Ok here is the 4th chapter finally. Sorry it took so long. We've been
moving and our phones not working so I had to go to my mother's work to put
this up. I do have some notes to put up for this chapter. One: I am ashamed
to say that I have had a memory laps, or as I like to call it the " I'm-
being-stupid-and-and-don't-pay-attention-to-important-names" syndrome. I
have forgotten how to spell Galadriel's husband's name. I found it odd
considering she is my second favorite character. Anyway, if anyone knows
how to spell it pleazzz tell me. They will most likely be in future chaps.
Second: Galadriel does call Legolas her " son" but it doesn't mean
literally. He is married to her daughter so I am going to make it sound
like they have a kind of mother-son relationship, in other words, they are
close. Third: I have changed Arianea's name to Luinyuldaiel which I got off
this site that takes your whole name and makes names for you in diff.
languages. That's what I got for my name. Oh and one more thing, I know
there is probably no Sindarin word called Belroth but in this story there
is. Ok I think that's it.
~ Burning Phoenix ~
Chapter 4: Lothlorien, the Golden Woods
Haldir looked at Legolas for a moment, not fully comprehending what the younger elf had just said. And then it hit him.
" He's what?!?! How!? When?!"
Legolas sighed, " We don't know how. Or when for that matter. I really don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to get some rest."
At this everyone turned to look at Legolas. They never thought they would hear those words from him. Feeling slightly amused at the others stunned faces, he led the rest of the way to Lothlorien. About ten minutes before they got there Haldir had moved up beside Legolas and they were in deep discussion, no doubt about Belroth. It was confirmed when Aragorn and Gandalf noticed Haldir's frown.
When they grew nearer to Lothlorien Sam spoke up, " Do you hear that? It sounds like an angel." Haldir looked over his shoulder at the little hobbit.
" That, my little friend, is the daughter of Lady Galadriel herself. Lady Luinyuldaiel." He looked at Legolas then continued.
" She arrived only yesterday. You had better go and see her Legolas. She has been very worried. Maybe it will get her in a better mood. She nearly shot me with an arrow when I came to greet her. Though now that I think about it I probably shouldn't have come up behind her." said Haldir, a smile on his face.
" I'll keep that in mind." Legolas smiled. Maybe seeing her would help him as well. Finally they entered Lorien, which received surprised gasps from the hobbits, dwarf, and Boromir. They slowly followed Haldir to the base of a huge tree. Stairs that seemed to be made of silver spiraled up the trunk. The hobbits dismounted Feanor and then the fellowship climbed up the stairs until they came to stand in a small room. Once they were all standing in front of stairs that led to a room beound the one they were in a bright light seemed to fill it. Once it cleared there stood before them one of the most legendary and beautiful elves known to the elven race. Slowly Lady Galadriel, along with Lord Celeborn, descended the stairs. The hobbits, Gimli, and Boromir mouths opened slightly in wonder. Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas stood still and silent. Finally they stopped at the foot of the stairs. Slowly she looked at all of them, her eyes lingering on Legolas a bit longer before speaking.
" I am glad to see that you all have made it safely. We were beginning to worry. Go now and rest. And do not worry, these waters are well protected."
The others turned to leave, except for Legolas. He signed and then spoke,
" Galadriel, I need to speak with you." The others looked around, a little surprised to hear him address her so formally. Galadriel, however, seemed unfazed by it. She merely nodded and both her and Legolas walked ahead of the group.
" So, he has returned." She said softly after awhile, the rest hardly able to hear them. Legolas only nodded, to confused and angered to allow himself to speak, for fear he might say something he would regret later. Galadriel looked at him, sympathy showing in her eyes.
" Do not be troubled my son. These things happen for a reason."
" Why should I not be troubled! I don't care what reason anyone has for him to be back! I killed him once, isn't that good enough!" said Legolas, his voice raised slightly. The others, even Gandalf looked on a bit surprised at his outburst towards her. Galadriel gave him a sharp, yet sad look. Legolas sighed and spoke again, though his voice was much quieter.
" I am sorry my Lady. I meant no disrespect."
Galadriel only smiled. She then placed a hand on his shoulder when they got to the end of the steps and led him in the opposite direction from the others, who were following Haldir to were they would be sleeping. She led him over to a large rock where they both sat. They sat in silence for a while when Legolas finally spoke, his voice shaking slightly, " Why did he have to come back? What point is it for him to be here? What spell could have brought him back?"
Galadriel looked at him before speaking. " Perhaps," she said slowly " it was no spell." Legolas looked up, a little confused. Galadriel sighed then continued, " what if he was not dead, like we thought him to be. I know it might not sound true, but think about it. You lived, why wouldn't Belroth?"
Legolas looked down at the steam in front of him. This was the same question he had often asked himself many nights after what he had thought was his final battle with Belroth. He thought it ironic that he had thought the very same thing, that the wolf had lived and was simply bidding his time until his strength returned to him. He sighed, after a few years he had abandon that idea, thinking it was not true, but maybe it had been true after all. All the sudden he felt a hand under his chin and his head was lifted to come face to face with Galadriel. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had not noticed her get off the rock. She then embraced him in a hug.
" You will get through this my son. You are strong, that is why fate has chosen you to carry this burden. You have defeated him once, and you will defeat him again." Legolas closed his eyes, his emotions threatening to overpower him. Silently a tear rolled down his cheek. Galadriel pulled back and wiped it away.
" Come, there is someone who is waiting to see you." She said softly. Slowly, Legolas got up and followed her to where Luinyuldaiel was waiting.
Slowly the fellowship made their way down the spiraling staircase, Galadriel and Legolas ahead. When they got to the bottom Galadriel put her hand on Legolas' shoulder and led him in the opposite direction that Haldir was leading the others. They walked a little ways until they came to the base of a tree.
" You may rest here for the night. Food and drinks will be brought down to you shortly. " Haldir then turned to leave when Sam asked him a question.
" Where's Legolas?"
He turned to look at the hobbit before answering. " Do not worry little one, he just needs some time to himself. He will be fine." The others look a little doubtful, partly from the fact that Haldir himself didn't sound convinced. There was silence when finally Merry voiced what they plus Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn had been wondering.
" What was that thing back in the mines?" He asked, looking from Gandalf to Haldir. Neither seemed to want to answer the question. Finally Gandalf spoke.
" That, my dear hobbit, was a creature that used to terrorize the elves long ago. As you of course know by now, his name is Belroth, which in Sindarin means The Heart of Hell. No one knows how long he lived, but he started his reign of terror about 1,100 years ago. He freely killed many elves as well as dwarves and men. Dwarves and other races he only killed if they were in his way. He did this for about 250 years, for no one was able to kill him. Many tried mind you, but it didn't become clear who could truly kill him until he attacked Greenwood the Great, or as it is known now- a-days, Mirkwood."
Here he paused and looked around at the others, all who were listening to every word he said. Haldir had even stayed, though Gandalf knew that he had stayed because he knew a bit more than he himself knew.
" Legolas happened to be practicing his archery skills, am I correct Haldir?" The elf nodded. " Yes. If I remember the story right you two were having a little contest. Which Legolas was beating you at if memory serves me." He smiled slightly, as did Haldir.
" Well, anyway, Belroth attacked quite close to where they were practicing and, when they head the attack they immediately went to see what was causing it. That was also when Legolas and Haldir first came face to face with Belroth. Now I am not entirely sure what happened at this point. Haldir knows more about what happened." Gandalf nodded to the Elf who began were the wizard left off.
" Legolas and I, or should I say Legolas, decided to see what was causing all the commotion. That's when we saw Belroth and decided to try and help. We didn't think we could do much, if any damage, but we had to try. When he got close to where we were, we attacked him. My arrow hit first and he didn't even bother turning to see who had attacked him. But when Legolas' arrow hit him you would have thought he was dying right then and there. The arrow had lodged itself in his knee, making him collapse. I was quite surprised by this and when I turned to Legolas he had the exact same expression, though much more pronounced. That's when Belroth turned towards us. But instead of looking from one to the other he looked strait at Legolas."
" Next thing I knew we were both being thrown through the air. I hit a tree and was knocked out, but from what Legolas told me after I woke, he managed to stay concise. He told me the major stuff that happened after I blacked out. His bow was knocked out of his hands and Belroth advanced towards him. He saw a sword a few feet away and dived for it, just in time. Belroth attacked him again, but this time he was ready. He dodged out of he way, then attacked the wolf. It went like that for quite awhile when Belroth decided to retreat, something he probably never thought he would have to do. That's about the time I woke up. And also about the time that you, Gandalf, and Galadriel, Elrond, Celebron, and Thranduil arrived. That's also when we realized who Valar had chosen to defeat Belroth." He stopped and when he looked at the others he let out a small laugh. They looked as though they hadn't blinked once the entire story.
" Yes I remember the shock I got at hearing the story. And if memory serves me, Galadriel seemed to be the only one slightly less surprised by the news," said Gandalf.
" You mean she knew? Then why didn't she say something?" asked Gimli. Gandalf looked at the dwarf before answering.
" She didn't necessarily know, it was more like a hunch you could say. A hunch that proved to be right." Gandalf laughed.
" This does help answer some questions," said Aragorn. " Like why that thing hated Legolas so much. But that still doesn't explain how he was brought back from the dead."
" That is because he never died," said a soft voice from behind Haldir. Everyone looked to see Galadriel coming towards them. " My lady?" questioned Haldir. Galadriel looked at him and then the others.
" He was never brought back from the dead because he was never dead. He was simply weakened close to death, unable to care for himself, until his followers found him."
The others looked at her in shock. Then Gandalf let out a heavy sigh. " So it starts all over again." He looked at Galadriel who nodded sadly. " Then let us hope it does not end like last time."
" How did it end last time?" asked Frodo. There was a pause in which Gandalf debated whether he should tell them. Finally he spoke.
" Legolas was almost killed," said Gandalf sadly.
~ Burning Phoenix ~
Chapter 4: Lothlorien, the Golden Woods
Haldir looked at Legolas for a moment, not fully comprehending what the younger elf had just said. And then it hit him.
" He's what?!?! How!? When?!"
Legolas sighed, " We don't know how. Or when for that matter. I really don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to get some rest."
At this everyone turned to look at Legolas. They never thought they would hear those words from him. Feeling slightly amused at the others stunned faces, he led the rest of the way to Lothlorien. About ten minutes before they got there Haldir had moved up beside Legolas and they were in deep discussion, no doubt about Belroth. It was confirmed when Aragorn and Gandalf noticed Haldir's frown.
When they grew nearer to Lothlorien Sam spoke up, " Do you hear that? It sounds like an angel." Haldir looked over his shoulder at the little hobbit.
" That, my little friend, is the daughter of Lady Galadriel herself. Lady Luinyuldaiel." He looked at Legolas then continued.
" She arrived only yesterday. You had better go and see her Legolas. She has been very worried. Maybe it will get her in a better mood. She nearly shot me with an arrow when I came to greet her. Though now that I think about it I probably shouldn't have come up behind her." said Haldir, a smile on his face.
" I'll keep that in mind." Legolas smiled. Maybe seeing her would help him as well. Finally they entered Lorien, which received surprised gasps from the hobbits, dwarf, and Boromir. They slowly followed Haldir to the base of a huge tree. Stairs that seemed to be made of silver spiraled up the trunk. The hobbits dismounted Feanor and then the fellowship climbed up the stairs until they came to stand in a small room. Once they were all standing in front of stairs that led to a room beound the one they were in a bright light seemed to fill it. Once it cleared there stood before them one of the most legendary and beautiful elves known to the elven race. Slowly Lady Galadriel, along with Lord Celeborn, descended the stairs. The hobbits, Gimli, and Boromir mouths opened slightly in wonder. Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas stood still and silent. Finally they stopped at the foot of the stairs. Slowly she looked at all of them, her eyes lingering on Legolas a bit longer before speaking.
" I am glad to see that you all have made it safely. We were beginning to worry. Go now and rest. And do not worry, these waters are well protected."
The others turned to leave, except for Legolas. He signed and then spoke,
" Galadriel, I need to speak with you." The others looked around, a little surprised to hear him address her so formally. Galadriel, however, seemed unfazed by it. She merely nodded and both her and Legolas walked ahead of the group.
" So, he has returned." She said softly after awhile, the rest hardly able to hear them. Legolas only nodded, to confused and angered to allow himself to speak, for fear he might say something he would regret later. Galadriel looked at him, sympathy showing in her eyes.
" Do not be troubled my son. These things happen for a reason."
" Why should I not be troubled! I don't care what reason anyone has for him to be back! I killed him once, isn't that good enough!" said Legolas, his voice raised slightly. The others, even Gandalf looked on a bit surprised at his outburst towards her. Galadriel gave him a sharp, yet sad look. Legolas sighed and spoke again, though his voice was much quieter.
" I am sorry my Lady. I meant no disrespect."
Galadriel only smiled. She then placed a hand on his shoulder when they got to the end of the steps and led him in the opposite direction from the others, who were following Haldir to were they would be sleeping. She led him over to a large rock where they both sat. They sat in silence for a while when Legolas finally spoke, his voice shaking slightly, " Why did he have to come back? What point is it for him to be here? What spell could have brought him back?"
Galadriel looked at him before speaking. " Perhaps," she said slowly " it was no spell." Legolas looked up, a little confused. Galadriel sighed then continued, " what if he was not dead, like we thought him to be. I know it might not sound true, but think about it. You lived, why wouldn't Belroth?"
Legolas looked down at the steam in front of him. This was the same question he had often asked himself many nights after what he had thought was his final battle with Belroth. He thought it ironic that he had thought the very same thing, that the wolf had lived and was simply bidding his time until his strength returned to him. He sighed, after a few years he had abandon that idea, thinking it was not true, but maybe it had been true after all. All the sudden he felt a hand under his chin and his head was lifted to come face to face with Galadriel. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had not noticed her get off the rock. She then embraced him in a hug.
" You will get through this my son. You are strong, that is why fate has chosen you to carry this burden. You have defeated him once, and you will defeat him again." Legolas closed his eyes, his emotions threatening to overpower him. Silently a tear rolled down his cheek. Galadriel pulled back and wiped it away.
" Come, there is someone who is waiting to see you." She said softly. Slowly, Legolas got up and followed her to where Luinyuldaiel was waiting.
Slowly the fellowship made their way down the spiraling staircase, Galadriel and Legolas ahead. When they got to the bottom Galadriel put her hand on Legolas' shoulder and led him in the opposite direction that Haldir was leading the others. They walked a little ways until they came to the base of a tree.
" You may rest here for the night. Food and drinks will be brought down to you shortly. " Haldir then turned to leave when Sam asked him a question.
" Where's Legolas?"
He turned to look at the hobbit before answering. " Do not worry little one, he just needs some time to himself. He will be fine." The others look a little doubtful, partly from the fact that Haldir himself didn't sound convinced. There was silence when finally Merry voiced what they plus Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn had been wondering.
" What was that thing back in the mines?" He asked, looking from Gandalf to Haldir. Neither seemed to want to answer the question. Finally Gandalf spoke.
" That, my dear hobbit, was a creature that used to terrorize the elves long ago. As you of course know by now, his name is Belroth, which in Sindarin means The Heart of Hell. No one knows how long he lived, but he started his reign of terror about 1,100 years ago. He freely killed many elves as well as dwarves and men. Dwarves and other races he only killed if they were in his way. He did this for about 250 years, for no one was able to kill him. Many tried mind you, but it didn't become clear who could truly kill him until he attacked Greenwood the Great, or as it is known now- a-days, Mirkwood."
Here he paused and looked around at the others, all who were listening to every word he said. Haldir had even stayed, though Gandalf knew that he had stayed because he knew a bit more than he himself knew.
" Legolas happened to be practicing his archery skills, am I correct Haldir?" The elf nodded. " Yes. If I remember the story right you two were having a little contest. Which Legolas was beating you at if memory serves me." He smiled slightly, as did Haldir.
" Well, anyway, Belroth attacked quite close to where they were practicing and, when they head the attack they immediately went to see what was causing it. That was also when Legolas and Haldir first came face to face with Belroth. Now I am not entirely sure what happened at this point. Haldir knows more about what happened." Gandalf nodded to the Elf who began were the wizard left off.
" Legolas and I, or should I say Legolas, decided to see what was causing all the commotion. That's when we saw Belroth and decided to try and help. We didn't think we could do much, if any damage, but we had to try. When he got close to where we were, we attacked him. My arrow hit first and he didn't even bother turning to see who had attacked him. But when Legolas' arrow hit him you would have thought he was dying right then and there. The arrow had lodged itself in his knee, making him collapse. I was quite surprised by this and when I turned to Legolas he had the exact same expression, though much more pronounced. That's when Belroth turned towards us. But instead of looking from one to the other he looked strait at Legolas."
" Next thing I knew we were both being thrown through the air. I hit a tree and was knocked out, but from what Legolas told me after I woke, he managed to stay concise. He told me the major stuff that happened after I blacked out. His bow was knocked out of his hands and Belroth advanced towards him. He saw a sword a few feet away and dived for it, just in time. Belroth attacked him again, but this time he was ready. He dodged out of he way, then attacked the wolf. It went like that for quite awhile when Belroth decided to retreat, something he probably never thought he would have to do. That's about the time I woke up. And also about the time that you, Gandalf, and Galadriel, Elrond, Celebron, and Thranduil arrived. That's also when we realized who Valar had chosen to defeat Belroth." He stopped and when he looked at the others he let out a small laugh. They looked as though they hadn't blinked once the entire story.
" Yes I remember the shock I got at hearing the story. And if memory serves me, Galadriel seemed to be the only one slightly less surprised by the news," said Gandalf.
" You mean she knew? Then why didn't she say something?" asked Gimli. Gandalf looked at the dwarf before answering.
" She didn't necessarily know, it was more like a hunch you could say. A hunch that proved to be right." Gandalf laughed.
" This does help answer some questions," said Aragorn. " Like why that thing hated Legolas so much. But that still doesn't explain how he was brought back from the dead."
" That is because he never died," said a soft voice from behind Haldir. Everyone looked to see Galadriel coming towards them. " My lady?" questioned Haldir. Galadriel looked at him and then the others.
" He was never brought back from the dead because he was never dead. He was simply weakened close to death, unable to care for himself, until his followers found him."
The others looked at her in shock. Then Gandalf let out a heavy sigh. " So it starts all over again." He looked at Galadriel who nodded sadly. " Then let us hope it does not end like last time."
" How did it end last time?" asked Frodo. There was a pause in which Gandalf debated whether he should tell them. Finally he spoke.
" Legolas was almost killed," said Gandalf sadly.
