Dammerung
Title: Dammerung (it's German for Twilight)
Author: Me. Smego Baggins
Summery: Our elf discovers a lonely and dying horse, so he and Aragorn's son attept to comfort it, forming a close bond.
Betaed by: NO ONE!!! Yeah, um people you're gonna finally see my REAL writing style, my grammar and spelling sucks and my sentence and paragraph structure have nothing to be desired.
Rating: PG for now, but maybe rated higher for torture of both mind and body.
Archived: Yes, but ask.
AN: Okay I blame MagicalRachal for this, she made a remark in her review and it sparked an idea. And after a few e-mails I had a basic idea of what to write, and here it is! I also haven't finished this fic, so it won't be too fast in the updating department. So I hope that M-R is happy with this and reviews the fic that is DEDICATED TO HER!!!
Dedication: For MagicalRachel, who wanted to see beyond the horizon of Marilla. And for my grandmothers, who love me no matter what I am.
Chapter 1: Dreams Interrupted
Soft bed sheets were twisted around the torso of the young Prince of Mirkwood as he struggled to wake from the dream he was currently in. The pale moonlight pooled itself upon his sweaty face and young features.
It was the same . . .
**
His arrows were all but spent and the rocks that provided extra weaponry and protection, were starting to run low on the supply. Satisfied and sure that the enemy was either dead or unconscious, Legolas lowered himself on the branch and rested his throbbing head in his small hands.
A rustling alerted the young elf and his ears picked up to hear the sound better. Not seeing any change around him, Legolas looked below him down to the ground and blanched at the sight that greeted him.
The body of the first orc he'd killed was attempting to rise from the ground, but as his head was no longer attached to his spine, the task was more difficult to complete. It quickly made short of this difficulty by snapping it's head back in place. Frozen in place by his terror, Legolas could only watch, his eyes wide and mouth open in shock as the orc then proceeded to sniff the air, searching for it's quarry.
A wave of absolute panic washed over the small elf as the yellow eyes settled upon his own, and a shiver jolted the lean muscles as Legolas saw they no longer held a soul, even a demon, or life behind them. His quick and shallow breath hitched in his throat and chest as the orc began to try and climb the tree that held him well away from the danger.
Looking wildly around, Legolas begged the trees to aid him and shelter his body for a spare moments. Only as he layed a hand on the rough bark of an Oak, Legolas realised that these trees and other plants in the forest were foreign and he couldn't understand their language, which only confused him more.
He was utterly alone.
Abandoning all dignity and grace that was known for his race, Legolas squealed in panic and screamed for his sister Alassë to rescue him, when she showed no sign of appearing he began to call for one of the archers or Rogan to shot down the orc that was now half-way up the tree. It's vacant eyes now holding a mad glint within them, with only made the elf panic more and beg it to leave him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please leave me be!!" Legolas sobbed hot tears slipping from his eyes and down his distressed face as he attempted to climb higher, away from the orc. "I won't do it again, please! Atara, plasea help me!"
The orcs only response at the elf's panic and distress was to sneer horribly, which reflected him Legolas's wide grey eyes.
It climbed a little higher, cornoring Legolas, where he could not jump to another tree, or land safely on the ground if he chose to leap. The sneer grew wilder as it's bloodied and scaly fingers gripped the young elfs leg and pulled sharply.
**
Grey eyes gradually unglazed themselves and immediately met green.
Not making a sound or panting in attempts to catch his breath Legolas sat up and Marilla backed away quietly, his sheets pooling around his thin frame as he clutched them tightly hoping to calm his racing heart that was dancing in his chest.
Marilla curled up against her 'kittens' chest and purred quietly but continuously that was comforting to his distressed and confused mind. Legolas rubbed her behind the soft velvet ears absentmindedly while thinking about his dream. It was a well known fact that elves rearly had nightmares or trouble sleeping from a danger that was in the past. Only for some odd reason, Legolas's mind wouldn't let him have an easy sleep.
Sighing, Legolas rose and settled himself besides his large window looking towards the stars that winked and giggled silently at him from far off. His 'atara' snuggled against him, determined to calm her child and make him rest.
"What have I done, atara?" he asked quietly. "I had to escape them, but was it right to harm them so that they would suffer?"
A soft 'meow' was the only answer.
"I don't know, either," the little elf sighed. "But maybe it was the right choice."
~*~
It wasn't unusual for the halls to be deserted during the night, most of the elves patrolled the borders of the forest or outside the most obvious of entrances.
Orcs, after all, were not credited for their intelligence or ambush abilities.
Still, Legolas had not spent his time with Marilla foolishly; she'd taught him to be swift, cunning, vigilant and above all else, aware of your surroundings.
Making sure that his cloak was tightly around him, Legolas pulled out a candle and attempted to reach a torch that was still alight with fire. Frowning, Legolas knew that he couldn't reach it, nor would the bookcase besides it hold his light weight.
The answer to the riddle was answered by Marilla purring and rubbing herself against his tiny legs. Placing the thin stick of wax in his mouth, he picked her up and placed her on the highest level that he could reach. Marilla sat next to the elvan books and he could have sworn that she scrawled at him disapprovingly. The elf then offered the candle to her, and sighing, the cat gently took the stick and held it against the fire, careful not to burn her beautiful fur.
Smiling at her gently, he gathered the cat up in his slender arms, when she had made herself comfortable upon his shoulders, he picked up the candle and walked out of the airy hallway.
The moon was out tonight, pooling down her light down on the path that both elf and cat followed, rendering the soft glow of the candle unnecessary. Blowing it out and placing it in some bushes for later retrieval, Legolas apologised for wasting Marilla's time by lighting it in the first place. She just purred in forgiveness.
With his feet not in any type of shoe or slipper, Legolas was careful not to tread on any stone or pointed stick that could cause any type of injury to his soft feet. Marilla had now jumped off of his shoulders and padded silently besides him, her eyes like bright lamps in the dark.
Within moments the huge arc door frames stood before them, two horses decorated the wood doors, one of a stallion and the other a mare, upon their rear legs. These two horses were the carving of the first horses owned by the king of Mirkwood and the stables were built in their memory.
Looking at the carved creatures for a moment, Legolas pushed the door open, careful not to make a sound as he entered. The moment he entered, heads bent out of their stalls to meet and nicker softly at the young prince. Twenty-five and he was here for only one.
Jewel.
When his mother was alive, she would take him for the wildest of rides upon her. The Andalucian would neigh with pleasure and anticipation whenever they approached with her tack, her dark eyes bright and her proud head nodding in agreement as his mother talked softly to her own beauty.
But those days were now passed, and the once almost mystical animal was now a shadow of her former self. Her coat was dull and harsh, and her eyes never sparkled with joy at seeing any of the elves. And she berely acknowlegde that any elf, other then Legolas, was there.
She had lost herself.
Making no sound as he sought for her stable, Legolas let Marilla guide him in the soft moonlight towards the wanted place. Her soft feet made no sound as she sniffed and checked that they were alone with Jewel.
The stable door was closed. Legolas was undaunted by this and watched as Marilla leapt lightly on to the top of the door and watch as he figured out how to climb this without making a single sound. Sighing, he fingered the bronze plate with Jewel's name carved into it as he remembered the months that had passed.
His reminiscing was broken by the horse's soft and barely heard nicker. Hoisting himself up also, Legolas saw Jewels dark eyes staring back.
"Suilad, Miiir.*" Legolas whispered as he landed softly in the hay covered stall. "Did I wake you?"
Not answering in his tongue, he took that as a 'no'. Making sure that the single candle in her stall was out of danger as he lit it with a match that lay upon the ground outside Jewel's stable door., Legolas settled down besides the resting horse. Legolas's golden halo of a head rested against her board chest as she breathed in and out silently.
A second head joined them this time. It was Ruby, his own horse that his brother and sister had given Legolas for his birthday. Her large brown head was over the side as she watched her young master dozing in the warmth of their quiet and unconditional love.
The straw was warm and comforting to his troubled mind and Jewel's broad back served well as a place to drape ones body over. The only sounds in the musky stable that night was Marilla's contented purring and the deep rumbling of the mares stomach as she munched on her bedding.
In all of the world, this was the five-year-olds favourite place, and he could often be found sleeping in amongst the straw with Jewel or his own Ruby. Deciding that he wasn't going to sleep well here either, Legolas pulled himself up on the horses back and began to braid her main, starting with her forelock
The candle in the stable flickered and steadied itself as a cold wind picked up, making the little elf shiver involuntary, something was going to happen. Rising his head a little, Legolas could hear voices speaking.
". . . not eating or responding," whoever it was sighed. "We have no choice. She must be put out of her misery."
Pausing in braiding her forelock, Legolas listened harder. He knew these voices, one was Rogan's and the other was an elf that 'helped' look after Ruby.
"What about the young prince?" asked Rogan asked quietly. "This will surely pain him greatly."
"She is starving herself!" Táralóm argued fiercely. "You want to be responsible for a royal horse's death, be my guest."
A deep sigh was the reply, and Legolas could almost see Rogan nod. "I'll get the kings permission in the morning."
Looking at Marilla in pure horror on his fair face, the little elf was unable to speak.
They were going to kill Jewel.
*****
Translations:
1) Suilad, Miiir. = Greetings, Jewel.
AN 2: Well, you could review now, please? Flames will be used to keep me VERY warm, as it's still cold in Orange. So my ratties and I will welcome the warmth.
I was also thinking of making this into a mini-series, just based on Legolas and the elvan quality that they seem to have with animals. So I was gonna call it the Deliverence Series, as he's either rescuing or being rescued by animals, humans or more than not his brothers and sisters? Think I should go ahead, try for the stars and bring home a comet? Sorry, it's a comment that my Year Advisor always says whenever we're feeling depressed.
Title: Dammerung (it's German for Twilight)
Author: Me. Smego Baggins
Summery: Our elf discovers a lonely and dying horse, so he and Aragorn's son attept to comfort it, forming a close bond.
Betaed by: NO ONE!!! Yeah, um people you're gonna finally see my REAL writing style, my grammar and spelling sucks and my sentence and paragraph structure have nothing to be desired.
Rating: PG for now, but maybe rated higher for torture of both mind and body.
Archived: Yes, but ask.
AN: Okay I blame MagicalRachal for this, she made a remark in her review and it sparked an idea. And after a few e-mails I had a basic idea of what to write, and here it is! I also haven't finished this fic, so it won't be too fast in the updating department. So I hope that M-R is happy with this and reviews the fic that is DEDICATED TO HER!!!
Dedication: For MagicalRachel, who wanted to see beyond the horizon of Marilla. And for my grandmothers, who love me no matter what I am.
Chapter 1: Dreams Interrupted
Soft bed sheets were twisted around the torso of the young Prince of Mirkwood as he struggled to wake from the dream he was currently in. The pale moonlight pooled itself upon his sweaty face and young features.
It was the same . . .
**
His arrows were all but spent and the rocks that provided extra weaponry and protection, were starting to run low on the supply. Satisfied and sure that the enemy was either dead or unconscious, Legolas lowered himself on the branch and rested his throbbing head in his small hands.
A rustling alerted the young elf and his ears picked up to hear the sound better. Not seeing any change around him, Legolas looked below him down to the ground and blanched at the sight that greeted him.
The body of the first orc he'd killed was attempting to rise from the ground, but as his head was no longer attached to his spine, the task was more difficult to complete. It quickly made short of this difficulty by snapping it's head back in place. Frozen in place by his terror, Legolas could only watch, his eyes wide and mouth open in shock as the orc then proceeded to sniff the air, searching for it's quarry.
A wave of absolute panic washed over the small elf as the yellow eyes settled upon his own, and a shiver jolted the lean muscles as Legolas saw they no longer held a soul, even a demon, or life behind them. His quick and shallow breath hitched in his throat and chest as the orc began to try and climb the tree that held him well away from the danger.
Looking wildly around, Legolas begged the trees to aid him and shelter his body for a spare moments. Only as he layed a hand on the rough bark of an Oak, Legolas realised that these trees and other plants in the forest were foreign and he couldn't understand their language, which only confused him more.
He was utterly alone.
Abandoning all dignity and grace that was known for his race, Legolas squealed in panic and screamed for his sister Alassë to rescue him, when she showed no sign of appearing he began to call for one of the archers or Rogan to shot down the orc that was now half-way up the tree. It's vacant eyes now holding a mad glint within them, with only made the elf panic more and beg it to leave him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please leave me be!!" Legolas sobbed hot tears slipping from his eyes and down his distressed face as he attempted to climb higher, away from the orc. "I won't do it again, please! Atara, plasea help me!"
The orcs only response at the elf's panic and distress was to sneer horribly, which reflected him Legolas's wide grey eyes.
It climbed a little higher, cornoring Legolas, where he could not jump to another tree, or land safely on the ground if he chose to leap. The sneer grew wilder as it's bloodied and scaly fingers gripped the young elfs leg and pulled sharply.
**
Grey eyes gradually unglazed themselves and immediately met green.
Not making a sound or panting in attempts to catch his breath Legolas sat up and Marilla backed away quietly, his sheets pooling around his thin frame as he clutched them tightly hoping to calm his racing heart that was dancing in his chest.
Marilla curled up against her 'kittens' chest and purred quietly but continuously that was comforting to his distressed and confused mind. Legolas rubbed her behind the soft velvet ears absentmindedly while thinking about his dream. It was a well known fact that elves rearly had nightmares or trouble sleeping from a danger that was in the past. Only for some odd reason, Legolas's mind wouldn't let him have an easy sleep.
Sighing, Legolas rose and settled himself besides his large window looking towards the stars that winked and giggled silently at him from far off. His 'atara' snuggled against him, determined to calm her child and make him rest.
"What have I done, atara?" he asked quietly. "I had to escape them, but was it right to harm them so that they would suffer?"
A soft 'meow' was the only answer.
"I don't know, either," the little elf sighed. "But maybe it was the right choice."
~*~
It wasn't unusual for the halls to be deserted during the night, most of the elves patrolled the borders of the forest or outside the most obvious of entrances.
Orcs, after all, were not credited for their intelligence or ambush abilities.
Still, Legolas had not spent his time with Marilla foolishly; she'd taught him to be swift, cunning, vigilant and above all else, aware of your surroundings.
Making sure that his cloak was tightly around him, Legolas pulled out a candle and attempted to reach a torch that was still alight with fire. Frowning, Legolas knew that he couldn't reach it, nor would the bookcase besides it hold his light weight.
The answer to the riddle was answered by Marilla purring and rubbing herself against his tiny legs. Placing the thin stick of wax in his mouth, he picked her up and placed her on the highest level that he could reach. Marilla sat next to the elvan books and he could have sworn that she scrawled at him disapprovingly. The elf then offered the candle to her, and sighing, the cat gently took the stick and held it against the fire, careful not to burn her beautiful fur.
Smiling at her gently, he gathered the cat up in his slender arms, when she had made herself comfortable upon his shoulders, he picked up the candle and walked out of the airy hallway.
The moon was out tonight, pooling down her light down on the path that both elf and cat followed, rendering the soft glow of the candle unnecessary. Blowing it out and placing it in some bushes for later retrieval, Legolas apologised for wasting Marilla's time by lighting it in the first place. She just purred in forgiveness.
With his feet not in any type of shoe or slipper, Legolas was careful not to tread on any stone or pointed stick that could cause any type of injury to his soft feet. Marilla had now jumped off of his shoulders and padded silently besides him, her eyes like bright lamps in the dark.
Within moments the huge arc door frames stood before them, two horses decorated the wood doors, one of a stallion and the other a mare, upon their rear legs. These two horses were the carving of the first horses owned by the king of Mirkwood and the stables were built in their memory.
Looking at the carved creatures for a moment, Legolas pushed the door open, careful not to make a sound as he entered. The moment he entered, heads bent out of their stalls to meet and nicker softly at the young prince. Twenty-five and he was here for only one.
Jewel.
When his mother was alive, she would take him for the wildest of rides upon her. The Andalucian would neigh with pleasure and anticipation whenever they approached with her tack, her dark eyes bright and her proud head nodding in agreement as his mother talked softly to her own beauty.
But those days were now passed, and the once almost mystical animal was now a shadow of her former self. Her coat was dull and harsh, and her eyes never sparkled with joy at seeing any of the elves. And she berely acknowlegde that any elf, other then Legolas, was there.
She had lost herself.
Making no sound as he sought for her stable, Legolas let Marilla guide him in the soft moonlight towards the wanted place. Her soft feet made no sound as she sniffed and checked that they were alone with Jewel.
The stable door was closed. Legolas was undaunted by this and watched as Marilla leapt lightly on to the top of the door and watch as he figured out how to climb this without making a single sound. Sighing, he fingered the bronze plate with Jewel's name carved into it as he remembered the months that had passed.
His reminiscing was broken by the horse's soft and barely heard nicker. Hoisting himself up also, Legolas saw Jewels dark eyes staring back.
"Suilad, Miiir.*" Legolas whispered as he landed softly in the hay covered stall. "Did I wake you?"
Not answering in his tongue, he took that as a 'no'. Making sure that the single candle in her stall was out of danger as he lit it with a match that lay upon the ground outside Jewel's stable door., Legolas settled down besides the resting horse. Legolas's golden halo of a head rested against her board chest as she breathed in and out silently.
A second head joined them this time. It was Ruby, his own horse that his brother and sister had given Legolas for his birthday. Her large brown head was over the side as she watched her young master dozing in the warmth of their quiet and unconditional love.
The straw was warm and comforting to his troubled mind and Jewel's broad back served well as a place to drape ones body over. The only sounds in the musky stable that night was Marilla's contented purring and the deep rumbling of the mares stomach as she munched on her bedding.
In all of the world, this was the five-year-olds favourite place, and he could often be found sleeping in amongst the straw with Jewel or his own Ruby. Deciding that he wasn't going to sleep well here either, Legolas pulled himself up on the horses back and began to braid her main, starting with her forelock
The candle in the stable flickered and steadied itself as a cold wind picked up, making the little elf shiver involuntary, something was going to happen. Rising his head a little, Legolas could hear voices speaking.
". . . not eating or responding," whoever it was sighed. "We have no choice. She must be put out of her misery."
Pausing in braiding her forelock, Legolas listened harder. He knew these voices, one was Rogan's and the other was an elf that 'helped' look after Ruby.
"What about the young prince?" asked Rogan asked quietly. "This will surely pain him greatly."
"She is starving herself!" Táralóm argued fiercely. "You want to be responsible for a royal horse's death, be my guest."
A deep sigh was the reply, and Legolas could almost see Rogan nod. "I'll get the kings permission in the morning."
Looking at Marilla in pure horror on his fair face, the little elf was unable to speak.
They were going to kill Jewel.
*****
Translations:
1) Suilad, Miiir. = Greetings, Jewel.
AN 2: Well, you could review now, please? Flames will be used to keep me VERY warm, as it's still cold in Orange. So my ratties and I will welcome the warmth.
I was also thinking of making this into a mini-series, just based on Legolas and the elvan quality that they seem to have with animals. So I was gonna call it the Deliverence Series, as he's either rescuing or being rescued by animals, humans or more than not his brothers and sisters? Think I should go ahead, try for the stars and bring home a comet? Sorry, it's a comment that my Year Advisor always says whenever we're feeling depressed.
