Hi!
The weekend is here - yay, some more time for writing!!
Here´s the next chapter - I do know that the nature of this evil (and Elrond´s/Glorfindel´s reaction to it) is still somewhat left in the dark, as is Legolas´ condition (especially after this chapter), but don´t worry, things will be explained. Right now, however, "life saving" is top priority for all involved...
Anyways, I think chapter 11 is not that far off, either.
Enjoy this one and please keep up your wonderful reviews (responses below), they are a joy to read!!
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Do you hear the silent sobs?! No, they are not mine
Holding on
His left arm tingled as if an army of busy ants was marching beneath his skin, and Legolas wondered what caused this most unusual sensation when every other physical feeling had deserted him. There was a part of his mind that was aware of the wall of pain that lingered nearby, ready to crush down on him should he make his approach towards wakefulness with more vigour, and he was fully prepared to leave it untouched and return to the blissful oblivion that he was slowly and rather unwillingly emerging from.
Still, the tug on him would not lessen. There was the faintest impression of being called, urged on by a gentle voice that meant him no harm. This thought confused him even more, his soul sore from being almost crushed in the merciless battle he had fought for it. He was dimly aware that there was a sound absent, the fearful screech of multiple minds in one, reaching out for him with violent possessiveness. It had been replaced by the soft pleading that wove itself into the Great Song of life he knew to be forever present but that still felt fresh and reborn to his mind.
Giving in to the guidance, he allowed his senses to tentatively touch upon the world and almost recoiled at what he was confronted with. Unbidden, a blinding pain raced up his leg and through his whole body, taking his breath away and attempting to hurl him back into the dark void, but the tender voice held him in place. It was a lifeline that seemed fragile like a single spider´s web in his softness but proved resilient against the onslaught. Grinding his teeth, Legolas slowly mastered the pain enough to feel the rough ground he was lying on, smell the slightly sickening mixture of wet horse and blood - and hear Aragorn call out in defiance.
The elf´s eyes shot open to a scene of pure horror. Another shout rang out and Legolas´s view was momentarily blocked by the legs of a white horse that retreated with a neigh of disapproval. Aragorn stood with his back to him, sword raised and facing what looked like a solid wall of water - but it radiated so much more. Even though Legolas´ vision was blurry the shape that formed within the swirling drops was starkly clear. Cut out sharply despite edges that seemed to be flowing into water and darkness around it, the entity turned its hidden gaze on him, the movement distorted by the wet sheen that shrouded it.
Recognition hit the elf with a force that almost severed his hold on consciousness. He knew that he had never faced this creature before and yet he remembered loosing his life to it once before. There was a flash in front of his eyes, very briefly allowing him to see a white city that crumbled into ruin as if shattered by an invisible force, yanking him down with it. The gentle presence that had coaxed him awake roared in fury, no sound leaving his lips. A wave of angry strength washed through him with the silent cry.
The entity within the rain seemed to grow until it filled the whole space before Aragorn, eliciting a low hiss that echoed from the stone walls surrounding them. Legolas could feel its terrible power collecting and focusing on the ranger and he wanted to call out a warning, but his voice would not obey him. He pushed himself up onto his elbows by sheer power of will, but there was no chance to reach his friend in time.
Suddenly, two arms lashed out of the water at impossible speed, catching the human in the chest and sending him flying. Legolas heard a grunt of surprise and pain escape Aragorn before his body hit the wall with a sickening crush and the ranger crumbled to the floor, unmoving. A hungry grumble cut through the air, and Legolas turned his eyes to see the arms still reaching out greedily as if disembodied and on a hunt of their own, but then something else pushed itself through the wet curtain as well. The water slowed when it passed through the wavering form that would have been a head, empty sockets glowing eerily. A sound radiated from the white shape that went straight to the heart, and the elf cringed in utter shock when for the first time he heard the voice that had beckoned to him in its pure form. There was no chorus any more, no pretence of beauty and reward, just bare hatred and hunger.
Legolas opened his mouth to speak, something inside of him desperately aware that he needed to find his voice if he wanted to survive this time. The head pushed itself through the barrier of water, turning here and there as if surveying its prey. Great fanglike teeth began to slid from its open fangs. The elf struggled, and the presence in him fought along. A sudden warmth spread from his left arm, rushing though him and numbing his pains. It washed over his throat, relieving the burning that had trapped his words.
The long arms reached a huge grey shape that lay slumped against one wall, claws gracing the fur, drawing blood. The realiazation that it was Faun who had collapsed to the ground added extra strength to Legolas furious efforts to overcome his inabilities, but still no sound would come when he opened his mouth to shout his defiance into the featureless face that hungrily drew closer to the motionless horse. Words formed inside Legolas´ mind, words he did not even understand, and he reflexively fought them, his eyes fixed on the malice that drew closer to the stallion, dragging the ghost of a body along with it into the cave, head and claws its only fairly solid forms.
Suddenly, an angry shriek broke from the entity and Legolas saw Faun´s head shoot up, eyes so glazed they seemed without sight, yet his teeth connected with one of the white hands. There was a crunching sound followed by yet another shriek. Something clattered hollowly to the ground, but both claws that now poised themselves over the horse were whole. Faun´s strength seemed spent, his head had sunk back down and he was not moving. It was the shock over what had happened that let Legolas´ guard slip enough for the words that he had tried to withhold to break free.
"Heca! Lume-i-tya nas vanwa, á vanta mi lumbe!"//Be gone! Your time is over, go into the shadow!//
Legolas was taken aback at the Quenya flowing from him with ease, the words revealing their sense to him as they formed. He had little time to ponder this mystery, though, when the creature whipped around. The empty eyes fixed a stare on him that rendered him immobile, yet he could feel a slight tinge of fear about the entity. It floated in the air above him, as frozen as he was, seeming to question its next move. There was a deadly certainty in him that his words had not been enough, that something vital had been missing in them.
The moment seemed to stretch on without a move on either side. Suddenly, a dim call floated in from outside whose words were lost on the wounded elf, but the fear the creature oozed turned sharp and cold and it whizzed away without another move towards him. Horses shrieked in terror in the distance.
Legolas could feel the strength that had guided him wane. The pain sought to regain its control over his body and soul, but he knew that giving in to it now might well prove his downfall as well as Aragorn´s.
Aragorn! The elf painfully turned and found the ranger still motionless on the floor a few paces away. The white horse he recognized as Elladan´s steed Ninim stood over him, her coat shining wetly and her big eyes filled with panic, yet she had not fled from the human´s side. Behind her, the cave narrowed into what looked like a tunnel. The sight made Legolas´ heart clench uncomfortably, but he angrily pushed the feeling away, forcing it to join the majority of the pain that he had banished to the edge of his consciousness. He was certain that both would make a vengeful return soon, and he needed to be in a less exposed position when he would finally lose his grip.
Grinding his teeth, Legolas pulled himself across the floor, allowing the waves of pain his movements caused to wash over him. He would never remember how he managed to reach his friend, his memory erased by the biting of rough rock into his palms, the fire that raged through his body angrily, beginning at his leg but not stopping there, the darkness that swallowed them more and more with every inch he moved.
He could recall the wetness of Aragorn´s blood on his hands, making it hard to keep any sort of grip on the unconscious human. He would forever feel the numbing fear that his friend´s racing heart would stop hammering against his chest. There was the faintest nicker of distress that signalled Ninim could no longer follow, then the sudden closeness of rocky walls that seemed to suck up the very air he tried to force into his lungs. Clutching Aragorn to him with one last effort to keep them both from harm, he could feel unconsciousness rushing at him with a force that carried no gentleness as it took him down.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Elrohir shivered when he felt an unnatural darkness gather around them, adding to the gloom the heavy rainfall itself brought upon until it was hardly discernible that night had, indeed, not yet fallen. He could feel Gloss grow more tense with every jump she took and he soothingly rubbed her neck. Even Gwaef was now affected by the general unease that was befalling them and he had abandoned his post in the lead to stay close to Elrohir, his ears twitching to catch the young elf´s words of comfort.
Elrond and Glorfindel drove on without hesitation, guided upon their paths by forces that could not have been more different but that still lead them unerringly closer to the same goal. "Not far now", Glorfindel announced, barely rising his voice over the storm but still clearly heard over its roar. He turned to catch Elrond´s eye, reading a lingering uncertainty there that had plagued the elf lord ever since they had been alerted to this evil. Both had felt uneasy for some time now, unable to pinpoint where their feelings originated and only fully aware of the creature when it had entered Elrond´s realm. Still, it had been Glorfindel who had been able to put a name to the malice, warning, though, that it had changed since he had last encountered it so long ago.
"My heart tells me that this will not be a day of victory if we fight to destroy", Elrond said reluctantly, "there are lives in the balance that will be lost if we use our strength to wipe out this evil. And yet..." He trailed off, gazing down to his hand were Vilya flashed in the gloom as if carrying a fire of its own. He was torn over the use of the mighty Ring of Power, knowing well that it might no longer be safe to wield it without drawing a dark gaze towards his home. And still its strength might be what was called for to safe Estel and the prince of Mirkwood. The stakes were high whatever path he took.
"Do not ponder, my friend." Glorfindel´s gaze was steady when he drew his sword. "For now, other powers will do. I agree that the battle of decision is still ahead of us, and we should concentrate on saving the lives of those who are lost instead of revealing all secrets we hold. Take Elrohir and find them, mellon-nin. Do not worry for me." There was the faintest trace of a sad smile on the fair elf´s face before he sharply pulled his horse to the side, away from Elrond.
Although far from feeling glad for his friend´s decision, Elrond saw its wisdom. He could sense Glorfindel being drawn to this evil just like he was drawn towards Estel, and it seemed that the Valar themselves had decided how the roles were distributed today. Calling for Elrohir to come to his side, the lord of Imladris urged his mount on as he felt Estel´s troubled soul close.
Behind him, he heard Glorfindel raise his voice, setting free an ancient challenge that would not go unanswered. Only a few heartbeats passed before the storm was savaged by an unearthly reply that squealed above father and son, a rush of cold air passing through them with a force that made them gasp and their sturdy horses shriek in sheer terror. Elrohir turned on his racing steed to glance behind him and caught a flash of light that spread over the tormented landscape like as short blink of warmth and hope. Glorfindel´s tall frame stood out in the center of the brightness, his sword held up as a hurling shape came crushing at him on the wings of the swirling rain.
Light flames leapt off the sword and struck the elusive shape, drawing forth a shriek that painfully cut through the younger elf´s soul, and for a second he could clearly see a writhing shape turning and curling in flight, pulling the air around it into a deadly whirlpool that picked up everything in its path, loose earth, leaves, sticks and rocks to form a cocoon that swallowed the opponents, locking them in their menacing dance.
Then darkness reclaimed the world, and all that was left was to rely on the mighty elf´s strength. Elrohir looked at his father, seeing his intense unhappiness at allowing his friend to meet this evil alone. "Estel dartho chen" //Estel awaits you//, he tried to assure his father, and was rewarded by a curt nod and a small smile. Determination did not waver in the elf lord whose sharp eyes were firmly fixed on the veiled landscape before him, his worry for Glorfindel never weakening his resolve.
Should a sacrifice be made in the battle behind them, now was the time to take advantage from it, not mourn it and thus render it useless.
Elrond´s heart clenched with a wave of pain that frightened him and elated him at the same time. He could almost touch his human son with his mind now, and when the group of rocks pealed themselves out of the rain, he made for it doubled speed, frowning lightly when Gwaef once again raced past him and entered the cool darkness first, his urgent neighs echoing eerily.
The two elf´s had dismounted and lighted a lamp before their exhausted mounts had come to a full stop. Even though their eyes were sharp enough to see in the gloom, both could feel that haste was called for and they could not risk overlooking even the slightest trace that would lead them to Estel and Legolas.
When the light sprang alive, dancing over the sturdy grey wall, both elves froze, taking in the desperate scene before them. Huge stains of blood stained the floor both in the middle and towards one wall of the cavern. Bloody bandages and healing supplies lay scattered about, speaking of the haste that had driven the healer. A clearly visible trace of blood connected the two biggest stains and then disappeared towards the back of the cave.
Legolas´s stallion lay motionless against one wall, his breathing only barely visible even to elven eyes. Elrohir turned away with a cold lump in his stomach when he saw one of Legolas´ knives embedded at the base of the animal´s neck, the other lying on the floor covered in even more blood.
Rushing forward Elrond lead the way deeper into the clammy darkness, finding both Gwaef and Elladan´s steed blocking their path where if became too narrow for them to enter, and it took more than one sharp command of the elf lord to make the two nervous horses step aside.
The walls of the tunnel melted down quickly, their oppressing strength pressing down on Elrohir´s mind and soul, stealing his breath away. The two elves were forced onto their knees but continued without slowing down. The light of their lantern followed the red trail, dancing unsteadily with Elrond´s movements as he crawled on until if finally lit a tiny cave.
It travelled upwards when Elrond stretched his arm forward to be eerily reflected off two faces that were much too pale to show any sign of life. The space was barely enough to hold the two still figures. Legolas arms were securely wrapped around the human´s faintly rising chest. Blood slowly pooled beneath them. The missing had been found.
TBC
Hmm, trying to judge the seriousness of this cliffie...do you think it even is one?! LOL
Review responses:
Red Tigress: Hey, I hope that tuna behaved itself! And Faun is still hanging on, he is one tough horse...
Someone Reading: Hmm, why don´t they give away their knowledge? I think the answer is that they feel the urge to hurry. There will be explanations later, but since this is an evil that has long been dormant none of the younger elves would get any help from the information - and yes, this evil is really bad... but Legolas is getting some help, won´t say more LOL
NightShadow131: Glad the updates make you happy ;-) There will be a little rest for them soon, they need to collect their wits to beat this thing.
Deana: Hey, keep on waving! I´m sure Elrond could see you though the rain and hurried even more ;-))
Ertia: Hey, I´ve made you happy for once! I hope you won´t kill me after this chapter, seeing how you like Glorfindel...
Sangfroid: Rest assured that I love horses, too, and Faun´s warrior spirit made a true reappearance, didn´t it? Thanks for pointing out the language slip, missed that one:( And, err, are you still sitting there, waiting? Hello? New chapter is there, you may get up now...Hello?!
MoonMist: No harm in biting off some gingerbread heads - but Legolas will keep his! It´s still needed, you know. And I´m glad you liked that one sentence. I did not think about it, it just came to me. I´m glad it did, even though I cannot really take the credit ;-)
Tychen: Arghh, I hope you are reading this happily in a dry room! I know that water can be scary, living close to the coast. I remember I storm I was in as a child, my brother wanted to go down to the ocean to see the waves but the wind grew too strong, so my parents placed me next to a fence I could hold on to ;-) Wind and water can be rather scary!! And you are quite right, to beat this they will have to all work together!
Kept-Secret: Yep, it is going after Legolas, and for a reason, too. Even though that reason has slightly changed since it all began ;-) And Legolas hurt Faun at the lake to break the song´s hold on him, just like he did for himself by further hurting his leg. Only the "lake" was after Legolas with much more strength than it used to lure the animals.
Thank you all !!!!
The weekend is here - yay, some more time for writing!!
Here´s the next chapter - I do know that the nature of this evil (and Elrond´s/Glorfindel´s reaction to it) is still somewhat left in the dark, as is Legolas´ condition (especially after this chapter), but don´t worry, things will be explained. Right now, however, "life saving" is top priority for all involved...
Anyways, I think chapter 11 is not that far off, either.
Enjoy this one and please keep up your wonderful reviews (responses below), they are a joy to read!!
Alinah
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: Do you hear the silent sobs?! No, they are not mine
Holding on
His left arm tingled as if an army of busy ants was marching beneath his skin, and Legolas wondered what caused this most unusual sensation when every other physical feeling had deserted him. There was a part of his mind that was aware of the wall of pain that lingered nearby, ready to crush down on him should he make his approach towards wakefulness with more vigour, and he was fully prepared to leave it untouched and return to the blissful oblivion that he was slowly and rather unwillingly emerging from.
Still, the tug on him would not lessen. There was the faintest impression of being called, urged on by a gentle voice that meant him no harm. This thought confused him even more, his soul sore from being almost crushed in the merciless battle he had fought for it. He was dimly aware that there was a sound absent, the fearful screech of multiple minds in one, reaching out for him with violent possessiveness. It had been replaced by the soft pleading that wove itself into the Great Song of life he knew to be forever present but that still felt fresh and reborn to his mind.
Giving in to the guidance, he allowed his senses to tentatively touch upon the world and almost recoiled at what he was confronted with. Unbidden, a blinding pain raced up his leg and through his whole body, taking his breath away and attempting to hurl him back into the dark void, but the tender voice held him in place. It was a lifeline that seemed fragile like a single spider´s web in his softness but proved resilient against the onslaught. Grinding his teeth, Legolas slowly mastered the pain enough to feel the rough ground he was lying on, smell the slightly sickening mixture of wet horse and blood - and hear Aragorn call out in defiance.
The elf´s eyes shot open to a scene of pure horror. Another shout rang out and Legolas´s view was momentarily blocked by the legs of a white horse that retreated with a neigh of disapproval. Aragorn stood with his back to him, sword raised and facing what looked like a solid wall of water - but it radiated so much more. Even though Legolas´ vision was blurry the shape that formed within the swirling drops was starkly clear. Cut out sharply despite edges that seemed to be flowing into water and darkness around it, the entity turned its hidden gaze on him, the movement distorted by the wet sheen that shrouded it.
Recognition hit the elf with a force that almost severed his hold on consciousness. He knew that he had never faced this creature before and yet he remembered loosing his life to it once before. There was a flash in front of his eyes, very briefly allowing him to see a white city that crumbled into ruin as if shattered by an invisible force, yanking him down with it. The gentle presence that had coaxed him awake roared in fury, no sound leaving his lips. A wave of angry strength washed through him with the silent cry.
The entity within the rain seemed to grow until it filled the whole space before Aragorn, eliciting a low hiss that echoed from the stone walls surrounding them. Legolas could feel its terrible power collecting and focusing on the ranger and he wanted to call out a warning, but his voice would not obey him. He pushed himself up onto his elbows by sheer power of will, but there was no chance to reach his friend in time.
Suddenly, two arms lashed out of the water at impossible speed, catching the human in the chest and sending him flying. Legolas heard a grunt of surprise and pain escape Aragorn before his body hit the wall with a sickening crush and the ranger crumbled to the floor, unmoving. A hungry grumble cut through the air, and Legolas turned his eyes to see the arms still reaching out greedily as if disembodied and on a hunt of their own, but then something else pushed itself through the wet curtain as well. The water slowed when it passed through the wavering form that would have been a head, empty sockets glowing eerily. A sound radiated from the white shape that went straight to the heart, and the elf cringed in utter shock when for the first time he heard the voice that had beckoned to him in its pure form. There was no chorus any more, no pretence of beauty and reward, just bare hatred and hunger.
Legolas opened his mouth to speak, something inside of him desperately aware that he needed to find his voice if he wanted to survive this time. The head pushed itself through the barrier of water, turning here and there as if surveying its prey. Great fanglike teeth began to slid from its open fangs. The elf struggled, and the presence in him fought along. A sudden warmth spread from his left arm, rushing though him and numbing his pains. It washed over his throat, relieving the burning that had trapped his words.
The long arms reached a huge grey shape that lay slumped against one wall, claws gracing the fur, drawing blood. The realiazation that it was Faun who had collapsed to the ground added extra strength to Legolas furious efforts to overcome his inabilities, but still no sound would come when he opened his mouth to shout his defiance into the featureless face that hungrily drew closer to the motionless horse. Words formed inside Legolas´ mind, words he did not even understand, and he reflexively fought them, his eyes fixed on the malice that drew closer to the stallion, dragging the ghost of a body along with it into the cave, head and claws its only fairly solid forms.
Suddenly, an angry shriek broke from the entity and Legolas saw Faun´s head shoot up, eyes so glazed they seemed without sight, yet his teeth connected with one of the white hands. There was a crunching sound followed by yet another shriek. Something clattered hollowly to the ground, but both claws that now poised themselves over the horse were whole. Faun´s strength seemed spent, his head had sunk back down and he was not moving. It was the shock over what had happened that let Legolas´ guard slip enough for the words that he had tried to withhold to break free.
"Heca! Lume-i-tya nas vanwa, á vanta mi lumbe!"//Be gone! Your time is over, go into the shadow!//
Legolas was taken aback at the Quenya flowing from him with ease, the words revealing their sense to him as they formed. He had little time to ponder this mystery, though, when the creature whipped around. The empty eyes fixed a stare on him that rendered him immobile, yet he could feel a slight tinge of fear about the entity. It floated in the air above him, as frozen as he was, seeming to question its next move. There was a deadly certainty in him that his words had not been enough, that something vital had been missing in them.
The moment seemed to stretch on without a move on either side. Suddenly, a dim call floated in from outside whose words were lost on the wounded elf, but the fear the creature oozed turned sharp and cold and it whizzed away without another move towards him. Horses shrieked in terror in the distance.
Legolas could feel the strength that had guided him wane. The pain sought to regain its control over his body and soul, but he knew that giving in to it now might well prove his downfall as well as Aragorn´s.
Aragorn! The elf painfully turned and found the ranger still motionless on the floor a few paces away. The white horse he recognized as Elladan´s steed Ninim stood over him, her coat shining wetly and her big eyes filled with panic, yet she had not fled from the human´s side. Behind her, the cave narrowed into what looked like a tunnel. The sight made Legolas´ heart clench uncomfortably, but he angrily pushed the feeling away, forcing it to join the majority of the pain that he had banished to the edge of his consciousness. He was certain that both would make a vengeful return soon, and he needed to be in a less exposed position when he would finally lose his grip.
Grinding his teeth, Legolas pulled himself across the floor, allowing the waves of pain his movements caused to wash over him. He would never remember how he managed to reach his friend, his memory erased by the biting of rough rock into his palms, the fire that raged through his body angrily, beginning at his leg but not stopping there, the darkness that swallowed them more and more with every inch he moved.
He could recall the wetness of Aragorn´s blood on his hands, making it hard to keep any sort of grip on the unconscious human. He would forever feel the numbing fear that his friend´s racing heart would stop hammering against his chest. There was the faintest nicker of distress that signalled Ninim could no longer follow, then the sudden closeness of rocky walls that seemed to suck up the very air he tried to force into his lungs. Clutching Aragorn to him with one last effort to keep them both from harm, he could feel unconsciousness rushing at him with a force that carried no gentleness as it took him down.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Elrohir shivered when he felt an unnatural darkness gather around them, adding to the gloom the heavy rainfall itself brought upon until it was hardly discernible that night had, indeed, not yet fallen. He could feel Gloss grow more tense with every jump she took and he soothingly rubbed her neck. Even Gwaef was now affected by the general unease that was befalling them and he had abandoned his post in the lead to stay close to Elrohir, his ears twitching to catch the young elf´s words of comfort.
Elrond and Glorfindel drove on without hesitation, guided upon their paths by forces that could not have been more different but that still lead them unerringly closer to the same goal. "Not far now", Glorfindel announced, barely rising his voice over the storm but still clearly heard over its roar. He turned to catch Elrond´s eye, reading a lingering uncertainty there that had plagued the elf lord ever since they had been alerted to this evil. Both had felt uneasy for some time now, unable to pinpoint where their feelings originated and only fully aware of the creature when it had entered Elrond´s realm. Still, it had been Glorfindel who had been able to put a name to the malice, warning, though, that it had changed since he had last encountered it so long ago.
"My heart tells me that this will not be a day of victory if we fight to destroy", Elrond said reluctantly, "there are lives in the balance that will be lost if we use our strength to wipe out this evil. And yet..." He trailed off, gazing down to his hand were Vilya flashed in the gloom as if carrying a fire of its own. He was torn over the use of the mighty Ring of Power, knowing well that it might no longer be safe to wield it without drawing a dark gaze towards his home. And still its strength might be what was called for to safe Estel and the prince of Mirkwood. The stakes were high whatever path he took.
"Do not ponder, my friend." Glorfindel´s gaze was steady when he drew his sword. "For now, other powers will do. I agree that the battle of decision is still ahead of us, and we should concentrate on saving the lives of those who are lost instead of revealing all secrets we hold. Take Elrohir and find them, mellon-nin. Do not worry for me." There was the faintest trace of a sad smile on the fair elf´s face before he sharply pulled his horse to the side, away from Elrond.
Although far from feeling glad for his friend´s decision, Elrond saw its wisdom. He could sense Glorfindel being drawn to this evil just like he was drawn towards Estel, and it seemed that the Valar themselves had decided how the roles were distributed today. Calling for Elrohir to come to his side, the lord of Imladris urged his mount on as he felt Estel´s troubled soul close.
Behind him, he heard Glorfindel raise his voice, setting free an ancient challenge that would not go unanswered. Only a few heartbeats passed before the storm was savaged by an unearthly reply that squealed above father and son, a rush of cold air passing through them with a force that made them gasp and their sturdy horses shriek in sheer terror. Elrohir turned on his racing steed to glance behind him and caught a flash of light that spread over the tormented landscape like as short blink of warmth and hope. Glorfindel´s tall frame stood out in the center of the brightness, his sword held up as a hurling shape came crushing at him on the wings of the swirling rain.
Light flames leapt off the sword and struck the elusive shape, drawing forth a shriek that painfully cut through the younger elf´s soul, and for a second he could clearly see a writhing shape turning and curling in flight, pulling the air around it into a deadly whirlpool that picked up everything in its path, loose earth, leaves, sticks and rocks to form a cocoon that swallowed the opponents, locking them in their menacing dance.
Then darkness reclaimed the world, and all that was left was to rely on the mighty elf´s strength. Elrohir looked at his father, seeing his intense unhappiness at allowing his friend to meet this evil alone. "Estel dartho chen" //Estel awaits you//, he tried to assure his father, and was rewarded by a curt nod and a small smile. Determination did not waver in the elf lord whose sharp eyes were firmly fixed on the veiled landscape before him, his worry for Glorfindel never weakening his resolve.
Should a sacrifice be made in the battle behind them, now was the time to take advantage from it, not mourn it and thus render it useless.
Elrond´s heart clenched with a wave of pain that frightened him and elated him at the same time. He could almost touch his human son with his mind now, and when the group of rocks pealed themselves out of the rain, he made for it doubled speed, frowning lightly when Gwaef once again raced past him and entered the cool darkness first, his urgent neighs echoing eerily.
The two elf´s had dismounted and lighted a lamp before their exhausted mounts had come to a full stop. Even though their eyes were sharp enough to see in the gloom, both could feel that haste was called for and they could not risk overlooking even the slightest trace that would lead them to Estel and Legolas.
When the light sprang alive, dancing over the sturdy grey wall, both elves froze, taking in the desperate scene before them. Huge stains of blood stained the floor both in the middle and towards one wall of the cavern. Bloody bandages and healing supplies lay scattered about, speaking of the haste that had driven the healer. A clearly visible trace of blood connected the two biggest stains and then disappeared towards the back of the cave.
Legolas´s stallion lay motionless against one wall, his breathing only barely visible even to elven eyes. Elrohir turned away with a cold lump in his stomach when he saw one of Legolas´ knives embedded at the base of the animal´s neck, the other lying on the floor covered in even more blood.
Rushing forward Elrond lead the way deeper into the clammy darkness, finding both Gwaef and Elladan´s steed blocking their path where if became too narrow for them to enter, and it took more than one sharp command of the elf lord to make the two nervous horses step aside.
The walls of the tunnel melted down quickly, their oppressing strength pressing down on Elrohir´s mind and soul, stealing his breath away. The two elves were forced onto their knees but continued without slowing down. The light of their lantern followed the red trail, dancing unsteadily with Elrond´s movements as he crawled on until if finally lit a tiny cave.
It travelled upwards when Elrond stretched his arm forward to be eerily reflected off two faces that were much too pale to show any sign of life. The space was barely enough to hold the two still figures. Legolas arms were securely wrapped around the human´s faintly rising chest. Blood slowly pooled beneath them. The missing had been found.
TBC
Hmm, trying to judge the seriousness of this cliffie...do you think it even is one?! LOL
Review responses:
Red Tigress: Hey, I hope that tuna behaved itself! And Faun is still hanging on, he is one tough horse...
Someone Reading: Hmm, why don´t they give away their knowledge? I think the answer is that they feel the urge to hurry. There will be explanations later, but since this is an evil that has long been dormant none of the younger elves would get any help from the information - and yes, this evil is really bad... but Legolas is getting some help, won´t say more LOL
NightShadow131: Glad the updates make you happy ;-) There will be a little rest for them soon, they need to collect their wits to beat this thing.
Deana: Hey, keep on waving! I´m sure Elrond could see you though the rain and hurried even more ;-))
Ertia: Hey, I´ve made you happy for once! I hope you won´t kill me after this chapter, seeing how you like Glorfindel...
Sangfroid: Rest assured that I love horses, too, and Faun´s warrior spirit made a true reappearance, didn´t it? Thanks for pointing out the language slip, missed that one:( And, err, are you still sitting there, waiting? Hello? New chapter is there, you may get up now...Hello?!
MoonMist: No harm in biting off some gingerbread heads - but Legolas will keep his! It´s still needed, you know. And I´m glad you liked that one sentence. I did not think about it, it just came to me. I´m glad it did, even though I cannot really take the credit ;-)
Tychen: Arghh, I hope you are reading this happily in a dry room! I know that water can be scary, living close to the coast. I remember I storm I was in as a child, my brother wanted to go down to the ocean to see the waves but the wind grew too strong, so my parents placed me next to a fence I could hold on to ;-) Wind and water can be rather scary!! And you are quite right, to beat this they will have to all work together!
Kept-Secret: Yep, it is going after Legolas, and for a reason, too. Even though that reason has slightly changed since it all began ;-) And Legolas hurt Faun at the lake to break the song´s hold on him, just like he did for himself by further hurting his leg. Only the "lake" was after Legolas with much more strength than it used to lure the animals.
Thank you all !!!!