Part Two: From Impending Darkness
Legolas stepped onto the bank and immediately sensed something wasn't right. He knew this type of landscape: easy to hide in, and quite impossible to defend. They were moving targets here, yes, but easy ones. He saw Boromir shiver as he too started onto the land, though- he suspected- from a different source. Soon as all were up, the elf went over to Aragorn for a whispered conversation. . .
"We should leave now."
"No," was the flat answer. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
Legolas was nearly exasperated, though he would never admit to such an emotion. "It is not the eastern shore that worries me." Had he been apt to express his true nature, he would have paused and likely closed his eyes as he swallowed before continuing. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near; I can feel it."
Aragorn seemed to consider that until, all of a sudden, there was a more pressing difficulty requiring attendance.
"Where's Frodo?"
Legolas exchanged a meaningful glance with Aragorn before the human gave a nod and started up a hill. "I shall look for him this way. Legolas, Gimli- take another path. Young hobbits, please stay here in case he comes back."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Legolas asked. He didn't like the idea of the little ones being left alone and undefended.
"Right," Aragorn said. Obviously, he had a similar realization. "Sam, follow me. Merry, Pippin- go with the others. Meet back here in twenty minutes, regardless the outcome."
Legolas and Gimli immediately rushed off in a likely direction, opposite from Aragorn's chosen path. The two followed a bit, but soon their figures were lost in the brush in the rush to get Frodo back with the group. . .
That was when Legolas first noticed. "We're surrounded," he told Gimli.
"Are you sure?" the dwarf asked, clasping his axe in a more assertive manner.
The first orc dropped into view, and Gimli took care of him in a rather decisive manner. Legolas burst into action, pulling his new bow from Lady Galadriel into his hands quickly. He was not about to lose another friend, no matter how new. It was an unlikely decision, this one to protect the dwarf, but lately they'd been getting somewhat close. It was as if, somehow, they understood each other. Legolas found new resolve in that he did not want to experience another death in the Fellowship so soon. . .
Before long, between them, Legolas and Gimli had rid themselves of danger. They looked at each other, sudden realization; that seemed to firm the friendship, the first true connection Legolas had allowed with a mortal, one certain to meet the fate he found now he so feared.
Aragorn appeared beside them, obviously come from his own battle.
Then the blast was heard. . .
"The Horn of Gondor!" Such a thing was not common, and could mean only one thing. . .
"Boromir!" Aragorn started on his way, running far ahead. Legolas looked over at his newfound friend, a dwarf he had learned to respect, and started on the way as well- a little slower than their companion, but quickly just the same.
When they got there, it appeared they had missed yet another chance to be of use. Gimli, Legolas could see, bowed his head again as they listened in to the difficult, soft words.
"The world of men will fail, and all will come to darkness. My city to ruin."
Legolas was actually quite surprised again, sensing yet another mystery foreign to him. Boromir was genuinely afraid for his people. Elves had little to fear from such fates- at the very least, their people would journey long, but he had no need to fear they would not be there. . .
But now, with war coming upon them, perhaps he did need to think of such things. Always he'd been in the background of battles, scenery or support with little fear of losing all. Now. . .
"I would have followed you my brother, my captain. . .
"My king."
Legolas felt his heart drop. Legolas knew such scenes as these occurred; he himself had caused several in his lifetime. Now he was part of one. . .
It was horrible.
He looked over at Gimli, somber once again. He saw Aragorn weep truly for the first time, and felt closer to it then ever.
I didn't know. By Valar, I didn't know!
Some form of tear in his eye, Legolas broke from the scene and stood back. Finally, Aragorn moved; it seemed a signal for the others to do so as well.
Later, as they laid Boromir to rest, Legolas could not help feeling that he might finally understand. Death had touched twice, and taught him a lesson. After countless years, he still learned well.
Merry and Pippin! What of them? And Sam, and Frodo? They were split, as a group, into three among the earth. Had they honestly failed so horribly?
No- still, they could catch up with Sam and Frodo. . .
But no; Aragorn just looked across at them and shook his head.
"You mean not to follow them?"
"Frodo's fate," Aragorn explained, "is no longer in our hands."
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed."
Aragorn came, again denying, setting a hand on either shoulder. "Not if we hold true to each another. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment. . ." he seemed to peer directly into Legolas' eyes as he added, ".and death." He broke off, knowing both Gimli and Legolas were with him. . .
Legolas found some heart in his friend's talk, considering.
"Leave all that can be spared behind," Aragorn suggested. "We travel light. Let's hunt some orc."
Gimli gave an exclamation, but Legolas could simply smile. Yes- they could prevent at least the small shadow of death from falling upon them. They would save Merry and Pippin, whatever it might take. . .
They were off to rid the world of whatever evil they could.
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
That's it, unless I get an overwhelming response asking for more. Other scenes could be added, of course. . .
One, at lease. ;)
But I'm NOT a Legolas fan, and I won't do it unless I must. :p
SO THERE!
Legolas stepped onto the bank and immediately sensed something wasn't right. He knew this type of landscape: easy to hide in, and quite impossible to defend. They were moving targets here, yes, but easy ones. He saw Boromir shiver as he too started onto the land, though- he suspected- from a different source. Soon as all were up, the elf went over to Aragorn for a whispered conversation. . .
"We should leave now."
"No," was the flat answer. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
Legolas was nearly exasperated, though he would never admit to such an emotion. "It is not the eastern shore that worries me." Had he been apt to express his true nature, he would have paused and likely closed his eyes as he swallowed before continuing. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near; I can feel it."
Aragorn seemed to consider that until, all of a sudden, there was a more pressing difficulty requiring attendance.
"Where's Frodo?"
Legolas exchanged a meaningful glance with Aragorn before the human gave a nod and started up a hill. "I shall look for him this way. Legolas, Gimli- take another path. Young hobbits, please stay here in case he comes back."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Legolas asked. He didn't like the idea of the little ones being left alone and undefended.
"Right," Aragorn said. Obviously, he had a similar realization. "Sam, follow me. Merry, Pippin- go with the others. Meet back here in twenty minutes, regardless the outcome."
Legolas and Gimli immediately rushed off in a likely direction, opposite from Aragorn's chosen path. The two followed a bit, but soon their figures were lost in the brush in the rush to get Frodo back with the group. . .
That was when Legolas first noticed. "We're surrounded," he told Gimli.
"Are you sure?" the dwarf asked, clasping his axe in a more assertive manner.
The first orc dropped into view, and Gimli took care of him in a rather decisive manner. Legolas burst into action, pulling his new bow from Lady Galadriel into his hands quickly. He was not about to lose another friend, no matter how new. It was an unlikely decision, this one to protect the dwarf, but lately they'd been getting somewhat close. It was as if, somehow, they understood each other. Legolas found new resolve in that he did not want to experience another death in the Fellowship so soon. . .
Before long, between them, Legolas and Gimli had rid themselves of danger. They looked at each other, sudden realization; that seemed to firm the friendship, the first true connection Legolas had allowed with a mortal, one certain to meet the fate he found now he so feared.
Aragorn appeared beside them, obviously come from his own battle.
Then the blast was heard. . .
"The Horn of Gondor!" Such a thing was not common, and could mean only one thing. . .
"Boromir!" Aragorn started on his way, running far ahead. Legolas looked over at his newfound friend, a dwarf he had learned to respect, and started on the way as well- a little slower than their companion, but quickly just the same.
When they got there, it appeared they had missed yet another chance to be of use. Gimli, Legolas could see, bowed his head again as they listened in to the difficult, soft words.
"The world of men will fail, and all will come to darkness. My city to ruin."
Legolas was actually quite surprised again, sensing yet another mystery foreign to him. Boromir was genuinely afraid for his people. Elves had little to fear from such fates- at the very least, their people would journey long, but he had no need to fear they would not be there. . .
But now, with war coming upon them, perhaps he did need to think of such things. Always he'd been in the background of battles, scenery or support with little fear of losing all. Now. . .
"I would have followed you my brother, my captain. . .
"My king."
Legolas felt his heart drop. Legolas knew such scenes as these occurred; he himself had caused several in his lifetime. Now he was part of one. . .
It was horrible.
He looked over at Gimli, somber once again. He saw Aragorn weep truly for the first time, and felt closer to it then ever.
I didn't know. By Valar, I didn't know!
Some form of tear in his eye, Legolas broke from the scene and stood back. Finally, Aragorn moved; it seemed a signal for the others to do so as well.
Later, as they laid Boromir to rest, Legolas could not help feeling that he might finally understand. Death had touched twice, and taught him a lesson. After countless years, he still learned well.
Merry and Pippin! What of them? And Sam, and Frodo? They were split, as a group, into three among the earth. Had they honestly failed so horribly?
No- still, they could catch up with Sam and Frodo. . .
But no; Aragorn just looked across at them and shook his head.
"You mean not to follow them?"
"Frodo's fate," Aragorn explained, "is no longer in our hands."
"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed."
Aragorn came, again denying, setting a hand on either shoulder. "Not if we hold true to each another. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment. . ." he seemed to peer directly into Legolas' eyes as he added, ".and death." He broke off, knowing both Gimli and Legolas were with him. . .
Legolas found some heart in his friend's talk, considering.
"Leave all that can be spared behind," Aragorn suggested. "We travel light. Let's hunt some orc."
Gimli gave an exclamation, but Legolas could simply smile. Yes- they could prevent at least the small shadow of death from falling upon them. They would save Merry and Pippin, whatever it might take. . .
They were off to rid the world of whatever evil they could.
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
That's it, unless I get an overwhelming response asking for more. Other scenes could be added, of course. . .
One, at lease. ;)
But I'm NOT a Legolas fan, and I won't do it unless I must. :p
SO THERE!