At last! I am so sorry for the delay! As some of you know, the disk containing all my fics corrupted. I could have lost the lot, but thanks to Shi (Shi Half Wraith) I didn't! She used a data retrieval program I didn't have and saved the lot!
I hope it was worth the wait!
First – a few review responses:
Anonymous: I agree – Nightwish DO rock! I'm writing another fic at the moment inspired by 'Ever Dream and Two for Tragedy'!
Twilight: Ack! I hope you're still sane enough to read!
Dimostiel: Thanks for taking the time to review I really appreciate it! I hope you like the chapter!
Caunoiech: *Takes Dr Pepper* Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
Kikyo: Your wish is my command!
Any: LOL glad you like 'Insane Glorfindel!' I had a lot of fun writing that!
Cheysuli: *Grins* Chapter 4 is my favourite chapter…
Kat: I hope you like Glorfindel in this one!
Siennawoods: Sorry it took so long! I'm glad you like the plot!
*****************************
And now… the fic!
Ever After – Chapter 12
Elladan looked darkly at his twin. "Do you not care what they did to our sister?" He cried.
"Of course I do." Elrohir replied, somewhat sharply. "But vengeance has already been taken. Arwen hated what we did when Nana was taken, she would not wish this. They are dead brother, let it go."
Elladan hung his head. "I know you are right." He said softly. "But it hurts so much." Elrohir pulled his brother into a tight embrace. "I know." He whispered. "I feel it too. But the best thing we can do now is to be there for her and Estel."
Elladan smiled sadly at his twin. "Always the wise one." He said. "Very well, come let us see how she fares."
They stood and moved towards the door, but as they did so a great tremor rocked the walls. Elrohir was thrown to the floor, hitting his head on chair as he went down.
"Elrohir!" Elladan cried out and ran to his brother.
"I'm alright." Elrohir said as Elladan helped him to his feet. "It's just a bump." He turned to his father. "Ada, what just happened?"
"I do not know." Elrond replied. "But whatever it was, it does not bode well for Gondor."
**********************
Legolas and Glorfindel raced outside, stopping dead when they took in the scene. Hundreds, maybe thousands of human-shaped black forms swarmed throughout the city, coming in ever-increasing numbers from the dark hole that hovered at the city's edge. "By the Valar." Glorfindel whispered. "It is worse than I had ever imagined. What are we going to do now?"
Legolas shook his head. He'd had no idea before and he certainly had none now.
From the corner of his eye, the ghost saw Elrond and his sons run out from the palace. The twins had their swords drawn and stood protectively in front of their father.
"Go and help the twins." He said. "Don't worry about me – I'll think of something." Glorfindel looked sceptically at him. "Just go." Legolas sighed.
Shaking his head, Glorfindel ran off, knowing that for now, all he could do was to help in the fight.
He hacked his way through a mass of the black creatures, noting that they seemed mortal enough, dying upon his blade. He reached Elrond as quickly as he could, stepping up to fight alongside.
"I thought I told you to stay in bed." Elrond growled, thrusting his sword into the stomach of one of the creatures.
Glorfindel never took his eyes off the battle. "I know you think I have lost my mind." He replied. "I have not. But even if I had, I can still fight. I will not lie in bed when evil threatens."
Elrond could not dispute that. Whatever problems Glorfindel was having, it had not affected his ability to wield a blade. He nodded and the two elf-lords continued to fight the never-ending stream of foes.
Having ordered several guards to watch over the queen, Aragorn had run towards the battle. A strange feeling washed over him, this was the first really big battle since the one in which Legolas had died. "Oh Valar, please don't let anyone else come to harm." He prayed as he ran. He knew his brothers had just arrived, though he knew the battle would go better for their presence, he feared for them greatly.
Exiting the palace he surveyed the scene. The black creatures were everywhere, his soldiers were doing their best to fight them off but they were heavily outnumbered. Spotting his brothers a short way away from his father and – to his surprise – Glorfindel, he made his way to them, trying not to get killed by the strange beings. He knew that if they were together they stood a much better chance of surviving.
"Where's Arwen?" Elladan asked as soon as Aragorn was in hearing range.
"In our room, under heavy guard." The King responded. "She's as safe as she can be under the circumstances."
"Good." Elladan said, not wanting to waste words in battle.
Aragorn made a signal to his father and Glorfindel, almost instantly they began to move closer. Aragorn's mouth was set in a grim line. He didn't want any of them out of sight. He wondered where Gimli was.
The thick blade of a dwarven axe cut through several of the creatures. Gimli roared in defiance. "You'll not take me!" He cried. He was unfazed by the multiple creatures that had surprised him in his own room. He hacked at several more dark beings, intent on driving them back.
Suddenly a razor-sharp arm came down towards him. Gimli dodged but the arm sliced through the handle of his axe. The blade fell to the floor, useless. Uttering a curse, Gimli dropped to the ground as another of the creatures came at the furious dwarf. Moving faster than many would have expected of a dwarf, Gimli made for the small table. His axe may be useless, but he was not without a weapon. He grabbed one of Legolas' knives and jabbed upwards, felling his attacker. Before any could stop him he was out of the door. Everything in him wanted to stay and fight, but he knew he had to find Aragorn. If he knew the king, the man would be on the front line.
Gimli glanced at the elven knife in his hand. "Don't worry, Legolas. I'll keep an eye on him."
Legolas fought panic. He HAD to think of something! He ran his mind over all the recent events yet again. He was sure he was missing something. Something vital he'd overlooked. Yet as the darkness grew and the dark warriors increased, he still found himself at a terrifying loss.
Glorfindel was worried. The mass of dark warriors just kept increasing. The possibility of defeat was becoming a very real option. The more they killed the more there seemed to be, at this rate they would not live to see sundown. He prayed that Legolas would come up with a last-minute solution but in his heart, he knew it was unlikely.
~Oh, how wonderful this was! At last, it had the power it craved. Sheer delight filled it as it watched the terrified beings dying at the hands of it's servants. It grew stronger still, feeding off the pain, every death lending it more strength. The portal grew steadily and it began to ease its way into the world. The freedom was delicious and it craved the feeling it would get when it finally took over the whole of Middle-Earth. "Beautiful darkness. All shall be mine."~
Aragorn fought increasing fear as the darkness began to grow. It blocked out the sun, casting all into shadow. "Ada… what is this?"
Elrond, his heart heavy, gave the only response he knew.
"I fear it is our end, ion nin."
Legolas watched in horror as the darkness covered everything in its path. Nothing was spared the darkness and Legolas could hear the screams of those who could not escape. It tore at his soul and he cried out for an answer. But as ever there was nothing and he could only stand by as the darkness spread.
"Oh Elbereth!" He thought. "Why am I forced to watch this horror? Ai those poor people, I feel their pain, I remember well when that darkness ensnared me."
'When the darkness ensnared me."
Even as he thought it, he knew he had found his answer. He had escaped that evil net, though it had almost cost him his eternal soul. Yet significant damage had been done to the dark being as well. He knew that to attempt to destroy the being this way would be his end, no returning to Mandos' halls or Valinor. But there was no other answer. That he had found this one was nothing short of a miracle to his mind. If his soul was the price he had to pay for keeping those he held dear safe, then he paid it willingly.
He ran to Glorfindel and stepped up besides the warrior. "I thank you for all your help, mellon nin. Please, tell the others how much I care for them."
Glorfindel looked at him sharply.
"What are you planning to do?" He asked; ignoring the look Elrond gave him.
"End this." Legolas replied simply. Before Glorfindel could say another word he was gone, heading to the dark being that was covering the world.
He stood before It, ghostly eyes shining. Destiny called and he would answer. With the knowledge that many would live from his sacrifice, he plunged himself deep into the heart of darkness.
Aragorn's breath came in short gasps. He knew they were loosing badly, but he fought on. As King Théoden had once vowed to die a death worth remembering, so did he now. He would not run, but face his doom bravely.
Suddenly, the dark being screamed. It was a terrible sound filled with pain, causing even the dark warriors to pause in their attack.
Glorfindel looked up and saw that within the darkness, a light was shining. Dimly at first, but growing ever brighter it slowly began to take over the darkness. As it gained in power, it became clearer. It had a form, a face.
Besides him, Aragorn let out a strangled cry. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It had been so long, how could this be? But the form was very clear now. He could see the blue eyes shining and the look of determination on the once-familiar face. He breathed the name in wonder.
"Legolas."
END CHAPTER 12
I hope it was worth the wait!
First – a few review responses:
Anonymous: I agree – Nightwish DO rock! I'm writing another fic at the moment inspired by 'Ever Dream and Two for Tragedy'!
Twilight: Ack! I hope you're still sane enough to read!
Dimostiel: Thanks for taking the time to review I really appreciate it! I hope you like the chapter!
Caunoiech: *Takes Dr Pepper* Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
Kikyo: Your wish is my command!
Any: LOL glad you like 'Insane Glorfindel!' I had a lot of fun writing that!
Cheysuli: *Grins* Chapter 4 is my favourite chapter…
Kat: I hope you like Glorfindel in this one!
Siennawoods: Sorry it took so long! I'm glad you like the plot!
*****************************
And now… the fic!
Ever After – Chapter 12
Elladan looked darkly at his twin. "Do you not care what they did to our sister?" He cried.
"Of course I do." Elrohir replied, somewhat sharply. "But vengeance has already been taken. Arwen hated what we did when Nana was taken, she would not wish this. They are dead brother, let it go."
Elladan hung his head. "I know you are right." He said softly. "But it hurts so much." Elrohir pulled his brother into a tight embrace. "I know." He whispered. "I feel it too. But the best thing we can do now is to be there for her and Estel."
Elladan smiled sadly at his twin. "Always the wise one." He said. "Very well, come let us see how she fares."
They stood and moved towards the door, but as they did so a great tremor rocked the walls. Elrohir was thrown to the floor, hitting his head on chair as he went down.
"Elrohir!" Elladan cried out and ran to his brother.
"I'm alright." Elrohir said as Elladan helped him to his feet. "It's just a bump." He turned to his father. "Ada, what just happened?"
"I do not know." Elrond replied. "But whatever it was, it does not bode well for Gondor."
**********************
Legolas and Glorfindel raced outside, stopping dead when they took in the scene. Hundreds, maybe thousands of human-shaped black forms swarmed throughout the city, coming in ever-increasing numbers from the dark hole that hovered at the city's edge. "By the Valar." Glorfindel whispered. "It is worse than I had ever imagined. What are we going to do now?"
Legolas shook his head. He'd had no idea before and he certainly had none now.
From the corner of his eye, the ghost saw Elrond and his sons run out from the palace. The twins had their swords drawn and stood protectively in front of their father.
"Go and help the twins." He said. "Don't worry about me – I'll think of something." Glorfindel looked sceptically at him. "Just go." Legolas sighed.
Shaking his head, Glorfindel ran off, knowing that for now, all he could do was to help in the fight.
He hacked his way through a mass of the black creatures, noting that they seemed mortal enough, dying upon his blade. He reached Elrond as quickly as he could, stepping up to fight alongside.
"I thought I told you to stay in bed." Elrond growled, thrusting his sword into the stomach of one of the creatures.
Glorfindel never took his eyes off the battle. "I know you think I have lost my mind." He replied. "I have not. But even if I had, I can still fight. I will not lie in bed when evil threatens."
Elrond could not dispute that. Whatever problems Glorfindel was having, it had not affected his ability to wield a blade. He nodded and the two elf-lords continued to fight the never-ending stream of foes.
Having ordered several guards to watch over the queen, Aragorn had run towards the battle. A strange feeling washed over him, this was the first really big battle since the one in which Legolas had died. "Oh Valar, please don't let anyone else come to harm." He prayed as he ran. He knew his brothers had just arrived, though he knew the battle would go better for their presence, he feared for them greatly.
Exiting the palace he surveyed the scene. The black creatures were everywhere, his soldiers were doing their best to fight them off but they were heavily outnumbered. Spotting his brothers a short way away from his father and – to his surprise – Glorfindel, he made his way to them, trying not to get killed by the strange beings. He knew that if they were together they stood a much better chance of surviving.
"Where's Arwen?" Elladan asked as soon as Aragorn was in hearing range.
"In our room, under heavy guard." The King responded. "She's as safe as she can be under the circumstances."
"Good." Elladan said, not wanting to waste words in battle.
Aragorn made a signal to his father and Glorfindel, almost instantly they began to move closer. Aragorn's mouth was set in a grim line. He didn't want any of them out of sight. He wondered where Gimli was.
The thick blade of a dwarven axe cut through several of the creatures. Gimli roared in defiance. "You'll not take me!" He cried. He was unfazed by the multiple creatures that had surprised him in his own room. He hacked at several more dark beings, intent on driving them back.
Suddenly a razor-sharp arm came down towards him. Gimli dodged but the arm sliced through the handle of his axe. The blade fell to the floor, useless. Uttering a curse, Gimli dropped to the ground as another of the creatures came at the furious dwarf. Moving faster than many would have expected of a dwarf, Gimli made for the small table. His axe may be useless, but he was not without a weapon. He grabbed one of Legolas' knives and jabbed upwards, felling his attacker. Before any could stop him he was out of the door. Everything in him wanted to stay and fight, but he knew he had to find Aragorn. If he knew the king, the man would be on the front line.
Gimli glanced at the elven knife in his hand. "Don't worry, Legolas. I'll keep an eye on him."
Legolas fought panic. He HAD to think of something! He ran his mind over all the recent events yet again. He was sure he was missing something. Something vital he'd overlooked. Yet as the darkness grew and the dark warriors increased, he still found himself at a terrifying loss.
Glorfindel was worried. The mass of dark warriors just kept increasing. The possibility of defeat was becoming a very real option. The more they killed the more there seemed to be, at this rate they would not live to see sundown. He prayed that Legolas would come up with a last-minute solution but in his heart, he knew it was unlikely.
~Oh, how wonderful this was! At last, it had the power it craved. Sheer delight filled it as it watched the terrified beings dying at the hands of it's servants. It grew stronger still, feeding off the pain, every death lending it more strength. The portal grew steadily and it began to ease its way into the world. The freedom was delicious and it craved the feeling it would get when it finally took over the whole of Middle-Earth. "Beautiful darkness. All shall be mine."~
Aragorn fought increasing fear as the darkness began to grow. It blocked out the sun, casting all into shadow. "Ada… what is this?"
Elrond, his heart heavy, gave the only response he knew.
"I fear it is our end, ion nin."
Legolas watched in horror as the darkness covered everything in its path. Nothing was spared the darkness and Legolas could hear the screams of those who could not escape. It tore at his soul and he cried out for an answer. But as ever there was nothing and he could only stand by as the darkness spread.
"Oh Elbereth!" He thought. "Why am I forced to watch this horror? Ai those poor people, I feel their pain, I remember well when that darkness ensnared me."
'When the darkness ensnared me."
Even as he thought it, he knew he had found his answer. He had escaped that evil net, though it had almost cost him his eternal soul. Yet significant damage had been done to the dark being as well. He knew that to attempt to destroy the being this way would be his end, no returning to Mandos' halls or Valinor. But there was no other answer. That he had found this one was nothing short of a miracle to his mind. If his soul was the price he had to pay for keeping those he held dear safe, then he paid it willingly.
He ran to Glorfindel and stepped up besides the warrior. "I thank you for all your help, mellon nin. Please, tell the others how much I care for them."
Glorfindel looked at him sharply.
"What are you planning to do?" He asked; ignoring the look Elrond gave him.
"End this." Legolas replied simply. Before Glorfindel could say another word he was gone, heading to the dark being that was covering the world.
He stood before It, ghostly eyes shining. Destiny called and he would answer. With the knowledge that many would live from his sacrifice, he plunged himself deep into the heart of darkness.
Aragorn's breath came in short gasps. He knew they were loosing badly, but he fought on. As King Théoden had once vowed to die a death worth remembering, so did he now. He would not run, but face his doom bravely.
Suddenly, the dark being screamed. It was a terrible sound filled with pain, causing even the dark warriors to pause in their attack.
Glorfindel looked up and saw that within the darkness, a light was shining. Dimly at first, but growing ever brighter it slowly began to take over the darkness. As it gained in power, it became clearer. It had a form, a face.
Besides him, Aragorn let out a strangled cry. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It had been so long, how could this be? But the form was very clear now. He could see the blue eyes shining and the look of determination on the once-familiar face. He breathed the name in wonder.
"Legolas."
END CHAPTER 12