Darkness Rising

Soundtrack: Higher Ground (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

People

Keep on learnin'

Soldiers

Keep on warrin'

World

Keep on turnin'

Cause it won't be too long

Powers

Keep on lyin'

While your people

Keep on dyin'

World

Keep on turnin'

Cause it won't be too long

I'm so darn glad He let me try it again

'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground.

Teachers

Keep on teachin'

Preachers

Keep on preachin'

World

Keep on turnin'

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

Lovers

Keep on lovin'

While believers

Keep on believin'

Sleepers

Just stop sleepin'

'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no

I'm so darn glad He let me try it again

'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin

I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then

Gonna keep on tryin' till I reach the highest ground

And Stevie knows that, uh, nobody's gonna bring me down

Till I reach the highest ground.

'Cause me 'n' Stevie, see, we're gonna be a sailin' on the funky sound

Till I reach the highest ground.

Bustin' out, and I'll break you out, 'cause I'm sailin' on

Till I reach the highest ground

Just, uh, sailin' on, sailin' on the higher ground

Till I reach the highest ground



I clambered into the silver helicopter behind Glorfindel and Haldir. It wouldn't have lasted long in Necropolis, so they'd parked it on Ellis Island, right at the feet of old Lady Liberty.

I sighed, gazing up at the tall statue. I could remember back when she carried a torch and books: the inspiration to the tired, the poor, the huddled masses. I had seen her once, before the war. Now, she'd been almost completely rebuilt. Destroyed early in the Majic War by necromantic forces, the American people had rallied behind their new and "improved" statue.

Now, the stately woman carried a shield and brandished a long sword over her head. Her expression retained its original serenity, however, and she reminded me somewhat of Justice, minus the blindfold. I found it somewhat disturbing, to tell the truth; this calm-faced woman with a warrior's pose. I wondered if she would ever again be the scholarly woman who had inspired millions.

My musings were interrupted as the helicopter lurched and took off. I glanced up to see Haldir in the pilot's seat. Adjusting his headset, he pulled several levers and we were airborne.

"Welcome to Haldir's taxi service, covering all of Middle-Earth, the Undying Lands, and the Modern World As We Know It. Please find your designated seat and fasten your seatbelt securely...and that includes you, my sweet prince," he announced.

Glorfindel pushed me into a seat, and settled in next to me. "Any in-flight snacks?" I asked hopefully.

Lobbing a bag of peanuts at my head, the elf-lord laughed. "On international flights, we serve lembas."

"So where are we going?" I said curiously.

"Boston. That's the closest branch of Goldenwood Enterprises. Galadriel and Elrond will meet you there."

"You're kidding," I whistled.

"They were even talking about bringing your father down, too."

"That's a *lot* of powerful elves in one room. Whatever the hell is going on, they're serious about it."

Glorfindel nodded gravely. "That they are, my friend." He shook his head, and quickly changed the subject: "How is your father, anyway?"

I let the matter go, since he obviously couldn't discuss it. "Thranduil is doing pretty well. I spoke to him last year, when he bought the Queen Charlotte Islands. Most of the Mirkwood elves are living there these days."

"How the hell did he manage to build himself an elven realm? How is he keeping the humans out?"

"Um..." I squinted. "He got the islands reclassified as 'wildlife conservation reserves.'"

"What? Elves are an endangered species now?"

I shrugged, grinning. " Who knows, it might be good for a tax break."

***********

The helicopter landed gently on the back lot of a tall building in downtown Boston. "Ooh, this is nice," I said approvingly.

The three of us circled the building, and entered the lobby through tall glass doors. I remembered the wonders of Mirkwood, 'Lorien, and Rivendell, but I must admit, I gaped at the sight that was the first floor of Goldenwood Enterprises.

My soft tread echoed on the polished marble floors, which rose gracefully into tall white columns. At random intervals, clusters of green plants flowed across the floor.

I approached the centre of the cavernous lobby, and looked upwards in awe. A huge skylight, thirty stories up, filled the lobby with natural light. It was clear air right up to the roof, forming a sort of natural atrium. In this central area, a huge, craggy rock sat in the place of honour. From somewhere high above, water splashed down over the rock into a rippling pool.

And then I looked around me, and I felt my eyes widen in delight. Smartly-dressed people hurried past me, some of them nodding towards Haldir and Glorfindel, and exchanging quick greetings. They were all elves! I turned around in place, grinning madly.

"Ah, the wandering prince has returned to us," a voice remarked, and I spun to face the speaker.

"By the Valar, Gildor!" I said happily.

He smiled in return. "Welcome, Legolas."

"Are they ready to see him?" Haldir asked.

Gildor nodded. "I was sent to meet you. Come this way, please."

We walked towards a bank of glass elevators in one corner of the lobby, and Gildor gestured us in, punching the button for the thirtieth floor.

I stepped out, a few seconds later, and headed down a well appointed hallway. "Right there," Gildor indicated a heavy wooden doorway. "Go right in, they're expecting you."

I took a deep breath, quelling the nervous beating of my heart, as I slowly opened the door and entered the room.

************

The room screamed of money.

Thick red carpet, heavy mahogany furniture, lots of plants and natural light. I walked over to the massive window and stared out at the sun rising over Boston. Amazing how a sunrise can make anything seem possible.

Someone behind me cleared their throat. Somehow, I managed to keep from jumping. I'd been so distracted lately; once upon a time, I would have heard somebody coming half a mile off.

As though reading my thoughts, the voice echoed me. "You're slipping, Prince Legolas." A *very* familiar voice.

"Lord Elrond." I answered. He sounded amused. Damn him.

Ah. A door behind a large palm tree that I'd not noticed before. How frightfully sneaky.

The Lord of Imladris hadn't changed. His dark hair still fell neatly over his shoulders, framing his serious, intelligent face. He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal-grey business suit, his arms clasped in the small of his back.

Well...there was no tiara in sight. Maybe he'd changed a *little* bit...

I bowed my head. "An honour to see you again, my lord."

He raised one eyebrow. "So formal, my good prince?" He indicated we should sit.

"Well," I smiled mischievously, "Seeing that we last met in Octavius' court, I thought formality wouldn't go astray."

He laughed as I settled into a chair. "Touché." There was a small bar in the corner, and he returned carrying a tray and three glasses. "Some miruvor? Or perhaps you would prefer the scotch."

I smiled. "I would be a fool to turn down miruvor, Lord Elrond. None of the bars in my city seem to serve it."

"Yes, Glorfindel tells me you've settled in New York. A fascinating city, I've heard."

"Yes, if you can avoid getting eaten, worshipped, or sacrificed. I live in a bad part of town."

"Necropolis."

"Yes."

I eyed the third glass, sitting untouched on the polished table. "I assume that we're waiting for the Lady."

"Yes, she and Celeborn just returned from our Tokyo branch. They were finalising some details about an intelligence mission we're sending to Europe. Of course, there's also the day-to-day running of such a massive company. It's become something of an annoyance."

I nearly choked on my drink. The head of an international technology firm, worth billions of dollars, was calling his company an annoyance, like it was a bug, or a bratty younger sibling.

Elrond continued, oblivious. "But really, what can one do? Goldenwood gives us the influence and capital we need to maintain our anonymity and our eternal watch."

"Do you mind telling me what exactly you are watching for?"

At that moment, the heavy door swung inward, and she entered the room.

The Lady of the Golden Wood had lost none of her presence since I'd last seen her. A smart black suit, blond hair piled high on her head, pale blue eyes that could see through you and dissect your very soul.

I stood, as did Elrond. "My lady." I bowed.

She barely spared me a glance as she swept towards a chair. Sitting down, she kicked off her heeled shoes, and pulled the pins from her hair. The elegant twist tumbled over her shoulders as she leaned forward and crossed her legs. Resting her head in her hands, she whispered something indecipherable.

"Pardon?" Elrond asked politely.

She raised her head ever-so-slightly and scorched him with a glare. "I said: Bring. Me. Coffee."

Oh. So much for the aloof, untouchable Elven-Queen.

Elrond, looking as though he would die of suppressed laughter, strode out of the room.

As the door closed, she looked up, still apparently not noticing me. No, her attention was focused on something a lot more important. "Oh. Miruvor. That'll do."

She snatched up *my* glass, and downed it in a single gulp. Then, before I could protest, she grabbed her own and drained it to the dregs. Tossing it aside, she leaned back with a sigh.

I was internally debating hiding in the bathroom for a while when Galadriel turned her attention to me. "Oh. Legolas. How long have you been here?"

"Just long enough to witness your alcoholic debauchery, my lady."

Her eyes narrowed. I gulped, raising my hands defensively. "Kidding, kidding."

She tilted her head. "I apologize," she said sincerely, then raised one eyebrow. "Bet you didn't know elves could get jet-lagged."

"No, I didn't." Actually, I did know, but I figured I'd better agree with her. A sleep-deprived, pissed-off elven-queen was not something I wanted to deal with. As it was, I was annoyed that she'd taken my drink, but I did enjoy breathing as a casual hobby, so I wisely chose not to mention it.

To my surprise, she stood up and pulled me into an embrace. Apparently, age had mellowed Galadriel somewhat. Releasing me to arm's length, she scanned my face. Relaxing, she smiled at me. "You know, if absence makes the heart grow fonder, everyone in this building would be infatuated with you."

I pulled away and adopted a hurt expression. "What? How could anyone not love *me*? Just look at this face." I mugged my best model pout, and she laughed.

The door opened, and Elrond entered, carrying a pot of coffee. He mocked a formal bow, almost spilling the steaming liquid on the carpet. "Milady's coffee."

She waved it away. "No, I drank all your miruvor. I'm fine now."

Elrond laid the pot on the table, and dropped into one of the chairs. "Haldir's going to be heartbroken if he sees the full pot. He had to go all the way down to Accounting to get it. He said Celebrian made it especially for you."

Galadriel turned towards me. "My daughter handles most of the investments and returns. Thank the Valar one of us has a head for numbers."

I nodded, remembering Elrond's wife, a golden-haired woman with a sweet, tremulous smile. I shifted in my seat, eager to get down to business. I had to admit, my natural curiosity was driving me mad.

Elrond, perceptive elf that he was, noticed my impatience. "But I suppose you realize that we didn't bring you here to make small talk and drink coffee."

I smiled wryly. "No, somehow I doubted that. Please, tell me what the hell's what's going on."

Galadriel's face had grown grim. "For some time now, we've been receiving intelligence reports about magical power spikes, mostly in and around the New York metropolis."

"Not really surprising," I shrugged. "New York's a known sinkhole for magical energies, both light and dark."

Elrond leaned forward and steepled his fingers. "True, but a power of a different sort. Very dark and all too familiar."

I suddenly felt cold. "Familiar?"

"Something we haven't experienced in thirty millennia, Legolas. The rise of a Dark Lord."