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Encroaching Darkness Part 25
By Ecri
Galadriel and Celeborn spoke in earnest of all that had befallen their group. The two were greatly concerned for Elrohir and the others who were injured. Galadriel's mind turned over several thoughts over and over again. What purpose would someone have to want to separate two elves from a larger group? What could be done to remove the spell from Elrohir and Glorfindel? What could be done for Legolas?
What answers she entertained disturbed her. Separating two elves from a larger group meant plans for capture. If the Ithryn Luin had such plans would they not have acted sooner? Would they not have worked some alternate to the spell that drew Aragorn without his knowing to leave his camp? Would they not simply have killed the other elves while they slept, leaving two alive, and taking those two with them not releasing them from the sleeping spell until the two were secured?
As for Elrohir and Glorfindel, she knew there was a way to counter the spell, but again, if it had been cast by the Ithryn Luin and as sloppily and hastily as she sensed it had been, would its grip not have loosened with the death of both Blue Wizards? Would it not at least have weakened when Alatar was distracted by his own fight for survival?
Her eyes sought the Greenleaf who spoke in hushed tones to Estel. She did not listen to their words, but she knew he was haunted by something. She knew Estel wished only to help him. Could they help him? She could not recall any instance where an elf had become mortal aside from those who consciously made such a choice, and those were few, for the choice was available only to the half-elven. What sort of spell, what sort of magic, would do this? How had this perhaps most elvish of elves been stripped of the very essence of himself?
She felt an overwhelming urge to help the young prince, for it was obvious to her that he would be better able to deal with his physical injuries if he once again possessed his elven abilities. She looked to her husband once more, who now waited for her to speak. "I would help Legolas."
"As would I. I wonder which is more prudent, helping him now, or waiting until we reach Lothlorien?" His eyes did not waver from hers.
"You think we should wait." She did not question him. She knew his mind almost as well as her own. They had been together too long for her to misread him now. It was rare for either of them to surprise the other.
"I think the pressing problem is Elrohir and Glorfindel, and I believe helping them recover might give us a chance to help Legolas on our own terms." Celeborn's eyes were no longer on his wife, and, surprised by his words despite her moments earlier conviction that he could not surprise her, Galadriel's eyes followed his gaze to fall on
Saruman.
"You believe the White Wizard is duplicitous?" She could not discount the thought, for it had, in truth occurred to her as well. "What do you believe he is hiding?"
Celeborn kept his silence for a moment. "I cannot say, but he is not as truthful as we would hope. I sense he is anxious about Elrohir and Glorfindel, but his anxiety seemed to worsen when he learned of Gandalf's protection spell."
"I, too, had noticed that." The Lady admitted. "The White Wizard has his secrets. Perhaps we may learn them in time."
**
Celeborn could only hope that his wife would not misunderstand him. His concern for Legolas was strong indeed. He did believe that their best hope to cure such a malady would be in Lorien. The Golden Wood, a protected realm possessed of the magic of millenia of elves who had lived among the mallyrn, could only give them an added advantage when dealing with something so sinister as this.
His concern for Elrohir and Glorfindel was of a different nature. He had known Glorfindel for years uncounted, and to see one of the strongest of elves so affected seemed to bode ill of their journey. Elrohir, was, of course, his grandson. The youngest child born to his dear daughter, Celebrian, Elrohir held a special place in his heart.
Personal feelings aside, some sense of foreboding taunted him. Though he was not the one in his family known for his possession of foresight, he felt certain that the dangers of their journey to Lothlorien would be easier handled if these two fierce warriors were able to join in their defense.
Aragorn and Legolas certainly could not fight in their current condition, and, though he was certain Elrond and Thranduil were formidable in battle, they were also worried fathers.
Celeborn looked Galadriel in the eyes. "My love, I sense a darkness on this path we tread."
Galadriel's eyes took on a faraway look for a moment, and, when she came back to herself, she nodded and reached for her husband's hand. "Darkness and shadow linger ahead. We must not hide the light."
Celeborn found her words oddly comforting, though he was not certain what light they were hiding.
**
Aragorn spoke softly to Legolas. He knew his friend was uncomfortable with the concept of nightmares, since elven dreams were vastly different than human ones. Indeed, Legolas had confessed to him in Rivendell over the long winter that, aside from hearing Iluvatar's song, elven dreams were what he missed most. There was no method Aragorn knew of that might prevent nightmares, for if there were he himself would never suffer them.
Aside from the fact that he had dreamed all his life, Aragorn was no expert on the subject of human dreams. Of all those present, he alone had experience that could help Legolas deal with this, but if Legolas did not at least describe his dreams there was naught he could do.
"Legolas," he tried again, "can you not at least tell me what frightened you enough that you were compelled to call my name."
Legolas looked away, but Aragorn moved, slowly and stiffly, into his line of sight. Curbing his frustration, Aragorn spoke to his friend. "Mellonin, pleaselet me help you!"
He watched as Legolas took in a shaky breath. "I am sorry, Estel." He seemed about to speak, but could not. Shaking his head in a move so vehement it bordered on violent, Legolas, by contrast, spoke softly. "I cannot! I cannot speak of it."
Aragorn's concern doubled. Legolas had dreamed in Rivendell of his father's death, and it had taken a great deal of persuasion for the Ranger to explain to his friend that it was a vision born of concern and fear rather than one of foresight and predestination. What might he have dreamed that would seem worse than his father's death?
He sighed as he settled himself in front of his friend. "Legolas, let me help you. Speak to me of your dreams, for that is the only way to rob them of their power. We have spoken of this before.
It took some doing, but Legolas slowly, almost painfully, described what he had seen. Aragorn did not wonder that such images had scared his normally unflappable friend. That he had witnessed the bloody gruesome deaths of those he held dear would be enough to waken anyone. That he had seen them done by his own hand–under the control of Alatar to be sure–was traumatic at best.
"Legolas, my friend, it is not strange that such images would haunt your dreams. These were real fears, but they have no weight. These are no more foresight than were your dreams in Rivendell." Aragorn reached for Legolas' hand, surprised by how cold it was and at the almost too tight grip his friend used.
Legolas nodded, though he did not raise his eyes to seek Aragorn's. "I understand that, mellonin, I do, but that does not ease the pounding of my heart."
"I know. It is fear that holds you, and fear does not know reason. It is also most at home in the dreams of mortals." He gripped Legolas' hand tighter, and the prince finally looked him in the eye. "You are not alone, Legolas. Whatever will come, we face it together."
For a moment, it seemed Leoglas would accept his words, but then fear and sorrow once again took hold in those crystal blue eyes, and anguish one hundred times stronger seemed to take control. "Ai! I would believe you, mellonin, but I cannot! If Eru can only forgive me" He stopped then, the thought trailing.
Aragorn frowned, his brows knitting together in unconscious imitation of his elvish father. "I do not understand. Legolas, what do you mean?"
Again, Legolas looked away, unable or unwilling to meet his friend's gaze. His voice when he spoke was a whisper so quiet, so laden with sorrow, that Aragorn's heart broke to hear it.
"I have done the most grievous of things. It was only in the dreamsin the nightmares that the full measure of my deeds was made clear to methat I realized"
Legolas broke off the words, the distress in his voice choking off what else he would say, though, with his eyes downcast, his face was passive and still. When he did look up at his friend, it wasn't torment, grief, or even fright that Aragorn saw in his eyes.
It was acceptance and unshakable faith that he was rightthat his actions, whatever they were, could neither be interpreted any other way, nor explained away with compassionate words and soothing tones. "If there had been any chance that Blessed Eru would hear my prayers and grant me my elvish life once again, I have spent it."
He did not sob or weep, indeed once the initial violent frustration of it was gone, Legolas seemed oddly calm. He looked Aragorn in the eye. "I do not regret it, my friend. I would make the same choice again, but it will take me some time to accept what I have done. I cannot speak of it."
Aragorn nodded, not really understanding. "Is there someone else to whom you might speak of this thing?" The Ranger wanted only the best for his friend. If there were someone else who might help, he was not too proud to stand aside. "Your brotheryour father"
Legolas smiled. "Nay, my friend, I do not think I could speak of this to them."
"My brothers? My father?" Aragorn was about to make another suggestion when he realized that Legolas was looking at someone over his shoulder.
"I may have been wrong, my friend. There is someone." Legolas whispered.
Aragorn followed the Prince's gaze, and seeing the Wizard standing behind him, smiled.
**
Saruman felt his control slipping. He could not believe the turn of events. He needed to remove the spell from Elrond's second son and that cursed Balrog slayer so he could return to Orthanc. Perhaps he should consider removing the protection spell himself.
It would take some preparation, and no small amount of time, and that was the trouble. These elves hovered around the pair as flies upon spoiled meat! Elrohir and Glorfindel were ever in the company of some maddening elf offering platitudes of comfort and theories on their affliction. Saruman sneered. As if these foolish creatures could decipher such things!
The White Wizard glanced again to Elrohir and Glorfindel who had once again found each other's company. There was little he could do with Gandalf's protection spell in place, but he would speak to the two. Perhaps he could persuade them that they no longer needed protection. If they asked Gandalf to remove the spell, it was likely the Grey Fool would do so. Mithrandir had long held the belief that to cast a spell on a soul without leave was unethical. Saruman scoffed at the idea, as he did many of Gandalf's absurd notions.
His decision made, Saruman moved to Elrohir and Glorfindel. A few well placed questions and they were sharing with him how well they felt.
"Then perhaps the spell has loosened its hold." Saruman mused as though to himself though his words were directed to the elves. "I might be able to tell if Gandalf removed that protection spell of his." He glanced around as though looking for Gandalf and spotted him standing not too far from Legolas and Estel. "Removing the protection spell here would certainly cause no danger. We have left that cavern far behind us, and with two wizards here, you could hardly be in safer hands."
Glordfindel nodded, seeming to consider it, but then stopped himself. "Nay, Saruman. I would not ask anything of Gandalf just now, or of Lord Elrond, Lord Celeborn, or the Lady Galadriel. Legolas and Estel are our present concern. Elrohir and I are well enough with Gandalf's protection." He turned to Saruman, a smile on his face. "I thank you for your help, but we are willing to wait. Perhaps in Lothlorien."
Saruman returned the smile, and mumbled words of acquiescence, though he was not pleased with this turn of events. His own powers were muddled from his lack of rest. It had been many long years since he had slept out of doors, and the painful bite on his shoulder had not made the experience any easier. If he had gotten proper rest, Glorfindel would have jumped from a cliff if he had suggested it.
He would have to persuade Gandalf and the other elves to remove the spell. He would bide his time. That was a talent he had long cultivated.
**
Gandalf watched Aragorn turn and stare at him, and was reassured by the smile that then appeared on the human's face. Aragorn motioned for him to join them, and the Grey Wizard lost no time.
"You need rest, Legolas. You should not fight sleep." He looked Legolas in the eye. "You least of all. Your injuries have taken a toll."
"Mithrandir"
Gandalf's concern edged up a notch as he heard the tone in Legolas' voice, some worries still held him, likely keeping him from rest. The Wizard frowned and examined the youth more closely. A tear-stained face, thought now passive and still, a firm grip on his friend's hand, and a slight tremble to his lithe frame all painted a picture he would see erased. Certainly Legolas would find no rest if Gandalf could not ease his troubled heart.
The Grey Wizard looked to Aragorn. The Ranger shrugged. "He will tell me naught of his dreams, but I think he might tell you."
Gandalf turned back to the Prince. "Tell me, my young Prince." When Legolas did not answer, Gandalf prodded him in his own tongue. "Man le trasta, Legolas? (What troubles you, Legolas?)
Legolas seemed to want to talk, but Gandalf sensed the words would not come easily. After all he had been through, Gandalf could hardly blame him.
The Wizard looked to Aragorn who seemed to sense what was going on as well as he did. "If you can help him, please do." The Ranger looked to Legolas. "I will leave if it would be easier on you."
Legolas still hesitated, though his grip on Aragorn's hand did not loosen thus forcing the Ranger to remain by his friend's side. Gandalf took hold of the opportunity and spoke again. "What troubles you, my Prince?" When Legolas did not reply, Gandalf changed tactics. "Then I will take this chance to ask you to forgive me, Legolas, for abandoning you when I fought Alatar."
Legolas' surprise could not have been more complete. "Forgive you? Ú-moe edaved, Mithrandir! Your protection gave me strength. When you released me, it made it possible for us both to strike out atat him." (There is nothing to forgive.)
At least he was talking, Gandalf thought. Perhaps there was a way to get him to talk of what tormented his heart. "Why did you do it, Legolas? Why did you strike at yourself?"
There was such a long pause before the reply that Gandalf wondered for a moment if Legolas would answer at all. "I sought to make myself an unsuitable host for his spirit. I knew you would strike at him soon, but that you would do nothing to harm me. I was afraid if I did nothing, he would find a way to burrow deep into my mind where we could not sense him. I could not be sure that he would be gone if I did nothing. I would never again trust that my thoughts were my own!" He shuddered at the thought. "I was afraid that he would influence me for all of my Immortal yearsif ever I regain myself, that is."
Whatever Legolas was thinking now, he shook it off and instead explained himself. "He would notor perhaps could nottake Aragorn's body. He taunted me with that. He tried to enter Aragorn first, but because he was dying, he could not take control. I was nearby" Desperation that he be understood was plain in Legolas' tone. "I tried to keep him within meI tried to keep him occupied. His taunts meant he was not searching for another to torment! I tried to time my blow hoping I would strike at the instant you did."
Gandalf considered these words. Alatar had tried to take Aragorn, but could not. He had taken Legolas because of some physical proximityand then he remembered. Alatar had hinted that he might take someone elseperhaps Elrondif they killed Legolas' body. Leoglas seemed not to care that his body might be killed, for he tried to do that himself. Nay, his concern had been that his death would be for naught if Alatar were allowed to start again in some other host body. He had not merely lashed out at himself in desperation. That was too simple a thing, Gandalf saw, for so cunning a mind.
The Wizard laughed. "You timed it so that he would be struck both spirit and body at the same moment. You amaze me, Legolas. How you could think of such a thing at such a timebut that is my question, is it not? This is not what troubles you. Tell me, Legolas. Let me share your burden."
Legolas spoke haltingly. "Alatar and Pallandothey were Istari"
"Yes" Gandalf prompted him.
"I killed them."
Ah! Gandalf saw at once where the youngster's mind would go. Maiar held a particular place in the lore of the elves, and Legolas felt he had done some unspeakable wrong by sending them to Mandos. "Legolas, you did no wrong. Killing one of my order when that one has turned away from the task appointed by Eru cannot be considered in any but a good light. You should remember also, that you only helped kill Alatar. You did not do that on your own. Indeed, you almost killed yourself!"
Legolas nodded, but he appeared not to believe the words.
Gandalf reached forward and took the young prince's hand in his old one. "Legolas, look at me." When the elf raised his eyes to meet Gandalf's, the Wizard continued. "That Alatar and Pallando embraced the lies of Sauron was their downfall. You did what needed to be done."
Legolas would not be consoled. "Surely, there is some special torment for those who would take the life of one of Eru's own! We call ourselves the Firstborn, but we are not the beings he first created! The Ainurthe Valarto kill the Maiar sent to shepherd Middle-earth" He broke off the words and his eyes betrayed that, though silent, he now tormented himself more than Alatar ever could.
Gandalf sighed. This despair was almost complete. The young one believed himself to have crossed some line. No longer did he see Alatar and Pallando as enemies that had to be stopped. Now, he saw them as favored beings whose deaths Eru could not allow. Gandalf knew he had to tread carefully. "You killed a Maia, yes, but you killed one that had gone astray, and you did not kill wantonly. You killed because you had no choice. Eru will not curse you for that. Besides which, my young Legolas, you know quite well that Eru does not work like that. Iluvatar has seen all. He knows what you have done, but he knows you were meant to do it. You saved your friend. You may have well saved someone else from suffering such a fate as you described–being controlled unwittingly by Alatar's spirit."
Gandalf saw that his words were having some effect, but not as strongly as he might have wished. He frowned. Legolas, it seemed, was indeed deeply troubled by what he saw as a fatal error. He did not think he could be forgiven for having killed Pallando with his bow or for having had some part in Alatar's death. Gandalf wondered if Alatar's presence or his torment had caused this. Had the Blue Wizard somehow planted this seed of doubt? Had he taunted the elf once too often with the misnomer not-elf and insisted he had lost all favor with Eru in an effort to send the Prince deep into despair? It was possible certainly, and, as Gandalf sought to soothe Legolas, he realized the Prince was not as healed as perhaps they had assumed. Surely they had accepted his physical injuries and his limitations, but Gandalf now realized they had been too quick to forget that Legolas had suffered more than physical injury.
He turned a practiced eye to the Ranger, who watched anxiously as Gandalf and Legolas spoke in silence. That man held within him as much a battered spirit as Legolas.
Gandalf knew he would need to see to such things soon, but for now turned his attention back to Legolas. "Legolas, I sense you do not regret your actions, only the possibility of being forsaken by Eru."
"I do not regret it. Estel would be dead–or worse–if the Ithryn Luin had not been stopped. I did no wrong and would do the same again." Legolas' conviction was obvious. His eyes glinted with a hard defiance for any who might find fault in his words, and his head tilted slightly so that his chin came up and the line of his mouth was set firm. He looked almost ready to leap up and kill the next Maia who attempted to harm the friend at his side.
The Grey Wizard smiled. "My dear Prince, do you not see the error in your own logic? If it was not wrong, how can you be punished for it?" He sensed the confusion in the young one's mind as he puzzled over that. "Tell me what happened when Alatar left you."
Legolas explained the feelings he'd had and Gandalf again wondered at his strength and his faith. He had vowed to help Aragorn, and he would not forsake that vow. He had suffered torment of a most personal nature and yet he would do so again if faced with the same situation with full knowledge that that same torment awaited him.
When Legolas paused, Aragorn took the silence of both his friends as permission for him to speak. "Legolas, you saved me, Elrond, yourself, and likely Gandalf, and the others who entered the cavern! Alatar would have used them!"
Legolas turned sad eyes to his friend. "I know. That is why I do not regret it. It is justI have only begun to believe I shall never hear Iluvatar's song again. That is all I wish for myself, and it is a hard wish to abandon. I will stand by you, Estel, as I stand by what I did. I only wish the cost had not been so dear."
Gandalf sighed. He was getting nowhere. He still wanted to speak to Aragorn about his own troubles, and Legolas, it seemed, would accept no words of comfort.
**
Saruman had tried what he could with Glorfindel. Perhaps it was Gandalf's protection spell that caused his words to have little effect. Perhaps he would need to speak to Gandalf. He had been fairly adept at bending the Grey Wizard to his will in the past. This should prove no different.
He reached his horse and rummaged through his saddlebags for a book he kept with him, one whose blank pages he'd filled with spells and thoughts of his own. He glanced around to be certain none would see him, then he moved swiftly, almost silently, into the bushes. Moving around to a spot where he could observe Glorfindel and Elrohir unobserved, he paged through the book as he kept half his attention upon the pair.
He lost himself for a moment in the darkness of his own thoughts, wondering which spell would most avail him here, which words would gain the most reward for the least effort.
So lost was he, that he failed to notice one elf who had circled around behind him and even now watched him as a spider watched its prey.
**
Haldir had taken more time than necessary in setting up their perimeter guard, and had then decided to take watch himself. The stop was not meant to be long, but the discomfort of Legolas and Estel could not be discounted. The two were in sore need of respite from the pace, slow though it was, that the company had kept.
The March Warden of Lorien had suggested to Elrohir and Glorfindel that they save themselves for a night watch, though he would prefer to spare them that as well. Both seemed well now under the protection of Mithrandir's magic, but Haldir would prefer to save them the stress of guard duty if it might keep them sharp in case of attack.
Haldir had been surprised to hear Mirkwood's young prince cry out in his sleep, for never had he known that mortal dreams could drive one from sleep. It seemed hardly practical that a body under dire stress and fatigue would be the most susceptible to such a disturbance, but Elladan had assured him it was so. Even with the elder twin's assurance, however, Haldir would have found it hard to believe had Legolas not cried out. Elladan might be counted upon to stretch the truth if he felt there was some humorous benefit in such exaggeration.
He looked to his sentries pleased that each was alert, though he could expect little else from such seasoned warriors. He peered back at the camp then, and, as was his wont, took a head count of those within the circle of protection his sentries offered.
He frowned when he came up one short. Immediately realizing that the White Wizard had gone astray, he scanned the group for some sign. Elven sight was too sharp to miss a figure clad all in white in the midst of those more somberly robed, so Haldir had to presume the Wizard had stepped away. Calls of nature aside, such a thing was unwise this far from the protection of either Lothlorien or Rivendell. Orcs had been known to wander in these woods, though not as freely as they did through Mirkwood.
Haldir signaled to his companions and one rose immediately to take his position so that he might search for the Wizard. Slipping soundlessly through the underbrush, Haldir found a suitable tree, and placed a hand upon its trunk asking permission to use its limbs to hide his search. Smiling and offering his own gratitude at the answer he received, Haldir leaped into the limbs and was gone.
He'd traveled from tree to tree, circling the camp. Reaching the far side from where he'd been standing, he finally caught sight of the White Wizard. He was shrouded by bush and plant scanning the pages of a book, which, even from this distance, Haldir could see contained the writing of some foreign tongue.
The elf did not reveal himself, but instead kept hidden among the branches. An overwhelming disquiet had settled upon him and he felt it wise to watch and wait.
Saruman mumbled to himself, but Haldir could pick out a few of the words. He distinctly heard the White Wizard mention Glordindel and Elrohir. Perhaps he was working on some way to help the two. Haldir did not know why the thought seemed not to sit well. It was like a lie. Remembering his dislike for Saruman, Haldir tried to brush off his ill ease as related to his own prejudice. For some reason, this seemed only to worsen his discomfiture.
Through narrowed, suspicious eyes, the elf warrior watched the White Wizard. Straining his elven ears to hear each mumbled word, Haldir pieced together some of what the Istar said. For a moment, he sat back in the supporting tree limb, stunned by what he thought he had heard. Removal of a spell he had castthat could only mean that Saruman had cast the spell upon Glorfindel and Elrohir. The White Wizard meant to betray them somehow. Unwilling to believe this, he shook his head certain he, who had never done so in his life, had misheard the words.
He whispered a plea to Iluvatar for clearer understanding of what he surveyed, and again, he listened.
The Wizard flipped several pages in his book and finally landed upon a page containing writing his elven watcher could understand. Carefully written words in a tidy hand made mention of a sundering spell, a way to separate elf from all things elvish. A page later, the same script, though having acquired an untidiness born of haste, detailed a spell meant to weaken a warrior's skill long enough that he might fall away from those with whom he fought. Sundering of an elvish nature? Was that not what had happened to Legolas? Weakened skill to separate warriors.Elrohir and Glorfindel!
This new knowledge was more than he could bear! The White Wizard was their enemy! Their betrayer! Whether he worked for the Enemy himself, or for his own ends, Saruman could not be trusted! Needing to see no more, Haldir prepared his bow, nocked an arrow and leaped down to stand before the startled Wizard.
"You will undo that which you have done, Wizard, or you will meet an end as did your Ithryn Luin." Haldir did not blink or twitch, or glance away. His arrow was pointed at Saruman's heart, and, at a distance of no more than a few inches, the force with which the March Warden pulled taught his string would likely send the arrow straight through the Istar.
**
Saruman did not speak as the elf leaped before him. He cursed himself for his inattention, but the matter was far from out of his control. He had been prepared to remove the spell from the two elves at any rate. He would do so, and then he would cast some spell of forgetfulness and this March Warden would be no problem. Saruman briefly wondered if he should kill the elf outright, but was sure this would raise too much suspicion.
He was about to speak, when Haldir cut him off. "Nay! Do not speak! You remove the spell some other way. I have heard tell that your words are poison and can turn the heart of those who hear them. You will cure Elrohir and Glorfindel now, then we will see to undoing what you did to Legolas."
Saruman was surprised by these words. How had this elf learned that he had been the one to cast the spell upon that irritating Wood Elf? His eyes fell on the book he still clutched in his hand, and he realized then that the creature had to have been watching him. Impertinent! He would see to it that this elf would regret what he had learned one day!
He gestured to Elrohir and Glorfindel who stood nearby. He could not cast his spell without his voice. His voice was imbued with his power. How to make the elf understand something incomprehensible for his tiny brain was quite the conundrum. Saruman gestured to the pair of elves, then to his mouth then helplessly shrugged.
To his amazement, the elf understood.
"Go on then. Cure them."
Saruman was amazed at the stamina of the creature. Haldir had not twitched a single muscle involuntarily. He stood immobile his arrow tip inches from Saruman's heart and seemed untroubled by this in any sense.
He was not one to lose an advantage, however, and he saw this as one. He had been about to do just what the elf suggested at any rate, so doing it now, with an arrow pointed at his chest was no hardship. He mumbled the spell he had written that would rescind the protection spell. Then, with no magical barriers to hinder him, he spoke the spell that would end his own failed spell. At the end of that one, without pausing for breath lest his captor understand what he was doing, he spoke a spell that had immediate affects.
No sooner had the words left his mouth, then the impertinent elf before him blinked rapidly. Then his balance seemed to give as he swayed slightly. Clinging stubbornly to consciousness, the elf was soon forced to give way. The bow and arrow fell from his hands, and he soon followed landing in a heap at Saruman's feet.
To Be Continued
Catherinexxix: I'm glad you liked Haldir. I felt I was neglecting him. I never thought humor was my strong suit, but I'm glad you liked that exchange between Elrond and Aragorn. I keep trying to lighten the mood a bit. Things seem to be a bit somber in this fic. Thanks for your review.
Deana: Thanks. Yes, the nightmares are not fun for Legolas. He's not sure how to handle it. Thanks for your review.
Joee1: I know what you mean. I want him to be better, too. IT's up to the muse, however. Thanks for your review.
Jopru: Thanks for the review. More soon, I promise.
Gwyn: You really made me laugh with that comment, but I will do as you ask and pretend it wasn't a contradictory statement. I will post more soon. Thanks for your review.
Elven Kitten, mystical, Sirithiliel, grumpy, leggylover03, Ryuujin Dragon King: Thanks for reviewing. More soon, I promise.
Jadesaber: I honestly am not sure what Saruman will do. Of all the characters, he's the hardest for me to plot out ahead of time. I do know he's not done, yet, though I keep thinking I am going to send him back to Isengard. Thanks for your review.
Strider's Girl: Yes, there are a lot of unanswered questions here. I'm not sure how much longer it will be, but I think it may be winding down. Of course, I originally thought this would only be about 10 or so chapters. Thanks for your review.
Silvertoekee: I'm glad you liked Haldir and the bit about the nightmares. More to come. Thanks for the review.
Templa Otmena: Eeek! Sorry! Don't fail your exams for me. The fic will be here waiting for you when you've passed all of them, and if Fanfiction.net is down, I'll e-mail it to you so you don't have to wait. Okay? I'm glad you like my POTC fic. I'm going right back to a half-finished chapter for that when I've posted this one. Although, I have to say, I don't know how much sense the last chapter would make if you haven't read the ones that came before it. Brave soul! You've set my mind at ease as far as this fic goes. I was hoping I wasn't losing the tension with the transitions to other POVs or to the flashback. Thanks! You're right about Legolas' pride being evident in the books and the films. His refusal to be blindfolded outside of Lothlorien in the books is just one example. I am trying to make it a difficult thing, especially for Legolas, family to accept that they cannot help Legolas as much as Aragorn can in this situation, but I want it to be clear that they are willing to step aside if it is in Legolas' best interest. Even in this chapter, Aragorn is willing to step aside if Gandalf can offer some help that he cannot. I didn't mean for it to be an Evil Cliffie, and I hope I've made up for it by making this chapter slightly longer. Of course, this one probably qualifies as an Evil Cliffie, too. I'll direct that pleading look concerning the elf'stoward my muse! The Final Tally scene in the films was certainly humorous, but I prefer the way it was done in the books. I am definitely looking forward to November and those extra scenes in the Extended DVD. Some part of me hopes they'll make it five or six hours long, but I know it will likely be only four or a bit over four. Elrond's predicament has always fascinated me, and I just loved how Hugo Weaving portrayed him. I'd have preferred a bit more of him, and, truthfully, a bit more of Arwen, and at least a glimpse of Elladan and Elrohir. I'm glad you liked the way I've portrayed Elrond's and Aragorn's relationship. Saruman's not gone yet, though I don't know if he's going all the way to Lothlorien or not. As for Haldir, that was fun! Another elf I really love! Thanks so much for your wonderful review, and for your kind praise. I'm glad you find my ideas profound. That's flattering and certainly encouraging. Once this story is finished, BTW, I have another LONG one in the works. Thanks again!
White Wolf1: Thanks. Haldir's quiet observations really came from the idea that often elves are silent observers. Often, that's what Legolas was in the movies as well as the books. There's a lot of wisdom in their silence, though. Legolas opened up, but the issue isn't quite settled. Yeah, I was one of the ones who was hoping Legolas would open up to Aragorn in your story. I'm so glad he did! Thanks for your review.
Tychen: Legolas is haunted and only a few more chapters will tell if he can deal with it. Haldir went with his instincts, but I guess you didn't have this in mind, did you? Thanks for your review.
Chloe Amethyst: Thank you so much. I'm always so excited when someone feels that strongly about one of my chapters. That's exactly what I was trying to do with Haldir. His silent observations, his unspoken mistrust, and his perspective from a slightly removed position gave him time to piece things together as the others, embroiled in their concern for the wounded, could not have done. I am glad Elrond's concern for Legolas came through in that flashback. I hoped it would. I've always admired Elrond, and I do so enjoy the idea that Elrond became a second father to Mirkwood's Prince because Legolas and Aragorn were close. That, and the fact that he does know more than the average elf about human dreaming were what dictated his actions as I saw them in that scene. More soon. Thanks for your review.