Author's Note: Well, here we are again, another update, and it wasn't that
bad of a wait, right? I mean, I'm posting this when I should be doing
homework, so be happy! And now there's no need for angry mobs/warrior
celery or other assorted vegetables/keyboard gnawing/imprisonment in an orc
cell/and any other form of imaginative torture to get me to write. So
yeah, enjoy another nice update provided by the one and only and I love you
all for the reviews, even the death threats! P.S. Not Tolkien.
Chapter 28
Maeglin threw himself forward just as Legolas' arrow came straight for his chest, causing the arrow to skip harmlessly over his head. Legolas almost cried out in anguish, thinking he had been too late after all.
But he choked back the cry. Maeglin had not leapt to the side and towards his father. He had merely jumped forward, and now he was standing still. Legolas looked over at his father who was now well away from the dark elf lord. He was untouched, Maeglin had not been given a chance to reach him.
Confusion wound its way through Legolas, and he noted that the room had fallen silent once again as the other occupants took in the scene before them.
Maeglin straightened up slowly, and it was only then that Legolas saw an arrow was imbedded into his side. And it was no wonder he had missed seeing it, for the arrow was in so deep that almost the entire shaft had gone through. Only somebody with a lot of strength could force that much power behind an arrow.
The dark elf lord's face contorted into rage and he swung to face the left, his hand going for what was left of the arrow in his side. Legolas followed his gaze. Glorfindel was standing solidly off of the platform, his mighty bow still held firmly in his hands. When Maeglin met his gaze Glorfindel leapt lightly up onto the platform and started towards Maeglin.
"Drop your weapons," he ordered as he walked, flicking his glance past Maeglin to the guards that flanked the other side. To Legolas' surprise, the elves immediately abandoned their bows. They looked slightly awed, and Legolas knew he likely looked the same. The power emanating from the two elf lords was almost palpable and the air between them was charged, for they were both angry.
"I knew you could not possibly be that stupid," Maeglin growled at Glorfindel.
Glorfindel arched a graceful eyebrow. "What, and give up a chance to avenge the horrible deeds done to my people many years ago? Why do you think I jumped at your invitation? It was I who was wary and thought you could not possibly be that stupid, but revenge without purpose is often blind."
Legolas watched the two elf lords as they bantered back and forth. He realized that all else had been forgotten to them, he did not matter at the moment. And he would use it to his advantage. Thranduil had retreated to the far end of the platform, but he still stood upon it, unsure of how to penetrate through the elves that lined the outside. He was still too close for Legolas' comfort, and the young elf decided he could be most useful in getting his father away from the dark elf lord.
Legolas started to move forward and to the side, wanting to avoid attracting either of the elf lord's attentions.
Maeglin smiled at Glorfindel. "I see your visit to Mandos was not nearly long enough. Did all go well for you there? Or were your thoughts still twisted with images of the balrog?"
Glorfindel paled slightly at the mention of the balrog. "I slayed that foul beast, and if I have to die to kill you as well so be it. Morgoth cannot protect you now."
Maeglin smirked. "That is where you are wrong. We are closer to the darkness now, you are the one at the disadvantage here."
"The grace of Elbereth is with me, I fear neither you nor the darkness." Glorfindel's voice held a noble quality to it that spoke of his power, and Legolas was slightly amazed that Maeglin did not cower before him now and beg forgiveness. Glorfindel's quiet rage was more disturbing than any rant Maeglin could pull.
By this time, Legolas had reached the far side of the platform. None of the elves paid him any heed, their focus fixated on the two elf lords. Legolas gestured to get his father's attention.
Thranduil looked down at him. "Get out of here Legolas," he whispered, "and take our people with you. Lead them into the safety of the trees, I will come to you after this is done."
Legolas shook his head. "You can offer no help here, come with me now and we will all leave this place."
"I cannot leave Lord Glorfindel alone with this monster," Thranduil whispered back.
Legolas opened his mouth to argue more with his father, but paused when he looked over Thranduil's shoulder. At the mention of his name, Glorfindel had looked over, just for a second, but that was all the time Maeglin needed.
The dark elf lord threw his arm up, and Legolas noted that his fist was still closed, he had never let go of the contents of the pouch.
Glorfindel realized it too.
The fair-haired elf snapped his head to the side and tried to duck, but his lost second of concentration had already cost him. Maeglin opened his palm and loosed a handful of fine white powder into Glorfindel's face.
Glorfindel reacted instantly.
He snorted forcibly in an effort not to inhale and covered his face with his hands as he dropped down. But the distance between the two of them had been too little and he could not prevent all of the powder from making its way into his system.
Glorfindel staggered back and began to cough violently, his hands continuing to cover his face. Maeglin let out a small cry and followed up on him, landing a swift kick to Glorfindel's middle.
Glorfindel doubled over, still coughing and trying to rid himself of the fast-working powder. But before he could even lower his hands from his face, Maeglin had kicked him again and the paler elf crashed to the ground.
Glorfindel finally tore his hands from his face in time to see Maeglin advancing on him again, but he rolled to the side to avoid the blow. Even as he was able to avoid it, he could already feel his movements slowing due to the effects of the powder and he had to gasp to drag in a breath as he stood up. His lungs were starting to burn and he only hoped that he had not inhaled enough of it for it to prove to be fatal before the fight was over.
Glorfindel gathered his feet underneath him and launched himself at Maeglin. They collided and both went down into a painful pile, yet Glorfindel could not press any sort of advantage. He blinked as his vision swam in front of him and Maeglin took the second of distraction to throw Glorfindel forcibly off of him. Glorfindel hit the floor a few feet away and did not move.
Legolas gaped at what he was seeing. He still did not fully understand the powder and what its potency was, yet it was clearly affecting Glorfindel. Legolas had a small flashback to the time when Maeglin had gripped Legolas' arm. He had felt so much power in that grip, and even then he had wondered if even Glorfindel would be able to defeat him. Now that he was at a disadvantage, the fairer elf's chances seemed slim.
Glorfindel raised his head and saw Maeglin advancing upon him, now with a dagger drawn. He knew that it was made of the black iron Maeglin loved to use and it would slice through his flesh with little to no resistance. He would have to avoid the blade.
The elf lord pulled himself to his feet and drew his own weapon, a sword. It was longer than Maeglin's dagger and looked as though it would give him an advantage.
Maeglin moved swiftly forward, thrusting his dagger in front of him as he did so.
Glorfindel moved to counter it, and though his actions were slower than he was used to, he was able to parry the dagger with his sword. Yet he soon saw the error of his ways. That was exactly what Maeglin had wanted him to do. The stronger metal of the dagger had effectively cut through Glorfindel's sword, rendering it useless.
Glorfindel wasted no time in lamenting over the broken blade. He threw it down and stood at a ready, waiting for Maeglin to make his move.
Maeglin paused. He graced Glorfindel with a smile. "After all this time I get to finish what I started many years ago in Gondolin."
Legolas could not stand by and watch this happen. Despite the uncertainty Glorfindel had been giving him, he could not simply watch him die now at the hands of the dark elf lord. Legolas leapt up onto the platform.
"He condemns himself with his own words," Legolas shouted to the other elves. Yet he never got a chance to finish what he had planned to say. He underestimated the speed of Maeglin, and Legolas' life was no longer insured by whatever plan he held.
Maeglin pivoted at the sound of Legolas' voice, and with hardly wasting any time, he unwound his arm and launched the dagger saved for Glorfindel straight at Legolas.
Legolas hardly saw it coming, and was only able to close his lids halfway in preparation for the bite of the metal.
But something else blocked his vision and fell before him and Legolas continued to stand still, his breath held. It was a few moments before he even realized that nothing had struck him. After the realization, he looked down at his feet, and was horrified to find his own father now sprawled upon the ground, the blade imbedded high upon his shoulder blade.
Glorfindel looked over as well, and he saw the elven king throw himself forward in order to save his son. Glorfindel gasped when he saw the impact, that was not supposed to happen! The elf lord began to wonder whether he had gone the wrong way after all, but he shook the thoughts out of his head. He would worry about that later, right now he had one last chance.
Maeglin had turned in order to throw the dagger, and he was still turned. Glorfindel drew himself together for one last desperate rush. This would likely be his last chance, he could feel the combined ingredients of the specially made cruel powder slicing into the soft tissues of his lungs.
Glorfindel charged straight for the darker elf lord.
Maeglin sensed the rush and turned to intercept it, but Glorfindel's desperation made him faster despite the powder.
They collided and Maeglin fell back underneath Glorfindel, the fair- haired elf's momentum carrying them off of the platform. They fell together in a crash and the enraptured elves around them separated to give them more room. No elf would dare come between the two combating elf lords.
There was no time for Glorfindel to even try to reach behind and grab a small dagger he had sheathed in the back of his belt, so he went for the one weapon that lay between the two, the leather pouch.
Maeglin was momentarily stunned and Glorfindel was able to grab onto the pouch before Maeglin's grip tightened on it, but it was already open and Glorfindel grabbed with his other hand, withdrawing a handful of the powder. Before Maeglin even knew what was happening, Glorfindel covered the dark elf lord's mouth with his hand, forcing him to inhale the powder.
The reaction was instantaneous.
Maeglin jerked bodily and threw his weight to the side, effectively throwing Glorfindel off of him. He stood immediately and took a step forward, but then stopped uncertainly.
He shook his head and coughed a few times, blinking suddenly watering eyes.
He took a deep breath and straightened and then went towards Glorfindel again, but again he stopped. A fit of coughing overtook him and he gasped audibly as he struggled to breathe around the hoarse sounds coming from his mouth.
Glorfindel stayed where he had fallen, leaning back onto his hands, merely watching. It was a grim satisfaction he held, watching his enemy suffer in front of him. He had finally completed his purpose, but he felt no sense of valor over the actions. He had hoped to perhaps avoid another kinslaying, but Maeglin had proved that it was the only means necessary.
Legolas watched in morbid fascination as well. He could not tear his eyes off of the dark elf lord. Maeglin was almost doubled over, and the sounds of his coughing were enough to make Legolas' skin crawl. It was a deep rasping sound that seemed to come from the depths of the elf-lord, as if he was trying to expel some inner demon.
Silence stretched throughout the room, save for the sound of the awful coughing. All of the elves watched, some in pity, some in disbelief. Yet none tried to help, even Maeglin's own men. They all merely watched, waiting for the inevitable.
After what seemed like a horribly long time, Maeglin dropped to his knees. He put one hand down to the ground as an especially violent cough overtook him. When he raised his head once more, blood could be seen at the side of his mouth. Maeglin gave a quick smile that soon turned into a grimace.
"One more chance," he croaked out in a voice that sounded as though it had been scraped raw. He raised his face to the ceiling overhead, "One more chance, Morgoth, that is all I ask, once more and I will not fail. The second-born will be eradicated, just as we willed it."
Several elves glanced at each other. Others kept their stony gaze on their fallen lord. Maeglin continued to plead with an unseen force. "Just one more, we will have it, it will be ours, I beg you just one more chance."
Legolas almost felt pity for the fallen elf lord. Almost.
He was surprised when Maeglin suddenly looked over at him. They locked gazes and Legolas could almost feel the hate pouring from him. But Maeglin turned his eyes away and decided to spend his last moments on something more constructive. He turned to Glorfindel.
For his part, Glorfindel was not trying to move at all. His breathing was labored and he had to clear his throat occasionally in order to rid himself of the coughing. He had not received a mouthful of the powder like Maeglin had, but he knew he had had enough. In perhaps an hours time, he knew he would go the way of Maeglin.
Maeglin stared at him, dark menace in his eyes.
"Go with the light of Elbereth," Glorfindel whispered to him.
Maeglin spat at him. His spittle was flecked with blood and it caught Glorfindel on the cheek. Glorfindel did not bother to remove it.
Slowly, the dark elf lord's body crumpled over. His forehead met the ground, followed by the rest of him until he lay stretched out on the stone floor. He held Glorfindel's gaze the whole time, and Glorfindel did likewise. Finally, the haggard breathing stopped and the piercing dark eyes began to dim. Maeglin lay completely still.
.
Chapter 28
Maeglin threw himself forward just as Legolas' arrow came straight for his chest, causing the arrow to skip harmlessly over his head. Legolas almost cried out in anguish, thinking he had been too late after all.
But he choked back the cry. Maeglin had not leapt to the side and towards his father. He had merely jumped forward, and now he was standing still. Legolas looked over at his father who was now well away from the dark elf lord. He was untouched, Maeglin had not been given a chance to reach him.
Confusion wound its way through Legolas, and he noted that the room had fallen silent once again as the other occupants took in the scene before them.
Maeglin straightened up slowly, and it was only then that Legolas saw an arrow was imbedded into his side. And it was no wonder he had missed seeing it, for the arrow was in so deep that almost the entire shaft had gone through. Only somebody with a lot of strength could force that much power behind an arrow.
The dark elf lord's face contorted into rage and he swung to face the left, his hand going for what was left of the arrow in his side. Legolas followed his gaze. Glorfindel was standing solidly off of the platform, his mighty bow still held firmly in his hands. When Maeglin met his gaze Glorfindel leapt lightly up onto the platform and started towards Maeglin.
"Drop your weapons," he ordered as he walked, flicking his glance past Maeglin to the guards that flanked the other side. To Legolas' surprise, the elves immediately abandoned their bows. They looked slightly awed, and Legolas knew he likely looked the same. The power emanating from the two elf lords was almost palpable and the air between them was charged, for they were both angry.
"I knew you could not possibly be that stupid," Maeglin growled at Glorfindel.
Glorfindel arched a graceful eyebrow. "What, and give up a chance to avenge the horrible deeds done to my people many years ago? Why do you think I jumped at your invitation? It was I who was wary and thought you could not possibly be that stupid, but revenge without purpose is often blind."
Legolas watched the two elf lords as they bantered back and forth. He realized that all else had been forgotten to them, he did not matter at the moment. And he would use it to his advantage. Thranduil had retreated to the far end of the platform, but he still stood upon it, unsure of how to penetrate through the elves that lined the outside. He was still too close for Legolas' comfort, and the young elf decided he could be most useful in getting his father away from the dark elf lord.
Legolas started to move forward and to the side, wanting to avoid attracting either of the elf lord's attentions.
Maeglin smiled at Glorfindel. "I see your visit to Mandos was not nearly long enough. Did all go well for you there? Or were your thoughts still twisted with images of the balrog?"
Glorfindel paled slightly at the mention of the balrog. "I slayed that foul beast, and if I have to die to kill you as well so be it. Morgoth cannot protect you now."
Maeglin smirked. "That is where you are wrong. We are closer to the darkness now, you are the one at the disadvantage here."
"The grace of Elbereth is with me, I fear neither you nor the darkness." Glorfindel's voice held a noble quality to it that spoke of his power, and Legolas was slightly amazed that Maeglin did not cower before him now and beg forgiveness. Glorfindel's quiet rage was more disturbing than any rant Maeglin could pull.
By this time, Legolas had reached the far side of the platform. None of the elves paid him any heed, their focus fixated on the two elf lords. Legolas gestured to get his father's attention.
Thranduil looked down at him. "Get out of here Legolas," he whispered, "and take our people with you. Lead them into the safety of the trees, I will come to you after this is done."
Legolas shook his head. "You can offer no help here, come with me now and we will all leave this place."
"I cannot leave Lord Glorfindel alone with this monster," Thranduil whispered back.
Legolas opened his mouth to argue more with his father, but paused when he looked over Thranduil's shoulder. At the mention of his name, Glorfindel had looked over, just for a second, but that was all the time Maeglin needed.
The dark elf lord threw his arm up, and Legolas noted that his fist was still closed, he had never let go of the contents of the pouch.
Glorfindel realized it too.
The fair-haired elf snapped his head to the side and tried to duck, but his lost second of concentration had already cost him. Maeglin opened his palm and loosed a handful of fine white powder into Glorfindel's face.
Glorfindel reacted instantly.
He snorted forcibly in an effort not to inhale and covered his face with his hands as he dropped down. But the distance between the two of them had been too little and he could not prevent all of the powder from making its way into his system.
Glorfindel staggered back and began to cough violently, his hands continuing to cover his face. Maeglin let out a small cry and followed up on him, landing a swift kick to Glorfindel's middle.
Glorfindel doubled over, still coughing and trying to rid himself of the fast-working powder. But before he could even lower his hands from his face, Maeglin had kicked him again and the paler elf crashed to the ground.
Glorfindel finally tore his hands from his face in time to see Maeglin advancing on him again, but he rolled to the side to avoid the blow. Even as he was able to avoid it, he could already feel his movements slowing due to the effects of the powder and he had to gasp to drag in a breath as he stood up. His lungs were starting to burn and he only hoped that he had not inhaled enough of it for it to prove to be fatal before the fight was over.
Glorfindel gathered his feet underneath him and launched himself at Maeglin. They collided and both went down into a painful pile, yet Glorfindel could not press any sort of advantage. He blinked as his vision swam in front of him and Maeglin took the second of distraction to throw Glorfindel forcibly off of him. Glorfindel hit the floor a few feet away and did not move.
Legolas gaped at what he was seeing. He still did not fully understand the powder and what its potency was, yet it was clearly affecting Glorfindel. Legolas had a small flashback to the time when Maeglin had gripped Legolas' arm. He had felt so much power in that grip, and even then he had wondered if even Glorfindel would be able to defeat him. Now that he was at a disadvantage, the fairer elf's chances seemed slim.
Glorfindel raised his head and saw Maeglin advancing upon him, now with a dagger drawn. He knew that it was made of the black iron Maeglin loved to use and it would slice through his flesh with little to no resistance. He would have to avoid the blade.
The elf lord pulled himself to his feet and drew his own weapon, a sword. It was longer than Maeglin's dagger and looked as though it would give him an advantage.
Maeglin moved swiftly forward, thrusting his dagger in front of him as he did so.
Glorfindel moved to counter it, and though his actions were slower than he was used to, he was able to parry the dagger with his sword. Yet he soon saw the error of his ways. That was exactly what Maeglin had wanted him to do. The stronger metal of the dagger had effectively cut through Glorfindel's sword, rendering it useless.
Glorfindel wasted no time in lamenting over the broken blade. He threw it down and stood at a ready, waiting for Maeglin to make his move.
Maeglin paused. He graced Glorfindel with a smile. "After all this time I get to finish what I started many years ago in Gondolin."
Legolas could not stand by and watch this happen. Despite the uncertainty Glorfindel had been giving him, he could not simply watch him die now at the hands of the dark elf lord. Legolas leapt up onto the platform.
"He condemns himself with his own words," Legolas shouted to the other elves. Yet he never got a chance to finish what he had planned to say. He underestimated the speed of Maeglin, and Legolas' life was no longer insured by whatever plan he held.
Maeglin pivoted at the sound of Legolas' voice, and with hardly wasting any time, he unwound his arm and launched the dagger saved for Glorfindel straight at Legolas.
Legolas hardly saw it coming, and was only able to close his lids halfway in preparation for the bite of the metal.
But something else blocked his vision and fell before him and Legolas continued to stand still, his breath held. It was a few moments before he even realized that nothing had struck him. After the realization, he looked down at his feet, and was horrified to find his own father now sprawled upon the ground, the blade imbedded high upon his shoulder blade.
Glorfindel looked over as well, and he saw the elven king throw himself forward in order to save his son. Glorfindel gasped when he saw the impact, that was not supposed to happen! The elf lord began to wonder whether he had gone the wrong way after all, but he shook the thoughts out of his head. He would worry about that later, right now he had one last chance.
Maeglin had turned in order to throw the dagger, and he was still turned. Glorfindel drew himself together for one last desperate rush. This would likely be his last chance, he could feel the combined ingredients of the specially made cruel powder slicing into the soft tissues of his lungs.
Glorfindel charged straight for the darker elf lord.
Maeglin sensed the rush and turned to intercept it, but Glorfindel's desperation made him faster despite the powder.
They collided and Maeglin fell back underneath Glorfindel, the fair- haired elf's momentum carrying them off of the platform. They fell together in a crash and the enraptured elves around them separated to give them more room. No elf would dare come between the two combating elf lords.
There was no time for Glorfindel to even try to reach behind and grab a small dagger he had sheathed in the back of his belt, so he went for the one weapon that lay between the two, the leather pouch.
Maeglin was momentarily stunned and Glorfindel was able to grab onto the pouch before Maeglin's grip tightened on it, but it was already open and Glorfindel grabbed with his other hand, withdrawing a handful of the powder. Before Maeglin even knew what was happening, Glorfindel covered the dark elf lord's mouth with his hand, forcing him to inhale the powder.
The reaction was instantaneous.
Maeglin jerked bodily and threw his weight to the side, effectively throwing Glorfindel off of him. He stood immediately and took a step forward, but then stopped uncertainly.
He shook his head and coughed a few times, blinking suddenly watering eyes.
He took a deep breath and straightened and then went towards Glorfindel again, but again he stopped. A fit of coughing overtook him and he gasped audibly as he struggled to breathe around the hoarse sounds coming from his mouth.
Glorfindel stayed where he had fallen, leaning back onto his hands, merely watching. It was a grim satisfaction he held, watching his enemy suffer in front of him. He had finally completed his purpose, but he felt no sense of valor over the actions. He had hoped to perhaps avoid another kinslaying, but Maeglin had proved that it was the only means necessary.
Legolas watched in morbid fascination as well. He could not tear his eyes off of the dark elf lord. Maeglin was almost doubled over, and the sounds of his coughing were enough to make Legolas' skin crawl. It was a deep rasping sound that seemed to come from the depths of the elf-lord, as if he was trying to expel some inner demon.
Silence stretched throughout the room, save for the sound of the awful coughing. All of the elves watched, some in pity, some in disbelief. Yet none tried to help, even Maeglin's own men. They all merely watched, waiting for the inevitable.
After what seemed like a horribly long time, Maeglin dropped to his knees. He put one hand down to the ground as an especially violent cough overtook him. When he raised his head once more, blood could be seen at the side of his mouth. Maeglin gave a quick smile that soon turned into a grimace.
"One more chance," he croaked out in a voice that sounded as though it had been scraped raw. He raised his face to the ceiling overhead, "One more chance, Morgoth, that is all I ask, once more and I will not fail. The second-born will be eradicated, just as we willed it."
Several elves glanced at each other. Others kept their stony gaze on their fallen lord. Maeglin continued to plead with an unseen force. "Just one more, we will have it, it will be ours, I beg you just one more chance."
Legolas almost felt pity for the fallen elf lord. Almost.
He was surprised when Maeglin suddenly looked over at him. They locked gazes and Legolas could almost feel the hate pouring from him. But Maeglin turned his eyes away and decided to spend his last moments on something more constructive. He turned to Glorfindel.
For his part, Glorfindel was not trying to move at all. His breathing was labored and he had to clear his throat occasionally in order to rid himself of the coughing. He had not received a mouthful of the powder like Maeglin had, but he knew he had had enough. In perhaps an hours time, he knew he would go the way of Maeglin.
Maeglin stared at him, dark menace in his eyes.
"Go with the light of Elbereth," Glorfindel whispered to him.
Maeglin spat at him. His spittle was flecked with blood and it caught Glorfindel on the cheek. Glorfindel did not bother to remove it.
Slowly, the dark elf lord's body crumpled over. His forehead met the ground, followed by the rest of him until he lay stretched out on the stone floor. He held Glorfindel's gaze the whole time, and Glorfindel did likewise. Finally, the haggard breathing stopped and the piercing dark eyes began to dim. Maeglin lay completely still.
.