1 A/N: Chapter Three here! Like before, KEEP REVIEWING!!! I find it quite
demoralizing when my fics which have been up for AGES have only TWO or
THREE reviews!! Err…sorry about that ; ) Anyway, enjoy! Oh, and also, the
rest of this fic will mostly NOT be told in first person like chapter one.
But there will be times when it will be, so…..I don't know. Let's just get
on with this.
1.1 Chapter Three
As Legolas opened his eyes, the world swayed uneasily, and a pounding headache beat steadily. He closed his eyes quickly, trying to stop the sickly swaying he felt, even while lying in the dirt. His head was on fire, mouth parched and dry. There was a scarce part of him that did not ache, for it seemed he had been dropped to the ground and left where he lay.
He could hear birds calling, many birds, a breeze in leaves, and the slight sloshing of water.
"Oh…." Legolas groaned, rolling onto his back and stretching his stiff ligaments.
"Lie still, Prince. Make no sudden movements, or you will meet the steel of my sword."
He stiffened.
That was Celeborn's voice. There was no mistaking it.
Legolas' eyes snapped open once more, his vision blearily beginning to clear. Above him was the King, standing tall and looking down upon his victim with the same calculating stare. He was frowning slightly, a small blade held fast in his hand. Legolas could see Galadriel beside him, mouth set firmly, glowing with the same radiance as ever. Both seemed greatly troubled, as though attacking the Prince of Mirkwood, and the stranger Bren was something they had not wished to do.
"Why….?" Legolas croaked, the only word his aching head could produce.
There was a pause, and Celeborn looked as though he wasn't quite sure. Then his eye-brows raised briefly as he came to a decision.
"Now is not the time for questions." He began, tone steady and sure. "But I must ask that you do not try anything brave. We have your woman in our custody for the time being, and will not release her. I will let you leave Lothlorien, if that is what you wish, but trying to save the captive will be a lost cause, as anyone seen in the vicinity of her enclosure will be killed without warning, Prince or no."
Legolas' blood ran cold, stomach dissolving.
Was Celeborn serious? Surely not. What would his Thranduil say if he killed his son? The very idea was preposterous. Celeborn never disrespected his power, never slipped past the edge of reason, and yet here he was, threatening Legolas' very life.
"You cannot be serious?" he said curtly, echoing his thoughts.
"Oh, but I am very serious. Do not take my word as nothing, for it is very real, and very deadly when I choose it to be. I suggest you leave now, Prince, before you overstay your welcome."
Legolas stared at him in mute shock. This can't be happening….
Galadriel looked close to tears, her thin hands wringing a small piece of cloth. I am sorry, she sent to him quietly, I am so sorry.
Slowly, Legolas stood, watching the blade in Celeborn's hand carefully.
"At least let me see her before I leave. At least let me say good- bye. At the very least let me tell her why I leave, for I am in her debt, and this certain…inconvenience has left me quite troubled that I will never be able live up to that debt. She should know I do not leave in vain."
Celeborn looked as though he'd swallowed something sour.
"I cannot do that. No one is permitted to see her."
"What?!" Legolas shouted, before he could stop himself. "How can you do this?! What motive do you have for taking prisoner, a simple human for no reason?!"
Celeborn took a menacing step forward, bearing down on Legolas with his icy gaze, the deadly blade held against his neck.
"I have plenty reason!" he growled, moving closer so as a trickle of blood ran down the Elf prince's fine skin. "This goes far beyond anything you could possibly comprehend! Do not ask of what you cannot understand!"
Legolas glared at him, fury blazing like a beacon from his startling blue eyes.
"She is but a girl. What knowledge do you wish to take from her? She has been hurt before, ravaged by a man of her kin. She will not let any man touch her now. The only thing you will succeed from this is driving her mad with fear! I do not see what you hope to achieve."
"Of course you cannot. I am certain you have heard the rumors, have you not Legolas? The rumors of the evil rising in Mordor? The girl knows why, and soon we shall know as well."
Legolas gasped, struggling underneath Celeborn's grip.
"He has heard too much." He said firmly, backing away, motioning to the guards around him to move in closer.
"Kill him."
Legolas tensed, biting his lip so hard he broke skin. The guards were too close, steel of sword and arrow tip glinting in the sun that shone through the foliage. There was no way he could escape unscathed. But Bren…He couldn't leave her in Celeborn's grasp. Something had changed him. Celeborn was nothing like the Elf before him. He was a man of calm authority, wise decisions, and a firm hand, not this rash, power-hungry madman standing tall beside his weeping wife.
It must have to do with Bren…Legolas thought, slowly backing away from the approaching guards, Something to do with the knowledge he seeks…But what?
There was no more time to idle thoughts, as the Elf men attacked, swinging sword and arrow alike.
Legolas dodged most, turning on his heel and running, letting fly a few arrows behind him, and pulling out the one that had lodged itself in his shoulder. He winced as it came with a stomach churning sucking noise, tossing it aside into the underbrush. The wound wasn't bleeding that much, he would be fine for a while.
Suddenly, an acrid smell exploded around him, followed by gargling shouts that could only belong to one foul creature of Middle-Earth.
Orcs.
"Orcs, in Lothlorien?!" Legolas shouted unbelievingly. "What trickery is this?!"
But it was no trick, and the disgusting creatures were plundering after him too.
Celeborn must have wooed them onto his side, to guard Bren….How could he sink so low?
It was all just one surprise after another. There was definitely much more to this than Legolas could see. Much, much more than he could comprehend. But what did a simple human girl know, that the wise Celeborn did not? Perhaps she was in league with Sauron? An inside helper, fleeing from her home once her father got wind of it for fear of being killed? It certainly would fit. But that could not be so. She certainly was violent, but she had been ravaged, defiled by a man, and what other woman in her situation would not fear men after such a wrongdoing? He could just tell, in the way she talked to him, in the way she acted around him that this had happened. Many of the other fair maidens that he knew would kill just to be in his presence, and he could barely get her to stop killing him. Legolas just could not see why Celeborn seemed to believe she had information on Sauron and Mordor.
Turning swiftly he sprinted as fast as he could go, getting closer and closer to the place he knew Bren would be. It was a sacred place, not many knowing of it's presence in Lothlorien, but he knew well enough where it was. It wasn't far now, probably twenty strides ahead of him. He could already hear Bren's muffled shouts, or sobs of grief, he knew not which.
The Orcs and Lothlorien Elves were drawing closer, they would soon be upon him.
In one fluid motion, Legolas notched three arrows, burst into the small clearing, fired them behind him, and retrieved Bren from where she lay sprawled on the hard stones, feet and hands tied.
"Legolas!" she cried in surprise, eyes red and puffy, though no tears were in sight.
Without a word of greeting he continued to run, struggling awkwardly with his bow.
"Hold on." He said firmly, notching yet another few arrows and letting them fly. There were three shouts of anguish, two from Orcs and one from and Elf.
"Where are we going?!" Bren shouted above the yells and trudging of feet.
Legolas leaned closer to her. "Rivendell." He whispered. "But we will not stay for long. If somehow we manage to escape this, they will waste no time in following us. First though, I need to take counsel with Elrond. Perhaps he can tell me what Celeborn seemed to think you know. "
Bren stared at him. "Wha-?"
Before she could finish, with a mighty leap, Legolas burst from the forest of Lothlorien into the sunlight, the warm rays and slight breeze refreshing. Glancing behind, relief flooded through him as he saw that the Orcs had stopped. There didn't seem to be any elves with them though. Perhaps he had killed them all? Or perhaps they had returned to Celeborn. In any case, they were free for the time being.
"How can you run for so long?" Bren asked unbelievingly, holding her shoulder tightly. The wound seemed to have reopened.
"I can run for a day if I have to." Legolas replied with a slight smile. "It's in my blood."
Bren nodded, then fell silent again. The angry shouts from behind them were diminishing, until only Legolas' ragged breaths of air were to be heard.
After hours of running, it seemed that Legolas could go no further. He dropped to his knees and let Bren down slowly behind a bush. "Stay here." He ordered. "I'm going into Mirkwood to retrieve my horse, and one for you. My father must know what Celeborn has done, and I cannot go much longer on foot. If trouble arises, use this." He handed her his bow and quiver of arrows. "I am certain you know what to do."
Bren nodded, then watched as he dashed into the wide expanse of Mirkwood before her.
*
"You lie!"
"No Lord Elrond, I do not. I would ask my companion Bren to re-account her own experiences in Lothlorien, but as I am certain you already know, she fell into unconsciousness soon after we reached Rivendell so we must wait."
Elrond continued pacing around his chamber, pausing every now and then to give Legolas a startled look.
It had been a hard ride from Mirkwood to Rivendell, and Bren had constantly drifting in and out of consciousness, a high fever making Legolas very worried. It seemed Galadriel had not done much, probably on Celeborn's orders, and now she was worse off than when he'd shot her in the first place. Thankfully enough, Elrond's scouts had escorted them into Rivendell to avoid further uncomfortable situations with the Orcs, and the maids were now doing their best to heal Bren.
It seemed Elrond was not receiving the news of Celeborn very well.
"I do not understand!" He said incredulously, stopping to steady himself on a small table, knuckles bleaching he held on so hard. "I just do not understand what would push Celeborn so as to ally himself with the Orcs, and bring their foul presence into the Golden Wood! This Bren woman you have brought to me, must be very important indeed. Perhaps taking her from Lothlorien was the wrong thing to do. If Celeborn would kill just to keep her there…." He paused for a moment, waiting to see if Legolas would respond.
"I believe taking her away was the best thing I could do my Lord. She is but a human woman! What knowledge could she possibly hold?!"
Elrond shook his head, sighing heavily.
"I do not know what to believe Legolas. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps she knows nothing. But if so, who, or what, told Celeborn she does?"
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Legolas eyed Elrond thoughtfully, who was fingering a small ring around his finger.
"We can do nothing at this present time, until your companion wakes Legolas. I suggest you go to her, and be there when she does. We do not want her getting frightened. She must see someone she recognizes, alright?"
Legolas nodded, bowed briefly, and strode from Elrond's chamber, meandering his way along the vast corridors, his footsteps echoing loudly on the smooth floor. He felt as though he'd collapse himself, picturing the silk- sheeted bed he longed to lie in. But now was certainly not the time for him to rest. There were many things yet to be done, and many mysteries yet to be uncovered. Hopefully, it would all be over soon.
It was then that Legolas realized he was totally lost.
Even spending so much time in Rivendell, he could still not navigate the winding hallways and corridors that never seemed to end in the House of Elrond. He was amazed that there were those who actually could.
Suddenly, there were quick footfalls behind him, getting closer by the stride.
Legolas turned, and the maid almost collided with him in her attempt to slow. "Sir Legolas!" she breathed, trying to calm herself down. "The Lady has awoken. She demands to see you."
Good god, Legolas thought briefly as he followed her back along the twisting corridor, How did she know where I was?!
She led him to a large room, situated close to Elrond's chamber; and Legolas cursed himself for having missed it before. Inside, there was an equally large bed, with a midnight blue canopy held by intricately carved bed-posts of fine oak. The sheets were the same mid-night blue, tumbling over the edges in neat folds. On the far side was a gold rimmed bay window that opened up onto a small balcony that over looked the vast gardens below. A slight breeze was blowing through, ruffling the silver curtains playfully.
Legolas spotted Bren instantly, sitting in the bed, hands folded neatly in her lap with the sheets drawn up to her waist. She was staring out the window, a dazed look in her magnificent emerald eyes, watching a lone bird fly casually, twittering every now and then. She didn't even notice when he walked in, moving to stand by the bedside.
"Bren." He murmured.
She did not jump in surprise, but sort of leaned backwards to rest against the raised pillows, then turned her head slowly, watching him sharply.
"You called?" Legolas started, meeting her gaze.
Another pause.
"Yes." She sighed, looking away. "I wanted to ask when we're leaving."
Silence.
"Well." Legolas murmured awkwardly, still watching her. "After I have counsel with Elrond. You will need to be present also."
A nod.
"I-I'm not sure at this present time where we will go afterwards though. It will basically depend on what we find out about you."
Another nod.
"Alright then. Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes."
"I suggest you dress yourself."
"I will once you leave."
Legolas sighed inwardly. Let us hope she says more than this at the counsel….he thought.
"Are you going then?" Bren snapped.
Legolas nodded, flinching slightly.
He paused, then followed the maid out, leaving her to dress.
1.1 Chapter Three
As Legolas opened his eyes, the world swayed uneasily, and a pounding headache beat steadily. He closed his eyes quickly, trying to stop the sickly swaying he felt, even while lying in the dirt. His head was on fire, mouth parched and dry. There was a scarce part of him that did not ache, for it seemed he had been dropped to the ground and left where he lay.
He could hear birds calling, many birds, a breeze in leaves, and the slight sloshing of water.
"Oh…." Legolas groaned, rolling onto his back and stretching his stiff ligaments.
"Lie still, Prince. Make no sudden movements, or you will meet the steel of my sword."
He stiffened.
That was Celeborn's voice. There was no mistaking it.
Legolas' eyes snapped open once more, his vision blearily beginning to clear. Above him was the King, standing tall and looking down upon his victim with the same calculating stare. He was frowning slightly, a small blade held fast in his hand. Legolas could see Galadriel beside him, mouth set firmly, glowing with the same radiance as ever. Both seemed greatly troubled, as though attacking the Prince of Mirkwood, and the stranger Bren was something they had not wished to do.
"Why….?" Legolas croaked, the only word his aching head could produce.
There was a pause, and Celeborn looked as though he wasn't quite sure. Then his eye-brows raised briefly as he came to a decision.
"Now is not the time for questions." He began, tone steady and sure. "But I must ask that you do not try anything brave. We have your woman in our custody for the time being, and will not release her. I will let you leave Lothlorien, if that is what you wish, but trying to save the captive will be a lost cause, as anyone seen in the vicinity of her enclosure will be killed without warning, Prince or no."
Legolas' blood ran cold, stomach dissolving.
Was Celeborn serious? Surely not. What would his Thranduil say if he killed his son? The very idea was preposterous. Celeborn never disrespected his power, never slipped past the edge of reason, and yet here he was, threatening Legolas' very life.
"You cannot be serious?" he said curtly, echoing his thoughts.
"Oh, but I am very serious. Do not take my word as nothing, for it is very real, and very deadly when I choose it to be. I suggest you leave now, Prince, before you overstay your welcome."
Legolas stared at him in mute shock. This can't be happening….
Galadriel looked close to tears, her thin hands wringing a small piece of cloth. I am sorry, she sent to him quietly, I am so sorry.
Slowly, Legolas stood, watching the blade in Celeborn's hand carefully.
"At least let me see her before I leave. At least let me say good- bye. At the very least let me tell her why I leave, for I am in her debt, and this certain…inconvenience has left me quite troubled that I will never be able live up to that debt. She should know I do not leave in vain."
Celeborn looked as though he'd swallowed something sour.
"I cannot do that. No one is permitted to see her."
"What?!" Legolas shouted, before he could stop himself. "How can you do this?! What motive do you have for taking prisoner, a simple human for no reason?!"
Celeborn took a menacing step forward, bearing down on Legolas with his icy gaze, the deadly blade held against his neck.
"I have plenty reason!" he growled, moving closer so as a trickle of blood ran down the Elf prince's fine skin. "This goes far beyond anything you could possibly comprehend! Do not ask of what you cannot understand!"
Legolas glared at him, fury blazing like a beacon from his startling blue eyes.
"She is but a girl. What knowledge do you wish to take from her? She has been hurt before, ravaged by a man of her kin. She will not let any man touch her now. The only thing you will succeed from this is driving her mad with fear! I do not see what you hope to achieve."
"Of course you cannot. I am certain you have heard the rumors, have you not Legolas? The rumors of the evil rising in Mordor? The girl knows why, and soon we shall know as well."
Legolas gasped, struggling underneath Celeborn's grip.
"He has heard too much." He said firmly, backing away, motioning to the guards around him to move in closer.
"Kill him."
Legolas tensed, biting his lip so hard he broke skin. The guards were too close, steel of sword and arrow tip glinting in the sun that shone through the foliage. There was no way he could escape unscathed. But Bren…He couldn't leave her in Celeborn's grasp. Something had changed him. Celeborn was nothing like the Elf before him. He was a man of calm authority, wise decisions, and a firm hand, not this rash, power-hungry madman standing tall beside his weeping wife.
It must have to do with Bren…Legolas thought, slowly backing away from the approaching guards, Something to do with the knowledge he seeks…But what?
There was no more time to idle thoughts, as the Elf men attacked, swinging sword and arrow alike.
Legolas dodged most, turning on his heel and running, letting fly a few arrows behind him, and pulling out the one that had lodged itself in his shoulder. He winced as it came with a stomach churning sucking noise, tossing it aside into the underbrush. The wound wasn't bleeding that much, he would be fine for a while.
Suddenly, an acrid smell exploded around him, followed by gargling shouts that could only belong to one foul creature of Middle-Earth.
Orcs.
"Orcs, in Lothlorien?!" Legolas shouted unbelievingly. "What trickery is this?!"
But it was no trick, and the disgusting creatures were plundering after him too.
Celeborn must have wooed them onto his side, to guard Bren….How could he sink so low?
It was all just one surprise after another. There was definitely much more to this than Legolas could see. Much, much more than he could comprehend. But what did a simple human girl know, that the wise Celeborn did not? Perhaps she was in league with Sauron? An inside helper, fleeing from her home once her father got wind of it for fear of being killed? It certainly would fit. But that could not be so. She certainly was violent, but she had been ravaged, defiled by a man, and what other woman in her situation would not fear men after such a wrongdoing? He could just tell, in the way she talked to him, in the way she acted around him that this had happened. Many of the other fair maidens that he knew would kill just to be in his presence, and he could barely get her to stop killing him. Legolas just could not see why Celeborn seemed to believe she had information on Sauron and Mordor.
Turning swiftly he sprinted as fast as he could go, getting closer and closer to the place he knew Bren would be. It was a sacred place, not many knowing of it's presence in Lothlorien, but he knew well enough where it was. It wasn't far now, probably twenty strides ahead of him. He could already hear Bren's muffled shouts, or sobs of grief, he knew not which.
The Orcs and Lothlorien Elves were drawing closer, they would soon be upon him.
In one fluid motion, Legolas notched three arrows, burst into the small clearing, fired them behind him, and retrieved Bren from where she lay sprawled on the hard stones, feet and hands tied.
"Legolas!" she cried in surprise, eyes red and puffy, though no tears were in sight.
Without a word of greeting he continued to run, struggling awkwardly with his bow.
"Hold on." He said firmly, notching yet another few arrows and letting them fly. There were three shouts of anguish, two from Orcs and one from and Elf.
"Where are we going?!" Bren shouted above the yells and trudging of feet.
Legolas leaned closer to her. "Rivendell." He whispered. "But we will not stay for long. If somehow we manage to escape this, they will waste no time in following us. First though, I need to take counsel with Elrond. Perhaps he can tell me what Celeborn seemed to think you know. "
Bren stared at him. "Wha-?"
Before she could finish, with a mighty leap, Legolas burst from the forest of Lothlorien into the sunlight, the warm rays and slight breeze refreshing. Glancing behind, relief flooded through him as he saw that the Orcs had stopped. There didn't seem to be any elves with them though. Perhaps he had killed them all? Or perhaps they had returned to Celeborn. In any case, they were free for the time being.
"How can you run for so long?" Bren asked unbelievingly, holding her shoulder tightly. The wound seemed to have reopened.
"I can run for a day if I have to." Legolas replied with a slight smile. "It's in my blood."
Bren nodded, then fell silent again. The angry shouts from behind them were diminishing, until only Legolas' ragged breaths of air were to be heard.
After hours of running, it seemed that Legolas could go no further. He dropped to his knees and let Bren down slowly behind a bush. "Stay here." He ordered. "I'm going into Mirkwood to retrieve my horse, and one for you. My father must know what Celeborn has done, and I cannot go much longer on foot. If trouble arises, use this." He handed her his bow and quiver of arrows. "I am certain you know what to do."
Bren nodded, then watched as he dashed into the wide expanse of Mirkwood before her.
*
"You lie!"
"No Lord Elrond, I do not. I would ask my companion Bren to re-account her own experiences in Lothlorien, but as I am certain you already know, she fell into unconsciousness soon after we reached Rivendell so we must wait."
Elrond continued pacing around his chamber, pausing every now and then to give Legolas a startled look.
It had been a hard ride from Mirkwood to Rivendell, and Bren had constantly drifting in and out of consciousness, a high fever making Legolas very worried. It seemed Galadriel had not done much, probably on Celeborn's orders, and now she was worse off than when he'd shot her in the first place. Thankfully enough, Elrond's scouts had escorted them into Rivendell to avoid further uncomfortable situations with the Orcs, and the maids were now doing their best to heal Bren.
It seemed Elrond was not receiving the news of Celeborn very well.
"I do not understand!" He said incredulously, stopping to steady himself on a small table, knuckles bleaching he held on so hard. "I just do not understand what would push Celeborn so as to ally himself with the Orcs, and bring their foul presence into the Golden Wood! This Bren woman you have brought to me, must be very important indeed. Perhaps taking her from Lothlorien was the wrong thing to do. If Celeborn would kill just to keep her there…." He paused for a moment, waiting to see if Legolas would respond.
"I believe taking her away was the best thing I could do my Lord. She is but a human woman! What knowledge could she possibly hold?!"
Elrond shook his head, sighing heavily.
"I do not know what to believe Legolas. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps she knows nothing. But if so, who, or what, told Celeborn she does?"
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Legolas eyed Elrond thoughtfully, who was fingering a small ring around his finger.
"We can do nothing at this present time, until your companion wakes Legolas. I suggest you go to her, and be there when she does. We do not want her getting frightened. She must see someone she recognizes, alright?"
Legolas nodded, bowed briefly, and strode from Elrond's chamber, meandering his way along the vast corridors, his footsteps echoing loudly on the smooth floor. He felt as though he'd collapse himself, picturing the silk- sheeted bed he longed to lie in. But now was certainly not the time for him to rest. There were many things yet to be done, and many mysteries yet to be uncovered. Hopefully, it would all be over soon.
It was then that Legolas realized he was totally lost.
Even spending so much time in Rivendell, he could still not navigate the winding hallways and corridors that never seemed to end in the House of Elrond. He was amazed that there were those who actually could.
Suddenly, there were quick footfalls behind him, getting closer by the stride.
Legolas turned, and the maid almost collided with him in her attempt to slow. "Sir Legolas!" she breathed, trying to calm herself down. "The Lady has awoken. She demands to see you."
Good god, Legolas thought briefly as he followed her back along the twisting corridor, How did she know where I was?!
She led him to a large room, situated close to Elrond's chamber; and Legolas cursed himself for having missed it before. Inside, there was an equally large bed, with a midnight blue canopy held by intricately carved bed-posts of fine oak. The sheets were the same mid-night blue, tumbling over the edges in neat folds. On the far side was a gold rimmed bay window that opened up onto a small balcony that over looked the vast gardens below. A slight breeze was blowing through, ruffling the silver curtains playfully.
Legolas spotted Bren instantly, sitting in the bed, hands folded neatly in her lap with the sheets drawn up to her waist. She was staring out the window, a dazed look in her magnificent emerald eyes, watching a lone bird fly casually, twittering every now and then. She didn't even notice when he walked in, moving to stand by the bedside.
"Bren." He murmured.
She did not jump in surprise, but sort of leaned backwards to rest against the raised pillows, then turned her head slowly, watching him sharply.
"You called?" Legolas started, meeting her gaze.
Another pause.
"Yes." She sighed, looking away. "I wanted to ask when we're leaving."
Silence.
"Well." Legolas murmured awkwardly, still watching her. "After I have counsel with Elrond. You will need to be present also."
A nod.
"I-I'm not sure at this present time where we will go afterwards though. It will basically depend on what we find out about you."
Another nod.
"Alright then. Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes."
"I suggest you dress yourself."
"I will once you leave."
Legolas sighed inwardly. Let us hope she says more than this at the counsel….he thought.
"Are you going then?" Bren snapped.
Legolas nodded, flinching slightly.
He paused, then followed the maid out, leaving her to dress.