Chapter Two
A Garden of Shadows
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot.
A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I'm so sorry about the late update, I really am! Before, I was just so busy with school and afterwards, I went on vacation to Hawaii for a week so there was no chance I could write then. And to top it all off, I had no idea what to write next.
Thank you for reading!
Shadows curled about the garden, the flowers black and the sun dull. The trees swayed dangerously as a wretched wind whipped by. She touched the lifeless buds and shriveled blossoms, scattered about on the ground.
The day was chilly and foreboding and every sound echoed in the still silence. Heavy footfalls trembled the earth and pierced the air.
Her heart leapt in her chest and she tensed in caution. The silence lingered and she breathed again. The eerie gloom was creeping into her mind. She fooled herself into believing the footfalls were only the wind, playing with her heard.
She whirled around slowly to return to the caves. Her eyes filled with horror.
A chilling scream echoed in the forests.
Drops of cold sweat dripped from his face. Legolas gasped and strained for breath. The blood dripping into the gardens, staining the pure flowers. Her pale face draining of life and beauty…
His mother faced her downfall that day. And the scream aroused them and they ran to the gardens. She was gone and the fresh smell of blood cursed the garden. The sun darkened and shadows were cast upon the red flowers. The trees stood still and silent. The garden of shadows…
Legolas closed his eyes to rid himself of the memory but the haunting scream pierced his ears. Men… The brutal murder of Men. It took Legolas long to trust Aragorn because of his mother's death. And he thirsted for vengeance and wondered who killed her. Who could kill an Elf so pure and beautiful? Heartless, cruel creatures of the earth…
The sun shone through his window, proclaiming a new day. Imladris greeted him with the morning song of birds and its fresh breeze, rustling the trees. Dew dripped from the blades of grass and flowers glowed with their splendor.
Legolas wondered why the world smiled when his mother was lost.
Aragorn wandered among the flowers, pondering. The lost heir of Isildir… The lost king of Gondor… He was unsure of himself--of his ability to lead his people. Could he do it?
He touched a flower gently and quickly tugged on it. He smoothed its petals flat in his hand and dropped it. He drew a deep sigh and remembered Legolas's determination to find the murderer of his mother.
If he left Imladris for a while… Run away from his worries…
He sighed again and debated with himself. Should he? Would he? It was foolish and yet, his heart called out to him.
He left the gardens to seek Legolas. He nodded at a group of Elf maidens passing, clutching baskets of laundry. They smiled and entered the House. He followed, walking down the corridors, greeting advisors as they passed.
"Erestor! How do you fare this morning?" Aragorn asked the Elf passing by.
"Well, thank you," Erestor replied shortly.
"Have you seen Legolas?" Aragorn said quickly.
"No, but perhaps he seeks privacy in his chambers," Erestor answered carelessly. "Namarie." He brushed past Aragorn.
"Namarie," he said slowly. "His chambers? At this hour?" Aragorn shrugged and followed Erestor's advice. He rapped his knuckles on the door. "Legolas? Legolas?"
The door opened and Legolas stared carefully at him. "I'm an Elf. I can hear your footfalls outside," he said.
"Ah! My apologies for underestimating your delicate ears," Aragorn said jokingly. Legolas cracked a smile, and then his face turned dark.
"I have made my decision," Aragorn said quickly. "I will go with you." Legolas remained silent.
"Shall we depart tomorrow at dawn?" he asked. The Elf prince nodded.
"Yes," he said. "We shall. Where will we go?"
"Mirkwood," Aragorn said. "We start there. Where did she die?"
"In the garden of shadows," Legolas said darkly. "The flowers are stained with her blood." Aragorn stared at his friend.
"The garden of shadows?" he asked curiously. "What is this 'garden of shadows'?"
"Her favorite garden where she died. Her blood stained the earth and the flowers. Shadows fell upon the place. We all fear the place," Legolas said impassive.
Shivers ran down Aragorn's spine. "Dark and foreboding," the Elf continued. "No light can pierce its shadows." Legolas stared at Aragorn with blank eyes. "Wild and untamed…"
"I do not fear this garden. Neither should you," Aragorn said determined. "We enter it and see what we find."
"I dare not," Legolas said. "I would rather not, at least." He sighed and consented with a curt nod. "It haunts me in my dreams," he whispered.
"Let it haunt you no more, my friend," Aragorn said placing a hand on Legolas's shoulder.
Legolas could hear the scream echo in his ears once again.
A/N: Hmm… Very dark. I know it's not extremely long but I tired and this is a perfect place to stop! On to Mirkwood!
Please review! Thanks!