Arda's Eye

Okay here is chapter two as promised. Thanks to all my reviewers especially Hellga who corrected my Tolkien mistakes in the first chapter (which I will also have to update soon) and Bobbie who has beta'd this part (thank you *hugs*). Comments to my reviewers are at the bottom of the story. Mmmm… what else…? Oh yes: Enjoy the story and *drumroll* review!

Two Elves and Two Traitors

The letter ran as follows,

Legolas,

You will pardon me, I'm sure, for some impolite remarks I am about to make regarding one Lord Glorion. Woe to me if this letter lands in his hands but I cannot help but fume at his misjudgements. I am much glad that you and Olórin are planning to come to Aqualonde for I can tell you that I am at wits end in regards to how to deal with the situation on my hands.

But I start from the end, and go backwards. Let me begin then at the time in which we parted. As we agreed I went to Aqualonde in order to see what fate had befallen our two unlucky friends. These Sea-elves are strange- and perhaps I am too hasty in judgment for I am no doubt influenced by my distemper at finding Arufin and Tírluin thrown in the dungeons and scarcely having anything to eat for days! At first everyone pretended not to know what was happening and though I have no doubt that the residents themselves have been kept very much in the dark, I could not help but think they could have made some investigations themselves. I made a few inquiries as to the location of the dungeon and was barred from entering by the guard (a Vanyar elf dressed in full battle mode- can you imagine?). I was told I must wait until Lord Glorion had gotten back for everything was in his hands now. Tell me Legolas- how wise is it for a person to be thrown into jail without trial? They were not even told officially the reason for their imprisonment- not to mention they had no idea how long they were supposed to remain. I caused a ruckus and nearly beat the guard down (and don't laugh- I can see you from miles away laughing!) before I was granted an audience with my friends with about three guards watching over us. I have a suspicion this was to keep me quiet. They informed me of their degrading state which I have already mentioned to you and only that Lord Glorion had been in to see Asagil and would tell nobody what was to be done with them. I cannot imagine the length of their offense for it is clear as day of their innocence, but you cannot imagine the despair in which I found them. Tírluin would have fallen into my arms if not for the guard, and he told me he believed he was going to be there forever!

Indignant and infuriated I made entreaties to these Elves and in vain tried to make them see sense, and was told only that Lord Glorion had issued a decree that none were to speak about the 'traitors'. Can you ever imagine a thing such as that? All I can say is come quickly! I have tried to assure Tírluin and Arufin to hope, but I can see the despair eating away at them. What has happened at the Council? You must come and tell me. And hurry!

Your dear friend,

Arafaern

Arafaern,

I come. Perhaps the day this letter comes or the day after. Mithrandir has gone by the way of Formenos in order to ask some questions. But we shall be there soon and I promise you, you shall know all. Until then do not act hastily. Lord Glorion acts not without foresight. Once you know what I have to reveal to you, you will understand his fear of any news leaving the lips of those who know it.

I do not laugh.

Tenna' ento lye omenta

Legolas

Aqualonde by spring was beautiful. The dwelling of Sea-elves was unlike any of the other realms. For the Sea, and not the Wood reigned supreme and from the white shores to the blue glassware, not even the most fervant Wood-elf would be unsusceptible. Yet Legolas had more things to do than admire the beauty of the Sea. Arafaern met him almost at the Gates, so harrowed with anxiety was he and afire with curiosity.

"We must make haste," Gandalf cut any questions Arafaern might have made short. "Our only hope is to reach your friends before Lord Glorion does. The most honorable Fréa has promised to do all she can to detain him, but I fear that she cannot hold out for long."

Thus Arafaern's questions had to be repressed as they hurried to the dungeons of the palaces of Aqualonde. Legolas remembered well his own father's dungeons for he had strayed there once when Mirkwood was yet Greenwood the Great. Aqualonde's was not at all alike- it was airier (being not in a cave) and on the whole had a more wholesome air, not many Elves having had the misfortune of being placed there.

Gandalf's wish was to see Asagil first and foremost but Legolas demurred, insisting that he must first attend to his friends. Gandalf did not press and here they parted ways. Arafaern led Legolas through the labyrinth which he was already well aquainted with. The Vanyar elf guarding the doors only thinned his lips and said nothing. Arafaern was Vanyar himself and the Quenya passed swiftly between them. Legolas understood that he had promised not to speak of anything to do with the Eye and the elf stepped aside to let them through. Legolas had an inkling Gandalf was not going to have such an easy task entering Asagil's chambers but he had no doubt that Gandalf would find a way.

"Legolas!" It was Arufin, coming up immediately to grasp his arms. "How good it is to see you!"

Legolas looked over the two swiftly. They did not look so much different than when he has last seen them. Arufin was the elder of the two by two centuries, tall and strong with long ash-blond hair. Tírluin had much the same features but was smaller and his expression was more sensitive than his confident older brother. He too came forth, eyes luminous with relief.

"Have you come to take us away?" He cried. "Oh let us leave this accursed place!"

"In sooth," Legolas appeased. "Have patience."

Tírluin endeavored to contain himself. "Very well." He said. Legolas then took from his bag two pieces of Elven cake wrapped in leaves which he had brought, remembering Arafaern's letter. Arufin thanked him gladly and took the pieces. He gave one of the pieces and also half of his own to Tírluin.

"Now," Legolas said. "Our benevolent sentinel has requested that we ask you no questions, but I do not think that he will mind me telling you some news."

Arafaern grasped his arm. "Is it wise?" He asked, his eyes flickering sideways towards the guard.

"Surely," Legolas said, watching the elf's stern features carefully. "For I guess from his colors that he belongs to the House of Glorion and Lord Glorion himself knows well of what am I about to speak. You must understand that our own Elves are not the Enemy. Rather…"

In as little words as possible he outlined what had happened as well as he knew it and what conclusions the Council had drawn. Arufin and Tírluin grew steadily paler through the story, and it became apparent that they had only diminutive graspings of the great picture of which they had become a small part. Several times Tírluin gasped, raw pain evident in his voice and even Arufin swallowed laboriously.

When he had finished, Tírluin almost stumbled to talk. "Oh Ilúvatar! What have I done? You must know Legolas, how-"

Legolas shook his head to stop him. "Of course we have only mean graspings of the events. I have been sent by the Council to assist in every matter the unveiling of all, if that is even possible. However-"

He was thus stopped for there was the sound of lightly running footsteps echoing off the granite floors and they beheld Fréa who was called the Serene, running hurriedly towards them. The guard saluted her but she paid no heed, bursting in on them to say with discomposure not usually attributed to her. "My father is here! He's gone to see Asagil."

Arafaern gasped, but Legoalas did not frown. "Then he was expected. We need your father's strength and assistance in this matter, Lady Fréa."

Fréa recovered herself. She paled, and then reddened. "I understand." She said.

"Now if you could," Legolas said, indicating the guard to Fréa with a nod of his head. "Allow us to take our friends to Asagil's chambers. We will need their assistance to verify his story, and I would like to be present during their interrogation."

A shade of grief fell over Fréa's brow at the word 'interrogation' but she merely nodded. She turned to the Vanyar elf, holding out her family crest. "Rymiel," she said addressing the guard by name. "Pray understand that-"

He bowed to her. The proud expression in his eyes was now humbled after hearing Legolas' story. He had imagined he knew too much and now realized that he knew so little. "I understand. I will accompany the… Asagil's apprentices if possible to his cell?"

Fréa gave her permission and the six set off together down the halls to Asagil's chambers. It was lucky that Rymiel was there for none of them knew the way.

On entering the cell they found that Lord Glorion was already there, and Gandalf. Asagil, Master of Windsedge was sitting on a wooden bed in a much rumpled green and yellow robes. Other than that he looked composed. His kindly gray eyes swept over the forms of his apprentices with such relief for their well-being that Legolas was warmed by his obvious care. He was surprised then when Tírluin shuddered and slid behind his brother. "Look not too closely into his eyes," he cautioned lowly. Legolas however caught the fleeting look of alarm in Asagil's eyes at the words before they became calm again.

"What is the meaning of this?" Glorion was addressing his daughter sternly. Gandalf, with a slight smile said, "Do not rebuke the Lady, she has done no wrong. Rather it is wise I think that we have more than one witness of certain events. Take a seat if you will." He addressed Tírluin and Arufin who sat down accordingly. "Arafaern is you would take down what we have said."

Arafaern who always carried pieces of parchment with him, flushed with pleasure. Obediently he took out two fresh pieces and set them on the table.

"Well then," said Gandalf. "We shall begin. Tell me, Asagil who is Master of Windsedge, how and by which hand did you come to meet this being Maelvar?"

Asagil did not hesitate. "It was some sixty years ago on the eve of Yenearsira when he first appeared to me. He came to me in the form of an old man and thus wizened and bent he spoke to me in a half-whisper as though he was so old the words could no longer pass from his lips clearly. I knew he was no man for he had a presence and aura that no man should have, but still I listened for I did not believe that so frail a form could conceal so poisonous a soul."

For a moment silence- Asagil paused, as if politely allowing Arafaern the time to write down the proceedings. However Legolas beheld his eyes shifting around the room, as if trying to glean the meaning of everyone's expression.

At length Arafaern's pen fell silent and Asagil continued, "He spoke to me of the Timeless Halls and of my son Teanör…"

Arafaern's pen scratched away for half the afternoon. From what Legolas could gather Asagil had been swayed to Maelvar's side by the promise that the Eye would bring him a passage into the Timeless Halls. Arda's Eye in physical form resembled as though a jewel carved in the form of an eye, with an onyx for a pupil. Simply touching it burned the hands. Asagil knew well, having made it himself. On his hands were the evidence of multiple burn marks.

"I do not wish to be a God," Asagil said. "But merely that I could see into what the Valar planned for us- to reach that pinnacle of highest knowledge. Just a glimpse, I only wished to see a horizon- just to see it and know it was there. And perhaps," here he licked his lips and whispered, "for a glimpse of Teanör and what had befell him."

Glorion said in tones of severity, "You have broken strict laws and those perhaps you already know. What you may not know though is that you have broken the very code that we Elves live by- you have thought yourself above the law. For in the name of wisdom you have abandoned all moral guidance."

"Perhaps," Asagil's tone was thoughtful and sad. "Perhaps that is so. I did not think of it that way at the time."

"Think of it now," Gandalf said. "And consider the nature of the thing which you have through your superior knowledge have brought into the world. Such knowledge should have made you wise and yet you are not. For a child of not yet a hundred winters could have told you such a feat was madness."

"You measure by Eldar standards," Asagil returned lightly. His gray eyes were powerful and now they fixed themselves on Gandalf's. "Yet you are not Eldar and you sit here now with the disapproving smile of a father who has caught one of his children erring. You, perhaps, should understand better than anyone else of what I speak. With such knowledge and wisdom such as you possess… do not others all seem as children to you?"

"Do not take me for a fool Asagil, Lord of Windsedge." Gandalf's eye had become harder than it was before and his figure seemed to grow. "Think not to sway me with the power of your eye, or that of your words. Truly if I am as you say, wise and knowledgable, I would understand that even the smallest child can make a difference, that even the most tiny of hands can save the world."

Asagil's mouth became contemptuous but he fell silent. His eye, having lost their power, fell downwards. Tírluin said, "I did not understand Master, but now I do." He sat straighter and his eyes had lost their listless and hopeless look. "I did not understand why my Master, the one I respected more than any other being in the world would be degraded to such a fate. I thought it unfair and I despaired for you, and for myself. But now I understand. You deserve this fate, and I deserve mine too since I once worshipped you and sought to follow in your footsteps."

"Nay," Legolas interrupted. "Do not say so. But you worshipped a figment of your imagination, a hero of your own making. That hero, had he existed in flesh, would have no doubt been as honorable a Master as one could hope for."

Tírluin flashed Legolas a look of gratefulness.

Gandalf said, "It seems we can extract no more. You are a fool Asagil but I pity you, and pray that you will not live to see the day your follies destroy you and the ones you love."

Then there was nothing to do but wait. Arafaern had sent copies of the account to all the Elven-Kings and they waited as if endlessly for tidings of Lasgirad. Weeks turned into months with yet no tidings. And during this time word of Arda's Eye were passed slowly and gradually to the Elves of Aman, with Galadriel's guiding hand. As one the Land mourned for the peace stolen from them. Yet no better was the unending wait for something to be done. Restlessly caught between war and peace, they waited impatiently for news for what was happening in Middle-Earth?

Legolas returned to his home in Annunfaie. Tírluin and Arufin were released and to where the Elven-Kings had seen fit to take Asagil, Legolas had not the heart to ask.

One night, two months into Lasgirad's departure, Legolas dreamed. In his dream there was a shifting white beach, but the sea was veiled by a thick fog and all he could hear was the cries of the seabirds and they were not calling as he had often heard them in his dream in Middle-Earth, rather they were screaming and their cries were both terrible and damning.

It was as though he stood on the white sands and in his dream his vision peeled back and he saw through the fog, the white sail of a ship. It struck him down with terror as such that his Elven heart had little had to bear. He stood as though rooted to the spot and watched helplessly as the ship slid eerily out of the fog, through the slip-slap of the heavy water. It came towards him and not until it had come to a stop on the sands did his reeling senses realize that there was no movement on the ship. No movement, and no living creature.  It was an empty ship, a ghost ship. The seabirds screamed. "Legolas!"

"Legolas!"
His eyes which were never actually closed blinked and as his vision returned to him, he heard his door being vigorously pounded on. It was Arufin by the strident tones. He could hear Arafaern too. "Calm! Calm down! There's no hurry. It's not going anywehre."
Legolas opened the door and was met with Arufin's wild eyes and Arafaern's contrite expression. "No time to explain," Arufin said hurriedly. "I must get Tírluin."

After Tírluin had been roused, not to mention half of the rest of the people within the dwelling thanks to the noise Arufin made leaping agilely from branch to branch, and his footsteps as he ran down the carved hallways.

"It's terribly strange," a wildness even clung to Arafaern. "We must haste to Tol Eressea."

The word clung to Legolas' mind and a shadow fell suddenly over his heart. For he already understood. He asked, "Not one?"
Arafaern was mounting his horse. He turned to look at Legolas with an expression of surprise. "What?"

"Not one person returned?"
Arafaern's mouth fell open. "How did you know?"

Legolas persisted, "Not even Kilkarad? Lasgirad?"

Arafaern's expression was quickly approaching awe. "No…" he said at length. "It was an empty vessel." He held up a slip of paper. "The tidings only just came."

Legolas turned his horse around. It obeyed his command easily, turning his sleek head around. "There's no need for me to go then. Instead…"

On cue there was a white dot in the distance and as the two Elves watched it swooped down and hurtled towards them. It was Gandalf on a white Eagle. "Come!" He said, extending his hand as the magnificent creature turned and fell abruply out of the sky, coming to a sudden but graceful stop in the air before them. Legolas climbed up nimbly behind him. He called out to Arafaern, "Go and take a look. Bring tidings!"

"To where?" Arafaern called, but the swift Eagle had already disappeared out of hearing range. He watched the dot on the horizon until it had disappeared. He muttered to himself, "I suppose I should be able to guess by now."

Galadriel received them grimly. Her golden appearance was much dampened by sorrow. "Alas!" She said. "That I had not forseen this."

She passed a weary hand over her eyes. "For the Eye, it veils mine and I cannot see from afar."

"The King of Nargothrond?" Gandalf asked. Galadriel's drew herself up, her sorrow almost palpable. "He lies within."

Gandalf and Legolas entered and Legolas dismayed privately that Lord Glorion had gotten there before them.

Already he was speaking, "… I believed it was idiocy and now you must agree with me, my friend." Finrod did not speak. His eyes were wet and the tears stood in them. He made no attempt to hide his face but sat as though carved from stone, unmoving and disbelieving.

"How so?" Gandalf asked.

Glorion looked up.

Gandalf repeated, "I say, how so? For perhaps we sent him into danger,but not needlessly!"

"And what shall we do now?" Glorion asked. "Send more into danger for them not to return?"

"Are you suggesting we simply ignore the existence of the Eye?"

Glorion pursed his lips and looked away. He looked weary and tired, suddenly as though his centuries of living had fallen on him at once. "I do not know."

"Yes that is right," It was Elrond, coming into the room with Glorfindel behind him. Fréa the Serene entered with him also, and Legolas saw that she wore the gray of mourning. "For it takes all our wisdom and all our years to say simply this: that we do not know. Nothing is sure, and uncertainty plagues this affair. Yet we can only say that this was the decision that we thought most fit at the time. Perhaps we were wrong, who knows? To do nothing would be simply to accept defeat."

Glorion lowered his eyes and said nothing. "And now?" Finrod murmered. "What now?" There was a silence.

Without him noticing it, Legolas saw that Galadriel had entered the room. She now stood tall behind the chair of her brother, her white hand on his slumped shoulders. Terrible was she in grief and her eye and her power fell upon him at once, and pierced him to the core.

"Come Legolas," she said. "Tell us of our other verdict, and if we have done better in that?"

"Lady," he said. "I, Gandalf and Lord Glorion too, we have spoken to Asagil who was Master of Windsedge. The particulars those present already know. Yet I cannot stress this enough- that Arda's Eye is not a thing to be taken lightly. That we cannot simply suffer it, for it will not suffer us."

"And you propose?" Galadriel watched him intently, and the shadow that had fallen over his heart from the moment he saw the empty vessel which had dodged him all the way to Lorien, revealed itself in the blue of her eyes.

"I propose…" Legolas took a deep breath. Courage, he told himself. "I propose that we must continue to seek news from the hither shore."

"We will walk needlessly into a trap!" Glorion muttered.

"No, as Gandalf said 'not needlessly'." Legolas said. "For there is no greater need possible."

"And who do you think will agree to go on this hopeless search?"

"I will."
Glorion stopped and stared at him.

Legolas said now with his eyes lowered. His heart moved heavy within him but he continued to speak. "Perhaps you do not understand clearly Glorion. This threat is not only to us, but those on Middle-Earth. Perhaps if we hide here under our trees we may escape fate for another century, maybe even two centuries. But for those on the Eastern shore, hope will have long faded. You may have no ties to that place but I do. So I will say now, I will not go needlessly."

For a moment Glorion looked terribly angry. His body started forward and stopped midair. Then just as suddenly, he fell back. He slumped onto a chair, looking much diminished and he smiled then, but his smile was faint and bitter. "I have spoken and argued, and yet these young people carry things their own way." He raised his eyes now and looked at his daughter Fréa. She came forward now from behind Glorfindel. "I too have spoken a long time ago," she said quiety, but with composure. "I too wish to go."

It became all too apparent to Legolas suddenly why Glorion had oppose this mission so heedlessly. His eyes watched his daughter with anguish, but Fréa stood defiant and eventually his head fell down.

Galadriel spoke, "Legolas is right. I too have ties in Middle-Earth."

Finrod started. "Sister!" He said.

"It is right that I should do this," she soothed him. "I will find your son for you Finrod, wherever he may be. I will bring him home."

He began to weep silently and took her hand wordlessly into his.

Galadriel! Legolas looked up, scarcely able to believe. Already the burden on his heart lifted simply from the joy of the thought. Yet before he could speak, Gandalf said; "I too will come. Kilkarad will need my assistance, the headstrong fool."

Elrond laughed then, and Glorfindel too. Elrond said, "How sad for all of us."

Legolas turned to look at them disbelievingly. But Elrond had turned away and Glorfindel's eyes were veiled, but his loyalty to his liege was apparent.

"Foolish child!" Glorion continued to murmer brokenly. "Fréa, my daughter!"

She came to him and took his hand but would not say the words he wanted to hear. Instead she said, "Do not be like this father and seal my fate with the pity in your eyes."

Others came then but to those who had decided, there was really little choice.

How happy I have been here in Aman, Legolas thought to himself. He lifted his head and gazed up in the sky and it seemed to him that his vision expanded and his heart grew langorous. One day, he thought. One day perhaps once again.

But Gandalf was speaking now. "We have decided. Let us hope this decision of the Council proves more blessed than the last."

Okay! This part is done! As Bobbie has said, I've very excited about him going back to Middle Earth too! Meanwhile if you want to read the next part- review review Review! That little button down there does wonders for the writer's imagination ^__^ thanks!

Ellen the Trickster: Thank you for being the first reviewer! And yes I am moving the story to Middle Earth or else I wouldn't have mentioned it… I agree with you about the chapters. I will try and keep them well-sized. Thanks for reviewing!

LOTR Sparkling Pippin: Great penname!!! And thanks for reviewing. Me = talent for writing? 0.o XD Thank you!

Bobbie: Thanks for beta-ing and I'm glad you liked this part. That part about the ship was meant to be scary… so I'm glad you were scared. (Well not glad you were scared but um… yes ^__^). I want to write some epic battle scenes too!!! So you're wish'll be fulfilled it you can hold out.

Hellga: Thanks again for correcting my mistakes. BTW, I hope you're still reading this. I'm going to correct the first part soon… I've actually already done it but I've misplaced my disk. I'll update it with my next chapter and I hope you can tell me if all is to satisfaction!

WeasleyTwinsLover1112: XD. Love the name. No I haven't found any either and that's why I'm writing one! Thanks for reviewing!

Ruth: Thank you for your kind words. Please keep reading and I hope I can meet your expectations. ^__^