Return to Mirkwood

Chapter 6

Nima walked past hundreds of orcs, all armed with swords, daggers and axes. He inspected each of them closely. The high roofed cavern stretched far, rows of fearsome orcs stood on the cold stone ground.

"This is the armour my lord," an Armourmaker brought forth a fiercsome looking orc, he was wearing the thick black armour and held a helmet under his arm. Nima circled; peering at the armour.

"It's good, where is mine?!" He demanded, he was looking forward to getting his own armour.

The orc lead him in a separate chamber and showed the orc leader his armour. It wasn't black but shiny metal.

"It is impenetrable my lord, even elvish arrows cannot get through your armour." The orc growled. Nima looked up and fixed the orc with a hard stare.

"Well done, get my soldiers ready we attack in two days!"

Legolas looked around him, the morning sun shone weakly through the twisted treetops, casting dappled light onto the molding ground. He and Gimli were flanked by the patrol of elves as they made their way to the heart of the wood. They eyed their weapons; they were being carried by two elves near to them.

Legolas looked around and saw to his dismay, and confusion, that Tauriel was not there. He looked at Goladrin who was leading the patrol, Haldir at his side, Legolas called out to him.

"Where is the captain of the guard?" He wished that she was there, he wanted to see her familiar red hair and hear her beautiful calm voice.

Goladrin didn't stop or turn around as he answered, "She is on an erand for the king; taking supplies to Rohan, they asked for help as their crops have failed. Why we should help them I don't know." He added.

Legolas glared at the back of Goladrin's head, he disliked his rudeness about the kingdom that had helped them in the war of the ring. "Why couldn't he send a messenger?" He questioned.

"The king doesn't trust anyone except Tauriel, I and a few others, after what you did to him he has lost his trust and faith in others. " His last words were harsh and stung the elf.

The walk across the bridge to the towering main doors seemed to take an age as Gimli and Legolas were taken to the king. One of the elves took Haldir and led him away.

They were led along paths of branches and past many curious elves, Legolas saw elves that he had once known well, but now they glared and whispered at his arrival.

Goladrin opened two heavy, golden doors. Legolas knew where the doors led. He looked down at Gimli and saw a mixture of awe and fear in the dwarf's dark eyes, he caught the elf's eye and smiled weakly. Only Goladrin and two others entered with them.

They both shuddered when a loud deep voice called from the shadows of the elven throne.

"Goladrin? What have you to show me?" The patrol leader stepped forwards and knelt down before the king, he lifted his head and spoke proudly.

"We found two creatures wondering in the woods, I thought you might like to see one of them," his voice contorted with cruelty.

He pushed the two captives into the centre of the room, below the throne. They fell to their knees, hands still bound. Legolas didn't look up as he heard the footsteps falling on the stairs to the throne.

Gimli gasped as Thranduil stepped into the light. He was wearing a pale blue robe, the colour of his eyes, which came to rest on the elf knelt before him. Legolas felt his eyes burning through him, but he lifted his head and looked at the king.

"What are you doing here?" Thranduil's voice was barley a whisper, but it still held so much anger and hatred.

"I -, I uh-," Legolas couldn't control himself, he simply bowed his head again, his long golden hair falling over his face.

"And what is this?!" Thranduil turned away and faced Gimli. The brave dwarf took a breathe and looked the king in the eye.

"I am Legolas's friend, your majesty." He said. Thranduil looked at Legolas then back to Gimli.

"An elf, friends with a dwarf?!" Thranduil exclaimed, then he paused, "ah yes, you were both in the quest for the ring." He turned back to Legolas, who was still looking at the floor.

"Did you think that going on the quest would make me forgive you?!" Thranduil looked down at the cowering elf, a mocking note in his voice.

"Leave him alone! The lad did it to save Middle Earth, he is a loyal and brave elf!" Gimli yelled at the king. Legolas tilted his head and caught his friend's eye.

"Gimli, don't," he whispered, but he was too late. Thranduil stooped down to the dwarf's hight and pointed at Legolas.

"That elf is a traitor, how dare you defend him!"

Thranduil motioned for the guards, "take him to the dungeons, he will rot there forever."

"No! Please leave him alone!" Legolas stood and tried to get to his friend but Goladrin grabbed him. He winced as the strong elf took hold of his wounded arm. Legolas watched, helpless, as Gimli was dragged out of the throne room. Only he, Goladrin and Thranduil remained.

Legolas stared at the golden doors as they shut with a thud. He stayed, his friend gone.

"Goladrin!" Thranduil's loud voice echoed around the empty room. "Leave us."

Legolas took in a sharp breathe as Goladrin let go of his arm, he watched as the elf who had once been his friend slowly slipped away.

It was just the two of them.

Legolas stood, facing the king. His hands were still bound and his arm still stung, but it was not as strong as the pain he felt in his shattered heart.

"So," Thranduil circled the elf, "You dare come back here, why?"

Legolas stared at the wall as he answered the raging king.

"I missed you." His three words were powerful and confident, but Thranduil saw right through them. He faced Legolas, he had to look down a little.

"You know what you did, did you think I would just let you come back and sit at my side?!" His mocking sneer burned into Legolas, but he held the king's glare.

"I didn't attack those spiders! We were ambushed!" He pleaded, but grief and rage was too strong for Thranduil to listen.

"Do you know how many loyal elves died?!" He suddenly whipped around and shouted at Legolas, despite the fear he saw in the young elf's eyes.

Legolas hung his head in defeat, his voice was a mere harsh whisper as he tried to hold back his tears.

"I'm sorry, father. It wasn't my fault, we -"

"Silence!" Thranduil roared, pushing his face close to the stunned elf. "You are not my son!" He hissed, all he saw was fear and shock in the blue eyes before him, but he continued spewing hatred at Legolas.

Finally Legolas couldn't hide his emotions anymore; his concealing mask was ripped away as he colapsed to his knees, hundreds of silent silver tears fell to the ground. His golden hair was soon soaked in his own tears, but Legolas couldn't stop them as they flowed down his cheeks.

He didn't react as Thranduil called his guards.

"Take him away." He ordered.

Legolas didn't object as two guards silently led him away.

Thranduil sat on his throne, he stared at the floor and thought about what had just happened only a few moments ago. He looked up as the doors opened and a figure walked in. She knelt before the king.

"My lord, I have sent the supplies to Rohan, they will be ok until their next crop." Thranduil only nodded his head. She rose and turned to walk away when the king called her back.

"Tauriel,"

She turned, curious at what he had to say.

"He came back. You should go see him, in the dungeons." the king's voice was without emotion, as though he was speaking to no one. Tauriel's eyes widened and she walked quickly from the throne room and down to the dungeons.

Her heart was racing as she hurried down the steps, she reached the entrance to the dungeons. She felt her whole body pounding as she opened the door to the prisons.

Gimli looked up as the barred door to his cell was opened; Legolas was roughly pushed into the small chamber. Gimli noticed the lines on his friend's face from his tears, he walked away from the door and sat in a corner, his arms wrapped around his knees.

"I'm sorry lad, I -" Gimli was lost for words. Legolas didn't answer, but lowered his head to his knees. The dwarf heard quiet crying, he moved over and put his arm around the defeated elf.

Gimli didn't know how long they had been sat there in silence, Legolas had stopped crying, he hadn't spoken a word. Suddenly the dwarf heard light, quick steps approaching. A she elf appeared at the bars of the door and stared at them, her face a mixture of surprise, relief and questions.

"Can we help you?" Gimli asked, Legolas didn't move or look up. The dwarf eyed the she elf warrily, she was wearing a brown tunic and had two daggers at her side. Then he noticed her red hair and remembered what Legoas had said.

Tauriel gazed down at the prisoners; a dwarf was sitting next to an elf who had his head buried in his knees, she gave a small gasp as she finally saw him again.

"Legolas!" Gimli hissed in his friend's ear, shaking him slightly, careful to mind his wounded arm. His friend looked round at him, his eyes were dull and his voice was quiet.

"What Gimli?" He said, irritated. The dwarf tilted his head towards the bars, Legolas looked over and instantly stood up, his heart beating fast. He slowly walked over to the door and stared at Tauriel in disbelief.

"Is it really you?!" Tauriel exclaimed, her green eyes lighting up. Legolas slipped his hands through the bars and took hers in his.

"Yes, yes it is me" he whispered softly. Tauriel held his hands tightly, Legolas winced slightly as his arm shot with pain.

"What happened?!" She exclaimed, loosening her grip. Legolas was about to reply then he saw a small black stone around her neck, with dwarvish letters engraved on it. Tauriel noticed he was looking and put it under her collar but she knew he had already seen it.

"Legolas, he was special to me -" Her eyes filled with pain as he let go of her hands.

"You always loved him didn't you Tauriel." He turned away and sat back in his corner, he looked at the wall; he couldn't bare to look at her.

As he heard her footsteps get quieter he knew that his was not the only heart shattered.