A Strange Fate
Author's Notes : Wow, thank you so much for the great response! I appreciate it so very much! Here's another chapter, I hope you all like it and if you spot any errors or inconsistencies, please let me know! Feel free to let me know if you like too;) Replies to reviews are at the end, thank and enjoy!
Oh and this is just a reminder, but this is a cross over with the Lord of the Rings :)
Oh and I have a small favour to ask of you! My website is in a webcompetition and this coming week I'm in the final round. I was wondering if I could have your support! If you like, I'd soo appreciate it if you could spend about thirty seconds of your time from Monday to Friday (or one of those days at least) and vote for me! The link is on my bio page... it won't come through over here! Voting is for Lost Legends and Forgotten Tales (my website!)
Thanks so very much!
Extra note... Elvish translation is now included in all chapters! Thanks for the reminder, katemary77;)
Chapter Three : Dust of a Whisper
There comes a day in winter when the snowfall is so thick and the sky so shrouded, it is nearly impossible to tell where the sky ends and the earth begins. The days of snowfall grow so quiet, one is compelled to whisper so as to not disturb the serene silence of nature. Such a day it was for Arthur and his knights. The sky above, completely covered by thick luminous clouds, was an even whiter shade of pale, while the silence was absent with the passing of the slow company of knights, an entire roman household and three survivors from the bowels of Hell.
The light murmur of travellers, however, was suddenly overcome by the soaring cry of a great hawk who ripped through the monochromatic sky to the quiet rejoicement of her master. With unparalleled elegance and grace, she perched herself on her beloved's warm familiar embrace. Almost amorously, she pecked at his cheek, softly cooing in his ear. Tristan smiled lopsidedly as he affectionately caressed his hawk.
"What did you see, my precious, eh? What did you see?" The hawk cooed and pecked more vigorously in a sort of response to the knight's question.
Tristan strained his ear, for he knew that when the hawk came to him so, there was something amiss. The way she now pecked his ear indicated they were being followed closely. Without saying a word, The knight broke formation from his companions, and rode away to investigate his hawk's findings.
While Tristan rode off in pursuit of pursuers, Lancelot worried on the slow motion of their procession. He feared, and with good reason, the Saxons would easily be able to catch up with them.
"The girl's not going to make it and neither is the boy," he told Arthur. "The Elf, or creature, that is with us, I cannot begin to fathom."
Arthur titled his head to the side in an attempt to pierce his second in command's meaning.
"I don't trust him, Arthur. I don't know what he is and it doesn't matter how much he suffered he could still be dangerous to us."
"Are you saying he is in league with the Saxons?" Arthur asked. He highly esteemed Lancelot's opinions and viewed the knight's suggestions with keen interest.
"I cannot say. It matters not really who is with. Did you not see how, despite his injuries, he so effectively disarmed that Roman soldier. Never before have I seen someone move so fast. Do not underestimate him, Arthur."
"No, you are right, Lancelot. And I do keep my guards up with him, as do the others, I think." Lancelot nodded, he knew the other knights did not trust the Elf any more than they would trust a legion of blood thirsty Woads.
"Still," Arthur continued, "I cannot leave him. Don't worry, I had the intention of questioning him once he seemed well enough. There are many questions that I wish answered."
The knight nodded. "Yes, I think it would be well if all of us were present." Just then Tristan returned, riding up next to Arthur.
"We are being followed," he said simply.
Arthur's eyes widened while Lancelot smirked. They all knew it was a matter of time before the Saxons would come for them, but this soon?
Arthur focussed on his friend. "By whom?"
"A lone riderless horse," the dark knight replied. "He is gaining on us."
Arthur's brow creased. "Do you believe it to be a threat?"
"No, it has no saddle or bridle, it could be a wild horse. Yet, he follows so closely. He may have a purpose."
The Roman nodded. For some inexplicable reason, Lancelot laughed.
"What is it?" Arthur asked as Tristan eyed the mirthful knight curiously.
"Just a thought. We speak of this Elf like he is our enemy, yet we ignore that we also carry with us our sworn enemy, a Woad. And we pay her no heed."
Arthur shook his head as Tristan turned away mumbling something about 'pretty weapons'.
After a brief exchange of words with Lancelot, the Roman took his leave and made the decision to visit their ailing travel companions. Firstly, he checked on the boy, whom Dagonet confirmed was feverish, but slowly doing well. He was relieved to see the girl was now awake and though still weak and in great pain, which was now attributable to her newly reset fingers. She gave her name, Guinevere, and her eyes now drifted to the sleeping form of the Elf not far from her.
Arthur followed her gaze and returned to look at her curiously. Guinevere swallowed dryly before she spoke. "He protected us, sang to us in the dark when no one would listen." Her eyes returned to rest on Arthur's face. "You're Arthur of the knights from the Great Wall?"
"I am."
"The famous Briton who kills his own people," she whispered before collapsing back into unconsciousness. Arthur jerked back almost in disgust. Who was she to say such things? He studied the sleeping girl until he once again felt eyes burning into him. He turned to see Legolas, staring intently at him. Arthur approached the Elf whose gaze remained fixed on him.
"Lord Arthur," Legolas whispered as the man drew closer.
"Please, it is just Arthur. I am no Lord."
"On the contrary," the Elf countered. "You may not yet be Lord, but I can see your heart is that of a true leader, one that anyone would follow. Perhaps even, you have the heart of a King."
"No, I think not. Let me see your hand," the Roman said, attempting to change the subject.
Without saying another word, Legolas gave his hand over to Arthur, who examined it.
"It is healing well," he looked at the Elf in astonishment. "Too well." It was true, the incernerated flesh had already begun to repair itself; it did not look as painful as it did. A closer look at the Elf also demonstrated his appearance had improved immensely since being out of the prison. The bruises on his face had faded and colour slowly returned.
"How is this possible? It has only been a few hours since we left the manor."
"They heal quickly," Legolas said simply taking his hand away from Arthur.
"Yes, I can see that, but it was a terrible injury. I would know your secret. It may be of help to us."
Legolas smiled wryly. "There is none. Elven bodies are meant to mend quickly. It is a gift, but it can also be a curse."
"How so?" Now, Arthur was intrigued.
"Yes, wounds heal swiftly and that is well, some even before our very eyes. It is a curse because wounds that heal quickly are often quickly replaced."
Arthur nodded, understanding the Elf's meaning; he supposed it could be true.
"It is so," the Elf confirmed the man's thought. He leaned back against the wall of the wagon, taking a deep breath. He may be a fast healer, but his body still protested against anything too extreme.
"I am sorry," Arthur could find no more words to say.
"Do not be. Certainly, you are not to blame. It matters not. It appears my lot in life these past few months has been little more than to be carrion or sport."
"Sport? For whom?"
"Roman Soldiers." Arthur looked up at the Elf then and the look of horror and bewilderment in his eyes, nearly made the Elf laugh.
"Oh yes, much amusement did they get, much amusement indeed," Legolas mused bitterly. Silence ensued as Arthur pondered the Elf's words.
At last Legolas spoke again. "Do not worry about the horse. He is my friend; he follows me."
For the second time in a short period, Arthur looked at Legolas in surprise. The Elf seemed content to lay back with his eyes closed.
"Your horse?"
"Yes, his name is Arod. Do not worry, he means no harm and will not alert anyone to your position or destination, wherever that may be."
"You heard us speak then," the man pressed the Elf perhaps a little more than he intended, yet he had not expected him to hear his earlier conversation with his knights.
"Yes, your voices were clear enough to be carried to my ears. Though I wonder why your friend, Lancelot, did not believe the Lady Guinevere and the young Master Lucan would not pull through."
"What else did you hear?" Arthur began, agitated. "How was it that you could hear us?"
"I am sorry-" the Elf began, but Arthur cut him off.
"Forget it."
Legolas studied the Roman's face for a time. His eyes saddened slightly as he came to a realisation.
"You do not trust me," the elf said suddenly. Arthur started to reply, but the Elf stopped him
"Just like these Romans," he spoke the word with much spite in his voice," you fear me. All I am is some unusual, horrible creature to you."
"That is not so," The man began but was yet cut off by the Elf
"Yes," Legolas continued, " I am strange to you, you do not understand me. That is the will of all men, they fear what they do not understand and so persecute what they fear. That is well." Legolas waved his hand in dismissal. "I do not hold you against it, for you are also strange to me. My past experiences with the race of men tell me that I should not trust you either. Yet strangely enough, my knowledge of men has also brought me to the conclusion that yes, there is frailty in men, but there is also courage and honour to be found in them. Very few are those who would have braved the lower levels of that dark building, many would have simply turned back and allowed he who was trapped to rot for eternity.
"The race of men has always been a great puzzle to me. They are capable of such great actions of kindness, yet on the other hand they are also known for unleashing great force and terrible brutality. It is no wonder my kind love and hate them all the same. It can get rather confusing at times. To love and hate a race for their own inherit weaknesses and strengths. I do not fault mankind, nor do any of us, for men are doomed to die and too soon they die before they can truly see the fruits of their actions. And so Men never learn from their mistakes, they continue to make the same ones until at last they shall prove to be their undoing. But do not worry, there are those in mankind who give without withholding, sacrifice without regret. I only hope to see more men like them, for they would prove to be their enduring quality. Which are you, Master Arthur Castus, Roman, yet leader of these Knights and caretaker of mistreated mortals?"
"I am not sure."
The Elf laughed softly. "I would almost say you are of both. You give yourself freely to those in need, that to which I am testimony and are eternally grateful for and you can also be very insensate when it comes to massacre. I must admit that I too, am partial to both sides. For long have I fought with my people for deliverance from Darkness and Shadow, and now I must likened myself to giving. A noble thought it is really. Now Arthur of the Knights, I made promised you I would repay your kindness and to that I hold."
Legolas unsheathed one of his knives which lay nearby. "I make an oath, that I shall repay my debt to you in any way possible, even if it may claim my life to save yours."
Arthur was about to protest when Legolas took his knife and sliced his own palm to validate his oath.
"You need not do this," the man said.
"I do."
"Then I thank you. Take your rest, you still need it."
Legolas smirked ruefully. "Indeed." He leaned back and closed his eyes once more.
Arthur stayed a moment longer until he made his way out of the caravan. He was stopped by Fulicinia, the wife of Marius, the Roman who mistreated so many of his serfs including the three recuperating.
"He was always so gentle and so warm. He always wanted to help anyone in need. I fear that was his undoing," she said of the sleeping Elf.
"I can see that," Arthur agreed before he returned to his horse awaiting him.
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Guinevere leaned against the central post of the carriage, watching as the people, animals and riders passed by, on what seemed to be an endless road. Many thoughts swirled in her mind, threatening to drown her in a sea of knowledge she no longer cared to carry. The past was the past and it was best to leave it so, lest she let her pain and sorrow swallow her up until there was nothing left of her soul to salvage. She counted herself blessed the elf was there. Countless times did he stand up for her and defended her when Marius and his guards taunted her or needlessly questioned her. And when she was sent to the bowels of hell to join the Elf, again she was protected by him in any way he could. The Elf, he seemed so close now, as Guinevere thought of him. Slowly and with effort, the girl tilted her head to the side and noticed said elf crawling up next to her. He stuck his head out of the carriage to look behind them.
"Tolo enni, Arod, tolo enni. Darthan le." 'Come to me, Arod, come to me! I await you.' Legolas kept whispering these words until the sound of neighing could he heard. The elf smiled warmly. "Tolo Arod!" 'Come Arod!'
At last the white and grey stained horse was in view. Legolas' eyes shined brightly as Arod trod next to the carriage. Grabbing hold of the horse's main, Legolas allowed his body to slide out of the carriage and onto Arod's back.
"What are you doing?" Guinevere asked, alarmed upon seeing the weakened elf mount his horse.
Legolas only smiled at the girl. "Do not worry. I go to savour my first taste of freedom," he said raising his arms to his sides, lifting his face to sky to taste his newfound freedom. "There is no Sun, Anor is hiding today, still I welcome the light she gives. The trees, the air, the snow," Legolas inhaled the sweet smell of crisp fresh air, "they all call to me. I need to go to them."
"But you're still weak! You can't ride!" Guinevere protested.
Legolas laughed softly. "Do not worry. I shall not go far, and Arod, is my trusted companion. He knows not to ride too briskly."
"Mae carnen, mellon nin," 'Well done my friend' he said to his friend as he stroked the horse's mane affectionately before riding away from the carriage much to Guinevere's bewilderment and worry.
You know I appreciate every single review! They all mean so very much! Thanks a bunch guys!
Alya, first off thanks so very much for your review! Yes, it could have been another elf, Glorfindel or one of the twins or Arwen even. I think I would have named him/her though. I too would have been disappointed in your case too! Thanks! Hope you like this next part!
queen of the pearl, hi! Thanks for your review! Hope to hear more from you!
Dazzler420, thanks again for reviewing! But I gotta say I would still root for Eowyn. I mean look at how she killed the Witch-King (of Angmar), it wasn't just any little gal that could have done it. Grant you, Guinevere is pretty good too. She is a survivor true enough, but Eowyn has endurance. It would be a long and dready battle that's for sure, but I think Eowyn has more endurance and more force and a bit more skill with a blade. Though at the bow I think Guin wins it for sure! Eowyn was rather scary at times on the battle field. thinks of those power cries she would bellow before thrusting her sword in those ugly orcs or the Witch King's 'face' Thanks so much! I do hope to hear more from you again! I can't wait to see Legolas kick butt too! Wonder how the knights will react to his typical little stunts...
etraya, thanks again! Legolas is a cool character! My obsession is only with him and not OB, well ok maybe a little but it's the Elf I love! Elves are awesome! I love reading about them and their history. glows cause I just bought the Silmarillion! Thanks for reading! Hope you like this next part.
katemary77, glad to hear from you again! Thanks so much for reviewing! Here, I put a reminder just for you that it is a crossover! Though I can imagine how silly it would have seemed to suddenly have an Elf pop out of nowhere. I think I would have laughed too! I can see it too, though I hardly understand why anyone would refer to the cuddly elf as a monster! Shameful thought really, but Romans are Romans. They were known for their cruelty and this is almost a pre-inquisition era. Well sort of. The concept of Heresy was strong here and the Church I think was only beginning to hold sway over people. Well I hope you like this next chapter! Thanks for your review!
Sweet A.K., thanks again! I'm so glad you like the story so far! I really hope I don't mess it up and disappoint everyone! I wonder how the Elf would be treated to. It's not really easy trying to figure it out. I mean they could simply be amazed and gawk at the Elf or they could see him as a threat like the Romans did and not trust him. I think I'm going for a combination of all of the above. Trying to get into Arthur's head is not very easy. With LOTR it's easier because there's all the books and so much info even though Legolas is the character with the least amount of info. Thanks so much! Hope you like this next chapter and I look forward to your thoughts on it!
Again a great big thank you to all of you for your support and kind words!