For a few moments after his son had finished talking, Thranduil remained
silent. He rested his chin thoughtfully on his fingers and closed his
eyes. When he opened them again he looked his son in the eye.
"It is a larger undertaking than you may think." He said finally. "I have heard the legends of old, about bringing back a departed elf who sacrificed their immortality. I do not suppose the Lady of the woods thought it correct to tell you the other legends surrounding this one?"
"I'm sure if she had known anything to tell, Lady Galadriel would have told it." Anánia said defensively, not liking the way Thranduil spoke of Galadriel.
"My dear girl, do not take offence." Thranduil said kindly, smiling at her. "I was not criticising Lady Galadriel. I was merely pondering her motives." Anánia didn't quite look convinced. Legolas patted her hand gently under the table, and left his hand on hers for her moment or two before moving it away.
"Do you mean that there is more that she hasn't told us?" Frodo asked. Thranduil nodded.
"Perhaps legend slowly turns to myth, and myth to mere children's tales." He replied carelessly. "Who can say? And yet I do know this much. Once, long ago, this quest was tried. A young elven man had died, after sacrificing his immortality and marrying a human woman. She found out about this legend and apparently tried to complete it, as you are doing now. Except that she got the riddle wrong, her answers were incorrect or given in the wrong order, I do not remember the legend in its entirety.
It is said that she, and all those who tried to help her bring her husband back, never returned. The gods did not grant them mercy. Legend has it years later the bleaching bones of nine bodies were found in a cave on the misty mountains. It is believed that when the enchantment did not go right, it backfired, killing all those involved." Thranduil paused and looked at those around him. "Are you now so willing to continue on this quest my friends?" He asked. "My son?"
No one dared meet Aragorn's eye. The idea of them failing had never crossed any of their minds. Now they thought long and hard about what they were doing, and on everyone's mind was one thought. What if it goes wrong?
"It is for you all to decide." Thranduil sighed, standing up solemnly. "But I would urge you not to condemn anyone who backs out now. Let any man, or woman," He said, his eyes falling again on Anánia, "Choose their own path uninfluenced by others. For when you are talking about someone's life, the decision must be unanimous."
He walked around the table, looking at each of the eight sitting there. Eldarion slept, blissfully unaware of the problems arising, in Aragorn's arms. Thranduil nodded to them, invited them to join him for dinner later that evening, and left, shutting the great double doors behind him. Astor let out a sigh.
"A bearer of good news!" He said sarcastically.
Aragorn drew a deep breath and spoke. "I do not expect any of you to go through with this foolery." He said, with obvious effort but also sincerity. "If your lives are so at risk, I cannot sentence you to possible death."
"We can sentence ourselves Aragorn." Gandalf stood up and addressed them. "It is a question of faith. Do you have faith in the solutions we have come across? Do you believe my counsel to be correct? Do you trust in the Lady of Lothlorien and her judgement?" He looked at each of those seated there.
"I do." Gimli said, standing on his chair. "I do not believe Galadriel would deliberately lead us to our doom. I give you my word Gandalf, I shall keep my part of the bond."
"And I mine." Legolas said. "I shall heed my father's warning, but not be stopped by it."
"What of you hobbits?" Gandalf asked. "Frodo and Sam, this affects you directly. But Merry and Pippin, unless you give the soil from The Shire with Sam you are not bound to this riddle."
"I give the gift with Sam." Merry said. "If Sam elects to continue, then so shall I."
Merry nodded. "Besides, life would be no fun without Sam and Frodo around!" He protested. "I would rather die with them then be left in the world without them!"
"So the path of these faithful hobbits falls to you two." Gandalf said to Sam and Frodo.
"I shall still follow Mister Frodo wherever he may go." Sam said vehemently.
"Then it falls to me." Frodo said quietly. "The lives of three of my friends, four including Arwen. And the happiness of one of my best friends." He said, looking at Aragorn. He swallowed before speaking. "I shall go." He agreed.
Gandalf looked to Anánia and Astor. "We shall not expect you to come." He said kindly. "You never knew Arwen, and this matter truly does not concern you."
Anánia looked around at the others. She was paler than usual and she had to swallow hard a few times before speaking in a voice not quite her own. "Eldarion deserves a mother." She said quietly. "As his carer I swore to go with him anywhere. If he is bound for the Grey Mountains then I am too." She tried to continue, but shook her head and looked down. Gandalf regarded her kindly for a few moments before turning to Astor.
"Astor of Avion, you whom we have barely known a few days." He said. "We shall not be disappointed if you do not come, you may stay here in safety."
Astor looked at them before frowning. "Of course I'm coming!" He said. "Stay here and miss out on all the fun? You all saved my life, now it is time I repaid my debt. Besides, I have to have some kind of adventure to tell for when I return to Avion!"
All seemed to be agreed and smiled, but Aragorn suddenly looked downcast. "The vote is not unanimous." He sighed. "Eldarion can not vote, for he is too young to understand, and I will not make the decision for him."
They all looked to Gandalf for inspiration, but it appeared that he had none. It was then that Legolas spoke bravely and boldly. "I must now become the voice of reason." He said. "A child as young as Eldarion can have little knowledge of the passing of time, and none of the concept of death. Should we fail, Eldarion will merely go to a better place and not even know it, for he is so young. If we succeed then he shall have his mother back." He looked around at them. "Eldarion's vote shall be taken in advance, for if he is half the man his father is he shall regret having not tried to save his mother when he is older and hears of this story."
"Well spoken." Gimli said. "Indeed, it would appear that if we do not try to help Arwen, we should condemn Eldarion to a life of blaming himself for his mother's death."
"It was not his fault." Aragorn said, and they all looked at him in surprise. This was the first time Aragorn had excused Eldarion of what he had accused him of, murdering Arwen. "And I realise this now. But self- guilt is a hard thing to be rid of, and I know he shall feel it when he matures."
"Then we are agreed?" Gandalf asked. They all nodded slowly. Gandalf sat down and said no more. For a while they sat in silence, then Legolas stood up and addressed them.
"You must be tired my friends." He said. "I will call some servants to take you to your rooms. You shall be washed and clothed in the finest cloth Mirkwood has to offer, and tonight you shall dine like you have not dined before! A feast to be held this night in your honour!" He left to give out the orders. They sat in silence until elves came in to take them away. A nursemaid took Eldarion, and Aragorn and Anánia were suddenly too overcome with exhaustion to worry that he would be in safe hands. And deep in their hearts they knew that he would anyway.
AN – oh, more danger. The travellers could all die if they get the puzzle wrong! Oh, wouldn't you all absolutely hate me if I killed them all...(evil laugh) La la la, I wouldn't kill them all really...or would I? (Evil music)
Oh and by the way, in the last chapter I said that Aragorn was Arwen's wife. I totally did not mean that, it was just a slip of the fingers when I was typing. I was not in any way questioning Aragorn's or Viggo Mortisens sexuality, believe me, no one could ever question that he was all man! My apologies to you all!
Response to reviewers
Terreis – I didn't know Legolas and Thranduil had a troubled past, or is that just a popular fan fiction story line? Anyway, glad you liked it!
Alasse – yeah, I hate Legolas worshipper too, but they are so easy to write about. I would class myself as more of an Orlando Bloom worshipper, swoon! Anyway, thanks for yet another review!
Lilwhitelighter – thank you, I'm glad you liked my description of Mirkwood. It's how I imagine it anyway!
Ciel Undomiel – thanks for pointing out the error, good luck with the project!
Queen Arwen – finishing soon is a problem, I reckon I will be finished 10 chapters from now, if I get out two to three chappies a week I should be done in four weeks...by then the nominations will probably be over...oh well, as long as I still have all my lovely reviewers! (Hugs to you all)
Ringmarciel – I thought Gandalf was pretty much the only character to ride the eagles, and I was right! (Dances in a circle at the fact that she is right for one!) woohoo, keep reviewing, another loyal reviewer!
Cerridwen – here is the hidden danger, not much danger though. I'm bad at writing tension though, cry your eyes out angst is more my style, or really sloppy and slushy love that gets tainted, I'm so happy, aren't I?
Don't feel like signing in – (I can never be bothered to sign in either), but who are you? What other stories of mine have you read? Anyway, thanks for your review! And thanks for pointing out that error too!
The True Evenstar – glad you like it still; you aren't getting bored of this story yet, are you?
Rose – you are welcome, hope you liked this chapter too!
Crazy-haldir-fancier – wow, your review was so nice. And Haldir is lovely, but I couldn't work into this story much I'm afraid. Your review really made me smile, thank you for brightening my day too!
"It is a larger undertaking than you may think." He said finally. "I have heard the legends of old, about bringing back a departed elf who sacrificed their immortality. I do not suppose the Lady of the woods thought it correct to tell you the other legends surrounding this one?"
"I'm sure if she had known anything to tell, Lady Galadriel would have told it." Anánia said defensively, not liking the way Thranduil spoke of Galadriel.
"My dear girl, do not take offence." Thranduil said kindly, smiling at her. "I was not criticising Lady Galadriel. I was merely pondering her motives." Anánia didn't quite look convinced. Legolas patted her hand gently under the table, and left his hand on hers for her moment or two before moving it away.
"Do you mean that there is more that she hasn't told us?" Frodo asked. Thranduil nodded.
"Perhaps legend slowly turns to myth, and myth to mere children's tales." He replied carelessly. "Who can say? And yet I do know this much. Once, long ago, this quest was tried. A young elven man had died, after sacrificing his immortality and marrying a human woman. She found out about this legend and apparently tried to complete it, as you are doing now. Except that she got the riddle wrong, her answers were incorrect or given in the wrong order, I do not remember the legend in its entirety.
It is said that she, and all those who tried to help her bring her husband back, never returned. The gods did not grant them mercy. Legend has it years later the bleaching bones of nine bodies were found in a cave on the misty mountains. It is believed that when the enchantment did not go right, it backfired, killing all those involved." Thranduil paused and looked at those around him. "Are you now so willing to continue on this quest my friends?" He asked. "My son?"
No one dared meet Aragorn's eye. The idea of them failing had never crossed any of their minds. Now they thought long and hard about what they were doing, and on everyone's mind was one thought. What if it goes wrong?
"It is for you all to decide." Thranduil sighed, standing up solemnly. "But I would urge you not to condemn anyone who backs out now. Let any man, or woman," He said, his eyes falling again on Anánia, "Choose their own path uninfluenced by others. For when you are talking about someone's life, the decision must be unanimous."
He walked around the table, looking at each of the eight sitting there. Eldarion slept, blissfully unaware of the problems arising, in Aragorn's arms. Thranduil nodded to them, invited them to join him for dinner later that evening, and left, shutting the great double doors behind him. Astor let out a sigh.
"A bearer of good news!" He said sarcastically.
Aragorn drew a deep breath and spoke. "I do not expect any of you to go through with this foolery." He said, with obvious effort but also sincerity. "If your lives are so at risk, I cannot sentence you to possible death."
"We can sentence ourselves Aragorn." Gandalf stood up and addressed them. "It is a question of faith. Do you have faith in the solutions we have come across? Do you believe my counsel to be correct? Do you trust in the Lady of Lothlorien and her judgement?" He looked at each of those seated there.
"I do." Gimli said, standing on his chair. "I do not believe Galadriel would deliberately lead us to our doom. I give you my word Gandalf, I shall keep my part of the bond."
"And I mine." Legolas said. "I shall heed my father's warning, but not be stopped by it."
"What of you hobbits?" Gandalf asked. "Frodo and Sam, this affects you directly. But Merry and Pippin, unless you give the soil from The Shire with Sam you are not bound to this riddle."
"I give the gift with Sam." Merry said. "If Sam elects to continue, then so shall I."
Merry nodded. "Besides, life would be no fun without Sam and Frodo around!" He protested. "I would rather die with them then be left in the world without them!"
"So the path of these faithful hobbits falls to you two." Gandalf said to Sam and Frodo.
"I shall still follow Mister Frodo wherever he may go." Sam said vehemently.
"Then it falls to me." Frodo said quietly. "The lives of three of my friends, four including Arwen. And the happiness of one of my best friends." He said, looking at Aragorn. He swallowed before speaking. "I shall go." He agreed.
Gandalf looked to Anánia and Astor. "We shall not expect you to come." He said kindly. "You never knew Arwen, and this matter truly does not concern you."
Anánia looked around at the others. She was paler than usual and she had to swallow hard a few times before speaking in a voice not quite her own. "Eldarion deserves a mother." She said quietly. "As his carer I swore to go with him anywhere. If he is bound for the Grey Mountains then I am too." She tried to continue, but shook her head and looked down. Gandalf regarded her kindly for a few moments before turning to Astor.
"Astor of Avion, you whom we have barely known a few days." He said. "We shall not be disappointed if you do not come, you may stay here in safety."
Astor looked at them before frowning. "Of course I'm coming!" He said. "Stay here and miss out on all the fun? You all saved my life, now it is time I repaid my debt. Besides, I have to have some kind of adventure to tell for when I return to Avion!"
All seemed to be agreed and smiled, but Aragorn suddenly looked downcast. "The vote is not unanimous." He sighed. "Eldarion can not vote, for he is too young to understand, and I will not make the decision for him."
They all looked to Gandalf for inspiration, but it appeared that he had none. It was then that Legolas spoke bravely and boldly. "I must now become the voice of reason." He said. "A child as young as Eldarion can have little knowledge of the passing of time, and none of the concept of death. Should we fail, Eldarion will merely go to a better place and not even know it, for he is so young. If we succeed then he shall have his mother back." He looked around at them. "Eldarion's vote shall be taken in advance, for if he is half the man his father is he shall regret having not tried to save his mother when he is older and hears of this story."
"Well spoken." Gimli said. "Indeed, it would appear that if we do not try to help Arwen, we should condemn Eldarion to a life of blaming himself for his mother's death."
"It was not his fault." Aragorn said, and they all looked at him in surprise. This was the first time Aragorn had excused Eldarion of what he had accused him of, murdering Arwen. "And I realise this now. But self- guilt is a hard thing to be rid of, and I know he shall feel it when he matures."
"Then we are agreed?" Gandalf asked. They all nodded slowly. Gandalf sat down and said no more. For a while they sat in silence, then Legolas stood up and addressed them.
"You must be tired my friends." He said. "I will call some servants to take you to your rooms. You shall be washed and clothed in the finest cloth Mirkwood has to offer, and tonight you shall dine like you have not dined before! A feast to be held this night in your honour!" He left to give out the orders. They sat in silence until elves came in to take them away. A nursemaid took Eldarion, and Aragorn and Anánia were suddenly too overcome with exhaustion to worry that he would be in safe hands. And deep in their hearts they knew that he would anyway.
AN – oh, more danger. The travellers could all die if they get the puzzle wrong! Oh, wouldn't you all absolutely hate me if I killed them all...(evil laugh) La la la, I wouldn't kill them all really...or would I? (Evil music)
Oh and by the way, in the last chapter I said that Aragorn was Arwen's wife. I totally did not mean that, it was just a slip of the fingers when I was typing. I was not in any way questioning Aragorn's or Viggo Mortisens sexuality, believe me, no one could ever question that he was all man! My apologies to you all!
Response to reviewers
Terreis – I didn't know Legolas and Thranduil had a troubled past, or is that just a popular fan fiction story line? Anyway, glad you liked it!
Alasse – yeah, I hate Legolas worshipper too, but they are so easy to write about. I would class myself as more of an Orlando Bloom worshipper, swoon! Anyway, thanks for yet another review!
Lilwhitelighter – thank you, I'm glad you liked my description of Mirkwood. It's how I imagine it anyway!
Ciel Undomiel – thanks for pointing out the error, good luck with the project!
Queen Arwen – finishing soon is a problem, I reckon I will be finished 10 chapters from now, if I get out two to three chappies a week I should be done in four weeks...by then the nominations will probably be over...oh well, as long as I still have all my lovely reviewers! (Hugs to you all)
Ringmarciel – I thought Gandalf was pretty much the only character to ride the eagles, and I was right! (Dances in a circle at the fact that she is right for one!) woohoo, keep reviewing, another loyal reviewer!
Cerridwen – here is the hidden danger, not much danger though. I'm bad at writing tension though, cry your eyes out angst is more my style, or really sloppy and slushy love that gets tainted, I'm so happy, aren't I?
Don't feel like signing in – (I can never be bothered to sign in either), but who are you? What other stories of mine have you read? Anyway, thanks for your review! And thanks for pointing out that error too!
The True Evenstar – glad you like it still; you aren't getting bored of this story yet, are you?
Rose – you are welcome, hope you liked this chapter too!
Crazy-haldir-fancier – wow, your review was so nice. And Haldir is lovely, but I couldn't work into this story much I'm afraid. Your review really made me smile, thank you for brightening my day too!