Through Darkness and Despair
Chapter 3: The Banquet of Rivendell
A/N: The stars signify a change of POV. And there's a change of the series of events. The banquet that Frodo attends before the Council is now moved to after the Council in my story. Well, here is ……chapter 3!
As the meeting adjourned, Legolas stepped into the hall, and began walking back to his room. He heard footsteps behind him, and hid a secret grin. He turned to see Aragorn.
"So," Aragorn said, "We've got a great burden to deal with, haven't we?"
"Yes, but Frodo the Ring bearer will have a much heavier burden."
Legolas felt a thrill go through his body as Aragorn walked close to him. The elf could feel the mortal's body heat from his almost touching body. He didn't know what was happening, but he knew he had never felt this way before.
Aragorn walked him to his room, and said, "I will see you at the Banquet, son of Thranduil."
And before Legolas could utter a reply, he was gone.
* * * * * *
The door creaked as Aragorn shut it. He began stripping off his clothes and prepared to take a hot bath for the banquet tonight. He eased his weary body down into the steaming hot water. And sighed in content. His thoughts drifted, until they settled on the one thing Aragorn was most confused about. The elf prince Legolas Greenleaf.
* * * * * *
Brushing his long pale blond hair back with a wooden comb, Legolas was thinking about a certain mysterious, dark, and handsome ranger from the north. It was so frustrating! No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that long, wavy hair, high angular cheekbones, sharp chin and piercing grey eyes out of his mind. Whenever Legolas looked into them, he felt as if he would stop breathing. He didn't know it yet, but the prince of Mirkwood was falling in love with Aragorn, lost heir of Isildur.
* * * * * *
Aragorn dressed quickly in gray leggings, tunic, a vest lined with black, and black boots. He cursed his luck that he would be late for the biggest banquet in the history of Rivendell. He had Isildur's bane, Anduril, Flame of the West at his side, and wore a silver belt around his lean waist. Upon his forehead was a circlet of mithril, the precious dwarf metal. The tall ranger walked in long strides to the great hall, where he saw a large room, with long golden tables, golden plates, and golden goblets. He even heard the music of an elf harp playing in the background. At the head of the center table, he saw Elrond, sitting next to his daughter, Arwen Evenstar. Aragorn's gaze searched the room, then stopped at the other end of the hall, where a long haired elf was walking towards one of the long golden tables. Legolas looked stunning in all white breeches, boots, tunic, a vest lined with gold, and a thin gold belt circling his delicate waist. Aragorn was stunned. He felt as he had died and gone to heaven, and was looking upon the most beautiful angel there.
* * * * * *
As Legolas spotted Aragorn across the room, his lips split into a wide grin. Aragorn was wearing all grey, and it accentuated his light grey eyes, dark wav hair, and lean body. Legolas thought he looked better than he had this morning (in that was even possible), now that the weariness had lifted from his face.
"Legolas, Estar," Elrond's clear voice shouted from atop all the babble, pulling the elf and the Ranger's thoughts back to earth.
"Come join us!"
Legolas and Aragorn hurried towards the head table, which consisted of the of the nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring, and Elrond and Arwen. They sat down next to each other, with Arwen on Aragorn's right, and Boromir on Legolas' left.
As the night went on, everyone at the High Table had a very good time. They told each other of their adventures, and everyone was quite entertained. At frequent times, Aragorn and Legolas would glance at each other. But at one awkward moment, Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor, and Legolas both reached for the same bread roll, and their hands touched. Legolas quickly pulled away, and let Boromir take the roll, but Boromir's gaze stayed on Legolas' blue eyes.
* * * * * *
God, he's so beautiful, Boromir thought as Legolas sat next to him, with his satiny cream colored hair flowing freely across his shoulders, and those small, delicate braids woven artistically into it. Boromir had rejoiced when the elf had sat next to him, but also cursed Aragorn, the ranger, for being on Legolas' other side. One time in their evening, while they were both reaching for the same roll, their hands brushed up against each other, and Boromir felt sparks from where the contact was made. He thought he would pass out from the heat in the room, and Legolas' touch. The man of Gondor stared at the Prince of Mirkwood, as he pulled away, and blushed. Boromir thought he looked even better as a soft, pink flush crept up to his cheeks, and a soft glow kissed his skin.
* * * * * *
As the night drew to a close, the Fellowship members left their seats, and began adjourning the great hall. Legolas and Aragorn were strolling along together, and without planning too, they stopped right in front of Aragorn's door.
"Well, since we're here," whispered Aragorn into Legolas' pointed elf ear, "would you like to come in?"
"Yes, I would love to." Legolas said just as softly.
As they stepping in over the threshold, they both noticed that there was no light, except for the bright moon hanging outside of Aragorn's window. In this light, Aragorn saw that Legolas' features were faintly glowing, especially his hair.
"I would like to show you something." Aragorn said to Legolas, pulling Legolas' attention to him. His clear blue eyes gleamed silver in the moonlight.
Aragorn took his sword out of its sheath, and proudly displayed it, the newly forged blade shimmering against the light of the moon.
"This is Anduril, Flame of the West, the newly forger sword from the shards of Isildur's Bane, the blade that cut the one ring from Sauron's finger."
Legolas took a sharp intake of breath. He seemed amazed by the brilliance of the blade.
"So this is the Flame of the West. Elves from my homeland had spoken about this sword, how it can pierce the tough skin of an orc in one thrust."
He ran his finger along the edge, and suddenly the pain of a cut stung his finger. Legolas could see the bright red drops of his life elixir against his finger.
"It is sharp." he observed.
"You are hurt!" Aragorn exclaimed, seeming genuinely concerned.
"'It is nothing but a scratch."
"At least let me bind it up for you, for it was my blade who cut your fair skin."
Aragorn took Legolas' finger in his healing hands, as if it were the smallest and frailest butterfly, and looked into Legolas' eyes. They both had their eyes on each other, eyes gleaming, and seemed as if they were sucked into the very depths of the universe, lost in each other's eyes.
"It is all right, it is already healed, my ..friend." Legolas whispered.
Aragorn glanced at his fore finger again, and was surprised to see that his elven healing abilities could heal so quickly.
With Legolas' finger still in his hands, he started to lean close. Just as their lips were about to meet, there was a knock on the door. They sprang apart immediately.
Aragorn dropped Legolas' finger, and walked to the door.
"Who is it?" he asked harshly.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but Lady Arwen would want to see you right now" said a servant's frightened voice.
"Alright, just give me a moment." Said lord Aragorn.
"I'm sorry" he whispered back to Legolas, "but we will have to continue this another time."
"Yes, of course." answered Legolas
* * * * * *
After nine long days, the Fellowship set out from Rivendell to begin their journey. Legolas was dressed in light elven hunting clothes, brown leggings, forest green shirt, and a brown vest. He wasn't wearing boots, but soft leather shoes, so his graceful, nimble body did not make a sound. He had a long bow strapped to his back, and also a quiver full of white fletched arrows.
The hobbits were dressed in traveling clothes, with heavy packs on their backs, and Sam, the peeping-tom, led a brown pony named Bill. Each had a small dagger (a sword, actually, for the hobbits)adjourned with jewels at the hilt. Legolas had found out that Frodo had a small hobbit sword named Sting, who glowed blue when orcs were near, and was given to him by his elderly uncle Bilbo.
Gimli, the red-haired dwarf, was dressed in tough leather armor, and a steel helmet, which his wild hair stuck out of. He also had a new ax (since his old one was destroyed by the power of the Ring), which was larger, and looked sturdier than the last.
Gandalf the Grey dressed in his everyday blue robes, and pointy wizard's hat. In the sunny daylight, his long, white, hair, beard, and bushy eyebrows shone even more. With him was a long wooden staff, with crystals at the head.
Finally, the two mortal me, Boromir, son of Denethor, and Aragorn arrived at the site at which they were leaving. They wore almost identical clothing, forest colored, so they would blend in through the woods. Aragon had Anduril at his side, and Boromir had the Horn of Gondor strung to his waist.
When all members of the Fellowship were ready to leave, Elrond and Arwen both bid then farewell.
"My the wind carry you home on swift wings." Elrond said.
"Ashi hamurai ol sut a elone famir dagashei yamor cantuw." Arwen said in elvish, the word ringing in her crystal clear voice.
Legolas translated the message into something like this: As the eagle soars, and the horse gallops, I will always be with you, my love."
He guessed that this love message was for Aragorn, and he suddenly felt a sharp pang of anger and jealousy build up in his chest. As Legolas watched him, Aragorn turned faintly pink, and gave a tight lipped smile to Arwen.
* * * * * *
Aragorn felt very uncomfortable when Arwen said this to him. He didn't know why. Usually, when the Evenstar and he were together he felt like a bird in the air, a fish in the sea, a man with his lover… but now, he found himself feeling uncomfortable and uncouth with Arwen. That night, nine nights ago, when he was with Legolas and Arwen came to the door, he received a necklace from her. It was her precious evenstar, her treasured pendant that had once belonged to Tinuviel, the fairest elf-maiden in the land. Right now though, he wanted to tear the necklace from his neck, and throw his arms around Legolas.
After shaking his head to be rid of these shameful thoughts, he mounted his horse, and started riding out of the safe haven of Rivendell, and into danger, peril, and battle.
Chapter 3: The Banquet of Rivendell
A/N: The stars signify a change of POV. And there's a change of the series of events. The banquet that Frodo attends before the Council is now moved to after the Council in my story. Well, here is ……chapter 3!
As the meeting adjourned, Legolas stepped into the hall, and began walking back to his room. He heard footsteps behind him, and hid a secret grin. He turned to see Aragorn.
"So," Aragorn said, "We've got a great burden to deal with, haven't we?"
"Yes, but Frodo the Ring bearer will have a much heavier burden."
Legolas felt a thrill go through his body as Aragorn walked close to him. The elf could feel the mortal's body heat from his almost touching body. He didn't know what was happening, but he knew he had never felt this way before.
Aragorn walked him to his room, and said, "I will see you at the Banquet, son of Thranduil."
And before Legolas could utter a reply, he was gone.
* * * * * *
The door creaked as Aragorn shut it. He began stripping off his clothes and prepared to take a hot bath for the banquet tonight. He eased his weary body down into the steaming hot water. And sighed in content. His thoughts drifted, until they settled on the one thing Aragorn was most confused about. The elf prince Legolas Greenleaf.
* * * * * *
Brushing his long pale blond hair back with a wooden comb, Legolas was thinking about a certain mysterious, dark, and handsome ranger from the north. It was so frustrating! No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that long, wavy hair, high angular cheekbones, sharp chin and piercing grey eyes out of his mind. Whenever Legolas looked into them, he felt as if he would stop breathing. He didn't know it yet, but the prince of Mirkwood was falling in love with Aragorn, lost heir of Isildur.
* * * * * *
Aragorn dressed quickly in gray leggings, tunic, a vest lined with black, and black boots. He cursed his luck that he would be late for the biggest banquet in the history of Rivendell. He had Isildur's bane, Anduril, Flame of the West at his side, and wore a silver belt around his lean waist. Upon his forehead was a circlet of mithril, the precious dwarf metal. The tall ranger walked in long strides to the great hall, where he saw a large room, with long golden tables, golden plates, and golden goblets. He even heard the music of an elf harp playing in the background. At the head of the center table, he saw Elrond, sitting next to his daughter, Arwen Evenstar. Aragorn's gaze searched the room, then stopped at the other end of the hall, where a long haired elf was walking towards one of the long golden tables. Legolas looked stunning in all white breeches, boots, tunic, a vest lined with gold, and a thin gold belt circling his delicate waist. Aragorn was stunned. He felt as he had died and gone to heaven, and was looking upon the most beautiful angel there.
* * * * * *
As Legolas spotted Aragorn across the room, his lips split into a wide grin. Aragorn was wearing all grey, and it accentuated his light grey eyes, dark wav hair, and lean body. Legolas thought he looked better than he had this morning (in that was even possible), now that the weariness had lifted from his face.
"Legolas, Estar," Elrond's clear voice shouted from atop all the babble, pulling the elf and the Ranger's thoughts back to earth.
"Come join us!"
Legolas and Aragorn hurried towards the head table, which consisted of the of the nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring, and Elrond and Arwen. They sat down next to each other, with Arwen on Aragorn's right, and Boromir on Legolas' left.
As the night went on, everyone at the High Table had a very good time. They told each other of their adventures, and everyone was quite entertained. At frequent times, Aragorn and Legolas would glance at each other. But at one awkward moment, Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor, and Legolas both reached for the same bread roll, and their hands touched. Legolas quickly pulled away, and let Boromir take the roll, but Boromir's gaze stayed on Legolas' blue eyes.
* * * * * *
God, he's so beautiful, Boromir thought as Legolas sat next to him, with his satiny cream colored hair flowing freely across his shoulders, and those small, delicate braids woven artistically into it. Boromir had rejoiced when the elf had sat next to him, but also cursed Aragorn, the ranger, for being on Legolas' other side. One time in their evening, while they were both reaching for the same roll, their hands brushed up against each other, and Boromir felt sparks from where the contact was made. He thought he would pass out from the heat in the room, and Legolas' touch. The man of Gondor stared at the Prince of Mirkwood, as he pulled away, and blushed. Boromir thought he looked even better as a soft, pink flush crept up to his cheeks, and a soft glow kissed his skin.
* * * * * *
As the night drew to a close, the Fellowship members left their seats, and began adjourning the great hall. Legolas and Aragorn were strolling along together, and without planning too, they stopped right in front of Aragorn's door.
"Well, since we're here," whispered Aragorn into Legolas' pointed elf ear, "would you like to come in?"
"Yes, I would love to." Legolas said just as softly.
As they stepping in over the threshold, they both noticed that there was no light, except for the bright moon hanging outside of Aragorn's window. In this light, Aragorn saw that Legolas' features were faintly glowing, especially his hair.
"I would like to show you something." Aragorn said to Legolas, pulling Legolas' attention to him. His clear blue eyes gleamed silver in the moonlight.
Aragorn took his sword out of its sheath, and proudly displayed it, the newly forged blade shimmering against the light of the moon.
"This is Anduril, Flame of the West, the newly forger sword from the shards of Isildur's Bane, the blade that cut the one ring from Sauron's finger."
Legolas took a sharp intake of breath. He seemed amazed by the brilliance of the blade.
"So this is the Flame of the West. Elves from my homeland had spoken about this sword, how it can pierce the tough skin of an orc in one thrust."
He ran his finger along the edge, and suddenly the pain of a cut stung his finger. Legolas could see the bright red drops of his life elixir against his finger.
"It is sharp." he observed.
"You are hurt!" Aragorn exclaimed, seeming genuinely concerned.
"'It is nothing but a scratch."
"At least let me bind it up for you, for it was my blade who cut your fair skin."
Aragorn took Legolas' finger in his healing hands, as if it were the smallest and frailest butterfly, and looked into Legolas' eyes. They both had their eyes on each other, eyes gleaming, and seemed as if they were sucked into the very depths of the universe, lost in each other's eyes.
"It is all right, it is already healed, my ..friend." Legolas whispered.
Aragorn glanced at his fore finger again, and was surprised to see that his elven healing abilities could heal so quickly.
With Legolas' finger still in his hands, he started to lean close. Just as their lips were about to meet, there was a knock on the door. They sprang apart immediately.
Aragorn dropped Legolas' finger, and walked to the door.
"Who is it?" he asked harshly.
"I'm sorry, my lord, but Lady Arwen would want to see you right now" said a servant's frightened voice.
"Alright, just give me a moment." Said lord Aragorn.
"I'm sorry" he whispered back to Legolas, "but we will have to continue this another time."
"Yes, of course." answered Legolas
* * * * * *
After nine long days, the Fellowship set out from Rivendell to begin their journey. Legolas was dressed in light elven hunting clothes, brown leggings, forest green shirt, and a brown vest. He wasn't wearing boots, but soft leather shoes, so his graceful, nimble body did not make a sound. He had a long bow strapped to his back, and also a quiver full of white fletched arrows.
The hobbits were dressed in traveling clothes, with heavy packs on their backs, and Sam, the peeping-tom, led a brown pony named Bill. Each had a small dagger (a sword, actually, for the hobbits)adjourned with jewels at the hilt. Legolas had found out that Frodo had a small hobbit sword named Sting, who glowed blue when orcs were near, and was given to him by his elderly uncle Bilbo.
Gimli, the red-haired dwarf, was dressed in tough leather armor, and a steel helmet, which his wild hair stuck out of. He also had a new ax (since his old one was destroyed by the power of the Ring), which was larger, and looked sturdier than the last.
Gandalf the Grey dressed in his everyday blue robes, and pointy wizard's hat. In the sunny daylight, his long, white, hair, beard, and bushy eyebrows shone even more. With him was a long wooden staff, with crystals at the head.
Finally, the two mortal me, Boromir, son of Denethor, and Aragorn arrived at the site at which they were leaving. They wore almost identical clothing, forest colored, so they would blend in through the woods. Aragon had Anduril at his side, and Boromir had the Horn of Gondor strung to his waist.
When all members of the Fellowship were ready to leave, Elrond and Arwen both bid then farewell.
"My the wind carry you home on swift wings." Elrond said.
"Ashi hamurai ol sut a elone famir dagashei yamor cantuw." Arwen said in elvish, the word ringing in her crystal clear voice.
Legolas translated the message into something like this: As the eagle soars, and the horse gallops, I will always be with you, my love."
He guessed that this love message was for Aragorn, and he suddenly felt a sharp pang of anger and jealousy build up in his chest. As Legolas watched him, Aragorn turned faintly pink, and gave a tight lipped smile to Arwen.
* * * * * *
Aragorn felt very uncomfortable when Arwen said this to him. He didn't know why. Usually, when the Evenstar and he were together he felt like a bird in the air, a fish in the sea, a man with his lover… but now, he found himself feeling uncomfortable and uncouth with Arwen. That night, nine nights ago, when he was with Legolas and Arwen came to the door, he received a necklace from her. It was her precious evenstar, her treasured pendant that had once belonged to Tinuviel, the fairest elf-maiden in the land. Right now though, he wanted to tear the necklace from his neck, and throw his arms around Legolas.
After shaking his head to be rid of these shameful thoughts, he mounted his horse, and started riding out of the safe haven of Rivendell, and into danger, peril, and battle.