I told you I would update quickly! This is also a short chapter. The next chapter is longer, promise! ^_^ Now, on with the story!
Lainfaer.
EnglishMystic()- Thanks very much! ^_^
Lothliana- Don't be silly!
Chapter 8: Meetings.
Meanwhile, in Rivendell the guards were not aware of the evil that would be approaching that night. They were all sleepy and just wanted to shut their eyes. The captain however was alert, and he saw the Dagnir-o Lóres' shadow approaching among the trees.
"Shut the gates!" he yelled, "Shut the gates! None of us here can really harm this beast; we can only defend until The Prince of Mirkwood returns! Shut the gates!"
*****
It was late in the evening and Gandalf had summoned a meeting in Thranduils' office. Legolas and Elladan had been sent to rest for the night and were warned that anyone caught eavesdropping would be in big trouble.
Gandalf, Thranduil, Elrond, and the head of the Mirkwood army were present to work out what the plan of action would be.
"How long to you think it will take the Dagnir-o Lóre to reach Rivendell Gandalf?" asked Elrond.
"Oh, he will have arrived by now my friend and if we leave tomorrow and gallop at full speed to Rivendell we could not prevent the Dagnir-o Lóre from harming at least half of the population."
"You mean, you are telling me that half of my home will be harmed by the time we get there, definitely?" said Elrond disbelief in his voice.
"I'm afraid so" replied Gandalf sadly.
"Well then, what are we waiting for!" said Elrond, standing up, "We need to leave tomorrow at dawn."
"Have you forgotten that Legolas has still not recovered?"
"No, he will recover on the way. It will take us a week to reach Rivendell he will have recovered by then. I can not rest until I know that my people, my family are safe." He walked over to the window and gazed out.
Gandalf rose and put his hand on Elronds' shoulder.
"Elrond, I know you are anxious to return to your home but I do not want Legolas fighting anything until he is fully healed. I'm sorry but I can not allow it," said Thranduil, shaking his head
Elrond spun from the window, "People are being harmed right now Thranduil, right now. Legolas will heal on the way to Rivendell and someone can ride with him so he can rest. Please, we need to think about all the people that are in danger."
"I don't care about anyone else at the moment, my son nearly died three days ago and I am not putting his life in danger again. What if orcs were to attack again? Legolas would be too weak to fight. Besides he is the only one who can stop this…thing and if he…"
"If, if, if Thranduil! That's all you think about. You have to stop thinking of Legolas as a boy, he is old enough to defend himself, and he is needed now. You have to let go of him Thranduil. You have to accept the fact that there is a small chance that orcs might turn up."
"Don't you DARE tell me how to raise my child! If I decide it is not safe for MY son, then he stays!"
"ENOUGH!" yelled Gandalf. He looked at the two kings that were glaring at each other with burning eyes. He also noticed that both kings were shaking with anger. "It is not for either of you to decide, it is Legolas' choice. We will have to speak to him now, go and collect him Balaremel"
"Yes…"
"Gandalf will do. Now hurry"
"That will not be necessary," said a muffled voice from behind the door. The door opened and Legolas stepped in looking guilty. He sat down and looked at the stunned faces around him. He looked down.
"Legolas," sighed Thranduil. "I should have..."
"…known…Yes father. Let's be realistic, did you really expect me to lie around snoring whilst you were discussing my affairs?"
"How in Middle Earth did you manage to get up, to walk, to…get here?"
"I use my legs to walk and they have not been harmed so therefore I can walk quite easily. Now, to the discussion in hand, I know that I will heal on the way father and I also know that if the orcs were with the Dagnir-o Lóre when they attacked me, they will still be with it now. All the more reason to get to Rivendell as fast as possible."
"He is right you know," said Gandalf thoughtfully, "Balaremel, how many men can we afford to take to Rivendell?"
"About 200 elves, Gandalf and that will still leave 170 elves here."
"Right, that would be perfect. We shall leave tomorrow at dawn, unless Thranduil would like to try and stop us?"
"I cannot stop my son." Thranduil replied sadly, "As much as I wish I could. I wish you all the luck on this mission and look after yourself, my son. I will not be able to rest until you come home again safely. Goodnight," and with that he turned to leave the room.
"Wait," said Elrond, "I owe you an apology."
"You are forgiven my friend. We are both burdened with troubles that are too horrible to imagine. I do not blame you for being worried. Now Legolas, you run to bed so fast that I will conveniently, for you, forget that you even were up. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, father and thank you," then he turned and ran out of the room.
"Wait Thranduil," said Gandalf. The King faced the wizard again. "We still need to talk."
Thranduil nodded, and sat back down.
See, told you it was short! Next chapter up very soon. ^_^
