Very good Elerian, extremely dark and melancholy chapter, I'm impressed. Legolas is such a jerk to you, any explanations coming, or are you leaving that to me? You skimmed through Moria rather quickly though, don't worry, I'll recap. Looooooooooooooooooooong chapter ahead. *Aniron's POV*
Chapter 13. Explanations and Surprises
No amount of reading could have prepared me for the sheer intensity and beauty of Moria. At the Doors of Durin, the tiny alarm bells went off in my mind again, but this time I remembered what the cause of alarm was, The Watcher in the Water. As soon as the doors opened, sure enough, the first tentacles sprang out of the water and grabbed Frodo. I drew my sword just after Aragorn and Boromir did, plunging into the water. After Legolas shot a disdainful glance at Elerian who was still gaping at the skeletons, he joined the fight.
Gandalf led us into the mines after we had retrieved Frodo from the monster's grasp, and as the creature pulled the walls down around us, I saw Elerian standing underneath an enormous falling boulder. I screamed the sudden mortality of this mission hitting me as she was buried under the rocks. Aragorn, Gimli, and Boromir leapt forward; digging her out of the rubble as the hobbits glanced fearfully at the huge pile. Gandalf stood close behind me, as did Legolas, who caught me when my legs turned into jelly as I saw Elerian's unconscious form emerge from the rocks.
Days went by, and still we trudged through the long dark passages. Elerian spoke nary a word, and walked as one suspended in a dream, expecting to awake at any moment. On the fourth day, or at least I believed it to be the fourth day, we came to the great halls of Dwarrowdelf, and I caught my breath as the light from Gandalf's staff illuminated the great stone pillars. I had not seen such beautiful architecture since we had left Rivendell. I tried to get Elerian to gaze upon the hall, but her eyes were devoid of light. I had forgotten that she loved the sunlight above all else, and here, in this endless dark she could find little beauty.
As we reached Balin's tomb she looked about to cry, seeing only death about her. In the battle that ensued, she looked even more distraught, for she had never been good at hitting moving targets. As the cave troll fell at last, I saw Legolas shoot Elerian a look that would have wilted a field of flowers, and put it into my mind that if we survived this hell, I would speak to Legolas of his childish behavior.
And here I stand on the edge of the Bridge of Khazad-dum, watching as Gandalf stood off against one of the most powerful dark creatures that has ever been created. The Balrog was terrible, but also beautiful in a way that I myself could not explain if I had tried. I bowed my head, feeling the tears come to my eyes, for I knew what would happen, how could I ever forget? I watched as Gandalf banished the Balrog, breaking the bridge. I watched as he slipped, clutching onto the edge of the bridge. And I watched as Gandalf fell, and the despair came crashing down upon my shoulders. I could not hear Boromir's frantic cries for us to flee, nor Frodo's screams of despair. I came to myself only as Elerian grabbed my hand and yelled 'Run! Come on Aniron!'
As soon as I came into the sunlight, I collapsed on the white stones, gasping for breath, my eyes wide in disbelief. Elerian tried to pull me up, tears streaming down her face, smudging the dirt on her cheeks even more. 'It can't be, it just can't be,' I repeated over and over, shaking my head. Elerian had given up in her campaign to make me stand up and had gone over to comfort Merry and Pippin, who were both weeping terribly. I couldn't hear Aragorn's command to Legolas to get us all up, or Boromir's protests.
A pair of boots appeared in my immediate line of vision and I looked up to see Legolas, with a look of sorrow and disbelief that most likely matched mine looking down at me. 'Stand up, Aniron. Come, your friend is worried for you, surely you do not wish for her to worry any longer?' He offered his hand to me and I took it, standing slowly and meeting his eyes. I noticed that his voice had not been tainted with bitterness when he had mentioned Elerian, and my hopes rose that perhaps their relationship could be salvaged.
Elerian walked over to us and smiled weakly at Legolas, who gave her an icy glare before releasing my hand and walking away. Elerian clenched her teeth, her eyes flashing in anger, 'I just don't get why he insists on being such a jerk to me!' I put my hand on her shoulder, but said nothing, promising myself that I would confront Legolas as soon as we were safe in Lothlorien.
After several hours of running, we came into a large wood just as the sun began to set. We paused by a small river, and Legolas began to speak of the maiden who shared a name with this river, Nimrodel. I was already exhausted from all out running from dawn until dusk, and the water of the river sounded like soft voices singing, or perhaps it was only Legolas' gentle voice. I closed my eyes for only a moment, reveling in the peace and quiet of Lothlorien.
I awoke later that night, wondering why I was so high up and why I could hear a soft heart beat. I looked up and an elf clad in grey was carrying me. He looked down and smiled at me before putting me down in a soft hammock. I quickly fell back asleep, the starlight shining down through the golden branches of the mallorn trees.
The next morning dawned bright, and I was nearly blinded by the sun as I opened my eyes. My scream of 'Aghhhhh! My eyes!' woke the remainder of the sleeping fellowship, and Elerian nearly fell out of her hammock in surprise. Once the initial shock wore off, everyone collected their things and made their way down the ladders that lead to the leaf covered ground.
An elf that I suspected was Haldir began to speak about something, probably getting to Caras Galadhon to see the Lady Galadriel, I couldn't hear him too well, when an argument broke out between Gimli and several of the elves. I vaguely recalled reading something about blindfolds, and then I remembered that Aragorn had agreed to having the elves blindfold the fellowship so that they could not see where they were headed. In a spilt second I remembered everything that occurred at this point in the book, and then forgot it all instantly as an elf came up to me and tied a blindfold over my eyes.
After a long period of walking aimlessly, someone removed my blindfold and I stood blinking under the shade of the mallorn trees. The rest of the fellowship was already un-blindfolded and I walked over to stand next to Elerian who was gaping at the gigantic trees that surrounded us. 'Beautiful, aren't they?' I whispered to her, looking up at the golden leaves. The sunlight caught one of the leaves and I was blinded for a moment. *Flash*A river with scattered bodies surrounding it*Flash*A darkened wood with many old gnarled trees*Flash*. 'Ahh, why does this keep happening to me?' I muttered, holding a hand over my eyes. 'What keeps happening?' Elerian asked, looking at me in surprise. 'Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all,' I stammered, looking away. Elerian raised an eyebrow skeptically, 'If you say so.'
Just after the sun set, we came into Caras Galadhon. Massive trees with silver-grey trunks supported magnificently constructed houses that seemed to balance on the branches themselves. Haldir led us to a stairway that curled around the largest tree and as I looked up I could see a gigantic structure balanced on the upper branches. As we ascended the stairway, silver lanterns hanging from the branches of the trees were lit and shone like tiny stars suspended in the tree canopy of the forest. The very structures themselves seemed to glow with an unearthly light, and I could scarce breath for the sheer beauty of my surroundings.
We came into the great hall at last, gazing at the amazing splendor about us. My eyes immediately went to the small stairway ahead of us, for I thought I had heard footsteps. My eyes widened as I watched two figures descend the stairway. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn stood before us radiating power and splendor. 'Ten there are here, yet eleven set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf for I much desire to speak with him.' Celeborn said, looking about the fellowship. Galadriel's eyes met Aragorn's and she looked up once more. 'He has fallen into shadow.'
The Lady of Lothlorien looked about the fellowship, 'The quest hangs on the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all.' Boromir began to tremble and looked away as her eyes met his. Galadriel looked into Sam's eyes and smiled 'Yet hope remains, while the company is true.' She looked into the eyes of each of the members of the fellowship until her eyes met mine. You seek answers to so many things, my child, but what is it that you truly seek? Fear not, your questions will soon be answered; though the answers may not be what you wish for them to be. She turned her eye to Legolas, and his expression seemed to harden under her gaze.
After the meeting with Galadriel, I changed out of my bloody, dirt encrusted clothing into more comfortable clothing that the elves of Lorien had provided for me. I excused myself form the company of the fellowship and wandered the paths of the elven city, attempting to make sense of my strange visions. I walked into a glade and found someone standing with their back to me looking up towards the stars. 'Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know someone was here...' I stammered, not knowing what to say. The person turned , and Legolas stood before me, looking somewhat bewildered.
'Hello Aniron, I must admit I did not expect to see you there. Were you not with the rest of the fellowship only a short while ago?' He smiled, but discomfort was written in his blue eyes. Finally! Here was my chance to ask Legolas why he acted so strangely around Elerian. 'I stepped out to go for a short walk.' He relaxed slightly, 'Of course.' It was now or never, I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. 'Legolas, I have been meaning to ask you something for several days now, and this is the first chance I have been able to speak with you alone.' I paused, and met his gaze with determination before continuing, 'You have acted rather, strangely, towards Elerian for quite some time now, and I believe that both she and I would like to know why.'
Legolas started slightly, as if he had not been expecting this and looked at me quizzically. When he saw that I would offer no further explanation for my unexpected question he spoke slowly and softly, and I had to strain my elven hearing to make out his words. 'I should have known that someone would eventually approach me on account of my actions towards Elerian, though I never thought that it would be you, Aniron. For many days and nights since the fellowship departed from Rivendell I have been watching Elerian, studying her actions and movements in the wilds. Her manner is somewhat, playful, as if she expects this all to be a game. True, she is skilled with a bow, but her actions in Moria confirmed that she is no warrior, and is not trained in the arts of combat. Though she was rather charming in Rivendell, she has lost much of that charm in my eyes. She is no longer appealing to me.'
I was shocked by this answer, I had not expected such a cold reply to my question. I walked up to Legolas, confused by his words. 'Surely you are mistaken sir. True, Elerian was not trained in combat, but she is still remarkably skilled...' Legolas looked away from me as if disgusted by what he heard. 'Please Legolas, if you could only give her another chance...' He turned back on me, blue eyes flashing in anger, 'Another chance! I have given her more chances than I would give to any other maiden in my acquaintance. She is not as remarkable as I first believed her to be.' My hopes had all been destroyed, but I still had one more question to ask him. 'You say she is not remarkable. What do you call remarkable, pray tell?'
Legolas' expression softened, 'What do I call remarkable? It is remarkable when a young woman falls out of the sky and into your arms and acts as if nothing unusual had occurred. It is remarkable when Lord Elrond sends two maids whom he has never seen before on a quest that holds the fate of the world on its shoulders simply because he believes that one of them knows the future. It is remarkable when an elf looks upon a servant of the ancient enemy in both horror and adoration. It is remarkable,' Legolas reached out a hand and lifted my chin so that our eyes met, 'to see a maiden who would do anything for her friend. Such people are hard to find, Aniron.'
I was growing extremely uncomfortable under his gaze, and turned away from him. 'Please don't do that.' He reached out and took my hand, 'Aniron, please, look at me.' I turned back to him, and saw the pleading in his eyes. 'Aniron, please let me kiss you. Just this once.' I closed my eyes, 'Legolas, I can't...' He held a single pale finger to my lips. 'Just one kiss, then I will let you go back to camp or wherever you wish to be.'
I sighed softly in resignation, I knew there was no escaping this and the only way out was to go through with it. 'All right,' I whispered, meeting his eyes. I closed my eyes as he leaned in, expecting an awkward, sloppy kiss, but instead, feeling only the gentle brush of his lips across mine. I opened my eyes and he stood across from me, watching me with a sad smile on his face. 'You are free to go, thank you for allowing me this one small favor.'
I turned away, and began to walk towards camp, when I heard Legolas whisper, 'Please give me a chance?' Not knowing what to do or say, I looked back at him and nodded slightly before walking away once more.
Author's Note: Ahahaha! You didn't expect that did you? I've read tons of stories where the heroine is in this exact situation except with Boromir instead of Legolas. The authors always try to make Legolas such a sad little hero, but I thought it would be interesting if he was in the position of the "villain" instead of the "hero." Poor Boromir is always picked on in these stories, why can't they ever leave him alone? Well now Legolas is evil, mwahahahahahahahaha! In other news Lestat is mine on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Author's Note(again): I am extremely sorry Dark Mage Raistlin! Usually I catch those kind of mistakes when I read over the story, but I guess I was too tired to catch it when I checked for errors. Rest assured, the mistake has been corrected, and please do not hesitate to inform me of any other problems. I am also well aware that Legolas is very OOC, but then again, isn't he OOC in Elerian's chapters as well? Every character is OOC at some points in this story, but otherwise we try not to mangle Tolkien's characters too much.
