Not much to say on this chapter. . .no, really! I swear I'm not going to talk a lot on this chapter! *crosses fingers behind back* Hehe. . . Well, *clears throat* ^_^ On with our show!
Oh yea! I suddenly remembered that I made a big mistake on the e-mail I sent you guys! I meant to say that I posted Chapter 6 up instead of Chapter 7! I'm so sorry! ;_; I am a sad person. . . *shakes head in despair*
Well Met Indeed-+-
Chapter 7 – Silhouettes in the Dark-+-
Urylia's parting words still lingered in Legolas's head as he and Aragorn headed towards Byrium mounted on their horses. "Watch where you venture," she had warned softly, "Eyes and ears are everywhere in Byrium." Legolas shifted his weight upon Feransul as he fell into deep thought of their earlier conversation with the Galadhrim.
Hours before. . .
"It is no surprise you are headed towards Byrium." Lomywen's bright eyes were dark as she spoke of the isolated kingdom. Legolas and Aragorn exchanged curious glances. "How is that so?" the ranger asked, frowning deeply. His hand drifted to his chin and he began to rub his jaw line thoughtfully, a new habit he had recently picked up.
"That was our destination as well," Urylia admitted softly. Legolas's blue eyes widened. "Why?" he wondered. "Lorien has not had any dwellings with the Byrium as Rivendell and Mirkwood have."
"Aye, that is true," Lomywen answered. She carelessly brushed her dark hair away from her face. "But if you have forgotten, Lorien has always been allies with Mirkwood and Imladris. In your time of need, our help is given when needed."
Aragorn smiled warmly and ran a calloused hand through his hair. "You speak honestly, my friend, but you also speak as if you will not journey to Byrium anymore." Urylia sighed and rubbed at her wrist guards out of habit. "That is because we are returning home," she finally replied.
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "It is not because of you two," Urylia rushed on at the quizzical looks on Aragorn's and Legolas's faces. "It is only because Lomywen and I feel that this is not our journey anymore." Her teal eyes were troubled as she studied the two faces.
Lomywen stepped up and placed a hand on Urylia's shoulder. "We apologize dearly for not being able to aid you enough, but I fear something draws us home. A shadow has been growing in our minds since the full moon."
Legolas gave a horrified cry as soon as the words left Lomywen's mouth. "A full moon!" he exclaimed mournfully. "We are too late, Aragorn!" The ranger's dark eyes widened in horror as he realized what the prince was speaking of. "The Badingor," he breathed. Urylia froze and paled visibly. "The prophecy has fulfilled itself," she whispered. No one spoke and for the slightest moment, the air was strangely silent. "What can we do?" Lomywen asked softly.
All eyes turned to her. There was no answer, until suddenly Urylia said quietly, but sternly, "We can do nothing, but wait for the prophecy to run its venomous course."
"But surely there must be something we can do!" Aragorn argued. His grey eyes were stormy with worries as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Nay, Aragorn. I fear no one can do anything now," Legolas murmured. "The Badingor was a foe even the Istari had trouble defeating. All the wizards were present at the time and even then, they were only able to lock it away for a few centuries."
The prince looked up from his thoughts and voiced his opinion, "Lady Urylia, Lady Lomywen, you should return to Lorien and see what disturbs your peace. Aragorn and I will continue our journey." Aragorn nodded in agreement and called Dinlhach and Feransul to them with a sharp whistle.
"What will you do?" Lomywen questioned, worry visible in her fair face. Aragorn gave her a reassuring smile as he pulled himself onto his copper horse. "Fear not," he said spinning his horse around. "I will see you again after Legolas and I have completed this journey!" Legolas smiled and pulled himself onto Feransul in one fluid movement. "May the Valar watch over you." He smiled sadly one final time before spurring his horse after Aragorn, leaving the two Lorien warriors watching after them.
"Why is it, Urylia, that my heart pounds with worry for those two?" Lomywen asked faintly. Her aqua eyes were still glued on this disappearing figures as Urylia clasped her friend's forearms affectionately. "As does mine, my friend. I fear I will never set my eyes upon both of them again," Urylia murmured softly. She smiled sadly at Lomywen and released her arms. She picked up her quiver that rested not too far away and shrugged it on.
"Come, our business takes us elsewhere," she called softly, as she leapt up a tree. Lomywen tore her worried gaze away from the place the two had disappeared and shot the taller Elf above in the treetops a smile. "Aye, let us go," she agreed.
Present time. . .
"Aragorn!" Legolas called above the wind. The ranger glanced at him, giving an indication that he had heard the Elf. "Is this indeed the way Lomywen showed you earlier?" The ranger grinned. "Do you not trust me, Legolas?" he shouted back. A smile crept onto Legolas's fair face as he urged Feransul faster. The trees had melted away long ago and they were now racing through the large, vast plains of Byrium.
The two horses flew as if they had sprouted wings. Dinlhach's strong muscles pumped beneath his majestic copper coat, while Feransul was just as lithe as his rider. As Feransul inched ahead on his long, slender legs, Dinlhach gave a snort and leapt ahead, pulling before Legolas again.
Feransul tossed his head and snorted as if to say, Try as you might, but you cannot outrun me! The Elvish steed pulled up ahead of Dinlhach with ease and tossed his head again. Legolas grinned at his horse's mischief and laughed lightly. Besides him, Aragorn also chuckled.
While Dinlhach was built for power, Feransul was built for speed and of this, Aragorn knew. The ranger leaned forward into the coal black mane and said softly, so that Dinlhach could hear, "Peace, Silent Flame*. This is something you cannot win against the horse of Mirkwood and its prince." Dinlhach ears twitched backwards as he caught the last of his master's words before they were carried away by the wind.
The copper beast slowed his gallop and neighed, conceding. Feransul also slowed down, though without any word from Legolas, who seemed to be enjoying the fast speed. Aragorn glanced at his friend's steed and shook his head in amazement. While his own horse was covered in sweat, Feransul was just as energetic as in the beginning.
"Dinlhach is not built for long distances, but will go farther than expected," Legolas queried as their horses slowed to a halt. Aragorn nodded and stroked his horse lovingly. "You can bring me the fastest horse in all of Middle Earth, but I will never trade Dinlhach," he replied. He smiled at the grinning Elf and said, "I always wondered why you named your horse Feransul, but now I see that the title "Wandering Wind*" fits him well."
Legolas laughed lightly. "Before you say anymore, Strider, I must say Dinlhach's name is quite fitting as well." Aragorn grinned and patted the horse's neck once more. "That is what I hoped for." Legolas laughed again when suddenly Feransul shifted beneath his master. The Elf rubbed his horse between the ears reassuringly before turning back to Aragorn. As Aragorn opened his mouth to speak, a loud howl erupted from the edge of the forest behind them.
"Wargs!" Legolas hissed darkly. He drew his bow and sat straighter, shading his keen eyes from the sun. "How far are they?" Aragorn asked, drawing his own sword. "Not far, I fear. A whole pack at the least," Legolas answered. Feransul shook his head and pawed at the ground. Legolas ignored his horse's movement and turned Feransul around, notching an arrow. Aragorn did the same, but now he could see the dark shapes of the wargs.
"Can we outrun them?" Aragorn asked above the horses' neighs and frantic snarls in the distance. "I am not certain," Legolas admitted. "But we can try." He glanced at the ranger and offered him a smile. Aragorn smiled back and raised his sword. "Onward then," he said in such a stern manner that Legolas was a bit taken aback.
"I follow your lead, my liege," Legolas teased humbly. He gave a quick a bow and grinned. Aragorn snorted and dug his heels into Dinlhach's side, but the great horse needed no more than a nudge and it was off.
Once again, the wind was howling in Aragorn's ears as his horse raced towards the cover and safety of the forest ahead. The snap of closing jaws were audible now and the click of teeth sounded at Dinlhach's heels. The terrified horse sprang forward with new energy and tossed his head nervously. Besides Aragorn, Feransul was reacting the same as. The prince whispered to his horse calm words, but Feransul's eyes were wide with fear. Aragorn glanced behind his shoulder and drew in a sharp breath as he saw the shallow claw marks on Feransul's slender legs. His own horse fared no better. "Legolas!" he shouted, glancing at the Elf. Legolas threw him an annoyed look and yelled back, "I fear I am a little occupied!"
Aragorn managed a shrug atop his galloping horse and yelled, "These wargs are unusually fast." Legolas's fair face was already etched into a worried frown as he called back, "That is what worries me. These wargs are something-"
The prince was cut off as a huge warg leapt onto Feransul's back. A loud whinny erupted from Feransul as razor sharp claws dug into his quarters. He reared on his hind legs and went down, warg and all. Aragorn gave a horrified cry as he watched Legolas disappear among the tall grass.
He turned Dinlhach around, only to be greeted by a warg's fangs. Dinlhach reared back and Aragorn struggled to remain mounted as another warg grabbed a hold of his cloak with its long, yellow fangs. The sound of ripping fabric met the ranger's ears as he drew his sword and instinctively rammed the blade into the warg's snout. The beast let out a loud yelp and fell back, blood splashing everywhere. More wargs were circling around him and Legolas was nowhere in sight.
"Legolas!" Aragorn called. He gripped Dinlhach's reins tighter. His terrified horse reared back and neighed loudly as the circle of wargs tightened. Suddenly the twang of an arrow sounded from behind Aragorn and a warg fell, an arrow in its head.
The wargs momentarily turned their hungry gazes to Legolas. Dinlhach, seeing this as a distraction, leapt over the heads of the wargs. The horse landed heavily on its hooves and spun around at Aragorn's command. Dinlhach reared again, eyeing the hungry wargs. "Legolas!" Aragorn gasped, breathless. Perspiration dotted his forehead and dripped into his eyes. The Elf notched another arrow and fired it at the closest warg near him. Because of this close range battle, Legolas dropped his bow and drew his twin daggers.
His eyes narrowed in frustration. Suddenly a loud roar sounded from behind and Legolas caught a glimpse of Aragorn beheading the warg behind the Elf. He smiled grimly and shouted, "Aragorn! I can use a horse right about now!" The man grinned and nudged Dinlhach into a gallop. Sheathing his daggers, Legolas grabbed his bow with one hand and Aragorn's outstretched hand with the other. He swung onto the galloping horse and landed lightly behind Aragorn.
He immediately drew an arrow and fired at the wargs. He glanced around the plains, worried, and gave a loud whistle. He surveyed the scene and waited for Feransul to reappear when Aragorn gave a cry and Dinlhach pitched forward. As Dinlhach fell to the ground, the wargs crowded around the three figures.
Blades flashed as Aragorn slammed a warg's skull with the hilt of his sword. Besides him, Legolas was laying on the ground, a warg on top of him. The warg's fangs were bared as Legolas crossed his blades in front of his chest and shoved the beast off. Aragorn thrust his blade into the warg's throat at the same time, causing the warg to meet his end. "Aragorn!" Legolas complained, breathless. He glared at the man, wiping the warm blood off that had sprang from the warg onto his clothes.
Aragorn gave a sheepish grin before turning his attention to the three wargs remaining. The three, seeming to sense their own doom, fled from the scene, tails between their legs.
"How do you fare?" he asked Legolas. The Elf glanced down at his blood soaked shirt and replied, scowling, "Thanks to you, I do not know how much of my own blood stains my clothing." Aragorn laughed and glanced down at his own battered self. Legolas followed his gaze and laughed, "You look horrible." Aragorn wrinkled his nose and shot back, "Not as bad as you." Legolas made a face and wiped his daggers in the grass. He inspected the blades and sheathed them.
Aragorn picked up the prince's bow that lay at his feet and handed it to the Elf. Legolas nodded his thanks and turned his eyes to the horizon. "Where are our horses?" he murmured half to himself. Aragorn shrugged and both headed back to where Dinlhach had fell.
At the scene, lay a battered horse, blood gushing from its several, serious wounds. "Dinlhach!" Aragorn gasped. He fell to his knees at the horse's side and stroked the beast's sweat-soaked mane. Dinlhach raised his head, straining to rise on his front legs. Aragorn could do naught but stare as his steed struggled again. The severely torn hindquarters and the struggling forelegs, the nose lifted skyward, and copper ears pressed back. Legolas felt his heart tighten as Dinlhach's innocent eyes rolled back into his head. The horse let out such a pitiful, rattling cry, Aragorn wished to end his beautiful steed's life quickly and painlessly.
As if reading his thoughts, Legolas pulled an arrow from his quiver and handed it to Aragorn. The ranger took it with trembling hands and he turned it slowly, studying it with blank eyes. At the end of the arrow were emerald green feathers, which all of Legolas's arrows were lined with, the tip of the arrow sharp enough to draw blood from just a prick.
Aragorn drew in a deep breath before placing the point of the arrow at his horse's heart. Dinlhach was beyond any measure of pain by this point and he let out a great whicker, full of such anguish the Aragorn plunged the arrow in without a second thought. Warm blood coursed away from the wound in wide rivers and Dinlhach drew in a final shuddering breath before laying still. Aragorn stared at his horse, visibly shaken by the event and he stood swiftly and fled for the cover of the tall grass. Legolas waited grimly as the sound of Aragorn's choked out vomit echoed in the vast plains. The Elf murmured a prayer for both the horse and his rider before sitting down on a small log, waiting patiently for Aragorn.
At last the ranger emerged, clothes slightly stained with vomit as well as the blood of the wargs. Aragorn's face was weary, wet with tears and sweat. He did not look again at his horse but instead turned to Legolas, who had rose to greet him. Legolas placed a comforting hand on the ranger's shoulder and looked towards the horizon, eyes clouded with worry. "I fear we cannot tarry here, my friend," he said softly. Aragorn nodded silently, his face blank. But the Elf could see all in the man's eyes. The grey eyes shone no more; they were bleak with misery and anguish.
Legolas glanced at him once before whistling for his own horse. The note pierced through the stillness of the afternoon and echoed for miles around. Both the Elf and ranger stood, side by side, waiting for an answering whinny. Legolas tipped his head to the side and frowned. Aragorn said nothing, but glared at the remaining carcasses of the wargs.
"Perhaps he has fallen as well," Aragorn mumbled. He looked to the side, shading his eyes against the sun. "Perhaps," Legolas replied, straining to hear even a hint of a quiet snort. He turned to Aragorn and gazed at him hopelessly. "Our horses are gone," he stated. Aragorn nodded and turned to the forest, his gait swift. Legolas caught up with his friend and said softly, "We cannot reach Byrium in time without horses, Aragorn." Aragon nodded again, though his eyes remained locked on the forest. "How much farther?" he asked curtly.
Legolas came as close to shrugging as Elves ever did. "I do not know for sure, but I would say about two day's walk from here." Aragorn nodded again. "Then let us begin now." Legolas eyed him, concerned, but said nothing. The paradox of dangers and threats were thrashing in their path again; they would have to be careful.
"I am with you, nin-mellon," he acknowledged softly, his voice blending perfectly with the soft breeze. If Aragorn had heard the elf, he gave no response, but a slight falter in his step.
-+-
Soon…
With the One we will control…
With the One we will conquer…
With the One we will fall…
The One is near…
-+-
Legolas's slender fingers flew over the thin, sturdy limb of wood as he carved another arrow. He stiffened as the light breeze whispered through the treetops, rustling the leaves. He straightened from his position and paused in his arrow making to listen to the wind. "What is it?" Aragorn asked sharply from his position across from Legolas. The Elf glanced at him and motioned him to remain quiet. The ranger obeyed the command and sat back, piercing grey eyes on the Elf.
At last, Legolas sat back, but the puzzled look remained upon his fair face. "What did you hear?" Aragorn asked. He raised an eyebrow and glanced up at the bright sky. "I thought I had heard a voice among the wind," Legolas replied hesitantly. Aragorn leaned back against the tree, the anxiety vanishing almost immediately. "It is nothing," he commented. He dismissed the thought as he continued to clean his weapon.
"I do not think it was nothing," Legolas sighed. He glanced at the treetops again, alert. Aragorn shrugged. "We sat to rest, Legolas," he said gently. "Perhaps your lack of sleep is the cause of the voices. Legolas threw him an irritated glare. "I do not need sleep, Aragorn," he snapped testily. His irritation melted away to worry again and he glanced at his now full quiver and bow besides him. "It was saying something I could not clearly understand."
Aragorn studied the prince and opened his mouth and asked, "What could you make out of it?" Legolas shook his head, almost amused at the words. "It spoke the words 'soon', 'near', and 'fall'."
Aragorn sat up and exclaimed, "Alas! This is strange news indeed." Legolas rolled his eyes and shook his head. "And to think you said the lack of sleep," he muttered under his breath. Aragorn smiled, but did not relax again. He stood. "We should go," he said. Legolas nodded and stood, slinging the quiver of arrows over his shoulder.
Aragorn led the way, Legolas following behind, wary of the voice and more alert than before. They made their way stealthily through the thick cluster of trees as the first stars began to shine in the violet sky. The sun was nothing but fading light and the sky was decorated by an array of deep colors. "I would like to travel this night," Aragorn said softly, turning around. The trees cast long shadows over the young man's grim face. Legolas nodded and silently he clasped Aragorn on the forearms affectionately. "All will be well, Strider," he assured. Aragorn seemed to doubt his words, but nodded slowly. "Watch for anything," Aragorn reminded as he turned around and began walking. Legolas followed the ranger silently.
"I shall, eden," he answered lightly. "Do not worry." The Elf's keen eyes saw Aragorn's dark shape in the coming darkness of the night and heard his laughter. The two walked side by side in silence for some time before Aragorn muttered humorlessly to no one in particular: "I wonder what my father will do to me when I get home."
Legolas laughed lightly and replied, "Knowing my father, he will shout at me for some time. Then he will check me for injuries." Aragorn chuckled. "Your father seems like a very interesting Elf," he commented. Legolas nodded, although Aragorn could not see in the dark.
"Aye, he apparently is," he answered. Aragorn smiled and shook his head. The he muttered, half to himself, "Let us hurry. I do not wish to set my eyes upon Cylon and his men again."
Legolas said nothing, but suddenly halted. Aragorn turned abruptly, watching Legolas carefully. "What is the matter?" he asked. He peered at the Elf's face and the ranger's grey eyes widened when he caught a glimpse of Legolas's eyes in the moonlight.
The prince's blue eyes were dilated and somewhat distant. His lips were curled into a slight sneer and with a fluid grace, the Elf notched an arrow. Aragorn stood, planted to the ground. "Legolas!" he said harshly, letting fear and concern get the best of him.
Legolas blinked, looking dazed. "Aragorn?" he asked, surprised. He glanced down at the bow and arrow in his hands and up at the ranger again. His eyes narrowed in confusion and his mouth opened and closed a few times. The ranger before him was as speechless as the Elf. Aragorn stared at Legolas is bewilderment. "L-Legolas?" he stuttered, anxiety coating his words. "What ails you?" Legolas glanced up at him, eyes wide. "I do not know," he whispered hoarsely.
He replaced the arrow in his quiver and seemed to stare at his hand in wonder and horror. He turned to Aragorn as the ranger stepped up the Elf, placing his hands on his friend's shoulders, clearing his throat. "Did you feel anything?" Aragorn asked quietly. Legolas shook his head numbly and stared at his hands again. "We were speaking of what our fathers' reactions would be…" Legolas's voice trailed off. He frowned in concentration. "And then I was holding my bow."
Aragorn's face was grave. "Legolas," he said softly, "I believe that this has something to do with the toxin that Cylon had given you." Legolas nodded slowly, accepting Aragorn's reason. "Perhaps," he said softly. "But what in Valar…" The Elf's voice trailed off and he shook his head. "What shall we do?" he asked instead.
"Perhaps that should best be left unanswered for now," Aragorn answered grimly. Legolas turned his luminous blue eyes on the ranger, understanding. Aragorn clasped the Elf's shoulder reassuringly. "We will get through this," he murmured. Legolas nodded, letting a thin smile slide onto his face, but in the dark, shadows hid the smile that never reached the Elf's eyes. The usual warm blue eyes were as cold as ice once more. As the Elf blinked, all trace of hate and fury disappeared from his eyes and he was again himself.
-+-
It was in the morning when Aragorn awoke to Legolas's soft singing. The ranger rubbed his eyes blearily, trying to recall last night. Legolas was perched on a rock, not far, cleaning his daggers. He met the ranger's gaze as Aragorn shifted into a sitting position. The Elf smiled warmly and greeted, "It is about time, young one."
Aragorn managed a light scowl while rubbing his eyes again. "Young one?" he asked incredulous. He snorted but asked instead, "How long have I been sleeping?" Legolas glanced at the sky, shading his eyes against the sunlight that leaked in through the limbs of the trees. "Since dawn," came the answer.
Aragorn's jaw dropped. "Since dawn?!" he exclaimed. He glared at his friend and growled, "And you did not wake me because?" Legolas hardly spared him a glance from his cleaning as he replied easily, "You needed the rest." Aragorn let out a humorless laugh and pointed out, "You have not slept any more than I!" Legolas stared at him as if the reason was obvious, and it was.
Aragorn flushed when he saw that the Elf was perfectly rested and fed. He, on the other hand, was hungry, tired, and sore all over and to see the Elf in such perfection annoyed the dirty ranger… it annoyed him very much. Aragorn glanced around the forest floor where he sat and he picked up a handful of dry leaves.
The ranger fired the leaves at the Elf, who jerked back in surprise. And the ranger watched in amazement as the Elf teetered backward on his heels, arms failing wildly like a pinwheel, before landed on his bottom with a loud "Oomf!" Legolas stared at the man in equal shock and suddenly dark rage seeped into his fair face. Legolas stood, wincing and rubbing his tailbone sorely. Aragorn could not help but laugh at the Elf and he became the victim of Legolas's dark glare.
The prince gave Aragorn such an evil grin that the man could hardly suppress a shudder. "Dear child," Legolas began sweetly, though the dangerous glint remained in his eyes, "have I ever told you what I dream about when I sleep?" Aragorn shook his head, truly frightened now. "Well," Legolas said, his malicious smile growing broader, "in my dreams I have the satisfaction of strangling an immature human boy, and do you know what my last words were to him?"
Aragorn shook his head again, eyes widening and he began inching away slightly. "I asked him to tell the other pesky mortals, who were strangled by other annoyed Elves, at Mandos Hall that sometimes an Elf may die because of the annoying-" he broke off into a string of elvish curses "-wonderful children."
Aragorn stared at him, eyes wide. Suddenly he mumbled stupidly, "But I'm not a child." Legolas smiled at the human again. "Oh, but you are," he whispered sinisterly. The ranger let out a nervous laugh and ran his hand through his hair. "S-surely you don't have such dreams," he stuttered, still chuckling anxiously. Legolas only grinned mysteriously. "But, would it not make it a nightmare?" Aragorn pointed out bravely.
Legolas bent down and picked up his daggers that had flown from his hands when he fell. "To you, yes," he answered. "To me, the best of dreams." Aragorn let out another distorted chuckle and the two sat in awkward silence. Longs minutes passed before Aragorn gathered up enough courage to ask, "You were serious, were you not?" He was rewarded with a evil smile.
-+-
[A/N:] My chapters have been so short these days! T_T; I apologize a thousand times for not updating sooner and my short chapters. I've been busy with school and *let's out a exasperated sigh*. Anyway, I'd like to thank all the reviewers for their wonderful reviews. Keep up the good job! *thumbs up*
More Thranduil and Elrond parts in the upcoming chapter as well as Legolas and Aragorn of course! Until next time, Elfling [end]
