The Path That Need Chooses by Ecri (See part 1 for disclaimer.)
Author's Note: Anything that seems familiar, especially lines of dialogue, are right from the movies or the book. All ideas are inspired by the book and the movies. Any lines or scenes that I have taken directly from any other source or are too similar to scenes from the films are in italics. No disrespect is intended.
Please Note: Thanks to my penchant for cliffhangers, there's a lot in this chapter that explains a lot in the last chapter. Most of which would have made things a bit clearer for a lot of you judging by the comments I received. I have no one to blame but myself. This was 90% written when I posted the last chapter, but I've been fine-tuning the language. Some of you have jumped to conclusions a bit prematurely, but again, that's my fault for leaving things where I did. Suffice to say, all is not what it seemed in the last chapter!
Please see replies to reviews at end, and please review.
Part 5
"I did not realize you were out looking for me." Legolas stared at Gandalf, and Gandalf was surprised to note that the Elf did seem more pale than just a short time ago. He raised the level of light emanating from his staff eliciting a slight smile from the elf who recognized what he was doing and why.
"Nor were you meant to, Legolas. But, before you continue your story, I have yet more to tell."
**
Flashback
Gandalf rode through the forest intent on his quest, but something else still called to him. Some distraction, some important piece of information he had yet to uncover was beckoning to him from somewhere within the depths of Mirkwood. Trusting his instincts and the Valar to guide him, he followed where they led.
He heard the sound first. Voices arguing, getting louder by the moment and from the bluster and the language he knew that he heard dwarves. He closed his eyes in concentration to hear what was being said before charging through the bushes to his right and standing in the midst of the group of dwarves to whom he'd listened.
"Gloin! What do you here among Mirkwood's trees!"
Gloin whirled around to face the Wizard, startled by his sudden appearance. "One day, Gandalf, I will know how you do that!" The dwarf stared hard at the Istar trying to determine how much he'd heard.
Gandalf stared back at him, and in that moment, Gloin knew. "Well, if you heard why we are arguing, I suppose you must be here about that elf."
"What has happened?" The Wizard would not accuse, and for that, Gloin was grateful.
"We found Thranduil's son. In payment for our kind treatment at his father's hands, we left the elf prince unconscious in a cave." He held up a hand to forestall any comments Gandalf might make.
"Now hear me out, Gandalf! It was my intention to leave the elf lost but unharmed! I assumed he would wake up in the cave and fumble about for a bit before finding the exit!"
"That is not what happened, is it?"
Gloin glared at Kulin, who had the grace at least to appear to be embarrassed by the withering stare that would have made a lesser dwarf crumble like stone. "You will tell him what you just told us, Kulin!"
Gandalf's attention turned to the other dwarf, as did everyone else's.
"When we'd traveled a short distance I contrived a reason to go back alone. I bound the elf so he could not move."
"Go on!" Gloin spat the words.
Kulin sighed heavily. "I gagged and blindfolded him as well. He is quite helpless."
Gandalf stared intently at Kulin, a strange look upon his face. With a suddenness that startled the dwarves, he pointed his staff at Kulin. With both hands, he held it steady pointing towards the dwarf as though holding something of great evil at bay. "What do you here? Be gone, servant of evil!" A faint glow emanated from the end of the staff, and then shot out in a great arc towards Kulin.
One of the others made as if to intervene, but Gloin, who knew Gandalf as well as any dwarf could, prevented any interference.
"You did not mean to tell them what you'd done! You meant for him to be left there to aid some evil purpose." Gandalf's voice swelled in an alarming crescendo, and should have been impossible for the dwarf not to obey, had he been all dwarf.
Kulin for his part laughed. At first it was the pleasing sound of hearty dwarven laughter, but then it changed somehow and took on a more evil taint. The laughter gradually faded as a black mist appeared above Kulin's head. It hovered there a moment, more than mist, but less than solid, until, at some unheard signal, it shot off towards the east faster than any eye could track.
Gandalf withdrew his staff and knelt upon one knee over Kulin. He checked the dwarf for injury, and was heartened when the dwarf blinked himself to awareness, a confused but grateful look upon his countenance. "I thank you, Gandalf! I do not know what has happened, but I do know you have rid me of a great evil."
Gloin stepped forward with the others close behind him. "Kulin?" His whisper was soft for a dwarf and held more confusion than any had ever heard from him.
Gandalf smiled. "He is well, and quite himself now, Gloin. A servant of the Enemy held him. There are many ways to sow dissent among the free peoples of Middle-earth. The enemy grows cunning in his efforts, though he has not the strength to do more than perpetuate feuds where they have long existed." The Istar looked again at Kulin, and was satisfied that he would recover.
Gloin stepped towards the Wizard once more. "We should go with you to find the prince and then take the boy to his father. I would tell the King myself what has happened and not let him decide such things on his own!"
Gandalf shook his head. "Noble a thought as that might be, Gloin, your presence would serve only to exacerbate an already volatile situation. No. I will find the prince myself. I have been searching for him anyway, since I ran into one of Mirkwood's patrols and learned of his disappearance."
Reluctantly, Gloin nodded. "He will know we were involved at any rate. We sent word to his father in case the elf planned to keep his humiliation to himself." He did not wait for Gandalf's response. "I will tell you where he is."
Gandalf shook his head. "I have discerned that already, though it is a distance from here." He looked to Gloin. "You say you sent word to Thranduil that you had humiliated Legolas. If that is so, the Elves of Mirkwood likely hunt you. I suggest you leave Mirkwood before an elven patrol finds you. I will handle Thranduil and his people. I will not allow the dwarves to be blamed for this."
Reluctantly, Gloin agreed. "Swiftly, Gandalf. I shudder to think what might have happened by now."
Gandalf nodded. "I have dawdled here when I am needed elsewhere, though I am glad to have been of service to you. If this creature was what I believe it was, Prince Legolas may be in graver danger than I first assumed." He nodded to the still stunned dwarves and headed towards the cave that hid the Prince of Mirkwood without bothering to see if the dwarves would follow his advice.
End Flashback
**
Legolas stared at Gandalf in amazement. He spoke in a soft whisper, unable to comprehend that the thing to which he'd clung as truth for so long had been a lie. "Then it was not Gloin's doing after all."
Gandalf shook his head. "No."
"Why did you not tell me?"
"Gloin took his responsibilities as seriously as any of your own kind. He felt he was responsible since he led that group. He would have claimed responsibility if he could. I spoke to your father, and we agreed the most important thing was for you to recover from your trials." He shrugged. "I admit, I assumed he would tell you after your full recovery."
He looked affectionately at the young elf who had endured so much. "Whatever injuries those dwarves inflicted upon you, my friend, it was the Enemy's influence that was truly to blame."
Legolas nodded, accepting this explanation. "I should have guessed this. I always felt something was wrong, but the cave held such terror for me that I could think of little else. I had thought that the evil dwelled in the cavethat Gloin had left me there not knowing what dwelt therebut caring only for his own revenge against my father."
Gandalf nodded. "The evil that took Kulin may have centered on the cave. Certainly, it came from Dol Guldor, but it was the influence of that evil that caused the dwarves to behave as they did. It is unlikely Gloin would have sensed it, though, in that, it achieved some small part of its evil purpose."
Legolas turned to Gimli. "Though I assumed he knew not to what he had abandoned me, I blamed Gloin for all I suffered. I am sorry for that, and for my angry words about your father's behavior."
Gimli was surprised at the elf's words, but could not accept the elf's apology in clear conscience. "Nay. The Wizard is right. My father would have claimed responsibility for it if anyone had asked. Besides whichyou were not the only one making accusations earlier." That he'd made such an admission clearly surprised him almost as much as Legolas' apology had. He cleared his throat to chase away embarrassment. "Now, elf, on with your tale."
"Oh, yes!" Pippin exclaimed. "Tell us what happened next."
Boromir laughed at Pippin's excitement. "You act as though you do not know he lived through his ordeal! He sits here to tell you of it, so you know how it must end!"
Sam shook his head. "Pardon me, Mister Boromir, but, as my Gaffer says, a good story is in the details."
Aragorn smiled. "That it is, Samwise." He turned to his friend and bade him continue. Legolas had always been reticent to speak of the incident before, and Aragorn had only been privy to the sketchiest of accounts. He, too, would know all that Legolas would share.
Legolas hesitated, almost unable to continue. When he looked again at the expectant eyes of his audience, he smiled, though it was a sad smile. "Forgive me, my friends. It is difficult to speak of it. For so long, I have wanted so desperately to forget."
Aragorn placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder, giving the elf the resolve to continue.
**
Flashback
Legolas felt pain. His head throbbed. His hands, arms, and shoulders ached dully. His ankles and feet were numb. He woke slowly, aware more of sensations than anything else. He felt the pain and numbness first and tried to wet his lips. That was when he realized that he wasn't just bound hand and foot, he was also gagged and blindfolded.
He inhaled sharply taking in a musty, stale odor. He was face down in the dirt. He wiggled, testing his bonds, but they were so tight, he only caused more pain by moving. He listened carefully, hoping to discern more about his surroundings. He heard none of the heavy sounds the dwarves had made earlier, and he dared hope they'd gone.
Soon, he determined they had done just that. They'd left him alone, unarmed, bound, blindfolded, and gagged, and he had no idea where he was, nor how he could help himself.
Legolas found he could no longer keep track of the time. He had tried, but no sunlight ever touched him, so he could not use its path across his body to measure the hours. He wasn't sure how long he'd been there, but judging from the thirst and hunger, he imagined it had to have been several hours at least.
He had no idea if the dwarves had left him on the fringes of Mirkwood, or if they had taken him somewhere else. He knew only that he was deep inside a cave or mine and though he tried to crawl, he had no idea if he drew nearer escape or further from it. He tried making some sounds, noises to draw help to him, but the gag muffled them. He stopped when he realized that what sound he could produce wasn't even loud enough to raise an echo in the cavern.
He moved his arms and legs, hoping to loosen the bonds, but they would not budge. He stopped when his hands grew sticky with blood. He searched the immediate vicinity, groping awkwardly with bloody hands, for a stone sharp enough upon which to cut his bonds. There was nothing he could use.
His immediate concerns drifted again and again to his location. Was he well hidden? Was he near a trail of any kind? Would the dwarves be sending a message to his father to gloat about what they'd done so that the King would send out search parties? He seemed to recall one of them–Kulin–saying something about that.
Had he been gone long enough to be missed, or would his father assume he had stayed in Imladris, while Lord Elrond, Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir believed him safe in his father's palace?
Worry settled upon him. He was sure he could not have been here long enough to account for the strange sensations he had noticed. A fog seemed to fall over him, making movement difficult, and his thoughts strayed to dark suppositions, and darker dreams.
The dreams seemed other than elven, somehow, and, though he tried to draw himself from them, he could not. In his mind's eye, he saw a dark shape coalesce into a vaguely human form, but this, he sensed, was no human. He tried to speak to it, wondering at his own sanity, for had any elf told Legolas he'd tried to speak to a figure in his dream, he would have sent him to the healers for aid.
No words would form, however, and he seemed as immobile and helpless in the dream world as he was in reality. With no other recourse, he waited.
The figure approached, and, with each step, Legolas felt an icy dread grow in his heart. Closer and closer it came to him until he could see nothing except the black shadow. Fear swelled within him and he struggled with his bonds frantic to escape.
The shape did not speak to him in any language he could easily comprehend, but he knew what speech it was. The Black Speech was not something you could hear and not know for what it was. The very sound of the words made him ill and weak. Beneath his blindfold, he clenched his eyes tightly shut.
He drifted in and out of consciousness, the demon form and speech waiting for him each time he lost his battle to stay awake and alert. The pain in his head throbbed with every heartbeat. Hours or days might have passed without his knowing.
A new concern claimed his thoughts, shocking him fully awake. He heard a soft sound. An experienced hunter, he knew immediately what it was. Wolves.
End Flashback
**
"Wolves!" Pippin cried.
Legolas nodded. "I was relieved they were not wargs."
Pippin swallowed audibly.
Gimli saw no reason to try to hold his tongue. "I am glad we know that it was some demon's work and not Gloin's, for my father would not have left you alone and unable to defend yourself, and I could not have held my tongue and listened to such slanders about him! I am surprised you thought he would do such things!"
"His anger towards my father was great." He looked the dwarf in the eye. "That, I always understood."
"Youyou didyou do?" Gimli seemed unsure if he should believe Legolas' claim.
"I do, but Gloin judged all elves by one act of Thranduil's. It was not even a typical act. He saw your father and his company as a threat. They were neither entirely innocuous in their actions nor forthcoming with their reasons for being in our realm. My father felt he had no choice." He paused, then pushed ahead trying to explain what life was like in the woods he called home. "My people fight the evil of Dol Guldor. We try–sometimes most desperately–to push back the darkness that has invaded our realm unbidden."
Boromir nodded in understanding, seeing a kinship with Legolas he had not recognized before. "As do mine. The White City and Mirkwood fight the same battle on different fronts."
Legolas' eyes locked on the man's. "We do, indeed, mellonin."
Aragorn interrupted then. "Why did you never tell me of these visions you beheld, mellonin? Perhaps I or possibly Lord Elrond could have helped."
Legolas shook his head, though glimmer of guilt in his eyes told Aragorn that he had long wanted to speak of this to his human friend. "I am sorry, Gwadornin. It was weeks before I saw you, and I did not wish to relive them again. I had only begun to leave it behind me." His voice dropped to a whisper, as his eyes fell from his friend's face. "Forgive me my weakness."(My brotherwhen referring to a close friend, but not a blood relativelike blood brother.)
Legolas' words surprised Aragorn. "Weakness? Nay, there was no weakness, and there is naught to forgive. I only wish to help you. If you found the help you needed elsewhere, I am only grateful that you were able to find it at all."
The two shared a smile touched by the long years of their close friendship.
Gimli, however, found no comfort in Legolas' tale. Though he accepted that some evil might have influenced his father and the company he kept, he liked not what Legolas thought of them. "Dwarves are not so heartless as you make them out to be."
"I have not made them out to be anything, Gimli. My father wronged your father and his friends. To some, Gloin was more than justified in what he–or rather, in what Kulin–in what they seemed to do." Legolas paused and looked to Gandalf. "Ai, Elbereth, but this is getting more confusing by the moment!" The Prince turned tired eyes on the dwarf once more. "I am sure he had no intention of killing me, else he would have done so rather than leave me there. It may be that, as he was not aware of the evil I faced, he was also not aware of my proximity to the wolves den."
Frodo looked at Gandalf, a knowing gleam in his eye. "You saved him from the wolves, didn't you?"
"In a manner of speaking, though I did not arrive until after they had gone." Gandalf continued to puff on his pipe as he again took up the narrative.
**
Flashback
Gandalf moved swiftly through Mirkwood's trees, pleased he was traveling alone as he would be so much more effective that way. He paused, pulling on his reigns to halt his horse. He closed his eyes mumbling slightly to himself. After a few moments, his eyes snapped open and he was off, tearing through the forest as though the Nazgûl were hard on his heels.
Gandalf spoke loudly as his horse pushed forward. He had ridden without pause since parting with the dwarves. He rode without sleep, without food in his haste to find the missing prince. The Istar pointed his staff towards the heavens and spoke loudly in Quenya. Words of protection and safety echoed through the forest directed by his staff and his very thoughts to seek out Thranduil's son and keep him safe. It was a difficult spell, and it did not always work as intended.
As he cast the spell, repeating the words over and over, he only hoped to find the prince safe and whole. He had been keeping an eye on this elf for some time. The Lady Galadriel had once entreated him to ensure the Prince remained safe. She hinted that he had a great part to play in some future event of great importance. It was likely that she had seen something of it in her mirror. It was also likely that the Valar knew of this as well, and they had sent him his premonitory inclinations.
Something told him to stop. His horse whinnied unhappily at the abrupt halt kicking up clumps of dirt in his haste to do his master's bidding. Once the horse quieted, Gandalf dismounted reaching out all of his senses for some clue–any clue–as to why he had stopped here.
The trees had grown thick, and the terrain inclined sharply, so he left his horse where it was and took only his staff, food, water, and a sack of healing herbs with him.
**
Legolas was motionless. He held his breath and silently pleaded with the Valar to send the wolves on their way. Without the aid of his eyes, he relied on his hearing to tell him where the nearest wolf stood. It was close, and it was toying with him. It stepped forward and Legolas could feel its hot breath on his neck. He dared not move, but he knew his arms had begun to tremble some time ago from being tied behind his back for so long. He only hoped the involuntary movement wouldn't entice the creature to attack.
He heard a deep growl and then felt the sharp teeth pierce his arm. The pain was overwhelming and he tried to cry out, but was unable. Preparing himself for a more vicious attack, Legolas was amazed when he heard the wolf suddenly whimper and run away.
Straining not to move lest he attract its attention again, Legolas wondered what had caused the animal to flee. He was no threat to it. His brain felt foggy from lack of sleep, water, and food, but with the wolf gone, he chanced taking a breath. He'd held it for a time hoping to minimize any sounds that might nudge the wolf toward attack. He inhaled deeply, and his breath caught. Yes, he was sure now he had broken a rib or two. Kulin's solid kicks had done more damage than he'd thought. Breathing too deeply was painful. Breathing too shallowly made him feel as though he could not take in enough air. Being blind, mute, and unable to properly draw breath made it hard not to panic. He tried to stay alert for the return of the wolf or its packmates, but pain and drowsiness overcame him.
As soon as his mind touched the dream plain, he fought for release to blessed wakefulness. The evil presence was back, and Legolas knew it had come for his soul.
End Flashback
To be continued
Replies to Reviews:
Purplesmackers: Thanks!
Karri: I suppose that at first glance I was a bit hard on Thranduil, though that wasn't my intention. When I started writing this story, I was so worried about being too hard on Gloin that I suppose I went too far the other way. I suppose Thranduil and Gloin fans may still find offense with the way this thing turns out, but I want everyone to know it's not my intention to alienate anyone. If anything is bothersome, please let me know. Thanks, Karri, for pointing that out to me.
ElvenEyes: You really made me blush! What a wonderful thing to say! I hope he would be, or, at least that he wouldn't be offended! I'm not really into Slash fic either. I prefer the fics about the strong friendships among the characters. I'll try to keep posting updates quickly!
Tithen Min: Thank you! I try to work in small details because I love to find them in things that I read!
Rabbit_of_Iron: That wasn't too long a wait, was it? I promise to keep the updates coming. This story is winding down now, anyway.
Daisy Brambleburr: This takes place about a year after The Hobbit. Gloin and his friends are still upset by their treatment by Thranduil.
Felagund: I understand your feelings, and I respect your opinion but you can't really judge the story until you've read it all. I don't know what about what I've written makes you believe that I've portrayed Gimli as dumb, loud, and ignorant, or that I think no one in the Fellowship likes him. I love Gimli. Legolas and Gimli (and Gandalf!) haven't said all that needs saying, yet. This fic is not finished. Legolas isn't perfect and I'm not trying to say he is. Truthfully, however, Tolkien never gave us much by the way of details, and I always imagined he had some purpose in having Gimli and Legolas be the sons of Thranduil and Gloin. What better indication of the power of friendship than to have not just a dwarf and an elf become friends, but to have this dwarf and this elf become friends. My purpose in writing this the way that I am is to illustrate that Gimli and Legolas are each willing to see the other's point of view more so than their fathers were. Tolkien's intent, whatever that may have been, is likely lost to us, but I always found it a comforting notion that he'd written characters like these who can see past traditional hatreds and inherited prejudices and embrace each other as true friends.
Darcy Took, Carol Stevenson, Fire-breathing-ferret, niani, Ash, Padfoot4ever, tamara, Legolas's fanatical fan girl: Thanks!
Darth Yak: Your review meant a lot to me, especially the comparison to Tolkien! I am terribly flattered that you like my style and dialogue enough to say that. I was hesitant to start to post in this fandom because I wasn't sure I could do it justice. Though I don't feel deserving of such high praise, hearing that I'm on the right track is a personal joy!
slightly-psychotic: Ooh! I'll try to remember not to keep you waiting too long!
MysticalMagic: Thanks! I love Gimli's impatience and all around bluster. Sometimes, especially in my other fic, Fight the Fall, he just demands to be in a scene.
Ryoko: Sorry to have contributed to the nail biting, but I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter. I hope this one was just as good!
Neko: I do hope my characterization of Gimli is ringing true with everyone. I do have a purpose in what's being said. As I tried to explain to Felagund, I'm trying to make a clear delineation between the behavior of Gimli and Legolas versus the behavior of Gloin and Thranduil. The differences between father and son in both instances are, in my opinion, what make their friendship possible. Gimli is a blustery, impatient personality and both he and Legolas were quite willing to remain friendly enemies until things changed between them in Lothlorien. (I've often wished Tolkien had written a bit more about that!)
Angel of Death: see above messages to Neko and Felagund.
Skye: I am writing as fast as I can! Really I have the major plot points all worked out, but as Sam's Gaffer says, "a good story is in the details."
Andmetwen: I always thought the dwarves and Thranduil were all a little hardheaded.
