Disclaimer: Alas I do not own any of it! The late great J.R.R. Tolkien
does!
Came to me while watching the end of ROTK for the ?? time (I've lost count at this stage!) And also while listening to Howard Shore's amazing soundtrack! Better win!!!
A/N Please forgive the atrocious Sindarin, if anyone out there can correct it for me I would be much obliged!! It's a mixture of stuff from other stories and my own awful attempts at constructing phrases using Dave Salo's dictionary! Thanks to anyone whose Sindarin I have borrowed.
"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?"
"Kingsfoil."
"Kingsfoil- oh it's a weed."
"It may help to stop the poison."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Strider scanned the ground quickly, the light of his torch cast flickering shadows all around. Bent low to the ground, he found the delicate plant among some tall grass patches. He flipped the knife quickly from where it rested in his belt and began to cut at a few of the stems. He stopped abruptly. A cool metal blade dug into the exposed flesh of his neck.
"What's this? A Ranger caught off his guard?"
Frodo felt the world around him fade into shadow and mists. His breath was drawn from his body in a wrack of pain and effort. He gazed in wonder to his right, as bright light seemed to him to shine through the darkness, and he saw, as in a dream, a vision ride towards him on a great white steed. His eyes widened in shock, the fair creature sprang lightly from atop the horse, his golden hair shook in the light.
"Frodo, im Legolas, tol im tulu. Lasto peth nin, tol an i dan Galad." (Frodo. I'm Legolas, I've come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.)
The dazzling glow subsided, and there knelt before him a blonde elf, the beauty of which he had in his short years never seen. The fair being spoke quietly and quickly, this time using the common tongue "he's fading; we must get him to Rivendell."
Strider lifted the small hobbit over to the white horse, and placed him carefully on the beast's back.
"Who is he?" whispered Pippin, who stood transfixed near the spot Frodo had just been lying.
"He's an elf!" Merry cried, and the wonder in his voice was not lost on the others.
The blonde now spoke quietly with Strider, "There are five wraiths behind you; where the other four are, I do not know."
Strider looked back at the Hobbits, his face grim. He turned to the elf beside him, "daro i na Periannathor, tóg im roch le." (Stay with the hobbits, I'll send horses for you)
Legolas peered into his eyes, "im an rochon lagor; im innas maba ho. Ae im pul athrada an duin, beria balan od imladris ho." (I'm the faster rider; I will take him. If I can cross the river, the power of Rivendell will protect him)
"Legolas."
"I do not fear them."
Pippin noticed the delicate touch of the Ranger, as he grasped the elf's hand in his own. As though a cloud had been lifted from his eyes, he suddenly understood who the elf was. Legolas sprang effortlessly onto the horse's back; Asfaloth wore no saddle, as was the way with the elves.
"Legolas ride hard, don't look back."
He nodded slightly, a small smile played on his lips and for a brief moment their eyes were locked on each other. "Noro lim Asfaloth, noro lim." (Run on Asfaloth, run on!) The swift horse flew at the command and soon could not be seen nor heard.
"What are you doin'? Those wraiths are still out there!" Sam cried, still holding the torch Strider had given him.
Strider turned to face the three little hobbits, "fear not for your friend Sam, Legolas will protect him."
"Who was he?" Merry asked, looking in the direction the horse had sped, "I thought."
Strider grabbed a torch and started after the horse, making his way slowly through the long plants. "What did you think Merry?" Pippin ventured, for he too felt something strange stir in him when the elf appeared.
Strider remained silent, as though lost in some distant memory.
"I thought I saw a great white light, and it seemed.well it seemed to come from the elf, if you get my meaning." Sam looked at him doubtfully, and Merry quickly looked away to the ground.
"I saw it too!" Pippin cried, "Only I thought it was some strange trick that my eyes had played on me."
"It was no trick Master Took. You saw an elf, or rather an elf as he is in the other world. He is Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm, of Mirkwood. He is the youngest son of King Thranduil- of that name you have no doubt heard for it was he that captured Bilbo long ago."
Merry and Pippin exchanged brief glances. Strider caught this as he turned around to face them, and smiled. "The Firstborn are blessed, they may exist in both worlds at once, and it is not often that we witness their true form, only in times of great need and power. Indeed what you saw was but a reflection of the light of the Eldar, for the sight of such a being in all his beauty would have you fall to your knees in wonder. Frodo would have seen him in his true glory, as those in the Shadow Realm do."
"You mean... he's more beautiful than he appeared to us? Well that would be a sight indeed", Sam whispered almost unheard. Merry and Pippin both nodded in agreement at Sam's last statement, and Strider smiled and bowed his head.
"Are all elves so fair Strider?" Pippin inquired of the Ranger. Strider was silent for several moments, it seemed to the others that he was again lost deep in his own thoughts.
"I was but a child when I first met the Prince of Mirkwood and it seemed to me then he was the fairest creature I had ever beheld."
Pippin cast his gaze to the tall man's face, trying to discover what other information lay there, "and now?" he asked.
Strider turned to the small hobbit, "and now?" he sighed and looked towards the faint trail left by the horse, "verily I know it to be true." And he was lost in thought once more.
Pippin smiled broadly, the other hobbits were too far from the ranger to have caught the glint in his eye, but he had seen it clearly.
"What's he doin' in Rivendell? Sam asked. Strider looked uneasy, as if some hidden wound had suddenly reopened.
"He was being healed by Lord Elrond, he was gravely injured in a battle not long ago." The Hobbits knew to ask no more questions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*********Flashback***********
"Fear not Estel, Ada will have the Healing Rooms well stocked for your return!" Elladan said as the two stood by their horses preparing to leave through the main gates of Rivendell. Aragorn looked to his companion with exasperation. The blonde elf smiled broadly, his sapphire eyes focused on Aragorn's deep blue irises. "Since you two always seem to find trouble, when off on your little adventures!" Elladan laughed merrily. The other two remaining silent.
"Nay brother."Elrohir appeared from behind Asfaloth ".they do not find trouble, it seems to know where they will be at any given moment." The dark haired brothers again laughed jovially. Legolas could do naught but smile at the good natured teasing of the sons of Elrond. He looked again to Aragorn, whom he knew, despite the grave look upon his face, to be enjoying the light- hearted banter between the four. Long had Legolas thought of these three as his brothers, a little longer than he had thought of the man beside him as his love. They mounted their steeds, Legolas once again borrowing mighty Asfaloth from Elrond's stables. With a last goodbye they rode out towards the woods of Rivendell, and so on to adventure
. "Belain na le, n'adovaded!" ( May the Valar protect you! Until we meet again) they heard called from back at the gates
. They rode on in silence, Aragorn knew his golden haired elf enjoyed the beauty of the woods of Imladris, and not for the first time he found himself enjoying the beauty of the elf's face.
"At what do you stare meldanya?" A wide smile worked its way across the Ranger's face, and he looked quickly back to the path ahead, "nothing!" he lied
. Legolas continued to gaze at the man beside him "hhhhhhhhmmmm" the long sigh caused Aragorn to turn back to his friend
. "What?"
"Nothing!"
Aragorn shook his head. Legolas's smile deepened. He looked slowly from Aragorn to the road and back to the ranger again. "Noro lim Asfaloth!"
"Legolas!"
He finally reached the place where Legolas stood, now staring off into the thick trees to their right. His long bow rested in his left hand, an arrow notched with his right. Aragorn dismounted quickly. "What do your elf ears hear mela nin?"
"Orcs." Legolas whispered, ".five and thirty at least, some way off, behind that small tree cluster." His head snapped up, as did his bow. The arrow left it with a soft pop, and not a second later a small cry was heard from the distance. Before Aragorn could see the foul beasts, his companion had spent nine arrows; all had been followed by the cry of a fallen orc. Aragorn now stood behind a large oak, and on cue leapt out into the thicket of the crowd. "Elendil!" he cried and struck three mighty blows to fell the orcs closest to him. He parried with another, before dispatching him swiftly. All the while he heard the mighty bow of the Woodland Realm singing. Legolas's arrows were soon spent, his quiver empty. The orc before him smirked broadly, the last move he would ever take, as the short knives were driven through his heart. The elf continued to slay all around him with the knives. Indeed it seemed to him that he was dealing with more than his fair share of the orcs. They would attack an elf before a man, for their hatred of the firstborn was great
. Soon all were dead around them, and both man and elf breathed deeply. They were unhurt. Aragorn looked to where the elf was. He marvelled at the strength of that fairest of beings, and yet had no reason to, long had he and Legolas faced such dangers together and the man knew the elf's abilities. They surveyed the dead. "These are strange markings. Do you know these symbols Legolas?"
"Nay such images I have not seen on orc armour." He looked suddenly back to the right, panic and fear in his eyes. Quickly he pulled an arrow from a fallen orc. "Estel!" he cried, and threw himself in front of the man. Aragorn had never seen Legolas fit and shoot an arrow so quickly, the sound rang in his ears when the arrow was released. But another had also been fired. He gasped. The elf lurched back into his arms, the foul wood piercing his chest
. "Legolas!" he whispered.
The elf's eyes widened in shock and pain. "Estel" he breathed almost inaudibly and grasped the man's hand tightly within his own. Aragorn laid him down upon the soft grass. He quickly removed the dark green tunic, now seeped in blood. The arrow was embedded deeply within his chest. Aragorn removed it quickly and examined the tip carefully. He gasped. His brow furrowed as he assessed the wound above Legolas's heart. The poison was spreading quickly through the elf's body. He pulled some Athelas leaves from his pouch, and chewed quickly on them. He rubbed the paste softly into the deep gash on the elf's porcelain skin. "Legolas? Mela nin? Hear me my love! Legolas?" tears ran down either side of the man's face, "Asfaloth!" he cried. The horse neighed in the background and soon stood before them. Legolas moaned softly when Aragorn lifted him. His eyes opened narrowly, "Estel."
Aragorn climbed up on the horse's back, holding the elf in his arms in front of him. "No thalion mela nin.(Be strong my love) We must ride for Rivendell. Legolas?" The elf had fallen unconscious again; Aragorn kissed the soft golden hair. "Hold on mela nin. Noro lim Asfaloth, noro lim!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Came to me while watching the end of ROTK for the ?? time (I've lost count at this stage!) And also while listening to Howard Shore's amazing soundtrack! Better win!!!
A/N Please forgive the atrocious Sindarin, if anyone out there can correct it for me I would be much obliged!! It's a mixture of stuff from other stories and my own awful attempts at constructing phrases using Dave Salo's dictionary! Thanks to anyone whose Sindarin I have borrowed.
"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?"
"Kingsfoil."
"Kingsfoil- oh it's a weed."
"It may help to stop the poison."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Strider scanned the ground quickly, the light of his torch cast flickering shadows all around. Bent low to the ground, he found the delicate plant among some tall grass patches. He flipped the knife quickly from where it rested in his belt and began to cut at a few of the stems. He stopped abruptly. A cool metal blade dug into the exposed flesh of his neck.
"What's this? A Ranger caught off his guard?"
Frodo felt the world around him fade into shadow and mists. His breath was drawn from his body in a wrack of pain and effort. He gazed in wonder to his right, as bright light seemed to him to shine through the darkness, and he saw, as in a dream, a vision ride towards him on a great white steed. His eyes widened in shock, the fair creature sprang lightly from atop the horse, his golden hair shook in the light.
"Frodo, im Legolas, tol im tulu. Lasto peth nin, tol an i dan Galad." (Frodo. I'm Legolas, I've come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.)
The dazzling glow subsided, and there knelt before him a blonde elf, the beauty of which he had in his short years never seen. The fair being spoke quietly and quickly, this time using the common tongue "he's fading; we must get him to Rivendell."
Strider lifted the small hobbit over to the white horse, and placed him carefully on the beast's back.
"Who is he?" whispered Pippin, who stood transfixed near the spot Frodo had just been lying.
"He's an elf!" Merry cried, and the wonder in his voice was not lost on the others.
The blonde now spoke quietly with Strider, "There are five wraiths behind you; where the other four are, I do not know."
Strider looked back at the Hobbits, his face grim. He turned to the elf beside him, "daro i na Periannathor, tóg im roch le." (Stay with the hobbits, I'll send horses for you)
Legolas peered into his eyes, "im an rochon lagor; im innas maba ho. Ae im pul athrada an duin, beria balan od imladris ho." (I'm the faster rider; I will take him. If I can cross the river, the power of Rivendell will protect him)
"Legolas."
"I do not fear them."
Pippin noticed the delicate touch of the Ranger, as he grasped the elf's hand in his own. As though a cloud had been lifted from his eyes, he suddenly understood who the elf was. Legolas sprang effortlessly onto the horse's back; Asfaloth wore no saddle, as was the way with the elves.
"Legolas ride hard, don't look back."
He nodded slightly, a small smile played on his lips and for a brief moment their eyes were locked on each other. "Noro lim Asfaloth, noro lim." (Run on Asfaloth, run on!) The swift horse flew at the command and soon could not be seen nor heard.
"What are you doin'? Those wraiths are still out there!" Sam cried, still holding the torch Strider had given him.
Strider turned to face the three little hobbits, "fear not for your friend Sam, Legolas will protect him."
"Who was he?" Merry asked, looking in the direction the horse had sped, "I thought."
Strider grabbed a torch and started after the horse, making his way slowly through the long plants. "What did you think Merry?" Pippin ventured, for he too felt something strange stir in him when the elf appeared.
Strider remained silent, as though lost in some distant memory.
"I thought I saw a great white light, and it seemed.well it seemed to come from the elf, if you get my meaning." Sam looked at him doubtfully, and Merry quickly looked away to the ground.
"I saw it too!" Pippin cried, "Only I thought it was some strange trick that my eyes had played on me."
"It was no trick Master Took. You saw an elf, or rather an elf as he is in the other world. He is Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm, of Mirkwood. He is the youngest son of King Thranduil- of that name you have no doubt heard for it was he that captured Bilbo long ago."
Merry and Pippin exchanged brief glances. Strider caught this as he turned around to face them, and smiled. "The Firstborn are blessed, they may exist in both worlds at once, and it is not often that we witness their true form, only in times of great need and power. Indeed what you saw was but a reflection of the light of the Eldar, for the sight of such a being in all his beauty would have you fall to your knees in wonder. Frodo would have seen him in his true glory, as those in the Shadow Realm do."
"You mean... he's more beautiful than he appeared to us? Well that would be a sight indeed", Sam whispered almost unheard. Merry and Pippin both nodded in agreement at Sam's last statement, and Strider smiled and bowed his head.
"Are all elves so fair Strider?" Pippin inquired of the Ranger. Strider was silent for several moments, it seemed to the others that he was again lost deep in his own thoughts.
"I was but a child when I first met the Prince of Mirkwood and it seemed to me then he was the fairest creature I had ever beheld."
Pippin cast his gaze to the tall man's face, trying to discover what other information lay there, "and now?" he asked.
Strider turned to the small hobbit, "and now?" he sighed and looked towards the faint trail left by the horse, "verily I know it to be true." And he was lost in thought once more.
Pippin smiled broadly, the other hobbits were too far from the ranger to have caught the glint in his eye, but he had seen it clearly.
"What's he doin' in Rivendell? Sam asked. Strider looked uneasy, as if some hidden wound had suddenly reopened.
"He was being healed by Lord Elrond, he was gravely injured in a battle not long ago." The Hobbits knew to ask no more questions.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*********Flashback***********
"Fear not Estel, Ada will have the Healing Rooms well stocked for your return!" Elladan said as the two stood by their horses preparing to leave through the main gates of Rivendell. Aragorn looked to his companion with exasperation. The blonde elf smiled broadly, his sapphire eyes focused on Aragorn's deep blue irises. "Since you two always seem to find trouble, when off on your little adventures!" Elladan laughed merrily. The other two remaining silent.
"Nay brother."Elrohir appeared from behind Asfaloth ".they do not find trouble, it seems to know where they will be at any given moment." The dark haired brothers again laughed jovially. Legolas could do naught but smile at the good natured teasing of the sons of Elrond. He looked again to Aragorn, whom he knew, despite the grave look upon his face, to be enjoying the light- hearted banter between the four. Long had Legolas thought of these three as his brothers, a little longer than he had thought of the man beside him as his love. They mounted their steeds, Legolas once again borrowing mighty Asfaloth from Elrond's stables. With a last goodbye they rode out towards the woods of Rivendell, and so on to adventure
. "Belain na le, n'adovaded!" ( May the Valar protect you! Until we meet again) they heard called from back at the gates
. They rode on in silence, Aragorn knew his golden haired elf enjoyed the beauty of the woods of Imladris, and not for the first time he found himself enjoying the beauty of the elf's face.
"At what do you stare meldanya?" A wide smile worked its way across the Ranger's face, and he looked quickly back to the path ahead, "nothing!" he lied
. Legolas continued to gaze at the man beside him "hhhhhhhhmmmm" the long sigh caused Aragorn to turn back to his friend
. "What?"
"Nothing!"
Aragorn shook his head. Legolas's smile deepened. He looked slowly from Aragorn to the road and back to the ranger again. "Noro lim Asfaloth!"
"Legolas!"
He finally reached the place where Legolas stood, now staring off into the thick trees to their right. His long bow rested in his left hand, an arrow notched with his right. Aragorn dismounted quickly. "What do your elf ears hear mela nin?"
"Orcs." Legolas whispered, ".five and thirty at least, some way off, behind that small tree cluster." His head snapped up, as did his bow. The arrow left it with a soft pop, and not a second later a small cry was heard from the distance. Before Aragorn could see the foul beasts, his companion had spent nine arrows; all had been followed by the cry of a fallen orc. Aragorn now stood behind a large oak, and on cue leapt out into the thicket of the crowd. "Elendil!" he cried and struck three mighty blows to fell the orcs closest to him. He parried with another, before dispatching him swiftly. All the while he heard the mighty bow of the Woodland Realm singing. Legolas's arrows were soon spent, his quiver empty. The orc before him smirked broadly, the last move he would ever take, as the short knives were driven through his heart. The elf continued to slay all around him with the knives. Indeed it seemed to him that he was dealing with more than his fair share of the orcs. They would attack an elf before a man, for their hatred of the firstborn was great
. Soon all were dead around them, and both man and elf breathed deeply. They were unhurt. Aragorn looked to where the elf was. He marvelled at the strength of that fairest of beings, and yet had no reason to, long had he and Legolas faced such dangers together and the man knew the elf's abilities. They surveyed the dead. "These are strange markings. Do you know these symbols Legolas?"
"Nay such images I have not seen on orc armour." He looked suddenly back to the right, panic and fear in his eyes. Quickly he pulled an arrow from a fallen orc. "Estel!" he cried, and threw himself in front of the man. Aragorn had never seen Legolas fit and shoot an arrow so quickly, the sound rang in his ears when the arrow was released. But another had also been fired. He gasped. The elf lurched back into his arms, the foul wood piercing his chest
. "Legolas!" he whispered.
The elf's eyes widened in shock and pain. "Estel" he breathed almost inaudibly and grasped the man's hand tightly within his own. Aragorn laid him down upon the soft grass. He quickly removed the dark green tunic, now seeped in blood. The arrow was embedded deeply within his chest. Aragorn removed it quickly and examined the tip carefully. He gasped. His brow furrowed as he assessed the wound above Legolas's heart. The poison was spreading quickly through the elf's body. He pulled some Athelas leaves from his pouch, and chewed quickly on them. He rubbed the paste softly into the deep gash on the elf's porcelain skin. "Legolas? Mela nin? Hear me my love! Legolas?" tears ran down either side of the man's face, "Asfaloth!" he cried. The horse neighed in the background and soon stood before them. Legolas moaned softly when Aragorn lifted him. His eyes opened narrowly, "Estel."
Aragorn climbed up on the horse's back, holding the elf in his arms in front of him. "No thalion mela nin.(Be strong my love) We must ride for Rivendell. Legolas?" The elf had fallen unconscious again; Aragorn kissed the soft golden hair. "Hold on mela nin. Noro lim Asfaloth, noro lim!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~