Just a few notes of thanks for the wonderful and helpful reviews and emails.
Evil Old Woman – A Legomance? Never heard it referred to as that before (I'm new to this writing universe) but when I read it, I LMAO. Ewwwww. Absolutely not! (though I might not rule it out in some sort of story later for either Legolas or Aragorn) Thanks for the chuckle. Yes I am writing a kind of romance in another universe – Trek - Enterprise, but even those stories are, I hope, more action-oriented. I'm an old-fashioned swashbuckler at heart. And though aesthetically speaking I find Legolas quite yummy, my heart belongs to Aragorn. My goal is to write to please fans of both.
Lassemista – Thank you for the comment about perfecting the cliffhanger, however to quote the Average White Band, hopefully "you ain't seen nutt'n yet."
Wild Iris – Your right about the poetry – Ahhhh, but you know I had to try and it was fun in a painful – oh my gosh, where did I put that rhyming dictionary - kind of a way. Free verse would be easier, but I was attempting to stay closer to Tolkein's style, though out of timidity I only attempted couplets.
Serena – How very astute of you. In fact, using Cassia's name was kind of a tip of the hat. It was C & S's stories that I happened on by accident – by way of the Star Wars universe – that inspired me to take up this tale. Cassia does not in the least sound elven, but I'd like to think that her ancient age and unknown lineage might somehow explain her unusual name. Also, my love of the classics is showing. Cassia's name reminded me of a certain greek woman (Cassandra) who had the gift of precognition. Lucky for my Cassia that her people take her visions more seriously.
Thank you again for all your comments.
And now, gentle reader, I offer you my next installment…
Chapter 2 – A Quest Begins
Legolas had been leading a hunting party for the last three days. It had been shockingly unsuccessful. There seemed to be a heavy air about the woods of his home forest. The band ventured far south of their ordinary hunting grounds. Legolas was in the company of one of he King's stewards, Ilandrel, who had long been a mentor and friend. It was Ilandrel who had taught the young prince hunting and wood's craft. Legolas was not pleased with the apparent lack of success, but Ilandrel seemed even more concerned. He watched the animal trails for sign. He looked to the empty streams and bare trees, normally teaming with game. Legolas saw his own concerns mirrored and amplified in the older elf's face. If the Ilandrel was perplexed with all his years of experience, something unique and likely vile was afoot.
The hunting party followed the animal trails south, yet crossed no paths of orc, warg or other predator that would cause such a mass flight of the wildlife from Mirkwood.
"The woods, my Prince. It is most unnatural."
Legolas gazed at the elder, "If you are perplexed, good Ilandrel, I am completely at a loss. Have you ever seen or heard of the like before?"
Ilandrel shook his head grimly and returned his gaze to the trail sign that they were following south. The hunting party had switched from hunting for meat to hunting for answers.
Yet the answers, or at least some, would be found back in the direction from where they had begun.
Suddenly, the young elf prince heard a sound at the rear and twisted in the saddle as he notched his bow in one fluid movement. Under normal circumstances, he might not have take such drastic protective measures - but these were far from normal circumstances. A mere half beat later the other members of the party followed suit. All in the party had been affected by the unnatural stillness of the forest.
Another elf on horseback broke from the trees. He was wearing the familiar colors of the palace guard. At sight of this, the party breathed a collective sigh of relief, though none were yet prepared to disarm. A castle guardsman sent after a simple hunting party even with the prince in attendance was unusual.
"Greetings to the party!" hailed the approaching soldier.
"Well met, Galandir."
The elf, Galandir, was of the same age as Legolas and for a moment they were not Prince and soldier, but one friend greeting another. Galandir cocked his head to one side and with and ironic smile noted, "Well met indeed my Prince, when the meeting is done at arrow's point."
For a moment the concerns of the last few days were forgotten as Legolas and the rest of his party chuckled. Legolas countered, "If we had known that it was your sharp wit to greet us, we would have not lowered our bows." It was not long that the group sobered as Galandir reported recent events surrounding the castle and its King.
"There is something wrong with the King, Legolas, and you are needed at home."
It would have taken a keen observer to note the way Legolas tensed, but Ilandrel was an experienced reader of sign. The elder took in how the prince strained forward slightly in the saddle, as the knuckles in his right hand turned white from the grip he hand on the pommel.
Legolas looked back at his mentor, the amiable young elf banished, as the warrior took his place. "Ilandrel, you are with me."
The two tore down the narrow path as the others followed close behind.
***---***---***---***---***
Legolas reined in his horse at the last possible moment as they approached the main gates of the subterranean caverns that marked the entrance to his home. Gravel from the horse's hooves had not yet settled as the prince quickly dismounted. The great double doors opened before he reached the top of the steps that he had flown over two at a time.
Legolas strode into the great hall and all those in attendance parted like the water in the wake of a great ship. All but one. She stood at the steps of a staircase that lead to the private living quarters of the royal family. As he approached, only for her, he slowed his stride.
"Cassia? What has happened? I was told that my father is ill."
As the prince pulled even with Cassia, she placed a calming hand on his arm. "Ease your mind, young one. Thranduil is resting in his rooms."
Legolas looking into her eyes, searching her face for any news that she might be holding back. As if reading his mind, Cassia added, "There are magicks happening in Mirkwood that do not bode well, young one. I will not try to deceive you. Yet, there is still time to reverse what is happening here." She reached up and soothed his cheek. Was it so long ago, since she used to have to bend down to do the same to quell the young prince's fears? "Go speak to your father, he needs to see that you are well. Come back to me and I will explain as much of what is happening as is in my power to comprehend."
***---***---***---***---***
The chamber where the king resided was large and well appointed, yet it lacked the overblown opulence one might expect in a human king's chambers. The walls were draped in an almost luminescent cloth that reflected the rich colors of the forest. It seemed to change hues as one walked through the room. A carpet to quiet one's steps lay in the colors of fallen leaves - gold, crimson and all the shades of rich, deep brown.
In his bed, lay the king, comfortably ensconced in pillows, reviewing documents that an attendant nearby had obviously supplied. If it were not for the lateness of the day, Legolas would not have sensed that anything was a miss.
As soon as he saw his son standing in the doorway, Thranduil motioned him to come and take a seat on the bed. The king turned over the papers to the attendant and gestured for all others but his heir to leave the room. Such was his command as king that so much could be accomplished with so little being said.
The kings greatest concern as reflected in the next words he spoke.
"You are well, my son?"
With just a touch of exasperation and a smile, Legolas replied, "Yes, of course, father. It is I who am wondering at your health." Legolas thought, his father did indeed look a bit paler and thinner than normal, yet he in no way seemed gripped by a life threatening illness so foreign to such immortal beings.
His confusion was evident to one who knew him so well. With a wry smile, the king wondered aloud, "You thought me a death's door? I'm sorry to have worried you Legolas, but Cassia believed that your immediate presence was needed. I simply have not been feeling well these last few days since you left. Today, I passed out while presiding over a meeting about improvements to some of the caverns after the rains this year. Cassia arrived soon after. She has been to our tree, Legolas. It is suffering from blight and she believes that dark magic ties my weakness and our tree's illness."
Legolas could not remember a time when his father was not strong and healthy. Nor could he fathom that anything could happen to his family's oaken tree. It was a source of strength for all those of his line. It had sheltered him as played as a youngling under its shade and supported him as he climbed or slept hidden amongst its leaves. He could hide for hours from all eyes but Cassia's. She alone could spot him even when he was way above the ground, practicing stealthy maneuvers against foes only furnished by a young elf's vivid imagination.
"Is there anything that can be done?"
Thranduil looked upon his son with a mixture or pride and concern. "Yes, son. That is why you were called back. Cassia's vision foretells that you are the one that can bring healing to the Great Oak." He left unstated that his life might hang in the balance as well. It did not need to be said, as he could see the love, concern and even a little fear reflected in his son's face. The king placed his hand and the young elves shoulder and squeezed it affectionately. "Go to Cassia. She will explain better than I. Know that my love and faith in my son and the Prince of Mirkwood go with you - always."
Words failed the young Prince at these words of his father. He took one look last long look at his father, as if to commit every careworn feature to memory. He nodded once and turned and left his father – possibly never to see him again.
***---***---***---***---***
When Legolas inquired as to Cassia's whereabouts, he was told that she was awaiting him in the glade of the Great Oak. He found her not in the glade, but at a short distance from it, on a hill overlooking the sacred grove. He almost missed her, transfixed as he was by the sight that lay ahead of him.
The oak seemed to have a lichen-like growth progressing up the trunk of the tree. It was a sickening gray-green of a shade that Legolas had not seen in nature. Leaves from the tree littered the ground where none should be. Even the air around the tree seemed heavy and still. And as the wind would change, a whiff of decay reached the pair even at this distance.
"Legolas, my son, it is not safe to approach any closer." Her words seemed to shake the younger elf from his trance.
"What evil is this, Cassia? How could this happen so near the heart of the our land?"
"By what means this occurred, I know not, Legolas. But this I do know - In a dream I saw the origin of this evil in a gap in the Mirkwood Mountains called Sythian's Gorge."
"Fine. I will gather a compliment of the palace guard and proceed to this gorge at once." Legolas turned to lead, but was halted by Cassia's quiet voice.
"No Legolas, you must not. This is a quest for you alone. There is only one other that you must seek out. You must proceed to Rivendell and ask Elrond for the assistance of a male from his house that is not of his house."
"Cassia, could you be anymore cryptic? And why would I want to go two weeks out of my way to get assistance when we live only four days ride from the Mirkwood Mountains?"
Instead of being offended, the elder elf looked up at the young prince with kind, wise eyes. "All I can tell you is that the success of your quest and more relies and the alliance that you forge with the one who you will meet in Rivendell. Have ever I led you falsely, youngling?"
Mildly chastised at the gentle words, Legolas shook his head.
"There is more Legolas. I have seen that your trip to Rivendell will go speedily and unchallenged. I know not why, except that the evil plaguing us may think your leave-taking to be of some benefit to their cause. This disease seems as slow as it is relentless. You will have some time. But, your return will be fraught with many dangers. Legolas, you will hold the life of your companion in your hands three times. Know this, grasp it well and hold it dearly, for you hold your own and that of many others as well – both now and for the future."
Cassia reached to the young elf's face with both her hands and held it gently. "Be safe, youngling. You are quite dear to me as if you were my own. I know not of your future as I can see that of so many others. It may be you are rare among men or elves, as you seem to have some power over your own fate. I sense the same of the one in Rivendell."
"I will do my best for both my father and you. Take care of him Cassia."
Cassia nodded as he took his leave and wished with all her heart that she had not sent this precious one to his own destruction.
Within the hour, Legolas had chosen the two finest horses in his father's stable and left for Rivendell.
TBC…
Action, I promise – soon, soon, soon…