Author's Note: Thank you for the great many reviews on my last chapter, they inspired me to get this one written faster!
Please, please, please, keep the reviews coming!!!! Thank you.
I guess my homage in chapter 5 was not enough, even though we say, "Yeah Tolkien" and I said, "Yeah Beagle" so here we go. "The Last Unicorn" is a kick ass movie that I have known all my life. This though hit me one day, so I thought I would write on it. Whether I'm going to post the ending is my new debate. I'm sorry and I didn't mean to offend or imply that this plot line was my own. I'm going to go write something completely my own, following the footsteps of my first three stories. Either way, let me know whether you think I should continue, if not, I will end it here. Thanks again and Blessed Be! -Elvensong
Chapter 7: A Castle by the Sea
The castle was just a couple miles in the distance, but the journey was not easy. The Elf was not as quick and light as before. In his true form, he could easily outdistance any other mortal creature, almost seeming to float above the ground with the fluid grace of a deer. Now, his body didn't lift him, but weigh him down.
He was coping though. He would not allow this body to defeat him, and the company did arrive at the stone fortress.
"Does anyone live here?" Gimli saw no sign of habitation, no sign of defenses, it seemed the doors had not been opened him a long era.
"There is only one way to find out, let us knock." Gandalf used his great staff to knock on the door.
"I remember the last door you tried to open, friend Wizard."
"Why must you always bring that up, Dwarf?" Gimli smirked, memories of trying to get into Moria always made the Dwarf laugh. The sound of Gandalf's knock echoed deeply in the castle.
"This place must be massive inside." Aragorn stepped forward to hear for any sign of a reply to their call. Legolas stood alone behind the ensemble, wishing only solitude right now. Something he doubted he was going to have for a long time.
Suddenly, the great door began to open, there stood an old man. His body may have been old and weak, but his spirit demanded respect and commanded attention. Aragorn wondered if this man had once been a great king, if this dead land had once been a great power on the map of Middle Earth. What would have driven this land to such ruin, with only an old king remaining.
"What do you wish?" After a moment of taking in the scene, Gandalf answered.
"We are but weary travelers, we wish someplace warm to rest, your land by the sea is cold and damp."
"I see. I have not had anyone knock on these doors for quite a long time. Why are you not afraid of the appearance of my castle?"
Aragorn smiled slightly to himself.
"Things are not always as they appear." He resisted the temptation to glance at Legolas.
"You may enter." He gestured inside and they entered the great hall. It was cavernous and sparsely decorated with a few tapestries.
The whole palace looked dead, as is a spell had been cast upon it. There was a chill in the air which spread into every corner.
"You are welcome to stay here. As you can see, I have no guards. However, this place is protected by a guardian more powerful than one thousand men. Follow me." The others followed cautiously behind.
"Do not be afraid. Most do not venture here any longer, but I am not a hermit, I will allow you to remain here. No sense in you remaining outside when there is plenty of room here."
"May I ask your name, Lord?"
"I am the master of this realm. That is all wonders need know, however if you need something to call me you may call me Lord Firestone." They arrived in a large room that overlooked the sea.
"I live alone, for I have no real need for company. Many people used to live here, with all their comings and goings. None of them ever interested me, there is little on this Earth that can." The old man's gaze turned to Legolas. He had stayed behind everyone else, not saying a word, trying to make his presence as unnoticeable as possible.
"Who are you who would be guests in my home?"
"I am Aragorn. My friends are Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas. We are traveling alone the edge of the sea."
"You are searching for something I think." He finally could not resist it any longer, he walked over to Legolas. He hazed at the other man deeply. Something about this stranger fascinated him. He looked deep into Legolas' eyes, looking for his reflection in the magnificent color which was there. When he stared, however, all he saw was depth and color. He did not see himself at all anywhere in their beauty. He said nothing, he the old man knew this one would more than likely not speak to him, for the stranger just turned and walked away to stare out onto the sea.
"You may make yourselves comfortable and come and go as you wish. Stay as long as you need." He turned and left, his steps echoing down the halls becoming more and more faint as the distance grew.
"What a strange person." Gimli looked over to his friend, who seemed lost in thought as he stared out over the ocean.
"There is much more to him and to this castle than can be seem with the naked eye." Gandalf began to look around at their surroundings.
"We must search about and see if there are any clues to the attachment of that man and the Phoenix." As they began to leave, Gimli halted and turned around.
"Legolas?" His friend was still looking out over the water, "Legolas, we are going to search for clues about this mystery. Please come with us." His friend's eyes were distant, unresponsive. "Legolas?"
"Gimli?"
"Yes, my friend, come with us now?"
Just then, Gandalf intervened, "Perhaps you should stay here, Legolas. We can leave our packs here for you to look after."
"Whatever you think is best, Gandalf." Legolas did not move from his spot. The others left him alone, to his solitude he so yearned for.
"Why did you leave him alone, Gandalf? That might not be the best course for him in this situation."
"No, Aragorn, it is the best for him to be alone right now. He needs to sort this out for himself."
"We should not have left him, you saw how the old man looked at him. He knows something is special about Legolas." Gandlaf sighed at Aragorn.
"I did not wish to upset you both, but since you are going to notice these affects, I had better tell you now."
"Affects of what, Gandalf?" Gimli stopped walking to order to hear what the old Wizard had to say.
"Elves are great and powerful creatures, but are also very sensitive to their surroundings."
Aragorn nodded. "Yes, they can be overcome quickly is separated from nature and the sky. I remember how difficult is was for Legolas to cope with being in Moria."
"He did it quite well," Gimli realized that might have been a compliment, "for an Elf."
"Yes, well" Gandalf continued, "the affects from this spell are already beginning to cause the spirit of the Elf to fade. If he remains human for too long, there may never be an Elf hiding in that body ever again. No spell would ever be able to return him to his true form." They silently began to move more quickly through the great halls. They did not notice the crack in the walls next to where they had been talking, they did not notice the eyes which peered out, hearing everything they had just spoken.
The old man left his secret hiding place and began walking.
Legolas stared out onto the ocean, thinking of what had brought him here. He tried to think of Mirkwood, his home. The trees and streams which flowed there always, even two thousand years ago when he had gone on a hunt for…then he could not remember anymore. He remembered everything from that time, but things were beginning to dull. He could not understand, his memory had always been so sharp ever since, ever since.
"Legolas?"
Legolas turned, having been distracted he did not hear the being approach. In the doorway stood the old man.
