Well. Tis I once more. Thanks for the reviews as always. Minka I liked your line for Legolas much more than mine. I reckon that's what he's thinking, but he's a polite little elf and so he isn't going to swear in front of Elrond...yet....
I haven't updated in what seems like forever but I've had so much work to do and now I'm on holiday which is why it's taken so long, I can only really connect to the net at weekends at home. Anyway... This has taken ages because I've come up with an idea for my next story. I think I'm going to have Legolas take Gimli to Mirkwood and see what Thranduil has to say about his son taking the Elves to Ithilien. Maybe....Any thoughts?
Oh, the prophecy in the last chapter. That was a bit obvious wasn't it? Sorry. I figured you lot knew a battle was coming though so it hasn't given anything away but what all the characters knew anyway. that Legolas must face his foe. So I guess it sort of fulfils the first rule of prophecy which is to use many words without saying anything at all.
Ooh! I got the Silmarillion from my parents as well this weekend. YAY! Thank you!
I most definitely don't own the characters from LOTR I'm not clever enough to have thought them up. The only characters I own are Gilgolas and Duredhel. I'd swap Duredhel for Legolas any day. Duredhel's mean....
***
'So all has fallen into place.' Elrond sat calm, as the tempers of those around him rose.
'We should hunt Duredhel now before anymore harm comes to the Elves of Middle Earth,' Gimli stated, fingering his axe as he did so.
Legolas paced the room uneasily his thoughts in turmoil a part of him agreed with his friend's plan, but another, larger part was unsure.
'I do not think we can do that friend Gimli. Aragorn I think you must announce my death to the city of Minas Tirith. This allows Duredhel to think all goes according to his arrangements. It also allows us the liberty of more time to think. Few people other than those in this room, have seen me healed. If you would convey me to my quarters as though I was ill, you can claim safely to the city that the poison struck again and I fell to its evil. Then we can discuss a further course of action.'
Aragorn, Arwen and Gimli nodded slowly.
'That seems like a good foundation for a plan,' Aragorn mused, 'I think then Legolas, you should try and act...ill.'
Legolas nodded with a small smile, he sank into a chair. The four others in the room watched him fade from life into the deep sleep of the Elves, the clear blue eyes open but unseeing. Aragorn moved to carry his friend.
'Wait,' Arwen went to her friend's side and pulled an ornate compact from the folds of her gown. She opened it and gently brushed a white powder over the sleeping Elf's face giving his skin an unnatural pale hue. Aragorn nodded in approval, then gently lifted Legolas into his arms, thinking of how, short hours ago, he had carried the Elf in the same way, fearing greatly for his friend. He was relieved that this time it was an act. His only concern was that some people watching may not be easily fooled. He barrelled out of the door followed hurriedly by the other occupants of the room. The guard outside looked hugely shocked at this new development.
'Lady Arwen?' he caught the attention of his queen as she hurried past him.
'Legolas has fallen ill once more. I will send for you if anything is needed, for now be sure that no one comes near his quarters.'
Arwen hurried after husband, trying hard to look convincingly distressed.
***
Aragorn laid Legolas gently on the bed, checked the door was firmly shut then burst into laughter.
Legolas, roused by the noise, sat up, 'It's always gratifying to know you care, Aragorn.'
'Aren't you dead?' Aragorn asked light-heartedly.
'Oh forgive me,' Legolas replied, 'I got confused.'
He dropped back into the land of dreams.
'Right,' Aragorn began, 'Arwen, would you go to announce the 'death' of our friend here, while I perform a miracle worthy of the Valar and restore him to life.'
Arwen schooled her face to an expression of sadness and horror and left the room.
Aragorn in the meantime prodded Legolas sharply in the ribs.
'You believe that to be a miracle?' asked Legolas sitting up. He turned to Gimli, 'I thought you told me the people of the city believed him to have the hands of a healer?'
'Must be the wrong heir,' Gimli grunted, 'We should get him replaced.'
Aragorn watched the banter, pleases to have his friends around him at such a time. He was relieved to see that Legolas was looking better, slight winces when he moved too quickly suggested he was not entirely healed but the Legolas in front of him could have been a different Elf to the one he had spoken to the night before.
'Well,' asked Elrond of the assembled company, 'What do you intend on doing now?'
'There is only one curse of action, to seek out this Duredhel and destroy him,' Gimli rumbled.
'I am inclined to agree with you Gimli, although your words seem rash. We cannot allow Duredhel to roam free any longer than is necessary,' Aragorn added.
'Nor shall we,' Legolas spoke quietly, but with an intensity that drew the eyes of his companions to his own piercing blue eyes,' for I have an plan although I am not sure if it shall be successful. You shall bear my body from the city of Minas Tirith, the claim being that it is my wish to be laid to rest in the wood of Fangorn. From there we shall go to the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep and I shall face my foe.'
***
Arwen, distraught, hurried to find a guard to convey her message to. The act of distress cam more easily to her than she had imagined, the memories of the concern she had felt when Legolas had been ill were still close enough to be uncomfortable for her. The near death of the Elf had brought up issues Arwen had never before had to face. She knew instinctively, with all her heart and soul that she had made the correct decision when she had forsaken the immortal life of her people to remain by the side of Aragorn. If she was given that choice to make once more then she would choose the same way once more for they loved each other with a love stronger than any fear of death. However the dread Legolas had felt when faced with his own demise had caused her to wonder about the paths of the dead herself. Nevertheless no matter the fears she held, she was equally sure that whatever fate had in store for her, she would face it with Aragorn by her side, to death and beyond.
She met the guard in the corridor, he was following his orders well and spun to meet Arwen as she approached.
'My lady?' he asked, noting her distraught expression.
'Captain, please lower the flags of the city to half mast and put the city into a state of mourning. Legolas of Mirkwood has just passed away and he deserves the respect we would grant royalty for the city owes him a great debt. Also send a message to his family as soon as possible.'
The guard nodded dumbly. Legolas the Elf was one of the heroes of the fellowship, immortal like his kind. His death would be an unexpected and dreadful blow to the people of Middle Earth.
Arwen nodded to the guard and returned to Legolas's room where an argument ensued.
'I will go alone once we have reached Fangorn, Gimli, I will risk no life but my own.'
'It is folly to ignore the words of the prophecy, Legolas.'
'We do not know the prophecy is true Aragorn.'
'None the less Legolas it is all we have to follow.'
'Duredhel would kill you all!'
'If you were alone he would see it was you and kill you before you saw him.'
'If we went together it would be ever more evident Aragorn. He may think I alone was Arwen.'
Aragorn looked at the elf's blond hair.
'You? Arwen? I do not think that likely.'
'He may never have seen Arwen, Aragorn.'
'Legolas, he knew you were in Minas Tirith, he must be fairly well informed I am sure one of his followers will have seen Arwen at some point.'
'But still a group is too obvious.'
Arwen broke in before this argument grew any further out of control.
'Gentlemen cease this noise. People will hear you. Legolas my husband and Gimli are correct, you cannot go alone.'
The two nodded to her.
'However, Legolas also has a valid point, we cannot simply walk up to the Glittering Caves as a group we are too visible.'
It was Legolas's turn to nod in agreement.
'What do you suggest we do?' he asked quietly.
'We?' asked Aragorn.
'Yes, for it is necessary I accompany you, Aragorn,' Arwen answered him.
'I forbid it. It is too dangerous, you could be killed.'
'So could you,' she shot back, 'and without me I believe the prophecy will fail. It claims there is one you would protect, if I am here you are not really protecting me are you?'
'Yes,' answered Legolas, 'we are preventing the harm from reaching you.'
Arwen sighed, convincing the warriors before her would be harder than she originally thought.
'Gimli?' she turned to the dwarf, ignoring the others for a moment. 'Is there another entrance into the Glittering Caves?'
'Many my Lady,' the dwarf answered. 'To many different part of the cave system, would these be of use?'
'I think so. I will go to the Glittering Caves as though I wished to negotiate with Duredhel. You will accompany but from another direction. You will be in the caves as well and from there you will face him. I will merely be a decoy to allow you safe entry.'
Aragorn looked angry as did Legolas.
'I will not allow you to risk yourself so, Arwen,' her husband told her.
'The prophecy seems to claim it to be my job to face this foe Arwen, I do not think you should do this.'
'They are my people he threatens Aragorn. I will do this, with or without your consent.'
Arwen's eyes were fiery, daring her husband to disagree with her. Eventually, after long moments, he nodded.
'I am unhappy with this plan. However it has the greatest chance of success. Very well, we will go tonight.'
The others in the room nodded. Legolas looked around and them all, grateful to have such friends, those who would face danger themselves rather than allow him to face it alone. He hoped fervently that their bravery would not be in vain.
****
Well, I think I'll call that a chapter. I wasn't able to upload this so you'll probably get the next three chapters in very quick succession. I just didn't really want to put it all up in one go I kept it to the chapters I had planned. I know I said it'd get more exciting and it didn't really. But there was some shouting which was entertaining for you all. And that seemed like a good place to stop. Anyway please R+R. Or I might not put the rest up :-P
I haven't updated in what seems like forever but I've had so much work to do and now I'm on holiday which is why it's taken so long, I can only really connect to the net at weekends at home. Anyway... This has taken ages because I've come up with an idea for my next story. I think I'm going to have Legolas take Gimli to Mirkwood and see what Thranduil has to say about his son taking the Elves to Ithilien. Maybe....Any thoughts?
Oh, the prophecy in the last chapter. That was a bit obvious wasn't it? Sorry. I figured you lot knew a battle was coming though so it hasn't given anything away but what all the characters knew anyway. that Legolas must face his foe. So I guess it sort of fulfils the first rule of prophecy which is to use many words without saying anything at all.
Ooh! I got the Silmarillion from my parents as well this weekend. YAY! Thank you!
I most definitely don't own the characters from LOTR I'm not clever enough to have thought them up. The only characters I own are Gilgolas and Duredhel. I'd swap Duredhel for Legolas any day. Duredhel's mean....
***
'So all has fallen into place.' Elrond sat calm, as the tempers of those around him rose.
'We should hunt Duredhel now before anymore harm comes to the Elves of Middle Earth,' Gimli stated, fingering his axe as he did so.
Legolas paced the room uneasily his thoughts in turmoil a part of him agreed with his friend's plan, but another, larger part was unsure.
'I do not think we can do that friend Gimli. Aragorn I think you must announce my death to the city of Minas Tirith. This allows Duredhel to think all goes according to his arrangements. It also allows us the liberty of more time to think. Few people other than those in this room, have seen me healed. If you would convey me to my quarters as though I was ill, you can claim safely to the city that the poison struck again and I fell to its evil. Then we can discuss a further course of action.'
Aragorn, Arwen and Gimli nodded slowly.
'That seems like a good foundation for a plan,' Aragorn mused, 'I think then Legolas, you should try and act...ill.'
Legolas nodded with a small smile, he sank into a chair. The four others in the room watched him fade from life into the deep sleep of the Elves, the clear blue eyes open but unseeing. Aragorn moved to carry his friend.
'Wait,' Arwen went to her friend's side and pulled an ornate compact from the folds of her gown. She opened it and gently brushed a white powder over the sleeping Elf's face giving his skin an unnatural pale hue. Aragorn nodded in approval, then gently lifted Legolas into his arms, thinking of how, short hours ago, he had carried the Elf in the same way, fearing greatly for his friend. He was relieved that this time it was an act. His only concern was that some people watching may not be easily fooled. He barrelled out of the door followed hurriedly by the other occupants of the room. The guard outside looked hugely shocked at this new development.
'Lady Arwen?' he caught the attention of his queen as she hurried past him.
'Legolas has fallen ill once more. I will send for you if anything is needed, for now be sure that no one comes near his quarters.'
Arwen hurried after husband, trying hard to look convincingly distressed.
***
Aragorn laid Legolas gently on the bed, checked the door was firmly shut then burst into laughter.
Legolas, roused by the noise, sat up, 'It's always gratifying to know you care, Aragorn.'
'Aren't you dead?' Aragorn asked light-heartedly.
'Oh forgive me,' Legolas replied, 'I got confused.'
He dropped back into the land of dreams.
'Right,' Aragorn began, 'Arwen, would you go to announce the 'death' of our friend here, while I perform a miracle worthy of the Valar and restore him to life.'
Arwen schooled her face to an expression of sadness and horror and left the room.
Aragorn in the meantime prodded Legolas sharply in the ribs.
'You believe that to be a miracle?' asked Legolas sitting up. He turned to Gimli, 'I thought you told me the people of the city believed him to have the hands of a healer?'
'Must be the wrong heir,' Gimli grunted, 'We should get him replaced.'
Aragorn watched the banter, pleases to have his friends around him at such a time. He was relieved to see that Legolas was looking better, slight winces when he moved too quickly suggested he was not entirely healed but the Legolas in front of him could have been a different Elf to the one he had spoken to the night before.
'Well,' asked Elrond of the assembled company, 'What do you intend on doing now?'
'There is only one curse of action, to seek out this Duredhel and destroy him,' Gimli rumbled.
'I am inclined to agree with you Gimli, although your words seem rash. We cannot allow Duredhel to roam free any longer than is necessary,' Aragorn added.
'Nor shall we,' Legolas spoke quietly, but with an intensity that drew the eyes of his companions to his own piercing blue eyes,' for I have an plan although I am not sure if it shall be successful. You shall bear my body from the city of Minas Tirith, the claim being that it is my wish to be laid to rest in the wood of Fangorn. From there we shall go to the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep and I shall face my foe.'
***
Arwen, distraught, hurried to find a guard to convey her message to. The act of distress cam more easily to her than she had imagined, the memories of the concern she had felt when Legolas had been ill were still close enough to be uncomfortable for her. The near death of the Elf had brought up issues Arwen had never before had to face. She knew instinctively, with all her heart and soul that she had made the correct decision when she had forsaken the immortal life of her people to remain by the side of Aragorn. If she was given that choice to make once more then she would choose the same way once more for they loved each other with a love stronger than any fear of death. However the dread Legolas had felt when faced with his own demise had caused her to wonder about the paths of the dead herself. Nevertheless no matter the fears she held, she was equally sure that whatever fate had in store for her, she would face it with Aragorn by her side, to death and beyond.
She met the guard in the corridor, he was following his orders well and spun to meet Arwen as she approached.
'My lady?' he asked, noting her distraught expression.
'Captain, please lower the flags of the city to half mast and put the city into a state of mourning. Legolas of Mirkwood has just passed away and he deserves the respect we would grant royalty for the city owes him a great debt. Also send a message to his family as soon as possible.'
The guard nodded dumbly. Legolas the Elf was one of the heroes of the fellowship, immortal like his kind. His death would be an unexpected and dreadful blow to the people of Middle Earth.
Arwen nodded to the guard and returned to Legolas's room where an argument ensued.
'I will go alone once we have reached Fangorn, Gimli, I will risk no life but my own.'
'It is folly to ignore the words of the prophecy, Legolas.'
'We do not know the prophecy is true Aragorn.'
'None the less Legolas it is all we have to follow.'
'Duredhel would kill you all!'
'If you were alone he would see it was you and kill you before you saw him.'
'If we went together it would be ever more evident Aragorn. He may think I alone was Arwen.'
Aragorn looked at the elf's blond hair.
'You? Arwen? I do not think that likely.'
'He may never have seen Arwen, Aragorn.'
'Legolas, he knew you were in Minas Tirith, he must be fairly well informed I am sure one of his followers will have seen Arwen at some point.'
'But still a group is too obvious.'
Arwen broke in before this argument grew any further out of control.
'Gentlemen cease this noise. People will hear you. Legolas my husband and Gimli are correct, you cannot go alone.'
The two nodded to her.
'However, Legolas also has a valid point, we cannot simply walk up to the Glittering Caves as a group we are too visible.'
It was Legolas's turn to nod in agreement.
'What do you suggest we do?' he asked quietly.
'We?' asked Aragorn.
'Yes, for it is necessary I accompany you, Aragorn,' Arwen answered him.
'I forbid it. It is too dangerous, you could be killed.'
'So could you,' she shot back, 'and without me I believe the prophecy will fail. It claims there is one you would protect, if I am here you are not really protecting me are you?'
'Yes,' answered Legolas, 'we are preventing the harm from reaching you.'
Arwen sighed, convincing the warriors before her would be harder than she originally thought.
'Gimli?' she turned to the dwarf, ignoring the others for a moment. 'Is there another entrance into the Glittering Caves?'
'Many my Lady,' the dwarf answered. 'To many different part of the cave system, would these be of use?'
'I think so. I will go to the Glittering Caves as though I wished to negotiate with Duredhel. You will accompany but from another direction. You will be in the caves as well and from there you will face him. I will merely be a decoy to allow you safe entry.'
Aragorn looked angry as did Legolas.
'I will not allow you to risk yourself so, Arwen,' her husband told her.
'The prophecy seems to claim it to be my job to face this foe Arwen, I do not think you should do this.'
'They are my people he threatens Aragorn. I will do this, with or without your consent.'
Arwen's eyes were fiery, daring her husband to disagree with her. Eventually, after long moments, he nodded.
'I am unhappy with this plan. However it has the greatest chance of success. Very well, we will go tonight.'
The others in the room nodded. Legolas looked around and them all, grateful to have such friends, those who would face danger themselves rather than allow him to face it alone. He hoped fervently that their bravery would not be in vain.
****
Well, I think I'll call that a chapter. I wasn't able to upload this so you'll probably get the next three chapters in very quick succession. I just didn't really want to put it all up in one go I kept it to the chapters I had planned. I know I said it'd get more exciting and it didn't really. But there was some shouting which was entertaining for you all. And that seemed like a good place to stop. Anyway please R+R. Or I might not put the rest up :-P