Part ten: Wow. I never thought this would go on this long. You're probably wishing it didn't. Sorry. I tend to get bogged down with little details and forget that I should probably get round to some adventure. Which is what I need to do right? You're probably like:
"Hey Gevaudan! There's a big evil Elf running around Middle Earth here! By the time you get something done there'll be no Elves left!!"
I just wanted to reassure all of you that I had by no means forgotten that the evil one needs his backside kicking. I just like spinning things out for as long as possible. Annoying habit that....I'm doing it again. Look up. Yeah. Ye Gods, I can talk for a long time about nothing can't I? Oh I forgot, in this the times I use are probably pretty unlikely, my argument is: Quick horses, no Orcs and Aragorn's updated the highway system...If I'm really seriously out let me know either in a review or mail me at gevaudan@another.com and I'll try to do something about it.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. They're Tolkien's.
Dedication: This whole story is for each and every one of my friends, because although a lot of them wont read this, they all put up with me talking nonsense at them, going on about LOTR for ages, and then wandering off to check my reviews at strange times. The fact that they let me get away with this without getting really mad is something for which I am eternally grateful. Even if I don't tell them. So guys thanks for being there for me. You deserve medals the lot of you! :o) And I want to quickly apologise to Sarah Bradley; she'll know why. :o)
***
All was calm in the city of Minas Tirith. The citizens were sombre faced and saddened. The bright pennants which usually flew gaily in the breeze now hung at half mast. However, in the chambers of the Elf the city mourned, an argument was brewing once more.
'Aragorn, I refuse to be put in...a sack.'
'It's not a sack, Legolas, it is a shroud.'
'That is worse!'
'Falsifying your death was your idea, do you want us to succeed?'
Legolas the Elf gazed unhappily at Aragorn who was deriving far too much pleasure from the idea of bundling him up in a dark coloured piece of cloth.
'Of course I wish the plan to succeed. However for all my immortality, breathing is still important, how do I do that in a sack?'
'Shroud,' Gimli corrected.
Legolas turned to him with a look that plainly said that if Gimli did not stay out of this argument he would do something that he may later regret.
'It is only until we have left the city Legolas. It would make it more convincing.'
Aragorn moved to Legolas's side dropping his voice to a level he was sure only the Elf would hear.
'I do not wish to cause you harm my friend.'
Legolas's blue eyes softened and he nodded.
'I know,' he answered softly, the look of apology in his eyes was read and understood by Aragorn who smiled gently in forgiveness. 'Very well, however be aware that if this 'shroud' suffocates me, I will haunt you all.'
No one laughed, the memory of Legolas's near death haunted them already.
'So,' recapped Aragorn, 'We will ride to Fangorn and then onto Helm's Deep. We will meet at the stables at dusk.'
Gimli and Arwen nodded and left, followed by Elrond, Aragorn hung back, as he reached the door Legolas spoke up.
'Forgive me, my friend. I did not mean to cause you such trouble, the idea of being wrapped in a shroud was, uncomfortably close to what could well have happened. Although I feel much improved since we spoke last, that reminder of the path of the dead troubled me more than it should have.'
Aragorn nodded sympathetically in agreement.
'I know, Legolas. If I did not think it absolutely necessary I would not even suggest it. If it distresses you I am sure we could find another way.'
'No,' Legolas answered him quickly but so quietly that he had to strain to hear him, 'Dark will not prevail due to my fear of a sack.'
Aragorn smiled.
'I will stay with you until this evening if you permit me, otherwise you are in for a tedious afternoon in hiding.'
Legolas nodded and together they sat and reminisced over many years of acquaintance until the darkness fell.
***
The inhabitants of the White City of Minas Tirith, stood silent and respectful watching their King bear the body of Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood away to the woods of Fangorn to be laid to rest. With him rode Arwen and behind her Gimli son of Gloin. At the back of the sombre parade rode Elrond on the horse from the Roharrhim, his face stern and unforgiving. Behind Aragorn and Hasufel, Arod followed, Aragorn had told his men that he was returning the steed to Eomer at Edoras, since no man in the city would wish to ride him out of respect for his fallen master. The left the city without a word, those on the battlements watched until they were out of sight collectively mourning the passing of a great hero.
***
When a considerably distance lay between the company and the city Aragorn halted and laid his burden on the ground. Gently he peeled away a layer of black cloth to reveal a face, serene in the lamplight. Legolas sat up slowly, shaking his blonde hair out gently.
'Never again will I be carried like that,' he stated firmly.
'No,' Gimli agreed. 'It was most unnerving.'
Legolas massaged his long neck.
'It was very dusty,' he commented ruefully.
After a moment he sprang up and mounted Arod.
'How far will you accompany us Lord Elrond?' he asked when he had mounted.
'Very well,' Elrond agreed, 'When we reach Fangorn, I will stay there and you may ride your own mount to battle.'
'Will you not accompany us father?' asked Arwen, surprised.
'I do not think I should, for nowhere does it mention an elderly elf whose days of battle are long since over.'
'It is irksome that we have to place so much faith in a rhyme we know naught about,' Gimli commented. The other companions nodded, they had thought the same but since that was all there was to guide them, then it must be followed. Gimli dismounted Asfaloth and mounted Arod behind Legolas.
'Apologies my Lady,' he said to Arwen, 'but I belong here.'
Arwen smiled.
'I will not take offence Gimli,' she told him, 'Arod looked so confused to have but one rider and Asfaloth was confused to have two.'
***
They reached Fangorn in the early hours of the morning at sat waiting until darkness fell before leaving the woods hoping to gain the element of surprise over Duredhel. Legolas, Arwen and Elrond lay asleep while Gimli and Aragorn stood watch together. Aragorn listened intently, starting to is feet as the sound of bodies crashing through the word could be heard. He noted Legolas awaken and stand in one swift movement, he crossed quickly to Aragorn's side.
'There are two distinct voices,' he whispered softly, 'Not Ents, nor men or Elves.' Aragorn nodded his hand resting on the great hilt of the sword Anduril. Gimli stood beside Legolas his eyes aflame at the prospect of battle, though they did not know what approached them. Arwen and Elrond were also awake and watchful although the bore no arms. The cracking of boughs underfoot, filled the ears of the companions and they looked this way and that trying to spot their assailants. Then a voice, as familiar to them as there own, floated to them on the breeze.
'I believe we are lost Pip,' came the voice of Meriadoc Brandybuck, the Hobbit from the Shire who had accompanied them on the quest to destroy the ring. He became visible to them at last, a small figure among the great dark trees of Fangorn.
'Why did they come here?' asked Peregrine Took as he followed close behind. Aragorn smiled for he had always been willing to ask questions, even when the situation was grave and silence was required.
'Well, Legolas was a wood Elf and so it is only fitting that he be laid to rest in a wood which he loved so much.'
'But why did they travel in the middle of the night?'
'I don't know Pippin, why not ask Aragorn if we find him?'
'I will that.'
'And you may Peregrine,' Aragorn called, stepping into the circle of light the Hobbit's lamp produced, 'For you have found me.'
'My Lord,' Pippin dropped to his knees in respect, 'I have returned to your service once more.'
Aragorn nodded, extending a hand to assist the Hobbit back to his feet.
'And it is gratefully accepted again, Guard of The Tower. How did you know to seek for us here?'
Merry answered this, and in his face was much grief and sorrow.
'We went to Minas Tirith, in the evening, the guards at the gate told us that you had come here to lay Legolas,' tears filled his voice, 'to rest. We came to pay our last respects to him.'
Aragorn placed a hand gently on Merry's shoulder.
'Hold up your lantern, Merry. Tell me who you see.'
Confused, the Hobbit did as he was bidden.
'I see, you Aragorn, Gimli son of Gloin, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, The Lady Arwen and...' his voice trailed off and when he spoke again it was full of joy.
'Legolas!' he cried. Together he and Pippin raced to the slender Elf and embraced him in relief, pulling away when they felt him wince.
'Legolas, are you hurt?' asked Pippin, quickly, 'Did we cause you harm?'
Legolas smiled, overjoyed to see his young friends once more.
'Nay, Pippin, you did not hurt me. I was injured a short while ago and moved a little too rapidly in my delight at seeing you once more, that is all. There is no need to concern yourself.'
Merry and Pippin accepted this statement as truth, not noticing the looks passed between Aragorn and Gimli. Never would the two Hobbits truly realise how close their friend had lain to death.
'Why did they tell us you were dead Legolas?' Merry demanded, in his voice was a tone akin to anger, though tempered with the relief of finding his friend well. 'We did not know whether to believe them. For you are and Elf and age and sickness does not touch you as it does men. They told us you had been sorely wounded in battle and had been poisoned. The entire city was in mourning. Why did they lie to us?'
Legolas sat on a log and the two Hobbits settled at his feet. The rest of the company made themselves comfortable.
'I will try to explain,' he began, 'though I do not remember all myself. However you must endeavour not to be unduly angry with the citizens of Minas Tirith, for they did not lie to you.'
'You were dead?' exclaimed Pippin in shock.
'No Pippin, I was not, for no one can be returned from the paths of the dead and yet here I sit beside you. The guards of the gate told you the truth as they saw it, for we deceived them, for it was necessary in what we have to do.'
Legolas told them his tale.
***
A long time later the company sat silent. The telling of the tale had taken a great length of time. The Hobbits queried points frequently and often did the narrator changed so the Hobbits understood fully what had come to pass.
'Who are the two unlooked for?' asked Pippin, after he had established the other's role in the strange rhyme.
Legolas looked at them fondly, his wise eyes shining brightly in the lantern light.
'Do you really not know, Pippin?' he asked him gently.
Merry looked to Legolas, then to Pippin and finally to Aragorn.
'You mean us?' he asked incredulously, 'But we did not come unlooked for. You were waiting for us.'
'We meant to engage you, Master Hobbit, for we thought you to be a foe,' Gimli answered.
'We did not even realise that you were not in the Shire,' Arwen told us.
'Didn't realise? Then you didn't get our message?'
'I received no message,' Aragorn told them, 'With whom did you send it?'
Pippin tried to remember.
'One of the Rangers. He passed through Hobbiton and told us he was bound for Minas Tirith.'
'A ranger arrived from there, yet he bore no message,' Aragorn told them.
'Two unlooked for,' Elrond reminded him, 'if the message had arrived, that would not have been the case. It would appear your company is complete.'
'Are you willing to stay here and guard Lord Elrond?' asked Legolas, 'For we will not be able to protect him and it is likely that Duredhel will wish to make a target of him.'
'We will guard him Legolas,' the Hobbits told him staunchly, 'even with our lives if it were required of us.'
Legolas nodded and laid a hand on each of their shoulder.
'Thank you my friends, I shall not forget your bravery. Now rest awhile, for we shall leave at dusk.'
****
Aragorn took Legolas out of the earshot of the others.
'If they are the two unlooked for, should they not accompany us?'
'Aragorn, stout-hearted as they are, they are hobbits. We are going to fight men and Elves, I will not risk them so. I would rather lose my own life than be responsible for their deaths.'
With that Legolas turned back to the camp, cutting off all hope of further conversation.
***
The dusk fell suddenly, almost unnoticed by the small group gathered in Fangorn. Merry and Pippin slept snoring softly, where they had sat earlier. Aragorn and Arwen lay side by side, their hands entwined. Elrond and Gimli also slept soundly. Aragorn awoke and quickly looked around, noting his sleeping friends. He looked around for the third Elf among them, for he was nowhere in sight.
'Legolas,' he called softly.
There was no reply. He looked around him to where the horses were tethered, Arod was missing, he listened intently for a moment, walking over to where Arod had been his saw the tracks the horse had made away through the forest towards Helm's Deep.
Quickly he woke the sleeping members of the party and informed them of what had come to pass.
'We must follow him!' exclaimed Gimli. Aragorn nodded in agreement.
'Very well, Lord Elrond, I am afraid you must accompany us for we are in need of a mount. Gimli, you will ride with me, Pippin with Arwen and Merry you with Elrond. We must leave immediately for we do not know how far ahead Legolas is.'
***
Later in the night, Legolas faced the Glittering Caves. He could feel the darkness building in his mind but resolutely he pushed it away, thinking of things that would lighten his heart; Merry and Pippin, his home Mirkwood, Gimli, Rivendell, Aragorn, Fangorn. Resolutely he rode forward on the last leg of his journey.
***
OK. That's you lot, wait for part 11, it may take a while I'm not sure how to write it. I know the ending...I just don't know how to get from here to their. It'll be fine. I won't give up. Yet. Please R+R and I might write quicker.
:0) Thanks for reading.
"Hey Gevaudan! There's a big evil Elf running around Middle Earth here! By the time you get something done there'll be no Elves left!!"
I just wanted to reassure all of you that I had by no means forgotten that the evil one needs his backside kicking. I just like spinning things out for as long as possible. Annoying habit that....I'm doing it again. Look up. Yeah. Ye Gods, I can talk for a long time about nothing can't I? Oh I forgot, in this the times I use are probably pretty unlikely, my argument is: Quick horses, no Orcs and Aragorn's updated the highway system...If I'm really seriously out let me know either in a review or mail me at gevaudan@another.com and I'll try to do something about it.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. They're Tolkien's.
Dedication: This whole story is for each and every one of my friends, because although a lot of them wont read this, they all put up with me talking nonsense at them, going on about LOTR for ages, and then wandering off to check my reviews at strange times. The fact that they let me get away with this without getting really mad is something for which I am eternally grateful. Even if I don't tell them. So guys thanks for being there for me. You deserve medals the lot of you! :o) And I want to quickly apologise to Sarah Bradley; she'll know why. :o)
***
All was calm in the city of Minas Tirith. The citizens were sombre faced and saddened. The bright pennants which usually flew gaily in the breeze now hung at half mast. However, in the chambers of the Elf the city mourned, an argument was brewing once more.
'Aragorn, I refuse to be put in...a sack.'
'It's not a sack, Legolas, it is a shroud.'
'That is worse!'
'Falsifying your death was your idea, do you want us to succeed?'
Legolas the Elf gazed unhappily at Aragorn who was deriving far too much pleasure from the idea of bundling him up in a dark coloured piece of cloth.
'Of course I wish the plan to succeed. However for all my immortality, breathing is still important, how do I do that in a sack?'
'Shroud,' Gimli corrected.
Legolas turned to him with a look that plainly said that if Gimli did not stay out of this argument he would do something that he may later regret.
'It is only until we have left the city Legolas. It would make it more convincing.'
Aragorn moved to Legolas's side dropping his voice to a level he was sure only the Elf would hear.
'I do not wish to cause you harm my friend.'
Legolas's blue eyes softened and he nodded.
'I know,' he answered softly, the look of apology in his eyes was read and understood by Aragorn who smiled gently in forgiveness. 'Very well, however be aware that if this 'shroud' suffocates me, I will haunt you all.'
No one laughed, the memory of Legolas's near death haunted them already.
'So,' recapped Aragorn, 'We will ride to Fangorn and then onto Helm's Deep. We will meet at the stables at dusk.'
Gimli and Arwen nodded and left, followed by Elrond, Aragorn hung back, as he reached the door Legolas spoke up.
'Forgive me, my friend. I did not mean to cause you such trouble, the idea of being wrapped in a shroud was, uncomfortably close to what could well have happened. Although I feel much improved since we spoke last, that reminder of the path of the dead troubled me more than it should have.'
Aragorn nodded sympathetically in agreement.
'I know, Legolas. If I did not think it absolutely necessary I would not even suggest it. If it distresses you I am sure we could find another way.'
'No,' Legolas answered him quickly but so quietly that he had to strain to hear him, 'Dark will not prevail due to my fear of a sack.'
Aragorn smiled.
'I will stay with you until this evening if you permit me, otherwise you are in for a tedious afternoon in hiding.'
Legolas nodded and together they sat and reminisced over many years of acquaintance until the darkness fell.
***
The inhabitants of the White City of Minas Tirith, stood silent and respectful watching their King bear the body of Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood away to the woods of Fangorn to be laid to rest. With him rode Arwen and behind her Gimli son of Gloin. At the back of the sombre parade rode Elrond on the horse from the Roharrhim, his face stern and unforgiving. Behind Aragorn and Hasufel, Arod followed, Aragorn had told his men that he was returning the steed to Eomer at Edoras, since no man in the city would wish to ride him out of respect for his fallen master. The left the city without a word, those on the battlements watched until they were out of sight collectively mourning the passing of a great hero.
***
When a considerably distance lay between the company and the city Aragorn halted and laid his burden on the ground. Gently he peeled away a layer of black cloth to reveal a face, serene in the lamplight. Legolas sat up slowly, shaking his blonde hair out gently.
'Never again will I be carried like that,' he stated firmly.
'No,' Gimli agreed. 'It was most unnerving.'
Legolas massaged his long neck.
'It was very dusty,' he commented ruefully.
After a moment he sprang up and mounted Arod.
'How far will you accompany us Lord Elrond?' he asked when he had mounted.
'Very well,' Elrond agreed, 'When we reach Fangorn, I will stay there and you may ride your own mount to battle.'
'Will you not accompany us father?' asked Arwen, surprised.
'I do not think I should, for nowhere does it mention an elderly elf whose days of battle are long since over.'
'It is irksome that we have to place so much faith in a rhyme we know naught about,' Gimli commented. The other companions nodded, they had thought the same but since that was all there was to guide them, then it must be followed. Gimli dismounted Asfaloth and mounted Arod behind Legolas.
'Apologies my Lady,' he said to Arwen, 'but I belong here.'
Arwen smiled.
'I will not take offence Gimli,' she told him, 'Arod looked so confused to have but one rider and Asfaloth was confused to have two.'
***
They reached Fangorn in the early hours of the morning at sat waiting until darkness fell before leaving the woods hoping to gain the element of surprise over Duredhel. Legolas, Arwen and Elrond lay asleep while Gimli and Aragorn stood watch together. Aragorn listened intently, starting to is feet as the sound of bodies crashing through the word could be heard. He noted Legolas awaken and stand in one swift movement, he crossed quickly to Aragorn's side.
'There are two distinct voices,' he whispered softly, 'Not Ents, nor men or Elves.' Aragorn nodded his hand resting on the great hilt of the sword Anduril. Gimli stood beside Legolas his eyes aflame at the prospect of battle, though they did not know what approached them. Arwen and Elrond were also awake and watchful although the bore no arms. The cracking of boughs underfoot, filled the ears of the companions and they looked this way and that trying to spot their assailants. Then a voice, as familiar to them as there own, floated to them on the breeze.
'I believe we are lost Pip,' came the voice of Meriadoc Brandybuck, the Hobbit from the Shire who had accompanied them on the quest to destroy the ring. He became visible to them at last, a small figure among the great dark trees of Fangorn.
'Why did they come here?' asked Peregrine Took as he followed close behind. Aragorn smiled for he had always been willing to ask questions, even when the situation was grave and silence was required.
'Well, Legolas was a wood Elf and so it is only fitting that he be laid to rest in a wood which he loved so much.'
'But why did they travel in the middle of the night?'
'I don't know Pippin, why not ask Aragorn if we find him?'
'I will that.'
'And you may Peregrine,' Aragorn called, stepping into the circle of light the Hobbit's lamp produced, 'For you have found me.'
'My Lord,' Pippin dropped to his knees in respect, 'I have returned to your service once more.'
Aragorn nodded, extending a hand to assist the Hobbit back to his feet.
'And it is gratefully accepted again, Guard of The Tower. How did you know to seek for us here?'
Merry answered this, and in his face was much grief and sorrow.
'We went to Minas Tirith, in the evening, the guards at the gate told us that you had come here to lay Legolas,' tears filled his voice, 'to rest. We came to pay our last respects to him.'
Aragorn placed a hand gently on Merry's shoulder.
'Hold up your lantern, Merry. Tell me who you see.'
Confused, the Hobbit did as he was bidden.
'I see, you Aragorn, Gimli son of Gloin, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, The Lady Arwen and...' his voice trailed off and when he spoke again it was full of joy.
'Legolas!' he cried. Together he and Pippin raced to the slender Elf and embraced him in relief, pulling away when they felt him wince.
'Legolas, are you hurt?' asked Pippin, quickly, 'Did we cause you harm?'
Legolas smiled, overjoyed to see his young friends once more.
'Nay, Pippin, you did not hurt me. I was injured a short while ago and moved a little too rapidly in my delight at seeing you once more, that is all. There is no need to concern yourself.'
Merry and Pippin accepted this statement as truth, not noticing the looks passed between Aragorn and Gimli. Never would the two Hobbits truly realise how close their friend had lain to death.
'Why did they tell us you were dead Legolas?' Merry demanded, in his voice was a tone akin to anger, though tempered with the relief of finding his friend well. 'We did not know whether to believe them. For you are and Elf and age and sickness does not touch you as it does men. They told us you had been sorely wounded in battle and had been poisoned. The entire city was in mourning. Why did they lie to us?'
Legolas sat on a log and the two Hobbits settled at his feet. The rest of the company made themselves comfortable.
'I will try to explain,' he began, 'though I do not remember all myself. However you must endeavour not to be unduly angry with the citizens of Minas Tirith, for they did not lie to you.'
'You were dead?' exclaimed Pippin in shock.
'No Pippin, I was not, for no one can be returned from the paths of the dead and yet here I sit beside you. The guards of the gate told you the truth as they saw it, for we deceived them, for it was necessary in what we have to do.'
Legolas told them his tale.
***
A long time later the company sat silent. The telling of the tale had taken a great length of time. The Hobbits queried points frequently and often did the narrator changed so the Hobbits understood fully what had come to pass.
'Who are the two unlooked for?' asked Pippin, after he had established the other's role in the strange rhyme.
Legolas looked at them fondly, his wise eyes shining brightly in the lantern light.
'Do you really not know, Pippin?' he asked him gently.
Merry looked to Legolas, then to Pippin and finally to Aragorn.
'You mean us?' he asked incredulously, 'But we did not come unlooked for. You were waiting for us.'
'We meant to engage you, Master Hobbit, for we thought you to be a foe,' Gimli answered.
'We did not even realise that you were not in the Shire,' Arwen told us.
'Didn't realise? Then you didn't get our message?'
'I received no message,' Aragorn told them, 'With whom did you send it?'
Pippin tried to remember.
'One of the Rangers. He passed through Hobbiton and told us he was bound for Minas Tirith.'
'A ranger arrived from there, yet he bore no message,' Aragorn told them.
'Two unlooked for,' Elrond reminded him, 'if the message had arrived, that would not have been the case. It would appear your company is complete.'
'Are you willing to stay here and guard Lord Elrond?' asked Legolas, 'For we will not be able to protect him and it is likely that Duredhel will wish to make a target of him.'
'We will guard him Legolas,' the Hobbits told him staunchly, 'even with our lives if it were required of us.'
Legolas nodded and laid a hand on each of their shoulder.
'Thank you my friends, I shall not forget your bravery. Now rest awhile, for we shall leave at dusk.'
****
Aragorn took Legolas out of the earshot of the others.
'If they are the two unlooked for, should they not accompany us?'
'Aragorn, stout-hearted as they are, they are hobbits. We are going to fight men and Elves, I will not risk them so. I would rather lose my own life than be responsible for their deaths.'
With that Legolas turned back to the camp, cutting off all hope of further conversation.
***
The dusk fell suddenly, almost unnoticed by the small group gathered in Fangorn. Merry and Pippin slept snoring softly, where they had sat earlier. Aragorn and Arwen lay side by side, their hands entwined. Elrond and Gimli also slept soundly. Aragorn awoke and quickly looked around, noting his sleeping friends. He looked around for the third Elf among them, for he was nowhere in sight.
'Legolas,' he called softly.
There was no reply. He looked around him to where the horses were tethered, Arod was missing, he listened intently for a moment, walking over to where Arod had been his saw the tracks the horse had made away through the forest towards Helm's Deep.
Quickly he woke the sleeping members of the party and informed them of what had come to pass.
'We must follow him!' exclaimed Gimli. Aragorn nodded in agreement.
'Very well, Lord Elrond, I am afraid you must accompany us for we are in need of a mount. Gimli, you will ride with me, Pippin with Arwen and Merry you with Elrond. We must leave immediately for we do not know how far ahead Legolas is.'
***
Later in the night, Legolas faced the Glittering Caves. He could feel the darkness building in his mind but resolutely he pushed it away, thinking of things that would lighten his heart; Merry and Pippin, his home Mirkwood, Gimli, Rivendell, Aragorn, Fangorn. Resolutely he rode forward on the last leg of his journey.
***
OK. That's you lot, wait for part 11, it may take a while I'm not sure how to write it. I know the ending...I just don't know how to get from here to their. It'll be fine. I won't give up. Yet. Please R+R and I might write quicker.
:0) Thanks for reading.