Chapter 14: The Hill of Erech
A/N: Fighting ahead. So here comes the action R&R (if something needs to be fixed tell me)
The Grey Company rode long that day. It was just before midnight when they reached the Hill of Erech. And there on the hill was the Stone of Erech, half buried in the earth. Here, the dead were summoned to fulfill the oath by Aragorn. There was an answer. They would fulfill the oath.
That night was spent upon the hill. None slept long or well that night. When the Men did sleep, the Elves were awake. Elrond's sons lay in meditation. The other two sat at the edge of the company facing out towards the gathered dead, and the wild.
"How long has it been?" Legolas whispered in a voice only Elves could hear.
"Two thousand, two hundred, and sixty eight, since I've touched the soil. And you?"
"Far less you know, but half a year from Mirkwood, half that since Imladris."
"A second of time."
"How long has it been since you have seen or spoken to one?"
"About five-hundred. I've spent many of the last years stationary in Rohan."
There was silence then from the questioner. He peered out into the darkness around. Complete silence fell on the group, a silence that penetrated the soul and filled every ear. No sound, near or far, could even the Elves hear. The men woke once it covered them, they had heard and felt it in their sleep. Then, the moment passed. The men rolled over to sleep again.
When Legolas heard the breathing change, he turned back to his companion. He turned his head to the right, a question about to pass from his lips and once he saw her it died. Arway's head lay on her knees. Her eyes closed in rest. She was one of the few Elves he knew that slept with her eyes closed. And her hair dangled on the ground. The look of beauty was upon her brow. Never did it cease to amaze him how the dark sky and shining stars always made her more beautiful.
Lightly he moved her hair behind her shoulder. And once his fingers touched the first strands of her satin hair he knew that never would he wish for anything again if only he could feel the softness of this she-Elf. But war was rising. Legolas could feel it deep within. Darkness was growing and now as not the time for such things. He placed a hand on her shoulder and called her back to Middle-earth. She came to his calling.
"It is growing once more. We cannot even guess the magnitude with which it awaits. You feel it, all do. He stretches his fingers a little further with each day. And he who bears the greatest weight has much still to face."
"Then so be the force with which things come, never is there no hope. People are gathering, you know, you fell it. And the bearer will prevail above that which is put before him."
"It is not that which is put before that bothers me, it is what comes from within. You know the powers of the ring. I fear that the next time you meet him a small piece of him shall be missing."
"Never are the foreseers completely sure about what is shown only to their eyes. Only time and actions can prove such things."
"Much can be seen, yet nothing is foretold as truth. Much is to occur, all know this and no creature upon this earth can see what shall befall even themselves."
"You once said a piece of the greatest lies within me. But never has such a thing been told or even whispered."
"Never would it be, for others to know would mean to be placed outside of friendly eyes. Do not doubt what you know is true. You feel it in your heart that something great was given to you. Long the blood has mingled in your mother's kin. So little you poses, but that does not stop the strength of it.
"Legolas your mother had the blood, but the gift was not given to her. A small piece rather, was placed inside of you. You will recover the gift. When one falls or injury comes, awake from the sleep, for with one missing another shall be needed."
A/N: Fighting ahead. So here comes the action R&R (if something needs to be fixed tell me)
The Grey Company rode long that day. It was just before midnight when they reached the Hill of Erech. And there on the hill was the Stone of Erech, half buried in the earth. Here, the dead were summoned to fulfill the oath by Aragorn. There was an answer. They would fulfill the oath.
That night was spent upon the hill. None slept long or well that night. When the Men did sleep, the Elves were awake. Elrond's sons lay in meditation. The other two sat at the edge of the company facing out towards the gathered dead, and the wild.
"How long has it been?" Legolas whispered in a voice only Elves could hear.
"Two thousand, two hundred, and sixty eight, since I've touched the soil. And you?"
"Far less you know, but half a year from Mirkwood, half that since Imladris."
"A second of time."
"How long has it been since you have seen or spoken to one?"
"About five-hundred. I've spent many of the last years stationary in Rohan."
There was silence then from the questioner. He peered out into the darkness around. Complete silence fell on the group, a silence that penetrated the soul and filled every ear. No sound, near or far, could even the Elves hear. The men woke once it covered them, they had heard and felt it in their sleep. Then, the moment passed. The men rolled over to sleep again.
When Legolas heard the breathing change, he turned back to his companion. He turned his head to the right, a question about to pass from his lips and once he saw her it died. Arway's head lay on her knees. Her eyes closed in rest. She was one of the few Elves he knew that slept with her eyes closed. And her hair dangled on the ground. The look of beauty was upon her brow. Never did it cease to amaze him how the dark sky and shining stars always made her more beautiful.
Lightly he moved her hair behind her shoulder. And once his fingers touched the first strands of her satin hair he knew that never would he wish for anything again if only he could feel the softness of this she-Elf. But war was rising. Legolas could feel it deep within. Darkness was growing and now as not the time for such things. He placed a hand on her shoulder and called her back to Middle-earth. She came to his calling.
"It is growing once more. We cannot even guess the magnitude with which it awaits. You feel it, all do. He stretches his fingers a little further with each day. And he who bears the greatest weight has much still to face."
"Then so be the force with which things come, never is there no hope. People are gathering, you know, you fell it. And the bearer will prevail above that which is put before him."
"It is not that which is put before that bothers me, it is what comes from within. You know the powers of the ring. I fear that the next time you meet him a small piece of him shall be missing."
"Never are the foreseers completely sure about what is shown only to their eyes. Only time and actions can prove such things."
"Much can be seen, yet nothing is foretold as truth. Much is to occur, all know this and no creature upon this earth can see what shall befall even themselves."
"You once said a piece of the greatest lies within me. But never has such a thing been told or even whispered."
"Never would it be, for others to know would mean to be placed outside of friendly eyes. Do not doubt what you know is true. You feel it in your heart that something great was given to you. Long the blood has mingled in your mother's kin. So little you poses, but that does not stop the strength of it.
"Legolas your mother had the blood, but the gift was not given to her. A small piece rather, was placed inside of you. You will recover the gift. When one falls or injury comes, awake from the sleep, for with one missing another shall be needed."
