Author's Note: What is this? Another timely update? What in Middle-earth
is going on? Yeah well, I can't seem to stop writing this story now, the
plot has completely run away with me, so much so that I can't even work on
my other stories, but I'm sure you do not care about any of that. So on
with the story, I continue to love you all for your reviews, and worry not,
our poor elf is not so easily off the hook yet! And oh yeah, aint Tolkien,
yadda yadda.
Chapter 18
Legolas abruptly woke from his light sleep. He had been expecting something to happen for a few days now, so he no longer allowed himself the luxury of a deep sleep. The metal door to his room was being carefully pulled open and Legolas tensed his muscles while he remained lying down in the bed. His foe would not know until too late that Legolas was awake and ready.
A figure slipped through the door and it closed again, leaving the room in it's many shades of darkness. Legolas judged it to be at least four hours until the sun rose, a little past the middle of the night. Was it the she-elf again? Had she finally returned to poison his dreams again? Legolas would not put it past her to try again.
The shadowy figure started to come towards the still bed. Even with his keen eyesight Legolas could not make out exactly who it was, but his suspicions ruled in favor of Eirien.
The elf was now a few feet away from the bed. Legolas would let her come no further. Uncoiling his muscles, Legolas sprang off of the bed at his foe. As swift and unexpected as his actions were, a hand came out to stop Legolas before Legolas could reach his foe. The hand closed around Legolas' tunic at the chest and Legolas found himself falling to the floor in surprise. His lower body hit the ground, but the elf kept the grip on his tunic and held the upper part of his body aloft.
Legolas quickly gathered his legs underneath him and was readying himself to leap up and pull away when a soft voice stopped him.
"Peace young prince," the elf whispered, "I mean you no harm." It was Glorfindel.
Legolas stilled himself and Glorfindel released his hold when he felt Legolas' body go limp. Legolas stood slowly. Now that the identity had been revealed, he could easily make out the pale hair and bright eyes of the elf lord.
The two elves regarded each other for a moment silently. Legolas was not wholly sure of what to think about Glorfindel. He seemed to be on the side of the dark elf lord, and that meant he was no friend to Legolas or even his father. "Have you discovered the truth yet?" Legolas finally asked softly, remembering their last conversation.
Glorfindel turned his face towards the door for a second before regarding Legolas again. "Lord Lomion is occupied now, he is not aware of my intentions at the moment. I have known since the beginning the truth of what has been happening only it was not my place at the moment to do anything about it. Lomion is very sharp to deception, it was all I could do to get this close to him."
Legolas was taken aback by the sudden burst of information. He had not expected any of this. Trying to regroup, Legolas tentatively asked, "Why did you come to me?"
"To try to explain to you young prince. I know the anxiety caused by your being left in the dark. I am not an ally for Lord Lomion, but it is imperative that he continues to think so. Because of this I cannot tell you much more for you are young and he will see right through you. It worries me that I have already told you too much but as I said before his mind is occupied. I do not think he will even come to see you again before we move out."
Legolas tried to get a handle on where this conversation was going. "Before we move out where?"
Glorfindel did not even hesitate in his answer, "To Mirkwood, you know that as well as I do. I have not been able to receive the information from him as to what he is planning on doing with you, but worry not, you will not be alone. I need you to be strong for the sake of your own father for that is the path on which I see Lomion using you."
Glorfindel's attention was directed towards the door once again. "I must go now," he told a bewildered Legolas, "before any suspicions rise."
The suddenness of Glorfindel's departure brought Legolas to his senses. "Wait, who are these elves?"
Glorfindel turned to speak to Legolas directly. He spoke rapidly. "They are the Moriquendi, more specifically the Avari. They are a mix of the races but the majority is Noldor and it is their purpose that binds them together."
"And their elf lord?" Legolas held onto Glorfindel's arm as the elf lord tried to leave. "Who is he? The name Lomion means nothing to me."
"That is his Quenya name," Glorfindel gently broke free of Legolas' grip and stepped away from him a bit. He dropped his voice to a mere whisper, "You would better recognize him by the name of Maeglin."
Glorfindel turned and swiftly exited the room and Legolas was too overwhelmed by the revelation of the elf lord to even think about trying to stop him to get more information. Maeglin? That was impossible. The utterance of the name was enough to bring the memory of the old legends flooding back to Legolas. He knew the name Maeglin well enough, for it was often uttered in the same breath as that of Glorfindel as they were both in the song concerning the fall of Gondolin. But they were both in it for different reasons.
Legolas sat down limply on his bed and went over the legend of the fall of Gondolin in his head. Maeglin had been a betrayer of his own people. He had revealed the location of the stronghold of Gondolin to Morgoth, and Morgoth had attacked with every intention of wiping out the strongest elven-hold in Middle-Earth at the time. The promised reward to Maeglin had been lordship over Gondolin once it was taken over.
However a combination of heroes had fought to save Gondolin, least of all being Glorfindel. Glorfindel himself had fought a balrog on the top of Cirith Thoronath and had fallen with his enemy to his death. It was only through the Halls of Mandos that the great Glorfindel had been able to return to Middle-Earth.
Maeglin had died as well. His greed had made him too eager and he had been cast down into the flames below Amon Gwareth. He had died, and it was often said that only the pure of heart were able to return to Middle- Earth with the grace of Mandos. The fact that Maeglin was here now went against everything that Legolas had been told since he was a very young elf.
Legolas' thoughts shifted and he went over the name of the elves that Glorfindel had told him. The Avari. Avari meant the refusers, or the unwilling. Refusers of what? For what seemed like the millionth time since Legolas had been brought here he wished he had paid more attention when learning about elvish history. He had always been much more eager to go out and hone his fighting skills with archery lessons.
Glorfindel had also mentioned Moriquendi, but that had several meanings. It was a name often reserved for elves who had not yet gone west, were not of the Eldar, or to mean dark elves. Upon this thought, Legolas had a flash of an image when he had first been led into the dining room and the table had been surrounded by elves all with dark features. He remembered thinking that his own light features were a severe contrast to the rest of the elves, a mockery of the different intentions they had between each other.
Legolas had to mentally stop to take a break. His mind was racing with thoughts now, trying frantically to put all the pieces together. Legolas stood off of the bed and started to pace slowly around the room, calming himself down so that he could think straight. He unconsciously slipped into what was sometimes referred to as 'warrior mode', quickly gathering and categorizing all information that was useful to him as he was at the moment. Just like a warrior would do when planning out an attack he stripped everything he knew to its bare essentials.
First off, these Avari were obviously not friend to Legolas or his own people. They wanted something with Mirkwood and were planning to use Legolas in order to gain their objective. Second, Glorfindel played some sort of role in their plan, but he was not on their side. Legolas stopped in his simple ordering of information. The thought of Glorfindel threw a hitch into the whole thing.
If what was said in the fall of Gondolin was completely true, than Glorfindel was the last person that Maeglin would want to use as an ally. He was technically the single remaining elf from Gondolin as all others had either perished or moved into the west. Why would Maeglin want to befriend one that he had betrayed?
The obvious solution came to Legolas. It was strictly for matters of revenge. Maeglin was planning on exploiting Glorfindel for his power and would then in all likelihood betray him again.
From a warrior stand-point, this made no sense to Legolas. Practically the first thing any warrior was taught that to be led by personal feelings of vengeance would almost certainly seal your fate. Then again, there was also no obvious reason to Legolas as to why Maeglin would even want to bother with Mirkwood.
Legolas shook his head. Even though he now had a lot of information he still felt as though he was getting nowhere. Legolas rerouted his thoughts and decided on concentrating on what he still did not know.
The most glaring items of information that he was missing were consequently the most important to himself. He did not know what the Avari wanted with Mirkwood or himself. He did not know how Maeglin was here and he did not know why Glorfindel was intent on being so close to Maeglin when he knew the truth of it all along. It seemed to Legolas that Glorfindel was willingly putting himself in a very dangerous position.
Legolas suddenly stopped himself in his pacing. All of his thoughts shattered and he twisted around to stare at the door. He had only now realized something. He had not heard Glorfindel lock the door when he had left.
Chapter 18
Legolas abruptly woke from his light sleep. He had been expecting something to happen for a few days now, so he no longer allowed himself the luxury of a deep sleep. The metal door to his room was being carefully pulled open and Legolas tensed his muscles while he remained lying down in the bed. His foe would not know until too late that Legolas was awake and ready.
A figure slipped through the door and it closed again, leaving the room in it's many shades of darkness. Legolas judged it to be at least four hours until the sun rose, a little past the middle of the night. Was it the she-elf again? Had she finally returned to poison his dreams again? Legolas would not put it past her to try again.
The shadowy figure started to come towards the still bed. Even with his keen eyesight Legolas could not make out exactly who it was, but his suspicions ruled in favor of Eirien.
The elf was now a few feet away from the bed. Legolas would let her come no further. Uncoiling his muscles, Legolas sprang off of the bed at his foe. As swift and unexpected as his actions were, a hand came out to stop Legolas before Legolas could reach his foe. The hand closed around Legolas' tunic at the chest and Legolas found himself falling to the floor in surprise. His lower body hit the ground, but the elf kept the grip on his tunic and held the upper part of his body aloft.
Legolas quickly gathered his legs underneath him and was readying himself to leap up and pull away when a soft voice stopped him.
"Peace young prince," the elf whispered, "I mean you no harm." It was Glorfindel.
Legolas stilled himself and Glorfindel released his hold when he felt Legolas' body go limp. Legolas stood slowly. Now that the identity had been revealed, he could easily make out the pale hair and bright eyes of the elf lord.
The two elves regarded each other for a moment silently. Legolas was not wholly sure of what to think about Glorfindel. He seemed to be on the side of the dark elf lord, and that meant he was no friend to Legolas or even his father. "Have you discovered the truth yet?" Legolas finally asked softly, remembering their last conversation.
Glorfindel turned his face towards the door for a second before regarding Legolas again. "Lord Lomion is occupied now, he is not aware of my intentions at the moment. I have known since the beginning the truth of what has been happening only it was not my place at the moment to do anything about it. Lomion is very sharp to deception, it was all I could do to get this close to him."
Legolas was taken aback by the sudden burst of information. He had not expected any of this. Trying to regroup, Legolas tentatively asked, "Why did you come to me?"
"To try to explain to you young prince. I know the anxiety caused by your being left in the dark. I am not an ally for Lord Lomion, but it is imperative that he continues to think so. Because of this I cannot tell you much more for you are young and he will see right through you. It worries me that I have already told you too much but as I said before his mind is occupied. I do not think he will even come to see you again before we move out."
Legolas tried to get a handle on where this conversation was going. "Before we move out where?"
Glorfindel did not even hesitate in his answer, "To Mirkwood, you know that as well as I do. I have not been able to receive the information from him as to what he is planning on doing with you, but worry not, you will not be alone. I need you to be strong for the sake of your own father for that is the path on which I see Lomion using you."
Glorfindel's attention was directed towards the door once again. "I must go now," he told a bewildered Legolas, "before any suspicions rise."
The suddenness of Glorfindel's departure brought Legolas to his senses. "Wait, who are these elves?"
Glorfindel turned to speak to Legolas directly. He spoke rapidly. "They are the Moriquendi, more specifically the Avari. They are a mix of the races but the majority is Noldor and it is their purpose that binds them together."
"And their elf lord?" Legolas held onto Glorfindel's arm as the elf lord tried to leave. "Who is he? The name Lomion means nothing to me."
"That is his Quenya name," Glorfindel gently broke free of Legolas' grip and stepped away from him a bit. He dropped his voice to a mere whisper, "You would better recognize him by the name of Maeglin."
Glorfindel turned and swiftly exited the room and Legolas was too overwhelmed by the revelation of the elf lord to even think about trying to stop him to get more information. Maeglin? That was impossible. The utterance of the name was enough to bring the memory of the old legends flooding back to Legolas. He knew the name Maeglin well enough, for it was often uttered in the same breath as that of Glorfindel as they were both in the song concerning the fall of Gondolin. But they were both in it for different reasons.
Legolas sat down limply on his bed and went over the legend of the fall of Gondolin in his head. Maeglin had been a betrayer of his own people. He had revealed the location of the stronghold of Gondolin to Morgoth, and Morgoth had attacked with every intention of wiping out the strongest elven-hold in Middle-Earth at the time. The promised reward to Maeglin had been lordship over Gondolin once it was taken over.
However a combination of heroes had fought to save Gondolin, least of all being Glorfindel. Glorfindel himself had fought a balrog on the top of Cirith Thoronath and had fallen with his enemy to his death. It was only through the Halls of Mandos that the great Glorfindel had been able to return to Middle-Earth.
Maeglin had died as well. His greed had made him too eager and he had been cast down into the flames below Amon Gwareth. He had died, and it was often said that only the pure of heart were able to return to Middle- Earth with the grace of Mandos. The fact that Maeglin was here now went against everything that Legolas had been told since he was a very young elf.
Legolas' thoughts shifted and he went over the name of the elves that Glorfindel had told him. The Avari. Avari meant the refusers, or the unwilling. Refusers of what? For what seemed like the millionth time since Legolas had been brought here he wished he had paid more attention when learning about elvish history. He had always been much more eager to go out and hone his fighting skills with archery lessons.
Glorfindel had also mentioned Moriquendi, but that had several meanings. It was a name often reserved for elves who had not yet gone west, were not of the Eldar, or to mean dark elves. Upon this thought, Legolas had a flash of an image when he had first been led into the dining room and the table had been surrounded by elves all with dark features. He remembered thinking that his own light features were a severe contrast to the rest of the elves, a mockery of the different intentions they had between each other.
Legolas had to mentally stop to take a break. His mind was racing with thoughts now, trying frantically to put all the pieces together. Legolas stood off of the bed and started to pace slowly around the room, calming himself down so that he could think straight. He unconsciously slipped into what was sometimes referred to as 'warrior mode', quickly gathering and categorizing all information that was useful to him as he was at the moment. Just like a warrior would do when planning out an attack he stripped everything he knew to its bare essentials.
First off, these Avari were obviously not friend to Legolas or his own people. They wanted something with Mirkwood and were planning to use Legolas in order to gain their objective. Second, Glorfindel played some sort of role in their plan, but he was not on their side. Legolas stopped in his simple ordering of information. The thought of Glorfindel threw a hitch into the whole thing.
If what was said in the fall of Gondolin was completely true, than Glorfindel was the last person that Maeglin would want to use as an ally. He was technically the single remaining elf from Gondolin as all others had either perished or moved into the west. Why would Maeglin want to befriend one that he had betrayed?
The obvious solution came to Legolas. It was strictly for matters of revenge. Maeglin was planning on exploiting Glorfindel for his power and would then in all likelihood betray him again.
From a warrior stand-point, this made no sense to Legolas. Practically the first thing any warrior was taught that to be led by personal feelings of vengeance would almost certainly seal your fate. Then again, there was also no obvious reason to Legolas as to why Maeglin would even want to bother with Mirkwood.
Legolas shook his head. Even though he now had a lot of information he still felt as though he was getting nowhere. Legolas rerouted his thoughts and decided on concentrating on what he still did not know.
The most glaring items of information that he was missing were consequently the most important to himself. He did not know what the Avari wanted with Mirkwood or himself. He did not know how Maeglin was here and he did not know why Glorfindel was intent on being so close to Maeglin when he knew the truth of it all along. It seemed to Legolas that Glorfindel was willingly putting himself in a very dangerous position.
Legolas suddenly stopped himself in his pacing. All of his thoughts shattered and he twisted around to stare at the door. He had only now realized something. He had not heard Glorfindel lock the door when he had left.