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 review. See replies to reviews at end of chapter.
Part 7
Gandalf saw a cave just ahead and knew it to be the right one. He hurried inside forcing a glow from the end of his staff. Legolas was not near the entrance, so he moved quickly, knowing that he did not have much time.
Then he heard a sound, slight, muffled, but definitely the sound of someone in anguish trying to be heard. He moved at a speed that would have surprised many of his friends who knew not the true power of the Istari.
He ran through the cavern, and turning to the left, he saw the elf. His heart went out to the fair being as he took in the tattered, bloodied clothes, the tightly bound limbs, and the slight tremble. He was immediately at the Prince's side, talking in a calm, even voice. "Legolas, it is Mithrandir. You are not alone."
Legolas turned his head sharply at the most welcome, nearly forgotten sound of someone speaking. His heart skipped a beat as he realized he was not insane. He had indeed heard Mithrandir calling his name earlier.
As Gandalf reached for the ropes that bound the prince's wrists, he felt tremors course through the elf's body. Convulsions shook his slight frame, and Gandalf knew he had arrived with not a moment to spare. Again, he closed his eyes, and again he summoned words in Quenya speaking harshly to the evil darkness that fought to corrupt the soul of Middle-earth's youngest elf.
The Istar stood, staying close to Legolas. "You shall not have him!" Gandalf's voice echoed through the cavern as a light grew around him to encompass the unconscious elf at his feet. The dark evil flared for a moment as though loath to release the innocent it held. "Be gone, evil shadow, and do not return!" The light increased flooding the cave with blinding whiteness. When it finally receded, Gandalf reached out his senses but found no hint of the evil. He had driven it away.
He knelt then at Legolas' side, surprised to find he was conscious. He struggled against his bonds making his wrists all the bloodier. He tried to speak, but the Istar softly shushed him. "Shh, Legolas, let me cut these ropes away." He tore off the gag and blindfold disturbed by the sight that greeted the action. An elf clenching his eyes tight against the brightness of his staff's light was a difficult sight to behold.
Tears fell from Legolas' eyes as he squeezed his them shut. What light was there that could blind an elf? He felt a sudden painful release as Mithrandir sliced easily though the ropes at his wrists and ankles. Moving his arms brought a cry of surprised pain.
"Easy, Legolas. Take it slowly." Gandalf was prepared to wait in the cavern for Legolas to adjust to the new sensations from his abused body, and he settled the elf to lean against him as he rummaged through his things for something with which to treat the gash on Legolas' arm. He was surprised that the first thing Legolas did was struggle against him as though trying to escape him.
"Legolas, what is it?"
With an effort that surprised the Istar, the elf slowly raised his eyes to meet Gandalf's, and with a dry, choked whisper pleaded with his rescuer. "Aurë" (Sunlight, stars.)
Nodding, Gandalf moved with a strength belied by his physical form and scooped the elf up into his arms, hastening to the cavern's entrance. The closer they came to the full glare of sunlight, the more the elf trembled in both relief at the feel of it on his skin, and pain that his eyes could not quickly adjust to the sudden intensity of the bright, blazing sun.
Gandalf settled Legolas by a tree, his face in the shade to shield his eyes, but the sunlight streaming through the trees bringing comfort and peace to his tortured soul.
Glad he'd brought extra, Gandalf opened his water skin. "Drink." He urged the elf, who took small sips while the wizard checked his wounds.
What he saw disturbed him, but he consoled himself with the knowledge that it could have so easily been worse. Legolas' wrists were chafed and bloodied from the ropes, as were his ankles. There was some dried blood on the back of his head where he had undoubtedly been hit, and at least one rib was broken, but by far the worst was the gash on his arm. A wolf had attacked the elf. He had no doubt about that. Carefully, he cleaned the wounds, using what herbs he had to fight off infection and bring some comfort to his charge.
"I thought that I would never see the sun again." Legolas whispered hoarsely, eyes fixed above his head as if trying to see the sun itself through the filtering comfort of the leaves. He was blinking rapidly now, elven healing already helping him adjust again to sunlight.
Legolas weakly raised a hand to the place where his missing braid should have been and, in doing so, drew Gandalf's attention to the dried blood in his hair. His scalp must have been cut when they'd severed the braid. It was now almost healed, but Gandalf still took pains to clean and treat it.
"Gloin gloated of what he's done, though Kulin seemed to enjoy it most." Legolas said, his voice an odd mixture of anger and apathy. "He wants to hurt my father."
"There is more going on here than you know, Legolas." He hesitated, not wanting to tell the elf exactly what had happened until he'd had time to recover.
"Ai, Mithrandir, I could not fight them all! One struck me from behind, and when I awoke, I was bound. Gloin discovered who I am, and" He inhaled sharply as Mithrandir's touch fell again to his ribs.
"I am sorry, but I must wrap them."
Legolas nodded once, but his gaze drifted back towards the sky. He was a model patient, distracted more by the beauty of the sun and trees than by the pain of his injuries.
Gandalf tended the elf, but also studied him. He had not resumed his tale, and Gandalf was not inclined to push. It was obvious how he'd been treated. Details availed no one. He was paler than an elf should be, and seemed weaker than Gandalf would have expected. Of course, he reminded himself, he knew not how long the elf had dwelled in darkness.
"Legolas, how long have you been here like this?"
Legolas considered the question, but knew he could not answer. "In truth, I do not know. What is the day? Time passes unmarked when an elf sees not the sun."
Gandalf told him the date and time of day.
"Then, my friend, I have been trussed like a pig for 6 days." He looked up at the sky, eyes still tearing at the light. "Six days without sun or stars. I hope never to be so long in darkness again. I think I would rather die."
Gandalf was surprised at the words. Elves did not speak lightly of death. Perhaps it was the shock of being rescued, or the disorientation of being again among his beloved trees and bright sunlight. Most likely, however, it was the lingering touch of evil.
He looked up at the tree on which Legolas was propped and realized it too had not liked the words the Woodland Elf had spoken. Its lowest branches seemed to dip lower, it's leaves strategically bunching and separating to deliver the most sunlight to the elf's pale skin, while keeping his eyes comfortably shaded.
"Come, Legolas. I will take you to my horse, and we will get you home." He helped the elf rise, noting that, though strength was returning rapidly, Legolas needed support to walk even a short distance.
Getting Legolas upon the horse, and climbing up behind him, Gandalf turned the animal towards Thranduil's Hall. They had gone but a short distance when Gandalf stopped and forced Legolas to drink again. The Elf was grateful just to feel the liquid run down his throat. His arms still trembled, but his strength was slowly returning.
Resuming their course, the pair rode in silence. Legolas wanted to sing, but he found he was unable. The third time he tried, Gandalf cut him off. "Rest, Legolas." Then he began to sing to the elf. "The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began"
**
King Thranduil had been intent on finding the dwarves who had dared harm his son, when he had accidentally stumbled upon Mithrandir. The wizard held Legolas in the saddle in front of him as he rode with haste towards Thranduil's palace. The king had stopped his forces and ordered them to take up guard positions around the Prince and his rescuer. He would deal with the dwarves later. Now he had to see to his son.
As he watched his son sleep safely in his own bed, he wondered why he could not calm the fear that still claimed his heart. Legolas was safe. He was here in his room. Why did his heart still ache as though he were lost?
He looked to his left as Mithrandir stepped beside him. Amin dele ten'ho. (I am worried about him.)
"He will recover. He is young and strong." Gandalf found himself believing this for the first time since he'd found the prince.
"Tell me how you found him."
Gandalf shrugged. "The methods I used are unimportant."
"Not the methods. His condition. How was he when you found him?"
"We have treated his wounds. Surely you can see from the nature of them what has happened."
"Tell me!"
Gandalf told him, but passed a warning to the King as well. "There is more going on here than you realize, Thranduil." Gandalf relayed all he knew of the dwarves and the evil shadow that had possessed Kulin and tried to lay claim to Legolas.
Thranduil listened, his blood running cold at the thought that his precious son had been cradled in the clutches of the enemy. "He will recover?"
"He will in time, though the memory of it will linger." Gandalf stared down at the elf, hoping whatever he remembered would not haunt him all his days.
"Do not tell him what truly happened, Mithrandir."
"Nay, I will not. It is too soon for him to hear it all when it may hinder his recovery by striking fear into his heart too soon." He looked sidelong at the King. "You should tell him one day, when he has overcome this."
Thranduil did not answer, and Gandalf decided not to push. Gandalf could feel the anguish radiating from the King. Father and son had both had much recovering to do.
"Adar?"
Thranduil and Gandalf were at Legolas' bedside in an instant. "What is it, my son."
"Thirsty." He mumbled.
Thranduil held out a cup of water to him and gently helped him sit up to sip it. He expected Legolas to fall back against the pillow almost immediately, but his son surprised him by gripping his arm. "Ada, please..." Legolas glanced around the room. Im boe tíro calad." (I must see the light.)
"Rest, my son." Thranduil told Legolas as he lit more candles around the room.
"Le hannon, Ada." Legolas whispered as he sunk back onto the bed and was instantly asleep. (Thank you.)
End Flashback
**
When he was finished his story, Legolas was surprised that no one had anything to say. They stared at him for awhile and he felt a slow smile tugging at his lips. "I see. Now that I am finished, you have no comments to make."
Merry returned the elf's smile. "Why would we have comments when we can no longer interrupt you? Where's the fun in that?"
Frodo laughed outright, and Sam turned quickly towards him, joy in his eyes that his master sounded as he once had after a long night of ale and tales in the Shire.
"We were a rather rude audience, weren't we, Legolas?" Frodo said. "It was quite an exciting story." He would have said more but Aragorn cut him off.
Aragorn raised a hand putting an end to any further discussion. "We have walked long and hard today. We must rest if we are to face tomorrow's trials."
He glanced at Legolas, who was supposed to take the first watch this evening. Aragorn wanted the elf to sleep. He knew his friend was worn out, and they would need him strong if any unexpected dangers lingered between them and escape from Moria.
Gandalf cleared his throat. "I will take first watch. Gimli, perhaps we can count on you to take second?"
Gimli nodded, already deep in thought over the story he had heard.
Legolas felt oddly disconnected from the group and fatigue filled his limbs, or he might have objected to being overlooked for the evening watch. The elf settled down to sleep, though his eyes seemed haunted.
Boromir saw the troubled look in both Aragorn's and Gandalf's eyes. He knew, as they all did, that something had to be done. What did one do for an ailing elf, especially when the malady was lack of sun and air and you had at least another day of darkness ahead of you? He pondered the problem long and hard, until a simple solution presented itself. You make the darkness light.
He approached Aragorn who had moved to sit near Gandalf. Both were staring at Legolas as if willing him to be all right. "Forgive me, Aragorn, but I must askLegolas' problem is that he needs the sun?"
Aragorn nodded. "It is."
"Then can we not provide it for him?"
Aragorn stared at Boromir. "Perhaps the darkness has gotten to you as well."
"I don't mean literally. Gandalf's staff provides the light. Perhaps we can find another way to provide warmth."
"What do you suggest?" Gandalf leaned forward to hear the man's words.
Boromir was beginning to lose his nerve. He had to be wrong. It couldn't be this simple. "I was speaking to him earliertrying to distract himhis mood lifted when I sang a song of Minas Tirith. Perhaps if we each sang something to him. One of you must know something familiarsomething elvish."
Aragorn considered the suggestion, and turned his attention to Gandalf. "Could that help?"
"It might. Certainly it will not hurt."
Aragorn needed no further encouragement. He moved to sit close to Legolas and began to sing an elvish song Legolas had once taught him about Mirkwood. Gandalf recognized it and joined in. Boromir wanted to as well, but, as he spoke no elvish, he listened to the melody until he learned it and began to hum parts of it when he could, throwing in a word here and there as he picked it up.
Soon the Hobbits joined them, all but Frodo stumbling over the elvish.
Gimli would not try to sing elvish, but he did keep time to the song by tapping his axe handle against the stone wall.
Legolas heard the words. At first he was too weary to respond, but the song was one he loved, and hearing his friends sing it did indeed lighten his heart. After several verses, he joined in himself, quietly at first, but soon building. When the song was finished, he smiled at them. "Thank you, my friends."
Aragorn gestured to Boromir. "It was his idea. I merely supplied the song."
"And I the harmony, " Gandalf added.
"And we, thevolume!" Merry added with a laugh.
"The result was perfection, truly. I thank you."
Gandalf nodded, noting the elf's pallor had lessened. "We shall start the morning with another round, if you like."
"I think I would enjoy that." He smiled again at his friends, and settled down to sleep.
**
The rest of the journey through the darkness left them little time to be concerned by Legolas' condition. The Tomb of Balin had been a heartbreaking sight for all of them, especially Gimli. The Cave Troll and orcs had put up a formidable fight. Legolas was pleased that his training as a warrior had distracted him from his own anxieties. When he had told Aragorn that they should leave the tomb, he briefly wondered if his fears of Moria had made his anxieties seem more of a threat than they were. When the orcs had attacked, he silently chastised himself for his doubts. His senses had not abandoned him entirely.
Later, when Gandalf had mentioned the Balrog, Legolas felt an icy terror grip his heart. He felt paralyzed by fear until he heard Gandalf's command to run. Their dash through Moria had almost cost them Boromir when the man had nearly plunged down a nonexistent stairs. Legolas reached for him and pulled him backwards. He could feel a bond of strong friendship growing with Boromir, and losing him before they had a chance to explore that relationship would have been devastating.
As they ran towards the bridge of Khazad-dûm, Legolas pleaded with the Valar to save them. He watched Gandalf as he faced the beast alone, all the while telling himself to fire arrows at it, though he knew they would be ineffectual. When Gandalf fell, Legolas could not shake the disbelief and consternation that flooded his heart. It could not be that Mithrandir was gone. It could not be! How could they endure?
He stood outside in the blessed light after four days of darkness, yet he could feel naught but the pain in his heart. The joy he should have felt at seeing the sky eluded him. The absence of his friend seemed unfathomable. Confusing. Disconcerting, How could it be? Gandalf was no human! He was immortal! HeLegolas' thoughts faded as Aragorn asked him to get the Hobbits up and ready to travel. Yes. Travel. They had far to go. Almost in slow motion it felt to him, he urged the hobbits to stand, to gather their strength, and to put aside their grief.
Aragorn led them towards Lothlorien, and as he raced across the land on light, graceful feet, Legolas could not help but feel that even the Golden Wood could not heal this hurt.
To be continued
slightly psychotic: Good! I'm glad I'm keeping my audience!
Karri: Thanks for the clarification on the elvish! My dictionary usually lists either Q or S when a word is taken from Quenyan or Sindarin, but for some words it has only one translation and no qualifiers. I'll fix that then. (Sorry everyone, I'm going back to Adar!) After all, everything else, I've tried to keep Sindarn. I'm releived to hear Thranduil isn't as far off as I'd begun to think. I only had the hint to his greed because I was intending to set this up as a point of contention between Thranduil and Legolas. There's more Thranduil in chapters to come.
Lirenel: Thanks! I'm sorry you lost the story for awhile, but I'm glad you found it again! I'm glad you like the characterizations. I hate to offend anyone, especially in such a wonderful world as Tolkien created. My sister has only recently started reading the books. She just started The Two Towers, and has, of course, read my stories. She thinks dwarves are like Klingonsminus the height of course!
Dragonfly: Thanks! I often wonder if the guy who created "Highlander" got his idea for the pain of immortality from Tolkien. In my head, I sometimes hear the Queen Song, Who Wants to Live Forever from Highlander when I write about this stuff!
Alexa: Thank you! It means a great deal to hear such nice things! I am thrilled that you like my story, and I will continue to update regularly!
White Wolf: Thank you! Yes, I found myself wondering what's taking so long, too! Gandalf shares the sense of urgency, though, and I promise he will find Legolas soon!
MysticalMagic: You're right about Gimli! He is what he is! I'm glad you like what I've done with Boromir. I've gotten a lot of positive comments about him, and I'm glad to have struck a chord with so many readers!
Neko: I know! I missed him myself, but he needed to absorb the story that's being told, and I had to hurry Gandalf on his way! Thanks again for the review. I'll keep posting as promptly as I am able. (I already have ideas for several other LOTR fics when this one is finished.)
Andmetwen: That's because he's in two places! He's in Moria telling the Fellowship the story of something that happened to him in Mirkwood years earlier. Yeah, he probably does need a hug about nowin both Moria and Mirkwood!
Vilondra,Goddess of Darkness: Thanks.
MoroTheWolfGod: I like those succinct reviews. You know what they say, ask and ye shall receive. Plus, I'm in a good mood today!
