Color of Distress
Disclaimer - Every character is the work of Tolkein, and I am merely a Tolkein wannabe who can only try to be at his brilliant level of writing. In any case, I'm only doing this for enjoyment.
A/N: This is a short chapter, which explains a whole ton of 'stuff'. My plans about the voice have changed slightly, and you won't be able to see who/what it is until a bit later. I'm still very sorry about my lack of updates, and I still have then 10 page update in mind for the end of school…
Chapter 19 – "Everything and nothing."
Gimli stood up, scratching his ear. "Well, I think I'll go for a drink of water." He nodded in the direction of the stream they had passed not long before. "Are you coming, Legolas?"
"I suppose." He replied, standing up. "But only to accompany you to see that you do not take that axe to the trees." Legolas added with a twinkle in his eye.
Gimli chuckled. "No, I would not do that."
Gandalf shook his head. "I will wait here. My old bones want some rest for the journey ahead."
"Yes, go on. We'll be here." Aragorn said, content to be sitting and resting for a while.
"Come then, Legolas, we shall leave them to their own devices." Gimli announced, and went shambling off, his heavy gait contrasting sharply with Legolas' lithe steps.
The man and wizard sat in silence after their companions had left. Gandalf was sorely worried for Legolas. He only had a very vague idea of what was plaguing Legolas, and he felt that it was something that was better not to speak of.
"Legolas isn't cured as he believes, is he?" Aragorn asked, staring up into the canopy of trees.
"No." Gandalf said finally. "His torment was not a lie, but it lied to him." He felt Legolas' burden weight heavily on his heart, and he did not want to tell the elf the truth.
"You know what it is." It was a statement, one very firmly pronounced by Aragorn, and Gandalf wished it were a question instead. A question would have been easier to answer.
"Yes." Gandalf said slowly and heavily. "Yet I do not know if it is better to realize what this malady is or not to know at all." Seeing the man's expectant face, he went on, deciding to tell him. "I would expect that you have been taught about the history of Arda and how it began."
Aragorn nodding, wondering where Gandalf was going with this.
"Then you know how Manwë, the lord of the Ainur, had a brother, whose name should not lightly taken. Melkor, he was called, then later renamed Morgorth by the elves. Sauron was once his captain. But this has little to do with Sauron, and I only spoke of it to emphasize the strength of Morgorth. He was once of the Ainur as well, and Manwë's own brother. Morgorth was jealous of his brother, and sought to usurp him. He was defeated, of course and set to imprisonment in Mandos for a time. Shortly after this, the elves were awakened into the world, and then Melkor was released from his prison. He pretended to repent for a while, but returned to Aman to destroy Laurelin and Telperion, the Two Trees. And then he stole the Silmarils, jewels from the trees which were created by Fëanor, and set them into his crown."
"I do not understand." Aragorn said. "What does this have to do with Legolas?"
"Nothing and everything." Gandalf replied. "For the stealing of the Silmarils in itself has nothing do to with what Legolas is going through now, but the hate and fear that began between the elves and Morgorth through that one act is everything. I will not go into detail about all the wars and kingdoms of the first age, but Morgorth was defeated again and thrown into the Outer Dark by the end. But terrible things had happened, things that will never be forgotten by the kindred of the elves. For in those times, dreadful oaths were sworn, there was a time of kin-slaying, and curses would rain upon the earth to haunt its people."
"Has one of these curses landed on Legolas' head?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not." Realizing Aragorn's frustration at his evasive answers, Gandalf smiled slightly. "I do not know for sure, and I do not want to answer anything conclusively until I do. I believe that Legolas is descended from Finrod, whose uncle was Fëanor. Fëanor had sworn and oath with his sons to reclaim the Silmarils, and that nothing would stand in their way. Do you know the story of Beren and Luthien?"
Aragorn was startled, for it had much to do with himself. "Yes. Beren was a man who wanted to marry Luthien, daughter of Thingol."
"Good, good." Gandalf looked like a teacher at that moment that was pleased with a bright pupil. "It is complicated, but Finrod had sworn to come to Beren's aid when needed. The bride price of Luthien set by Thingol was a Silmaril, and so Beren sought the aid of Finrod. By going on this journey, he crossed the paths of Fëanor's sons, and they went to his people, claiming that he was won over by a mere man. He journeyed with Beren and ten of his companions, but they were captured at Tol Sirion by Sauron, who set on them a werewolf that consumed one of them each night. After ten nights, the werewolf came for Beren, but Finrod, in his last courageous effort, burst the chains that bound him and slew the werewolf. But Finrod was mortally wounded, and died there that night. Beren went on and won a Silmaril from Morgorth, and because of Finrod's help, Fëanor's sons, his cousins, may have cursed him for it. They believed it was only theirs by birthright."
"Do you mean to say that Legolas is cursed by the House of Fëanor?" Aragorn was thunderstruck. He had never known elves to be malicious; it was an astounding thought to him.
"The seed of hate was planted there by Melkor, and so it was Melkor's doing. The sons of Fëanor were merely blinded by pride and lust." Gandalf said wearily.
"And it is Morgorth who speaks to him?"
"No." Gandalf said sharply. "That is not possible. He has been thrown out of Middle Earth, and he shall never return. But some of those loyal to him remain yet on Middle Earth, always watching for weaknesses in the elves, for it was they who banished Melkor with the help of the Valar."
"Might it be Sauron?" Aragorn asked.
Gandalf snorted. "Sauron has long since abandoned his old master, and could care less about his loyalty to Morgorth now that he is gone."
"Then who could it be?"
"That is what troubles me."
"Why do you look so serious?" Gimli asked loudly as he and Legolas returned.
"It's nothing." Aragorn said, forcing a smile onto his face. "We were just speaking of Sauron." He studied Legolas discreetly, noticing his returned innocence and youthfulness, and his heart ached for his friend all the more.
"Ah, yes." Gandalf said. "Speaking of Sauron, I have much to tell you. Your quest is now changed. You shall no longer search for dear Merry and Pippin, for they are now in sturdy, safe hands."
"Where are we going, then?" Gimli asked, sitting down heavily.
"To Rohan, to the Hall of King Théoden, for a shadow now approaches him and our help is greatly needed." Gandalf said.
"But will we see the hobbits again?" Legolas asked.
"I have left them in the care of the ents, and they shall be safe. And unless Gimli dares to hack at Treebeard with his axe, I daresay they shall remain safe and will meet with us again. As for Frodo and Sam, they are not in the safest place on earth, but it is much safer now as war looms."
"Speak plainly," Aragorn said with a smile, "For I am no longer in my youth, and riddles ache my head."
"Sauron assumes that company is headed for Minas Tirith, for if he were us, that is where he would go. He has sent some of his army there as a result, and so his fortress in Mordor is not so carefully watched. Sam and Frodo will manage to slip through. And Saruman is a double traitor, for he has betrayed Sauron. He now seeks the ring as well, but cannot directly wage war on Sauron without the ring. He believes that the ring may have come into Théoden's possession, and now is about to wage war on Rohan."
"Ah. I see. It makes sense now." Gimli said unconvincingly. "Although I do not fully understand your counsel, I trust you, and I shall follow you."
"As will I." Legolas said, still alight in his luminous joy.
They followed the river Entwash back out into the plains, and the sudden sun made them blink.
"The horses have not returned." Gimli groused. "It will be a long and difficult walk."
"You speak far too soon, son of Gloin." Gandalf said with a small wink. He whistled three piercing notes into the still air, and they were amazed to hear such loud and clear whistles coming from Gandalf's bearded lips. They waited for a time, and soon heard the sound of approaching hoof beats.
"Why, there is more than one horse coming!" Aragorn exclaimed after a moment of listening.
"Of course. The four of us would be too much a burden for one horse." Gandalf said.
"My good friend Arod approaches with Hasufel!" Legolas cried as the horses neared them. "And another horse, once so great that I have never seen the like of it before."
"And you may never see another horse like this again." Gandalf said, reaching his arm out to the white horse and fondly caressing him. "Shadowfax is the king of the Mearas. Is he not a beautiful horse?"
Arod nickered gently and put his head on Legolas' shoulder, who reached up to pat him. "He is." A dawning realization hit him. "The other night, when our horses fled, they were really running to meet their king." He sprang lightly up onto Arod's back. "Will you ride with me, Gimli?"
"I think it best that Gimli sits before me, with Shadowdfax's leave. Arod is a good horse, but Gimli is a burden that Arod will begin to feel after the distance we will be traveling, something that Shadowfax will not mind." Gandalf said.
Aragorn mounted Hasufel. "Will it be long to Théoden's hall?"
Gandalf helped Gimli up before him, who sat rather uneasily. Gimli would have preferred to ride with Legolas, for their talking would diminish his clumsiness in riding, but said nothing. He concentrated on sitting firmly in his seat.
"It will be several hours yet." Gandalf replied, climbing up behind Gimli. "I believe we will be there by tomorrow morning, as Shadowfax will find for us the quickest way there. Now his spoke softly to Shadowfax, who set off at a good pace, with Hasufel and Arod following quickly.
They rode on for many hours more, until the sun began to sink into the west, casting a red and bloody tint into the sky. There was heavily smoke rising with the falling of the sun, darkening it quickly.
"What is that smoke there, Gandalf?" Legolas called.
"Battle and war."
To be continued….
The only thing that is allowing me to update on schedule today is my throat infection. I didn't go to school, and I went to the doctor's instead, who thought I had SARS and made me wear a mask and disinfect my hands. And then later he said I only had a throat infection and gave me strawberry flavored antibiotics because I can't swallow pills. My throat kills. I feel like I'm swallowing a toad that's covered in sandpaper. And I really don't want to eat and drink because I don't want to swallow. But ice cream's okay. It's nice and cooling.
Can you tell that I've just read the Silmarillion??? My god, I thought it was brilliant. I cried and cried and cried through some parts, especially when I read about Thingol and Melian. I don't know why, though, I just thought it was sad. Thanks to all my reviewers, who have given me all the encouragement to go on with this!! Much thanks to: Zerocool, Syslink, Colleti, Lirenel, Aithne, WispyKitty, krisnkriss, Elf-Formally-Known_as-Legolas, Kaimelieamin, Silent Angel, Tralaa laaa
Burning Tree: Oh my gosh. I have that same problem when I'm trying to explain and analyze writing. It's crazy… but I have my trusty thesaurus!!! (And on a side note… what a synonym for thesaurus???)
Musicgrl: I foresee another at least another five chapters. Or who knows… maybe more. It all depends on the length of the individual chapter because some are longer than others, and that determines how much of the story I cover.
The Dark Rogue: Does anyone else have this problem with writing Rouge instead of Rogue?? I keep typing Rouge unintentionally. I'm sorry that I've not been able to review you at all because of my schedule, I'll try to get in touch as soon as possible. And with the amount of free time I have, that might be in 2008. ^_^ And I'm in Grade 11, AND I'm in the aftermath of the double cohort. Stupid, stupid, government. Stupid stupid Education system. Why must we have knowledge???
Erhothwen: I actually think that the Road Runner is an ingenious, mature character. He's a bird, he's nice, and he's almost never violent. Sorta like Legolas. Waaaaiiiitttt a minute. Did I just insult dear Legolas??? *runs and begs mercy before the great statue of Legolas.* As penance, I will stop writing Legolas angst and let him prance in a field of sunshine, butterflies, and flowers.
Soulsearcher: I've gotten far too lazy to type out Arbariel. And I've also just learned how to spell it. Meh…. OMG. SUHET will utterly annihilate Peter Jackson if Saruman slips on that Jello. And so will the rest of the world. Did you know that the sound E.T. makes when he walks around is really the sound of someone squishing Jello between their hands??? (The things I know… sometimes I wonder. And how on earth did I get so off topic???) I LOVE the snoopy dance.
Liana Dimnauriel 1.0: *hangs head* It was a lot longer than those 7 days you set out for me…. But no matter. All will be well in the end, because summer vacations are coming…the anticipation is killing me.
Lady Daine: *dives into Mount Doom to get the court order* Um…. *holds up charred remains* Will this work??? And in Euros!! That's so cool. How does the whole Euro thing work? Does it work everywhere in Europe?? Is it the same as a dollar Canadian?? Um… yep. Now you get to see my utter naiveté and stupidity in 'international' matters. *sits in the corner, sheepish*
Dreamkeeper: Legolas better not kiss me right now, unless he really wants a bad throat infection…. ^_^
Reginabean: Unfortunately, I'm still alive. Wait a bit. Unfortunately??? I totally meant fortunately. Except right now I'm not too sure because I feel like a living ball of antibiotics and misery.
Merrylyn: I got that alert thing at www.billyboyd.net . I was reading through some of Billy Boyd's stuff, and at the bottom of the webpage was that quote. I thought it was smashing, and it's my favorite thing to say in physics class now.
This will be the last update in a while. Nest week is review week, and after that are the finals, and I will be up to my strained from reading textbook eyeballs in work. I will try as hard as I can to get another chapter in for the next two weeks, and after that will come the 10 pages of the make up chapter I promised. Good luck to everyone who has final exams coming up as well!