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 THIRTY EIGHT

Will was damn fed up with waking in healing room’s period. His visitor wasn’t making him feel any better either, Will moved incautiously. Lightening fast pain hit him and he cursed without thought.

Celeborn’s smile was tight as he asked, “Hurt does it?”

“Does a wolf howl?” Enquired Will.

“You certainly did” Celeborn threw back.

“Where’s Thranduil?” Demanded Will.

“Visting your heart” Celeborn handed Will a drink containing pain relieving herbs.

“Do you remember anything at all about your time as the wolf?” Celeborn asked with interest.

Will thought for a moment and decided to answer the question, “Yes, it’s as if I’m in the background watching.”

“So you can control the beast?” Celeborn was keen to know.

“I’m pretty sure I can” temporized Will.

Celeborn supposed he would just have to be satisfied with that for now. He studied the man in front of him who even as he watched seemed to be healing before his very eyes.

“We got off on the wrong foot; I think its time for a truce don’t you?” Celeborn asked without preamble.

“Truce” Will seemed to be tasting the word “you’re right its more than time, peace has broken out Lord Celeborn.” Will offered his hand and mindful of the still damaged shoulder Celeborn shook it.

Will tried to make himself more comfortable and failed, “You’re the newest member of my merry band aren’t you?” The question was asked without any sign of concern.

“Yes” Celeborn confirmed.

“Ah, well the show must go on” Will shrugged his shoulders and regretted it.

By the next morning Will was fully fit again and a council was arranged for the afternoon. A very select council it was to, only five people including Will were sitting round the table.

Will listened with patience as Galadriel began to speak, “The ring as we all know was forged by Sauron who bound his power and life force to it. During the last battle his hand was cut from his body and the ring went missing for many generations. Until it was discovered in the possession of a Hobbit called Bilbo Baggins who later passed it on to Frodo Baggins.”

Galadriel gazed at Will,”The Lord and his Lady were merciful they sent us a stranger who was immune to the ring and all its temptations. Who even now holds Middle Earth in the palm of his hand. This council already has the answer; we are here only to address the means and direction.”

Talk turned to the Woses and who might be allied with them a part from Sauron. The people of Rohan seemed to be top of the list.

“Do they really need to be allied with anyone else?” Enquired Will after a while.

“They are a primitive people” replied Celeborn as if that were answer enough.

“You don’t need great intelligence for something like this. The one I fought didn’t appear to be lacking in brains either or do you think mortals in general are a lower cast?” Will paused there was silence “I think I have my answer.”

“No not a lower cast, just young and immature” there was reproof in Galadriel’s voice.

“I originally came from a country called England; we had a vast empire and the same attitude as you elves. It blew up in our faces” Will cautioned.

“This is not your world” pointed out Celeborn.

“No it’s yours” Will looked him in the eye “so look after it.”

“We are straying from the point” broke in Glorfindel “which is what route do we take next.”

“The route is clear” proclaimed Celeborn “we head for the Dead Marshes.”

Everyone started to talk at once but Celeborn shouted over the din, “No one in there right mind would follow us in there.”

“And rightly so that marsh is cursed” growled Thranduil “the dead do not rest easy and hunger for the living.”

“Tosh” Glorfindel burst out “how Mirkwood elves can believe in such superstitions I’ll never know.”

“There is a kernel of truth in all superstition” contributed Will dryly “are there any other routes available?”

“You could follow the River Anduin to Minas Tirith and then on to Minas Morgul. A longer journey but perhaps safer” Galadriel offered.

“Shall we vote?” Will looked around the group.

“Dead Marshes?” Galadriel asked.

Both Celeborn and Glorfindel nodded there agreement.

“You have the deciding vote Lady” Thranduil couldn’t keep the bitter amusement out of his voice.

“Dead Marshes” There was the strength of Mithril in Galadriel’s voice.

“I have encountered the evil undead before, I hope Lady you do not regret your choice, your Leave” Will got up and left the room.

Later that afternoon Thranduil found Will sitting by the riverside deep in thought.

“I’ve been thinking” he said out of nowhere,

“Did it hurt?” Thranduil mocked gently.

Will gave him the evil eye but went on, “If we are continuing by way of the river that will mean boats.”

“So?” Thranduil still couldn’t see what Will was getting at.

“Calypso’s curse” clarified Will.

Thranduil blinked, “Oh that, salt water.”

Will looked delightfully puzzled by this statement.

Grinning Thranduil explained, “It only applies to salt water, pure river water is not affected by the curse.”

“What makes you so certain of that?” Will asked sceptically.

“Glorfindel told me and I trust him not to put his own life in danger. Never mind his lords or Celeborn’s for that matter.”

“We must leave soon” Will’s tone was regretful.

Thranduil put his arm around Will and they sat together enjoying the peace and quiet while they could.