Duath uin Taur
"Darkness of the Forest"
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erhm, most of you will be very happy to hear this: Slea, your wish is my command. The rest of the story will be posted before next Monday. The reason for that is that I won't have access to the internet for quite some time after that, so I'm going to finish touching it up and then post it as soon as I can. I didn't get nearly as many reviews last time as I would have liked, but that's the least of my worries at the moment. All I've gotta work on is getting the rest of the fic up before next Monday so I won't leave you guys hanging forever. Sooo, here's chapter 8 for ya'll!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8 Resistance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Garalith paced back again over the marble threshold of the balcony, shaking his head. "But leaving our home just isn't an option. It's too dangerous!"
Legolas remained still and impassive in his chair. "More dangerous that staying and letting the shadow cover and destroy us all? I have foreseen that this decision would soon be presented to us. If you have formulated a better plan speak it now for our time is shortening quickly."
Garalith walked over and stood before his king. "If we leave, would it mean crossing to the Undying Lands?"
Legolas' gaze was stern. "What other choice have we? If we stayed in Middle-Earth, where would we go? Our kin are swiftly leaving. Even the Lord of Rivendell and the Lady of the Golden Wood will soon be across the Western seas. My father knew that someday our time would come to join our kind in the Undying Lands. Our presence in Middle-Earth no longer has a meaning. I planned to stay longer with a friend and we were to travel the vast lands together until we grew tired and wished to live forever in peace across the seas. but my duty now calls. I must now sail with my people against my will. Do you think I relish in the thought of leaving the world I was born and grew up in? None of us do. but all that did not have already left and it is evident that it is now our turn. Think, what is better: Staying in our home that is crumbling before our very eyes, or leaving our dear lands and living in quiet content with our people?"
The captain nodded slowly. "I see now. Forgive me for ever questioning you, my friend. Your words are wise."
The king held up his hand. "My words come only from those who have seen the evil and leave for the Undying Lands. They are the wise from whom this advice comes. We must prepare to leave as soon as we may. though I fear it might not be soon enough which is why we must make haste."
"Yes, my lord." Garalith bowed low, then turned and swiftly left the quarters of the king. Legolas closed his eyes and shook his head at the use of such formal addressing from his old friend. At the thought of old friends, another one of his entered quietly. The king's face glowed when he saw who it was.
"Estel! I have not talked with you in over a day. Where have you been hiding?"
Aragorn strode around the room, gazing at the decorations glittering with white jewels that Thranduil had been so fond of. "Merely keeping myself out of the way of things. I know how busy you've been as of late. I figured I'd occupy myself while you were addressing more important things."
"Estel, you know you're more important to me than anything on this earth!" He caught the ranger's arm and pulled him closer. "Besides, all this work is boring me! I need someone to keep me company."
"Where's Nanien?" Aragorn sat in a chair close to his friend.
"Just as busy as I. All work and no play make the king and princess go out of their minds!"
Aragorn chuckled light-heartedly and Legolas smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The boughs of the silver beeches glistened in the moonlight. They lay in arches over the pair of friends that sat together late in the gardens.
Legolas kneeled onto the earth in a soft flower bed. "Estel, Mirkwood will soon be deserted forever. I want to show you something."
Aragorn lowered himself down beside the elf and watched as Legolas took five small saplings, as tender as flowers and only six inches long at most. Each one had a leather bag filled with potting soil wrapped about its roots. The ranger furrowed his brows when he noted how strangely the leaves of these young trees were shaped. Each tiny leaf was split at the end like the tongue of a snake only wider and slightly curled. He had never seen the likes of them before.
Legolas gently held them together and tied them with a leather strap, then put them carefully into a small narrow bag. He smiled as he handed them to Aragorn. "When I was very young, I found one of these near a lagoon not far from the palace. I took it home and did a bit of research. They're called lÿglam trees. The pronged leaves have nearly the same healing properties as athelas. They're extremely rare in Middle-Earth and the ones I grew in the garden from that one sapling I found many years ago may be the only ones left. I want you to take these and ensure the best you can that they grow and flourish again in Middle-Earth."
Placing his hand upon Legolas' over his grip on the bag, Aragorn nodded. "I promise you, if I live to reach the western shores so shall they."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isorfir tightly buckled the pack closed before moving to the next one. He and the other warriors had been appointed the task of readying the supplies and weapons for the day after. "Vorfirion, I know this is hard to live by but Legolas knows what's best. He's been out there wandering all of Middle-Earth for the past year and has seen much. You wouldn't truly think of deserting us-"
"We've lived in and controlled these woods since the war of the ring three millennia ago," said Vorfirion, "There's no reason why we must let it control us!" He flung down the pack he had been holding and stood still momentarily. This drew quite a bit of attention, yet when no one made an answer the warrior's temper failed him.
"You'll see. the king's plans will kill us all! But I'll be ready for it. and when you're all killed out there, the people of Greenwood will see and they'll follow me!" With that he stormed out through the shed doors and was not heard for the rest of the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Under the light of early morning, the courtyard was busy with activity as the citizens of Mirkwood prepared their supplies and pack animals. Two horses were set aside for the king and princess as mounts.
As Legolas came out through the large doorway of the palace entrance with Nanien and Aragorn on either side, Méndel came forward and spoke to the king. "Your majesty, someone has just arrived and wishes to see you and the ranger. Strangely, he knew the password to open the gates, even though they were locked!"
Legolas' brows furrowed and he and Aragorn both began searching the crowd. Méndel pointed on the other side of the courtyard near the gates. "There."
Both faces suddenly lit up as they spotted the tall robed figure the young elf was pointing to. They shouted at the same time: "Mithrandir!"
The old wizard, now clad all in white, grinned and raised his bushy brows in jolly laughter when he saw his dear friends. They raced each other across the courtyard, much to the sudden surprise and dismay of the king's hand-servants who tried to follow him through the crowd but became lost somehow.
Both leapt at him and the three of them were wrapped in each other's arms in one big embrace.
Gandalf chuckled. "We've only been separated for three weeks and you're already missing my company? Dear me, I must be more popular than I thought!" They all began laughing and then did so for many minutes straight until their sides hurt.
"Well," said the wizard, finding a seat on a nearby garden bench, "I was rather hoping to hear a story. What is all this business?" He waved his hand about the yard at all the bustle going on before him. "I see Nanien over there," he smiled and waved at her, getting a friendly wave in response, "but where's the rest of the family? I've not seen your father in many decades."
The king and the ranger exchanged uncomfortable glances. "And. I've not seen him in over a year," said Legolas, his voice grim and filled with sorrow. Gandalf's features noticeably sank in confusion, one bristly brow arched.
Aragorn placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll explain, Legolas."
The elf nodded. "Thank you."
A look of dark foreboding came upon the wizard's face as he felt a deep sadness in both souls. "What is it that has come to pass that might bring so much despair onto the hearts of Mirkwood?" As he said this, he realized that his intuition was responding strongly and he had a bad feeling about what the ranger was about to tell him.
Aragorn took a seat beside the wizard and turned to face him. Gandalf remained facing forward, his expression unchanged as the human began talking. "When we arrived, we already noticed that the palace seemed unusually dark and empty. We found Nanien in the common room by herself. Legolas' brothers and the king were nowhere to be found. Nanien told us why. Several months ago, Thranduil and his sons went on a hunting trip by themselves. A week later they had not returned."
Mithrandir sat up suddenly and looked sternly into the ranger's eyes. He continued. "Thranduil was found by a search party and he explained that Ryldor and Legandir were killed, and he was separated from Tadrielas and never met up with him again. The king died the morning after. The two younger princes' bodies were found and buried next to their father but Tadrielas couldn't be found. He had wandered too far out of the kingdom's boundaries. When we passed through the woods, we found the mangled body of an elf near the Old Forest Road. We didn't figure out that it had been Tadrielas until we were told the ill news. When the search party went out again to look for him, all they could find was a few scraps of clothing and a buckle with the elvish inscription of the royal family engraved in it."
Gandalf's eyes were now closed and he spoke so quietly that even Legolas had to strain to hear. "This is ill news indeed. What sorrowful events that have burdened these people." He gazed up at the new king and the expression upon his face changed. "Legolas." He took the elf's hand and gently pulled him down to the bench on the other side of him. ". how have you fared these recent days?"
Legolas sighed deeply. "Better than I was before. I believe the work I've given myself has kept my mind off things, though it still wanders at times."
The wizard gazed at the new king with admiration and concern. "So much pressure to be placed upon such a young soul."
"Young?" Legolas bristled at the verb Gandalf used. "Compared to this one," he motioned to Aragorn, "I'm ancient!"
"Compared to me you're a child!" Gandalf was now smiling. He then turned and gazed across the courtyard. "I now understand these goings on." He motioned to the activity before them. "The Undying Lands is your destination. You're leaving, are you not?"
The king nodded slowly and grimly. "We have no choice."
The wizard nodded in return. "That seems to be the choice many have taken as of late. You may find soon that I have helped your journey some. After you left Elrond's House I followed you to the edges of the wood, but hesitated to go back. I worried at the sight of Mirkwood, so dark and dreary. When I saw that even your horses refused to carry you in, I decided to go the rest of the way, see if I couldn't help things a bit. As I went along behind, I took the time to lift the evil from the boughs of the beech trees your people are so fond of."
"So now our journey should be easier and less dangerous?" Aragorn asked hopefully.
Mithrandir's gaze became again stern. "Mind you, I could not fully remove all evil. I merely lifted the deep dread that one felt when underneath the shadow. Though, the evil creatures still remain. Your journey may prove to be just as nearly perilous as before, though your hearts are lifted slightly."
'Then you will help us, Mithrandir?" Legolas' gaze was also hopeful and the stress seemed to temporarily lift from his shoulders.
"I will help all that I can, but I fear that my aid may prove useless from here on."
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erhm, most of you will be very happy to hear this: Slea, your wish is my command. The rest of the story will be posted before next Monday. The reason for that is that I won't have access to the internet for quite some time after that, so I'm going to finish touching it up and then post it as soon as I can. I didn't get nearly as many reviews last time as I would have liked, but that's the least of my worries at the moment. All I've gotta work on is getting the rest of the fic up before next Monday so I won't leave you guys hanging forever. Sooo, here's chapter 8 for ya'll!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8 Resistance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Garalith paced back again over the marble threshold of the balcony, shaking his head. "But leaving our home just isn't an option. It's too dangerous!"
Legolas remained still and impassive in his chair. "More dangerous that staying and letting the shadow cover and destroy us all? I have foreseen that this decision would soon be presented to us. If you have formulated a better plan speak it now for our time is shortening quickly."
Garalith walked over and stood before his king. "If we leave, would it mean crossing to the Undying Lands?"
Legolas' gaze was stern. "What other choice have we? If we stayed in Middle-Earth, where would we go? Our kin are swiftly leaving. Even the Lord of Rivendell and the Lady of the Golden Wood will soon be across the Western seas. My father knew that someday our time would come to join our kind in the Undying Lands. Our presence in Middle-Earth no longer has a meaning. I planned to stay longer with a friend and we were to travel the vast lands together until we grew tired and wished to live forever in peace across the seas. but my duty now calls. I must now sail with my people against my will. Do you think I relish in the thought of leaving the world I was born and grew up in? None of us do. but all that did not have already left and it is evident that it is now our turn. Think, what is better: Staying in our home that is crumbling before our very eyes, or leaving our dear lands and living in quiet content with our people?"
The captain nodded slowly. "I see now. Forgive me for ever questioning you, my friend. Your words are wise."
The king held up his hand. "My words come only from those who have seen the evil and leave for the Undying Lands. They are the wise from whom this advice comes. We must prepare to leave as soon as we may. though I fear it might not be soon enough which is why we must make haste."
"Yes, my lord." Garalith bowed low, then turned and swiftly left the quarters of the king. Legolas closed his eyes and shook his head at the use of such formal addressing from his old friend. At the thought of old friends, another one of his entered quietly. The king's face glowed when he saw who it was.
"Estel! I have not talked with you in over a day. Where have you been hiding?"
Aragorn strode around the room, gazing at the decorations glittering with white jewels that Thranduil had been so fond of. "Merely keeping myself out of the way of things. I know how busy you've been as of late. I figured I'd occupy myself while you were addressing more important things."
"Estel, you know you're more important to me than anything on this earth!" He caught the ranger's arm and pulled him closer. "Besides, all this work is boring me! I need someone to keep me company."
"Where's Nanien?" Aragorn sat in a chair close to his friend.
"Just as busy as I. All work and no play make the king and princess go out of their minds!"
Aragorn chuckled light-heartedly and Legolas smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The boughs of the silver beeches glistened in the moonlight. They lay in arches over the pair of friends that sat together late in the gardens.
Legolas kneeled onto the earth in a soft flower bed. "Estel, Mirkwood will soon be deserted forever. I want to show you something."
Aragorn lowered himself down beside the elf and watched as Legolas took five small saplings, as tender as flowers and only six inches long at most. Each one had a leather bag filled with potting soil wrapped about its roots. The ranger furrowed his brows when he noted how strangely the leaves of these young trees were shaped. Each tiny leaf was split at the end like the tongue of a snake only wider and slightly curled. He had never seen the likes of them before.
Legolas gently held them together and tied them with a leather strap, then put them carefully into a small narrow bag. He smiled as he handed them to Aragorn. "When I was very young, I found one of these near a lagoon not far from the palace. I took it home and did a bit of research. They're called lÿglam trees. The pronged leaves have nearly the same healing properties as athelas. They're extremely rare in Middle-Earth and the ones I grew in the garden from that one sapling I found many years ago may be the only ones left. I want you to take these and ensure the best you can that they grow and flourish again in Middle-Earth."
Placing his hand upon Legolas' over his grip on the bag, Aragorn nodded. "I promise you, if I live to reach the western shores so shall they."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isorfir tightly buckled the pack closed before moving to the next one. He and the other warriors had been appointed the task of readying the supplies and weapons for the day after. "Vorfirion, I know this is hard to live by but Legolas knows what's best. He's been out there wandering all of Middle-Earth for the past year and has seen much. You wouldn't truly think of deserting us-"
"We've lived in and controlled these woods since the war of the ring three millennia ago," said Vorfirion, "There's no reason why we must let it control us!" He flung down the pack he had been holding and stood still momentarily. This drew quite a bit of attention, yet when no one made an answer the warrior's temper failed him.
"You'll see. the king's plans will kill us all! But I'll be ready for it. and when you're all killed out there, the people of Greenwood will see and they'll follow me!" With that he stormed out through the shed doors and was not heard for the rest of the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Under the light of early morning, the courtyard was busy with activity as the citizens of Mirkwood prepared their supplies and pack animals. Two horses were set aside for the king and princess as mounts.
As Legolas came out through the large doorway of the palace entrance with Nanien and Aragorn on either side, Méndel came forward and spoke to the king. "Your majesty, someone has just arrived and wishes to see you and the ranger. Strangely, he knew the password to open the gates, even though they were locked!"
Legolas' brows furrowed and he and Aragorn both began searching the crowd. Méndel pointed on the other side of the courtyard near the gates. "There."
Both faces suddenly lit up as they spotted the tall robed figure the young elf was pointing to. They shouted at the same time: "Mithrandir!"
The old wizard, now clad all in white, grinned and raised his bushy brows in jolly laughter when he saw his dear friends. They raced each other across the courtyard, much to the sudden surprise and dismay of the king's hand-servants who tried to follow him through the crowd but became lost somehow.
Both leapt at him and the three of them were wrapped in each other's arms in one big embrace.
Gandalf chuckled. "We've only been separated for three weeks and you're already missing my company? Dear me, I must be more popular than I thought!" They all began laughing and then did so for many minutes straight until their sides hurt.
"Well," said the wizard, finding a seat on a nearby garden bench, "I was rather hoping to hear a story. What is all this business?" He waved his hand about the yard at all the bustle going on before him. "I see Nanien over there," he smiled and waved at her, getting a friendly wave in response, "but where's the rest of the family? I've not seen your father in many decades."
The king and the ranger exchanged uncomfortable glances. "And. I've not seen him in over a year," said Legolas, his voice grim and filled with sorrow. Gandalf's features noticeably sank in confusion, one bristly brow arched.
Aragorn placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll explain, Legolas."
The elf nodded. "Thank you."
A look of dark foreboding came upon the wizard's face as he felt a deep sadness in both souls. "What is it that has come to pass that might bring so much despair onto the hearts of Mirkwood?" As he said this, he realized that his intuition was responding strongly and he had a bad feeling about what the ranger was about to tell him.
Aragorn took a seat beside the wizard and turned to face him. Gandalf remained facing forward, his expression unchanged as the human began talking. "When we arrived, we already noticed that the palace seemed unusually dark and empty. We found Nanien in the common room by herself. Legolas' brothers and the king were nowhere to be found. Nanien told us why. Several months ago, Thranduil and his sons went on a hunting trip by themselves. A week later they had not returned."
Mithrandir sat up suddenly and looked sternly into the ranger's eyes. He continued. "Thranduil was found by a search party and he explained that Ryldor and Legandir were killed, and he was separated from Tadrielas and never met up with him again. The king died the morning after. The two younger princes' bodies were found and buried next to their father but Tadrielas couldn't be found. He had wandered too far out of the kingdom's boundaries. When we passed through the woods, we found the mangled body of an elf near the Old Forest Road. We didn't figure out that it had been Tadrielas until we were told the ill news. When the search party went out again to look for him, all they could find was a few scraps of clothing and a buckle with the elvish inscription of the royal family engraved in it."
Gandalf's eyes were now closed and he spoke so quietly that even Legolas had to strain to hear. "This is ill news indeed. What sorrowful events that have burdened these people." He gazed up at the new king and the expression upon his face changed. "Legolas." He took the elf's hand and gently pulled him down to the bench on the other side of him. ". how have you fared these recent days?"
Legolas sighed deeply. "Better than I was before. I believe the work I've given myself has kept my mind off things, though it still wanders at times."
The wizard gazed at the new king with admiration and concern. "So much pressure to be placed upon such a young soul."
"Young?" Legolas bristled at the verb Gandalf used. "Compared to this one," he motioned to Aragorn, "I'm ancient!"
"Compared to me you're a child!" Gandalf was now smiling. He then turned and gazed across the courtyard. "I now understand these goings on." He motioned to the activity before them. "The Undying Lands is your destination. You're leaving, are you not?"
The king nodded slowly and grimly. "We have no choice."
The wizard nodded in return. "That seems to be the choice many have taken as of late. You may find soon that I have helped your journey some. After you left Elrond's House I followed you to the edges of the wood, but hesitated to go back. I worried at the sight of Mirkwood, so dark and dreary. When I saw that even your horses refused to carry you in, I decided to go the rest of the way, see if I couldn't help things a bit. As I went along behind, I took the time to lift the evil from the boughs of the beech trees your people are so fond of."
"So now our journey should be easier and less dangerous?" Aragorn asked hopefully.
Mithrandir's gaze became again stern. "Mind you, I could not fully remove all evil. I merely lifted the deep dread that one felt when underneath the shadow. Though, the evil creatures still remain. Your journey may prove to be just as nearly perilous as before, though your hearts are lifted slightly."
'Then you will help us, Mithrandir?" Legolas' gaze was also hopeful and the stress seemed to temporarily lift from his shoulders.
"I will help all that I can, but I fear that my aid may prove useless from here on."