Chapter 21: Lenae Senecar
Making their way to Hornburg's main hall through the jubilating crowd,
Gandalf had many thoughts on his mind. He had thought of many things to expect
when he saw her. But when he finally saw Lenae, he was shocked for he did not
expect her to be in her present condition. Even though assortment of cloths
and blankets were piled on top of her, Gandalf could still see that she was
violently shivering. Her usually pale face had turned reddish because of the
high fever. On a chair beside the bed sat Eowyn, changing the cloth on her forehead.
Eowyn took upon herself to care for the female elf when Legolas left to fight.
Upon seeing Gandalf and the rest of the fellowship, she spoke up
' She is burning . . . very hot to touch . . .none can hold her, lest they want their hands to be burned . . . it is like touching the raw flames of a camp fire, but she shivers as if she is lying down on the snow capped peak of Caradhras! I am confused as to what to do ' as Eowyn stood up and moved away from Lenae to make way for Gandalf to approach her.
Taking a step forward towards Lenae, Gandalf immediately halted. Lenae has suddenly stopped shivering; her eyes then opened. Its color instantly turning to black, her body then levitated from the bed. With the cloths and blankets falling down to the ground, her hair and body once more turned to black. Closing her eyes, Lenae reverted to her old self and slowly floated back down unto the bed and started shivering again. Everyone around, who saw the scene fell silent, no sound was heard, no one spoke. Silence filled the great hall.
' It is worse than I thought ' Gandalf finally spoke
' What ails her? ' asked Aragorn
' Good and evil is fighting for control over her. As new and greater powers are bestowed, more battles are to be fought. ' Gandalf replied once again in crypt
' I do not understand ' commented Legolas
' Lenae is fighting a difficult battle within her. A battle to control the power of darkness given to her and a battle of will. Sauron's call to her now is much more stronger for the powers given to her is of darkness, she has to fight harder to not heed his call ' explained Gandalf
' What do you mean by Saurons call? ' Legolas asked
' The dark Lord had tried to convince her to join him, he knows that she would be an asset, a great fighter bearing great powers. She refused him and she knew that he would not stop trying to convince her . . . that is why she left! He was constantly watching her every move . . . she had become a liability to the fellowship and in-order to protect everyone; she made the most difficult decision in her life . . .leave the people she had come to care. '
' Will the lass be alright? ' Gimli asked
' I know she will be able to once more refuse the dark Lords call . . . I have trust in her . . .but I worry that she cannot control the power in her . . .she had gone through so much already, I do not know if she can take anymore. And if her body cannot contain the power . . . . she will die ' Gandalf replied softly
Everyone within hearing range gasped at Gandalf's words.
' There must be something you can do Mithrandir! She cannot and will not die! Save her! Mithrandir!!!!! ' Legolas ranted and tears threatened fall down.
' I cannot do anything for her Legolas, this is a battle that only she could fight, there is nothing we could do, but to wait and see. ' Gandalf spoke to Legolas like a father would do to a son about to loose something precious
' Lets us all rest . . .There is nothing we could do for her, she alone has to face this great ordeal ' Gandalf announced to everyone around them.
Listening to his wise words, everybody began to find a place to take their much-needed sleep. As for Legolas, he had taken the seat beside Lenae. And because there was nothing he could do to help her, he resigned himself to take some needed sleep, maybe he could think of a way to help her when he is rested. Holding on to her hand, which miraculously did not burn him, he went into his trance-like sleep. Peaceful silence had then finally came over Helm's deep.
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T'was in the middle of the night when Lenae's once more opened her eyes and her color changed. Lenae screamed out loud, but neither voice nor sound came out, as her body once again levitated up into the air. Then she stopped screaming and then she vanished. In the great hall of Hornburg, no one stirred. Guards outside were at ease. Everything was fine, except for the fact that Lenae had disappeared.
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It was almost noon when Legolas began to stir. When he instantly stood up, his elven ears should have caught the sound of her breathing but it did not and most of all he was no longer holding on to her hand. Looking at the bed he found it empty. Starting to panic and tears to fall, Legolas began searching for her when he met Gandalf.
' Fear not young prince for the once you seek is well and safe . . . she had left but will come back . . . when the time is right. ' spoke Gandalf as he passed by Legolas.
Without stopping, Gandalf made his way out of the hall towards the deeping wall. Legolas was left there standing; absorbing the words Gandalf had just spoken.
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' Come to me my dark one . . . you and I are now the same. . . . . . We are now both of darkness. Join forces with me and I will help you take control of your newfound powers '
' No! . . . . '
' The power in you . . . . . it hurts . . the pain . . .its increasing . . .its slowly killing you . . .you know that I speak the truth . . . come to me . ..I can take all the pain away! '
Sauron was speaking the truth and she knew it. And now all she can think about was his words and that the increasing pain was slowly killing her. She know that she will eventually die because of the immense pain and also because her body could not contain the power within her. She kept on thinking that she did not want to die.
' I . . . I '
It was then something unexpected happened . . . . all the pain was gone . . . then she felt it . . . a kiss on he lips and heard the words
' I will be back, melamin (my love). That I promise! Quel kaima (sleep well) '
' Legolas! ' her thoughts screamed out
She cannot join Sauron, she will not side the forces of evil that had taken Saeth away from her. Looking directly at the Eye of Sauron looming over her, she made her decision.
' I choose death rather than join you Sauron ' She spoke icily
' Lietha guldur ' (dispel magic) she called out
All of these events happened inside Lenae. Outside, her eyes opened turned to black, her body levitated with her body and hair too turning to black. After sending out the spell, her body changed back to its original color then floated back down to her bed.
' No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ' screamed the eye as it slowly began to disappear
' You will pay shadow! You will die . . . I will kill you myself after I kill all your loved ones! ' shouted out the Eye before it vanished completely
' I will control this power . . . I will endure all this pain . . . I will not die . . . . . And I will defeat him! '
It was in the middle of the night when Lenae had shouted out these words, but no one heard her utter these words.
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Appearing before the council, Lenae did not kneel down, as supposed to be, but remained standing
' I have faced all trials set upon me and passed. I was NOT corrupted by the dark power nor did the Dark Lord sway me. I have exceeded your expectations. I WILL end the Dark Lord's reign. DO NOT fear, for I WILL NOT fail . . . like the way you failed before! One thing, do not ever attempt to interfere with any of my future decisions. I know what I am doing, and if you try to intervene. . . . I will not be responsible for my actions! '
Lenae then disappeared. The council was silent; Lenae's words were of the truth. She had proven to them that they had thought wrongly of her. She is of the dark but necessarily evil . . .she had refused the Dark Lord not once but twice. And it was they who failed . . . . if they had stopped Isildur from taking the ring, none of these would had happened.
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Everything in Hornburg went on as if only the battle occurred. It seems that no one had minded about the sudden disappearance of the female elf. Not a single word spoken, nor one asked the fellowship about it. Everyone has kept away from Legolas, he was not even asked to help with the repairs. Everyone left him alone with his thoughts for all saw that he was filled with great sadness and that he also wanted to be left alone. Legolas felt somewhat glad that the people around him avoided him and had not asked questions about Lenae. He did not feel like talking to anyone at the moment. And Even as they rode toward Isengard before proceeding to Edoras, Legolas still did not speak. This worried Gimli, who was presently riding with him on Arod.
' I do not believe that the men called the cavern of Helm's Deep a cave and that they were used only as a place to hide and store food! Dwarves would pay pure gold just to have a glance at its beauty and magnificence! ' Gimli spoke out loud trying to break the silence of Legolas
' I too would pay pure gold just to be excused and double to be lead out if I ever strayed in ' replied Legolas in a monotonous voice
' I pity you master elf for you have not seen it. Its beauty is breath taking, it surpasses all that I have seen, even the tress of Lorien with all of its glory cannot compare to the its grandeur. With proper lighting and with some work to refine its beauty even more, I am sure you will long to stay in them, for the marvel of the cavern is great. '
' You have never spoken like this before master dwarf. I begin to regret that I have not seen these caves. Come! Let us make a pact, once we return safe from our journey, you and I will visit Fanghorn and Helm's Deep together! '
' Hopefully Lenae will also be able to join us ' Legolas added very softly that only he could hear his words
Smiling, Gimli felt proud that he was able to make Legolas speak. What he did not know that Legolas was still thinking about Lenae.
' That will be good master elf . . . I would be honored to visit these places with you. '
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Upon arriving at Isengard, all were in wonder. The are was surrounded with great pools of water as if there was a sudden flood. The doors of Isen lay twisted on the ground, the walls were ruined as it lay piled in heaps. Thick mist completely surrounded the area making it difficult to see what had lain ahead of the men, this made their journey slow. Suddenly two figures came out of the mists then gave a low bow to Theoden king, in the hands of these figures were pipes of smoke.
' Welcome to Isengard my Lord Theoden, King of Rohan. I am Meriadoc and my companion here is Peregrin. We are the door wardens. '
' Come now, no greeting for Legolas and me? We had traveled at least two hundred leagues to rescue you and here you are smoking! ' exclaimed Gimli as Legolas smiled at his words.
The riders smiled as they saw and heard the exchange between dear friends that had been parted. When all of a sudden the mists fade away and revealing the black version of Lenae. Facing Gandalf and Theoden, she bowed.
' I am Lenae Senecar, New Commander of the Shadow elves. Gwanath, last of the black elves. I have come to offer my services. And I bear a message for you Gandalf the white. Treebeard wishes to have word with you and Theoden king, Lord of the Mark. You will find him at the northern gates, the rest will have to stay here. '
' Very Well ' said Gandalf as he and Theoden rode out to the northern wall.
By then Legolas had already dismounted his horse and approached Lenae.
' Cormamin lindua ele lle ' (my heart sings to see thee) he spoke out softly
Looking at Legolas, Lenae did not show any emotions nor uttered a reply. Turning to face the two hobbits she called out
' Merry, Pippen! '
' Yes Maam! ' both simultaneously replied
' Take the fellowship to the guardhouse to rest, eat and for some smoke. They may have some questions to ask of you, answer them truthfully. I will check once more as to what the foul Saruman is doing then I will join you there. '
Giving her a salute, the two hobbits quickly faced the fellowship and motioned them to follow.
' Len. . . . ' Legolas started to call out but was stopped by Aragorn
' Tis not the right time Legolas! '
Nodding, Legolas turned to follow the hobbits to the guardhouse but his thoughts were filled with questions to ask Lenae.