The Haunting

by Bethuviel

The Crux

Chapter Thirteen

Disclaimer: I don't own it, I don't get paid.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, please keep them coming!

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Elrond called for another halt just as the last of his army passed over the Old Ford. He watched as Gwaihir landed in a clearing and Mithrandir slid off. The eagle followed Mithrandir to where Elrond stood. They made their greetings and exchanged a few pleasantries.

From under his bushy brows, Mithrandir eyed Legolas. The Istari had known the prince since his birth and knew the destiny that awaited him. "Fear not Legolas, all will be well," he said and clapped Legolas on the shoulder. "Aw, Galadriel and Celeborn are arriving!"

They watched as the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood rode up and dismounted. "We have ridden with all haste, and the night is not yet spent. Tell us Elrond, is it as horrific as has been reported?"

Galadriel spoke, "Our northern kin yet live, but are in dire peril."

Legolas looked at Galadriel, pleading silently for assurance of his father's life. Galadriel only looked at him impassive, and gave no reply.

Mithrandir spoke up, "This evil that besets the Woodland Elves is old. A spawn of Morgoth before the Valar imprisoned him. I suppose we should be grateful he only created three. He gave them great power of himself, and just before he, Morgoth was captured by the Valar, he put them into a deep sleep, hybernation, I suppose to wait for his return. The vile creatures existance was known, but their where-abouts hidden deep within Arda and could not be discovered. And Morgoth would not reveal their hiding place, even as he was held on the edge of the void that now imprisons him. It was thought, and hoped, the vile creatures would never awaken without their masters call." He fell silent and his eyes slightly glazed, returning to distant memories.

Mithrandir's words were slowly absorbed by the surrounding elves.

Legolas dissected the information in his mind. 'A spawn of Morgoth!

Given powers from the evil one, a Valar. But why did they wake? How old is Mithrandir?" Legolas asked aloud, "How do we destroy them and save my people?"

Mithrandir jerked his head towards Legolas. "There's the crux of it all. For into these creatures, he poured his absolute hatred and malice for the Firstborn." His eyes darted back and forth to the elves standing around him. "You must look inside of yourselves, for there is the power that will defeat them. But it will require all of you, for they are pure evil, and more powerful than any one of us, or a few of us, or many of us. This will require each and every one of us gathered here, from the mightest to the meekest, else we shall fail, to the doom of all."

Elrond looked wierdly satisfied. It was as he thought and his plan would indeed work.

"Galadriel, show the elves what they need to do to perform this task," said Elrond.

She nodded and held onto Celeborn for support, for a deed of this magnitude would temporarily weaken her. She closed her eyes and put her ring to her chest. Galadriel drew the added strength she needed from adamant, and sent a mental picture to the elves surrounding her of what was needed when called upon to destroy the evil entities attacking the northern kingdom. When she finished, she partially collapsed and Celeborn held her up. Elrond administered miruvor to her and she immediately began to recover. He gave her another sup from the flask and she straightened and stood on her own. She smiled her thanks to her son-in-law and he stepped away.

Elrond mounted his horse, a sign to all that they were leaving. Elrond took off at full gallop, remembering Galadriel's words of peril. He knew time was short and could be patient no longer. The combined armies of Imladris and Lothlorien followed their leaders, ready to face the deadly foes ahead of them.

Galadriel, Celeborn, Legolas, Glorfindel, Elrohir and Elladan followed Elrond, while Mithrandir flew above on Gwaihir. Without warning, Elrond left the road and headed directly into Mirkwood Forest. He did not slow but kept pressing foward in the most direct route. He clenched his teeth, and held onto the mane of his horse.

The others were shocked but followed Elrond's lead. Galadriel and Mithrandir knew why the sudden change in course. Time was of the essence, and the lives of Thranduil and his people depended on every second that the riders could save.

The trees sensed the urgency of the armies and the peril of the wood elves and so they lifted their branches up and away and pulled their roots below the ground, allowing the horses and elves to pass unhindered. The ground thundered under the hooves of the horses and sounded like a mighty storm gathering to the inhabitants of Laketown many leagues away.

An hour passed, then two and still Elrond pushed ever forward. He became aware of his horse's labored breathing and reluctantly slowed to a jog. He slid off of his horse, but did not stop. He ran beside, holding onto the mane with one hand and drank from his flask with the other. He ran in front of his horse and poured miruvor into his hand and gave it to the horse. He repeated this procedure until he was sure the horse had recovered. He looked behind him and saw that the others followed his example. He skirted around and remounted the horse, never losing pace. He resumed the full gallop and did not stop.

The forest was already dark, but then a few clouds passed over the moon and there was no light at all. But still the elves did not faulter. Ever forward they rode with a grim determination never witnessed before in Arda.

Another hour passed quickly as the forest rushed by. Elrond silently did the math in his head, taking into consideration the approximate speed his horse ran, and came to the conclusion that he had almost another twenty-two leagues before he stood on the palace grounds of Thranduil. 'Hold on, my old friend, we are coming,' he thought, 'We are coming!'

The Old Forest River appeared before him and still he did not slow but urged his horse onward. The horse ran straight into the river and only had to swim a few feet in the center, quickly finding the soft bottom again. The armies followed their leader without pause and soon all had crossed without incident.

Elrond did not wait for the others, but pushed ahead relentlessly, and the other elves began to understand the sincere graveness of the situation. Pulses began to quicken, and muscles to flex with adrenaline surges. Resolves were hardened with every league gained, and the elves rode still ever closer to their destination.

The moon was lowering in the sky above them and dawn was ready to break anew as the riders broke through the edge of Mirkwood Forest and looked upon the grounds of the palace of King Thranduil.

Elrond halted and explored the landscape before him. He signaled for the other leaders to come to his side. Legolas' mouth fell open in shock. Celeborn, Galadriel and Glorfindel's eyes grew wide in disbelief.

Gwaihir landed beside them long enough for Mithrandir to get off of his back and immediately took to flight. Mithrandir studied the scene before him, but said nothing.

The fog was gone. The normally deep lush green of the grass had been replaced with a burned and charred wasteland. The walls that had secured the palatial grounds lay in broken heaps, and the gates hung crooked, busted on their hinges. The plants and vegetation were withered twigs, and dotting the grounds were deep blackend pits.

The cobblestone walkways were ripped up, bown apart and lay jagged. Piles of dust rested where benches, statues, and busts formerly existed.

Legolas looked at his home and could feel his eyes stinging. The pristine walls were no more, but ragged, pitted and blackened. The entry doors lay shredded in bits and pieces. "Ada..." he whispered as he drew his sword.

Through clenched teeth Elrond told Glorfindel to have the armies to surround the palace, sending two companies with him. "We will quietly get into position, and quickly. When the signal is given, have every horn we own blowing without ceasing to hearten any survivors inside and to distract the enemy. Galadriel will give the signal for the attack."

"Yes my Lord," replied Glorfindel.

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Author's note: Help has finally arrived! Poor Legolas...

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