A/N: For some reason this is a little short, but I think it's ok. I getting
better now, but will be away tomorrow. You will have to wait 'til
Wednesday.
Hope
This was it. After all we'd been fighting for, we were so close and now the end was nigh. This was the evil of which Galadriel had spoke. After picking my lover apart piece-by-piece, making him so fragile, the elisur had finally began to kill him.
This was so unfair. We were not a day's travel from the golden woods. So close to our destination, we had been able to see it for many days. Currently it's light shone through the darkness of night, taunting, promising hope and safety, but now we were denied access to it. We were too late. We should not have lingered, the second breakfasts, the early camps, the short days walk to rest the little ones. Unbeknownst, we had been letting Legolas' life slip away. Despite our determination, our unity and sense of purpose and urgency, the sands of time had beaten us. We had been lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of discernable change in the elf's condition. I wished for one moment that the arrow had pierced my body. Its effect on me would be unknown, but still I would face certain death for the agonised figure writhing below me.
I turned my attention back to him, praying for some divine intervention and knowing it would not come, I began searching franticly through my pack. The herbs I had now would be no use. But yet, I had to believe I was doing something to help, and I needed him to believe that too. His cries had woken the rest of the camp; all of whom had crowded round shocked, wisely keeping their distance. All with the exception of Boromir who remained where he was, head in his hands.
I had not the time or inclination to analyse this. The elf below needed my help, but what aid could I give? Legolas had always spoken wisely of the strength of men, but now I felt utterly useless. I had not the power to stop the poison; I doubted I could even numb the pain. Faces in the darkness looked to me for some solution, as their leader and Legolas' lover. A solution I could not provide. The silence that had descended began to feel all the more heavy. It spoke of more than any elf or man could, even in their finest hour. Not making a sound it proclaimed grief, loss, despair, failure, anger, sorrow, fear and helplessness. These emotions had almost taken solid form in the air, and threatened to mock us as we fought to save one of our own. We all knew of the dangers we would face on this quest, but here our comrade would not die heroically saving Middle Earth from the wrath of Sauron, but rather was being cruelly stolen from us. This demise did not befit such a creature. But I had been misled for hope was not entirely dead.
I fed my beloved a variety of green fauna, at least he might believe they could help, the placebo effect was not to be underestimated. He accepted gratefully, with a misplaced faith in my healing ability and knowledge of herbs. Movement within the camp caught my eye as Legolas stilled, no longer having the energy to fight the pain sleep claimed him. I was glad of the relief it would provide. Boromir was pacing wildly, collecting things, muttering and turning to the others. His words, whatever they were, spurred the rest of the team into action. I watched with amazement and pride as within ninety seconds every bag was packed (including my own and Legolas') and all trace of the camp had been destroyed. The fellowship had stood as one; ready to move.
Boromir spoke first.
"We walk hard and fast, we do not stop under any circumstances. I will lead, Aragorn you follow behind; you will have to carry him." He indicated the sleeping form. "Then you four hobbits, you stay together and do not wander from the path. Just follow Aragorn. Gimli, you bring up the rear and be on your guard. We will reach Lothlorien before dawn." That was no statement or estimation, but a demand.
The group fell into their respective ranks. Legolas murmured softly as I lifted him, we then headed off towards the light, the light of Lothlorien and the eternal one of hope.
The race was truly on.
A/N: More Wednesday. Hold on to your hats people! Oh yes, and keep reviewing.
Hope
This was it. After all we'd been fighting for, we were so close and now the end was nigh. This was the evil of which Galadriel had spoke. After picking my lover apart piece-by-piece, making him so fragile, the elisur had finally began to kill him.
This was so unfair. We were not a day's travel from the golden woods. So close to our destination, we had been able to see it for many days. Currently it's light shone through the darkness of night, taunting, promising hope and safety, but now we were denied access to it. We were too late. We should not have lingered, the second breakfasts, the early camps, the short days walk to rest the little ones. Unbeknownst, we had been letting Legolas' life slip away. Despite our determination, our unity and sense of purpose and urgency, the sands of time had beaten us. We had been lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of discernable change in the elf's condition. I wished for one moment that the arrow had pierced my body. Its effect on me would be unknown, but still I would face certain death for the agonised figure writhing below me.
I turned my attention back to him, praying for some divine intervention and knowing it would not come, I began searching franticly through my pack. The herbs I had now would be no use. But yet, I had to believe I was doing something to help, and I needed him to believe that too. His cries had woken the rest of the camp; all of whom had crowded round shocked, wisely keeping their distance. All with the exception of Boromir who remained where he was, head in his hands.
I had not the time or inclination to analyse this. The elf below needed my help, but what aid could I give? Legolas had always spoken wisely of the strength of men, but now I felt utterly useless. I had not the power to stop the poison; I doubted I could even numb the pain. Faces in the darkness looked to me for some solution, as their leader and Legolas' lover. A solution I could not provide. The silence that had descended began to feel all the more heavy. It spoke of more than any elf or man could, even in their finest hour. Not making a sound it proclaimed grief, loss, despair, failure, anger, sorrow, fear and helplessness. These emotions had almost taken solid form in the air, and threatened to mock us as we fought to save one of our own. We all knew of the dangers we would face on this quest, but here our comrade would not die heroically saving Middle Earth from the wrath of Sauron, but rather was being cruelly stolen from us. This demise did not befit such a creature. But I had been misled for hope was not entirely dead.
I fed my beloved a variety of green fauna, at least he might believe they could help, the placebo effect was not to be underestimated. He accepted gratefully, with a misplaced faith in my healing ability and knowledge of herbs. Movement within the camp caught my eye as Legolas stilled, no longer having the energy to fight the pain sleep claimed him. I was glad of the relief it would provide. Boromir was pacing wildly, collecting things, muttering and turning to the others. His words, whatever they were, spurred the rest of the team into action. I watched with amazement and pride as within ninety seconds every bag was packed (including my own and Legolas') and all trace of the camp had been destroyed. The fellowship had stood as one; ready to move.
Boromir spoke first.
"We walk hard and fast, we do not stop under any circumstances. I will lead, Aragorn you follow behind; you will have to carry him." He indicated the sleeping form. "Then you four hobbits, you stay together and do not wander from the path. Just follow Aragorn. Gimli, you bring up the rear and be on your guard. We will reach Lothlorien before dawn." That was no statement or estimation, but a demand.
The group fell into their respective ranks. Legolas murmured softly as I lifted him, we then headed off towards the light, the light of Lothlorien and the eternal one of hope.
The race was truly on.
A/N: More Wednesday. Hold on to your hats people! Oh yes, and keep reviewing.