A/N: Thank you once again to all those wonderful people who have reviewed. I really appreciate them, and they are what is keeping this fic alive. Thank you, thank you, thank you thank you!!!!!
I've worked quite hard on this chapter, and am very proud of it. I just hope it lives up to everyone's' expectations!! A big thank you to my beta-reader, Lady Azrael. Once again, peoples, please read and review!!!
***Warning*** this contains SLASH, meaning guy/guy relationships, don't like it?......don't read it!!!!
Disclaimer: You know the drill folks………I'm neither old, nor dead, therefore I am not Tolkien and do not own any part of LOTR. I just enjoy torturing the characters. :P
Chapter – 7 Sacrifice
Legolas was lost in the midst of the all-consuming darkness that swirled around him. A voice was calling out to him, and Legolas knew that if he followed the voice, it would lead him back into the light, but an intense pain was stabbing at his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe, to concentrate. Suddenly, he felt a hand reach out and clutch his own. The pain stopped immediately and he was able to focus all his attention on the voice. It belonged to Aragorn, and he was pleading with him to awaken. A shaft of light cut through the darkness and Legolas gladly followed it back into consciousness.
Aragorn felt immense relief as the brilliant sapphire blue eyes slowly fluttered open and tried to focus on the surroundings. "Aragorn………………" Legolas whispered hoarsely, struggling to sit up. Aragorn gently placed a hand on the elf's' chest and softly pushed him back onto the bed.
"I am here, my friend. Do not try to get up Legolas, you have been badly injured." Aragorn said, thankful that the elf had finally awakened.
"What happened?" Legolas asked, attempting to remember the past events.
"Orcs ambushed us in the forest, just outside of Rivendell. You were shot in the chest by an arrow that was meant for me. You saved my life Legolas, once again." Aragorn replied, his eyes curiously red.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Legolas asked, trying to change the uncomfortable subject.
"Six, long, hellish days" came the emotional reply.
"I couldn't find my way………………" Legolas mumbled, wearily letting his eyes drift close again.
"I will leave you to get some rest." Aragorn said softly, taking his hand away from the exhausted body of the elf.
"No!"
Legolas said, grabbing onto the humans' hand in a blind panic. "Don't leave me! I-I don't want to lose my way again. I don't think I can find my way back from the darkness on my own." he whispered shakily.
Aragorn grasped the pale elven hand firmly in his own, and leant forward to place a gentle kiss on the immortals' brow. "Close your eyes, fair Prince. Do not be afraid of that darkness. I will be here, standing guard over you, ready to guide and light your way. I promise you Legolas, I will not leave you face it alone." he whispered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A faint knocking at the door interrupted Elrond's concentration as he sat reading a thick volume of elven medicine, hoping against hope that he would be able to find a remedy within the mildewed pages of the obscure text, filled with ancient wisdom. So far, however, it had not yielded any of the answers that the Lord of Rivendell was looking for.
"You asked for me, Adar" Arwen, the fair Evenstar, said quietly as she gracefully let herself into the darkened room. Resolutely, Elrond shut the heavy tome in front of him and took a deep breath as he mentally prepared himself to deliver the unpleasant news to his daughter. "Gandalf and I have been discussing this for the past six days, ever since their unexpected return, and we both agreed that you have the right know." Elrond said, slightly uncomfortable. Arwen gazed expectantly at her father, waiting for him to go on.
"You know that Legolas Greenleaf is gravely ill, and that he may die?" he asked gently. Arwen let out a small, high-pitched titter "How could I not? Legolas saved the life of my Éstel, twice, using his own as exchange. It is all that Éstel has talked about in the past few days." she said, with a faint touch of bitterness evident in her voice. "Is Legolas really dying? Can you not heal him Adar?" she asked softly.
"Together with Gandalf, we have searched through my entire library, but still, we are unable to find a way to heal him." he said.
Arwen briefly let her eyes close as a flutter of relief swept over her. Mistaking this gesture for grief, Elrond quickly amended his answer "All, however, is not without hope." he said. "Our Éstel holds the key to Legolas' salvation."
"Éstel?" Arwen asked uncomprehendingly, a shadow of fear once again darkening her thoughts.
"During the battle at Helm's Deep, Aragorn was mortally wounded with a poisoned arrow, and in order to save him, Legolas foolishly decided to bind his immortal soul to that of Aragorns', using his natural elven healing ability to battle the poison. The binding accomplished the task that was intended, but left the Prince very weak and venerable. When he was injured inside the forest, his body could not cope with the added burden, which is why Legolas has been unconscious for long. To save Legolas, the binding must be undone, his soul must be returned to him." Elrond finished.
"Then undo the binding and give Legolas' soul back to him, Éstel no longer has any need of it. Surely it can not be that hard." Arwen said, looking questioningly at her father.
Elrond shook his head sadly, aware of how much grief the piece of information he was about to impart would bring to his beloved child. "When Legolas gave up his soul, he gave it willingly, with love. Therefore, only through the power of love, can this binding be undone. To return Legolas' soul, Aragorn must first willingly return Legolas' love. In the ancient times, this ritual was used by couples as a way of confirming the love, which they have for one another. The two souls are entwined together to become one, two separate bodies sharing the one soul. It is only when the physical bodies are joined as one that the souls are able to be unbound again. However, because of this shared experience, the couple will remain forever faithful to each other for the rest of eternity, as soul mates. In other words, to save Legolas, it is essential for Aragorn to return Legolas' love and for them to consummate it." he said. Elrond gazed pityingly at Arwen, giving her a chance to allow the information to sink in.
"Is Éstel aware of the situation, Adar?" she asked blankly.
"No" Elrond replied. "The foolish elf does not wish to for Aragorn to know, in fear that Aragorn would be pressured to return his love out of a mis-guided sense of duty."
"Éstel will not be very happy if he feels that he has not been given a choice. If he finds out about the binding, he will be furious at Legolas for forcing him into a situation, which he is unable to get out of." Arwen observed.
"Which is why Gandalf and I have both agreed that it is best if we compile with Legolas' wishes, at least for now. We can rely upon you, I trust to keep the secret?"
"Yes." Arwen said calmly. "I understand, Adar. A very special bond exists between Éstel and the Prince of Mirkwood. Éstel no doubt will be devastated when he is unable to return Legolas' love, and Legolas dies as the result of it. It is better that he is not told of the binding. It will lessen Éstels' sense of guilt and responsibility when Legolas dies. I know it will be a very long and difficult period of time for the two us, but I will be there for Éstel during his time of mourning."
"No, Arwen," Elrond said slowly, pained by what he was about to say. "You shall not remain here. I wish for you to sail over the sea, and join your mother in Valinor. Although you have your immortality, you will be granted entrance to the sacred land. Your immortality has already been forfeited, Arwen, but Legolas still has his. I do not wish to see the two brightest sparks of our Elven race to be extinguished when one can be saved. We all must make sacrifices, my child."
"No………………" she said, shaking her head in disbelief, "NO!!!!!!!!!! You are asking me to surrender my love for the sake of a foolish, love-sick elf?!?! What of my happiness?!?! I gave up my immortality to be with Éstel, should I not, at least be given an even chance to compete against him?!?!? Do not speak of sacrifice to me, Adar, it is a subject which you know nothing about." With that, Arwen, the fair Evenstar ran out of the dimly lit room, slamming the heavy oak door behind her.
Elrond glanced off into space, his eyes focused on the tightly closed door, remembering another time, another place, another kind of sacrifice. I am sorry, my child
A/N: So guys?……………what did ya all think? I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I especially enjoyed writing that scrumptious little scene between Leggy and Aragorn………………hope everyone has a sweet tooth!! Anywayz, Happy New Year everybody………and keep those reviews pouring in!!!! ^_^
I've worked quite hard on this chapter, and am very proud of it. I just hope it lives up to everyone's' expectations!! A big thank you to my beta-reader, Lady Azrael. Once again, peoples, please read and review!!!
***Warning*** this contains SLASH, meaning guy/guy relationships, don't like it?......don't read it!!!!
Disclaimer: You know the drill folks………I'm neither old, nor dead, therefore I am not Tolkien and do not own any part of LOTR. I just enjoy torturing the characters. :P
Chapter – 7 Sacrifice
Legolas was lost in the midst of the all-consuming darkness that swirled around him. A voice was calling out to him, and Legolas knew that if he followed the voice, it would lead him back into the light, but an intense pain was stabbing at his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe, to concentrate. Suddenly, he felt a hand reach out and clutch his own. The pain stopped immediately and he was able to focus all his attention on the voice. It belonged to Aragorn, and he was pleading with him to awaken. A shaft of light cut through the darkness and Legolas gladly followed it back into consciousness.
Aragorn felt immense relief as the brilliant sapphire blue eyes slowly fluttered open and tried to focus on the surroundings. "Aragorn………………" Legolas whispered hoarsely, struggling to sit up. Aragorn gently placed a hand on the elf's' chest and softly pushed him back onto the bed.
"I am here, my friend. Do not try to get up Legolas, you have been badly injured." Aragorn said, thankful that the elf had finally awakened.
"What happened?" Legolas asked, attempting to remember the past events.
"Orcs ambushed us in the forest, just outside of Rivendell. You were shot in the chest by an arrow that was meant for me. You saved my life Legolas, once again." Aragorn replied, his eyes curiously red.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Legolas asked, trying to change the uncomfortable subject.
"Six, long, hellish days" came the emotional reply.
"I couldn't find my way………………" Legolas mumbled, wearily letting his eyes drift close again.
"I will leave you to get some rest." Aragorn said softly, taking his hand away from the exhausted body of the elf.
"No!"
Legolas said, grabbing onto the humans' hand in a blind panic. "Don't leave me! I-I don't want to lose my way again. I don't think I can find my way back from the darkness on my own." he whispered shakily.
Aragorn grasped the pale elven hand firmly in his own, and leant forward to place a gentle kiss on the immortals' brow. "Close your eyes, fair Prince. Do not be afraid of that darkness. I will be here, standing guard over you, ready to guide and light your way. I promise you Legolas, I will not leave you face it alone." he whispered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A faint knocking at the door interrupted Elrond's concentration as he sat reading a thick volume of elven medicine, hoping against hope that he would be able to find a remedy within the mildewed pages of the obscure text, filled with ancient wisdom. So far, however, it had not yielded any of the answers that the Lord of Rivendell was looking for.
"You asked for me, Adar" Arwen, the fair Evenstar, said quietly as she gracefully let herself into the darkened room. Resolutely, Elrond shut the heavy tome in front of him and took a deep breath as he mentally prepared himself to deliver the unpleasant news to his daughter. "Gandalf and I have been discussing this for the past six days, ever since their unexpected return, and we both agreed that you have the right know." Elrond said, slightly uncomfortable. Arwen gazed expectantly at her father, waiting for him to go on.
"You know that Legolas Greenleaf is gravely ill, and that he may die?" he asked gently. Arwen let out a small, high-pitched titter "How could I not? Legolas saved the life of my Éstel, twice, using his own as exchange. It is all that Éstel has talked about in the past few days." she said, with a faint touch of bitterness evident in her voice. "Is Legolas really dying? Can you not heal him Adar?" she asked softly.
"Together with Gandalf, we have searched through my entire library, but still, we are unable to find a way to heal him." he said.
Arwen briefly let her eyes close as a flutter of relief swept over her. Mistaking this gesture for grief, Elrond quickly amended his answer "All, however, is not without hope." he said. "Our Éstel holds the key to Legolas' salvation."
"Éstel?" Arwen asked uncomprehendingly, a shadow of fear once again darkening her thoughts.
"During the battle at Helm's Deep, Aragorn was mortally wounded with a poisoned arrow, and in order to save him, Legolas foolishly decided to bind his immortal soul to that of Aragorns', using his natural elven healing ability to battle the poison. The binding accomplished the task that was intended, but left the Prince very weak and venerable. When he was injured inside the forest, his body could not cope with the added burden, which is why Legolas has been unconscious for long. To save Legolas, the binding must be undone, his soul must be returned to him." Elrond finished.
"Then undo the binding and give Legolas' soul back to him, Éstel no longer has any need of it. Surely it can not be that hard." Arwen said, looking questioningly at her father.
Elrond shook his head sadly, aware of how much grief the piece of information he was about to impart would bring to his beloved child. "When Legolas gave up his soul, he gave it willingly, with love. Therefore, only through the power of love, can this binding be undone. To return Legolas' soul, Aragorn must first willingly return Legolas' love. In the ancient times, this ritual was used by couples as a way of confirming the love, which they have for one another. The two souls are entwined together to become one, two separate bodies sharing the one soul. It is only when the physical bodies are joined as one that the souls are able to be unbound again. However, because of this shared experience, the couple will remain forever faithful to each other for the rest of eternity, as soul mates. In other words, to save Legolas, it is essential for Aragorn to return Legolas' love and for them to consummate it." he said. Elrond gazed pityingly at Arwen, giving her a chance to allow the information to sink in.
"Is Éstel aware of the situation, Adar?" she asked blankly.
"No" Elrond replied. "The foolish elf does not wish to for Aragorn to know, in fear that Aragorn would be pressured to return his love out of a mis-guided sense of duty."
"Éstel will not be very happy if he feels that he has not been given a choice. If he finds out about the binding, he will be furious at Legolas for forcing him into a situation, which he is unable to get out of." Arwen observed.
"Which is why Gandalf and I have both agreed that it is best if we compile with Legolas' wishes, at least for now. We can rely upon you, I trust to keep the secret?"
"Yes." Arwen said calmly. "I understand, Adar. A very special bond exists between Éstel and the Prince of Mirkwood. Éstel no doubt will be devastated when he is unable to return Legolas' love, and Legolas dies as the result of it. It is better that he is not told of the binding. It will lessen Éstels' sense of guilt and responsibility when Legolas dies. I know it will be a very long and difficult period of time for the two us, but I will be there for Éstel during his time of mourning."
"No, Arwen," Elrond said slowly, pained by what he was about to say. "You shall not remain here. I wish for you to sail over the sea, and join your mother in Valinor. Although you have your immortality, you will be granted entrance to the sacred land. Your immortality has already been forfeited, Arwen, but Legolas still has his. I do not wish to see the two brightest sparks of our Elven race to be extinguished when one can be saved. We all must make sacrifices, my child."
"No………………" she said, shaking her head in disbelief, "NO!!!!!!!!!! You are asking me to surrender my love for the sake of a foolish, love-sick elf?!?! What of my happiness?!?! I gave up my immortality to be with Éstel, should I not, at least be given an even chance to compete against him?!?!? Do not speak of sacrifice to me, Adar, it is a subject which you know nothing about." With that, Arwen, the fair Evenstar ran out of the dimly lit room, slamming the heavy oak door behind her.
Elrond glanced off into space, his eyes focused on the tightly closed door, remembering another time, another place, another kind of sacrifice. I am sorry, my child
A/N: So guys?……………what did ya all think? I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I especially enjoyed writing that scrumptious little scene between Leggy and Aragorn………………hope everyone has a sweet tooth!! Anywayz, Happy New Year everybody………and keep those reviews pouring in!!!! ^_^