My dear readers and reviewers. this chapter is dedicated to all of you who
patiently wait for my updates, no matter how long it takes for me to write
the next chapter.
It keeps me writing, especially now as real life takes most of my time.
For those on my yahoo list who even sent a group of rangers and elves to take care of me: thank you - I will never return them to you :-). got addicted to them :-)
Every single review I received for the last chapter brightened my life considerably. and I love you all for giving me so much positive feedback.
What more can I say? I hope you forgive me for taking so long for writing this story, and I hope you are still reading it. And enjoying it??? If you do. tell me?!?!
Special thanks as always to Little My for beta reading !!!
Ok, on with the story. and do not hesitate to use the nice little review button. :-)
____
The silence that had hung over the clearing for long, tense minutes broke with the soft sounds of the child's cries, and with it the ability to move seemed to return to all at once.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a quick glance, sharing all their relief with each other. Then Elladan pointed towards Legolas.
'If we wish to speak to him ere Gimli is attached to his side once more, we should do it now.' Mischief sparkled in his eyes as he expectantly looked at his brother.
Elrohir nodded, a quick glance around telling him that Gimli had rushed to Surdim's side the moment he had overcome his surprise.
Legolas's eyes had not left the fallen man, his mistrust mirroring Gimli's. Just as the dwarf knelt down next to the man, Legolas's view was blocked as the sons of Elrond appeared before him, identical grins on their faces.
Calenuial stood silently behind his friend, the bow loose in his hands again. He knew Legolas well, knew his actions had angered his friend greatly and he would be wise to keep some distance for a while. From past experiences he had learned it would take a few hours for him to calm down again and so he silently stepped away, leaving Legolas to face the sons of Elrond, and moved into the clearing.
His eyes had taken in the scene, acknowledging that there was no more resistance from the bush rangers. The men from Rohan were herding them together, separating men from women and children.
A frown on his face, the golden-haired elf slowly made his way to Gimli's side, his thoughts whirling. He could not remember a tale told by Legolas that would explain why a man would have reason to hate him thus. And there was no doubt that Legolas knew Surdim from a previous encounter and that the man harbored ill feelings towards his friend.
He searched his memory for any hint of who this Surdim was, but the name was unfamiliar and he was sure he had never heard it before. Then another memory made him freeze in mid step. There had been only one thing Legolas had never told him about, no matter how hard he had tried to learn of what had befallen his friend.
Calenuial's eyes closed for a moment as he recalled Legolas taking a bath a few months ago--the shock and pain followed by outrage he had felt at seeing Legolas's bare back. The scars there had not been old enough to have faded and they had told a story of mistreatment that had filled him with rage at whoever had done this. But no matter how many questions he had asked, Legolas had refused to tell him anything, finally ordering him not to speak of it to anyone.
Could it be that he had finally found an explanation?
His eyes found Gimli who still knelt next to the prone form and a decision was quickly made. If anyone knew, it would be the dwarf, for hardly ever had Legolas traveled without him for a companion.
As he stepped closer he could hear the woman's voice, quivering with exhaustion and fear.
'Is he dead?'
The dwarf looked up, smiling at her.
'Nay,' he answered, his voice gentle. 'He still draws breath.'
The relief on her face was astonishing, considering the man they spoke of had threatened the child she still held in her arms. Tears were running down her face as Calenuial silently passed her to step closer to Gimli.
The elf crouched down next to the dwarf, his eyes wandering over the still form. He could hardly make out any sign of life and it was curiosity that made him reach out and touch the man's hand. He recoiled immediately. Surprised blue eyes turned on Gimli, but ere he could speak the dwarf shook his head in silent warning and he held his tongue in sudden understanding. There was no need for the woman to know the man would not live for long.
'So this is Surdim?' he asked instead, his eyes watching the dwarf's face closely.
'Aye,' Gimli answered and the emotions in his eyes were easily identified as cold rage and hate. Another clue for Calenuial that this man had indeed done harm to Legolas before.
'So this is the man who dared to raise a hand against the son of Thranduil,' he hissed, his own anger winning over.
The dwarf shot him a surprised glance. Legolas had not spoken of this incident ever again and Gimli was quite sure he had never mentioned it to his father, keeping it a secret from the king of Mirkwood to not further damage the already strained relationship between the elves of Mirkwood and the men of Gondor. But Calenuial was his friend and the dwarf did not think it completely unlikely he had spoken to him about his ordeal.
Under different circumstances he might have guarded his tongue better, and given a more vague answer to not betray something Legolas might have wished to keep secret. But right now he was wearied from concern and relief as well as the strain of the past few days, and so his answer came without much thought.
'Aye, and once more has he shown nothing but cowardice. He could not face one elf alone and he had to hide behind a child.'
Two of Eomer's men had stepped towards Lian and the man rose at their command to go with them. There was a deep pain in Clardyn's eyes as she watched him go.
The dwarf's eyes followed Lian, piercing the man for a long moment before he turned his attention to the woman sitting on the ground so close to them. He rose to his feet and gave a small bow.
'We have to thank you, Milady,' he spoke with much respect. 'Your actions may very well have saved my life, as well as that of a certain elf. How a woman like you could choose to stay with a man like him, I cannot understand. But should you need anything, I will help you the best I can.'
Clardyn looked up at him and a sad smile formed on her face.
'And yet it was Lian that stayed Bethrol's hand so many nights ago,' she answered softly. 'I say not that he was innocent, but with his actions he might have saved your friend's life. He is not as bad a man as you might think.'
Gimli only shook his head. 'The man I know has taken part in a most cruel and cowardly attack on one of my dearest friends and has caused him much pain. Forgive me when I cannot see any good in this.'
She gave no answer, only tightening her arms around her son.
Calenuial had listened silently, observing each gesture and expression so as to miss no clues. As Gimli turned away, he found himself face to face with the still kneeling elf and a hard grip on his arm stopped him from walking away.
'This man.' Calenuial gestured towards Lian. 'He was one of them?'
Gimli only gave a nod.
'And which one is Bethrol?' Calenuial's eyes were burning now. He only had a vague suspicion of what had happened that night, but it seemed that the one to inflict the worst had been the man whose name he had just learned.
Yet it was this question that told Gimli that the elf was only guessing and did not know the truth. Calenuial could see the sudden guarded expression on the dwarf's face and realized he had given himself away.
'This is not a matter I should speak of,' Gimli answered.
The elf's grip did not loosen.
'I only wish to know what has been done to Legolas and who did it,' he demanded. His voice grew softer, almost pleading with the dwarf as he added, 'I have seen the scars he carries, Gimli.'
'It is not my place to speak of this.' Gimli's voice held a note of regret. He knew he would feel the same in Calenuial's place. He held the elf's inquiring gaze for a long time, until defeat clouded it and the hand fell away from his arm.
'Legolas refuses to speak of it,' the elf sighed. 'You were there when it happened?'
'Not when he was attacked,' Gimli answered. 'But afterwards. And I can assure you he took his revenge. The one you asked about lives no more.'
Calenuial nodded. What he had learned was little more than he had already suspected, and it did nothing to ease his ire.
'Then he was not without a friend then,' he spoke sadly. 'Oft he has been warned not to mingle with mortals, for their hearts are darkened by desires and hate beyond our understanding. It is a small relief to know that at least one of them stays true to him.'
With that, the elf gracefully stood and walked away. Gimli watched him disappear into the woods once more without a further glance towards the men of Rohan.
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Somehow it was always slightly unnerving to face the twin sons of Elrond when they wore matching grins such as these. The throbbing in his head that seemed to have worsened again and the slight feeling of dizziness did nothing to make Legolas feel any surer he was up to whatever they had in mind.
'Are you well, Legolas?' Elrohir inquired, but the sparkle in his eyes made the concern in his voice just a bit less believable.
'I am well enough, thank you,' the elf answered carefully.
'You did not hurt your arm any further?'
'Nay, I am fine."
The amused tone in Elrohir's voice as well as the smirk on Elladan's face made him ever more wary.
'This is good,' Elladan spoke.
'Aye,' his brother consented. 'It would do no good to return him more damaged than he was before.'
'It might lower his worth.' The grin on Elladan's face could not grow any wider.
A frown appeared on Legolas's face as his eyes wandered from one to the other.
'My worth?' he asked, slightly puzzled over the odd wording.
'Aye. You know he might think of reselling you and would not get as much as he paid for you,' Elrohir explained, his face solemn despite the mirth bubbling inside of him.
'Reselling me?' Now outrage was added to confusion.
'He paid a good price for you, after all,' Elladan explained.
'Who did? Pay for me? What is this you speak of?'
'I am not sure, Elladan, if anyone would truly think of buying him. He seems a little hotheaded.'
Before Elrohir could answer his brother, Legolas's voice cut in, clearly annoyed now.
'You make even less sense than usual. Why would someone sell me? I am no horse to be sold to the next one who offers a good price!'
That caused both dark-haired elves to snicker, and with an exasperated sigh Legolas threw his hands in the air.
'It is no use speaking to you,' he decided and turned away. A quick glance was exchanged and the twins moved quickly after him, taking him into their midst.
'Wait, Legolas. Let us explain,' Elladan quickly spoke, doing his best to keep the laughter out of his voice.
With another sigh Legolas stopped.
'What do you recall of your escape from this camp?'
He thought for a moment ere he answered Elrohir's question. He could remember trying to flee, running through the forest, but the memory was dim and unclear. 'Not much. I was given a draught that impaired my senses,' he finally confessed.
'Well no wonder, for you did not really escape.'
In surprise he turned his head to stare at Elladan.
'But how did I come to be with you again if I did not escape? I assumed you freed me somehow.'
'Freed might be the wrong word,' Elrohir snickered but this time Legolas refused to turned his head and kept his gaze on Elladan. The amusement on his face caused a feeling of foreboding.
'How exactly did you get me out?' he asked, despite the little voice at the back of his mind that warned him that maybe he did not really want to know.
'We did nothing,' Elladan grinned. 'It was all Gimli's idea and doing.'
Taking a deep breath, Legolas used the last bit of his patience to ask once more, 'So would you care to explain how he freed me?'
He could see the look they exchanged, the wide grin on Elladan's face. Still he could not believe the next words he heard.
'Gimli bought you.'
He stared at them in utter disbelief, the mere thought too much for him to accept. Their laughter at his stunned expression only increased the slowly developing feeling of outrage.
'He bought me?'
'Aye, my friend,' Elrohir laughed. 'But it was a hard bargain.'
'I cannot believe this!' His voice shook with anger and contempt. 'I am no piece of merchandise that one might sell for some gold!'
'No, you are not,' Elladan confirmed. 'Gold was not enough to buy you. Gimli had to offer this to sway them into handing you over.'
He held the necklace out to show it to Legolas.
'I think he paid a fair price for you. I wonder if he will use you as decoration for his Glittering Caves, or if it is your talent for singing he bought you for.'
But had he expected to annoy his friend further he was surprised to see the change of expression on Legolas's face. The golden-haired elf did not react to the barb but reached out to carefully take the piece of jewelry from his hand. The anger drained from his face as he gazed upon it and the look he wore now silenced the twins faster than any word could have.
Elrohir shot a quick glance at his brother who only shrugged, not knowing what had caused the sudden shift of Legolas's mood either. Fearing they had gone too far in their teasing, the older twin quickly spoke.
'We meant no harm, Legolas. Gimli's plan was the only way to get you out of this camp without bloodshed.'
Legolas only nodded. He held the necklace up to the sun, watching it sparkle.
'You know not the worth of this,' he spoke softly. 'To Gimli it is no less precious than the gift of Galadriel. If he gave this away to save me I cannot help but feel honored, for it tells me how much he values me. Even if it should mean I am his property now.'
The last sentence was spoken with a hint of wry humor.
He pocketed the necklace before either of the twins could protest.
'Speaking of which, has he recovered Galadriel's gift?'
The twins shook their heads.
'I think not,' Elladan answered. 'There was no time to look for it until now.'
For those on my yahoo list who even sent a group of rangers and elves to take care of me: thank you - I will never return them to you :-). got addicted to them :-)
Every single review I received for the last chapter brightened my life considerably. and I love you all for giving me so much positive feedback.
What more can I say? I hope you forgive me for taking so long for writing this story, and I hope you are still reading it. And enjoying it??? If you do. tell me?!?!
Special thanks as always to Little My for beta reading !!!
Ok, on with the story. and do not hesitate to use the nice little review button. :-)
____
The silence that had hung over the clearing for long, tense minutes broke with the soft sounds of the child's cries, and with it the ability to move seemed to return to all at once.
Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a quick glance, sharing all their relief with each other. Then Elladan pointed towards Legolas.
'If we wish to speak to him ere Gimli is attached to his side once more, we should do it now.' Mischief sparkled in his eyes as he expectantly looked at his brother.
Elrohir nodded, a quick glance around telling him that Gimli had rushed to Surdim's side the moment he had overcome his surprise.
Legolas's eyes had not left the fallen man, his mistrust mirroring Gimli's. Just as the dwarf knelt down next to the man, Legolas's view was blocked as the sons of Elrond appeared before him, identical grins on their faces.
Calenuial stood silently behind his friend, the bow loose in his hands again. He knew Legolas well, knew his actions had angered his friend greatly and he would be wise to keep some distance for a while. From past experiences he had learned it would take a few hours for him to calm down again and so he silently stepped away, leaving Legolas to face the sons of Elrond, and moved into the clearing.
His eyes had taken in the scene, acknowledging that there was no more resistance from the bush rangers. The men from Rohan were herding them together, separating men from women and children.
A frown on his face, the golden-haired elf slowly made his way to Gimli's side, his thoughts whirling. He could not remember a tale told by Legolas that would explain why a man would have reason to hate him thus. And there was no doubt that Legolas knew Surdim from a previous encounter and that the man harbored ill feelings towards his friend.
He searched his memory for any hint of who this Surdim was, but the name was unfamiliar and he was sure he had never heard it before. Then another memory made him freeze in mid step. There had been only one thing Legolas had never told him about, no matter how hard he had tried to learn of what had befallen his friend.
Calenuial's eyes closed for a moment as he recalled Legolas taking a bath a few months ago--the shock and pain followed by outrage he had felt at seeing Legolas's bare back. The scars there had not been old enough to have faded and they had told a story of mistreatment that had filled him with rage at whoever had done this. But no matter how many questions he had asked, Legolas had refused to tell him anything, finally ordering him not to speak of it to anyone.
Could it be that he had finally found an explanation?
His eyes found Gimli who still knelt next to the prone form and a decision was quickly made. If anyone knew, it would be the dwarf, for hardly ever had Legolas traveled without him for a companion.
As he stepped closer he could hear the woman's voice, quivering with exhaustion and fear.
'Is he dead?'
The dwarf looked up, smiling at her.
'Nay,' he answered, his voice gentle. 'He still draws breath.'
The relief on her face was astonishing, considering the man they spoke of had threatened the child she still held in her arms. Tears were running down her face as Calenuial silently passed her to step closer to Gimli.
The elf crouched down next to the dwarf, his eyes wandering over the still form. He could hardly make out any sign of life and it was curiosity that made him reach out and touch the man's hand. He recoiled immediately. Surprised blue eyes turned on Gimli, but ere he could speak the dwarf shook his head in silent warning and he held his tongue in sudden understanding. There was no need for the woman to know the man would not live for long.
'So this is Surdim?' he asked instead, his eyes watching the dwarf's face closely.
'Aye,' Gimli answered and the emotions in his eyes were easily identified as cold rage and hate. Another clue for Calenuial that this man had indeed done harm to Legolas before.
'So this is the man who dared to raise a hand against the son of Thranduil,' he hissed, his own anger winning over.
The dwarf shot him a surprised glance. Legolas had not spoken of this incident ever again and Gimli was quite sure he had never mentioned it to his father, keeping it a secret from the king of Mirkwood to not further damage the already strained relationship between the elves of Mirkwood and the men of Gondor. But Calenuial was his friend and the dwarf did not think it completely unlikely he had spoken to him about his ordeal.
Under different circumstances he might have guarded his tongue better, and given a more vague answer to not betray something Legolas might have wished to keep secret. But right now he was wearied from concern and relief as well as the strain of the past few days, and so his answer came without much thought.
'Aye, and once more has he shown nothing but cowardice. He could not face one elf alone and he had to hide behind a child.'
Two of Eomer's men had stepped towards Lian and the man rose at their command to go with them. There was a deep pain in Clardyn's eyes as she watched him go.
The dwarf's eyes followed Lian, piercing the man for a long moment before he turned his attention to the woman sitting on the ground so close to them. He rose to his feet and gave a small bow.
'We have to thank you, Milady,' he spoke with much respect. 'Your actions may very well have saved my life, as well as that of a certain elf. How a woman like you could choose to stay with a man like him, I cannot understand. But should you need anything, I will help you the best I can.'
Clardyn looked up at him and a sad smile formed on her face.
'And yet it was Lian that stayed Bethrol's hand so many nights ago,' she answered softly. 'I say not that he was innocent, but with his actions he might have saved your friend's life. He is not as bad a man as you might think.'
Gimli only shook his head. 'The man I know has taken part in a most cruel and cowardly attack on one of my dearest friends and has caused him much pain. Forgive me when I cannot see any good in this.'
She gave no answer, only tightening her arms around her son.
Calenuial had listened silently, observing each gesture and expression so as to miss no clues. As Gimli turned away, he found himself face to face with the still kneeling elf and a hard grip on his arm stopped him from walking away.
'This man.' Calenuial gestured towards Lian. 'He was one of them?'
Gimli only gave a nod.
'And which one is Bethrol?' Calenuial's eyes were burning now. He only had a vague suspicion of what had happened that night, but it seemed that the one to inflict the worst had been the man whose name he had just learned.
Yet it was this question that told Gimli that the elf was only guessing and did not know the truth. Calenuial could see the sudden guarded expression on the dwarf's face and realized he had given himself away.
'This is not a matter I should speak of,' Gimli answered.
The elf's grip did not loosen.
'I only wish to know what has been done to Legolas and who did it,' he demanded. His voice grew softer, almost pleading with the dwarf as he added, 'I have seen the scars he carries, Gimli.'
'It is not my place to speak of this.' Gimli's voice held a note of regret. He knew he would feel the same in Calenuial's place. He held the elf's inquiring gaze for a long time, until defeat clouded it and the hand fell away from his arm.
'Legolas refuses to speak of it,' the elf sighed. 'You were there when it happened?'
'Not when he was attacked,' Gimli answered. 'But afterwards. And I can assure you he took his revenge. The one you asked about lives no more.'
Calenuial nodded. What he had learned was little more than he had already suspected, and it did nothing to ease his ire.
'Then he was not without a friend then,' he spoke sadly. 'Oft he has been warned not to mingle with mortals, for their hearts are darkened by desires and hate beyond our understanding. It is a small relief to know that at least one of them stays true to him.'
With that, the elf gracefully stood and walked away. Gimli watched him disappear into the woods once more without a further glance towards the men of Rohan.
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Somehow it was always slightly unnerving to face the twin sons of Elrond when they wore matching grins such as these. The throbbing in his head that seemed to have worsened again and the slight feeling of dizziness did nothing to make Legolas feel any surer he was up to whatever they had in mind.
'Are you well, Legolas?' Elrohir inquired, but the sparkle in his eyes made the concern in his voice just a bit less believable.
'I am well enough, thank you,' the elf answered carefully.
'You did not hurt your arm any further?'
'Nay, I am fine."
The amused tone in Elrohir's voice as well as the smirk on Elladan's face made him ever more wary.
'This is good,' Elladan spoke.
'Aye,' his brother consented. 'It would do no good to return him more damaged than he was before.'
'It might lower his worth.' The grin on Elladan's face could not grow any wider.
A frown appeared on Legolas's face as his eyes wandered from one to the other.
'My worth?' he asked, slightly puzzled over the odd wording.
'Aye. You know he might think of reselling you and would not get as much as he paid for you,' Elrohir explained, his face solemn despite the mirth bubbling inside of him.
'Reselling me?' Now outrage was added to confusion.
'He paid a good price for you, after all,' Elladan explained.
'Who did? Pay for me? What is this you speak of?'
'I am not sure, Elladan, if anyone would truly think of buying him. He seems a little hotheaded.'
Before Elrohir could answer his brother, Legolas's voice cut in, clearly annoyed now.
'You make even less sense than usual. Why would someone sell me? I am no horse to be sold to the next one who offers a good price!'
That caused both dark-haired elves to snicker, and with an exasperated sigh Legolas threw his hands in the air.
'It is no use speaking to you,' he decided and turned away. A quick glance was exchanged and the twins moved quickly after him, taking him into their midst.
'Wait, Legolas. Let us explain,' Elladan quickly spoke, doing his best to keep the laughter out of his voice.
With another sigh Legolas stopped.
'What do you recall of your escape from this camp?'
He thought for a moment ere he answered Elrohir's question. He could remember trying to flee, running through the forest, but the memory was dim and unclear. 'Not much. I was given a draught that impaired my senses,' he finally confessed.
'Well no wonder, for you did not really escape.'
In surprise he turned his head to stare at Elladan.
'But how did I come to be with you again if I did not escape? I assumed you freed me somehow.'
'Freed might be the wrong word,' Elrohir snickered but this time Legolas refused to turned his head and kept his gaze on Elladan. The amusement on his face caused a feeling of foreboding.
'How exactly did you get me out?' he asked, despite the little voice at the back of his mind that warned him that maybe he did not really want to know.
'We did nothing,' Elladan grinned. 'It was all Gimli's idea and doing.'
Taking a deep breath, Legolas used the last bit of his patience to ask once more, 'So would you care to explain how he freed me?'
He could see the look they exchanged, the wide grin on Elladan's face. Still he could not believe the next words he heard.
'Gimli bought you.'
He stared at them in utter disbelief, the mere thought too much for him to accept. Their laughter at his stunned expression only increased the slowly developing feeling of outrage.
'He bought me?'
'Aye, my friend,' Elrohir laughed. 'But it was a hard bargain.'
'I cannot believe this!' His voice shook with anger and contempt. 'I am no piece of merchandise that one might sell for some gold!'
'No, you are not,' Elladan confirmed. 'Gold was not enough to buy you. Gimli had to offer this to sway them into handing you over.'
He held the necklace out to show it to Legolas.
'I think he paid a fair price for you. I wonder if he will use you as decoration for his Glittering Caves, or if it is your talent for singing he bought you for.'
But had he expected to annoy his friend further he was surprised to see the change of expression on Legolas's face. The golden-haired elf did not react to the barb but reached out to carefully take the piece of jewelry from his hand. The anger drained from his face as he gazed upon it and the look he wore now silenced the twins faster than any word could have.
Elrohir shot a quick glance at his brother who only shrugged, not knowing what had caused the sudden shift of Legolas's mood either. Fearing they had gone too far in their teasing, the older twin quickly spoke.
'We meant no harm, Legolas. Gimli's plan was the only way to get you out of this camp without bloodshed.'
Legolas only nodded. He held the necklace up to the sun, watching it sparkle.
'You know not the worth of this,' he spoke softly. 'To Gimli it is no less precious than the gift of Galadriel. If he gave this away to save me I cannot help but feel honored, for it tells me how much he values me. Even if it should mean I am his property now.'
The last sentence was spoken with a hint of wry humor.
He pocketed the necklace before either of the twins could protest.
'Speaking of which, has he recovered Galadriel's gift?'
The twins shook their heads.
'I think not,' Elladan answered. 'There was no time to look for it until now.'