by Blanton Cirith~
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
SideNote: Ok, this is REALLY REALLY short because i just wanted to get this part over with, so i can have all of chapter 7 be about...well you'll find out.
SideNote: I just graduated Friday!! So now, I have all summer to write write write. yah!!!
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It was a day filled with sorrow. That morning's events weighed heavily on their hearts, and more despair was yet to follow what Aragorn had to say. After a long while of thought, Aragorn opened his mouth to speak.
"I believe...the logical choice would be..." he cringed and did not wish to abandon anyone, but he knew it had to be done, so he continued. "would be to follow the orcs westward and rescue Merry and Pippin."
Legolas looked down, hoping that Aragorn and Gimli wouldn't see the expression of sheer anguish encompassing his face. All Legolas could see was Winters being dragged along by orcs who did not care if they hurt her. He could see her being killed by a harsh orc blade; slowly. Then Legolas knew that he could not let it happen.
Aragorn turned south with a look of hurt while he whispered, "Goodbye, my friend. I'm sorry."
With that, Aragorn stood and somberly took his pack in hand, and motioned to Gimli and Legolas that it was time to depart.
Legolas took his pack, but looked back at his two companions.
"I cannot, in good heart, go with you. I couldn't possibly let Winters die; not when I have a chance to prevent it."
Gimli looked stunned, and Aragorn grasped Legolas' arm.
"The fellowship is already broken. Will you now shatter it completely?" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Boromir is dead! How many more must die before you are satisfied?" Legolas answered.
"You would be killed before you even got there if you proceed alone!" Gimli yelled.
"Gimli is right. If we stay together, we will have a greater chance," said Aragorn.
"I'm sorry, but I won't let her die." Legolas exclaimed.
"We can't separate now! We must stay together if we wish to survive. So if you go south, we would be forced to go with you; because I do not intend to leave you behind. If you force us to follow you like this, you're condemning the hobbits," Aragorn explained.
"And you were about to condemn Winters," Legolas retorted. "I do not want to be held responsible for forcing you to do anything. You may go West if you please, but I will go south."
There was a long silence in which none of them spoke. To Aragorn, it seemed as if he had failed as leader of the fellowship. Legolas was a close friend that he wished not to lose, but he knew Legolas would go after Winters at any cost. It was useless to try to persuade him anymore. After all, Legolas loved her; that much was obvious. But should Gimli and he journey with Legolas, or attempt the rescue of Winters? Whatever was to be done had to be done quickly. Time was an important issue.
"Then I suppose this is goodbye," Gimli said.
"What makes you think I would not come back?" Legolas asked.
"What you are about to attempt is dangerous enough, but attempting it alone is suicide. You would most likely not return; nor would she." replied Gimli.
"Then come with me!" Legolas begged.
Gimli looked down and sighed. "You know I can't. I am going after those hobbits."
Legolas looked at Gimli, then at Aragorn.
"Will you do nothing to help her?" Legolas shouted.
Aragorn did not move or speak.
Legolas took a few slow steps back, and then turned and ran through the trees.
"Wait!" Gimli yelled, but it was no use. Legolas had gone.
'I am on my own now,' Legolas thought to himself as he ran.
After a while of running, he slowed down and stopped to catch his breath. He took in his surroundings: there was a small creek by him, and trees surrounded him. The sky was gray and clouded. The land seemed dull, and suddenly it began to rain. The droplets came down hard on him, like a crashing waterfall, and soon he was soaked. He laid his hand on a nearby tree, and leaned on it. His head was bent down toward the ground, resting on the bark. His hair, drenched already from the hard fury of the rain, hung down on either side of his face. He brought his elbow up and laid it against the oak for support, and then he wept. Softly at first, then it transformed into loud sobs. Legolas had no control over his tears; they just came continuously without end, as if he would be devoured by endless misery and anguish.
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I know this is going to get asked, so I'll just answer it now: Legolas was crying for a many reasons.
The woman he loved was captured by the enemy, and could be dead for all he knows; and Boromir had died defending her. Gandalf had perished in Moria. Frodo and Sam had gone to Mordor, and Legolas didn't know whether they were still alive at all. Merry and Pippin were taken westward against their will.
The only people close to him Legolas had left were Aragorn and Gimli, and they were now gone. He was alone; and now more than ever he realized what a mess he had gotten himself into when he had set out on this hopeless journey at Rivendell.
Chapter 7 should (hopefully) be up by saturday.