A/N(s): First, I want to thank everyone who has reviewed this! Your kind
words are much appreciated. As manna to the starving they are. *Hugs*
Secondly, this story is just not going where I wanted to take it, so I am giving up and letting it go where it wants. *Grrrr* Thirdly: As purists will note, canon is suffering. Fourthly: "Love" as mentioned below has no slashy connotation whatsoever. This is not even hinted at slash. OK? Fifthly: This is actually a story about hope, if I haven't made it clear up til now. And, last, but not least, this chapter takes place a couple of months after Elrond has healed Legolas. Elladan and Elrohir have been staying at Mirkwood and joining the Gurth-Oneth on their patrols. Word has come of activity at Dol Guldur and Legolas is traveling to meet the Sons of Elrond to scout the Necromancer.
OK, enough A/N. On to the story!
Chapter 6
Legolas was beginning to wish that he had ridden Chylar, though it was true that stealth had been foremost on his mind upon leaving home. He had to explain three times to his four-legged friend that he would have to be left behind this time. Even then Chylar had followed him to the outer gates gently nudging his muzzle against Legolas' tunic in protest.
There had been no sign of the enemy on this trail for days. It was as if Orcs and Wargs had found better things to do than be seen in Mirkwood. Legolas cast a sideways glance into the trees on his left. Did they seem greener than he remembered? The midday sun even appeared brighter. Possibly, but he still didn't quite trust himself. The light could just be playing tricks. Remember-
Suddenly, an impulse to turn towards home seized him. He realized then that this was the farthest he had been from the palace alone since-
Legolas knew instantly that this was the cause of Chylar's worry.
He drew a deep but ragged breath, fighting panic. His hand went to his side and he gingerly placed it along his lower ribs. The pain there was now only a memory. The soothing warmth of Lord Elrond's healing touch could still be called up.
As he stood touching his wound, memories came unbidden. The memory of Wargs being driven by Orcs. Of being overpowered. Of being run through by an Orc sword. Seeing the courage in the eyes of his friends as they faced death. Knowing he was next. Actually wanting to be next. Until the spitting and the fire.
His hands went to his ears as the sounds of his friend's screams deafened him. Then there was silence.
Legolas looked down at his palms, contemplating. Searching there as if a secret could be uncovered.
He raised his head and looked to the trail ahead as his acute hearing picked up familiar sounds. These sounds were real.
A smile came to his lips as he recognized the light tread of Elladan.
"Legolas! You have made good time! We were not expecting to meet up with you until tonight at the earliest!" Elladan's warm greeting and bright smile did not reveal if he had been witness to Legolas' pain.
The tall and fair Elladan did not stop in front of Legolas, but unexpectedly gathered him up in a crushing hug.
"It is good to see you, Little Brother," Elladan whispered into Legolas' ear before he released him. Legolas' heart squeezed with emotion at his words and their eyes locked as they separated. A look of thanks was gratefully given and graciously accepted.
Legolas thought back to his Time of Darkness, to when the Voice of Power, which had been calling for him, had changed.
It was the gentle and compassionate voice of Elladan that had persuaded Legolas to return from his world of inner suffering. It was not Power that Legolas had responded to. It was Love.
"And where is Elrohir? I thought we were to all meet at the crossroads to Dol Guldur." Legolas was surprised that Elladan was here. There had obviously been a change of plans.
"We have already been to Dol Guldur. It is deserted. The Necromancer is gone, and his hordes with him." As Elladan gave this information, his fair brow creased. "The forest is lacking of any signs. It is exceeding strange, but made for swift travel."
"I know. I began to actually wish for a Spider attack to liven up the trip." Legolas flashed a quick grin.
Elladan rolled his eyes and made a sour face. "I think not. I have heard of your Mirkwood Spiders. I have no wish to meet them."
Legolas had to laugh at Elladan's expression. It pleased Elladan greatly to hear Legolas laugh.
Just then Elrohir appeared coming down the trail, but what caught Legolas' attention was the slight creature that followed him. As they got closer, he saw that he had been deceived by the height of Elrohir. The creature was not so slight, and was certainly not an Elf; though as Legolas watched him, he observed a definite Elvish stealth in the way he traversed the trail. The proud bearing and a keen eye to his surroundings bespoke of other qualities. He looked questioningly at Elladan.
"A sixteen year old human, who came to live with us when his father was killed. Father is fostering him."
This confirmed the new opinion of Elrond that Legolas had acquired. His father had never spoken of Elrond with fondness, but Legolas could now see how seriously Elrond had been wronged.
Elladan waited until the pair had stopped before them. "Legolas, this is Estel, our Gwador, who has lived with us for many years. Estel, meet Prince Legolas of Mirkwood."
As Estel openly met his gaze, Legolas felt a presence and a scrutiny behind those steely blue eyes that he knew summed him to a hairs-breath.
Estel did not take his eyes off Legolas. "We must tell King Thranduil of the leave-taking of the Necromancer. His hordes are gone and Dol Guldur is deserted again."
Legolas felt naked under his stare. Why was this human having this effect on him?
"Why would he leave now?" Legolas asked no one in particular.
"Perhaps he learned of the alliance between Mirkwood and Rivendell. Few would challenge the power of both," Estel offered, sounding much wiser than his years would indicate.
Elrohir nudged Estel affectionately with an elbow. "You sound like Father now, Young One. Always so serious."
Legolas was beginning to become accustomed to the intensity of this human. That was what was different about him. He was not familiar with this species. Could they all be this way? Possibly this is the result of having limited years.
The feeling was not at all unpleasant.
It stirred him.
TBC
Secondly, this story is just not going where I wanted to take it, so I am giving up and letting it go where it wants. *Grrrr* Thirdly: As purists will note, canon is suffering. Fourthly: "Love" as mentioned below has no slashy connotation whatsoever. This is not even hinted at slash. OK? Fifthly: This is actually a story about hope, if I haven't made it clear up til now. And, last, but not least, this chapter takes place a couple of months after Elrond has healed Legolas. Elladan and Elrohir have been staying at Mirkwood and joining the Gurth-Oneth on their patrols. Word has come of activity at Dol Guldur and Legolas is traveling to meet the Sons of Elrond to scout the Necromancer.
OK, enough A/N. On to the story!
Chapter 6
Legolas was beginning to wish that he had ridden Chylar, though it was true that stealth had been foremost on his mind upon leaving home. He had to explain three times to his four-legged friend that he would have to be left behind this time. Even then Chylar had followed him to the outer gates gently nudging his muzzle against Legolas' tunic in protest.
There had been no sign of the enemy on this trail for days. It was as if Orcs and Wargs had found better things to do than be seen in Mirkwood. Legolas cast a sideways glance into the trees on his left. Did they seem greener than he remembered? The midday sun even appeared brighter. Possibly, but he still didn't quite trust himself. The light could just be playing tricks. Remember-
Suddenly, an impulse to turn towards home seized him. He realized then that this was the farthest he had been from the palace alone since-
Legolas knew instantly that this was the cause of Chylar's worry.
He drew a deep but ragged breath, fighting panic. His hand went to his side and he gingerly placed it along his lower ribs. The pain there was now only a memory. The soothing warmth of Lord Elrond's healing touch could still be called up.
As he stood touching his wound, memories came unbidden. The memory of Wargs being driven by Orcs. Of being overpowered. Of being run through by an Orc sword. Seeing the courage in the eyes of his friends as they faced death. Knowing he was next. Actually wanting to be next. Until the spitting and the fire.
His hands went to his ears as the sounds of his friend's screams deafened him. Then there was silence.
Legolas looked down at his palms, contemplating. Searching there as if a secret could be uncovered.
He raised his head and looked to the trail ahead as his acute hearing picked up familiar sounds. These sounds were real.
A smile came to his lips as he recognized the light tread of Elladan.
"Legolas! You have made good time! We were not expecting to meet up with you until tonight at the earliest!" Elladan's warm greeting and bright smile did not reveal if he had been witness to Legolas' pain.
The tall and fair Elladan did not stop in front of Legolas, but unexpectedly gathered him up in a crushing hug.
"It is good to see you, Little Brother," Elladan whispered into Legolas' ear before he released him. Legolas' heart squeezed with emotion at his words and their eyes locked as they separated. A look of thanks was gratefully given and graciously accepted.
Legolas thought back to his Time of Darkness, to when the Voice of Power, which had been calling for him, had changed.
It was the gentle and compassionate voice of Elladan that had persuaded Legolas to return from his world of inner suffering. It was not Power that Legolas had responded to. It was Love.
"And where is Elrohir? I thought we were to all meet at the crossroads to Dol Guldur." Legolas was surprised that Elladan was here. There had obviously been a change of plans.
"We have already been to Dol Guldur. It is deserted. The Necromancer is gone, and his hordes with him." As Elladan gave this information, his fair brow creased. "The forest is lacking of any signs. It is exceeding strange, but made for swift travel."
"I know. I began to actually wish for a Spider attack to liven up the trip." Legolas flashed a quick grin.
Elladan rolled his eyes and made a sour face. "I think not. I have heard of your Mirkwood Spiders. I have no wish to meet them."
Legolas had to laugh at Elladan's expression. It pleased Elladan greatly to hear Legolas laugh.
Just then Elrohir appeared coming down the trail, but what caught Legolas' attention was the slight creature that followed him. As they got closer, he saw that he had been deceived by the height of Elrohir. The creature was not so slight, and was certainly not an Elf; though as Legolas watched him, he observed a definite Elvish stealth in the way he traversed the trail. The proud bearing and a keen eye to his surroundings bespoke of other qualities. He looked questioningly at Elladan.
"A sixteen year old human, who came to live with us when his father was killed. Father is fostering him."
This confirmed the new opinion of Elrond that Legolas had acquired. His father had never spoken of Elrond with fondness, but Legolas could now see how seriously Elrond had been wronged.
Elladan waited until the pair had stopped before them. "Legolas, this is Estel, our Gwador, who has lived with us for many years. Estel, meet Prince Legolas of Mirkwood."
As Estel openly met his gaze, Legolas felt a presence and a scrutiny behind those steely blue eyes that he knew summed him to a hairs-breath.
Estel did not take his eyes off Legolas. "We must tell King Thranduil of the leave-taking of the Necromancer. His hordes are gone and Dol Guldur is deserted again."
Legolas felt naked under his stare. Why was this human having this effect on him?
"Why would he leave now?" Legolas asked no one in particular.
"Perhaps he learned of the alliance between Mirkwood and Rivendell. Few would challenge the power of both," Estel offered, sounding much wiser than his years would indicate.
Elrohir nudged Estel affectionately with an elbow. "You sound like Father now, Young One. Always so serious."
Legolas was beginning to become accustomed to the intensity of this human. That was what was different about him. He was not familiar with this species. Could they all be this way? Possibly this is the result of having limited years.
The feeling was not at all unpleasant.
It stirred him.
TBC