSusanfaceasshere m e m be re dFrodom e ntion ing so m e thing aboutBilbo 'sgift.

Frodosoonstoodupandre-bu ttonhisshirtasSusanreluctantlyseparatedherselffrom Legolasandw e n tovertoFrodoandgavehim asm a llhug.A stheypu lled back,Susanopenedherm o uthtosays om e thingw h e nanoiseappearedthatcausedthem alltofreeze.

"Mo regoblinsareco m ing."Borom irsaidsounding irritatedw ithahintoffearlacedinhisvoice."Run!"Gandalfsim plyyelled .Itdidn'ttakethem longtorespond.Theyallbeganrunning outoftheroom and intotheoppositedirectionoftheapproachinge ne m y .

Susanrannexttotheho bb itsasthesoundofscratchingca m etoherearsandSusan'seyesshotuptoseethatm o reblackcreaturesw erefollow ing th e m .S om eonfoot,otherbyclim bingonthepillarsandtheceilingaboveth em .Inresponse,Susanqu icklygrabbedFrodo'shandw ithherfreeone andbeganrunning faster."Hurry!"Sheyelled totheho bb its.

Bu titw astoolatetooutrunth em ,insecondsthefello w s h ipweresurrounded.Thecreaturesw ereclim bing d o w nfrom theceiling and pillarstotrapthem oneitherside .Thefello w s h ipclu m p e dtogetherinatigh tcircle,trying toprotecteachother'sbacks.Susantriedtothinkchancesofvictoryw ithoutanycasualties,bu tsheknew therewasnone,therew asjusttoom a ny .


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Frodohad letgoofherhandand wasnow standingclosetoSam asLegolastookholdofSusan'snow freehand.Susanturnedtolookathim and lookhim deepintheeyeforabriefm o m e n t,seeing loveand regretinhiseyes,beforelookingbackatpossiblytheirdeath.Cha pter6:Ba lrog

Theyweresurroundedbyorcsthatlickedtheirlipsandhissed.Susanw hostoodnexttoLegolaswasnow holdingherknivesw aiting.Everyone elsealsohadtheirw e a po nsoutastheyw aited forthee ne m ytom a ketheirm o ve .

"There'stoom a ny ."Borom irsaid,beforetheyallheardalow ru m b lingsoundstartalongw itharoar.The orcsscream edand retreatedinfear.G im licheeredlikeitw asthem theyfeared.Bu teveryone elsew aslookingd o w nthem inestoafieryglow thatw asgrow ingbrigh terasitgotcloser.Everyonew assilentastheyw aitedandsoonenoughtheheardanotherroareruptthroughoutthem ines.

"Tothebridg eofKhazad-d m !"Gandalfordered.Susangripp ing herknivesaseveryoneranqu icklyoutoftheroom and follo w e dG a nda lf."W h a tisit?"Aragonasked,hisvoiceshaking sligh tly."ABa lrog."GandalfsaidandSusangasped.Legolas'facew hichw asnorm allycontrolledw asstrickeninfear.

"Ad em o noftheancientworld.Thisfoeisbeyondanyw e a p o nw ehereposse.Run!"G a nda lfsaidand noonehad tobetoldtw ice.Susanpu ta w a yherknives,kno w ingtheyw o u ldbeofnouseandranalongsideLegolasandAragonastheyallfollo w e dthew izard.

TheyranintoadoorandBo ro m iralm o stfelltohisdeathifLegolashadn'tcaughthim andpulledhim backtosafety.AragornstoppedatthedoorandturnedtoG a nda lfw howaslookingatthefireaswaseveryoneelse."Leadthem onAragorn.Thebridg eisnear."AragornhesitatedandlookedatG a nda lfquestionably."DoasIsay!S w o rdsareofnom o reusehere."G a nda lfyelled ashepushAragonfurther.

Theycontinuedd o w nm a nystepstowardsthebridg euntiltheyca m etoabiggap inthew a y.Legolasjum pfirstandthen turnedtotheothers w how erew aitingastheBa lroggotcloser."Gandalf!"Legolasshoutedasthew izardju m p e d ,tobecaughtbytheh a nd s om eblondelf.Thestepsundertherestofthem startedtocrackasBorom irgrabbedM erryandPipp inandjum pjustastheparthewassta nd ingongavew a y.

Asthefello w s h iptriedtogetacrosssafely,arrow sstartedco m ing from afaroffle dgeasso m eorcshadcaughtupw ithth em .LegolasandSusanshotoffarrow afterarrow killing theirtargets."Susan."Legolasyelled .She puta w a yherbow andgrabbedontoS am ."Holdontight."shetoldhim andhelatchedontoherw aist.Sh ejum pasfarasshecouldw iththeextraw eigh tandLegolascaughtthem bo thastheylanded.

AragornturnedtotossGim libuthestoppedhim ."Nobodytossesthedwarf ."heyelled beforele a p ing overthegap.H edidn 'tm a keitandLegolashadtoreachoutandgrabhisbeardtosavehim ."Notthebeard."heyelledasLegolaspulledhim up,untilhew assafelyonthestairs.

Be foreA ragornandFrodocouldjum pthestairsgavew ayso m em o reandbrokeoffforcingthem tojum pbacktoanothersetfurtherawayfrom th em ."Ohno."Susangaspedastheyw atchtheotherAragonandFrodoastheyrockedbackand forthtrying tohangonandm a keacrossthegapsafely.

AbigchunkhitthestairsbehindFrod oandAragornleaving them standing onasm a llpieceofconcretethatstarteds w a y ing."Hangon!..lean forw ard."AragorntoldFrodo.

FinallyA ragornandFrodom ad eitoverand everyoneturnedtorund o w nthestairsand acrossthebridge.Soonenough,everyoneturnedtow atchasahuge,black,horned,fired e m o nm ad eit'sself-kno w nandstoodbe foreG a nda lfonthebridge .

"Gandalf."Susanand Frodoyelledinunison.Theybothm o ve dforwardtohelptheoldw izard,bu tw asstopped.Bo ro m irgrabbed Frodo,w hileLegolasgrabbedholdontoSusanandwrappedbo tharm saroundherw aisttokeepherinplace.

"Gandalf."Sheand Frodoyelled."Youshallnotpass!"GandalfsaidtotheBalrog."Iam aservantoftheSecretFire,w ielde roftheflam eofAnor!Thedarkfirew illnotavailyou,flam eofUdun!G obacktotheShadow from onceyouca m e !"Gandalfchantedandabrigh tw hiteligh tfo rm e dasaballofprotection surroundedhim astheBa lrogtriedtohithim w ithasword.

"YOUS H A L LNO TP ASS!"G a nda lfexclaim edashesla m m e dhisstaffonthebridg ecausing ittobreakandthed e m o ntofalltodarkshadowsbeneath.G a nda lfsighedbeforeturning tojointheothersbutbe forehecouldtakeastepalargew hipca m eupfrom below and wrappeditselfaroundhisfoot.H edroppedbothhisstaffands w o rdashew aspulledoffthebridgeandheldtotheedge.

"Gandalf N o!"FrodoandSusanyelled,tearspouringouttheireyes.SusanstruggledtogetoutofLegolas'griptohelpbu thewastoostrong.Everyone lookedatG a nda lfforam o m e n t,beforehespoke."Run,youfools."H esaidbeforelettinggoandfalling tohisdeath.

"No!"FrodocriedasBorom irpickedhim up andbegantocarryhim from them ines.Orcsbegantofirearrowsonthegroup againasLegolasdraggedSusanout,andeveryonem a d etheirw ayoutofthem ineandontoalargerockintheopen.Aragornwasthelasttoco m eout.

B o ro m irputFrodod o w nw how alkedoffashegrabbedholdofanangryG im liw how astrying toge tbackintothem ines.Sam satd o w nandpu thisfaceinhishandsandcried.M erryandPippinhelduntoeachotherasthey criedtogether.

LegolasfinallyletgoofSusanassheburiedherfaceinhischestand cried.H estoodtherew ithasaddenedfaceashiseyeswateredw ithunshedtearsashewrappedhisarm saroundherandheldhertigh t,w hisperinginherear.

Aragorntookchargequ icklyaseveryoneelsegrievedabouttheirdearfriend."Legolasge tthem up ,"Aragorncalledashesheathedhissword.Legolaspulleda w a yfrom Susanw hohadstoppedcryingandw asonlyholdingontoLegolas,notw a n ting toletgo.H ew ipe dherfacew ithhishandsandkissedherforeheadbe forew alkingovertotheH o b b its.

"Givethem am o m e n tforpity'ssake!"Borom iryelledhisow ngriefclearinhisvoice."Bynigh tfallthesehillsw illbes w a rm ingw ithorcs.W em u streachthewoodsofLothlorien.Legolas,getthem up."Aragornsaidashew alkedovertoSam andpu lledhim up.

"On yourfeet."Sam noddedhisheadsadlyandA ragornqu icklysearched forFrodo,w h e nhedidn 'tseehim ,heb e ca m eala rm e d ."Frodo!Frodo!"H eturnedaroundandsaw Frodostaringoverthecliffs.Frodolookedathim w ithablankface;eyesfulloftearsbeforeturninghisgazebackagaintothecliffs,notinthem o odtotalktoanyone..

Susanw ipedherfaceand tookadeepbreathasshew alkedovertoFrodoand placedanarm onhisshoulderassheranside bysidew ithhim follow ing AragonastheyallraninsilenceuntiltheyreachedthebeautifulelfwoodsofLothlorien .Theystoppedrunning andslow lyw alkedin.

"Susan?"Legolassaidasheca m euptow alkbeside her.Sh elookedathim andw aited."Areyoualright?"Heask.He knew shew astrying tocontrolhere m o tionsandbestrongforFrod oandtheotherhobbits,buthehadtoknow thatshewasokay."N o W ehavejustlostagreatfriend andvaluablem e m b e rtothisfello w s h ip.Iknow w ecouldn 'thavedo neanything ,bu tthen w hydoIfeelsogu ilty."SusansaidsadlyinElvish.O nlyAragornunderstoodw h a tshew assayingbu teveryoneelsecouldtellw hw asfilledw ithpainandsorrow .

"Iknow itfeelsthatw ayBu tyou'rerightthereisnothingw ecouldhavedone."Legolastoldherasshenodded."Ijustw orryforFrodo.Ihaveseenhisheartsaddenedm o reand m o reeachdayasthatringre m a insaroundhisneck andnow w iththelossofhisdearfriend,Ifearforhissanity."Susansaidbeforeturning andw alkinga w a y.Legolaslookedatherforam o m e n tandw e n ttogoafterherbutAragornstoppedhim ."Notyetm yfriend.Yourtim ew illco m e .B utallow hertogrieveforn o w ."Aragorntoldhim .Legolaslookedathim andthen noddedastheyallm a d etheirw ayfurthertoLothlorien.

"Stayclose,youngH o b b its!Theysaythatagreatsorceresslivesinthesew o o ds ,anElf-witch,ofterriblepower.Allw holookuponher,fallunderherspellandareneverseenagain,"G im litoldthehobbits.

"W e llhereisoneD w a r f shew o n 'tensnaresoeasily.Ihavetheeyesofah a w kandtheearsofafox!"G im lisaidproudlyasSusanandeveryonestoppedsuddenlyw h e ntherewerefew dozenarrow spointedatth em .LegolasandSusanhadtheirsoutandpointed tothedifferentelfinfrontofthem w hileeveryoneelseraisedtheirhandsinsurrender.Cha pter7:LadyofThe W o od

"Oh."G im lisaidatthearrow inhisface."W e lco m em ygentlequeen.Ihavebeenw aiting foryou."Susanheardavoiceinherheadsayandshehadafeelingsheknew w hoitw a s ."Thedwarf breathessolo ud ,w ecouldhaveshothim inthedark."sarcasticallysaidbyatallblo ndehairedelfsteppingforward.

Susana ss um e dthiswastheM archw arde nofthew o o ds ,Arwenhad toldherallaboutLothlorien inhertim einRivendell."HaldirofLorien.W eco m ehereforhelp.W eneedyourprotection."A ragornsaidquicklyashetookcharge.H aldirlookedaroundateveryone quickly;w h e nhegottoSusanw hostoodnexttoLegolashestoppedandstaredather.Susanraisedaneyebrow tohim givingalookthataskedhim 'W h at?'andthenheim m e d iatelyadvertedhiseyestoLegolaswhowasopenlyglan

H aldirlookedbacktoA ragornandw asabouttoaddresshim asGim liinterruptedhim ."Aragorn!Thesew oodsareperilous.W eshouldgoback,"G im lihuffed ashelookedatthetipofthearrowpo intedathishead.H aldirlookedathim asheaddressedhim ."Youhaveenteredtherealm oftheLadyoftheW o od .Youcannotgoback."

H aldirthenturnedhisattentionbacktoAragonandstartedspeaking inElvish,untilofcourseG im lihadtoopenuphism o uthagain."Som u chforthelegendarycourtesyoftheElves!Speakw ordsw ecanallunderstand!"HaldirturnedtoglareattheD w a r f ."W ehavenothadde a lingsw ithDwarvessincethedarkdays."Haldirsneered.

"Andyouknow w h a tthisD w a r f saystothat?"G im lisaidand thencontinuedtosays om e thing inhisow nlanguagethatw asobviouslyaninsult,becauseH aldirandtheotherstensedandAragornturnedtoG im li."Thatw asnotsocourteous,"Aragornscolde dG im liandG im lijusthuffed .H aldirrolledhiseyesashesuddenlystiffened.W he nhefinallyrelaxedhelookaroundthegrouponcem o re ,untilhisgazelandedonSusan.

"HighQue e nSusanofNarnia.Youarem o stw elco m ehere."Haldirtoldherb o w inghishead,beforelooking to w a rdsFrodo."Youbringgreatevilw ithyou."Haldirsaid."C o m esheiswaiting."Haldirtoldeveryoneand turnedtoleadthem tothecity.

"CarasGaladhon...the heartofElvendom onearth.Re a lm oftheLordC elebornandofG aladriel,LadyofLigh t,"Haldirsaidastheyfinallysaw thebeautifulcity.Susanlookedoninaw eastheH o b b its'sgaspedatitsbeauty.


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Theywereleadupm a nystepsbe forefinallyco m ingtoastop.Am anandw o m a nelfglided d o w nthestairssurroundedbybrightlight.Severalofthefello w s h ipcouldn'tlookatthem forlong bu ttheothersb o w e dinrespectandw aited .

"Thee ne m ykno w syouhaveenteredhere.W h athopeyouhadinsecrecyisnow gone.Ten therearehere,yeteleventherewere,setoutfrom Rivendell.Tellm e,whereisGandalf?"Celebornaskedashescannedtheirfaces."ForIm u chdesiretospeakw ithhim ...Icannolongerseehim from afar."Galadriellethereyesrestoneachm em b erandsaw theresadness.Shesm iledatSusanbeforespeaking.

"GandalftheGreydidnotpasstheborde rsofthisland,"G aladrielsaidsoftly."Hehasfallenintos ha do w .""H ewastakenbybothShadow andFla m e :aBa lrogofMo r go th,"Legolassaid."Forw ew e n tneedlesslyintothenetofMoria."

"NeedlesswerenoneofthedeedsofG a nda lfinlife.W edonotyetknow hiswholepurpose.D onotletthegreatem p tinessofKhazad-d m fillyourheart,G im li,sonofG lin."Galadrielsaidtothedwarf w hohadb o w e dhisheadins ha m e .

"Fortheworldhasgrow nfullofperilandinalllands,loveisnow m ing ledw ithgrief."GaladrielcontinuedasshelookedatBo ro m irforqu iteso m etim eandhecouldn 'tlookatherashealm o stbroked o w nintears.

"W h a tnow becom esofthisFello w s h ip?W ithoutG a nda lf,hopeislost."Ce lebornsaid."Hopeisneverlost.Thequeststandsupo ntheedgeofaknife.Straybutalittleand itw illfailtotheruinofall."Galadrielsaidinasoftdre am yvoice."Buthopere m a insw hiletheco m p a n yistrue."GaladrielsaidasshelookedtowardS a m ."Donotletyourheartsbetroubled.G onow andrestforyouarewearyw ithsorrow andm u chtoil."

"Haldirw illshow you whereyoum ayrest M ydearqueenm ayIspeakw ithyouonceyou arerefreshed?"GaladrielsaidandSusanlookedatLegolasforabriefm om e ntbeforenodding .H aldirm otioned foreveryonetofollow ands ho w e dthem enandSusantoseparatetalonsthatthey couldw a s hin.

W he nSusanw asfinishedanddressedinabeautifulelfg o w n ,H aldirca m ebacktotheTalontoge ther."LadySusan!LadyG aladrielw o u ldliketoseeyou.Iam totakeyouthere."HaldirsaidasSusannodded.

Susanw alkedbesideH aldirinco m f ortablesilencetillhespoke."M yladyhow doyoufine m yh o m e ?"H aldirasked."It'sbeautifulH aldir."Susantoldhim ashesm iled ."PrinceLegolasseem sveryprotectiveofyou."Haldirsaidastheycontinuedtow alk."Yes,Isupposeheis."Susansaidnotgivinganyfurtherinfo rm a tion.

TheyreachedLadyG aladriel'scham bersandSusanthankedH aldirbeforesheentered."Ah,Susan.It'ssogoodtom e e tthegentlequeen,thegreatlionspokesofondlyof."Galadrielsaid toherasshehuggedSusan.Susanlooktakenbackatherstate m e ntforam om en t.

"It'sisapleasuretom e etyoutoo...tellm e y ouknow ofAslan?"Susanaskedher."Yesthegreatliontoldm eofyourarrival.You'redestined notonlytohaveahandinFrodo'sdestiny,butthatofafutureking's a ndeventhatofacertainelvinprince."GaladrielsaidasSusanblushedalittleatthem e ntionofLegolas.

"Hecaresdeeplyforyou."Galadrielcontinue d ."W e ll,LegolasandIhavegottenveryclosesincew em et butIdo n 'tknow ifIcan."SusansaidastheLadyofthew o o dsm iled."Don'tletyourpastcloseyourheart.Legolaswillnotrushthingsw ithyouand knowsthatyouarew orriedyouw illbehurtagain y ouneedtofaceyourfearssoyoudon'tm issoutonha pp iness.H ew illneverhurtyouandw illalw a ysloveyouw ithallofhisheart."GaladrieltoldherasSusangaveasm a llsm ileandnodded.

"Anddon'tw orryaboutthefuture.Ip ro m iseyoutw ow illneverbeparted."Galadrieltoldher." No w ,youhavehadalong andtryingdayandtheFello w s h ipisw orriedaboutyou.G ets om erestw ew illtalkm o rew hileyouarehere."Galadrielsaidbeforeshecalled forH aldirtotakeSusanbacktotheca m p .SusanhuggedG aladrieloncem o rebeforesheletH aldirleadherbacktoherfriends.

She w alkedw ithH aldirtotheca m pandshecouldhereeveryonetalkingastheygotreadyforbe d .The ElvesweresingforG a nda lfastheirvoicescarriedinthew ind ."Theirsingingisbeautiful."Sh eheardSa m say."It'sala m e ntforG a nda lf."Legolastoldthem softlyashecarriedw aterfrom thespring ."W h a tdothey sayabouthim ?"M erryaskedandLegolassighedthenlookedatM erry.

"Ihavenotthehearttotelly ou F orm ethegriefisstilltoonear."Legolassaidw ithsadnessinhisvoice.Theyca m euponthem bythistim eandeveryoneturnedtolookather.Sh ego tsm ilesfromjustabouteveryone asH aldirb o w e dtoherbeforeleaving.

SusanlookedatLegolasandsaw hiseyesnarrowedattheM archw arde n .Susanrolledhereyesathim beforegoing tositwhereherstuffw a s ,underthetreeasSam ca m etostand infrontofher."W o u ldyoulikeso m e thing toeatLadySusan?"Sam askedher.Susansm iledattheH alfing assheshookherhead.

"NothankyouS am .I'vealreadyhads om e thing ."shesaidandhenoddedand w e n tofftogositw iththeotherho bb itstoeat."How areyoufeelingSusan?"SusanheardAragornsay.Sh esm iledathim ."Iam w ellthankyou."Susansaidandhenodded.

"Ofcourse.Ijustw orryaboutyou.Youse e m e dupsetthelasttim eIs a w ."AragornsaidandSusansm iledather."YesIkno w ,bu tI'm bettern o w .I'm sorryforthew ayIacted.IjustthinkIshouldhavedoneso m e thing m o retosavehim ."Susantoldhim .

"Thenyou couldhavelostyourlifealso.G a nda lfw o u ldnothavew a n tedthat."Aragorntoldher."Buthislifew o u ldhavebe e nm o reim po rtantthan m inetothisfello w s h ip."Susantoldhim asshesaw LegolasstiffenandAragornshookhishead.

"That'snottrue.Youareveryim po rtanttothisFello w s h ip.Ifyouweretodiethereareseveralpeopleherethatw o u ldn 'tw a n ttocontinue onw ithoutyou."Aragorntoldher."ThankyouAragorn."Shetoldhim .H ekissedherheadbeforego ingovertotalktoBo ro m irw howassittingalone,sulking.

Susansighedandstoodupandw e n tforaw alk.Sh ejustneededtoclearherthoughts.Sh eendedupnearalakeandsatonalargerockandletherfeetda ng leinthecoolw aterasshesatthereinapeacefulsilenceforalong tim e."It'sverybeautifulhere,isitnot."Legolassaidfrom be h ind her.

Legolashadfollo w e dhershortlyaftershehad lefttheca m pandjuststoodbythetreesandw atchedher.Sh eturnedherheadtolookathim .H ewasabsolutelybeautifulinthem o on light.H ishairwaslongandshined inthem o on lightashispaleblueeyesseem edtw inklelikethestarsabove."Yes,itis.Joinm e."Susansaidpa ttingtherocknexttoher.H equicklysatnexttoherandlookedoutoverthew ater.

"Youlookbeautiful."Legolastoldherafteraw hile.Susanlookedathim and sm iled ."ThankyouLegolas.Youlookveryha ndso m e ."SusansaidasLegola ss m iledbrightlyather."Areyoustillupsetaboutw h a thappenedinthem ines."Legolasaskafteram o m e n tofsilence.

"S o m e w h a t,I'm justm adatm y se lfaboutw h a thappenedtoG a nda lf."Susansaidsadly.SuddenlySusanfeltsparksflyasLegolasreachedoverandtookherhandintohisandshelookedupandsaw him staring atherintently.

"Susan,noneofthatwasyourfault.Pleaseunderstand,therew asnothing youcoulddoandpleasetrytounderstand that,m yheartbreaksattheverythoughtoflosingyou."H etoldherasherbreathcaughtinherthroatathiswords."W h a tareyousayingLegolas?"Sheasked.Legolastookadeepbreathbe forerep lying .

"Iam saying thateversinceIsaw youinR ivendell,Ithoughtyouwerethem o stbeautiful,m o stcourageousw o m a nIhaveeverm etand Ihavefallen foryou.Iknow deepd o w ninm yheartthatyouarem yotherhalf.Ihavekeptthing sasjustfriendsbetw e e nusbecauseIdidn 'tw a n ttorushyouintoanything.Bu tSusan,Ilovey ou Iam deeplyinlovew ithy ou d oyoufeelasIdo?"Legolasasked.

Cha pter8:LeavingLothlorien

""Legola s I Y es ,Ido.Ijust.I'm afraid.I'm afraidthatm ytim einthisworldislim ited."Susansaid.

"Youm e anyoum ightleaveandreturntoNarnia?"Legolasaskedherand shenoddedbitingherlip."Susan,Iunderstandyourfearbu tyoucan'tletitholdyouba c k yo usaidyourselfyouw eresenthereforreason,m a yb eitw a s m o rethan tohelpFrodo,buttogiveyouw h a tyourheartlongsfor.Iprom isethisonm ylife.Ibindm y se lftoyouandwheneveryou'rereadytoletgoofyourfear.Iw illm a keyouhappyforallofeternity Iloveyou!"Legolastoldher.Susanfelttearsfalld o w nhercheekasLegolasreachupandw ipethem a w a y.

"Iloveyoutoo.I'lltry.Justdon'tpushm e."Susantoldhim .H esm iledandno dde d ."Youhavem yw ord."Legolastoldher.Theystaredintoeachother'seyesforaw hile,untilslow lytheyclosedthedistance.Legolasputahand intoherhairandpu lledherforw ardandtouchhislipstohersligh tly.

TheybothfeltthesparksasSusanputahandintohishairanddeepenedthekiss.Be foretheyknew ittongueswhereduelingw itheachotherford om inanceandbo thwerepantingandtrying tosuppressthem o a nsthatw a n ted toescape.

Legolaspulledbackandrestedhisforeheadagainsthersastheytriedtocatchtheirbreath.Legolascouldn'tthinkstraightw h e nherlipswhe reonhis.Thatwasbyfarthebestkisshehadeverha d .Onc ehecaughthisbreathheplacedakisstoherforeheadand pulleda w a y,strokinghercheek.

"W eshouldgetback.W ebo thneedrest."H etoldherandshenoddedasshelethim pullhertoherfeet.H eintertw ined hishandswithhersandw alkedherbacktotheca m p .W he ntheygo tthereeveryonew asasleep.


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LegolaspulledSusanoverto w a rdswheretheirstuffw a s .Therebe dd ingw asneareachotherlikeitalw a y swasbutthistim eLegolasm ovedhisrigh tupagainsthers.Susanjustw atchedhim w itho u tsayingaw ord.B eforehepulledherd o w nand onceshegotco m f ortableshelaidherheadonhischest.

"Isalrigh t?"Legolasaskhernervouslyashewrappedbotha rm saround herandburiedhisfaceintoherhairashehopedSusanw asco m f ortab lew ithhersleepinhisarm s."It'sperfect."Shesaid.Theybothsoonfellintopeacefulslu m b e rastheydre a m e dofeachother.

The fello w s h ipstayedinLothlorien forseveraldaysallow ingeveryone tobew ellfedandrestedbeforethey hadtocontinu eonw iththeirjourney.Susanhad noticedthatFrodohadb e co m em o redistantafterthefirstnigh tthey w erehereandw orriedw h a tthatm e an t,butshedidn 'tbotherhim w ithit.SusanandLegolaswerehardlyapartand werealwaystakingw alksorcuddlingunderthem o on .

H aldirhadbeensurprisedw h e nhestu m b ledupo nthem onenightashedidhisnightlyrounds,beforetheirdeparturekissingunderatree.Susanblushedaprettyshapeofredandleftthem enstandingtheretotalk,w hileshew e n tbacktoca m ptopackherthingstoleavethenextday.

"Ididnotm e antoem barrassesher.Ididn'tknow anyonew asouthere."HaldirtoldthePrince.H aldirhadtakenaliking toSusanbu thesaw theconnectionsheandelfprincehadsohew asjustha ppytohaveherasafriend."Doyouhavefeelings forSusan,H aldir?"Legolasask.LegolashadnoticedtheM archwarden'sstaresandw a n tedtokno w .

"Iw illnotdenythatIwascaptivatedbyherbeautyw h e nw efirstm etand herskillswhenIw atchedhersparw ithotherelveswe requiteim pressive.However,Iseethew ayshelooksatyouandyouforherandIrespectthat.SoIam gladthatIcanatleastcountherasafriend.Justm a kesureyoutakecareofher."H aldirtoldhim .Legolasnodded."Iw ill.Thereisnoneedtow orry."Legolassaid.H aldirgaveanodbeforew alkingoffandLegolaswenttoSusantohelpfinishpackingtheirthings.

The nextdayeveryone waspackedandreadytogo .TheyallstoodbytheriverwhereG aladrielhadletthem takeseveralboatstohelpthem along.Sh ealsohadgiftsforth em ."Neverbeforehavew ecladstrangersinthegarbofourow npeople.M aythesecloakshelpshieldyou from unfriendlyeyes."LordCe lebornsaidasheand theelvesw rapped thecloaksaroundthefello w s h ips'shouldersandpinnedthem w iththeleavebroachofLothlorien.

G aladrielalsogaveeveryone differentgiftstohelpthem along thew a y .ForSusanshegaveanecklacew ithanElven star."W e a rthisatalltim e s.Thenecklacew illhelpyouw h e nyou feelasifyouhavelostyourw a y ."Galadrieltoldherinherm ind assheplaced itinherhand.Susansm iledandhugge dherinthanksbe foregoing totheboat.Sh ew asridingw ithLegolasand G im li.She slippedonthenecklaceassheandsheandLegolaswe realoneintheboatw aiting forG im liandtheotherstogettheregifts.

"Galadrielgavethistom e.D oyouknow w h a titis?"Susanaskhim andhenodded."Yes.ItisaspecialElvenspiritnecklace.Ithelpsyouw h e nyouhavelostyourw ill."H esaidasshenoddedinunderstanding.

W he neveryonew asreadythey setoffd o w nthelong river.LegolasandSusanro w e dtheboatasLegolasusedhissensestoscanthetrees.H estayedthatw ayforhours.Legolasknew s om e thingwasoutthereanditw asfollow ing them fast."S o m e thing'soutthere."LegolastoldSusanasshelookedathim w orried .

"TheArgonath.LonghaveIdesiredtolookuponthekingsofold.M ykin."Aragornsaidastheyca m euponthestatuesofthekings.Everyone lookedinaw ebutnoone m o rethanAragornandBo ro m ir.

Soontheydockedthereboatsjustbeforethew aterfalltow aitfornigh tfallbeforecrossingtheriver." Me lethnn."LegolassaidasheheldouthishandtoSusantohelpheroutoftheboat.She sm iledathim and tookhishandbeforeshehelped theothersunload theirthings.

"W ecrossthelakeatnightfall.H idetheboatsandcontinue onfoot.W eapproachM ordorfrom thenorth."Aragornsaidaseveryonesettledd o w nand Sam startedcooking ."Oh,yes?It'sjustasim plem atteroffind ing ourw aythroughE m y nM uil?Anim pa ss ab lelabyrinthofrazorsharprocks!And afterthat,itgetsevenbetter!"G im liexclaim ed from wherehesatandPipp inlookedathim w ithw orryinhiseyes."Festering ,stinking m arshlands,farastheeyecansee!"G im lifinishedandeveryonetensed.

"Thatisourroad.Isuggestyoutakeso m erestandrecoveryourstrength,M a s terD w a r f ."AragornsaidandG im lihuffed ."Recoverm y...H a."G im lisaidag itated."W eshouldleaven o w !"LegolassaidSusanheardassheturnedtolookathim talkingw ithAragorn.

"No.Orcspatroltheeasternshore.W em u stw aitforcoverofdarkness."Aragorntoldhim ."Itisnottheeasternshorethatw orrie sm e .Ashadowandathreathasbeengrowing inm ym ind .S om e thing draw snear...Icanfeelit!"LegolassaidasSusansilentlyagreedw ithhim .

Be foreanyone couldreplyM errycaughtthereattention."W here'sFrod o?"M erryaskedand everyonelookedaroundfranticbutsaw nosighofhim ."Bugger."Susanhissedout.Theyhad losttheringbearer.Sh elookedaroundandsaw Bo ro m irw asgonetoo.

"Borom irisgoneaswell."SusancalledoutasAragornlookedoverto w a rdsBorom ir'se m p typlace."W em u stfind th em .Splitupand look."Aragorncalledaseveryonedidastheyweretold.Sam w e n trunning throughthewoodsyelling forFrodoasdid theotherho bb its.LegolasgrabbedSusan'shandand togetherw ithG im litheysearched theforestasAragornw e n tinanotherdirection.Allsearching fortheirtw om issingcom rades.

Soonaftersearching foraw hiletheyheardthesoundsofsw ordssw ingandrantow ardsthatsound.Theyco m euponAragornfightingahugegroupofUrakkai.TheylookedlikesuperorcsinSusan'sopinion..LegolassavedAragornbyfiringanarrow intoonethatw asabouttokillhim asSusantookoutherknivesandtheyalljoined thefight.

Theywerefighting w ithalltheirm igh t,justastheyhadbackinthem inesastheUrukskeptpouring in,untiltheyheardahornblow ."ThehornofGondor."Legolasyelled ."Borom ir."AragornyelledbackslashingUruks,beforerunning togohelphisfellow m a n.The resttriedtofollow butkeepgettingstoppedbyUruksintheirpathandhad tostoptofight.

TheyfinallyarrivedatthesceneonlytofindAragornkneelingoveradying Bo ro m irand deadUrukslayingeveryw here."No."Susanbreathedoutlookingatthesceneinfrontofher."T he y theytookthelittleones."Bo ro m irsaidandAragornshookhishead.

"Bestill."H esaid."Frodo?W hereisFrodo?"Bo ro m irask."IletFrodogo."Aragorntoldhim and Bo ro m irsighe d ."Thenyoudidw h a tIcouldnot.Itriedtotaketheringfrom him ."Borom irsaid.Susanw ipethestraytearoutofhereyeasshew illedherselftostaystrong.

"Theringisbeyondourreachn o w ."AragornsaidandB o ro m irnodded."Forgivem e.Ididnotseeit.Ihavefailedyouall."Borom ircriedand Susanshookhisheadquicklyassheca m eand kneeledbesideBo ro m ir,oppositeAragon.

"No,youfoughtbravely.Youhavekeptyourhonor."Susantoldhim andA ragonnoddedashem o ve dtotakethearrowsoutbutwasstopped."Leaveit!Itisover.The worldofm enw illfall,andallw illco m etodarkness.A ndleavem ycitytoruin."Borom irsaidw ithtearsinhiseyes.

"Idonotknow w h a tstrengthisinm ybody,bu tIs w e a rtoyouIw illnotletthew hitecityfall.N orourpeople."Aragornprom ised."OurPeople?O urPeople."Borom irsaidpro ud lyreachingforhissword.Aragorngaveittohim andBo ro m irheldittohischest.

"Iw o u ldhavefollo w e dyoum ybroth er m ycaptain m yking."B o ro m irsaidslow lybeforedraw inghislastbreathaslifelefthim .LegolaspulledSusantohischestandheldherthereasshefinallylethertearsfall.

AragornleanedforwardandkissedBo ro m ir'shead."B eatpeace,sonofGondor."hesaidbeforestandingbackup."W eneedtogivehim aproperburial.W ecannotleavehim herea m o ngthee n em y ."Aragornsaidandeveryonenodded.

Onc eBo ro m irwasplacedinaboat,w ithhissw ordandsentitd o w ntheriveralongw ithaprayerasthefello w s h ipw atchedtheboatdisappearoverthew aterfall."H urry!FrodoandSa m havereachedtheeasternshore,"Legolassaidashepushedtheboatintothew ater.SusanandG im lilookedtow ardsAragornw hodidn'tm o ve .Legolasfrowned.

"Youm e annottofollow th em ."Legolasaskhim ."Frodo'sfateisnolongerinourhands."Aragornsaid.The otherslookeddefeated ."Thenithasallbeeninvain!The fello w s h iphasfailed ."G im lisaidsadlyand Aragornm o ve dtostandbe foreLegolasandG im liand pu tahandontheirshouldersasSusanca m etostandbesideLegolasasAragonnoddedtoher.

"Notifw eholdtruetoeachother.W ew illnotabandonM erryandPipp intoto rm e ntanddeath.N otw hilew ehavestrengthleft."Aragornsaid,then w alkedoverandgrabbedhisknife.Susangrabbedherbagands w ungitoverhershoulderandm a d esureshehadherallofherweapons.

"Leaveallthatcanbesparedbe h ind .W etravelligh t.Letushuntso m eorc!"Aragornsaidde te rm inedlybe foreheturnedandranintothetrees.Everyone lookedateachotherandtookoffafterhim excitedly.

Cha pter9:RidersofRo ha n

Theyrannonestopfordaystrying nottolosethetrailortheUruks.PoorG im liw ashaving ahardtim ekeepingupbuthem a n ag e d .Aragornstoppedatone pointand laidhisheadonarock."Theirpacehasquickened,"Aragornsaid."Theym u sthavecaughtourscent.H urry!"Aragorncalledoverhisshoulderashetookoffinarunagain.

"C o m eon,G im li!"Legolascalledbehindhim .Susanchuckledw h e nG im lihuffed."KeepupG im li."Susancalled ."W earega iningonth em !""Threedays'and nights'pursuit.N ofood.N orest.An dnosignofourquarrybu tw h a tbarerockcantell!"G im liyelledandLegolasandSusanlaughed.

Theystoppedw h e nAragornkneeledd o w ntopickso m e thingup ."NotidlydotheleavesofLorien fall."Aragornsaidhasheheldupone ofthegreencloakpinsfrom Lothlorien."Theym ayyetbealive,"Legolassaidlookingattheleaf.

"Lessthan adayaheadofus.C o m e !"Aragornsaidandtookoffagain."C o m e ,G im li!W earegainingonth em !"Legolascalledandthen tookoffonceagain."Iam wastedoncross-country!W edw arvesarenaturalsprinters!Verydangerousovershortdistances!"G im liyelled.Susanlaughedathim assheranbesideherelvenlove.


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The partypauseda

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Journey to Middle Earth