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Disclaimer: Middle earth and all of the characters
associated with the Lord of the Rings are the creations of J.R.R. Tolkien and
are not mine. I do not own them.
"Some people say that I must
be a horrible person, but that's not true. I have the heart of a young boy -- in
a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
*******
Elrond did not know whether he was observing a dream or reality, all was the same now as he watched two golden figures race through the pounding rain.
One desperately following the other and calling out his name while the one in front glanced back occasionally to see if he was still pursued. The young elf in front was frustrated and frightened and breathing heavily from the exertion of trying to out run the elder, but extremely nimble older elf.
Elrond had already seen this scene play out once before and he knew what was coming. Frantically he tried to call out to the two to warn them, to tell them to stop, but just like the last time they did not hear his pleas.
The Lord of Rivendell watched in despondent sorrow as in seemingly in slow motion Legolas skirted the side of a cliff in his attempts to flee his pursuer. In his haste the young elf had run dangerously close to the muddy embankment and as he turned to look behind him the moist ground gave away. Thranduil, in a desperate attempt to catch his son, shot forward and grabbed a hold Legolas’ arm.
Elrond wept as he watched Legolas and Thranduil, being to stubborn to let go, both get carried over the side with the mud and disappear into the inky blackness below.
“Nys,” he cried out knowing there was nothing he could do. //no//
Elrond Peredhil’s eyes snapped open suddenly. The elf lord was visibly trembling and he could feel his heart pounding… pounding like the rain in his dream. No, it was not a dream he knew, it was something else. Something that gave the elf lord an uncomfortable feeling. A horrible premonition of what was to come. Elrond sat up in bed with the images still clearly in his mind, as a matter of fact everything felt clear again. It was like waking up from a long bout of delirium. The last clear thought he remembered was trying to shield his sons and Glorfindel from prying eyes long enough for them to rescue Estel and Legolas from that monster. He also remembered being forcefully shoved away and then a confused jumble of images and memories.
Did the four of them succeed?
Did everyone fare well?
And what to do now?
Elrond looked around at his dim room. Moonlight filtered faintly in the windows and door, but other than that there was no other light source. The dark-haired elf slowly got to his feet and stood still momentarily until he felt steady on his feet. He had to find out what all had transpired while he was down.
Elrond opened the ornate door and almost ran into one of the servant about to enter his room. They both looked at each other in surprise for a moment before the young elf gave a bow of his head in embarrassment. Elrond hide his smile and inclined his head at the young elf.
“I beg your pardon my lord, but we did not expect you awake so soon.”
“Who has been taking care of my duties recently?”
“With you resting and Lord Glorfindel gone, the Lady Celaviel has acted in your absence,” the young elf answered.
“Where is she now?”
“The lady is in the healing wing, my lord.”
“Thank you Lamrel,” Elrond responded and walked past the young one and made his, only slightly, unsteady way down the hall.
************
Thranduil woke up with a start. He looked up to the still dark sky and sighed. Something felt wrong, but he had felt that since he decided to come to this dreadful place in person. Ever since his son’s disappearance an oppressive shadow hung around his senses dragging him down, enveloping him so much at times that he thought he would be smothered by it. This was a new sort of feeling, though. Could it be a premonition of sorts? The elven king was never one to be known for such things, they where left for others with the talent for it, like Elrond. But maybe because he shared a bond with his son like no one else did, except for his naneth, he had a little more foresight into this situation.
Whatever it was, it was pushing Thranduil’s nerves and his frustration began to trickle through his calm exterior. He hated situations that where out of his control and it made him all the more anxious to search for his son. The thing that unnerved him the most was the dreadful thought of the possibility that not even Elrond could help his son. In all his long years not much had ever frightened the fiery elven-king, but that single thought terrified him, more so that even Nienor could imagine.
Suppressing a groan from the bland air around him, Thranduil sat up. He heard two of his guards talking quietly nearby and when he sat up the conversation became decidedly quiet. He had not missed the name of his son before the two stopped talking. Narrowing his eyes slightly at their callous behavior the golden-haired elf rose nimbly to his feet and headed in their direction.
**********
Elladan and Elrohir where lying down near Glorfindel and Estel. Aragorn had amazedly slept through the night after Thranduil’s arrival yesterday. They suspected that Thranduil’s presence had actually calmed the ranger. Most likely because Legolas’ father did not hold Aragorn responsible for what had happened and that reassurance held more weight than any they could give. The absence of their father’s link still greatly disturbed them, but they drew strength from each other for comfort. They were both resting now only because Estel, now awake, had been so adamant about it. In truth, though neither would admit it, the respite was greatly needed. They were exhausted from their insane travel, fighting through a mob of orcs, and tending none stop for a wounded friend. Glorfindel had awoken again today and even though he was still extremely weak, he refused to stay in the tower any longer, and so to everyone’s relief they were all camped outside.
Elrohir woke up sometime during the night. He glanced over at Elladan to see his brother still asleep and was glad for small miracles, and then he turned his gaze to Estel. The human was staring unseeingly up at the stars. The light of the menal* reflected in the young man’s gray eyes and illuminated the troubled look they held. Elrohir did not have to ask what plagued his little brother’s thoughts. Instead of rising he peacefully gazed up at the stars lost in his own worries.
As Elrohir gazed at the beauty of Menelmacar his ears inadvertently listened to pieces of conversations around him. Not many were still up at this hour and the camp was generally quiet, but the sound of his dear friend’s name caught his attention. Elrohir was never one to ease-drop per say, and family didn’t count, but there was really nothing else to listen to. The two were talking quietly of how they had heard that their prince had gone mad and attacked one of the sons of Elrond and that was why their king was here to personally bring Legolas back. One mentioned how impossible it would be to track the prince down and the other agreed how foolish the notion was.
Elrohir clenched his jaw in anger. Those two were ignorant of what had really happened in that tower and why. It angered the dark-haired elf to hear them talk of matters that they did not understand and further more for the fact that they seemed to have given up hope for their prince already. Movement off to the side caught Elrohir’s attention and he turned his head to see Thranduil sit up. The elven-king did not look to be in a pleasant mood, and who could blame him? The two elves quieted quickly, but from the look in Thranduil’s eyes, Elrohir knew it had not been in time. He saw the blonde elf rise and head toward the elves direction. He saw the two adopt matching looks of dread and by the look in Thranduil’s eyes he couldn’t blame them.
“Uh oh…” he muttered to himself.
Secretly, though, he hoped they got what they deserved.
Estel turned his head to look curiously at Elrohir.
“Mani?” the ranger asked. //what?//
Elrohir meet the ranger’s eyes and directed his gaze to the imposing figure closing in on two timid looking elves.
To his left, Elrohir saw Elladan finally stir and look up.
*************
Aragorn stared, more that gazed, up at the night sky. How long had it been that he had so desperately wanted to be able to enjoy this simple pleasure? Now that he had the chance, what did he do? Stare at it! The ranger’s mind was so befuddled he couldn’t even appreciate the realization of his earlier wish. The only wish that took precedents right now was finding and helping his lost companion. Where in all of Middle Earth could Legolas be? Why did he feel the need to leave in the first place? And why, oh why, did he let the elf out of his sight?
That question had been gnawing at the ranger for two days. If only he would have been keen enough to realize that there might still have been lasting effects on Legolas’ mind, then none of this would have happened. The human sighed. If only didn’t exactly count though, no matter how hard one wished, it was exactly that, wishing, and not acting.
The ranger glanced over at his two brothers. He could see Elrohir looking up at the stars with elven delight and Elladan still appeared to be sleeping, although with elves it was hard to tell in the gloom.
The ranger sighed again. Why did it always end with his brothers having to salvage him out of trouble? What did he do to deserve such bad luck? He felt horrible that his brothers and Glorfindel came here to rescue them and ended up getting hurt. A shudder went through him at the memory that the older elf almost died. If their situations were reversed he was sure he wouldn’t stay in that tower either after what happened. And what on earth happened to the fiend’s body? It was frightening not finding it afterwards. A tiny corner of Aragorn’s mind would not be satisfied Valdumus was dead until he saw it with his own eyes and that piece would not let him settle down now. He tried to tell himself that he was just being paranoid after his encounter, but it was not working. His brother’s presence as well as Glorfindel’s and even Thranduil helped to calm his nerves.
He was surprised how much Thranduil terrified him and calmed him at the same time. In one respect he was an older elf with the same sort of calmness surrounding him that his father and Glorfindel had, but at the same time he was also imposing and definitely not as calm as his father. Cool and collected, yes, but not calm. Speaking of Thranduil, the ranger saw the elven-king sit up. As Thranduil stood he heard Elrohir mutter and ‘uh ho’ from where he was lying. He looked over at Elrohir to see why he had reacted so strangely to Thranduil just standing up. He meet his brother’s eyes and saw him look in the direction of two elves whom looked slightly paler in the starlight. Aragorn had no clue what was going on, but by their and Elrohir’s reaction they had done something to anger their king.
***********
“Two days?” Elrond asked a bit taken back.
“Ays,” Celaviel said calmly. //yes//
It was discouraging to know that two days had passed while he was unconscious. A lot can happen in two days. Elrond sighed. Not a single word about what had transpired had reached Rivendell. He wondered how the Mirkwood elves had faired and how their king was taking the news of his son. He knew how he would be taking it and could only imagine what Thranduil would do. Somehow he knew the other elf was already there.
What worried him was the dream he had seen. Why would Legolas run away from his own father?
Or worse yet, what if Malaryn’s warnings were true and they had not reached the elfling in time? Was the young elf already tied to the shadows?
If that was true, could he still help the young one?
Too many worries clouded Elrond’s mind to allow the elf any peace of mind. He had thought all would be over by now and things would return to their normal pace around here, but he had a feeling it was far from being finished. The same cloud of uncertainty he had felt for days still clung heavily to the air, almost suffocative in intensity.
Elrond returned to his chambers, in hopes of doing what, he did not know. He entered the still dark room and sighed. Why did his sons have to attract trouble so? He rubbed his temples as he walked over to his desk to light one of the lamps and stopped by the heavy wooden chair. Instead of sitting down the elf lord nearly fell down as the room around him vanished from sight to be replaced by trees.
************
Legolas walked under the dense canopy of trees. Only two days ago he would have given his life to get out of this cursed forest, but now he was able to he found he really didn’t want to leave. A small smile came to his lips at the irony of it all. He had spent the first day running blindly through the tree not even sure of why. His mind had been a confusing jumble of thoughts, images, and memories. Annoying images of both of the spectral sister had run through his mind, and still did occasionally, mixed with what he knew now were his own memories.
The most prevalent, though, was a faint, almost whispered voice overlaying everything. He knew whose voice that was though.
Quite well indeed.
A voice, almost more of a feeling, that had plagued his soul ever since he set foot in this forest. A voice that he knew he should no longer hear or take heed to. A feeling of control that belonged to a supposedly dead being.
But, not supposed to hear it or not, Legolas still did. He supposed the residual effects of being linked with the fiend’s mind was what caused him to feel comfortable in the forest. It had been his forest after all. That same effect had been what caused the elf to retreat from his so called friends. The feel of all of those elves around had made the prince physically uncomfortable and he could bear it no longer. All the lighthearted beings burnt his own darkened spirit.
The thing that surprised him was that he did not feel any sense of lose or heartache being away from everyone. He did not want or need them around him and he did not ask them to come rescue him, he had not even wanted rescued! Why could they not see that? He was where he wanted to be.
Legolas resented them all for slaying his master.
Every one, right down to the infuriatingly nosy ranger.
‘So called friends indeed,’ he thought with something close to a snort.
Now he was left wondering the forest, a lone marred elf, with no master, although he could still feel his presence. It was all very frustrating! Legolas knew had Glorfindel not slain Valdumus and interrupted him, he would have stamped out Elrohir’s light permanently. The elf wished he had completed at least that first; it would have made him feel better now. It was all just so painfully frustrating.
“I detest them all,” Legolas mumbled violently to himself.
*************
“I detest them all,” the words came unbidden to the dark-haired elf’s lips.
Elrond found himself sitting on the floor in his still dark bedroom staring at the floor while starlight twinkled in the window to shine on the spot. He was getting really tired of getting up close views of the floor.
***********
The stars practically blazed down in the moonless night illuminating a figure walking towards two others. The silvery light reflected off the elf’s light hair adding to the already soft glow creating an almost surreal look. The two guards in the blond elf’s path noted how it made him even more stern looking.
The guards rose as Thranduil approached them and bowed. The elven-king’s expression was impassive, but his eyes belied his wroth.
“Are you implying your prince is a traitor?” he asked coolly.
Two sets of eyes fought not to widen at the question.
“No your highness!” they answered in unison then held their breath.
The seconds stretched on and Thranduil stood quiet. Eventually even Elrohir found he was holding his breath.
Inside Thranduil was fighting to stay calm and his already frustrated attitude didn’t help matters. His rational mind told him that the two guards had not said anything that was not true, but, he argued with himself, it was still in a very callous manner and being Mirkwood elves they should respect their prince more than they showed just now. This was exactly the kind of political baggage he did not want to deal with or feel like dealing with right now. Thranduil took a slow breath and pushed the calmness to his outer features.
“You do not know all the aspects of what has happened here, so I would suggest you hold your tongues for now or you may find a reason to gossip later.”
The two guards swallowed hard and bowed.
With that the blonde elf turned sharply and stalked towards the edge of camp. Thranduil stopped when he had cleared everyone and turned his gaze skywards. His words were a little harsher than he had intended, but, being king notwithstanding, it angered him greatly to hear his son being talked about by others in such a manner. It was Legolas’ father that had spoke out back there.
************
“Where it my son I would have said something also,” Elrohir said softly.
“It sounded more like a threat then a comment Elrohir,” Aragorn chimed in.
“It was probably both Estel,” Elladan explained.
“Considering the kind of mood Thranduil has been in the past two days, I say they were lucky,” Nienor spoke up for the first time.
“This situation is hard on all of us, but he is Legolas’ father. If I were him I do not know if I would handle it any better,” Elrohir commented.
Nienor looked thoughtful for a moment before she spoke.
“I do not know Elrohir, uncle can be hotheaded I admit, but he seems more frustrated than he should be. I cannot quite explain it.”
“Just think everyone, we get to travel with him while he is in this bad mood,” Elladan said jovially.
The dark-haired elf’s comment elicited annoyed groans from his three companions and three identical glares before they all lay down suddenly. Elladan simply laughed lightly and followed their lead.
****************
Legolas sat down with a huff. What and where to go now? Knowing his former companions they where all still at Carn Dum, so he couldn’t go back there and he had no desire to ever be around orcs. Where exactly could an elf such as he go?
The golden-haired elf unconsciously looked around him. The forest was frightfully dark and ominous at nighttime, especially with no moon shining in the sky. The starlight faintly filtered down through the canopy in certain spots, but not enough to give light. Legolas’ keen gaze pierced the gloom directly around him and when he looked to the east he barely saw the traces of the Hithaeglir Mountains towering over the benighted valley. To the north, he knew, where the Mountains of Angmar.
The land of Angmar was well know for the fell things that still remained here even after the Witch-King’s influence had gone and its mountains were dangerous because they harbored creatures such as wargs and snow trolls.
That fact made it all the more interesting to the restless elf.
The idea of getting to test his skills out appealed to him and the more difficult the better.
Who said there was no sport left in this land? Of course it was prey that could talk and had feelings, but that did not daunt the elf.
After all, who was really going to miss a few less monsters in the world?
With a small smile of cold delight Legolas headed for the mountains.
************
The mountains, Elrond almost said out loud.
‘The mountains?’ he thought.
Which mountains? And why in Arda was he thinking of the mountains?
*****************
To be continued...