Author's Note: designated mental voices (if that makes sense,
everyone's a bit mental, :) especially me!). For anyone who isn't aware -
elves do not need a spoken language to communicate. I have not used
Dínenglam with Aragorn and Legolas, because I do not know if a human is
capable of it.
? Question? : Does anyone know how to get the freaken italics to show up in the story!? Mine never do!! I believe I am in need of some technical expertise from those who know. Anyone? Please! Help!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Isn't that pretty?)
The Choices We Make
******* .
Chapter 11 Earendel
.
"Those who aspire to less, accomplish less. There can be no doubt. It is
better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you
know you cannot reach them. At least he who reaches will get a good
stretch, a good view, and perhaps even a low-hanging apple for his effort!"
.
-R.A. Salvatore, Sojourn
. *******
Just before dawn on the morning Legolas found the open glad in the forest, the Lord of Rivendell was standing on the balcony outside his bedroom. The night was warm and clear in the valley where the Last Homely Home sat cradled next to the Misty Mountains. Crickets and other varies insect calls were mixed in with the sounds from the numerous waterfalls floating out into the night air. A gentle breeze was blowing across the balcony lightly catching the fine robes and dark hair of the elf as it drifted past.
Master Elrond was leaning forward on the rail listening to the soothing sounds of the water and staring up at Earendil's comforting light. The light of his father's star usually brought solace to him, but tonight his mind would find no peace. Too many questions and fears were swirling around in his mind right now. Questions he, regretfully, had no answers to. Ever since the disturbing premonition or whatever it was earlier, Elrond's thoughts could not be silenced. The uncertainty that had been building before that incident was much worse now. No, he corrected himself; it was actually going away, only to be replaced with dread. 'One would think after a few millennia this would get easier,' he thought wearily. Foresight, a gift some would call it. Many times over in the past and right now it seemed more of a curse than anything else. Countless beings spend their entire lives without having any premonition into the future and still manage survive. Ah, the unexpected. Wasn't that a part of life? Facing the challenges the Valar threw at you and not knowing what tomorrow would bring. Although it had been quite a few, all right more than a few, years ago since Elrond had set aside the adventuring life to settle Imladris, he still remembered what it was like. He himself could remember getting into very many tight spots, some of which admittedly were his fault, but his sons and the young prince had a special ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Elros had come close to their level, but still fell far short. 'Pardon me,' Elrond thought sarcastically as he tightened his grip on the rail, 'Tar-Minyatur.'
'No, that was not fair, calm yourself.' Elrond scolded himself as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the fragrant night air. His brother made his choice as did his father and mother. At the very least he had a chance to see his father and mother again, while he would never see his brother again. But he had to admit that some fine men had come from his brother's line. Elendil was a great man as was Arathorn and Estel was turning out to be a fine one as well. 'Pardon me again, Aragorn son of Arathorn,' he thought, but this time with the hint of a smile. Elrond was drawn out of his remembrance as he felt a familiar presence behind him. He had not heard anyone approach, but he wasn't surprised. He needn't even turn around to know whom it was, for no one else in Rivendell ever ventured into Elrond's private chambers.
"Ays, mellonamin?" //Yes, my friend? //
"Sut naa lle umein?" asked Glorfindel coming up to the rail next to the dark-haired elf. //How are you doing? //
"Amin tyava quel, hantale." //I feel well, thank you. //
Elrond knew that wasn't all his friend wanted. He would not come in here unannounced unless he had something more to say. The Lord of Rivendell tore his gaze away from the stars to look at the other elf. Glorfindel's golden hair shone bright silver in the starlight and he was fully dressed, suggesting he had not returned to bed after being waked earlier. Elrond meet his friend's gaze and lifted one eyebrow questioningly.
"Somehow I knew I would find you here,' said the fair-haired elf with a slight smile.
Elrond nodded his head in reply and sighed as he returned his attention back to his father's star.
"Amin dela ten' sen." //I am worried about them. //
Glorfindel nodded in reply this time even though he knew Elrond wasn't looking at him anymore. He followed his friend's regard upward and looked fondly at Earendel as he spoke.
"As we all are, mellonamin, and if I'm not mistaken Elrohir is quite fond of the young prince is he not? And you know how protective Elladan can be over friends and loved ones."
Elrond nodded silently in reply never taking his eyes of the sky, but then it hit him. What Glorfindel said was true, yes, but he would not come all the way out here just to tell him something he already knew. Elrond tore his gaze from the sky once again and looked over sharply at his friend.
"You don't mean..."
Glorfindel slowly lowered his head to look at his friend of millennia with a warm smile on his face.
"I most assuredly do, mellonamin," he said with a hint of humor.
Elrond should have guessed they would do such a thing. After all he really couldn't blame them, he himself had resisted the urge to go. But having one son in danger as well as Thranduil's son he could not let the two leave. Who knows what danger they would be riding into and they would most likely not arrive in time to give assistance anyway.
"Do you never rest, my friend?" the dark-haired elf asked in a light tone that he definitely didn't feel.
"The same could be said for others," replied Glorfindel with a smile.
"They would not make it in time," Elrond said gravely.
"Do you really know for certain?"
Elrond looked at the golden haired elf in surprise. Surely he was not suggesting letting them go. By all outward appearances he looked well, but something must have happened in the last couple of hours to make his advisor go completely mad.
"Maybe I should be asking if you are the one feeling well," Elrond stated seriously as he arched his eyebrow again.
Glorfindel just continued to look at him with that annoyingly serene stare of his.
"By horseback they could arrive in Angmar in three days, depending how the horses handle the strain. Perhaps it will be in time or perhaps not."
"Are you suggesting I send them in to an unknown danger on the bases that they might get there in time and that they might be able to help?" said Elrond almost sternly.
"I am not suggesting you send them anywhere, my lord, for they are already preparing to go without your leave."
Glorfindel's tone remained calm, but Elrond could tell by the use of such a formal title the fair-haired elf had been a bit miffed by his harsh response. Maybe he was becoming short tempered. First he became irritated at his brother who had past on millennia ago and now he was taking it out on a friend who had been there through the long millennia. Elrond rubbed his temples and sighed again. Why did the whole of Arda expect him to have the answers to everything?
Elrond looked up when he felt Glorfindel's touch on his shoulder. He gave Elrond an understanding look that said he accepted his apology already so there was no need to say it.
"There is something more than just the time issue?"
"There is indeed. I do not quite understand what it was that I felt earlier. It was a sense of evil I know, but I am not so confident that whatever this evil is was causing it."
Glorfindel gave him exactly the look he was expecting. One that spoke volumes of concern, confusion, and 'do you need to sit down', all in one look. He did not need the gift of foresight to know that was coming. Elrond started pacing around his balcony without even realizing it.
"I have been thinking about it for hours now and it just doesn't fit. What I felt and I know what you also felt was indeed evil and, if I remember, cold. But...I do not believe the source was in itself evil. It is hard to explain and I know how it sounds, but I do believe it. I believe it was some sort of foreboding or maybe somehow what one of them felt. I do not know. I do know that if Elladan and Elrohir ride into that land they will be noticed and I can not let them go."
Glorfindel was silent for a long while before he finally spoke.
"Do you believe it may already be too late?"
Elrond stopped his pacing and sighed for the third time at what he was about to say. He hoped by Varda that he was wrong.
"As it stands, mellonamin, one of them is not coming back," he said dispiritedly.
Despite his long years in practiced composure Glorfindel couldn't help but close his eyes and let out his own sigh.
"Is that definitely to be or can that be changed if we intervene?"
Elrond looked at the fair-haired elf with interest. He had definitely caught the word 'we' and not 'they' in that question.
"I honestly do not know. And what do you mean 'we'?"
Glorfindel returned his stare with his usual serene one, but Elrond was sure he saw a glint in the other elf's eyes. He seriously hoped it was just the starlight.
******
"We are not going to get out of here without confronting ada, you do know that don't you?" //dad //
Elladan stopped his packing to look over at his twin who had stopped his own preparations. Of course he knew that, but right now he wasn't in the mood to think about it. He was also in no mood to be persuaded away from his course either. He couldn't just sit here peacefully in Rivendell with his little brother and one of his best friends were in danger when there was something he could do about it. At least he hoped there was something he could do about it. Either way he was going to try, so all he needed to do was get by their father. Definitely not an easy task he knew. Not a lot happened in Imladris that his father didn't know about. He was fully aware that they were probably going to be caught by him or Glorfindel before they even made it out of the gate, but he had to try. Elladan stepped nearer to his younger brother by minutes and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He would have asked if he wanted to stay behind, but he didn't need to. He already knew the answer and he did miss the 'we' part of the question.
"Yes tororamin, I do. This was my idea and I will handle it when the time comes." //my brother//
Elrohir gave his brother a look that said 'I am not a child' and crossed hi arms defensively. Elladan fully recognized the look his brother was giving him and so spoke up cheerfully.
"Fine, Elrohir, then you deal with him."
At which Elrohir's eyes went wide at the statement.
"Oh, no, brother, this was your idea remember?"
"Very well if you insist. I will handle it little brother," he said with a big smile.
Elladan's smile widen even more, if that were possible, by the shear look of irritation on his brother's face. Elrohir hated to be called his little brother and Elladan knew it.
An unexpected smile crossed Elrohir's face as a thought came to him.
"Yes, ianter, you may deal with father. I for one am glad I do not have to explain our destination to him," Elrohir said jovially and turned around to finish his preparations. //old one//
The smile dropped from Elladan's face as he thought again of having to deal with his father's stern façade. He knew how stubborn he could be on such matters and knew he was in for quite a discussion. Discussion, ah, argument was more like it. 'May it be what it will be' he thought grimly and finished his own bag.
*****
Thirty minutes later Elladan and Elrohir donning travel clothes were packed and ready to go. They decided to saddle the horses and prepare them before taking on the task of getting out of Rivendell. It would be easier; not to mention faster, to escape from being throttled if the horses were prepared first. Both of the twins were sure their father, if he had any sense that is, would at least be lying down after his apparent sickness earlier. Saddle bags ready, they proceeded across the open courtyard quietly and careful not to wake anyone else. The both of them nearly jumped when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
Elladan and Elrohir wheeled around to see no one behind them, so they looked up to see not only their father, but Glorfindel as well on the balcony. Two sets of shoulders visible sagged. To be caught was expected, but by both of them together. 'Ed' i' ear ar' elenea!' Elladan thought, 'now I must contend with both of them.' //By the sea and stars//
Come here my sons.
Ays, atar. //Yes, father//
Suddenly the thought of bolting out of Rivendell at full speed sounded pretty good to Elrohir right now. He was sincerely relieved that Elladan had been dumb enough to volunteer to talk to their father. Elrohir shot his brother an amused look before he started walking back toward the Last Homely Home. Elladan who followed his brother didn't miss the look Elrohir gave him and scowled.
Door flinging pink one. Was all Elladan projected as he hurried past his brother.
Elrohir followed Elladan back in and for the second time that day had visions of holding Elladan's head underwater.
*****
Elladan stopped just short of his father's bedroom door. Elrohir behind him, after all of their bluster a minute ago, gave him a sympathetic glance. Elladan tried to steel himself before he entered. 'Come on Elladan, this is an easy task. After all it is only your father behind the door and not a balrog. This isn't Mirkwood; remember there are no dungeons in Rivendell. Just turn the doorknob and enter.'
Elladan reached out with a mostly steady hand and before he lost his nerve he opened the door quickly and entered with Elrohir on his heels.
The twins entered to find Elrond and Glorfindel stepping in from the balcony. The two had apparently been out there for awhile because it was dark in Elrond's chambers. They could see the luminescent forms of their elders in the archway but it was too dark with the starlight coming from the entrance even for elvish eyes to see much more. All Elladan could see was the sheen Glorfindel hair gave off as it caught the last of the starlight. Elladan figured it was better to at least get a head start before his reasoning was totally counteracted by the two older elves.
"Ada, Elrohir and I know we ride into danger, but we have faced perilous tasks before. We are not elflings anymore. I will go mad if I have to simple wait around here for word of what has happened to them. Are you so sure that nothing can be done that you will not even let us try? We have to try, ada, they would do the same for Elrohir and I," said Elladan empathetically while Elrohir stood there nodding his head in support of what his brother was saying.
Elladan took a deep breath to continue his tirade, but Elrond held up his hand to silence the younger elf.
"I know they would, my son, and I know you will. On thing I have learned over the years, Elladan, is never to give up all hope."
Elladan and Elrohir didn't know what to say. Elladan was fully prepared for a full-fledged argument and not to have his father agree.
"So we can go?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, but not so unprepared," Elrond answered as Glorfindel and he stepped fully into the room and walked up to the two gawking twins.
Elladan and Elrohir noticed for the first time that Glorfindel was not in the robes that signified his station, but in travel clothes. And when Elrond placed a hand on each of the two's shoulders a glint on his right hand caught both of their attention.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn meet the first charging orc by parrying its sword and forcing it upward. With quick reflexes he brought his sword down and slashed the creature along its middle. The injured orc fell backwards holding its stomach and the one behind it elbowed past its fallen companion. Another orc appeared to his left and he didn't have time to parry with this one and keep the other one off of the elf who was still on the ground. So he blocked the blow that was aimed for his chest, caught the things other arm and used his weight to drag it to the side and make them both slam into the orc that materialized to his left. The surprised orc tripped over its feet and went sprawling backward. In this brief repose Aragorn pulled the orc he had a hold of towards him and skewered it on his sword grimacing the whole time. He pushed it away quickly before it bled its foul black blood on him and turned to face the second orc as he recovered from the ground. Aragorn could barely see when another orc came up to attack him it was so dark. He knew well that the orcs possessed far superior vision at night than he did. They were desperately in need of his elven companions senses right now. Unfortunately with it being dark and his friend being the only source of light in the area, he would stand out as a great target for the orcs who needed little prompting to attack an elf anyway.
As Aragorn finished off the orc he was fighting he vowed that he would die before any of them touched his friend. He knew only too well what orcs would do to a helpless elf and it wasn't pleasant. Aragorn turned around to see the elf struggling to rise. He wiped his blade off on one of the dead orcs tunic, sheathed it, and went over and kneeled down next to Legolas.
*****
Legolas was trying to rise, he really was, but no matter how much he mentally commanded his lethargic muscles, they just wouldn't move. He heard the sounds of battle and knew Aragorn had to be defending him. He needed to get up and help. Arising straight up had only caused his head to spin again, so he decided to take it one step at a time this time. He rolled over on his stomach rather sluggishly and waited for his head to settle down. After that was accomplished he brought his shaking hand underneath him and pushed. A flare of pain shot down his left side and his vision threatened to go swimming again, but Legolas pushed past it and was able to get to his knees. He found that after a brief pause the world around him started to calm down and stop its swaying. He felt someone touch his shoulder and he looked up to see Aragorn kneeling beside him.
"Can you hear, see, or feel anymore orcs?"
Legolas glanced around the area and listened intently.
"I cannot see very far in this gloom either, mellonamin, but I spot no movement. I cannot hear anymore close by either. I can still feel them out there, though."
The ranger nodded his head then turned his eyes to his friend.
"They are still close then. Can you walk?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Aragorn smiled sincerely at his weary friend.
"I would gladly carry you my friend, but I will admit I can barely see a thing beyond a couple of feet in front of me and I would probably run your head into a tree," said the ranger as he reached out a hand to help the elf to his feet.
"Useless Dunedain," replied the elf with a smile as he grabbed hold of the proffered hand and slowly and carefully rose.
"Come now, I have my moments," Aragorn said most haughtily, but with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Really? And the last one was?"
Aragorn was going to defend himself when Legolas's attention turned to the right.
"I heard a couple of them talking, but they are not to close, yet. Perhaps we should compare our memories of how useless you are some other time?"
Aragorn smiled despite himself and nodded his head in reply.
*****
Legolas took a few shaky steps with Aragorn right behind him. He felt steadier with each step, although, he still partial leaned on the trees as he walked for awhile. They had traveled some distance away and Legolas could no longer hear the orcs. Aragorn was still following him so closely that it was vexing his nerves rather quickly. The rational part of his mind told him that the ranger was only doing it because he would want to be able to catch the elf should he fall. Legolas was too tired to pay attention to what was left of his rational mind and he stopped abruptly and he wheeled around.
"Aragorn, must you walk on top of me?" he hissed out.
***
The ranger was startled by his friend's sudden mood change and became slightly defensive. Aragorn who after the past couple of days practically had no nerves left almost told the elf that if he didn't stop doing that his immortality was about to come to an abrupt end as he was going to throttled the elf himself. The ranger almost had to bite his tongue not to lash out in kind. It was hard to tell in the darkness, but he thought it looked as if the elf's eyes were clouded over again. He held his tongue and only looked at his friend with questioning eyes.
***
Legolas realized he had snapped at the human again, yet he really didn't care. He was not an elfling that needed chaperoned around and especially not by a human that couldn't even remotely come close to being a third of his age. Didn't the human think him capable of even walking by himself without his aid? The more Legolas thought about it the angrier he became.
"Remember edain I helped to teach you your woodland skills. Do you now think me incapable?"
"Yes, I know you did and no, you have some of the finest skills in the craft."
"Then, young one, why are you treating my as if I was a child?"
Legolas voice was raising with each statement and the ranger could tell he was growing more restive. Aragorn could see where this was going and he needed to calm the elf down before they were surrounded by orcs again. The ranger tried to ensure himself that it had passed quickly the other times and all he need do was hold his tongue until then. He reminded himself that the elf wasn't well, for he would never speak to friends or anyone so.
"Saes, mellonamin dina ndu," said the ranger as gently as his unsettled demeanor would allow. //Please, my friend quiet down//
Aragorn could tell that the use of the grey tongue did indeed have a calming effect on the elf.
"Amin n' sinta naraika, nan' amin naa lle mellonamin, Legolas, ar' amin merntu.." //I don't know what is wrong, but I am your friend and I want to help.
Legolas blinked as if waking from a dream. Had he really just talked to his friend so? He knew it was wrong and yet he didn't care at the time. That thought more than anything frightened him more than the fact that he had spoken so harshly in the first place. Legolas was now convinced more than ever that he was slowly losing his mind. He could not even look Aragorn in the eyes right now, so he turned his head away.
Aragorn's mind was eased that the anger had passed from Legolas eyes, but the doubt and remorse that replaced it was no better. He became alarmed when the elf turned away and said nothing.
"Legolas, a' quenamin." //speak to me. //
Legolas didn't trust himself just yet to face the ranger; so not really knowing what to do he glanced around. Something wasn't right, he thought with a frown. His almost three thousand years of life had been spent almost entirely in the woods.
'It cannot be.' But Legolas was an elf and he felt it to be true. What had he done in his anger?
Legolas's legs became unsteady and he gripped onto the nearest tree for support. He didn't really bother to hold himself up and he sunk to the ground despairingly.
Aragorn was hoping the elf only needed a minute to clear his mind. He stepped away so he would not feel pressured and waited. Aragorn's eyes wondered out into the darkness. It wasn't like he really expected or more appropriately couldn't see anything in the gloom. He suspected it was just a habit of his to look around. His attention was drawn back to Legolas when he heard the elf gasp. His fair-haired companion grabbed a hold of a near by tree and sunk down the side of it.
One major fear, that was ever present lately, flashed through Aragorn's mind as he rushed over and knelt down on the ground. He almost cried out loud when he saw that his friend wasn't ill again. At least in a manner of speaking, because something was wrong, but it definitely wasn't another attack. Legolas sat in a daze, his breath was unsteady, and when Aragorn called his name he was slow to look at the ranger. When Aragorn tried to ask him what was wrong the only answer he received was when Legolas brought his knees up to his chest and he placed his forehead on them. The ranger gingerly took hold of his friend's wrist that was wrapped around his knees and felt his pulse. The pulse match with the slightly unfocused look he had received-the elf was in a mild form of shock. But from what? What had he thought of while standing there?
******
"By Morgoth Nakash I swears to you I will find a new second if yous can not keep up!" barked Grimnosh.
"It's not Nakash's fault boss. Stupid mutt ran in close to the tree just to knocks us off!" said the disgruntled orc as he rubbed his backside.
"We're in a forest there is trees all around. Duck you doorknob! Now get back up!"
Grimnosh was agitated by the delay. That stupid warg had probably run Nakash into the tree intentionally. Right now he really didn't care, though. And if that dolt human didn't wipe that smug grin off of his face he was going to gut him and use his innards as a banner.
"Remember what I said human. If that mongrel does that's again yous head will roll the next time."
Jeridan gulped. He hated working with orcs; wargs were much more civilized.
"How do we even know they are in this direction. This forest covers a big area," the human practically wined.
"Not so terribly big when you do not have to run over it, my dear Jeridan," answered a throaty voice right next to his ear.
Jeridan sucked in his breath at the cold touch to his ear and shuddered. A ghostly form coalesced into shape between Jeridan and Grimnosh. Huh, he hated working with her even more than the orcs.
"I see the pack is behaving for the most part. You just might be allowed to live after all," Nadina smirked at the human.
She then turned away from Jeridan to float in front of Grimnosh. Grimnosh had never disliked or hated Nadina before. Honestly he had never really thought about it, but watching how she made that infuriating human squirm she would definitely be held in higher favor from now on. Grimnosh gave Nadina a slight nod. The closest thing to respect he showed anyone but his master.
"They are two leagues directly southeast."
"Only two?" Grimnosh asked somewhat disbelievingly.
"Yes, only two, for they have been coming toward you," she replied with an amused lopsided grin.
Grimnosh chuckled in understanding.
"After you finish punishing the human, you might want to hurry. Your pack of cronies as almost caught up to them again and I would hate to have to silence anymore," and with one last truly evil smile the spectral figure vanished in a whirlwind.
Grimnosh heard Jeridan sigh in relief once Nadina had left. 'Yes,' he thought, 'I like her humor too.'
******
Legolas was finding it difficult to breathe. Not from any outside influence but from his own stupidity. How in Middle Earth had he led them in the wrong direction and not noticed it? He was cracked, that's all there was to it. He was slowly losing his wits anyway and this just nailed one more nail in the coffin. 'Maybe I need a chaperone after all,' he thought dryly. Bickering uselessly with Aragorn about whether or not he could presume to lead anyone anywhere and here he was going in the wrong damn direction. Why had Aragorn so blindly followed him? 'Because he has no reason not to,' he answered himself. The ranger fully trusted in his senses to get them about in this overpowering darkness. Idiots. Both of us. That's what we are. Idiots. It really wasn't doing any good to curse Aragorn as well, but it at least felt somewhat good. What by Elbereth had he been thinking? Nothing, absolutely nothing, that was his problem. It was no use asking why he had been traveling in this direction; he had wanted to turn around all blasted day after all. Now he had gone farther back into the one place he so desperately wanted to leave and what was worse he had dragged his friend back in farther as well! Fool. Dolt. Sitting there Legolas found some other colorful curses in Quenya and Sindarin to vent his frustration. How could he ever possibly tell Aragorn? As soon as the ranger happened upon a break in the trees he would find out anyway.
*****
Aragorn had no idea what was wrong with his friend. Shortly after the elf had all but balled up he started to rock in that position. He remembered the last time he had seen an elf that wasn't with a child rock and he knew it couldn't be a good sign. He didn't know whether to leave Legolas alone, try to comfort him, or simply slap him. Right now the hitting option seemed the best. Sometimes a man or even an elf needed a good whack to straighten him out. At least that was the excuse Elrohir had given him.
"Legolas? Please, my friend, do something. Look at me or talk to me. Uh, get angry again if you must or hit me, I don't care, just don't sit there!" Aragorn stated finally starting to loose his temper.
Yes, right now, the hitting option was looking better and better. Aragorn was seriously thinking of doing it when Legolas finally made some sort of sound. It wasn't quite what he expected, though. He was expecting Legolas to tell him of what was so distressing that could possibly be worse than what they already faced or he didn't know, yell even, but not to laugh. Now he really was contemplating hitting the elf. Something had obviously snapped and maybe a good jarring would knock it back into place.
"I am a fool Estel. A blind fool," the elf said somberly.
His friend's cartwheeling mood swings were becoming hard to keep up with. How anyone could go from angry to shocked to happy and back to somber in the spans of a few minutes was to much.
Legolas finally looked up at him and he spoke rather jovially this time.
"And you are a trusting one, my friend."
"Legolas please! You're not making much sense."
Legolas closed his eyes and sighed. Why not get it over with? That sounded too familiar.
"I have been leading us in the wrong direction Estel," he stated quietly.
"What! But why?"
Legolas looked over at his friend and spoke more firmly.
"I honestly did not realize I was doing it. It was only when we stopped that I had realized what I had done. Amin hiraetha, Estel." //I'm sorry//
Aragorn saw the honesty in his friend's eyes and after all that had happened could not be surprised. There was something at work here, which he didn't understand.
A thought came to Aragorn then about something he had not had the chance to comment on earlier and he chuckled. It was Legolas's turn to look at Aragorn questionably as he cocked his head.
"Well this has at least been an interesting trip. First a wood elf falls out of a tree and then he gets lost in the woods," laughed the ranger with his eyes shining.
Legolas winced at the remembered pain of the aforementioned accident and shook his head.
"I was hoping you would not find out about that, but since you have, I am sorry my friend, I am going to have to kill you now," replied the fair- haired elf with a glint in his eyes.
Aragorn stood up and helped Legolas to his feet.
"Come my friend let us start in the right direction this time," the ranger smiled.
Legolas mockingly huffed at Aragorn and headed off to the south this time. It didn't take Legolas long to realize that this simple action was harder than it seemed. His clan of dwarves came back and ten fold this time. He was sure a mountain couldn't weigh as much as the load he felt like he was trying to carry now. Legolas only made it a short distance before he had to stop and catch his breath. The weight was just too much. He dropped to all fours gulping in air. He felt Aragorn stop beside him and squat down.
"I do not think I can make it. Now I know why I had no problems traveling before. I was heading in the right direction and so was allowed to do so easily," Legolas spat bitterly.
Legolas heard Aragorn say something, but he wasn't paying attention. He looked upward and could almost make out the stars. Almost. He saw what he thought to be Earendel. Its light was so dim from under the canopy and Legolas's heart ached to see its comforting light once more. Glancing around at the oppressive darkness the elf felt like he was in a cave. An endless and lightless cavern. He needed to get out. He needed to see the stars. By Elbereth to at least see Earendel.
"The darkness will lift when the sun rises," he told himself over and over trying to reason through the claustrophobia that was building inside.
****
Aragorn could tell something, besides the obvious, was amiss when his friend starting rocking again. Legolas didn't appear to have heard a word he had just spoken. When the elf started muttering to himself the ranger knew exactly what was going on. The only other time he had seen an elf rock was when another human ranger, Elrohir, and he had got trapped in a cave for a few days until Elladan could find help and dig the landslide out of the entrance. His brother after a time had gotten extremely ill and it had gotten to the point where he feared Elrohir might actually die. Luckily for Elrohir they were freed soon after that. If it was as Aragorn feared Legolas was beginning to be affected by the darkness.
*****
Legolas might be going steadily insane, but he knew for certain that if he couldn't get to a place where he could at least see Earendel he was going to go completely mad very quickly. He briefly wondered which was a shorter distance, the way out or back to the glad they had found earlier. He really didn't care either way; he just had to get out from underneath these black walls. Pushing the rational side of his mind out of the way again Legolas pushed himself to his feet and took off into the dark.
"Where by Illuvatar are you going," Aragorn cried as he tried to follow his friend through the black haze.
TBC...
. . *******
Well that was a long chapter! I bet you thought half way threw that I wasn't going to get around to Legolas and Aragorn in this one, huh? And no big cliffhanger, I'm on a role for this one! I have been getting therapy for my benevolently impaired problem, that was until I took Aragorn's perspective and whacked him up side the head for telling me I couldn't write cliffhangers.
Note: Oh yeah, and author's note on the last chapter - Lalaith means laughter and Laurrina means Crowned with gold. Lorindel means golden head (guess were a nickname like that would come from).
Karri - You were wonderfully coherent in your reviews. I hope your biological clock is straightened out now. I find it easier to write the translation as they are now and I'm pleased it makes it easier to read also. I fixed the typo you found! Thanks for pointing it out. All I can say is duh on my part. ;) As I said I was a bit nicer about this ending. Of course, you know they'll be running into danger, but at least it wasn't staring them in the face this time. Oh, I don't think I mentioned it before so - huge thanks and big huge for adding me to your favorites list!! It makes my day when people do. Well it makes my day when people review also and thanks for doing both. Lissenen ar' maska 'lalaith tenna' lye omentuve!! //Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet//
Tithen Min - I did enjoy my break thank you. As for not doing anything you wouldn't do, well I don't know about you, but it definitely wouldn't be saying a lot if I told you that. Course that's just me. Some people I am informed have a thing called self-control. Strange phrase, isn't it? In addition, did I already mention how cute you are? ;) Thanks for the well wishes!
Sprout - Lle creoso (You're welcome). I am pleased a little Legolas angst could help you recover from exams. I hope they went well for you. Internet free for a week. Wow :) I know how hard that can be. I am almost obsessive- compulsive about checking my email (of course that's only to see your guys' nice reviews) and I sympathize. It was a good cause, though. School work always is ;) I didn't quite get this chapter out for you last week, but it was close. Hope you enjoyed! And thank you, thank you, and thank you for adding me to your favorites. I am most appreciative! Did I already say thank you? *Big hug*
Shauna - I'm glad you found this story and that you are enjoying it! And thanks so much for reviewing! I do hope you keep reviewing. I am most appreciative of returned reviewers. Did I mention that you could write again anytime? You will have to get used to the cliffhangers, though, because they tend to pop up quite often. Silly things, you never know where they will be. However, I didn't leave you hanging this time. ;) These woods are creepy aren't they? I've been biting my nails for the past five chapters. But seriously, they are meant, if done right, to add a little excitement to the story. How fun would it be to read the story without flare? Thanks again and I do hope you return. :)
? Question? : Does anyone know how to get the freaken italics to show up in the story!? Mine never do!! I believe I am in need of some technical expertise from those who know. Anyone? Please! Help!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Isn't that pretty?)
The Choices We Make
******* .
Chapter 11 Earendel
.
"Those who aspire to less, accomplish less. There can be no doubt. It is
better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you
know you cannot reach them. At least he who reaches will get a good
stretch, a good view, and perhaps even a low-hanging apple for his effort!"
.
-R.A. Salvatore, Sojourn
. *******
Just before dawn on the morning Legolas found the open glad in the forest, the Lord of Rivendell was standing on the balcony outside his bedroom. The night was warm and clear in the valley where the Last Homely Home sat cradled next to the Misty Mountains. Crickets and other varies insect calls were mixed in with the sounds from the numerous waterfalls floating out into the night air. A gentle breeze was blowing across the balcony lightly catching the fine robes and dark hair of the elf as it drifted past.
Master Elrond was leaning forward on the rail listening to the soothing sounds of the water and staring up at Earendil's comforting light. The light of his father's star usually brought solace to him, but tonight his mind would find no peace. Too many questions and fears were swirling around in his mind right now. Questions he, regretfully, had no answers to. Ever since the disturbing premonition or whatever it was earlier, Elrond's thoughts could not be silenced. The uncertainty that had been building before that incident was much worse now. No, he corrected himself; it was actually going away, only to be replaced with dread. 'One would think after a few millennia this would get easier,' he thought wearily. Foresight, a gift some would call it. Many times over in the past and right now it seemed more of a curse than anything else. Countless beings spend their entire lives without having any premonition into the future and still manage survive. Ah, the unexpected. Wasn't that a part of life? Facing the challenges the Valar threw at you and not knowing what tomorrow would bring. Although it had been quite a few, all right more than a few, years ago since Elrond had set aside the adventuring life to settle Imladris, he still remembered what it was like. He himself could remember getting into very many tight spots, some of which admittedly were his fault, but his sons and the young prince had a special ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Elros had come close to their level, but still fell far short. 'Pardon me,' Elrond thought sarcastically as he tightened his grip on the rail, 'Tar-Minyatur.'
'No, that was not fair, calm yourself.' Elrond scolded himself as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the fragrant night air. His brother made his choice as did his father and mother. At the very least he had a chance to see his father and mother again, while he would never see his brother again. But he had to admit that some fine men had come from his brother's line. Elendil was a great man as was Arathorn and Estel was turning out to be a fine one as well. 'Pardon me again, Aragorn son of Arathorn,' he thought, but this time with the hint of a smile. Elrond was drawn out of his remembrance as he felt a familiar presence behind him. He had not heard anyone approach, but he wasn't surprised. He needn't even turn around to know whom it was, for no one else in Rivendell ever ventured into Elrond's private chambers.
"Ays, mellonamin?" //Yes, my friend? //
"Sut naa lle umein?" asked Glorfindel coming up to the rail next to the dark-haired elf. //How are you doing? //
"Amin tyava quel, hantale." //I feel well, thank you. //
Elrond knew that wasn't all his friend wanted. He would not come in here unannounced unless he had something more to say. The Lord of Rivendell tore his gaze away from the stars to look at the other elf. Glorfindel's golden hair shone bright silver in the starlight and he was fully dressed, suggesting he had not returned to bed after being waked earlier. Elrond meet his friend's gaze and lifted one eyebrow questioningly.
"Somehow I knew I would find you here,' said the fair-haired elf with a slight smile.
Elrond nodded his head in reply and sighed as he returned his attention back to his father's star.
"Amin dela ten' sen." //I am worried about them. //
Glorfindel nodded in reply this time even though he knew Elrond wasn't looking at him anymore. He followed his friend's regard upward and looked fondly at Earendel as he spoke.
"As we all are, mellonamin, and if I'm not mistaken Elrohir is quite fond of the young prince is he not? And you know how protective Elladan can be over friends and loved ones."
Elrond nodded silently in reply never taking his eyes of the sky, but then it hit him. What Glorfindel said was true, yes, but he would not come all the way out here just to tell him something he already knew. Elrond tore his gaze from the sky once again and looked over sharply at his friend.
"You don't mean..."
Glorfindel slowly lowered his head to look at his friend of millennia with a warm smile on his face.
"I most assuredly do, mellonamin," he said with a hint of humor.
Elrond should have guessed they would do such a thing. After all he really couldn't blame them, he himself had resisted the urge to go. But having one son in danger as well as Thranduil's son he could not let the two leave. Who knows what danger they would be riding into and they would most likely not arrive in time to give assistance anyway.
"Do you never rest, my friend?" the dark-haired elf asked in a light tone that he definitely didn't feel.
"The same could be said for others," replied Glorfindel with a smile.
"They would not make it in time," Elrond said gravely.
"Do you really know for certain?"
Elrond looked at the golden haired elf in surprise. Surely he was not suggesting letting them go. By all outward appearances he looked well, but something must have happened in the last couple of hours to make his advisor go completely mad.
"Maybe I should be asking if you are the one feeling well," Elrond stated seriously as he arched his eyebrow again.
Glorfindel just continued to look at him with that annoyingly serene stare of his.
"By horseback they could arrive in Angmar in three days, depending how the horses handle the strain. Perhaps it will be in time or perhaps not."
"Are you suggesting I send them in to an unknown danger on the bases that they might get there in time and that they might be able to help?" said Elrond almost sternly.
"I am not suggesting you send them anywhere, my lord, for they are already preparing to go without your leave."
Glorfindel's tone remained calm, but Elrond could tell by the use of such a formal title the fair-haired elf had been a bit miffed by his harsh response. Maybe he was becoming short tempered. First he became irritated at his brother who had past on millennia ago and now he was taking it out on a friend who had been there through the long millennia. Elrond rubbed his temples and sighed again. Why did the whole of Arda expect him to have the answers to everything?
Elrond looked up when he felt Glorfindel's touch on his shoulder. He gave Elrond an understanding look that said he accepted his apology already so there was no need to say it.
"There is something more than just the time issue?"
"There is indeed. I do not quite understand what it was that I felt earlier. It was a sense of evil I know, but I am not so confident that whatever this evil is was causing it."
Glorfindel gave him exactly the look he was expecting. One that spoke volumes of concern, confusion, and 'do you need to sit down', all in one look. He did not need the gift of foresight to know that was coming. Elrond started pacing around his balcony without even realizing it.
"I have been thinking about it for hours now and it just doesn't fit. What I felt and I know what you also felt was indeed evil and, if I remember, cold. But...I do not believe the source was in itself evil. It is hard to explain and I know how it sounds, but I do believe it. I believe it was some sort of foreboding or maybe somehow what one of them felt. I do not know. I do know that if Elladan and Elrohir ride into that land they will be noticed and I can not let them go."
Glorfindel was silent for a long while before he finally spoke.
"Do you believe it may already be too late?"
Elrond stopped his pacing and sighed for the third time at what he was about to say. He hoped by Varda that he was wrong.
"As it stands, mellonamin, one of them is not coming back," he said dispiritedly.
Despite his long years in practiced composure Glorfindel couldn't help but close his eyes and let out his own sigh.
"Is that definitely to be or can that be changed if we intervene?"
Elrond looked at the fair-haired elf with interest. He had definitely caught the word 'we' and not 'they' in that question.
"I honestly do not know. And what do you mean 'we'?"
Glorfindel returned his stare with his usual serene one, but Elrond was sure he saw a glint in the other elf's eyes. He seriously hoped it was just the starlight.
******
"We are not going to get out of here without confronting ada, you do know that don't you?" //dad //
Elladan stopped his packing to look over at his twin who had stopped his own preparations. Of course he knew that, but right now he wasn't in the mood to think about it. He was also in no mood to be persuaded away from his course either. He couldn't just sit here peacefully in Rivendell with his little brother and one of his best friends were in danger when there was something he could do about it. At least he hoped there was something he could do about it. Either way he was going to try, so all he needed to do was get by their father. Definitely not an easy task he knew. Not a lot happened in Imladris that his father didn't know about. He was fully aware that they were probably going to be caught by him or Glorfindel before they even made it out of the gate, but he had to try. Elladan stepped nearer to his younger brother by minutes and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He would have asked if he wanted to stay behind, but he didn't need to. He already knew the answer and he did miss the 'we' part of the question.
"Yes tororamin, I do. This was my idea and I will handle it when the time comes." //my brother//
Elrohir gave his brother a look that said 'I am not a child' and crossed hi arms defensively. Elladan fully recognized the look his brother was giving him and so spoke up cheerfully.
"Fine, Elrohir, then you deal with him."
At which Elrohir's eyes went wide at the statement.
"Oh, no, brother, this was your idea remember?"
"Very well if you insist. I will handle it little brother," he said with a big smile.
Elladan's smile widen even more, if that were possible, by the shear look of irritation on his brother's face. Elrohir hated to be called his little brother and Elladan knew it.
An unexpected smile crossed Elrohir's face as a thought came to him.
"Yes, ianter, you may deal with father. I for one am glad I do not have to explain our destination to him," Elrohir said jovially and turned around to finish his preparations. //old one//
The smile dropped from Elladan's face as he thought again of having to deal with his father's stern façade. He knew how stubborn he could be on such matters and knew he was in for quite a discussion. Discussion, ah, argument was more like it. 'May it be what it will be' he thought grimly and finished his own bag.
*****
Thirty minutes later Elladan and Elrohir donning travel clothes were packed and ready to go. They decided to saddle the horses and prepare them before taking on the task of getting out of Rivendell. It would be easier; not to mention faster, to escape from being throttled if the horses were prepared first. Both of the twins were sure their father, if he had any sense that is, would at least be lying down after his apparent sickness earlier. Saddle bags ready, they proceeded across the open courtyard quietly and careful not to wake anyone else. The both of them nearly jumped when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
Elladan and Elrohir wheeled around to see no one behind them, so they looked up to see not only their father, but Glorfindel as well on the balcony. Two sets of shoulders visible sagged. To be caught was expected, but by both of them together. 'Ed' i' ear ar' elenea!' Elladan thought, 'now I must contend with both of them.' //By the sea and stars//
Come here my sons.
Ays, atar. //Yes, father//
Suddenly the thought of bolting out of Rivendell at full speed sounded pretty good to Elrohir right now. He was sincerely relieved that Elladan had been dumb enough to volunteer to talk to their father. Elrohir shot his brother an amused look before he started walking back toward the Last Homely Home. Elladan who followed his brother didn't miss the look Elrohir gave him and scowled.
Door flinging pink one. Was all Elladan projected as he hurried past his brother.
Elrohir followed Elladan back in and for the second time that day had visions of holding Elladan's head underwater.
*****
Elladan stopped just short of his father's bedroom door. Elrohir behind him, after all of their bluster a minute ago, gave him a sympathetic glance. Elladan tried to steel himself before he entered. 'Come on Elladan, this is an easy task. After all it is only your father behind the door and not a balrog. This isn't Mirkwood; remember there are no dungeons in Rivendell. Just turn the doorknob and enter.'
Elladan reached out with a mostly steady hand and before he lost his nerve he opened the door quickly and entered with Elrohir on his heels.
The twins entered to find Elrond and Glorfindel stepping in from the balcony. The two had apparently been out there for awhile because it was dark in Elrond's chambers. They could see the luminescent forms of their elders in the archway but it was too dark with the starlight coming from the entrance even for elvish eyes to see much more. All Elladan could see was the sheen Glorfindel hair gave off as it caught the last of the starlight. Elladan figured it was better to at least get a head start before his reasoning was totally counteracted by the two older elves.
"Ada, Elrohir and I know we ride into danger, but we have faced perilous tasks before. We are not elflings anymore. I will go mad if I have to simple wait around here for word of what has happened to them. Are you so sure that nothing can be done that you will not even let us try? We have to try, ada, they would do the same for Elrohir and I," said Elladan empathetically while Elrohir stood there nodding his head in support of what his brother was saying.
Elladan took a deep breath to continue his tirade, but Elrond held up his hand to silence the younger elf.
"I know they would, my son, and I know you will. On thing I have learned over the years, Elladan, is never to give up all hope."
Elladan and Elrohir didn't know what to say. Elladan was fully prepared for a full-fledged argument and not to have his father agree.
"So we can go?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, but not so unprepared," Elrond answered as Glorfindel and he stepped fully into the room and walked up to the two gawking twins.
Elladan and Elrohir noticed for the first time that Glorfindel was not in the robes that signified his station, but in travel clothes. And when Elrond placed a hand on each of the two's shoulders a glint on his right hand caught both of their attention.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn meet the first charging orc by parrying its sword and forcing it upward. With quick reflexes he brought his sword down and slashed the creature along its middle. The injured orc fell backwards holding its stomach and the one behind it elbowed past its fallen companion. Another orc appeared to his left and he didn't have time to parry with this one and keep the other one off of the elf who was still on the ground. So he blocked the blow that was aimed for his chest, caught the things other arm and used his weight to drag it to the side and make them both slam into the orc that materialized to his left. The surprised orc tripped over its feet and went sprawling backward. In this brief repose Aragorn pulled the orc he had a hold of towards him and skewered it on his sword grimacing the whole time. He pushed it away quickly before it bled its foul black blood on him and turned to face the second orc as he recovered from the ground. Aragorn could barely see when another orc came up to attack him it was so dark. He knew well that the orcs possessed far superior vision at night than he did. They were desperately in need of his elven companions senses right now. Unfortunately with it being dark and his friend being the only source of light in the area, he would stand out as a great target for the orcs who needed little prompting to attack an elf anyway.
As Aragorn finished off the orc he was fighting he vowed that he would die before any of them touched his friend. He knew only too well what orcs would do to a helpless elf and it wasn't pleasant. Aragorn turned around to see the elf struggling to rise. He wiped his blade off on one of the dead orcs tunic, sheathed it, and went over and kneeled down next to Legolas.
*****
Legolas was trying to rise, he really was, but no matter how much he mentally commanded his lethargic muscles, they just wouldn't move. He heard the sounds of battle and knew Aragorn had to be defending him. He needed to get up and help. Arising straight up had only caused his head to spin again, so he decided to take it one step at a time this time. He rolled over on his stomach rather sluggishly and waited for his head to settle down. After that was accomplished he brought his shaking hand underneath him and pushed. A flare of pain shot down his left side and his vision threatened to go swimming again, but Legolas pushed past it and was able to get to his knees. He found that after a brief pause the world around him started to calm down and stop its swaying. He felt someone touch his shoulder and he looked up to see Aragorn kneeling beside him.
"Can you hear, see, or feel anymore orcs?"
Legolas glanced around the area and listened intently.
"I cannot see very far in this gloom either, mellonamin, but I spot no movement. I cannot hear anymore close by either. I can still feel them out there, though."
The ranger nodded his head then turned his eyes to his friend.
"They are still close then. Can you walk?"
"Do I have a choice?"
Aragorn smiled sincerely at his weary friend.
"I would gladly carry you my friend, but I will admit I can barely see a thing beyond a couple of feet in front of me and I would probably run your head into a tree," said the ranger as he reached out a hand to help the elf to his feet.
"Useless Dunedain," replied the elf with a smile as he grabbed hold of the proffered hand and slowly and carefully rose.
"Come now, I have my moments," Aragorn said most haughtily, but with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Really? And the last one was?"
Aragorn was going to defend himself when Legolas's attention turned to the right.
"I heard a couple of them talking, but they are not to close, yet. Perhaps we should compare our memories of how useless you are some other time?"
Aragorn smiled despite himself and nodded his head in reply.
*****
Legolas took a few shaky steps with Aragorn right behind him. He felt steadier with each step, although, he still partial leaned on the trees as he walked for awhile. They had traveled some distance away and Legolas could no longer hear the orcs. Aragorn was still following him so closely that it was vexing his nerves rather quickly. The rational part of his mind told him that the ranger was only doing it because he would want to be able to catch the elf should he fall. Legolas was too tired to pay attention to what was left of his rational mind and he stopped abruptly and he wheeled around.
"Aragorn, must you walk on top of me?" he hissed out.
***
The ranger was startled by his friend's sudden mood change and became slightly defensive. Aragorn who after the past couple of days practically had no nerves left almost told the elf that if he didn't stop doing that his immortality was about to come to an abrupt end as he was going to throttled the elf himself. The ranger almost had to bite his tongue not to lash out in kind. It was hard to tell in the darkness, but he thought it looked as if the elf's eyes were clouded over again. He held his tongue and only looked at his friend with questioning eyes.
***
Legolas realized he had snapped at the human again, yet he really didn't care. He was not an elfling that needed chaperoned around and especially not by a human that couldn't even remotely come close to being a third of his age. Didn't the human think him capable of even walking by himself without his aid? The more Legolas thought about it the angrier he became.
"Remember edain I helped to teach you your woodland skills. Do you now think me incapable?"
"Yes, I know you did and no, you have some of the finest skills in the craft."
"Then, young one, why are you treating my as if I was a child?"
Legolas voice was raising with each statement and the ranger could tell he was growing more restive. Aragorn could see where this was going and he needed to calm the elf down before they were surrounded by orcs again. The ranger tried to ensure himself that it had passed quickly the other times and all he need do was hold his tongue until then. He reminded himself that the elf wasn't well, for he would never speak to friends or anyone so.
"Saes, mellonamin dina ndu," said the ranger as gently as his unsettled demeanor would allow. //Please, my friend quiet down//
Aragorn could tell that the use of the grey tongue did indeed have a calming effect on the elf.
"Amin n' sinta naraika, nan' amin naa lle mellonamin, Legolas, ar' amin merntu.." //I don't know what is wrong, but I am your friend and I want to help.
Legolas blinked as if waking from a dream. Had he really just talked to his friend so? He knew it was wrong and yet he didn't care at the time. That thought more than anything frightened him more than the fact that he had spoken so harshly in the first place. Legolas was now convinced more than ever that he was slowly losing his mind. He could not even look Aragorn in the eyes right now, so he turned his head away.
Aragorn's mind was eased that the anger had passed from Legolas eyes, but the doubt and remorse that replaced it was no better. He became alarmed when the elf turned away and said nothing.
"Legolas, a' quenamin." //speak to me. //
Legolas didn't trust himself just yet to face the ranger; so not really knowing what to do he glanced around. Something wasn't right, he thought with a frown. His almost three thousand years of life had been spent almost entirely in the woods.
'It cannot be.' But Legolas was an elf and he felt it to be true. What had he done in his anger?
Legolas's legs became unsteady and he gripped onto the nearest tree for support. He didn't really bother to hold himself up and he sunk to the ground despairingly.
Aragorn was hoping the elf only needed a minute to clear his mind. He stepped away so he would not feel pressured and waited. Aragorn's eyes wondered out into the darkness. It wasn't like he really expected or more appropriately couldn't see anything in the gloom. He suspected it was just a habit of his to look around. His attention was drawn back to Legolas when he heard the elf gasp. His fair-haired companion grabbed a hold of a near by tree and sunk down the side of it.
One major fear, that was ever present lately, flashed through Aragorn's mind as he rushed over and knelt down on the ground. He almost cried out loud when he saw that his friend wasn't ill again. At least in a manner of speaking, because something was wrong, but it definitely wasn't another attack. Legolas sat in a daze, his breath was unsteady, and when Aragorn called his name he was slow to look at the ranger. When Aragorn tried to ask him what was wrong the only answer he received was when Legolas brought his knees up to his chest and he placed his forehead on them. The ranger gingerly took hold of his friend's wrist that was wrapped around his knees and felt his pulse. The pulse match with the slightly unfocused look he had received-the elf was in a mild form of shock. But from what? What had he thought of while standing there?
******
"By Morgoth Nakash I swears to you I will find a new second if yous can not keep up!" barked Grimnosh.
"It's not Nakash's fault boss. Stupid mutt ran in close to the tree just to knocks us off!" said the disgruntled orc as he rubbed his backside.
"We're in a forest there is trees all around. Duck you doorknob! Now get back up!"
Grimnosh was agitated by the delay. That stupid warg had probably run Nakash into the tree intentionally. Right now he really didn't care, though. And if that dolt human didn't wipe that smug grin off of his face he was going to gut him and use his innards as a banner.
"Remember what I said human. If that mongrel does that's again yous head will roll the next time."
Jeridan gulped. He hated working with orcs; wargs were much more civilized.
"How do we even know they are in this direction. This forest covers a big area," the human practically wined.
"Not so terribly big when you do not have to run over it, my dear Jeridan," answered a throaty voice right next to his ear.
Jeridan sucked in his breath at the cold touch to his ear and shuddered. A ghostly form coalesced into shape between Jeridan and Grimnosh. Huh, he hated working with her even more than the orcs.
"I see the pack is behaving for the most part. You just might be allowed to live after all," Nadina smirked at the human.
She then turned away from Jeridan to float in front of Grimnosh. Grimnosh had never disliked or hated Nadina before. Honestly he had never really thought about it, but watching how she made that infuriating human squirm she would definitely be held in higher favor from now on. Grimnosh gave Nadina a slight nod. The closest thing to respect he showed anyone but his master.
"They are two leagues directly southeast."
"Only two?" Grimnosh asked somewhat disbelievingly.
"Yes, only two, for they have been coming toward you," she replied with an amused lopsided grin.
Grimnosh chuckled in understanding.
"After you finish punishing the human, you might want to hurry. Your pack of cronies as almost caught up to them again and I would hate to have to silence anymore," and with one last truly evil smile the spectral figure vanished in a whirlwind.
Grimnosh heard Jeridan sigh in relief once Nadina had left. 'Yes,' he thought, 'I like her humor too.'
******
Legolas was finding it difficult to breathe. Not from any outside influence but from his own stupidity. How in Middle Earth had he led them in the wrong direction and not noticed it? He was cracked, that's all there was to it. He was slowly losing his wits anyway and this just nailed one more nail in the coffin. 'Maybe I need a chaperone after all,' he thought dryly. Bickering uselessly with Aragorn about whether or not he could presume to lead anyone anywhere and here he was going in the wrong damn direction. Why had Aragorn so blindly followed him? 'Because he has no reason not to,' he answered himself. The ranger fully trusted in his senses to get them about in this overpowering darkness. Idiots. Both of us. That's what we are. Idiots. It really wasn't doing any good to curse Aragorn as well, but it at least felt somewhat good. What by Elbereth had he been thinking? Nothing, absolutely nothing, that was his problem. It was no use asking why he had been traveling in this direction; he had wanted to turn around all blasted day after all. Now he had gone farther back into the one place he so desperately wanted to leave and what was worse he had dragged his friend back in farther as well! Fool. Dolt. Sitting there Legolas found some other colorful curses in Quenya and Sindarin to vent his frustration. How could he ever possibly tell Aragorn? As soon as the ranger happened upon a break in the trees he would find out anyway.
*****
Aragorn had no idea what was wrong with his friend. Shortly after the elf had all but balled up he started to rock in that position. He remembered the last time he had seen an elf that wasn't with a child rock and he knew it couldn't be a good sign. He didn't know whether to leave Legolas alone, try to comfort him, or simply slap him. Right now the hitting option seemed the best. Sometimes a man or even an elf needed a good whack to straighten him out. At least that was the excuse Elrohir had given him.
"Legolas? Please, my friend, do something. Look at me or talk to me. Uh, get angry again if you must or hit me, I don't care, just don't sit there!" Aragorn stated finally starting to loose his temper.
Yes, right now, the hitting option was looking better and better. Aragorn was seriously thinking of doing it when Legolas finally made some sort of sound. It wasn't quite what he expected, though. He was expecting Legolas to tell him of what was so distressing that could possibly be worse than what they already faced or he didn't know, yell even, but not to laugh. Now he really was contemplating hitting the elf. Something had obviously snapped and maybe a good jarring would knock it back into place.
"I am a fool Estel. A blind fool," the elf said somberly.
His friend's cartwheeling mood swings were becoming hard to keep up with. How anyone could go from angry to shocked to happy and back to somber in the spans of a few minutes was to much.
Legolas finally looked up at him and he spoke rather jovially this time.
"And you are a trusting one, my friend."
"Legolas please! You're not making much sense."
Legolas closed his eyes and sighed. Why not get it over with? That sounded too familiar.
"I have been leading us in the wrong direction Estel," he stated quietly.
"What! But why?"
Legolas looked over at his friend and spoke more firmly.
"I honestly did not realize I was doing it. It was only when we stopped that I had realized what I had done. Amin hiraetha, Estel." //I'm sorry//
Aragorn saw the honesty in his friend's eyes and after all that had happened could not be surprised. There was something at work here, which he didn't understand.
A thought came to Aragorn then about something he had not had the chance to comment on earlier and he chuckled. It was Legolas's turn to look at Aragorn questionably as he cocked his head.
"Well this has at least been an interesting trip. First a wood elf falls out of a tree and then he gets lost in the woods," laughed the ranger with his eyes shining.
Legolas winced at the remembered pain of the aforementioned accident and shook his head.
"I was hoping you would not find out about that, but since you have, I am sorry my friend, I am going to have to kill you now," replied the fair- haired elf with a glint in his eyes.
Aragorn stood up and helped Legolas to his feet.
"Come my friend let us start in the right direction this time," the ranger smiled.
Legolas mockingly huffed at Aragorn and headed off to the south this time. It didn't take Legolas long to realize that this simple action was harder than it seemed. His clan of dwarves came back and ten fold this time. He was sure a mountain couldn't weigh as much as the load he felt like he was trying to carry now. Legolas only made it a short distance before he had to stop and catch his breath. The weight was just too much. He dropped to all fours gulping in air. He felt Aragorn stop beside him and squat down.
"I do not think I can make it. Now I know why I had no problems traveling before. I was heading in the right direction and so was allowed to do so easily," Legolas spat bitterly.
Legolas heard Aragorn say something, but he wasn't paying attention. He looked upward and could almost make out the stars. Almost. He saw what he thought to be Earendel. Its light was so dim from under the canopy and Legolas's heart ached to see its comforting light once more. Glancing around at the oppressive darkness the elf felt like he was in a cave. An endless and lightless cavern. He needed to get out. He needed to see the stars. By Elbereth to at least see Earendel.
"The darkness will lift when the sun rises," he told himself over and over trying to reason through the claustrophobia that was building inside.
****
Aragorn could tell something, besides the obvious, was amiss when his friend starting rocking again. Legolas didn't appear to have heard a word he had just spoken. When the elf started muttering to himself the ranger knew exactly what was going on. The only other time he had seen an elf rock was when another human ranger, Elrohir, and he had got trapped in a cave for a few days until Elladan could find help and dig the landslide out of the entrance. His brother after a time had gotten extremely ill and it had gotten to the point where he feared Elrohir might actually die. Luckily for Elrohir they were freed soon after that. If it was as Aragorn feared Legolas was beginning to be affected by the darkness.
*****
Legolas might be going steadily insane, but he knew for certain that if he couldn't get to a place where he could at least see Earendel he was going to go completely mad very quickly. He briefly wondered which was a shorter distance, the way out or back to the glad they had found earlier. He really didn't care either way; he just had to get out from underneath these black walls. Pushing the rational side of his mind out of the way again Legolas pushed himself to his feet and took off into the dark.
"Where by Illuvatar are you going," Aragorn cried as he tried to follow his friend through the black haze.
TBC...
. . *******
Well that was a long chapter! I bet you thought half way threw that I wasn't going to get around to Legolas and Aragorn in this one, huh? And no big cliffhanger, I'm on a role for this one! I have been getting therapy for my benevolently impaired problem, that was until I took Aragorn's perspective and whacked him up side the head for telling me I couldn't write cliffhangers.
Note: Oh yeah, and author's note on the last chapter - Lalaith means laughter and Laurrina means Crowned with gold. Lorindel means golden head (guess were a nickname like that would come from).
Karri - You were wonderfully coherent in your reviews. I hope your biological clock is straightened out now. I find it easier to write the translation as they are now and I'm pleased it makes it easier to read also. I fixed the typo you found! Thanks for pointing it out. All I can say is duh on my part. ;) As I said I was a bit nicer about this ending. Of course, you know they'll be running into danger, but at least it wasn't staring them in the face this time. Oh, I don't think I mentioned it before so - huge thanks and big huge for adding me to your favorites list!! It makes my day when people do. Well it makes my day when people review also and thanks for doing both. Lissenen ar' maska 'lalaith tenna' lye omentuve!! //Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet//
Tithen Min - I did enjoy my break thank you. As for not doing anything you wouldn't do, well I don't know about you, but it definitely wouldn't be saying a lot if I told you that. Course that's just me. Some people I am informed have a thing called self-control. Strange phrase, isn't it? In addition, did I already mention how cute you are? ;) Thanks for the well wishes!
Sprout - Lle creoso (You're welcome). I am pleased a little Legolas angst could help you recover from exams. I hope they went well for you. Internet free for a week. Wow :) I know how hard that can be. I am almost obsessive- compulsive about checking my email (of course that's only to see your guys' nice reviews) and I sympathize. It was a good cause, though. School work always is ;) I didn't quite get this chapter out for you last week, but it was close. Hope you enjoyed! And thank you, thank you, and thank you for adding me to your favorites. I am most appreciative! Did I already say thank you? *Big hug*
Shauna - I'm glad you found this story and that you are enjoying it! And thanks so much for reviewing! I do hope you keep reviewing. I am most appreciative of returned reviewers. Did I mention that you could write again anytime? You will have to get used to the cliffhangers, though, because they tend to pop up quite often. Silly things, you never know where they will be. However, I didn't leave you hanging this time. ;) These woods are creepy aren't they? I've been biting my nails for the past five chapters. But seriously, they are meant, if done right, to add a little excitement to the story. How fun would it be to read the story without flare? Thanks again and I do hope you return. :)