Disclaimer: I'm sure we all know this by now. Please review, and to my
recurring reviewers, I love you!! You know who you are, you keep me going.
Author's note: I apologize for the shortness and slowness of this chapter, but the next one will be big. I'm even excited over it, should have it up and running by tomorrow. Hang in there!
Everlasting Road: ch. 14
Legolas wandered aimlessly about the trees in his homeland, but he had never felt more alienated in his life. His reception had been small, Thranduil saying it was because most were preparing for that evening. It seemed like a good enough reason, but Legolas thought otherwise. He pondered over Gimli's own words, about him returning to a home where he would be useful. Legolas felt that he was not useful in his own home. He had not been needed in the battle, and now the people no longer respected him as they used to. He had been gone for a long time, during a huge battle. Granted, he had been on a quest tied into helping Mirkwood, but that did not seem to matter. The adventures of the Fellowship had been mostly in secret, and the songs made up had yet to be learned by all. So was it any wonder that his people thought him to abandon in a time of need? No doubt he would have thought the same.
Legolas found his thoughts turning back to the Fellowship, and King Aragorn. There was a place he could be useful, with Aragorn. Or maybe with Gandalf, with the hobbits even, anywhere seemingly, except for here.
Legolas sat down on a tree stump, one that had been destroyed in the recent war. This was truly a rueful day. He should have just stayed with Aragorn and Gimli, never returning to Mirkwood. And what of Liria? Would he rather not have met her again to remain with Gimli? Legolas could not think of that right now, and only bowed his head to his hands.
Slowly, Legolas became aware of his surroundings. His troubled thoughts seemed to melt away and he raised his head to listen. Mirkwood was darker than when he had left, there was no doubt, but there was still much life in the forest. As he sat, Legolas could hear the whisperings of the trees and the chatter of animals living amongst the trees. The message was clear, Mirkwood was safe, if only for now, and it did not matter what he did for it. Mirkwood was older than they could remember, and had come through many trials. It had never fallen, and did not seem that it would. The trees spoke in proud, triumphant voices, especially the old ones. They scoffed at the darkness that always targeted them, and jested for it to try and claim them again.
Suddenly, it became crystal clear to Legolas. He was Prince of Mirkwood, but that did not matter. He served the people here, not the forest. And it was the forest that he loved, that he wished to protect. He was not needed here. The forest would never allow itself to be taken. It could grow dark, but it would always remain and prevail. It was an essence of nature, of the earth, and nothing could permanently damage something so old and powerful. But there were other places in this world that he could help. Again, his thoughts strayed to Aragorn in his new kingdom. His kingdom was not as strong as his Legolas' own, as it was man- made. There was a place that needed protection.
Legolas stood, his mind made up and his thoughts clear. He would go to Aragorn, and help where he could. In the corner of his mind, Legolas could hear the cry of a gull. His desire to go oversea was still as strong as ever, and now was a time if any to follow it. But he could not do that, not while friends still remained here, friends that could benefit from his help.
Legolas looked back into the dark trees again. They stood tall and proud. Then his gaze flicked over to the elven nation. He had not noticed it before, but it was significantly smaller. The age of the elves was over, and they were all passing away. Soon, no more would remain in Mirkwood, or anywhere in Middle Earth. No, Legolas was not needed in this dwindling nation. He could help his friend create a strong league of men for the future, as men would need all the guidance and help they could get.
His heart suddenly lighter at having made a decision, Legolas started back into the elven nation. He would not leave immediately of course. But he did not anticipate staying longer than absolutely necessary, and that was tied into relations with his father. He had not seen Thranduil for quite some time, and time spent together was well-deserved. Legolas doubted that even his father was going to remain here for much longer. Granted, he would be the last to leave, as he would not risk abandoning any of his nation, but the nation itself would be gone soon.
Suddenly, Legolas remembered Liria and Gimli. His present thoughts had driven their rivalry from his mind. What was he to do about those two? Neither was willing to accept that they could indeed exist together peacefully. And Gimli seemed intent on leaving as soon as possible, which would probably be tonight. Legolas had to talk to him. There was no way he was going to allow his friend to leave, and if he did, he was not going to face the roads alone. There were still perils out there, as there always would be on a wild road. And no doubt wolves roamed in the forests outside of the borders of Mirkwood.
Then what of Liria? Was he to abandon her, after he had said that he wished her to be at his side forever? If he went with Gimli, no doubt she would refuse to come along. Then he would be torn. Maybe he could talk to both of them and get them to realize the ridiculousness of the situation. Both were jealous for his attention, when both had no reason to be. It was ludicrous. Legolas knew this, he just did not know how he would get them to see it. But he had to try, and hope against all hope that he would not have to be forced into deciding between the two most precious things dear to his heart. He would not be able to survive that.
Author's note: I apologize for the shortness and slowness of this chapter, but the next one will be big. I'm even excited over it, should have it up and running by tomorrow. Hang in there!
Everlasting Road: ch. 14
Legolas wandered aimlessly about the trees in his homeland, but he had never felt more alienated in his life. His reception had been small, Thranduil saying it was because most were preparing for that evening. It seemed like a good enough reason, but Legolas thought otherwise. He pondered over Gimli's own words, about him returning to a home where he would be useful. Legolas felt that he was not useful in his own home. He had not been needed in the battle, and now the people no longer respected him as they used to. He had been gone for a long time, during a huge battle. Granted, he had been on a quest tied into helping Mirkwood, but that did not seem to matter. The adventures of the Fellowship had been mostly in secret, and the songs made up had yet to be learned by all. So was it any wonder that his people thought him to abandon in a time of need? No doubt he would have thought the same.
Legolas found his thoughts turning back to the Fellowship, and King Aragorn. There was a place he could be useful, with Aragorn. Or maybe with Gandalf, with the hobbits even, anywhere seemingly, except for here.
Legolas sat down on a tree stump, one that had been destroyed in the recent war. This was truly a rueful day. He should have just stayed with Aragorn and Gimli, never returning to Mirkwood. And what of Liria? Would he rather not have met her again to remain with Gimli? Legolas could not think of that right now, and only bowed his head to his hands.
Slowly, Legolas became aware of his surroundings. His troubled thoughts seemed to melt away and he raised his head to listen. Mirkwood was darker than when he had left, there was no doubt, but there was still much life in the forest. As he sat, Legolas could hear the whisperings of the trees and the chatter of animals living amongst the trees. The message was clear, Mirkwood was safe, if only for now, and it did not matter what he did for it. Mirkwood was older than they could remember, and had come through many trials. It had never fallen, and did not seem that it would. The trees spoke in proud, triumphant voices, especially the old ones. They scoffed at the darkness that always targeted them, and jested for it to try and claim them again.
Suddenly, it became crystal clear to Legolas. He was Prince of Mirkwood, but that did not matter. He served the people here, not the forest. And it was the forest that he loved, that he wished to protect. He was not needed here. The forest would never allow itself to be taken. It could grow dark, but it would always remain and prevail. It was an essence of nature, of the earth, and nothing could permanently damage something so old and powerful. But there were other places in this world that he could help. Again, his thoughts strayed to Aragorn in his new kingdom. His kingdom was not as strong as his Legolas' own, as it was man- made. There was a place that needed protection.
Legolas stood, his mind made up and his thoughts clear. He would go to Aragorn, and help where he could. In the corner of his mind, Legolas could hear the cry of a gull. His desire to go oversea was still as strong as ever, and now was a time if any to follow it. But he could not do that, not while friends still remained here, friends that could benefit from his help.
Legolas looked back into the dark trees again. They stood tall and proud. Then his gaze flicked over to the elven nation. He had not noticed it before, but it was significantly smaller. The age of the elves was over, and they were all passing away. Soon, no more would remain in Mirkwood, or anywhere in Middle Earth. No, Legolas was not needed in this dwindling nation. He could help his friend create a strong league of men for the future, as men would need all the guidance and help they could get.
His heart suddenly lighter at having made a decision, Legolas started back into the elven nation. He would not leave immediately of course. But he did not anticipate staying longer than absolutely necessary, and that was tied into relations with his father. He had not seen Thranduil for quite some time, and time spent together was well-deserved. Legolas doubted that even his father was going to remain here for much longer. Granted, he would be the last to leave, as he would not risk abandoning any of his nation, but the nation itself would be gone soon.
Suddenly, Legolas remembered Liria and Gimli. His present thoughts had driven their rivalry from his mind. What was he to do about those two? Neither was willing to accept that they could indeed exist together peacefully. And Gimli seemed intent on leaving as soon as possible, which would probably be tonight. Legolas had to talk to him. There was no way he was going to allow his friend to leave, and if he did, he was not going to face the roads alone. There were still perils out there, as there always would be on a wild road. And no doubt wolves roamed in the forests outside of the borders of Mirkwood.
Then what of Liria? Was he to abandon her, after he had said that he wished her to be at his side forever? If he went with Gimli, no doubt she would refuse to come along. Then he would be torn. Maybe he could talk to both of them and get them to realize the ridiculousness of the situation. Both were jealous for his attention, when both had no reason to be. It was ludicrous. Legolas knew this, he just did not know how he would get them to see it. But he had to try, and hope against all hope that he would not have to be forced into deciding between the two most precious things dear to his heart. He would not be able to survive that.