Title: The First Time
Author: Xehra xehra1@hotmail.com
Rating: G
Setting: Moria, FOTR
Summary: Despite what the title implies, NOT an erotic romp through Mirkwood. Instead, Legolas reflects on his deadly aim.
Spoilers: For the books. Duh.
Archive: FF.net and The Wood's Library. Should you by some strange chance want it, please drop me a line first to let me know.
Disclaimer: I don't own Middle Earth. Papa Tolkien does, and always will.
Feedback: Craved. To the above address.
Author's note: This is my first foray into LOTR fiction, and it's unbeta'd. You have been warned... ;)
~~~~~~~~~
The First Time
~~~~~~~~~
It was three days to the other side. Gandalf had said so, and Mithrandir was always right, this I knew. It was one of the things about him that annoyed my father the most.
As we walked through the darkness of the dwarves' lost city, senses other than my eyes came to the fore, sharpened by the lack of light. Something was following us. Even without elvish hearing, I was surprised the others hadn't noticed yet. Or maybe they had, and kept their own counsel, as I did.
As my senses stretched outward, my thoughts retreated inward, reflecting on our journey. I had had the first opportunity to use my bow two nights previously, and the howls of dying wargs still echoed in my memory. As my bowstring sang, I felt once again the fierce joy that often came upon me in such desperate fights.
It was not always so. There was a time, when I was young, when my father despaired of my ever becoming a warrior. Though always skilled at finding a target, I showed great reluctance at the kill.
Then one night an goblin-raid from the mountains took us by surprise. Myself and a party of elves from the Court were attacked in a clearing on the borders of Mirkwood. Our sentry silenced by a black-feathered arrow from the dark, they were upon us before many of my friends could reach for their weapons.
The comforting weight of my bow was in my hand in moments and I drew upon the nearest of the creatures. It charged towards me, its wicked curved sword glinting in the faint starlight. Still I hesitated. And then it was near enough that I could smell the foul stench of it, and hear the hiss that escaped from between its blood-stained teeth.
Suddenly all became clear, and my arrow flew true into its evil heart. My bow sang that night also, so long ago in Mirkwood. My first encounter with goblins had shattered my long-held belief in the sanctity of life. No good could I sense in the creatures, and death was the only justice they understood.
Now, in the dark of Moria, such memories came back to me with clarity. I had killed many goblins since, and knew in my very bones I would mete out death to many more orcs, their cousins, on this journey.
When we reached the Dwarrowdelf, a strange sense of foreboding descended on me. Looking up at the massive pillars of the great hall, I could not ignore my growing conviction for long. As we stood by the tomb of Balin, my fears were justified.
I drew an arrow to my string and remembered clearly my first kill, and hoped my aim would prove as true this day.
END
Author: Xehra xehra1@hotmail.com
Rating: G
Setting: Moria, FOTR
Summary: Despite what the title implies, NOT an erotic romp through Mirkwood. Instead, Legolas reflects on his deadly aim.
Spoilers: For the books. Duh.
Archive: FF.net and The Wood's Library. Should you by some strange chance want it, please drop me a line first to let me know.
Disclaimer: I don't own Middle Earth. Papa Tolkien does, and always will.
Feedback: Craved. To the above address.
Author's note: This is my first foray into LOTR fiction, and it's unbeta'd. You have been warned... ;)
~~~~~~~~~
The First Time
~~~~~~~~~
It was three days to the other side. Gandalf had said so, and Mithrandir was always right, this I knew. It was one of the things about him that annoyed my father the most.
As we walked through the darkness of the dwarves' lost city, senses other than my eyes came to the fore, sharpened by the lack of light. Something was following us. Even without elvish hearing, I was surprised the others hadn't noticed yet. Or maybe they had, and kept their own counsel, as I did.
As my senses stretched outward, my thoughts retreated inward, reflecting on our journey. I had had the first opportunity to use my bow two nights previously, and the howls of dying wargs still echoed in my memory. As my bowstring sang, I felt once again the fierce joy that often came upon me in such desperate fights.
It was not always so. There was a time, when I was young, when my father despaired of my ever becoming a warrior. Though always skilled at finding a target, I showed great reluctance at the kill.
Then one night an goblin-raid from the mountains took us by surprise. Myself and a party of elves from the Court were attacked in a clearing on the borders of Mirkwood. Our sentry silenced by a black-feathered arrow from the dark, they were upon us before many of my friends could reach for their weapons.
The comforting weight of my bow was in my hand in moments and I drew upon the nearest of the creatures. It charged towards me, its wicked curved sword glinting in the faint starlight. Still I hesitated. And then it was near enough that I could smell the foul stench of it, and hear the hiss that escaped from between its blood-stained teeth.
Suddenly all became clear, and my arrow flew true into its evil heart. My bow sang that night also, so long ago in Mirkwood. My first encounter with goblins had shattered my long-held belief in the sanctity of life. No good could I sense in the creatures, and death was the only justice they understood.
Now, in the dark of Moria, such memories came back to me with clarity. I had killed many goblins since, and knew in my very bones I would mete out death to many more orcs, their cousins, on this journey.
When we reached the Dwarrowdelf, a strange sense of foreboding descended on me. Looking up at the massive pillars of the great hall, I could not ignore my growing conviction for long. As we stood by the tomb of Balin, my fears were justified.
I drew an arrow to my string and remembered clearly my first kill, and hoped my aim would prove as true this day.
END
