Title: "An old Story about True Magic: Love" Author: Star-AP
Email:claudia_120@hotmail.com
Summary: The plot continues where The Return of The King ends. Legolas is returning home... or the now destroyed and murdered Kingdom of Mirkwood, Green Wood the Great. In his desperation Legolas seeks for revenge, he is filled of hatred and sorrow. And when he finds out by Lord Elrond in Rivendell that the slaughters are Men from a far away land he and Gandalf take off to seek justice, to seek peace in the tumult of the Elf's soul. They walk over ground, and cross over sea to reach the green land far way from Middle Earth. But no fairy tales walk on this green ground, no magic and myths are alive. And no Elf exists here. Legolas becomes human, one of Men.
And in seek for the source of his hatred he finds instead.
Note: This is my first Lord of the Rings story. I'm really fascinated of Legolas character in the books so I've really tried to do him justice in this story.
Disclaimer: I don't know own any of J.R.R Tolkien's characters. Only my own =D.
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
Prologue
He turned his back to the ocean. His warm tears followed the contours of his delicate face. The sparkling blue eyes stared down at his hands, at the
white palms and fingers. The silver moon's cascading light illuminated every previously familiar trace on his hands. But he didn't recognise them.
The only familiar thing was the pendulum of wood in his left hand.
A breaking wave against the cliff silenced the cry that burst from his
trembling lips, as he fell down to his knees. His tears, his howl of despair trembled in the air, causing the sleeping birds on their branches
to flutter their wings in their sleep.
The forest before him woke up.
He fell down to his hands, and let his agony consume every inch of his
body, let every tear run along his face. His heart broke into a million pieces, and he let it shatter. He finally let his sorrow run through his
soul.
Tired he laid down on the damp grass, shivering in the caressing hands of
the wind. He closed his eyes, trying not to dream, trying to forget.
Consoled of the thought that the sun would soon rise over the tops of the spruces and that the morning would bring a single ray of hope to his heart, he loosened his tight grip of the pendulum. Hearing, the night's promise that there was a tomorrow, that he would continue living and that the sea
would be waiting for him and call for him when it was time.
He began to doze off, but before he let his soul wander in the gardens of dreams he whispered in the mild breeze: "And you thought that I couldn't
cry"
There was no response.
Colourful images danced in his mind, making him remember from the very beginning. It was a story, a story with a beginning and an end, told by his own words and described by his memories. A story where he discovered the
true meaning of life, no matter if you are a dwarf, man or and elf. No matter if you are as real as the waves that break against the solid rocks, or just an imagination. No matter if you live somewhere where magic don't
exist or in fantasy land where there end of the rainbow really exists.
"Elves can't love", she laughed.
"Why is that?"
"Because Elves don't exist"
"But I love you"
"And you're also standing in front of me, kissing me"
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
CHAPTER 1
*~*~*~*"Remembering" *~*~*~*
And so they rode for several days.
Only seeing the sun's gleam fading away over the horizon, when darkness crept nearer from the star embellished sky in their way over the Rohan landscape, and laying over hills and mountains. Gazing upon its crimson rays, interlaced with flaming yellow traces, scattering all over the sky, forming the shape of a dragon. Seeing, when climbing over the highest mountain, the feeble morning sun, slowly rising over Hithaeglir's white summits, lightning up glades in the Fangorn forest with rising majestic trees almost touching the morning sky.
It was finally their wandering home. The end after battlefields and an honourable victory, after farewells and sorrows, and their company through North Middle-Earth was the simplicity and beauty of nature.
They rode in silence most of the time, only hearing the horse's rhythmical trot, and letting memories fill their minds as they neared their destiny; their home. It was not entirely grief that poisoned their hearts as they remembered the swords' gleaming steel blades in the ocean of fighting warriors, the spearing arrows cascading among elves and humans against Sauron's vicious and monstrous servants, and the axes' subdued blows against flesh.
The air smelled of fresh cinnamon and soothing sage, making them slightly forget. The dangling auburn leaves from the crooked trees, brushed and caressed their faces as the small gravel path went in many curves through the forest, down and up the hills, past trees like rising birches, old oaks with emerald leaves in the sun's gleam, and maples with falling brown nuts. Past bushes like soft pink twigs, round and crimson red raspberries and cowberries with branches filled with blooming green leaves. Past small and thin brooks, calm rippling rivers and deep blue lakes with surfaces glittering like thousands of diamonds in the morning sun.
The elf had his head straight up and his glinting sky blue eyes were wide open and clear like the brown hawk from above, flying in circles. His bright voice sang silently in the golden lightness from the fading sun, which gleam crept in between the flowering branches and illuminated their way.
" *~* Thandül isén Forthändaíl *~* "
*~* sel'e hemionely siriar *~*
*~* tulinte I quettar *~*
*~* tuliente I quettar *~*
*~* Dormo I lir thirolâui *~*
*~* Sel'e hernionerly siriar *~*
The lonely voice in the end of the wood of Trollshaws, the soothing Elven words, which were as smooth as the careful wind, filled their lungs with the sense of the simplicity of peace. But to the fair one the words made him only remind him that when the new day would approach, when yet another sunrise would be noticed between the green leaves on the high trees, yet another Goodbye would be said. And it tore his heart apart to think that it may be the last time he saw his dwarf friend whom he'd grown to appreciate and love, yet another friendship to be left.
After a while of silence from the short one the dwarf sighed, becoming quite bored of the endless travel on the brown horse, as it kept plodding on the small path through branches, past trees and over roots. So just when the elf was about to sing another but more cheerful song about long forgotten times, the dwarf spoke:
"Legolas Greenleaf " he said." What will be the first thing you will do when you come home, if I may ask?"
Legolas did not answer at first. His eyes gleamed like gold in the fading light of the sinking sun and became distanced." The first thing I shall do is go to Nariûndin íd Anë, where the lost souls of our people rest in peace, a beautiful graveyard hidden by shining green draperies of star formed leaves of two ancient rising beeches and there," he paused, closing his eyes as he his features softened" I shall visit my mother and honour her. Then I shall see my father at his throne in the lightest and most beautiful cave you have ever seen in the east side of Mirkwood, and let him welcome me home, and before the sun fades away I shall run through the highest and most stunning trees, holding a lightened torch in the welcoming darkness and feel the wind run along my side, and only then my friend, only then I shall feel at home". Legolas opened his eyes and a faint sorrow was visible across his face.
There was silence. "Home indeed," the dwarf sighed, shaking his head" Never have I thought of how much my heart desires to look upon the golden gate, with the two stunning Nûbrien diamonds on each side, leading into the mountains of Ered Luin. To gaze upon the beauty of our grandiose halls."
Legolas smiled faintly. "It has been a long time indeed". His clean face turned to the dwarf. "For both of us. Coming home will be the same as returning to faint memories of another life, a now long forgotten time"
Gimli nodded grimly, but his melancholy thoughts soon vanished among the soft air that begun to blow through branches and leaves.
The elf smiled at his friend, before turning his glowing blue eyes to the setting sun, seeing its evening blush melt together with the distanced snowy summits of Hithaeglir's mountains.
" *~* Thandül, we still walk through the shadows of long *~* "
*~* The moon is singing, the night still mere young *~*
*~* There is hope for a new day, but no end *~*
*~* There is hope for a new day, but no end *~*
*~* Soon we will wake up, and all this will be gone *~*
*~* The moon is singing, the night still mere young *~*
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
*~*~**~*~*
And so night approached.
The dwarf had made a bed out of green moss and grey lichen for himself, his head now resting on the brown, old log. Sleeping pleasantly as the hours of the night grew old.
Legolas, had his eyes open, gazing at the many stars on the dark mantle above, twinkling and sparkling as they embellished not only the night sky though also the golden moon. Tiredness and sleep did not blindfold his clear eyes which shone as reflectors, bringing their own beauty and light. He counted the stars, as he so many times had done when he only was a child, a child with a warm desire to see the rest of Middle- Earth, to see what so few has seen and so many dreamt of.
He put his arms under his head, leaning more against the brown trunk of the old oak tree. He was sitting on one of its high broad branches, several meters from the ground, the view of the wood of Trollshawn lying open before his eyes, revealing its magic and beauty. Legolas smirked, yes indeed beauty, but now he missed Mirkwood's own stunning surrounding. He wanted to see the familiar trees, paths and growth.
Many years had passed since he had seen his woods, many years of adventure and tasks that had prevented him from coming home. But now it was time to return, to bring back memories which felt as distanced as the shining moon above him.
The wood was breathing, every grass straw and every leaf whispered carefully in the darkness. The trees were moving, a noise of creaking spreading in the cool wind. The ringing bells of the flowers sent the tepid night lovely singing voices accompanied by the hums of the smallest animals.
Legolas listened carefully, closing his eyes as he did so. Enjoying the music of nature to his ears, as he sank into a dreaming doze.
But something was no longer right.
The elf snatched his eyes widely open, all his senses alert to the disturbance of the earlier peace. The trees were complaining. Legolas could hear their cries as their leaves brushed against trunks, like whipping lashes. He rose up and took one step forward, leaning down on the left leg as he focused to listen something unusual besides the trees' blowing leafs against leafs, and the runnel's faint rippling water.
And then he heard it, the horse's load and fast trot, galloping through the fields of trees, and neighing like cries of haunting ghosts.
His elf eyes traced over and among the dark silhouettes of the rising trees, as deep as the wood let him, and along the fine line of the running water, until they stopped. Further away jumped a tall shadow over the wilder brook near the small waterfall, and stood still.
At that exact moment the moon shone on the shape and revealed what darkness hid from the elf's eyes, and what Legolas saw made hatred deep inside his very soul come alive. On the creatures helmet was the white hand of Saruman.
In a distant Legolas leaped gracefully down to the ground, grabbing his quiver and bow near the trunk, and disappearing after casting the sleeping dwarf a last glance.
He jumped from rock to rock, climbed from tree to tree down the hill, like the agile cat silently and nimbly as it neared its goal. The branches filled with soft green leaves caressed his face as he padded over roots and grass, the whole time with all his senses open. The darkness of the woods surrounded him from every direction, and at that moment he couldn't be anymore thankful of the clouds on the night sky which hid the golden moon and its illumination.
He reached the brook, the same side as the other visitor, his shining eyes tracing over every shadow in the open glade. He was indeed safe, but his hidden place behind a broad beech with hanging branches and dangling red leaves, couldn't help hide the disappointment, but most of all astonishment as he gasped surprised when seeing the black horse standing alone by the drooping clear waterfall. The rider was gone.
Silently he raised his bow, and strung an arrow far away back, his eyes still open as he took a step forward, careful to not step anywhere besides the tall dark shadows.
Legolas peered his ears, trying to catch another sound than the waterfall's running and current water. In spite of the dangerous situation he was in, he couldn't help to notice the beauty of the open glade by the brook. Down the gushing waterfall cascaded the clear water, before breaking into millions of drops, and calmly yet again running over the green ground, sparkling like pure silver in the moon light. The old beeches and oaks were loosely entangled in green ivy, which blew softly in the cool wind and the air was filled with the smell from the trees, a smooth sense of leaves.
Legolas took yet another step nearer the horse but stopped suddenly as the coal black mare arched its head and gave away a loud whinny as it stared at him with its brown eyes. The elf held his breath, brushing the feathers on the end of the arrow with his thumb as the bowstring tightened. Waiting.
"Céntey?", a clear voice said in the silent night.
Immediately Legolas turned the arrow to the cascading waterfall, in the exact moment as the moon appeared behind the dark clouds. An ocean of light swam in the open glade, revealing Legolas standing by the brook, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight as he held the strung bowstring with the timber arrow backwards, ready to attack.
He heard a gasp, as a slender and soaking wet figure jumped out through the cascading water, arms over the head, protecting it. "Don't shoot!"
Legolas stood still for a moment as his glowing eyes traced over the creature in front of him. For an instant he was bewildered and surprised, as the intensive stare began to understand. Though In spite of the soaked pants, and too large sweater of rough wool with bloodstains, which was ripped off to far beneath the collarbone revealing the white skin, and the jet black wet hair glued to the white shoulders, it was very clear that the creature, who still had it's arms over the head, avoiding looking into the elf eyes; was a young maiden.
There was a complete silence. Even the crystal drops ceased to fall.
Legolas lowered his bow, ever so slowly. His sky blue eyes still on the shivering creature. "Who are you?" he said, his voice echoing clear and deep among the many trees which surrounded them.
She hesitated to give him an answer; he could see it by the trembling shoulders and hear it by the heavy breaths.
But no words came out.
Legolas glanced at the helmet by the bank, the white mark shining in the moonlight." You are a servant of Saruman, aren't you?" He sounded severely, almost angry as he watched her lower down her arms looking him straight into the raven blue eyes, as she tilted her head up.
Pain. A tangible pain crushed his heart as he stared back at those dark pools of grief.
Over the open glade laid a silver-blue shimmer, gloomily it crept over every tree, grass straw and drop of water, entangling it with its magical lustre.
"And why should you even care? Cannot I also walk into this woods, or is it only you ranger who can do so?"
Legolas was slightly surprised by the mock in her voice, as he wided his eyes, still staring at the maiden. He felt unease. "I believe that it is you who is unarmed?"
She glanced at the mare, which neighed silently almost in a whispering tone. The black horse trudged over to its rider. The woman smiled welcoming at the animal, caressing its soft mane as the horse nuzzled her soaked black hair.
Legolas had his eyes glued on the girl, waiting for an answer. Her light brown eyes of the colour of amber traced carefully over the humble animal face, and to the strange fair man with the abnormal radiating and indescribable beauty standing in the lightness of the cascading moonlight.
"I cannot answer any of your questions. Let me ride away and you shall never see me again"
Legolas took a step forward, but quickly she stepped back, as she pressed herself against the solid rock. The cool sparkling drops in the luminosity of the moon began to trail along her oval shape face, down her neck. She was afraid. It was very clear, even though she tried to hide it by looking away.
Thin cobwebs hanged from one branch to another like transparent curtains. The elf pushed away the soft silk as he took yet another step.
"I'm afraid I cannot do so", Legolas answered tensed, seeing the white hand gripping the brown rein in the darkness" If you are a servant of Saruman, I presume that whatever reason you are out here in this woods It cannot be for a good cause, to anyone"
The girl bit her lip, lowering down her head and gazing instead intensively at the tall shadow on the ground. The elf could see a faint hesitation and a slight touch of fear in the pale face with vaguely trembling red lips." Then you have to kill me, though I cannot stay here as your prisoner and waste my time even more". And with that she jumped on the black horse as fast as the wind, screaming at it to trot and shutting her eyes, waiting for the sharp arrow to drill her unshielded back.
But none came.
Legolas lowered down his bow, seeing the riding shadow disappear among the curtains of leaves. His eyes went over to a patch of grass were a pair of long brown boots, a gleaming sword, a shield of red copper, and the helmet were lying. And not far away, on a grey stone by the water, laid an open brown bag, containing old crisp bread.
His sky blue eyes went over to the place where she was now gone, knowing as he whispered silently in the sad breeze; that she wouldn't survive.
In response a brown owl howled. Legolas stared at the dazzling gems from the tallest branch of the nearest oak tree. Wandering clouds suddenly clouded the moon yet again, and he headed back over the dark hill. Knowing that the dwarf would wake up not ever knowing what happened during the night.
*~*~**~*~*
To be continue.
Have any comments, thoughts, flames? Review! I know that my grammar is nothing to brag about, but I'm trying to become better every time, and have a great beta reader.
PS. Next chapter, will be much more!!! This is just an "introduction"..AND PS. again.Thandul is NOT Thranduil..
Summary: The plot continues where The Return of The King ends. Legolas is returning home... or the now destroyed and murdered Kingdom of Mirkwood, Green Wood the Great. In his desperation Legolas seeks for revenge, he is filled of hatred and sorrow. And when he finds out by Lord Elrond in Rivendell that the slaughters are Men from a far away land he and Gandalf take off to seek justice, to seek peace in the tumult of the Elf's soul. They walk over ground, and cross over sea to reach the green land far way from Middle Earth. But no fairy tales walk on this green ground, no magic and myths are alive. And no Elf exists here. Legolas becomes human, one of Men.
And in seek for the source of his hatred he finds instead.
Note: This is my first Lord of the Rings story. I'm really fascinated of Legolas character in the books so I've really tried to do him justice in this story.
Disclaimer: I don't know own any of J.R.R Tolkien's characters. Only my own =D.
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
Prologue
He turned his back to the ocean. His warm tears followed the contours of his delicate face. The sparkling blue eyes stared down at his hands, at the
white palms and fingers. The silver moon's cascading light illuminated every previously familiar trace on his hands. But he didn't recognise them.
The only familiar thing was the pendulum of wood in his left hand.
A breaking wave against the cliff silenced the cry that burst from his
trembling lips, as he fell down to his knees. His tears, his howl of despair trembled in the air, causing the sleeping birds on their branches
to flutter their wings in their sleep.
The forest before him woke up.
He fell down to his hands, and let his agony consume every inch of his
body, let every tear run along his face. His heart broke into a million pieces, and he let it shatter. He finally let his sorrow run through his
soul.
Tired he laid down on the damp grass, shivering in the caressing hands of
the wind. He closed his eyes, trying not to dream, trying to forget.
Consoled of the thought that the sun would soon rise over the tops of the spruces and that the morning would bring a single ray of hope to his heart, he loosened his tight grip of the pendulum. Hearing, the night's promise that there was a tomorrow, that he would continue living and that the sea
would be waiting for him and call for him when it was time.
He began to doze off, but before he let his soul wander in the gardens of dreams he whispered in the mild breeze: "And you thought that I couldn't
cry"
There was no response.
Colourful images danced in his mind, making him remember from the very beginning. It was a story, a story with a beginning and an end, told by his own words and described by his memories. A story where he discovered the
true meaning of life, no matter if you are a dwarf, man or and elf. No matter if you are as real as the waves that break against the solid rocks, or just an imagination. No matter if you live somewhere where magic don't
exist or in fantasy land where there end of the rainbow really exists.
"Elves can't love", she laughed.
"Why is that?"
"Because Elves don't exist"
"But I love you"
"And you're also standing in front of me, kissing me"
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
CHAPTER 1
*~*~*~*"Remembering" *~*~*~*
And so they rode for several days.
Only seeing the sun's gleam fading away over the horizon, when darkness crept nearer from the star embellished sky in their way over the Rohan landscape, and laying over hills and mountains. Gazing upon its crimson rays, interlaced with flaming yellow traces, scattering all over the sky, forming the shape of a dragon. Seeing, when climbing over the highest mountain, the feeble morning sun, slowly rising over Hithaeglir's white summits, lightning up glades in the Fangorn forest with rising majestic trees almost touching the morning sky.
It was finally their wandering home. The end after battlefields and an honourable victory, after farewells and sorrows, and their company through North Middle-Earth was the simplicity and beauty of nature.
They rode in silence most of the time, only hearing the horse's rhythmical trot, and letting memories fill their minds as they neared their destiny; their home. It was not entirely grief that poisoned their hearts as they remembered the swords' gleaming steel blades in the ocean of fighting warriors, the spearing arrows cascading among elves and humans against Sauron's vicious and monstrous servants, and the axes' subdued blows against flesh.
The air smelled of fresh cinnamon and soothing sage, making them slightly forget. The dangling auburn leaves from the crooked trees, brushed and caressed their faces as the small gravel path went in many curves through the forest, down and up the hills, past trees like rising birches, old oaks with emerald leaves in the sun's gleam, and maples with falling brown nuts. Past bushes like soft pink twigs, round and crimson red raspberries and cowberries with branches filled with blooming green leaves. Past small and thin brooks, calm rippling rivers and deep blue lakes with surfaces glittering like thousands of diamonds in the morning sun.
The elf had his head straight up and his glinting sky blue eyes were wide open and clear like the brown hawk from above, flying in circles. His bright voice sang silently in the golden lightness from the fading sun, which gleam crept in between the flowering branches and illuminated their way.
" *~* Thandül isén Forthändaíl *~* "
*~* sel'e hemionely siriar *~*
*~* tulinte I quettar *~*
*~* tuliente I quettar *~*
*~* Dormo I lir thirolâui *~*
*~* Sel'e hernionerly siriar *~*
The lonely voice in the end of the wood of Trollshaws, the soothing Elven words, which were as smooth as the careful wind, filled their lungs with the sense of the simplicity of peace. But to the fair one the words made him only remind him that when the new day would approach, when yet another sunrise would be noticed between the green leaves on the high trees, yet another Goodbye would be said. And it tore his heart apart to think that it may be the last time he saw his dwarf friend whom he'd grown to appreciate and love, yet another friendship to be left.
After a while of silence from the short one the dwarf sighed, becoming quite bored of the endless travel on the brown horse, as it kept plodding on the small path through branches, past trees and over roots. So just when the elf was about to sing another but more cheerful song about long forgotten times, the dwarf spoke:
"Legolas Greenleaf " he said." What will be the first thing you will do when you come home, if I may ask?"
Legolas did not answer at first. His eyes gleamed like gold in the fading light of the sinking sun and became distanced." The first thing I shall do is go to Nariûndin íd Anë, where the lost souls of our people rest in peace, a beautiful graveyard hidden by shining green draperies of star formed leaves of two ancient rising beeches and there," he paused, closing his eyes as he his features softened" I shall visit my mother and honour her. Then I shall see my father at his throne in the lightest and most beautiful cave you have ever seen in the east side of Mirkwood, and let him welcome me home, and before the sun fades away I shall run through the highest and most stunning trees, holding a lightened torch in the welcoming darkness and feel the wind run along my side, and only then my friend, only then I shall feel at home". Legolas opened his eyes and a faint sorrow was visible across his face.
There was silence. "Home indeed," the dwarf sighed, shaking his head" Never have I thought of how much my heart desires to look upon the golden gate, with the two stunning Nûbrien diamonds on each side, leading into the mountains of Ered Luin. To gaze upon the beauty of our grandiose halls."
Legolas smiled faintly. "It has been a long time indeed". His clean face turned to the dwarf. "For both of us. Coming home will be the same as returning to faint memories of another life, a now long forgotten time"
Gimli nodded grimly, but his melancholy thoughts soon vanished among the soft air that begun to blow through branches and leaves.
The elf smiled at his friend, before turning his glowing blue eyes to the setting sun, seeing its evening blush melt together with the distanced snowy summits of Hithaeglir's mountains.
" *~* Thandül, we still walk through the shadows of long *~* "
*~* The moon is singing, the night still mere young *~*
*~* There is hope for a new day, but no end *~*
*~* There is hope for a new day, but no end *~*
*~* Soon we will wake up, and all this will be gone *~*
*~* The moon is singing, the night still mere young *~*
*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*
*~*~**~*~*
And so night approached.
The dwarf had made a bed out of green moss and grey lichen for himself, his head now resting on the brown, old log. Sleeping pleasantly as the hours of the night grew old.
Legolas, had his eyes open, gazing at the many stars on the dark mantle above, twinkling and sparkling as they embellished not only the night sky though also the golden moon. Tiredness and sleep did not blindfold his clear eyes which shone as reflectors, bringing their own beauty and light. He counted the stars, as he so many times had done when he only was a child, a child with a warm desire to see the rest of Middle- Earth, to see what so few has seen and so many dreamt of.
He put his arms under his head, leaning more against the brown trunk of the old oak tree. He was sitting on one of its high broad branches, several meters from the ground, the view of the wood of Trollshawn lying open before his eyes, revealing its magic and beauty. Legolas smirked, yes indeed beauty, but now he missed Mirkwood's own stunning surrounding. He wanted to see the familiar trees, paths and growth.
Many years had passed since he had seen his woods, many years of adventure and tasks that had prevented him from coming home. But now it was time to return, to bring back memories which felt as distanced as the shining moon above him.
The wood was breathing, every grass straw and every leaf whispered carefully in the darkness. The trees were moving, a noise of creaking spreading in the cool wind. The ringing bells of the flowers sent the tepid night lovely singing voices accompanied by the hums of the smallest animals.
Legolas listened carefully, closing his eyes as he did so. Enjoying the music of nature to his ears, as he sank into a dreaming doze.
But something was no longer right.
The elf snatched his eyes widely open, all his senses alert to the disturbance of the earlier peace. The trees were complaining. Legolas could hear their cries as their leaves brushed against trunks, like whipping lashes. He rose up and took one step forward, leaning down on the left leg as he focused to listen something unusual besides the trees' blowing leafs against leafs, and the runnel's faint rippling water.
And then he heard it, the horse's load and fast trot, galloping through the fields of trees, and neighing like cries of haunting ghosts.
His elf eyes traced over and among the dark silhouettes of the rising trees, as deep as the wood let him, and along the fine line of the running water, until they stopped. Further away jumped a tall shadow over the wilder brook near the small waterfall, and stood still.
At that exact moment the moon shone on the shape and revealed what darkness hid from the elf's eyes, and what Legolas saw made hatred deep inside his very soul come alive. On the creatures helmet was the white hand of Saruman.
In a distant Legolas leaped gracefully down to the ground, grabbing his quiver and bow near the trunk, and disappearing after casting the sleeping dwarf a last glance.
He jumped from rock to rock, climbed from tree to tree down the hill, like the agile cat silently and nimbly as it neared its goal. The branches filled with soft green leaves caressed his face as he padded over roots and grass, the whole time with all his senses open. The darkness of the woods surrounded him from every direction, and at that moment he couldn't be anymore thankful of the clouds on the night sky which hid the golden moon and its illumination.
He reached the brook, the same side as the other visitor, his shining eyes tracing over every shadow in the open glade. He was indeed safe, but his hidden place behind a broad beech with hanging branches and dangling red leaves, couldn't help hide the disappointment, but most of all astonishment as he gasped surprised when seeing the black horse standing alone by the drooping clear waterfall. The rider was gone.
Silently he raised his bow, and strung an arrow far away back, his eyes still open as he took a step forward, careful to not step anywhere besides the tall dark shadows.
Legolas peered his ears, trying to catch another sound than the waterfall's running and current water. In spite of the dangerous situation he was in, he couldn't help to notice the beauty of the open glade by the brook. Down the gushing waterfall cascaded the clear water, before breaking into millions of drops, and calmly yet again running over the green ground, sparkling like pure silver in the moon light. The old beeches and oaks were loosely entangled in green ivy, which blew softly in the cool wind and the air was filled with the smell from the trees, a smooth sense of leaves.
Legolas took yet another step nearer the horse but stopped suddenly as the coal black mare arched its head and gave away a loud whinny as it stared at him with its brown eyes. The elf held his breath, brushing the feathers on the end of the arrow with his thumb as the bowstring tightened. Waiting.
"Céntey?", a clear voice said in the silent night.
Immediately Legolas turned the arrow to the cascading waterfall, in the exact moment as the moon appeared behind the dark clouds. An ocean of light swam in the open glade, revealing Legolas standing by the brook, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight as he held the strung bowstring with the timber arrow backwards, ready to attack.
He heard a gasp, as a slender and soaking wet figure jumped out through the cascading water, arms over the head, protecting it. "Don't shoot!"
Legolas stood still for a moment as his glowing eyes traced over the creature in front of him. For an instant he was bewildered and surprised, as the intensive stare began to understand. Though In spite of the soaked pants, and too large sweater of rough wool with bloodstains, which was ripped off to far beneath the collarbone revealing the white skin, and the jet black wet hair glued to the white shoulders, it was very clear that the creature, who still had it's arms over the head, avoiding looking into the elf eyes; was a young maiden.
There was a complete silence. Even the crystal drops ceased to fall.
Legolas lowered his bow, ever so slowly. His sky blue eyes still on the shivering creature. "Who are you?" he said, his voice echoing clear and deep among the many trees which surrounded them.
She hesitated to give him an answer; he could see it by the trembling shoulders and hear it by the heavy breaths.
But no words came out.
Legolas glanced at the helmet by the bank, the white mark shining in the moonlight." You are a servant of Saruman, aren't you?" He sounded severely, almost angry as he watched her lower down her arms looking him straight into the raven blue eyes, as she tilted her head up.
Pain. A tangible pain crushed his heart as he stared back at those dark pools of grief.
Over the open glade laid a silver-blue shimmer, gloomily it crept over every tree, grass straw and drop of water, entangling it with its magical lustre.
"And why should you even care? Cannot I also walk into this woods, or is it only you ranger who can do so?"
Legolas was slightly surprised by the mock in her voice, as he wided his eyes, still staring at the maiden. He felt unease. "I believe that it is you who is unarmed?"
She glanced at the mare, which neighed silently almost in a whispering tone. The black horse trudged over to its rider. The woman smiled welcoming at the animal, caressing its soft mane as the horse nuzzled her soaked black hair.
Legolas had his eyes glued on the girl, waiting for an answer. Her light brown eyes of the colour of amber traced carefully over the humble animal face, and to the strange fair man with the abnormal radiating and indescribable beauty standing in the lightness of the cascading moonlight.
"I cannot answer any of your questions. Let me ride away and you shall never see me again"
Legolas took a step forward, but quickly she stepped back, as she pressed herself against the solid rock. The cool sparkling drops in the luminosity of the moon began to trail along her oval shape face, down her neck. She was afraid. It was very clear, even though she tried to hide it by looking away.
Thin cobwebs hanged from one branch to another like transparent curtains. The elf pushed away the soft silk as he took yet another step.
"I'm afraid I cannot do so", Legolas answered tensed, seeing the white hand gripping the brown rein in the darkness" If you are a servant of Saruman, I presume that whatever reason you are out here in this woods It cannot be for a good cause, to anyone"
The girl bit her lip, lowering down her head and gazing instead intensively at the tall shadow on the ground. The elf could see a faint hesitation and a slight touch of fear in the pale face with vaguely trembling red lips." Then you have to kill me, though I cannot stay here as your prisoner and waste my time even more". And with that she jumped on the black horse as fast as the wind, screaming at it to trot and shutting her eyes, waiting for the sharp arrow to drill her unshielded back.
But none came.
Legolas lowered down his bow, seeing the riding shadow disappear among the curtains of leaves. His eyes went over to a patch of grass were a pair of long brown boots, a gleaming sword, a shield of red copper, and the helmet were lying. And not far away, on a grey stone by the water, laid an open brown bag, containing old crisp bread.
His sky blue eyes went over to the place where she was now gone, knowing as he whispered silently in the sad breeze; that she wouldn't survive.
In response a brown owl howled. Legolas stared at the dazzling gems from the tallest branch of the nearest oak tree. Wandering clouds suddenly clouded the moon yet again, and he headed back over the dark hill. Knowing that the dwarf would wake up not ever knowing what happened during the night.
*~*~**~*~*
To be continue.
Have any comments, thoughts, flames? Review! I know that my grammar is nothing to brag about, but I'm trying to become better every time, and have a great beta reader.
PS. Next chapter, will be much more!!! This is just an "introduction"..AND PS. again.Thandul is NOT Thranduil..
