Duath uin Taur
"Darkness of the Forest"
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In answer to an anonymous review, a reader asked me about the darkness in Mirkwood. She said that the ring was destroyed and therefor the evil should be as well. Why should Mirkwood still hold so much darkness? You might have noticed that several of the characters in my story said the same thing and were questioning Legolas' word. The thing is, when the ring was destroyed all living evil was as well, but for all evil to be completely wiped away and everyone to be good and whole again takes time. It doesn't all happen at once. And I mean, this story takes place RIGHT after the ring is thrown into the pit of fire. within a month or so. Because Mirkwood was so completely overrun with evil, that was the only thing keeping it alive. Now that the evil is dying so is the forest. It's already dead it just takes time for it to crumble completely. Legolas tried to make all of his people see this, that there is no hope in staying. They would be trapped forever in a dead wood. no life and no hope of life for many a long years. Nothing could survive that long in a place so corrupted. Apparently, one of his kind did not trust him and it brought this unfortunate elf to his untimely death.
I hope that explains it well for y'all. We're drawing very near to the end of this story. I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading just as much.
This is not the last chapter, though. Be sure to read the Epilogue. Thanks for your reviews and motivation! You guys are great.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 12 The Last Homely House
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the first time in many years, the elves felt the heavy shadow lift from their souls. They rejoiced at their new freedom long into the night.
A healer had tended to Legolas' and Aragorn's wounds and wrapped them up comfortably. The two of them sat gazing into the blackness of the woods that now loomed behind the travelers. The young king's eyes were sad and his heart longed to see his home as it had been in happier days, but it was not to be.
Some elves sat awake and watched as the first ray of golden light touched the horizon. Most slept through the sunrise, content and peaceful.
As the morning grew old, the elves prepared to set out for Rivendell. It was the closest friendly settlement where they could rest and replenish their supplies before they made the long trek to the Grey Havens on the western shores.
Legolas was helped onto a horse as he couldn't very well walk on his own let alone travel across the Misty Mountains on foot. The packs (now slightly lightened) were evenly distributed to the other horses.
The day grew warmer as the sun rose high into the sky, reflecting down onto the snow with multi-colored specks of light.
The journey was easy and light-hearted as the elves joked with each other and sang songs. Legolas soon forgot his sorrow and pain and joined into the merrymaking.
Their pass through the mountains burdened them little as the elves and their horses moved lightly over the snow. Though, through the deep snowdrifts, Aragorn and Gandalf were allowed to ride. The ranger's injury did not hinder him; the elvish medicine was powerful and worked swiftly.
They soon reached the edge of the valley of Imladris. The past days went quickly by and the journey seemed much shorter than it had been though the woods.
After traveling the paths that ran over falls and across bridges, they were greeted merrily in the House of Elrond with much surprise from the Lord of Rivendell. A story was indeed in order and as soon as the elves were made comfortable in the Last Homely House, Gandalf told his old friend of the events of recent.
Elrond sat staring into the fire on the hearth as the wizard finished. "We left the Beorning and made it here with little time wasted. Now, the elves of the wood must journey further to the western shores. Your peoples' ship is leaving soon, is it not?"
Elrond nodded slowly, his mind still in a disbelieving state from the sorrowful story told to him. "Yes. and who has led the people of Mirkwood thus far?"
"Only the heir to the throne." Gandalf waved his hand towards Legolas who sat quietly across the room.
Elrond smiled at the young king and stood from his chair. "You're very brave and have made wise decisions, Legolas. I do not doubt that you will make the fairest king your people have seen since the founding of their kingdom."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on that evening, Gimli had discovered that Legolas and Aragorn returned to Imladris and was in quite a mood that they had not gone to find him as soon as they arrived. He then noticed that they both were badly injured and he was finally told what happened.
Legolas had to explain that there would be no journeying except that he was to travel with his people to the Grey Havens and sail to the Undying Lands. The dwarf's spirit dropped at this news, but he insisted on accompanying them to the west and across the seas.
"I would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond for a good adventure, my friend."
Legolas smiled at Gimli's faithfulness though he could see the sorrow in the dwarf's eyes at the prospect of leaving Middle-Earth behind forever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a filling and satisfying dinner, Gandalf saw to Legolas' and Aragorn's wounds himself one last time to make sure they were healing properly. Up in a guest room, he had just finished with Aragorn's arm and was busy wrapping it.
Legolas sat nearby, watching the wizard work. "Mithrandir, I had been meaning to ask you things. The both of us have, really. Strange goings on in Mirkwood."
Gandalf nodded slowly. "I know of these things. The wargs. they were not any ordinary race of warg you see wandering around orc- dwellings. These were mutated by the growing shadow in the forest. They had become so much a part of the evil that their very souls were connected to it. As it grew so did they, yet when it finally destroys the last of the forest it too will diminish and the dark creatures along with it."
Aragorn sat a moment in silence before speaking. "Mithrandir,. when the wargs were killed, they shriveled into ash and disappeared entirely. What caused this?"
"And not only the wargs," Legolas added, "but we also witnessed the same happen to a buck I shot on the way home."
The old wizard nodded as he secured Aragorn's wrap. "What you saw was the effect the forest had on all creatures beneath its shadow. When an animal dies, its body disintegrates into the forest floor and brings about new plant life. This would help a forest to flourish. Mirkwood will soon perish, instead. The bodies of its creatures will bring no new life and the woods will soon be no more."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The people of Imladris were also to set off for the Grey Havens and the two parties agreed to travel together. Stores of food and supplies were prepared and every personal possession that could be carried was packed. The journey would be easy but long. Gandalf proposed to stay as long as the Lord was still dwelling in Rivendell, though that would soon come to an end as they all knew.
So it was on one cloudy morning that the elves, a ranger, and a dwarf left Rivendell with heavy hearts. As the valley passed by behind them they grew more reluctant. It would be the last the elves saw of the fair elven refuge.
Their road took them out of the valley and through the open fields and dense thickets westwards. Over a week's march they passed the Crossroads near the village of Bree and continued on past the Greenway.
The sky above them began to clear itself of clouds as the group entered the Shire and traveled through Buckland in the Eastfarthing.
The trail gradually got rougher as it took them through woods and bogs though the South and Westfarthings, yet the scenery was peaceful and quiet. The sky opened up blue above them and they welcomed the sudden faint smell of salt water as it reached their noses.
Their weeks of travel ended when they sighted the seas just beyond a bend in the hills. The last mile was a race as they merrily chased each other to the sandy shores where a brilliant white ship with billowing sails waited for them.
Legolas walked slowly, watching his people rejoice with a smile on his face. Aragorn strode at his side, as arm supporting him as the king was still a bit weak. They walked together in silence as they neared the groups that waited to board. They knew where their paths would lead them next and only wished they could relive the past and go on more adventures. The roads before them were splitting and would never cross each other again except beyond the lands of mortality.
The sun proudly shone upon the sea, its reflection sparkling on the surface amidst a crystal clear sky. The ship that rested in the shallow waters on the shore was loaded with the supplies that had been carried by the elven horses. When the people of Mirkwood and Imladris began walking the gangplank, Legolas' mind began to whirl. He had only moments left on the land that had been his home for the three thousand years he had been alive and with the friend that meant more to him than the life he lived.
The king grabbed a hold of Aragorn's arm as panic filled him. Now that it came to it, he wished to stay more than anything. The ranger took his other arm and shook his head. "Now you must lead your people, king of Greenwood. I too wish we did not have to part. but our duties call and our destinies are ahead of us. This is yours."
Legolas nodded slowly and grimly. "We will find each other again." They threw themselves into each other's embrace. ". when we meet the adventure at every life's end. Namárië, my dear friend."
They parted slowly, never leaving each other's gaze. Their hands fell apart and Legolas turned and walked to the waiting vessel. Aragorn fought to keep tears from forming but they found their way out and streaked down his face.
Nanien joined with her brother and they climbed the gangplank together and boarded the ship.
Blinking and gathering his wits, Aragorn mounted the horse that the elves had left for him to travel upon. The shores were now empty and the ship's anchor was lifted from the water.
The ranger watched in sadness as the elvish boat glided slowly away towards the cliffs that lined the sea. On impulse, he spurred his horse and the steed leaped forward, carrying its rider swiftly over the deep sands and over the grassy fields. They raced along the steep cliffs that looked over the waters and galloped alongside the ship.
Legolas stood at the carved railing and lifted himself momentarily from the gloom that had settled upon him as the vessel passed close by the cliffs. Aragorn rode near him and reached his hand out to his friend. The elf flung his arm out and they grasped each other's hands for several fleeting moments, then were yanked apart as Legolas was carried away and across the waters.
The horse that bore the King of Men slid to a stop at the very peak of a cliff and Aragorn watched the ship drift further away. He wept openly and gazed out to the sea for a long while. The boat was now a speck on the horizon.
'When we meet the adventure at every life's end.' His friend's words echoed in his mind. The end of both their lives would not be soon and Aragorn would simply have to be patient. Though, when they did find each other once again they would explore the greatest adventure of all time. together.
The End
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"To the sea, to the sea! The white gulls are crying, The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying. West, west away, the round sun is falling. Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling, The voices of my people that have gone before me? I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me; For our days are ending and our years failing. I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing. Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling, Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling, In Eressëa, in Elvenhome that no man can discover, Where the leaves fall not: land of my people for ever!"
-Legolas, Return of the King (pg. 289), "Legolas' Song of the Sea"
By G. D. Gauss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In answer to an anonymous review, a reader asked me about the darkness in Mirkwood. She said that the ring was destroyed and therefor the evil should be as well. Why should Mirkwood still hold so much darkness? You might have noticed that several of the characters in my story said the same thing and were questioning Legolas' word. The thing is, when the ring was destroyed all living evil was as well, but for all evil to be completely wiped away and everyone to be good and whole again takes time. It doesn't all happen at once. And I mean, this story takes place RIGHT after the ring is thrown into the pit of fire. within a month or so. Because Mirkwood was so completely overrun with evil, that was the only thing keeping it alive. Now that the evil is dying so is the forest. It's already dead it just takes time for it to crumble completely. Legolas tried to make all of his people see this, that there is no hope in staying. They would be trapped forever in a dead wood. no life and no hope of life for many a long years. Nothing could survive that long in a place so corrupted. Apparently, one of his kind did not trust him and it brought this unfortunate elf to his untimely death.
I hope that explains it well for y'all. We're drawing very near to the end of this story. I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading just as much.
This is not the last chapter, though. Be sure to read the Epilogue. Thanks for your reviews and motivation! You guys are great.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 12 The Last Homely House
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the first time in many years, the elves felt the heavy shadow lift from their souls. They rejoiced at their new freedom long into the night.
A healer had tended to Legolas' and Aragorn's wounds and wrapped them up comfortably. The two of them sat gazing into the blackness of the woods that now loomed behind the travelers. The young king's eyes were sad and his heart longed to see his home as it had been in happier days, but it was not to be.
Some elves sat awake and watched as the first ray of golden light touched the horizon. Most slept through the sunrise, content and peaceful.
As the morning grew old, the elves prepared to set out for Rivendell. It was the closest friendly settlement where they could rest and replenish their supplies before they made the long trek to the Grey Havens on the western shores.
Legolas was helped onto a horse as he couldn't very well walk on his own let alone travel across the Misty Mountains on foot. The packs (now slightly lightened) were evenly distributed to the other horses.
The day grew warmer as the sun rose high into the sky, reflecting down onto the snow with multi-colored specks of light.
The journey was easy and light-hearted as the elves joked with each other and sang songs. Legolas soon forgot his sorrow and pain and joined into the merrymaking.
Their pass through the mountains burdened them little as the elves and their horses moved lightly over the snow. Though, through the deep snowdrifts, Aragorn and Gandalf were allowed to ride. The ranger's injury did not hinder him; the elvish medicine was powerful and worked swiftly.
They soon reached the edge of the valley of Imladris. The past days went quickly by and the journey seemed much shorter than it had been though the woods.
After traveling the paths that ran over falls and across bridges, they were greeted merrily in the House of Elrond with much surprise from the Lord of Rivendell. A story was indeed in order and as soon as the elves were made comfortable in the Last Homely House, Gandalf told his old friend of the events of recent.
Elrond sat staring into the fire on the hearth as the wizard finished. "We left the Beorning and made it here with little time wasted. Now, the elves of the wood must journey further to the western shores. Your peoples' ship is leaving soon, is it not?"
Elrond nodded slowly, his mind still in a disbelieving state from the sorrowful story told to him. "Yes. and who has led the people of Mirkwood thus far?"
"Only the heir to the throne." Gandalf waved his hand towards Legolas who sat quietly across the room.
Elrond smiled at the young king and stood from his chair. "You're very brave and have made wise decisions, Legolas. I do not doubt that you will make the fairest king your people have seen since the founding of their kingdom."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on that evening, Gimli had discovered that Legolas and Aragorn returned to Imladris and was in quite a mood that they had not gone to find him as soon as they arrived. He then noticed that they both were badly injured and he was finally told what happened.
Legolas had to explain that there would be no journeying except that he was to travel with his people to the Grey Havens and sail to the Undying Lands. The dwarf's spirit dropped at this news, but he insisted on accompanying them to the west and across the seas.
"I would follow you to the ends of the earth and beyond for a good adventure, my friend."
Legolas smiled at Gimli's faithfulness though he could see the sorrow in the dwarf's eyes at the prospect of leaving Middle-Earth behind forever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a filling and satisfying dinner, Gandalf saw to Legolas' and Aragorn's wounds himself one last time to make sure they were healing properly. Up in a guest room, he had just finished with Aragorn's arm and was busy wrapping it.
Legolas sat nearby, watching the wizard work. "Mithrandir, I had been meaning to ask you things. The both of us have, really. Strange goings on in Mirkwood."
Gandalf nodded slowly. "I know of these things. The wargs. they were not any ordinary race of warg you see wandering around orc- dwellings. These were mutated by the growing shadow in the forest. They had become so much a part of the evil that their very souls were connected to it. As it grew so did they, yet when it finally destroys the last of the forest it too will diminish and the dark creatures along with it."
Aragorn sat a moment in silence before speaking. "Mithrandir,. when the wargs were killed, they shriveled into ash and disappeared entirely. What caused this?"
"And not only the wargs," Legolas added, "but we also witnessed the same happen to a buck I shot on the way home."
The old wizard nodded as he secured Aragorn's wrap. "What you saw was the effect the forest had on all creatures beneath its shadow. When an animal dies, its body disintegrates into the forest floor and brings about new plant life. This would help a forest to flourish. Mirkwood will soon perish, instead. The bodies of its creatures will bring no new life and the woods will soon be no more."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The people of Imladris were also to set off for the Grey Havens and the two parties agreed to travel together. Stores of food and supplies were prepared and every personal possession that could be carried was packed. The journey would be easy but long. Gandalf proposed to stay as long as the Lord was still dwelling in Rivendell, though that would soon come to an end as they all knew.
So it was on one cloudy morning that the elves, a ranger, and a dwarf left Rivendell with heavy hearts. As the valley passed by behind them they grew more reluctant. It would be the last the elves saw of the fair elven refuge.
Their road took them out of the valley and through the open fields and dense thickets westwards. Over a week's march they passed the Crossroads near the village of Bree and continued on past the Greenway.
The sky above them began to clear itself of clouds as the group entered the Shire and traveled through Buckland in the Eastfarthing.
The trail gradually got rougher as it took them through woods and bogs though the South and Westfarthings, yet the scenery was peaceful and quiet. The sky opened up blue above them and they welcomed the sudden faint smell of salt water as it reached their noses.
Their weeks of travel ended when they sighted the seas just beyond a bend in the hills. The last mile was a race as they merrily chased each other to the sandy shores where a brilliant white ship with billowing sails waited for them.
Legolas walked slowly, watching his people rejoice with a smile on his face. Aragorn strode at his side, as arm supporting him as the king was still a bit weak. They walked together in silence as they neared the groups that waited to board. They knew where their paths would lead them next and only wished they could relive the past and go on more adventures. The roads before them were splitting and would never cross each other again except beyond the lands of mortality.
The sun proudly shone upon the sea, its reflection sparkling on the surface amidst a crystal clear sky. The ship that rested in the shallow waters on the shore was loaded with the supplies that had been carried by the elven horses. When the people of Mirkwood and Imladris began walking the gangplank, Legolas' mind began to whirl. He had only moments left on the land that had been his home for the three thousand years he had been alive and with the friend that meant more to him than the life he lived.
The king grabbed a hold of Aragorn's arm as panic filled him. Now that it came to it, he wished to stay more than anything. The ranger took his other arm and shook his head. "Now you must lead your people, king of Greenwood. I too wish we did not have to part. but our duties call and our destinies are ahead of us. This is yours."
Legolas nodded slowly and grimly. "We will find each other again." They threw themselves into each other's embrace. ". when we meet the adventure at every life's end. Namárië, my dear friend."
They parted slowly, never leaving each other's gaze. Their hands fell apart and Legolas turned and walked to the waiting vessel. Aragorn fought to keep tears from forming but they found their way out and streaked down his face.
Nanien joined with her brother and they climbed the gangplank together and boarded the ship.
Blinking and gathering his wits, Aragorn mounted the horse that the elves had left for him to travel upon. The shores were now empty and the ship's anchor was lifted from the water.
The ranger watched in sadness as the elvish boat glided slowly away towards the cliffs that lined the sea. On impulse, he spurred his horse and the steed leaped forward, carrying its rider swiftly over the deep sands and over the grassy fields. They raced along the steep cliffs that looked over the waters and galloped alongside the ship.
Legolas stood at the carved railing and lifted himself momentarily from the gloom that had settled upon him as the vessel passed close by the cliffs. Aragorn rode near him and reached his hand out to his friend. The elf flung his arm out and they grasped each other's hands for several fleeting moments, then were yanked apart as Legolas was carried away and across the waters.
The horse that bore the King of Men slid to a stop at the very peak of a cliff and Aragorn watched the ship drift further away. He wept openly and gazed out to the sea for a long while. The boat was now a speck on the horizon.
'When we meet the adventure at every life's end.' His friend's words echoed in his mind. The end of both their lives would not be soon and Aragorn would simply have to be patient. Though, when they did find each other once again they would explore the greatest adventure of all time. together.
The End
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"To the sea, to the sea! The white gulls are crying, The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying. West, west away, the round sun is falling. Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling, The voices of my people that have gone before me? I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me; For our days are ending and our years failing. I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing. Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling, Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling, In Eressëa, in Elvenhome that no man can discover, Where the leaves fall not: land of my people for ever!"
-Legolas, Return of the King (pg. 289), "Legolas' Song of the Sea"