Chapter twenty-nine – Time is up
The year 2941 of the Third Age, July 25th
"ARANYA!"
Thranduil's hand froze completely in the middle of pointing out something on the map the Captains from all three realms were gathered around. Paralyzing fear rushed through him like hot fire and it took all his will power to keep this from being obvious to the Captains, who counted on him to lead them through the war to come.
His gaze almost seemed frozen on the point of the map that he had been pointing to and he was disturbed to notice that his hand had begun trembling lightly. Keeping his reaction to himself he drew his hand away from the map and clenched it by his side in an attempt to control the tremors that ran through it.
There was only one thing that voice could mean… There was only one thing that would make Elfaron cry out with that amount of haste and trepidation…
They were coming.
Thranduil lifted slightly dilated eyes and immediately found himself locked in the icy blue eyes of his son. His firstborn. His heir. The terror that rose inside him wasn't on his own behalf, and quite unethically it wasn't on his people's behalf, it was the kind of shear horror that only arrived when those closet to his heart were in jeopardy.
His heart kept thudding speedily inside his chest as he gazed into his son's eyes. Legolas had paled but there was a grim determination in the depths of those icy blue pools, something that frightened him more than he could say. Sweat started to coat the inside of his tightly clenched hands but he knew that the moment he unclenched them those around him would be able to see just how much his hands shook.
"Aranya!" Elfaron gasped as he threw open the door to the room they were in. The young wood elf was panting and his dark green, cat-like eyes were sharper than usual. He kneeled on the floor before saying the words that Thranduil wished he would never utter. "The orcs have left Dol Guldur, Aranya. Anarórë has just contacted me. She tells me that they number nearly four thousand and that they could see several wargs accompanying the army before they were forced to disband from their outpost. At the speed they are going they will reach us in half a day."
Thranduil wanted to take back time. He wanted to go back to the minutes before the elf had said those words. He wanted to just ignore them and pretend that they had never been uttered, but there was nothing he could do about it. They had already surrendered themselves to the fates that awaited them…
The hour to come could be the last hour he had with his firstborn. The chance that both of them survived the fights to come was so slim that it was downright heartbreaking.
"Aranya?"
"I understand," Thranduil found himself answering, his mind numb, "Thank you for giving me the message so quickly. Go out and sound the bell and pass the word that they will be here in half a day."
Elfaron bowed his head dutifully and jumped to his feet before striding out of the room once more, intent on fulfilling the orders. Thranduil then turned his eyes to the rest of the Captain, forcing himself to tear his eyes from Legolas'. Around the table stood Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Haldir, Orophin, Rúmil, Húron, Alfirin, Pengon, Gruinor, Callon, and Sarnor. They were the ones who had been placed in charge of the different divisions inside the army.
Pengon and Elrohir were in charge of the healing base and its protection. Alfirin was in charge of all the wood elves that only knew Nandorin. Húron was going to serve under Thranduil to keep the King safe and give him advise throughout the fight. The others were spread over different positions and their divisions varied from archers to swordsmen.
"This is it," Thranduil said. "We've gone through the plans so many times by now that I trust all of you know what to do. You have for your individual divisions so it is your responsibility to make sure that they are in formation and ready by nightfall." Thranduil then paused and looked at Legolas once more.
Understanding his father's implication Legolas said calmly, "I will not be here during the battle."
Immediately he found the gazes of everyone around the table turn to him with bewilderment, except for Glorfindel and Húron's that stayed fixated on the tabletop. Legolas met every single one of their gazes without losing his calm appearance. Telling everyone at the last minute had been to avoid having too many questions raised.
"I will be here," Legolas turned his eyes back to the map that rested on the table while placing his finger directly upon Dol Guldur. "While you take care of the army I will take care of an old enemy of mine. Sauron has held the fortress for far too long."
Immediately protests and exclamations flew at him from all around the table, from everyone except Glorfindel, Húron, and Thranduil who were as silent as death. It wasn't long before Legolas latched on to one comment from Callon.
"Captain you don't have the power to go against Sauron!"
At that moment the words registered in Legolas' mind, he let all the shields around his mind drop for a split second. It was enough though, in that second his power burst forward like a tidal wave, filling the room with a dazzling silvery-blue light. Every being in the room felt the intensity and the forcefulness of the energy he had inside him almost like a whiplash, it didn't cause pain, but it jolted them and sent fear through their hearts. The energy simmered in the air, held back only due to Legolas' tight control.
Then Legolas pulled it back and guarded it tightly inside himself once more. "We shall see," he then said grimly. He could see that he had shocked nearly all around the table, could see the sweat upon their brows and the tremble of their hands, and knew that it would take them a few moment to gather themselves. This was why he used this moment to walk away.
He picked up his saddlebag with all of his belongings as he passed the door. He did not know if it was due to the influence of Nenya or his own powers but somehow inside himself, he had known that it was going to be that day that the news was going to arrive. Because of that he had felt shaky and nervous all day, jerking his head up at the slightest noise. The moment the news had come though, it had seemed as if a wave of calmness and resolution had flooded through him.
He had to believe that he could do this…
Legolas turned his head when he heard footsteps behind him and wasn't the least bit surprised when he saw his father coming up beside him. They walked in silence all the way to his father's room, none of their true emotions of fear, regret, and whatnot were showing on their faces because they didn't want to discourage their people but the instant the door to Thranduil's room closed behind them, Legolas found himself locked in his father's tight embrace.
Legolas for once didn't protest about the tightness of his father's hug, he didn't comment on the fact that his ribs were almost being broken, he didn't complain about his breathing being compromised, he just wrapped his arms around the figure of his father and squeezed him back just as tightly. In that moment he mused briefly on the fact that he was just as tall as his father, almost as wide… he no longer lost himself in the length and breadth of his father's arms like he had when he had been an elfling… They were equal.
It was some time before Thranduil could bring himself to pull back and to release his son. He ran his hand over the length of his face to hide the evidence of his tears and forced himself to put a small and painfully fake smile upon his lips as he faced Legolas once more. "Let me help you get ready," he said softly.
Legolas nodded wordlessly and gave him an identical smile in return. He then watched as his father placed his saddlebag upon the bed and opened it, seemingly thankful that he had something to do. Legolas could see his hands shaking slightly as they rummaged through the bag and found all that he needed, laying it upon the bed.
"Do you remember when I was an elfling, Ada," Legolas said softly, as Thranduil came over and began strapping a small dirk to the inside of Legolas' forearm over his sleeve, "and I told you that I hated you?"
Immediately, a true smile quirked the corners of Thranduil's lips upward, as he finished with the second buckle and walked back to the table.
"I was so frightened about the fact that the words had left my mouth that I spent the rest of the day crying whilst hiding in a guestroom closet," Legolas continued. "Every time someone came into the room I would go silent in fear that they were there to take me away or punish me for saying it."
Thranduil helped Legolas don his leather jerkin over his azure undershirt and his dark blue tunic before beginning to tie the various knots down the middle. Finally the smile had appeared completely on his lips but nonetheless Legolas could see the overwhelming pain inside his eyes. At the last knot his father's hands were simply trembling too much so Legolas reached down to steady them and help him tie it.
"It was nightfall before I gathered the courage to leave the closet to face what I had done," Legolas whispered, watching as his father walked over to the bed again and got the next item. "Immediately, I went to your office and begged your forgiveness for my horrendous crime all the while crying once more and using up probably every last drop of liquid I had left inside my body after already having sobbed my eyes out for hours.
"I pleaded that you wouldn't lock me in the dungeons and I gave you a half dozen panicked promises that I would do better in the future all the while I was too afraid to look into your eyes and see the relief in them."
Thranduil went on to fastening his wrist guards, his eyes fixated on what he was doing do Legolas couldn't read the emotions that were gushing out inside them.
"You didn't say anything, you just picked me up and carried me out of the room. I was terrified out of my mind that you were going to lock me in dungeons so I screamed and fought the whole way but no one came to help me. In the end I just closed my eyes and wished myself away to another place and didn't register anything until I was suddenly being set down on a chair and the scent of the cook's famous cinnamon cookies appeared before me."
Thranduil had frozen completely before him, one of the wrist guards still remained halfway untied but he made no move to finish it. He stood there listening silently with his head still bowed.
"The scent was enough for me to dare upon one eye and the other quickly followed when I saw the huge plate of cookies which was placed before me on the table. I felt so shocked that I even managed to forget my fear and look you in the eyes. I swear I've never seen you look so haggard in my life. You're hair was disheveled and your eyes showed exhaustion, but still there was a smile on your lips.
"You told me that you loved me very much and that I was allowed to eat all the cookies I wanted. Disbelieved I couldn't help but shift my gaze from you to the cookies and back again but finally I decided to heed your words as they were far better than any punishment I had imagined in my state of terror. When I was sufficiently stuffed you asked what I thought of you now and I answered that I loved you.
"It was only later I realized that there had been no one around to save me and no one in the kitchen because you had practically every elf in the Halls out looking for me."
"…What was I supposed to do?" Thranduil asked, his voice hoarse with emotions, "It wasn't every day that my three year old elfling decided to hate me and then disappear off the face of the earth. You had barely stopped being a baby. It was my fault anyway, I had been neglecting you because of work."
Legolas moved forward and gently wrapped his arms around his father once more. "I love you Ada," he whispered, "so much."
"Damn you," Thranduil choked, "here I was, determined to not show you any grief and sorrow so that you wouldn't feel guilty about leaving me, pressured into doing anything against your will, or just so I wouldn't heighten the grief that you already feel, and then you go and do something like this?"
Thranduil drew back and reached up to cup Legolas' cheeks, his eyes locked on his son's. "My son," he whispered, brushing his thumbs over Legolas' cheekbones. Tears rolled down the already glistening tracks on Thranduil's cheeks but his eyes shone with pride and love.
"I am so proud of you," he whispered hoarsely, "so proud of what you have become… My little elfling has become so strong, stronger than I would have ever imagined. Your strength does not show in how many battles you've fought or how many orcs you've slain, but in your ability to keep going on no matter what happens. You've managed to stay an outstanding father and a loving husband despite everything you've faced and you bring hope to everyone around you.
"If there is anyone able to defeat Sauron then it is you, not because of the rings but because it is you," Thranduil continued, his fingers now catching a few stray tears that escaped Legolas' eyes. He gently lowered both of them down so they were sitting on the floor before asking, "Do you know how I know this?"
Legolas shook his head.
"Because no matter what you never give in, and you never give up," Thranduil whispered fiercely. "I know that there have been close calls, I know that you have sometimes been so near to it that you could feel it closing in around you, but you have always fought yourself back out. I know that you will fight defeat with every ounce of your being to get back to Faneth and Maliel, all of us. I know that darkness will never succeed in extinguishing the light and goodness inside you, because it is too bright to ever destroyed."
Legolas made a choked sound before moaning, "You don't know that… You don't know if I will win or not… Perhaps my luck will finally run out…"
Thranduil closed his eyes tightly in pain but forced himself to face this and to choke, "Even if you die… that light of yours will continue to shine for so many generations. The hope that you have given our people will continue to sparkle like one of the brightest stars. Sauron will never be able to destroy that."
Tears rolled down Legolas' cheeks and his eyes suddenly became desperate. "Take care of Faneth, Ada," he ordered hoarsely, "take care of my daughter… Take care of both of them I beg of you. Do not let them fall into despair…"
Thranduil quickly wrapped his arms around his son and held him tightly once more. His son's body shook and Thranduil knew that this was his greatest fear. "Do you really think I would allow my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter to fall into despair?" He asked choked, "You just focus on bringing yourself back home, all right? Then I'll-"
A series of knocks sounded against the door and cut Thranduil off. The King cursed inwardly but nevertheless squeezed Legolas one last time before drawing back, brushing the tears off his son's cheeks before doing the same on his own. Afterwards he gently pulled Legolas to his feet and then went over to the door.
As he opened it he found Haldir of Lothlorien on the other side holding a leaf wrapped package. It was only with a huge amount of self-control that Thranduil managed not to slam the door directly in the Marchwarden's face.
"Haldir," Thranduil greeted unwelcomingly.
Hearing the coldness of his father's voice, Legolas walked over to the door as well and eyed Haldir in a more friendly way, a small, but forced, smile upon his lips. "Hello Haldir," he greeted softly.
"My Prince, the Lady Galadriel made this for you and asked me to deliver it." Thranduil immediately snorted in indignation and Haldir eyed him briefly before extending the gift to Legolas and continuing, "She hopes that it will aid you on your journey."
Legolas nodded and opened a corner of one of the large leaves, which covered the package. His eyes went wide when he saw the square wafers of waybread inside and he lifted his gaze to Haldir once more. "Lembas?" He asked.
Haldir nodded, "It will save you some weight in your bag because you only need a small amount to sustain your body while travelling. I do not know how long you will be gone but there should be enough there to sustain you for at least a couple of months."
"Thank you," Legolas said.
"You're welcome," Haldir responded, his voice hesitant and somewhat sad. "…My Prince, do you really plan to-?"
"Yes he does," Thranduil interrupted flatly, "Thank you and good bye." He then shut the door in front of Haldir.
Legolas stared numbly at the door as it closed. For a second he considered opening it once more and apologizing for his father's behavior, after all Haldir didn't know anything about Galadriel's involvement with the plan that he was going to after Sauron. For some reason though, he couldn't bring himself to move at that moment. Inside himself he felt the relief of not having to answer Haldir's question.
"Come," his father said gently and took his hand to lead him over to the bed. Once there, Thranduil fastened the last ties of the wrist guard and then reached down to take up his belt with his sword and dagger. This he strapped around Legolas' waist.
"Ada, you can't let my decision put an end to the relationship between Mirkwood, Rivendell, and Lothlorien, no matter what the outcome is," Legolas said. "I would never want a war to be fought over me."
Thranduil swung Legolas' dark blue cloak over his shoulders and fastened the clasp, dusting off the shoulders. "For your sake I will not wage war," he said shortly.
"But?" Legolas asked.
Thranduil lifted his eyes to Legolas' and said, "but I can't promise that I will ever stand in the same room as them or accept help from them if they let my son die without risking anything themselves. I'm sorry Legolas, but I can't do it. If you manage to do this then perhaps with time, but if you die because they…"
Thranduil took a steadying breath and reached down to pick up the straps that fastened Legolas' twin knives to his back. "I won't start a war, I can promise you that. Even if they decided to sacrifice you they still helped us and I cannot ignore that."
Legolas gazed into his father's eyes for a minute but then nodded solemnly, he no longer had the time needed to change his father's mind on this subject and was all in all skeptic that even with all the time in the world he wouldn't be able to succeed. His father had always been stubborn when he set his mind on something.
Legolas then turned towards the bed and drew a smaller leather backpack out of his saddlebag. He shook it out and then placed the bare essentials inside it, this included his healing pack, the lembas, his water skin, a spare tunic and pair of leggings, a pair of flints, and his whetstone so he could sharpen his weapons. He then buckled the straps that held the flap down before putting it on. It rested over his twin knives but wasn't large enough to cover the hilts, so he could reach back and pull them out just as easily.
After this was done he paused a moment before he turned to his father once more, "I should go…"
"You aren't taking your bow?" Thranduil asked in a weak attempt to keep his son with him if only a few moments longer.
"No," Legolas responded, "I don't think I will need to for the fight to come so it will more of a hindrance than an asset on this journey. You're welcome to use it, if you want. I really should go Ada. I wish to cross the orcs halfway to Dol Guldur where their guards aren't up yet."
Thranduil nodded, "I walk with you as long as you'll have me."
Legolas nodded in response and the two of them walked out of the room, for the second time that day they walked in silence with unreadable expressions. This time though, the twins, who had been leaning against the wall on either side, stopped them just down the hallway.
Elladan and Elrohir's features had become slightly more defined, their formerly slightly rounded ears now ended in the same sharp point that defined the ears of the elves that walked around them. This was the only physical change though; the real difference was in the brightness of their auras.
Legolas had been with them the previous night when they had gone out in the forest along with Elrond and Glorfindel. The twins had kept their promise about cleaving to elven kind. They had made their pledge in a clearing in forest with the star of their grandfather Eärendil shining down upon them. Immediately, it had seemed as though their auras had absorbed the light of the star and brightened to the strength of one of the Eldar.
They had chosen to do so before the battle so they were assured that if they died in the battle they would cross the threshold of the same place. To be apart in death would have been more than they could bear. And so, his daughter's future life with Elrohir had been made solid.
The twins raised their heads simultaneously as they heard them coming, their silver eyes shining with anger and fear when they saw Legolas in full battle gear.
"Don't do this Legolas," Elrohir rounded at him, "You can't do this to your family! What about Faneth? You know how distressed she already is! Do not add to her fear by doing something like this! Just think about how she would feel if she knew what you were about to do!"
Legolas felt for a moment like he had been punched, with one blow Elrohir had slammed right into the place where all his fears were buried and was wringing it mercilessly. Without having any means of stopping it tears welled up in his eyes at the thought of Faneth in pain, of Faneth dying… He couldn't handle it right now… He had so far forced himself to focus on the target and not think about the consequences because they were already too late to consider.
Legolas abruptly turned his head, blinking furiously to remove the liquid from his eyes before it could roll down his cheeks. He cursed inwardly at his loss of control and forced himself to take a steadying breath before turning back to the twins. Elrohir had a mortified look in his eyes and Elladan's eyes were filled with pain.
"She already knows," Legolas whispered. "She already knows what I'm about to do and she knew it long before we left. She knows just as well as me that this is the only way… I already know the amount of pain I've caused her, I don't need you to tell me of it…"
"Legolas, no…" Elladan moaned sadly, his eyes full of remorse. He walked forward and pulled Legolas into his arms, throwing his twin an angry glance. "Don't do this to yourself…" The eldest twin closed his eyes and breathed deeply before continuing, "We know how much you love Faneth and we know that you would never choose to do something like this unless you had no other choice. She will be all right; believe in her."
Legolas nodded wordlessly so Elladan moved back slightly and pressed a kiss against his friend's forehead. Legolas could see the twin forcing himself to let go and step back, could see how hard a decision that was for him.
Elrohir soon came hesitantly to his brother's side, his eyes full of remorse and tears. Legolas reached out and grabbed his tunic, pulling him into a fierce hug. "You take care of my daughter, you hear me?" Legolas demanded hoarsely, "No matter what. You never let her go."
Elrohir immediately let out a sob but then choked, "I promise, with all that I have."
Legolas squeezed him tightly before letting go and drawing back. As much as he wanted to stay right there and never face the battle to come, he couldn't. He once more forced his thoughts away from his family and for a second felt the need to get away as quickly as possible so he could focus on the task alone without having reminders constantly of what he was leaving behind.
His father once more fell into step beside him as they continued down the corridor, leaving Elrohir and Elladan. Thranduil had kept silent during the exchange even though he had been sorely tempted to punch Elrohir for his inconsideration when he had made the comment about Faneth.
It wasn't long before they were at the end of the large building and opened the door to step out on the surrounding talan. The moment they stepped outside they saw the amount of elves from Mirkwood that had gathered silently around it. The captains had without a doubt spread the news of his mission. Those from Rivendell and Lothlorien watched from a longer distance.
Legolas took a deep breath and then started climbing down the rope ladder. As soon as his feet landed on the forest ground though he found himself surrounded with the members of his team. Húron, Gruinor, Taenor, Callon, Roben, Pengon, and Hiwon all stood there in travel gear, looking ready to follow him to wherever he was heading.
"No." Legolas said without further ado. "Not this time, this time I have to go alone. Weapons are of no use in my battle. I need you to stay here and lead your divisions. This fight is just as important as mine."
"I was trying to explain them the same thing, but they wouldn't listen to me."
Legolas turned around and immediately he found himself being enfolded in Glorfindel's arms. Without a moment's hesitation Legolas wrapped his arms just as tightly around the golden-haired warrior.
"Be careful," Glorfindel whispered softly, but then drew back so his hand was resting on Legolas' shoulder. He looked him fiercely in the eyes before saying, "Give him hell, Gwador."
Legolas placed his hand on Glorfindel's shoulder as well and squeezed it. "Of course," he said giving a feral smile. In spite of his light attitude Legolas held onto Glorfindel's shoulder slightly longer than necessary, the action saying more to Glorfindel than words ever could.
Glorfindel reached out and hugged Legolas briefly once more but then they parted. Legolas smiled sadly to Glorfindel one last time before turning to his father. "I think this will be where we part Ada. …Get them ready."
Thranduil nodded solemnly while reaching out to brush his fingers over Legolas' cheek. "We will be more than ready. The orcs will not know what hit them."
"Be careful…" Legolas breathed.
Thranduil smiled reassuringly to his son and stepped forward to place a kiss upon his brow. It wasn't possible for him to care less about the amount of people who could witness this loving gesture, many of them had sons of their own surely they wouldn't be all that shocked that this wasn't a fight he could send Legolas into without as much comfort as he could possibly throw at him.
"I am always careful," Thranduil said. "No go, Legolas."
Legolas nodded and turned to embrace the members of his team one by one, whispering shortly to every individual before turning towards the crowd and starting the walk through it. The elves were all quiet but they made gestures of respect and love towards him that could never be underestimated. The wood elves placed their fists over their hearts and then swept their hand outwards with their fingers spread. Those from the Halls either inclined their heads or placed their right hand upon their hearts.
As he reached the tree line the crowd ended as well, for a second he allowed himself to look down through the path he had created and lock eyes with his father. At that moment he forced himself to place a smile upon his lips and then bowed lowly to his King.
Afterwards, when he went into the forest, he could hear his father addressing all of the people gathered in what could have been nothing else but an inspiring speech. He didn't stay to hear it though, only continued through the forest and soon everything around him became quiet.
After he had walked a while a soft sound drifted down to him from the nearest tree. "Alavalto Titta Lassë. Nai elen siluva tielyanna a oiala tira alyë huinello." [Good luck, little leaf. May a star shine upon your path and forever guard you from darkness.]
Legolas stopped and turned his head to look behind him. Alfirin was sitting upon a branch of one of the trees. His minder's yellow and green eyes were shining with worry, but also a great amount of pride and faith.
"Namárië Alfirin," Legolas said softly, placing his hand upon his heart and sweeping it outwards, "Nai elen siluva tielyanna yando." [Farewell. May a stare shine upon your path also.]
Alfirin nodded, but instead of giving him the usual feral grin Alfirin's lips parted into a tender and gentle smile. Inside the smile Legolas could see an infinite amount of sadness and Legolas knew that it was tearing his minder up to let him go without any protection.
Despite having seen this though Legolas turned and continued walking through the forest. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, Legolas forced his emotions to a place where they would no longer affect him every single second instead he tried to focus completely on the task ahead.
As he did this, Legolas' back straightened completely and his chin lifted ever so slightly. He strides became a shade longer and his eyes seemed to burn with a purpose.
He was going to do this.
He walked for a while before arriving at his destination. It was a cave well hidden in the by the terrain and the plant growth. Far enough away from point seven that orcs wouldn't chance upon it unless they went far out of their way. He brushed the plants aside and bent through the opening.
It was first after taking a few steps into the cave that he could straighten out once more and he was immediately met with the sight of Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond standing in the middle of the spacious room. The three ring bearers were gazing upon him with different emotions in their eyes.
"Legolas," Elrond greeted softly and walked over to him, pulling him into a fatherly hug. "How are you doing?"
"Tired of answering that very same question," Legolas responded softly. "Truly Elrond I believe we have seen each other in enough difficult situations to know how we react to them individually. I would rather avoid going through another goodbye right now."
Elrond nodded and brushed his hand over his long silvery-white hair. For once the healer didn't mention anything about his guilt at having to send him out; for once he didn't force him to give reassurances, which in truth he needed more than him. Elrond just gave him a sad smile and stepped aside.
"Legolas Thranduilion," Gandalf said kindly, bowing his head and walking towards him. "You bear inside you a strength that is rare to come by. I would have followed you on this journey of yours if I believed that it was my battle to fight but I fear an old man will only slow you down. I give my aid and my counsel though in these dark times."
"And they are welcome Mithrandir," Legolas answered gently before looking at the last member of their gathering.
Galadriel was standing silently, her blue eyes seemed to be filled with the light of the stars and for once they didn't try to pierce him, they only gazed at him gently. "I believe that through your actions and your words instead of your thoughts I have come to understand you Laiqualassë. You have earned my respect and my gratitude in more ways than I can say." She walked over to him and placed a kiss upon his brow. Afterwards she said, "Go forth Elenion with the blessings of all three Elven realms." [Son of stars]
Legolas placed his hand upon his heart and swept it outwards in an elegant movement. It was a gesture that combined the wood elves' gesture of respect with the elves from the Halls. He was after all a mixture of the two. Galadriel smiled in response.
"Will you stay here during the entire battle?" Legolas then asked. It was a place they had found together to suit this purpose.
"Aye," Gandalf replied gruffly. "We will safe and able to concentrate on your battle here. The rings will guard our presence from any passerby and burn whomever comes too close."
"How long will it take you to reach Dol Guldur?" Elrond asked worriedly.
"Ten hours at most if I move through the trees," Legolas answered. "I will have to go slower when I pass over the orcs to make sure that I won't be seen but it should be quite easy."
Elrond sighed worriedly, "Five hours was enough to completely wear you out before, ten hours as well as the fight against Sauron will no doubt leave you severally weakened. What if you cannot get home on your own?"
"I have spoken with my father about it and we have agreed that they will wait to search for me until they have given me a chance to return on my own but it all depends on how the fighting goes so I suspect that you will be the ones to judge whether or not someone is needed to come after me." Legolas answered.
The three ring bearers nodded and for a moment there was silence in the cave, all of them waiting patiently for Legolas to say that he was ready. Legolas himself felt a brief moment of overwhelming fear in this second but as soon as it arrived he squashed it down and gave them a grim nod.
Then he stepped forward and gathered closer to the three bearers, hoping that that would lessen the time between lowering his barriers and connecting with the rings. Galadriel, Gandalf, and Elrond extended their right hands and placed them upon Legolas, Nenya, Vilya, and Narya visible upon their ring fingers.
Legolas closed his eyes and drowned out the world around him, focusing on his own power and his own energy. He breathed in deeply and as he exhaled, he disintegrated the barrier around his mind. Immediately, his power burst forward and filled the cave, its power and intensity almost like a beacon.
Before he could even think to latch onto the rings the darkness was already speeding from Dol Guldur, approaching so quickly that his heart barely had time to make another beat.
Sauron had been waiting for this…
Legolas tried panicked to reach out towards the rings but even though they were so close the darkness was faster. Legolas could feel it begin to press down on his mind and almost screamed in agony when suddenly more blinding light and power filled the cavern and Sauron was blasted away by its intensity. In that second Legolas managed to get a hold of the rings' spirits and latched them roughly to his own spirit, clinging onto them so tightly that it almost hurt.
Immediately, their power filled him to the brink and another form of barrier was created around his mind, one of water, air, and fire, which would only allow Galadriel, Gandalf, and Elrond's spirits to pass. Legolas released a shuddering breath. It was done… the danger was over…
He opened his eyes. His hands were shaking slightly with the aftermath of adrenalin and the agony that had been dealt him in the instant the darkness had touched him. He knew that it was something he would without a doubt feel more than a few times in the fight to come.
"Thank you," he breathed and then raised his piercing eyes of fire and water to the three ring bearers, who were the ones that had saved him in the last moment. The three of them looked slightly paler from the effort but otherwise they seemed all right.
"We've got your back," Elrond said breathlessly. "No go, Legolas. Don't waste your strength."
Legolas nodded and gave them one last smile before dashing out of the cave and into the forest once more. As soon as he made contact with the forest floor he turned in the direction of Dol Guldur and ran, feeling as Vilya, the ring of air, aided his steps and made his body feel lighter than it already was.
He ran for a while on the forest floor but then jumped into the nearest tree and continued through the branches, his speed unhindered. Determination and resolution had once more spread through his body like wildfire. This was it… His time was up…
