Authors Notes: Ok. This chapter took WAY too long to post AGAIN!! Ugh, and I'm SO sorry. I'm a still at a loss as to where to go from here, but you reviewers have been so nice to me that I felt the Need to keep writing. *Hint hint, nudge nudge.* Maybe if I get more reviews it might inspire me to write more, faster? Lol J/k if you aren't inspired to review that's fine with me. However, if you are all comments are welcome. Thanks again all of you who have stuck with me through this thing and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
PS. This chapter is pretty much Legolas centered. Darn. Lol ^_^ Hope your not too disappointed. Hehe.
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Chapter 9 : "Of Silent Revelations and Unnatural Remedies."
He heard a faint voice… "Legolas?"And another… who is it? Who's there?
"Legolas!"Everything was getting softer and softer, as if moving away at an incredible rate, fleeing over a great stretch of land in but a mere instant.
"Nay Legolas! Do not fade!"His mind was so foggy; a heavy black mist settling across his thoughts as he fought to understand the frantic cries.
"Legolas please!"Those voices.. it.. they… were so familiar, so warm... who-
"You blasted Elf! You must NOT sleep!"That persistent voice.. voices?… voice?.. I-I do not know anymore.. it or they commanded this time.. But-
"LEGOLAS!"But the call of the shadow was so strong… to strong. He couldn't resist anymore.
'I… will rest a moment… Just… a moment-'
………….
"Strider?!" Pippin exclaimed, looking up from Legolas' dimly glowing ivory face as the elf's dead eyes finally slipped shut. The little hobbits hands clenched over the cloth he and Merry were fiercely clutching atop the blond ones chest; all but grinding it into the already angrily inflamed wound trying to smother the rapid blood flow.
"Legolas! Legolas, you stupid Elf! Blast it open your eyes!" Gimli continued to plead, carefully shaking his friends healthy shoulder. Aragorn shook his head angrily, his eyes misting over in rage and fear and uncertainty.
They had to work quickly. But even if they succeeded in what must be done, Legolas.. he might not- Nay!! Stop thinking like that!!
His nimble hand shot out, wrapping tight around Gimli's treasured beard against his outcry of protest, instantly capturing his attention and redirected his eyes to the damp dirt. Quickly Aragorn began to carve out orders with the still bloody dagger, trying to ignore the nauseous feeling rising in the pit of his stomach at the ever-present reminder of his elven companions plight.
'We must move him inside! NOW!' Strider paused reassuring his grip on the blood slicked blade hilt. 'Now that he has lapsed into the shadow of unconsciousness, we do not have much time!'
The dwarfs eyes widened at the message, his hitching breath coming out as cold puffs of white that were swallowed up by the biting wind that suddenly began to kick about them. His heart seized in his chest as of a great draw bridge slamming shut, fear for his new found friends well being building up inside.
"How- how long?" he asked numbly, his voice low and subdued. The ranger shook his head closing his eyes at the moisture he felt ever collecting there, then quickly slashed out his reply in the pliable soil. 'Ten minutes at the most…Then, he will be lost to us.'
"Then what are we waiting for!?" Gimli yelled, turning back down to their fair elf friend and frantically helped Strider lift his limp form. His eyes narrowing in fear and worry as Legolas' body hung lax in the Rangers grip, hanging loose like a rag doll chilled in ice. The Princes' elven light had already begun to fade. His skin cold and on the light shade of transparent, the pounding blue veins running through him painfully visible in the dim light.
"Come young Hobbits!" the Dwarf called back to the two still kneeling half-lings as Aragorn took off into the large inn, carefully clutching the cloak he had wrapped around the princes nude form.
Merry and Pippin starred for but a moment longer, eyes aglow with unshed tears then scrambled gracelessly to their feet, picking up all their discarded gore-webbed weapons and set after the others, running as fast as their little legs could carry them.
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"Princeling." A soft deep voice called from the shadows, mellow and gentle but forceful enough to awaken him, if only but a little.
"Princeling awaken." The darkness called again, the voice never gaining in force or pitch.
Legolas turned restlessly in the shadows, fighting weariness to open his oddly enough closed eyes. Strange.. He held back a moan as he felt a body shift over him, the tips of long, fine hair caressing his cheek. Who is there?… Aragorn?… Nay, his hair is not this fair… Boromir mayhap?
"Edhel, open your eyes." The voice not quite commanded again, the body shifting momentarily closer as he raised a hand open palmed to his lips. A soft breeze blew suddenly onto the elf prince's pale face small sparkling flecks of dust dancing about the current of breath, playing carefully about his features. A fine sheen of the fairy like dust settled in his dark crescent's of eyelashes and about his pale rose lips, tickling his fair skin.
The body smiled gently and retreated as Legolas blinked open his eyes and stretched, his movements fluid with somewhat feline grace. The blond one sat up slowly, blinking the last haze of sleep from his keen vision to take in his odd surroundings and shrouded companion. His breath caught--
There were no walls.
There was no ceiling.
And there was no floor.
He was surrounded by a thick black murky shadow that stretched as far as the eye could see, and for an elf that's saying quite a bit. A choking dark fog was settled lazily about the air, pressing down on the blond, making his breath heavy and damp; his chest tight. With a growing dread, Legolas observed the absence of all light, save his own fair elven glow that hung about him in pulsating silver swaths.
The man who had awoken him was now several feet to the north of where he sat upon the non existent floor, his hands clasped behind his lean back in the dark and a small, somewhat expectant smile gracing his full lips. The figure was shrouded nearly completely in the shadow; his jovial eyes and long curtain of honey gold hair the only certain features discernable.
Legolas shivered as he felt an almost frantic tugging at his heart, a faint voice calling in the back of his mind. Legolas! Dear one, please come back! He though he heard, but-… what does it mean? Come back where? The voice called his name again before fading back into silence, confusing the elf. The prince waited again for the insistent tugging and little voice but nothing more came.
Shaking his head, he ignored it and returned to the present. "What is this place, why have you brought me here? Who are you?" the elf asked softly, shifting nervously as he watched the man waiting for a reply.
He received none save a slight widening of the creatures not quite pleasant smile.
Silently, Legolas stood, passing his hand over his thin face, wiping at the glittering angel dust upon his flesh, slightly flustered at realizing it would not rub off. "Do not worry yourself, it is there to stay. When it has served its purpose, I shall will it away." The shadow man spoke softly, his tone now jovial and light, his smile widening at the disapproving suspicious glance he received from the elf.
Legolas' body slid reflexively into a poised battle ready stance, one hand straying unconsciously to the strap of his quiver across his chest. Only, to his dismay, to find it gone. With a low growl, he stared hard at the man, not allowing him to see his true distress.
"Where are my companions? What have you done to them?" he questioned again, his hands fisting at his side keeping a nervous gaze on his opponent. The man shadow laughed at that, his voice soft and pleasant but chilling all the same. "So noble you are! But please, do not worry for they are well. I have brought only you here, for I have a message to tell."
"A message? You speak in strange rhyme, if a message is what you wish to convey then please speak plainly for I shall like much to return to my companions." Legolas spoke, shifting on his feet, his boots clicking impossibly loud on the nothingness below him. He winced inwardly as his should be silent steps ceased, glancing down at the darkness below him.
The man's smile widened again with a simple nod of his head. "So be it."
"The night may not turn to day, perhaps. And your elven light may fade, perhaps. The sun may not rise, but nor will you eyes, if your friends heart does not sway." The man in the shadows recited softly, the words chilling a place deep inside the elfings heart, though there meaning was illusive. Legolas circled to the shadows left, cocking his head slightly. "You speak once more in riddles, I am afraid I do not understand." His pale hands twitching for a bow he did not have.
The shadow of a man grinned, his eerie eye's glowing in an unseen light. Mockingly, he mirrored the elf's actions, tilting his head to the side as he studied the fair, glowing creature before him. "Do you not? But it is as plain as the stars." The dark figure responded, his mischievous grin sliding wider as the elf drew to a pause, watching with keen yet wary eyes.
"And you of the Eldar born, who of dwarves and humans scorn, may die this very day, perhaps. And retreat to the gentle oceans play, perhaps. If swayed not is the heart of fair Aragorn." Again, the shadow recited in its riddles, a merry yet malicious laughter ringing about the non-existent halls of the inky darkness. Legolas stiffened reflexively, his back rigid and still, fair silver aqua eyes narrowing.
"The meaning of your words eludes me, dark one. How am I to die? And what of Aragorn? What does he mean to you?" the prince questioned, his gaze steady upon the shrouded figure, his nimble fingers curling and knotting at his side. The shadow laughed again in reply, his eyes half closing in merriment and delight. "To me young one?" he chuckled harder, his shaded hand moving in the dark to cup the side of his face.
"The true question be, not what he means to me. But what doth he mean to you, whose elven heart doth beat true, at the very sight of fair Aragorn." The man spoke with a gentle smile, his free hand raising to point not quite accusingly at the elf.
Legolas turned swiftly with a sound somewhat reminiscent of a snort, and crossed his slender arms over his thin chest, glaring at the shadow ghost from the corner of his eye. "I know naught of what you speak." He demanded softly, his voice subdued but still ever musical. A soft peach blossom hue began to rise on his pronounced cheeks, giving him his only reason to be thankful for the darkness.
The man chuckled happily, his voice now threaded through with hundreds more, raising it in pitch and fairness giving it a not-quite elvish quality.
"You lie poorly, lovely one. I see the scarlet about your cheeks now, as clearly as if it were in the light of the sun." he taunted, slowly slinking his way through the black shroud 'til he stood but a few feet to the elf princes left.
Legolas' grip tightened on his crossed arms, rampant emotions of anger, unease and something else flitting about his eyes. The man shadow smiled again, this time almost sadly shaking his head. The elf turned back towards the man, his soft elven boots again clicking unnaturally loud as he took a should-be silent step forward. In turn, the ghost took a step back, keeping far enough away from Legolas' elvish glow to remain sufficiently shaded in black.
"Why do you recoil? Are you not the one who should be feared?" the princeling asked, cocking his head again in question, his unbound tresses falling unheeded over his thin shoulder; a gentle smile lighting his own features. "Why indeed?" the man replied, unconsciously mirroring the elf's actions, watching the glowing prince as if he expected Legolas to answer him.
Legolas simply stared back, the silent tugging on his heart suddenly returning, an unperceivable shiver riding through him as he almost felt breath dancing upon his exposed neck this time. The shadows lips twitched at the sight before he lowered his eyes and waved his hand in a flippant, dismissive gesture. "Ah, but that is not what I brought you for Melamin." he whispered, an almost devilish glint rising in his features as he spied the elf's unease at the name. Che. Auta miqula fylmena. Legolas thought, his eyes narrowing.
"So then speak you now, that I may make haste and depart from this fell veil of darkness!" The elf all but snapped, all to eager to leave this place and its odd company and return to his companions and his duty. The man's face darkened, or was that simply the play on the non-light upon his eyes?
"Do not be so eager to leave the shadow, for you may fall right back into its grasp when you go." He warned, ever so slowly moving to circle the elf in a careful prowl; smile gone and replaced with an ill-boding glower. "How so?" Legolas dare ask, his lilting voice naught but a whisper, silently stalking the man's every more. Another chilled knot formed in his heart.
The shadow 'hmphed', continuing his fluid prowl. "You truly do not remember." He paused, an oily smirk appearing upon his face. "Know you not, of your blindness in waking? Know you not, of the battle in 'White Valley'? Know you not, of the wound torn in your flesh and the foul orcish poison that courses through your blood?!" He taunted with an almost snarl, baring long fanged canines that glinted deadly in the elves eternal light.
Legolas' body stiffened further, if even inhumanly possible, both at his words and flashing teeth. This creature is not even human! He is a beast!
"Surely, I know not of what you speak!" the elf replied sharply, honestly confused by the- things words. Once again, Legolas moved his hands to search for his weapons, and once more encountered none. He was completely on edge now, the man's sudden anger setting off warning bells in his head. The man snorted as he rounded the archer.
"Truly! Then enlighten you I shall!" The shadow growled out, moving suddenly with speed far exceeding even that of the elves; capturing the elf-ling prince in an iron grip before he had a chance to move. Seeming to simply disappear from one place and reappear at another.
The beast snapped Legolas' head viciously to the side, barring his pale glowing neck.
Legolas was taken aback by his speed and strength, that he had naught time to even gasp before the man creatures fang's sank into the icy flesh of his neck sending shock waves of pain and surprise through him. The elf-lings mind began to swim with images and memories, the speed with which they flooded back practically burning a hole through the back of his head. Legolas' knees went weak and his body feel slack, completely unresisting in the shadow beasts embrace; knowing somewhere in his suffocating mind that if he should release him now he would simply tumble down into the darkness unyielding and unable to fight.
The images continued to swallow his thoughts, now accompanied by sensations and pains that were all too real. Suddenly a sharp biting mithril woven band snapped about his brow, sending a reverberating, searing pain down through his pounding temples to settle behind his wide wild eyes; blurring and stealing away his sight.
With a sharp gasp and half choked of cry, the elf began his struggles anew, despite the terrifying weakness he felt settling about him.
His legs remained lax and useless while his hands flew again to the iron arms that held his chest and throat. The beast in reply yanked his head further back and to the side, his claw like nails digging into the soft skin of the sensitive joint below elven ear and jaw like little blades of molten steal; his teeth burrowing deeper in their fleshy sheaths.
Legolas bit his tongue to keep from gasping in pain, his head snapping back as his once again dead, sightless eyes widened in unknown horror. A chilling January wind suddenly kicked by, dancing its icy fingers upon the elf's now very exposed, very naked flesh eliciting a fine shiver. The man beasts arms slowly began to loosen as the torrent of thoughts and aches began to slow ending rather cruelly with a jagged, something cold ramming unforgivably through the archers shoulder.
Legolas' eyes fluttered, his lids falling to half-mast as a hot sticky fluid began to slither its way down his bare chiseled chest.
"Now you have seen the truth. Do you still hold claim to know not of what I speak?" the shadow man asked, releasing the bleeding prince to fall bonelessly to the floor. "Wh-why have you done this to me?" the prince whispered from his crumpled position on the nothingness floor; his body shaking fiercely though not entirely from the cold. "Done to you?" the shadow asked, watching the prince wither in pain. "Amin lirimaer, all I have done is merely return the memories you lost upon entering my dream world. Do not blame your misfortunes upon me, I had naught a part in them." He replied calmly a small sliver of his smile returning.
The elf shook his head, turning his sightless eyes in the direction of the voice. "Nay… If-if you are- who I believe you to be, then our misf-fortunes were all yo…your doing." The princeling spoke, his bottom lip quiver. The man standing over him grinned placing his pale hands on his slim hips. "And whom, pray tell do you think me to be?" he asked jovially, not quite expecting the answer he received.
"Fa-Fallon De'tin."
The Shadow paused, his eyes widening. Suddenly he erupted with violent laughter, wrapping his arms about his middle as the fierceness of the fit hit him. "You are correct Prince! Though I must admit-," he paused trying to control his frantic laughing. "I had not expected you to figure that out!" he continued, laughing harder then before.
"I am not as naive as some would have me be." Legolas replied, his face however grim unaffected by the man's merriment. The Judge wiped at his eyes, slowing his chuckling, his grin still impossibly large as he sat rather gracelessly next to the elf. "Yes, yes. That I know, however I had expected you to be too occupied with your thoughts of waking to realize the truth." He nodded, placing his hand on the elf's healthy shoulder in a brotherly gesture messaging it with his fingertips.
Despite himself, Legolas felt his body relax under the gentle ministrations. This man is so confusing! One minute he is laughing the next he his ripping my flesh, and now he acts as a brother might to sooth ones pains! "Do not worry so much!" the judge smirked, patting the elf's cheek then sighed, leaning back on his hands.
"Ah, but my time does grow short I fear. You must return soon." He said sadly, lowering his eyes to look at the elf's still shaking form. That is a relief. Legolas thought, thoroughly confused by the being but glad to leave. "Then what is your message?" he asked, holding his hands tight to his chest trying to stop his shivering.
"Oh." The man shrugged. "Nothing more then I have already said, save.. Do not interfere." Legolas' brows knitted. "What?" he asked softly. This man is truly confusing. I-it must be something in the towns water. The judges own brows knitted as he heard that thought then burst out laughing again, patting the elf's shoulder. "Indeed." He replied before sobering up, noting the princes further confusion.
He sighed. "Your predicament is a part of the Rangers trial. You must not interfere as I know your heart would have you do." The Judge replied, tilting his head as he studied the Prince's fair features.
"What must he- do?" Legolas asked, shifting under the man's hands. His unease still strong. The judge shrugged despite Legolas' inability to see it. "Ah, well, he must give his life for yours." "What!?" the elf cried in reply, his eyes widening to impossible limits. "He can not! I will not let him! His destiny is more important then mi-" "Shhh." The judge whispered, placing his fingers to the Princeling's lips quieting him.
"This too is part of his destiny. If he does not give his life, you will die." The man said calmly, brushing the long pale gold from Legolas' face tucking it behind his gently pointed ear. "That is how I would have it. I will sacrifice my life gladly so he may live."
"Nay." The Judge shook his head. "This cannot be. If he does not give his life, you will die and without fulfilling your own trial, but so will he. For that is the cost of failure."
The archers eyes closed tightly in pain, his heart seizing in his chest. "Bu-But I will not have him die!" The Judge simply smiled sadly, continuing to stroke the elf's pale face and hair. "Why? Why did you choose us?" he asked, his voice braking on the softly whispered words. The judge sighed again and shook his head. "I did not. Destiny choose you. To ensure you were capable of your futures. Even I am subject to her will."
Legolas shifted carefully, mindful of his wounded shoulder. "And they are?-" "Ah, now that I can not tell you. But they will be great." The judge smiled, shifting closer to the wood elf then shook his head. "Alas, the time has come for you to return. Be mindful of all you have learned here, and head my warning. If not for your own self-preservation, then think of your father and your people. They need you still."
The wood elf's brow knitted again at the mention of his father, his soul confused. What can I do?
"Goodbye for now, Prince of Mirkwood. Please, do not interfere." The Judge said calmly, taking up the elf's cold hand as he leaned forward. "I hope to meet you again." He whispered finally, as his lips settled upon Legolas' forehead, a sudden fierce flash of light engulfing them and the murky darkness.
Legolas' body arched in pain, a harsh scream ripping from his throat as everything faded.
"Good luck, young one."
(wow! That scene was really long! sorry bout that!)
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Come on Legolas, please stay with me!… Aragorn thought frantically, laying the chilled prince carefully down upon his bed. I cannot loose you! Not you, not now! He arranged the wood elf carefully before turning and quickly moved to Cirabeth and Boromir who were still hurriedly attending Galfin's wounds.
Taking up the paper and pen, he scribbled out a few words before catching Pippin as the hobbit rushed by, showing him the note. Pippin read it quickly. 'Get Merry and feed the fire. Make it as big as possible, we need to bring his temperature up.'
Pippin nodded, glancing up at the ranger with large glistening eyes. "Will he be alright Strider?" he asked meekly, looking back at Legolas' unnaturally still form.
Aragorn shook his head as if to say 'I-don't-know' and hurried the hobbit along. Pippin nodded again and rushed to the fire, dragging Merry along and explained their given task. Strider returned to the elf's side, lifting the cloth from his wound to check the blood flow, surprised to the see sluggish oozing of the golden red liquid. Hold on, melamin. Please be strong. Quickly he turned to his own bed and tore the blankets off spreading them out over the elf instead.
"Here are the bandages Strider, and the herbs you asked for." Sam quipped from the rangers elbow, startling him momentarily. Aragorn nodded his thanks at the little halfling and took the offered items.
'Where is Frodo?' Aragorn wrote out quickly after he set the items on the bed, pushing the paper to the light haired hobbit. "He's coming with the water." Gamgee replied, nervously watching as the ranger spilt and crushed the herbs respectively.
The man nodded absently, his mind busy now with what his hands were doing. "Can I help?" Sam asked hesitantly, looking from the dark haired man to his fading friend upon the bed. Aragorn paused his ministrations and turned to the little one starting to shake his head no, then paused. Thinking it over, he nodded and picked up the feather pen.
'Crush some of the Marigold, aloe and athelas and spread them over the bandages.' He wrote quickly, picking out the right herbs and handed them to the little gardener then turned back to his previous task. Sam smiled at being allowed to help and moved to complete his own task, his fingers clumsy but sure as he worked.
"Here is the water you asked for Aragorn." Frodo panted out of breath as he set the large bowl next to the man, falling to his knee's as he gasped in his breaths from his long run. 'Thank you' Strider mouthed as he picked up some athelas and mixed it into the water, breathing in the sweet healing aroma the herb water gave off.
Carefully, he tore a bit of cloth from the bandages and swabbed at the jagged edge of flesh of Legolas' wound, sniffing it studiously for a hint of the scent of poison. It was there, though it was strange to him. Shaking his head in worry, he quickly smeared the cloth with a small portion of the mixture he had made watching for the way it reacted to the fell poison.
The tainted streaks of blood began to heat and turn black as small rivulets of steam rose from the cloth, burning the poison out of being. With a wince of pain and sympathy he dropped the cloth, watching it silently as all the poison dissolved from the blood before his eyes. The remedy would burn out the poison coursing through the elf, but it would hurt like hell in the process, and-. If his body was to weak, if might just kill him…
But it was the only way.
Biting his lip in fear, Aragorn took up the herb mixture in one hand while he removed the cloth from the wound with the other, hesitating slightly before smearing it thickly over the large injury. The Ranger held his breath and grasped his friends shoulders, holding him down as he waited for the salve to work. Within moments, the black of the poison in the open wound began to burn and boil away, the herbs swiftly making their way through the elf's veins.
Legolas' dead eyes snapped open with a startled cry of pain, his body arching away from Aragorn and the fierce burning pain. He thrashed about viciously, another strangled cry forcing itself from his throat as the wound burned, dark steam rising from his blood. Aragorn clenched his teeth and held tight, trying to keep the elf down and let the potion work.
"Aragorn! What's happening?!" Frodo cried, his eyes wide in fear and shock as the prince wrapped his hands in Aragorn's tunic trying to push him away. Strider ignored the hobbit, too occupied with fighting to hold the elf still to even try to reply. Come on Legolas. Come on be strong! I know it hurts, but you can beat it! His thoughts screamed as he watched his close friend.
Legolas involuntarily screamed again, his flesh changing from transparent to bright red as the poison burned away in his veins.
"S-stop!" He cried, his body jerking violently to get away from the burning ache and the one who inflicted it. Tis almost over! Tis almost over, just hold on love!
The last of the smoke and black escaped the wound finally, as the elf fell back onto the bed motionless. Legolas' blanks eyes rolled back in his head as he exhaled, his form going impossibly still beneath the Ranger. "Legolas!" Frodo and Sam both called at the same time, shooting forward in fright. Their screams drew the attention of the rest of the fellowship, who all rushed to them to see what happened.
Aragorn stared confused down at the cooling form beneath him, his brows knitting in fear. No.. Quickly, with shaking fingers he reached out for the elf's neck, feeling for life. No!
And found none…
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TBC
Okie dokie that's all for now. Please come back for more don't let that last part stop you! Remember what the Judge said, Aragorn must give his LIFE for Legolas so its not over for the pretty elf yet! Or Aragorn. There is still a WHOLE lot more to this story! Ugh! Lol okay well hopefully since now I kinda have an idea of where I want to go with this (but not much so be warned) I should get the next part out faster. Hopefully! *ducks all the flying projectiles* Ok a few other notes I decided to change the color of Legolas' eyes. I wrote chocolate in an earlier chapter but in this one, I wrote silver blue. It will be silver blue from now on, so I'm gonna go back and change that part.
Also, yes I know that 'dream' scene was REALLY long and that the Judge is just a little insane, sorry bout that. It got away from me. Also, I don't really like this chapter but I just HAD to post something. Tell me if I should change it kay? Anyway, thanks again for reading and if you wanna review please feel free LOL! Sankyu!
Translation :
Edhel = Elf
Auta miqula fylmena = Go kiss an orc
Melamin = my love
Amin lirimaer = my lovely one
(I think that's it. Lol Come back soon!)