Chapter Four: Chasing Darkness
By Ellwyn J
"Wait," Legolas breathed out quietly to the silent form of the Lady Galadriel standing before him, "why does she leave?" Why does she leave without me? he wanted to ask.
It was a moment before Galadriel replied. "Why? Because the girl has seen many things that have shown her the way lying before her. She knows her path, but do you know yours, son of Thranduil?"
At the question, the distracted look in Legolas' eyes suddenly gave way to confusion. He stared at the Lady. "Why would you ask me…"
"Because I see that inside, you yearn terribly to follow her, but you know that there must have been a reason for her leaving without the company she traveled here with."
Galadriel was watching him intently, and he felt that her cold blue eyes pierced through his mind. He knew he had to ask, but he feared what he would hear if he did. Finally, he said, in the lowest whisper as if careful not to speak the words too loud, "Let me see what she saw."
"You know you cannot," the Lady replied, sighing. "Nor can I show it to you. You may only see it if you learn it from the one who has seen it all." It was as if she was uttering the words that placed the final link into his decision.
The black tunic, boots, and dark green cloak were already missing from the chair on which they had rested on just a few minutes earlier in the empty tower. The ash bow was gone, also. There was nothing she had left behind. But Legolas' eyes still searched the room hastily, then halted on a spot of the wall on which there were words scrawled. He looked closer and read, "Diola lle, Legolas. Ú-aphado nin, herin." Thank you, Legolas. I ask of you not to follow.
The elf clenched his jaw. He leapt from the room, lightly running down the steps. He knew he had no horse, but he was an elf, an elf that could track swiftly, he reminded himself. Legolas, without another look back at the silver city, ran out into the golden trees.
* * * * *
The sun had set hours before, and the moon was high in the night sky, but a layer of clouds hid the light it gave off. Legolas had been running tirelessly in the darkness, in the direction he thought she would take, until he had seen a fire lit somewhere near the shores of the Great River. He had chased in that direction as quickly as he could, but once he neared the camp, he slowed his pace. He approached cautiously, aware to every sound in the still night air. The fire had already died away into glowing embers and the camp was abandoned. He cursed under his breath. Already twice had he thought he had almost overtaken the girl, but she moved quicker than he did on her horse. He stepped into the ring of the dying light and bent low to pick up a handful of ashes. They were still warm, and he let them run through his fingers. He closed his eyes in frustration. It was an endless chase, and he had not even stopped to name the reason that drew him irresistibly to follow. He shook his head angrily and shut his eyes. But the bright blue eyes soon flew open, for a blade of cold steel was resting against his cheek. It was pressing into his face lightly, threateningly. He barely breathed and dared not turn around. Careless, stupid. He had let his guard down and let someone steal near him without his noticing, just as he had been doing ever since he embarked on the journey to act as 'protection' for the girl, although it was clear she did not believe she needed it. He bit down angrily on his lower lip as the blade bit further into his cheek and a soft voice whispered in the silence.
" Ú-anírannen cîn aphadad nin. I asked you not to follow. Why did you?"
Legolas inhaled sharply at the sound of her voice and turned his head quickly as the knife she was holding to his cheek was lowered. She was standing above him, her face hidden by shadows. He stood very slowly, but remained silent still.
"Legolas…" she whispered, and the sound of her tired voice washed over him. He stepped forward and reached for her hand, holding it in his. "Go back. I left alone and I intend to journey alone."
"And alone you will journey," he said finally, "but with me."
The clouds suddenly parted and moonlight streamed through to clothe the valley of the Anduin in a faint, silvery light. Ellwyn's face looked tired and her eyes were distressed. She looked away. "I want you to go back," she said, the words tearing at her mind, making her want to scream out for him to come. Ever since she had left Lorien, she had felt her loneliness tugging at her. She tried to force it out of her mind, but all she could think of was that she was heading straight into certain doom, and completely alone.
For Legolas, the words had barely reached his ears, and he ignored them. Ellwyn was suddenly conscious of his fingers caressing her hand. She tried to draw it away but he held it tighter. He saw the sadness and quiet want in her eyes and knew then the reason why he had had to chase her so desperately. "Amin il'autuva," he said resolutely, "ten' le milin."
Ellwyn was looking at him again, but questioningly, for she knew only the Elvish words she had learned from the Lady in order to leave the message.
Legolas knew she was mortal and born of a union that had faced a dark destiny from the beginning. She was beautiful, but not as beautiful in comparison with others he had seen. But something drew him to her. He had never seen so much despair in anyone, for it seemed that she had abandoned all hope. He had never seen so much need in a person, and he had never felt such a strong feeling as his need to help her.
"I will not go," he translated finally, "because I love you."
Her brow furrowed and she backed away in shock. But a shadow passed over her face and astonishment turned to fear. She looked at him with so much distress that he felt a great wave of pity come over him. He stepped closer to her and gazed deeply into her dark eyes. "Please," he whispered, "let me come with you." Legolas placed a hand lightly on the small of her back and drew her slowly closer to him. She resisted at first, but suddenly tears filled her eyes and she melted into his waiting arms, crying into his shoulder. All the sorrow, grief, and need she had borne for her entire life, she poured into her tears. She crumpled to the ground and Legolas followed with her, so that they were sitting next to the silent, flowing waters of the Anduin, his arms enveloping her, protecting her from everything: her fears, her past, her heritage, and her future. She forgot everything, wrapped in his warm embrace. He ran his fingers through her hair and stroked her back, murmuring comforting words to her. Finally, after what had seemed like many moments, she quieted and stirred slightly in his arms. She pulled away and hastily wiped her eyes.
" Ellwyn, nathan anneg a methen." Ellwyn, I am with you until the end. But as he whispered the words into her ear, pledging his heart and self completely to her, he did not realize that for her, the end already drew near.
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All names, places, or plot/history affiliated with LOTR are entitled to J.R.R. Tolkien. The rest is from my imagination. If there are any errors in the history/land/names of anything related to Tolkien's works, please inform me.
