A first attempt at a LotR-fic, don't ask me why, considering I have read the books twice and seen the first two movies, but I guess it was inevitable. Partially co-written with my newly found friend Rain, who helps me with minor details and to get out of possible (and unavoidable) writers-block. Even though we beta read each others stories before they are posted, spelling mistakes can still happen, but they are usually the work of my computer, although it shouldn't take all the blame. Now when that's clear, let's move on.
Set after the books (and movies) and based a little on both.
ALTHOUGH: Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond and Galadriel never sailed to Valinor. Arwen never married Aragorn. Elrond was made King of Rivendell, so now he's equal to Thranduil. Theóden didn't die during the War of the Ring but Denethor did. Haldir wasn't killed at Helm's Deep and Ithiel was not a part of either books or movies, but is a figment of my imagination.
All this is based on is the property of Tolkien and that will remain throughout the entire story.
The Elvish language is indicated with '…' and thoughts like this.
I really hope you like this at least a little.
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CHAPTER ONE
The dawning sunlight shone right through the bright green leaves of the Fangorn Forest and irritated Legolas' sensitive eyes. Sunlight did not affect his eyesight, it only disturbed his sleep.
Although he had only had a couple of hours of sleep he was not the least bit tired. The whole Forest was so remarkably alive, more so than any other forest he had ever visited, it had bedazzled him for a long time. It was not until Treebeard had told him to let the trees be for the night and get some rest that he had been forced to lay down. It had not helped that he had argued that the trees had been without the presence of an Elf for too long and needed to be reminded of their once so dear friendship.
" The reason you are still alive among these woods is because they do remember your fair songs dedicated to them." And with that counterargument, Treebeard had - to Legolas' great dismay - won.
Most dutifully he had lain down on the ground between two large but sleek trees and listened to them tell of times that had gone by and creatures that had passed through the woods so long ago. And with their breezing voices they had lulled Legolas to sleep.
The morning was not far gone, the sun's first rays had just passed over the horizon and played over Legolas' slender body as he stretched and brushed the dust from his clothes.
' Good morning, beautiful forest' he spoke in elvish and gently caressed the two trees he had slept between. They seemed to bow their gratitude but before Legolas could thank them for their hospitality something happened with the air in the Forest. All around him it got thicker and he heard the trees whisper loud warnings to each other as well as to him about an arising danger.
" Something has entered without permission."
Knowing too well that the Fangorn Forest easily overreacted whenever someone - maybe just accidentally - entered the Forest, he ran towards the place where the warning seemed to come from. The closer he got the more wary the trees grew and he heard the warnings more clear, now directed completely to him.
" Do not continue. Danger is ahead."
Even though his elvish ears could not make out clear voices, he could feel the trees grow increasingly hostile. In its eager to save itself, a tree even lashed out a branch at him, which he barley dodged.
' Calm', he told the tree and as he advanced the voices soon rang clear in his ears.
It is Men, and they sound familiar
, he thought as he soundlessly made his way to take a closer look.***
" The trees are aware of our presence but do not approve", Gandalf thought aloud as he listened to the wind.
" It cannot be helped", Aragorn answered with annoyance. " We must enter."
His attempt to walk further into the Forest was prevented by a big root that rose from the ground just before his feet, and it would have tripped him had it not been hold back by a harsh command in elvish.
Amazed at the encounter, just as much with the root as with the elf, Aragorn put all thoughts of the troubles he had aside and just let the sheer joy of seeing the elfs remarkable beauty seep into his every cell.
" Legolas!"
Smiling back, Legolas jumped down into the clearing they were in and almost immediately the pressing air lightened and the trees anxious spirits calmed.
" Yet again has the elves restored the order in the Fangorn Forest, although memories still haunts it", Gandalf marvelled even though he was not really surprised. Elves was extraordinary at making peace with nature.
" They haunts us all, my dear Mithrandir, Estel, what brings you to these lands? Although I am not surprised to see you here, Gandalf, as you seem to roam ever part of the world."
With a snort Gandalf tried to seem offended, but a smile betrayed him. He quickly turned serious though.
" We came here seeking you, Legolas, as the news of your stay here has reached my ears. We bring you urgent matters."
Thoughtfully sitting down on the very root that had tried to bring the King of Gondor back to earth (literally speaking), Legolas rested his bow against his knee, getting them both in his view.
" The fact that you sought me, and the troubled mind of Aragorn, has already told me as much. What I wish to know is what these matters are."
With a cautious look at the surrounding trees, Aragorn stepped closer to Legolas to make sure he would hear every word, although it did not really matter, considering Legolas could have heard him clearly at a greater distance than this.
" Minas Tirith has received word that an army of Elves is marching near. The attempts to ask of their business has not been answered and the messengers have been killed. I do not wish to fight against Elves as I still consider them my friends and allies. But I cannot risk the safety of Minas Tirith if it is their goal. I do not believe that they would harm another elf, therefore I have come. I am in need of your help."
While Aragorn had been speaking, Legolas' features has become more and more concerned.
" It sounds so unbelievable, but I do not think you are making this up. But you do not ask little of me, King of Gondor."
" Do not call me that, I beg you."
" It is to whom I am speaking. The protector of his people. However, my life has been spared by your interference on more than one occasion and I will therefore do the best I can."
" I do not want you to do this out of favour."
" It is out of friendship, I assure you."
Even though he had much experience of warfare, Aragorn was still relieved by his help.
" You are still the best of friends, my dear Legolas."
Arising from the root, Legolas grabbed Aragorns shoulder and squeezed it, giving all of his support.
" Let us not waste more time."
" Horses are awaiting by the edge of the Forest."
Just as they were about to leave a loud rumble sounded through the Forest.
" Hmm, you were going to leave without saying either "hello" or "good bye"?" Treebeard asked as he with giants steps made way through the forest.
" I think that no one can either come or leave without your knowledge" Gandalf spoke wryly.
Coming to a halt, Treebeard leant down and peered at them.
"Is it my eyes that deceit me or are these faces known to me? Hmm, yes I have seen them before. It is the White Wizard and the King of Gondor. What honour owns my Forest?"
Stepping forward, Gandalf bowed his head.
" The honour is ours, but our visit cannot be longer. There are things that cannot be delayed."
" Always in such a haste", Treebeard said but nodded his understanding. He stood silent for a few moments, waving in the wind. " The trees mourns your departure, you fair one."
" I will return as soon as I can", Legolas said as much to the trees as to Treebeard.
" Soon? Hmm, well then, these trees shall greet you as friends whenever you decide to return, if your heart is are free of evil. And if you see those halflings, tell them I would like to see them again… Soon, as you say."
With that he turned and walked back into the Forest.
As they walked out of the Forest Gandalf seemed thoughtful.
" What is on you mind, Gandalf?" Aragorn asked as he saw the contemplating wrinkles in his face. It had not been long since those wrinkles had been permanent in the wizards features, though they now had miraculously been smoothed over .
" What? Oh, I was wondering if Treebeard maybe knew of something that I do not. "As long as your hearts are free of evil." I do wonder…"
Exchanging a glance of knowledge, Aragorn and Legolas silently agreed on letting the wizard think in peace.
Where the Fangorn Forest ended stood a dozen men awaiting their return. Many of them had never seen an elf before and stared openly, marvelled over the fact that the rumours about the Elves fairness was not exaggerated.
They mounted their horses and rode away, but a few men lingered, looking into the dark Forest.
" I do know that they are fond of trees, but is this not a strange place to be, even for an Elf?" One of them asked, while he tried to see in between the trees.
" At least it was easy to find him" another one said but he kept his distance, subconsciously feeling the barrier the Forest had surrounding it.
" This forest scare me, I am not afraid to admit it" a third confessed as he shuddered unseen to the others.
" Neither am I, but let us catch up with the King, he will not be pleased if he finds us missing."
They spurred their mounts and rode hard to take their places in the party.
But what an Elf!
was the thought on all their minds.TBC
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Was it as bad as I think? I need some practise at this, I know I do. But please let me know your opinion! I will only keep on writing crap if you don't correct me.
// Zierra
RAIN: The only thing I did on this chapter was to complain, although I think it was rather okay for a first timer *winks* Zierra needed to get the storyline completed before I could start, but I have that when this is published, so in the following chapters I'll try to make my voice heard. Don't expect any major differences in the way we write though, the similarity is the reason why we write this together. Don't know why I'm writing so much, it's not even my story. Sorry… *runs away in tears*