Disclaimer: Do you even read this if you know it is not mine? *Blink* guess not *Grin*
Author Notes: Thank you to my reviewers. Thank you to the very sweet people that actually sent me a mail (Siberian_blue18@yahoo.com…hint ^^) and to all of those who are actually reading! (I did not think you were still there)
English is my 2nd language so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes made on the story. Elvish is the way I believe it to be, most likely mistaken. Quotes were taken from the book by J.R Tolkien (*Gasp* I did *not* write it?) with lines of my own in between.
Oh, and…PLEASE R&R!!!! I AM DESPERATE TO KNOW IF MY WRITING SKILLS WERE BRUTALLY MURDERED BY MY WRITER'S BLOCK!!!
Master in Deceiving
By Yours Truly
His eyes were dying.
That was the first thing Aragorn noticed at the first light of dawn, when he looked over to his elven friend, who sat in the ground looking terribly pale. He seemed to be thinking about something very important…
But lately 'thinking' had become very dangerous for this particular elf.
Images of death and terror had attacked Legolas, wave after wave, each getting more horrific than the previous. The terrifying cries that had at first seemed to come from the shapes of the night before, now came from his mind…and they sounded nothing like a hallucination. Yet, his face had remained impassive with such terrible thoughts, for only two words kept repeating themselves over and over inside the Prince's thoughts, mingled with his scenes brought up by his betraying mind.
{My future}
Blood
{My future}
His friends lay slain on the ground
{My future}
Eternal torture
{My future}
Betrayal
{My future}
Terribly true images of Boromir's murder
{My future}
Gandalf's grief filled eyes
{My future}
The disapproving gaze of his father
{My future}
The terribly clear image of the dark face of an orc
{My future}
The hobbits were slain at the feet of the strangest of beings…an orc with a blue gaze…
Legolas could do nothing to hide his dying gaze, just as he could not avoid Aragorn's worried looks for much longer. It was a matter of time… that much was obvious.
At the call at down, the elf had risen silently and moved towards his horse to depart. He mounted and helped Gimli to mount at his back, refusing the dwarf's offering of a red apple with a shake of his golden head. Not even the dreaded voice had spoken to him that morning, seemingly content with Legolas' thoughts.
After several futile attempts at conversation, Gimli and Gandalf had given up, as Aragorn observed his friend from a distance while they passed through the now destroyed Ring of Isengard. But neither that sight nor the very Orthanc, the citadel of Saruman, had caused any reaction from stormy elven eyes.
At the moment, the company stood before the destroyed entrance. Doors lay hurled and twisted on the ground. And all about, stone, cracked and splintered into countless jagged shards, was scattered far and wide, or piled in ruinous heaps. With shock they all gazed around themselves, but their eyes did not fool them.
The power of Saruman seemed to have been overthrown.
Aragorn sighed in a strange combination of worry for his friend, and excitement brought by this now ruined place. The tower of Orthanc was the only thing intact.
Legolas looked around in disinterest. He should be staring with wide eyes. He should be glancing towards underneath the archway, where among the ruins, two small figures could be seen. But he looked around, and nothing but two words registered.
{My future}
The words did not made sense on his mind; they brought no light of understanding with them. They simply, for some unknown reason, shone with finality and truth in the elf's thoughts. Whatever he saw could be applied to those words.
This destroyed place could very well be his future.
Gimli tensed on his seat on the horse when he felt the elf do so.
"What is it, Legolas? Have you felt some danger? Is this some wizardry of Saruman?" Gimli hissed lowly, and for the first time in that day, Legolas grinned. But it held none of the hope it had held on the previous day.
"Nay, my friend, I sense no danger" said Legolas 'I sense my future' he added silently
It was then that the two small figures registered in Legolas' muddled brain, and the few lines of coherent thought left in him, froze. His entire body froze, in fact, as his eyes came to rest on the figures. One lay asleep as the other lazily blew smoke rings into the air.
{My past}
{You deeds} The terrible whisper of his 'other' voice among the earlier silence chilled his bones.
The one who seemed to be a young man suddenly became aware of their presence on this place, and stood up to bow low before them. Legolas' eyes widened, and his heart sped up, as his thought began confusing him again.
{Were they not hiding?}
{They should be playing…}
{Did they grew weary of this game? It has been too long…}
{Did Boromir found them?}
{Why did no one told me?}
{I should do something…I missed them…}
{They did not miss you}
Indeed, it seemed that way, for the "young man" was addressing the King of the Mark, and Éomer, without even sparing a glance in their direction.
{Perhaps they…perhaps they despise me now}
Hollow eyes looked on as elven ears barely registered the sound of the "young man's" voice, as Aragorn kept glancing from the one who spoke, back to the elf.
"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" the young one was saying. "We are the door wardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! Is overcome with weariness" - he gave his companion a dig with his foot - "is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests."
{I have found them! By the Valar, I have found my dear friends! The game is over and it is time to return…}
{Did they wished to be found…by you? Why if they can leave this place, they stayed? Do you think the game is over, little Prince? It is far from it}
Grey human eyes detected the slight cringe in the elf's features, in what should be a joyous occasion.
"Doubtless he would!" laughed Gandalf at the hobbit's words.
His wise voice was barely heard once more, as dulled elven senses gave way slowly to a stronger force; Legolas had let his mind wander, had let his eyes go unfocussed for he was weary of pretending to be his normal self. Now the elf panicked when he suddenly felt his own mind…no…this 'presence' growing stronger by the minute on his own thoughts, making him weaker, feeding on his weakness, feeding on his fear as he was slowly but surely moved to the background. He was losing ground…he was literally loosing his mind…
Merry answered gravely to Gandalf's inquiry of Saruman, and spoke of an Ent. Legolas held on with all his remaining will, with every ounce of strength left in his body. The elf fought to grab onto any word, any thought that would give him control. He begged silently for anyone to call for him, anyone to bring him back. He saw Aragorn open his mouth to speak at the corner of his eye, and he prayed whatever he would say would save him. Dark his vision was becoming, when finally there was a voice.
"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?" it was Gimli who spoke first, unable to contain himself longer. Legolas, hearing his name through the fog dulling his senses, fought the most staining battle of his existence. Gaining inch by inch a small part of his thoughts back. His relief was immense when he realized he could hear Gimli's words clearly.
"You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling-and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy, that if I do not burst. It will be a marvel!"
A smile of triumph gazed Legolas' face when he could hear every single word spoken, and the sudden force that had attacked him was dimmed. He could still feel it however…merely resting.
"You speak for me, Gimli," laughed Legolas then. "Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine."
{Not that I can drink it without loosing my thin grasp on control…}
{Control? When have you ever had control Princeling?}
{Now I have it}
{You believe so}
Gandalf and Théoden were soon to go and speak with Treebeard, the very Fangorn. Left behind by them, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Merry and Pippin went for food into the destroyed place that was once Saruman's. They eat hungrily and even Legolas managed to get a few things down, for he had not eaten since the previous day. Had the hobbits known that, they would be horrified, the elf mused as he looked into the little one's faces.
{They are alive…}
{Not because of you}
{They are here}
{While they do not wish to be}
The attack on his mind, which had nearly thrown him aside with no fight, had left him fearful, for he did not know where it had come from. Was it the voice that tormented him…or something else altogether? It could be nothing…it could be exhaustion…Legolas sighed, he was lying to himself once more. He tried to go outside of this stone place, to be on his own, but Aragorn followed him outside, as did everyone else. Legolas sat in silence for a few minutes as the others smoked, but soon grew restless and began to sing softly under his breath.
Songs of strength and forgotten elven battles that his father had some day sung to him came from his lips, yet the memories that came with them soon overwhelmed him and at last he sat up. "Come now!" he said. "Time wears on, and the mists are blowing away, or would if you strange folk did not wreathe yourselves in smoke. What of the tale?"
Pippin began the tale, Merry then continued, and between both hobbits they spoke for what to them seemed like hours, relating stories worthy of songs. From the orcs, to Treebeard, to Quickbeam, to the water of the Ents, then to how both hobbits had grown taller which exposed Gimli's amazement and Legolas' slight amusement. Then came the council of the Ents, the march towards Isengard, and how the people of Isengard had marched away, towards another war, before the Ents and the newly arrived 'Huorns', as the Ents called the dark silent ones of their kind, could attack them. The Huorns had gone after the orcs, while the Ents brought down Saruman's citadel in less time that was thought possible. Then the hobbits spoke of Saruman's escape into Orthanc, and Gandalf's previous meeting with both hobbits, and with Treebeard.
Legolas listened to all of it, and he concentrated on every word, for he knew that if he let his guard down, he would be paying too high of a price…his body, and his life…his mind and his sanity.
Hours later, the tale ended, and with their share of questions answered, and some new ones raised, the hobbits, man, dwarf and elf, changed the subject of their talk into other matters, rather than the past.
"Ah well, whatever evil was afoot is over now, I hope; or else it is beyond our reach at present," said Aragorn. "Yet I think I shall mention it to Gandalf, small matter though it may seem among his great affairs."
"I wonder what he is doing," said Merry. "The afternoon is getting on. Let us go and look round! You can enter Isengard now at any rate, Strider, if you want to. But it is not a very cheerful sight."
Legolas sighed and stood up from his seat, following his friends in silence. The hobbits had not really spoken to him while on their tale, and Aragorn and Gimli had not glanced at him during the whole of the conversation, so engrossed had they been. Shaking his head, he tried to vanish the dreadful voice as it whispered an anger filled mantra into his blurred thoughts.
{They hate you.}
{They despise you.}
{They blame you.}
{They know you.}
{They are right.}
Walking through the ruined tunnel they stood upon a heap of stones, gazing at the dark rock of Orthanc, and its many windows, a menace still in the desolation that lay all about it. While they stood there, Legolas began to feel something new…and nothing pleasant…a new kind of attack it seemed to the elven warrior.
{What is happening to me?}
Before, his thoughts had been blurred and confusing, but now…now as he stood glancing ahead in silence, his thoughts were too many and too fast for him to understand. His always quick mind was now a resting place for too many thoughts, too many ideas, and not one thing to focus on. Even feelings were in him battling, for he could feel fear bubbling up within him, at the same time he felt euphoria.
{Is this truly I?}
He wanted to jump; as much he wanted to weep, and he wanted nothing more than to be back at home, for the trees of his home would be the best place that he could die on. Fighting back the urge to laugh at nothing, Legolas looked ahead and noticed the approaching familiar figures.
"There is Gandalf, and Théoden and his men!" said Legolas. "Let us go and meet them!" He jumped from his place, and with graceful step he went ahead, but a voice slowed his pace.
"Walk warily!" said Merry. "There are loose slabs that may tilt up and throw you down into a pit, if you don't take care."
Forcing his legs to stop, Legolas nodded and walked warily with the rest of them. But the elf wished to run, and to jump, and to lie down to rest at the same time. He wished to laugh at himself, while he wished he could cry for what he had become.
{You see, Princeling? I could still help you…I could still save you from yourself little one…}
The riders, seeing them approach, halted under the shadow of the rock and waited for them. Gandalf rode forward to meet them, with a short sympathetic glance towards the oblivious elf. The wizard told them all of his plans to speak with Saruman and he sighed when they all followed him towards Orthanc. When the silent company reached the foot of the tower, Gandalf descended from his horse.
{I wish to ride…} {When was the last time I eat?}{What is Gandalf doing here?}{Is it over?} {Father? I am tired. May I go to bed?}{I think I should not be here…}{What is here?}{Her hair was long, her limbs were white, and fair she was and free; and in the wind she went as light as leaf of linden-tree…}
"I will go up," said Gandalf. "I have been in Orthanc and I know my peril."
"And I too will go up," said the king. "I am old, and fear no peril any more. I wish to speak with the enemy who has done me so much wrong. Éomer shall come with me, and see that my aged feet do not falter."
"As you will," said Gandalf. He rested his eyes on Legolas' for the shortest of seconds, and realized with a start how unbelievably young and lost the elf seemed "Aragorn shall come with me." the wizard went on "Let the others await at the foot of the stairs. They will hear and see enough, if there is anything to hear or see."
"Nay!" Said Gimli. "Legolas and I wish for a closer view. We alone here represent our kindred. We also will come behind."
{We do?}{We will?}{We?}{Who are we?}
Gandalf sighed, and after looking at the stubborn dwarf, nodded. "Come then!" said Gandalf, and with that he climbed the steps, and Théoden went beside him.
Legolas followed their lead, confused and amused. He thought among another ten thousand things, that the hobbits looked rather funny among all of them… they were so small…but now taller…hmm had they grown up? Were they children?
{I can help you Princeling}
{You can?}
{Aye}
{And who is 'you?'}
{You}
{And who am I? Am I a prince?}{I like the forest; I do not like this place}{I wish to be a prince of the forest!}{Where am I even going?}{Who is the man ahead?}{Who is the one in white?}{Who is the one with the funny ears…wait…that is me…what am I doing out there?}
Laughter rang on his mind, and like a child Legolas looked around, expecting to see someone laughing. But no, many people were talking to an old man who was above, in a window. The man seemed strange to Legolas, and he decided not to like him. But then he forgot his decision, and found himself staring at the one everyone was calling 'Saruman'. The man was speaking in a sweet voice, only to then hiss like a serpent. Time and time again Legolas decided not to like him, to then forget and keep staring. This 'Saruman' looked at him during a moment of silence, and his sneer made Legolas shiver. But then, this man in white…he knew him…yes! Gandalf, Gandalf…Gandalf said something and the other old man went away. Legolas shrugged to himself, not having heard a word of what had been spoken. Suddenly, a crystal ball was thrown from a high window, and almost fell on the head of the man in white…his name…Gandalf! Yes, Gandalf, almost fell on him. Legolas decided he rather liked Gandalf, so he felt angry when he was almost hit with that ball. But then, he also felt like laughing. The aim of whoever threw that ball was terrible…
{Come little one let me help you…}
{Father?} His inner voice sounded as childish as his thoughts and actions were beginning to be, Legolas vaguely realized.
{Nay, little one…} his other voice sounded mocking…
{Mother?}
{Nay…}
{Then nay!}
{What is wrong with you, Princeling?}
{You! You are wrong with me} And then his voice was normal as he managed to fight down the 'presence' he could once more feel fighting against him.
He accompanied the rest of the company down the stairs, and when they reached the bottom, Legolas froze and stared in awe, for there was Ents there.
{Ents?}
His surroundings and his present crashed back down on the Wood elf with staggering force. Legolas blinked slowly as Gandalf introduced them, and the Ent spoke with Aragorn, then Gimli, then turned to him.
"So you have come all the way from Mirkwood, my good Elf? A very great forest it used to be!"
Images assaulted him with the Ent's words: Trees and the golden light of the sun…its delicious rays warming him as he played in his home when he had been younger. Silver elven laughter rang clear on his memory, even as this time he felt two ancient eyes observing his games.
"And still is," answered Legolas, surprised; yet pleased that his voice was his usual. "But not so great that we who dwell there ever tire of seeing new trees. I should dearly love to journey in Fangorn's Wood. I scarcely passed beyond the eaves of it, and I did not wish to turn back."
Treebeard's eyes gleamed with pleasure, and Legolas felt like laughing…or screaming…whichever came. "I hope you may have your wish, ere the hills be much older," the Ent said.
"I will come, if I have the fortune," said Legolas. "I have made a bargain with my friend that, if all goes well, we will visit Fangorn together - by your leave."
"Any Elf that comes with you will be welcome," said Treebeard.
Laughter attempted to escape Legolas as useless images of foolishness came to his thoughts. Legolas could never see Gimli as an elf…with a soft sigh Legolas closed his eyes for a moment… he was loosing his mind…
"The friend I speak of is not an Elf," said Legolas; "I mean Gimli, Glóin's son here." Gimli bowed low, and the axe slipped from his belt and clattered on the ground.
He almost lost it then, and a smile appeared on Legolas' face. He wished to laugh so badly…but then he also wished to cry for the bad fortune…and then he also wished to scream for the heck of it…and he wished he could be himself once more…
"Hoom, hm! Ah now," said Treebeard, looking dark-eyed at the dwarf. "A dwarf and an axe-bearer! Hoom! I have good will to Elves; but you ask much. This is a strange friendship!" "Strange it may seem," said Legolas; "'but while Gimli lives I shall not come to Fangorn alone. His axe is not for trees, but for orc-necks, O Fangorn, Master of Fangorn's Wood. Forty-two he hewed in the battle."
"Hoo! Come now!" said Treebeard. "That is a better story! Well, well, things will go as they will; and there is no need to hurry to meet them. But now we must part for a while. Day is drawing to an end, yet Gandalf says you must go ere nightfall, and the Lord of the Mark is eager for his own house."
"Yes, we must go, and go now," said Gandalf, throwing a concerned look over to the elf. A soft laugh escaped Legolas then, and only one heard it. Aragorn. The man looked at Legolas and the elf looked away, still grinning…almost feverishly. Legolas spoke no more until they marched forward once more. But his thoughts were never quiet.
{Gimli dropped his axe}{Forty-two orcs? I killed more, never told, never told anyone…}{did I kill more orcs?}{Never told, never told}{Where are we going?}{Who is his cursed voice?}
Laughter rang in his thoughts once more, as a mocking whisper silenced the rest of his confused ideas for a few moments.
{I am you; Princeling, and you shall be hearing more of me}
To be continued.
This chapter was strange, confusing, and too long. But still, please R&R! I need to hear from you!
Author Notes: Thank you to my reviewers. Thank you to the very sweet people that actually sent me a mail (Siberian_blue18@yahoo.com…hint ^^) and to all of those who are actually reading! (I did not think you were still there)
English is my 2nd language so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes made on the story. Elvish is the way I believe it to be, most likely mistaken. Quotes were taken from the book by J.R Tolkien (*Gasp* I did *not* write it?) with lines of my own in between.
Oh, and…PLEASE R&R!!!! I AM DESPERATE TO KNOW IF MY WRITING SKILLS WERE BRUTALLY MURDERED BY MY WRITER'S BLOCK!!!
Master in Deceiving
By Yours Truly
His eyes were dying.
That was the first thing Aragorn noticed at the first light of dawn, when he looked over to his elven friend, who sat in the ground looking terribly pale. He seemed to be thinking about something very important…
But lately 'thinking' had become very dangerous for this particular elf.
Images of death and terror had attacked Legolas, wave after wave, each getting more horrific than the previous. The terrifying cries that had at first seemed to come from the shapes of the night before, now came from his mind…and they sounded nothing like a hallucination. Yet, his face had remained impassive with such terrible thoughts, for only two words kept repeating themselves over and over inside the Prince's thoughts, mingled with his scenes brought up by his betraying mind.
{My future}
Blood
{My future}
His friends lay slain on the ground
{My future}
Eternal torture
{My future}
Betrayal
{My future}
Terribly true images of Boromir's murder
{My future}
Gandalf's grief filled eyes
{My future}
The disapproving gaze of his father
{My future}
The terribly clear image of the dark face of an orc
{My future}
The hobbits were slain at the feet of the strangest of beings…an orc with a blue gaze…
Legolas could do nothing to hide his dying gaze, just as he could not avoid Aragorn's worried looks for much longer. It was a matter of time… that much was obvious.
At the call at down, the elf had risen silently and moved towards his horse to depart. He mounted and helped Gimli to mount at his back, refusing the dwarf's offering of a red apple with a shake of his golden head. Not even the dreaded voice had spoken to him that morning, seemingly content with Legolas' thoughts.
After several futile attempts at conversation, Gimli and Gandalf had given up, as Aragorn observed his friend from a distance while they passed through the now destroyed Ring of Isengard. But neither that sight nor the very Orthanc, the citadel of Saruman, had caused any reaction from stormy elven eyes.
At the moment, the company stood before the destroyed entrance. Doors lay hurled and twisted on the ground. And all about, stone, cracked and splintered into countless jagged shards, was scattered far and wide, or piled in ruinous heaps. With shock they all gazed around themselves, but their eyes did not fool them.
The power of Saruman seemed to have been overthrown.
Aragorn sighed in a strange combination of worry for his friend, and excitement brought by this now ruined place. The tower of Orthanc was the only thing intact.
Legolas looked around in disinterest. He should be staring with wide eyes. He should be glancing towards underneath the archway, where among the ruins, two small figures could be seen. But he looked around, and nothing but two words registered.
{My future}
The words did not made sense on his mind; they brought no light of understanding with them. They simply, for some unknown reason, shone with finality and truth in the elf's thoughts. Whatever he saw could be applied to those words.
This destroyed place could very well be his future.
Gimli tensed on his seat on the horse when he felt the elf do so.
"What is it, Legolas? Have you felt some danger? Is this some wizardry of Saruman?" Gimli hissed lowly, and for the first time in that day, Legolas grinned. But it held none of the hope it had held on the previous day.
"Nay, my friend, I sense no danger" said Legolas 'I sense my future' he added silently
It was then that the two small figures registered in Legolas' muddled brain, and the few lines of coherent thought left in him, froze. His entire body froze, in fact, as his eyes came to rest on the figures. One lay asleep as the other lazily blew smoke rings into the air.
{My past}
{You deeds} The terrible whisper of his 'other' voice among the earlier silence chilled his bones.
The one who seemed to be a young man suddenly became aware of their presence on this place, and stood up to bow low before them. Legolas' eyes widened, and his heart sped up, as his thought began confusing him again.
{Were they not hiding?}
{They should be playing…}
{Did they grew weary of this game? It has been too long…}
{Did Boromir found them?}
{Why did no one told me?}
{I should do something…I missed them…}
{They did not miss you}
Indeed, it seemed that way, for the "young man" was addressing the King of the Mark, and Éomer, without even sparing a glance in their direction.
{Perhaps they…perhaps they despise me now}
Hollow eyes looked on as elven ears barely registered the sound of the "young man's" voice, as Aragorn kept glancing from the one who spoke, back to the elf.
"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" the young one was saying. "We are the door wardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! Is overcome with weariness" - he gave his companion a dig with his foot - "is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests."
{I have found them! By the Valar, I have found my dear friends! The game is over and it is time to return…}
{Did they wished to be found…by you? Why if they can leave this place, they stayed? Do you think the game is over, little Prince? It is far from it}
Grey human eyes detected the slight cringe in the elf's features, in what should be a joyous occasion.
"Doubtless he would!" laughed Gandalf at the hobbit's words.
His wise voice was barely heard once more, as dulled elven senses gave way slowly to a stronger force; Legolas had let his mind wander, had let his eyes go unfocussed for he was weary of pretending to be his normal self. Now the elf panicked when he suddenly felt his own mind…no…this 'presence' growing stronger by the minute on his own thoughts, making him weaker, feeding on his weakness, feeding on his fear as he was slowly but surely moved to the background. He was losing ground…he was literally loosing his mind…
Merry answered gravely to Gandalf's inquiry of Saruman, and spoke of an Ent. Legolas held on with all his remaining will, with every ounce of strength left in his body. The elf fought to grab onto any word, any thought that would give him control. He begged silently for anyone to call for him, anyone to bring him back. He saw Aragorn open his mouth to speak at the corner of his eye, and he prayed whatever he would say would save him. Dark his vision was becoming, when finally there was a voice.
"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?" it was Gimli who spoke first, unable to contain himself longer. Legolas, hearing his name through the fog dulling his senses, fought the most staining battle of his existence. Gaining inch by inch a small part of his thoughts back. His relief was immense when he realized he could hear Gimli's words clearly.
"You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-pated truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling-and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy, that if I do not burst. It will be a marvel!"
A smile of triumph gazed Legolas' face when he could hear every single word spoken, and the sudden force that had attacked him was dimmed. He could still feel it however…merely resting.
"You speak for me, Gimli," laughed Legolas then. "Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine."
{Not that I can drink it without loosing my thin grasp on control…}
{Control? When have you ever had control Princeling?}
{Now I have it}
{You believe so}
Gandalf and Théoden were soon to go and speak with Treebeard, the very Fangorn. Left behind by them, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Merry and Pippin went for food into the destroyed place that was once Saruman's. They eat hungrily and even Legolas managed to get a few things down, for he had not eaten since the previous day. Had the hobbits known that, they would be horrified, the elf mused as he looked into the little one's faces.
{They are alive…}
{Not because of you}
{They are here}
{While they do not wish to be}
The attack on his mind, which had nearly thrown him aside with no fight, had left him fearful, for he did not know where it had come from. Was it the voice that tormented him…or something else altogether? It could be nothing…it could be exhaustion…Legolas sighed, he was lying to himself once more. He tried to go outside of this stone place, to be on his own, but Aragorn followed him outside, as did everyone else. Legolas sat in silence for a few minutes as the others smoked, but soon grew restless and began to sing softly under his breath.
Songs of strength and forgotten elven battles that his father had some day sung to him came from his lips, yet the memories that came with them soon overwhelmed him and at last he sat up. "Come now!" he said. "Time wears on, and the mists are blowing away, or would if you strange folk did not wreathe yourselves in smoke. What of the tale?"
Pippin began the tale, Merry then continued, and between both hobbits they spoke for what to them seemed like hours, relating stories worthy of songs. From the orcs, to Treebeard, to Quickbeam, to the water of the Ents, then to how both hobbits had grown taller which exposed Gimli's amazement and Legolas' slight amusement. Then came the council of the Ents, the march towards Isengard, and how the people of Isengard had marched away, towards another war, before the Ents and the newly arrived 'Huorns', as the Ents called the dark silent ones of their kind, could attack them. The Huorns had gone after the orcs, while the Ents brought down Saruman's citadel in less time that was thought possible. Then the hobbits spoke of Saruman's escape into Orthanc, and Gandalf's previous meeting with both hobbits, and with Treebeard.
Legolas listened to all of it, and he concentrated on every word, for he knew that if he let his guard down, he would be paying too high of a price…his body, and his life…his mind and his sanity.
Hours later, the tale ended, and with their share of questions answered, and some new ones raised, the hobbits, man, dwarf and elf, changed the subject of their talk into other matters, rather than the past.
"Ah well, whatever evil was afoot is over now, I hope; or else it is beyond our reach at present," said Aragorn. "Yet I think I shall mention it to Gandalf, small matter though it may seem among his great affairs."
"I wonder what he is doing," said Merry. "The afternoon is getting on. Let us go and look round! You can enter Isengard now at any rate, Strider, if you want to. But it is not a very cheerful sight."
Legolas sighed and stood up from his seat, following his friends in silence. The hobbits had not really spoken to him while on their tale, and Aragorn and Gimli had not glanced at him during the whole of the conversation, so engrossed had they been. Shaking his head, he tried to vanish the dreadful voice as it whispered an anger filled mantra into his blurred thoughts.
{They hate you.}
{They despise you.}
{They blame you.}
{They know you.}
{They are right.}
Walking through the ruined tunnel they stood upon a heap of stones, gazing at the dark rock of Orthanc, and its many windows, a menace still in the desolation that lay all about it. While they stood there, Legolas began to feel something new…and nothing pleasant…a new kind of attack it seemed to the elven warrior.
{What is happening to me?}
Before, his thoughts had been blurred and confusing, but now…now as he stood glancing ahead in silence, his thoughts were too many and too fast for him to understand. His always quick mind was now a resting place for too many thoughts, too many ideas, and not one thing to focus on. Even feelings were in him battling, for he could feel fear bubbling up within him, at the same time he felt euphoria.
{Is this truly I?}
He wanted to jump; as much he wanted to weep, and he wanted nothing more than to be back at home, for the trees of his home would be the best place that he could die on. Fighting back the urge to laugh at nothing, Legolas looked ahead and noticed the approaching familiar figures.
"There is Gandalf, and Théoden and his men!" said Legolas. "Let us go and meet them!" He jumped from his place, and with graceful step he went ahead, but a voice slowed his pace.
"Walk warily!" said Merry. "There are loose slabs that may tilt up and throw you down into a pit, if you don't take care."
Forcing his legs to stop, Legolas nodded and walked warily with the rest of them. But the elf wished to run, and to jump, and to lie down to rest at the same time. He wished to laugh at himself, while he wished he could cry for what he had become.
{You see, Princeling? I could still help you…I could still save you from yourself little one…}
The riders, seeing them approach, halted under the shadow of the rock and waited for them. Gandalf rode forward to meet them, with a short sympathetic glance towards the oblivious elf. The wizard told them all of his plans to speak with Saruman and he sighed when they all followed him towards Orthanc. When the silent company reached the foot of the tower, Gandalf descended from his horse.
{I wish to ride…} {When was the last time I eat?}{What is Gandalf doing here?}{Is it over?} {Father? I am tired. May I go to bed?}{I think I should not be here…}{What is here?}{Her hair was long, her limbs were white, and fair she was and free; and in the wind she went as light as leaf of linden-tree…}
"I will go up," said Gandalf. "I have been in Orthanc and I know my peril."
"And I too will go up," said the king. "I am old, and fear no peril any more. I wish to speak with the enemy who has done me so much wrong. Éomer shall come with me, and see that my aged feet do not falter."
"As you will," said Gandalf. He rested his eyes on Legolas' for the shortest of seconds, and realized with a start how unbelievably young and lost the elf seemed "Aragorn shall come with me." the wizard went on "Let the others await at the foot of the stairs. They will hear and see enough, if there is anything to hear or see."
"Nay!" Said Gimli. "Legolas and I wish for a closer view. We alone here represent our kindred. We also will come behind."
{We do?}{We will?}{We?}{Who are we?}
Gandalf sighed, and after looking at the stubborn dwarf, nodded. "Come then!" said Gandalf, and with that he climbed the steps, and Théoden went beside him.
Legolas followed their lead, confused and amused. He thought among another ten thousand things, that the hobbits looked rather funny among all of them… they were so small…but now taller…hmm had they grown up? Were they children?
{I can help you Princeling}
{You can?}
{Aye}
{And who is 'you?'}
{You}
{And who am I? Am I a prince?}{I like the forest; I do not like this place}{I wish to be a prince of the forest!}{Where am I even going?}{Who is the man ahead?}{Who is the one in white?}{Who is the one with the funny ears…wait…that is me…what am I doing out there?}
Laughter rang on his mind, and like a child Legolas looked around, expecting to see someone laughing. But no, many people were talking to an old man who was above, in a window. The man seemed strange to Legolas, and he decided not to like him. But then he forgot his decision, and found himself staring at the one everyone was calling 'Saruman'. The man was speaking in a sweet voice, only to then hiss like a serpent. Time and time again Legolas decided not to like him, to then forget and keep staring. This 'Saruman' looked at him during a moment of silence, and his sneer made Legolas shiver. But then, this man in white…he knew him…yes! Gandalf, Gandalf…Gandalf said something and the other old man went away. Legolas shrugged to himself, not having heard a word of what had been spoken. Suddenly, a crystal ball was thrown from a high window, and almost fell on the head of the man in white…his name…Gandalf! Yes, Gandalf, almost fell on him. Legolas decided he rather liked Gandalf, so he felt angry when he was almost hit with that ball. But then, he also felt like laughing. The aim of whoever threw that ball was terrible…
{Come little one let me help you…}
{Father?} His inner voice sounded as childish as his thoughts and actions were beginning to be, Legolas vaguely realized.
{Nay, little one…} his other voice sounded mocking…
{Mother?}
{Nay…}
{Then nay!}
{What is wrong with you, Princeling?}
{You! You are wrong with me} And then his voice was normal as he managed to fight down the 'presence' he could once more feel fighting against him.
He accompanied the rest of the company down the stairs, and when they reached the bottom, Legolas froze and stared in awe, for there was Ents there.
{Ents?}
His surroundings and his present crashed back down on the Wood elf with staggering force. Legolas blinked slowly as Gandalf introduced them, and the Ent spoke with Aragorn, then Gimli, then turned to him.
"So you have come all the way from Mirkwood, my good Elf? A very great forest it used to be!"
Images assaulted him with the Ent's words: Trees and the golden light of the sun…its delicious rays warming him as he played in his home when he had been younger. Silver elven laughter rang clear on his memory, even as this time he felt two ancient eyes observing his games.
"And still is," answered Legolas, surprised; yet pleased that his voice was his usual. "But not so great that we who dwell there ever tire of seeing new trees. I should dearly love to journey in Fangorn's Wood. I scarcely passed beyond the eaves of it, and I did not wish to turn back."
Treebeard's eyes gleamed with pleasure, and Legolas felt like laughing…or screaming…whichever came. "I hope you may have your wish, ere the hills be much older," the Ent said.
"I will come, if I have the fortune," said Legolas. "I have made a bargain with my friend that, if all goes well, we will visit Fangorn together - by your leave."
"Any Elf that comes with you will be welcome," said Treebeard.
Laughter attempted to escape Legolas as useless images of foolishness came to his thoughts. Legolas could never see Gimli as an elf…with a soft sigh Legolas closed his eyes for a moment… he was loosing his mind…
"The friend I speak of is not an Elf," said Legolas; "I mean Gimli, Glóin's son here." Gimli bowed low, and the axe slipped from his belt and clattered on the ground.
He almost lost it then, and a smile appeared on Legolas' face. He wished to laugh so badly…but then he also wished to cry for the bad fortune…and then he also wished to scream for the heck of it…and he wished he could be himself once more…
"Hoom, hm! Ah now," said Treebeard, looking dark-eyed at the dwarf. "A dwarf and an axe-bearer! Hoom! I have good will to Elves; but you ask much. This is a strange friendship!" "Strange it may seem," said Legolas; "'but while Gimli lives I shall not come to Fangorn alone. His axe is not for trees, but for orc-necks, O Fangorn, Master of Fangorn's Wood. Forty-two he hewed in the battle."
"Hoo! Come now!" said Treebeard. "That is a better story! Well, well, things will go as they will; and there is no need to hurry to meet them. But now we must part for a while. Day is drawing to an end, yet Gandalf says you must go ere nightfall, and the Lord of the Mark is eager for his own house."
"Yes, we must go, and go now," said Gandalf, throwing a concerned look over to the elf. A soft laugh escaped Legolas then, and only one heard it. Aragorn. The man looked at Legolas and the elf looked away, still grinning…almost feverishly. Legolas spoke no more until they marched forward once more. But his thoughts were never quiet.
{Gimli dropped his axe}{Forty-two orcs? I killed more, never told, never told anyone…}{did I kill more orcs?}{Never told, never told}{Where are we going?}{Who is his cursed voice?}
Laughter rang in his thoughts once more, as a mocking whisper silenced the rest of his confused ideas for a few moments.
{I am you; Princeling, and you shall be hearing more of me}
To be continued.
This chapter was strange, confusing, and too long. But still, please R&R! I need to hear from you!