A/N: Ah, here we go, into the good stuff! I really like where this is
going, and I have it all planned out in my head, so no worries, I will
finish this!! I enjoy reading all your reviews, thank you very much for
posting them! Please continue to review too, and enjoy chapter five!
1 Chapter Five
What came next, in my journey, I remember with much pain. It was not a time I like to recall, in the stories that I would tell. I will always find it hard to speak of the dark times, as with anyone. But especially for me, for these times were darker than anyone should have to suffer.
Finding out I was the bearer of the True Ring was something I could not quite get a grasp on. It seemed that in that very moment, all the tales my father used to tell me, of the One Ring, of the Fellowship and the ordeals of the brave Hobbit Frodo, came crashing down on me like a tidal wave, drowning me mercilessly.
I was not real……
I should be killed at all costs……
I was not worth anything……
I was alone.
It was then that I realized, that I was truly and utterly alone. No one, even if they tried, could ever understand my pain. Even Legolas, though he said he did, could never understand.
Though perhaps the days that followed, destroyed me forever beyond the reaches of healing, it was then, and only then, that the walls I had erected around myself of protection, finally came crumbling down in clouds of unquenchable desire and I learned of the love that comes only once.
**
Rivendell far behind them, Bren abruptly stopped, jumping down from her horse. In her hurry, she was not ready for the ground that came to meet her, and she stumbled and fell. Though just as quickly as she had fallen, Bren picked herself up again, dashing off into the foliage.
"Bren!" Legolas called after her, dismounting his own horse. "Stop! We are safe now!"
But she did not stop, instead, turning to see he was following and quickening her pace. She knew she could not outrun him, but it was worth a try.
Legolas could see she wasn't going to halt, even now that they were far from Rivendell. Why, he wasn't sure. Frowning deeply, he ran faster, ignoring the branches and thicket that scraped him as he went past. The small spot of forest opened up into a vast field, wind rippling the long grass like waves. The Misty Mountains loomed in the far distance, arching up into the sea blue sky, white caps touching the heavens. The sun was high in the sky, pouring its refreshing heat down to the earth below. The rays danced on Bren's hair as she sped on, splaying into a copper wildfire that buffeted behind her. It would have been a perfect scene if not for the strange situation.
"Bren!" Legolas called again. This time she did not look back.
It seemed he had no other choice.
In a burst of speed, Legolas caught up and hurtled himself at her, bringing both of them in a rolling tangle down the hill. She screamed slightly, desperately trying to free herself from his hold. They continued to tumble, until Legolas dug his heels forcefully into the turf. The stop was so abrupt, they were catapulted into the air, landing with thuds into the long grass.
Bren did not get up.
Neither did Legolas.
Both lay in the sweet smelling field exhausted, chests rising and falling in attempts for calm themselves down. There was silence between them, which seemed like an eternity. The long blades obscured most of their surroundings, each looking vaguely into the clear sky. Legolas could not see Bren, but could hear her labored breathing somewhere beside him.
"Why did you make me go?"
Bren's soft voice, muffled slightly, seemed to echo throughout he valley. Everything was eerily silent.
Legolas paused, her question confusing him. "What do you mean?"
"Why didn't you let me die?"
Legolas sat up, head appearing above the waves. He glanced beside him where Bren lay, arms outstretched as if she hung on a cross. Her eyes were dim and unfocused, staring at nothing and everything at once. Her lips were slightly open, though she didn't say anything more.
"Because." He finally answered, "No one deserves death, not even the lowliest of creatures."
A pause.
"Then that would leave me out. You should have let them kill me."
Legolas stared at her, watching, horrified at her words. Though there was so much truth behind them. Perhaps not to him, but to her it was like accepting death itself. She believed every word Elrond had said, everything, not matter how much it might hurt to hear it.
"I want to die."
A single, lonely tear rolled down her milky cheek, absorbing itself in her copper crown that lay sprawled on the ground. Slowly, she rolled onto her side, emerald eyes drowning Legolas in their sorrowful depths, pulling him under like a giant wave. He could almost feel the ache in her heart, the pain that seemed to radiate from her very being. She almost looked dead. She wasn't even looking at him.
She really wanted this. She really wanted death.
"Why?"
Her features did not change. If she hadn't been breathing, Legolas would have thought her cast in amber. Bren always seemed to do that. Die in front of him, though she was very much alive. She always seemed to take herself away from everything, hide inside, and let the world pass her by.
"Because. I'm not real. Did that not occur to you? I do not understand why you let me live. I know you realize the consequences. The only reason for you to save me, would be for you to love me. Do you love me Legolas?"
He was not ready to answer that question. He could not say he loved her, because he didn't, but he did not dislike her. He really wasn't sure how he felt. It was like a mute void inside of him, blurred and uncertain.
"No." he concluded. It would have to do for now.
"Than you must be out of your mind. I should die. That is my purpose. Please take me back to Rivendell. I should die soon, before the Ring starts it's meddling."
She sat up stiffly, getting to her feet in a jerking kind of way. There was a frown on her face, giving her some sense of emotion. But it wasn't the emotion Legolas wished to see.
"No." he said curtly, standing too. "I will not."
'Perhaps you cannot have both Legolas…..' Flashes of a woman, standing amidst the trees.
She frowned deeper, her eyes starting to focus. Another tear escaped, followed by many more.
"Why won't you just let me die?!" she screamed, her words hurting him more than any arrow ever could. "You cannot have me alive, and still have the peace on Middle Earth that I know you crave!"
'Perhaps you cannot have both Legolas….'
The sky seemed to darken then, the sun retreating behind clouds billowing across the great expanse. A fierce wind whipped up, blowing around them like a tornado. Thunder boomed in the distance, lightning illuminating the field briefly.
"No!!" Legolas shouted back above the noise, charging forward to grip her around the shoulders. Fear flashed across her eyes, stiffening in his steadfast hold. "Listen to me!!" Rain began to fall, pouring from the heavens like tears. Bren was frozen, gaze locked with his.
"Listen Bren! I won't let you die! No matter what I will not give up on you! Never!"
"Why?"
Legolas was not sure how he heard her. The whisper so small and weak, it was impossible he could have heard anything in the noise of the storm. But somehow he did, and everything seemed to stop then, like the world holding its breath. He could not hear anything now, except for his own heart beating against his chest, his own breathing.
"You do not deserve to die." He whispered in return, longing to wipe away the constant stream of tears that now fell from her eyes. "No one does, especially you. I did not let you die before, and I never will. If you are ever to die, it will be by my bow, but I tell you now, never will I harm such a creature as you."
Bren's face was a mask of stone, lips pressed firmly together.
"I will find a way. I will find a way to end this without a life being lost. I promise. You must believe me."
In a single moment, everything seemed to wash away. Bren moved away from him, removing his hands gently. Pain radiated from her eyes, but there was a sense of acceptance about her, that calmed Legolas slightly.
"Alright."
Then everything came crashing down again.
The rain was falling harder than ever, peels of lightning and booms of thunder crackling in the heavy air. Winds howled about them, blowing the rain in every direction at once. Both were soaked to their skins, and Bren was shivering violently. Legolas motioned her to follow him back up the hill to find cover. They would kill themselves if they stayed much longer in the torrential downpour.
The two hurried across the field, streaking towards the small forest ahead. It was the only place in the forever stretching valley, and it would have to do for the time being.
Once underneath the canopy, they sunk to the ground, backs against towering trees. A lot of rain still got through, though not as much as out in the open. Amazingly enough, the horses had stayed close by, seeking refuge under the same trees. It did not take long for Legolas to find them, gratefully pulling dry cloaks and blankets from the bags tied there. He led them back to Bren, tethering them around the thick trunks.
"You will have to remove your clothes." He instructed her, beginning to peel off the soaking tunic he wore.
Bren looked horrified by the idea.
"You can wrap yourself in these." He continued, tossing a cloak and two blankets to her. Looking slightly better, she turned her back and began to undress. Legolas did the same, wrapping a small blanket around his waist and draping a cloak about his shoulders.
"Are you ready?' He asked softly.
"Yes."
Turning slowly, Legolas went to her side, sitting down close beside her.
Leaving his chest bare would be risky, but he had basically no other choice. He shivered, pulling the cloak tighter. Bren was silent, knees drawn up close to herself, hugging them almost protectively. She did not look at him, nor he at her. The sounds of the storm still raged, though not as loud, and the rain seemed to be dying a little.
"What are you going to do?" she finally asked softly, voice dripping with exhaustion. "Elrond said that the only way would be……" Trailing off, there was silence once more. She did not need to finish for Legolas to know what she meant.
"To be truthful, I am not sure. But I will find a way. Elves keep their promises."
There was a rustle of leaves as Bren lay down, taking her own spare blanket and holding it close. She was still shivering, though not as much. She sighed, then closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Legolas watched her for a moment, then did the same, respecting her wishes by keeping his distance. It would not do to upset her now.
Like all Elves did when they slept, he did not close his eyes, but soon felt unconsciousness tugging at him forcefully. Sighing too, he drifted into sleep, the storm, the forest, and everything leaving him, for now.
**
The first night was horrible.
It seemed the True Ring was finally making its presence known, beginning the slow and painful process of killing Bren. Legolas felt that if the Ring didn't finish her off, the Fellowship would. He was the only one on her side. Even she was against herself. For now he had assured her that he would take care of things, but how long would that last? Legolas didn't have the faintest idea what he was going to do.
He did not get any sleep that night.
Bren was haunted by the horrors of her dreams, her mouth frozen in a silent scream, eyes wide, skin whiter than he's ever seen it. Sometimes she would scream, the sound wailing above the storm that still raged around them. It was a horrible sound, tearing at his own heart.
Legolas soon noticed that the Ring was burning her finger. The acrid smell of charred flesh exploding into the air, lingering for hours. Legolas was constantly by her side, holding her hand for reassurance, though he knew she did not feel it. Trembling violently, she would thrash about, mouth frothing, pupils dilated. Sometimes it would be hard to control her, and she would scream, shrieking words that chilled his soul, words no human, or elf, or any creature could possibly utter.
It was horrible.
He could not see how she was enduring this. It did not seem possible.
Though as the night began to crawl away, the faint gray touching the sky, she finally stopped, lying still underneath the blankets that were soaked in her own sweat. She looked like a ghostly wraith, the paleness of her skin accenting how thin she was. The Ring truly was killing her.
She did not wake the entire day, her breathing short and forced, skin clammy and wet.
She did not wake the next day either.
Legolas began to worry.
Would she ever wake up? Or would the die in slumber, asleep until the end of her days?
Only time would tell.
1 Chapter Five
What came next, in my journey, I remember with much pain. It was not a time I like to recall, in the stories that I would tell. I will always find it hard to speak of the dark times, as with anyone. But especially for me, for these times were darker than anyone should have to suffer.
Finding out I was the bearer of the True Ring was something I could not quite get a grasp on. It seemed that in that very moment, all the tales my father used to tell me, of the One Ring, of the Fellowship and the ordeals of the brave Hobbit Frodo, came crashing down on me like a tidal wave, drowning me mercilessly.
I was not real……
I should be killed at all costs……
I was not worth anything……
I was alone.
It was then that I realized, that I was truly and utterly alone. No one, even if they tried, could ever understand my pain. Even Legolas, though he said he did, could never understand.
Though perhaps the days that followed, destroyed me forever beyond the reaches of healing, it was then, and only then, that the walls I had erected around myself of protection, finally came crumbling down in clouds of unquenchable desire and I learned of the love that comes only once.
**
Rivendell far behind them, Bren abruptly stopped, jumping down from her horse. In her hurry, she was not ready for the ground that came to meet her, and she stumbled and fell. Though just as quickly as she had fallen, Bren picked herself up again, dashing off into the foliage.
"Bren!" Legolas called after her, dismounting his own horse. "Stop! We are safe now!"
But she did not stop, instead, turning to see he was following and quickening her pace. She knew she could not outrun him, but it was worth a try.
Legolas could see she wasn't going to halt, even now that they were far from Rivendell. Why, he wasn't sure. Frowning deeply, he ran faster, ignoring the branches and thicket that scraped him as he went past. The small spot of forest opened up into a vast field, wind rippling the long grass like waves. The Misty Mountains loomed in the far distance, arching up into the sea blue sky, white caps touching the heavens. The sun was high in the sky, pouring its refreshing heat down to the earth below. The rays danced on Bren's hair as she sped on, splaying into a copper wildfire that buffeted behind her. It would have been a perfect scene if not for the strange situation.
"Bren!" Legolas called again. This time she did not look back.
It seemed he had no other choice.
In a burst of speed, Legolas caught up and hurtled himself at her, bringing both of them in a rolling tangle down the hill. She screamed slightly, desperately trying to free herself from his hold. They continued to tumble, until Legolas dug his heels forcefully into the turf. The stop was so abrupt, they were catapulted into the air, landing with thuds into the long grass.
Bren did not get up.
Neither did Legolas.
Both lay in the sweet smelling field exhausted, chests rising and falling in attempts for calm themselves down. There was silence between them, which seemed like an eternity. The long blades obscured most of their surroundings, each looking vaguely into the clear sky. Legolas could not see Bren, but could hear her labored breathing somewhere beside him.
"Why did you make me go?"
Bren's soft voice, muffled slightly, seemed to echo throughout he valley. Everything was eerily silent.
Legolas paused, her question confusing him. "What do you mean?"
"Why didn't you let me die?"
Legolas sat up, head appearing above the waves. He glanced beside him where Bren lay, arms outstretched as if she hung on a cross. Her eyes were dim and unfocused, staring at nothing and everything at once. Her lips were slightly open, though she didn't say anything more.
"Because." He finally answered, "No one deserves death, not even the lowliest of creatures."
A pause.
"Then that would leave me out. You should have let them kill me."
Legolas stared at her, watching, horrified at her words. Though there was so much truth behind them. Perhaps not to him, but to her it was like accepting death itself. She believed every word Elrond had said, everything, not matter how much it might hurt to hear it.
"I want to die."
A single, lonely tear rolled down her milky cheek, absorbing itself in her copper crown that lay sprawled on the ground. Slowly, she rolled onto her side, emerald eyes drowning Legolas in their sorrowful depths, pulling him under like a giant wave. He could almost feel the ache in her heart, the pain that seemed to radiate from her very being. She almost looked dead. She wasn't even looking at him.
She really wanted this. She really wanted death.
"Why?"
Her features did not change. If she hadn't been breathing, Legolas would have thought her cast in amber. Bren always seemed to do that. Die in front of him, though she was very much alive. She always seemed to take herself away from everything, hide inside, and let the world pass her by.
"Because. I'm not real. Did that not occur to you? I do not understand why you let me live. I know you realize the consequences. The only reason for you to save me, would be for you to love me. Do you love me Legolas?"
He was not ready to answer that question. He could not say he loved her, because he didn't, but he did not dislike her. He really wasn't sure how he felt. It was like a mute void inside of him, blurred and uncertain.
"No." he concluded. It would have to do for now.
"Than you must be out of your mind. I should die. That is my purpose. Please take me back to Rivendell. I should die soon, before the Ring starts it's meddling."
She sat up stiffly, getting to her feet in a jerking kind of way. There was a frown on her face, giving her some sense of emotion. But it wasn't the emotion Legolas wished to see.
"No." he said curtly, standing too. "I will not."
'Perhaps you cannot have both Legolas…..' Flashes of a woman, standing amidst the trees.
She frowned deeper, her eyes starting to focus. Another tear escaped, followed by many more.
"Why won't you just let me die?!" she screamed, her words hurting him more than any arrow ever could. "You cannot have me alive, and still have the peace on Middle Earth that I know you crave!"
'Perhaps you cannot have both Legolas….'
The sky seemed to darken then, the sun retreating behind clouds billowing across the great expanse. A fierce wind whipped up, blowing around them like a tornado. Thunder boomed in the distance, lightning illuminating the field briefly.
"No!!" Legolas shouted back above the noise, charging forward to grip her around the shoulders. Fear flashed across her eyes, stiffening in his steadfast hold. "Listen to me!!" Rain began to fall, pouring from the heavens like tears. Bren was frozen, gaze locked with his.
"Listen Bren! I won't let you die! No matter what I will not give up on you! Never!"
"Why?"
Legolas was not sure how he heard her. The whisper so small and weak, it was impossible he could have heard anything in the noise of the storm. But somehow he did, and everything seemed to stop then, like the world holding its breath. He could not hear anything now, except for his own heart beating against his chest, his own breathing.
"You do not deserve to die." He whispered in return, longing to wipe away the constant stream of tears that now fell from her eyes. "No one does, especially you. I did not let you die before, and I never will. If you are ever to die, it will be by my bow, but I tell you now, never will I harm such a creature as you."
Bren's face was a mask of stone, lips pressed firmly together.
"I will find a way. I will find a way to end this without a life being lost. I promise. You must believe me."
In a single moment, everything seemed to wash away. Bren moved away from him, removing his hands gently. Pain radiated from her eyes, but there was a sense of acceptance about her, that calmed Legolas slightly.
"Alright."
Then everything came crashing down again.
The rain was falling harder than ever, peels of lightning and booms of thunder crackling in the heavy air. Winds howled about them, blowing the rain in every direction at once. Both were soaked to their skins, and Bren was shivering violently. Legolas motioned her to follow him back up the hill to find cover. They would kill themselves if they stayed much longer in the torrential downpour.
The two hurried across the field, streaking towards the small forest ahead. It was the only place in the forever stretching valley, and it would have to do for the time being.
Once underneath the canopy, they sunk to the ground, backs against towering trees. A lot of rain still got through, though not as much as out in the open. Amazingly enough, the horses had stayed close by, seeking refuge under the same trees. It did not take long for Legolas to find them, gratefully pulling dry cloaks and blankets from the bags tied there. He led them back to Bren, tethering them around the thick trunks.
"You will have to remove your clothes." He instructed her, beginning to peel off the soaking tunic he wore.
Bren looked horrified by the idea.
"You can wrap yourself in these." He continued, tossing a cloak and two blankets to her. Looking slightly better, she turned her back and began to undress. Legolas did the same, wrapping a small blanket around his waist and draping a cloak about his shoulders.
"Are you ready?' He asked softly.
"Yes."
Turning slowly, Legolas went to her side, sitting down close beside her.
Leaving his chest bare would be risky, but he had basically no other choice. He shivered, pulling the cloak tighter. Bren was silent, knees drawn up close to herself, hugging them almost protectively. She did not look at him, nor he at her. The sounds of the storm still raged, though not as loud, and the rain seemed to be dying a little.
"What are you going to do?" she finally asked softly, voice dripping with exhaustion. "Elrond said that the only way would be……" Trailing off, there was silence once more. She did not need to finish for Legolas to know what she meant.
"To be truthful, I am not sure. But I will find a way. Elves keep their promises."
There was a rustle of leaves as Bren lay down, taking her own spare blanket and holding it close. She was still shivering, though not as much. She sighed, then closed her eyes, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Legolas watched her for a moment, then did the same, respecting her wishes by keeping his distance. It would not do to upset her now.
Like all Elves did when they slept, he did not close his eyes, but soon felt unconsciousness tugging at him forcefully. Sighing too, he drifted into sleep, the storm, the forest, and everything leaving him, for now.
**
The first night was horrible.
It seemed the True Ring was finally making its presence known, beginning the slow and painful process of killing Bren. Legolas felt that if the Ring didn't finish her off, the Fellowship would. He was the only one on her side. Even she was against herself. For now he had assured her that he would take care of things, but how long would that last? Legolas didn't have the faintest idea what he was going to do.
He did not get any sleep that night.
Bren was haunted by the horrors of her dreams, her mouth frozen in a silent scream, eyes wide, skin whiter than he's ever seen it. Sometimes she would scream, the sound wailing above the storm that still raged around them. It was a horrible sound, tearing at his own heart.
Legolas soon noticed that the Ring was burning her finger. The acrid smell of charred flesh exploding into the air, lingering for hours. Legolas was constantly by her side, holding her hand for reassurance, though he knew she did not feel it. Trembling violently, she would thrash about, mouth frothing, pupils dilated. Sometimes it would be hard to control her, and she would scream, shrieking words that chilled his soul, words no human, or elf, or any creature could possibly utter.
It was horrible.
He could not see how she was enduring this. It did not seem possible.
Though as the night began to crawl away, the faint gray touching the sky, she finally stopped, lying still underneath the blankets that were soaked in her own sweat. She looked like a ghostly wraith, the paleness of her skin accenting how thin she was. The Ring truly was killing her.
She did not wake the entire day, her breathing short and forced, skin clammy and wet.
She did not wake the next day either.
Legolas began to worry.
Would she ever wake up? Or would the die in slumber, asleep until the end of her days?
Only time would tell.