Child of Darkness and Death



Chapter III:



[Gimli]



Morning came, and if we weren't currently sitting the Council Room, waiting for Gandalf to inform us of the news he bore-- the ill news-- it would have been a beautiful morning. Perfect, even!



"Legolas."

But alas...

"Legolas!"



I was snapped out of my reverie when the name of the Elf Prince was called a second time. In confusion, I looked around to see why my friend hadn't answered to his name. It didn't take me long to spot him, seated almost directly across from me with his father's empty seat on his left while Aragorn, the one who was calling the Elf, was occupied the seat on his right.

Ever since our travels together, this must have been the first time we were nor seated together. And who do I have to blame for this? The pounding headache (due to too much Elven wine) that made me reluctant to leave my bed, so that by the time I had gotten myself out of bed, breakfast, and into the council room, the King of Men was already seated beside the Elven Prince, both engaged in a seemingly deep conversation. (Seemingly, because I had not the keen Elven hearing, and even if I did, I did not have enough command of Elvish to understand their speech.)



"Legolas!"



This time, it was the near frantic tone that caught the attention of my wandering mind. I looked at my friend again.

At first, I found nothing amiss, but upon closer inspection/scrutiny, I saw that the Crazy Elf's eyes were glazed over-- turning the emerald green in to a hazy grey blue color that signifies...sleep!



"The Crazy Elf fell asleep?" I gave voice to my thought, my tone was incredulous. If my dignified, Elven friend will fall asleep during a council, then Arda is sure to fall.



[Fly on the wall]



"No Master Dwarf, Legolas is not asleep," came the firm voice of King Thranduil as he enter the council room. "And Estel, leave him be," Thranduil continued as he took his seat next to his son.

"But--"

"Trust me, Estel. Legolas is fine."

"Gandalf, now that King Thranduil is here, maybe we can start and fill Legolas in later?" Pippin suggested. "It's almost time for second breakfast!" he further informed.... and was promptly hit upside the head by Merry.

"Owww...!"

Gandalf chuckle, amused by the two Hobbits. "Fool of a Took!" The Istari chided good-naturedly. "I haven't been waiting for Kind Thranduil, but for Legolas to...," he paused here, searching for the right word before he continued, "'return' to us...so to say."

Aragorn looked up in surprise at the wizard. "What do you mean?"



As if on cue, the elf's eyes turned clear again, reverting back to a deep forest green.



"Ah! Seems like Prince Legolas has 'returned' to us!" Gandalf exclaimed. "So, what did the trees tell you?" he asked the Elf.

Ignoring the questioning looks from Aragorn and Gimli for the moment, Legolas looked at the Istari and answered with a sigh, "I'm afraid that my tidings will give you no relieve: the trees will no say anything...."

Gandalf sighed audibly. "That is bad news indeed if even the trees refuse to speak with a Child."



Gimli and Aragorn, not to mention the Hobbits as well, looked at each other, completely confused by the exchange.

"Excuse me Gandalf, but that are those of us who still needs to be informed of what's going on," Gimli put in for the baffled group.

"Of course, of course," Gandalf replied. "Well, I suppose we'll start the council now, when everyone's returned to their seats," the old wizard looked pointedly at the Dwarf, who had earlier made his way to Legolas when the latter had failed to respond to Aragorn.

Gimli grumbled something unintelligible, but quieted when Legolas placed an appeasing hand on his shoulder. Once everyone was seated again, Gandalf began to speak:

"Well, I suppose I should start at the beginning..."



TBC...



A/N: Ahh! Gomenasai! I lied! I had said that I'll let you all know what were Gandalf's ill tidings this chapter but I didn't get to it. ::bows repeatedly:: Gomen ne! But then again, think of this as building suspense ^_~ and another reason for you to review. Speaking of which, how's about 9 more reviews before the next part (since I asked for 10, but only got 9 last chapter)?



Ganbatte!

~Gackt no hime



p.s.: sorry about the extremely short chapter ^^;;;;;