Finally ff.net seems to be stable. So, lets try it to post a new part.
Thanks for the reviews I received, I hope I did not loose any!!!
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Gimli's eyes tried to penetrate the darkness before him as the group of dwarves slowly ventured deeper into the familiar caves. He focused his whole concentration on his surroundings trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. He had not been in a situation like this for a long time without a pair of keen elven eyes and ears on his side. He had gotten much too used to the elf. His finger tightened unconsciously around the handle of his axe as his thoughts strayed once more to Legolas. The bitter pain in his heart had not eased and still anger burned in him.
Although he only whispered he could hear the words of one of his companions as he spoke to another.
'And I tell you it was the elf that brought it here. He wishes to destroy us.'
Eyes flickered towards Gimli as they excepted him to speak up in defense of his friend. The news of their fight must have made the round for none of them would have uttered words like this about Legolas in Gimli's presence before. He chose to ignore them now and surprisingly it was Gloin who spoke instead.
'This is nonsense and you know it. Keep your mind on your task.'
Silence fell again and Gimli tried to push away his own thoughts. He had seen Legolas' hand flinch away from touching Nirith. He had been sure that it was disgust that kept the elf from helping her and the pain and anger still soared through him at this thought. But another voice spoke up reminding him that this was nothing Legolas would ever do. He would never refuse his help to save a life for it was precious to him as it was for all elves. He found himself torn between his trust in his friend and what he had seen.
And he remembered well the short feeling of satisfaction as his fist had connected with Legolas' body. It had been quickly followed with shame at his violent reaction as well as regret but his pain and anger had quickly won over again. He had lost his one chance of love and now faced a life without a wife or children to ever fill it. Legolas should have helped her as he had done for the other dwarf. But why had he not?
He forced himself to leave this line of thought and to concentrate once more on his surroundings. They were here to hunt down the creature that had taken Nirith's life.
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'What is it that troubles you so, Gandalf?'
Aragorn had stepped close to the wizard. They had finally stopped to give the horses a short break as well as food and water. His eyes came to rest on Gandalf's face that seemed to bear more lines of worry than ever before. He knew the wizard was a friend of the dwarves but somehow he felt there being more to this.
'You worry for Legolas?' he asked and his surprise showed in his voice.
'Aye, this I do, Aragorn.' The wizard slowly answered.
'But why? An elf surely is much more safe from this creature than any dwarf. He himself said so.'
'And there he might be wrong. It is true the elven mind is harder to break but it also is the more satisfying for this creature. If it finds a weakness in Legolas it will choose him over any other victim. And I fear our friend is not as strong as he thinks.'
In disbelief Aragorn stared at the wizard until a sudden realization of what Gandalf was hinting at dawned.
'It is the sea longing you speak of? Should it weaken him that much?'
'It makes him more vulnerable than he is aware of. The longing once awakened in the heart of an elf is strong and causes him much pain and torment. This feelings are exactly what will draw the creature to Legolas. I know he controls it well but one little slip will be all that is needed. If it feels him vulnerable it will turn on him. Forget not the emotions of elves are strong and intense and this is what it feeds off.'
A cold feeling of dread welled up in the king upon hearing the wizard's solemn words. Sensing this Gandalf gave him a small smile.
'But there is no use in worrying too much.' He spoke his tone lighter than before. ' Legolas knows how dangerous this foe is and he does not stand alone. With Gimli on his side I doubt he will be easy prey for this creature for the dwarf knows well how to keep him out of his dark moods.'
'This is true' Aragorn answered with a smile of his own. 'Gimli is much too afraid to loose him to the sea to allow him to even think of it. '
But Gandalf's words had awoken new worries in the king's heart and he was much relieved when they finally continued their journey.
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The first time a shiver of cold run along his spine Legolas hardly noticed it dismissing it as another symptom of his deep dislike of the dark caverns surrounding him. His side that had connected with the stone wall still hurt, a dull pain throbbing with every breath he took. Gimli's full strength had been behind the blow and he could feel a bruise forming were his fist had landed. But this display of blind rage would not have matter that much to the elf for he knew the pain that had caused it. Much more than the blow the words spoken had hurt him. He stood a little bit apart from the dwarves his bow in his hands. The familiar feeling of the wood under his fingers calmed him as he focused his senses into the darkness behind the fire. He could make out nothing and this was assuring and disturbing at once. He keenly missed what he would hear and feel were he outside, the whispering of the wind in the trees and the breathing of life. It was absent here in the depth of the mountain. Another tingle went through him and for a moment he felt a strange weakness as if his strength was sucked away. The feeling disappeared as soon as it had come but a sudden feeling of fear struck him and he stiffed. He knew this feeling for he had felt it during the short moment he had touched Nirith.
He turned his head to look at the young dwarf standing closest to him.
'It is here.' He hissed.
A startled look met his. Reacting to the elf's low voice the dwarf stepped closer without a sound.
'Where?' excitement colored his voice and eager eyes tried to pierce the darkness.
Legolas concentrated but the creature evaded his senses. He could not make it out. With a frustrated sigh he spoke. 'I know not exactly. But it is close for I can feel it prodding at my mind.'
The dwarf looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and fear.
'Tell your companions. It is hiding somewhere close to us so it can not be in the tunnels that are being searched right now. But be careful to not alert it. I will try to keep it occupied.'
The dwarf nodded and silently moved away. Once more Legolas noticed how they were able to move without a sound down here were a dwarf could be heard from a league away if they moved through a wood.
The feeling was still there as if a cold hand brushed up his spine to come to rest above his heart. For a brief moment the pain in his side intensified and flowed through him. It disappeared immediately again.
Legolas fingers clutched his bow although he knew this weapon to be of no use against this foe. His eyes closed as he concentrated on bringing up his mental barriers prepared to fight the unwelcome intruder.
A light touch on his hand startled him and he opened his eyes to look at the dwarf standing before him.
'There is only one passage it may hide in if your suspicions are correct. We will part our group and go there to seek it out.'
Cold determination burned in the dwarf's eyes making it clear to the elf that there would be no way to hold them back. His eyes searched Legolas ere he asked. 'You said you could keep its attention focused on you?'
'I know not for sure.' Legolas spoke truthfully as another shiver went through him. 'But I will try.'
The dwarf nodded and turned away. Moments later the group was divided into two and Legolas turned his full attention to his task. He was sure the dwarves stood no chance against this being not in this small number. Their only advantage would be to take it on unprepared and he was not sure if he could help them to achieve this. Maybe if it concentrated fully on him it would miss the advancing dwarves.
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The elf seemed to be aware of it now as his mental barriers came up fully. But his weakness had been seen and with great delight it started its game. The pain hidden in his heart was easy to find and with glee it prodded at it using its power of intensifying emotions in his victims to bring fourth what it had found.
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Legolas was still unsure of how to proceed. He could lower his barriers for a moment to lure the creature into an attack but he was not sure if he would be able to withstand it. Great was his shock when suddenly he could feel its presence much stronger than before but instead of clawing at his mental shield a sharp pain went through his heart. It was like the pain he had felt when Gimli turned on him, the sharp pang of anguish that had seized his heart when he had heard the words his friend had spoken. For a moment the elf gasped as his emotions were turned against him heightened so much in sharpness and intensity that he was hardly able to bear it. Greatly had he underestimated the creatures abilities and he found himself paying dearly for this as he felt his strength being sapped from him. It lasted for endless moments until it finally lessened and slowly abated. For a brief moment he could feel panic rise for he knew now that he was far more vulnerable than he had thought but brought his feelings quickly under control. The onslaught had left him weakened and he felt himself sink to his knees not noticing the bow slipping from his fingers while he prepared to not only shield his mind but also his feelings against another attack.
It came soon but this time he knew were it would aim and a desperate battle of wills started.
The dwarves that had stayed behind had seen him sink to his knees as well as the expression of anguish on his face and one of them hurried to his side. It was Gudin who stopped next to the elf unsure of what to do. He could see that he was attacked but knew not of what to do to aid him.
The fight was none Legolas could win and he knew it. Had he not been weakened by this first attack he might have been able to fight it off but too much of his strength he had already lost. It relished on each single emotion that escaped him getting the stronger the weaker the elf got. And finally for one short moment it could slip through his barriers.
The memories of elves are accurate and do not fade with time. During their waking dreams they would recall them and enjoy them and so find rest in a way mortals could not. It was considered a gift but right now it turned out to be a curse. For even in this tiniest moment as the creature was able to break through Legolas' defenses it was able to force up memories he would have wished to never recall.
@@@
Never had it fed on an elf's emotions before and they were the most intense it had ever tasted. Had it planned to kill him swiftly and make its escape it found it too tempting now to try to break the elf's mind knowing what pleasures it would bring. So it used all its strength to breach his barriers and even though the elf put up a hard fight his feelings betrayed him. The anguish in his heart was easy to use against him and soon it had sucked off most of his strength. And than, for one moment it was able to slip inside.
___
Gimli's eyes tried to penetrate the darkness before him as the group of dwarves slowly ventured deeper into the familiar caves. He focused his whole concentration on his surroundings trying to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. He had not been in a situation like this for a long time without a pair of keen elven eyes and ears on his side. He had gotten much too used to the elf. His finger tightened unconsciously around the handle of his axe as his thoughts strayed once more to Legolas. The bitter pain in his heart had not eased and still anger burned in him.
Although he only whispered he could hear the words of one of his companions as he spoke to another.
'And I tell you it was the elf that brought it here. He wishes to destroy us.'
Eyes flickered towards Gimli as they excepted him to speak up in defense of his friend. The news of their fight must have made the round for none of them would have uttered words like this about Legolas in Gimli's presence before. He chose to ignore them now and surprisingly it was Gloin who spoke instead.
'This is nonsense and you know it. Keep your mind on your task.'
Silence fell again and Gimli tried to push away his own thoughts. He had seen Legolas' hand flinch away from touching Nirith. He had been sure that it was disgust that kept the elf from helping her and the pain and anger still soared through him at this thought. But another voice spoke up reminding him that this was nothing Legolas would ever do. He would never refuse his help to save a life for it was precious to him as it was for all elves. He found himself torn between his trust in his friend and what he had seen.
And he remembered well the short feeling of satisfaction as his fist had connected with Legolas' body. It had been quickly followed with shame at his violent reaction as well as regret but his pain and anger had quickly won over again. He had lost his one chance of love and now faced a life without a wife or children to ever fill it. Legolas should have helped her as he had done for the other dwarf. But why had he not?
He forced himself to leave this line of thought and to concentrate once more on his surroundings. They were here to hunt down the creature that had taken Nirith's life.
@@@
'What is it that troubles you so, Gandalf?'
Aragorn had stepped close to the wizard. They had finally stopped to give the horses a short break as well as food and water. His eyes came to rest on Gandalf's face that seemed to bear more lines of worry than ever before. He knew the wizard was a friend of the dwarves but somehow he felt there being more to this.
'You worry for Legolas?' he asked and his surprise showed in his voice.
'Aye, this I do, Aragorn.' The wizard slowly answered.
'But why? An elf surely is much more safe from this creature than any dwarf. He himself said so.'
'And there he might be wrong. It is true the elven mind is harder to break but it also is the more satisfying for this creature. If it finds a weakness in Legolas it will choose him over any other victim. And I fear our friend is not as strong as he thinks.'
In disbelief Aragorn stared at the wizard until a sudden realization of what Gandalf was hinting at dawned.
'It is the sea longing you speak of? Should it weaken him that much?'
'It makes him more vulnerable than he is aware of. The longing once awakened in the heart of an elf is strong and causes him much pain and torment. This feelings are exactly what will draw the creature to Legolas. I know he controls it well but one little slip will be all that is needed. If it feels him vulnerable it will turn on him. Forget not the emotions of elves are strong and intense and this is what it feeds off.'
A cold feeling of dread welled up in the king upon hearing the wizard's solemn words. Sensing this Gandalf gave him a small smile.
'But there is no use in worrying too much.' He spoke his tone lighter than before. ' Legolas knows how dangerous this foe is and he does not stand alone. With Gimli on his side I doubt he will be easy prey for this creature for the dwarf knows well how to keep him out of his dark moods.'
'This is true' Aragorn answered with a smile of his own. 'Gimli is much too afraid to loose him to the sea to allow him to even think of it. '
But Gandalf's words had awoken new worries in the king's heart and he was much relieved when they finally continued their journey.
@@@
The first time a shiver of cold run along his spine Legolas hardly noticed it dismissing it as another symptom of his deep dislike of the dark caverns surrounding him. His side that had connected with the stone wall still hurt, a dull pain throbbing with every breath he took. Gimli's full strength had been behind the blow and he could feel a bruise forming were his fist had landed. But this display of blind rage would not have matter that much to the elf for he knew the pain that had caused it. Much more than the blow the words spoken had hurt him. He stood a little bit apart from the dwarves his bow in his hands. The familiar feeling of the wood under his fingers calmed him as he focused his senses into the darkness behind the fire. He could make out nothing and this was assuring and disturbing at once. He keenly missed what he would hear and feel were he outside, the whispering of the wind in the trees and the breathing of life. It was absent here in the depth of the mountain. Another tingle went through him and for a moment he felt a strange weakness as if his strength was sucked away. The feeling disappeared as soon as it had come but a sudden feeling of fear struck him and he stiffed. He knew this feeling for he had felt it during the short moment he had touched Nirith.
He turned his head to look at the young dwarf standing closest to him.
'It is here.' He hissed.
A startled look met his. Reacting to the elf's low voice the dwarf stepped closer without a sound.
'Where?' excitement colored his voice and eager eyes tried to pierce the darkness.
Legolas concentrated but the creature evaded his senses. He could not make it out. With a frustrated sigh he spoke. 'I know not exactly. But it is close for I can feel it prodding at my mind.'
The dwarf looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and fear.
'Tell your companions. It is hiding somewhere close to us so it can not be in the tunnels that are being searched right now. But be careful to not alert it. I will try to keep it occupied.'
The dwarf nodded and silently moved away. Once more Legolas noticed how they were able to move without a sound down here were a dwarf could be heard from a league away if they moved through a wood.
The feeling was still there as if a cold hand brushed up his spine to come to rest above his heart. For a brief moment the pain in his side intensified and flowed through him. It disappeared immediately again.
Legolas fingers clutched his bow although he knew this weapon to be of no use against this foe. His eyes closed as he concentrated on bringing up his mental barriers prepared to fight the unwelcome intruder.
A light touch on his hand startled him and he opened his eyes to look at the dwarf standing before him.
'There is only one passage it may hide in if your suspicions are correct. We will part our group and go there to seek it out.'
Cold determination burned in the dwarf's eyes making it clear to the elf that there would be no way to hold them back. His eyes searched Legolas ere he asked. 'You said you could keep its attention focused on you?'
'I know not for sure.' Legolas spoke truthfully as another shiver went through him. 'But I will try.'
The dwarf nodded and turned away. Moments later the group was divided into two and Legolas turned his full attention to his task. He was sure the dwarves stood no chance against this being not in this small number. Their only advantage would be to take it on unprepared and he was not sure if he could help them to achieve this. Maybe if it concentrated fully on him it would miss the advancing dwarves.
@@@
The elf seemed to be aware of it now as his mental barriers came up fully. But his weakness had been seen and with great delight it started its game. The pain hidden in his heart was easy to find and with glee it prodded at it using its power of intensifying emotions in his victims to bring fourth what it had found.
@@@
Legolas was still unsure of how to proceed. He could lower his barriers for a moment to lure the creature into an attack but he was not sure if he would be able to withstand it. Great was his shock when suddenly he could feel its presence much stronger than before but instead of clawing at his mental shield a sharp pain went through his heart. It was like the pain he had felt when Gimli turned on him, the sharp pang of anguish that had seized his heart when he had heard the words his friend had spoken. For a moment the elf gasped as his emotions were turned against him heightened so much in sharpness and intensity that he was hardly able to bear it. Greatly had he underestimated the creatures abilities and he found himself paying dearly for this as he felt his strength being sapped from him. It lasted for endless moments until it finally lessened and slowly abated. For a brief moment he could feel panic rise for he knew now that he was far more vulnerable than he had thought but brought his feelings quickly under control. The onslaught had left him weakened and he felt himself sink to his knees not noticing the bow slipping from his fingers while he prepared to not only shield his mind but also his feelings against another attack.
It came soon but this time he knew were it would aim and a desperate battle of wills started.
The dwarves that had stayed behind had seen him sink to his knees as well as the expression of anguish on his face and one of them hurried to his side. It was Gudin who stopped next to the elf unsure of what to do. He could see that he was attacked but knew not of what to do to aid him.
The fight was none Legolas could win and he knew it. Had he not been weakened by this first attack he might have been able to fight it off but too much of his strength he had already lost. It relished on each single emotion that escaped him getting the stronger the weaker the elf got. And finally for one short moment it could slip through his barriers.
The memories of elves are accurate and do not fade with time. During their waking dreams they would recall them and enjoy them and so find rest in a way mortals could not. It was considered a gift but right now it turned out to be a curse. For even in this tiniest moment as the creature was able to break through Legolas' defenses it was able to force up memories he would have wished to never recall.
@@@
Never had it fed on an elf's emotions before and they were the most intense it had ever tasted. Had it planned to kill him swiftly and make its escape it found it too tempting now to try to break the elf's mind knowing what pleasures it would bring. So it used all its strength to breach his barriers and even though the elf put up a hard fight his feelings betrayed him. The anguish in his heart was easy to use against him and soon it had sucked off most of his strength. And than, for one moment it was able to slip inside.