A/N: Ho hum, it truly is difficult to get to sleep with relentless
thoughts of elf torment battering one's already sadistically disturbed
mind. =) From this chapter/chapter 4 forth, I have concluded to respond
to everyone's review. Just for the fun of it. I just got The Two Towers
soundtrack! It's really good! The best part is when the Elven army marches
into Helms Deep. The music there's amazing.
I was going to get the song Legolas sings in elvish, but I've been waiting for weeks, and am DYING to post this chapter, so voila. So very sorry for the delay. Also, my computer hates me and decided to shut off Word every time I tried to go on.
Celebwen Starmaiden: *ducks from shoes * I am going out to buy a shield today for the paperweight threat. ;) And thanks for adding me! *bows * I'm honoured!
Forest Elfin: You're right; he's not out of the woods yet. But.not figuratively, he soon will be.figuratively, not for a long time. Mwaha.
Luke&Matthias: Thanks for reviewing!
Fairylady: I know. It's fun to write cliffhangers!
Szhismine: *ducks * I get a lot of that.I should go buy a shield.
Kaimelieamin: Hurrying.wow, how did you rip your sink out.?
Disclaimer: Newsflash: I OWNTHE WORLD AND AM GRADUALLY SWAYING IT TO MY WAYS!!!!!!! *Ducks from furiously thrown history textbooks * O, FINE THEN! I own nothing.NOTHING, YOU HEAR ME? THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!!!!!
World: YES!
Well.that may be true.but WillingtheRain and I (aka: J and I) are swaying the world to our evil ways! Mwahahahahahha!!!!!!! BE AFRAID!
World: PTHBT! *Sticks out tongues at a recently gothic-but-not-a-goth soulsearcher *
Go figure.
O, and this chapter begins slightly before Legolas started climbing trees.
* * *
"The elf is healed. We must move on now," Boromir stated bluntly.
Aragorn resented Boromir's blindness. Could he not see the Elf's weakened state? Over night, he had regained strength, but still his body remained to heal. And something troubled the elf. Aragorn wanted to watch him for a few days, just to be sure.
"Nay, Boromir. I have known Legolas for many years, and there is still strength left to return to him."
"Then we go slow for a little time, until he has regained his full strength. But we must move on!"
Aragorn shook his head. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave these woods, Boromir? Surely you find peace here. The others have." Except Legolas, he thought.
A sigh flew from Boromir's lips, drifting upon the midday air, unknowingly letting the trees know of his unrest. "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me even now there is hope left. But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope." Boromir now sat alongside Aragorn, shaking his head in pure uncertainty.
Aragorn stared into Boromir's eyes, searching for a glimmer of something good. something that did not threaten to snuff out the veiled hope that none seemed able to perceive. "Then rest here, and free your mind of your troubles. Long you have toiled under the nagging thoughts of your kingdom. Let them go, if only for a while, and be at peace. There is always hope." Silence overcame Boromir, and Aragorn rose, and set to wandering the powers of this vast wood.
Gimli had secretly been watching the two. Though he held a strong dislike for the elf, he could not deny that indeed not all his strength was there. But indeed, he wished the elf would quit feeling his self-pity, skulking beneath the canopy of broad leaves. As Aragorn took his leave, the dwarf too turned from that place, and set off alone.
He could not help feeling somewhat anxious, for he wandered the home of woodland elves, and he met the hateful glares sent his way each time with more and more distaste, though never showing his nervousness. To what extent these creatures disgusted him, he did not know, and did not trust them.
Throughout Lothlorien, there were no paths, for the light feet of the native elves. He ambled just far enough so that he would not loose the way back, and there he halted. What for, he knew not, but a presence drifted about this place. Even more on edge, he kept fingering his axe. Stalking beneath the malorn giants, he crept through the foliage riddling the earth, not knowing what or whom he hunted.
Suddenly, a faint melody came to his ears, and he ceased. For a moment, silence reigned, but again the music returned. The dwarf listened in breathless wonder. Though the words were foreign to him, the tune tugged at his heart. Tearful.almost grievous was the song, yet beautiful in its sadness, and he searched for who might be singing. Haunting it was, to hear such sorrow, drifting in and around the trees, with seemingly no source.
"Stars that shine upon Those who are lost, Now turn your light upon me. For he who once guided me Has gone. I fear I may stray from my path; Shadows shroud my vision; Blinded, I stumble forward, Towards the light to which I am drawn.
"Lonely winds, dancing through the leaves, Sing to me your mourning songs, And let me add my grieving voice; Let the moon hear our chant. And let her say unto the dead How life misses you. You are bid return from Valinor, Yet chance at your wish for such is scant.
"Rivers of tears, do not set me afloat. I beg you to allow me to drown. The dangers off road I dread as to death, For I have strayed upon sorrows renown."
When he peered up, into the mingling limbs of the nearest tree, he perceived a sight he truly never thought he would see. There sat Legolas, among the higher branches, perfectly balanced. He rocked back and forth, embracing his knees, and it was impossible not to miss the silver gleam of liquid cascading his cheeks.
Gimli had only ever known elves to be hateful and ceaseless in their actions. Always he had thought an elf never to weep, and there roosted Legolas, an Elven prince, lamenting his sorrows, and suddenly seeming fragile, contrary to the warrior Gimli had always known him and his kindred to be.
Legolas' song came to an end, and the elf slowly let the resonating notes die on the breeze. And only after silence once more ruled it's powerful force, he heard the whisper of the trees. They were anxious.someone they did not know was here.someone they had never encountered before.
Suddenly wary, Legolas listened closer.breathing.someone was below him, standing stalk still. He needed not look to know this. Who it was, he did not know, but friendly was not the first thing to come to mind. Silently, he drew his knife from its sheath and prepared to ambush the oblivious stalking form.
A sudden whoosh of air was all the warning Gimli had, and ere he could move, the cold steel of an elven knife was pressed hard against his throat. The knife ceased in its deadly slice almost as quick as it had begun, and Gimli stood breathless, panting as the knife was drawn away. A disapproving sigh drifted from behind the dwarf.
"Master dwarf, you should know better than to leave your entrance to silence in the presence of an elf," chided Legolas, as he sheathed his blade. "We hear more than you care to know."
As Gimli turned around to face the elf, he noted that there was not a sign that he had been weeping. His icy eyes held no more emotion than annoyance, his face smooth and clear of grief. "Well, perhaps if you didn't keep wandering off alone, no one would come looking for you. From what do you hide? Why do you prefer lone wandering, while others are merry in their company?"
"That is my business, and none of yours," Legolas snapped, though with more edge than he had wished to imply.
Gimli shook his head, muttering: "Elves are too stubborn. Too full of pride to join those who they think are less fair than they are."
Legolas whirled dangerously upon the dwarf, a smouldering flame burning in the blue orbs. "And what of the dwarves? Hiding away in the deep places of the earth, emerging to daylight only when they themselves are in danger; not a care for the other races of this world."
"Hold your tongue, master elf!" Gimli too now arose in anger, equal to Legolas though perhaps not in stature, but in rage. "And what would the son of Thranduil know of such matters? Who would expect the son of he who caused my people so much trouble many years ago to live peacefully with a dwarf? Your father respects naught but the trees in which he foolishly lives."
And thus a fully-fledged argument came upon the two, who up until that point were able to ignore the other in distasteful silence. Long through the day and deep into the night they shouted at each other, searing wrath burning in their eyes, threatening to thrash all common sense into shards of misery. Far from the Fellowship and dwellings of the other Elves, none heard the racket.
As the first lights of dawn peered over the horizon, filtering a small glowing light into the forest, still they yelled and screamed. Tears glistened in their eyes, streaming down their faces, each their pride beaten and all they held dear slighted. Until at last all enragement drove upon them a last comment from the flaming mouth of the dwarf.
"Elves are faster than all the races of Middle-earth, and there you stand, and watch Gandalf slip in the time you could have ran to him!" The moment the first word flew from his lips, Gimli regretted saying it, but he went on to finish the sentence in a fury of shame.
Legolas stared at the dwarf, the flame in his eyes smothering to ashes. He staggered backwards, carefully keeping his balance. Gimli stared with wide eyes, not believing what he had just done. Idiot dwarf, he thought to himself.
"Legolas." He was unable to complete the thought. Why did he have to say that? Why.? Legolas sat down upon a small boulder, merely staring quietly with eyes of melancholy at the earth. Gimli moved to sit beside him.
"Legolas, I'm sorry, it was no one's fault."
Legolas lifted his head, and gazed into Gimli's repentant eyes. "It's alright, Gimli." He said, offering a small smile to reassure the dwarf. "Just.let me be alone for a while. I'm fine." Gimli looked hesitant, but sighed, and wandered off back towards where the Fellowship was asleep.
He waited until Gimli was well out of hearing range. Then he let his mask fall, and all his tears spill out onto the ground. You see, he screamed mentally, they all hate you. They all know it was your fault. And it was. "I know." he whispered weakly through his sobbing. "I know." He staggered off, heading away towards the borders of the wood, though he knew not of it. And there he leaned against a tree, face in hands, letting the silver rivers fall.
* * *
Even as the first lights filtered over the horizon, the Uruk-hai kept moving. Using the borders of Lothlorien as a guide, they ran swifter, fearing the elves dwelling there. But their leader held up his hand, and grunted out orders in the Black Speech. Grinning eagerly, the troupe rumbled off, separating, some cautiously spreading into the trees.
The leader heard a sound.quiet, mournful.. Immediately he knew it to be elven, and soon he knew the elf was weeping. Moving in through the bush, he peered at the golden haired elf, sobbing.and alone. He spotted the others, well hidden among the foliage. The elf would not notice them amid his sorrow. They looked fervently to him for the signal to attack, but he held the position a while longer.
How he delighted in the tears of the elf.
* * *
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! I PLANNED THAT ALL LAST NIGHT!! *Ducks from CONTINUALLY falling angrily thrown objects * I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review, everyone, because I love you and you have full permission to through shoes at me, or anything else obligated to hurt.
~Searcher of Souls~
I was going to get the song Legolas sings in elvish, but I've been waiting for weeks, and am DYING to post this chapter, so voila. So very sorry for the delay. Also, my computer hates me and decided to shut off Word every time I tried to go on.
Celebwen Starmaiden: *ducks from shoes * I am going out to buy a shield today for the paperweight threat. ;) And thanks for adding me! *bows * I'm honoured!
Forest Elfin: You're right; he's not out of the woods yet. But.not figuratively, he soon will be.figuratively, not for a long time. Mwaha.
Luke&Matthias: Thanks for reviewing!
Fairylady: I know. It's fun to write cliffhangers!
Szhismine: *ducks * I get a lot of that.I should go buy a shield.
Kaimelieamin: Hurrying.wow, how did you rip your sink out.?
Disclaimer: Newsflash: I OWNTHE WORLD AND AM GRADUALLY SWAYING IT TO MY WAYS!!!!!!! *Ducks from furiously thrown history textbooks * O, FINE THEN! I own nothing.NOTHING, YOU HEAR ME? THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!!!!!
World: YES!
Well.that may be true.but WillingtheRain and I (aka: J and I) are swaying the world to our evil ways! Mwahahahahahha!!!!!!! BE AFRAID!
World: PTHBT! *Sticks out tongues at a recently gothic-but-not-a-goth soulsearcher *
Go figure.
O, and this chapter begins slightly before Legolas started climbing trees.
* * *
"The elf is healed. We must move on now," Boromir stated bluntly.
Aragorn resented Boromir's blindness. Could he not see the Elf's weakened state? Over night, he had regained strength, but still his body remained to heal. And something troubled the elf. Aragorn wanted to watch him for a few days, just to be sure.
"Nay, Boromir. I have known Legolas for many years, and there is still strength left to return to him."
"Then we go slow for a little time, until he has regained his full strength. But we must move on!"
Aragorn shook his head. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave these woods, Boromir? Surely you find peace here. The others have." Except Legolas, he thought.
A sigh flew from Boromir's lips, drifting upon the midday air, unknowingly letting the trees know of his unrest. "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me even now there is hope left. But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope." Boromir now sat alongside Aragorn, shaking his head in pure uncertainty.
Aragorn stared into Boromir's eyes, searching for a glimmer of something good. something that did not threaten to snuff out the veiled hope that none seemed able to perceive. "Then rest here, and free your mind of your troubles. Long you have toiled under the nagging thoughts of your kingdom. Let them go, if only for a while, and be at peace. There is always hope." Silence overcame Boromir, and Aragorn rose, and set to wandering the powers of this vast wood.
Gimli had secretly been watching the two. Though he held a strong dislike for the elf, he could not deny that indeed not all his strength was there. But indeed, he wished the elf would quit feeling his self-pity, skulking beneath the canopy of broad leaves. As Aragorn took his leave, the dwarf too turned from that place, and set off alone.
He could not help feeling somewhat anxious, for he wandered the home of woodland elves, and he met the hateful glares sent his way each time with more and more distaste, though never showing his nervousness. To what extent these creatures disgusted him, he did not know, and did not trust them.
Throughout Lothlorien, there were no paths, for the light feet of the native elves. He ambled just far enough so that he would not loose the way back, and there he halted. What for, he knew not, but a presence drifted about this place. Even more on edge, he kept fingering his axe. Stalking beneath the malorn giants, he crept through the foliage riddling the earth, not knowing what or whom he hunted.
Suddenly, a faint melody came to his ears, and he ceased. For a moment, silence reigned, but again the music returned. The dwarf listened in breathless wonder. Though the words were foreign to him, the tune tugged at his heart. Tearful.almost grievous was the song, yet beautiful in its sadness, and he searched for who might be singing. Haunting it was, to hear such sorrow, drifting in and around the trees, with seemingly no source.
"Stars that shine upon Those who are lost, Now turn your light upon me. For he who once guided me Has gone. I fear I may stray from my path; Shadows shroud my vision; Blinded, I stumble forward, Towards the light to which I am drawn.
"Lonely winds, dancing through the leaves, Sing to me your mourning songs, And let me add my grieving voice; Let the moon hear our chant. And let her say unto the dead How life misses you. You are bid return from Valinor, Yet chance at your wish for such is scant.
"Rivers of tears, do not set me afloat. I beg you to allow me to drown. The dangers off road I dread as to death, For I have strayed upon sorrows renown."
When he peered up, into the mingling limbs of the nearest tree, he perceived a sight he truly never thought he would see. There sat Legolas, among the higher branches, perfectly balanced. He rocked back and forth, embracing his knees, and it was impossible not to miss the silver gleam of liquid cascading his cheeks.
Gimli had only ever known elves to be hateful and ceaseless in their actions. Always he had thought an elf never to weep, and there roosted Legolas, an Elven prince, lamenting his sorrows, and suddenly seeming fragile, contrary to the warrior Gimli had always known him and his kindred to be.
Legolas' song came to an end, and the elf slowly let the resonating notes die on the breeze. And only after silence once more ruled it's powerful force, he heard the whisper of the trees. They were anxious.someone they did not know was here.someone they had never encountered before.
Suddenly wary, Legolas listened closer.breathing.someone was below him, standing stalk still. He needed not look to know this. Who it was, he did not know, but friendly was not the first thing to come to mind. Silently, he drew his knife from its sheath and prepared to ambush the oblivious stalking form.
A sudden whoosh of air was all the warning Gimli had, and ere he could move, the cold steel of an elven knife was pressed hard against his throat. The knife ceased in its deadly slice almost as quick as it had begun, and Gimli stood breathless, panting as the knife was drawn away. A disapproving sigh drifted from behind the dwarf.
"Master dwarf, you should know better than to leave your entrance to silence in the presence of an elf," chided Legolas, as he sheathed his blade. "We hear more than you care to know."
As Gimli turned around to face the elf, he noted that there was not a sign that he had been weeping. His icy eyes held no more emotion than annoyance, his face smooth and clear of grief. "Well, perhaps if you didn't keep wandering off alone, no one would come looking for you. From what do you hide? Why do you prefer lone wandering, while others are merry in their company?"
"That is my business, and none of yours," Legolas snapped, though with more edge than he had wished to imply.
Gimli shook his head, muttering: "Elves are too stubborn. Too full of pride to join those who they think are less fair than they are."
Legolas whirled dangerously upon the dwarf, a smouldering flame burning in the blue orbs. "And what of the dwarves? Hiding away in the deep places of the earth, emerging to daylight only when they themselves are in danger; not a care for the other races of this world."
"Hold your tongue, master elf!" Gimli too now arose in anger, equal to Legolas though perhaps not in stature, but in rage. "And what would the son of Thranduil know of such matters? Who would expect the son of he who caused my people so much trouble many years ago to live peacefully with a dwarf? Your father respects naught but the trees in which he foolishly lives."
And thus a fully-fledged argument came upon the two, who up until that point were able to ignore the other in distasteful silence. Long through the day and deep into the night they shouted at each other, searing wrath burning in their eyes, threatening to thrash all common sense into shards of misery. Far from the Fellowship and dwellings of the other Elves, none heard the racket.
As the first lights of dawn peered over the horizon, filtering a small glowing light into the forest, still they yelled and screamed. Tears glistened in their eyes, streaming down their faces, each their pride beaten and all they held dear slighted. Until at last all enragement drove upon them a last comment from the flaming mouth of the dwarf.
"Elves are faster than all the races of Middle-earth, and there you stand, and watch Gandalf slip in the time you could have ran to him!" The moment the first word flew from his lips, Gimli regretted saying it, but he went on to finish the sentence in a fury of shame.
Legolas stared at the dwarf, the flame in his eyes smothering to ashes. He staggered backwards, carefully keeping his balance. Gimli stared with wide eyes, not believing what he had just done. Idiot dwarf, he thought to himself.
"Legolas." He was unable to complete the thought. Why did he have to say that? Why.? Legolas sat down upon a small boulder, merely staring quietly with eyes of melancholy at the earth. Gimli moved to sit beside him.
"Legolas, I'm sorry, it was no one's fault."
Legolas lifted his head, and gazed into Gimli's repentant eyes. "It's alright, Gimli." He said, offering a small smile to reassure the dwarf. "Just.let me be alone for a while. I'm fine." Gimli looked hesitant, but sighed, and wandered off back towards where the Fellowship was asleep.
He waited until Gimli was well out of hearing range. Then he let his mask fall, and all his tears spill out onto the ground. You see, he screamed mentally, they all hate you. They all know it was your fault. And it was. "I know." he whispered weakly through his sobbing. "I know." He staggered off, heading away towards the borders of the wood, though he knew not of it. And there he leaned against a tree, face in hands, letting the silver rivers fall.
* * *
Even as the first lights filtered over the horizon, the Uruk-hai kept moving. Using the borders of Lothlorien as a guide, they ran swifter, fearing the elves dwelling there. But their leader held up his hand, and grunted out orders in the Black Speech. Grinning eagerly, the troupe rumbled off, separating, some cautiously spreading into the trees.
The leader heard a sound.quiet, mournful.. Immediately he knew it to be elven, and soon he knew the elf was weeping. Moving in through the bush, he peered at the golden haired elf, sobbing.and alone. He spotted the others, well hidden among the foliage. The elf would not notice them amid his sorrow. They looked fervently to him for the signal to attack, but he held the position a while longer.
How he delighted in the tears of the elf.
* * *
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! I PLANNED THAT ALL LAST NIGHT!! *Ducks from CONTINUALLY falling angrily thrown objects * I LOVE CLIFFHANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review, everyone, because I love you and you have full permission to through shoes at me, or anything else obligated to hurt.
~Searcher of Souls~