CHAPTER 23 - Halls of Stone
Deprived of sight she could still make use of her remaining senses, and more so sharpened her hearing. They had been descending and following downward from the high ground of the forests, that she could tell. The breeze blew stronger than before, lashing freely at her face and hair, though the sensation was dampened by the tension emanating from the elves around her. Whatever Legolas had said to them, it had swayed their murderous charge. But now here she was, treated like an enemy; which she was by all accounts, in their eyes at least.
"I suppose I should have heeded when you called," Kal said flatly to Legolas, sensing his presence as he walked close to her right. Eron was fast behind the group.
She heard a sigh. "I am not sure it would have made a difference either way. But all will be well. The sentries are merely cautious, and have every cause to be."
"Sentries?" the half-orc asked, avoiding a rock in her way with the aid of her heightened senses.
"There are those who watch the edge of the forest and Mouths of Anduin for fell activity. The place we are heading to is well hidden but one can never underestimate the scouring Lidless Eye."
Kal was quiet, considering how, by the look in their eyes, those elves would not have hesitated to fell her had the half-orc been wandering alone in the area.
"Are we going to a place of elves?" wondered Kal, the prospect of such somewhat worrying.
There was a pause before he answered. "Others dwell there also. You will see my meaning."
If I ever regain my sight she thought wryly. Then Kal heard hissed sounds in their strange language, and recognized the voice of the dark-haired elf. She then heard Legolas reply in a brisk and unusually harsh tone, and there was silence again.
But soon her thought turned to dwell on the fact that they had ceased walking. The fresh and enlivening breeze was now at its most intense, and Kal inhaled deeply, her entire being imbued with the clean and wholesome air.
"We will travel by water now. I will lead you into the craft," said Legolas.
So it is as I thought. They would reach their destination by water. Unsure how her body would react but doubly curious to know, Kal placed her feet where the elf instructed, and was sat down onto a hard surface.
"You cannot ride standing," Legolas said, pressing on her shoulder.
She felt Eron lying at her feet, and sensed his unease as it were her own.
Soon they were swaying languidly, and Kal heard the swishing sounds of water around them. The motions of the craft left her slightly light headed and without thought she leaned against what was closest to her. A shoulder, belonging to someone who swiftly drew away hissing foreign words. The dark-haired elf.
Mistake, Kal thought tiredly, rocking in line with the movement of the boat, feeling weaker and weaker as time passed.
"It is not much longer," she heard her companion say.
And indeed soon she felt the air grow significantly colder, as if they were not in the openness of the outside world any longer. And before she knew it the craft came to a stand with a dull sound, having hit a hard surface.
"May I regain my sight?" asked Kal, her trepidation lengthening. But there was also interest and the will to see, to know where these creatures had taken her.
She was aided from the craft by Legolas, and as soon as her feet hit solid ground the blindfold was removed from her eyes.
First her sight fell on the elf she knew, and then her head swiveled around and her mouth dropped agog.
It was an underground dock of sorts. They stood on a stone platform surrounded by water, and she saw many more vessels tied there akin to the one they had come by. There were high cavernous walls, brilliantly lit sconces diffusing much needed light, reflected in the dark waters.
But looking before her, Kal saw a wide, seemingly endless lit corridor, hewn into the rock. Its straight walls made her wonder, as they were carved with minute skill. Turning her head, she saw other, similar corridors along the wide rounded enclave, leading she knew not where, with straight paths hewn into stone on the edge of the water to enter them.
Her impression was momentarily interrupted by the dark-haired elf, who shot between them without a word, forcefully knocking Kal off her balance in the process before his feet took him swiftly through the corridor.
"Kal," she heard the now familiar voice. The only familiar voice, in this place. She turned to face him.
"Welcome," said Legolas, "to Tolfalas."
"Tol-falas?" she repeated the new word thoughtfully, her eyes still wide with wonder, and eager to see more.
Legolas swiftly turned and spoke to the one he had referred to as Orophin. Kal saw the other elf take to the craft and begin heading back on the water, presumably towards the outside world. The elf then turned to her.
"Aye, do you recall the island you saw when looking upon the sea?"
It all fell into place. "So you found a haven here? We are beneath the island?" she asked, not a little astonished.
"Close. This was a natural, little explored opening into the bowels of the island. You saw it boasts mountainous terrain as well."
She nodded.
"This island, hidden by more than our caution, is our dwelling place, Kal."
"Close enough to the Black Land to not pose first suspicion," Kal thought aloud, eyes locked with his.
Legolas offered a cautious smile, and she swallowed at the lightness and sincerity of it.
"I have brought you here to see, and meet ones which may aid in your purpose."
Her purpose. Of course, if only she knew what that would be.
"Legolas!" their conversation was interrupted by a new, soft and silvery voice, the likes of which Kal had never heard before. Looking to the source she saw a lithe and frail seeming creature, of a fairness which left Kal all manner of dismayed and entranced at the same time. Her skin was fair, her long hair flowing, spun midnight and her grey eyes shimmered, lit from within.
Kal gaped as the figure fast approached, her walking become running, her faded blue robes flowing about her as she flung herself into the arms of her companion, and thus stood for a few good moments. Kal was begun to feel as if she should not be there.
When they broke apart the new presence whispered softly to Legolas, who replied in kind, taking her hands in his. Kal then saw him reach for his collar and retrieve the elessar from around his neck, placing it into her hands. She embraced him again, and Kal saw relief clearly written on her face, though there were also tears. She recognized the familiar signs of grief over loss.
She took the chance to observe, and saw other beings meandering through the generous space, some passing far at the end of the corridor into other places. Kal could not discern the nature of these beings.
"Kal," Legolas brought her back, and she turned to see him near her. He held the fair one by the hand. "This is the lady Arwen. She is elven kind, as I am, and one of my dearest friends."
Kal and the elf maid regarded each other, and the half-orc saw a shadow of apprehension in those enchanting eyes. But shortly after it disappeared. She briefly thought of how polar opposites they may appear to onlookers - she, in her brown faded leathers, amber eyes and unruly black hair, and the elf, in her finely woven robes with her luxurious locks and grey-silver stare. Yet despite it all, she seemed... Weakened was the first thought Kal had.
"Kal is a companion, and I encountered her on my way," he spoke to Arwen, and Kal was somewhat grateful for the lack of detail. "We have aided each other. I believe we have a space for her definite stay, do we not?" he asked looking to the raven-haired elf maid.
Arwen looked to Legolas, and it was as if a quiet thought passed between them. The maid then met the gaze of the half-orc.
"Any trusted friend of Legolas I would welcome into our sanctuary," came the words in the common tongue, as light as fading dew on a chill morning.
"Gratitude," settled the half-orc tilting her head slightly, unsure what else to say.
"You must be famished, come," the maid then urged.
Looking to Legolas she saw him nod in agreement, and so the trio proceeded towards the long lamplit corridor.
"There is much you need to see of this place," Arwen spoke anew regarding Kal, whose gaze now trailed over every detail, every straight wall and wooden door, the smooth and even floor beneath their feet. "Legolas and I may be of aid in such, but I am certain you shall meet others."
"Where is our Lockbearer?" Legolas asked the elf maid then.
"Gone for supplies," she replied with a vague smile. "His spirits will lift upon seeing you. They always do."
Legolas said nothing, but the sad smile she saw on his face spoke of it. This was someone he cared for, and very much so.
She then heard the two elves speaking in their language. After some time Legolas turned to Kal. "There is aught I must do. Kal," he repeated to draw her attention. "You will be safe with Arwen," he sought her eyes, and Kal had little choice but to agree.
"Will you be long?" the half-orc asked, a little nervous at losing the only familiar presence in this strange place.
He half turned to her, having already proceeded into a known direction. "I doubt it." And he left.
She watched him depart into what looked like a side corridor before Kal locked eyes with the other.
"Well, lady Arwen," she sighed, "lead the way."
Legolas walked swiftly following the stone path and reached a flight of stairs hewn into the rock. It led to a higher level, where a new corridor awaited. This one was lined with wooden doors on either side. He stopped before one of them, and with a creak opened it to reveal a wide chamber. There was a long carved table within and many wooden shelves filled to the brim with scrolls and maps. Faded tapestries of once lively colors lined the walls. He felt the other elf before he saw him, knowing this was where he would be found. His head of rich dark hair shone reddish under the torchlight as he poured over an old scroll with a critical eye.
"Tadion."
The other elf made no retort nor move at the sound of his name, nor even took his eyes off the scroll. Silence enveloped them. Legolas waited.
"What have you done?" the one called Tadion asked without preamble, as if he were speaking to himself.
"I, too, am glad to find you unharmed, brother," Legolas sighed.
The dark-haired elf waved the other's words away, his face lined with impatience.
"Have there been troubles in my absence?" asked Legolas as he neared the green-eyed elf.
"No troubles," came the frosty retort. Legolas saw the other lift his head then to meet his eyes. "Unless you count the ones you bring," the elf finished gravely as he straightened. Again there was silence, though a known tension could be felt rising in the space between them.
"So we are welcoming orcs into our midst now?" Tadion finally asked, his voice dripping poison and discontent.
Legolas looked away. Of course, he had anticipated this. "Even you must have sensed she is no orc-"
"Indeed not, but worse. Can you imagine how this creature came to be? Thought about what wretched unfortunate of your kind was tortured and forced to bear or spawn her?"
"I fail to see how that is the fault of the one born. I thought you the wiser in this-"
"Look me in the eye and tell me," Tadion cut through his words, "that she has not been on the side of the Enemy when you came upon her."
The other's silence only spurred him further.
"I thought so," he continued with narrowed eyes. "What will follow? Will you also be leading Uruk-hai here? Perhaps Sauron himself?"
"Your bitterness and resent are unwarranted, and unjust," said Legolas, now striving to maintain his calm. "We fought together. She has proven herself to me and if that does not suffice in your eyes, then there is nothing more to say."
Tadion swiftly paced before his brother. "I have always looked to you and your wisdom. But lately I cannot recognize my own kin. You will ruin yourself, and us, with your cursed search and these reckless journeys to the Black Land. He has perished, Legolas," Tadion said through gritted teeth.
"Hold your tongue," the other elf warned lowly, a sharp edge to his voice.
But his brother was undeterred. "Yet despite your numerous failed attempts, in your stubbornness you will not accept the truth. You will not accept, that he fell before the Black Gate and even if he had not, time treats mortals differently. Even if he were alive, what would be the use? What would be left of him after enduring Sauron? And to make matters worse, you bring the enemy to our doorstep-"
"The creature you encountered in the forest is not your enemy," the other said tiredly.
Tadion frowned and closed his eyes, bringing a hand to his temple. "I do wonder in times such as these, about what robbed you of your wits since we last stood together. I never thought you to be easily swayed by a deceptively fair face. Or was it her feigned innocence which fooled you?"
"Tadion you forget yourself," Legolas said swiftly, standing straighter and appearing much taller with the strain of his rising temper.
The other elf grinned mirthlessly. "Now you choose to be your father's son. What would he say to this, I wonder? What would Thranduil the fallen have to say about his heir cavorting with the enemy having destroyed our kingdom, enslaved our people, burned our forests-"
"You fail to recall I was there, brother," Legolas said coldly.
"Nay but it seems to me you have," Tadion retorted. "You have forgotten nearly falling yourself, his eyes from afar, mother's wails as she knelt beside his lifeless shell and then neither of us reached her in time-"
"Enough of this," the older elf growled. "You are not in a position to give lectures. And it is not your decision to make." By now it took indeed much effort to maintain his composure. Throughout their thousands of years together, his brother had always known how to bring a rise out of him. And apparently still could. He shook his head and closed his eyes. "If you but for one moment looked beyond your fear and hatred you would see, just as I have, that she poses no ill intent."
"Are you calling me a craven?" Tadion bristled, his eyes turned dark and hard. Eyes which were their mother's as indeed was most of his appearance, but now a ruthless light shone through them, reminiscent of the scathing gaze of Thranduil King in his worst spells of ire.
"I am calling you blind," the fair-haired elf said slowly, his patience worn dangerously thin, drained and dismayed at how much like their father Tadion could be in his temper.
But the other leaned against the wall crossing his arms, a loveless smile spread over his youthful face. His manner darkened with scorn, and his lip quivered in disgust. "How he defends his orcish pet. How you neared and spoke to her as if she were a maid in need of aid, and not a half-breed from the burrows of the Tower!"
"Your fears have no foundation other than your prejudice," Legolas spoke. "It grieves me to witness it."
Tadion threw his head back in a short laugh. "The prince of the Woodland Realm, descendant of Oropher King, besotted with a spawn of Mordor." He shook his head. "I lived to see the day. "
Though even his brother knew the words were callous and completely untrue, Legolas felt ire steadily gripping him. He took a deep breath. "If you have nothing worthy to say, then it is best you say nothing at all. We will speak when, and if you have regained yourself."
Emerald eyes cut into his. "There may come a time, brother, when you will recall my warnings."
"Leave." The other hissed, and as high and careless as his disdain was, Tadion offered no more stinging words.
"Your Highness," he swept into a mocking bow before throwing the door open and briskly walking away, his hands balled into fists.
Alone in the chamber, the prince heaved a deep sigh. His younger brother had lost much to the Shadow, but this steadily growing ruthlessness in the past years was worrying. Mother, father, would that we at least knew you reached the Blessed Realm, he wondered, his thought again turning to the pathless sea as he stood rooted to the spot, still and staring into nothingness for a long time.
A/N:
Thank you so much for your reviews and the time spent reading this! What, Legolas has a brother? Yes, I did that *reveals AU wildcard*
WickedGreene13 (Guest) - On the sea longing questions: I would say, sea longing affects all the elves in this story, but unfortunately the straight path is closed to them since the Grey Havens fell. They have nowhere, and no means to sail... (bummer right?). Legolas briefly muses over this earlier in the story. Kal is half elf (I guess that's a secret no longer?), so will see if she'll feel anything of the sort. At this point she was merely fascinated by seeing the sea for the first time. This reminded me of a nice quote:
"It is said by the Eldar that in water there lives yet the echo of the Music of the Ainur more than in any substance that is in this Earth; and many of the Children of Ilúvatar hearken still unsated to the voices of the Sea, and yet know not for what they listen."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion
Beautiful, isn't it?