Author's note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and a special thank you to those of you who pointed out the name mix-up. The chapter has been reposted, minus the Celeborn and Celebrian confusion and a range of typos - by mistake I posted an unedited version first time around!
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Chapter 25 – To Make A Choice
Elrond's party for Lothlorien was ready to leave. The twins, Estel, Legolas and Halbarad, who had joined then from further west, and Elrond himself were mounted and ready to go. If they were not delayed by severe weather, the journey would take about two weeks hard riding, or slightly longer at a more leisurely pace.
The first few days were utterly uneventful, but the six travellers enjoyed the peacefulness of travelling through the springtime forests. The light formed dancing patterns in different shades of green and the air smelled of growth and new life. The birds sang and they saw many animals, small and large, going about their business. Elrond's party did not hunt, they had enough food and there was no need to disturb the animals and plants around them.
On the fourth day, they were nearing the mountains and Elrond began to wonder whether the weather would hold. The wind had gone up and dark clouds gathered over the mountaintops. Elrond was not worried about some rain, but he did not relish the thought of getting caught in a blizzard. It was still early in the year and they were now nearing a region that was higher and more exposed. He looked at Elladan, who was riding next to him.
"Elladan, I think we will be facing some snow. It would be difficult to find the passes in a snowstorm, and I really do not like the look of these clouds over there ..." The elf-lord indicated the direction with his head. "I think we should seek shelter before we go much further. There are some caves not much further on. I have not been in them for a very long time, they are part of a large cave system. All of us and the horses should be able to find shelter there."
Elladan nodded. He, too, had noticed the gathering clouds in the east. He turned to their companions.
"Father believes there will be snow soon, and I agree with him. We need to find shelter before this comes down. There are some caves nearby where we can wait this out."
No one objected, and within the next hour they had reached the entrance of the cave system that Elrond had mentioned. Elrond surveyed their surroundings. There was something about this cave that did not feel quite right. He did not feel threatened, but there was some unease that he could not pinpoint. He looked at the others. No one seemed to think that anything was amiss. And yet, in the course of his long life, Elrond had learned not to ignore such premonitions.
"Let us look around carefully here. Somehow something here does not feel quite right. Let us light a fire near the entrance and then we will explore this cave a bit further so that there will be no surprises."
Everyone quickly gathered some wood and a small fire was lit which provided both light and warmth. The sky was now a threatening dark grey with a yellow tinge, the air temperature had dropped and the wind had gone up. It was clear that a storm bringing either snow or rain would start any minute.
They pulled the horses as near to the entrance of the cave as they could, so that the walls and rock overhang provided some shelter for their steeds as well. Then the snow began to fall, slowly at first, but soon in great blowing sheets of white.
Legolas took a burning branch out of the fire and, using it as a torch, was moving into the back of the cave. He found the entrance to this cave system fascinating, his father's palace was partially underground, utilising some natural caves.
"Estel? Do you come with me to explore a bit?"
The young man nodded. He also took a burning branch as a torch.
"Do not venture too far into this system, you do not know what you will find,"warned Elrond. "Or what might find you."
"We will be careful, father."
And they were. They did not venture far, and they were careful. But it happened anyway.
All of a sudden, there was a crash and a scream. Silence.
"Legolas? Legolas! Legolas!!" There was a frantic edge to Estel's voice. They had not gone far, so the others heard him and came rushing up.
Elrond took Estel's torch and moved carefully forward. Suddenly he came to a gaping hole in the floor. Quickly, Elrond pushed back everyone else. He stood still and then carefully knelt down.
"The floor here is not stable. Stay back. This area must have collapsed when Legolas stepped on it."
"Legolas? Can you hear me?"
They could all hear a soft moan. "Legolas? Can you answer?"
"Elrond?" Legolas' voice was faint.
"Yes, it is me. Are you hurt?"
Silence.
"Legolas? Are you injured?"
"Yes. I think I have broken my right leg, perhaps my right arm as well. My ribs on that side are either very bruised or broken. I fell very hard on some hard rocks." It was difficult to hear the young elf's voice.
Elrond winced inwardly at this reply. This was serious, Legolas would not be able to climb up himself with these injuries.
"Legolas!" Estel had rushed forward and was now kneeling next to Elrond. Some loose stones shifted.
"Estel, get back. It is dangerous enough for one of us. You cannot help him at the moment. You could get me some rope. I have no desire to follow Legolas down there, and I need to talk to him."
Halbarad had already brought the length of rope they carried. They had not taken much rope, it was an extra item to carry and they had not really anticipated needing it. He passed it to Estel, who gave it to Elrond. Carefully, trying not to disturb the unstable floor further, Elrond tied the rope around his waist and passed the ends to Estel.
"Hold me tight if I should fall."
Estel nodded, and gave one of the rope ends to Elrohir. It would be safer to hold with two people.
In the meantime, Elrond had leaned slightly forward and was trying to get some light into the hole that Legolas had fallen into. It appeared that the young elf had plunged through the ceiling of the tunnel below, and a considerable amount of rocks and stones had come down after him, effectively sealing him in the tunnel below.
"Legolas? Can you see this light?
"No, it is very dark in here." Legolas' voice was strained.
Elrond's heart went out to the prince, to be trapped in an underground cave with serious injuries and no light would be a very unpleasant situation for anyone, but for an elf the lack of light exacerbated the situation.
"Can you breath? Is there enough air?"
"Yes, there is a small draft coming in here from somewhere below."
"Father? Can we get him out?" Estel's voice sounded almost as anxious as Legolas'.
"This entire area is unstable and we do not have enough rope and no tools to move these stones. Someone will have to ride back to Rivendell and get help and tools. Riding very hard, the journey can be done in two days and a night, and then the same again coming back here. I am afraid Legolas will have to wait a rather long time before we can get him out."
The twins, Estel and Halbarad looked at each other. This was very bad news. Elladan said: "I will go, so that Estel can stay with Legolas."
"I will come with you, you should not travel by yourself." Elrohir looked at his brother.
"Thank you, both of you. Hurry back and have a safe journey." Estel's face showed the gratitude he felt for being able to stay here.
"Legolas, are you able to hear what happens up here or when we talk?"
"No, I can only hear you when you talk directly next to the shaft." Legolas' voice sounded tired and wheezy. Elrond wondered how long it would be before Legolas passed out. He must be in a lot of pain, and the relentless darkness must be unbearable for an elf.
"Elladan and Elrohir have left for Rivendell to get help and tools. This will take time, they can hardly be back here earlier than four or five days. You must hang on for so long, we will get you out there."
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When Legolas fell, his only thought was 'Oh, no!'. He heard himself screaming and then crashed hard sideways onto something hard. There was a huge amount of noise, rocks and stone sliding and shifting, and then it was dark. Utterly, and completely dark. And his entire right side felt as if it had been smashed. Leg, arm and ribs. The pain was bad but the darkness was worse.
Then he heard his name being called and an incredible relief flooded through him. He answered. His relief was short-lived when he realised that his companions would not be able to get him out easily. When Elrond explained to him that Elladan and Elrohir had ridden to Rivendell for help, and his rescue would take at least four, if not five days, he was shocked. Possibly five days in the dark, without any light either by the sun or the stars, surrounded and trapped by lifeless rock! All of a sudden, Legolas felt as if he was suffocating. He could not breathe, his heart pumped away widely, and the pain of his injuries increased, if that was possible.
"Elrond? Are you still there?" There was much anxiety in Legolas' voice.
Elrond sighed. Elves were not made to live in the dark. The next days would be very difficult for Legolas.
"Yes, Legolas. Someone will be here all the time. Just call when you need to talk. Would you like me to sing for you?"
Despite his pain and anxiety, Legolas almost smiled at this suggestion. But he was also very grateful. To hear Elrond's or, for that matter, anyone's voice, at this point in time would be very reassuring.
So the elf-lord sang until his voice got hoarse, ballads, love songs and simple tunes. Legolas found his voice soothing and after a while his exhausted body and mind gave in to sleep.
Elrond, too, was tired. He decided that it would be a good time to trade places with Estel, and get some rest himself. Bar keeping Legolas company, there was little they could do.
He carefully moved back and untied the rope. "Estel, it is your turn."
The young man nodded and tied the rope around his body. Then he carefully made his way to the spot where Legolas had fallen.
He called out. "Legolas?"
No response.
Elrond heard him. "Estel, he has probably either passed out or fallen asleep. Leave him, he will call when he wakes up."
Estel sat near the gaping hole filled with rubble and slowly began to doze off.
A few hours later, Legolas woke up. At first he did not know where he was. He knew his eyes were open but it was dark, very dark, too dark even for his elven eyes to see anything at all. His right arm, leg and side hurt immensely. The young elf felt completely disorientated.
And then he remembered what had happened. He also realised that he had done very little to explore the tunnel or shaft where he was trapped. He was laying on his good side, both his injured arm and leg pulled up against his body. The young elf tried to straighten his leg but the pain was excruciating. After he had recovered his breath, he tried to sit up, but his ribs, arm and leg protested so much that he gave up very quickly.
The dark was relentless. Legolas had lost all sense of time. Then he remembered that Elrond had said someone would be there for him all the time.
"Elrond?" Legolas did not realise how faint his voice was.
Estel was sound asleep, and did not hear the Legolas' calls.
Legolas felt the darkness closing in on him. They had gone! They had left him! Somewhere a rational part of his mind told him that the others and especially Estel would never leave him, but he could not help the feeling of utter panic that took hold of him. With his left hand he touched the walls of his prison. He was well and truly stuck, he would not get out.
He called again, this time as loud as he could, not caring that his shouts sounded frantic.
Estel woke up with a start. He immediately heard the anxiety in Legolas' voice and berated himself for falling asleep.
"Legolas, I am here. It is me, Estel. I am here. We would never leave you."
"Estel?" The relief in Legolas' voice was audible.
"Yes, I am here. I am sorry I did not hear you earlier. You must have been asleep or passed out, and I fell asleep as well here. I am so sorry, Legolas, I let you down."
"Estel, you cannot imagine how glad I am to hear your voice. It is so dark in here. I feel as if this darkness is swallowing my life. How long have I been in here?"
"About 12 hours."
"Only? It feels much longer, or rather, I cannot tell at all how long it feels."
- - - -
The hours and days passed. Elrond, Estel and Halbarad diligently sat next to the hole and talked to Legolas. But as time passed, his responses grew shorter and weaker. At first, Legolas continued to be in much pain, since his body had not begun its normal healing processes. The lack of light affected an elf badly, and Legolas began to suffer much from the darkness. He felt disorientated and suffocated, but the voices from above gave him support. They were a lifeline for him that kept darkness and panic at bay.
But by the third day, Legolas had begun to feel very strange. He did not feel the pain of his injuries so much any longer, instead there was a floating feeling, and it appeared to him that a soft melodious voice was calling him to walk towards a white light. Somehow he knew that behind that light there would be the Halls of Mandos waiting, and he was not afraid. The voice promised beauty and peace, freedom from pain. Legolas decided that he would ignore the faint voices from above and follow the musical voice calling him. At this point he stopped responding to the calls from above.
Elrond was concerned. It had been his turn for the last few hours to watch over Legolas, and he had had no response. 'He is slipping away,' thought the elf-lord. 'The darkness and his injuries are draining his life away. He needs light and air. If Elladan and Elrohir do not come back soon, it will be too late.'
Elrond did not share these thoughts with his two companions and also did not wake Estel for his turn, the longer he slept, the less he would worry about Legolas. There was nothing any of them could do bar wait for the return of the twins.
Elrond stayed up throughout the night. Estel was annoyed that his father had not woken him, but at the same time relieved. He had been very tired, emotionally exhausted by worrying about Legolas. Elrond had given him a sleeping draught, and Estel had gratefully taken it.
If Elladan and Elrohir had had no misfortunes, they should arrive at some point during this day. There had been no response from Legolas for over a day. Elrond was very concerned. Elves needed the light of the sun and stars to live, and Legolas had been deprived of this for days, enclosed in absolute darkness. The elf-lord hoped that it was not already too late.
By mid-afternoon, Elrond heard voices. He stepped outside the cave and there were the twins, and two Rivendell warriors with ropes, spades, shovels and a variety of other tools.
Elrond sighed with relief. Elladan and Elrohir looked exhausted. To be back after four days they must have ridden without breaks.
"Elladan, Elrohir, get some food and rest. Halbarad, Estel, lest us see if we can get Legolas out."
The two humans, the elf-lord and the two warriors joined themselves together with rope and then slowly Estel and Halbarad descended into the hole that Legolas had fallen into. The other three secured the ropes and held torches so that some light fell down into the shaft. Carefully, trying not to disturb more of the cave, Halbarad and Estel removed the rubble and stones that were locking Legolas in. With the tools they now had and secured by ropes, they were faster than anyone had anticipated. It only took about an hour until they had worked through the rubble and they could see Legolas. Estel rushed up to him.
"Legolas! We have made it! Wake up! Legolas!" Estel wanted to shake Legolas but stopped to look at the elf first. He was very pale, his eyes closed. His right arm and leg were pulled up against himself but at unnatural angles. It was easy to see that they were broken.
"Estel, have you got him?" Elrond shouted.
"Yes, but ... he does not react to anything." Estel's voice was edged with concern.
"Bring him up. He needs to be in the light more than anything else."
Unseen by Elrond, Estel nodded. Together with Halbarad he secured some of the rope underneath Legolas arms, and then lifted the elf. He had lifted Legolas before and every time he was surprised how light he was. Slowly they half climbed, and were half pulled up the steep walls of the shaft they were in.
'Perhaps it is merciful that he is still unconscious,' thought Estel on the way up. 'This would be very painful otherwise.'
Once they arrived at the surface, they made their way out of the caves. In front of the cave entrance was a grassy area that was currently flooded by the late afternoon sun.
"Take Legolas' clothes off," Elrond commanded. "He needs to be exposed to as much sunlight as possible. His body will soak it up. I hope it is not yet too late. Put something over his eyes, after being in the dark for so long, the sun would hurt him."
Estel simply cut Legolas' soiled and dirty clothing of him, mindful of the injuries, and laid a strip of cloth over the elf's eyes. Then Elrond mentioned all of them to go away. Estel shook his head. "I want to stay." Their eyes looked and Elrond nodded. "You can help me."
The first thing that Elrond checked was Legolas breathing. It was there, shallow and uneven but there nevertheless. Next, the pulse. Again, it was perceptible but weak and erratic. Elrond frowned. This was not looking too good.
The elf-lord rummaged in his herb bag. "Athelas," he said, retrieving a small pouch of strong smelling leaves and flowers. "We will use this to call him back to wherever he has withdrawn."
"What about his injuries?" Estel asked. The sight of the twisted limbs disturbed him greatly.
"They are of secondary importance. If Legolas withdraws further, we will not be able to call him back. We must hurry."
"Please heat some water and put some of this inside."
Whilst Estel was doing as his father asked, Elrond continued to examine the younger elf. The right arm and leg were undoubtedly broken, as well as two ribs. None of the fractures had begun to heal, a very bad sign in an elf, but in this case a blessing since any healing would have meant to rebreak and set the limbs.
Elrond was more concerned about Legolas than he had let Estel know. Legolas' complete unresponsiveness, even now that he had been laying in the full sun for some time greatly concerned Elrond. The prince had withdrawn, to call him back would not be easy. And Elrond could tell that there was not much time left, soon the shallow, uneven breathing would cease and Legolas would simply drift away.
TBC. Please review