He he he, irritating babble-speak, that's a good one, I like that! Anywayz, how I write in my little author's notes is how I talk casually, ya know? Just trying to give it a personal flair I suppose. For the one or two folks who commented on my using "junk" in my summary, I think we're experiencing a bit of a language barrier thing. See, in my little world we use junk like we would use stuff, I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone but I am sorry if I did. No hard feelings? I hope not, I don't like when people are mad at me. Oh yeah, and many thanks to those who helped me out with the names, it was greatly appreciated. Thanks Maru! And Dragonfire5888
Our story picks up when the Fellowship has been on their journey for several days. The scene is a campsite.
On with the story…
Animosity Chapter 3
Sounds of early evening filled the air, fragrant with smells of meat cooking over a rustic campfire. Birds chorused gently with one another, the crickets harmonizing and if one listened carefully, you just might hear the delicate whisperings of the trees. Aragorn sighed, closed his eyes and smiled as he leaned against the aged bark of a tree. Despite the hate and animosity existent amongst the races, between good and evil, nature would remain constant and pure. Sometimes the delightful song of a nightingale was the only thing a man could count on. As he was nodding off to sleep for the first time in many days, listening to the innocent laughter and peaceful squabbling of the hobbits, he was jarred to consciousness by a loud:
"Oi! Strider! Come and eat before these two rascals eat it up completely," announced Sam.
"Of course, if you don't feel up to eating I could finish it off for you Argorn," offered Pip.
Laughing, Aragorn said, "You will not claim my dinner tonight Peregrin Took. Nor will any other hobbit, dwarf, man, wizard or," he paused to see if their first born companion was near at hand and when seeing he wasn't continued, "elf."
"Speaking of elves," spoke Boromir, "where is our fair companion? He does not often appear at hand. Is he not a member of this fellowship?"
"Boromir, you do not speak wisely," professed the wizened wizard Gandalf.
"Nor does he possess the eyes or ears of my kindred," declared Legolas as he leapt gracefully from an above branch, landing without a sound across the clearing from Boromir. "For if he did, he would have known that I have been sitting above your heads for quite some time." Looking Boromir directly in the eye, the prince of Mirkwood said sarcastically, " I do hope you pay closer attention when on watch. An orc would have your head before you realized he was near." Boromir had never before had an elf stare at him with unveiled eyes, let alone the intimidatingly powerful Prince Legolas of Mirkwood. Needless to say, he lost that staring contest.
"Now Legolas, we all know Boromir has done an excellent job thus far. You do not give him the credit he deserves," admonished Gandalf, who the elves call Mirthrandir.
"I give credit where credit is due, old friend," smiled Legolas, once again showing his true, friendly nature. " My good Sam, what is this that you have prepared for us tonight?"
"Ah, Mister Legolas, its an old family recipe." Sniffing, then sighing sadly Sam confided to the elf, "Truly, sir, the smell alone reminds me of my old gaffer. Makes me wonder if I'll ever see 'im or the Shire again."
"You worry needlessly Sam. On my honor, you will return to your home again one day, though how soon I do not know," said Legolas reassuringly.
Sniffling, Sam replied, "Thank you Legolas."
"'Tis nothing, my friend. Now, lets have some of this delicious looking stew. Watch out for your beard Master Dwarf. You do not want to dunk it in this appetizing dinner." As the rest of the Fellowship also settled down to eat their meal in silence, Gandalf studied each member.
'Hobbits are truly such resilient creatures. Though they long for home, bed, bath and as many meals a day as they can mange, they have matched every step with man and elf.
I am also pleasantly surprised with Gimli. He has proven to be a very worthy member of this Fellowship indeed.
While Boromir often speaks rashly and rudely, I see in him the makings of a great and powerful man. However I fear that the ring, which is even at this moment silently tugging at his heart, may lead to his destruction.
Aragorn has aided me in leading this crew for many a mile and has proved his true kingly qualities as he put the others in the Fellowship before himself, even when not all of them returned his courtesy…' The aged wizard sighed deeply as he thought of the young elvish prince. Legolas may have been sitting but a few feet away, but the true Legolas was much, much more distanced; distanced by time itself. Gandalf had known the lad for nearly 3,000 years. He had been present at the time of his birth and witnessed his introduction to the elves of Middle Earth. Yet the innocent child, full of joy, love and acceptance of all, had long disappeared. Though he resurfaced more and more often each year, the anger Gandalf saw in the prince when either facing or even discussing men troubled and frightened him. Gandalf looked up as Aragorn stood and announced, "We should all try to rest tonight, we begin tomorrow before the sun awakens for her slumber. Tonight's guards are Legolas and myself." Exhausted from days of travel and little rest, the company was asleep before long. Aragorn and Legolas sat near each other, but not together, in tense silence.
Aragorn, hoping to diminish the painful quiet, asked his companion, "Have you known Gandalf for long?"
The prince replied bluntly, "Ai."
"But you likely known him by Mirthrandir."
"Ai."
"How long exactly…"
"I believe the point of being on guard is to be silent and listen for signs of danger."
"My apologies, I simply…"
"Silence!" whispered Legolas harshly as he stood and readied his bow.
"Do you sense something?"
"Orcs. How many, I am not sure."
"Should I wake the others."
"Yes, they are aware of our presence. Ready yourself."
"Wake up! Orc attack! Get your weapons!" (A/N okay, I have never written a battle scene, so don't expect too much, alrighty?) Arrows flew and swords flashed in the moonlight as a large troop of orcs came upon the Fellowship.
"Protect the little ones!" yelled Boromir as he ran his sword through the neck of an unlucky orc. The skirmish continued as neither side seemed to have an impressive advantage. Although the Fellowship had the power of men, elves, dwarves and wizards on their side, the sheer number of orcs balanced the scales of battle. As Legolas unleashed his arrows of lightning by the dozen, he was distracted by a call from within the trees of the outlying forest. Thinking it might be one of the defenseless young hobbits, he ran to find the source of the call. Nearing a small clearing, Legolas can see that the source was none other than Boromir. The man lay pinned to his back by the shield of a slain orc and a yet living orc stood strong above him, sword high in the air waiting to fly down and claim it's next victim though it glistened with the blood of those it had already tasted.
Seeing Legolas appear in the clearing, Boromir choked out, " Legolas, companion, save me!" Though he reached behind for an arrow, Legolas hesitated, appearing to contemplate whether or not he should save the life of the man.
"You are of mankind. What obligation have I to save you?" Legolas murmured maliciously.
"No! N-no, you can't! You can't simply allow him to…" The orc cackled and screeched, "This elf has no power over me. You are blind and stupid to believe…" The orc fell dead beside Boromir. Crying out of relief Boromir turned to look at Legolas but saw that he was gone. Slowly pushing himself up and feeling the many wounds he had taken that night, Boromir made his way back to camp. Upon reaching the clearing, Boromir saw that the rest of his companions were tending to their or another's wounds. Legolas, however, sat upon a dead log and cleaned his bow of mud and blood.
"Boromir, there you are, we were worried," announced Frodo, but Boromir ignored the hobbit and stood before the elf.
Unsheathing his sword and breathing heavily out of a mixture of pain and anger, Boromir hissed, "You would have seen me slain if that orc had not bruised your precious pride, damn elf."
"Boromir!"
"This does not concern you Aragorn. It is between me and this despicable creature." Still, Legolas did not stop cleaning his bow nor did he even look up.
Aside to Gandalf, Argorn asked, "Should we stop this?"
"Nay lad, this is very likely the best thing that could happen. I believe old wounds will now begin to heal."
"Your petty anger will be the ruin of us all! Did you tell our companions of how you were about to allow that orc to cut my head off?!" The others simply gasped and watched as the confrontation unfolded.
"And for what? None of us are even aware why you hold such deep animosity toward mankind." Boromir then took on a taunting, insulting tone of voice as he questioned, "Do you even remember elf? Did a hungry man steal from one of your rich tables? Did your greedy father loose a gold coin to a poor merchant? Did you…"
"Do you truly wish to know the roots of my animosity, man?" Legolas began slowly then urgently and violently stood. "Do you?! Well?! Answer me! Or can you only question?" Taking an involentary step backwards Boromir stumbled over a root and fell to the floor, looking upwards towards the elf with fear written across his face. "Do you all think I am deaf to your whisperings about me? I know you wish to learn my secrets. I have heard you press Gandalf for details. I will tell you, I will tell you the horrible truth."
The End
He he he, just kidding!
"From the very beginning of my life, my every confrontation with one who is a descendent of man has ran foul. *Several days before I was to be born, my mother was separated from my father en route from the Lake Town to our palace in Mirkwood. Unusually, I was born early, in a cave along the way. It was chosen for it's appearance of safety, but our group was wrong in this aspect. During the night a group of slave marketers, hearing movement within the cave, stole in through an unseen back entrance, slew my older brother, who was guarding the small troop of elves, and my mother as well. I was stolen from her breast, along with two other elf children and an elf maiden who were traveling with us. With the protection of the Valar, we escaped from the hands of many different captors before finally returning home nearly two years after my birth. Though I was young and this took place over 2,000years in the past, I yet remember the pain the other captives and myself received at the hands of our captors. Rape, beatings, deceit, all at the hands of men*. Though I see disbelief and compassion in your eyes, I also see that you do not think these barbarian and savage acts justify my animosity. My friends, you have not heard my entire story. Perhaps if that were the only reason I would have to despise the race of men, I would not feel as deeply or as passionately as I do about mankind. However, that was not destined to be. You may be aware that in an elf will meet one true and pure love in his or her lifetime, and that these two will spend eternity together. Often they are even blessed with children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout their long lives. I met this elf-maiden on the eve of my 500th conception day celebration (A/N- Someone told me that is what they are called, but whatever im not too sure). I fell madly in love with her upon my first glance. Instantly I knew that she held the key that would unlock my heart, mind and soul. My everything, my beautiful Andriel. Although the time of courtship is intended to be an enjoyable time, it was torture for me and I courted my love for as short as socially acceptable; then we were wed. I was assured that the wedding was the grandest anyone had seen in a millennia, yet I hardly remember anything other than how absolutely radiant Andriel looked and how very much we belonged to one another. We lived in wedded bliss for several hundred years before our first daughter, Anawien was born, and she was joined 300 years later by her younger sister, Novduriel. The two were the most angelic elflings anyone had ever seen. They were my moon and star, I lived to please them and gladly spoiled them in every way. Though Andriel did not believe we should spoil our children, she would simply laugh and say, "Oh Legolas, when will you learn?" We were the happiest creatures ever to live on Arda, be they man, elf, dwarf or hobbit." Suddenly the smile that had lit his face while he spoke of his wife and daughters vanished.
"Oh how I hated to leave them to scout or patrol the perimeter of our forest, yet it was my duty as a warrior and a prince of my country to do so." A sad, childlike look came upon Legolas' face as he looked stared into nothing and continued.
"Andriel had asked me not to that day. "Join us at the feast tonight my love. You just patrolled two weeks ago, you belong here with your daughters, your wife…your son." She then told me that she was expecting another child, one she believed to be a boy. We rejoiced and I very nearly stayed, so that we might announce our news at the feast. Yet my honor, my damned duty and foolish pride dictated that I uphold my plans and I left for the patrol. As I rode out ahead of my squad I looked back at my Andriel, our daughters standing beside her. I didn't realize that it would be the last time that I would ever see one of them alive. While I sat in a tree, singing my children's favorite song and picturing their sweet faces laughing and young voices attempting to sing the melody, a palace guard with a pained expression on his face rode up on a violently used horse.
"My lord!"
"What brings you out here at this time in such a fashion?"
"There was an attack on the feast my lord!"
"Andriel…my daughters?"
"They cannot be found Prince Legolas, we must hurry back!" I was on my horse and riding back before he had finished his sentence. As I pushed my mare faster than any horse has ever flown, I told myself that they were fine, I had just left them a matter of hours ago. They were probably hiding somewhere in the forest. As I neared the area in which the feast had taken place, I passed my father, brothers and sisters, friends, as they tried to slow me down and speak with me. But I would listen to no one. I could think only of my family. " Here Legolas paused and was silent for a moment.
"Did you find them?" asked Sam, as if he was afraid of the answer.
"Ai, I found them. Indeed I found them," Legolas said calmly. And he began to cry. Though sobs did not wrack his body, nor did his voice become distorted, crystalline tears ran down his face in streams. Mournfully he continued, "Their bodies were abandoned beside a broken and dead tree. Bodies…if you could call their remnants bodies. My beautiful Andriel and innocent children of the stars had been brutally slaughtered. The defenseless loves were scalped, dismembered, beheaded and broken. My lovely wife was undoubtedly raped, though I should hope my children were not. Yet it is very possible that they were. I yelled. I do not recall for how long exactly, but I screamed my loudest, most carnal, bloody, vengeful scream I could ever muster. That was how my father and friends found me…and my family.
"Who"
"Excuse me, Prince Legolas?"
"They were goblins, were they not?"
"No, my lord."
"Surely not the dwarves?"
"No, my lord."
"Then who could do such a…"
"They were men, my lord."
Men, Men Men Men MEN
From that day I vowed never again to trust another man. If I could not have the ones who committed the crime, I would hold their entire race responsible. That, my dear companions, is the very deepest root to my abounding animosity for the human race." Legolas then stood and turned to leave as Gandalf said:
"Now we all understand each other. Boromir, before you judge Legolas for contemplating making a rash decision, consider what you would have done in his position."
"Likely, I would have murdered every elf I ever came across," admitted the shamed man. " I cannot believe that men could behave like…that."
"I am ashamed to admit that I surely can believe it," interjected Aragorn. "I apologize, Prince Legolas, on behalf of my race, though this apology may not account for much."
"As do I," said Boromir.
"Us too," added the sniffling hobbits. A sad smile graced the face of the elf prince before he said, "I cannot pretend to forget the wrongs I have been dealt by mankind and truthfully, I am hocked that a race I have openly acknowledged to abhor is humbling itself before me. Yet I now realize that the men who did these things were surely not men like you, that I truly cannot hold the many responsible for the few" Turning to face the rest of the company, Legolas bowed his head and replied:
"I accept your apologies, all of you," looking at the hobbits particularly, "though some of you have done nothing wrong."
After a few minutes the companions fell back asleep, with Legolas and Aragorn once again taking guard. This time, it was Legolas who broke the silence.
" Aragorn, son of Arathorn, I thank you."
" I grateful that you accept my apology."
"Nay, though I do appreciate your apology, I am thanking you for your patience and for standing for me when I only ridiculed and mocked you. It should be I who is apologizing. Know that I will remain loyal to you and yours for all of my days, King of Gondor."
Aragorn smiled, patted Legolas on the shoulder, and replied, " I have heard it said that there is a silver lining to every cloud, good to be found in every situation. Of yet I was searching for that ray of sunlight in this war of the ring and could not find it. But perhaps tonight we have found that silver lining. We have learned that it is entirely possible for men, elves, dwarves, wizards and even the curious little hobbits to sleep together under a common canopy of green leaves without a thick barrier of animosity."
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So, yeah, that's it. Whattaya think? Too sappy at the end? Too bad cause I like it sappy, he he he. *Oh, if the part about Legolas being stolen as a baby seemed familiar, you have probably read May the Valar Protect Them, an awesome story that you must check out. But don't worry I had the author's permission to use the basic story line. Uh, yeah I think that's it. Well, I kinda had an idea for an epilogue type thing, but I dunno if I should do it, up to you guys I guess. I kinda like how it just ends like that. The whole sappy factor thingy. Only one thing about reviewing, I mean please do it I love reviews, but please don't put that Legolas wasn't acting how he was "supposed" to act or anything like that because like I have said before, I realize that, that is why it is called fan fiction. Ahhh, yes, I see!