THE OLD FOREST BY ASHA DREAMWEAVER
Summary: How did Aragorn catch Gollum? Why was Mirkwood attacked? How did Gollum escape from the Elves? What have the Nazgûl got to do with it? Chaos in Mirkwood as Aragorn and Legolas team up with trouble following in their wake! But will the two survive it?
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.
A/N: So sorry about the delay! I make no excuses!
Review responses:
Aislynn Crowdaughter - Thanks for reviewing! I love long reviews! As for the point about Khamul communicating with Sauron, I always figured that it was with one of the missing palantiri. If Saruman could do it, I never saw why a Ringwraith couldn't. It's nice to know that you like my interpretation of Thranduil and of course, Aragorn's romantic troubles. That was very amusing to write!
ElizabethBlack4 - Thanks for the review. And yes, I did vote LotR on the Big Read. It won! Yay! Here's the (long overdue) update!
Grumpy - Yes, Aragorn does seem to have a problem with water.
Jana - Thanks! It's always nice to know when people think your version of the characters is well done.
Leggylover03 - Here's more, as requested…
Pernauriel - Glad you think it was funny!
CHAPTER FOUR: OF RANGERS AND THINGS
"Don't bother to buckle up – you may not want to survive this" – Cliffhanger
Stepping into the same cell that Gollum cowered in, Gandalf managed to lose his pointed hat on the threshold. Glaring at the offending doorjamb and the hat now sitting in some questionably sanitary material, he speculated on how Thranduil would mind a little remodelling of his dungeons…
After a moment he sighed and looked at Gollum as the guard that had escorted him here wisely closed the door, "Well, this seems to be the start of a lovely day, doesn't it?" he said before plonking himself on a small wooden stool set there especially for him.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~**
The walk went innocently enough, with the two friends sharing tales of their latest misadventures and pranks but as was the way of all good things; it didn't last.
Legolas's keen senses were the first to notice something wrong, and he paused suddenly, causing Aragorn to stop as well, looking at his friend expectantly. "What is it?" he asked.
"Something's not right." Legolas answered, "Something's here, watching us."
Aragorn caught sight of red bulbous eyes watching them and gulped, "You could say that."
Legolas had just nocked his bow when the creatures attacked in a swarm from the treetops, at least a dozen or more of the foul spiders. Legolas, not able to flee to the safety of the trees to shoot from, had to abandon his bow after dropping a few spiders and whip out his two long knives for some slicing and dicing work.
Beside him, Aragorn was hacking at them with his sword and trying to remind himself exactly why he'd trusted in Legolas's assurances that 'nothing would happen'. After several minutes of fighting with a crowd that didn't seem to be clearing, Aragorn shouted to his friend, "Where are they all coming from? I thought there were only such numbers near Dol Guldur to the south!"
Whirling, the Elf stabbed and slashed at a particularly vicious spider before replying, "I know not what they are doing so far from their usual home!" he called, "But more come even now, they think us an easy target. If we don't get out of here, we'll soon be surrounded!"
"Right," Aragorn said to himself, looking at the scuttling group of spiders that was swelling by the minute, "Any suggestions on how we're supposed to do that?"
The Prince just smirked, "Run?" he said before he heard a familiar voice calling him from behind.
"My Prince! Lord Estel! What are you doing?! Get out of there! Now!" came the voice of Caladar, Legolas's appointed bodyguard.
Caladar could scarcely believe his eyes. He, like the rest of the realm, knew of the trouble the two youngsters could attract, but to do it so quickly! It was just unbelievable. Loosing a hail of arrows, he waded into the fray and grabbed his Prince's and the Lord's arms, forcibly hauling them back even as they protested. "Run!" he ordered, "They will not dare follow us much further!"
Propelling the two young ones in front of him, he shook his head at what his liege was going to say. Looking at the two friends, splattered with the black blood of the spiders, he knew one thing for certain; Thranduil was going to throw a fit.
After they had got out of reach of the spiders, Legolas whirled on Caladar. "What were you doing there anyway?!" he demanded, "Adar didn't tell you to, did he?!"
Caladar just kept his face innocently blank, "Of course not, my Lord. I wasn't following you. I was just walking half a mile in the wrong direction."
Legolas just glared but a remark from Aragorn swiftly diverted his attention, "Have you noticed, wherever you go there's a body count?" the ranger asked, causing his friend's glare to darken to full out glower.
"I think you're mistaken, dear ranger. Wherever you go, there's a body count."
Aragorn looked to the prince, then to himself and groaned, "I don't suppose we can sneak into the palace without anyone noticing this mess, can we?"
Caladar smirked lightly, "I think not, my Lord. As undoubtedly, the King will want to see you both right away. Even if only to tell him that too many spiders have breached our borders." There was a slight sadistic tone underlying the glee which the two friends didn't fail to notice. "Do hurry up. We must get back in time to clean you two up for the feast."
The ranger fell into step and the reluctant elf followed with a bowed head and only one thing could be heard from his mutterings, "Adar is going to kill me."
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~**
That was it, Thranduil fumed, no more leniency towards that pair of mischief-makers, even if Legolas turned those innocent doe eyes on him.
He couldn't believe that they, after being granted a short leave by him, had the absolute gall to be late for this banquet. And Aragorn, the person for whom it was being thrown, was being unspeakably rude. Really, didn't Noldor households teach any manners?
His sharp eyes saw Galion, his butler, come his way looking rather reluctant. Stopping beside the King's seat and bowing, he said softly, "Your Highness, the Prince and the ranger have returned."
"Then why aren't they in here," Thranduil demanded.
Galion hesitated, "Well, my Lord, there was an encounter with some spiders and they have yet to clean up, having just arrived."
"Where are they?"
"In your study, my Lord."
With a mumbled curse, Thranduil stalked out of the banquet hall, muttering darkly about his son's antics. "Spiders! Of course, it had to be spiders! First orcs, then the Morn Nen, now this…. Oh, when I get my hands on them… they'll wish they were back with the cursed spiders!"
"Don't be too harsh with them, my Lord. Their wounds will be punishment enough."
"Punished?! I will obliterate them!" Thranduil growled.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~***
"This the part where you tell me you're not angry, just disappointed?" Legolas asked hopefully, while Aragorn tried to do the puppy-eyed thing he'd perfected at age four.
"Pretty much, except for the bit about not being angry." Thranduil replied. "What happened this time?"
"It was an accident." Legolas tired to explain but was cut off by Thranduil.
"Accidents like that get people killed." The King growled, "Tell me everything. How did such a gathering get within our borders?"
Caladar took it upon himself to answer, "There were many my Lord, over two dozen and growing ere we left."
Legolas voiced what none of them want to say, "Dol Guldur grows bolder Ada, and seeks out our weaknesses."
Thranduil nodded wearily, "That is what I think as well," he said, "And undoubtedly there will be another attack in the near future." His own blue eyes pinned his son's gaze, "You are not to go off without Caladar, Legolas. Not even one step outside the palace. Is that understood?"
Legolas's mouth dropped, "That is unfair Ada! I can take care of myself!" Aragorn tried to shuffle away from the brewing argument but Caladar's hand clamped down on his shoulder, so stay he did.
"Enough!" Thranduil cried, "Is it so wrong to want to keep my son, and Mirkwood's Heir alive? You have the biggest penchant for finding trouble that I have ever seen! The only one who rivals it is that ranger and more often than not, you both get into your worst mischief when together!"
"But it wasn't our fault!" Legolas exclaimed, "I am not some elfling that needs to be kept under constant watch and neither is Estel!"
"You will do as I say! And did I or did I not warn you of the consequences of finding trouble?" Thranduil hissed, looking rather scary as he slowly stood up from his chair.
"But ada, they weren't orcs! They were spiders!" Legolas protested.
"I DON'T CARE!" Thranduil thundered, "You were given a direct order and you disobeyed it! And I hope that I need not remind you that the punishment was an extended stay in the dungeons?!"
Aragorn and Legolas paled and Aragorn looked at Legolas questioningly, trying to discern whether Thranduil was serious.
"But…" Thranduil said with a slightly maniacal chuckle, "I think I have a better punishment for you…"
The two friends looked at each other in dismay. This sounded ominous.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~**
"Filthy, stinking Hobbit," Gollum muttered, rocking himself in the corner of his cell and severely trying Gandalf's patience.
The wizard had been trying for days to get something useful out of him and while the true story of how Bilbo got the ring was very useful, he needed to know what Gollum had told to Sauron.
"Stop your snivelling," he ordered at last, "And tell me what you told them!"
"Filthy hobbit! Sneaky, thieving hobbit! We hates him! We hates him!" Gollum cried, "He stole our precious, yes he did. Stole it and we wants it back! Stupid sneaky Baggins! We'll get him, we'll find the precious and takes it back so we will!"
Gandalf froze, "Baggins?" he repeated.
"Stupid fat Baggins! He stole it! We'll get it back and he'll regret it!"
"Gollum," Gandalf said slowly, "Where is Baggins?"
"Baggins! Nasty little Baggins! We crush him! In the Shire he has it but we'll get it back! We wants our precious!"
Gandalf swept out of the room in a rush. He knew all he needed to know and now he knew that the enemy knew too much. And they'd be after Frodo before long. If they weren't already.
He needed to find Thranduil.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~**
The follies of the fathers are no warning to the children. – Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle.
Gandalf was shown into Thranduil's private chambers where the King was lounging on a chair in the anteroom. "You look troubled." Gandalf observed.
"I have had some disturbing news." Thranduil said, "My son and the ranger were ambushed by spiders not an hours walk from the palace."
Gandalf was taken aback himself, "But your borders extend far further than that."
"So I had thought. But now I learn that dark things are gathering near the palace once again. I fear an attack." Gandalf could not escape the glare Thranduil sent him, "No doubt it has something to do with your presence here," he said bitterly.
"We live in dark times Thranduil and who knows the plans of the enemy. The only thing I can say is this, soon now, it will be over. One way or another."
"Did you get what you wanted out of the creature? Or perhaps you would rather tell Elrond than me?"
"There's no need to act like a century old elfling Thranduil. But yes, Gollum did eventually give up what he told to the enemy and it is very grave. I must leave with the dawn else I fear I will not be able to stop disaster."
"One can always be certain with you Mithrandir, trouble follows in your wake even more than my son's and the ranger's." the Elvenking said mirthlessly. He sipped the goblet of Dorwinian wine as he waited for the wizard's response.
"Ah yes, young Legolas and Aragorn. I must speak to you about that. Aragorn is heading towards his destiny now, whether he wants it or not, he will be part of the coming war. Tell me, if he survives this, will you support his claim to the throne?"
Thranduil eyed him shrewdly, "I'd wager you already know the answer and where this is leading I know not but I will humour you. If the boy does the unthinkable, and Mirkwood is still standing, then it will hardly be prudent not to be at least amiable with Gondor. Especially since my son will undoubtedly do it if I do not." Gandalf did not miss the displeasure in the last statement. Thranduil, if he had his way, would have little dealings with mortals and to see his son frolicking about with Isildur's heir, whose failing negated the effect of the Last Alliance, was not something he was happy about.
"Yes, Legolas does have a great love for Aragorn." Mithrandir said experimentally, "He is quite the strong-willed Elf, is he not?" and watched as Thranduil's eyes narrowed into slits.
"I like not where this is going Istar." he said shortly, drawing himself up to pace around the room.
Mithrandir sat down himself and ignored the signs of the Elf's brewing temper, "I think this is a conversation long overdue. Galadriel tried to tell you before and you brushed her off. But the war is coming and with it must come your acceptance. Legolas has a part to play, as does Aragorn. For either not to rise to meet it could have serious consequences."
"I know of what you speak!" Thranduil cried, his mind turning back to the last meeting of the White Council and his meeting with the Lady of the Wood.
~^~
Lothlórien. 2953.
Thranduil had been silently envying the peace and stability that the Golden Wood enjoyed when she came to him. They had debated the rings at the White Council and Thranduil's temper had stirred when he saw the rulers of the other Elven realms, knowing that they had an Elven Ring and that there borders were secure because of it, while his was constantly besieged. And after the Council had ended, he had been eager to escape their persistent questioning about the evil that invaded his realm. He knew he could not have held his temper in check and so had avoided the event entirely.
But she found him. Her and that mirror of hers controlled nearly everything in this realm. After all, it was her ring that kept it safe. If there was one person no one could hide from in the Golden Wood, it was Galadriel.
She had come to him silently, saying she had news he must hear and so he had followed her into the Mirror Grove. And then she revealed her secret, it was not news of him, but of his only son.
"He will do great things, Thranduil," she said, vivid blue eyes staring at him with all the weighty knowledge she had gathered over the millennia.
"He is not a pawn in your games, kinslayer," he had retorted, using the most insulting name he could give her, who had been at the slaughter at Aqualondë.
She didn't pay it any attention or cry insult, instead she held up her pitcher of water and had poured it into the Dwarven crafted basin. Dwarves, another of Thranduil's banes.
"Will you look into it?" she asked serenely, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"I have no need for your Dwarven pictures," he scoffed.
"You fear what you will see." she said, walking over to him, "But it is yours only to know. It is not your path to walk."
"My son has no path save to help defend and rule Mirkwood." Thranduil had replied.
"Your son will help to save Middle Earth and he shall remain at home forever. He has a task to fulfil, and his friends shall help him to do it."
"What do you mean?" Thranduil asked, puzzled at her words.
"War will come and Prince Legolas shall be one of its champions, or one of its martyrs. He has a task to fulfil, a part in a prophecy. He shall not be a Prince of the Wood after it is over, but a King in his own right."
"I am to die?" Thranduil demanded.
She laughed slightly, "Nay, son of Oropher. You shall live."
"But you said a King…"
"Not of Mirkwood. Not this age." She gestured towards the piece of Dwarven craftsmanship, "Look into the mirror. It will show you far better than I."
And so Thranduil had stepped closer and looked into the rippling water and he saw things that would not leave him for a century. The Dagorlad plain, once more a sight of battle…. Mount Doom sprouting flame… Minis Anor half-destroyed…. Shadow and flame… an army of strange orcs… his forest burning… a blonde archer, Legolas, standing on a battlement next to a man arrayed in mail, Aragorn…. He staggered back, not wanting to see anymore. "What does that mean?!" he demanded of the Elf Queen.
"The Mirror shows what may come to pass, this is but a sample of what may happen. But as you see, your son plays a part. You must let him go when the time comes."
"I think not Lady," he said stiffly. "Need I remind you that those cursed rings were Noldorin craft? But once more everyone else pays for your ambition! I shall not sacrifice my son to assuage your sins."
"Even now, you refuse to forget the past." Galadriel said with despair, "He is the only one from the Elves who can go! All the races must unite and Legolas has been chosen for the Elves! He must go!"
"He 'must' do nothing," Thranduil said with contempt, "I think I have heard quite enough thank you."
"You hear nothing! Oropher's stubbornness led to his death, don't let it lead to yours!" Galadriel cried.
"On the contrary I hear what you would have me do," he said with all the warmth of a glacier, "He is all I have left and if Silivren were here, she would not have been as polite in telling you to keep your nose out of my business. Legolas is no concern of yours. This conversation is over."
And from behind him, as he walked away, he heard her pronounce his doom, "It is not your decision Oropherion, it never was…"
~^~
Gandalf saw that the King was lost in memories, and exited the room quietly, leaving Thranduil to his thoughts.
Weary to the bone and full of turmoil, he wandered the palace until he came to his son's rooms and entered quietly, with all the stealth of the Elves. Legolas lay in his bed, sleeping deeper than was normal, thanks to an overzealous healer who had made both ranger and prince swallow some foul-tasting sleeping draughts before she would let them out of her clutches. Gwanthi had been healer since Oropher's time and Thranduil had some not so fond memories of her as a boy but since he became a father, he had developed an appreciation for her… techniques in handling wayward elflings and human scamps.
He stayed at Legolas's side for the passing of an hour over so, pondering over what the Wise had decided was his son's destiny and still he had no answers. Brushing a stray lock of golden hair off Legolas's forehead, he left the room with as heavy a heart as he'd entered it.
~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~**
Gandalf left Mirkwood with all haste, calling for Shadowfax to bear him with all possible speed to the Shire, desperate to get to Frodo before the servants of Sauron did. He knew that as valiant as the little hobbit was, he would be no match for what Sauron would send after him. Especially unprepared.
As Gandalf worked himself up into a near frantic state of worry,, he did not know that many leagues away, a once friend was already plotting his downfall…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**
Thranduil feared an attack on the palace. He truly did. That was partially why he'd charged Aragorn and Legolas with the task of guarding Gollum whilst taking him on a walk through the forest for fresh air as the kindness Gandalf had requested of it.
But still he felt uneasy, as if a storm was brewing other than the one he saw looming on the horizon. And yet, he could do no more. His realm was braced for an attack. Time would show whether it could weather it or not.
And so he decided to send two of his most trusted guards with the two troublemakers to make sure they kept out of mischief. As much as he didn't want to believe it, if they did have some part to play in the survival of Middle Earth, they would have to be alive and well to do it. And short of tying them up and tossing them in the dungeons as he'd threatened, this was the best and most covert way of going about it.
There would most definitely had to be two, as there was a good chance that one would end up caught, waylaid or tricked before the visit was over.
One was Caladar, and the other Laston, who had served his father Oropher and who Thranduil trusted with his life. And because they were so high in his confidence and he'd known them so long, he explained the full problem to them, relying on their discretion to keep it secret.
"We can't lose them. Not only would Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf be queuing up outside my gates for a shot at my head, I can't lose another close to me. I don't think I would survive it." He looked at them earnestly, "'m counting on you to protect them."
"With our lives, my Lord." Laston said with a bow and Caladar echoed him.
Caladar arched a brow and then asked the most important thing, "How do we do it without them knowing and running?"
Thranduil smiled quite sadistically in the guards' opinion, "I give you full leeway to do as you will. You have permission to override Prince Legolas's orders, under my authority. Bind them, lock them in a room, kidnap them, drug them, tie them to a tree; do whatever is necessary my friends."
"The Prince will not be pleased to be treated as a child."
"The Prince will not know that you are not bound to follow him until it is too late."
"We don't kidnap princes and protect them against their will." Laston said with some amusement.
Caladar, too used to their antics disagreed, "But we do follow them and protect them against their will."
"Manage to keep them out of trouble and I will owe you a debt of gratitude and as a bonus, you will win that bet going on in the citadel. Last I heard, there was quite a lot of bounty at stake."
Both guards grinned wolfishly, "Why thank you, my Lord," Laston said.
"Keep them safe."
"Always, my Lord."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Have a nice day. Don't get killed." Thranduil said somewhat gleefully as they left for Gollum guard duty. Aragorn was hugely upset since he'd been counting on dumping the little critter in Mirkwood and never seeing him again and now he was stuck babysitting the little monster.
Erundul smiled at them, pleased that they were leaving, "Have a nice, normal, quiet trip, alright?"
"I think I've heard of those." Legolas drawled before casting a glance at the furious Aragorn. "Are you mad at me?" he asked.
"No, no, not at all. I'm plotting your death, but in a happy way." Aragorn replied, his dark look growing even darker as from behind them, he heard Erundul exclaim, "Peace at last!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Khamûl listened as his master gave his orders, finally allowing him the freedom to launch an attack with all the forces of Dol Guldur. "The One must not fall into the hands of the so-called 'Wise'. Gather the forces at your disposal and attack Thranduil's realm. Retake the creature and burn the forest to the ground if you can. I will not tolerate failure."
"It shall be done, my Lord."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas and Aragorn, along with Caladar and Laston led Gollum through the woods, all detesting the task. But they liked the dungeons less and they were ordered to take out Gollum for a walk and some fresh air. In the days of fair weather it was custom to lead Gollum through the woods; and there was a high tree standing alone far from the others which he liked to climb. None of them save Legolas had been able to coax Gollum from the cell. He remembered Aragorn and swore and hissed at him and tried to bite him numerous times. Still, it reinforced his friend's character in Aragorn's opinion and he whispered to Laston, whilst shuddering, "I swear that we could send Legolas to Sauron and before the day was out he would have the Dark Lord himself charmed into the palm of his hand."
"Prince Legolas charming Sauron?" Laston repeated as if the ranger was insane, "Are you trying to give me nightmares?"
Aragorn tried to give the Elf a playful shove but he'd forgotten how crafty the Elves could be at times and instead of Laston toppling, he toppled himself. As Legolas and Caladar turned to stare at the clumsy human and Gollum laughed at him, Aragorn bemoaned his luck, "Why do I always have to land in the mud?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gandalf rode with all haste into Isengard and swiftly dismounting as Saruman descended the steps. He failed to notice the look of satisfaction and malice that Saruman briefly showed as he arrived.
Too late, old man, too late, Saruman thought with pleasure as he plotted Gandalf's downfall. But first time to pump Gandalf the Grey, beloved by the Elves, for information.
"Smoke rises from the mountain of Doom, and the hour grows late, and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard, seeking my counsel. For that is why you have come, is it not? My old friend…"
Gandalf greeted him with a bow of his head, and for all his strength, could not foresee his own demise…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**
As Gollum climbed the branches of the tree, he heard a call deep within his mind, and he rejoiced in it for soon he would be away from the wicked nasty Elves, the horrible wicked ranger, and the stinking rotting too-bright trees would burn as punishment for keeping him from the precious.
For the owner of the voice had been Khamûl, "Do not leave the tree. The Master's servants are coming and you shall be free if you follow my instructions…"
As the plan was explained, Gollum's large eyes lit up with unmistakeable malicious glee…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Hi! Again, sorry for the delay. *grovels again* Please review!
Caladar - Legolas's First Guard.
Erundul - Captain of Mirkwood's guards.
Galion - the King's butler.
Gwanthi - Chief Healer in Mirkwood.
Laston - Captain in Mirkwood's army. Served King Oropher.
Oropher - King of Greenwood (Second Age Mirkwood.) He refused to follow Gil-Galad's lead in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and he led a charge too soon, losing two thirds of his army and dying himself. He was the father of Thranduil.
Oropherion - Means 'Son of Oropher' in Sindarin.
Silivren - Queen of Mirkwood, wife of Thranduil. Legolas's mother.
Next chapter: - Mirkwood is attacked. Will the two trouble-magnets survive?
Please review!!
P.S: Also I have a new Harry Potter fic in the works, one that I fully plan on following through with, and have started writing with plans to post in the new year. One problem; I can't go forward much until I decide on pairings so if I leave you with a quick summary of the fic, could you let me know what pairings you'd be interested in if you wanted to read it? Thanks in advance.
Summary of the fic entitled 'Fallen': Harry's 6th yr gets off to a rocky start. DE attacks, a scheming Dark Lord, corrupt Ministry & his very own murder trial. Not to mention classes, OWL results, Dursleys, looming prophecies, teenage angst, overprotective godfathers, house arrests & Order secrets. Is Sirius really dead? Is the prophecy complete? How far will Minister Fudge go to protect his reputation and just how much can public opinion be swayed? Can one boy stand against a mass of aurors and Death Eaters? What secret does Trelawney harbour? What are the repercussions of the incident in the Department of Mysteries? What has Tom Riddle got to do with anything? And just how far will Voldemort go to get rid of the 'Potter problem'?
Please let me know what you think.
Asha Dreamweaver.
A/N: