Hi!
Wow, thank you for your reviews! Glad you seem to like the little story - I hope all Elladan-fans (and those of Legolas, for that matter) will forgive me for the upcoming chapter ...(runs and hides)
Review responses:
Ertia: Yes, Legolas behaved strangely, and it will get worse - poor elf...Thanks for reading yet again!
NightShadow131: Thanks! Happy to have you back as a reader...and I´ll try and keep the updates coming...
Red Tigress: Welcome back! Yes, I´m on a roll (and I thought I´d be free once the mill was behind me - so wrong!!)Sorry for more water, it just happened - and I love the sea, I live between two oceans - weird...
White Wolf: Thank you! Yes, poor Legolas...poor Aragorn...poor Elladan, too
Someone Reading: You´re welcome! And poor Legolas is going to do worse things in this chapter...
Alariel: Hehehe, good guessing, but I won´t tell! As far as I know, there´s no "King" in my family, but thanks for the comparison, I´m so flattered (blushes)
Tychen: Welcome back - and you are right, I cannot stop. HELP!! Well, but I promise no more mills - other bad things ahead, though ;-)
Deana: Thank you! And here´s No 3...
Iccle fairy: Thanks - but you´ll have to wait a bit longer for the mystery to be explained.
Tinánia Legolinde: Good that you love Legolas, he needs to be loved right now - give the poor elf a hug (if he lets you)!
Jopru: Thanks! Hope you still like it.
Alexa: Thanks so much! And PLEASE don´t swallow that water, not good, not good at all...
Thank you all so much and please keep the reviews coming!
OK, here´s chapter three, enjoy!
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: I wish, but no, they are merely borrowed
Darkness in bright light
A gentle breeze touched his face and carried the scent of dew and earth into his nostrils. The scent of horse. Another touch joined the first, less fleeting and more persistent. Pain laced through his head when he tried to turn it away, making him groan in protest. Something soft brushed his cheek, followed by the sensation of hot breath tingling over his skin. A sense of urgency awakened in his mind, and despite his deep wish to recoil into the peaceful oblivion that had shielded him before he pried his eyes open.
There were leaves of grass swaying gently in the wind. Tiny drops of water had collected on them and glistened in the fresh light of a morning just past dawn. Then the still picture was disturbed by a blur of brown and white and the ranger felt his head nudged gently by a warm snout. Finally recognising who was pestering him, he lifted a weary hand and brushed the horse´s head away. "Baw, Gwaef, ego!" //Stop it, Gwaef [wind], back!// The horse obliged haltingly, something like reproach in its huge dark eyes, and stood a few paces away from him, ears forward as if expecting him to act.
Very gingerly, Aragorn sat up. He had fully expected the pain to intensify and it did, but faded away to a dull throb when he remained motionless for a few moments. His hand sought out his left temple and felt the bruise there, making him wonder..."Legolas!" The memory of last night´s horror slammed into him with enough force to bring his headache back with a vengeance, making dots of light dance across his vision, but he blindly scrambled to his feet heedless of the turmoil his actions created in his head and stomach. He swayed and reached out blindly, finding that Gwaef had moved to his side.
Still lacking a clear vision, the ranger grabbed a handful of mane and heaved himself onto he smooth back with less than his usual grace, causing the stallion to grunt his disapproval. Aragorn forced his eyes open, but he had no hope of finding the elf anywhere nearby. There was a strange feeling of loss in him that clearly told him he was alone. He forced disappointment away when his premonition was proven right. The glorious autumn morning around him bathed the gently rolling hills into a golden light that seemed to be mocking him with its splendour. The trees that were generously sprinkled across the lush meadows, densing into groves here and there, displayed the full beauty of their colors as if there was nothing to dim their spirits.
Aragorn felt a wild surge of anger at the peaceful sight, bred by anxiety and frustration at his own inability to protect his friend. There was no trace of the elf anywhere in his range of vision. He turned to scan full circle and was met with nothing but innocence. Not bothering with a close examination of the ground, knowing full well that any trace even a wounded elf might have left in the grass would long be gone now, he turned into the only direction that offered any hope of help. Home.
He barely needed to touch the Gwaef´s flanks to sent him into a full gallop, heading for their camp. He held no illusion whatsoever of finding Legolas there, but he needed to check on their belongings and most importantly the prince´s horse. Secure in the knowledge that his mount knew their destination and would find it himself, he turned his thoughts back to last night and cringed inwardly at the memory.
The sickly white surface of the lake crept into his mind like the thought of cold death, but its presence was dwarved by another image that had burned itself into his soul with painful force. The look in Legolas´ eyes just before he had struck him. There had been a pain and despair mirrored in those usually cheerful blue orbs, so intense that even remembering it tore Aragorn´s heart apart. He had been weary himself, too weary perhaps to notice that the elf´s hurry to get away from the location of his near drowning had been less than natural. They had not been pursued by any creature, yet Legolas had behaved like a prey in a hunt.
So unusual. Nay, so wrong, so very wrong for any elf, the prince of Mirkwood foremost of all. It was not his habit to act heedlessly, and neither was it in his character to run from danger. Any creatures unwise enough to choose Legolas as their prey would soon find themselves at the receiving end of their own game. The only explanation Aragorn could come up with was that his friend´s soul had been so severely rattled by what had happened to him that his natural strength had been all but spent.
And he had failed to see it. A healer trained by the best teacher there was to be had. He had not recognized that the damage had been done to his friend´s mind much more than his body. A single tear streaked down his cheek at the biting memory of Legolas´ rejection, and he could not help but question why the elf had not trusted him to help him through whatever ailed him. Maybe Legolas had sensed the inability he had proven by allowing the injured elf to escape. Maybe he had felt better off on his own.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Little did Aragorn know that the very opposite of his desperate thoughts was true. Legolas had never felt so devoid of any hope as he did now, hidden in the branches of one of the trees that surrounded their former camp. He had sent his horse away with some difficulty, the animal almost as eager to offer him comfort as his friend had been, allowing the song to draw closer to his soul yet again. Everything around him was working against him with a strength that was becoming increasingly hard to counter.
The whispering of the trees whose concern for him grew with every passing moment, the feel of his bow in his hand, the rough bark pressed against his back, the golden light that filtered through the colorful leaves in a breathtaking display of the beauty that even the onset of winter and decay had to offer - everything his senses picked up only brought the fragile hold on his sanity closer to breaking. Closing his eyes, he forced his mind to withdraw from his surroundings and wander down paths that he had long learned to avoid in his dreams. The fleeting image of his father crying over his mother´s body sent a sob of sorrow through him, dimming the cursed song but bringing forth its own horrors. He could once again feel all the helplessness his young self had endured, the stabbing feeling of incompetence when he had been unable to soothe his father´s sorrow.
A tear slid down his cheek, an unconscious mirror of his friend´s worry, unheeded and unseen by anybody but the murmuring trees.
Legolas had no way of knowing how long he had hid himself in his pain when the sound of hoofbeats drew him out of his reverie. Steeling himself, he glanced around once more to make sure his was sufficiently hidden from sight before turning his attention to the man who had entered the small clearing.
Aragorn slid off his horse almost before the animal had come to a stop, wavering lightly as his feet touched the ground. The elf stifled a wince, knowing very well what caused his friend´s discomfort, but then tensed when he saw the ranger crouch close to the ashes of their fire. The man´s hands very lightly touched the ground while he moved around slowly, reading what the earth had to offer. What Legolas had allowed it to offer.
He had no doubt registered first that the elf´s horse and weapons were gone while his blanket and pack remained. There were light traces of footsteps all over the camp as if from aimless wanderings, but none led away from the camp. One, though, clearly ended where the horse had been. Aragorn straightened, his head still bent.
Legolas held his breath. He was sure that his friend would not fail to notice how close the horse had stood to a tree, and sure enough the ranger glanced up as if judging the distance that would have existed between the animal´s back and the lowest branch. A distance that would not prove a hindrance to a woodland elf. Aragorn turned slowly, scanning the trees. Legolas could feel his look brush past him like a gentle touch, never lingering on his position. True to his nature the ranger did not give up after one try but continued his search, walking among the trees and touching their bark.
Remaining completely motionless, Legolas could feel the trees raising their voices in their attempt to draw Aragorn´s attention, and in that moment he was fiercely thankful for his friend´s human shortcomings. There was no chance for the ranger to sense the message that the wood screamed at him, but his instincts were obviously keen enough to pick up the tension that was building around him.
The expression on his face was one of intense frustration, and after fruitlessly gazing at the trees one last time he raised his voice, calling out to the shadow of his friend´s presence that he must have felt close by. "Please, Legolas, do not hide from me." The betrayed trust reflecting off him drove the song to the very edge of elf´s consciousness, leaving much room for the guilt he felt.
"I promise I will do anything in my power to help you." The melody crept back, caressing his mind.
"Whatever has befallen you, Lord Elrond may be able to find a remedy." Cursed hope, how it intensified the tune!
"Please, my friend, do not give up hope. You never have before. We have braved far worse dangers than those wargs, and we will overcome this one too if we try." Legolas clamped his hands over his ears.
There was a moment of silence, only broken by the rustling of leaves and the horse´s breathing. Then the voice came again, more softly but still strong enough to reach Legolas and slip through all defences the elf had piled around his tortured mind. "Gweston, im tolthon elstel. Ech albarad ." //I swear I [will] get hope. You are not damned.//
He registered only very faintly that there was the sound of a horse leaving the clearing, taking his friend´s comfort with it, for the song had nearly overwhelmed him then despite his intentions to ignore Aragorn´s words. It filled his mind with intense need, need for the presence he had felt in the waters the night before, need for the sharpening of senses the song provided. It would care for him, oh yes, it would care for him so well - if he only allowed it...
"Baw!"//No!// Legolas reared against the poisonous road his thoughts were taking, his left hand sightlessly lashing out and hitting a branch, hard. The sharp pain that flared through him drove back the music that had come unbidden, and Legolas recalled the look on Aragorn´s face, the stubbornness triggered by intense fear, and the melody faded a little more. And high in the crown of the tree, ringed by flaming leaves in red and yellow, the battle continued while the sun brightly lit a day that sang of peace and happiness.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Elladan could not help but whistle to himself in sheer joy. His horse easily cantered along the small path, bringing him ever closer to the beloved home he had left many months ago. The scent of autumn clung heavily to everything around him, but it did not sing of death to him but of the oncoming quiet of winter. A quiet that he would cherish after the difficult errands he had run for his father, riding with the rangers and battling the many dangers that had seemed to multiply in recent years. The elf was keen of mind and knew that dark times lay ahead, but he also was merry of spirit and knew how to see the wonders the world presented to him so generously.
Like the beautifully colored trees that swayed in the lush breeze or the scent of late flowers that caressed him. Or the knowledge that the peace and quiet he anticipated in Imladris would be relative, his youngest brother and the prince of Mirkwood being around to disturb it. A smile spread across his lips when he thought about the mischief they would be able to cause, lifting the weight of the future off their own minds and those around them. He could not stifle a chuckle at the blazing praise his brother and friend had been showered with in the village he had recently passed.
Fortune seemed to have been on their side for once, judging by the warg skins the humans had hung in the village square to celebrate the deliverance from this evil. The beasts and been strong and too numerous for just two hunters to brave, but the good people had left no doubt about it that their saviours had prevailed unscathed. Elladan sighed good-naturedly when he became aware that the tale of this hunt would possibly become part of his blood over the winter, being told and re-told countless times, no doubt spiced with exaggerations when Legolas and Aragorn tried to surpass each other in recounting their deeds.
The dark-haired elf chuckled again, causing his mare to break into a series of wide leaps to mirror her master´s fine mood which had been so rare during their past months together. Elladan laughed fully at that, the pearly sound mingling with the twittering of exited birds that burst from the trees to his side.
Another sound seemed to be entwined with the birds´s song, and Elladan slowed his horse to listen - but there was nothing. He frowned at the sudden feeling of unease that overcame him and he stopped his mount to focus his attention on the glorious day that engulfed him like a gentle sea. The longer he remained still, the more clearly a sense of danger and dread revealed itself to him. It was shedding its protective skins of warmth and happiness very slowly, but its cold core began to make itself known.
The mare snorted in protest when she became aware of her master´s intention and impatiently pawed the ground, eager to be off. "Sorry, my friend", the elf apologised, patting the grey neck, "I feel just as homesick as you, but we may not ignore this - plea." It was only his words to the animal that brought home the truth of his statement. It was indeed a call he had sensed, a plea for help that emanated from nature itself.
He carefully guided his horse into the direction the call seemed to come from, silently wishing for Legolas to be with him. His friend would have been able to read the trees´ voices much better than he ever could, for wood-elves shared a bond with nature that could be rivalled by few creatures, except, perhaps, the Ents. Elladan turned his full attention to the seemingly peaceful scene around him when a sudden sound approached him from his right.
The elf had heard the almost gentle brush of wood and feathers against air many times and sharply drew back his mare, making her rear. The arrow hit the ground mere paces from the animal´s front legs and she reared again, neighing angrily in defiance. A second arrow followed less that a heartbeat later, even closer, and Elladan allowed the horse to dance backwards.
His own hands reached for his weapons when he was cut short by a voice that rang out to him from the trees. "Ego! Rach a maur guinor di gelaid. Ego!" //Be gone! A curse and darkness live under these trees. Be gone!// Elladan froze. A fear far beyond that of any danger cut through him. He knew this voice.
"Legolas? Mellon-nin, nasto chen."//Legolas? My friend, show yourself.// He was fairly certain that he had placed the voice correctly, even though it had an edge to it that had never been there before. A tension that drew away all warmth and laughter. Thoroughly worried, he took his hands away from his weapons and made to dismount, but before he could swing his legs over the horse´s back a third arrow whizzed through the air, embedding itself where his feet would have been a heartbeat later.
Hissing in surprise, Elladan straightened again and looked into the direction the arrow had come from, his sharp eyes finding the shape that was moving among the branches of a tree a good distance away. He could distinctly make out the trees´ distress now, and he shuddered at the implications. "Ego! Dartho palan, pith cin delw.""//Be gone! Stay away, your words are deadly.// There was a tinge of panic in the voice now, and Elladan´s mind was made up.
Trusting his friend not to hurt him, no matter what evil caused his fear, he drove his horse into a canter that carried him towards the tree, keeping his eyes fixed onto the form among the bight leaves. A pair of huge blue eyes met his, the look in them torn between anger and fear. He could see blood running down the fair elf´s neck, bruises covering his arms.
And then all Elladan could concentrate on was the arrow flying straight at him. The momentum of his horse´s speed allowed him little room to react and even though he pulled his mare to the side he felt the sharp bite of steel into flesh. The pain made him waver and he fell forward, clutching to the mane to keep himself from falling off. The hooves thundered beneath him, the ground flying by with sickening speed as the mare made a dash for safety, feeling her master´s weakness.
The haunted voice called after him, ringing with sadness: "Ego! Gosto glaer aelin fein. Ego!" //Be gone! Fear the song of the white lake. Be gone!//
TBC
Wow, thank you for your reviews! Glad you seem to like the little story - I hope all Elladan-fans (and those of Legolas, for that matter) will forgive me for the upcoming chapter ...(runs and hides)
Review responses:
Ertia: Yes, Legolas behaved strangely, and it will get worse - poor elf...Thanks for reading yet again!
NightShadow131: Thanks! Happy to have you back as a reader...and I´ll try and keep the updates coming...
Red Tigress: Welcome back! Yes, I´m on a roll (and I thought I´d be free once the mill was behind me - so wrong!!)Sorry for more water, it just happened - and I love the sea, I live between two oceans - weird...
White Wolf: Thank you! Yes, poor Legolas...poor Aragorn...poor Elladan, too
Someone Reading: You´re welcome! And poor Legolas is going to do worse things in this chapter...
Alariel: Hehehe, good guessing, but I won´t tell! As far as I know, there´s no "King" in my family, but thanks for the comparison, I´m so flattered (blushes)
Tychen: Welcome back - and you are right, I cannot stop. HELP!! Well, but I promise no more mills - other bad things ahead, though ;-)
Deana: Thank you! And here´s No 3...
Iccle fairy: Thanks - but you´ll have to wait a bit longer for the mystery to be explained.
Tinánia Legolinde: Good that you love Legolas, he needs to be loved right now - give the poor elf a hug (if he lets you)!
Jopru: Thanks! Hope you still like it.
Alexa: Thanks so much! And PLEASE don´t swallow that water, not good, not good at all...
Thank you all so much and please keep the reviews coming!
OK, here´s chapter three, enjoy!
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: I wish, but no, they are merely borrowed
Darkness in bright light
A gentle breeze touched his face and carried the scent of dew and earth into his nostrils. The scent of horse. Another touch joined the first, less fleeting and more persistent. Pain laced through his head when he tried to turn it away, making him groan in protest. Something soft brushed his cheek, followed by the sensation of hot breath tingling over his skin. A sense of urgency awakened in his mind, and despite his deep wish to recoil into the peaceful oblivion that had shielded him before he pried his eyes open.
There were leaves of grass swaying gently in the wind. Tiny drops of water had collected on them and glistened in the fresh light of a morning just past dawn. Then the still picture was disturbed by a blur of brown and white and the ranger felt his head nudged gently by a warm snout. Finally recognising who was pestering him, he lifted a weary hand and brushed the horse´s head away. "Baw, Gwaef, ego!" //Stop it, Gwaef [wind], back!// The horse obliged haltingly, something like reproach in its huge dark eyes, and stood a few paces away from him, ears forward as if expecting him to act.
Very gingerly, Aragorn sat up. He had fully expected the pain to intensify and it did, but faded away to a dull throb when he remained motionless for a few moments. His hand sought out his left temple and felt the bruise there, making him wonder..."Legolas!" The memory of last night´s horror slammed into him with enough force to bring his headache back with a vengeance, making dots of light dance across his vision, but he blindly scrambled to his feet heedless of the turmoil his actions created in his head and stomach. He swayed and reached out blindly, finding that Gwaef had moved to his side.
Still lacking a clear vision, the ranger grabbed a handful of mane and heaved himself onto he smooth back with less than his usual grace, causing the stallion to grunt his disapproval. Aragorn forced his eyes open, but he had no hope of finding the elf anywhere nearby. There was a strange feeling of loss in him that clearly told him he was alone. He forced disappointment away when his premonition was proven right. The glorious autumn morning around him bathed the gently rolling hills into a golden light that seemed to be mocking him with its splendour. The trees that were generously sprinkled across the lush meadows, densing into groves here and there, displayed the full beauty of their colors as if there was nothing to dim their spirits.
Aragorn felt a wild surge of anger at the peaceful sight, bred by anxiety and frustration at his own inability to protect his friend. There was no trace of the elf anywhere in his range of vision. He turned to scan full circle and was met with nothing but innocence. Not bothering with a close examination of the ground, knowing full well that any trace even a wounded elf might have left in the grass would long be gone now, he turned into the only direction that offered any hope of help. Home.
He barely needed to touch the Gwaef´s flanks to sent him into a full gallop, heading for their camp. He held no illusion whatsoever of finding Legolas there, but he needed to check on their belongings and most importantly the prince´s horse. Secure in the knowledge that his mount knew their destination and would find it himself, he turned his thoughts back to last night and cringed inwardly at the memory.
The sickly white surface of the lake crept into his mind like the thought of cold death, but its presence was dwarved by another image that had burned itself into his soul with painful force. The look in Legolas´ eyes just before he had struck him. There had been a pain and despair mirrored in those usually cheerful blue orbs, so intense that even remembering it tore Aragorn´s heart apart. He had been weary himself, too weary perhaps to notice that the elf´s hurry to get away from the location of his near drowning had been less than natural. They had not been pursued by any creature, yet Legolas had behaved like a prey in a hunt.
So unusual. Nay, so wrong, so very wrong for any elf, the prince of Mirkwood foremost of all. It was not his habit to act heedlessly, and neither was it in his character to run from danger. Any creatures unwise enough to choose Legolas as their prey would soon find themselves at the receiving end of their own game. The only explanation Aragorn could come up with was that his friend´s soul had been so severely rattled by what had happened to him that his natural strength had been all but spent.
And he had failed to see it. A healer trained by the best teacher there was to be had. He had not recognized that the damage had been done to his friend´s mind much more than his body. A single tear streaked down his cheek at the biting memory of Legolas´ rejection, and he could not help but question why the elf had not trusted him to help him through whatever ailed him. Maybe Legolas had sensed the inability he had proven by allowing the injured elf to escape. Maybe he had felt better off on his own.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Little did Aragorn know that the very opposite of his desperate thoughts was true. Legolas had never felt so devoid of any hope as he did now, hidden in the branches of one of the trees that surrounded their former camp. He had sent his horse away with some difficulty, the animal almost as eager to offer him comfort as his friend had been, allowing the song to draw closer to his soul yet again. Everything around him was working against him with a strength that was becoming increasingly hard to counter.
The whispering of the trees whose concern for him grew with every passing moment, the feel of his bow in his hand, the rough bark pressed against his back, the golden light that filtered through the colorful leaves in a breathtaking display of the beauty that even the onset of winter and decay had to offer - everything his senses picked up only brought the fragile hold on his sanity closer to breaking. Closing his eyes, he forced his mind to withdraw from his surroundings and wander down paths that he had long learned to avoid in his dreams. The fleeting image of his father crying over his mother´s body sent a sob of sorrow through him, dimming the cursed song but bringing forth its own horrors. He could once again feel all the helplessness his young self had endured, the stabbing feeling of incompetence when he had been unable to soothe his father´s sorrow.
A tear slid down his cheek, an unconscious mirror of his friend´s worry, unheeded and unseen by anybody but the murmuring trees.
Legolas had no way of knowing how long he had hid himself in his pain when the sound of hoofbeats drew him out of his reverie. Steeling himself, he glanced around once more to make sure his was sufficiently hidden from sight before turning his attention to the man who had entered the small clearing.
Aragorn slid off his horse almost before the animal had come to a stop, wavering lightly as his feet touched the ground. The elf stifled a wince, knowing very well what caused his friend´s discomfort, but then tensed when he saw the ranger crouch close to the ashes of their fire. The man´s hands very lightly touched the ground while he moved around slowly, reading what the earth had to offer. What Legolas had allowed it to offer.
He had no doubt registered first that the elf´s horse and weapons were gone while his blanket and pack remained. There were light traces of footsteps all over the camp as if from aimless wanderings, but none led away from the camp. One, though, clearly ended where the horse had been. Aragorn straightened, his head still bent.
Legolas held his breath. He was sure that his friend would not fail to notice how close the horse had stood to a tree, and sure enough the ranger glanced up as if judging the distance that would have existed between the animal´s back and the lowest branch. A distance that would not prove a hindrance to a woodland elf. Aragorn turned slowly, scanning the trees. Legolas could feel his look brush past him like a gentle touch, never lingering on his position. True to his nature the ranger did not give up after one try but continued his search, walking among the trees and touching their bark.
Remaining completely motionless, Legolas could feel the trees raising their voices in their attempt to draw Aragorn´s attention, and in that moment he was fiercely thankful for his friend´s human shortcomings. There was no chance for the ranger to sense the message that the wood screamed at him, but his instincts were obviously keen enough to pick up the tension that was building around him.
The expression on his face was one of intense frustration, and after fruitlessly gazing at the trees one last time he raised his voice, calling out to the shadow of his friend´s presence that he must have felt close by. "Please, Legolas, do not hide from me." The betrayed trust reflecting off him drove the song to the very edge of elf´s consciousness, leaving much room for the guilt he felt.
"I promise I will do anything in my power to help you." The melody crept back, caressing his mind.
"Whatever has befallen you, Lord Elrond may be able to find a remedy." Cursed hope, how it intensified the tune!
"Please, my friend, do not give up hope. You never have before. We have braved far worse dangers than those wargs, and we will overcome this one too if we try." Legolas clamped his hands over his ears.
There was a moment of silence, only broken by the rustling of leaves and the horse´s breathing. Then the voice came again, more softly but still strong enough to reach Legolas and slip through all defences the elf had piled around his tortured mind. "Gweston, im tolthon elstel. Ech albarad ." //I swear I [will] get hope. You are not damned.//
He registered only very faintly that there was the sound of a horse leaving the clearing, taking his friend´s comfort with it, for the song had nearly overwhelmed him then despite his intentions to ignore Aragorn´s words. It filled his mind with intense need, need for the presence he had felt in the waters the night before, need for the sharpening of senses the song provided. It would care for him, oh yes, it would care for him so well - if he only allowed it...
"Baw!"//No!// Legolas reared against the poisonous road his thoughts were taking, his left hand sightlessly lashing out and hitting a branch, hard. The sharp pain that flared through him drove back the music that had come unbidden, and Legolas recalled the look on Aragorn´s face, the stubbornness triggered by intense fear, and the melody faded a little more. And high in the crown of the tree, ringed by flaming leaves in red and yellow, the battle continued while the sun brightly lit a day that sang of peace and happiness.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Elladan could not help but whistle to himself in sheer joy. His horse easily cantered along the small path, bringing him ever closer to the beloved home he had left many months ago. The scent of autumn clung heavily to everything around him, but it did not sing of death to him but of the oncoming quiet of winter. A quiet that he would cherish after the difficult errands he had run for his father, riding with the rangers and battling the many dangers that had seemed to multiply in recent years. The elf was keen of mind and knew that dark times lay ahead, but he also was merry of spirit and knew how to see the wonders the world presented to him so generously.
Like the beautifully colored trees that swayed in the lush breeze or the scent of late flowers that caressed him. Or the knowledge that the peace and quiet he anticipated in Imladris would be relative, his youngest brother and the prince of Mirkwood being around to disturb it. A smile spread across his lips when he thought about the mischief they would be able to cause, lifting the weight of the future off their own minds and those around them. He could not stifle a chuckle at the blazing praise his brother and friend had been showered with in the village he had recently passed.
Fortune seemed to have been on their side for once, judging by the warg skins the humans had hung in the village square to celebrate the deliverance from this evil. The beasts and been strong and too numerous for just two hunters to brave, but the good people had left no doubt about it that their saviours had prevailed unscathed. Elladan sighed good-naturedly when he became aware that the tale of this hunt would possibly become part of his blood over the winter, being told and re-told countless times, no doubt spiced with exaggerations when Legolas and Aragorn tried to surpass each other in recounting their deeds.
The dark-haired elf chuckled again, causing his mare to break into a series of wide leaps to mirror her master´s fine mood which had been so rare during their past months together. Elladan laughed fully at that, the pearly sound mingling with the twittering of exited birds that burst from the trees to his side.
Another sound seemed to be entwined with the birds´s song, and Elladan slowed his horse to listen - but there was nothing. He frowned at the sudden feeling of unease that overcame him and he stopped his mount to focus his attention on the glorious day that engulfed him like a gentle sea. The longer he remained still, the more clearly a sense of danger and dread revealed itself to him. It was shedding its protective skins of warmth and happiness very slowly, but its cold core began to make itself known.
The mare snorted in protest when she became aware of her master´s intention and impatiently pawed the ground, eager to be off. "Sorry, my friend", the elf apologised, patting the grey neck, "I feel just as homesick as you, but we may not ignore this - plea." It was only his words to the animal that brought home the truth of his statement. It was indeed a call he had sensed, a plea for help that emanated from nature itself.
He carefully guided his horse into the direction the call seemed to come from, silently wishing for Legolas to be with him. His friend would have been able to read the trees´ voices much better than he ever could, for wood-elves shared a bond with nature that could be rivalled by few creatures, except, perhaps, the Ents. Elladan turned his full attention to the seemingly peaceful scene around him when a sudden sound approached him from his right.
The elf had heard the almost gentle brush of wood and feathers against air many times and sharply drew back his mare, making her rear. The arrow hit the ground mere paces from the animal´s front legs and she reared again, neighing angrily in defiance. A second arrow followed less that a heartbeat later, even closer, and Elladan allowed the horse to dance backwards.
His own hands reached for his weapons when he was cut short by a voice that rang out to him from the trees. "Ego! Rach a maur guinor di gelaid. Ego!" //Be gone! A curse and darkness live under these trees. Be gone!// Elladan froze. A fear far beyond that of any danger cut through him. He knew this voice.
"Legolas? Mellon-nin, nasto chen."//Legolas? My friend, show yourself.// He was fairly certain that he had placed the voice correctly, even though it had an edge to it that had never been there before. A tension that drew away all warmth and laughter. Thoroughly worried, he took his hands away from his weapons and made to dismount, but before he could swing his legs over the horse´s back a third arrow whizzed through the air, embedding itself where his feet would have been a heartbeat later.
Hissing in surprise, Elladan straightened again and looked into the direction the arrow had come from, his sharp eyes finding the shape that was moving among the branches of a tree a good distance away. He could distinctly make out the trees´ distress now, and he shuddered at the implications. "Ego! Dartho palan, pith cin delw.""//Be gone! Stay away, your words are deadly.// There was a tinge of panic in the voice now, and Elladan´s mind was made up.
Trusting his friend not to hurt him, no matter what evil caused his fear, he drove his horse into a canter that carried him towards the tree, keeping his eyes fixed onto the form among the bight leaves. A pair of huge blue eyes met his, the look in them torn between anger and fear. He could see blood running down the fair elf´s neck, bruises covering his arms.
And then all Elladan could concentrate on was the arrow flying straight at him. The momentum of his horse´s speed allowed him little room to react and even though he pulled his mare to the side he felt the sharp bite of steel into flesh. The pain made him waver and he fell forward, clutching to the mane to keep himself from falling off. The hooves thundered beneath him, the ground flying by with sickening speed as the mare made a dash for safety, feeling her master´s weakness.
The haunted voice called after him, ringing with sadness: "Ego! Gosto glaer aelin fein. Ego!" //Be gone! Fear the song of the white lake. Be gone!//
TBC