O.K, chapter 7! Here we go!
----------=Start of/ end of chapter
*~*~* =Start of/end of flashback
******= Different place/situation
When you remember
Chapter 7: Dangerous changes
Legolas cried out in sheer terror as the weapon was brought down on his head. But before it hit its destination, it stopped, inches short of his skull. He looked up at the attacker's face of pain and shock. It stood frozen for a few moments before it fell onto the ground, face first. Sticking in its back was a small throwing axe. Legolas turned to face Gimli.
"Next time be more careful, elf! I don't want a reputation of saving your butt!"
"Thanks Gimli." Then the two friends went back to fighting.
***********************
The group was down to a few orcs each half an hour later.
"This is wrong!" Gimli cried as hammered his axe blade into the gut of an orc.
"Never mind! Just kill these last few and then we'll carry on to Ithilien!" Aragorn wanted to get away as fast as possible.
Legolas sliced the head off and orc and killed the last foe.
"Done and done!" (A/N- this is something I always say and I just wanted to put it in here!) Legolas wiped his brow "Now, can we get going?"
"Certainly. Let me just catch a few things, like my breath! You are so impatient!" Gimli said, grinning. Legolas smacked him playfully on the arm, which he then got back in return. Aragorn watched for a few minutes before intervening.
"Stop, kiddies!" He laughed aloud but was silenced as Legolas pulled him onto the floor. He laughed as Aragorn sat up, rubbing his head. Legolas started tickling him and he ended up screaming with laughter.
"Legolas stop! By the Valar, stop!!!" By now Gimli was doubled up with laughter. Legolas rolled away, snickering silently.
Once they had calmed down, the three of them got up and brushed the dust off their clothes, still laughing.
"That serves you right!" Legolas claimed.
"C'mon we'd better get going." Aragorn jumped onto his horse and Legolas helped Gimli up onto Arod before jumping up himself. They trotted down the path.
They were three days away from the borders of Ithilien.
Since the days after the War of the Ring, Legolas had done a great job on the forests, pouring his heart and soul into creating a peaceful environment, willing every young shoot to flourish into a tall and proud tree. Many elves from Mirkwood and Lorien had come to live there and see the wonders of it. It was a marvel to look at, admired by many races, and Legolas was proud to be part of it. And now Ithilien did not seem out of place in the land surrounding it, what was once called Mordor. It was now called edencuil (1) by the elves. The land was no longer deserted but full of green, lush forests. In place of hot lakes of poison and lava there were fresh, pure streams, all stemming from the large, beautiful lake that lay in the place of Mount Doom. The air was good to breathe in, not poisoning your body with every mouthful you took in.
Yet none of it was more beautiful than the small, private garden for the Fellowship that was hidden in the depths of Ithilien. Even Gimli enjoyed being there and made no fuss. Legolas felt warmth and happiness glow inside him as he thought about it.
He could not wait to get there. He would be staying there for several months before returning to Greenwood.
Ever since the Ring had been destroyed and darkness purged from Mirkwood, its inhabitants had proudly changed its name back to Greenwood.
"Legolas, you dozy elf, wake up!"
"Huh? What?" Legolas noticed that on the horizon, a small white speck could be seen. Minas Tirith!
"Do you want to stop here or not? It's getting dark!" Aragorn waved his hand in front of Legolas' eyes.
"Oh, right. Whatever." He heard someone saying something to him.
"You don't belong in Middle Earth. Go!"
"What are you talking about?" Legolas asked.
"We haven't said anything!" Aragorn protested. Deep within Aragorn's concerned gaze, a hint of fear shone dimly. Legolas didn't spot it though.
"Oh, don't worry, it's nothing. I just thought I heard you say something." Legolas smiled reassuringly at them.
***********************
Night had fallen. Aragorn was on watch, as Legolas lay asleep. He had wanted to take the watch but Aragorn and Gimli had convinced him otherwise.
"You always look so tired nowadays." Gimli had said
"Alright, alright, I'll sleep! But on one condition. You let me take over at midnight."
"Sure!" Aragorn had lied.
It was now around two hours after midnight and Gimli and Aragorn were talking about what had happened earlier.
"You don't think it could have come back, do you?"
"No, the mixture was too strong for that. I think he's just tired." Gimli said matter-of-factly.
"He's gonna go mad when he wakes up."
"Yep." Gimli agreed.
A loud yawn signaled that their elf- friend had decided, at that moment, to wake up. This was followed up by a very loud:
"What time- fuck it!" As he saw the sun rise over the hills. The other two gulped as Legolas stomped up to them.
"Why didn't you wake me?!"
"You needed the sleep Legolas, and you know it!" Legolas looked defeated.
" 'Spose so." He muttered.
"Good. Now go back to sleep!"
"No way!!" Aragorn gave him a stern look.
"God, when we get to Ithilien, I'll be glad. Perhaps then you'll stop mothering me!"
"Well, someone has to do it or you'd get into trouble!"
Legolas sloped off to his bedroll and settled down to sleep, but not before sending an evil glare in Aragorn's direction.
***********************
Legolas woke mid-morning to the sounds of birds chattering. Someone was shaking him. He batted away the hands and turned over, groaning.
"Get up!" Gimli kept shaking him until the elf gave in.
"I'm up, I'm up!"
"Good! We're going now! You're delaying us!"
"O.K, I just go wash and change then I'll ready."
"Sure."
Legolas wandered off the nearest pool, which wasn't very far away, and stripped down to the waist before walking into the water and sitting down. (A/N What a heavenly image!) He dipped his head under the water, letting it rush over his face and through his hair, leaving him feeling refreshed and awake. He rubbed his scalp and then stretched out his toned arms and body.
Suddenly he stopped. He got the feeling that somebody or something was watching him. He quickly stepped out of the water, re-dressed and, giving a long glance around the area, left speedily.
The watcher cackled. Oh yes, he was a pretty one. She would enjoy torturing him. And he was strong, would a perfect killing machine. But it would take a while to break him. It was would be her pleasure. She cackled again then disappeared into thin air.
***********************
Legolas sighed and fidgeted in his saddle.
"How long do you think it'll take to get there?"
"Not very long, I hope! Your fidgeting is rather annoying!" Gimli moaned.
"About two days now, if we ride fast." Aragorn said.
"What are we waiting for then? I'll race you!" Legolas cried, happy for a thing to do.
"Where to?"
"The next place we can sleep in!"
"You're on! Let's go!"
"Noro lim, Arod, noro lim!" Arod sped off.
"Don't let them beat you!" Hasufel followed them.
***********************
IT was nightfall before Aragorn found them. They were sitting on a log, chatting idly.
"And what time do you call this? We've been waiting for hours!"
"It's not my fault that you and Legolas deliberately put things in my way!"
"Oh yes? Such as?" Legolas stifled his laughter.
"Logs, rocks, that sort of thing! Do you want to kill me or something?" He shouted.
"Stop whining and start a fire!" Legolas commanded.
"Bloody hell, no! You lazy oafs do it!"
"Tsk, tsk, Aragorn, I don't think Arwen would appreciate that sort of language, do you?" Legolas smiled smugly.
"Says you! Can I just say: I don't fuck would be one of her favourite words either!" Legolas blushed.
"He has a point you know!" Gimli and Aragorn roared with laughter.
"Shut up!" Legolas said, embarassed.
"Start the fire Legolas, I fancy some food!" Legolas grumbled something about "revenge" and went off to collect some firewood.
Aragorn's mood changed as soon as he disappeared.
"The quicker we get back, the better." He whispered.
"Oh yes, and why's that?" Gimli replied.
"Something's gonna happen if we don't reach the forest soon. But hopefully we'll get there by about mid-day tomorrow."
"What makes you say this?"
"I've got this feeling in my heart, like an alarm bell going off or something." (A/N I know they don't have alarms, it's a figure of speech)
"I thought you were acting strangely, Aragorn."
"Yeah, well, now you know why." Aragorn stated. They sat in silence, awaiting Legolas' return.
A few minutes and suddenly somebody grabbed Aragorn from behind and put their hand over his mouth. He bit the hand and heard a stifled cry from his attacker. He whipped around, drew his sword and placed lightly on the person's neck.
For some unknown reason Gimli started laughing loudly. Aragorn frowned and looked at the face of the person. He gasped.
"I don't find it funny that my supposed friend attacked me, dwarf." Legolas said coldly.
"Sorry, Legolas." He muttered sheepishly.
"It's a bit too late for that isn't it?!" He snapped.
"What's up, Legolas?" Gimli asked
"Nothing's "up", I've just realised my mistakes."
The two mortals glanced anxiously at each other. Both felt a knot of dread tie in their stomachs. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Legolas fight it. Don't let it win." Aragorn didn't really know what "it" was, but he knew it had something to do with the elf girl. Something had changed Legolas. It wasn't him usually or even when he was in a particularly bad mood. Something had changed him all right. Very dramatically.
"Fight what?" He quirked a brow.
"Whatever changed you while you were gone." Legolas grinned maliciously.
"Nothing changed me while I was gone. Something un-changed me. You want me to fight what's changed me? Well get ready then!" He sprung suddenly at Aragorn, blades drawn and gleaming in the moonlight.
"Shit." Gimli quietly. But neither of his friends heard. They were too engrossed in their deadly dance, one attacking, one defending.
"Legolas, I don't want to hurt you!"
"Hurt me? You couldn't even get near me!" As if to rove his point, Legolas dodged an oncoming blow.
"Gimli, help me! Pin him down!" Gimli and Aragorn circled Legolas, stopping any ways for him to escape. Gimli lunged at his lower legs and managed to drag him to the floor. Aragorn dropped his weight onto his Legolas' chest.
"Legolas, can you hear me?"
"Of course I can bloody hear you! You're sitting on top of me for Valar's sake!"
"Don't let it take you over! Fight it mellon nin!"
"He's right Legolas! Beat it to a pulp!" Legolas' face went blank and he stopped struggling. His whole body relaxed as a look of horror and fear showed on his face.
"Aragorn, you've got to help me! I can't do this on my own!" He cried.
"Do you know what I've got to do?" Legolas nodded his head frantically.
"Do it! Now! Please! Before it beats me!" He stopped as Aragorn punched him reluctantly in the head, knocking him unconscious.
"Let's go. Gimli, can you ride the horse for this one time? I can't help you and Legolas at the same time." Gimli nodded and slowly got up onto Arod. Aragorn pushed Legolas' body onto his horse and jumped on. They sped off to the east.
----------=Start of/ end of chapter
*~*~* =Start of/end of flashback
******= Different place/situation
When you remember
Chapter 7: Dangerous changes
Legolas cried out in sheer terror as the weapon was brought down on his head. But before it hit its destination, it stopped, inches short of his skull. He looked up at the attacker's face of pain and shock. It stood frozen for a few moments before it fell onto the ground, face first. Sticking in its back was a small throwing axe. Legolas turned to face Gimli.
"Next time be more careful, elf! I don't want a reputation of saving your butt!"
"Thanks Gimli." Then the two friends went back to fighting.
***********************
The group was down to a few orcs each half an hour later.
"This is wrong!" Gimli cried as hammered his axe blade into the gut of an orc.
"Never mind! Just kill these last few and then we'll carry on to Ithilien!" Aragorn wanted to get away as fast as possible.
Legolas sliced the head off and orc and killed the last foe.
"Done and done!" (A/N- this is something I always say and I just wanted to put it in here!) Legolas wiped his brow "Now, can we get going?"
"Certainly. Let me just catch a few things, like my breath! You are so impatient!" Gimli said, grinning. Legolas smacked him playfully on the arm, which he then got back in return. Aragorn watched for a few minutes before intervening.
"Stop, kiddies!" He laughed aloud but was silenced as Legolas pulled him onto the floor. He laughed as Aragorn sat up, rubbing his head. Legolas started tickling him and he ended up screaming with laughter.
"Legolas stop! By the Valar, stop!!!" By now Gimli was doubled up with laughter. Legolas rolled away, snickering silently.
Once they had calmed down, the three of them got up and brushed the dust off their clothes, still laughing.
"That serves you right!" Legolas claimed.
"C'mon we'd better get going." Aragorn jumped onto his horse and Legolas helped Gimli up onto Arod before jumping up himself. They trotted down the path.
They were three days away from the borders of Ithilien.
Since the days after the War of the Ring, Legolas had done a great job on the forests, pouring his heart and soul into creating a peaceful environment, willing every young shoot to flourish into a tall and proud tree. Many elves from Mirkwood and Lorien had come to live there and see the wonders of it. It was a marvel to look at, admired by many races, and Legolas was proud to be part of it. And now Ithilien did not seem out of place in the land surrounding it, what was once called Mordor. It was now called edencuil (1) by the elves. The land was no longer deserted but full of green, lush forests. In place of hot lakes of poison and lava there were fresh, pure streams, all stemming from the large, beautiful lake that lay in the place of Mount Doom. The air was good to breathe in, not poisoning your body with every mouthful you took in.
Yet none of it was more beautiful than the small, private garden for the Fellowship that was hidden in the depths of Ithilien. Even Gimli enjoyed being there and made no fuss. Legolas felt warmth and happiness glow inside him as he thought about it.
He could not wait to get there. He would be staying there for several months before returning to Greenwood.
Ever since the Ring had been destroyed and darkness purged from Mirkwood, its inhabitants had proudly changed its name back to Greenwood.
"Legolas, you dozy elf, wake up!"
"Huh? What?" Legolas noticed that on the horizon, a small white speck could be seen. Minas Tirith!
"Do you want to stop here or not? It's getting dark!" Aragorn waved his hand in front of Legolas' eyes.
"Oh, right. Whatever." He heard someone saying something to him.
"You don't belong in Middle Earth. Go!"
"What are you talking about?" Legolas asked.
"We haven't said anything!" Aragorn protested. Deep within Aragorn's concerned gaze, a hint of fear shone dimly. Legolas didn't spot it though.
"Oh, don't worry, it's nothing. I just thought I heard you say something." Legolas smiled reassuringly at them.
***********************
Night had fallen. Aragorn was on watch, as Legolas lay asleep. He had wanted to take the watch but Aragorn and Gimli had convinced him otherwise.
"You always look so tired nowadays." Gimli had said
"Alright, alright, I'll sleep! But on one condition. You let me take over at midnight."
"Sure!" Aragorn had lied.
It was now around two hours after midnight and Gimli and Aragorn were talking about what had happened earlier.
"You don't think it could have come back, do you?"
"No, the mixture was too strong for that. I think he's just tired." Gimli said matter-of-factly.
"He's gonna go mad when he wakes up."
"Yep." Gimli agreed.
A loud yawn signaled that their elf- friend had decided, at that moment, to wake up. This was followed up by a very loud:
"What time- fuck it!" As he saw the sun rise over the hills. The other two gulped as Legolas stomped up to them.
"Why didn't you wake me?!"
"You needed the sleep Legolas, and you know it!" Legolas looked defeated.
" 'Spose so." He muttered.
"Good. Now go back to sleep!"
"No way!!" Aragorn gave him a stern look.
"God, when we get to Ithilien, I'll be glad. Perhaps then you'll stop mothering me!"
"Well, someone has to do it or you'd get into trouble!"
Legolas sloped off to his bedroll and settled down to sleep, but not before sending an evil glare in Aragorn's direction.
***********************
Legolas woke mid-morning to the sounds of birds chattering. Someone was shaking him. He batted away the hands and turned over, groaning.
"Get up!" Gimli kept shaking him until the elf gave in.
"I'm up, I'm up!"
"Good! We're going now! You're delaying us!"
"O.K, I just go wash and change then I'll ready."
"Sure."
Legolas wandered off the nearest pool, which wasn't very far away, and stripped down to the waist before walking into the water and sitting down. (A/N What a heavenly image!) He dipped his head under the water, letting it rush over his face and through his hair, leaving him feeling refreshed and awake. He rubbed his scalp and then stretched out his toned arms and body.
Suddenly he stopped. He got the feeling that somebody or something was watching him. He quickly stepped out of the water, re-dressed and, giving a long glance around the area, left speedily.
The watcher cackled. Oh yes, he was a pretty one. She would enjoy torturing him. And he was strong, would a perfect killing machine. But it would take a while to break him. It was would be her pleasure. She cackled again then disappeared into thin air.
***********************
Legolas sighed and fidgeted in his saddle.
"How long do you think it'll take to get there?"
"Not very long, I hope! Your fidgeting is rather annoying!" Gimli moaned.
"About two days now, if we ride fast." Aragorn said.
"What are we waiting for then? I'll race you!" Legolas cried, happy for a thing to do.
"Where to?"
"The next place we can sleep in!"
"You're on! Let's go!"
"Noro lim, Arod, noro lim!" Arod sped off.
"Don't let them beat you!" Hasufel followed them.
***********************
IT was nightfall before Aragorn found them. They were sitting on a log, chatting idly.
"And what time do you call this? We've been waiting for hours!"
"It's not my fault that you and Legolas deliberately put things in my way!"
"Oh yes? Such as?" Legolas stifled his laughter.
"Logs, rocks, that sort of thing! Do you want to kill me or something?" He shouted.
"Stop whining and start a fire!" Legolas commanded.
"Bloody hell, no! You lazy oafs do it!"
"Tsk, tsk, Aragorn, I don't think Arwen would appreciate that sort of language, do you?" Legolas smiled smugly.
"Says you! Can I just say: I don't fuck would be one of her favourite words either!" Legolas blushed.
"He has a point you know!" Gimli and Aragorn roared with laughter.
"Shut up!" Legolas said, embarassed.
"Start the fire Legolas, I fancy some food!" Legolas grumbled something about "revenge" and went off to collect some firewood.
Aragorn's mood changed as soon as he disappeared.
"The quicker we get back, the better." He whispered.
"Oh yes, and why's that?" Gimli replied.
"Something's gonna happen if we don't reach the forest soon. But hopefully we'll get there by about mid-day tomorrow."
"What makes you say this?"
"I've got this feeling in my heart, like an alarm bell going off or something." (A/N I know they don't have alarms, it's a figure of speech)
"I thought you were acting strangely, Aragorn."
"Yeah, well, now you know why." Aragorn stated. They sat in silence, awaiting Legolas' return.
A few minutes and suddenly somebody grabbed Aragorn from behind and put their hand over his mouth. He bit the hand and heard a stifled cry from his attacker. He whipped around, drew his sword and placed lightly on the person's neck.
For some unknown reason Gimli started laughing loudly. Aragorn frowned and looked at the face of the person. He gasped.
"I don't find it funny that my supposed friend attacked me, dwarf." Legolas said coldly.
"Sorry, Legolas." He muttered sheepishly.
"It's a bit too late for that isn't it?!" He snapped.
"What's up, Legolas?" Gimli asked
"Nothing's "up", I've just realised my mistakes."
The two mortals glanced anxiously at each other. Both felt a knot of dread tie in their stomachs. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Legolas fight it. Don't let it win." Aragorn didn't really know what "it" was, but he knew it had something to do with the elf girl. Something had changed Legolas. It wasn't him usually or even when he was in a particularly bad mood. Something had changed him all right. Very dramatically.
"Fight what?" He quirked a brow.
"Whatever changed you while you were gone." Legolas grinned maliciously.
"Nothing changed me while I was gone. Something un-changed me. You want me to fight what's changed me? Well get ready then!" He sprung suddenly at Aragorn, blades drawn and gleaming in the moonlight.
"Shit." Gimli quietly. But neither of his friends heard. They were too engrossed in their deadly dance, one attacking, one defending.
"Legolas, I don't want to hurt you!"
"Hurt me? You couldn't even get near me!" As if to rove his point, Legolas dodged an oncoming blow.
"Gimli, help me! Pin him down!" Gimli and Aragorn circled Legolas, stopping any ways for him to escape. Gimli lunged at his lower legs and managed to drag him to the floor. Aragorn dropped his weight onto his Legolas' chest.
"Legolas, can you hear me?"
"Of course I can bloody hear you! You're sitting on top of me for Valar's sake!"
"Don't let it take you over! Fight it mellon nin!"
"He's right Legolas! Beat it to a pulp!" Legolas' face went blank and he stopped struggling. His whole body relaxed as a look of horror and fear showed on his face.
"Aragorn, you've got to help me! I can't do this on my own!" He cried.
"Do you know what I've got to do?" Legolas nodded his head frantically.
"Do it! Now! Please! Before it beats me!" He stopped as Aragorn punched him reluctantly in the head, knocking him unconscious.
"Let's go. Gimli, can you ride the horse for this one time? I can't help you and Legolas at the same time." Gimli nodded and slowly got up onto Arod. Aragorn pushed Legolas' body onto his horse and jumped on. They sped off to the east.