Hello reviewers & welcome. Once again thanks for your feedback and look for personal notes at the bottom. I was just completely intrigued with some of your guesses and with your speculations, particularly concerning Legolas and Addrodoc. I have some master sleuths here! And bonus points go to Ryoko for dubbing Addrodoc as the 'high leader of the tribe of fangirls'. LOL. I had not though of him as such but there is a ring of truth in that description.
Much is revealed in this chapter, so enjoy.
Chapter #3 ~ Of Welcomed Reunions?
Legolas smiled as he felt the warmth of the sun upon his face. No matter how many times he woke to the light, he always found joy in doing so. Such a simple thing, an event that most people would not even mark, still captured his attention after thousands of years of experiencing it.
Letting his eyes drift open he lazily recalled the events of the past days. His left arm, which lay gently upon his stomach, still felt stiff and sore, but his healing abilities had done wonders to cure it from the original state it had been in. He realized he would still be deprived of its full use for a few days yet, but still it seemed to be healing faster then even he would have expected.
It was a sudden rumbling noise that made the scene complete. The unmistakable tenor of Gimli's snores rose into the high ceiling, vibrating off the rafters high above. The elf smiled, remembering with a certain amount of amusement how he had first reacted upon hearing it during the first nights as a member of the fellowship.
He sat up slowly, his eyes quickly scanning over the floor to locate the dwarf, who seemed to be sleeping soundly, a definite scent of alcohol clinging to his person and explaining his absence when Legolas had first awoken. The elf shook his head, his eyes then falling upon Addrodoc, who seemed unaware of the elf's now conscious state as he glared at the dwarf, whose snoring was breaking the peace of this sanctuary.
He slipped from the bed, careful to not disturb the offers that had been placed before him and walked towards the man, whose head shot up as he sensed the movement. The human quickly dipped his head in respect and then gently clasping Legolas' elbow he led them both from the room.
"That seemed almost too loud to believe," he muttered as they cleared the general vicinity, now entering a room that housed a small pool like area in its center. Plants and ivy clung to the walls, making the chamber appear emerald green in colour, as the sun reflected off the pools surface so that small patches of light danced across the walls, mimicking the rippling movements of the water. It was a lovely room.
Addrodoc stood, watching Legolas once again, his eyes almost calculating. Despite his best attempts to ignore the scrutiny, Legolas soon grew uncomfortable, sensing an almost possessive quality to the gaze. He moved away from Addrodoc slightly, hoping that distance would decrease the intensity that clouded the human's eyes.
"When did Gimli arrive?" he asked casually, reaching out to touch one of the leaves on the vine gently.
"Not to long ago. My people were introducing him to the town's pub last night, and he has only just stumbled in from those activities. I imagine he will sleep for a while, but that should give us time to... get to know one another better, I think." Addrodoc crossed closer to the elf once again, his hand coming to rest on Legolas' upper arm.
Legolas stood still as the man once again stared at him, resisting the urge to fidget. He felt like the contact between them should bother him, and he almost pulled his arm from the others' grip, yet instead of acting upon this impulse he simply stood motionless, for some reason content to simply be compliant.
"Will you bathe, Lord? I have had fitting clothing prepared for you, before your faithful servants are brought before you," the human said softly.
Legolas looked down at his own dusty clothing. He was feeling dirty, and he suddenly realized that the pool must be some sort of bathing area. He knew before he said anything that he would accept the invitation, his own sense of hygiene demanding he do so.
As if sensing his thoughts Addrodoc spoke, "We often do purification's here. I have laid out soaps and oils for your use, at the ledge there, and the clothes are right here," he said motioning to a long bench that ran along one of the walls. Even from where he was standing, Legolas realized that the gaudy, slightly transparent cloth would not be something he would be comfortable wearing. He shook his head lightly.
"I had a saddle bag, with some extra clothing in it. May I not have that returned to me?"
"Such outfits are not meant for gods," Addrodoc said firmly, shaking his head violently to punctuate his point.
"Yes, but I am not..." Legolas started, though his voice seemed soft and lacked conviction.
"Yes! You are!" Addrodoc interjected quickly, not even letting the elf finish the statement, as if to have Legolas directly contradict him would be a form of blasphemy. "You must learn to believe," the human continued more calmly this time. "You are everything I would have you be." The humans hands crept up, so that one now rested on Legolas' shoulder and the other upon his cheek, the thumb upon his face gently stroking back and forth upon the smooth skin.
Legolas opened his mouth, closing it again before any words could come out. He suddenly lost focus as to what he was arguing about, forgetting why it was vital he refute what was being said. Confusion left him silent, unsure of what to do. Finally he stepped back, moving from beneath Addrodoc's hands carefully. "I will bathe," he said quietly.
"Very good, Lord," the man all but purred back, his face breaking into a satisfied smile. "I shall return shortly," he promised as he slipped from room closing the door softly behind him.
Legolas stood still for a moment, looking down to watch the reflected light dance across his stomach and chest. Slowly blinking his eyes he pulled his tunic from his body, letting it drop unceremoniously to the ground at his feet. With a certain detached awareness he shed the rest of his clothing, kicking aside the growing pile upon the floor from his path as he stepped gingerly into the cool waters, walking down several carved steps til his stood waist deep in the center of the pool.
He let himself sink down completely into the dark waters, his head slipping under the water and he held himself under for several moments, hoping the refreshing feeling would clear his suddenly jumbled thoughts.
A part of him wanted to laugh at the idea that he could be a deity, yet a certain amount of the conviction that Addrodoc spoke with seemed to be effecting him. He could not understand but a part of him almost seemed willing to accept these people's assertions.
He rose again slowly, drinking in a deep breath of air as he surfaced. Blinking drops of water from his eyes he slid to the side of the pool, gathering up soap and washing his body quickly before turning his attentions to his hair.
He was finished rapidly. Despite his desire to simply relax within the waters embrace he rose swiftly, gathering up one of the towels that had been left out for him and drying himself. Wrapping the towel around his slender waist, he moved over to the bench, picking up the clothing that had been left for him.
Examining it proved that it was as bad as he had feared it would be. The leggings themselves were acceptable enough, being simply white in colour, and he slipped these on without too much thought, yet the shirt was somewhat transparent, and sparkled silver when it caught the light. Ignoring this he simply went over and collected his previous tunic once again, pulling it on over his head. He also checked and cleared both the belt and the boots that had been given to him.
He then set about brushing out his hair, re-braiding it at both of his temples into the familiar warrior braids that marked him as an archer, before pulling them back to hold his hair from his face. The familiarity of this routine left him feeling more calm and collected then he had been feeling earlier.
He stood and walked over to the door he had entered, his fingers tracing over the smooth stone as he attempted to find out where the mechanism was that would open it. Yet the stone proved unyielding, remaining cold and unmoving despite anything he might try to do to it.
It was in this process of attempting to leave that Addrodoc once again reentering. The stone parting for him without protest. Legolas blinked, shuffling backwards slightly at the sudden entrance. Addrodoc took in his appearance with a critical eye.
"You are not wearing the shirt," he said emotionlessly.
Legolas nodded, not sure what to say, yet still feeling that normally he would want to say something to such a comment. Doubt flickering in his eyes, he met Addrodoc's eyes uncertainly.
"Well, I suppose you will do," the man said, his eyes still sweeping over Legolas appraisingly. "Come, your servant is stirring, and I have no doubt you will both want food. Then the public awaits you. We have a busy evening left yet before us," Addrodoc stated, his voice adopting an urgent quality to it.
Legolas blinked, finding a cup pressed into his hand. "You must be thirsty as well. I brought this for you since you seem fond of it." The elf looked into the amber liquid feeling more detached from his surroundings now then ever. Addrodoc slid his hands beneath the bottom of the cup, helping the elf raise it to his lips. "Drink it. It shall make everything more clear," the human promised.
Suspicion flared in Legolas, but it was quick to dissipate as the sweet taste of the drink coated the insides of his mouth and warmed his throat. Soon all he could think of was how content and peaceful he felt, and as a gentle arm came around the back of his waist he allowed himself to be led placidly from the room.
Beside the elf Addrodoc smiled, feeling completely awed by the perfection of the being beside him. He treated himself, allowing his other hand to come out briefly to run his fingers over the damp golden locks of hair, reveling in the silken texture. The being was perfect, a god in his own right. My god, the human mused as his hand fell away.
"I shall see to it that everyone sees you as I do. Your potential shall be revealed by my hand," he muttered quietly.
"Potential?" the elf asked quietly, his face troubled and mournful in expression.
"Yes. You are a god and your destiny is foretold," the men coached fondly, his grasp around the elf's waist tightening momentarily in encouragement.
"A god..." Legolas replied despondently, for some reason feeling completely depressed over the notion, yet starting to believe it none the less.
"Good," the man replied. "We are making progress."
They entered the main chamber a moment later, Gimli still snoring loudly into the empty hall. Legolas felt a sudden jolt of hope at seeing the dwarf, and he crossed the room quickly to crouch down next to his sleeping companion.
"If your servant still sleeps, leave him. I shall be back momentarily with food," Addrodoc called out softly, shuffling from the room.
The elf blinked, before glancing down at the dwarf. Something about the word servant stirring a memory within the elf, though the details escaped him. He reached out calmly, shaking one bulky shoulder slightly.
Gimli awoke to find Legolas leaning over him, a cascade of damp blonde hair dangling close to the dwarf's own nose. Shifting slightly he observed the elf closely, taking in the dilated eyes, the pale complexion, and the slightly flushed cheeks. "Well elf. Fine mess you have landed us in," he said through a yawn.
"Have I?" Legolas replied. Gimli's concern grew when he realized this was the sole reply Legolas was going to make, the tone of which had sounded almost afraid and the words themselves painfully out of character.
"Are you all right?" Gimli inquired immediately, sitting up, all traces of weariness melting from him.
The elf nodded. "Though I would like some more to drink," he said, attempting to pass Gimli the empty cup he still held. The dwarf blinked as he looked down at it, before looking up at the elf again.
"Why would you give it to me then? You have legs, use them," the dwarf said lightly, hoping that this was merely some game the elf was playing with him. Yet Legolas merely frowned upon hearing this, his head tilting slightly in confusion.
"Then what is your function as my servant?" he inquired steadily.
Gimli felt his alarm growing, taking in the straight features of the elf's face, and the seriousness of his tone. "Servant? A dwarf, a servant of an elf? I think you hit that flighty head of yours harder then either of us could have imagined," he said, though his voice was filled with dread, and not the playfulness such banter would normally inspire between the two.
Legolas raised one of his hands to the back of his head, touching the newly healed skin that grew there. "Well," the archer said uncertainly, "I am a god, am I not?"
Gimli felt his eyebrows rise to met his hairline, his breathing hitching to a sudden stop. "What?" he stammered. "Lad, you cannot possibly mean that!" he pressed, hoping that the elf was merely mocking the current situation they were in, yet it was not to be. The elf merely continued to gaze at him steadily, unblinking in that unnerving way that only elves could.
Gimli felt rage boil up within himself. Rising to his feet in a sudden rush he yelled, "Addrodoc! What have you done to him?!" the bellow echoed off the walls and as Gimli looked down he saw that Legolas had covered both of his ears, now looking up at the dwarf with even wider eyes.
The man did not approach however, obviously to far away to have heard the war cry. Gimli frowned, turning once again to face the elf. "Legolas, tell me of the history of Fangorn," he demanded steadily. The elf blinked uncertainly, still eyeing the dwarf rather critically. Gimli, aching at seeing his friend in such a condition, softened his voice. "Tell me how the Ents came into being."
"It is said that in the days when the elder rose, the ents also came into being," Legolas began vaguely. "There are several tales of how the Ents awoke from their lifeless state. One theory asserts that they were formed from the thoughts of Yavanna, who was much enamored with all that could grow. She beseeched Eru to allow such life to blossom and was granted her desire. Her creations were given the title of Tree Shepherds and guarded over Her lands and the trees of Arda. When the Green-Elves of old, the Noldor, discovered them, the kin of my people taught them our language, giving them the gift of speech. Yet other sources say that the High Elves admit that the Valar did not mention the Ents in the music, so their origins are still something of a mystery. Yet it is agreed that the elves gifted the trees with voice," Legolas concluded.
"So, what is this Ritual of Regeneration? What is it this mad-man wants you to do?" Gimli pressed, listening intently.
The elf cocked his head to the side. "I am to awaken the land, and allow it to live and blossom once again."
"Legolas," the dwarf began slowly, trying to keep his voice level. "How exactly do you plan on doing that? You are an archer, not a god," he finished firmly.
"I must not doubt my powers. Where I touch the earth, the land will grow," Legolas replied calmly, though his brow was furrowed as if he were confused.
The dwarf closed the space between them, since the elf still knelt it put them at eye-level and allowed the dwarf to reach over and clasp both of Legolas' shoulders firmly. "Legolas," he punctuated each word with a slight shake of the elf in front of him.
"You."
Shake.
"Are."
Shake.
"Not."
Shake.
"A God."
The elf pulled himself free of the dwarf's grasp with a small warning growl emanating from his throat. "For a servant you are not very respectful," he snapped, reaching up with his uninjured arm to massage one of his shoulders tenderly.
Gimli bit his bottom lip, feeling frustrated beyond measure. "You are not a god and I am most certainly not your servant! The day I serve you is the day I shave my beard clear off and sing to trees. Can you get that through those pointy ears of yours?!" he bellowed, not really angry with Legolas but just frustrated with the situation on whole.
The elf's eyes narrowed in indignation, his pride apparently not having been effected by whatever had been done to him. Legolas stood smoothly, brushing his clothing straight. "Stunted one, I order you to fill this," the elf snapped, shoving the empty cup into the dwarf's limp fingers.
"Stunted..." the dwarf puffed, feeling his cheeks expanding as he sucked in angry breathes of air. As he slowly reigned in his initial fury the dwarf felt torn between laughing at the ridiculous expression upon the elf's face and crying over the thought of what might have been done to the elf to have made him this convinced that he was a deity. I should not have left him, Gimli berated himself once again. Ah, my friend! What have they done to you?
Gimli rubbed his forehead wearily, trying to figure out how best to deal with a delusional elf. "Legolas, we must leave here, now. I promised I would visit Fangorn with you, did I not? We should not delay on our purpose," Gimli tried softly.
"We were travelling?" Legolas muttered, as if such memories were very far away at present, and he held only a dim recollection of such an undertaking.
"Yes," Gimli pressed, seeing doubt flicker in the blue eyes, and seizing the opportunity it offered.
"I... I don't know," Legolas stammered, closing his eyes tightly as if trying to block out the world. "I just don't know," he repeated miserably.
"It is okay elf," Gimli said gently, angered beyond words at how fragile the elf looked and sounded. "Trust me with this. You can trust m..." but Gimli was cut off as Addrodoc once again shuffled into the room, the sweep of his robes upon the floor announcing his coming.
The man took in the scene quietly, looking first at Legolas who still had not opened his eyes before glaring furiously at Gimli. "What have you done to upset him?" the human snapped coldly, setting the tray he carried down.
"What have I done to him?" Gimli roared. "I would ask that of you!"
"I have opened his mind to what he is and what he can become! I will not have some deformed gnome undermine my efforts," the man snapped, a somewhat insane gleam flashing in his eyes. "I have not waited my entire life for this event only to have you confuse the issue."
"You are the one who confuses the issue! My friend and I risked ourselves to aid you and this is how you repay us. I demand to know what you did to him and that you undo it right now," Gimli said in a low growl, his teeth barred together as he spoke.
Addrodoc glared at the dwarf before turning to Legolas. Calming the tone in which he spoke he reached out with a single hand, "Come here, Lord. This creature shall not be allowed in your presence again, nor shall his lies."
The elf swayed on the spot where he stood, as if struggling between the desire to go to Addrodoc or to simply remain where he stood. Gimli watched the battle play itself across his friend's face, certain for a moment that he recognized something of the elf he knew Legolas to be flicker across his expression momentarily. Yet in the end, the same obedient neutrality settled over his features and he strode forward, batting away the hand Gimli lifted to detain him.
"You had your chance," Addrodoc hiss triumphantly, as he fondly grasped Legolas' wrist, smoothing a lose strand of hair back behind one of the elf's pointed ears. Gimli felt himself growling in anger striding forward purposefully.
"Don't you dare touch him," Gimli threatened, a fierce desire to protect the elf kicking into play.
"I wouldn't," Addrodoc warned, his hand tightening upon Legolas. "Remember that I have your friend in my power. Try and take him from me and you might not like how this ends."
Gimli's steps slowed, his anger melting into something stronger, yet the threat served its purpose and the dwarf made no further move towards the pair. He snarled low, his growing fear making his anger all the more potent and heartfelt.
"Now leave this sacred place. This temple was never meant to house such a thing as you."
"No,' Legolas interjected. "Please let him stay. He must learn. Must be made to see," the elf stammered, his words almost incomprehensible.
"See what?" Gimli pressed, trying to ascertain the exact nature and depth of the elf's words.
The dwarf's question was ignored however, as Addrodoc turned beseechingly towards Legolas. "M'Lord. He confuses you with lies. Why would you wish to keep such a trickster within your service? He has proven himself unworthy of your trust."
"I... I would have him remain," Legolas pressed, a degree of determination underlying the words that not even the human priest could be ignorant of.
"So be it. If that is as you desire. For the time he might remain," Addrodoc stated, his voice holding a oozing degree of false serenity that grated at the dwarf's nerves. "Would you and your honoured guest then be seated?"
As Gimli sat stiffly down at the low table across from Legolas he could hear the wild thunder of his beating heart. As the food was placed before him, his mind raced with what course of action he should take - what avenue would allow both himself and Legolas to escape unharmed.
The task had never seemed more daunting, and the stakes the dwarf decided as he looked upon the elf, had never been higher.
Reviewer Responses:
Karri ~ I am glad you can see things slowly coming together. We really wanted this to hold an air of mystery. To have all of you guessing about what is going to happen next and who you can trust – so I am pleased to know we are setting up the stage well. LOL. Legolas is over his head, isn't he? Well it is lucky for him that he has a friend like Gimli to watch out for him when he cannot do so for himself.
Sirithiliel ~ I am so behind with reviewing your stories. I am sorry for that. I was just checking last night and I saw how far you were in both of them and I felt so guilty. I will try to get to them tonight or tomorrow at any rate and I am sorry I could not edit faster for you. Fading Hope is slowly being written. I have four pages typed so that is something.
Gwyn ~ I am so pleased you are getting such a kick out of this, lol. I know – it makes you wonder what these people do want with out elf. This chapter I think will just taunt you all the more.
Elfling ~ I am glad you liked the description. I was a little worried people would be bored by it because a lot of the last chapter was description – but no one complained so I guess you didn't mind it. I am glad you caught onto it. We were trying to work that in really subtly over the first few chapters – to explode in this one but brownie points to you for guessing that right. LOL. Trying to bride Legolas – a concept I had not considered before but I am sure it must have happened at some point in his life.
Manders1953 ~ Glad you are enjoying it. I love writing and would like to do it professionally one day so this is the perfect type of practice for me. Hope you continue to read, review and enjoy.
mistx2 ~ Well I have several chapters left to go so I can't have Legolas unconscious for all of them, lol. Still lots of time for him to be hurt though so I make no promises and all I can say is don't get too comfortable, lol. I am so pleased you drew the parallel between Addrodoc and Wormtongue. The two do have a lot of similarities and he (Wormtongue) was certainly an influence when it came to creating Addrodoc. Thanks –the move was great and believe it or not I am glad to be back at school. When I am at home for too long living with my parents it gets to me, lol.
Ryoko: the Welsh Elf ~ ROFL. That will be his a.k.a. name, lol. Thanks for sharing that random thought – I got a real kick out of it.
Elberethia ~ LOL – are you serious!? Bloomism! BLOOMISM! Okay that is obsessive to the ninth degree, lol. Where can I join up? Always trust your intuitions. You have a very good reason to not trust Addrodoc – as this chapter probably confirmed for you, lol. Keep the guesses coming.
Bookworm2000 ~ Yes, the ritual. That will eventually be revealed – but not yet. You proposed some interesting guesses but for the purposes of suspense I can't tell you if you are either right or wrong yet, lol. LOL. I think you are right – things are getting weirder but hopefully this chapter answered some of your questions – if not raised more. I am in love with Legolas and Gimli's friendship. It grew from hatred that extended back from centuries of racial hate to become something unshakable. I think that I just so wonderful and beautiful all at once. I am glad I am capturing moments that reflect that friendship.
Madmaddie ~ Glad you liked the child/Galadriel statue moment. eLLe started that scene and I finished it so it was a combination of both of our efforts. Thanks so much for your praise of my writing. It means a lot to me.
merrylyn ~ Some really good guesses. LOL. It would freak me out too if an old man was constantly pawing at me as well. I was in a MacDonalds once and this old man grabbed my hair and started running his fingers through it and telling me how nice it was – it completely freaked me out. I mean I know he was just an old man who was probably senile – but still. I believe very firmly in not invading other peoples personal space. ROFL – belittling a dwarf… too funny. I was practically crying I was laughing so hard when I read that. You do have a point though – can one be belittled? Deserves further consideration. I would love to read your story. Any time you feel like receiving feedback email me it and I will tell you what I think. I think it is so great that you are trying to get published. I have had some of my poetry published – I am a good poet but I have not worked up the courage to try and send in any of my prose yet. I am using LotR fanfiction as a practice of sorts so that I get better at story telling and then I will try to go original.
Artemisa ~ Oh, ouch. You are in exams already!? Wow – I just get so use to my school year that I forget that it is different all over the world and that some people are actually finishing their years where I am just beginning. I am glad my writing helped to relax you after you had finished and I hope you did well on it. Thanks for the good luck wishes. I love my new place and after the first week of school I think it too will go well.
Jedi Cosmos ~ I am glad you think this creative! That was important to us and at the same time we wanted to keep it Tolkien based. We really had to do a lot of research about the Ents and the role of the elves in their creation to make this plausibly based. I am glad we are keeping them in character… Legolas is slowly spiraling out of his but that is intended and due in part to other reasons, but I have a lot of fun with Gimli and Legolas banter – so I am glad you are enjoying it too. Glad this is also building up suspense and dread in you and you have a very good reason to not trust Addrodoc! Thanks for your review.
Mahal ~ Yeah – I liked the premise too. It sort of reminds me of 'Road to Eldorado' if you have ever seen the cartoon – but creepier, lol. Yeah – Addrodoc is obsessed and you can see, especially in this chapter that he is sort of off his rocker. He is a dangerous nut – and Gimli is going to have to find a way to beat him. I hope this chapter helped to solve some of your questions – at least in regards to the roots of these peoples beliefs. Thanks for your review and I hope you continue to enjoy.
Elfchic02 ~ It is sometimes hard to see a story out – especially when they get really long without your intention of making them that long. I am glad you plan to not abandon it however. I am glad you like the descriptions. I write poetry so description plays a big part of whatever I write.
Star-Stallion ~ LOL. How can you tell I am a fangirl at heart? I know – this story was in part influences by my own worshipping tendencies, lol. I am glad you are enjoying it.