DRIFTWOOD

DRIFTWOOD

BY

JOXIE


Title : Driftwood

Author : Joxie

Pairing : Thranduil/Will, Legolas/Elrond, Aze/Arwen

Rating : NC17 Swearing AU

Authors Notes : LOTR/POTC Crossover, third story in the Sparks Universe follows ASFU and PTTL

Summary : A stranger in a strange land can he help a fading King and what of the Kings family?

Feedback : Yes please, please be tactful and patient.

Disclaimer : Complete Cobblers I Own Nothing!


CHAPTER NINETEEN

The journey went smoothly even so Will and Thranduil didn’t really manage any private time together. If they wandered off a guard came to find them. Or even worse Elrond with a smirk on his face. The urge to wipe it off made Thranduil’s fists itch.

Will wasn’t in any better mood with the pull of the Dutchman and lust plaguing him; as yet he refused to call it anything else. Both played merry hell with his temper and view of the world in general.

It was mid morning when they arrived at Grey Havens, the harbour was quiet even the sea seemed placid. Elfin eyes searched the dock area and found it empty, no ship not even a rowing boat.

It wasn’t until Will gazed at the water that a ship began to appear slowly, it solidified before there eyes. Its blood red sails fluttering joyfully at the return of its captain.

“Thank you” Will whispered to the sky before yelling, “Greer the gang plank I want to see my ship.”

Will grinned at Thranduil and asked, “Care to meet the only lady in my life?”

Thranduil was off his horse before Will and striding towards the Dutchman. Will chuckled as he caught up with his newest crew member.

“What about Calypso?” Thranduil asked.

“She’s no lady” Will dryly replied.

The gang plank hit the dock side with a loud bang, “Are you afraid?” Humour coloured Will’s tone.

“Never” proclaimed Thranduil.

“Then after you” offered Will.

A deep breath later Thranduil was walking up the gang plank, Will was only steps behind him. The group of elves on the dock side could only watch as they speedily disappeared.

Cirdan rushed out of his house and was only just in time to see Will and Thranduil disappear from sight. It took a moment for him to notice the other elves in the dock area. When he did Celeborn had already reached them and was welcoming them to Grey Havens.

“Elrond, Legolas the journey went well?” Celeborn enquired politely.

“Fine, we made excellent time, how fairs the evacuation?” returned Elrond.

“Slowly” Celeborn grimaced.

“Seems this most likely will be our first and last visit, since men will probably take over here.” Elrond looked wistfully around him.

“You never used to be such a pessimist” boomed Gandalf making the collection of elves jump.

By his side stood a deathly pale hobbit, “Frodo may I introduce the lords Celeborn and Elrond, the one standing behind them is Legolas prince of Mirkwood.” He had gestured to each in turn.

“I’m honoured to meet you all” Frodo bowed his head.

Each elf sensed the darkness that surrounded Frodo, Elrond looked at Celeborn. He reached out and for a handful of seconds touched his mind gently.

His fears confirmed Elrond spoke directly to Frodo, “You carry a great evil little one.”

Before Frodo could respond Gandalf said, “This is not the place to speak of such things” all the while he looked around watchfully.

Cirdan who had joined them by now offered, “You are welcome to the privacy of my house.”

So it was agreed they would talk in Cirdan’s parlour, but first Elrond made sure Thranduil’s guards were settled comfortably.

In the house Frodo collapsed into a chair and yawned, “Your pardon” he muttered embarrassedly.

Attention was taken from Frodo when the door opened again; Will and Thranduil entered the parlour. A look of suspicion was clearly on Will’s face; Thranduil seemed relaxed and a little amused.

“I thought you were keen to see your ship” Celeborn said tersely.

Looking at Gandalf Will said, “You advised me not to judge this race so harshly, true there are some who are generous in spirit and deed. But it seems all suffer from arrogance” he turned his eyes to Celeborn “I do not know you sir elf what is more I have know wish to know you.”

A shocked silence filled the room until Thranduil broke it, “Will this is Lord Celeborn of Golden Wood forgive him” a wicket light lit his eyes, “he doesn’t know any better.”

Will actually smiled, “A Lord I should have known.”

“It is well you are here this matter concerns you greatly” Gandalf continued, “Please everyone be seated.”

The atmosphere was tense Gandalf shook his head and looked straight at Will, “This world has a favour to ask of you.”

“Another one, wasn’t saving Thranduil enough?” Will was in no mood to play nice.

“Have you thought maybe he is your reward” Gandalf replied softly.

Will gestured for him to go on, “I’m listening.”

“Frodo” Gandalf looked at the hobbit who rose from his chair.

Frodo walked to the centre of the room and silently removed a chain from around his neck. On the end of it swung a ring. There were murmurs from the elves in the room as they moved uneasily in there seats

“That is the one ring made by evil for evil purposes; it could destroy every good thing in Middle Earth.” Gandalf looked expectantly at Will.

“And yet it rests in the hands of a hobbit” mocked Will.

“His destiny…” Gandalf was cut off in mid flow.

“I know all about destiny” Will directed his anger straight at Gandalf.

“If you will not help us all our hopes will rest on Frodo’s slender shoulders” Gandalf snapped.

Will looked at Frodo and sighed, “What do you want of me?”

“Take the ring with you when you go” Gandalf didn’t have long to wait for a response.

“What!” Will exploded.

“Since you are not of this world, one touch from you and rings power is neutralized. You can save this world, save many lives. The ring cannot hurt you or the world you go back too.” Gandalf watched Will closely.

“Why should I trust you and why do you trust me?” Will asked.

“You are not the only one who serves a higher being; it is not I who trusts you but the Lord and his Lady. I am just there messenger and like you I am a faithfully and obedient servant.” Gandalf felt so old compared to Will.

Will looked at Frodo who was still standing in the centre of the room, “Sweet Calypso why me?” He asked without expecting a reply.

He moved until he was standing in front of Frodo, he reached for the ring. The chain swung as Frodo darted away from him.

“Its mine, my own, my precious” he rasped frantically.

Frodo’s eyes became panicked and wild he flew to the door only to be caught by Legolas. Who he fought with all his might though to little advantage.

“Stop your foolishness Frodo” Gandalf snapped as the hobbit tried to bite Legolas.

Will grabbed Frodo’s flailing arm sharply striking the wrist. The small hand opened letting the chain and its burden fall to the floor. Frodo went limp and Legolas almost dropped him in surprise.

Will picked the chain up and examined the ring, “It looks like any other common bit of shine.”

“To you perhaps, but to us it holds our world to ransom” Gandalf watched Legolas place Frodo back in his chair.

“And you expected the equivalent of a child to destroy it for you” Will bit out.

“Frodo is stronger than he looks” snapped Gandalf.

“If that was an example of his strength” a sound came from the chair and Will stopped in his tracks.

Frodo was curled into a small miserable ball; Will slipped the chain around his own neck before going over to him. He laid a gentle hand on a shaking shoulder and squeezed soothingly.

“My apologies” he said truthfully.

“This burden should never have been yours my young friend” concurred Gandalf.

Will glared at the wizard, “Yes I will look after your bloody ring.”

Gandalf relaxed and so did all the elves in the room. Only Frodo remained tense and weeping.

“You are a good man William Turner” the relief in Gandalf’s voice was palpable.

“I am a man who was once a blacksmith who became a pirate in the name of love. Now I am the ferryman and guardian to a magic ring. Tell me Merlin am I blessed or cursed?” Will held his tears back.

“You are loved Will and that is never a curse” Gandalf smiled.