Author: Mirrordance
Title: Tempus Edax Rerum ("Time, the Devourer of All Things")
Summary: The Fellowship of the Ring runs across a time-traveling Legolas of the future whose mission is, strangely, to keep them from succeeding…
PART TWO: The Quest Begins
The Road from Rivendell
December 25, 3018, the Third Age
Long has the fellowship stayed in Imladris after the Council of Elrond, and the two months of rest and recovery made for an energized troop, although each of their mighty hearts strained in some way or another.
Ensconced in the safety of Rivendell, Legolas let his mind drift away from the dream-like other-self that have strayed into their time and their mission. But once along the road, he could not help but wonder about the stranger who had come into the Council and asked for their trust, and he wondered now if indeed he was following.
Determined to stay at the tail to better defend his companions ironically from his own self, Legolas trailed the rest of the group, which was occupied by the genial, animated chatter of the hobbit Pippin.
With some amusement, Legolas watched as Aragorn, coming from the point, slow his stride and let the others gradually pass him by, until his pace matched his old friend's.
~We do not appear to be followed by your other self,~ Aragorn commented in Elvish, ~If none else saw him but myself, I'd have come to believe he was only a dream.~
~For convenience's sake,~ said Legolas wryly, ~Let's refer to him as Greenleaf. I get to be Legolas, because this is my time.~
~Fair enough,~ smiled Aragorn, ~I do not sense Greenleaf about. But I cannot rest against my own conclusions until your elf-senses have confirmed the same.~
~Aye,~ agreed Legolas, ~He does not follow.~
~You seem bothered by this,~ said Aragorn.
~I suppose I do not know myself as well as I thought,~ said Legolas, ~All the better for us, though. I am much relieved.~
They walked in silence for awhile, Pippin's words dancing in the air. "If I had me a machine that sends me all across time whenever I want, I would go back to that time of my twelfth birthday. And I would not have jumped into the water…"
~If I had me a machine that sends me all across time whenever I want,~ said Aragorn to Legolas with an inviting grin, ~I would go back to when I first met you and run in the other direction.~
Legolas chuckled, and his eyes danced as he looked upon the human. ~Your heart seems much lighter, mellon.~
Aragorn exhaled, and looked at Legolas earnestly. ~Greenleaf had come from thousands of years into the future, didn't he? And he said he returned to keep us from destroying the ring. Do you know what that means, Legolas? It means our mission will succeed. It means that at least for a few thousand years, we will purchase peace and end the reign of Sauron. This gives me some peace of mind. Although,~ he frowned, ~What he said will transpire after also troubles me. I know for a certainty that when Yuno comes, he is no longer my problem for I would have been long-dead. But still… Gondor would be standing, and its people. And these people are the children of my children. And then… there is you.
Aragorn continued, ~Greenleaf—you, had a solitary loneliness that I could not touch. It was as if all the world was a burden, a burden that could be shared with no one. You seemed so dreadfully alone.~
Legolas did not deny this, for from his future self he had felt that same aching solitude. It gave him a sense of dread that such would be his fate. Death was almost kinder. But he did not dare say this to Aragorn of all people, whose untenable spirit was dangerously convincing if courted by despair.
~Do you trust him?~ Legolas asked, suddenly.
~Would it offend you if I said no?~ Aragorn teased.
~Not really,~ chuckled Legolas.
* * *
West Gate of Moria
January 13, 3019, the Third Age
* * *
Things had looked somewhat bleaker days into the quest, with the companions weary and disheartened, particularly after their descent from cruel Caradhras and her harsh winds and frigid snow.
The blizzards sent by Saruman had done their worst, and the bedraggled fellowship trod towards the mines of Moria, feeling as if they have wasted time and energy on the mountain which they had climbed and descended, returning almost exactly from where it was that they came, wasting days, wasting strength, and effort.
If anyone was in remotely high spirits, it was Gimli, who was eager to set foot upon the massive caves of legend, upon which his cousin Balin lorded. If the brutal time he had spent along Caradhras was the way by which he ultimately reaches Moria, then it was time well-spent in his eye.
Gandalf was less eager, for he knew of older, greater evils in the deeps that belittled the storms of the icy mountains. Still, he could do little else but move forward. He had his duties to fulfill, and if his fate would bring him to these gates, then this was where he ought to be going.
Waiting for them at the massive rock face was none other than the black-clad Legolas of the future, and the present Legolas stalked towards him with an unwelcoming scowl.
"What brings you here?" Legolas demanded.
"Caradhras was a waste of time, wasn't it?" the other Legolas asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Pippin, coming up beside the Legolas of the present asked him, in a complaining tone, "Legolas, you are of the future, right? Why didn't you just tell us to go straight here, then?"
"Because Legolas is a vindictive elf," said Gimli, coming up behind them, "We would not believe him and he has set it upon himself to avenge it, and so here he is gloating at us."
"I admit that is part of it," said the future Legolas, "But I let you come upon Caradhras because I knew there would ultimately be no peril there and you will make your way here unscathed. I needed to prove to you that I speak truth. Now do you believe me?"
"What else does the future hold, Legolas?" Boromir asked, and Legolas wished that anyone else would have asked that question, and not the human he knew for a certainty would be the quest's casualty.
"We will not get married until--," the Legolas of the future said to his past self wryly, to the other's consternation.
"Do not speak of such things," he seethed, cutting him off, "I do not wish to hear of my life as if I had already lived it. And for the Valar, would everyone refer to the stranger as Greenleaf rather than Legolas? To ease confusion. I'm Legolas."
Greenleaf shrugged. "It is a fair request."
"What are your plans, Greenleaf?" Gandalf asked him, peering into his eyes, "Are you here to stop us?"
"I am here to convince you," he replied, "Now you know that I speak at least a measure of truth. Then perhaps I would not need to take the ring from you perforce."
"You will not succeed if you did try, elf," growled Gimli.
Greenleaf tilted his head at the dwarf and arched an eyebrow at him. "Do you know that we will be the dearest of friends in the end? That the world will never know a greater friendship than yours and mine?"
Gimli's grip upon his axe tightened. "Let's dice him right now, Aragorn. Now we know for sure he is lying."
"For once I agree with the dwarf," said Legolas.
"Ah," Greenleaf grinned, having successfully baited them, "See how it already starts?"
"Only if it means we share in our disapproval of you," Legolas retorted.
Aragorn looked at the three of them miserably. "I presume this means you will be joining us for the rest of our mission."
"Yes," said Greenleaf.
"Can we dissuade you?" Aragorn asked him wryly, knowing the answer even before he asked.
"I'm sorry, mellon," Greenleaf replied, "You cannot."
~I will be watching you,~ Legolas told him under his breath.
~I know,~ said Greenleaf, as his eyes trailed after Gandalf, who was deciphering the password to open the gates of Moria. It took him the better part of an hour to declare a temporary defeat, and he looked pointedly at Greenleaf as he rested, one of many looks that have been thrown his way amongst the fellowship since it became apparent that Gandalf would not be leading them inside anytime soon.
"Is this another waste of time then?" Merry asked him.
"There are some things I know I must let unfold on their own," Greenleaf said, "I fear to change certain things too."
"Well it is frustrating to say the least," Merry said, tossing a stone into the black, reflection-less pool that rested a few meters from the West Gate leading to Moria, "knowing you know and refuse to tell us."
Pippin grabbed a bigger stone, determined to toss his further than Merry had. But Aragorn grabbed at his arms and warned him not to stir the waters.
"Are things happening exactly as they had before, Greenleaf?" Frodo the Ringbearer asked, ever perceptive and his eyes searching.
"Somewhat," Greenleaf replied with an assuring smile, "You needn't fear. You are well looked-after here. How are you at riddles?"
Frodo's brows furrowed, not understanding where this was going. But as he was always polite, he replied, "I have been told that I am not bad at it at all."
"Perhaps you could teach Mithrandir a thing or two," Greenleaf suggested, making Gandalf look up at him with narrowed eyes, not sop much offended as curious.
Frodo looked up at the writings upon the Moria wall. "Speak friend and enter," he paused in thought, "What is the elvish word for friend?"
"Mellon," replied Gandalf, and suddenly the rocks stirred, and shook, and the gates opened for them at last.
TO BE CONTINUED…