Hey!
Is that a fast update or what?? I have to admit that I felt somewhat guilty leaving them like I did and tried to help (a little). Hope you all like it! Thanks yet again for your reviews (and quick ones, too), responses below, please keep the coming!
Now on to the next chapter...
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish - but I am just playing with them
Pains relieved and renewed
The pain rose again and Legolas bit down a cry, but he did not stop wrapping a piece of torn tunic around the makeshift splints the tree had provided. Tiny pearls of sweat slipped off his face and gently fell, wetting the back of his hands. The sensation was unusual to him and he frowned at it. Yet, to be able to feel it, through the red haze of pain, was almost a reason to rejoice. He hastily tried to subdue the feeling as it fed power to the luring tune that was never far off. Never left him at peace.
The broken ankle had proven to be a blessing, albeit a mixed one. Even though the song had secured its grip on him yet again after momentarily allowing him to slip, he felt a little more mobile within it. The dreadful confusion he had felt ever since waking to himself at the white shores had cleared enough for him to find a place for himself in the midst of this tragedy, a place he intended to fill to his best abilities until the end came. And he would not permit himself any fatal weakness again, as he had with Elladan.
Elladan. Oh Valar, let him be alive. Let him not fall victim to an arrow that had been meant to safe his soul, not destroy it.
Legolas could feel the song gaining on him again and he automatically put his foot down hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. Hurting his arms again, the sole means he had in his attempt to deny the lake any fresh victims, was out of question. His faulty aim would thus not return to haunt him. He would allow it. Should weakness overtake him and render him helpless he would make sure nobody else would have to suffer. He did not care that he would not be able to walk again, as long as he remained close enough to the lake to effectively drive away anybody lured to this accursed place - or bring him down, if need be.
"Tirmo." //Sentinel.// He let the old Quenya word roll of his tongue, and it suited him. It had come to his mind almost unbidden, surely a relic of the times he had spent learning bits of the ancient tongue in his youth, and he considered it fitting. It defined him, what he would be as long as his strength allowed.
Legolas gritted his teeth and pulled himself upright against the tree he had fallen off, one hand clutching his bow. He turned to face the shimmering white surface that beckoned to him from the distance, reflecting the late afternoon sun. The sight refreshed the strength of the tunes that ate at the barrier around his soul, and he once again welcomed a wave of pain to close around him and drive back the call. As if in response, a ripple seemed to spring from the lake, running through the swaying grass as if through water. It sped away among bush and tree, leaving nature to painfully sight in its wake.
Legolas gasped as he felt the focus of the entity that bound him shift its focus. For a breathless second he thought he could break free, but his hope only brought the iron grip down harder and he silently cursed his foolishness. The was no hope left for him. Yet, his slight gain of control had forced his opponent to react and that in itself was more of a victory than he would have believed possible only a short while ago.
The fair elf collected himself, determined to edge a little closer to the lake before taking up what would be his final stand. He welcomed the pain that shadowed him on his slow walk, nudging him as he staggered from one tree to the other like on old friend urging him on. He found himself smiling at the thought, but then the smile transferred into a sneer directed at the shining surface that slowly grew closer. "Alchwind sina tirmo, lasto anim?" //This sentinel is not weak, do you hear me?// The only answer he received was a slight tremor beneath his feet, but then again, even that might have been nothing but a deep sigh of regret heaved by earth itself.
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"Elrohir, nud!"//Elrohir, bandage!// Aragorn snapped, one hand pressing hard against on the heavily bleeding wound in the older twin´s chest. He held out his other hand blindly and received what he had asked for, swiftly throwing the soiled cloth away to replace it with the fresh one. They had carefully removed the arrow and now all depended on stopping the crimson tide that still swelled from beneath the ranger´s hands.
They had propped Elladan up on his side and Elrohir sat behind his brother, applying pressure to the exit wound. Between them, man and elf had worked hard and neither had even once hinted at possible failure. Aragorn was thankful. His world had narrowed down to the blood, the cloth, the healing salve he had hastily prepared while Elrohir had whispered to his unconscious twin to stay with them.
In a way, those moments of preparation had been the worst, even though both sons of Elrond knew better than to act on blind impulse when it came to treating such a grave injury. They had pushed away the shock over the origin of the arrow, concentrating on its removal instead. Aragorn closed his eyes, mirroring his brother as both tried to send as much healing energy into Elladan as they could.
The man felt his palm once again grow wet and he repeated his request to Elrohir, who responded with the same deadly calm that he had displayed throughout the whole ordeal so far. Aragorn applied the new bandage, barely realizing that he had not even opened his eyes. He could feel Elladan´s heart race in a frantic rhythm as if trying to catch up with the life force that threatened to flee him, and he knew that even an Elven heart would not survive this dreadful pace for long.
"Tin hun blebi" //His heart flutters//, Elrohir mumbled, not aware of voicing his human brother´s thoughts, and unexpectedly he began to hum. It was a soothing tune Aragorn vaguely recognised. It conjured the feeling of strong arms wrapped around his small form, offering protection against all evil the world could hold. He even thought he could smell the sweet herbs Elrond used to burn in the hearth of his room in the times when his nightmares had robbed him of sleep for nights on end. Gradually, he could feel Elladan´s heart respond and slow its pace, no doubt guided into safety by memories very similar to Aragorn´s own.
He could hear the weak smile on Elrohir´s lips when the younger twin broke his song to speak again. "Tin sereg dinen"//His blood [grows] quiet.// There was a long pause in which both healers simply sat and felt for any change, fearing that they had misread the signs their brother´s body sent out, but he had indeed calmed and the bleeding had abated enough for Aragorn to apply the salve he had prepared. Almost reluctantly the ranger opened his eyes, surprised that the sun had set since he had closed them. A curious weakness made him sway slightly when he gingerly withdrew his hands, making him wonder for how long they had been locked in the healing trance.
He reached out towards the small fire he had built and retrieved the metal bowl he had placed towards its edge to keep its contents warm and fairly liquid. He laid a number of bandages close by and turned to find that Elrohir had already dabbed away some blood, mindful not to restart the bleeding. Very carefully, Aragorn spread a generous amount of the salve on both wounds, drawing a pained hiss from the unconscious elf.
"Dartho, gwador, ha methiel lim"//Hold on, brother, it [will be] over soon//, Elrohir soothed, lovingly tracing his twin´s pale brow with one finger, "sidh, naeg thintatha."//Peace, the pain will fade.// He began humming the old lullaby again and never ceased while he helped Aragorn bind the injury and settle their brother as comfortably as possible. They used their blankets to securely rest him on his side to prevent him from rolling on his wounds.
When they finally sat back, the stars were glittering above them, outshone by an almost full moon, and a chilling breeze touched Aragorn´s sweaty face, making him shiver. Elrohir drew closer and placed his arm around him and together they rested for a while, gaining warmth of both body and soul from each other´s presence.
The horses were standing close, their heads held high and their nostrils widening in heir constant search for danger. Even Faun had remained with them, standing guard over the three brothers that had been so vulnerable in their oblivion. Now, however, Legolas´s steed turned to face the two healers, pawing the ground twice in request. His huge dark eyes held resolve that would not budge.
Aragorn sighed and disengaged himself from the gentle embrace to climb wearily to his feet. "You do not intend to leave now." Elrohir´s statement held little of a question. He eyed the ranger carefully while the human busied himself with the chores always left in the wake of healing, throwing soiled bandages into the fire, cleaning away the rest of the salve that could not be used once it had cooled down.
Instead of directly reacting to either the horse or the elf, Aragorn spoke quietly, almost as if to himself. Elrohir listened and understood completely. "We had not used any healing supplies yet, can you believe it?" His dry chuckle held so much remorse it almost melted the elf´s heart. "Only a few herbs on some cuts Legolas hardly even felt. I wanted them to be gone when we reached Imladris. We wanted to brag with our safe return." He absent-mindedly stowed the remaining bandages away and settled next to Elladan, watching his pale face catch the moonlight.
"We will get Legolas home, too." Elrohir´s gentle words held utter conviction, and Aragorn looked up to search his brother´s eyes for its source. The elf correctly interpreted the questioning look and allowed himself a small smile. "He is the most stubborn creature ever born to the forests, Estel, and whatever has befallen him will be met with the harshest resistance. I do not know what caused him to shoot our brother, but my heart tells me it was not an act of hatred."
He rested his eyes on his sleeping twin tenderly, and his voice held no anger when he spoke, only deep thought. "I will not lie to you, brother, even though I have pondered on it, I do not know what might have brought upon Legolas´ actions. We will have to bring him home, forcefully if need be, and ask father for assistance. Whatever this evil may be, I will be at your side to conquer it, and so will Elladan."
Aragorn felt warmed at the words, and for a moment he permitted the childish belief of his youth to return - that nothing that stalked Middle Earth could resists the combined strength of Elrond´s sons. He knew now that this was not so, of course, but he also realized that Elrohir´s promise was not lightly made and carried more weight than most opponents could answer to.
"However", the dark elf resumed gently, "we will not be able to conquer it tonight." He had foreseen his brother´s protests and raised his hand with a stern look so very much like the one his father used to scare even the mightiest into submission. "Neither of us will be much good in a fight at the moment, and from the look of things Legolas will not allow us to get close, let alone help him. I doubt that we will be able to move Elladan tomorrow without causing harm...Estel, man garo?" //Estel, what are you doing?//
The ranger had risen and was now purposefully striding towards his horse, the elf at his heels. Aragorn whirled on his brother, a look that wavered between anger and dark amusement on his face. "What, are you going to grab me and tie me down?" Elrohir sighed. "Estel, lasto anima..." //Estel, listen to me...// This time it was Aragorn who proved he had learned to copy his foster father´s gestures by raising an eyebrow, effectively silencing his brother. He sighed.
"Peace, Elrohir, I see the wisdom of your words, even though my heart bids me leave now." He drew forth a small piece of parchment and a stick of sharpened coal he always carried for such purposes and used his horse´s broad back as a table to scribble a short message, folding it carefully as to not smear it. "But I will leave with the first light of dawn, and I would appreciate the knowledge that you will not be far behind me, following once help has arrived for Elladan."
The elf nodded mutely, a little embarrassed that he had failed to notice this option. He was careful not to let his surprise show when he countered: "And help for you, Estel." Aragorn simply nodded while he carefully bound the message to Gwaef´s mane. He took the stallion´s massive head into his hands and whispered to him urgently. The response was immediate. The steed threw back its head with a loud neigh and took off without hesitation. "Valar berio men cin, mellon-nin."//May the Valar protect your road, my friend.// the ranger whispered, but when he looked at his brother there was a ghost of a smile on his face.
"I told him Faun had made the distance in five hours once, and now his mind is set on breaking the record." His smile turned a little rueful. "Proud beast, may I not have overestimated your endurance." He was not left any more room to ponder, though, when another horse reminded him of its presence.
Faun had circled them restlessly ever since announcing his will to leave, neighing now and again, but now his low amount of patience was clearly used up. He angrily charged Aragorn, stopping a mere hand´s breadth from the startled human´s face. The dark eyes searched the man´s, and before Aragorn had found his voice to speak the stallion turned on his heels, charging off into the night.
"Oh Legolas, forgive me." Aragorn sank to the ground, his strength suddenly leaving him as he saw the animal act on an impulse that took him so much heart to fight. "At least one loyal friend may find you before the night wanes."
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Legolas turned his eyes away from the sunset, not willing to let the breathtaking display of color that usually brought him so much peace, even in dire times, to strengthen the enemy within him. He had managed to climb a tree that allowed him a clear view on the white pool, his ankle still throbbing mercilessly. The pain had almost robbed his consciousness during the ascend and had left him shaky and weary, once more pressed by the haunting tune.
Since then, however, he had managed to rebuild some of his resolve. The song had become such a constant presence that some of his other senses had found a way around it, and what they had found had left him on edge. The trees were still calling out to him, trying to offer comfort to his tormented soul, but their attention was divided now. There was a new target to their grief, and Legolas dreaded whom the redirected focus of the beckoning was ensnaring now. There had been a brief flash of guilt at the knowledge that his resistance might have endangered somebody else, but he had quickly subdued it.
Another thought had captivated him much more and had brought upon a cold fear that still clung to him. There had been no such change before Elladan had appeared. What if he had shot a friend that may have followed nothing else but the silent plea of the trees? He had hurt, mayhap even killed an elf as dear to him as a brother on an assumption that might well have been wrong. No matter how he tried, he could not rid his soul of this shadow, and for once he was not thankful for the dulling of the music it provided.
Suddenly, a slight sound broke through to him, a sound that did not follow the never changing paths of music that haunted him, and he saw a fawn stalk out from beneath the shadow of the trees. The last rays of the sun painted its coat a shining red. A cold rush of foreboding surged through the elf´s tired body, and he tensed when he saw the elegant beast slowly approach the pool. The thin hooves left a tiny trail in the grass. It had grown so quiet that Legolas was sure he could make out the slight crushing of the grass even through the tune.
The waters were strangely still, even though a slight breeze had developed that should have gently rippled its surface. It lay motionless as glass, though, and the fawn paused, head held high. Legolas saw its sides heave as if in effort, and suddenly he understood. Even as he heard the unmistakable sound of a running herd crushing through the undergrowth below, he drew out and nocked an arrow with a confidence of movements he never registered. The arrow flew true, catching the fawn over the chest. A fine line of blood was left in its wake and the beast took off in terror, but the rest of its herd was now making a mad dash for the pool.
Legolas shot with unerring precision despite the slight quiver that returned to him with the strain, yet even his speed could not hold off the whole group. With deer fleeing in all directions beneath him, Legolas watched in horror as one large animal plunged into the pool. It stumbled and fell, eyes rolling wildly while its frantically kicking legs sprayed the sickly liquid through the air. A scream broke from the broad chest that spoke of mind-wrecking fear, then the waters suddenly closed above the thrashing head and pulled it down.
The legs continued to struggle blindly, splashing the water even when every other sound from the beast was muted and died. A red stain spread through the water, forming the ghostly shape of a grinning face before suddenly disappearing as if absorbed. Legolas watched, aghast, and felt a rush of power aimed at him that, even though invisible, split the very air it crossed.
The impact almost drove him off the tree backwards, and his mind recoiled in shock when it was assaulted by a song which had picked up both pace and volume to a point of deafening all rational thoughts.
In the pool, not far yet completely unnoticed now by the struggling elf, the entity feasted and rejoiced.
TBC
Review responses:
NightShadow131: Yes, I know I am evil...Glad to know you are, too, or else you would not like it ;-))
Deana: See, I don´t leave you waiting!
White Wolf1: Hey, I guess you´ll have some reading to do once you are back - happy vacation!
Ertia: Am I posting too fast (smirk)? You are right, Legolas is NOT a happy elf, poor thing.
Tychen: Aragorn is doing his best, I assure you, and so is Legolas, holding on with hands, feet, teeth... Any clue now what is behind the song?? And see, I posted without bribery, but I´ll still like my cake, please...
RedTigress: I don´t know why I spare Elrohir - hmmm ... And what an evil thought, binding poor Legolas to a tree ;-)
Someone Reading: Nuts?!? Oh yes, after what I put them through, although they got a tiny break this time, didn´t they? And don´t forget to leave your light on ;-)
Is that a fast update or what?? I have to admit that I felt somewhat guilty leaving them like I did and tried to help (a little). Hope you all like it! Thanks yet again for your reviews (and quick ones, too), responses below, please keep the coming!
Now on to the next chapter...
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish - but I am just playing with them
Pains relieved and renewed
The pain rose again and Legolas bit down a cry, but he did not stop wrapping a piece of torn tunic around the makeshift splints the tree had provided. Tiny pearls of sweat slipped off his face and gently fell, wetting the back of his hands. The sensation was unusual to him and he frowned at it. Yet, to be able to feel it, through the red haze of pain, was almost a reason to rejoice. He hastily tried to subdue the feeling as it fed power to the luring tune that was never far off. Never left him at peace.
The broken ankle had proven to be a blessing, albeit a mixed one. Even though the song had secured its grip on him yet again after momentarily allowing him to slip, he felt a little more mobile within it. The dreadful confusion he had felt ever since waking to himself at the white shores had cleared enough for him to find a place for himself in the midst of this tragedy, a place he intended to fill to his best abilities until the end came. And he would not permit himself any fatal weakness again, as he had with Elladan.
Elladan. Oh Valar, let him be alive. Let him not fall victim to an arrow that had been meant to safe his soul, not destroy it.
Legolas could feel the song gaining on him again and he automatically put his foot down hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. Hurting his arms again, the sole means he had in his attempt to deny the lake any fresh victims, was out of question. His faulty aim would thus not return to haunt him. He would allow it. Should weakness overtake him and render him helpless he would make sure nobody else would have to suffer. He did not care that he would not be able to walk again, as long as he remained close enough to the lake to effectively drive away anybody lured to this accursed place - or bring him down, if need be.
"Tirmo." //Sentinel.// He let the old Quenya word roll of his tongue, and it suited him. It had come to his mind almost unbidden, surely a relic of the times he had spent learning bits of the ancient tongue in his youth, and he considered it fitting. It defined him, what he would be as long as his strength allowed.
Legolas gritted his teeth and pulled himself upright against the tree he had fallen off, one hand clutching his bow. He turned to face the shimmering white surface that beckoned to him from the distance, reflecting the late afternoon sun. The sight refreshed the strength of the tunes that ate at the barrier around his soul, and he once again welcomed a wave of pain to close around him and drive back the call. As if in response, a ripple seemed to spring from the lake, running through the swaying grass as if through water. It sped away among bush and tree, leaving nature to painfully sight in its wake.
Legolas gasped as he felt the focus of the entity that bound him shift its focus. For a breathless second he thought he could break free, but his hope only brought the iron grip down harder and he silently cursed his foolishness. The was no hope left for him. Yet, his slight gain of control had forced his opponent to react and that in itself was more of a victory than he would have believed possible only a short while ago.
The fair elf collected himself, determined to edge a little closer to the lake before taking up what would be his final stand. He welcomed the pain that shadowed him on his slow walk, nudging him as he staggered from one tree to the other like on old friend urging him on. He found himself smiling at the thought, but then the smile transferred into a sneer directed at the shining surface that slowly grew closer. "Alchwind sina tirmo, lasto anim?" //This sentinel is not weak, do you hear me?// The only answer he received was a slight tremor beneath his feet, but then again, even that might have been nothing but a deep sigh of regret heaved by earth itself.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"Elrohir, nud!"//Elrohir, bandage!// Aragorn snapped, one hand pressing hard against on the heavily bleeding wound in the older twin´s chest. He held out his other hand blindly and received what he had asked for, swiftly throwing the soiled cloth away to replace it with the fresh one. They had carefully removed the arrow and now all depended on stopping the crimson tide that still swelled from beneath the ranger´s hands.
They had propped Elladan up on his side and Elrohir sat behind his brother, applying pressure to the exit wound. Between them, man and elf had worked hard and neither had even once hinted at possible failure. Aragorn was thankful. His world had narrowed down to the blood, the cloth, the healing salve he had hastily prepared while Elrohir had whispered to his unconscious twin to stay with them.
In a way, those moments of preparation had been the worst, even though both sons of Elrond knew better than to act on blind impulse when it came to treating such a grave injury. They had pushed away the shock over the origin of the arrow, concentrating on its removal instead. Aragorn closed his eyes, mirroring his brother as both tried to send as much healing energy into Elladan as they could.
The man felt his palm once again grow wet and he repeated his request to Elrohir, who responded with the same deadly calm that he had displayed throughout the whole ordeal so far. Aragorn applied the new bandage, barely realizing that he had not even opened his eyes. He could feel Elladan´s heart race in a frantic rhythm as if trying to catch up with the life force that threatened to flee him, and he knew that even an Elven heart would not survive this dreadful pace for long.
"Tin hun blebi" //His heart flutters//, Elrohir mumbled, not aware of voicing his human brother´s thoughts, and unexpectedly he began to hum. It was a soothing tune Aragorn vaguely recognised. It conjured the feeling of strong arms wrapped around his small form, offering protection against all evil the world could hold. He even thought he could smell the sweet herbs Elrond used to burn in the hearth of his room in the times when his nightmares had robbed him of sleep for nights on end. Gradually, he could feel Elladan´s heart respond and slow its pace, no doubt guided into safety by memories very similar to Aragorn´s own.
He could hear the weak smile on Elrohir´s lips when the younger twin broke his song to speak again. "Tin sereg dinen"//His blood [grows] quiet.// There was a long pause in which both healers simply sat and felt for any change, fearing that they had misread the signs their brother´s body sent out, but he had indeed calmed and the bleeding had abated enough for Aragorn to apply the salve he had prepared. Almost reluctantly the ranger opened his eyes, surprised that the sun had set since he had closed them. A curious weakness made him sway slightly when he gingerly withdrew his hands, making him wonder for how long they had been locked in the healing trance.
He reached out towards the small fire he had built and retrieved the metal bowl he had placed towards its edge to keep its contents warm and fairly liquid. He laid a number of bandages close by and turned to find that Elrohir had already dabbed away some blood, mindful not to restart the bleeding. Very carefully, Aragorn spread a generous amount of the salve on both wounds, drawing a pained hiss from the unconscious elf.
"Dartho, gwador, ha methiel lim"//Hold on, brother, it [will be] over soon//, Elrohir soothed, lovingly tracing his twin´s pale brow with one finger, "sidh, naeg thintatha."//Peace, the pain will fade.// He began humming the old lullaby again and never ceased while he helped Aragorn bind the injury and settle their brother as comfortably as possible. They used their blankets to securely rest him on his side to prevent him from rolling on his wounds.
When they finally sat back, the stars were glittering above them, outshone by an almost full moon, and a chilling breeze touched Aragorn´s sweaty face, making him shiver. Elrohir drew closer and placed his arm around him and together they rested for a while, gaining warmth of both body and soul from each other´s presence.
The horses were standing close, their heads held high and their nostrils widening in heir constant search for danger. Even Faun had remained with them, standing guard over the three brothers that had been so vulnerable in their oblivion. Now, however, Legolas´s steed turned to face the two healers, pawing the ground twice in request. His huge dark eyes held resolve that would not budge.
Aragorn sighed and disengaged himself from the gentle embrace to climb wearily to his feet. "You do not intend to leave now." Elrohir´s statement held little of a question. He eyed the ranger carefully while the human busied himself with the chores always left in the wake of healing, throwing soiled bandages into the fire, cleaning away the rest of the salve that could not be used once it had cooled down.
Instead of directly reacting to either the horse or the elf, Aragorn spoke quietly, almost as if to himself. Elrohir listened and understood completely. "We had not used any healing supplies yet, can you believe it?" His dry chuckle held so much remorse it almost melted the elf´s heart. "Only a few herbs on some cuts Legolas hardly even felt. I wanted them to be gone when we reached Imladris. We wanted to brag with our safe return." He absent-mindedly stowed the remaining bandages away and settled next to Elladan, watching his pale face catch the moonlight.
"We will get Legolas home, too." Elrohir´s gentle words held utter conviction, and Aragorn looked up to search his brother´s eyes for its source. The elf correctly interpreted the questioning look and allowed himself a small smile. "He is the most stubborn creature ever born to the forests, Estel, and whatever has befallen him will be met with the harshest resistance. I do not know what caused him to shoot our brother, but my heart tells me it was not an act of hatred."
He rested his eyes on his sleeping twin tenderly, and his voice held no anger when he spoke, only deep thought. "I will not lie to you, brother, even though I have pondered on it, I do not know what might have brought upon Legolas´ actions. We will have to bring him home, forcefully if need be, and ask father for assistance. Whatever this evil may be, I will be at your side to conquer it, and so will Elladan."
Aragorn felt warmed at the words, and for a moment he permitted the childish belief of his youth to return - that nothing that stalked Middle Earth could resists the combined strength of Elrond´s sons. He knew now that this was not so, of course, but he also realized that Elrohir´s promise was not lightly made and carried more weight than most opponents could answer to.
"However", the dark elf resumed gently, "we will not be able to conquer it tonight." He had foreseen his brother´s protests and raised his hand with a stern look so very much like the one his father used to scare even the mightiest into submission. "Neither of us will be much good in a fight at the moment, and from the look of things Legolas will not allow us to get close, let alone help him. I doubt that we will be able to move Elladan tomorrow without causing harm...Estel, man garo?" //Estel, what are you doing?//
The ranger had risen and was now purposefully striding towards his horse, the elf at his heels. Aragorn whirled on his brother, a look that wavered between anger and dark amusement on his face. "What, are you going to grab me and tie me down?" Elrohir sighed. "Estel, lasto anima..." //Estel, listen to me...// This time it was Aragorn who proved he had learned to copy his foster father´s gestures by raising an eyebrow, effectively silencing his brother. He sighed.
"Peace, Elrohir, I see the wisdom of your words, even though my heart bids me leave now." He drew forth a small piece of parchment and a stick of sharpened coal he always carried for such purposes and used his horse´s broad back as a table to scribble a short message, folding it carefully as to not smear it. "But I will leave with the first light of dawn, and I would appreciate the knowledge that you will not be far behind me, following once help has arrived for Elladan."
The elf nodded mutely, a little embarrassed that he had failed to notice this option. He was careful not to let his surprise show when he countered: "And help for you, Estel." Aragorn simply nodded while he carefully bound the message to Gwaef´s mane. He took the stallion´s massive head into his hands and whispered to him urgently. The response was immediate. The steed threw back its head with a loud neigh and took off without hesitation. "Valar berio men cin, mellon-nin."//May the Valar protect your road, my friend.// the ranger whispered, but when he looked at his brother there was a ghost of a smile on his face.
"I told him Faun had made the distance in five hours once, and now his mind is set on breaking the record." His smile turned a little rueful. "Proud beast, may I not have overestimated your endurance." He was not left any more room to ponder, though, when another horse reminded him of its presence.
Faun had circled them restlessly ever since announcing his will to leave, neighing now and again, but now his low amount of patience was clearly used up. He angrily charged Aragorn, stopping a mere hand´s breadth from the startled human´s face. The dark eyes searched the man´s, and before Aragorn had found his voice to speak the stallion turned on his heels, charging off into the night.
"Oh Legolas, forgive me." Aragorn sank to the ground, his strength suddenly leaving him as he saw the animal act on an impulse that took him so much heart to fight. "At least one loyal friend may find you before the night wanes."
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Legolas turned his eyes away from the sunset, not willing to let the breathtaking display of color that usually brought him so much peace, even in dire times, to strengthen the enemy within him. He had managed to climb a tree that allowed him a clear view on the white pool, his ankle still throbbing mercilessly. The pain had almost robbed his consciousness during the ascend and had left him shaky and weary, once more pressed by the haunting tune.
Since then, however, he had managed to rebuild some of his resolve. The song had become such a constant presence that some of his other senses had found a way around it, and what they had found had left him on edge. The trees were still calling out to him, trying to offer comfort to his tormented soul, but their attention was divided now. There was a new target to their grief, and Legolas dreaded whom the redirected focus of the beckoning was ensnaring now. There had been a brief flash of guilt at the knowledge that his resistance might have endangered somebody else, but he had quickly subdued it.
Another thought had captivated him much more and had brought upon a cold fear that still clung to him. There had been no such change before Elladan had appeared. What if he had shot a friend that may have followed nothing else but the silent plea of the trees? He had hurt, mayhap even killed an elf as dear to him as a brother on an assumption that might well have been wrong. No matter how he tried, he could not rid his soul of this shadow, and for once he was not thankful for the dulling of the music it provided.
Suddenly, a slight sound broke through to him, a sound that did not follow the never changing paths of music that haunted him, and he saw a fawn stalk out from beneath the shadow of the trees. The last rays of the sun painted its coat a shining red. A cold rush of foreboding surged through the elf´s tired body, and he tensed when he saw the elegant beast slowly approach the pool. The thin hooves left a tiny trail in the grass. It had grown so quiet that Legolas was sure he could make out the slight crushing of the grass even through the tune.
The waters were strangely still, even though a slight breeze had developed that should have gently rippled its surface. It lay motionless as glass, though, and the fawn paused, head held high. Legolas saw its sides heave as if in effort, and suddenly he understood. Even as he heard the unmistakable sound of a running herd crushing through the undergrowth below, he drew out and nocked an arrow with a confidence of movements he never registered. The arrow flew true, catching the fawn over the chest. A fine line of blood was left in its wake and the beast took off in terror, but the rest of its herd was now making a mad dash for the pool.
Legolas shot with unerring precision despite the slight quiver that returned to him with the strain, yet even his speed could not hold off the whole group. With deer fleeing in all directions beneath him, Legolas watched in horror as one large animal plunged into the pool. It stumbled and fell, eyes rolling wildly while its frantically kicking legs sprayed the sickly liquid through the air. A scream broke from the broad chest that spoke of mind-wrecking fear, then the waters suddenly closed above the thrashing head and pulled it down.
The legs continued to struggle blindly, splashing the water even when every other sound from the beast was muted and died. A red stain spread through the water, forming the ghostly shape of a grinning face before suddenly disappearing as if absorbed. Legolas watched, aghast, and felt a rush of power aimed at him that, even though invisible, split the very air it crossed.
The impact almost drove him off the tree backwards, and his mind recoiled in shock when it was assaulted by a song which had picked up both pace and volume to a point of deafening all rational thoughts.
In the pool, not far yet completely unnoticed now by the struggling elf, the entity feasted and rejoiced.
TBC
Review responses:
NightShadow131: Yes, I know I am evil...Glad to know you are, too, or else you would not like it ;-))
Deana: See, I don´t leave you waiting!
White Wolf1: Hey, I guess you´ll have some reading to do once you are back - happy vacation!
Ertia: Am I posting too fast (smirk)? You are right, Legolas is NOT a happy elf, poor thing.
Tychen: Aragorn is doing his best, I assure you, and so is Legolas, holding on with hands, feet, teeth... Any clue now what is behind the song?? And see, I posted without bribery, but I´ll still like my cake, please...
RedTigress: I don´t know why I spare Elrohir - hmmm ... And what an evil thought, binding poor Legolas to a tree ;-)
Someone Reading: Nuts?!? Oh yes, after what I put them through, although they got a tiny break this time, didn´t they? And don´t forget to leave your light on ;-)