DISCLAIMER: All LOTR stuff owned by Tolkien, not me. Rated 'R' for suicide/rape plot devices and angst. `` Means elvish, --- signals a song or something, [words] mean thinking. Read and Review. Thanks... and don't forget to Enjoy!
A/N: This chapter takes place 2 days later… And sorry about the lack of updates: school is piling on work for me. ^_^'' The song is "Drive You Home," by Garbage. I suggest you download it, because that song is great. In my story, elves can cry. Just wanted to clear that up... Thanks.
The grass, vividly green and alive in the breeze, glimmered almost as the two walked through its soft blades. Walking brought the two outside the walls of the city, and out into open country. Both did not realize at all where they now stood or were headed in, but were deeply trapped in thought. At length, Legolas spoke, his voice almost too soft to be heard by an un-trained ear.
"Who is this 'they', Torrent?" he asked. She stopped for a moment, with her sight still diverted to the grass-covered earth, and sighed. Legolas stopped walking and turned around to face her. "Is this a sensitive subject, because---"
"No," said she.
"Well---"
"Legolas, I am quite sure you know whom I speak of," she said as she threw a quick glance in his direction, a hidden anger in her tempered voice.
"And I am quite sure that I do not," said he, reaching out his arm to grab hold of her wrist, causing her to stop. "Why do you never tell me anything? Can you not be open?"
"I can't trust anyone."
"Not even me?"
"…"
"I knew it. Stop being stubborn, and tell me. Now," said Legolas firmly.
[Was that a request or command?] Thought Torrent as she tried not to look at her angered friend. "Remember that whole fiasco with me being a prisoner for some odd-hundred years? They're looking for me again, Legolas… They have been. Always have, and always will…" she hesitated.
"Go on," pressured Legolas.
"Apparently when I was dumped in the forest, they meant for me to remain there thinking I was 'broken' and couldn't move. Well, I did move, and kept on moving and hiding. They've been looking for me ever since I left. They want something from me Legolas… I have a purpose in their scheme. Luckily, though, they think that Frodo possesses the exact thing they're looking for, if not another. But, they have given up on the search for him, since he is in Mordor. They've moved back for me, and I am safe no longer. I must go, and I cannot stay here any more. It's either that or…"
"You can't go. I will not allow you to leave, Torrent. You're vulnerable out there, and I won't allow you to chance it."
"Aragorn will…" she muttered in resentment. With that, Legolas shoved her to the floor, and drew his sword, holding the tip dangerously too close to her throat. Torrent was too startled to have any sense to move or fight back. Scowling down at her, he spoke loudly and firm.
"Forget Aragorn, he is but nothing, Torrent. Stop this foolishness! You will cease this act of yours."
Scared, the girl simply nodded her head and stuttered, while staring up at him in shock. "Y-yes, Legolas." Legolas sheathed his sword into his scabbard, and knelt down. He gathered her up in his arms, and began to walk again, carrying her along.
"I do not mean to seem chauvinistic, but when I worry, I cannot help it, Torrent. I have been losing my temper quite easily lately, as you may see," Legolas said on a wistful note. He sighed when he felt the form he held become more tense, and looked down upon her with a stoic, unreadable expression. "Why do you become tense, Torrent?" Torrent could not quite apprehend the tone of his voice. Whether it was anger or confusion, she could not tell.
"I do not need to be carried around like a china doll, Legolas. Nor do I need protection," muttered she. Legolas pulled her closer and spoke at length.
"This I know, yet I cannot help it. Besides, if I were to set you down, who knows what you would do to get back at me, melamin," said he with a grin, as he felt Torrent relax and rest her head of his chest.
--
It's funny how
Even now
You still support me after all of the things that I've done
You're so good to me
Waiting patiently
And isn't it sad that you still have to ask if I care?
I never said I was perfect
But I can take you away
Walk on shells tonight
Can't do right tonight
And you can't say a word
Cause I leap down your throat
So uptight am I
I never said I was perfect
But I can drive you home
--
"Besides all this Torrent, are you well? It may just be me, but you seem to be hiding your emotions and avoiding me, as with the others."
"I cannot say any more if I am well or not. I keep having arguments with the Ring and with my head. Everyone keeps looking for me, and it drives me insane. I see things I wish to see naught of, and they frighten me, Legolas. Honestly, I wish my Aunt never gave this Ring to me, even if she did mean well. No… I do not mean to say that; this has helped me more than it has hurt me." Torrent paused, and began again. "Oh, I do not know any longer…"
"Well, what of these visions? What do you see?"
"Death, Legolas. Death. I see the reckoning of all evil… and much bloodshed; sorrow, and hate. Then poor Frodo… Even though I knew him for only a short time, I do not wish to see a kind soul such as his destroyed by what is to come."
"What will become of Frodo, Torrent?" Legolas asked.
"I cannot say… He will either be found, or will succeed. There is a greater chance that he will be caught, but I do not like either outcome, whichever one prevails."
"What if Frodo is not caught?"
"He will live in solitude and sickness for the rest of his long years. Depression and past injuries shall plague him as he wallows away with envisions of the eye embedded into his mind. The he will sail West, to try and end it all," she paused. "Something I might have to do before the war, Legolas."
--
I never said I was perfect
But I can drive you home
I got down on myself
Working too hard
Driving myself to death
Trying to beat out the faults in my head
What a mess I've made
Sure we all make mistakes
But they see me so large that they think I'm immune to the pain
I'm praying for a miracle
But I won't hold my breath
I never said I was perfect
But can you drive me home
--
"You cannot sail West. I will not allow that, either."
Torrent laid a hand upon Legolas chest, directly over where his heart was. "It's either that or die Legolas. I have been trying to see other ways to get through this, thus explaining my fits of unconsciousness, but I see no other way," said she, in a voice masked with sorrow and melancholy. "And if I could, I'd ask you to be the one who kills me," she muttered. Legolas stopped, and looked down at Torrent, expecting---and hoping, that her sight would be diverted away from him. Yet, to his misfortune, she stared straight back at him, deep into his sapphire eyes, with solemnity and seriousness written in her emerald ones. Slowly, the elf bent down onto his knees, trying to not drop the one he held from shock.
"How could you? Why would… Torrent, are you… serious?" Legolas pondered out loud, slowly. A slender hand reached up and touched his face, and answered his rhetorical question.
"Yes, I am. And I ask you, would you be the one to do it?"
"I do not think I could ever do that Torrent. Never," said Legolas slowly, a silver tear making its way down the side of his face. Again, he pulled her closer to him, cradling her, and rested his head upon her chest. Torrent gently stroked the archer's hair, and spoke softly to him.
'Mani naa raika, lirimaer?' (What is wrong, lovely one?)
'Lle sinta, a'maelamin.' (You know, my beloved.)
"You cannot kill me, can you?"
"I can, do not doubt that, but I do not wish to."
'Amin sint', melamin. Demo lle fiose amin.' (I know, my love. Yet you surprised me.)
'Sut?' (How?)
'Lle n'uma ndengina. tanya'sut.' (You won't kill me, that's how.)
Legolas slowly lifted his head in thought. 'Tanya ten' amin---.' (That's because I ---)
'Shh… Amin sinta.' (Shh… I know.) Torrent's hand cupped the side of Legolas' face, as she sat up and sweetly kissed him. 'Amin sinta, lirima cuar,' said she, silencing anything else he might say with another kiss, which was responded to (I know, lovely archer,).
**2 hours later, half a mile outside the walls of Minas Tirith**
Both elves walked back in silence, yet with different expressions written on their faces. Torrent carried a stoic, calm look, as always, yet Legolas' face was masked with uncertainty and sorrow. The two did not realize that their hands had met and clasped as they walked back to the area, and would take no notice of it. Entranced and sunken into deep thought, the elves walked on, until a low rumble and a slight shaking on the earth beneath them brought them out from their reveries. Stopping to listen, Legolas realized what it was: an army. Mordor had begun its move onto Gondor, and the last war of the Ring would be fought.
"We must run, Torrent! We must make haste!"
"Is it them, Legolas?" Torrent asked, incredulous.
"Yes! Please, Torrent, run!" With that the two swiftly ran ahead, toward the walls, and were promptly let in. Guards that were near the walls asked them of their haste, and Legolas replied in a rushed voice. "Shut the gates--- bar them, lock them, anything! Just keep them out---"
"Woah, master Elf, who is this 'they' you speak of?"
"Mordor, kind sir. Mordor has begun its attack on Minas Tirith. Quickly---spread word, guard!" Turning to Torrent, Legolas spoke again. "We must go warn the others. Come, Torrent, we must run ahead." With a nod, the two were off again, racing towards the castle inside the heart of the city, searching for any of their companions. They quickly found Aragorn, pacing outside the courtyard and called to him.
"Aragorn!" shouted Torrent. "Aragorn! Mordor has begun its march against the good peoples of Middle Earth! They are coming and the attacks shall start soon."
"Mordor has begun?"
"Yes," Legolas answered.
"We did not expect this…to happen so soon," Aragorn paused.
"Neither did we, but they have. Can you not see the moving shadow that is vast along the plains? Legolas and I saw it first hand--- we ran well over a mile to get back here in haste. They have begun, Estel," Torrent said.
"Come then. We must find armor and warn the brigade. We have little time, now."
To be continued.
A/N: This chapter takes place 2 days later… And sorry about the lack of updates: school is piling on work for me. ^_^'' The song is "Drive You Home," by Garbage. I suggest you download it, because that song is great. In my story, elves can cry. Just wanted to clear that up... Thanks.
The grass, vividly green and alive in the breeze, glimmered almost as the two walked through its soft blades. Walking brought the two outside the walls of the city, and out into open country. Both did not realize at all where they now stood or were headed in, but were deeply trapped in thought. At length, Legolas spoke, his voice almost too soft to be heard by an un-trained ear.
"Who is this 'they', Torrent?" he asked. She stopped for a moment, with her sight still diverted to the grass-covered earth, and sighed. Legolas stopped walking and turned around to face her. "Is this a sensitive subject, because---"
"No," said she.
"Well---"
"Legolas, I am quite sure you know whom I speak of," she said as she threw a quick glance in his direction, a hidden anger in her tempered voice.
"And I am quite sure that I do not," said he, reaching out his arm to grab hold of her wrist, causing her to stop. "Why do you never tell me anything? Can you not be open?"
"I can't trust anyone."
"Not even me?"
"…"
"I knew it. Stop being stubborn, and tell me. Now," said Legolas firmly.
[Was that a request or command?] Thought Torrent as she tried not to look at her angered friend. "Remember that whole fiasco with me being a prisoner for some odd-hundred years? They're looking for me again, Legolas… They have been. Always have, and always will…" she hesitated.
"Go on," pressured Legolas.
"Apparently when I was dumped in the forest, they meant for me to remain there thinking I was 'broken' and couldn't move. Well, I did move, and kept on moving and hiding. They've been looking for me ever since I left. They want something from me Legolas… I have a purpose in their scheme. Luckily, though, they think that Frodo possesses the exact thing they're looking for, if not another. But, they have given up on the search for him, since he is in Mordor. They've moved back for me, and I am safe no longer. I must go, and I cannot stay here any more. It's either that or…"
"You can't go. I will not allow you to leave, Torrent. You're vulnerable out there, and I won't allow you to chance it."
"Aragorn will…" she muttered in resentment. With that, Legolas shoved her to the floor, and drew his sword, holding the tip dangerously too close to her throat. Torrent was too startled to have any sense to move or fight back. Scowling down at her, he spoke loudly and firm.
"Forget Aragorn, he is but nothing, Torrent. Stop this foolishness! You will cease this act of yours."
Scared, the girl simply nodded her head and stuttered, while staring up at him in shock. "Y-yes, Legolas." Legolas sheathed his sword into his scabbard, and knelt down. He gathered her up in his arms, and began to walk again, carrying her along.
"I do not mean to seem chauvinistic, but when I worry, I cannot help it, Torrent. I have been losing my temper quite easily lately, as you may see," Legolas said on a wistful note. He sighed when he felt the form he held become more tense, and looked down upon her with a stoic, unreadable expression. "Why do you become tense, Torrent?" Torrent could not quite apprehend the tone of his voice. Whether it was anger or confusion, she could not tell.
"I do not need to be carried around like a china doll, Legolas. Nor do I need protection," muttered she. Legolas pulled her closer and spoke at length.
"This I know, yet I cannot help it. Besides, if I were to set you down, who knows what you would do to get back at me, melamin," said he with a grin, as he felt Torrent relax and rest her head of his chest.
--
It's funny how
Even now
You still support me after all of the things that I've done
You're so good to me
Waiting patiently
And isn't it sad that you still have to ask if I care?
I never said I was perfect
But I can take you away
Walk on shells tonight
Can't do right tonight
And you can't say a word
Cause I leap down your throat
So uptight am I
I never said I was perfect
But I can drive you home
--
"Besides all this Torrent, are you well? It may just be me, but you seem to be hiding your emotions and avoiding me, as with the others."
"I cannot say any more if I am well or not. I keep having arguments with the Ring and with my head. Everyone keeps looking for me, and it drives me insane. I see things I wish to see naught of, and they frighten me, Legolas. Honestly, I wish my Aunt never gave this Ring to me, even if she did mean well. No… I do not mean to say that; this has helped me more than it has hurt me." Torrent paused, and began again. "Oh, I do not know any longer…"
"Well, what of these visions? What do you see?"
"Death, Legolas. Death. I see the reckoning of all evil… and much bloodshed; sorrow, and hate. Then poor Frodo… Even though I knew him for only a short time, I do not wish to see a kind soul such as his destroyed by what is to come."
"What will become of Frodo, Torrent?" Legolas asked.
"I cannot say… He will either be found, or will succeed. There is a greater chance that he will be caught, but I do not like either outcome, whichever one prevails."
"What if Frodo is not caught?"
"He will live in solitude and sickness for the rest of his long years. Depression and past injuries shall plague him as he wallows away with envisions of the eye embedded into his mind. The he will sail West, to try and end it all," she paused. "Something I might have to do before the war, Legolas."
--
I never said I was perfect
But I can drive you home
I got down on myself
Working too hard
Driving myself to death
Trying to beat out the faults in my head
What a mess I've made
Sure we all make mistakes
But they see me so large that they think I'm immune to the pain
I'm praying for a miracle
But I won't hold my breath
I never said I was perfect
But can you drive me home
--
"You cannot sail West. I will not allow that, either."
Torrent laid a hand upon Legolas chest, directly over where his heart was. "It's either that or die Legolas. I have been trying to see other ways to get through this, thus explaining my fits of unconsciousness, but I see no other way," said she, in a voice masked with sorrow and melancholy. "And if I could, I'd ask you to be the one who kills me," she muttered. Legolas stopped, and looked down at Torrent, expecting---and hoping, that her sight would be diverted away from him. Yet, to his misfortune, she stared straight back at him, deep into his sapphire eyes, with solemnity and seriousness written in her emerald ones. Slowly, the elf bent down onto his knees, trying to not drop the one he held from shock.
"How could you? Why would… Torrent, are you… serious?" Legolas pondered out loud, slowly. A slender hand reached up and touched his face, and answered his rhetorical question.
"Yes, I am. And I ask you, would you be the one to do it?"
"I do not think I could ever do that Torrent. Never," said Legolas slowly, a silver tear making its way down the side of his face. Again, he pulled her closer to him, cradling her, and rested his head upon her chest. Torrent gently stroked the archer's hair, and spoke softly to him.
'Mani naa raika, lirimaer?' (What is wrong, lovely one?)
'Lle sinta, a'maelamin.' (You know, my beloved.)
"You cannot kill me, can you?"
"I can, do not doubt that, but I do not wish to."
'Amin sint', melamin. Demo lle fiose amin.' (I know, my love. Yet you surprised me.)
'Sut?' (How?)
'Lle n'uma ndengina. tanya'sut.' (You won't kill me, that's how.)
Legolas slowly lifted his head in thought. 'Tanya ten' amin---.' (That's because I ---)
'Shh… Amin sinta.' (Shh… I know.) Torrent's hand cupped the side of Legolas' face, as she sat up and sweetly kissed him. 'Amin sinta, lirima cuar,' said she, silencing anything else he might say with another kiss, which was responded to (I know, lovely archer,).
**2 hours later, half a mile outside the walls of Minas Tirith**
Both elves walked back in silence, yet with different expressions written on their faces. Torrent carried a stoic, calm look, as always, yet Legolas' face was masked with uncertainty and sorrow. The two did not realize that their hands had met and clasped as they walked back to the area, and would take no notice of it. Entranced and sunken into deep thought, the elves walked on, until a low rumble and a slight shaking on the earth beneath them brought them out from their reveries. Stopping to listen, Legolas realized what it was: an army. Mordor had begun its move onto Gondor, and the last war of the Ring would be fought.
"We must run, Torrent! We must make haste!"
"Is it them, Legolas?" Torrent asked, incredulous.
"Yes! Please, Torrent, run!" With that the two swiftly ran ahead, toward the walls, and were promptly let in. Guards that were near the walls asked them of their haste, and Legolas replied in a rushed voice. "Shut the gates--- bar them, lock them, anything! Just keep them out---"
"Woah, master Elf, who is this 'they' you speak of?"
"Mordor, kind sir. Mordor has begun its attack on Minas Tirith. Quickly---spread word, guard!" Turning to Torrent, Legolas spoke again. "We must go warn the others. Come, Torrent, we must run ahead." With a nod, the two were off again, racing towards the castle inside the heart of the city, searching for any of their companions. They quickly found Aragorn, pacing outside the courtyard and called to him.
"Aragorn!" shouted Torrent. "Aragorn! Mordor has begun its march against the good peoples of Middle Earth! They are coming and the attacks shall start soon."
"Mordor has begun?"
"Yes," Legolas answered.
"We did not expect this…to happen so soon," Aragorn paused.
"Neither did we, but they have. Can you not see the moving shadow that is vast along the plains? Legolas and I saw it first hand--- we ran well over a mile to get back here in haste. They have begun, Estel," Torrent said.
"Come then. We must find armor and warn the brigade. We have little time, now."
To be continued.