An Elven
Tale
Disclaimer:
The most I own of LOTR is probably the DVDs, along with posters, folders etc…
thus trust me when I say I own nothing, I wouldn't be here if I did.
Warning: AU, major slash!
Once again, my deepest thanks to Silvertoekee and Shelly LeBlanc
~*
"…" – Speech
This – Thoughts
Chapter 5: West Calls
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Gandalf surveyed the remains of their rescuing battle; scattered were Orcs' bodies and their dirtied blood. It was all a sea of grey and muddy red, staining the fresh greens and browns of the trees and earth. Satisfied with the result, he allowed a small smile to grace his wise and tired face.
His eyes searched from one form to the next, counting the numbers, the casualties, and almost immediately he noticed two missing. The smile was quickly wiped off his face and replaced by a worried scowl. And he cursed lightly under his breath, tightening his grip on his staff.
Aragorn.
Legolas.
"Look for bodies of Aragorn and Legolas," he cried to those who stood oblivious, gloated in glory of their triumph. "One ranger and one elf. Alas, Middle Earth suffers without their aid."
There was a minute of confusion in which people stared at him with blank looks upon their faces, uncomprehending of his words. Till the anxiety which filled the air seemed to have a grip on them, and their eyes turned serious as the situation dawned. They scurried in many different directions, searching amongst the piles of dead orcs.
"A man and an elf!" Be it fate that worked against them or anything else, it was the dwarf Gimli who found the wounded, and the smirk he had across his face was most displeasing to Gandalf. "They're unconscious."
"Bless the Valar, let nothing fatal ail them." Gandalf whispered as he rushed to where Gimli stood, and caught sight of their bodies rather near each other, with Legolas's right hand on top of Aragorn's left. Even then, he had to smile at how the works of the Valar may be so subtle yet so meaningful even at the most perilous of times. They were hints that only he alone could understand, and were too ordinary and insignificant to another's eye.
"Tis Legolas's bow and arrow." Faramir came forth with the elf's weapons, his face shown great guilt. "Legolas handed me his weapons in hope of saving another man – Aragorn. Indeed I saw him attacking an orc aiming to kill a man on the ground, and was inflected with a shoulder wound. Orcs attacked me hence afterwards, thus it slipt my mind in such chaos. Forgive me, Mithrandir."
"Nay, speak not as such Faramir son of Denethor, you did naught wrong."
Gandalf knelt before Legolas, whose blood tarnished his green tunic rapidly. As gently as he could ever be, Gandalf lifted the clothing from where it was cut, almost cursing again upon seeing exactly how deep the wound was. He wouldn't be surprised if Legolas could not use that arm for many days. Had it been a mortal, the arm would have been useless, but the first-born acquire such strength and healing powers within their Eldar blood. And he knew under the right treatment the wound would leave naught but a scar.
"He has lost much blood." Gandalf announced quite unnecessarily, as it was obvious to even blind eyes. "That succumb him into darkness."
"And Aragorn?" a man stepped forward, looking towards his sire with immense worry that filled his wondrous hazel-green eyes. "He suffers also from an arrow wound the day we were captured, it never healed."
"And I understand why." Gimli the dwarf remarked with apparent disfavour of the Orcs' ways.
Gandalf moved to Aragorn's side, his expression turning even more grievous as he inspected the mortal's injuries. "Aye, you're right. The arrow wound is not the worry however, he was hurt by blade also, and it was tainted with poison. We must make for Imladris straight away, preferably by the third morn; else the wound will be dire indeed."
"Tis not easy Gandalf!" Boromir objected, feeling hopeless for his king. "The men are rid of their steeds, and with so many of us, we cannot make a swift trip as we did in pursuit."
"Aye, tis why I propose we must send a troop of our fastest riders ahead with Aragorn and Legolas."
"Surely you mean -" said Elladan.
"- Us." Elrohir finished. They exchanged a small grin at each other between their looks of anxiousness towards their half-brother and fair elven friend.
"The arrogance and confidence of elves." Gimli grumbled in distaste, keeping his voice low. Unfortunately, the twin's keen hearing caught his words.
"I would not speak such if I were you, master dwarf," Elladan's head was held high as he spoke, unfazed by Gimli's harsh tone and words, "If memory serves, for one who spoke much about being fearless as you had, you did manage to slow us even upon the backs of our steeds."
Patches of red coloured Gimli's face that was otherwise hidden beneath his thick mass of tangled hair. He muttered, "'It was because I had to rely on an elf."
"Indeed?" Elrohir's eyebrows rose in mock surprise, "Then fear not, we shall not bear you behind us ever again whilst we stand, if that be your wish."
"Aye, that sounds most pleasing." Gimli nodded, though feeling rather contrary despite himself. He was no horse-rider.
The stubbornness of dwarves and elves will lead Middle Earth into disarray one of these days. Gandalf thought as he lowered himself to the ground, and he took few herbs from his robes. Thanking the Valar that he was always a little prepared for emergencies as such, though it was definitely not enough, it was able to stop Legolas's profound bleeding. He gently pressed the herbs to Legolas's shoulder and it must've been painful, for Legolas's face cringed even though he was unconscious. Skilfully, he ripped strips of cloth from his robes, and tightly tied it to Legolas's and Aragorn's wounds to prevent infection.
"I did indeed mean the Peredhil twins," Gandalf remarked upon his finishing touches, breaking the glare exchanged between the dwarf and elves. "Go, make haste, your brother's life is in your hands."
The twins gave a brisk nod, their expressions turning solemn. Elladan whistled a tune most melodic to the ears, and upon his command their horses galloped towards them, one of black and the other white. They settled the ranger and elf first onto their horsebacks, giving them all the comfort that was able for their ride. Bidding a very fast farewell, they mounted their steeds and were gone within seconds.
~
Elrond observed his daughter from her chamber's door, reluctant to disturb. She looked peaceful, absorbed in a book that was in her hands as she lay on her bed. How could he shatter his very own daughter's wonderful reality? His ability of foresight was indeed too great a burden at times.
Shortly after Legolas's birth, he had foreseen into the future of Legolas's fate that intertwined with Aragorn. Elrond knew, long ago, that Legolas alongside Aragorn would become one significant character amongst the people and allegiances of the third age. Their memory would not wane or fade even as time passes and the world moved on. And they would be remembered by mortals and immortals alike as great warriors and saviours of their land. They had such a role in saving Middle Earth from destruction, and such a sacrifice to be made when the end comes, that Elrond had immediately wrote to Thranduil in hope of changing the future. Thus the many hundreds and thousands of years that followed, Thranduil had banned his son leaving Mirkwood under the claim of love and care. It was a nasty shock when Elrond beheld Legolas's form wherein his house, carrying a letter from Aragorn, out of all odds.
You can only foresee the future, Lord Elrond. You cannot change it.
He sighed, remembering the words of the white wizard, words which he had known but chose to ignore.
"Ada," Arwen's voice called to him, startling him from his reverie. "What troubles you so?"
"Arwen," Elrond took soft steps into the chamber, his face reflected not only of his usual solemness but also of sorrow. "Naro-nin, ield-nin, ceri-cin melo-Aragorn? (Tell me, my daughter, do you truly love Aragorn?)"
She did not so much as think before she replied, "Aye ada, with all my heart." Her voice was soft as a far-away look glazed over her eyes.
"Do I also have your love?" Elrond pressed.
"Of course Ada, you should not need to ask."
"Then Arwen, take this a plea from a loved one to you, leave now to Valinor upon the next ship that travels west."
"Ada, we've had such conversations before, had we not? I cannot leave Aragorn at this hour – you and I both know that Middle Earth stands now on the brink of destruction, he among it. I have given him a promise ada, and I have made my choice, I cannot waver."
"Nay Arwen, you do not understand." Elrond sighed, holding his daughter's hand in his own. "Aragorn's destiny is not yours, and nor are your fates entwined. I have seen into his future, his life and love belongs not to you but another. I do not deny I have tried to change it, but it was predestined by the Valar soon after Sauron came to power – I cannot alter what may come to be. Do not let your heart forsake you to your doom, Arwen, your light is waning. Leave for the west on the next ship and reside in the west as the Evenstar of our people. Your future is no longer in the mortal realm, no longer with Aragorn."
"Was it not his destiny to wed Undómiel, daughter of Peredhil half-elven? As the story of Luthien the fair and Beren?" She seemed confused.
"Nay, his fate lies with another of elven statue, and they are to save Middle Earth in this age."
"I do not understand. Whom do you speak?"
"Will you not leave to the west?" He did not answer her question.
"Ada…"
"There is nothing for you here." Elrond said, "There is only death."
"What of Hope?"
"There is no hope for you, Arwen. Reside to the west at my request; there you shall meet your true hope."
~
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TBC
WoOt! I don't know why, but I have a feeling whenever I read through my chapters again that it's really rushed, do you get it as well? =/ And apparently the site for poster didn't come through last time… oh well~ also, I realise in the last chap, before Aragorn saw the orc he heard someone call "careful". I did not say it again in Legolas' POV, but that person was meant to be Legolas. Just to clarify on that one. =]
Dammit, I realise that I've being running out of questions to ask… I suppose I will never succeed in mystery. But I racked my brain and I found like… two this time, so yeah:
. What did Gandalf mean when he said "Middle Earth suffers without their aid?"
. What would Arwen's choice be, given that Aragorn would be back in Rivendell rather hurt?
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Replies:
Lilimalinda – woot! A feedback from a talented writer, I'm honoured. Thanks! =]
Child of Magick – you're too good for my ego, sweetie :P I'm in love with Aragorn/Legolas also! They're too damn good, aren't they? *giggles*. Movie-wise, that is. Thanks very much for your much too kind feedback, you made me a happy, happy girl :)
Eithne – Wicked? *makes a face* I'm not wicked :P lol. Ok I'll think twice before I say that again… I have a thing for AU tales too, and glad to know about the thing in name department :P I swear I was truly stuck. Thanks a lot hun!!
Tol Morwen – Wee! Can I have some milk and cookies too? Hehe, you can hear my stomach grumbling, can't you? :P Thanks very much girl!!
Goldmund – again, you made my day, goldmund. Thanks very much for your words. ^^ You don't know how glad I am, really, to hear someone likes this story, as I highly doubted it would be up-to-standards to say the least. =]
T – Sorry, no AL in this chapter, but promised in the next! =] As for the destiny thing – I've always had a thing for those kind of fate stuff too. Must be too much movies that got to me. ^^ Thanks!
Jadesaber – No worries about his wounds :P I would not ever dare to let him go anywhere near death too soon, it would destroy my fun. Lol. Thanks heaps!
Legolas19 – don't deny it! :P I know you can, I've only started reading your Nin Estel story, I'm afraid I haven't yet finished (though the chapters are mighty short :P) but I'm enjoying it very much. Hope you found this chapter up to scratch. =]
Zlave – thanks! =]
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I know there is no AL in this chapter, and rather boring too in sense it is just a bring-over to the next chapter. AL will most definitely have moments to share in the next, I swear to it! =]