The Unforgiven { Legolas x OC - LotR Fanfiction}

The Dead answered!

3019, March 8

The path to the haunted mountain was gray, as the sun had not elevated over the black ridges. A dread fell on the three close friends (Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn), even as they rode between the lines of ancient stones. Not even the Elf could long endure the hollow that the mountain was emitting. They took a deadly root with them hope, that they could return. This time the battle was not like Helm's Deep. It was more serious, more threatening. Every hour the lost there would only bring the triumph of Sauron nearer.

"What kind of army would linger in such a place?" the dwarf asked as he was scanning the mountains.

"One that is cursed." Legolas explained as he was riding Arod with Gimli "Long ago the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest, until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the gray twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall he come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead."

The horses would not pass the threatening stone, until their riders dismounted and let them about. So, they only paused as they had reached the Dimholt door. The Dark door gabbed before them like the mouth of night. Fear flowed from it like a gray vapor. The surroundings alone were enough to cause goosebumps to any normal human. Only, Legolas, who his Elvish heart did not acknowledge the ghost terror of men.

Gimli said with an eerie tone, "My blood runs chill."

Legolas read the hieroglyphs above the door. "The way is shut. It was made by those who were dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."

Then the ranger led the way and the love that his horse bored of him. Brego was willing to face even the terror of the Door. Wind stormed out of the door. He turned back towards the entrance and spat "I do not fear death!" and entered through the entrance. Yet, Ador was a horse of Rohan, refused the way, and stood in fear. Then Legolas laid his hands on his ear and whispered some words beneath his breath. The lines were soft in the gloom until Ador suffered himself to be led. The Elf followed Aragorn without any fear or thought. And there stood Gimli the Dwarf left all alone.

His knees shook, and he was wroth with himself. "Well, this is something unheard of! An elf will go underground where a dwarf dare not! Ah, I'd never hear the end of it!" With that, he plunged in. But he dragged his feet like lead over the threshold.

Théoden King of the Mark had reached the road from the Gate to the River, and he turned towards the City that was now less than a mile distant. His men were behind him, next to Éomer rode Ethir. The first time that she was riding without her companions. However, one of them was following Lady Éowyn. Ethir has spotted Mary and Lady Éowyn sneaking out of the camp and riding with the men. She decided to keep the secret. Éowyn was taken by surprise by Ethir's act to remain silent. She thought the 'wicked girl' did not like her. But that was not the case. "I just never approved by the way you approached Aragorn. I never thought ill of you my Lady!" Ethir clarified. The King slackened his speed a little, seeking new foes, and his knights came about him, and Dernhelm was with them. Ahead nearer the walls Elfhelm's men. They were riding to war, they were riding to aid Gondor.

Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ran into a great underground hall with a large doorway. Strider had brought torches from Dunharrow, and now he went ahead bearing one aloft. Nothing but the dim flame of the torches could be seen. An endless murmur of words in no tongue that they had ever heard before, seemed to be whispered. Nothing, assailed the company nor withstood their passage, and yet steadily fear grew.