Author's Note: Here's chapter 9 of my "The Last Unicorn" and LOTR crossover. I would adore all manner of feedback since I'm really going from chapter to chapter with no set plan on how to continue. So, what I guess I'm saying is, REVIEW!!!! Thank you!
Chapter 9: Discoveries
He stared into the fire, its flames dancing in the fireplace. The fireplace, meant to keep this power at bay, but when he looked into the fire he knew nothing could ever contain it. He kept seeing the images, a bird of fire, a great chase and fear like nothing else he had ever experienced. Only to be replaced by a greater fear, something brought down upon him by one he trusted. His only way now was to trust him still, trust that his friend would not let him be lost in the mists of time and mortality. He would have to try to hang on for a little longer, try to hold onto what he was.
Under his breath he began to sing an old Elvish lullaby. A song he remembered his mother teaching him before she was gone from his life. A song with lyrics speaking of the journey of an Elf, to the woods, to the distant edges of all the lands only to finally reach the sea. To travel to the undying lands that await them all. Would he see those lands now?
He heard footsteps approaching, labored footsteps that come with age. The old man was coming towards him again, and he loathed whatever it was he had to say to him. Something about that man chilled him to his very soul.
"Greetings again, Legolas. Fancy to see you here, for I thought you were never going to leave that room."
"It grew cold after the sun had set. I apologize if you do not wish me here. I will go."
"No, there is something I wish to show you, come, follow me."
The man lead Legolas into a room, when he lit the candles and allowed the light to enter the enormous room he saw what was there, and it frightened him. There, on the walls, were pictures of Elven lore. Every tale of the Elven histories was here, artifacts were all over. Bows and swords, books and spells all collected here and beautifully taken care of. Not one speck of dust was evident, which was very odd given the unkept nature of the rest of the castle.
"Do you like my collection? Call it my room of worship if you will. Here are my most precious possessions."
Legolas took it all in.
"Why do you have so many things of Elven lore here?"
"I had an experience, call it a saving. I lost my wife some time ago. I feel into the deepest despair I had ever known. I wondered into the wood, hoping to end it all. I brought with me a blade, hoping to find peace there."
He smiled faintly.
"I was holding the blade above my chest, about to slay myself when something grabbed my hand, stopping me. When I opened my eyes I saw beauty the likes of which I had never seen before. It was an Elf, in all its shining and grace. Suddenly, in that one brief moment, it gave me the peace and tranquility I longed for in death. I had never seen anything, anything the likes of that creature before. From that moment on, I thought of nothing else. I studied every aspect of their society, from their facts to their myths. But none of my readings could replace looking at an Elf, nothing could replace that beauty that made my soul complete. Then I knew I must have them to look upon, and by this, have a little of their immortality for myself."
Legolas shuddered at the words, to have an Elf's immortality, that was a realm not meant for mortal man to tamper with. That was something older than the race of man, dwarf or any of the mortals.
"You cannot have immortality from simply gazing at an immortal."
"Perhaps not, but the joy their presence near me gives, it adds years to my lonesome life. When I was alone I began to wither, but now, now I am complete. Now I can find peace in this world."
"What are you talking about?"
The man stepped towards him, coming so close the disguised Elf could feel the heat of his breath.
"I know what you are. I can see through your rouse."
"I hide nothing."
"Do not lie to me! It doesn't become you, it doesn't become race."
The man sighed and began to walk away.
"You cannot keep this facade forever, Elf. You must eventually return to your true form, and when you do, I'll be waiting." With that, he left Legolas to his thoughts.
Aragorn resumed his search of the castle, hoping to find some clue as to the identity of the man, or the whereabouts of the Elves. He knew he had little time, soon Legolas would have to return to what is really was and when that happens, they would more than likely loose him too. He could not bear loosing another Elf, let alone one of his truest friends, to this monster.
He wondered throughout the hallways, looking for someplace he had yet to search. It seemed hopeless, it seemed he had looked in every room in this entire god awful place. He saw a chair by a fireplace and decided to take a break in order to gather his thoughts. When he sat down, the chair leaned back, causing him to lose his balance, when the happened, the fireplace swung around revealing a secret stair.
"I am so foolish." Aragorn muttered to himself. Of course these ancient castles had many secret stairs, usually leading to dark dungeons.
As with rumor and legend, this stair did lead to a cold, damp and dark dungeon. The smell of old books and candles hung thickly in the air. This was a place of great evil, Aragorn could feel that through his entire being. Who was this man? How did he obtain these artifacts? The answers must lie here, if not here, nowhere.
It was very difficult to see much of anything. He was finally able to light a candle to provide some light to see by. Everything seemed stacked together off to the side, but them he saw something in the forefront. Something on a pedestal, with obvious importance. Upon closer inspection he saw it to be a spell, a great and powerful spell. He read the words to himself, shivering from their darkness. It spoke of the Elves and their undying beauty. It cursed them to be brought to the seas, and when they reach the shores to be drove into those waves by a bird of fire.
The great Phoenix.
Aragorn grabbed the spell and ran out of the dungeon, hoping Gandalf would know of a way to break the spell's hold on the Elves.
