NAT: Ooohhhh....Another wizard, a seeing stone, and a reason why. And some solutions.
I'm afraid the title is stolen...Return to Me is a movie....very good movie at that...rent it sometime...but first...readdddd...
The Land I Call My Home
Part 4: Return to Me
"King Elessar," The messenger bowed low to the King of Gondor, who sat on the floor with his daughter, playing dolls with her.
"Yes?" Aragorn looked up from the little girl. The messenger bowed low again.
"A message from Lord Elrond: Legolas has returned, but he is ill. Please come to Rivendell with all haste." Aragorn jumped up, startling the girl and the messanger.
"What? They've found him?" He rushed to the door, flung it open, and yelled down the hall. "Arwen! Come quick!" The tall Elvish Queen of Gondor hurried towards the sound, bouncing a boy on her hip.
"Aragorn?"
"They've found Legolas! I must go to Rivendell-" Aragorn was interupted by a tug on his pant leg.
"Daddy? Whatsamatter?" The little girl asked, looking up at him.
"Hope, Daddy has to go somewhere for a while, okay? You stay with Mommy and Celeb." Aragorn told her, bending down to her eye-level. Hope nodded.
"Okay. You'll be back soon?"
"Of course, Hope." He said, standing. He turned to the messenger. "Have them get a horse ready for me, and a pack of food." The messenger nodded, and left them. He leaned forward to kiss Arwen on the forehead.
"Soon. I promise."
And with that, he was gone.
*-*-*
Elrond looked up, startled, as the doors to his main chamber where flung open. He had been sitting upon the chair, trying to find a solution to the problem at hand, but now he stood.
"Where is he?" Two exclaimed as one. Gimli and Aragorn stood before him, dripping wet from the rain.
"He is...ill..." Elrond admitted with much difficultly. It was few a pain that Elrond could not fix, and fewer still the illness of an Elf.
"He was injured?" Gimli demanded, stepping forward.
"No. He is sick." Elrond replied, looking down at the floor.
"Sick?" Aragorn asked, confusion clear in his voice. "But, Elves..."
"Elves aren't supposed to fall ill," Elrond finished for him. "I know. Yet, he has."
"Where is he?" Gimli demanded again. Elrond shook his head.
"You cannot see him now."
"We must!" The exclaimed in unison, not even thinking about it.
"Very well." Elrond relented easily, hoping that maybe the Ex-Ranger had learned something that had eluded Elrond himself, about medicine or such. But he doubted it. "But first, change out of the wet things. I will lead you to him when you're dry."
*-*-*
"Mama?" Violet slipped into the bedroom. Ari wiped away a tear, and turned to face her daughter.
"What is it, honey?"
"Is he really gone? Really?" She asked, lower lip trembling. Ari lowered her eyes, and nodded. "Can I sleep with you then? I'm scared by myself."
"Okay. Let's get Legan too, okay?" Violet nodded.
"He's too little still. He won't understand that Daddy's gone, right? We need to be strong for him." Violet asked and stated, with a child-like confidence, while her own tears were threatening to spill over.
A tear slipped down Ari's face, and she didn't answer.
*-*-*
Elrond pushed open the door, letting Aragorn and Gimli into the room. Both gasps were audible. This Legolas was not the same one they had known years earlier.
Aragorn quickly noticed how pale Legolas seemed, but the contrasting flush to his cheeks confirmed the fact that Legolas had a fever.
"You can do nothing?" Gimli asked in a mere whisper. Elrond shook his head sadly.
"I have tried everything. I'll continue to work, but there isn't much hope." Gimli stormed out of the room. Aragorn could hardly blame him. To think that their friend was so recently found, and yet would be taken again, was almost unbearable.
"I will stay with him." Aragorn stated simply, sitting down in a chair near the bed. Elrond nodded.
"I will be in my study."
*-*-*
Gandalf stalked into the small room, and glared at the white-haired man in front of him.
"I've found you." He said sternly. The man jumped.
"Gandalf! It has been a few hundred years my friend."
"Traedan. Have you done anything to Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood?" The white-haired man shook his head. Gandalf glared harder.
"Okay, fine, fine, I did play a little game with him." Traedan admitted.
"What kind of game?"
"I was experimenting in alternate world theories..." Gandalf stormed across the room, and gripped Traedan by the throat.
"He's so sick, Elrond himself doesn't know what to do. Whatever you've done, undo it right now!"
"Well, well, you see, I can't...one can only travel worlds twice, a there and back, you might say. I can't send him back. It's impossible. How did you find me out, anyway?"
"I suspected your involvement. Who are the 'them' he keeps referring to? Do you know?"
"Oh, yes...yes...I can bring them!" Traedan announced, scanning a book.
"Do not. Let me go first and warn them." Gandalf stopped the younger wizard, who nodded compliantly.
"Fine..."
*-*-*
Ari wiped away a tear, and walked away from the memorial tombstone. One week had passed, and nothing was easier. Violet's fourth birthday had been seemingly forgotten, and Legan wouldn't stop crying. She was walking away from the now-deserted graveyard, when a bright flash appeared before her, and a tall man with a gray beard and robe stood before her.
"I am Gandalf, proper introductions can be made later, but, would you like to join Legolas?" She eyed him suspiciously, but slowly nodded.
"Yes."
"Then get your things together. We have not much time."
*-*-*
"Nate, thanks for watching the kids." Ari shouted, as she opened the door. She shoved Nate a handful of money, ignoring Nate's questioning glances at the wizard behind her. "I love you, Nate. You've been a great friend." Ari said, squeezing Nate into a hug, before pushing him out the door, and locking it.
"What do I do?" Ari asked Gandalf, as Violet and Legan clung to her.
"Pack." Gandalf replied.
"Okay, Violet, go get your doll, and Daddy's hat. Legan, go get one car, and your sippy cup. I'll get the clothes and everything." Ari was off, moving around the house in a blur, putting complete trust in the Wizard, and risking pain again. Violet struggled to help, while Legan eyed Gandalf warily, clutching his car with one hand. Within fifteen minutes of the command, Ari stood before Gandalf with two bags, clutching her children's hands tightly. Gandalf smiled at them, before tapping the floor with his heavy staff.
"Traedan, we're ready,"
There was another flash, and Gandalf stood in Traedan's study, alone with the other wizard.
"Where are they?" He demanded.
"Near Rivendell." Traedan replied with a shrug.
*-*-*
A knock at the gate alerted the young Elvish guard, and he peered over the side.
"May I help you?" He asked, slightly surprised at what he saw. A lady, with two small children, all wearing strange clothes and carrying strange bags.
"Can we come in?" The lady asked wearily. The Elf looked around the area, and nodded slowly, as he opened the gate. The lady and the two children slipped inside.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked, as he shut the gate behind her.
"Is Legolas here?" She asked, hope creeping into her voice.
"Yes, but, but he's ill, milady." The Elvish guard answered.
"Ill? I must see him!" She cried. The older of the two children looked up with wide eyes.
"Mama? Is Daddy sick?" She asked fretfully, as the lady bent down.
"Shh, Violet. I'm sure he's fine." She quieted the girl, who bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling. Meanwhile, the Elf's eyes grew as wide as the girl's when he caught her meaning.
"I must see Legolas." The lady demanded again. "Take me to him." The Elf looked around desperatly, not sure what to do, and aware that he couldn't leave his post. Another Elf walked by at that moment, and paused to stare at the three strangers.
"Glorfindel!" The Elf cried out, "Come here." He whispered something in Glorfindel's ear, and Glorfindel nodded slowly.
"I'll see what I can do, Elbrian." He turned to the lady and the children. "Please, come with me." He led them up stairs, and down halls, before finally arriving in front of a door, where Elrond was pacing back and forth.
"Elrond," Glorfindel motioned for him to come closer, and he whispered in his ear, much like Elbrian had done moments ago. Elrond smiled grimly, and turned to the lady.
"I am sorry, milady, but Legolas is ill. I am afraid you cannot see him right now. Perhaps when he is feeling better?" As Elrond spoke, the little girl slipped around him, and without anyone noticing, opened the door behind Elrond.
"Daddeeeeeeeeeeee!" She screamed as she saw the now-still figure on the bed. She ran to the bed even before Elrond or Glorfindel could stop her. Ari took the chance, and pushed past the Lord Elrond, and into the room. The little boy pulled from her grasp, and ran to the bed as well.
"Dada?" He asked in a tiny voice. Ari was frozen for but a second. She flew to Legolas' side, and fell next to the bed, near tears.
"Legolas, oh Legolas, I'm here. Please, wake up." Elrond watched with interest and surprise, despite himself. It seemed as if they had found the 'them'. He pitied them, for he had been working for a week now, with no results. But, he was proved wrong.
Legolas blinked, and looked up at her.
"Am I dreaming?" He asked in a whisper. Ari shook her head, tears slipping down her face.
"No, Legolas. I'm real."
"Daddy!"
"Dada!"
"I...I can't believe it. How'd you-" Ari put a hand over his mouth.
"Not now." Violet and Legan had now bounced on the bed , and were clinging to him fiercely. Tears of joy sparkled in his eyes, but within an instant, were replaced by pain, as he clutched his head and moaned.
"Another headache?" Ari asked worriedly. Legolas nodded, with his eyes squeezed shut.
"Take the kids to another room." He finally managed to choke out.
"I'll take them, Legolas." Glorfindel stepped forward, and picked the two small children up. "Let's go see Mr. Bilbo. I'm sure he has a story or two left." Glorfindel said to quiet them, as he left the room.
"Want some Tylenol? I brought the extra-strength." Ari asked gently, and Legolas nodded.
"Please." Ari went over to one of the bags she had dropped earlier, and pulled out a small white bottle. Elrond carefully watched everything, as she pulled out two small tablets, and handed them to Legolas, along with the water sitting beside the bed.
Legolas swollowed them gratefully, and eased back onto the pillows.
"Anything else?"
"Hold me?" He asked with a tiny hopeful smile. She nodded, and walked around the bed, climbing in the other side. She slid in, and pulled him close to her, as his eyes closed in a contented sleep.
Elrond quietly slipped out of the room, and it was only as he left that Ari realized he had been present.
*-*-*
Ari set another cool cloth on Legolas' head, and sighed. He blinked at her, and forced a smile.
"What is it?" He mumbled sleepily, fighting the fever.
"If I'm not mistaken, you haven't been this sick since the Candy incident."
"And before that, it was the Coke." Legolas replied, closing his eyes simply to rest them.
"Which I wasn't present for, and I'm forever thankful to Nate and Seb for not kicking you out."
"Kick me out?" Legolas mumbled, opening his eyes. "They couldn't have, even if they wanted to. I spent the better part of two days in their bathroom with the door locked."
"Those poor boys." She murmured jestfully. He coughed as he laughed.
"Poor? Did Nate ever tell you how I really learned to drive?" Legolas asked, not noticing when Aragorn slipped into the room.
"No." Ari took the cloth off his forehead, and replaced it with another. "Go on."
"We were at the downhill courses, and Seb flipped over the handlebars when he was breaking rocks, and hit his head on a tree, and broke his ankle. The ambluance took Jon and Seb, but Nate was far too nervous to drive, and made me do it. He handed me the keys, climbed in the passenger side, and ordered, 'You drive. It's about time you learned anyway. Right is gas, left is brake. Pay attention to the signs, and you've got it.' I lost three hubcaps on the way, and Nate's only words to me after arriving at the hospital were, 'That was good. You're perfect.'" Ari was laughing by now, and Legolas leaned back into the pillows, noticing Aragorn for the first time.
"Aragorn!"
"Legolas! We've been waiting forever!" Aragorn stepped forward quickly, as he was acknowledged, and smiled at his long-lost friend. "Do I have the honor of meeting the fine lady?" He asked, bowing slightly to her. Legolas beamed.
"This is Ari, my wife."
"Wife?" Aragorn smiled pleasantly at her. "The two children in Bilbo's study must be yours then." Ari nodded, with her soft smile.
"Violet and Legan."
"Arwen and our two are to arrive here this afternoon. Hope and Celeb." Aragorn pulled a chair over, and sat down. "Has Gimli been in yet?"
"The dwarf?" Ari asked with a laugh. "He's been in and out at least a dozen times already. Lord Elrond made him leave, so Legolas could rest.
"I couldn't help but overhearing your conversation. Do you mind if I ask what the Candy incident it?" Even with the feverish flush, Legolas' face reddened considerably. Ari laughed lightly.
"Legolas was introduced to far too many of our artificial sugar laced candies in one day."
"M&Ms, Pez, Shocktarts, and Warheads, to name a few." Legolas mumbled.
"And he got dreadfully sick." Ari finished. Aragorn raised an eyebrow.
"And here we thought Elves weren't supposed to fall ill."
"Middle-Earth Elves have never had Soda or Pixie-Sticks before." Legolas grumbled, closing his eyes again. Ari's hand was cool against his forehead, and the cloths helped. The fever was fading slowly, and drowisness was replacing the uncomfortable warmth. Ari and Aragorn noticed how sleepy the Elf seemed, and Aragorn took his exit cue like a pro.
"I'll see you later, dinner, perhaps, milady? Arwen would be delighted to meet you, I'm sure." Aragorn said softly to Ari, rising from his chair, and backing towards the door. Ari nodded with a concerned smile in Legolas' direction.
"Perhaps at dinner." She echoed, as he left the room.
*-*-*
"Ari, did you say you brought my sneakers?" Legolas asked worriedly, rummaging through the bag.
"Yes. Blue bag, not the black one."
"Oh." Legolas moved to the next back, and triumphantly pulled out a pair of Nikes.
"Legolas, it'll be your first day out of the room. Don't overdo it, please?" Ari asked, gliding over and kissed him on top of the head, as he pulled the shoes on.
"I'll try not to." Legolas replied sincerely.
"Thanks." Ari continued brushing her hair, and Legolas stood before her.
"How do I look?" He asked. She turned and looked at him. He wore his black and blue Nikes, comfortable looking blue jean shorts, and a Lapham and Elfman Downhill Devil's T-shirt, with a new addition. A small picture of a skull, with glowing eyes, and the phrase 'ph3r m3' in dripping red letters.
"Wonderful. Go break some rocks."
"Too bad you couldn't bring my bike." Legolas sighed regrettfully, as he pulled on his bucket hat.
"You don't have to wear that, now." Ari reminded him.
"Maybe I'll stop in a day or two. Habits die hard." He replied, leaving the room. He walked down the familar halls of Rivendell, towards the sound of laughter outside on a balcony. He stepped out, and the laughter ceased, and everyone froze.
It was indeed a sight, for every eye present was locked on the little logo. Several eyebrows were raised. Legolas shrugged.
"I worked for them." He replied nonchalantly.
"Who were they?" Aragorn asked, almost fearfully.
"A couple of young men. It was a Downhill BMX team."
"BMX?" Aragorn asked. Legolas suddenly felt pity for Nate.
"Bikes. Like a small horse with wheels." Legolas tried to explain. Aragorn looked his friend over. It was strange...
Legolas looked like your average skater/biker Dad, in a Tony Hawk sort of way. Needless to say, it wasn't very common in Middle-Earth.
Gimli joined them, and clapped Legolas on the back.
"Good to see you out here, my friend. We've been worried." Gimli eyed the logo as well, but his look was one of appreciation instead. "Nice shirt." He muttered, sitting down on a bench.
"Daddy!"
"Dada!"
"Daddy!"
"Dada!"
Four children ran out onto the balcony, two jumping around Legolas, and two around Aragorn. Aragorn picked Hope and Celeb, and Legolas did the same with Violet and Legan.
"Daddy, toss me!" Violet begged, looking up at Legolas. Legolas grinned, and set Legan down for a minute. He held Violet under the arms, and without warning, tossed her high. She squealed, and remained in the air for several seconds before landing safely in his arms. Everyone on the balcony breathed a sigh of relief. Ari and Arwen, who had obviously watched the whole event, rushed forward.
"Legolas! Not so high!" Ari berated, and Legolas blushed.
"Fine, fine."
"But it was fun, Mama! Really!" Violet protested, as Legolas set her down. Legan threw his arms up towards Legolas.
"Oss me, eew, Dada!" Legolas picked him up, and with a cautious glance towards Ari, threw the boy a few feet into the air.
"Hope, want to play tag?" Violet asked, looking up at Hope, still in Aragorn's arms. Hope looked expectantly at Aragorn.
"May I play with Violet, Daddy?"
"Of course." Aragorn said with a smile, setting her down.
"How do you play tag?" Hope asked quietly, following Violet back into a high hall.
Arwen took Celeb, and Ari took Legan, and they sat near the men, talking quietly. Legolas sat near Gimli, and leaned back in the chair.
"So, how have things been in Middle-Earth?"
"Aye, very well, Master Elf." Gimli replied heartily, as Aragorn nodded agreement.
The small talk continued, discomfort growing slowly, as they encountered obstacles of speech and theory. Legolas more than once found himself trying to explain things such as 'car', 'fast food', 'playground', and 'stereo'. Legan slipped out of Ari's arms, and wandered over to Legolas, while Ari and Arwen continued to talk comfortably about the children, and other things easily related, no matter what the difference in accustomed time-periods. Legolas absently picked Legan up, and held him, as they continued to talk.
The Man, Elf, and Dwarf (the other Elves having slipped off quite a while ago) had just begun talking about smaller happenings in Middle-Earth that Legolas had missed, when Violet and Hope returned, breathless and grinning.
"Daddy," Violet walked over to Legolas, and tugged on his leg. "When will we get to see Uncle Nate again?" All conversastion froze, and five pairs of eyes turned on Violet. Legolas, with a glance towards Ari, knelt down.
"Violet, we won't get to see Uncle Nate again." Violet stamped her foot impatiently, her grin fading.
"But, but, Daddy! I want Hope to meet him! And he promised to get me a stopwatch!" Ari sprang to her feet to help Legolas.
"Violet, Daddy can't do anything about it." Ari explained softly. Tears brimmed and threatened to overspill in Violet's eyes.
"I hate it here!" She screamed, the tears falling. "I miss Uncle Nate, and my dolls! I never got to finish my birthday party, and it's all because of you!" She pointed accusingly at Legolas, her lower lip trembling violently. Legolas cringed, and Legan started to wail, and reach for Ari, frightened by Violet's outburst. Ari took the boy, as Legolas straightened, and stiffly left the balcony, slamming the door shut behind him. Violet sat down on the floor, arms crossed over her chest.
"Violet Ariel Greenleaf, that was uncalled for. You will apologize to your father, and do so right now." Ari reprimanded fiercly, while the rest of the small group on the balcony watched, stunned.
"It is too, true." Violet retorted. "And that's why he got mad. Because I was right."
"Violet..." Ari began again, knowing she was fighting a lost battle. Violet scrambled to her feet, and ran as fast as she could away from her mother. Ari dumped Legan in Aragorn's arms, with a rushed request of, 'Hold him, please', before hurrying after her daughter. Hope tiptoed over to her father, and looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Daddy, what's wrong with Violet?"
"She's homesick," Aragorn finally replied, after a long uncomfortable silence.
"Why did she yell at her father?"
"I don't know." Aragorn lied, trying to calm Legan down, who continued to fuss.
A sharp, high scream, followed by a more childish one, echoed throughout Rivendell. Aragorn jumped to his feet, Gimli following, while Arwen rushed Legan, Celeb and Hope into a nearby room.
Aragorn hadn't even gotten to his feet before Legolas' door was flung open, and the swift Elf flew out of the room, still clad in his red and white Nikes. Legolas arrived at the source of the first scream just seconds before Aragorn did.
Ari stood, trembling, and pointing with one hand towards the forest, her other hand clamped over her mouth.
"It...it...took her...It was ugly and gray and it took Violet!" She stuttered, going into shock.
"Orcs!" Gimli announced angerily, waving his axe in the air. Legolas caught his wife as she collasped.
"I'll get her back, Ari, I promise." He whispered, and she nodded weakly.
"Legolas..." Was the last thing to leave Ari's lips before she passed out.
*-*-*
NAT: I'm scary, aren't I? I can't just hurt this Elf enough. But, there is a *Bleep* ending. Happy, or sad? Read and find out! Now I'm cruel too...oh well, it'll look good on my Dark Lords of the World resume.
I betcha didn't know he was such a superstar, huh?