Whee!!! I'm a graduate! No more high school for me!!! Ahem. Anyway. I got
my computer at home fixed so that I can upload my stories from here. Which
is good, since I was using my Mom's computer at school, and since school's
out... Well, you get the idea.
Okay. I know people don't do this---or, if they do, I haven't seen it---but I have to thank these following awesome writers, besides Tolkien of course: Mercedes Lackey, Robert Jordan, R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. When I ht writers block, I read these guys and get inspired. So...yah.
Thanks again to all you who reviewed.
Disclaimer: *looks out window at car that won't run and little kiddie pool she has set up* Can you take a hint? I'm broke. If I owned these guys, I'd be living in a beach house in California, driving a Mercedes. Ylana's not even mine. The little demon huddled in the back of my mind came up with her.
The Silent Prince: Chapter 5
Bonds Tested
Days passed. Legolas found that, no matter how hard he fought it, he was no longer in control of his own emotions. He was enthralled by the Elvish girl. It wasn't love, but...*Something* was there.
Much to everyone's delight, not an orc had been spotted. Ylana and Aragorn kept everyone in good spirits by telling stories, mostly of things that had happened in Rivendell. Even Gimli, stout Gimli, was laughing. Yes, everything was well.
Except for the dark feeling in Legolas's heart.
It had been growing stronger and stronger as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. Oft times, it filled his thoughts completely. He tried to be rid of it, tried to stay focused on the task at hand. It would not be good to discover the enemy approaching *after* the orc-arrow had pierced his chest.
Yet, it would not go away.
"I am coming for you," a voice whispered inside his head, echoing through his mind. "You cannot hide, my silent prince. I will find you. Nothing can save you now."
"Who are you?" the Elf cried back angrily. "What do you wish of me?"
A low, dry chuckle was his answer, and it sent shivers down his spine. "Be patient, silent one. Wait for me..."
"Legolas? Legolas! Answer me, lad!"
He blinked a few times, then found himself staring into Gandalf's concerned eyes. The rest of the group stood peering over his shoulder. They too looked concerned.
"Legolas?"
"I---I am fine," he said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. "Forgive me for not keeping vigilant." He went to move forward, and realized that he was lying on the ground. "Wha---?"
"That's what *we* would like to know," Aragorn said, kneeling by his friend's side. "We were walking along when you simply collapsed. We didn't know what had befallen you."
Legolas frowned. "I am not sure I know, either."
"But you are unhurt?" Aragorn pressed, appraising his friend for injuries. "Nothing is wrong?"
The Elf offered him a warm smile, touched by his friend's concern. "I am fine. Shall we be on our way?"
Aragorn didn't look too convinced, but shrugged and rose to his feet, holding out a hand. Legolas gladly accepted it , and was quickly pulled to a standing position. "Frodo, go find Ylana. Tell her Legolas is awake and that we are ready to move out."
The hobbit nodded, and headed off into the forest.
This caused another frown to steal across Legolas's face. "Where is Ylana? Why did she leave the Company?"
"We tried in vain to rouse you for several minutes after you collapsed. She then decided to patrol the surrounding area in case there are any Orcs nearby."
A few minutes? "Aragorn, how long have I been out?"
The Ranger turned to squint at the sun. With a start, Legolas realized that it was close to setting. But it had not yet reached its zenith when I last looked! "I'd say it's been a few hours."
Legolas blinked. "A few *hours*? That is impossible! I swear it could not have been more than a few minutes."
Aragorn turned back to him, his face once again a mask of concern. "I fear some sort of spell has taken a hold of you, mellon.(1) Saruman can cast them from his tower to anywhere in Middle-Earth. Or so Gandalf has said."
Legolas was still trying to come to terms with how what had seemed like only moments to him had, in reality, been hours. It couldn't have been, he thought. I'd swear it.
Aragorn reached out and placed a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "We *will* understand this," he said fiercely. "We will not let the evil wizard take you, Legolas. I promise."
Legolas smiled and reached out to clap Aragorn on the shoulder in the Elvish gesture of welcome. "I thank you, my friend. But do not promise such things, for I do not want you to be grieved if it is broken."
Aragorn opened his mouth to protest, but Legolas held up a hand for silence. "Saruman is powerful. You know this. If he wants something badly enough, nothing will stand in his way."
"Then I will die trying," the Man came back strongly. "You are my best friend, Legolas. You have been all my life. I will not let him take you without a fight."
Legolas felt a sting of tears in his eyes, touched deep down in his core by Aragorn's words. Without warning, he dropped to one knee and dipped his head. "I thank you from the deepest places of my heart," he said softly. "My old friend."
With a smile on his pink tinged face, Aragorn reached down and pulled the Elf to his feet. "I know you would do the same for me. Now, quit embarrassing me. Besides, I think our other Elf has returned."
Both men turned to see Frodo reenter the camp, followed by the dark-haired female Elf.
Aragorn nodded to her, winked at Legolas, then walked away, leaving the two together.
Ylana quickly checked him over much the same way Aragorn had earlier. Then her eyes met his and a smile touched her lips. "I trust you are feeling better, then?"
He also smiled. "Much, m'lady. Though I had no idea that there was anything wrong."
"We were very worried about you," she said softly. She paused, and a troubled look came into her eyes. "Was it Saruman?"
A frown touched the Elf prince's lips. "I am not sure. I heard a---a voice in my head. I have never come into contact with the White Wizard, so I would not recognize his voice."
"What did he say?"
Legolas told her everything that he remembered. What which was much, since it had only lasted a few, brief moments in his mind. Ylana's troubled look worsened as he continued.
"It must be Saruman. He is the only one I know of with that power. Not even Gandalf can do such." Another pause. "I can shield your mind from him, if you wish. It will be slightly painful, but Saruman will not be able to find you by your mind any longer."
Legolas nodded without hesitation. "I would appreciate it greatly, if it wouldn't be too much trouble for you. I do not wish for Saruman to be able to find and attack my friends through me."
Ylana smiled and shook her head. "Your loyalty is commendable, my liege. But I'm afraid it shall be the death of you. You will need to lie down for this."
Legolas eased himself onto the ground and lay back. "Then it will be a good death, indeed. If it means saving my friends, then I would gladly give up my life."
She was silent as she took a seat near the prince's head. "You will feel slight pricks every time I raise a shield. They shouldn't last long, but they will hurt. I'm sorry."
He smiled. "Do not be troubled on my account. I have learned to live with pain. And this is for a good cause."
Ylana nodded. "I'll try to make this as short as possible," she said softly , placing her hands inches from either side of Legolas's head.
Almost immediately, Legolas could feel the magick begin to work. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Every time he worked magick it felt...warm. Life-giving. This was cold, stinging. It seemed to invade every recess of his mind, including the ones that held things he wished to keep hidden away. It stripped him of his defenses that he had worked so hard to build, leaving him bare. 'So much pain, so much hurt...I'm so sorry, Legolas.'
'Ylana?' Just then, Legolas felt a sharp prick in the left side of his head. He squeezed his eyes shut as an involuntary hiss of pain escaped from between his lips. It feels as though I've been stabbed by a knife!
'I can't make it hurt any less,' came Ylana's apologetic voice. 'But your memories are protected now. Saruman cannot reach them, hurt you with them.'
'All of them?'
'Even the ones you wish you could forget.'
Another prick, this time in the back of his head, caused Legolas to bite back a cry. Be strong, he told himself firmly. It will be much worse than this if Saruman captures you. Will you give him the pleasure of hearing you scream? Will you give him what you denied your own brother?
Another stab, but Leolas hardly felt it. He was pushing himself to the back of his mind in order to escape the pain, back to the place he had gone during his brother's attack. My safe place...
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in Rivendell. He smiled, recognizing the outdoor chamber in which the Council had been held. Where it had all began...
"Oh, Legolas."
He whirled in surprise at the sound of the voice, his hand automatically going for his bow. He began to panic as he grasped at nothing but empty air, then breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized Ylana. 'What are you doing here?" he demanded, suddenly angry that his haven had been breached. "I thought no one could find me here."
Ylana stepped forward, a look of sadness on her face. "Legolas..." she started, then stopped. She simply stared at him for a moment, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked, turning to stare out at the waterfalls and mountains that surrounded the Elf kingdom.
"For your hurt. The pain you've had to bear alone."
"So you chose to take a peek at my memories while you shielded them?" he asked. Though his words were spoken calmly, inside he felt as though he were about to be violently sick. Another betrayal...
"I did not violate your memories," she replied, still speaking softly. "I know not what it is you hide. Only you can share that. But I can feel your pain and hurt radiating even here. And you've pushed that hurtful memory to the back of your mind, which stands to reason that you haven't told anyone. Legolas... Please say something."
He continued to look out at the scenery, but he was seeing something much further away. He could not bring himself to face her. "If you had gone through what I did, you'd keep it a secret as well," he said shortly. He had come here seeking peace and solitude, not a girl he barely knew prying into his life. "If I could get away with telling someone, I would. Besides, I'm used to bearing things alone."
Ylana nodded. "I see," she said. Her voice was suddenly dull, cold, devoid of its usual emotion. "I am finished, Prince Greenleaf. For now, you must sleep. When you awaken, your mind shall be shielded."
Legolas started to turn to her, a sneering remark on his lips. Before he could, a roaring sound filled his ears and he went spiraling into darkness.
Aragorn eased himself onto the ground next to Ylana, who was staring out into the approaching night. "Would you like to free your mind of its burden?" he asked softly. "I have not seen such a troubled look on your face since the day the orcs attacked Rivendell."
The Elf smiled a little, but kept her eyes trained on the forest. "My troubles are my own shortcomings, Estel. If only I could keep out of other people's affairs and control my temper. You and Arwen have told me this many a time."
"Indeed we have, though it is often with good intentions that you do these things." He paused. "Was it Legolas?"
A sigh escaped her lips. "Aye. I found him somewhere in the back of his mind, in his safe place. In Rivendell." She shook her head. "I went to search for him because his mind was so full of pain and anger. I wept for him, Aragorn. I truly wept for him. When I went to him, I told him I was sorry that he had to suffer all that alone. I must have struck a nerve, for he went on the offensive. Then he accused me of having looked at his memories. I did no such thing. I swear on the graves of my family that I did not! But, though I tried to redeem myself, it was too late." She closed her eyes for a brief moment, then turned to look a t Aragorn. "Our bond has been tested. Come ere the morning, I will know if I still have a friend in Legolas."
Aragorn reached out to put a comforting hand on the Elf's shoulder. "Car al na hun caeleb," he whispered. "Legolas has given you the gift of his friendship. A gift he does not take lightly and gives rarely. Once he does, thought, he never takes it back. Your friendship may hang by a thread, but it will never be severed."
"I hope you are right..."
mellon-----friend Car al na hun caeleb----Do not be heart sick
Okay. I know people don't do this---or, if they do, I haven't seen it---but I have to thank these following awesome writers, besides Tolkien of course: Mercedes Lackey, Robert Jordan, R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. When I ht writers block, I read these guys and get inspired. So...yah.
Thanks again to all you who reviewed.
Disclaimer: *looks out window at car that won't run and little kiddie pool she has set up* Can you take a hint? I'm broke. If I owned these guys, I'd be living in a beach house in California, driving a Mercedes. Ylana's not even mine. The little demon huddled in the back of my mind came up with her.
The Silent Prince: Chapter 5
Bonds Tested
Days passed. Legolas found that, no matter how hard he fought it, he was no longer in control of his own emotions. He was enthralled by the Elvish girl. It wasn't love, but...*Something* was there.
Much to everyone's delight, not an orc had been spotted. Ylana and Aragorn kept everyone in good spirits by telling stories, mostly of things that had happened in Rivendell. Even Gimli, stout Gimli, was laughing. Yes, everything was well.
Except for the dark feeling in Legolas's heart.
It had been growing stronger and stronger as they went deeper and deeper into the forest. Oft times, it filled his thoughts completely. He tried to be rid of it, tried to stay focused on the task at hand. It would not be good to discover the enemy approaching *after* the orc-arrow had pierced his chest.
Yet, it would not go away.
"I am coming for you," a voice whispered inside his head, echoing through his mind. "You cannot hide, my silent prince. I will find you. Nothing can save you now."
"Who are you?" the Elf cried back angrily. "What do you wish of me?"
A low, dry chuckle was his answer, and it sent shivers down his spine. "Be patient, silent one. Wait for me..."
"Legolas? Legolas! Answer me, lad!"
He blinked a few times, then found himself staring into Gandalf's concerned eyes. The rest of the group stood peering over his shoulder. They too looked concerned.
"Legolas?"
"I---I am fine," he said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. "Forgive me for not keeping vigilant." He went to move forward, and realized that he was lying on the ground. "Wha---?"
"That's what *we* would like to know," Aragorn said, kneeling by his friend's side. "We were walking along when you simply collapsed. We didn't know what had befallen you."
Legolas frowned. "I am not sure I know, either."
"But you are unhurt?" Aragorn pressed, appraising his friend for injuries. "Nothing is wrong?"
The Elf offered him a warm smile, touched by his friend's concern. "I am fine. Shall we be on our way?"
Aragorn didn't look too convinced, but shrugged and rose to his feet, holding out a hand. Legolas gladly accepted it , and was quickly pulled to a standing position. "Frodo, go find Ylana. Tell her Legolas is awake and that we are ready to move out."
The hobbit nodded, and headed off into the forest.
This caused another frown to steal across Legolas's face. "Where is Ylana? Why did she leave the Company?"
"We tried in vain to rouse you for several minutes after you collapsed. She then decided to patrol the surrounding area in case there are any Orcs nearby."
A few minutes? "Aragorn, how long have I been out?"
The Ranger turned to squint at the sun. With a start, Legolas realized that it was close to setting. But it had not yet reached its zenith when I last looked! "I'd say it's been a few hours."
Legolas blinked. "A few *hours*? That is impossible! I swear it could not have been more than a few minutes."
Aragorn turned back to him, his face once again a mask of concern. "I fear some sort of spell has taken a hold of you, mellon.(1) Saruman can cast them from his tower to anywhere in Middle-Earth. Or so Gandalf has said."
Legolas was still trying to come to terms with how what had seemed like only moments to him had, in reality, been hours. It couldn't have been, he thought. I'd swear it.
Aragorn reached out and placed a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "We *will* understand this," he said fiercely. "We will not let the evil wizard take you, Legolas. I promise."
Legolas smiled and reached out to clap Aragorn on the shoulder in the Elvish gesture of welcome. "I thank you, my friend. But do not promise such things, for I do not want you to be grieved if it is broken."
Aragorn opened his mouth to protest, but Legolas held up a hand for silence. "Saruman is powerful. You know this. If he wants something badly enough, nothing will stand in his way."
"Then I will die trying," the Man came back strongly. "You are my best friend, Legolas. You have been all my life. I will not let him take you without a fight."
Legolas felt a sting of tears in his eyes, touched deep down in his core by Aragorn's words. Without warning, he dropped to one knee and dipped his head. "I thank you from the deepest places of my heart," he said softly. "My old friend."
With a smile on his pink tinged face, Aragorn reached down and pulled the Elf to his feet. "I know you would do the same for me. Now, quit embarrassing me. Besides, I think our other Elf has returned."
Both men turned to see Frodo reenter the camp, followed by the dark-haired female Elf.
Aragorn nodded to her, winked at Legolas, then walked away, leaving the two together.
Ylana quickly checked him over much the same way Aragorn had earlier. Then her eyes met his and a smile touched her lips. "I trust you are feeling better, then?"
He also smiled. "Much, m'lady. Though I had no idea that there was anything wrong."
"We were very worried about you," she said softly. She paused, and a troubled look came into her eyes. "Was it Saruman?"
A frown touched the Elf prince's lips. "I am not sure. I heard a---a voice in my head. I have never come into contact with the White Wizard, so I would not recognize his voice."
"What did he say?"
Legolas told her everything that he remembered. What which was much, since it had only lasted a few, brief moments in his mind. Ylana's troubled look worsened as he continued.
"It must be Saruman. He is the only one I know of with that power. Not even Gandalf can do such." Another pause. "I can shield your mind from him, if you wish. It will be slightly painful, but Saruman will not be able to find you by your mind any longer."
Legolas nodded without hesitation. "I would appreciate it greatly, if it wouldn't be too much trouble for you. I do not wish for Saruman to be able to find and attack my friends through me."
Ylana smiled and shook her head. "Your loyalty is commendable, my liege. But I'm afraid it shall be the death of you. You will need to lie down for this."
Legolas eased himself onto the ground and lay back. "Then it will be a good death, indeed. If it means saving my friends, then I would gladly give up my life."
She was silent as she took a seat near the prince's head. "You will feel slight pricks every time I raise a shield. They shouldn't last long, but they will hurt. I'm sorry."
He smiled. "Do not be troubled on my account. I have learned to live with pain. And this is for a good cause."
Ylana nodded. "I'll try to make this as short as possible," she said softly , placing her hands inches from either side of Legolas's head.
Almost immediately, Legolas could feel the magick begin to work. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before. Every time he worked magick it felt...warm. Life-giving. This was cold, stinging. It seemed to invade every recess of his mind, including the ones that held things he wished to keep hidden away. It stripped him of his defenses that he had worked so hard to build, leaving him bare. 'So much pain, so much hurt...I'm so sorry, Legolas.'
'Ylana?' Just then, Legolas felt a sharp prick in the left side of his head. He squeezed his eyes shut as an involuntary hiss of pain escaped from between his lips. It feels as though I've been stabbed by a knife!
'I can't make it hurt any less,' came Ylana's apologetic voice. 'But your memories are protected now. Saruman cannot reach them, hurt you with them.'
'All of them?'
'Even the ones you wish you could forget.'
Another prick, this time in the back of his head, caused Legolas to bite back a cry. Be strong, he told himself firmly. It will be much worse than this if Saruman captures you. Will you give him the pleasure of hearing you scream? Will you give him what you denied your own brother?
Another stab, but Leolas hardly felt it. He was pushing himself to the back of his mind in order to escape the pain, back to the place he had gone during his brother's attack. My safe place...
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing in Rivendell. He smiled, recognizing the outdoor chamber in which the Council had been held. Where it had all began...
"Oh, Legolas."
He whirled in surprise at the sound of the voice, his hand automatically going for his bow. He began to panic as he grasped at nothing but empty air, then breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized Ylana. 'What are you doing here?" he demanded, suddenly angry that his haven had been breached. "I thought no one could find me here."
Ylana stepped forward, a look of sadness on her face. "Legolas..." she started, then stopped. She simply stared at him for a moment, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked, turning to stare out at the waterfalls and mountains that surrounded the Elf kingdom.
"For your hurt. The pain you've had to bear alone."
"So you chose to take a peek at my memories while you shielded them?" he asked. Though his words were spoken calmly, inside he felt as though he were about to be violently sick. Another betrayal...
"I did not violate your memories," she replied, still speaking softly. "I know not what it is you hide. Only you can share that. But I can feel your pain and hurt radiating even here. And you've pushed that hurtful memory to the back of your mind, which stands to reason that you haven't told anyone. Legolas... Please say something."
He continued to look out at the scenery, but he was seeing something much further away. He could not bring himself to face her. "If you had gone through what I did, you'd keep it a secret as well," he said shortly. He had come here seeking peace and solitude, not a girl he barely knew prying into his life. "If I could get away with telling someone, I would. Besides, I'm used to bearing things alone."
Ylana nodded. "I see," she said. Her voice was suddenly dull, cold, devoid of its usual emotion. "I am finished, Prince Greenleaf. For now, you must sleep. When you awaken, your mind shall be shielded."
Legolas started to turn to her, a sneering remark on his lips. Before he could, a roaring sound filled his ears and he went spiraling into darkness.
Aragorn eased himself onto the ground next to Ylana, who was staring out into the approaching night. "Would you like to free your mind of its burden?" he asked softly. "I have not seen such a troubled look on your face since the day the orcs attacked Rivendell."
The Elf smiled a little, but kept her eyes trained on the forest. "My troubles are my own shortcomings, Estel. If only I could keep out of other people's affairs and control my temper. You and Arwen have told me this many a time."
"Indeed we have, though it is often with good intentions that you do these things." He paused. "Was it Legolas?"
A sigh escaped her lips. "Aye. I found him somewhere in the back of his mind, in his safe place. In Rivendell." She shook her head. "I went to search for him because his mind was so full of pain and anger. I wept for him, Aragorn. I truly wept for him. When I went to him, I told him I was sorry that he had to suffer all that alone. I must have struck a nerve, for he went on the offensive. Then he accused me of having looked at his memories. I did no such thing. I swear on the graves of my family that I did not! But, though I tried to redeem myself, it was too late." She closed her eyes for a brief moment, then turned to look a t Aragorn. "Our bond has been tested. Come ere the morning, I will know if I still have a friend in Legolas."
Aragorn reached out to put a comforting hand on the Elf's shoulder. "Car al na hun caeleb," he whispered. "Legolas has given you the gift of his friendship. A gift he does not take lightly and gives rarely. Once he does, thought, he never takes it back. Your friendship may hang by a thread, but it will never be severed."
"I hope you are right..."
mellon-----friend Car al na hun caeleb----Do not be heart sick