See part one for disclaimer. Responses to reviews at end of chapter.
Encroaching Darkness Part 14
By Ecri
Aglarelen watched as Elladan and Elrohir explained to their grandparents where Gandalf had gone, and why they suspected Elrond, Aragorn, and Legolas were in danger. There was one thought in his mind. He wondered only when he would find a way to ask the Lord and Lady if they knew of some way to help Legolas become an elf again. He knew he should have other concerns. He knew he should harbor some fear that they might not find Legolas, Aragorn, and Elrond, but he could not forget the purpose of their journey. He knew the Lord and Lady were fearful for Lord Elrond, and likely for Aragorn as well. He saw the fond, concerned glances they threw at Elladan and Elrohir. He did not want to seem insensitive to their family worries, but Legolas, since the day he had been born, was always his chief concern.
He never knew why, but from the moment his mother had brought forth her youngest son, Aglarelen had felt a deep connection with the elfling. Though he loved all his brothers, it was Legolas who inspired in him the most worry for his future, the most concern for his well being, and the most pride in his accomplishments.
The feelings, however inexplicable, were certainly returned. From a young age, Legolas had taken to following Aglarelen whenever he was home, to greeting him loudly and well whenever he returned home, and to becoming sullen and melancholy whenever he had to leave home.
It could not be that he and Legolas were close because they were the oldest and youngest sons of Thranduil, for each of his other two brothers had, at one time, been the youngest. Neither was it that Legolas needed more looking after. He was a more than capable warrior. He was, without doubt, the greatest archer Mirkwood had ever known.
He recalled once, having returned home after representing his father at a meeting in Rivendell when circumstances at home had made it impossible for the King to be away. He was halfway to Rivendell with what Royal escort he'd brought when they realized there were wolves approaching. They continued on for some time watching the animals stalk them and waiting for some hint of aggression. They would have to be provoked to attack so large a group. Of course, hunger was always quite the motivator.
It was when Aglarelen turned to issue an order that the wolves attacked. They were desperate creatures, which made them all the more dangerous. Aglarelen had cut down several when he heard one of the guards call to him. The Crown Prince whirled around, weapon at the ready, but just moments before he would have struck, the animal's growl became a whimper, and it fell to the ground, two arrows buried in its throat.
He turned around to thank whoever had saved him, only to see a slight shake to the tree branches above him, followed by the sudden appearance of his youngest brother who leaped from the tree to land beside him. Aglarelen's eyes widened. "Legolas?"
His young brother's eyes twinkled. "You need to work on your reaction time, brother. That, and your eyesight. That none of you knew I followed" he broke off his comment as he started to laugh.
Aglarelen had hugged his brother to him fiercely, glad he was well, and not at all upset that he had followed.
Shaking off such memories, Aglarelen looked once more towards the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, surprised to see Galadriel looking directly at him. He inclined his head in a sign of respect. The Lady gestured for him to ride up and join her.
The Crown Prince did so, wondering if the Lady thought his silence rude. Once he'd brought his horse even with hers, Galadriel, graced him with the slightest of smiles. Small as the gesture was, it increased her beauty tenfold–a feat Aglarelen would have considered impossible had he not seen it for himself.
"What troubles you, Prince Aglarelen Thranduilion?" The Lady's voice was a song unto itself.
"I would not speak yet of my own burdens, my lady. If we find what we dread on this road, there will be little point in my request." Agalarelen had been tortured by the thought that he would not see Legolas again since he had awoken to find his brother missing, but, the truth was, it was a struggle not to make his request.
Galadriel looked towards her husband, who rode by her side. The two seemed to share some internal conversation before Galadriel turned back to Aglarelen.
"We would hear your request."
Aglarelen nodded, gathering his resolve. "My brother, he has" Aglarelen halted. He was still unsure what to call this. How could he explain? "Somehow, Legolas hashuman. There is nothing Lord Elrond can do for him. We had hope that there would be something you could do."
Galadriel turned again to Celeborn. Their eyes locked in secret, silent communication before she once again, turned to Aglarelen. She reached across and touched the Crown Prince's face, wiping away the lone tear he could not hold back. Her touch was as soft as a rose petal. "We will find him, and when we do, we will do what we can for him."
Aglarelen nodded, but he had noticed that she had not claimed to be able to cure his brother. They continued on in silence, and Aglarelen found himself wondering in what condition they might find those they pursued.
**
Elladan glanced surreptitiously at his younger brother. Elrohir seemed well enough, though from time to time, he placed a heavy hand upon his head. Whatever had struck them had been potent. He took note also of Glorfindel and Aglarelen.
Both seemed to be regaining their senses, though neither was as recovered as Elladan and Elrohir.
He turned again to Elrohir, who now was watching him. "Are you well, Elrohir?"
"I am better, though I would not call it 'well'." He looked at Elladan and gestured slightly toward their grandparents. "What do you think has happened?"
Elladan considered the words. "I think we had best find them before we concern ourselves with that." He softened the words with a smile, and was relieved when Elrohir returned it.
They continued to ride in silence, but Elladan soon rode ahead to speak to Celeborn. "Can you see what has happened to them?"
Celeborn did not smile, though his eyes twinkled at the presumption in his eldest grandson's question. "I know little more than you, Elladan, but our search will continue."
Elladan tried to dispel his own unease. "They should have woken us to go with them." His whisper would not have been heard by anyone but Celeborn.
"Are you so certain he did not try?" Celeborn asked.
The question caught Elladan off guard. He had not considered that his father might have been unable to wake them. He had had little trouble waking Elrohir. Of course, there may have been some reason behind that. Perhaps the spell lasted only a short time. Perhaps the one who had cast it had been drained of power or had been unable to maintain it longer. Perhaps they did not need to maintain it because they had gotten what they wanted. That last thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he sought to distract himself from such things.
He thought then of Legolas. He had all but forgotten their quest so consumed was he with worry for Aragorn and Elrond. He glanced at Celeborn. "You cannot do it can you?"
Celeborn did not bother to look at his grandson, and somehow he knew precisely what the younger elf meant by his question. "We have not even seen Legolas. How can we tell what has been done to him and whether or not we might undo it?"
Elladan did not let go. "You have never heard of such a thing, then?"
Celeborn looked reluctantly at Elladan. "Aside from Luthien, Elros, and, one day, those of Elrond's children who will make such a choice" He stopped and looked pointedly at Elladan. "No, I have not heard of an elf who became mortal, let alone human."
Elladan sighed, an unelven reply he had learned from his youngest brother. It was the only response that seemed to fit the circumstances. "We will find them. They will be well, and between the two of you, Gandalf, and Ada, you will find a way to reverse this." He tried not to let it bother him that Celeborn did not reply.
**
Elrohir watched his brother urge his horse forward so that he might speak with Celeborn. He knew what Elladan would ask, but dared not seek that answer himself. He preferred to wait until they found all who were missing.
He had not lied to his brother. He was feeling better, but had felt, since wakening, a strange feeling as if he were running at a slightly different speed than everyone else. It was an odd sensation, and one he would have spoken to Elladan about, but he had not thought to do it until his brother had rode ahead.
In itself, that was odd, for never before had he given much thought to things he needed to discuss with Elladan. He simply spoke of them. He glanced at Glorfindel and then at Aglarelen, who both seemed lost in thought. It was as he watched Aglarelen that Galadriel motioned for the Crown Prince of Mirkwood to join her.
He had watched Aglarelen as he had spoken in hushed tones to Galadriel. He guessed they had discussed Legolas' condition, and he saw in the eyes of his grandparents the same bewildered look he'd seen on his father's face all those months ago in Rivendell.
They would not know. They would not be able to save him. It could not be so! How could they face King Thranduil with such news?
He turned towards Glorfindel, who rode alone, and opened his mouth to ask the older elf if he felt any more or less certain about Legolas than before they had left on this trip. Before he could speak, Glorfindel looked upon the youngest of the twins with a sad, strange expression in his eyes. "I wish I had such knowledge, Elrohir. We must"
"I know. Find Legolas first." Elrohir added silently, and Ada, and Estel. That his father and young brother were also missingthat they faced some danger that had called Galadriel. Celeborn, and Gandalf to ride in frantic haste across Middle-earththe mere idea sent shivers down his spine.
Gorfindel merely nodded and the two rode on in silence.
**
Glorfindel felt distinctly unwell. Except for the fact that he had suffered no injury, he would have assumed he had been in a fierce battle the night beforeand yet, that was not entirely accurate. He kept pace with the other elves effortlessly, and he was still alert enough to watch their surroundings for he unwanted presence of orcs, wargs, or worse.
He was heartened by the arrival of Celeborn and Galadriel. The twins had told him about Gandalf's sudden arrival and hasty departure, and what the Istar had said about them coming along behind him, but until he had seen them and their guard, led by Haldir, he worried that they would not come soon enough. Soon enough for what he couldn't say, but he'd been sure they were on borrowed time.
He could not help but wish that he had awakened when Elrond had. That his friend, the Lord of Imladris, had ventured into danger with just his son and Legolas by his side worried him perhaps more than it should. He knew Elrond was perfectly capable of looking after himself, but he worried anyway. He knew how much the Elf Lord loved his adopted son. He knew that, even though he called the boy Estel and told him he was the Hope of Men, that Elrond was loathe to lose the boy, and was often brutally reminded of his third son's mortality. The idea that Aragorn would one day follow his destiny and leave his father's care haunted the Elf Lord. Of course, knowing that Aragorn and Arwen were deeply in love and that when he lost his son, he would also lose his daughter, was too devastating for the Elf Lord to contemplate.
Elrond's worry could easily drive him to drastic measures. He had seen what Celebrian's fate had done to Elrond, and he was not sure Elrond could lose another member of his family before their time.
He had once sat up with Elrond when he was healing one of Aragorn's many injuries. While his human son tossed and turned in a fever brought on by orc poison, Elrond had broken down. He hadn't cried, but it was sheer force of will that kept the tears standing in his eyes, unshed, unacknowledged.
"He will recover. He was born to a purpose, Elrond," Glorfindel had said.
Elrond nodded. "He was. He carries with him the Hope or the Doom of Men, yet, knowing that grand a scale exists, that so many depend upon his choices, in the end, I cannot see anything more than the sweet child I have cared for all these long years! He is my son, Glorfindel! By a long road and through my brother's bloodline, perhaps, but he is still my own!"
Glorfindel sat up with his friend all that long night and well into the next before it became clear that the lad would live to see his destiny, or, at least that he would live long enough to jeopardize his life once again.
Glorfindel glanced around seeing Elladan ride forward to speak to Celeborn. In a short time, he sensed Elrohir looking at him. Turning, he saw the second son of Elrond, and knew what he would ask.
"I wish I had such knowledge, Elrohir. We must"
"I know. Find Legolas first."
Gorfindel nodded and returned his attention to the road. Seeing a cavern ahead, he knew they had found where Elrond had gone.
**
Elrond watched in stunned silence as his son was engulfed by the power of the Blue Wizard's staff. It lasted only an instant before it seemed somehow cut off, and Elrond whirled to see Gandalf as he'd rarely seen his old friend. Face alight with rage, flushed with effort, he held his staff pointing straight out towards the Blue Wizard. Energy from Gandalf's staff mingled with that of Alatar's, and to Elrond's surprise, the Blue Wizard disappeared in flame before appearing to wink out of existence all together.
Elrond stared for a moment at the triumphant Wizard before turning and racing to his son's side. Kneeling by the dazed form, he found Legolas already there. Somehow the Prince had dragged himself to his friend's side. A short distance to be sure, but to the trained eyes of a healer, it seemed a feat he should not have been able to accomplish.
Considering the look on the Prince's face, mouth hanging open as if in shock, and eyes bright with pain, or fever, or perhaps something else entirely, Elrond moved to place a hand on his shoulder. In that moment, Legolas seemed to come back to himself and shifted slightly, as if his frame had trouble supporting his own weight. Elrond was about to say something to him, when a low groan from Aragorn drew his attention and erased all other thoughts from his mind.
"Estel? Estel, my son! Open your eyes. Lasto beth nin! Tolo dan nan galad!" Elrond imbued his voice with as much authority as he could, sending waves of healing power to this man who would be King.
Aragorn groaned again and blinked his eyes open. "Ada?" His voice was a whisper. "Gandalf?"
Elrond looked over his shoulder surprised that he had missed the sound of Gandalf's approach, but he accepted his friend's help. After a few moments, he had assessed Aragorn's injuries. A large lump on the back of his head seemed to be the source of the blood that matted his hair and stained his collar. He also sported several cracked ribs, an obvious concussion, various cuts and bruises, and these were the injuries he could readily identify. He had no idea what the force of the energy from Alatar's staff might have done to his son.
The Elf Lord quickly applied some small amount of athelas to the most severe of the injuries, and, tearing a piece of cloth from his own cloak, he bound his son's ribs. He saw that Aragorn had closed his eyes, but it seemed to be a natural sleep, so he was not concerned. It was then that he turned to Legolas.
Dried blood had painted the side of his face and some of his hair a rusty color. He held one hand at an awkward angle, and Elrond soon determined it was sprained. It was, however, the sight of Legolas' broken ankle that most horrified him. Gently he probed the bone, noting the intensity and length of each intake of breath or actual cry of pain. He tore several more pieces of his cloak and bound one around the ankle, one around the head, and one around the wrist. The head wound he had first cleaned with a bit of water before applying some athelas.
The Prince's eyes were not entirely clear and Elrond continued to remind himself that he was not treating an elf. Legolas would react to pain and injury the way Aragorn did, and Elrond was sure that would extend to keeping the full extent of his injuries well hidden even from his healer. That was a trait shared by both elf and human.
Legolas didn't speak during the ordeal, and indeed, through most of it, he had stared at Aragorn with the oddest expression on his face. Elrond thought the prince might be going into shock. He turned at once toward Gandalf.
"Gandalf, we must get these two out of here."
Gandalf nodded, and, with a slightly far away look in his eye, spoke. "Yes, we should. The evil is not yet gone from this place. There may yet be threat here."
The Lord of Imladris gestured towards Legolas, who seemed unable to catch his breath, and Gandlalf moved to the elf's side. He looked Legolas over. "Not-elf. So this is what Alatar meant."
Elrond saw Legolas glare at Gandalf and assumed the Prince objected to the Wizard's help. Like Aragorn, Legolas seemed unwilling to admit to any infirmities. Glancing back at Aragorn, he gently lifted the Ranger into his arms. It was a sign of how poorly Aragorn felt that he did not offer more than a token protest.
The twists and turns through the cavern should have been nothing for an elven memory, but somehow, after 20 minutes, Elrond was unsure of the way. He turned to Gandalf. "Mellonin, the way seems long and difficult. Is it possible I have missed some turn somewhere?"
Gandalf nodded. "I had been thinking much the same myself. We should have found the entrance by now.
He closed his eyes and Elrond felt him reach out with senses even the ancient elf could not fully understand. After a moment, he shook his head. "Something sets its will against us, shifting our perceptions somehow, or else moving stone and rock to close off the corridors we know should be here."
Elrond raised an eyebrow, frowning in concern. "Surely that cannot be possible, even with the strength of a Maia!"
"Two Maia. The Ithryn Luin are never separated. I know not what spell they may have cast to protect this place until they could accomplish their task, but it was a powerful one. I will try to counter it as we go." He glanced to the Ranger still cradled lovingly in Elrond's arms. "How fares the boy?"
Elrond might have corrected Gandalf for calling Aragorn a boy, for he knew how fiercely his young son hated that, but his concern for the again unconscious human grew by the moment not permitting him to joke about anything.
"He is hurtstunned I suppose by the staff. He is also greatly fatigued. I can only guess what might have happened to the pair of them before we arrive."
Gandalf grunted. "I can only imagine what might have happened had we not arrived."
Elrond did not like to consider such things. He gestured down the corridor they had been walking, and they started off again.
Legolas, Elrond noted, had been uncharacteristically quiet. He hadn't asked after Aragorn's health, nor had he suggested which corridor they should follow seeming content enough to move slowly, half-carried, by the Wizard and led by the Elf Lord who carried his best friend as though he were no more than a child. Concern for the Prince, especially since his elven healing abilities were a thing of the past, Elrond decided to call a halt after another ten minutes.
"Mithrandir, we should rest." He gestured with a slight tilt of his head to Aragorn and then to Legolas. "I should check their injuries." He broke off the plea as Gandalf nodded and helped Legolas ease himself down against the wall.
Elrond placed Aragorn, who was again stirring as though about to come awake, down beside the young prince. He watched as his son blinked several times, seeming to have trouble focusing on his surroundings. It took some time and coaxing, but soon the young man seemed to become aware of his surroundings. "Ada?" He croaked, his throat parched.
Elrond supported his head offering some water. When he'd swallowed, he glanced nervously around his father's shoulder as though looking for something. "Ada, Legolas was injured"
"I know. We have him." Elrond spoke to his son in soft tones, asking him about his injuries and trying to determine if he'd missed anything. When he was sure Aragorn was as comfortable as he could make him, he turned towards Gandalf who was tending to Legolas. He didn't miss the fact that Aragorn, though dazed by the what energies he'd absorbed, followed his father with his eyes, concern for Legolas plain upon his face.
"How is he?" Elrond asked Gandalf.
"He is dehydrated and in much pain, though he won't admit it." He smiled at the young prince, though Legolas did not respond. A vacant expression lingered on his face.
Elrond, worried that the prince could be in shock, gave him more water and checked the wrappings on ankle, head, and wrist. It was, of course, too soon to see progress, but Elrond had not expected him to get worse. Truly, Legolas' ashen face and the expression of queasiness and pain that he wore concerned the Elf Lord. He was about to ask Legolas how he was when Gandalf gestured for him to step a short distance away.
When they were out of earshot of the injured pair, Gandalf asked his questions. "What has happened to the Greenleaf?"
Elrond knew immediately to what the Wizard referred. "He has been stricken withhe had become human."
"I can see that!" He sighed, reining in his impatience. "Forgive me, Lord Elrond. I have ridden hard and fast to find you, though I did not know at the time that it was you I sought. Tell me everything. Why were you on this journey?"
Lord Elrond sighed and began the tale. It was a long one, and Elrond was surprised himself how long ago it had been that Legolas had arrived at Rivendell with this malady. When he had finished, Gandalf did not speak. Elrond waited, knowing the Istar needed time to take in all that he had learned.
The Wizard drew in a breath. "Something is not right, my friend. I do not know how such a spell could be possible. I can only assume that the Ithryn Luin were behind this, for they were certainly involved in this latest event. They lured Aragorn here. Of that much I am most certain."
"What of Legolas?"
Gandalf smiled a small smile. "You don't think Legolas would simply allow Aragorn to venture off without him, do you? Not at all! The Greenleaf followed or was taken at the same time as Aragorn." The smile faded as he looked down at the two. "Come, if you feel they may move, we must go. Elf or no, they will do well to feel the sunlight upon them."
Elrond nodded sensing there was something Gandalf was not telling him, though it would hardly be the first time that had happened.
A moment later, Wizard and Elf turned to their two young charges, startled at what they heard.
**
Aragorn had been stunned by the impact of the wizard's final blow. The energies this Alatar had unleashed upon the Ranger had been fearsome indeed, but, luckily, something had interrupted the flow of power. Aragorn did not remember falling, but he did recall looking up into the concerned face of Legolas.
"Estel! Estel!" The prince said little else, and Aragorn nodded to indicate he was well. At least he meant to nod. The pain in his head was overwhelming. The pounding, the aching, the throbbing almost blinded him.
Forcing his attention to remain on his friend, Aragorn swallowed as he tried to ascertain his friend's condition. "Legolas, are you"
Legolas laughed, though it seemed to be more in relief than in joy. "Aragorn! Tell me you are not lying here half dead and asking after my own injuries!"
Aragorn permitted a sheepish grin, but it lasted only a moment. The pain in his head struck him again with an intensity he could not have expected. It was as though a metal rod had pierced skull and brain. It lasted only a moment, but its intensity robbed him of his breath.
Legolas leaned closer. Aragorn could feel his friend's presence as he knelt beside him. The Ranger could well imagine his friend's appearance, and he heard an urgency in his cry of "Estel!", but Aragorn forced himself to take several deep breaths before once again opening his eyes. He saw Legolas, as he'd expected, but his worry seemed to have turned to fear.
"I am well, Legolas! It lasted but a moment!" He tried to reassure his friend, and he saw a faint smile on Legolas' face, though he seemed preternaturally pale. Aragorn saw at once the blood on the side of Legolas' head and assumed the head injury had caught up with him. "Legolas, be still! You do not look well."
Legolas opened his mouth to reply, at that precise moment, the pain in Aragorn's head returned, just as it had before–a sharp metal rod piercing skull and brain. It lasted a heartbeat longer than the last time, but then vanished leaving Aragorn wondering if he'd imagined it. He closed his eyes as it hit, and that was when he heard his father's voice. "Estel! Estel, my son! Open your eyes. Lasto beth nin! Tolo dan nan galad!"
Aragorn allowed the elvish words to soothe his soul and blinked his eyes open to see his father, with Gandalf just over his shoulder "Ada? Gandalf?"
Elrond quickly set to tending his injuries. Aragorn wanted to tell him to look first to Legolas, but what strength he had seemed to leave him. He slipped into unconsciousness.
It was some time later before Aragorn awoke. His dreams had been a torment of blue robes and biting winds, but when he opened his eyes, he saw the comforting sight of his father still tending to him.
He heard Elrond calling to him, though he desperately wished to ignore it and sleep. Forcing himself to listen to this voice that had always comforted him, he opened his eyes. "Ada?" He croaked, his throat parched.
Elrond supported his head and gave him some water. He took what was offered, and when he finished, he tried to look around, though his head resisted such movement. "Ada, Legolas was injured"
"I know. We have him."
Aragorn's relief lessened his own pain as he loosened tightened muscles and relaxed as much as he could, given the circumstances.
"Aragorn, where do you hurt? Have I missed some injury?" Elrond's voice was laced with concern.
"Nay, Ada, you have missed nothing. My head is beginning to feel better." He held his father's hand, squeezing it in gratitude, and then released it to allow the healer to work. He tried not to wince or groan whenever Elrond's hands touched a particularly sore spot, but he could tell that such subterfuge did him no good. Lord Elrond knew him too well.
When his father finally finished, he watched carefully as Elrond moved off to talk to Gandalf. He could hear only some of their words, and Aragorn strained to make sense of what he heard. His heart caught in his throat as he realized what they said was true. He had been the target of the Ithryn Luin. Legolas had followed. Hadn't Legolas said something like that to him? No. No, he had said merely that they were lost in a cave with little chance of outside help. Still, the implication was there, for Legolas would never choose to enter a cave except under the most dire circumstances. Usually, when they did end up in a cave, it was Aragorn who led them there.
Feeling the beginnings of guilt growing within his heart, Aragorn looked towards his friend, hoping the injuries weren't more serious than he could remember.
Legolas was pale, silent, and still. Aragorn knew his ankle pained him greatly. This was his first broken bone since he'd lost his elven nature. Aragorn's eyes took in every muscle twitch and every breath. Legolas' eyes were clenched tightly shut as though he, too, fought a fierce headache. His hands trembled slightly, though whether in pain, fatigue, or for some other reason, he could not say.
He watched carefully and was surprised when Legolas, who'd been stone still one moment, rose suddenly to his hands and knees, and, eyes still clenched shut, raised one hand and shoved a finger down his throat until he gagged. Startled by the sight of such a thing, Aragorn sat up to offer help, but he sat too quickly. His head throbbed and a wave of dizziness washed over him. The cavern spun around him until his equilibrium was shattered. He put a hand to his temple in a feeble attempt to hold his head tight upon his shoulders. For a moment he'd thought it might pop off and roll away.
Aragorn forced himself to take a deep breath, and, though the dizziness did not dissipate entirely, he found it more manageable.
He heard Elrond and Gandalf come running to Legolas' side moments before they came into view. Elrond supported Legolas, who had released nothing from his stomach. Dry heaves shook his now fragile looking, battered frame. The strangeness of the situation seemed enough of an ordeal without the actual regurgitation. Legolas' back arched as his stomach attempted to set itself right. His eyes, in contrast to moments before, were wide open, and, looking into them, Aragorn saw a helplessness he had never associated with the elf. Elf. He should not think of him as such, yet how could he not?
Legolas had raised a hand off the ground and clutched fiercely to Elrond's arm, but the longer the heaving went on, the less strength Legolas seemed to have. He leaned heavily on Elrond and Gandalf, half-slumping into their supportive arms, and half fighting to maintain control of himself.
When his body had exhausted itself, Legolas fell against Elrond fighting for breath. Aragorn could see the sweat pouring down Legolas' face, and the Ranger glanced at his father checking for some sign as to what was wrong with his friend.
Elrond, however, looked to Gandalf who shook his head slightly. Then the Wizard, kneeling by the prince, placed a hand on his forehead.
Aragorn stared, unblinking, at the spectacle before him. He felt both helpless and useless. He could do little to helpNo. He could do nothing to help. He had led Legolas to this. They were supposed to be journeying to Lothlorien to find aid for his friend, but instead, Aragorn's presence had put the ailing elf in harm's way. Once again, his friend had followed him into danger. How many times could he permit such a thing? A determined set to his jaw, Aragorn vowed this would be the last.
To Be Continued
TrinityTheSheDevil: Oops! Sorry! Everyone can than Trinity for prompting this quick update since her camping on my doorstep was quite an incentive! (Especially considering all the ice and snow out there! Trinity, do you need me to send Elrond over to check for frostbite?) I'm glad you like the story. This is slightly less of a cliffie, isn't it?
Catherinexxix: Thanks! I'm glad you like the action. I'm always a little cautious about writing action sequences because I think they're my weak point. Everyone seems to love what Elrond's done, so I guess the caution helped! I'm extraordinarily flattered that you think "the action has become a vehicle to showcase the developing relationships of these characters." I'll try to keep up the quick updating. (Though I may have to update my POTC story next. I've kept Will and Jack waiting for a while!)
Leggylover03: Ooh! You and Catherinexxix were both blown away! I hope you both recover enough to read this chapter! I hope this cliffie wasn't as bad! Come back for the next chapter. I'll try to write it quickly!
Gwyn: Sorry. I've joined Cliffie's Anonymous, but I still need a lot of help breaking the habit. I hope this one wasn't as bad!
Sirithiliel: Well, just wait. More Legolas coming soon!
Templa Otema: I'm glad you liked Thranduil. I wasn't sure about including that because I thought it was too much a break in the action, but in the end I did include it because it's the kind of thing I love to read myself. I'm also glad you liked (and noticed!) that it linked back to Legolas' POV. More Thranduil to come!
Isadora2: Wow! Thanks! I'm thrilled that you liked that device of retelling each event from a different point of view and adding a bit each time. I really enjoyed writing it that way. I'm glad you've been enjoying this story. Hugs and greetings back to Germany from the USA!
Grumpy: I love to see Elrond and Gandalf kick butt myself. I suppose that's why I wrote it! They are such great characters. Your Ranger isn't doing too well right now, is he?
Deana: I hope you like this one, too. More to come soon!
Strider's Girl: There was a lot of Aragorn pain and angst in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! This was a fairly quick update. I hope I can keep it up.
Tychen: I think a lot of the readers would like to go and help them! I know I would! Thranduil was fun to write. I will post more as quickly as possible!
Silvertoekee: Thanks! Yeah, Vilya is mentioned as "the mightiest of the three" in the books, and I figured seeing Aragorn in that condition would be enough to make Elrond want to use it. Though he did, of course, show some restraint. (Otherwise there would have been a lot more trouble!
White Wolf1: Yes, that's why I used Celeborn like that. I think he's an intriguing character all on his own, yet Galadriel seems to overshadow him. I'd have done that with Legolas trying to take the blow himself, but I have something else in mind for Legolas. (Cue evil laughter.)
Estelreader: Thank you! I try to maintain a careful balance between action and emotion because I think without the relationships there's little point to any of this. Aragorn was a little surprised, wasn't he? His protective nature kicked in just then, and, as you can see by this chapter, the guilt (and angst!) is not far behind! No! Don't get therapy! Just read fanfiction!
Fire Eagle: You're not alone! A lot of people liked that Thranduil bit I included. I intended to put more Thranduil in this chapter, but things got away from me. More coming soon! Not to mention that Celeborn, Galadriel, et al, have finally reached the cave!
Elven Kitten: I'll keep writing! Please keep reading and reviewing! I hope you liked this one!