Author's Note: Here it is! The multitude of requests were not ignored and I have begun the sequel to
"Without the Stars." I recommend reading that story first if you have not, this will make more sense following that one. (it's posted on this site) However, you really don't have to, you will still be able to follow this one.
I hope you enjoy it! Please, please, please, REVIEW!!
Disclaimer: Tolkien rules! I just take his characters for a short while, I'll give them back.
Chapter One: Grief and Vulnerability
The sun rose, it's colors dazzling and dancing through the clouds and the Earth. Spreading out, pushing back all darkness with its light. The foul creatures retreated from this invasion. The beauty if the sunrise was always pure and new, as if this was the first day of existence. However, this was the first day without another creature of light and beauty. It also pushed back the darkness with its light, but gave it everything by this act. Now, it was beyond all touch from Middle Earth, or so the magical teachings say.
Sometimes, though, death is not an end, but just a beginning.
The group continued on this journey on this fair new day. They felt as if they were in a great dream they could not awaken from. First, they lost the great Wizard Gandalf saving them from the mines of Moria. Almost immediately following his sacrifice, they lost Legolas saving them from the great cave they were trapped in. It almost seemed that the beings of magic and light were targeted to be the first ones struck down by evil.
They wondered in a daze, unwilling to continue, only walking from habit. They could only wonder what next. Who would be taken next by the darkness? Given their weariness from the time they spent in their rock entrapment, they decided to camp early this night in order to regain their strength, and also to gather their thoughts. They camped in the early twilight, when the last rays of light make a valiant attempt to hold back the night for one moment longer before finally surrendering. The Fellowship sat together, distracted from their quest, their will to hide from the shadows that lie ahead growing more powerful in their minds.
"We must continue. We cannot allow these sorrowful events delay the destruction of the one ring." Aragorn stood firm. Projecting the image of leadership his lineage endowed him with.
"You speak as if you care nothing for all that has happened. We were able to numbly continue after losing Gandalf, but this is too much. Legolas was a close friend of yours. Does his death not trouble you at all? Do you not wish some time to cope with the grief I know you must feel?" Gimli's words were harsh and to the point.
"Yes, I feel a great well of grief for losing my friend. I knew him before all of you. Ask yourself this, so you honestly think that Legolas would wish us halting our quest for even a day on his behalf?"
"No," Boromir sighed, "I don't think that's what the Elf would have wanted."
Gimli was getting upset, he wanted some time to grieve, although he dare not admit it. A dwarf takes his time with his grieving, and it not something that is taken lightly at all, and would not say that he would spend all the time of the grieving ritual for an Elf. He was not thinking clearly anymore, and gave no thought to his words.
"Perhaps you two care so little because you are human. Death is an everyday thing to the world of Man. Legolas was an Elf. Does the death of an immortal not bother you in the least?"
"I would think you would be the least concerned, given the history between Elf and Dwarf."
"Do not upset me, Son of Arathorn. I grew to respect him despite the histories between our two peoples. Either way, one fact cannot be overlooked by any race. The Elves are fading and one more just departed this world by other means than going over the sea. That was to be his final quest, look at where he is now."
"I know where he lay! I put him there!" Aragorn rose up in anger. "I know Legolas' wisdom better than any of you. He was nearly three thousand years old after all. I'm sure he knew of some higher purpose of his sacrifice. You know as well as me that we would have never escaped from that cave without what he did for us. We would have died and the Orks would have broken into the cave and took the ring from Frodo's dead fingers!"
Gimli was struck, he knew Legolas was very ancient, but he had no idea the length of the Elf's life.
The Hobbits were upset by these arguments. After all the death, they knew the group could not handle this right now.
"Please, friends. Let us just rest. We are doing our departed friends justice by fighting about these events. I dare say this fight may be the ring's doing. Its power is growing." The gentle wisdom seemed more experienced the ringbearer's young looks would suggest.
"You're right, Frodo. I don't think we're being respectful to either of them right now. Let's just relax tonight and let the sweet night air cleanse our minds and our souls." Aragorn left to gather some wood.
The fire roared in the night. Usually, they could not afford such a luxury out in the open, but they had seen an enemy all day and figured if they kept their guard up tonight, they would be rewarded with the light, and a warm cooked meal. They were also very close to the Golden Wood, few Orcs ventured this close to that magical realm. Unlike Mirkwood, this truly was an Elven haven where nothing of darkness would dare yet trespass, so the rumors claim.
The flames danced against the night sky, making the stars seem so close that their light could almost heat the chilly air as well. They sat, thinking of all the happenings of the last few days, and they inevitable waiting for them at the end of their journey. Aragorn kept one eye on that bright star he had seen this morning. He swore it was not there before their time in the cave. It's twinkling light almost seemed to be calling to him from the heavens.
Something else was watching the fire. Something as cold and dark as the far off darkness. Something sent against them, knowing their vulnerability this night. Their grief had numbed their minds. Without the alertness, senses and magical presence of the Elf, he could now sneak up close to them. When the Elf was with them, he could never dream of getting this close. Now he was within range. With his army right behind him in the darkness he was ready to attack. He waited for the perfect moment to come. He waited.