Duath uin Taur
"Darkness of the Forest"
By G. D. Gauss
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For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
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Again, thank you so much to all the people who reviewed!! Though, for those of you who didn't review, I'm warning you now that I'm going to have to start increasing the time between each post. *sniffles* only 10 reviews? But my other story got nearly 60 in just as many chapters! What's wrong with this one? Maybe I need to change the summary, make it more exciting. If anyone has any ideas for an exciting summary, feel free to tell me by e-mail, review, whatever. I'm desperate! *cries*. My question to all you reviewers is, what kind of summary makes you want to read something? And thank you in advance!! Suggestions are much appreciated! ;-) Now, you all are going to help me right? Cuz you don't want to have to wait longer for each chapter, do you? And no, this is not considered black mail ;-P. I simply can't afford (review-wise) to post the chapters so quickly. You guys should be thankful I'm posting this often in the first place. Some authors do WIP's and only post once every month or so (dontcha hate that? )
Now, enough with my rambling and on to the NEXT CHAPTER! Everybody say "Yaaaaaaaay!" ^^
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Chapter 5 Further into Darkness
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Legolas closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He could suddenly feel his insides churn and threaten to make him sick. He glanced at Aragorn who had the same expression, his brows furrowed and his hand covering his mouth.
The body was so completely ripped apart that it was hard to tell what it was except for the golden hair that was barely visible beneath the gore. Legolas walked quickly around the body and motioned for Aragorn to follow. The ranger remained staring at the gruesome sight for a few seconds longer, then walked to his friend.
Legolas let out a quavering breath. "We must move on. Staying here won't get us anywhere, even if we could identify that elf. Besides, I do not wish to see it any longer as I'm sure you would agree. and whatever did that cannot be far away."
The ranger nodded and glanced back one more time. He shuddered to think of what did actually do that. It was probably only a warg pack, since the body looked like it had been eaten. He turned his eyes quickly back to the path before him. He too felt nauseated and wished to look at it no longer.
"How could this have happened?" the ranger said quietly, keeping his gaze to the ground.
Legolas shook his head, as much speechless as Aragorn was. "I don't know. and truthfully, I don't think I want to know. We must get home as quickly as possible, for I fear what we may find when we get there."
Aragorn glanced at his friend and saw the terror in the elf's eyes, his still pale, even slightly greenish, face. He gently draped an arm over the prince's shoulders. "Do not dwell on it so. Your people are strong. and sometimes these things happen. Accidents are difficult to avoid."
"But that?" Legolas almost yelled, pointing behind them. "No, Estel! These things don't happen! A forest doesn't fall under an evil shadow every day! Do you not see what's happening here?"
The ranger sighed and nodded. "I can see it clearly, Legolas. but you mustn't assume so quickly that this was some kind of disaster. An elf lost his life, I can see that. I know it's harder for you to understand because death is a rare thing among your people. but it does happen. Trust me."
Legolas nodded slowly. "I know. Estel, I know. But look. how often does a party of elves leave an unfortunate member of their band out here to rot instead of taking him home to have a proper burial?"
Aragorn's furrowed brows began to relax and he lifted his head as it dawned on him. "You're right. but, perhaps. perhaps the whole group was killed and the search party was able to find everyone but him?"
Legolas nodded again, "Exactly, but I would hate to think how an entire company of elves was killed in such a way." His face remained an uncomfortable pale color. "We must hurry home!" He took the ranger's arm and the two raced off, away from the horrible reminder of what had become of Mirkwood.
As the clearing became quiet once again, several enormous dark shadows appeared out of the mists and gathered around the body. They had returned to feast and began tearing at it once more, fighting amongst each other and making a great noise.
Somewhere down the path, Legolas barely picked up the sounds with his elvish hearing and glanced behind him. Though he could not see anything, he knew that whatever had killed that elf had now returned. he was thankful that he and his friend had not waited around longer than they did.
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The morning dawned with only a hint of daylight that was able to find its way down into the dense darkness. The mist hung heavy over the travelers' path, allowing only a yard or two of visibility in all directions.
They walked in complete silence, both as tense as bowstrings. They only hoped to get to the palace as quickly as possible and make this horrid journey end. Legolas didn't even want to imagine traveling back to Imladris again.
The walk to the palace took longer than expected, and it was very difficult to recognize any signs that they were getting close through the thick haze.
It was mid-afternoon before the mists finally lifted a little and they came to the palace gates.
Legolas held up his hand and spoke the password to open the gates. "Edro!"
For several seconds, nothing happened. They then suddenly heard a grinding sound like rock against metal. then nothing. Legolas stared up, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Aragorn stepped up beside him. "What's going on? Why won't they open?"
The prince shook his head in frustration mixed with fear. "I don't know. Somehow they've been locked, but how and why I haven't the faintest idea. Perhaps, my father locked them for safety reasons."
Aragorn snorted. "I can understand why with all the recent goings on."
Legolas nodded. "Here, let us see if we can't climb a trellace somewhere." He strode off towards the north side of the palace with Aragorn quickly following. They soon found the garden walls that lined the balconies. There was indeed a climbable trellace that led up to the roof which dropped down into the balcony outside the library.
Aragorn went first, finding secure footholds and hoisting himself up, pushing through the vines and branches that blocked his ascent. Legolas followed behind, glancing cautiously around him before he began his climb.
They soon reached the roof then crawled across it several yards until they were able to drop onto the sturdy marble floor.
The palace itself was uncommonly quiet. Not a voice was to be heard, nor any living things to be seen. Legolas and Aragorn crept down the balcony walkway, then through an arch and down the giant marble staircase to the lower halls.
Just as Legolas' foot hit the last step, he heard a familiar voice echo from down the hallway to his left.
"Your highness! Prince Legolas, is that you?" The young servant, Méndel was jogging quickly down the corridor. He wore an expression of joy, surprise and. something else Legolas couldn't quite place.
The prince smiled as the younger elf approached and he laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see you, Méndel."
"You too, my Lord." Méndel then turned to Aragorn and grinned. "Strider! It's been too long since you've set foot in this kingdom."
The ranger nodded and smiled. "It's good to be back."
Legolas glanced down the hall from where the servant had come. "I would have thought I'd see one of my brothers wandering around somewhere. where are they? Can you take me to my father?"
At this request, Méndel's mouth ran dry and his grin faded. He thought of something he could say, but gave up and simply nodded. "Come with me."
Legolas and Aragorn exchanged puzzled glances before following the young elf to the doors of the royal common room. They stepped inside, but were confused again when Méndel swiftly left.
On the other side of the room sat a large over-stuffed chair that had been turned away towards the large window that opened the room to the gardens. Just over the top of the chair, a head of blond hair could be seen, crowned by a silver circlet that the Mirkwood royalty wore.
As the doors closed behind them, the elf in the chair stood to face the visitors. Legolas and Aragorn's confusion only grew deeper when the elf turned out to be the Princess Nanien.
"Nanien. what-. Where's father?" Legolas shook his head slowly, showing that he did not understand what was going on.
His sister's soft smile faded slowly as her brother walked towards her. "Legolas. you've been gone for so long." Her voice wavered and a great sadness showed in her eyes.
Legolas' brows furrowed. "Where's father?. and Tadrielas, and Ryldor, and Legandir?"
He was alarmed when a tear streamed down Nanien's cheek. "They're dead, Legolas. they're dead."
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again, thank you so much to all the people who reviewed!! Though, for those of you who didn't review, I'm warning you now that I'm going to have to start increasing the time between each post. *sniffles* only 10 reviews? But my other story got nearly 60 in just as many chapters! What's wrong with this one? Maybe I need to change the summary, make it more exciting. If anyone has any ideas for an exciting summary, feel free to tell me by e-mail, review, whatever. I'm desperate! *cries*. My question to all you reviewers is, what kind of summary makes you want to read something? And thank you in advance!! Suggestions are much appreciated! ;-) Now, you all are going to help me right? Cuz you don't want to have to wait longer for each chapter, do you? And no, this is not considered black mail ;-P. I simply can't afford (review-wise) to post the chapters so quickly. You guys should be thankful I'm posting this often in the first place. Some authors do WIP's and only post once every month or so (dontcha hate that? )
Now, enough with my rambling and on to the NEXT CHAPTER! Everybody say "Yaaaaaaaay!" ^^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 5 Further into Darkness
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He could suddenly feel his insides churn and threaten to make him sick. He glanced at Aragorn who had the same expression, his brows furrowed and his hand covering his mouth.
The body was so completely ripped apart that it was hard to tell what it was except for the golden hair that was barely visible beneath the gore. Legolas walked quickly around the body and motioned for Aragorn to follow. The ranger remained staring at the gruesome sight for a few seconds longer, then walked to his friend.
Legolas let out a quavering breath. "We must move on. Staying here won't get us anywhere, even if we could identify that elf. Besides, I do not wish to see it any longer as I'm sure you would agree. and whatever did that cannot be far away."
The ranger nodded and glanced back one more time. He shuddered to think of what did actually do that. It was probably only a warg pack, since the body looked like it had been eaten. He turned his eyes quickly back to the path before him. He too felt nauseated and wished to look at it no longer.
"How could this have happened?" the ranger said quietly, keeping his gaze to the ground.
Legolas shook his head, as much speechless as Aragorn was. "I don't know. and truthfully, I don't think I want to know. We must get home as quickly as possible, for I fear what we may find when we get there."
Aragorn glanced at his friend and saw the terror in the elf's eyes, his still pale, even slightly greenish, face. He gently draped an arm over the prince's shoulders. "Do not dwell on it so. Your people are strong. and sometimes these things happen. Accidents are difficult to avoid."
"But that?" Legolas almost yelled, pointing behind them. "No, Estel! These things don't happen! A forest doesn't fall under an evil shadow every day! Do you not see what's happening here?"
The ranger sighed and nodded. "I can see it clearly, Legolas. but you mustn't assume so quickly that this was some kind of disaster. An elf lost his life, I can see that. I know it's harder for you to understand because death is a rare thing among your people. but it does happen. Trust me."
Legolas nodded slowly. "I know. Estel, I know. But look. how often does a party of elves leave an unfortunate member of their band out here to rot instead of taking him home to have a proper burial?"
Aragorn's furrowed brows began to relax and he lifted his head as it dawned on him. "You're right. but, perhaps. perhaps the whole group was killed and the search party was able to find everyone but him?"
Legolas nodded again, "Exactly, but I would hate to think how an entire company of elves was killed in such a way." His face remained an uncomfortable pale color. "We must hurry home!" He took the ranger's arm and the two raced off, away from the horrible reminder of what had become of Mirkwood.
As the clearing became quiet once again, several enormous dark shadows appeared out of the mists and gathered around the body. They had returned to feast and began tearing at it once more, fighting amongst each other and making a great noise.
Somewhere down the path, Legolas barely picked up the sounds with his elvish hearing and glanced behind him. Though he could not see anything, he knew that whatever had killed that elf had now returned. he was thankful that he and his friend had not waited around longer than they did.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The morning dawned with only a hint of daylight that was able to find its way down into the dense darkness. The mist hung heavy over the travelers' path, allowing only a yard or two of visibility in all directions.
They walked in complete silence, both as tense as bowstrings. They only hoped to get to the palace as quickly as possible and make this horrid journey end. Legolas didn't even want to imagine traveling back to Imladris again.
The walk to the palace took longer than expected, and it was very difficult to recognize any signs that they were getting close through the thick haze.
It was mid-afternoon before the mists finally lifted a little and they came to the palace gates.
Legolas held up his hand and spoke the password to open the gates. "Edro!"
For several seconds, nothing happened. They then suddenly heard a grinding sound like rock against metal. then nothing. Legolas stared up, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Aragorn stepped up beside him. "What's going on? Why won't they open?"
The prince shook his head in frustration mixed with fear. "I don't know. Somehow they've been locked, but how and why I haven't the faintest idea. Perhaps, my father locked them for safety reasons."
Aragorn snorted. "I can understand why with all the recent goings on."
Legolas nodded. "Here, let us see if we can't climb a trellace somewhere." He strode off towards the north side of the palace with Aragorn quickly following. They soon found the garden walls that lined the balconies. There was indeed a climbable trellace that led up to the roof which dropped down into the balcony outside the library.
Aragorn went first, finding secure footholds and hoisting himself up, pushing through the vines and branches that blocked his ascent. Legolas followed behind, glancing cautiously around him before he began his climb.
They soon reached the roof then crawled across it several yards until they were able to drop onto the sturdy marble floor.
The palace itself was uncommonly quiet. Not a voice was to be heard, nor any living things to be seen. Legolas and Aragorn crept down the balcony walkway, then through an arch and down the giant marble staircase to the lower halls.
Just as Legolas' foot hit the last step, he heard a familiar voice echo from down the hallway to his left.
"Your highness! Prince Legolas, is that you?" The young servant, Méndel was jogging quickly down the corridor. He wore an expression of joy, surprise and. something else Legolas couldn't quite place.
The prince smiled as the younger elf approached and he laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see you, Méndel."
"You too, my Lord." Méndel then turned to Aragorn and grinned. "Strider! It's been too long since you've set foot in this kingdom."
The ranger nodded and smiled. "It's good to be back."
Legolas glanced down the hall from where the servant had come. "I would have thought I'd see one of my brothers wandering around somewhere. where are they? Can you take me to my father?"
At this request, Méndel's mouth ran dry and his grin faded. He thought of something he could say, but gave up and simply nodded. "Come with me."
Legolas and Aragorn exchanged puzzled glances before following the young elf to the doors of the royal common room. They stepped inside, but were confused again when Méndel swiftly left.
On the other side of the room sat a large over-stuffed chair that had been turned away towards the large window that opened the room to the gardens. Just over the top of the chair, a head of blond hair could be seen, crowned by a silver circlet that the Mirkwood royalty wore.
As the doors closed behind them, the elf in the chair stood to face the visitors. Legolas and Aragorn's confusion only grew deeper when the elf turned out to be the Princess Nanien.
"Nanien. what-. Where's father?" Legolas shook his head slowly, showing that he did not understand what was going on.
His sister's soft smile faded slowly as her brother walked towards her. "Legolas. you've been gone for so long." Her voice wavered and a great sadness showed in her eyes.
Legolas' brows furrowed. "Where's father?. and Tadrielas, and Ryldor, and Legandir?"
He was alarmed when a tear streamed down Nanien's cheek. "They're dead, Legolas. they're dead."