Moonlight and Shadow
Disc: not mine, unfortunately. *sigh*
Dedication: This is for Evelyn, a real Ent-wife, and her family, the best friends someone can have. Thank you for inspiring me, you know what I mean. *wink*
Thank you: Mor and Ashley, my betas, I know, without you both this story will have more typos and mistakes one can handle. *huggles*
Thanks to all readers and Reviewers. I never expected to receive only one review and now there are 6 of them. I'm flattered. *blushes*
A/N: This chapter is a little short, I'm sorry but that was the best time to end it.
Thanx to a very busy schedule in RL, chapter 5 is still in work and I have to do some research over the weekend for the story. So the next chapter will be up a little later, I apologize.
Reviewers Response:
Grumpy: Thank you for coming back. I hope I can explain a few things in the next chapter.
Lyn: When you mentioned it, I saw the mistake too. I will fix it when I rewrite the story.
Bill the Pony 2: I'm glad you like it. But why did you laugh at the moon part? I'm curious, because you were the first one who laughed at that part. ^___^
On with the story
Chapter 4:
The flashback from chapter 2 continues.
~Flashback~
Legolas' jaw dropped when he heard the human's words. 'What is that supposed to mean?' he asked.
'I'm sorry, we don't know, we are only the messengers. The shaman did not explain it to us. He only told us that we have to leave towards the old woods beyond the great mountains to find you. He said that you will know what those words want to say.' Roac explained, a little ashamed of the fact that he was not able to explain further.
'He just ordered us to leave, no matter what we have to say.' Giall who had not uttered a word over the whole conversation burst out, pushing away his plate. 'He knew that we would be not back before the winter approaches.'
'Giall, mind your words. You know that there was no other option, it is not wise to disobey a shaman.' Murmured Aibon, not lifting his eyes from his own food. 'You know that he is the one who protects us.'
'I know that, but why did he send us away with autumn arriving? We had to harvest the crop; we had to stock up our winter supplies. What if our families are starving this winter, because we were sent away with a silly message while we should be at home or on a hunting trip? Look outside, even here in the south is the winter coming, you know we will already be too late.'
Thranduil had watched the whole exchange and thought it was time to contribute to the conversation. 'If you don't mind, we could help. We can stock up your supplies and provide you with some horses so you would be able to reach your homes earlier than on foot.' He offered.
Roac inclined his head and nodded thankfully. 'Thank you, your help will be must appreciated, but I fear that the horses will not be able to survive the journey, it is simply too cold up there.'
'But you could ride with them as far as it is possible and then send them back.' Legolas suggested.
Roac face darkened with a bright red colour that rose from his neck up to his hairline. 'We can not ride.' He was barely audible even to the elves. Rising his head his eyes met the confused look on Legolas' face. 'We don't have horses, we do not use them. We only saw one here or there, when we come close to the mountains during our trips down south.'
'So what do you use for long distant travels?' Legolas curiosity got the best of him. 'You can not walk for years to get from one point to the other.'
'Oh we don't walk all distances on foot, we use sleighs.' Aibon explained. 'And what animals do you use, if you don't use horses?' 'We have special hounds; we are training them for the task of hauling the sleighs.'
'Hounds? I never have heard something like that. But they are much smaller than horses, so you don't will be able to transport huge amount of supplies, or do you?'
'Oh yes, they are able to push a lot of weight, we don't yoke only one or two in front of a sleigh, there are always more than eight of them. They are resistant against the cold and they are able to travel long distances without rest.' The pride in Roac's voice was clearly audible, and his eyes shone brightly when he recalled his stock of proud and strong hounds at home. 'I would love to show them to you one day.'
'Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to visit your town, and then you show me famous dogs.' Legolas said. Remembering the last, what had been spoken of before it came to the dogs, he asked, 'When do you want to leave, just so we can prepare a few things.'
'It would be the best, if we leave at the morrow, for we have lingered here too long and I fear the journey will last longer because of the snow up north.'
'Then we will prepare all you need for your journey, and I will order a patrol to guard you as far as possible.' Thranduil made up again waving at a servant to give him orders to prepare the supplies for the humans.
~End Flashback~
Legolas snapped back to the present.
He knew what he had to do. He must talk to the humans once again; maybe they could explain a few things. He was not sure what to tell them but maybe...only maybe he would be able to find out something. Jumping of his bed, hoping that the humans had not already left his home, he ran through the palace in an attempt to reach the courtyard before the group was leaving.
Skidding to a halt on top of the outer staircase he saw no sign of the group. It seems that they had left only minutes before.
Descending, taking two steps at once, he ran over the courtyard to the gates, followed by the amused looks of not few elves who had started their daily tasks. It was no every day's sight to see the prince of Mirkwood running in a sleeping tunic, with unbraided hair and on bare feet. Most of them had never seen their prince in this state, and it would be fun to tell others what they had witnessed. Leaving the gates behind he jogged up the path that would lead him in the direction of the travellers. A little away in the distance he saw the group, flanked by a group of elven warriors. 'Wait!' he shouted out sure that one of the elves would be able to hear him even from this distance he sped up to catch them, when they would stop.
The guards bowed slightly when he arrived at the group. Surprised looks shot over the lithe form of the prince, raising an eyebrow Legolas looked down and blushed when he saw that he was still wearing one of his sleeping tunics.
Lifting his head he turned his attention to the humans, addressing Roac, 'I'm sorry, that I was not there to bid you a proper farewell.'
'Please do not apologise, your father told us that you had a very strenuous patrol, and that you needed your rest. We waited one more day, but now we had to leave.' Roac replied.
'It is all right.. 'Legolas started, but then realisation crushed down on him. 'Wait what did you say? You waited one day longer?'
'We wanted to leave yesterday, but after you showed not up at breakfast, we discussed and decided that we would stay one day more. We wanted to bid you farewell as well, you know.' Kazm explained.
'I missed one day?' Legolas muttered totally unaware of the curious looks of the other elves and the humans.
Ripping himself out of his reverie, he addressed the humans once more. 'Could I have a short talk with you?' Noticing the glances the humans exchanged he assured them. 'It will only take a few minutes. I do not want to delay you more than I already have.'
'The message you delivered yesterday...sorry, the day before yesterday...' he corrected himself, 'is there more you can tell me? This message is a mystery to me and I do not know what to do with it.' Ashamed that he had to admit his insufficiency in this matter he dropped his gaze down his feet, and wondered subconsciously where he had left his boots.
The soldiers that gathered around them were stunned; none of them had ever witnessed their prince so uncertain and that in front of humans before. They all averted their glances, some of them found their boots very interesting, others pretended to watch out for spiders or other maybe approaching enemies which of course would not show up so close to the palace grounds.
Roac took a step closer to the prince and touched him lightly on the sleeves of his tunic. 'I'm very sorry, my lord, there is nothing more to tell. I wish I could, but there is nothing.'
Legolas lifted his eyes and locked them to Roac's and for Roac time stood still, it seemed to him that even the wind had stilled. These eyes caught him and showed him a soul, bare of all shields that would usually hide the prince's true self, only showing what the elf would allow to shine through.
There was an age older than the century and the innocence of a child, a deep love for all creatures that roamed the width of Arda and hate for the dark forces. There was strength but there was also vulnerability, and all these differences were mingled together in a soul he would never be able to understand. He would never know, but at that moment he was able to take a glimpse of an elven soul in its whole purity. And that one moment itself was definitely precious, to him.
Blinking Legolas struggled to build up the shields that would hide his self, more ashamed than ever. He was ashamed that he had allowed a human to take a look at his soul. It should never have happened, but he had been too tired, too confused and too weary to take guard of his protection. Releasing his hold on Legolas arm, Roac blinked several times to clear his view, backed up to his people and bowed very low. 'My Lord, may your gods keep watch over you and the ones you care for.' Gathering his men again they prepared to leave. 'Wait!' that came from Aibon who still stood rooted to the place he inhabited earlier chewing on his lower lip. 'There was more, have you not heard?' 'Heard what?' Dumbfounded the three men watched their companion. 'Yes, it was when we made ready to leave, the shaman came up to give us his blessing for the journey. After that you all were busy to bid farewell to your families. You know that I do not have a family yet so I talked to some of the people, we stood near the shaman, who watched you, and there he murmured something I forgot about it 'til now, because it made no sense for me. He said' The Ringbearer must choose!' I do not know what this means.' Looking up to Legolas he added, 'Maybe you know of whom he spoke.' Aibon shut his mouth, thinking that he had been meddlesome, and blushed to a deep red. At that moment the guard captain approached on silent feet 'My lord we must leave if we want to reach the forest borders before sunset.'
Legolas nodded and turned back to the men. 'May the grace of the Valar guarantee you a safe journey.' He bowed lightly to the group. The guard took in their places beside the group of humans and with a last bow they started to continue their journey. Legolas kept an eye on them until the group disappeared behind a turn of the path.
Lost in thoughts he started to make his way home. Musing about the last words he had heard and what they would matter in comparison to the message and his experience and the lost day he had not witnessed that he had lost it, he did not watch out were his feet guided him. His toes were rustling through the fallen leaves which shone brightly with all the different colours of autumn. Golden leaves of maple, bright red ones of the chestnut, the yellow of the birch. All colours of the sun collected by nature itself are lightening up on the forest floor. The beautiful voices of the birds which would stay for the winter in Mirkwood filled the air with songs that mourned the loss of the summer but also greeted the silent times of winter. Legolas would have joined in their song but he did not even notice it at that time. All he paid attention were his thoughts which he turned over and over again in his mind trying to find an answer to the mysteries he had encountered the last days.
Confused, he looked up. He should have reached the palace gates by now, but instead of the gates a clearing greeted him. He knew this place and for the first time in two days a smile appeared on his face, a smile that reached his eyes and lit them up. A small brook crossed the clearing and on the shores of this brook stood a mighty bass tree. He knew that tree since he was an elfling, this tree hold a special place in his heart that no other being would ever be able to occupy and he knew immediately, that here he would find the peace he yearned for and let it be only for one afternoon.
This tree had held him when he had lost his naneth. It had dried his tears with its leaves, in its branches he had learned how to climb, always sure that it would never let him fall. He had shared all his sorrows, thoughts with the tree as well as the adventures he had in his long life. 'Nana Orn!' He breathed, using his childhood nickname for the tree. Running up to the tree with all his enthusiasm and excitement, he sank down on his knees beside the base of the trunk. Resting his face against the rough bark and circling his arms around the old trunk he let his despair run free, released his frustration and cried without shame, knowing that she would never judge him for this weakness. He was after all a child at heart, no matter his age. Right now the tree was just like his naneth, his confidante. He knew not how long he had wet the bark with his tears, but sometime later his sobs stilled and he calmed down, releasing his hold on the trunk. Jumping nimbly up to one of the lower branches of his chosen naneth he climbed higher and higher and finally settled down in the crown of the ancient tree overlooking most of the other trees in the forest.
The sunrays filtered through the leaves and sparkled his surroundings in gold and red. At peace for the first time since he had awoken in the cellar, he let his left leg dangle, leaned his head back against the trunk and folded his hands over his stomach letting the soothing presence of the tree balm his soul. The branches shifted closer to the resting elf, covering and shielding his body with their golden leaves. Nobody would be able to find the elf unless he wished to be found.
Feeling safe and protected Legolas relaxed and listened to the sounds of the woods. The trees told him stories of old combined with the voices of the birds and the soft touch of the leaves which brushed through his hair like the loving hands of a mother all beings worked together to give him peace and lull him to the elven realm of sleep.
At last he gave in and his eyes glazed over when he entered his own dream world.
TBC
'
Disc: not mine, unfortunately. *sigh*
Dedication: This is for Evelyn, a real Ent-wife, and her family, the best friends someone can have. Thank you for inspiring me, you know what I mean. *wink*
Thank you: Mor and Ashley, my betas, I know, without you both this story will have more typos and mistakes one can handle. *huggles*
Thanks to all readers and Reviewers. I never expected to receive only one review and now there are 6 of them. I'm flattered. *blushes*
A/N: This chapter is a little short, I'm sorry but that was the best time to end it.
Thanx to a very busy schedule in RL, chapter 5 is still in work and I have to do some research over the weekend for the story. So the next chapter will be up a little later, I apologize.
Reviewers Response:
Grumpy: Thank you for coming back. I hope I can explain a few things in the next chapter.
Lyn: When you mentioned it, I saw the mistake too. I will fix it when I rewrite the story.
Bill the Pony 2: I'm glad you like it. But why did you laugh at the moon part? I'm curious, because you were the first one who laughed at that part. ^___^
On with the story
Chapter 4:
The flashback from chapter 2 continues.
~Flashback~
Legolas' jaw dropped when he heard the human's words. 'What is that supposed to mean?' he asked.
'I'm sorry, we don't know, we are only the messengers. The shaman did not explain it to us. He only told us that we have to leave towards the old woods beyond the great mountains to find you. He said that you will know what those words want to say.' Roac explained, a little ashamed of the fact that he was not able to explain further.
'He just ordered us to leave, no matter what we have to say.' Giall who had not uttered a word over the whole conversation burst out, pushing away his plate. 'He knew that we would be not back before the winter approaches.'
'Giall, mind your words. You know that there was no other option, it is not wise to disobey a shaman.' Murmured Aibon, not lifting his eyes from his own food. 'You know that he is the one who protects us.'
'I know that, but why did he send us away with autumn arriving? We had to harvest the crop; we had to stock up our winter supplies. What if our families are starving this winter, because we were sent away with a silly message while we should be at home or on a hunting trip? Look outside, even here in the south is the winter coming, you know we will already be too late.'
Thranduil had watched the whole exchange and thought it was time to contribute to the conversation. 'If you don't mind, we could help. We can stock up your supplies and provide you with some horses so you would be able to reach your homes earlier than on foot.' He offered.
Roac inclined his head and nodded thankfully. 'Thank you, your help will be must appreciated, but I fear that the horses will not be able to survive the journey, it is simply too cold up there.'
'But you could ride with them as far as it is possible and then send them back.' Legolas suggested.
Roac face darkened with a bright red colour that rose from his neck up to his hairline. 'We can not ride.' He was barely audible even to the elves. Rising his head his eyes met the confused look on Legolas' face. 'We don't have horses, we do not use them. We only saw one here or there, when we come close to the mountains during our trips down south.'
'So what do you use for long distant travels?' Legolas curiosity got the best of him. 'You can not walk for years to get from one point to the other.'
'Oh we don't walk all distances on foot, we use sleighs.' Aibon explained. 'And what animals do you use, if you don't use horses?' 'We have special hounds; we are training them for the task of hauling the sleighs.'
'Hounds? I never have heard something like that. But they are much smaller than horses, so you don't will be able to transport huge amount of supplies, or do you?'
'Oh yes, they are able to push a lot of weight, we don't yoke only one or two in front of a sleigh, there are always more than eight of them. They are resistant against the cold and they are able to travel long distances without rest.' The pride in Roac's voice was clearly audible, and his eyes shone brightly when he recalled his stock of proud and strong hounds at home. 'I would love to show them to you one day.'
'Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to visit your town, and then you show me famous dogs.' Legolas said. Remembering the last, what had been spoken of before it came to the dogs, he asked, 'When do you want to leave, just so we can prepare a few things.'
'It would be the best, if we leave at the morrow, for we have lingered here too long and I fear the journey will last longer because of the snow up north.'
'Then we will prepare all you need for your journey, and I will order a patrol to guard you as far as possible.' Thranduil made up again waving at a servant to give him orders to prepare the supplies for the humans.
~End Flashback~
Legolas snapped back to the present.
He knew what he had to do. He must talk to the humans once again; maybe they could explain a few things. He was not sure what to tell them but maybe...only maybe he would be able to find out something. Jumping of his bed, hoping that the humans had not already left his home, he ran through the palace in an attempt to reach the courtyard before the group was leaving.
Skidding to a halt on top of the outer staircase he saw no sign of the group. It seems that they had left only minutes before.
Descending, taking two steps at once, he ran over the courtyard to the gates, followed by the amused looks of not few elves who had started their daily tasks. It was no every day's sight to see the prince of Mirkwood running in a sleeping tunic, with unbraided hair and on bare feet. Most of them had never seen their prince in this state, and it would be fun to tell others what they had witnessed. Leaving the gates behind he jogged up the path that would lead him in the direction of the travellers. A little away in the distance he saw the group, flanked by a group of elven warriors. 'Wait!' he shouted out sure that one of the elves would be able to hear him even from this distance he sped up to catch them, when they would stop.
The guards bowed slightly when he arrived at the group. Surprised looks shot over the lithe form of the prince, raising an eyebrow Legolas looked down and blushed when he saw that he was still wearing one of his sleeping tunics.
Lifting his head he turned his attention to the humans, addressing Roac, 'I'm sorry, that I was not there to bid you a proper farewell.'
'Please do not apologise, your father told us that you had a very strenuous patrol, and that you needed your rest. We waited one more day, but now we had to leave.' Roac replied.
'It is all right.. 'Legolas started, but then realisation crushed down on him. 'Wait what did you say? You waited one day longer?'
'We wanted to leave yesterday, but after you showed not up at breakfast, we discussed and decided that we would stay one day more. We wanted to bid you farewell as well, you know.' Kazm explained.
'I missed one day?' Legolas muttered totally unaware of the curious looks of the other elves and the humans.
Ripping himself out of his reverie, he addressed the humans once more. 'Could I have a short talk with you?' Noticing the glances the humans exchanged he assured them. 'It will only take a few minutes. I do not want to delay you more than I already have.'
'The message you delivered yesterday...sorry, the day before yesterday...' he corrected himself, 'is there more you can tell me? This message is a mystery to me and I do not know what to do with it.' Ashamed that he had to admit his insufficiency in this matter he dropped his gaze down his feet, and wondered subconsciously where he had left his boots.
The soldiers that gathered around them were stunned; none of them had ever witnessed their prince so uncertain and that in front of humans before. They all averted their glances, some of them found their boots very interesting, others pretended to watch out for spiders or other maybe approaching enemies which of course would not show up so close to the palace grounds.
Roac took a step closer to the prince and touched him lightly on the sleeves of his tunic. 'I'm very sorry, my lord, there is nothing more to tell. I wish I could, but there is nothing.'
Legolas lifted his eyes and locked them to Roac's and for Roac time stood still, it seemed to him that even the wind had stilled. These eyes caught him and showed him a soul, bare of all shields that would usually hide the prince's true self, only showing what the elf would allow to shine through.
There was an age older than the century and the innocence of a child, a deep love for all creatures that roamed the width of Arda and hate for the dark forces. There was strength but there was also vulnerability, and all these differences were mingled together in a soul he would never be able to understand. He would never know, but at that moment he was able to take a glimpse of an elven soul in its whole purity. And that one moment itself was definitely precious, to him.
Blinking Legolas struggled to build up the shields that would hide his self, more ashamed than ever. He was ashamed that he had allowed a human to take a look at his soul. It should never have happened, but he had been too tired, too confused and too weary to take guard of his protection. Releasing his hold on Legolas arm, Roac blinked several times to clear his view, backed up to his people and bowed very low. 'My Lord, may your gods keep watch over you and the ones you care for.' Gathering his men again they prepared to leave. 'Wait!' that came from Aibon who still stood rooted to the place he inhabited earlier chewing on his lower lip. 'There was more, have you not heard?' 'Heard what?' Dumbfounded the three men watched their companion. 'Yes, it was when we made ready to leave, the shaman came up to give us his blessing for the journey. After that you all were busy to bid farewell to your families. You know that I do not have a family yet so I talked to some of the people, we stood near the shaman, who watched you, and there he murmured something I forgot about it 'til now, because it made no sense for me. He said' The Ringbearer must choose!' I do not know what this means.' Looking up to Legolas he added, 'Maybe you know of whom he spoke.' Aibon shut his mouth, thinking that he had been meddlesome, and blushed to a deep red. At that moment the guard captain approached on silent feet 'My lord we must leave if we want to reach the forest borders before sunset.'
Legolas nodded and turned back to the men. 'May the grace of the Valar guarantee you a safe journey.' He bowed lightly to the group. The guard took in their places beside the group of humans and with a last bow they started to continue their journey. Legolas kept an eye on them until the group disappeared behind a turn of the path.
Lost in thoughts he started to make his way home. Musing about the last words he had heard and what they would matter in comparison to the message and his experience and the lost day he had not witnessed that he had lost it, he did not watch out were his feet guided him. His toes were rustling through the fallen leaves which shone brightly with all the different colours of autumn. Golden leaves of maple, bright red ones of the chestnut, the yellow of the birch. All colours of the sun collected by nature itself are lightening up on the forest floor. The beautiful voices of the birds which would stay for the winter in Mirkwood filled the air with songs that mourned the loss of the summer but also greeted the silent times of winter. Legolas would have joined in their song but he did not even notice it at that time. All he paid attention were his thoughts which he turned over and over again in his mind trying to find an answer to the mysteries he had encountered the last days.
Confused, he looked up. He should have reached the palace gates by now, but instead of the gates a clearing greeted him. He knew this place and for the first time in two days a smile appeared on his face, a smile that reached his eyes and lit them up. A small brook crossed the clearing and on the shores of this brook stood a mighty bass tree. He knew that tree since he was an elfling, this tree hold a special place in his heart that no other being would ever be able to occupy and he knew immediately, that here he would find the peace he yearned for and let it be only for one afternoon.
This tree had held him when he had lost his naneth. It had dried his tears with its leaves, in its branches he had learned how to climb, always sure that it would never let him fall. He had shared all his sorrows, thoughts with the tree as well as the adventures he had in his long life. 'Nana Orn!' He breathed, using his childhood nickname for the tree. Running up to the tree with all his enthusiasm and excitement, he sank down on his knees beside the base of the trunk. Resting his face against the rough bark and circling his arms around the old trunk he let his despair run free, released his frustration and cried without shame, knowing that she would never judge him for this weakness. He was after all a child at heart, no matter his age. Right now the tree was just like his naneth, his confidante. He knew not how long he had wet the bark with his tears, but sometime later his sobs stilled and he calmed down, releasing his hold on the trunk. Jumping nimbly up to one of the lower branches of his chosen naneth he climbed higher and higher and finally settled down in the crown of the ancient tree overlooking most of the other trees in the forest.
The sunrays filtered through the leaves and sparkled his surroundings in gold and red. At peace for the first time since he had awoken in the cellar, he let his left leg dangle, leaned his head back against the trunk and folded his hands over his stomach letting the soothing presence of the tree balm his soul. The branches shifted closer to the resting elf, covering and shielding his body with their golden leaves. Nobody would be able to find the elf unless he wished to be found.
Feeling safe and protected Legolas relaxed and listened to the sounds of the woods. The trees told him stories of old combined with the voices of the birds and the soft touch of the leaves which brushed through his hair like the loving hands of a mother all beings worked together to give him peace and lull him to the elven realm of sleep.
At last he gave in and his eyes glazed over when he entered his own dream world.
TBC
'