All right, now if you're like me, which is a very good thing, then you do not like chapters that seem to be just restating what was already in the books or movies. I am sorry to tell you that a decent part of this chapter is going to be just that. HOWEVER, I have tried to make it as quick and painless as humanly possible and have added some Legolas/Arargorn FRIENDSHIP into this chapter at the end, so feel free to read it even though it really does nothing for the plot of this story on its own.
Chapter eight:
The Council of Elrond
The next morning brought a much more somber mood as it herald the start of Elrond's council. The many participants slowly filed into the courtyard where the council was to be held, each considering to what end it would come.
Legolas sat calmly as all of the members of the council were introduced, not really interested n these minor happenings, but rather the explanation for the increasingly dark times. Legolas knew that Aragorn knew, but did not press his friend as to why he would bring four hobbits to Rivendel, or why it was so important that the Nazgul themselves would attack them. So it was that he paid little attention to the takes of the people that had come, as they spoke of what was not new news. His interest was only sparked when Frodo took out the ring. and then all his questions were answered and he new what had to be done to save his people.
As the conversation turned to Gollum, he grew increasingly more agitated and when Aragorn mentioned the evils he could cause were he free, Legolas could keep his peace no longer. "Alas! alas!" he cried, surprising everyone as it had been the first he had spoken since the council began. "The tidings I have been sent to bring must now be told. They are not good, but only here have I learned how evil they may seem to this company. Smeagol, who is now called Gollum, has escaped."
"Escaped?" cried Aragorn. "That is ill news indeed. We shall rue it bitterly, I fear. How came the folk of Thranduil to fail in their trust?"
Legolas frowned at the accusing tone in his friend's voice. "Not through lack of watchfulness," he said, glaring at the man. "But perhaps trough over kindliness. And we fear that the prisoner had aid from others, and that more is known of or doings than we would wish. We guarded this creature day and night, at Gandalf's bidding, much though we wearied of the task. But Gandalf bade us hope still for his cure, and we had not the heart to keep him ever in the dungeons under the earth, where he would fall back into his old black thoughts."
It was at that time that Gloin interrupted, speaking about the less than kind treatment he had received at the wood elves' hands before being silenced by Gandalf. Legolas then told of the battle during the night in which Gollum escaped, his face darkening at the thought of the slain guards, guilt and grief shining in his eyes.
After the council, Legolas was not to be found in The House of Elrond, but instead he chose to find solace in the woods surrounding the haven. Hearing footsteps, Legolas smiled slightly before jumping into the nearest tree and concealing himself among the leaves.
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked, entering the clearing where he knew his friend would be. When he received no answer, he continued. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for my tone at the council. I didn't mean to accuse you of any falling out of trust, I was merely concerned about the events leading to the creature's escape as I have many friends among you kin," Aragorn said as he scanned the treetops for any sign of his friend. So intent was he, that he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"It's all right, mellon nin, I know you didn't mean any harm. The pain of their passing is fresh and Smeagol was my responsibility," Legolas said, smiling softly at the look of surprise on his friend's face.
"Thank you for accepting the apology, but don't do that again please. Do you wish my heart to stop beating?" Despite his words, Aragorn had to smile at his friend's uncanny ability to sneak up on him no matter how good a ranger he had become, or how war hardened he was. When Legolas just shrugged and gave him an all to innocent smile, Aragorn laughed. "Come, my father wishes to speak with you."
Nodding, Legolas joined his friend as they headed back to the house, not knowing that the up coming conversation would change his life drastically and send him on a journey to the foulest region of Middle Earth.
Okay, Folks, there's another chapter for you to sink your teeth into, to get another, I want at least five reviews.
Hey, did you know that our perfect Legolas actually trips during the running scenes in The Two Towers? Check it out, he almost falls during the wide shot when they're running along the cliff.