A short piece detailing Legolas' thoughts as he sits on the council of Elrond. We're in movie land here people.

Of course none of the characters are mine, and even the inspiration came from the thought - pieces written by Nadja Lee

Mild implied slash. Don't like it, dont read it.

Ask if you want to archive please.

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To Have Hope...

Who is this man, and how is it that he may steal my wits away with a mere glance, how comes it to be that he may crush me with a mere word?

Aragorn, he is called, and Estel. Son of Elrond and also Son of Man. He who should be king. He....he will be my undoing.

Our encounters have been many, for my kingdom lies ever under a shadow from the East, and he presumes to aid in its protection. One man. One mortal. The lands and Kingdoms of many are upon his shoulders. A burden he carries unasked.

Never did I perceive that I could love a mortal. They are slow, and weak, and their bodies are not so finely formed as those of my own kin. Yet this man, his will is indomitable.

Before us, a small circlet of gold is laid upon a stone table. It sings to all of us, and the hearts of all seated here call to it in return. Even my own.

Yet his heart is pure. It is wide open to me. His mind is stronger and his wisdom greater than those here who exceed his years by centuries untold. We look at this trinket and we see power reflected in it. Our own domination. The worst of ourselves we see reflected in its curved surface, but he, he sees only hope. Hope, in the destruction of this ring. Hope for this land and for it's people.

Hope.

Estel.

So unlike the other man here, come to represent his city. His city. This man's heart is dark to me.

He spoke out of turn, this man of Gondor, but I, I to my shame did worse than that.

I bristled at his lack of respect. His lack of knowledge. His impudence. I stood to defend Estel, the hope of us all, and I betrayed him.

I betrayed him.

Not for nothing did Elrond gift the boy he fostered with a new name. Not for nothing was the secret of his lineage so closely kept. Ahh, but it is come to naught, for I have betrayed him. I am a fool.

Havo dad, Legolas.' The words spoken, my own realisation come too late, I was crushed, broken, into the earth.

I tried vainly then to catch his eye, to procure a look, a glance, anything, although fear of seeing disappointment in those eyes was foremost in my mind. But he would not look my way. His mind was bent upon the ring, its destruction, and not upon me. I wondered if this was harder to bear even than seeing him disappointed in me, who called myself his friend.

Even now my blood still runs hot, the fury I feel at my own stupidity finds it's release. The council dissolves into a fray. It is the final humiliation.

As harsh words are thrown like weapons, I glance at the ring. It seems to shimmer, as though filled with a wicked flame, and I wonder at it's influence upon us.

We all are put to shame, then, as the smallest among us proves himself to be the greatest in spirit. As Aragorn pledges himself to this little one's side, I know I must do likewise. Perhaps in this way I may redeem myself, even if I lay down my own life in doing so.

I would gladly lay my life at his feet if he asked it.

I offer my bow to the service of the quest, fearing rejection. Instead, a reward is given me. Dark eyes turn on me with warmth in their depths, and I am welcomed with a smile. His smile.

Our mission is grave, our quest fraught with dangers, yet I am not afraid. As long as he is near I shall never be afraid. With him, I know there will always be hope.