Hi!
Here´s chapter 2, there will be 5 all in all.
Thanks again to Mor and San for their help!!
I´m more than delighted about your wonderful reviews - responses can be found below. Please keep those reviews coming!
Enjoy!
Alinah
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine
Birds
The sensations were soothing. So much so that Aragorn barely noticed he was waking. Birds sang brightly all around him, their voices overlapping into a rich choir of life. The scent of spring flowers graced his nose and the ground was pleasantly soft beneath him. Underlying the bird's concert there was the merry gurgle of a creek. There was no need to worry. No need to fear. No need to remember...
Aragorn sat up so suddenly that a small group of rabbits that had fed next to his head sped away in alarm, the sight of their bobbing white tails disappearing within the sea of grass that surrounded him. The ranger's breath came in alarmed gasps when the images that had last burned themselves into his memory resurfaced. It took him several moments to compare what he had expected to see with what was there. Try as he might, he could not see dead trees. No brown grass, no scary eyes; just a lush display of life that slowly relaxed around him after his outburst.
The ranger forced his breathing to slow and looked around himself once more, searching for traces of his elven friend and brother. Almost immediately, he caught the glint of sunlight reflecting off blond hair mere paces from him, and he hastily pushed the young leafs away to gain Legolas´ side. The elf lay on his back, one arm flung over his ribs, the other stretched out behind him as if he had never moved since letting go of the human's hand.
His eyes were open but glazed over in elven slumber and Aragorn smiled when he saw how the fresh plants bent towards him as if savouring his presence. The thin arms of a small form of ivy that was covering the ground had curled themselves around the fingers of Legolas´ left hand. One of the rabbits that had just fled from the ranger now peeked out from behind the elf's back, suspicious but feeling safe in the shadow of the lithe form. When the human made no move to scare the small creature, it even settled its head comfortably on the soft tunic and seemed to take a nap of its own. The ranger could not help but grin. The scene was so idyllic it was almost ridiculous, and he longed to tease his friend about it, but decided to postpone this fun. It was a small blessing that Legolas was finally getting some sleep. The taunts could come later.
Moving carefully in order not to disturb the elf or his new found friend, Aragorn crawled ahead to where he expected to find Elladan, and he was not disappointed. His brother was resting as easily as the Mirkwood prince, sleeping peacefully as the butterflies danced before his unseeing eyes. The ranger frowned slightly when he saw that the older twin had rolled unto his wounded shoulder. The pain should have woken the elf by now, or at least prompted him to change his position, but just like Legolas, Elladan looked like he had never moved from where he had dropped to the ground.
Gently grasping the unscathed shoulder, the ranger pulled his brother over until he lay on his back and his wound was free of pressure. Elladan did not react to the human´s touch in any way, and Aragorn wondered whether to be relieved or worried. Taking out his small hunting knife, he leaned forward to cut away the bandage from the arrow wound. What he found beneath was perfect, smooth elven skin. No trace remained of the injury.
Unsure what to make of his discoveries, Aragorn pulled up his own tunic and travelled a careful hand along his ribs where the orc´s sword had split flesh and skin. The cut had been uncomfortable, steadily stretched by his movements and thus healing badly. Yet when he prodded the soiled bandage, there was no pain. His wound, too, had vanished, not even leaving behind a scar. Thoughtfully, Aragorn sat and watched birds gather on a nearby tree, their song rising as if to celebrate their recovery. Just how long had he slept here, cradled in nature's embrace?
With a start he realized what this delay could mean for Elrohir and jumped to his feet, looking around wildly. The birds stopped singing and eyed him for a moment before resuming as before. The ranger turned, forcing himself to remain calm and study his environment for any trace of his missing brother.
He was surprised to find that the forest had gone. No sign of Mirkwood´s gloomy depths could be seen. Instead, he found himself facing lush hills that were clustered with small groves of fruit-trees. The branches bent under their heavy load of apples and pears. Between the stretches of grass, patches of flowers burst into a dazzling array of colors, and beside them the unmistakable shapes of salad heads shared their brown beds with carrots. Aragorn shook his head in disbelief. They had stumbled into a huge garden.
Yet, when his eyes searched the horizon, he thought he could make out dim shades, hazy but still discernible. He strained to get a better view, but he felt as if his eyes could not focus and slid off the horizon like river water meeting a polished stone. Maybe they had not left Mirkwood after all but simply stumbled upon one of its many secrets...
Pearly laughter rang out behind him, so close that he could feel the soft breath that accompanied it brush the skin of his neck. Aragorn yelped and turned, stumbling backwards while he reached for his sword. His hands groped empty space at the same time as his eyes took in the young woman that regarded him with sparkling eyes. Her simple white dress played gently around her shapely figure in the light breeze, and the yellow flowers she held in the crook of her arm were the same color as her long, curly hair.
She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow, calmly watching Aragorn who hastily tried to cover his failed attempt to draw his sword by clasping his hands behind his back and bowing to her. Her laughter filled the air again, more melodious than the bird's concert. "Greetings to you, stranger", she said, giggles still lacing her words, "I see with happiness that you have awoken. Lómelinde I am called. May I enquire what your name is?" While she awaited an answer, the lady absent-mindedly held out one hand to allow a bird to land on it. More soon followed, settling on her shoulders and arms.
Aragorn fought to regain the use of his tongue. His senses clearly told him that it was no human girl he was looking at, despite the rounded ears that elegantly showed behind strands of her blond hair. Neither was she elvish. She was different, and age glowed beneath her fresh appearance. Power radiated from each of her casual movements, reminding Aragorn of Mithrandir who bore the shape of an old man as a mere coat to disguise his true powers.
"Strider", the human finally managed to reply, bowing again, "and it is my pleasure to gaze upon a lady who bears the name of such a sweet bird. Your beauty overshadows its song, though, as a mountain reaches farther than a hill."
The amusement in her eyes deepened. "Flattering words, Ranga-Alta Stride. Forgive me for not making myself known to you in your tongue; I rarely encounter those in need of its use. Nightingale I am called, for the birds seek me out like the flowers seek the sun. But you surprise me, young human. You walk with those who cannot perish and even speak their words." Her gaze shifted from him to where the elves lay sleeping and she bowed down, shedding the birds from her in a flutter of wings. A white hand caressed Legolas´ forehead, causing a brief frown.
Despite of Lómelinde´s breathtaking presence Aragorn had not forgotten his heart's anxiety and followed her as she stepped towards Elladan, studying him with the same light curiosity she had bestowed upon Legolas. "My lady, we have come here in search of a brother and friend. Have you seen an eldar looking just like the one before you now?" The woman's gaze had not lifted from Elladan, her head once again held to one side as if in thought. ""noni" Twins, she mused, "most fascinating what nature can do when her mind is set upon surprising her children..."
She fell silent, and so did the birds. A sudden stillness befell the valley and Aragorn caught himself holding his breath, even though he was not sure what he was waiting for. Then there were butterflies, rising from the flowers around them in huge formations that circled and swept towards them. Likewise, birds rushed up from the trees and their voices exchanged their sweet songs for warning screeches.
Lómelinde turned, anger edged into her features that quickly melted when her burning eyes found Aragorn's. "I am truly saddened that I cannot feed the hope in your stout heart", she said quietly, seemingly undisturbed by the winged madness that began to engulf her, "but I offer you my home and protection. No harm shall befall you here." She glanced up at the rapidly darkening skies and sighed deeply. "Ai, i oio mando ngarmo", she exclaimed, the meaning of her words lost on the ranger as his eyes sought the horizon for whatever danger was approaching.
"Our weapons, my Lady", he called urgently, "we will do our part to our defence if you return them to us!" He received no answer but the buzzing of uncountable wings that suddenly soared towards the skies, leaving him alone with the two still sleeping elves.
Aragorn cursed and his heart sank at the sight of the billowing clouds that gathered in the east. They were clearly shaped, the former haze gone. Even though his eyes were unable to see any of it, his instinct told him that life and power would be born from the collecting masses soon. And although he had felt the rays of Lómelinde´s own might, he had no intention of awaiting his possible doom here, weapon-less and reduced to a helpless witness.
Rushing towards the elves, he bent down to roughly shake Legolas by the shoulder. "Tond, mellon-nin, úmarth anglenno!" Up, my friend, trouble approaches! Expecting the prince to rise, Aragorn immediately turned towards his brother and treated him no more gently, his eyes upon the cloud of wings that rapidly approached the gathering storm.
To his surprise, neither of the elves reacted as he had hoped. Legolas merely turned from him and curled in on himself as if trying to block out any disturbances. Elladan´s eyes began to focus, but he frowned up at his human brother with obvious confusion. Thunder rolled overhead.
"Elladan, tond, si!" Elladan, up, now ! He grabbed his brother and pulled him to his feet, steadying him for a moment until he was satisfied the elf would not topple over. Elladan caught his footing and shook his head as if to clear it, gazing around him in wonder while Aragorn hauled Legolas to a standing position and slung the prince's arm over his shoulder to keep him from falling down again. Growls grew from the storm. The first raindrops began to fall.
"We need to find shelter," Aragorn yelled to Elladan, urgently looking for a suitable place himself. He saw his brother reach for his sword and shook his head desperately. "No, we cannot fight, the weapons are gone! We need protection!" Elladan nodded, his motions finally gaining their usual flowing accuracy. The elf scanned their surroundings swiftly and then pointed towards a grove of apple trees that swayed in the wind nearby.
"Over there", he called, "there is a slope among the trees that may serve us well, and there are loose branches on the ground that will make better weapons than none!"
Aragorn nodded wordlessly and began to drag Legolas towards the trees, determined not to look over his shoulder no matter the sounds that assaulted them. It would not aid them to become distracted. The rain increased in its merciless battering, drenching them to the bone. Within heartbeats Elladan joined the human and together they reached the grove, seemingly pushed forward by the strengthening wind. They dropped the prince into the gentle hollow in the ground without any ceremony and then grabbed the sturdiest of the branches that Elladan´s eyes had detected beneath the swaying grass.
Joining his brother on the ground, the dark-haired elf weighted one branch thoughtfully in his hand before gazing up at the trees that groaned above them. "This is most peculiar", he mused, "for these trees are unharmed and far too young to have shed these branches."
"Yes, fascinating," Aragorn retorted dryly, his eyes fixed upon the east again, "but I would prefer to leave this mystery for later, after we have survived the attack that is sure to befall us soon."
"Attack?" Beside them, Legolas groggily struggled to his knees, groping his back in search of his quiver, only to be pulled to the ground again by two sets of determined hands. Before the prince could voice his protest, his blue eyes focused upon the clouds, and all else was forgotten at the sight that presented itself there.
Even though the rain continued to drum down on them, the clouds that gathered at the far end of the lush hills had turned a stark shade of white. They had lost their lofty appearance and sank down further as if gaining weight by the second, shifting together more firmly until they formed bodies that struggled and then wrenched free. Teeth showed first in the gaping mouths that opened for a multi-layered howl that slowly echoed away. Lithe, strong figures crouched down, one next to the other, as they faced the wall of wings that blocked their way into the valley.
"Droeg" Wolves Elladan breathed and there was more than just apprehension in his tone. There was also wonder and a tinge of hope. "Droeg foen." White wolves.
"And birds", Legolas added with no less fascination, "nightingales, swarms of them, with butterflies mingling among them." He cocked his head and slightly leaned forwards as if seeking a better view. "There are stories", he muttered, "tales of an ancient battle between earth and sky. The story of Nis Yáve The Lady of Fertility ...."
Aragorn found himself more tense than fascinated when he mimicked Legolas´ forward motion to gaze upon the upcoming battle, the likes of which he had never seen before. Absent-mindedly he held one sturdy branch out to Legolas, needing to know his friend armed before the waves crashed down upon them. He was gratified when the archer accepted the weapon and nodded in silent understanding, his eyes finally free of the glaze of sleep.
A screech rose in the air that caused Aragorn to whip his head around and stare at the swarm of birds and delicate butterflies that had uttered the sound. The flurry of wings had re-arranged itself into a wall of swaying and shuddering bodies, their fragility hidden beneath their sheer number and determination. They moved back and forth slightly as if they had merged into one beast that was now drawing breath, preparing to launch itself onto its prey.
Likewise, the wolves howled again in mournful acceptance. One voice rose among them when the others faded away, and the ranger found himself reminded of a trumpet that would call forth human soldiers on the battlefield. As if on cue, the white bodies shot forward, propelled ahead by the strength of their powerful haunches.
Immediately, they were swallowed by the gaping mass of wings that descended upon them with deadly precision. Growls turned into yelps, high pitched screeches were cut short as bodies, both little and huge, were flung from the struggling cloud. The wall of wings budged slightly, pressed outward beneath the weight of the onslaught, until finally it broke and five bloodied wolves shot forth from the disarray.
Their paws barely seemed to touch the ground as they flew forward, and Aragorn realized with a sinking feeling that the powerful beasts were headed straight for the small grove where they lay in hiding. The animals had not even paused to catch their scent but seemed to be drawn to them as if pulled on an invisible leash. One that Aragorn very much yearned to severe.
The wall of wings wavered and shuddered. For one heartbeat it seemed as if the would fall apart. Single bodies of birds and butterflies became visible again when they withdrew, one by one, only to gather again a few paces off. Instead of escaping the fight, they re-formed into a swift flurry that took up the chase of the stray wolves while the rest of the wings remained locked in a deadly dance with paws and snouts.
"They have seen us, we can just as well await them standing." Legolas´ calm statement had Aragorn on his feet without delay, but Elladan followed more slowly. He held the branch that was meant as a weapon lightly at his side as if unwilling to use it. Even though there was no mistaking the powerful gait and the bared teeth, he regarded the wolves with an expression of careful interest rather than tense anticipation.
"Maybe we are wrong", he muttered, "maybe they do not mean us any harm..." He trailed off, seemingly unsure of his own statement and Aragorn shoved him roughly in a gesture not unlike the one he had used to raise the elder twin from his deep slumber. "Focus, brother", he hissed, "for what I see is no friendly visit. Your own dream showed Elrohir harmed by beasts like these. There is no need for mercy."
Elladan nodded and gripped the branch more tightly, but doubt still showed on his pale features and he turned to Legolas, seeking reassurance. Aragorn did not try to follow their silent exchange, for a fresh howl drew his attention to their attackers.
The winged cloud had reached the racing wolves. The beasts twisted their mighty heads and snapped upwards, now and again catching hold of a delicate wing and ripping it off without thought, flinging the broken bird's body to the side. Even so, the cloud did never seem to diminish, collecting itself above the powerful white bodies. A ripple went through the mass of wings before it plunged down upon one wolf.
To the ranger's astonishment, the beast was sucked upwards in one swift move, its kicking legs losing touch with the ground. He could tell that the body writhed wildly, barely visible now as patches of white fur beneath the flashing colors that covered it. The human could see more tiny bodies dropping to the ground like leafs, ripped open by the vicious teeth that wrecked havoc upon them. Then, however, a howl spread forth that was swept with pain, and the next body to fall was heavy and reached the ground with a thud. It took the birds only moments to gather and launch their next attack.
Two wolves were left when the beasts finally reached the grove. The two elves stood at either side of the human, calmly awaiting the attack. They had left each other enough room to swing their branches, knowing that only forceful blows had any hopes of aiding them in this fight. Aragorn´s eyes narrowed in anticipation when they took in the powerful muscles that were displayed beneath the shining white fur. Eyes that seemed to see straight into his core locked with his.
The two wolves ran side by side, their motions almost simultaneous. Their teeth were bared and with each stride blood spluttered from their numerous wounds, never hindering their approach. Even so, Aragorn was suddenly overcome with the urge to drop his weapon. A calm rolled over him that should not have come now, but only in the safety that he hoped would follow the battle. He felt his muscles relax, his grip slacken.
The wolves did not slow.
The birds above shrieked and fluttered, not yet able to attack again.
Closer the beasts drew, and Aragorn could feel their gazes lock on him. Take him in. Slip away from him.
With two mighty launches, the wolves drove themselves at the two elves that flanked Aragorn, leaving the ranger untouched.
His battle instincts awakening, the human stepped back to gain a better view and gasped when he saw that both elves had thrown aside their branches. They remained standing, bearing bleeding traces of claws were the wolves had connected with them, but turned towards the beasts without any move of defence. The wolves crouched down in preparation for a fresh attack.
The cloud of wings whisked past Aragorn, flying so low that he could feel the brush of feathers against his hair. One of the wolves yelped and was overwhelmed by the mass of birds, rolling in helpless twitches. Leaving a trail of tiny bodies in its wake, it tumbled down the soft slope among the trees, its body diminishing as it went.
The last remaining wolf growled deeply, its eyes settling on Elladan as it jumped. The elf regarded it calmly, never moving. Far away, a female voice shrieked in anger.
TBC
Review responses:
Mornflower: LOL! Who says those butterflied are demented? Oh well, they are in one of my stories, so this might be a good guess ;-)
Beling: Actually, that it was Elrohir who was taken surprised me too. I had planned on Legolas, but my Muse decided otherwise and I´m happy about that! Poor Elladan, too.
Fiara: Hmm, yes, those butterflies are weird, aren´t they? The whole story is, I´m afraid ;-) Thanks for your kind words.
Gayalondiel: Hehe, I´m happy to interest you in elf angst, it can be a lot of fun (for us, that is, lol). Thanks a lot for that language comment - I should have paid attention to that! slaps forehead I guess when the languages you usually use need the pronoun, it´s an easy mistake to make. I´ll try not to make it again. Thanks!
Ertia: LOL!!! Thanks for that "title"! I hope I can live up to it ;-) And what do you mean, "bad"? Since when are tortured elves bad? looks confused Well, maybe you are right...I shall try and treat them as nicely as possible.
Red Tigress: Thank you!! Once again, I hope I can live up to your expectations.
tychen: Oh, and another wonderful "title" - you guys are spoiling me. Thanks!! Actually, I tried for a slightly different form of evil here, but you´ll see.
Deana: You are not truly surprised they are in trouble, right? Not with what YOU are putting Legolas through at the moment wink, wink I guess their fathers would lock them up if they knew how to ;-)
Astalder27: Thanks! Yes, that place they´ll find themselves in is weird indeed, just like the butterflies that took them there. Hehe, and yes again, taking up watch after watch seems to be something Legolas is fond of, even in the books ;-)
invisigoth3: Thanks!!!
Thanks again to all of you - you are the best!!
