Note: None of these are my original creations except for Angadae, Aradia,
and the new unknown foe! Shounen ai between Legolas and Aragorn! Legolas is
OOC in this fic! Elvish speech is in ' '! The chapters alternate in
different POV!
Shadow In The Light
Chapter 1
A.J. Matthews
****************
Legolas
****************
God, I hurt so bad. But what made it worse was seeing how Aragorn had taken it.
I damned the one who had done this to me. He had complete control over me. I could not say or do anything without his permission.
If only I hadn't let my focus on the spell I'd cast to bind the darkness years ago slip. This nightmare might have been avoided entirely.
Who was I kidding? I no longer had the power now that I'd had then. The one I'd merged my soul with in the light of Eärendil's star was gone, and I was only myself again. I could no longer wield its powers. The Ring of Light glinted on a chain around my neck. I could no longer use it, either.
It was all a plan, designed to strike when my focus was weakened. He'd planned it all to loosen my grasp and destroy the binding spell.
And he'd succeeded. The spell had been shattered and the darkness released once more.
The first thing he'd done was place a spell on me, to control me and keep me from telling anyone.
I was a prisoner inside of my own body. I fought long and hard to regain control daily, but I could not.
It was entirely up to Aragorn to find out, before it was too late. For bare moments, I almost managed to break free. But it was never enough time to say anything that could warn my lover.
If that wasn't bad enough, my jailer also held Aradia within his grasp. He'd threatened to kill her if I continued fighting the spell so much, for he could not keep the spell up indefinitely.
Aragorn, I wish I could go to you. I wish I could tell you everything. But I can't.
****************
Aragorn
****************
I didn't understand this at all. Why was Legolas doing this?
I'd known something was wrong with him; had known, in fact, for months now. But it seemed that every time he tried to tell me what was wrong, he was cut off by something. He hadn't slept for nights, either. He was pale all the time and rarely ate.
I sat in my room, shaken. Thoughts flashed through my mind.
I knew that Legolas had become distant and had withdrawn from me. At odd times, I saw a flash of pain in his eyes as he looked at me. As if he were pleading or asking me for help. Help with what, I wondered.
I hadn't seen this coming, though. This was a complete shock to me.
Something definitely had to be wrong with Legolas. But he wouldn't tell me. And now he was leaving and returning to his Elven Kingdom of Mirkwood.
I didn't buy the excuses he'd tried to give me.
Legolas knew that, as well. He knew that I wanted a better explanation.
This hurt much worse than when Arwen had died.
What could be going through Legolas's mind? Was he truly that worried about the state of Mirkwood? Why wouldn't he confide in me and tell me what troubled him so?
Legolas, please tell me why…
****************
Normal POV
****************
Legolas was up earlier than dawn, for he had not slept at all last night.
Right now, he was being dragged through the hallways by the spell which had been cast on him.
Stop this, he pleaded with the darkness inside of him. Anyone who could have seen him would definitely know that something was wrong.
Sweat ran down Legolas's forehead as he walked along against his will, with one hand touching the wall.
Get out of my mind, Legolas shouted.
Stop being so defiant, Legolas, a voice hissed back. You cannot fight me.
Pain soured through Legolas's entire body. He clenched his hands into fists, leaning against the wall as waves of agony shot through him for countless moments. But Legolas did not give his tormentor the satisfaction of hearing him cry out in pain.
Aragorn was walking through a hallway when he saw Legolas slumped against the wall, as if he were in pain.
Pain along with concern went through him at the sight of the beautiful elf.
He walked over and gently placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. The elf wasn't even looking at him. His eyes were closed as he trembled slightly with pain.
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked quietly.
Legolas opened his eyes through the agony that seared over him and saw Aragorn standing there, looking at him with concern on his face.
The elf hissed softly. Pain was written across his face and in his eyes. Through the pain, he reached out and kissed Aragorn hard. As the pain began to recede within Legolas, Aragorn responded to the kiss with fire.
'No matter what, I will always love you, Aragorn. I do this for you,' Legolas whispered softly in Elvish. 'Where there is light, there is darkness, Aragorn. Remember that.' Legolas ran away, before anyone else came along.
Aragorn stood there, frozen. He was really confused now. If Legolas truly loved him, then why was he leaving?
A small figure stepped out of the shadows.
"Father, are you all right?" Aradia asked him gently. She had the beauty of her mother, and the will of her father. Her eyes were full of compassion.
"I will be, my daughter," Aragorn said. He embraced his almost eleven-year- old daughter tightly.
She hugged him back. "I'm sure the two of you will work things out again, father." Her silver-blue eyes shone with sorrow.
"Why are you here, Aradia?" Aragorn questioned.
"I had another dream, father." Aradia's face was slightly pale. Her visions were always accurate.
"What was the dream this night?" Aragorn stroked Aradia's dark hair, so like his own.
"Legolas was in it. He wore the white robes he had from when he was trapped within Shadow Mountain. But another figure stood with him, with red eyes, and his evil shadow hung over Legolas, who could not escape it."
That was a confusing dream, in Aragorn's opinion.
"I am worried about my king as well, King Elessar."
Aragorn and Aradia had not heard the red-haired elf known as Ullin approach them silently. The elf stood before them, with his red hair tied back. He wore dark green clothes, and looked solemn.
"I may only be five hundred years old," Ullin said quietly, "But I know when something is wrong. My king has changed. And tis not for the best."
Aragorn was surprised to hear that Ullin was so young. Legolas had told him that Ullin was the captain of his guards. Most of the guards were over two thousand years old. His respect went up a notch for the elf.
However, he focused on what the elf had said.
"I have noticed it as well," Aragorn admitted. "Yet he does not say what is wrong."
"Princess Aradia's dream troubles me more," Ullin continued, as he looked at the young girl. "I have seen my king speaking with someone whom I do not know, for I never saw a face."
Aradia blushed slightly. She was very fond of Ullin, who tolerated her good- naturedly as a tag-a-long.
"And I can tell you one thing, King Elessar. My king does not ride to Mirkwood this night," Ullin told him, as he brushed his long red hair out of his eyes.
Aragorn frowned. "He told me he was returning to Mirkwood with you at dawn."
"Why would Legolas lie about where he's going?" Aradia asked thoughtfully. "Unless it's someplace dangerous and he doesn't want father following him."
"My thoughts exactly," Ullin said, smiling at Aradia, who blushed again. "I only have one clue. My king mentioned something about a 'shadow of the past' in his sleep a few nights ago." His eyes were grim. "And my king has left. I saw him ere I came here. He rode off alone, as if someone chased him."
Aragorn frowned. "It will take some time to figure out what it means, Ullin."
Ullin nodded. "And my king rides alone. I am under orders to stay here and protect both of you."
Aragorn sighed. "I shall have Gandalf called for," he decided aloud. "If anyone can figure out this riddle of shadows, he can. I'm too weary for such discussions tonight."
Ullin nodded. "I am to escort you and the princess back to your rooms."
Aragorn nodded, but his thoughts were focused on Legolas. What secret could the elf be hiding?
To Be Continued
Shadow In The Light
Chapter 1
A.J. Matthews
****************
Legolas
****************
God, I hurt so bad. But what made it worse was seeing how Aragorn had taken it.
I damned the one who had done this to me. He had complete control over me. I could not say or do anything without his permission.
If only I hadn't let my focus on the spell I'd cast to bind the darkness years ago slip. This nightmare might have been avoided entirely.
Who was I kidding? I no longer had the power now that I'd had then. The one I'd merged my soul with in the light of Eärendil's star was gone, and I was only myself again. I could no longer wield its powers. The Ring of Light glinted on a chain around my neck. I could no longer use it, either.
It was all a plan, designed to strike when my focus was weakened. He'd planned it all to loosen my grasp and destroy the binding spell.
And he'd succeeded. The spell had been shattered and the darkness released once more.
The first thing he'd done was place a spell on me, to control me and keep me from telling anyone.
I was a prisoner inside of my own body. I fought long and hard to regain control daily, but I could not.
It was entirely up to Aragorn to find out, before it was too late. For bare moments, I almost managed to break free. But it was never enough time to say anything that could warn my lover.
If that wasn't bad enough, my jailer also held Aradia within his grasp. He'd threatened to kill her if I continued fighting the spell so much, for he could not keep the spell up indefinitely.
Aragorn, I wish I could go to you. I wish I could tell you everything. But I can't.
****************
Aragorn
****************
I didn't understand this at all. Why was Legolas doing this?
I'd known something was wrong with him; had known, in fact, for months now. But it seemed that every time he tried to tell me what was wrong, he was cut off by something. He hadn't slept for nights, either. He was pale all the time and rarely ate.
I sat in my room, shaken. Thoughts flashed through my mind.
I knew that Legolas had become distant and had withdrawn from me. At odd times, I saw a flash of pain in his eyes as he looked at me. As if he were pleading or asking me for help. Help with what, I wondered.
I hadn't seen this coming, though. This was a complete shock to me.
Something definitely had to be wrong with Legolas. But he wouldn't tell me. And now he was leaving and returning to his Elven Kingdom of Mirkwood.
I didn't buy the excuses he'd tried to give me.
Legolas knew that, as well. He knew that I wanted a better explanation.
This hurt much worse than when Arwen had died.
What could be going through Legolas's mind? Was he truly that worried about the state of Mirkwood? Why wouldn't he confide in me and tell me what troubled him so?
Legolas, please tell me why…
****************
Normal POV
****************
Legolas was up earlier than dawn, for he had not slept at all last night.
Right now, he was being dragged through the hallways by the spell which had been cast on him.
Stop this, he pleaded with the darkness inside of him. Anyone who could have seen him would definitely know that something was wrong.
Sweat ran down Legolas's forehead as he walked along against his will, with one hand touching the wall.
Get out of my mind, Legolas shouted.
Stop being so defiant, Legolas, a voice hissed back. You cannot fight me.
Pain soured through Legolas's entire body. He clenched his hands into fists, leaning against the wall as waves of agony shot through him for countless moments. But Legolas did not give his tormentor the satisfaction of hearing him cry out in pain.
Aragorn was walking through a hallway when he saw Legolas slumped against the wall, as if he were in pain.
Pain along with concern went through him at the sight of the beautiful elf.
He walked over and gently placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. The elf wasn't even looking at him. His eyes were closed as he trembled slightly with pain.
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked quietly.
Legolas opened his eyes through the agony that seared over him and saw Aragorn standing there, looking at him with concern on his face.
The elf hissed softly. Pain was written across his face and in his eyes. Through the pain, he reached out and kissed Aragorn hard. As the pain began to recede within Legolas, Aragorn responded to the kiss with fire.
'No matter what, I will always love you, Aragorn. I do this for you,' Legolas whispered softly in Elvish. 'Where there is light, there is darkness, Aragorn. Remember that.' Legolas ran away, before anyone else came along.
Aragorn stood there, frozen. He was really confused now. If Legolas truly loved him, then why was he leaving?
A small figure stepped out of the shadows.
"Father, are you all right?" Aradia asked him gently. She had the beauty of her mother, and the will of her father. Her eyes were full of compassion.
"I will be, my daughter," Aragorn said. He embraced his almost eleven-year- old daughter tightly.
She hugged him back. "I'm sure the two of you will work things out again, father." Her silver-blue eyes shone with sorrow.
"Why are you here, Aradia?" Aragorn questioned.
"I had another dream, father." Aradia's face was slightly pale. Her visions were always accurate.
"What was the dream this night?" Aragorn stroked Aradia's dark hair, so like his own.
"Legolas was in it. He wore the white robes he had from when he was trapped within Shadow Mountain. But another figure stood with him, with red eyes, and his evil shadow hung over Legolas, who could not escape it."
That was a confusing dream, in Aragorn's opinion.
"I am worried about my king as well, King Elessar."
Aragorn and Aradia had not heard the red-haired elf known as Ullin approach them silently. The elf stood before them, with his red hair tied back. He wore dark green clothes, and looked solemn.
"I may only be five hundred years old," Ullin said quietly, "But I know when something is wrong. My king has changed. And tis not for the best."
Aragorn was surprised to hear that Ullin was so young. Legolas had told him that Ullin was the captain of his guards. Most of the guards were over two thousand years old. His respect went up a notch for the elf.
However, he focused on what the elf had said.
"I have noticed it as well," Aragorn admitted. "Yet he does not say what is wrong."
"Princess Aradia's dream troubles me more," Ullin continued, as he looked at the young girl. "I have seen my king speaking with someone whom I do not know, for I never saw a face."
Aradia blushed slightly. She was very fond of Ullin, who tolerated her good- naturedly as a tag-a-long.
"And I can tell you one thing, King Elessar. My king does not ride to Mirkwood this night," Ullin told him, as he brushed his long red hair out of his eyes.
Aragorn frowned. "He told me he was returning to Mirkwood with you at dawn."
"Why would Legolas lie about where he's going?" Aradia asked thoughtfully. "Unless it's someplace dangerous and he doesn't want father following him."
"My thoughts exactly," Ullin said, smiling at Aradia, who blushed again. "I only have one clue. My king mentioned something about a 'shadow of the past' in his sleep a few nights ago." His eyes were grim. "And my king has left. I saw him ere I came here. He rode off alone, as if someone chased him."
Aragorn frowned. "It will take some time to figure out what it means, Ullin."
Ullin nodded. "And my king rides alone. I am under orders to stay here and protect both of you."
Aragorn sighed. "I shall have Gandalf called for," he decided aloud. "If anyone can figure out this riddle of shadows, he can. I'm too weary for such discussions tonight."
Ullin nodded. "I am to escort you and the princess back to your rooms."
Aragorn nodded, but his thoughts were focused on Legolas. What secret could the elf be hiding?
To Be Continued