Chapter 19
Lizule knocked softly on Elladan's bedroom door. "Hello?" she whispered. "My Lord, are you there?" Lizule prayed that he was still in his chambers. If he wasn't, that meant he had gone down to meet his father and the rest of the army. She wanted to say good-bye, just in cause if it was her last time seeing him. She shook her head. He was going to survive this. She'd make sure of it somehow.
She knocked again, more insistent this time. "Please be there," she thought as she felt panic swelling up inside of her. "I need to talk to you."
"Come in, Lizule. Sorry I did not answer you sooner," Elladan said as he opened the door for her. "I was speaking with Glorfindel in my drawing room."
The Elf-maiden froze in half step. "What is he doing here?" she demanded. "Shouldn't he be down with Lord Elrond?"
"Glorfindel requested special permission from my father to come up here and "talk" with me. We have been having a splendid time."
"I'm sorry," Lizule said soothingly. "I didn't know."
"It's quite all right," he said, and he took her hand. "I want you to talk to Glorfindel. He has told me something happened last night that he can't explain. He has a feeling that it involves Gabriel wanting revenge on Legolas."
"What did Legolas ever do to him?" she asked in surprise as they headed to the drawing room. She could feel her insides closing up, but she was willing to do anything for her friend, even if she would have to face Glorfindel. Legolas's problems were much more significant than her petty affairs.
"I mean, I know they got in a fight over my feelings, and I will never forgive myself for it. By why would Gabriel want to get Legolas back? Just because Legolas beat him is no legitimate reason to seek revenge."
Elladan smirked. "You would be surprised."
He opened a handsome oak door and led her into the drawing room. Glorfindel was sitting in a wood chair, looking extremely enraged. Lizule gulped. She had a queasy feeling about this. Elladan offered her a sit across from the Elf-lord, and then he sat down next to her. For several mintues, they just stared at each other. Then, Elladan dared to break the silence.
"Glorfindel, will you please explain to me and Lizule, again, why you are so upset with Gabriel."
Glorfindel scowled, his fair face contorting in an unpleasant image. " Yesterday afternoon, he asked if he could use my little Elfling to run an errand. I wasn't too fond of letting him take her, for I worry about her safety all the time. Nevertheless, I let him have her with the promise that he would return her to me before night was over. He agreed, and then left with my Elf-girl in tow. I stayed up till it was starting to get light outside and he still had not returned. I finally fell asleep on my bed and then woke up early this morning. She was sitting in one of my many chairs by the fireplace and she was crying hysterically. I got up quickly and rushed over to her, asking her what was the matter. Through her many sobs, I was able to discern the words book, sword, revenge, hate, lie, Legolas, and switch. I didn't inquire her further because she was so upset. I sent her to her chambers and told her I would take care of it. I believe she is sleeping now."
Lizule's heart had skipped so many beats she was surprised she had not fallen over dead. His story gave her the chills. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms in a vain attempt to warm herself. Elladan seemed to be experiencing the same effect. He cleared his throat many times and then said,
"What do you think Gabriel did?"
Glorfindel shrugged half-heartedly and sighed. "I'm not sure. I do not think we should confront him about it, only because it might add fuel to the fire, if you understand what I mean. I believe the best thing to do is keep quiet, but I would hate to do that if it meant something very bad for Legolas. What do you think?"
"I don't have any plans either. I think you are probably right, Glorfindel. We should stay our tongues and just keep a sharp lookout over Legolas. It's the most logical thing to do."
The Elf-lord nodded. "You are making sense. I won't tell Lord Elrond, but I am going to try to get something out of my Elfling before we go off to attack. Then I might inform Legolas of whatever Gabriel had tried to do."
"Why did you come here in the first place?" Lizule said, her voice quavering. "Did I just say that?" she thought. Elladan and Glorfindel both wore expressions of shock. She bit her tongue and continued. "Why did you have to come tell Elladan, when you could have told someone else? You despise him, don't you?"
The golden-haired Elf was at loss for words. He didn't answer for a while. When he did, his voice was barely audible.
"I came to make a truce with him. I have been acting immature lately, and I have not acknowledged the feelings of others. That is why I am here. We just got on the topic of swords and I told him about what happened last night. That story was not my main purpose for being here," he added defensively.
"Oh." Lizule surely felt stupid now. It seemed that she had to give her opinion on everything nowadays. She would have to learn how to hold her tongue.
"I apologize." Lame, she had to admit, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. There was really noting more to say.
Elladan spoke to clear the uncomfortable silence. "I say we go downstairs and get prepared. The whole legion might have left us by now."
Glorfindel stood, his presence looming over Lizule like a foreboding shadow. "Let's go," he instructed, and Lizule found herself standing and following the He-Elves out of the room.
****
Legolas spoke soothingly to his Arodas as he caressed his skin. The stallion pawed the ground and snorted. He knew a battle was coming. The air was so tense it was difficult to breathe.
The Mirkwood Prince put the silver reins over the horse's head. He then mounted up on the excited stallion, holding him in check. Arodas moved only slightly underneath him. He was willing to obey his master.
Legolas looked around. Many Elves were saying good-bye to their families and hugging each other. Nostalgia overcame him and he closed his eyes, trying to imagine his home. He could still see the faint outline of the trees, the palace, and the many gardens. The tinier details had left his brain, though, and he could not conjure what the exact etchings were that were inscribed on the palace gate. Those memories had abandoned him.
He thought of Laurelin. She was probably out on a trail ride or at the palace performing some errand for his father. She was the princess, after all. She had duties to the people.
"Legolas?" He opened his eyes and saw Lizule was standing next to his restless stallion. "I came to say good luck."
The handsome Elf nodded. He couldn't speak for there was a huge knot forming in his throat.
Lizule seemed to understand and took his hand in hers. "You will win. Remember Haldir, Boromir, and King Theoden. Not only ride for them, but ride for the entire Elvish race." She smiled. "I am sure you already knew all that, and I am just reiterating it. But I want you to realize that all of us are with you. You have my faith and the faith of so many others." She gazed over at Gabriel, but when Legolas followed her stare, she looked away.
"May the Valar be with you, my friend." She kissed his hand, bowed, and walked away, leaving Legolas feeling queasy yet inspired. He took a deep breath and played with the dark mane of his beloved stallion.
Lord Elrond rode to the front of the group. His horse was pearly white, with the longest mane and tail Legolas had ever seen. The horse's eyes were an odd sky blue, and if you looked into them, it was like gazing in a clear pool of rainwater. The mighty Elf-lord sat stern and proud, yet a comforting smile was on his face. Legolas also noticed that Elrond had no armor on the horse, nor did he have any on himself.
"Well, at least he is giving the Orcs a fair chance," thought the Mirkwood Prince as he eyed Elrond's sword. "Then again, the odds are much more in his favor."
The rest of the troops were starting to get restless. Glorfindel was trotting around the army, trying to pull the troops together. No one was paying any attention to him. The horses were stamping their hooves and snorting. The riders were acting and feeling just the same. Hardly any of the army was capable of standing still.
A surge of adrenaline charged through the group when Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel took their place next to Lord Elrond. The Master of Rivendell's stallion reared up but he did not stir. He only withdrew his sword and pointed toward the horizon.
"To War! There will be no dawn for evil!" He cried and his mount took off. The rest of the legion followed, feeding on the words of encouragement from other Elves who were saying good-bye.
Arodas galloped freely, his dark mane whipping Legolas in the face. He only smiled and urged the stallion to go faster. He patted the hilt of his sword to make sure it was still there. It was. His grin broadened and he shook his blond hair in the wind. He couldn't help feeling cheerful. He was invincible, he was going to war, Lord Elrond said the Elves would win the battle, and soon, he would be heading home. He took a deep breath of the air and wrapped his fingers in Arodas's mane. He could feel the other horses pounding behind him, their hooves hardly touching the ground. In front of him, Glorfindel had taken his sword out of his sheath and was pointing it forward. A blinding light was coming from him and his stallion was shimmering. The atmosphere was intensified as Elrond gave a loud war cry and the entire legion responded. His horse jumped at least six feet in the air at the noise and whinnied, it's shrill voice arming the troop with wings. Elladan and Elrohir rode on either side of their father with their swords in their hands. The expression on their faces was sheer determination.
That was when Legolas realized there was no way they could not win. They were all invincible and they could NOT be overcome.
"I wish that Balrog could see us now," Legolas thought happily. "He would be running as fast as his legs could take him in the other direction."
Lizule knocked softly on Elladan's bedroom door. "Hello?" she whispered. "My Lord, are you there?" Lizule prayed that he was still in his chambers. If he wasn't, that meant he had gone down to meet his father and the rest of the army. She wanted to say good-bye, just in cause if it was her last time seeing him. She shook her head. He was going to survive this. She'd make sure of it somehow.
She knocked again, more insistent this time. "Please be there," she thought as she felt panic swelling up inside of her. "I need to talk to you."
"Come in, Lizule. Sorry I did not answer you sooner," Elladan said as he opened the door for her. "I was speaking with Glorfindel in my drawing room."
The Elf-maiden froze in half step. "What is he doing here?" she demanded. "Shouldn't he be down with Lord Elrond?"
"Glorfindel requested special permission from my father to come up here and "talk" with me. We have been having a splendid time."
"I'm sorry," Lizule said soothingly. "I didn't know."
"It's quite all right," he said, and he took her hand. "I want you to talk to Glorfindel. He has told me something happened last night that he can't explain. He has a feeling that it involves Gabriel wanting revenge on Legolas."
"What did Legolas ever do to him?" she asked in surprise as they headed to the drawing room. She could feel her insides closing up, but she was willing to do anything for her friend, even if she would have to face Glorfindel. Legolas's problems were much more significant than her petty affairs.
"I mean, I know they got in a fight over my feelings, and I will never forgive myself for it. By why would Gabriel want to get Legolas back? Just because Legolas beat him is no legitimate reason to seek revenge."
Elladan smirked. "You would be surprised."
He opened a handsome oak door and led her into the drawing room. Glorfindel was sitting in a wood chair, looking extremely enraged. Lizule gulped. She had a queasy feeling about this. Elladan offered her a sit across from the Elf-lord, and then he sat down next to her. For several mintues, they just stared at each other. Then, Elladan dared to break the silence.
"Glorfindel, will you please explain to me and Lizule, again, why you are so upset with Gabriel."
Glorfindel scowled, his fair face contorting in an unpleasant image. " Yesterday afternoon, he asked if he could use my little Elfling to run an errand. I wasn't too fond of letting him take her, for I worry about her safety all the time. Nevertheless, I let him have her with the promise that he would return her to me before night was over. He agreed, and then left with my Elf-girl in tow. I stayed up till it was starting to get light outside and he still had not returned. I finally fell asleep on my bed and then woke up early this morning. She was sitting in one of my many chairs by the fireplace and she was crying hysterically. I got up quickly and rushed over to her, asking her what was the matter. Through her many sobs, I was able to discern the words book, sword, revenge, hate, lie, Legolas, and switch. I didn't inquire her further because she was so upset. I sent her to her chambers and told her I would take care of it. I believe she is sleeping now."
Lizule's heart had skipped so many beats she was surprised she had not fallen over dead. His story gave her the chills. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms in a vain attempt to warm herself. Elladan seemed to be experiencing the same effect. He cleared his throat many times and then said,
"What do you think Gabriel did?"
Glorfindel shrugged half-heartedly and sighed. "I'm not sure. I do not think we should confront him about it, only because it might add fuel to the fire, if you understand what I mean. I believe the best thing to do is keep quiet, but I would hate to do that if it meant something very bad for Legolas. What do you think?"
"I don't have any plans either. I think you are probably right, Glorfindel. We should stay our tongues and just keep a sharp lookout over Legolas. It's the most logical thing to do."
The Elf-lord nodded. "You are making sense. I won't tell Lord Elrond, but I am going to try to get something out of my Elfling before we go off to attack. Then I might inform Legolas of whatever Gabriel had tried to do."
"Why did you come here in the first place?" Lizule said, her voice quavering. "Did I just say that?" she thought. Elladan and Glorfindel both wore expressions of shock. She bit her tongue and continued. "Why did you have to come tell Elladan, when you could have told someone else? You despise him, don't you?"
The golden-haired Elf was at loss for words. He didn't answer for a while. When he did, his voice was barely audible.
"I came to make a truce with him. I have been acting immature lately, and I have not acknowledged the feelings of others. That is why I am here. We just got on the topic of swords and I told him about what happened last night. That story was not my main purpose for being here," he added defensively.
"Oh." Lizule surely felt stupid now. It seemed that she had to give her opinion on everything nowadays. She would have to learn how to hold her tongue.
"I apologize." Lame, she had to admit, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. There was really noting more to say.
Elladan spoke to clear the uncomfortable silence. "I say we go downstairs and get prepared. The whole legion might have left us by now."
Glorfindel stood, his presence looming over Lizule like a foreboding shadow. "Let's go," he instructed, and Lizule found herself standing and following the He-Elves out of the room.
****
Legolas spoke soothingly to his Arodas as he caressed his skin. The stallion pawed the ground and snorted. He knew a battle was coming. The air was so tense it was difficult to breathe.
The Mirkwood Prince put the silver reins over the horse's head. He then mounted up on the excited stallion, holding him in check. Arodas moved only slightly underneath him. He was willing to obey his master.
Legolas looked around. Many Elves were saying good-bye to their families and hugging each other. Nostalgia overcame him and he closed his eyes, trying to imagine his home. He could still see the faint outline of the trees, the palace, and the many gardens. The tinier details had left his brain, though, and he could not conjure what the exact etchings were that were inscribed on the palace gate. Those memories had abandoned him.
He thought of Laurelin. She was probably out on a trail ride or at the palace performing some errand for his father. She was the princess, after all. She had duties to the people.
"Legolas?" He opened his eyes and saw Lizule was standing next to his restless stallion. "I came to say good luck."
The handsome Elf nodded. He couldn't speak for there was a huge knot forming in his throat.
Lizule seemed to understand and took his hand in hers. "You will win. Remember Haldir, Boromir, and King Theoden. Not only ride for them, but ride for the entire Elvish race." She smiled. "I am sure you already knew all that, and I am just reiterating it. But I want you to realize that all of us are with you. You have my faith and the faith of so many others." She gazed over at Gabriel, but when Legolas followed her stare, she looked away.
"May the Valar be with you, my friend." She kissed his hand, bowed, and walked away, leaving Legolas feeling queasy yet inspired. He took a deep breath and played with the dark mane of his beloved stallion.
Lord Elrond rode to the front of the group. His horse was pearly white, with the longest mane and tail Legolas had ever seen. The horse's eyes were an odd sky blue, and if you looked into them, it was like gazing in a clear pool of rainwater. The mighty Elf-lord sat stern and proud, yet a comforting smile was on his face. Legolas also noticed that Elrond had no armor on the horse, nor did he have any on himself.
"Well, at least he is giving the Orcs a fair chance," thought the Mirkwood Prince as he eyed Elrond's sword. "Then again, the odds are much more in his favor."
The rest of the troops were starting to get restless. Glorfindel was trotting around the army, trying to pull the troops together. No one was paying any attention to him. The horses were stamping their hooves and snorting. The riders were acting and feeling just the same. Hardly any of the army was capable of standing still.
A surge of adrenaline charged through the group when Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel took their place next to Lord Elrond. The Master of Rivendell's stallion reared up but he did not stir. He only withdrew his sword and pointed toward the horizon.
"To War! There will be no dawn for evil!" He cried and his mount took off. The rest of the legion followed, feeding on the words of encouragement from other Elves who were saying good-bye.
Arodas galloped freely, his dark mane whipping Legolas in the face. He only smiled and urged the stallion to go faster. He patted the hilt of his sword to make sure it was still there. It was. His grin broadened and he shook his blond hair in the wind. He couldn't help feeling cheerful. He was invincible, he was going to war, Lord Elrond said the Elves would win the battle, and soon, he would be heading home. He took a deep breath of the air and wrapped his fingers in Arodas's mane. He could feel the other horses pounding behind him, their hooves hardly touching the ground. In front of him, Glorfindel had taken his sword out of his sheath and was pointing it forward. A blinding light was coming from him and his stallion was shimmering. The atmosphere was intensified as Elrond gave a loud war cry and the entire legion responded. His horse jumped at least six feet in the air at the noise and whinnied, it's shrill voice arming the troop with wings. Elladan and Elrohir rode on either side of their father with their swords in their hands. The expression on their faces was sheer determination.
That was when Legolas realized there was no way they could not win. They were all invincible and they could NOT be overcome.
"I wish that Balrog could see us now," Legolas thought happily. "He would be running as fast as his legs could take him in the other direction."