Title: Never Forget Who You Are 10

Author: Sivan Shemesh

Rate: T

Summary: What happens if your best friend loses his memory? Will you stand behind him all the way or start to lose hope for him? And the big question is: Will Legolas remember anything at all, or will he be lost forever? But what evils are there, and why Legolas? You will need to find out.

Warning: Graphic violence/torture physically and mentally, OC's, angst. Character death.

Spoilers: Post ROTK. AU.

Disclaimer: I do not own J R R TOLKIEN's characters, but I do own Gimli's brother and more, the others that you do not recognize.

Author notes: This is my first story.

Credit & Beta: Manon & Morgan Jain Emery, who correct me where I gone wrong.

Chapter 10: Council of Elrond - second round

The journey was delayed to allow for the council. For the first time since the dark days, the two different races were again re-uniting.

After two weeks...

It was morning. The sun was shining, the air fresh. The council of Elrond began.

"We are here today to unite two races: the Dwarves and the Elves," Elrond said to them, all the while looking at them. Continuing, he said: "You already did the first step by coming here to Imladris. Now you just need to agree that the two races will unite, and that there will be peace in Middle-Earth.

"I know that many of you will have a friend who, in the end, became like a brother to you. Ask Gimli – he will tell you, as will Legolas. Unfortunately we cannot ask Legolas as he is missing." Elrond's tone was full of worry. He looked over to his old friend, and saw that Thranduil was now weeping. Gimli was trying to comfort him.

Gimli raised his voice. "At the last council I said 'Never Trust an Elf'. I want you to forget that I ever said this, because it is not true. It is true that I did not trust him at first, but that did not stop Legolas from saving my life on more than one occasion. I owe him more than I can say." Gimli looked at Thranduil, and said to him: "Your son, your highness, is friendly, loyal to his friends, and would sacrifice himself to save another instead of himself."

Turning back to the other members of the council, Gimli continued: "You can see, my friends, how one elf could change the course of history. I'm still alive – he did not kill me, and I did not kill him."

After Gimli finished his speech, silence reigned. Gimli looked at each of the members – the elves, with hope on their faces, and the other dwarves, who all wore shocked expressions, not believing what he said.

Elrond broke the silence. "The dark days are now behind us, and the ring of power has finally been destroyed. The past is the past – we must move into the future by making peace and uniting the races."

"Do you feel the air? Do you see the forest? Something is dying; there is a new evil arising. If we want to survive, we have to work together," Elrond said. He saw both the dwarves and elves nodding their agreement.

"Tommorow we will ride to Lothlórien to begin the search for Thranduil' son. Tonight there will be a feast to celebrate the union between the two races," said Elrond, and the council was declared over.

Elrond watched as one by one they left the council, until only two were left.

"Come, my friend," Gimli said to Thranduil.

The agony had not left Thranduil's face since he had heard the name of his missing son. Upon hearing Gimli's voice he looked at Gimli.

"Hannon le, Gimli, son of Gloin," Thranduil said to Gimli, appreciating the support that Gimli had given him.

Gimli nodded and, helping the king to stand, escorted Thranduil to his room, staying with the king as he rested.

"Aragorn, Gimli is with Thranduil; can you please ask him to join me in my study, as I wish to speak with him," the lord said to his foster son.

Making his way to Thranduil's room, he knocked on the door.

"The door is open." Aragorn heard the shout and opened the door, entering the room.

He bowed to the king, and said to Gimli: "Forgive me for disturbing you, but my father wishes to speak with you."

"Rest some more; I will be back soon," Gimli said to Thranduil, who nodded to him.

Aragorn and Gimli left the room, and Gimli closed the door quietly after him, then proceeded to follow Aragorn.

Elrond approached Gimli as he entered the study, followed by Aragorn.

"Gimli, you took a big step at the council today. I can see that Thranduil, like his son, values your friendship," Elrond said to him softly.

"Hannon le, my lord," Gimli said to Elrond.

Elrond nodded to him, and said: "You may go now, and prepare yourself for tonight's feast and the journey to Lothlórien. We will have a long day tomorrow, but we must find Legolas soon." Elrond saw Gimli nodding to him in agreement.

NFWYA10

At night…The feast began…

'Is this really happening?' Elrond thought to himself, and a smile appeared on his face.

He saw Gimli walk in after Thranduil and sit down on the chairs that been arranged by the elves of Imladris.

"Gimli!"

Gimli turned around when he heard the voice and saw his brother, Sarin, walking over to him with a strange look on his face.

"What is it, Sarin?" Gimli began to panic a little.

"I…I…" Sarin felt ashamed of himself; he couldn't say the words that he wanted to say to his brother.

Gimli came closer to his brother and tried to cheer him up. "Come now, brother, what is it you wanted to tell me?" Gimli asked.

"I… I… I want to feel as you are… I… mean about the elves, that we were like a brother to the prince, and to his father," Sarin managed to say. He saw the smile on his brother's face, and saw Thranduil over Gimli's shoulder coming closer to him. All of a sudden, he felt dizzy and couldn't feel his legs, then the darkness overtook him and he fainted.

After several minutes Sarin opened his eyes, his nose twitching after smelling the powder that Lord Elrond had held under his nose. He could feel his brother's hand on his shoulder, and saw the worried look on Gimli's face.

"Sarin, how are you faring?" Gimli asked his brother.

"Where am I? What happened to me?" Sarin asked him.

"You are in the healing room. You fainted," Gimli said to his brother. Turning to Lord Elrond, Gimli asked: "My Lord, do you know why he fainted?"

"I think that he was just excited. This event would not have happened in the dark days, when elves and dwarves did not like or trust each other. Turning to Gimli's brother, Lord Elrond asked: "Sarin, how you faring? Can you stand?"

Sarin, supported by his brother, stood, and walked to the door.

"Healed very fast, I should say," Elrond mentioned, as a smile appeared on his face.

"Let us go back to the feast, we have a long day tomorrow," said Sarin as he opened the door.

Sarin, Gimli, Lord Elrond, and King Thranduil left the healing room and were on the way back to the dining hall to continue the celebration when they saw Gandalf raise his staff and cry out in the black speech, as if he were speaking to someone, before speaking in Sindarin. Aragorn was standing next to the maia, and he began to translate Gandalf's words:

"No, Legolas don't! Do not…" Aragorn stopped talking and stared at the wizard. He suddenly realised what was going on, and continued to translate Gandalf's words, looking at the others helplessly: "…follow the voice! He is NOT your father… No!"

Elrond saw that Gandalf's face was pale, and when he came closer to the maia, he could see the tears falling down Gandalf's cheeks.

"Gandalf? What just happened?" Aragorn asked him.

"I fear that an ancient evil has come back to claim what he considers his own," Gandalf said weakly as he stared at the floor.

End of Chapter 10.

Elvish – English:

Hannon le - Thank you