notes: I feel like I say this a lot, but: I'm so sorry, guys. Work has been really weird the last few days, which has totally thrown me off my groove, and long story short I either forgot or didn't have the energy to post the chapter until today, contrary to my promises. So I'm so, so sorry. Without further ado, though, here's Chapter 36 - and it's a long one today!
Chapter 36
The seventh day of the sixth month, year 1050, Third Age.
Legolas came to, to see Radagast's worried face above him. Legolas groaned and sat up slowly, reaching for his head and pressing a palm to his temple. "Ow," he said hoarsely, feeling as if he had been screaming for days.
"What happened?" Radagast asked, clearly concerned. "I heard your cry and came running-but by the time I arrived, there was nothing on the road but you, lying here unconscious."
Lowering his hand, Legolas quickly pulled the ring off of his finger and tried to subtly stuff it back into his pocket. Radagast saw him, however, and frowned. "What have you there?" he asked.
"Just the ring that was in my pocket when you first found me," Legolas said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I thought it might help...I was mistaken."
"So what did happen?" Radagast asked again.
Legolas sighed and tried to stand. Radagast rose quickly and grabbed Legolas's arm, steadying him as he wavered.
"Lord Elrond was in the forest, on the road to your door," said Legolas, beginning to walk slowly back toward the house. "How he was here, I do not know-last I knew, he was still in his bed. Yet it was clearly him, staggering toward us. He nearly reached your domain, even, before a dark shadow arose behind him and grabbed him. The last thing I saw before I collapsed was him being dragged away."
Radagast looked grim, even as he helped Legolas through the door and into the sitting room.
"That is ill news," he said. "What it could mean or portend, I do not know. But here, let me at least put one question to rest. I shall go see if he is still in his room."
Legolas sat down on the sofa, then watched as Radagast left the room, heading toward the back of the house. He returned a moment later, a puzzled look on his face.
"He is still there," Radagast informed Legolas. "So who-or what-you saw in the forest, I cannot be certain. Are you even certain that it was Lord Elrond?"
Legolas hesitated. "No," he said at last. "I cannot be certain. All I know is what I saw-and I saw someone, or something, that definitely at least looked like him."
"Hm," said Radagast. "I shall ponder this," he said at last. "For now, though, get some rest. You look as though you need it."
Legolas nodded, and settled back against the arm of the sofa. Brave Heart rose awkwardly from where she had been lying beside the hearth, and padded over to him. Resting her chin on Legolas's chest, she began to purr.
Startled-she had never done anything of the sort before-Legolas looked at Radagast for an explanation.
"She says she can tell you were in pain," said Radagast with a half-cocked eyebrow. "She hopes that she can alleviate some of the residual echoes left behind by that pain."
Legolas reached up and threaded his fingers through the thick fur on Brave Heart's neck. "Thank you," he murmured.
Brave Heart purred harder in reply, and closed her eyes. Legolas sighed, feeling the vibrations in his chest, and let them soothe him.
He drifted off to sleep.
~*x*~
The next week passed with excruciating slowness for Legolas.
He put Vilya on once a day, right at sunset, to speak with Mithrandir and Lady Galadriel, just as instructed. He told them of Elrond's failing health, and of the thickening clouds that had gathered even over Radagast's domain the evening after Legolas had first put the ring on.
"What is going on?" Legolas had asked, standing in the house doorway, staring up at the sky. Though it had rained a few times since he had come to Radagast's, every time the clouds had cleared, revealing blue sky strewn with stars afterwards.
Now, however, was different-Legolas could feel it. The clouds had boiled in from all around, stealing the heavens and covering them with a roiling, grey veil.
"Whatever it is that is darkening the forest has grown stronger," Radagast had said, laying a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "Though you are still safe here, my strength is beginning to pale against the evil growing here."
"What does that mean?" Legolas had asked, fear spearing him through.
"It means whatever evil besets the forest," Radagast had said, "it grows stronger. Perhaps because it once more has Lord Elrond in its clutches-perhaps some other reason. Regardless, I shall double my efforts to keep my realm safe-but I will be allowing the clouds to cover the heavens, for that is a fruitless fight to win."
Elrond also continued to worsen. He grew paler and paler by the day-by the very hour-and he ceased to drink the broth that they continued to try to feed him.
"I do not understand," Radagast said, frustrated, the first day. "He should drink it, whether or not he is conscious."
Legolas shook his head. He was propping Elrond up against one shoulder, just as he always did, but something felt...wrong, somehow-wrong in his body, wrong in his spirit, wrong in him. He felt broken, as if, should Legolas move him in just the wrong way, he would feel bones shifting, would feel blood moving beneath Elrond's skin, would hear joints popping and snapping.
He also had stopped breathing twice when in Legolas and Radagast's company.
The first time happened when they were trying, once more, to feed him broth. Very suddenly, Legolas felt his body go utterly still within the circle of his arms-and when he looked down, he saw that his chest was no longer rising and falling with breath.
"Radagast!" Legolas cried, fear crashing through him.
Radagast saw what was the matter in an instant. "Quickly," he snapped, "lay him down."
Legolas obeyed, then slid off of the bed to stand beside Radagast. Radagast moved quickly, tilting Elrond's head back, then opening his mouth. Turning to Legolas, he said, "When I tell you to, I need for you to breathe into his mouth."
Legolas, who had learned basic field aid long ago, knew exactly what Radagast intended to do. He nodded, and moved to stand by Elrond's head.
"Now," said Radagast, and bending down, Legolas breathed deeply into Elrond's mouth. When he straightened, it was to see Radagast forming a fist, his second hand over the first, and then beginning to compress Elrond's chest once, twice, three times.
"Again," said Radagast after 30 chest compressions.
Legolas breathed for Elrond again.
Again, and again, and again they repeated the process. One minute bled into two, then into three. And then, very suddenly, Elrond began to breathe once more.
After that, someone always sat with Elrond-even Brave Heart, who had been instructed to cause a storm if she sensed that Elrond's breathing or heart had stopped. They dared not leave him alone to suffocate or asphyxiate-not when they could keep him alive. Or, rather, try to keep him alive.
Then, near sunset on the seventh day, there came the ringing of trumpets in the air. Legolas raced from the house-he and Radagast had been playing chess, while Brave Heart watched over Elrond-Radagast but a few steps behind him. The horn call came again as Legolas reached the front stoop-and there, riding out from between the trees, came a company of horsemen.
Their riders were armed and armored for war. The fading sunlight, filtered through the clouds, glittered on silver armor and silver lances and spears. The rider at the front bore a pennant that flapped in the wind of their passing; as it caught the wind rustling through the trees, it flared out, and Legolas got his first true look at the crest of Lothlórien: a silver tree on a field of pale blue.
At the center of the small host-there were twenty or so riders, each bearing a sword on one hip and a quiver of arrows and a bow on their backs-rode two noble figures on fine horses. One of them was the Lady Galadriel, armed and armored just as the rest of her host was. Beside her rode a tall ellon with silver hair braided away from his face. He alone of the group wore leather armor, and he did not bear a spear or lance, though he did bear twin swords, one on each hip. His swords were of the finest craftsmanship Legolas had ever seen; they were slightly curved, and longer than his arms, the hilts a deep, rich wood inlaid with gold and wrapped in gold wire. The pommels were inlaid with more gold, and set with flecks of ruby.
He could only be Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel's husband and the lord of Lothlórien.
The horses came to a prancing halt in front of Radagast's house, filling the area in front of his door with the jangle of tackle and the clank of armor. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn dismounted, and walked smoothly forward while around them their host pulled back, giving them a clear avenue to where Legolas and Radagast stood in the doorway.
Radagast bowed low, followed by Legolas.
"Welcome to my humble home," he said to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, bowing again and then straightening with a grim expression. "I only wish you could have visited under better circumstances."
"Greetings, Aiwendil," Lady Galadriel said. "Forgive us for our intrusion on your peace. Now, if you would be so kind to take us to our son-in-law?"
Radagast smiled mirthlessly. "She never was one for paltries," he murmured to Legolas as he turned and led the way into the house.
Legolas hesitated on the stoop, looking back over his shoulder at the host. The Elven riders were dismounting and beginning to unload the pack horses they had brought with them. Tents, cooking supplies, and other such camp paraphernalia was already growing in a pile on the cleared ground before Radagast's house.
"There is room out back for a camp," Legolas said, motioning toward the back of the house. "There are open fields that you can use, if that is your desire."
"Our thanks," said the Elf who appeared to be the leader. He turned to one of the Elves behind him, then said, "Haldir, lead the others to these fields and begin to set up camp."
A short, silver-haired Elf bowed to his commander, then turned and began to call instructions to the others. The leader watched him for a few seconds, then turned back to Legolas. "I am Claraer," he said, "the Captain of the Lady's personal guard."
"Legolas Thranduilion," said Legolas, "Prince of Eryn Galen."
Claraer bowed low. "Well met then, Prince," he said.
Legolas smiled. "Well met indeed, Glaraer."
They walked into the house together, and then Legolas led the way toward Elrond's room.
It was already crowded. Lady Galadriel sat on the edge of Elrond's bed, the palm of one hand pressed against his forehead. Lord Celeborn stood at the foot of the bed, looking down upon his son-in-law, while Radagast hovered by the door. The newcomers from Lothlórien had forsaken their weapons in the front room, however, which made it slightly less full.
Upon seeing Legolas and Claraer he moved further into the room, allowing the two newcomers to sidle into the door and take up places on either side of the frame.
"He is far from me," said Lady Galadriel at last, after a terribly long moment of silence in which no one moved-in which no one barely dared to breathe. "I fear his fëa has already been sundered from his hröa, and now walks the forest as a wraith. He has not yet succumbed to the Darkness at work in his body, but it is a near thing. I can feel it encroaching in his blood and near to his heart."
"I saw him," Legolas blurted out without thinking. "The day I put on the Ring. That is why I put her on. I saw him trying to reach Radagast's house, only for a dark shadow to rear up behind him and drag him away."
Lord Celeborn nodded, then asked his wife, "Is there no way to reunite his spirit with his body?"
"There is," said the Lady. "If we can guide his spirit back to his body, the two may be reunited."
"And how do we do that?" asked Radagast.
"I will call to him," said Lady Galadriel. "I will Sing a Song of calling, and we shall see if he can follow it home. But not tonight. First I must rest and recover the strength I lost while traveling."
She rose, and then the five Elves filed out of the room, leaving Brave Heart once more to stand over and watch Elrond.
"I will prepare food for dinner," said Radagast, and he disappeared into the kitchen. Lord Celeborn followed him, and for a moment Legolas could hear the indistinct murmur of voices coming through the walls. Then Lord Celebron reappeared, and he smiled at his wife.
"Radagast insists that we stay with him in his house, along with any of our host who desires to do so. He says there is more space-and food-than there might seem."
Lady Galadriel smiled at her husband in return, then turned to Claraer. Before she could even open her mouth to give instructions, however, Claraer bowed and said, "I will go and ensure that our people are properly settled for the night. We shan't intrude on Radagast's hospitality."
Lady Galadriel nodded, and Claraer departed, after bowing first to his lord and lady, and then Legolas. Legolas heard the door close-and then he was left alone with the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien.
"You truly saw Elrond?" Celeborn asked, once they had heard the door shut behind Claraer.
Legolas nodded. "Indeed," he said, feeling uncomfortable in the noble Elves' presence. These were two Elves who were not only of great nobility, but who were also heroes of song and tale. They had been fighting, side-by-side, since the First Age, doing great and heroic deeds for far longer than even Elrond had been alive.
And now here they were, standing before Legolas, looking at him expectantly.
"He looked haggard and injured, and was limping badly," said Legolas, trying to think of something to say that would appease the need for information written in their faces. "I could not see him well, but there seemed to be bruising on his face."
Lady Galadriel turned and retreated to the sofa, sinking down onto the cushions. Her husband moved to sit down beside her, reaching out to take one of her hands in both of his. "We will save him," he murmured to her, barely loud enough for Legolas to hear. "Whatever damage this darkness has wrought in him, we will undo it." It did not seem to be the first time they had had this conversation, and Legolas knew it was not for his ears now.
"What could have wounded him, though?" Lady Galadriel asked, looking at her husband. Legolas could not see her face, but he imagined that her eyes were wide with worry-if he could imagine the Lady Galadriel as anything but unflappable. "What could have caused him to limp, as Legolas described, unless…"
"Unless what?"
Lady Galadriel shook her head. "I do not know," she confessed softly.
Legolas crossed to sit in the chair that Radagast usually claimed. He perched on the edge of the seat, then looked intently at the Lady Galadriel and her husband, and asked, "Then you think I did truly see him?"
"I suspect you saw his fëa, yes," said Lady Galadriel, all traces of what Legolas would call vulnerability in anyone else gone. "I could not feel his spirit tethered to his body, which means it walks unhoused...elsewhere. Thus it would only make sense that what you saw was his spirit walking the forest."
"But how could I have seen his spirit? I have no gift in Sight," Legolas protested. "I am about as blind to the spiritual as a rock!"
Lady Galadriel turned to her husband and then said, "Meleth, would you be so kind as to leave Legolas and I to speak in private?"
To Legolas's surprise, Lord Celeborn did not seem to mind. He simply stood, leaned down to kiss his wife on the cheek, then said, "I will go aid Radagast." With that he turned and walked away, moving gracefully in spite of the armor he still wore.
Lady Galadriel turned back to Legolas, then leaned forward toward him. "That which you carry-the Ring you bear in your pocket, even if not always on your hand-will have an...effect on you," she said calmly but with deadly seriousness. "I suspect you have seen other changes-that you have likely begun to see Radagast for what he truly is, whether you knew it or not."
Legolas started. "You mean the light?" he asked, astounded.
Lady Galadriel smiled mirthlessly. "You have an inkling, then, what very few in this world truly know: That Radagast, and the other Istari, are not Men."
"I knew they were not entirely Men," said Legolas. "But what are they? What could engender such light?"
"They are Maiar," said Lady Galadriel. "Servants of the Valar, sent here to aid us in our fight against Sauron."
"But Sauron was destroyed," Legolas said with eyebrows raised. "He was destroyed at the end of the Second Age, in the last battle."
"So we believe," said Lady Galadriel. "Yet there is yet Darkness in this world. Your experiences, and Elrond's current predicament, show this."
Legolas had told Lady Galadriel and Mithrandir the full story of what had transpired, from the damming of the river and Elrond's strange vision, to the attack, to his capture, to Elrond's wounding, to their falling over the cliff and their subsequent flight, on the second day. They had listened with close attention, asking only a few questions. When he had finished, Lady Galadriel had shared a look with Mithrandir and had said, "This is ill news indeed."
Now Lady Galadriel looked at him, and said seriously, "Do not let Sauron's demise fool you. There are yet Dark things at work in this world-Dark things against which you are not a part of the struggle."
Legolas shook his head. "I never wanted any of this," he confessed quietly. "I only wanted to have my first command, and learn how to be a good king for when my father abdicates the throne."
Lady Galadriel smiled grimly. "No one ever wants to be drawn forcibly into the world of Darkness and despair," she said, "or the vassalage of protecting Middle-earth. Yet there is no other choice to be had. Not in days such as these."
"I understand," said Legolas softly, and then lapsed into silence. After a few moments, he asked, "Might I inquire how you and your host made it here so quickly? I was not expecting you for another three days at least."
Lady Galadriel laughed and, inexplicably, lifted a hand. On her middle finger gleamed a star. "This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant," she told Legolas. "I tell you this only because you already know who the other two Ring-bearers are. Or I assume you have figured that information out."
Legolas nodded. During his quiet time waiting for the dawn to come, perched in the trees in Radagast's orchards, he had come to that conclusion: that Lady Galadriel and Mithrandir bore the other two Elven Rings of Power. Specifically that Mithrandir bore the Ring of Fire, and Lady Galadriel the Ring of Water. This was how he could communicate with them-this was how he could talk with them, even over incredible distance.
"Part of Nenya's gifts are...foldings of time," Lady Galadriel confessed. "In truth, it took us nearly two weeks to travel here. In reality, though, it merely took us one."
Legolas shook his head, confused. "I do not understand," he said.
Lady Galadriel laughed again. "You do not need to," she said. "Merely understand this: That time is relative, and that Nenya can bend it to her-and my-will. I rarely use this power outside of Lothlórien, but I deemed it...necessary, in this instance."
"For Elrond?" asked Legolas.
Lady Galadriel smiled, but the expression was serious and without mirth. "Frankly, Legolas," she said, "there is little I would not do for the son of my heart."
Legolas nodded. There was strength and purpose in her voice, deadly and serious. He did not doubt what she said-that there was anything, even, that Lady Galadriel would do for someone she loved as dearly as she loved Elrond.
"Might I ask, my lady," Legolas said after another moment, "why you are being so frank with me? Pardon my saying this, but I have been told that the Lady of Lothlórien is...well, reticent with her feelings. Yet you are being nothing but frank with me."
Lady Galadriel laughed. "Because, young Greenleaf," she said, "you are now part of an inner circle, whether you knew it or not. There are four of us still alive who have borne an Elven Ring of Power-five now, with you. That engenders a certain amount of forthrightness from me-a certain amount of care and consideration. Moreover, recall that I have been in your mind. I know you well, even if you do not yet know me well."
Legoals canted his head. "That is fair," he said, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. He had almost forgotten thad Lady Galadriel and Mithrandir had been in his mind-but it seemed obvious, now that Lady Galadriel had pointed it out. Obvious that they knew him well-better, even, than he perhaps knew himself.
"You have told no one of the Ring you bear, or of the other two Rings and their bearers, have you?" Lady Galadriel asked suddenly.
Legolas shook his head. "You and Mithrandir instructed me to tell no one," he said. "I have abided by those instructions."
"Good," said Lady Galadriel. "And you will continue to abide by them-or ruin will be wrought upon Middle-earth. You understand that, do you not?"
The full weight of the knowledge that Legolas bore suddenly crashed over him. He knew one of the greatest secrets held in Middle-earth: the location and the bearers of the Three Elven Rings of Power. He knew who bore which, where they were located, and even some of their powers. That was more than almost anyone in the world knew-and Legolas knew it all.
"Eru," he breathed. "Oh, Eru, what have I gotten myself into?"
Lady Galadriel smiled. "A future," she said. "A future greater than that of being king of a woodland realm."
"I did not want a future any greater than that," Legolas said honestly.
"I know," said Galadriel. "But what we want, and what is meant to be, is often not the same."
Legolas bowed his head, clasping his hands together in his lap. "I understand," he said softly.
They were silent then until Radagast and Celeborn emerged from the kitchen, grinning broadly.
"Dinner is ready," Radagast announced, then led the way to the table laden with pots and pans and trays of food. It was more than enough to fill the bellies of three Elves and a Wizard, and Legolas wondered if Radagast had intended to feed the entire host.
They sat and began to eat: venison fried with potatoes and onions and spices, salad, cut fruit, and bread baked fresh that day. They ate in relative silence, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn often sharing looks across the table that neither Legolas nor Radagast could interpret or understand. Legolas tried a few times to strike up conversation, but it seemed that every time he tried, the topic of the talk turned to dark and dreary things and petered out.
"When will you be able to call for Elrond?" Legolas asked at last, as they ate a dessert of chocolate mousse.
"Tomorrow morning," said Galadriel. "A night's rest should be enough to revitalize me."
"Please," said Radagast, "you and Lord Celeborn should take my bed. I will sleep out in the sitting room with young Legolas."
"My thanks," said Lady Galadriel with a tight smile for Radagast. "We appreciate and accept your offer." Lord Celeborn nodded, and Radagast nodded in return.
They finished their meal, then Radagast rose and gathered up the remaining food. "I will bring this out to your men," he informed his new-come guests, then slid carefully out of the back door, juggling pots and pans and trays. Legolas rose to aid him-but he was already gone.
Settling back down into his chair, Legolas looked at Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn.
"What now?" he asked.
"Now we rest," said Lord Celeborn, looking at his wife, who nodded. "Then, tomorrow, the work begins."
end notes: The next chapter isn't written yet, and I'm not sure when it will be, soooo I'm not going to be able to do our deal this time around. Sorry! (My life has been a weird mess lately.) I'd still love to hear from you though - and I hope to do so!