Sacrifice
By Gozilla
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally the last chapter! Thank you sooooo much for reading the story to the end! You people have been very kind and tolerate! Thank you again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!
Please excuse my poor English. ^-^
Reviews are most welcomed!!
Enjoy!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*crap* – thoughts / tree talks
"crap" – conversation
(crap) – author's note
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 6: Ancient Tree of Rivendell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Three days later~
~In the wood of Rivendell~
After three days of travelling with little rest, Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond and the other warriors of Gondor were exhausted. However, they did not stop or slow down their pace as they all knew very well that the time for Legolas was running out.
Aragorn was worried as he found his friend's pulse was getting slower and weaker as the days passed. He and Arwen spoke of encouraging words to Legolas whenever they had a chance, even though the elf did not response to their kind words.
When they have finally arrived to the ancient tree of the Rivendell wood, it was already midnight.
Aragorn looked at the gigantic tree, his heart tore between the two conflicting thoughts in his mind.
On one hand, after hearing the amusing story told by Arwen, he put all his hope to the ancient tree, for it might be the last hope for his best friend.
On the other hand, his logical mind questioned the power of a tree to revive a dying elf and considered it to be the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.
Gently, he laid Legolas' limp body on the ground near the trunk of the ancient tree. Waves of sadness filled his eyes as looked at the pale face of his best friend, for he knew, unless there was a miracle, his friend would depart from this world very soon, too soon for an immortal elf.
With much effort, Aragorn tore his eyes from his friend. He stepped back and looked up to the ancient tree. It seemed to him the tree was no different from any other trees in Middle Earth. Its green leaves waved gently in the gentle night breeze. Its enormous thick trunk stood proudly on the ground, as if it was claiming its long existence in this world.
They stood and waited.
But nothing happened.
Frustration slowly invaded the king's usual calm heart. He turned to Arwen and Elrond, "Why is there no response from the tree?"
Elrond closed his eyes, sadness filled his face.
Arwen held back tears and replied, "We don't know, for we are not wood elves. Even for a wood elf, one could only hear whatever a tree would whisper. There is no elf, except for Legolas, who can communicate with the trees, let alone requesting a tree to respond."
"But we can't wait any more." Aragorn said, his heart sank as he saw the last of the colour on Legolas' face was fading, "We must do something. Otherwise... otherwise..."
Silence.
Devastated, Aragorn unsheathed his sword and faced the ancient tree, "Ancient tree of Rivendell, before you laid the elf who was willing to sacrifice his life to save you and the other trees. Now his life is fading away right in front of you. What kind of evil creature are you for doing nothing to help him? I shall cut you down to see what colour is your cold- bloodied heart!" he shouted as he swung his sword towards the trunk of the ancient tree.
Abruptly, a powerful force descended from the above and pushed Aragorn's sword downward, before the sword hit the tree. The force was so powerful that Aragorn had no choice but to let go of the sword, which was pushed deep into the ground.
Shocked, Aragorn stepped back reflectively. His eyes wide opened as he saw the source of the force, a tree branch.
*Be patient.* came a deep, slow mumbling voice.
"Who's talking?" Aragorn asked, turning around to locate the source of the voice.
"What?" Elrond asked, "Estel, what are you talking about? No one is talking."
*Be patient, king of men.*
"Who are you?" Aragorn asked, still unable to find the one who spoke.
Arwen looked at Aragorn, worried, "Aragorn, are you alright? Did you hear anything?"
*Be patient, king of men. It takes time for a tree to wake up from its long deep sleep, especially for a tree as ancient as I am.*
Astonished, Aragorn turned to look at the ancient tree, "You are the one speaking? It is impossible. I am no wood elf and I do not possess the ability to hear a tree's whisper."
*King of men, one shall not need to be a wood elf to hear the whisper of the most ancient tree ever existed in the Middle Earth, for it has the blood of one very special elf in its body. The mystery of Mother Nature is something not for any man to perceive.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond, Arwen and the others watched in silence, as Aragorn seemed to be talking to no one in their eyes. The men of Gondor whispered in worried words as they feared their king had lost his mind in the grief over the possible loss of his best friend.
Very soon, Elrond and Arwen realised that Aragorn was actually talking to the ancient tree. Though they were not sure how a man could communicate with a tree, they silent the whispers of the men of Gondor with an assuring gesture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ancient tree of Rivendell," Aragorn said, "please forgive me for my thoughtless words and actions, for I was despaired over the ill fate of my best friend." as he bowed humbly to the tree.
*No apology is required, king of men. I can feel your concerns over your friend. Your wish shall be granted. Not only for your deep passion and love to your friend, but also for this elf to be the trees' greatest friend ever lived in Middle Earth. I shall share part of my life force with him, making him strong enough to heal from the injuries.*
With the last word of the ancient tree still echoed in Aragorn's mind, a gentle shower of light started to descend from the leaves of the tree, landing on Legolas and Aragorn, who were under the tree, and disappeared into their bodies.
Aragorn and the others looked up to the leaves, amused by dream-like scene.
Confused, Aragorn knelt beside the still body of the elf, not knowing what to do.
Slowly, Aragorn felt a warm smoothing stream of energy spread across his body, expelling every single trace of exhaustion out of his body. As if a new life was being inserted in his body, he had never felt so full of life since his birth.
The rain of light gradually disappeared. Aragorn turned to look at his best friend. To his amusement, he saw the colour of the elf's face, though still paler than usual, was much healthier then a moment before.
Slightly, Legolas moved his fingers and a weak whisper escape his month.
Aragorn rushed forward and knelt beside Legolas. He shook the elf's shoulder gently, "Legolas, Legolas." he called his friend as the fire of hope relived.
"A... Aragorn?" Legolas whispered weakly, only barely audible to Aragorn, as he slowly opened his eyes, disoriented and unfocused.
"Legolas, Legolas, come back to us." Aragorn called, guiding his friend to consciousness. Elrond and Arwen approached, also called the name of the prince of Mirkwood gently.
Slowly, the silver-blue eyes of the elf prince came to focus. "Aragorn, Lord Elrond, Arwen, what happened?" Legolas asked in a whisper, memories of the battle flooded back to his mind, "Why... How could I survive the attack?"
Happy tears walled up on Aragorn's and Arwen's eyes.
Arwen knelt beside Legolas and stroke his golden soft hair tenderly, "Welcome back, my little brother."
Aragorn put his hand on the chest of his best friend, careful to avoid disturbing the wound. He felt as if the enormous burden weighted on his heart been lifted as he sensed the stronger heart beat of the elf.
"You said your goodbye too soon, my friend." Aragorn smiled happily and said in a teasing tone, "Also, you didn't say it properly, for I couldn't hear a word you said. So, we have decided to drag you back and force you to stay here for at least another 3,000 years before you are allowed to go anywhere, either to the sea or Mandos."
Legolas looked at his best friend and Arwen, confused, but yet amused by what his friends were capable with.
Legolas looked around and saw a familiar tree beside him. Realised what might had happened, *Greetings, ancient tree of Rivendell.* he whispered in the tree's language.
*Greetings, prince of Mirkwood. It is a pleasure to see you again, though you are not exactly in good shape.*
Aragorn's eyes widened in shock as he realised he could hear the conversations between Legolas and the tree. He knew since a long time ago that Legolas talked to the trees, but it was the very first time he could actually hear their conversations.
Arwen and Elrond stood and watched. They could not hear the conversation between Legolas and the tree, but they had half-guessed what was happening.
Legolas sighed, *Ancient tree of Rivendell, you saved me, again. I feel ashamed for not knowing how I could express my appreciation to you nor how to repay you for your kindness.*
*There is no need to repay me, my dear friend. You have done so many great things to the trees in Middle Earth. You will always be a good friend of all trees. You know, all the trees in this wood miss your songs and music greatly.*
*Besides, I should not be the one to receive your appreciation. You friend, the king of man, should be the one to receive your gratefulness.*
Legolas looked at Aragorn, who was smiling at him. With much effort, Legolas' eyes focused. Only then he saw the deep weariness on the king's face.
Knowing well the reason for Aragorn's weariness, Legolas raised his hand and cupped it behind Aragorn's neck. Gently, he pulled Aragorn towards himself until their foreheads touched. Legolas closed his eyes and whispered. "I am sorry, my friend, for making you worried. And I thank you, my brother, for saving me from certain death."
Aragorn looked at the pale face of his best friend, sensing the long-lost warmth of the elf from his forehead, even with the heavy bandages around Legolas' wounded head. His heart filled with joy he had never experienced. He closed his eyes and whispered, "No, my brother, I should be the one to thank you, for sacrificing yourself for me."
They stayed unmoved for a few moments, enjoying the mere presence of each other.
Then slowly, Legolas' hand relaxed and dropped to the ground.
"Legolas?" Aragorn opened his eyes, confused.
No response.
"Legolas?" Aragorn raised his voice, panic filled his heart, "Legolas? Wake up, Legolas! This is not funny! Legolas?" he said as he shook the elf.
No response.
Elrond rushed to kneel beside Legolas and checked for his pulse. He sighed in relief to find a weak, yet regular, pulse. He unwrapped the bandages on Legolas' head and his body. He couldn't stop smiling as he saw a health sigh of healing.
Elrond turned to Aragorn, "He has just lost his consciousness due to exhaustion. His body needs all his energy to heal the wound. We should take him to the healing room as soon as possible so that we can change the bandages and medicine."
Aragorn fell back and sat on the ground heavily, a small smile escaped, "Legolas, I am going to get you for scaring the hell out of me... later." he said as he got up from the ground and gently picked up his best friend and headed towards the Rivendell place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The End
Hope you enjoyed the story!!
Please feel free to review and comment!
I am sorry for hurting anyone's eyes with my lousy English.
Just a bit of background about myself and the story.
I have a habit to have a complete draft of the whole fic before considering whether it is worth posting (for you are my precious readers and I really don't want to leave you with some incomplete fic). I would then edit it chapter-by-chapter and post it to the net.
Actually, I planned to make it a death-fic in the beginning (with Legolas died in the battle and later buried beside the ancient tree of Rivendell). But as the story goes on, I think it would be more entertaining to have Legolas alive. So, I spent quite a bit of time to amend it.
I am now working on a sequel to this story. It is again a Legolas-centred story which involved the conflicts between elves and men. Let's see if I can complete the story and post it to the net.
Until then, see you all and take care!
By Gozilla
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally the last chapter! Thank you sooooo much for reading the story to the end! You people have been very kind and tolerate! Thank you again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!
Please excuse my poor English. ^-^
Reviews are most welcomed!!
Enjoy!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*crap* – thoughts / tree talks
"crap" – conversation
(crap) – author's note
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 6: Ancient Tree of Rivendell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Three days later~
~In the wood of Rivendell~
After three days of travelling with little rest, Aragorn, Arwen, Elrond and the other warriors of Gondor were exhausted. However, they did not stop or slow down their pace as they all knew very well that the time for Legolas was running out.
Aragorn was worried as he found his friend's pulse was getting slower and weaker as the days passed. He and Arwen spoke of encouraging words to Legolas whenever they had a chance, even though the elf did not response to their kind words.
When they have finally arrived to the ancient tree of the Rivendell wood, it was already midnight.
Aragorn looked at the gigantic tree, his heart tore between the two conflicting thoughts in his mind.
On one hand, after hearing the amusing story told by Arwen, he put all his hope to the ancient tree, for it might be the last hope for his best friend.
On the other hand, his logical mind questioned the power of a tree to revive a dying elf and considered it to be the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.
Gently, he laid Legolas' limp body on the ground near the trunk of the ancient tree. Waves of sadness filled his eyes as looked at the pale face of his best friend, for he knew, unless there was a miracle, his friend would depart from this world very soon, too soon for an immortal elf.
With much effort, Aragorn tore his eyes from his friend. He stepped back and looked up to the ancient tree. It seemed to him the tree was no different from any other trees in Middle Earth. Its green leaves waved gently in the gentle night breeze. Its enormous thick trunk stood proudly on the ground, as if it was claiming its long existence in this world.
They stood and waited.
But nothing happened.
Frustration slowly invaded the king's usual calm heart. He turned to Arwen and Elrond, "Why is there no response from the tree?"
Elrond closed his eyes, sadness filled his face.
Arwen held back tears and replied, "We don't know, for we are not wood elves. Even for a wood elf, one could only hear whatever a tree would whisper. There is no elf, except for Legolas, who can communicate with the trees, let alone requesting a tree to respond."
"But we can't wait any more." Aragorn said, his heart sank as he saw the last of the colour on Legolas' face was fading, "We must do something. Otherwise... otherwise..."
Silence.
Devastated, Aragorn unsheathed his sword and faced the ancient tree, "Ancient tree of Rivendell, before you laid the elf who was willing to sacrifice his life to save you and the other trees. Now his life is fading away right in front of you. What kind of evil creature are you for doing nothing to help him? I shall cut you down to see what colour is your cold- bloodied heart!" he shouted as he swung his sword towards the trunk of the ancient tree.
Abruptly, a powerful force descended from the above and pushed Aragorn's sword downward, before the sword hit the tree. The force was so powerful that Aragorn had no choice but to let go of the sword, which was pushed deep into the ground.
Shocked, Aragorn stepped back reflectively. His eyes wide opened as he saw the source of the force, a tree branch.
*Be patient.* came a deep, slow mumbling voice.
"Who's talking?" Aragorn asked, turning around to locate the source of the voice.
"What?" Elrond asked, "Estel, what are you talking about? No one is talking."
*Be patient, king of men.*
"Who are you?" Aragorn asked, still unable to find the one who spoke.
Arwen looked at Aragorn, worried, "Aragorn, are you alright? Did you hear anything?"
*Be patient, king of men. It takes time for a tree to wake up from its long deep sleep, especially for a tree as ancient as I am.*
Astonished, Aragorn turned to look at the ancient tree, "You are the one speaking? It is impossible. I am no wood elf and I do not possess the ability to hear a tree's whisper."
*King of men, one shall not need to be a wood elf to hear the whisper of the most ancient tree ever existed in the Middle Earth, for it has the blood of one very special elf in its body. The mystery of Mother Nature is something not for any man to perceive.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elrond, Arwen and the others watched in silence, as Aragorn seemed to be talking to no one in their eyes. The men of Gondor whispered in worried words as they feared their king had lost his mind in the grief over the possible loss of his best friend.
Very soon, Elrond and Arwen realised that Aragorn was actually talking to the ancient tree. Though they were not sure how a man could communicate with a tree, they silent the whispers of the men of Gondor with an assuring gesture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ancient tree of Rivendell," Aragorn said, "please forgive me for my thoughtless words and actions, for I was despaired over the ill fate of my best friend." as he bowed humbly to the tree.
*No apology is required, king of men. I can feel your concerns over your friend. Your wish shall be granted. Not only for your deep passion and love to your friend, but also for this elf to be the trees' greatest friend ever lived in Middle Earth. I shall share part of my life force with him, making him strong enough to heal from the injuries.*
With the last word of the ancient tree still echoed in Aragorn's mind, a gentle shower of light started to descend from the leaves of the tree, landing on Legolas and Aragorn, who were under the tree, and disappeared into their bodies.
Aragorn and the others looked up to the leaves, amused by dream-like scene.
Confused, Aragorn knelt beside the still body of the elf, not knowing what to do.
Slowly, Aragorn felt a warm smoothing stream of energy spread across his body, expelling every single trace of exhaustion out of his body. As if a new life was being inserted in his body, he had never felt so full of life since his birth.
The rain of light gradually disappeared. Aragorn turned to look at his best friend. To his amusement, he saw the colour of the elf's face, though still paler than usual, was much healthier then a moment before.
Slightly, Legolas moved his fingers and a weak whisper escape his month.
Aragorn rushed forward and knelt beside Legolas. He shook the elf's shoulder gently, "Legolas, Legolas." he called his friend as the fire of hope relived.
"A... Aragorn?" Legolas whispered weakly, only barely audible to Aragorn, as he slowly opened his eyes, disoriented and unfocused.
"Legolas, Legolas, come back to us." Aragorn called, guiding his friend to consciousness. Elrond and Arwen approached, also called the name of the prince of Mirkwood gently.
Slowly, the silver-blue eyes of the elf prince came to focus. "Aragorn, Lord Elrond, Arwen, what happened?" Legolas asked in a whisper, memories of the battle flooded back to his mind, "Why... How could I survive the attack?"
Happy tears walled up on Aragorn's and Arwen's eyes.
Arwen knelt beside Legolas and stroke his golden soft hair tenderly, "Welcome back, my little brother."
Aragorn put his hand on the chest of his best friend, careful to avoid disturbing the wound. He felt as if the enormous burden weighted on his heart been lifted as he sensed the stronger heart beat of the elf.
"You said your goodbye too soon, my friend." Aragorn smiled happily and said in a teasing tone, "Also, you didn't say it properly, for I couldn't hear a word you said. So, we have decided to drag you back and force you to stay here for at least another 3,000 years before you are allowed to go anywhere, either to the sea or Mandos."
Legolas looked at his best friend and Arwen, confused, but yet amused by what his friends were capable with.
Legolas looked around and saw a familiar tree beside him. Realised what might had happened, *Greetings, ancient tree of Rivendell.* he whispered in the tree's language.
*Greetings, prince of Mirkwood. It is a pleasure to see you again, though you are not exactly in good shape.*
Aragorn's eyes widened in shock as he realised he could hear the conversations between Legolas and the tree. He knew since a long time ago that Legolas talked to the trees, but it was the very first time he could actually hear their conversations.
Arwen and Elrond stood and watched. They could not hear the conversation between Legolas and the tree, but they had half-guessed what was happening.
Legolas sighed, *Ancient tree of Rivendell, you saved me, again. I feel ashamed for not knowing how I could express my appreciation to you nor how to repay you for your kindness.*
*There is no need to repay me, my dear friend. You have done so many great things to the trees in Middle Earth. You will always be a good friend of all trees. You know, all the trees in this wood miss your songs and music greatly.*
*Besides, I should not be the one to receive your appreciation. You friend, the king of man, should be the one to receive your gratefulness.*
Legolas looked at Aragorn, who was smiling at him. With much effort, Legolas' eyes focused. Only then he saw the deep weariness on the king's face.
Knowing well the reason for Aragorn's weariness, Legolas raised his hand and cupped it behind Aragorn's neck. Gently, he pulled Aragorn towards himself until their foreheads touched. Legolas closed his eyes and whispered. "I am sorry, my friend, for making you worried. And I thank you, my brother, for saving me from certain death."
Aragorn looked at the pale face of his best friend, sensing the long-lost warmth of the elf from his forehead, even with the heavy bandages around Legolas' wounded head. His heart filled with joy he had never experienced. He closed his eyes and whispered, "No, my brother, I should be the one to thank you, for sacrificing yourself for me."
They stayed unmoved for a few moments, enjoying the mere presence of each other.
Then slowly, Legolas' hand relaxed and dropped to the ground.
"Legolas?" Aragorn opened his eyes, confused.
No response.
"Legolas?" Aragorn raised his voice, panic filled his heart, "Legolas? Wake up, Legolas! This is not funny! Legolas?" he said as he shook the elf.
No response.
Elrond rushed to kneel beside Legolas and checked for his pulse. He sighed in relief to find a weak, yet regular, pulse. He unwrapped the bandages on Legolas' head and his body. He couldn't stop smiling as he saw a health sigh of healing.
Elrond turned to Aragorn, "He has just lost his consciousness due to exhaustion. His body needs all his energy to heal the wound. We should take him to the healing room as soon as possible so that we can change the bandages and medicine."
Aragorn fell back and sat on the ground heavily, a small smile escaped, "Legolas, I am going to get you for scaring the hell out of me... later." he said as he got up from the ground and gently picked up his best friend and headed towards the Rivendell place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The End
Hope you enjoyed the story!!
Please feel free to review and comment!
I am sorry for hurting anyone's eyes with my lousy English.
Just a bit of background about myself and the story.
I have a habit to have a complete draft of the whole fic before considering whether it is worth posting (for you are my precious readers and I really don't want to leave you with some incomplete fic). I would then edit it chapter-by-chapter and post it to the net.
Actually, I planned to make it a death-fic in the beginning (with Legolas died in the battle and later buried beside the ancient tree of Rivendell). But as the story goes on, I think it would be more entertaining to have Legolas alive. So, I spent quite a bit of time to amend it.
I am now working on a sequel to this story. It is again a Legolas-centred story which involved the conflicts between elves and men. Let's see if I can complete the story and post it to the net.
Until then, see you all and take care!