Disclaimer: If I owned Lord of the Rings, I would be Tolkien Enterprises or
New Line Productions, which I am not.
Wicked Misty: No, it's not sad, it just means that nothing particularly good happened that day. Which really is sort of sad, when you think about it. Anyway, thanks! Good to hear from you!
Legano-san: Oh. . .kay. . .
Person who left the little identification box completely blank: To answer your question, yes!
I Stalk Elves on Weekends: Thanks. If he is not too OOC those stupid flamers have nothing to complain about. Flamers suck! Thanks for reviewing!
Miss No Name: Okay, okay, sheesh. I'll keep you from being bored by updating--there, happy? Lucky, you get cold weather. . .there are voices in my head, too! It is not insanity, it is simply talking to yourself. That's what I say, anyway, it can get to a point, like Virginia Woolf, where it really needs to stop. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Fairy Lady: yes, but will Legolas see it as a good thing or as not allowing him to move on? Right, everyone listen to her and keep Legolas and daggers separated!
Yoink Daydurfurits: Believe it or not it's true! But here's more, so if you can un-faint long enough you can read it!
Ola: Okay! And yes, the other fic is the one about his past.
Mysterious Jedi: Yay, another Knight! Glad you like it!
Cool Girl Chic 16: Yes it made sense. Thanks!
Kaimelieamin: It was not a mistake, it was a double negation: "I have NEVER know him to be anything BUT trustworthy." Thus, "I have always known him to be trustworthy." After Mithrandir falls into shadow, well, I have something planned, that's all I'm saying. No spoilers! Woah, too much coffee. . .one time a boy came into history with coffee and he asked if he could drink it and the history teacher said "Well, I can't let you drink coffee. . .you said that was a soda, right?" It was cool. Anyway--tangent!
Padfoots Girl: Okay and thanks!
Queen of the Little People: Thanks and okay, I will!
Ash: Thanks! Wow, that was almost a haiku! Cool! Only the middle line has three too many syllables, but still that's pretty neat.
Queen of Gondor: It's hard to explain. Mostly he felt that every bad thing was his fault, so he wanted to punish himself for what he had done. Also, when he sliced and saw the blood it took him away. You could read "Cold Steel", which is the story of his cutting in development.(shameless self- promotion)
Golden Rose: Okay! Yay, I'm on someone's favorite's list! And you are held to that--you had better keep reading! Just kidding.
Gwyn: Heh, it doesn't bother me that people get really pushy about quick updates--really it is a complement, because it means people like the story. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Baby: Ha! It's like the babysitter's club! You know, those kids' books? Ha- ha-ha. . .
Daylight: Thanks and okay!
Soul Searcher Arbariel: "Moofa" sounds pretty cool. Yeah, I'm still going for the darkness thing, but Boromir is really annoying! Mostly, my sister kept calling him Aragorn (she says they look the same) and it bugged me (I don't suppose it helped when I referred to them as "Los hermanos de Gondor"). Woah. . .you have to be kidding, no way am I near as good as Tolkien! Oh, and I've read your Legolas angst story. . .it was good, especially when he jumped off the cliff, that was VERY good.
S: Thanks and okay.
Kat Heiman: Thanks and it's a very short wait!
Legolas 4me: Thanks! Hopefully it really will be a good story.
Achika-chan: Surprises around every corner. . .
Lady Daine: No, just movieverse for the Council, because in the book there were so many huge speeches and such. Anyway, hurrying things along I used the movie version, but from here on though some dialogue will come from the movie it will be the book version. As for Elrohir knowing Mithrandir, that bit I was unsure about but Elrond sure seems to know him, so. . .
Forest Elfin: If and when the Fellowship finds out, you shall know then! Heh, evil author that is me. . .no spoilers, though, those are no fun.
Nobody: Hello, Odysseus! Just kidding, because Odysseus told the Cyclops that he was called "Nobody", and the Cyclops ran about screaming that Nobody had hurt him. Nevermind. Sorry! Was it that long of a time between chapters?
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Legolas surveyed the Fellowship in his mind, reserving his gaze lest any catch on. Aragorn he knew well to be a man of honor, and while Legolas saw him as a child he saw it fit that he should be part of the fellowship. Boromir he had less liking for, of his bravado Legolas could stand little and saw need for even less. Gimli he supposed could and likely would be a right good companion if he would be give the Elf a chance, but all the Dwarf seemed to want to do was stare unhappily at him. The hobbits, numbering four, were--
A loud, clear ringing interrupted Legolas's thoughts. It was not so loud to the others, but Legolas had Elven hearing and cringed at the boisterous noise. He hated noise, it made him think things. . ."Legolas, are you all right?" whoever that was they were quiet.
"Quite, and I apologize for any misconception," Legolas reply, shaking off his nervousness. Where had that noise come from, though? It was not Elven, but it was not of the orcs, either.
"Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir, until you stand once more on the borders of your land, and dire need is on you," Elrond advised. That was it, then.
"Maybe, but always have I let my horn cry at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night," Boromir answered with cocky arrogance. This Elrond endured, as often he did, but Legolas fumed. He shook the idea of slaughter from his head and went back to his review of comrades.
The hobbits, indeed, were each different cases. Pippin and Merry (Legolas had made a point of listening for that name, lest he need to address the hobbit and be required to call out "hey, you!") seemed good of heart, simple like all hobbits but not dumb. They could also be cute and mischievous, but that could be endured as well. Sam had an unquestionable loyalty and was, like all hobbits, simple but not dull. He seemed to Legolas a friend much as Elrohir had been in their earlier days. . .the fourth of the hobbits, Legolas reminded himself, pulling out of nostalgia, was the Ring-bearer. He was named Frodo, and solemn and serious at all times. The ring has already begun its work. . .
Where did that come from? Never in my life have I had such thoughts, Legolas thought with worry. He glanced about him. The others seemed to be having thoughts of their own. Sam was speaking softly to Bill, the pony who had become the official Fellowship mascot, it seemed. Legolas was really starting to like this Sam, who was soft spoken, reserved in judgment, loyal, and always seemed happy--if nervous. Not nervous as I am, thought Legolas, for what I am is not nerves but apprehension.
Frodo and Bilbo, the elderly hobbit, stood together near the door. Perhaps they spoke, perhaps they did not. Had he wanted to Legolas could have listened in but it seemed awful of a thing to consider. Whatever words they had for each other were private and not for spying ears of Elves. Legolas shut out all sound then, and mired himself in a world of incredible silence.
Goodbyes had been said now, and such dealings were over with. Legolas and Elrohir had spoken to each other, in soft words, but mostly communicating through undertones and hidden meaning. "Look out for yourself, Legolas. Just do that for me?" Elrohir had requested as the two embraced. Legolas had promised to, and that had been all.
"Are we ready to leave yet? At this rate, we'll be into summer before--"
"Master Dwarf, kindly hold your tongue," Legolas said in a low voice. The complaints of the small creature had drawn him from nostalgia, and his gaze had gone then to Aragorn. The Ranger felt some sorrow beyond the knowledge of Legolas as he sat on the stairs, his head resting on his knees and his hands paused as they ran through his hair.
Gimli regarded Legolas with the same look one uses to regard a rat found dead on their doorstep, held at arm's length between forefinger and thumb. He grunted and turned away, but was silent. This passed muster with Legolas, who was liking the little one less and less.
Elrond then came forth and Gandalf with him, the last member of the company, another known well to Legolas and entirely trusted. Some words were spoken, which Legolas did not hear, then again the dwarf found some need to argue and protest. Insolent beast, Legolas thought, but kept his mouth shut. Leaving behind the house of Elrond the nine began their journey with just nine small steps. "When and where will we meet our partings?" Legolas wondered aloud, but in the quietest of whispers.
"Do not worry, mellon-nin, for many years there are between these first steps and our last together." Legolas would have believed this to be a dream or figment of imagination but for the callused hand gripping his. "Many years." Some sadness kept his voice from sounding as it usually might, yet his words rang true enough.
The darkness seemed to consume them, though with his keen Elven eyes Legolas was far from crippled. An owl hooted softly and took flight from a nearby tree, a sight only Legolas was privileged enough to see. Frodo jumped half a foot, and Sam calmed him. "Just a barn owl," Legolas intoned. "And her rat-prey."
They came now upon the Ford of Bruinen, and for a moment Legolas felt reluctance, and it was then that he realized he still held Aragorn's hand in his. "I remember a time when I was forbidden to cross these waters. I wanted nothing more than to simply run through the gurgling stream. . .now I wish only to return."
"Nothing binds us to this quest," Legolas reminded him.
"Nothing but that which cannot be by Man or Dwarf or Elf moved. I go on." And with that he strode forward and caught up to Gandalf, who was leading, to offer his knowledge of the lands. Many hours passed in a silence Legolas knew not to be of his creation or of nature and the world around him. What he did hear seemed a memory played slowly through his sense, the waters of the river running with a music no longer gay but sad, as the waters climbed back from the Bruinen.
Finally the company came to a halt and made camp, for the little ones were not travelers and were nearly dead on their feet. In seconds flat the four were asleep. Aragorn was debatably awake, lying on his back staring upwards. Gimli snored loudly, and Boromir mutter incoherently. Gandalf seemed to have gone off. This left only the Elf, lying awake staring about him, trying for some sleep.
I almost pity the Dwarf, he thought. The short one has no one he knows or can trust among us. While the hobbits clan together, I have Aragorn and Mithrandir. Well, not really Aragorn. It would not be right to burden him with my problems, he is but a child and burdened enough for one so young. Yet that Dwarf is utterly alone, and here only because. . .only because I am. Look at that, I have caused him this pitiful time without even trying--
Legolas rolled onto his back. The stars above were a peaceful sight, rimmed with treetops. The sounds of nature filled his ears, Gimli's snores and Boromir's babbling forgotten. Birds cried out to each other. A creature, four legged, perhaps a coyote, ran through the woods. Indeed it was a coyote, for now he paused and howled, and his howl resounded through Legolas's heart.
He was not sure at what point he stopped being awake and stopped being asleep, but he knew it must have happened for hours later he woke up. The others were still asleep, and Legolas jumped to his feet. As the eight members of the fellowship slept on, Legolas stared at the rising sun. Light shone over all of the company before Legolas forfeited his position, squating atop a large rock, and returned to their camp. He knew before he was within sight of them (through the trees) that Gimli and the two younger hobbits slept on, while the others were awake.
"Hello, Legolas! Where did you go this dawn?" Aragorn inquired.
"Only to watch the sun rise. I hope I had you not worried."
"Not at all, Gandalf and I trust you on your own and Boromir, well, he seems to think that you had quit the fellowship entirely."
"Hysterical," Legolas replied with no laughter.
"All right then, Legolas?" Mithrandir asked.
"It would appear so!" Legolas replied, and the day began as would become normal. Although it was the last sunrise any of them would see for a fortnight.
*****
After a cold front the nine came at last to the land called Hollin, by Men, and naught by any else. "My people lived here once," Legolas remembered sadly. "In the days when we prospered, in our time in Middle Earth. Then we called in Eregion." Legolas shifted his gaze to the far mountains, and he saw in them their dangers, their cliffs, and their precariously perched rocks. The sun glinted red off them, and rightly, thought Legolas.
"We have come five-and-forty miles, as the crow flies. . ."
Where are these thoughts coming from? Glad I am they stay only as thoughts, but what brings them on? Why do I feel as though each misery is by my fault? Why so much thought of death and evil? It could be the ring. Would I know if it were getting to me? Yet I have seen it not since the Council. Is it a thing of such power?
Now the Dwarf Gimli spoke for many minutes of the mountains ahead, and of the caves beneath them--caves Legolas hoped he would never see. Gandalf replied, and Pippin the young hobbit said a few words, which Gandalf seemed to find enraging. He spoke of the Elves who dwelt there once and looked at Legolas as if for an answer. "Great evil must dwell in a land before it forgets the Elves. . ."
"That is true, but they were of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them, ' deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone.' They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago."
Why do my words come out as sadness and mourning and foreshadowed evil? Can I not even speak? Yet sad it is, for them who do not understand, that the Elves are leaving Middle Earth forever. When I leave. . .when I leave will it be to Valinor, or to the Halls of Mandos?
"Legolas, are you all right?"
The others had gone on, where to Legolas could not say. "Yes, Mithrandir, I am fine."
"Are you really?" he asked, as if he knew something to the contrary. As if he knew. . .
"Elrohir told you," Legolas stated. He felt such a rush of emotion now, of anger, of betrayal, and of sadness. "He had no right!"
"He only cares how you fare, Legolas. He wants you to be well."
"I am well," Legolas said with crazy anger, "I am fine." And he stalked off, catching up with the others.
*****
"Psst, Pippin!"
"What is it, Merry?"
It was late, and the others were asleep. Legolas was staring up at the stars, feeling terrible about the way he had reacted earlier. Elrohir only cared about him, how cold could he possibly be to that? How would Mithrandir react, though? Would he treat Legolas like a child? Legolas thought to himself, I will not get any better or stronger if I am not allowed to grow. He silenced his thoughts, and young hobbit voices drifted into his head.
"Did you see Legolas earlier on?"
"Of course I did, how could you miss him? What do you suppose he was upset about?"
"Something Gandalf said, but even Strider doesn't know."
"Strider doesn't know?" Pippin repeated in disbelief.
"No, he doesn't. But he knows there is something going on."
"I always thought Strider knew everything."
"It looks like not."
"Yes. . ." after a moment, Pippin added, "Merry?"
"What is it, Pip?"
"He's all right, isn't he?"
"Who? Strider?"
"No! Legolas."
"I don't know. I suppose. Do you think so?"
"I hope he is. I don't know him well but he seems to be a nice enough fellow. Thanks, Merry. Good night."
"Good night, Pip."
All right, I have no idea where that one came from. Was it okay?
Wicked Misty: No, it's not sad, it just means that nothing particularly good happened that day. Which really is sort of sad, when you think about it. Anyway, thanks! Good to hear from you!
Legano-san: Oh. . .kay. . .
Person who left the little identification box completely blank: To answer your question, yes!
I Stalk Elves on Weekends: Thanks. If he is not too OOC those stupid flamers have nothing to complain about. Flamers suck! Thanks for reviewing!
Miss No Name: Okay, okay, sheesh. I'll keep you from being bored by updating--there, happy? Lucky, you get cold weather. . .there are voices in my head, too! It is not insanity, it is simply talking to yourself. That's what I say, anyway, it can get to a point, like Virginia Woolf, where it really needs to stop. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Fairy Lady: yes, but will Legolas see it as a good thing or as not allowing him to move on? Right, everyone listen to her and keep Legolas and daggers separated!
Yoink Daydurfurits: Believe it or not it's true! But here's more, so if you can un-faint long enough you can read it!
Ola: Okay! And yes, the other fic is the one about his past.
Mysterious Jedi: Yay, another Knight! Glad you like it!
Cool Girl Chic 16: Yes it made sense. Thanks!
Kaimelieamin: It was not a mistake, it was a double negation: "I have NEVER know him to be anything BUT trustworthy." Thus, "I have always known him to be trustworthy." After Mithrandir falls into shadow, well, I have something planned, that's all I'm saying. No spoilers! Woah, too much coffee. . .one time a boy came into history with coffee and he asked if he could drink it and the history teacher said "Well, I can't let you drink coffee. . .you said that was a soda, right?" It was cool. Anyway--tangent!
Padfoots Girl: Okay and thanks!
Queen of the Little People: Thanks and okay, I will!
Ash: Thanks! Wow, that was almost a haiku! Cool! Only the middle line has three too many syllables, but still that's pretty neat.
Queen of Gondor: It's hard to explain. Mostly he felt that every bad thing was his fault, so he wanted to punish himself for what he had done. Also, when he sliced and saw the blood it took him away. You could read "Cold Steel", which is the story of his cutting in development.(shameless self- promotion)
Golden Rose: Okay! Yay, I'm on someone's favorite's list! And you are held to that--you had better keep reading! Just kidding.
Gwyn: Heh, it doesn't bother me that people get really pushy about quick updates--really it is a complement, because it means people like the story. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
Baby: Ha! It's like the babysitter's club! You know, those kids' books? Ha- ha-ha. . .
Daylight: Thanks and okay!
Soul Searcher Arbariel: "Moofa" sounds pretty cool. Yeah, I'm still going for the darkness thing, but Boromir is really annoying! Mostly, my sister kept calling him Aragorn (she says they look the same) and it bugged me (I don't suppose it helped when I referred to them as "Los hermanos de Gondor"). Woah. . .you have to be kidding, no way am I near as good as Tolkien! Oh, and I've read your Legolas angst story. . .it was good, especially when he jumped off the cliff, that was VERY good.
S: Thanks and okay.
Kat Heiman: Thanks and it's a very short wait!
Legolas 4me: Thanks! Hopefully it really will be a good story.
Achika-chan: Surprises around every corner. . .
Lady Daine: No, just movieverse for the Council, because in the book there were so many huge speeches and such. Anyway, hurrying things along I used the movie version, but from here on though some dialogue will come from the movie it will be the book version. As for Elrohir knowing Mithrandir, that bit I was unsure about but Elrond sure seems to know him, so. . .
Forest Elfin: If and when the Fellowship finds out, you shall know then! Heh, evil author that is me. . .no spoilers, though, those are no fun.
Nobody: Hello, Odysseus! Just kidding, because Odysseus told the Cyclops that he was called "Nobody", and the Cyclops ran about screaming that Nobody had hurt him. Nevermind. Sorry! Was it that long of a time between chapters?
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Legolas surveyed the Fellowship in his mind, reserving his gaze lest any catch on. Aragorn he knew well to be a man of honor, and while Legolas saw him as a child he saw it fit that he should be part of the fellowship. Boromir he had less liking for, of his bravado Legolas could stand little and saw need for even less. Gimli he supposed could and likely would be a right good companion if he would be give the Elf a chance, but all the Dwarf seemed to want to do was stare unhappily at him. The hobbits, numbering four, were--
A loud, clear ringing interrupted Legolas's thoughts. It was not so loud to the others, but Legolas had Elven hearing and cringed at the boisterous noise. He hated noise, it made him think things. . ."Legolas, are you all right?" whoever that was they were quiet.
"Quite, and I apologize for any misconception," Legolas reply, shaking off his nervousness. Where had that noise come from, though? It was not Elven, but it was not of the orcs, either.
"Slow should you be to wind that horn again, Boromir, until you stand once more on the borders of your land, and dire need is on you," Elrond advised. That was it, then.
"Maybe, but always have I let my horn cry at setting forth, and though thereafter we may walk in the shadows, I will not go forth as a thief in the night," Boromir answered with cocky arrogance. This Elrond endured, as often he did, but Legolas fumed. He shook the idea of slaughter from his head and went back to his review of comrades.
The hobbits, indeed, were each different cases. Pippin and Merry (Legolas had made a point of listening for that name, lest he need to address the hobbit and be required to call out "hey, you!") seemed good of heart, simple like all hobbits but not dumb. They could also be cute and mischievous, but that could be endured as well. Sam had an unquestionable loyalty and was, like all hobbits, simple but not dull. He seemed to Legolas a friend much as Elrohir had been in their earlier days. . .the fourth of the hobbits, Legolas reminded himself, pulling out of nostalgia, was the Ring-bearer. He was named Frodo, and solemn and serious at all times. The ring has already begun its work. . .
Where did that come from? Never in my life have I had such thoughts, Legolas thought with worry. He glanced about him. The others seemed to be having thoughts of their own. Sam was speaking softly to Bill, the pony who had become the official Fellowship mascot, it seemed. Legolas was really starting to like this Sam, who was soft spoken, reserved in judgment, loyal, and always seemed happy--if nervous. Not nervous as I am, thought Legolas, for what I am is not nerves but apprehension.
Frodo and Bilbo, the elderly hobbit, stood together near the door. Perhaps they spoke, perhaps they did not. Had he wanted to Legolas could have listened in but it seemed awful of a thing to consider. Whatever words they had for each other were private and not for spying ears of Elves. Legolas shut out all sound then, and mired himself in a world of incredible silence.
Goodbyes had been said now, and such dealings were over with. Legolas and Elrohir had spoken to each other, in soft words, but mostly communicating through undertones and hidden meaning. "Look out for yourself, Legolas. Just do that for me?" Elrohir had requested as the two embraced. Legolas had promised to, and that had been all.
"Are we ready to leave yet? At this rate, we'll be into summer before--"
"Master Dwarf, kindly hold your tongue," Legolas said in a low voice. The complaints of the small creature had drawn him from nostalgia, and his gaze had gone then to Aragorn. The Ranger felt some sorrow beyond the knowledge of Legolas as he sat on the stairs, his head resting on his knees and his hands paused as they ran through his hair.
Gimli regarded Legolas with the same look one uses to regard a rat found dead on their doorstep, held at arm's length between forefinger and thumb. He grunted and turned away, but was silent. This passed muster with Legolas, who was liking the little one less and less.
Elrond then came forth and Gandalf with him, the last member of the company, another known well to Legolas and entirely trusted. Some words were spoken, which Legolas did not hear, then again the dwarf found some need to argue and protest. Insolent beast, Legolas thought, but kept his mouth shut. Leaving behind the house of Elrond the nine began their journey with just nine small steps. "When and where will we meet our partings?" Legolas wondered aloud, but in the quietest of whispers.
"Do not worry, mellon-nin, for many years there are between these first steps and our last together." Legolas would have believed this to be a dream or figment of imagination but for the callused hand gripping his. "Many years." Some sadness kept his voice from sounding as it usually might, yet his words rang true enough.
The darkness seemed to consume them, though with his keen Elven eyes Legolas was far from crippled. An owl hooted softly and took flight from a nearby tree, a sight only Legolas was privileged enough to see. Frodo jumped half a foot, and Sam calmed him. "Just a barn owl," Legolas intoned. "And her rat-prey."
They came now upon the Ford of Bruinen, and for a moment Legolas felt reluctance, and it was then that he realized he still held Aragorn's hand in his. "I remember a time when I was forbidden to cross these waters. I wanted nothing more than to simply run through the gurgling stream. . .now I wish only to return."
"Nothing binds us to this quest," Legolas reminded him.
"Nothing but that which cannot be by Man or Dwarf or Elf moved. I go on." And with that he strode forward and caught up to Gandalf, who was leading, to offer his knowledge of the lands. Many hours passed in a silence Legolas knew not to be of his creation or of nature and the world around him. What he did hear seemed a memory played slowly through his sense, the waters of the river running with a music no longer gay but sad, as the waters climbed back from the Bruinen.
Finally the company came to a halt and made camp, for the little ones were not travelers and were nearly dead on their feet. In seconds flat the four were asleep. Aragorn was debatably awake, lying on his back staring upwards. Gimli snored loudly, and Boromir mutter incoherently. Gandalf seemed to have gone off. This left only the Elf, lying awake staring about him, trying for some sleep.
I almost pity the Dwarf, he thought. The short one has no one he knows or can trust among us. While the hobbits clan together, I have Aragorn and Mithrandir. Well, not really Aragorn. It would not be right to burden him with my problems, he is but a child and burdened enough for one so young. Yet that Dwarf is utterly alone, and here only because. . .only because I am. Look at that, I have caused him this pitiful time without even trying--
Legolas rolled onto his back. The stars above were a peaceful sight, rimmed with treetops. The sounds of nature filled his ears, Gimli's snores and Boromir's babbling forgotten. Birds cried out to each other. A creature, four legged, perhaps a coyote, ran through the woods. Indeed it was a coyote, for now he paused and howled, and his howl resounded through Legolas's heart.
He was not sure at what point he stopped being awake and stopped being asleep, but he knew it must have happened for hours later he woke up. The others were still asleep, and Legolas jumped to his feet. As the eight members of the fellowship slept on, Legolas stared at the rising sun. Light shone over all of the company before Legolas forfeited his position, squating atop a large rock, and returned to their camp. He knew before he was within sight of them (through the trees) that Gimli and the two younger hobbits slept on, while the others were awake.
"Hello, Legolas! Where did you go this dawn?" Aragorn inquired.
"Only to watch the sun rise. I hope I had you not worried."
"Not at all, Gandalf and I trust you on your own and Boromir, well, he seems to think that you had quit the fellowship entirely."
"Hysterical," Legolas replied with no laughter.
"All right then, Legolas?" Mithrandir asked.
"It would appear so!" Legolas replied, and the day began as would become normal. Although it was the last sunrise any of them would see for a fortnight.
*****
After a cold front the nine came at last to the land called Hollin, by Men, and naught by any else. "My people lived here once," Legolas remembered sadly. "In the days when we prospered, in our time in Middle Earth. Then we called in Eregion." Legolas shifted his gaze to the far mountains, and he saw in them their dangers, their cliffs, and their precariously perched rocks. The sun glinted red off them, and rightly, thought Legolas.
"We have come five-and-forty miles, as the crow flies. . ."
Where are these thoughts coming from? Glad I am they stay only as thoughts, but what brings them on? Why do I feel as though each misery is by my fault? Why so much thought of death and evil? It could be the ring. Would I know if it were getting to me? Yet I have seen it not since the Council. Is it a thing of such power?
Now the Dwarf Gimli spoke for many minutes of the mountains ahead, and of the caves beneath them--caves Legolas hoped he would never see. Gandalf replied, and Pippin the young hobbit said a few words, which Gandalf seemed to find enraging. He spoke of the Elves who dwelt there once and looked at Legolas as if for an answer. "Great evil must dwell in a land before it forgets the Elves. . ."
"That is true, but they were of a race strange to us of the silvan folk, and the trees and the grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them, ' deep they delved us, fair they wrought us, high they builded us; but they are gone.' They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago."
Why do my words come out as sadness and mourning and foreshadowed evil? Can I not even speak? Yet sad it is, for them who do not understand, that the Elves are leaving Middle Earth forever. When I leave. . .when I leave will it be to Valinor, or to the Halls of Mandos?
"Legolas, are you all right?"
The others had gone on, where to Legolas could not say. "Yes, Mithrandir, I am fine."
"Are you really?" he asked, as if he knew something to the contrary. As if he knew. . .
"Elrohir told you," Legolas stated. He felt such a rush of emotion now, of anger, of betrayal, and of sadness. "He had no right!"
"He only cares how you fare, Legolas. He wants you to be well."
"I am well," Legolas said with crazy anger, "I am fine." And he stalked off, catching up with the others.
*****
"Psst, Pippin!"
"What is it, Merry?"
It was late, and the others were asleep. Legolas was staring up at the stars, feeling terrible about the way he had reacted earlier. Elrohir only cared about him, how cold could he possibly be to that? How would Mithrandir react, though? Would he treat Legolas like a child? Legolas thought to himself, I will not get any better or stronger if I am not allowed to grow. He silenced his thoughts, and young hobbit voices drifted into his head.
"Did you see Legolas earlier on?"
"Of course I did, how could you miss him? What do you suppose he was upset about?"
"Something Gandalf said, but even Strider doesn't know."
"Strider doesn't know?" Pippin repeated in disbelief.
"No, he doesn't. But he knows there is something going on."
"I always thought Strider knew everything."
"It looks like not."
"Yes. . ." after a moment, Pippin added, "Merry?"
"What is it, Pip?"
"He's all right, isn't he?"
"Who? Strider?"
"No! Legolas."
"I don't know. I suppose. Do you think so?"
"I hope he is. I don't know him well but he seems to be a nice enough fellow. Thanks, Merry. Good night."
"Good night, Pip."
All right, I have no idea where that one came from. Was it okay?