A/N: So, I have finished another one. I hope you will enjoy it.
Again there is no Legolas in this chapter. the plot bunny did not let me write about him.
But he will show up again in one of the next chapters, promised!
To my reviewers:
grumpy: You don't believe that I tell you if your wrong or right, don't you?
You will se in time.
Beling: Thank you. I love the tree too. I always loved the way elves have with nature, especialy
the wood elves. so I thought, that it would be fitting for a lonely elf to have a tree for
support.
Thanks to all of you who had put me on their author's alert list and thank you to all of you lurker out there. I know that you are reading. ;-)
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Thanks again to Ashley, I really do not know what I would do without you.
Now on with the story.
Moonlight and Shadow
Chapter 6
It took Aragorn longer to finish his preparations than he thought, but two days later he was ready to leave.
The hold of his family on his life had eased a little; he could go out now, without someone escorting him. He used his new won freedom for long walks in the gardens, always aware of the fact that he was watched from afar. In times he walked down to the kitchen and gathered some bread or fruit. The cooks were glad that he had regained his appetite and fed him with all he wanted to have. They did not know that most of the food would land in his closet for later use. He had even managed to hide a dagger, which he had found in the Hall of Fire one evening, from the watchful eyes of his family.
This was the only weapon he had in possession so far and he knew he had to gather more for the trip he was up to make. The way to Mirkwood was a dangerous one, and even for one who was armed with a bow and sword would definitely be at risk. And yet he was making the journey with only a dagger! It was simply attempting suicide and he had no death wish.
After a heated argument with his brothers, they had allowed him to stay alone in his room, but they were adamant in their wish to place a guard in front of his door, just in case, like they had said.
Oh, how he wished to persuade and assure his father that everything was all right, but Elrond had closed himself in his study and wished not to be disturbed. He thought it very strange, for he could not remember the time his father had done such a thing. But the faithful Glorfindel had refused to disturb the lord for any purpose.
'He has a very important task at hand and the research needs all his attention and time.' Glorfindel had told Elrond's sons at dinner yesterday. 'Please let him be.' Glorfindel had looked at each one of them, his eyes begging not to ask further questions.
Aragorn was torn between the will to regain his freedom and the wish to help his family. After a strong battle which took place in his heart, he chose the former. He knew that it was selfish but he would go crazy if he should stay longer in his prison. He thought that his wise father and his much older brothers would be able to handle whatever threat was coming up on them.
He would leave.
He had to think about everything that had happened the last weeks. He needed to be alone.
It was not that he did not love to be with his family, but this time it was different, he was forced to stay at home.
He would be back as soon as possible.
This was a promise he made to himself.
Since that day he had mused about the promise he had given to Elrond. A promise that would kill him in the moment he fulfilled it. He first had refused, then argued, and at last, begged his old friend, literally on his knees, to think about his decision one more time. There had to be another solution that he was sure of. But he also knew that Elrond could be right in his line of thoughts.
Maybe this thing, he shuddered by the thought of a doom that was placed on Arda by Morgoth himself, could only be killed when it was in a living being.
He had tried to persuade Elrond to ask Galadriel and Mithrandir for help. He knew as well as Elrond that Vilya was the most powerful of the elvenrings, but maybe, only maybe the combined forces of the two other rings would be able to stop the inescapable.
But Elrond had refused to do so.
He would not endanger the other Ringbearers. Nobody knew what would happen should the power of Narya and Nenya fail.
He did not want that thing taking control over all three free rings and their bearers. Even if he chooses to call for help, they would not be able to reach Imladris in time.
The last attack had shown him that his time was running out and the time when the final blow would come was not so far in the future as he would like to have it. He would use his remaining time to arrange his matters and write letters to all of his children to explain what he had done.
Elrond knew that his death would be devastating for them, but he also knew that they would be strong for each other and that they would not fade after his demise. His children would continue his work in Imladris and they would make sure that Aragorn would fulfil his destiny.
Glorfindel had left his friend a few hours ago. They had talked about the place where they would go should the time come.
Elrond had decided to leave the confines of Imladris, for he did not know what would happen when he died. He had said that he would call for Glorfindel when he would feel the presence comes closer.
Glorfindel was afraid of that moment like he had never been in this entire life. He thought back to the time when he died in Gondolin, fighting the Balrog. He then had not felt the fear that now gripped his heart with cold claws.
He had made a promise, he always had held true to his word, but now he did not know whether he can fulfil this particular one or not.
Glorfindel knew that he had to be strong not for himself but for his friend who had trusted him for millennia. He would not abandon this trust now, even when it was the most desperate moment in his life.
He felt like breaking down and crumple to ashes under the burden Elrond had laden on him. But he would be strong.
For his friend and his family. After Dinner Aragorn had told his brothers that he would walk to the library to bring back the books he had collected in his room over the last days. What he did not tell them was that he would make a detour to the armoury.
He had asked them if they wanted to join him later in the Hall of Fire. They had agreed but first they would try again to lure their father out of his study. No one had seen him the last two days except Glorfindel, and they became a little more than anxious now.
Aragorn could feel the tension that lingered in every corner of the Last Homely House, and he was not alone. The elves, much more sensitive than the human, felt it as well and they knew that something would happen here, but they knew not what and when.
The atmosphere changed from light-hearted to sombre. The elves spoke only in hushed voices. Nobody sang, the minstrels played no longer. The thick winter clouds that held the promise of the first snow did their best to dim out the bright sunlight at day and the stars at night.
It seemed as if the whole place was buried under a thick grey blanket.
So Imladris was by now a cheerless place painted in diverse shades of grey. To an outsider who would by chance visit Imladris at that time, it would look like the light and life of the Eldar had already left this place.
Aragorn slowed his pace and thought about the last attempt to reach their father. They had come up to the front of his study only to meet Glorfindel who guarded the door like a dwarf would watch over his treasures. He had told them that it would not last much longer now until their father would explain everything to them. That was the only answer they would get out of the warrior every time they tried to find out what had happened.
So they waited impatiently and worriedly but confidently in the faith of the strength and wisdom of their father. Now Aragorn was on his way to the Hall of Fire satisfied with the fact that he had not only managed to get a sword out of the armoury but also a bow and a quiver ... and... much more important.... that he had managed to get those weapons to his room unnoticed.
He would leave tonight when he could be sure that everybody would be at sleep. He knew out of experience that his brothers would have a last look into his room before they went to sleep as well so he had to stay there for a few more hours.
Walking down the hallway he met Glorfindel and greeted him. He had not seen the warrior the whole day, but the elf was so lost in his thoughts that he did not react to the greeting.
Taken aback by the lack of response Aragorn's gaze followed him and saw that the elf was heading for Elrond's study and his curiosity got the best of him. He turned and followed the elder elf. From a distance he watched Glorfindel squaring his shoulders and taking a deep breath before knocking lightly at the door. After a muffled reply was heard he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
Aragorn tiptoed up to the door and pressed his ear against the wood. He knew that the elves inside would be able to detect him even if he was as silent as possible, and he hoped that they would be so absorbed in their conversation that he would be undetected.
First he heard only the rustling of robes then the dark voice of his father. 'It is time my friend. I can feel it's presence draw near. We have to leave immediately.'
'The horses are waiting, my lord.' Aragorn could hear the soft voice of Glorfindel. 'But please I beg you, as a friend and your advisor, there must be another option.'
Aragorn was shocked. Never had he heard the mighty Balrog slayer pleading like he did now. He strained his ears to catch every single detail of the conversation inside.
'You know that there is no other choice.' Elrond spoke up again. ' We have had that discussion before. You know that it has to be done and it must happen quickly.'
'Yes, but...' Glorfindel started again.
'No "buts" please my friend, we must leave now before it is too late. I'm prepared and so should you by now.'
Glorfindel's sighed. 'Come on let's go.'
The rustling of the robes told Aragorn that is was high time to leave his position or he would be caught. Twisting around he searched for a place to hide, but there was none, so he was forced to run down the corridor. He had just rounded the corner when the door of the study opened and the two elf lords exited.
He pressed his back against the wall and tried to melt with the shadows, hoping that they would not come in this direction. Fortunately, the two elves passed by the turnoff he was hiding in. Neither of them noticed the shadow that stood there.
Releasing the breath he had held for so long, Aragorn slumped down on the floor and rested his back against the wall. What he had witnessed just now made no sense to him. What task would lead the two most powerful elves out of Imladris so late at night and in secrecy? Something was wrong. Very wrong, and he knew it.
He had seen Glorfindel's face when he came up to the study. He had looked devastated and sad. And now his father.... he had seemed defeated. The usually proud shoulders slumped down under an unseen burden. He had looked like he would carry the whole weight of Arda on them. And his eyes... The usually shining, warm brown orbs were dull and underlined with dark blue and black circles. He looked as if he had not slept for months.
And there was something else he could not grasp. It was around his father and it disturbed him greatly. It felt wrong, and it made the little hairs on his neck stand on end and he felt goose bumps rise on his arms. Shivering, he wrapped his arms around his body and tucked his fingers under his armpits. He felt as though the pale fingers of death had reached out for him.
After a short time sitting in the dark he rose to his feet. He decided he would follow his father and friend.
They had gone to the stables, so he walked down the same path. When he arrived, there was no trace of the two elves. Obviously they had left without further delay.
Turning around he noticed, under the dim light, that the two lords were on their way to the gate that would lead them out of Imladris.
He ran into the stable, saddled his horse as quick and silently as possible. He did not mind being watched by the large eyes of the many horses in their stalls one bit. He led the horse out of the stable and prepared to mount, when a hand fell heavy on his shoulder, effectively holding him so that his feet were still planted on the ground.
'Where do you think are you going?' It was the angry voice of Elladan.
'Ada and Glorfindel have left a few minutes ago and I want to follow them.' He explained. Elladan opened his mouth to speak but Aragorn continued, ignoring him.
'Something is wrong, I know it. I can feel it as you do. Something terrible is going to happen and I want to be there to help if I can.'
'You will not leave Imladris in the middle of the night without any weapon. And you are not going anywhere without us too.' Elladan told him firmly. 'How do you intend to fight without weapons, hmm? You wait here and prepare 'Ro's and my horses while I go and fetch 'Ro and gather some weapons.' Elladan commanded, turning on his heels and running back to the house.
Some moments later, as Aragorn led the two horses out of the stable, the twins appeared on the path as well. Both were clad in their usual travel clothes and both carried their bows and quivers over their shoulders. Elladan held in his hand Aragorn's own weapons and handed them over to his younger brother without a word. None of them spoke until they had left the gate and followed the tracks, which were clearly visible in the light of the full moon above, into the woods.
'What do you know?' Elrohir turned his gaze towards Aragorn and the ranger told them all he had witnessed.
'What could it be that could force Glorfindel to beg father "not to do it"?' That came from Elladan after Aragorn had finished his short recount.
'I do not know, but it must be grave. Valar, he had fought a Balrog, and now ....you should have heard him. I could swear he had been on his knees when he begged father not to do it.'
Silence fell over the brothers again as they rode through the dark forest. After about an hour they heard voices in the distance. Exchanging glances, they spurred their horses to a faster trot. Not far from where they were they could see a little clearing bathed in the silver light of the moon. It was so bright that even Aragorn was able to see as clearly what happens.
He rained his horse to a stop, before dismounting in the cover of the trees surrounding the clearing, and was shortly followed by the twins. They did not want to be discovered before they found out what this was all about.
The twins followed him in their own graceful and silent way as he sneaked up to the tree line. What they saw made their blood run cold and they felt as if their hearts had been ripped out.
Elrond stood in the middle of the clearing. He had raised his head to the sky exposing his neck to the blade that was pointed at this throat. The blade trembled in Glorfindel's hand. His face showed clearly the horror and the pain he felt. His eyes, flooded with tears which ran down his cheeks, begged for the release of this duty he had to fulfil.
Then it began.
The silver light turned into red. Startled the brothers averted their gazes from the events on the clearing and looked up through the canopy of the forest. They watched in awe when the once bright silver moon turned piece after piece into a deep red colour. Soon the world looked like it was drown in blood.
The nature felt the change too. The trees and the animals stopped their sounds and there was nothing other than silence. The air grew so thick that it felt like they could touch it and grasp it.
'My dreams....' Aragorn stuttered.
'DO IT NOW!' The shout that came from Elrond shook them out of their congealment. Their heads snapped back to the events on the clearing and at that very moment, it was as though time had stood still.
Glorfindel raised his blade again – this time without hesitation – and there was no sign of the trembling fearful elf they had seen mere minutes before. Now there stood the mighty warrior they all knew so well.
'Forgive me my friend.' They heard him say clearly. 'Forgive me. But we will meet soon again in Mandos Hall.' He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second.
The brothers could only watch frozen in shock when the blade fell down with deadly precision.
TBC