#46 Justice
Legolas leaned back against the cold, unforgiving stone behind him wishing fervently he was back in his beloved forest. This dark, unfeeling place held no fear for him, yet it drained his spirit to be so cut off from the pulse of life he was accustomed to feel surrounding him. Down here nothing grew, no speck of green had he seen and his heart mourned its loss. It was as if life had ceased and he knew that he would be able to take no ease until they were back outside where his own song could fly and mingle with that of the world once more.
He turned his head slightly, listening to the soft conversation passing between Frodo and Mithrandir a wry smile tracing itself upon his lips at the wizards words for he had heard them before, many years ago.
His mind wandered back in time until he was back in the courtyard of fair Imladris. The sun had not yet risen, rendering the two dark figures beside him almost invisible as they moved silently across the stone flags. As ever the twin sons of Elrond were eager to be back out on the hunt, their lust for revenge almost tangible in the air around them and though he could feel his own fëa crying out for peace he dare not let them go alone. For without him to call time on their questing, his sense of home and compassion to anchor them to the song he feared they would be lost forever, mired in slaughter and destruction until they fell to darkness or death and if that happened it would surely break his heart.
Their steps slowed as a pale figure appeared in the gloom before them, resolving slowly into the grey clad figure of an old man, bent and withered, yet they each knew this was merely a disguise behind which Mithrandir liked to hide his power.
"Elrondionath, Thranduilion." The wizard nodded curtly to each of the young ellon as he spoke. Eyes glinting with steel and disapproval.
"Mithrandir." The three replied in unison with an inclination of their heads.
"Off again so soon, younglings." Mithrandir continued softly. "Master Elrond has barely had time to patch you up from your last foray. Will you not stay and ease his heart."
"Nay, Mithrandir." Elladan shook his head sadly. "There is much work for us yet to..."
"How can we stay here in this fantasy wrapped realm whilst those foul creatures are still at large." Elrohir broke in, anger sparking from steel grey eyes. "We will not rest until justice has been meted out to them all."
Legolas sighed and shifted position to avoid the rock digging into his shoulder blade, remembering the look of intense sadness he had seen on the wizards face as Elrohir spoke. It had been then that Mithrandir had uttered those self-same words he had just used to the Halfling.
"Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends."
It had been during that quest, only a few days after he had followed the twins as they pushed past the old man leaving him alone in the courtyard that it had all gone so horribly wrong. He could still feel the heat of the blade, smell the blood and taste the fear as he had got too close for the bloodlust in his lovers eyes to tell friend from foe. Too close to avoid the blade swung in anger even though he managed to twist just enough to ensure it was not the killing blow it was meant to be.
A shudder ran through him with the memory and as he looked over to where Mithrandir now sat alone the wizard's eyes caught his, twinkling in the light of his pipe and they shared a soft smile.
.
"Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be not too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends." ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers.
A/N
So this is not at all the story I had intended to write but it sort of ties back to an earlier chapter in the series. I feel that the whole tale will have to come out eventually. Let me know what you think :)
