Into the West
A Legolas and Gimli story by talking2myself
DISCLAIMER: see chapter. 1
"I give hope to man. I save none for myself."
-The Return of the King
Appendices
Legolas bolted upright in shock, or at least he would have if his wounded body would have allowed him to. "You're Rora's mother?!" he cried.
Treka nodded quickly, "Is she alright?! Where is she? Is she here?!"
Legolas suddenly felt ashamed, "She wasn't supposed to be. Believe me. I didn't take her to this foul place!"
"Where is she now?!" Treka asked.
"I don't know," Legolas said softly, "I was trying to escape! She... she isn't with the orcs."
"Is that supposed to bring me comfort?!" Treka cried, "She's out there in the wilderness... ALONE!"
"She wasn't supposed to be!" Legolas repeated, "I don't know how the orcs found her."
"I suppose I should be thankful knowing that she was alive," Treka said sadly, "After the orcs attacked us..." Treka trailed off, "For the longest time I feared that she was dead."
"That brings up another point," Legolas said painfully shifting so that he could sit upright, "Why are you still here?"
"I've already told you," Treka said, "I'm a prisoner just like you."
"No," Legolas pointed out, "Not like me. I'm an elf and a member of the fellowship. I'm here as the orcs' plaything." he spat out the words as he spoke. "You on the other hand are an ordinary woman and yet you were selected out of a large group and kept alive and unspoiled. Orcs are not reknowned for their mercy. The only explanation is that their mysterious master wanted you alive."
"But why?!" Treka cried holding out her hands helplessly, "I'm a simple woman! I've never had any dealings with orcs or ringwraiths before."
Legolas thought for a moment, "What about wizards?"
"Of course not," Treka said. Legolas felt himself relax a fraction. "Wait," Treka said, "I was mistaken. I have seen one wizard."
"Oh?" Legolas asked with dread.
"He was quite young," Treka said, "Rather handsome in a quiet sort of way.". Legolas felt a horrible sensation in his stomach.
"You were never..." Legolas hung off unsure of how to finish the sentence delicately. "Intimate?"
"No!" Treka cried aghast, "When I say he was young I mean he was little more than a child."
"Oh," Legolas said letting out a sigh of relief, "How did you know him?"
"He was nearly banished from our village," Treka said, "He accidentally set a house on fire. We had a village meeting about it. Almost the entire village wanted to send him away. I felt so terrible for him. It wasn't his fault. And he looked so small and scared standing there before the council."
"You spoke for him?" Legolas asked.
Treka nodded, "Of course. He needed the help. I got up and said that we should give him another chance. That he should receive proper training before we condemned him. There was another man who spoke up besides. An older man and a relative of the boy. His uncle, I believe."
"Did they banish him in the end?" Legolas asked.
"No," Treka said, "It was the council's ruling that he would be allowed to stay on the condition that he never speak again. He was forced to become a mute. I protested this too. I told them that this was far too cruel a punishment for the boy. This time his uncle agreed with the council. My argument was silenced after that."
"What happened after?" Legolas asked.
"Not much," Treka said with a shrug, "The boy and his uncle were unofficial outcasts from that day on. Eventually, they abandoned the village altogether. That was before Rora was born. Could that have something to do with why I'm here?"
"I'm not sure," Legolas muttered. To be honest he was far too tired to think about it. He pressed the heels of his hands into his tired eyes. Treka caught the gesture and gently laid him back down on the rags. It took a long time before sleep found the suffering elf.
-888-
Rora had run into the tunnels as fast as she could, tears streaming down her face, but she didn't stop. Until finally her legs were too tired to move. She curled up in a ball in the dry tunnel and she closed her eyes. Thankfully, nothing found the girl while she slept. She got stiffly to her wobbly legs. Slowly, she made her way back out of the tunnel to where Legolas had been left. There was no sign of the elf. Rora started crying again. Big tears rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head fiercely. No! I will be brave!
At first all she did was hide in the tunnel. Before long she noticed the orc patrols marching past the entrance. Her stomach growled loudly as she watched them walk by. Finally, she was forced to make a decision. She followed the orcs a safe distance away. When they halted for rests she crept into their camp. She managed to swipe a water bottle and a crust a bread before going back into hiding. The orcs continued on their way and it was rather hard for Rora to keep up. But she was determined to find Legolas. If for no other reason the orcs' supplies packs were her only source of food. She followed them doggedly armed only with her little sling.
I will find Legolas! And when I do, We'll both be able to escape and go home.
-888-
How many days has it been? Legolas thought. One day? Three? Weeks? Legolas wasn't sure. He had lost track. The only sense of time he had was the bizarre schedule that the orcs kept too. Torturing him sometime during the day and then Treka attempting to patch him up again later. Legolas was so weak he could scarcely keep himself upright. The orcs seemed to sense this. Ragrak decided to try a different attempt. "Sing for us, elf," he ordered, "We've all heard tales of the lovely elvish voices."
Legolas frowned at him, "No."
"I don't think you understand," Ragrak said. He stomped away from Legolas. He seemed to sense that hurting Legolas would do nothing, so he chose a different victim. Legolas would do anything to keep Treka safe. Ragrak kicked Treka to the ground before ordering Legolas again, "Sing!"
Legolas let out a heavy sigh not wanting to hurt Treka more by refusing. He drew a breath and sang in a hoarse voice.
"Wash away the thoughts inside.
That keep my mind away from you.
No
more love and no more pride
And thoughts are all I have to do.
The verse seemed more like an order than a song verse. He tried to force away the thoughts of Rora and the others, but at the same time his thoughts kept drifting towards them. Elenuiel's bright eyes, like stars shone in the distance. Aral's cheery laughter rang in his ears. And Gimli. Somedays it felt like his friend was right beside him.
Oooh remember when it rained.
Felt the ground and looked up high
And called your name...
Ooh remember when it rained
In the darkness I remain
The verse reminded him of their first day out. The rain had fallen all around them, clean and wet. At the time he had been miserable. But now he thought of something else. Elen. Her slick blonde hair wet with the rain. Her eyes sparkling. No matter how tired she looked. She had moved gracefully through. A strange ethereal vision surrounded by the water. "I wish your father could see as I could. For then he would realize what a noble son he has." Her words echoed in his mind.
Tears of hope run down my skin.
Tears for you that will not dry
They magnify the one within
While the outside slowly dies.
More memories of Elenuiel. Her cold fierce eyes glaring at him when they had first met. The point of her arrow poised against his neck. Her unapologetic boldness when he had caught her eavesdropping. The small wonderful smile that was so rare, making it all the more beautiful when Legolas could see it. Watching her having horse races with Aral. Seeing her cradle Frodo against her so gently and tenderly when he was in pain. Legolas squeezed his eyes shut. No! No more!
In the water I remain
Running down
Running down
Running down
It was as though Legolas had forgotten where he was. Treka sat a short distance away with her hand on her heart and tears in her eyes. Legolas was staring off into the distance as though singing to someone far away. His song was so tragic and achingly beautiful. Tears were spilling unheeded down the elf's face. The orcs watched in fascination. Transfixed by this strange emotion they could not understand. Love.
"That's... that's all," Ragrak said suddenly. The orcs dragged Legolas and Treka back to their cell. Legolas lay there numbly still staring off. Treka gently approached his still form. She wrapped an arm around him gently. "That was beautiful." Legolas didn't respond. She gently pressed a kiss to his forehead, just like his mother used to do to him as a child. "Don't give up hope."
Legolas squeezed his eyes shut tight against the emotional pain he was feeling. It was too late for hope.
-888-
Elenuiel awoke with a start. They had been traveling through Mordor all day. They had agreed to sleep for a few hours only and then start again. She had been awoken by a strange dream. She could hear Legolas's voice. Soft and sad echoing over the plains. His haunting melody haunted her thoughts. He was close. She could feel it. Somehow she knew.
She shook Gimli awake. "Gimli!" she cried, "We have to get moving!" Gimli rolled over and opened his eyes.
He shrugged, "Yes! Let's go!" He hefted his axe, "Though why are you suddenly so eager to go?"
"It's just a... feeling," Elenuiel said.
"A feeling?" Gimli asked eagerly, "Your elven magery?"
"No," Elenuiel said, "Not exactly. I heard..."
"What did you hear?" Gimli asked.
"I heard him singing," Elenuiel said, "Almost like... like he was singing to me. Like he was begging for hope. Like he was crying out for help. Like he was right besides me..." she realized that Gimli was gazing at her steadily. "Though its strange," Elenuiel said, "Why would he want my help? And not a warrior like you. Couldn't you hear the song?"
Gimli shook his head, "Perhaps it was not meant for me to hear." he said cryptically. Elenuiel didn't have time to ponder his words. She nudged Fuirin awake and they set out again immediately.
-888-
Legolas awoke from a wonderful dream. Though this one wasn't about Elenuiel. He dreamt that he was back travelling with Gimli. They were standing in the Glittering Caves when Legolas had fulfilled his promise to Gimli. He could hear Gimli's big laugh bouncing off the walls of the cave. He smiled at Legolas cheekily.
"Now aren't you the fiercest bravest warrior of your kind? You braved the underground mines! If your father could see you now."
Legolas had laughed, "He would box my ears for travelling with such wicked company." Gimli laughed and moved on ahead. Legolas had been following him when he woke up. He stared at the darkness thinking for a moment that he was still in the cave. Then, he heard the creaking of the prison door as it opened. Legolas let out a heavy sigh. No. No, please. I'm so weary. He buried his face in his hands and braced himself for what was to come.
Ragrak stomped inside. Legolas waited for him to grasp a golden lock of hair and drag him out to the orcs. Ragrak looked down at him surprisingly grim and serious. "The Master wants to speak with you."
"What?!" Legolas whispered in disbelief.
"Both you and the woman," Ragrak said dispassionately. Another orc pulled Treka to her feet. Treka looked around at wide eyes. Her gaze met Legolas begging him for advice. "Come!" Ragrak barked. The two were led shuffling through the dark corridors. Legolas had to be supported by an orc. His legs were too weak and they would not be swayed by singing this time. Treka was marching unaided, erect and proud. If she was going to her death then she would remind the orcs before she died that she was a courageous and noble woman.
The door was opened, the prisoners were shoved inside roughly before the door was closed tightly and locked. Ragrak bowed low. "My Master! I have brought the prisoners." Two orcs shoved Legolas and Treka forwards. Legolas lifted his eyes to see a figure in a corner of the room. Hidden by the darkness. A hand appeared out of the deep cowls of his robe. The Master waved Ragrak away dismissively. Ragrak bowed low again and backed out of the room as fast he could. Legolas swallowed hard. He had never seen mighty Ragrak stricken by fear so much before.
The figure approached them. His face hidden by the dark cowl of his robe. "The mighty elven prince," he hissed, "On bended knee before me."
"Stop lurking in the shadows!" Treka barked before Legolas could respond. "Show yourself!"
The Master chuckled wickedly before stepping forwards into the light. He flung back the cowl of his cloak triumphantly. Legolas gasped in surprise and nearly fell to the ground. "No! No it can't be!" The Master smiled wickedly as he stood there in the pool of light
It was Sarmeth. The wizard's apprentice.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The song Legolas sings is Remember When It Rained by Josh Groban.