The Needed One

by Sherbat

After the destruction of the One Ring, the fellowship go on a trip to Mirkwood. On the way they get pounced on by smelly Orcses. Aragorn is badly injured. Help is near. They go to Rivendell, where help and chaos ensues as well as humour and naughty Elves!

1. The Needed One

Disclaimer: all characters are Tolkiens. All but one.

A/N: Alixuss (the defender of men) who deals in healing/magic/wizardry/spells/deciding. When he is called upon to help heal warriors, the dying and intriguing ill, he must decide there and then whether or not it is their time to pass on or whether they have another chance. He is also a warrior and specialises in Archery and Swordsmanship.
"…" Speaking common.
'…' Thinking.
::…:: in Elven.
//Flashbacks//




The Needed One.


As the Fellowship trudged through a deep, murky horrendous smelling swamp, Legolas sighed. The trees were depressed, they did not want to sing of joy and happiness, they simply moaned and cried in despair. Legolas shook his head and carried on trudging through the sludge, the smell making him feel nauseous. He could hear quiet heaving from behind him, indicating that the Hobbits were trying their hardest not to vomit. Gimli was muttering things about the swamp and about how cold it was. Yes, it was subsequently cold for a swamp; it felt like walking through a lake on the brink of freezing. Aragorn was unusually quiet, 'probably trying to focus on warmer times', Legolas thought. The Elf was conscious to the fact that his knees and feet were gradually going numb, soon they would give out. He stopped and turned carefully, facing the Fellowship.

"My fellow companions, we need to get out of here fast, I fear that you may come down with some nasty illness from this cold water. Nay, not cold, freezing water. I will not see that happen, I will see to it that you all warm up because I am immune to the illness you may contract. Over there," Legolas pointed to a part of the swamp that joined to a bank, leading to solid ground, "we can set up camp and I will keep watch. Everyone agreed?" his teeth began to chatter from the loss of walking, it had kept him warm somewhat, 'this swamp must be beyond freezing, even I can feel the coldness and I'm not supposed to!' his mind screamed at him to get out of the water. He looked to the Fellowship who were all eagerly nodding in approval.

"Be quick about the moving part will you Elf?! My legs don't want to carry on, and they won't if we stand still for much longer." Sam was clearly annoyed, much to Pippin's amusement. Legolas nodded and began to lead them all towards the mossy bank. A small cry from behind him caused him to turn around abruptly, he caught a glimpse of Merry's hair as it disappeared under the cold, disgusting water. He moved swiftly through the water to the Hobbit and pulled him out, the other carried on as if nothing was going on.

"Merry? My little friend, are you ok?" The small Hobbit coughed and nodded while wiping sludge out of his eyes. The Elf smiled and lifted Merry up onto his back and made his way back towards the bank where the other Fellowship members had settled. They had not even acknowledged that Merry had nearly drowned, had it not been for Legolas' hypersensitive hearing he would have done. As Legolas reached the bank, he slowly lowered Merry to the floor and helped the little one to walk over to Pippin. Once the Hobbits were settled in a small huddle and merrily chattering away, Legolas decided to sit up the closest tree to keep watch. As he swiftly flew up the tree and seated himself on a thick branch, he glanced down at the other two. Aragorn sat on a rock by the small fire he had ignited, sharpening his sword with a smooth stone. The dwarf took it upon himself to lean against a grassy mound, surveying the area whilst resting. Legolas leaned into the tree's embrace and sighed contempt. He was annoyed that they had come across this stupid swamp in the first place. It came out of nowhere, one minute they were walking along a grassy bank and the next they were all piled in a heap in this dingy swamp. They had obviously fallen off the ledge without knowing so.

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The Elf must have been up the tree for hours as it had gone dark while he blatantly gazed around, no signs of danger anywhere. Legolas let his mind wander to his early days in Mirkwood, his first ever friend.




//The young prince walked through the courtyards of the palace, musing about the splendid water features that were speared around the gardens. He had just finished a wonderful feast with his father and brothers, taking about new upcoming to Mirkwood. Legolas walked around for what seemed like hours but in fact was minutes when he heard the horns sound, indicating the arrival of someone important. He turned on his heels and walked back to the palace, through the gates and to the great hall to greet their guest.

As the young prince rounded the corner to the great hall, he could hear two voices, one that of his father and the other of, whom he thought to be the guest, another male. He walked through the huge doors and bowed to their guest, not even seeing whom it was. The foreign voice made a slight noise, that of when you smile and sigh. Legolas lifted his head and was caught off guard when he looked directly into those of the other, another Elf. One he had not seen before, nor heard of in that matter. His father was smiling at his son, eyes beaming. The Elf in front of him was elegantly dressed. He wore a cream coloured tunic with what Legolas could just make out, a vine pattern decorated across the shoulders and along the hem of the tunic in gold lace. No doubt that this was made of Elven silk. The neck of the tunic rose high, stopping an inch under the Elf's chin, the fastenings were very formal, rounded buttons. The tunic went as far as the Elf's thighs, meeting with a pair of dark green formal trousers. They met with a pair of black boots at the foot of the Elf. Over this he wore a long hooded cloak that dragged along the floor, a single leaven broach to fasten it up at the neck. The cloak was dark; Legolas was unable to make out whether it were dark green or black. He had the Elven features, long hair although this Elf had rather unusual hair, it was a dark red, mahogany if you like and bright, emerald green eyes. Legolas was intrigued as to why this Elf was so…unusual. It was an extremely rare thing to be an Elf with hair that wasn't brunette or blond and for it too be as long as it was at such a young age. Who was this creature? What was its origin? The young prince was very curious.

"Legolas? Would you accompany me and Mr?" his father looked from his son to the Elf next to him and raised his eyebrow in questioning. Legolas looked at his father and then back at the Elf.

"Oh, I must have forgotten to introduce myself. Please forgive my rudeness your royal highnesses," the Elf before them bowed before standing straight once more, "My name is Alixuss." He smiled at the King and then at the younger one. Legolas was really quite shocked; this Elf's name was 'The Defender Of Men'. His voice was not deep and low; it was like his own, but somewhat more gentle and calming. His father smiled and nodded, as did Legolas.

"Come…we shall sit in the gardens and talk about why you were sent to Mirkwood." Thranduil walked towards his son and laid his hand upon his shoulder.

"Are you going to come with us? Or would you rather go and Arch?" his fathers eyes were not asking him, they were simply wanting him to go with them. The prince nodded and followed his father. He slowed down a little so he could walk behind the Elf; his cloak was flowing behind him with ease. Soon enough, all three were seated on an ivory bench in the gardens, silent until Thranduil spoke.

"Now, Alixuss, I shall ask questions and I want nothing more and nothing less than the truth. If they are too personal, I shall not push you to answer them." The King spoke with kindness as he spoke to the Elf in between himself and his son.

"That is quite alright, I'm sure. I shall answer with all honesty, please, ask away," he turned to face Legolas and looked deep into his eyes, "Both of you." The Elven prince felt calmer and less anxious. Alixuss knew, somehow, that the prince was nervous and so he should be, Alixuss wasn't normal. He was an Elf yes, but what he really was, was unnatural. The Elf smiled knowingly and faced forward, not facing either Elf, both ears listening to each. Legolas could see reassurance in those green eyes, and as his after thought of his first question; he saw the Elf's ears adjust to them, moving around. If Legolas' own did not do that, he would have laughed.

"Thank you. Now, how did you come to be here in Mirkwood?" Alixuss smiled, as if knowing it would be the first question and answered right away.

"Ay, I came to be here by a summoning your highness." Both royals' jaws dropped. A summoning? How?!

"I beg your pardon?" Legolas spat, feeling very embarrassed that he had done so. The Elf sat there still, facing forward as a small smile crept upon his lips.

"I am sorry my lords, I see it was a shock. The great wizard Gandalf was in Mirkwood a few weeks ago, am I correct?" Thranduil nodded, still in shock be ever more curious. Legolas nodded too.

"Did he not tell you about me?" Legolas sighed and thought hard, as did his father and yes, Gandalf has mentioned that name before but he thought he was telling them about a warrior, using 'Alixuss' as a shorter term for it. He never thought it to be a name of someone.

"Ay, he did. I did not think he meant someone, I thought he was using the name a shorter term for explaining someone who was a defender. Although, he did mention magic." Thranduil spoke in solitude, gazing forward as if he was still contemplating his thoughts still.

"Magic? Ay, then he was definitely speaking of myself. You see, I am an Elf. I am not a normal Elf, if you wish. I am a healer, I do not use the ever more used healing routine, I use magic, spells, wizardry as my healing techniques. You may have heard of 'The Decider' in many tales, am I correct?" Legolas was in shock; this Elf was not normal at all. He was in the arts of wizardry, magic, spell and healing. What next?!

"Yes, I have heard of 'The Decider'. The one who decides whether or not, as they see you wounded, die or whether you survive and live to tell the tale. A second chance. The one who takes your life as it be." The King smiled when the Elf nodded.

"I am the decider my lords. I am one of the most respected Elves in the whole of Middle-Earth. They fear me yet they need me. I am the needed one in this world, if I die, which I am immune to, there will be death everywhere. Chaos would break out; illness and disease would conquer the Elven worlds. I am the one stopping that from happening. I am the Defender of Men, the Protector Of Elves and the Carer for Hobbits and Dwarves. Not many know of me, only the royals and most respected of creatures such as yourself, now, Lord Elrond, Gandalf, Lord Glorfindel, Lady Galadriel and such other Kings and powerful ones. I am not here because I am simply passing through, I was summoned here by Gandalf, he tells me of great despair here in Mirkwood and that you wish to be rid of it, am I correct?" the Elf was surreal. A protector? A defender? A carer? Immune to death? Magical? Legolas' head swam with questions he did not want to ask. His father was smiling at Alixuss and shook his hand.

"Correct. But, what are you going to do?" the Elf simply cleared his throat and stood, walking over to the centre of the small green area in front of the two royals, his shed his cloak that fell silently to the ground. The Elf looked like a dream, a slight light shining about him, his hair pooling to the centre of his back. He turned around and closed his eyes, spread his left arm out and snapped his fingers causing a staff to appear. He brought it to stand in front of him, both arms extended as he held it, hands firmly locked around the wooden staff.

Legolas and his father both watched with inquisitive eyes as the Elf started a chant. The breeze began to pick up rapidly and the Elf's hair blew behind him as he spread his legs, standing firm.

::Amin last en tuuur o golwen an anno amin tuuur amin garo delio amin nuuur. Rado teli en hin eledh, hain o en morth o um en morth. Amin tur baur ihaden naeg, negro en dofn bruuun dan en morth dofn:: the wind howled as a blue aura around Alixuss changed to that of bright green.

:: Amin last en dofn o marth an kwess hain nin!:: with that the ground shuddered and a black ball flew out of the sky and hovered above the Elf. :: Lle al naeg anann main koth; lle us teli bod. Amin eg lle ui uir. En tuuur o Valar, lle tur al uir! Us lle!:: the tip of the staff shone light a beckon, a blinding red light emerged from it. Alixuss swung the staff and turned, faced it up and yelled as loud as he could ::Amin al lle diiin:: the ball of light turned into a wave as it exploded, sending shock waves across the whole of Mirkwood and the black ball disintegrated before Legolas and his fathers very eyes. The sound that erupted from the staff was a low bellow, a rumble. As soon as it had begun, the forceful wind stopped, the shadow that covered Mirkwood was gone and everything seemed to be much brighter.

Alixuss replaced the staff in front of him and opened his eyes, held the staff in his right hand and threw it up, disappearing in a flash of green light. The Elf grinned at the shocked Elves before him and casually walked back over to them, picking up his cloak as he did so, and sat back down between them.

"That is what I intended to do about it my Lords. I hope your kin live in peace from now on as I have banished all evil from here." Alixuss stood and bowed before turning to leave. Legolas stood up quickly, standing in front of him and gaping at him.

"You expect us to let you leave after what you've done for us?! That was amazing, I have never seen such…magic before. I am sure that my father would agree to my proposal. Will you stay in Mirkwood for the night? Here, in the palace?" Legolas looked from his father to the Elf who in turn nodded.

"It would please me greatly prince." He said with a genuinely friendly smile. Thranduil stood and, catching Alixuss off guard, pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I cannot thank you enough, my Lord. If anything is to happen in the future that I cannot, nor any other great Elf or Wizard can, defeat, how do I send for you?" The King smiled at the beaming Elf,

"Well, you need not send for me your highness, all you need to do is close your eyes, and as if praying or begging, say my name. Alixuss. And I will be there within seconds, that is how you summon me my Lords. Now, I do not wish to seem rude or very forward but my stomach is protesting against my will for not eating." All three of them laughed as the sound of a stomach grumble was heard causing Alixuss to blush.

"Ay, I am feeling a little parched from what I just saw. Please, come." Thranduil motioned for Legolas and Alixuss to follow him inside. Legolas looked at Alixuss, wondering how old he was.

"I am your age my Lord, 2500 years old. Don't look so shocked, I can hear thoughts you know." The Elf smiled warmly as they walked through the main doors. Legolas grinned and mentally screamed 'oh my!' causing Alixuss to laugh.

From that day, the pair had become very close friends. Alixuss would visit when he felt or when he knew Legolas was lonely. They practiced Archery together, sparing and spoke about loads of things. Gradually Legolas came to understand everything about this immortal magical being and felt genuinely honoured to have him as a friend.//





Legolas smiled to himself as he thought of his friend and wondered where he was right now. A sudden screech drew Legolas back from his daydream and he looked below him. Orcs. They had been jumped, 'I must do something!', Legolas' mind was yelling at him. He drew his bow and an arrow, aimed it at an Orc head and shot one after the other down through the canopy. Swiftly, the Elf jumped out of the tree and began to swing his daggers at the offending beasts. Aragorn had been caught off guard as he was asleep, as had Gimli. Both were soon fighting with rage, Gimli brandishing his axe as Aragorn slashed his way through the horrid Orcs, blood splattering his already swamp encrusted clothes. Legolas shot one last Arrow, piercing right through the chest of the last Orc. The three stood there for a while, awaiting new attacks. Gimli fell to the floor in a heap, gasping for air, he was exhausted enough as it was and now, after fighting that lot, he was in dire need of sleep. Aragorn to, fell to the floor but not in exhaustion but in terrible pain. Legolas looked around for the Hobbits, spotting them hiding under the tree roots in the swamp water. He motioned his head for them to come out now they were safe.

"They are no more, you can come out now." He said and surely enough, the small half-lings emerged; now even more coated in swamp murk than before. As amusing as it was, Legolas did not laugh because the noises coming from Aragorn were disturbing. He slowly walked over the moaning figure and knelt beside him, studying him carefully.

"My Lord, whatever is wrong?" he asked, only getting a low groan of pain in response. Legolas was confused. He rolled Aragorn onto his back and started a search for wounds or any sort, if he had one; he was in a difficult position because they did not have any wound dressings that were dry and sterile, nor did the Elf know how to heal. Slowly he took off the man's armour and tunic, gasping at the size of the wound on his chest and one of his lower abdomen. He had been slashed and stabbed, the gashes were deep. Legolas began to panic, 'what am I going to do?!' the man groaned yet again, his movement causing blood to leak rapidly from his chest. His breathing was slow short gasps, his skin paling fast and his eyes duller. 'I can only think of one thing, or Elf. I hope this works.' Legolas had no other choices, either let him die or summon his friend. He had never done it before and only hoped this worked.

"Aragorn, do not move. I will get help." Legolas stood to leave; a small whimper stopped him from moving.

"You cannot leave us." The man chocked out, blood trickling from his mouth.

"I am not going anywhere. I am calling upon my friend, the one I told you about, Alixuss." The man only nodded before he fell unconscious causing the Elf to shake. Quickly Legolas moved to the swamp's edge, his movements silently being watched by the Hobbits. He raised his hands to his lips, entwined them and placed both his index fingers against his lips and closed his eyes, begging more than praying.

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Translations: Amin last en tuuur o golwen an anno amin tuuur amin garo delio amin nuuur. Rado teli en hin eledh, hain o en morth o um en morth. Amin tur baur ihaden naeg, negro en dofn bruuun dan en morth dofn - I seek the power of wisdom to grant me (this) power I console within my depths. Make (it) come (forth) and (help) these Elves, (to rid) them of the misery of evilness and darkness. I shall undo all hurt, pain and gloom that (has been) forced upon (by) the evil forces

Amin last en dofn o marth an kwess hain nin - I call (upon) the forces of evil to show them(selves) (to) me

Lle al naeg anann main koth; lle us teli bod. Amin eg lle ui uir. En tuuur o Valar, lle tur al uir! Us lle! - You (will) not hurt (any longer) my enemy; you (will) leave (and) never return. I banish you for eternity. (By) the power of Valar, you shall not return! Away (with) you!

Amin al lle diiin - I shall not (let) you pass!