Disclaimer: Now you guys and gals out there! You know I don't own any original characters! So please skip this part and be happily on your way to the fic 'cause we all know what I'm going to be saying! I don't own LOtR. I know it is depressing!
The ProphesyGods-girl2004: Thank you for reviewing again! U
Lyn: I thank you with all my heart for correcting me! People who give us aspiring writers pointers like this are the best critics in the world! Thank you!
Chapter 4 (The unusual…)
"You never told us there were elves this far into the east! We could have called for help! OI! Gandalf! Answer me!"
"Gimli, son of Gloin, they do not involve themselves in the matters of the west! So now keep your mouth where it has to be and follow me."
The dwarf grunted an apology and turned to his best friend who was looking around him at the ellith who were escorting them to the queen. They all looked like dangerous warriors and it unnerved him to think that his grandfather who, bless his soul was now resting in Valinor knew these elves. But to his surprise, he saw that the male elves were also with white hair. The men seemed to be guarding the city while the women were monitoring the borders! That meant the women were treated equal! This was new!
"Lord Greenleaf, we have arrived at the palace, now I advice you to be wary of queen Vala. She is a little – what can we say, wacky?"
Legolas looked at Isilya in a bemused sort of way when the palace doors opened and the foursome moved in.
Even thought Legolas had been to many elven palaces and even though he had been brought up in one, he was quite charmed by the palace hall he stood at the present. The walls were of a mithril glitter. The tapestries and banners that adorned these glistening walls were that of great lords and ladies of their kingdom. Upon the throne, right in front of them sat an elleth of such grace that light radiated from her. She was wearing a golden robe that seemed to flow upon her body, upon her raven black hair, a gold and mithril circlet gleamed, in her hand, she held a staff that had a star designed in the elven fashion. Legolas stared at the seated queen as if in a trance,
"Is it my eyes deceiving me or do I stand in the gracious presence of Varda herself!"
The queen smiled and indicated them to rise with her fair hand.
" Arise my children! I Vala, the queen of the Edonians, welcome you into my halls. Come have a seat weary travelers!"
Gandalf smiled at the invitation and got up from his knee and slowly walked towards the queen. She smiled at the Istari and nodded her head,
"Ah! Mithrandir himself! My halls are gladdened. And he comes with the seeker of the prophecy! This is my lucky day indeed! But who are these two?"
Legolas and Gimli stepped forward. Legolas smiled at the queen and bowed down. "I am Legolas Greenleaf-"
"-Ah! Of Mirkwood! I know you! You are a wood-elf! No doubt!" Legolas looked abruptly at the queen and she wore the same expression Galadriel would have worn had she been reading his mind. She then turned to Gimli.
"And Gimli, the friend of elves! We welcome you too!" Gimli seemed struck for a moment but then, a small smile crept up his bearded mouth and he bowed down.
Vala turned to Gandalf. " The journey you have chosen is tough and dangerous! But the consequences if you lose are too catastrophic to predict! May you and your men find peace and quite for days to come before you travel again into the dark lands of the Torment."
"Thank you your majesty."
Vala smiled. She then nodded as though pleased before continuing, "My March Warden may proclaim me – er – wacky!" Legolas thought he felt Isilya cringe slightly at this. Vala's smile remained benign on her warrior as though that of a mother on her child. She then continued, "but I think you need a guide. So, when you decide to leave, I shall send with you, Silme or 'starlight' as her name suggests and her horse, Amrûn meaning sunrise or the Orient. May they guide your path true." At this, she cast a teasing look at Legolas who looked at the hall floor to avoid the confusion he felt in his heart.
She then looked at Gandalf, who now stood in front of her,
"And now Mithrandir, we rest and rejoice."
"Why ever did she look at me like that?"
Gimli looked exasperated at his best friend, "Legolas my lad, I don't think you are feeling well! I give you a dwarf's word, I don't know what you are talking about!"
Legolas looked at the fountain, before which both of them were seated. They had been there for a day and now at midnight, the restless duo had taken up strolling the gardens for a change. They seated themselves by a vast fountain whose gurgling music seemed to bring a little bit of comfort.
"Why didn't these people take any part in the war of the ring?" Legolas asked looking at his reflection in the water basin of the fountain.
"If you an elf can't answer that question, then what can a dwarf do?" Gimli replied honestly.
"I know why they didn't." a voice came out of the darkness. Legolas turned to see Aragorn seated there, hunched over dropping stones into the basin of water which seemed to repel the stones gently back to his hands, as though enjoying it very much.
"You do? Who told you?"
"Gandalf." Aragorn simply stated. Legolas turned to look at the fountain. "Why?"
"Because, they were busy protecting their own children."
Legolas looked at Aragorn confused. "What do you mean?"
Aragorn turned to look at Legolas, "do you know what orcs were?"
Legolas replied even more confused, "nasty creatures!"
Aragorn laughed a little. "Let me rephrase. What orcs WERE? Once." Legolas seemed to understand what Aragorn was saying,
"Some say they were elves who were utterly cursed!"
"Nwalme has been supplying orcs for Sauron's army." Aragorn simply stated. Legolas stood shocked.
"And the orcs were once these elven children?" he cautiously completed the sentence. Aragorn nodded his head. Gimli now joined the conversation.
"And Gandalf told us SHE REMAINED QUIET??" he thundered. Legolas clamped the dwarf's mouth shut as a few passing elves turned at the noise. They smiled gently at the three of them and moved along. Legolas turned back to Aragorn.
"These people live in fear far greater than ours! I have killed my own kith without knowing it!" he lowered his head.
"Do not grieve over the past, elven prince!"
Legolas turned at the new voice. There a cloaked figure emerged from the darkness. The hood fell down to reveal Isilya.
"We were forced to kill our own children. It cant get worse than that can it?" she smiled sadly at the fountain.
"we have been praying to the Valar that maybe someone will come to put an end to either the evil or to the entire clan of Edona. But now it seems we have hope! May the Valar guide your path good lords! I have a border to watch. So, if you will excuse me!" saying this, she bowed and returned back into the darkness.
Legolas turned to look at Aragorn. His eyes seemed resolute.
"And I thought Sauron was evil! This woman makes even Sauron look innocent! We need to stop this evil from spreading!"
Legolas smiled at this and replied, "I said this before and I say it again, your friends are with you Aragorn!"
Aragorn smiled at this.
"But why did she look at me like that?"
"OH SHUT UP!" roared Gimli. All three of them walked back inside laughing.
Anarya of Lorien: So, the number of people going to Nwalme increases! Woo! Who is this 'Silme' and what is it with Vala and her mysterious glances?
Legolas: But why was she looking at me like that?
Anarya of Lorien: Maybe she has a crush on you?!
Legolas: GASP! looks petrified
Anarya of Lorien: Oh well, here's another! Professor Sprout! We need another draught of Mandrake juice! Drags Legolas away who is still petrified
More Chapters to come! Reviews will be WELCOME!!!