Disclaimer: If LOTR were mine, I would be very rich right now…and believe me, I'm not.
Author Notes: I wasn't able to check if I got any reviews on the last chapter, so I'm taking a chance here :) I hope all of the nice people who were reading this, are still here! If this chapter is bad, blame it no the 1000 factors that led me to write it almost line by line @_@
English is my second language, so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Elvish is the way I believe it to be, most likely mistaken. Quotes are taken from the book, with things changed, of course…and I love reviews :)
Master in Deceiving
By Yours Truly
{There is something very wrong…}
"No other folk make such a trampling," His elven voice said. "It seems their delight to slash and beat down growing things that are not even in their way."
Yet, Legolas was not speaking.
{Where am I?}
{You are protected, Legolas}
{Protected? Where? I can hear my voice speaking, yet it's not me thinking those lines…I can hear Aragorn and Gimli, clearly, can feel my body moving…but I see nothing…what is this…Estel? Get me out of here…its dark…Gimli…Where are you all?}
{Shh little Prince, do not panic. This is but your own mind…}
{What? Nay, I wish to be out of here! Elbereth…Im iest an tira i gîl…Im car al cen calad ned si…} (Elbereth… I wish to see the stars…I do not see light in here)
{Do you think you deserve light?}
{No…I…perhaps not, but I wish to help…to find the periannath…} (Hobbits)
{They are lost because of you}
{And I want to find them! Let me out!}
{You are not ready}
{…I…I want to be out…}
{Hush little prince; just wait…}
{…'Tis so dark…}
{Just wait…}
Aragorn looked around as they advanced, following the tracks left behind by the orcs. To him it seemed like the orcs had left them far behind…too far behind. But hope was not to be lost, for he knew that they had to succeed, there was not any other choice. They had traveled so much in one day, in the highlands of Emyn Muil, where the trace became harder to follow, and the company of three slowed their pace.
The Ranger was greatly concerned, and burdened from the death of his human friend, he was burdened from Gandalf's fall, and the fact that he had left him in charge…and from the very quest they were now pursing, hoping against any odds to help the little hobbits, now in the hand of foul orcs…
And he was burdened, as he had been since Lórien, for being unable to speak to his friend…after Galadriel had taken the elf away from their conversation in the golden woods, Legolas had avoided contact with him, answering only the necessary to keep up appearances, no longer singing like he loved to, and no longer smiling like he used to…with a sigh Aragorn looked ahead, and was relieved to see that just a few paces ahead; the Emyn Muil came to an end.
Hurrying towards green grass, he soon was stepping on the valley of Rohan.
{I can feel…grass…nature! Where are we?}
{Rohan}
{I wish to see!}
{You cannot. Just feel…}
{Please? Just for a moment…I wish to say something, to have control of my words…}
{You think you are ready? Very well Legolas; open your eyes and enjoy the view}
Even when he had been up all day, and not once he had escaped into the dream world of elves, Legolas felt as if he were waking up from a nightmare. The green of the grass was like a gift from the Valar to a tired soul.
"Ah! The green smell!" he said. "It is better than much sleep. Let us run!"
{Please, give me something to drive the thoughts away?}
{You can't escape it, little prince}
"Light feet may run swiftly here," Aragorn answered, drawing his friend's eyes towards him. "More swiftly, maybe, than iron-shod Orcs. Now we have a chance to lessen their lead!"
His feet felt light, as he ran, and he felt wonderful, almost normal…no voice, no anguish, nothing to remind him of the quest. Surrounded by green fields, he forgot even the reason why he was running.
But the illusion was shattered when he came across the beaten grass, left behind by many orcs.
Then Aragorn was showing him something to be hopeful about, for Pippin had been alive when he passed these fields. And had left them proof of his presence, by leaving a leaf made of jewels in the middle of the path.
{See how desperate the little one was? See that he left some so precious behind? Do you see what you did to him?}
{He was alive…}
{For how much longer?}
{Don't say that…they will be all right…}
{Will they? And what of Frodo?}
{He…he left…}
{To his death!}
{Do not say such things}
{You are not ready…}
{NAY! Do not put be back in that dark place! I wish to be outside…}
"Let us hope that he did not pay too dearly for his boldness," he said sadly, hoping to lead the voice away, to distract it, somehow "Come! Let us go on! The thought of those merry young folk driven like cattle burns my heart."
And they ran, and the voice was quiet, for Legolas was not listening…he was enjoying his moment of freedom, and he was reconnecting with the feeling of being alive, of being able to run, to see nothing but the road ahead, and elven endurance was strong, for he did not get tired, and did not notice the night was falling upon them, until Aragorn stopped their pace.
{NAY! Al idh!} (Nay! Not rest!} Desperate, his voice sounded yet nobody could hear it.
{They will die…} And there was his voice again, cruel and taunting…
{Run Aragorn, we must run!}
{Weak, you want to stay and rest…you will let the little ones die!}
{Aragorn, do not stop!}
The ranger asked them both, the elf and the dwarf to choose, and Legolas hurried to speak his mind.
{I cannot stop now…}
"Unless our enemies rest also, they will leave us far behind, if we stay to sleep." His voice was urgent as he looked ahead.
But Gimli fought him on it, Aragorn decided to stay… and Legolas felt his strength weakening.
{Don't give me a chance…do not give me a choice}
{Weak}
{I do not wish to be in the dark…no…}
{Yes, little prince…}
But Aragorn was fast asleep now, and Legolas' eyes remained open, even while he was once again swallowed by the darkness.
****
Aragorn woke the next day, to find his dwarf friend still asleep, and Legolas just standing there looking sadly ahead.
His voice was sad, when he spoke, hollow almost, and to the Ranger, the elf's eyes looked unfocused and dull.
"Legolas?"
His friend looked at him, and the lack of inner light on those blue pools, scared Aragorn more than any orc.
"Yes?"
"What is ailing you, my friend?"
{Estel…help me; please just help me…'tis so very dark…I'm afraid…}
"Nothing Aragorn. What could be ailing me?"
{Aragorn! He is not I; I am here…Estel listen to me…}
"You know of what I speak, Legolas, do not hide from me" His tone was harsh where his eyes were gentle, and Legolas was screaming inside, for he wanted to break his mask, now…when his mask was breaking him.
Legolas shook his head, apparently confused, and it was then that Aragorn saw something strange in the blue orbs.
A small light that shined in his eyes, to then vanish just as fast as it had come. It flicked in and out, giving Legolas' gaze the illusion of life…momentarily, before settling back into a dull fog.
"Legolas?" He asked, surprised at what he saw 'Pedan nin!' (Speak to me!)
"I am speaking to you," his voice answered calmly, but Aragorn saw the small light that came and went in his eyes.
"What is this?" the human murmured to himself, moving closer to his elven friend. "Legolas…?"
{It's not I, it is not I, Estel, look into my eyes, and see with your own eyes, 'tis not me!}
The elf's stoic face did not change, but the light was there again, a little stronger, more noticeable.
"Legolas wake up" Aragorn whispered gently, for his eyes seemed trapped in a nightmare.
"I am awake, Aragorn, what are you saying?"
{No, I am not Aragorn; get me out of the dark!}
The ranger, now seriously concerned moved closer and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Legolas shuddered.
{I think I can see you now…}
The light slowly returned to blue eyes and Aragorn started to smile, when suddenly Legolas started to fall. With fast reflexes the ranger was able to catch him and gently hold him in strong arms.
{I can see…}
{You are not ready}
{Neither are you}
"What was that Legolas? Are you all right, my friend?"
His body was shaking, and Legolas felt a tear sliding slowly down his face, as he shook his head hesitantly.
"…Estel…I…something is wrong…I'm sc…scared…"
Grey eyes widening, Aragorn placed his arm around Legolas' shoulder.
"What is it…?"
He never finished his question, for Gimli woke up then, and when he looked back at Legolas, his mask was back in place, the dim light in his blue eyes that spoke of suppressed emotion was the only sign that the Ranger had not been dreaming.
To be continued
Author Notes: I wasn't able to check if I got any reviews on the last chapter, so I'm taking a chance here :) I hope all of the nice people who were reading this, are still here! If this chapter is bad, blame it no the 1000 factors that led me to write it almost line by line @_@
English is my second language, so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Elvish is the way I believe it to be, most likely mistaken. Quotes are taken from the book, with things changed, of course…and I love reviews :)
Master in Deceiving
By Yours Truly
{There is something very wrong…}
"No other folk make such a trampling," His elven voice said. "It seems their delight to slash and beat down growing things that are not even in their way."
Yet, Legolas was not speaking.
{Where am I?}
{You are protected, Legolas}
{Protected? Where? I can hear my voice speaking, yet it's not me thinking those lines…I can hear Aragorn and Gimli, clearly, can feel my body moving…but I see nothing…what is this…Estel? Get me out of here…its dark…Gimli…Where are you all?}
{Shh little Prince, do not panic. This is but your own mind…}
{What? Nay, I wish to be out of here! Elbereth…Im iest an tira i gîl…Im car al cen calad ned si…} (Elbereth… I wish to see the stars…I do not see light in here)
{Do you think you deserve light?}
{No…I…perhaps not, but I wish to help…to find the periannath…} (Hobbits)
{They are lost because of you}
{And I want to find them! Let me out!}
{You are not ready}
{…I…I want to be out…}
{Hush little prince; just wait…}
{…'Tis so dark…}
{Just wait…}
Aragorn looked around as they advanced, following the tracks left behind by the orcs. To him it seemed like the orcs had left them far behind…too far behind. But hope was not to be lost, for he knew that they had to succeed, there was not any other choice. They had traveled so much in one day, in the highlands of Emyn Muil, where the trace became harder to follow, and the company of three slowed their pace.
The Ranger was greatly concerned, and burdened from the death of his human friend, he was burdened from Gandalf's fall, and the fact that he had left him in charge…and from the very quest they were now pursing, hoping against any odds to help the little hobbits, now in the hand of foul orcs…
And he was burdened, as he had been since Lórien, for being unable to speak to his friend…after Galadriel had taken the elf away from their conversation in the golden woods, Legolas had avoided contact with him, answering only the necessary to keep up appearances, no longer singing like he loved to, and no longer smiling like he used to…with a sigh Aragorn looked ahead, and was relieved to see that just a few paces ahead; the Emyn Muil came to an end.
Hurrying towards green grass, he soon was stepping on the valley of Rohan.
{I can feel…grass…nature! Where are we?}
{Rohan}
{I wish to see!}
{You cannot. Just feel…}
{Please? Just for a moment…I wish to say something, to have control of my words…}
{You think you are ready? Very well Legolas; open your eyes and enjoy the view}
Even when he had been up all day, and not once he had escaped into the dream world of elves, Legolas felt as if he were waking up from a nightmare. The green of the grass was like a gift from the Valar to a tired soul.
"Ah! The green smell!" he said. "It is better than much sleep. Let us run!"
{Please, give me something to drive the thoughts away?}
{You can't escape it, little prince}
"Light feet may run swiftly here," Aragorn answered, drawing his friend's eyes towards him. "More swiftly, maybe, than iron-shod Orcs. Now we have a chance to lessen their lead!"
His feet felt light, as he ran, and he felt wonderful, almost normal…no voice, no anguish, nothing to remind him of the quest. Surrounded by green fields, he forgot even the reason why he was running.
But the illusion was shattered when he came across the beaten grass, left behind by many orcs.
Then Aragorn was showing him something to be hopeful about, for Pippin had been alive when he passed these fields. And had left them proof of his presence, by leaving a leaf made of jewels in the middle of the path.
{See how desperate the little one was? See that he left some so precious behind? Do you see what you did to him?}
{He was alive…}
{For how much longer?}
{Don't say that…they will be all right…}
{Will they? And what of Frodo?}
{He…he left…}
{To his death!}
{Do not say such things}
{You are not ready…}
{NAY! Do not put be back in that dark place! I wish to be outside…}
"Let us hope that he did not pay too dearly for his boldness," he said sadly, hoping to lead the voice away, to distract it, somehow "Come! Let us go on! The thought of those merry young folk driven like cattle burns my heart."
And they ran, and the voice was quiet, for Legolas was not listening…he was enjoying his moment of freedom, and he was reconnecting with the feeling of being alive, of being able to run, to see nothing but the road ahead, and elven endurance was strong, for he did not get tired, and did not notice the night was falling upon them, until Aragorn stopped their pace.
{NAY! Al idh!} (Nay! Not rest!} Desperate, his voice sounded yet nobody could hear it.
{They will die…} And there was his voice again, cruel and taunting…
{Run Aragorn, we must run!}
{Weak, you want to stay and rest…you will let the little ones die!}
{Aragorn, do not stop!}
The ranger asked them both, the elf and the dwarf to choose, and Legolas hurried to speak his mind.
{I cannot stop now…}
"Unless our enemies rest also, they will leave us far behind, if we stay to sleep." His voice was urgent as he looked ahead.
But Gimli fought him on it, Aragorn decided to stay… and Legolas felt his strength weakening.
{Don't give me a chance…do not give me a choice}
{Weak}
{I do not wish to be in the dark…no…}
{Yes, little prince…}
But Aragorn was fast asleep now, and Legolas' eyes remained open, even while he was once again swallowed by the darkness.
****
Aragorn woke the next day, to find his dwarf friend still asleep, and Legolas just standing there looking sadly ahead.
His voice was sad, when he spoke, hollow almost, and to the Ranger, the elf's eyes looked unfocused and dull.
"Legolas?"
His friend looked at him, and the lack of inner light on those blue pools, scared Aragorn more than any orc.
"Yes?"
"What is ailing you, my friend?"
{Estel…help me; please just help me…'tis so very dark…I'm afraid…}
"Nothing Aragorn. What could be ailing me?"
{Aragorn! He is not I; I am here…Estel listen to me…}
"You know of what I speak, Legolas, do not hide from me" His tone was harsh where his eyes were gentle, and Legolas was screaming inside, for he wanted to break his mask, now…when his mask was breaking him.
Legolas shook his head, apparently confused, and it was then that Aragorn saw something strange in the blue orbs.
A small light that shined in his eyes, to then vanish just as fast as it had come. It flicked in and out, giving Legolas' gaze the illusion of life…momentarily, before settling back into a dull fog.
"Legolas?" He asked, surprised at what he saw 'Pedan nin!' (Speak to me!)
"I am speaking to you," his voice answered calmly, but Aragorn saw the small light that came and went in his eyes.
"What is this?" the human murmured to himself, moving closer to his elven friend. "Legolas…?"
{It's not I, it is not I, Estel, look into my eyes, and see with your own eyes, 'tis not me!}
The elf's stoic face did not change, but the light was there again, a little stronger, more noticeable.
"Legolas wake up" Aragorn whispered gently, for his eyes seemed trapped in a nightmare.
"I am awake, Aragorn, what are you saying?"
{No, I am not Aragorn; get me out of the dark!}
The ranger, now seriously concerned moved closer and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Legolas shuddered.
{I think I can see you now…}
The light slowly returned to blue eyes and Aragorn started to smile, when suddenly Legolas started to fall. With fast reflexes the ranger was able to catch him and gently hold him in strong arms.
{I can see…}
{You are not ready}
{Neither are you}
"What was that Legolas? Are you all right, my friend?"
His body was shaking, and Legolas felt a tear sliding slowly down his face, as he shook his head hesitantly.
"…Estel…I…something is wrong…I'm sc…scared…"
Grey eyes widening, Aragorn placed his arm around Legolas' shoulder.
"What is it…?"
He never finished his question, for Gimli woke up then, and when he looked back at Legolas, his mask was back in place, the dim light in his blue eyes that spoke of suppressed emotion was the only sign that the Ranger had not been dreaming.
To be continued