I must confess my head is starting to swell after reading all this reviews :-) … I love it
!!!
big thanks go to my beta reader… she is working through this story so soon I will be
able to repost a completely betaed version … Little My, thank you for doing this!!!
*waves* Thanks to the candy, chocolate and flowers you sent me!!!
I hope this chapter will stop all of you from dying, jumping off cliffs & other things…
And maybe you will send me another review, or two...???
___
Stepping out into the sunlight, Legolas relished the feeling of sunrays warming his
skin. For a moment his heart lifted in joy and the darkness of the past days receded.
Slowly he started to walk, following the paths that led deeper into the greenery.
He waited for Gandalf to speak, for he knew there had to be a reason that the Istari
had lured him into the garden, but he stayed by his side never uttering a word. The
elf was content to simply wander, his fingers touching leaves and petals in passing.
Once more he could feel the strength he drew from these surroundings, and he felt
stronger and more stable than ever since waking.
The peaceful silence was broken when he heard voices, and at first they brought a
smile to his face for he knew them well. It faded as quickly as it had appeared when
he realized they were raised in anger.
Quickening his steps, Legolas moved in the direction they came from. Amayn
reached out to stop him, but Gandalf shook his head.
'This matter needs to be solved, and not only for Legolas' sake,' he spoke softly, and
her hand fell away.
Legolas did not notice this exchange as he hurried away, and she made haste in
following him. Worry was clear to see upon her features as she feared for his still
fragile mind.
The three men standing next to each other were the first Legolas saw. He could see
their attention was directed at a spot concealed from his sight, and he moved further
to come to stand next to them. He never noticed Eomer's jump of surprise when he
suddenly found the elf so close to him.
Gimli and Calenuial held his whole attention. They were close to blows, it seemed,
and hurling accusations at each other. The elf flinched when he realized what it was
they were arguing about. Ere the men could react to his presence he was gone,
quick steps bringing him closer to the two, who were so absorbed in their dispute that
they did not see him coming.
'Daro.' The one word, spoken not loudly but with determination, could be heard
clearly.
Two heads turned at once, staring at the speaker.
Legolas had stopped a few feet away from them, his head swimming. Emotions
whirled in his heart; pain at seeing two of his dearest friends fighting, anger at their
stubbornness, and (added "and") confusion as to how things had come this far.
The feelings of anger and hate that emanated from the two made him almost bodily
sick. It conjured up memories, still too fresh in his mind. He had had no time yet to
deal with what had been done to him; he had simply pushed it to the back of his
mind. What he witnessed now was too much like one of the twisted images he had
been tormented with, and for a long moment he once more lost the certainty of what
was real and what was not. The onslaught of panic made him sway on his feet and
his face paled.
All moved at once, but again Gandalf held back Amayn. His voice held enough
definiteness to also stop the three men from rushing towards their friend.
'Let them handle it.'
The Istari ignored Amayn's flashing eyes as concern turned to anger at being
detained from aiding her son.
'It is too much for him, too soon. He is not ready for this,' she hissed.
'Trust him,' the Istari answered, a slight smile playing around his lips. 'It is time for
them to see their own stupidity for what it is.'
The change in the two adversaries was so sudden it could have been laughable.
Staring at Legolas, both faces went through the exact same expressions; from anger
to surprise and joy, then to deep concern and fear. Both moved at the same moment
and as there was no one to hold them back, they reached Legolas simultaneously.
Calenuial's arm went around Legolas' shoulder to offer support. Gimli's hand stopped
short from touching his friend, taking in the slightly unfocused eyes. A shudder went
down his spine and sudden fear made him call Legolas' name.
The elf blinked in response and awareness returned to the wide eyes.
'Gimli?'
'Aye, my friend, I am here.'
There was a strange expression on Calenuial's face as he took a step backwards, his
eyes never leaving Legolas.
The moment of panic had passed at the familiar touch and voice, and Legolas
straightened as his senses became clear again.
'Tell me, what is this about, that makes you behave like children and yell at each
other?' he asked, although he feared to know the answer.
Aragorn could not help the grin starting to form on his face, as both dwarf and elf
seemed chagrined and looked very much nonplussed. Gone were the two fierce
warriors that had worried them all with the violence of their argument. He could see
them squirming under Legolas' glare, and marveled at how much recovered the elf
appeared. He noticed the paleness of his face and had not missed the short display
of still lingering weakness, but apart from this he did not seem to have sustained any
lasting damage, neither to body nor mind. It showed in the way he imposed on his
two friends without much effort.
Said two seemed at a loss for what to say and even exchanged a slightly desperate
look. Faced with an obviously angry Legolas, the former adversaries quickly seemed
to form a bond of conspiracy.
'It was nothing of importance,' Gimli spoke.
'Just a minor misunderstanding,' Calenuial added.
Both tried to look innocent and convincing at once. A soft snicker from Faramir
broadened Aragorn's grin even more.
'Maybe we got a little bit loud…'
'…aye, a bit carried away.'
Legolas simply stared at them, an expression of utter disbelief on his face. Not only
were they lying, and badly, they seemed to think him deaf and foolish enough to not
have overheard what their argument had been about.
'A bit?' he repeated calmly.
They exchanged another look but said nothing else.
'It might be a matter of little importance for you, but for me it is not if my dearest
friends engage in a fight and the reason is me.'
They managed to look even more chagrined than before.
This time it was Eomer who could hardly suppress his laughter.
'I would very much like to put matters right. Each of you seems to think the other is to
blame for what has befallen me. It is good to know you care, but I would prefer it if
this decision would be left to me.'
Elf and dwarf seemed to have shrunk under his glare and they looked very much like
children now, shuffling their feet and squirming.
'If someone would have taken the time to ask me, I could have told you that no one is
to blame but myself, and the creature that attacked me.'
Legolas voice had softened now and both his friends noticed the change at once.
'I have to take some blame,' Gimli spoke quickly. 'For I injured you and therefore you
were much more vulnerable.'
'Our dispute had nothing to do with my fight against the creature. I underestimated it
greatly and this is why it could overwhelm me. Its powers were much stronger than I
excepted them to be.'
'I injured you.' The dwarf's voice carried all the guilt he felt.
'I do not begrudge you for this, my friend.' Legolas' voice was gentle now. 'You were
in pain and anguish filled your heart. Your actions were directed by your emotions,
not your mind. I know you would never hurt me intentionally and this is enough for
me.'
The dwarf just looked at him, a mixture of doubt and relief on his face.
Legolas attention turned on Calenuial. The elven warrior averted his eyes, his own
guilt palpable, for causing his friend pain earlier as well as starting this whole
argument with Gimli.
'The same goes for you my friend,' Legolas spoke, smiling at him. He had known
Calenuial for much too long to need many words to tell him how he felt. He could see
him relax immediately and knew the matter was settled.
His eyes returned to Gimli, wondering if he should try to speak to him about Nirith
and the accusation that still stung his own heart.
Gimli beat him to it.
'I still wish to ask your forgiveness for the careless words I spoke. I know you would
not refuse your help if needed, and I had no right to put any blame on you.'
Legolas smiled at that, as a great weight seemed to lift from his heart. He had lost
neither Gimli's trust nor his friendship.
'As you children finally seem to agree with each other, I would say it is time for this
elfling to return to his bed. He has caused enough worry to me.' Amayn's melodious
voice sounded chiding and amused at once.
It was the last straw, and Aragorn's restraint crumbled as he could not help the
laughter that escaped him. Legolas glared, and Gimli and Calenuial exchanged an
uncertain look before both broke out in a grin. Whatever had stood between them
had ceased to exist upon seeing Legolas well again. Even to them, their fight
suddenly seemed meaningless and irrelevant.
'You are right, Lady Amayn. I say we take care of the elfling and return him to his
bed,' Gimli offered, with a twinkle of sudden mischief in his eyes. Calenuial caught on
immediately and moved with the dwarf, each of them grabbing one of Legolas arms
and dragging him away.
'I do not need your help!' he exclaimed indignantly.
'Hush, elfling, or we might need to carry you.' Calenuial's voice held laughter in it.
Unable to break free, Legolas relented, not wishing for them to go through with the
threat.
Shaking her head, Amayn followed them and Aragorn was sure he could hear her
mumbling about children and their behavior as they disappeared from view. With a
wide grin upon his face, he turned to Gandalf.
'You knew, did you not?' he asked, amusement shining in his eyes.
The Istari shrugged. 'I knew nothing but that their fighting was not based on
differences but similarities. It was their fear for Legolas that caused them to indulge in
this argument as well as their apprehension of losing him. Only Legolas could solve
this matter and I would say he did.'
With a chuckle, Aragorn made a gesture towards the direction they had disappeared.
'Let's follow the children, then, shall we?
!!!
big thanks go to my beta reader… she is working through this story so soon I will be
able to repost a completely betaed version … Little My, thank you for doing this!!!
*waves* Thanks to the candy, chocolate and flowers you sent me!!!
I hope this chapter will stop all of you from dying, jumping off cliffs & other things…
And maybe you will send me another review, or two...???
___
Stepping out into the sunlight, Legolas relished the feeling of sunrays warming his
skin. For a moment his heart lifted in joy and the darkness of the past days receded.
Slowly he started to walk, following the paths that led deeper into the greenery.
He waited for Gandalf to speak, for he knew there had to be a reason that the Istari
had lured him into the garden, but he stayed by his side never uttering a word. The
elf was content to simply wander, his fingers touching leaves and petals in passing.
Once more he could feel the strength he drew from these surroundings, and he felt
stronger and more stable than ever since waking.
The peaceful silence was broken when he heard voices, and at first they brought a
smile to his face for he knew them well. It faded as quickly as it had appeared when
he realized they were raised in anger.
Quickening his steps, Legolas moved in the direction they came from. Amayn
reached out to stop him, but Gandalf shook his head.
'This matter needs to be solved, and not only for Legolas' sake,' he spoke softly, and
her hand fell away.
Legolas did not notice this exchange as he hurried away, and she made haste in
following him. Worry was clear to see upon her features as she feared for his still
fragile mind.
The three men standing next to each other were the first Legolas saw. He could see
their attention was directed at a spot concealed from his sight, and he moved further
to come to stand next to them. He never noticed Eomer's jump of surprise when he
suddenly found the elf so close to him.
Gimli and Calenuial held his whole attention. They were close to blows, it seemed,
and hurling accusations at each other. The elf flinched when he realized what it was
they were arguing about. Ere the men could react to his presence he was gone,
quick steps bringing him closer to the two, who were so absorbed in their dispute that
they did not see him coming.
'Daro.' The one word, spoken not loudly but with determination, could be heard
clearly.
Two heads turned at once, staring at the speaker.
Legolas had stopped a few feet away from them, his head swimming. Emotions
whirled in his heart; pain at seeing two of his dearest friends fighting, anger at their
stubbornness, and (added "and") confusion as to how things had come this far.
The feelings of anger and hate that emanated from the two made him almost bodily
sick. It conjured up memories, still too fresh in his mind. He had had no time yet to
deal with what had been done to him; he had simply pushed it to the back of his
mind. What he witnessed now was too much like one of the twisted images he had
been tormented with, and for a long moment he once more lost the certainty of what
was real and what was not. The onslaught of panic made him sway on his feet and
his face paled.
All moved at once, but again Gandalf held back Amayn. His voice held enough
definiteness to also stop the three men from rushing towards their friend.
'Let them handle it.'
The Istari ignored Amayn's flashing eyes as concern turned to anger at being
detained from aiding her son.
'It is too much for him, too soon. He is not ready for this,' she hissed.
'Trust him,' the Istari answered, a slight smile playing around his lips. 'It is time for
them to see their own stupidity for what it is.'
The change in the two adversaries was so sudden it could have been laughable.
Staring at Legolas, both faces went through the exact same expressions; from anger
to surprise and joy, then to deep concern and fear. Both moved at the same moment
and as there was no one to hold them back, they reached Legolas simultaneously.
Calenuial's arm went around Legolas' shoulder to offer support. Gimli's hand stopped
short from touching his friend, taking in the slightly unfocused eyes. A shudder went
down his spine and sudden fear made him call Legolas' name.
The elf blinked in response and awareness returned to the wide eyes.
'Gimli?'
'Aye, my friend, I am here.'
There was a strange expression on Calenuial's face as he took a step backwards, his
eyes never leaving Legolas.
The moment of panic had passed at the familiar touch and voice, and Legolas
straightened as his senses became clear again.
'Tell me, what is this about, that makes you behave like children and yell at each
other?' he asked, although he feared to know the answer.
Aragorn could not help the grin starting to form on his face, as both dwarf and elf
seemed chagrined and looked very much nonplussed. Gone were the two fierce
warriors that had worried them all with the violence of their argument. He could see
them squirming under Legolas' glare, and marveled at how much recovered the elf
appeared. He noticed the paleness of his face and had not missed the short display
of still lingering weakness, but apart from this he did not seem to have sustained any
lasting damage, neither to body nor mind. It showed in the way he imposed on his
two friends without much effort.
Said two seemed at a loss for what to say and even exchanged a slightly desperate
look. Faced with an obviously angry Legolas, the former adversaries quickly seemed
to form a bond of conspiracy.
'It was nothing of importance,' Gimli spoke.
'Just a minor misunderstanding,' Calenuial added.
Both tried to look innocent and convincing at once. A soft snicker from Faramir
broadened Aragorn's grin even more.
'Maybe we got a little bit loud…'
'…aye, a bit carried away.'
Legolas simply stared at them, an expression of utter disbelief on his face. Not only
were they lying, and badly, they seemed to think him deaf and foolish enough to not
have overheard what their argument had been about.
'A bit?' he repeated calmly.
They exchanged another look but said nothing else.
'It might be a matter of little importance for you, but for me it is not if my dearest
friends engage in a fight and the reason is me.'
They managed to look even more chagrined than before.
This time it was Eomer who could hardly suppress his laughter.
'I would very much like to put matters right. Each of you seems to think the other is to
blame for what has befallen me. It is good to know you care, but I would prefer it if
this decision would be left to me.'
Elf and dwarf seemed to have shrunk under his glare and they looked very much like
children now, shuffling their feet and squirming.
'If someone would have taken the time to ask me, I could have told you that no one is
to blame but myself, and the creature that attacked me.'
Legolas voice had softened now and both his friends noticed the change at once.
'I have to take some blame,' Gimli spoke quickly. 'For I injured you and therefore you
were much more vulnerable.'
'Our dispute had nothing to do with my fight against the creature. I underestimated it
greatly and this is why it could overwhelm me. Its powers were much stronger than I
excepted them to be.'
'I injured you.' The dwarf's voice carried all the guilt he felt.
'I do not begrudge you for this, my friend.' Legolas' voice was gentle now. 'You were
in pain and anguish filled your heart. Your actions were directed by your emotions,
not your mind. I know you would never hurt me intentionally and this is enough for
me.'
The dwarf just looked at him, a mixture of doubt and relief on his face.
Legolas attention turned on Calenuial. The elven warrior averted his eyes, his own
guilt palpable, for causing his friend pain earlier as well as starting this whole
argument with Gimli.
'The same goes for you my friend,' Legolas spoke, smiling at him. He had known
Calenuial for much too long to need many words to tell him how he felt. He could see
him relax immediately and knew the matter was settled.
His eyes returned to Gimli, wondering if he should try to speak to him about Nirith
and the accusation that still stung his own heart.
Gimli beat him to it.
'I still wish to ask your forgiveness for the careless words I spoke. I know you would
not refuse your help if needed, and I had no right to put any blame on you.'
Legolas smiled at that, as a great weight seemed to lift from his heart. He had lost
neither Gimli's trust nor his friendship.
'As you children finally seem to agree with each other, I would say it is time for this
elfling to return to his bed. He has caused enough worry to me.' Amayn's melodious
voice sounded chiding and amused at once.
It was the last straw, and Aragorn's restraint crumbled as he could not help the
laughter that escaped him. Legolas glared, and Gimli and Calenuial exchanged an
uncertain look before both broke out in a grin. Whatever had stood between them
had ceased to exist upon seeing Legolas well again. Even to them, their fight
suddenly seemed meaningless and irrelevant.
'You are right, Lady Amayn. I say we take care of the elfling and return him to his
bed,' Gimli offered, with a twinkle of sudden mischief in his eyes. Calenuial caught on
immediately and moved with the dwarf, each of them grabbing one of Legolas arms
and dragging him away.
'I do not need your help!' he exclaimed indignantly.
'Hush, elfling, or we might need to carry you.' Calenuial's voice held laughter in it.
Unable to break free, Legolas relented, not wishing for them to go through with the
threat.
Shaking her head, Amayn followed them and Aragorn was sure he could hear her
mumbling about children and their behavior as they disappeared from view. With a
wide grin upon his face, he turned to Gandalf.
'You knew, did you not?' he asked, amusement shining in his eyes.
The Istari shrugged. 'I knew nothing but that their fighting was not based on
differences but similarities. It was their fear for Legolas that caused them to indulge in
this argument as well as their apprehension of losing him. Only Legolas could solve
this matter and I would say he did.'
With a chuckle, Aragorn made a gesture towards the direction they had disappeared.
'Let's follow the children, then, shall we?