*~*The prisoner was now so straining at his bonds that they cut into his
wrists and ankles. "Beware," he said. "Beware. One night I did break
them. But the witch was there that time. You will not have her to help
you tonight. Free me now, and I am your friend. I'm your mortal enemy
else."
"Cunning, isn't he?" said Puddleglum.
"Once and for all," said the prisoner, "I adjure you to set me free. By all fears and all loves, by the bright skies of Overland, by the great Lion, by Aslan himself, I charge you-"
"Oh!" said the three travelers as though they had been hurt.
"It's the sign," said Puddlglum. "It was the words of the sign." ~ C.S. Lewis "The Silver Chair"*~*
THE FAERIE GOBLET
Chapter 24 ~ "The Council"
Alede strained against the magical bonds on the chair. She could tell that the time of the enchantment was coming to its end. She'd have one hour to think and act for herself before the Queen put her back under her spell.
One hour to try to defeat her.
Focusing all her strength, Alede attempted to make both hands into fists. She cried out as she clenched the left one. The pain of the broken wrist was always her first sign that the enchantment had ended.
Suddenly the unseen bonds fell away and Alede stumbled from the chair. Usually the Queen was there to greet her with a flame spell or something equally nasty. But on this night Alede found herself alone. Only darkness surrounded her.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she bent down and using her teeth and her one good hand, she clumsily tore a strip off of her robe, intending to bind her wrist with it. She'd procured a bit of wood a couple of nights ago that could be used as a splint. Now if she could just have a few moments of peace. . .
Alede never had a chance to use her makeshift bandage. With a screeching sound that made her cringe, a hoard of pixies flew into the dark chamber. They swooped down on Alede like a flock of carrion birds, plucking and pulling at her hair. Brownies soon followed them, though Alede could not see them. The tiny brown men did not glow as the pixies did, but she felt the sting of their faerie shot.
She tried to duck behind the magical chair that was her prison, but they easily followed her. Alede desperately stuffed the strip of cloth down the front of her robes, so as not to lose it, then she began hurling her insufficient green spells at the pixies and brownies. Without her staff, the spells were week and poorly aimed, but she had the satisfaction of sending several of the tiny nuisances up in flames.
Her satisfaction did not last though. She had battled with the tiny faerie folk for nearly an hour when a far more powerful spell caught her and hurled her against the wall.
Alede cried out in pain as she fell to the floor. Looking up, she beheld the Faerie Queen.
"What kept you?" she hissed sarcastically through her teeth as she struggled to stand.
"I have many duties as ruler of this land," the Queen replied loftily. "Something that a commoner like yourself would not understand."
"Commoner?" Alede laughed bitterly, cradling her broken wrist. "I may be of mixed blood, but I am still half Maia."
"Yes, but what have you done with it?" the Queen scoffed. "A grubby little healer, traveling from one squalid village to the next, birthing common brats and emptying bed pans. You are an insult to your kind."
"Aiding people is no insult. On the contrary, it is the highest calling," Alede retorted, wondering what the Queen's game was today. Did she intend to inflict harm with words? If so, she was wasting her time. There was nothing she could say that could possible hurt Alede.
"Highest calling?" the Queen laughed. "Then I suppose you will be in your element in several months time when you help birth Legolas' child."
Alede felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her. "What did you say?"
The Queen smirked, knowing that her words had hit their mark. "I carry Legolas' child and you will assist me with its birthing."
". . . no . . ." the word was a desperate whisper.
"It must pain you," the Queen continued, "to know that I have had what you never will. You should have heard him cry out when I . . ."
"NO!" Alede tried to cover her ears to block out the Faerie's words. But she could not stop the sick feeling that rose in her chest. Lunging forward suddenly, Alede snatched at the Faerie Queen's garments. But her hour was ending and the enchanted chair was pulling her back with a strength she could not resist. With a wordless cry, she was dragged onto the seat and the magical bonds clamped around her.
"Poor dear," the Faerie Queen mocked, sliding her ice-cold fingers over Alede's cheek in a parody of a caress. "How it must pain you . . ."
With her last bit of will, before the enchantment completely took her, Alede spit in the Queen's face. Her last conscious thought was watching the Queen wipe it off and by the time the Queen's hand descended in a sharp slap on Alede's cheek, the wizardess did not feel it.
~ ~ ~
"Slow down, Long Legs!" Gimli said. "We are not late."
"My apologies," Legolas said, immediately slowing his pace. "My mind was elsewhere. Are you feeling well?"
"For the one hundredth time," Gimli growled, giving his friend a ferocious look, "I am fine! The faerie magic did not touch me. Even your uncle, Lomomir says that I have not aged a day. So stop fretting and SLOW DOWN!"
For the first time since their return, Legolas smiled. He was so worried about Alede that he had a throbbing headache and was constantly preoccupied. Several times he'd tried to reach her, but she was blocking her song from him. He was quite certain she was doing it deliberately too. And that worried him even more. What was happening to her that she did not want him to know about it?
Needing the humor that only Gimli provided, Legolas tried to relax and find an appropriate retort. The dwarf had once again proved himself a hero. He had healed Legolas using an old Elvin technique and the bonds of a friendship that could not be broken by anything. The least he could do was return Gimli's jest.
"If I slow to a speed which suites your stunted stature, we will take all day in reaching the council."
"There is nothing wrong with my stature! Dwarves need not the legs of a stork to move about. We do quite well with what we have," Gimli retorted.
"Then I hope you will do well at a slightly faster pace for I am impatient to reach the council."
"I never would have guessed," Gimli grumbled sarcastically and quickened his pace to match that of his tall friend.
They walked out onto the same porch where the council of the One Ring had been held so many years ago. Legolas experienced a feeling of déjà vu as he took the same seat he had once occupied while serving as a messenger to his father. But this time, Gimli sat at his side, instead of across from him.
There were less people and fewer chairs than there had been at that historic event and it was early summer now instead of fall. But for a moment the memory of Boromir rose up in front of Legolas and he mourned once again the loss of his former comrade at arms.
A flicker of emotion that was not his own drifted into his consciousness. Looking down, Legolas grasped Gimli's shoulder and the two of them exchanged heartfelt glances of understanding. Their song was still roughly joined. Gimli was clumsily blocking the call of the sea now, something they had not even known that the dwarf could do until they tried it. Their emotions were intertwined as well, though not to the same intensity that the Elf and Alede had shared. Once again, as on so many occasions, Legolas counted himself lucky to have Gimli's friendship.
Looking up, Legolas put aside his thoughts and turned his eyes toward Elladan and Elrohir.
Radagast and Cyrus sat upon their left and several of Rivendell's warriors sat across from Legolas. Lomomir hurried to join them, taking the seat beside Legolas. The healer cast a speculative glance at Gimli but said nothing. Elladan began speaking before Legolas could question his uncle.
"I thank you all for coming," Elladan began. "I know that we are all impatient to rescue Lady Alede, but we must first pool our information to form the best plan for her safe return. And," he turned to Gimli and bowed slightly, "may I say for all of us, Master Gimli, how relieved we are that you survived your ordeal. Though I admit I am at a loss to explain it. It has always been my understanding that a mortal would perish upon exiting the land of Faerie. Nevertheless, I am pleased . . ."
"Perhaps you will not be so pleased to hear that Gimli is no longer a mortal," Lomomir interrupted.
There was a murmur of surprise and Legolas glanced at his uncle and then turned to Gimli. To his astonishment the dwarf wore a look of extreme guilt.
"Lord Lomomir," Elladan began, "will you please explain?"
"What has happened Gimli?" Legolas asked in concern. "Are you well?"
"I am well," Gimli said uncomfortably. "But your uncle informs me that I have broken a law, though I did not intend to. And," here the dwarf looked around the circle of Elves with a steely gaze, "I would break it again to save Legolas."
"But what has happened?"
"I think perhaps I can explain," Radagast rose and faced the assembly. He looked at Legolas regretfully.
"When Alede made that amulet for you, Legolas, she put into it her life force . . ."
Legolas' brow furrowed as he remembered. "Three drops of her blood, you mean?"
"Three drops of immortal blood," Radagast corrected him. "Three drops of immortal blood bound with her own magic. It was a Green spell," Radagast explained to everyone. "Her mother used such spells for protection and if it had been made by a Green witch, it would have been a harmless, but effective amulet. But Alede is not just a Green witch. She is a wizardess as well, so the amulet carried far more power than it might have otherwise. It carried the power of the Maiar.
"When you took the amulet into Faerie," he said to Gimli, "it protected you from the Faerie's enchantment. Somehow it also protected you from the ravages of Faerie time and made you immortal."
"Immortal?" Legolas cried, unable to contain his delight.
Lomomir gave his nephew a solemn look though Legolas ignored him.
"Yes, immortal," the healer repeated, looking around at the company. "When the amulet was exposed to the full force of the Faerie Queen's magic, it burst. When it burst, the spell within was driven into Gimli's skin. Alede's life force infected his blood and a Dwarf was made immortal."
"But this is no evil thing," Legolas said, seeing all of their somber faces. "It is cause for joy. My greatest sorrow has been knowing that someday I would outlive Gimli."
"But it goes against the laws of the Valar," Lomomir reminded him, glancing at Radagast for confirmation. "In fact, it is one of their most sacred laws. The Maiar have not the right to change what Ilúvatar set forth."
"But the Dwarves were not made by Ilúvatar, but by Aulë instead," Legolas argued.
"Nevertheless, that did not give Alede the right to play Creator!"
"Perhaps not," Legolas said hotly. "But it is no cause to chastise Gimli. It is no fault of his. He acted to save all of us." He cast a stern glance around the circle, reminding all the Elves of their recent captivity.
"But it may very well be a reason for the Valar to chastise Alede," Radagast said quietly, his voice heavy with fear and regret.
"She meant no harm," Legolas stated. "She had no way of predicting that the amulet might be worn by anyone but myself."
"Nevertheless . . ."
"Nevertheless," Elladan interrupted. He did not feel that this was the time to discus laws governing the Maiar. "I, like Legolas, am overjoyed that Gimli has suffered no ill effects. He proved himself both courageous and honorable on the battlefield in the past. I consider him a true friend and would bear his death with great misery. But let us save this matter for another time. For now we must concentrate on rescuing Alede . . ."
"If there is any hope," Radagast said, wringing his hands.
"I will not rest until she is safely back," Legolas vowed fiercely. He turned brilliant eyes to Radagast. "I swear to you, that I will bring her back, somehow."
"But how?" Elrohir asked, speaking for the first time. "The Faerie Queen seems to be all powerful in her kingdom. I do not think we can be successful at open warfare. Her magic is too strong. Our warriors would end up imprisoned as they did before. Nor can we use Gimli's trick. She will be suspicious of us no matter what we try."
"Yes, well uhm, speaking of which . . ." Gimli cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I wish to apologize for any . . . that is, for taking that which was not mine to take. I uh . . ."
Elladan raised a hand and smiled. "I fault you not Gimli. I would have had you steal the entire wealth of Rivendell if it were necessary to rescue my people. Rest assured that there is more where it came from."
"There is?" Gimli asked, before he got a hold of his manners. "Oh uhm, yes, of course. Thank you."
"We must decide on a course of action," Elrohir insisted.
"True," Elladan agreed. He turned to Radagast. "My Lord, what have you learned in your studies of these creatures?"
Radagast stood. "My studies have reveled little. But while Cyrus and I were imprisoned in Faerie, we learned a great deal. The Trader which you encountered in Minas Tirith," he said turning to Legolas, "was caught just as we all were, by the Faerie goblet. Where he found it, I do not know . . ."
"Mordor," Legolas interrupted. "The ruins of Barad-dûr were not thrown down after the war of the Ring. Much of its interior still survives and doubtlessly countless relics of the dark art also. We have long suspected that those interested in such arts go there to pilfer."
Radagast nodded. "Very likely. This trader, once finding himself in the land of Faerie agreed to bargain his way back to freedom. The Faerie Queen charged him with the task of bringing her a royal infant. The population of her kingdom is in great decline and she is eager to infuse it with new blood. She transformed the trader into the grotesque shape in which you encountered him, Legolas. Undoubtedly the agreement was that he would be given back his human form once he obtained an infant. Since that plan was thwarted by Legolas, the Faerie Queen had to choose a more risky plan. . . that of abducting adults.
"The Faerie goblet," Radagast continued, "as we have all seen, acts as a portkey, pulling who ever drinks from it into the land of Faerie. Elrohir just happened to be the first to be ensnared here . . ."
"And then she realized what treasure lay above ground and cast out her faerie rings to ensnare who ever else might be available," Elrohir said grimly. "I had forgotten the old tales and after wandering fruitlessly for what seemed like days, I came to the courtyard of the Queen. I was tired and thirsty and she gave me drink." He grimaced. "She caught me quite easily. I was an utter fool."
Elladan gripped his brother's shoulder comfortingly. "Do not blame yourself. We had all forgotten the old tales. Faeries are unknown to us in this age and the last."
"They are not unknown to us in Mirkwood," Legolas replied. "Though the Queen caught me just as easily," he said with a nod of understanding to Elrohir. "My father fought them in his youth."
"Yes," Elladan nodded. "Gimli told me earlier that Alede suggested we send for King Thranduil. Would he come to our aid, Legolas? I believe he has greater knowledge of Faeries than any of us."
"He does," Legolas answered. "He drove them out of Mirkwood's bounds when he was barely come of age. My grandfather fought them many times. But my father would not aid us in this venture. I am afraid, he does not hold Alede in high regard," he cast an apologetic glance at Radagast. "But I do not think we will need his help. I have a plan."
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Then let us hear it," Gimli prompted.
Legolas nodded and looked around. "How many of you remember the tale of Tam Lin?"
~ ~ ~
A/N: And how many of you know the story of Tam Lin? I told you to brush up on your Scottish fairy tales. ;) Get ready next week for lots of action in chapter 25 "No Heart of Stone."
Well, in the casting department it looks like Jason Issacs is ahead for the role of Thranduil. I admit that he does look like him. He even bears a slight resemblance to Orli, with a similar jaw line and those high cheekbones.
But . . . I've had another actor in mind for Thranduil from the very beginning . . . Alan Rickman. Now, if you've only seen him as Professor Snape in Harry Potter, you'll think I'm crazy. But believe me, it took a lot of make up to make Rickman that jowly and greasy looking. He's a very fine, classy and fit actor. And his voice!!!! That's the voice of Thranduil, cultured, contemptuous, superior and with that vivid intelligence that is so formidable.
As for Alede . . . the first time I saw a photo of Miranda Otto as Eowyn my mouth fell open. In the picture that I saw she WAS Alede! It was incredible. I've seen more photos now and they don't look right. But in just that one . . . she is perfect.
So, for your visual enjoyment, I'm giving you addys to the various actors and actresses that we've come up with. Fanfic does not allow linking *rolls eyes* so you'll just have to copy and paste. Enjoy!
Alede: http://img-www.theonering.net/images/scrapbook/3715.jpg
Elladan/Elrohir (Michael Praed): http://www.chaoticworks.com/praed/praed4.jpg
King Thranduil (Alan Rickman): http://pages.prodigy.net/emeraldegg/GQ-9-91.jpg
Radagast the Brown (Sir Derek Jacobi): http://www.linsdomain.com/Derek/pictures/knight.jpg
Cyrus the Blue (John Hurt): http://www.geocities.com/baddi_99/corelli3.jpg
(John Hurt, Sir Derek Jacobi and Michael Praed were kindly suggested by Thecla. :)
"Cunning, isn't he?" said Puddleglum.
"Once and for all," said the prisoner, "I adjure you to set me free. By all fears and all loves, by the bright skies of Overland, by the great Lion, by Aslan himself, I charge you-"
"Oh!" said the three travelers as though they had been hurt.
"It's the sign," said Puddlglum. "It was the words of the sign." ~ C.S. Lewis "The Silver Chair"*~*
THE FAERIE GOBLET
Chapter 24 ~ "The Council"
Alede strained against the magical bonds on the chair. She could tell that the time of the enchantment was coming to its end. She'd have one hour to think and act for herself before the Queen put her back under her spell.
One hour to try to defeat her.
Focusing all her strength, Alede attempted to make both hands into fists. She cried out as she clenched the left one. The pain of the broken wrist was always her first sign that the enchantment had ended.
Suddenly the unseen bonds fell away and Alede stumbled from the chair. Usually the Queen was there to greet her with a flame spell or something equally nasty. But on this night Alede found herself alone. Only darkness surrounded her.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she bent down and using her teeth and her one good hand, she clumsily tore a strip off of her robe, intending to bind her wrist with it. She'd procured a bit of wood a couple of nights ago that could be used as a splint. Now if she could just have a few moments of peace. . .
Alede never had a chance to use her makeshift bandage. With a screeching sound that made her cringe, a hoard of pixies flew into the dark chamber. They swooped down on Alede like a flock of carrion birds, plucking and pulling at her hair. Brownies soon followed them, though Alede could not see them. The tiny brown men did not glow as the pixies did, but she felt the sting of their faerie shot.
She tried to duck behind the magical chair that was her prison, but they easily followed her. Alede desperately stuffed the strip of cloth down the front of her robes, so as not to lose it, then she began hurling her insufficient green spells at the pixies and brownies. Without her staff, the spells were week and poorly aimed, but she had the satisfaction of sending several of the tiny nuisances up in flames.
Her satisfaction did not last though. She had battled with the tiny faerie folk for nearly an hour when a far more powerful spell caught her and hurled her against the wall.
Alede cried out in pain as she fell to the floor. Looking up, she beheld the Faerie Queen.
"What kept you?" she hissed sarcastically through her teeth as she struggled to stand.
"I have many duties as ruler of this land," the Queen replied loftily. "Something that a commoner like yourself would not understand."
"Commoner?" Alede laughed bitterly, cradling her broken wrist. "I may be of mixed blood, but I am still half Maia."
"Yes, but what have you done with it?" the Queen scoffed. "A grubby little healer, traveling from one squalid village to the next, birthing common brats and emptying bed pans. You are an insult to your kind."
"Aiding people is no insult. On the contrary, it is the highest calling," Alede retorted, wondering what the Queen's game was today. Did she intend to inflict harm with words? If so, she was wasting her time. There was nothing she could say that could possible hurt Alede.
"Highest calling?" the Queen laughed. "Then I suppose you will be in your element in several months time when you help birth Legolas' child."
Alede felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her. "What did you say?"
The Queen smirked, knowing that her words had hit their mark. "I carry Legolas' child and you will assist me with its birthing."
". . . no . . ." the word was a desperate whisper.
"It must pain you," the Queen continued, "to know that I have had what you never will. You should have heard him cry out when I . . ."
"NO!" Alede tried to cover her ears to block out the Faerie's words. But she could not stop the sick feeling that rose in her chest. Lunging forward suddenly, Alede snatched at the Faerie Queen's garments. But her hour was ending and the enchanted chair was pulling her back with a strength she could not resist. With a wordless cry, she was dragged onto the seat and the magical bonds clamped around her.
"Poor dear," the Faerie Queen mocked, sliding her ice-cold fingers over Alede's cheek in a parody of a caress. "How it must pain you . . ."
With her last bit of will, before the enchantment completely took her, Alede spit in the Queen's face. Her last conscious thought was watching the Queen wipe it off and by the time the Queen's hand descended in a sharp slap on Alede's cheek, the wizardess did not feel it.
~ ~ ~
"Slow down, Long Legs!" Gimli said. "We are not late."
"My apologies," Legolas said, immediately slowing his pace. "My mind was elsewhere. Are you feeling well?"
"For the one hundredth time," Gimli growled, giving his friend a ferocious look, "I am fine! The faerie magic did not touch me. Even your uncle, Lomomir says that I have not aged a day. So stop fretting and SLOW DOWN!"
For the first time since their return, Legolas smiled. He was so worried about Alede that he had a throbbing headache and was constantly preoccupied. Several times he'd tried to reach her, but she was blocking her song from him. He was quite certain she was doing it deliberately too. And that worried him even more. What was happening to her that she did not want him to know about it?
Needing the humor that only Gimli provided, Legolas tried to relax and find an appropriate retort. The dwarf had once again proved himself a hero. He had healed Legolas using an old Elvin technique and the bonds of a friendship that could not be broken by anything. The least he could do was return Gimli's jest.
"If I slow to a speed which suites your stunted stature, we will take all day in reaching the council."
"There is nothing wrong with my stature! Dwarves need not the legs of a stork to move about. We do quite well with what we have," Gimli retorted.
"Then I hope you will do well at a slightly faster pace for I am impatient to reach the council."
"I never would have guessed," Gimli grumbled sarcastically and quickened his pace to match that of his tall friend.
They walked out onto the same porch where the council of the One Ring had been held so many years ago. Legolas experienced a feeling of déjà vu as he took the same seat he had once occupied while serving as a messenger to his father. But this time, Gimli sat at his side, instead of across from him.
There were less people and fewer chairs than there had been at that historic event and it was early summer now instead of fall. But for a moment the memory of Boromir rose up in front of Legolas and he mourned once again the loss of his former comrade at arms.
A flicker of emotion that was not his own drifted into his consciousness. Looking down, Legolas grasped Gimli's shoulder and the two of them exchanged heartfelt glances of understanding. Their song was still roughly joined. Gimli was clumsily blocking the call of the sea now, something they had not even known that the dwarf could do until they tried it. Their emotions were intertwined as well, though not to the same intensity that the Elf and Alede had shared. Once again, as on so many occasions, Legolas counted himself lucky to have Gimli's friendship.
Looking up, Legolas put aside his thoughts and turned his eyes toward Elladan and Elrohir.
Radagast and Cyrus sat upon their left and several of Rivendell's warriors sat across from Legolas. Lomomir hurried to join them, taking the seat beside Legolas. The healer cast a speculative glance at Gimli but said nothing. Elladan began speaking before Legolas could question his uncle.
"I thank you all for coming," Elladan began. "I know that we are all impatient to rescue Lady Alede, but we must first pool our information to form the best plan for her safe return. And," he turned to Gimli and bowed slightly, "may I say for all of us, Master Gimli, how relieved we are that you survived your ordeal. Though I admit I am at a loss to explain it. It has always been my understanding that a mortal would perish upon exiting the land of Faerie. Nevertheless, I am pleased . . ."
"Perhaps you will not be so pleased to hear that Gimli is no longer a mortal," Lomomir interrupted.
There was a murmur of surprise and Legolas glanced at his uncle and then turned to Gimli. To his astonishment the dwarf wore a look of extreme guilt.
"Lord Lomomir," Elladan began, "will you please explain?"
"What has happened Gimli?" Legolas asked in concern. "Are you well?"
"I am well," Gimli said uncomfortably. "But your uncle informs me that I have broken a law, though I did not intend to. And," here the dwarf looked around the circle of Elves with a steely gaze, "I would break it again to save Legolas."
"But what has happened?"
"I think perhaps I can explain," Radagast rose and faced the assembly. He looked at Legolas regretfully.
"When Alede made that amulet for you, Legolas, she put into it her life force . . ."
Legolas' brow furrowed as he remembered. "Three drops of her blood, you mean?"
"Three drops of immortal blood," Radagast corrected him. "Three drops of immortal blood bound with her own magic. It was a Green spell," Radagast explained to everyone. "Her mother used such spells for protection and if it had been made by a Green witch, it would have been a harmless, but effective amulet. But Alede is not just a Green witch. She is a wizardess as well, so the amulet carried far more power than it might have otherwise. It carried the power of the Maiar.
"When you took the amulet into Faerie," he said to Gimli, "it protected you from the Faerie's enchantment. Somehow it also protected you from the ravages of Faerie time and made you immortal."
"Immortal?" Legolas cried, unable to contain his delight.
Lomomir gave his nephew a solemn look though Legolas ignored him.
"Yes, immortal," the healer repeated, looking around at the company. "When the amulet was exposed to the full force of the Faerie Queen's magic, it burst. When it burst, the spell within was driven into Gimli's skin. Alede's life force infected his blood and a Dwarf was made immortal."
"But this is no evil thing," Legolas said, seeing all of their somber faces. "It is cause for joy. My greatest sorrow has been knowing that someday I would outlive Gimli."
"But it goes against the laws of the Valar," Lomomir reminded him, glancing at Radagast for confirmation. "In fact, it is one of their most sacred laws. The Maiar have not the right to change what Ilúvatar set forth."
"But the Dwarves were not made by Ilúvatar, but by Aulë instead," Legolas argued.
"Nevertheless, that did not give Alede the right to play Creator!"
"Perhaps not," Legolas said hotly. "But it is no cause to chastise Gimli. It is no fault of his. He acted to save all of us." He cast a stern glance around the circle, reminding all the Elves of their recent captivity.
"But it may very well be a reason for the Valar to chastise Alede," Radagast said quietly, his voice heavy with fear and regret.
"She meant no harm," Legolas stated. "She had no way of predicting that the amulet might be worn by anyone but myself."
"Nevertheless . . ."
"Nevertheless," Elladan interrupted. He did not feel that this was the time to discus laws governing the Maiar. "I, like Legolas, am overjoyed that Gimli has suffered no ill effects. He proved himself both courageous and honorable on the battlefield in the past. I consider him a true friend and would bear his death with great misery. But let us save this matter for another time. For now we must concentrate on rescuing Alede . . ."
"If there is any hope," Radagast said, wringing his hands.
"I will not rest until she is safely back," Legolas vowed fiercely. He turned brilliant eyes to Radagast. "I swear to you, that I will bring her back, somehow."
"But how?" Elrohir asked, speaking for the first time. "The Faerie Queen seems to be all powerful in her kingdom. I do not think we can be successful at open warfare. Her magic is too strong. Our warriors would end up imprisoned as they did before. Nor can we use Gimli's trick. She will be suspicious of us no matter what we try."
"Yes, well uhm, speaking of which . . ." Gimli cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I wish to apologize for any . . . that is, for taking that which was not mine to take. I uh . . ."
Elladan raised a hand and smiled. "I fault you not Gimli. I would have had you steal the entire wealth of Rivendell if it were necessary to rescue my people. Rest assured that there is more where it came from."
"There is?" Gimli asked, before he got a hold of his manners. "Oh uhm, yes, of course. Thank you."
"We must decide on a course of action," Elrohir insisted.
"True," Elladan agreed. He turned to Radagast. "My Lord, what have you learned in your studies of these creatures?"
Radagast stood. "My studies have reveled little. But while Cyrus and I were imprisoned in Faerie, we learned a great deal. The Trader which you encountered in Minas Tirith," he said turning to Legolas, "was caught just as we all were, by the Faerie goblet. Where he found it, I do not know . . ."
"Mordor," Legolas interrupted. "The ruins of Barad-dûr were not thrown down after the war of the Ring. Much of its interior still survives and doubtlessly countless relics of the dark art also. We have long suspected that those interested in such arts go there to pilfer."
Radagast nodded. "Very likely. This trader, once finding himself in the land of Faerie agreed to bargain his way back to freedom. The Faerie Queen charged him with the task of bringing her a royal infant. The population of her kingdom is in great decline and she is eager to infuse it with new blood. She transformed the trader into the grotesque shape in which you encountered him, Legolas. Undoubtedly the agreement was that he would be given back his human form once he obtained an infant. Since that plan was thwarted by Legolas, the Faerie Queen had to choose a more risky plan. . . that of abducting adults.
"The Faerie goblet," Radagast continued, "as we have all seen, acts as a portkey, pulling who ever drinks from it into the land of Faerie. Elrohir just happened to be the first to be ensnared here . . ."
"And then she realized what treasure lay above ground and cast out her faerie rings to ensnare who ever else might be available," Elrohir said grimly. "I had forgotten the old tales and after wandering fruitlessly for what seemed like days, I came to the courtyard of the Queen. I was tired and thirsty and she gave me drink." He grimaced. "She caught me quite easily. I was an utter fool."
Elladan gripped his brother's shoulder comfortingly. "Do not blame yourself. We had all forgotten the old tales. Faeries are unknown to us in this age and the last."
"They are not unknown to us in Mirkwood," Legolas replied. "Though the Queen caught me just as easily," he said with a nod of understanding to Elrohir. "My father fought them in his youth."
"Yes," Elladan nodded. "Gimli told me earlier that Alede suggested we send for King Thranduil. Would he come to our aid, Legolas? I believe he has greater knowledge of Faeries than any of us."
"He does," Legolas answered. "He drove them out of Mirkwood's bounds when he was barely come of age. My grandfather fought them many times. But my father would not aid us in this venture. I am afraid, he does not hold Alede in high regard," he cast an apologetic glance at Radagast. "But I do not think we will need his help. I have a plan."
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Then let us hear it," Gimli prompted.
Legolas nodded and looked around. "How many of you remember the tale of Tam Lin?"
~ ~ ~
A/N: And how many of you know the story of Tam Lin? I told you to brush up on your Scottish fairy tales. ;) Get ready next week for lots of action in chapter 25 "No Heart of Stone."
Well, in the casting department it looks like Jason Issacs is ahead for the role of Thranduil. I admit that he does look like him. He even bears a slight resemblance to Orli, with a similar jaw line and those high cheekbones.
But . . . I've had another actor in mind for Thranduil from the very beginning . . . Alan Rickman. Now, if you've only seen him as Professor Snape in Harry Potter, you'll think I'm crazy. But believe me, it took a lot of make up to make Rickman that jowly and greasy looking. He's a very fine, classy and fit actor. And his voice!!!! That's the voice of Thranduil, cultured, contemptuous, superior and with that vivid intelligence that is so formidable.
As for Alede . . . the first time I saw a photo of Miranda Otto as Eowyn my mouth fell open. In the picture that I saw she WAS Alede! It was incredible. I've seen more photos now and they don't look right. But in just that one . . . she is perfect.
So, for your visual enjoyment, I'm giving you addys to the various actors and actresses that we've come up with. Fanfic does not allow linking *rolls eyes* so you'll just have to copy and paste. Enjoy!
Alede: http://img-www.theonering.net/images/scrapbook/3715.jpg
Elladan/Elrohir (Michael Praed): http://www.chaoticworks.com/praed/praed4.jpg
King Thranduil (Alan Rickman): http://pages.prodigy.net/emeraldegg/GQ-9-91.jpg
Radagast the Brown (Sir Derek Jacobi): http://www.linsdomain.com/Derek/pictures/knight.jpg
Cyrus the Blue (John Hurt): http://www.geocities.com/baddi_99/corelli3.jpg
(John Hurt, Sir Derek Jacobi and Michael Praed were kindly suggested by Thecla. :)