Note: All unknown characters are mine!
Where The Power Flows
Part 6
A.J. Matthews
Seiren entered the clearing slowly, checking his horse's speed. He had a feeling of what he would find, and the elf was right.
Aragorn and Legolas lay entwined together on the grass. The red-haired elf smiled and shook his head. He dismounted and removed his long, flowing blue cloak.
Seiren silently walked over to the lovers and covered them with it, before he ventured away.
His thoughts were troubled, as he wrestled with Motarasu's spell over Legolas internally. Seiren used his power to light a fire, which he sat before, thinking.
He knew that if it came down to it, he would die for the sake of the two who slept peacefully.
Seiren brooded over it for the few hours until dawn came.
Legolas and Aragorn awoke with the first light.
A soft, silky covering had been placed over them, Legolas realized. He looked at it and realized that it was Seiren's cloak. He then saw his friend sitting a few feet away, alone as always.
Aragorn gently caressed Legolas's face, before he began dressing again.
Legolas opened the bag that Seiren had tossed to him earlier. Inside was the white shirt, tunic, cloak, and leggings which had been mended since the battle inside of Shadow Mountain. He dressed quickly, and stood.
Seiren turned as Legolas approached him, carrying the blue cloak.
'Good morning,' Seiren said quietly in Elvish.
Legolas nodded in greeting. He saw that Seiren's eyes were amethyst instead of blue. 'What troubles you so, my old friend? Your eyes tell me something is amiss.'
Seiren smiled. 'You know me too well, Legolas.' The smiled faded from Seiren's face. 'Your friends have been taken prisoner by Motarasu,' he told his friend gently.
Legolas was stricken to hear that. 'Are they alive?'
Seiren nodded. 'Motarasu is keeping them alive so as to use them to lure you into surrendering. You must not do so, Legolas.'
'If I do not, my friends will be killed,' Legolas said.
Aragorn walked over and saw the seriousness in the two elves' eyes.
"What's wrong?" he questioned.
Legolas turned to Aragorn. "The Hobbits, Gimli, and Gandalf have been captured by Motarasu." He looked distraught.
'Do not blame yourself, Legolas,' Seiren told him. 'If I returned earlier, I could have saved them.' He stood. 'I must be off again, Legolas.' The elf seemed tired.
Aragorn inquired, "Why must you go?"
'I place both of you in danger by being here. Motarasu is now after me more than Legolas, for I once fought against him and lost. He thought I had died, until I revealed myself to save you from the Kage,' Seiren explained. 'He will pursue me relentlessly, so if I leave you, they will follow me.'
'But then you will face him all alone,' Legolas protested. 'What kind of friend would I be if I let you fight alone, Seiren?'
'I must, Legolas. Before it is too late,' Seiren murmured. 'Do not surrender yourself to Motarasu, Legolas.'
Aragorn frowned at Legolas. "You were thinking of surrendering? I almost lost you once when you surrendered yourself. I could not bear it if I lost you again."
Seiren sighed softly. 'My illusion is beginning to fade, so you must leave. The Kage are coming this way.'
Legolas looked at Aragorn. "I won't surrender, I promise. At least not unless I see that there is no other option."
Aragorn nodded, relieved. "Good." He turned to Seiren. "I believe that Legolas is right. You should not go off alone, Seiren."
"But if I don't-"
Legolas and Seiren both tensed as they felt the presence of the Kage.
'It's too late. They're already here,' Seiren whispered. 'We'll have to finish our conversation later.'
Pale, blue light flowed around him, as he prepared for battle.
Legolas was glowing as well, with dazzling white light shimmering around him.
Aragorn drew Anduril, standing next to his Elven lover.
As one, both the Kage and the Kokuei swarmed towards them, screeching.
Legolas chanted a lightning spell, which dazed the foremost creatures.
Aragorn went to work on the Kokuei.
He ducked from a blow, then brought Anduril across the creature's chest, hearing it shriek in pain. He whirled and sliced across the face of another Kokuei, before lowering his target and slitting the creature's throat.
Seiren murmured a spell softly, and sent a bolt of blue fire at the Kage. Three disintegrated instantly, and two others were badly wounded.
Legolas and Seiren cast spells back to back, each defending the other from the Kage.
Aragorn stabbed the Kokuei he was battling in the heart. It fell, and he turned to another. He split this one in half. Most of the Kokuei were dead now, he saw with relief, as another charged towards him.
Legolas used a fire spell as well; a fireball that was so hot it nearly burned the elf. He tossed it at the Kage, and most died when it impacted.
'Well done,' Seiren said. He was having more problems than he would admit to Legolas, for Seiren had not rested in over four days. The elf decided to use a different tactic. He focused his magic into an arrow of light, and held it tightly. 'You do have your bow, Legolas?' he asked.
Legolas nodded.
'Use this arrow,' Seiren told the blonde elf. He handed it to him.
Legolas drew his bow and took the arrow in his hands. He notched it and sent it directly into the heart of the remaining Kage.
A brilliant flash of light blinded all for a few moments before it faded.
The Kage had vanished, as had the remaining Kokuei.
"That went well," Aragorn said, panting. He cleaned his sword and sheathed it.
"Are you all right?" Legolas asked Aragorn. He went over to his lover to check for any injuries.
"I'm fine, Legolas," Aragorn reassured him.
The two embraced, with Legolas resting his head against Aragorn's chest for a few moments.
A soft sigh caught their attention. They turned towards Seiren.
The other elf made his way over to his horse unsteadily. 'I really should go now, Legolas, before they return.' Seiren mounted his horse and looked at them wearily.
"We're not going to let you run off alone," Legolas said, frowning.
Aragorn was frowning as well. "Are you well, Seiren? You're shaking like a leaf."
"I am fine, Elessar. I just need rest, which I don't have time for. I must rescue your friends," Seiren told them.
Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other and then back at Seiren.
Seiren winced suddenly, as did Legolas.
Motarasu was attempting to regain control of Legolas once more.
Aragorn caught Legolas as he sank to the ground, battling internally for control of himself again.
'Be gone, Motarasu. You slipped past me in a moment of weakness, but now feel my power anew!' Seiren shouted in Elvish, as he lashed out with his power.
Legolas coughed hard. "It's over… He stopped…" Legolas turned to Seiren. "You've been suppressing his spell, haven't you? Fighting him back so he could not control me."
Aragorn gasped softly. "You were wrestling with Motarasu this whole time to keep Legolas free from the spell?"
Seiren nodded. "Motarasu's attempts to control Legolas would only have demoralized you both at a time when you needed rest," he explained quietly. "But I am weary from the battle, and being momentarily distracted…"
"Thank you," Aragorn whispered. He knew that it would have been hard on both Legolas and himself if Motarasu had not been blocked from controlling him.
"My friend," Legolas pleaded softly. "I ask you to stay with us and to not set off alone."
Seiren closed his eyes. "There is nothing you could ask of me, Mikomi, that I could easily refuse. I shall stay with you for the time being."
Aragorn was just glad that Seiren was on their side.
Legolas walked over to Seiren and returned his blue cloak to him.
"Thank you," Seiren said.
"No, Seiren. Thank you for everything," Legolas said earnestly.
"I could do no less for one who is as a brother to me," Seiren told Legolas gently, who smiled.
Those words relieved Aragorn's jealousy. That explained the two elves' closeness.
He picked up the bag of food and walked over to his own horse. He mounted and nudged the horse with his knees. It walked over to Legolas and Seiren, who still sat upon his white horse.
Legolas smiled at Aragorn, and vaulted up behind him.
"Where shall we go?" Legolas asked.
"I was originally taking you to Lothlorien," Aragorn told the elf behind him.
"What of your friends?" Seiren questioned. "Shall we rescue them now or later?"
"We should rescue them as soon as possible," Aragorn mused.
Legolas. "Agreed."
"Then we ride," Seiren said. "You'd better lead, for my horse is much faster." The silvery-white horse neighed in agreement.
Aragorn dug his heels in, and his own stallion galloped off. Legolas held onto his lover tightly.
Seiren rode just behind them. 'We are to ride with them, not leave them behind,' he told his Elven horse.
As they traveled, Aragorn and Legolas spoke quietly.
"Where and when did you meet Seiren?" Aragorn asked.
"I met him nearly two years ago, Aragorn, when I was traveling to Mirkwood for a short while. I came across him when he was nearly dead," Legolas told him. "I was shocked to learn that he and Ullin were one, for I had known Ullin most of his life."
Aragorn then asked, "Why can he change forms?"
"Because of the power in his crystal. Seiren is his true form, but he must keep it a secret, because of people such as Motarasu, who seek to destroy those who are pure and strong," the elf answered. "Ullin merged with Seiren, for a similar reason that I gained Eärendil's light. He was dying and it was the only way to save him."
"I see," Aragorn said. It made sense to him and explained why Ullin had been more perceptive about Legolas changing his personality.
Legolas said softly to Aragorn. "He is a brother to me, Aragorn, and nothing more. Do not be jealous," he implored.
Aragorn quickly reassured the blonde elf. "I am not, for I heard Seiren say you were like a brother to him as well."
Behind them, Seiren had fallen asleep on his horse, who continued to follow the human and elf who rode together before him.
To be continued
Where The Power Flows
Part 6
A.J. Matthews
Seiren entered the clearing slowly, checking his horse's speed. He had a feeling of what he would find, and the elf was right.
Aragorn and Legolas lay entwined together on the grass. The red-haired elf smiled and shook his head. He dismounted and removed his long, flowing blue cloak.
Seiren silently walked over to the lovers and covered them with it, before he ventured away.
His thoughts were troubled, as he wrestled with Motarasu's spell over Legolas internally. Seiren used his power to light a fire, which he sat before, thinking.
He knew that if it came down to it, he would die for the sake of the two who slept peacefully.
Seiren brooded over it for the few hours until dawn came.
Legolas and Aragorn awoke with the first light.
A soft, silky covering had been placed over them, Legolas realized. He looked at it and realized that it was Seiren's cloak. He then saw his friend sitting a few feet away, alone as always.
Aragorn gently caressed Legolas's face, before he began dressing again.
Legolas opened the bag that Seiren had tossed to him earlier. Inside was the white shirt, tunic, cloak, and leggings which had been mended since the battle inside of Shadow Mountain. He dressed quickly, and stood.
Seiren turned as Legolas approached him, carrying the blue cloak.
'Good morning,' Seiren said quietly in Elvish.
Legolas nodded in greeting. He saw that Seiren's eyes were amethyst instead of blue. 'What troubles you so, my old friend? Your eyes tell me something is amiss.'
Seiren smiled. 'You know me too well, Legolas.' The smiled faded from Seiren's face. 'Your friends have been taken prisoner by Motarasu,' he told his friend gently.
Legolas was stricken to hear that. 'Are they alive?'
Seiren nodded. 'Motarasu is keeping them alive so as to use them to lure you into surrendering. You must not do so, Legolas.'
'If I do not, my friends will be killed,' Legolas said.
Aragorn walked over and saw the seriousness in the two elves' eyes.
"What's wrong?" he questioned.
Legolas turned to Aragorn. "The Hobbits, Gimli, and Gandalf have been captured by Motarasu." He looked distraught.
'Do not blame yourself, Legolas,' Seiren told him. 'If I returned earlier, I could have saved them.' He stood. 'I must be off again, Legolas.' The elf seemed tired.
Aragorn inquired, "Why must you go?"
'I place both of you in danger by being here. Motarasu is now after me more than Legolas, for I once fought against him and lost. He thought I had died, until I revealed myself to save you from the Kage,' Seiren explained. 'He will pursue me relentlessly, so if I leave you, they will follow me.'
'But then you will face him all alone,' Legolas protested. 'What kind of friend would I be if I let you fight alone, Seiren?'
'I must, Legolas. Before it is too late,' Seiren murmured. 'Do not surrender yourself to Motarasu, Legolas.'
Aragorn frowned at Legolas. "You were thinking of surrendering? I almost lost you once when you surrendered yourself. I could not bear it if I lost you again."
Seiren sighed softly. 'My illusion is beginning to fade, so you must leave. The Kage are coming this way.'
Legolas looked at Aragorn. "I won't surrender, I promise. At least not unless I see that there is no other option."
Aragorn nodded, relieved. "Good." He turned to Seiren. "I believe that Legolas is right. You should not go off alone, Seiren."
"But if I don't-"
Legolas and Seiren both tensed as they felt the presence of the Kage.
'It's too late. They're already here,' Seiren whispered. 'We'll have to finish our conversation later.'
Pale, blue light flowed around him, as he prepared for battle.
Legolas was glowing as well, with dazzling white light shimmering around him.
Aragorn drew Anduril, standing next to his Elven lover.
As one, both the Kage and the Kokuei swarmed towards them, screeching.
Legolas chanted a lightning spell, which dazed the foremost creatures.
Aragorn went to work on the Kokuei.
He ducked from a blow, then brought Anduril across the creature's chest, hearing it shriek in pain. He whirled and sliced across the face of another Kokuei, before lowering his target and slitting the creature's throat.
Seiren murmured a spell softly, and sent a bolt of blue fire at the Kage. Three disintegrated instantly, and two others were badly wounded.
Legolas and Seiren cast spells back to back, each defending the other from the Kage.
Aragorn stabbed the Kokuei he was battling in the heart. It fell, and he turned to another. He split this one in half. Most of the Kokuei were dead now, he saw with relief, as another charged towards him.
Legolas used a fire spell as well; a fireball that was so hot it nearly burned the elf. He tossed it at the Kage, and most died when it impacted.
'Well done,' Seiren said. He was having more problems than he would admit to Legolas, for Seiren had not rested in over four days. The elf decided to use a different tactic. He focused his magic into an arrow of light, and held it tightly. 'You do have your bow, Legolas?' he asked.
Legolas nodded.
'Use this arrow,' Seiren told the blonde elf. He handed it to him.
Legolas drew his bow and took the arrow in his hands. He notched it and sent it directly into the heart of the remaining Kage.
A brilliant flash of light blinded all for a few moments before it faded.
The Kage had vanished, as had the remaining Kokuei.
"That went well," Aragorn said, panting. He cleaned his sword and sheathed it.
"Are you all right?" Legolas asked Aragorn. He went over to his lover to check for any injuries.
"I'm fine, Legolas," Aragorn reassured him.
The two embraced, with Legolas resting his head against Aragorn's chest for a few moments.
A soft sigh caught their attention. They turned towards Seiren.
The other elf made his way over to his horse unsteadily. 'I really should go now, Legolas, before they return.' Seiren mounted his horse and looked at them wearily.
"We're not going to let you run off alone," Legolas said, frowning.
Aragorn was frowning as well. "Are you well, Seiren? You're shaking like a leaf."
"I am fine, Elessar. I just need rest, which I don't have time for. I must rescue your friends," Seiren told them.
Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other and then back at Seiren.
Seiren winced suddenly, as did Legolas.
Motarasu was attempting to regain control of Legolas once more.
Aragorn caught Legolas as he sank to the ground, battling internally for control of himself again.
'Be gone, Motarasu. You slipped past me in a moment of weakness, but now feel my power anew!' Seiren shouted in Elvish, as he lashed out with his power.
Legolas coughed hard. "It's over… He stopped…" Legolas turned to Seiren. "You've been suppressing his spell, haven't you? Fighting him back so he could not control me."
Aragorn gasped softly. "You were wrestling with Motarasu this whole time to keep Legolas free from the spell?"
Seiren nodded. "Motarasu's attempts to control Legolas would only have demoralized you both at a time when you needed rest," he explained quietly. "But I am weary from the battle, and being momentarily distracted…"
"Thank you," Aragorn whispered. He knew that it would have been hard on both Legolas and himself if Motarasu had not been blocked from controlling him.
"My friend," Legolas pleaded softly. "I ask you to stay with us and to not set off alone."
Seiren closed his eyes. "There is nothing you could ask of me, Mikomi, that I could easily refuse. I shall stay with you for the time being."
Aragorn was just glad that Seiren was on their side.
Legolas walked over to Seiren and returned his blue cloak to him.
"Thank you," Seiren said.
"No, Seiren. Thank you for everything," Legolas said earnestly.
"I could do no less for one who is as a brother to me," Seiren told Legolas gently, who smiled.
Those words relieved Aragorn's jealousy. That explained the two elves' closeness.
He picked up the bag of food and walked over to his own horse. He mounted and nudged the horse with his knees. It walked over to Legolas and Seiren, who still sat upon his white horse.
Legolas smiled at Aragorn, and vaulted up behind him.
"Where shall we go?" Legolas asked.
"I was originally taking you to Lothlorien," Aragorn told the elf behind him.
"What of your friends?" Seiren questioned. "Shall we rescue them now or later?"
"We should rescue them as soon as possible," Aragorn mused.
Legolas. "Agreed."
"Then we ride," Seiren said. "You'd better lead, for my horse is much faster." The silvery-white horse neighed in agreement.
Aragorn dug his heels in, and his own stallion galloped off. Legolas held onto his lover tightly.
Seiren rode just behind them. 'We are to ride with them, not leave them behind,' he told his Elven horse.
As they traveled, Aragorn and Legolas spoke quietly.
"Where and when did you meet Seiren?" Aragorn asked.
"I met him nearly two years ago, Aragorn, when I was traveling to Mirkwood for a short while. I came across him when he was nearly dead," Legolas told him. "I was shocked to learn that he and Ullin were one, for I had known Ullin most of his life."
Aragorn then asked, "Why can he change forms?"
"Because of the power in his crystal. Seiren is his true form, but he must keep it a secret, because of people such as Motarasu, who seek to destroy those who are pure and strong," the elf answered. "Ullin merged with Seiren, for a similar reason that I gained Eärendil's light. He was dying and it was the only way to save him."
"I see," Aragorn said. It made sense to him and explained why Ullin had been more perceptive about Legolas changing his personality.
Legolas said softly to Aragorn. "He is a brother to me, Aragorn, and nothing more. Do not be jealous," he implored.
Aragorn quickly reassured the blonde elf. "I am not, for I heard Seiren say you were like a brother to him as well."
Behind them, Seiren had fallen asleep on his horse, who continued to follow the human and elf who rode together before him.
To be continued