THE SPACE BETWEEN
Author' s note :
Well hello there! I am so, so sorry for taking an eternity and a half to write this darn chapter! Will you ever learn to forgive me? Now I guess I should give you an explanation as to what has taken me so long.
Firstly my muse went on holiday without telling me and this past week-end I did a shower for my best friend who is getting married three weeks (no! it's the end of the world!) Yeah so that took up much of my time... It was an afternoon tea setting (Anne of Green Gables style, but the Hobbits would have adored it!) It was much fun!
So now I must thank a few people...
Elistar Alleyne, Wow! I'm so pleased so like it! Really I am. And thank you also for having read Sleepy Willow, I guess you liked enough to read this one!
Hey TreeHugger, I should apologize to you for taking so long! I guess you got back at me with your fic… Yeah Legolas is a grouch, I would have thought he would have been happy to see Willow, wouldn't you? Oh well his loss. And for Willow, seeing the ring is the least of her problems at the moment as you well see! Oh and it does get a bit more complicated…
A-mon Andne, You make me smile! I'm very glad that my site has brought you here! Oh and don't worry! I'll tell Pixy as soon as she comes back from her holidays in New Brunswick (I wonder if that's where my muse is hiding…)
Well, Trouble I am sorry you feel that way. I hope that the fact that this little detail wont prevent you from continuing to read my fic, maybe you'll start liking again. You never know! I was just wondering was it the fact that Willow is there that you do not like or the way I wrote it? Because well I'm not exactly what you would call perfect and I try but sometimes it just isn't good. Thank you for being honest and having liked my story at one time, I appreciate it and if you would let me know how I can make it better, please let me know!
Wow this is exciting! I don't think this story has gotten so much response! I'm so ecstatic! Thank you, thank you and thank you so much! You really made my day, week, month whatever! Now on with the story!
Chapter Eight
Strange Days for Friendly Enemies
"Orcs! Are you serious, Legolas?" Blurted Aragorn, stunned.
The Elf addressed the Ranger. "Yes, they are moving with incredible speed. I do not believe we can escape them, they are close to two hundred and fifty."
"What are we to do?" Questioned Gimli. "We cannot take the Road to Isengard. Orthanc harbours such fell creatures now, we cannot retreat into Fangorn again."
Legolas turned to his friend, sad faced. "There is nothing we can do, Friend Gimli. They cannot be outrun or outnumbered. We have no choice but to fight."
"To the death then" Said Gimli as he laid his hand on the Elf's shoulder, it was unfortunate they would never be able to deepen they newfound friendship.
Aragorn waved his hand in the air. "Wait! There must be something to do! They are still far away, perhaps we may avoid them by returning to the Forest and wait for them to pass."
The others seemed to evaluate that suggestion for a while, then two heads nodded in agreement. Willow was still fixed on the approaching swarm of Orcs. Legolas came close in an attempt to rouse her. "Willow, come we must leave now!" He said as he gripped her arm to pull her away.
She did not protest, but kept her eyes on the plain before them. "They are from Mordor, they carry the Great Eye." She said as she was being dragged away from the clearing ahead. The Prince peered at the goblins, on their shields was painted a large red eye, The Eye of Sauron. Aragorn and Gimli had already reached the border, they turned to stare at the two Elves. "Come we must take cover!" Shouted Gimli.
As Legolas and Willow began to run towards the forest a small gathering of Orcs climbed up the clearing ahead of them. Before they knew it, two dozen Orcs were advancing on them. At first Legolas glanced behind them, the troop of Orcs were still marching their way, but where did these ones come from? "They must have been much ahead of the others." The Elf thought, it was too late, a battle was inevitable. He looked up to see an endless starry night. "Aïe Elebereth! Help us!" He cried out as he unconsciously drew out his bow and began launching arrows at the fell creatures.
Legolas turned to Willow, handing her his knife. "Now is time to prove your worth." He said. Willow got hold of the elven blade and made good use of it. She was, after all, not that useless. She knew how to handle a weapon or two.
Having discovered the Orcs' arrival, Aragorn and Gimli pulled out their weapons and were instantly drawn in battle. Many Orcs fell, but as the battle continued the swarm grew closer. It was a matter of minutes before the small fellowship would be invaded not by twenty-four Orcs, but two hundred and fifty four. This was just what the Orcs had intended, if ever they came into contact with an enemy. They would send forth two dozen soldiers, considerably ahead to scout the territory and engage their opponents in battle while the others would follow spiking their enemy with fear and surprise them. This would work in the hopes that the opposition would forget the regiment of Orcs by defending themselves from the Twenty-four.
Today, it was a success. When the Three Hunters believed to have had the upper hand of the battle, Orcs began to spill out from the clearing, invading the small fellowship, drawing them further towards the borders of Fangorn. While Andúril was soaking itself in Orc blood, Aragorn knew they did not stand a chance at surviving this foray. He hoped he and his friends would be able to take down as many fell creatures as possible. Gimli's axe tore as much Orc flesh as Legolas' bow sang, arrows soaring into their adversaries.
Willow's fight was met with more difficulty for she was not a trained warrior such as her companions, yet with all her efforts she struggled valiantly. That is until an Orc send her lover's blade sailing past the threshold of Fangorn. Having lost her weapon, Willow did her best against the Orc that had disarmed her. For a short while she managed with hand to hand combat. But that did not last for long. The Elf succeeded in directing her foot in the Orc's face sending him to the ground. Unfortunately another goblin was nearby and helped his fallen comrade. With a brief struggle and an ironclad foot in her chest, Willow was hurled away from the battle and into Fangorn, her small figure erupting against a dark and twisted tree and knew no more.
Before her crumpled form on the forest floor, the battle continued going strong. Each of the three still holding their end. From the corner of his eye Legolas had discovered Willow was no longer in the niche where she held her fight against the Orcs. He had not the time to think any more of it as dozens of goblins charged for him.
As she slowly came to, Willow crawled up behind a large rock near the edge of the Forest in order to glance at the violent conflict before her. The sight of Legolas surrounded by Orcs going down on him as he struggled valiantly to slay them was constantly piercing her heart. However the vision of blood and cleaved Orcs were too much for the Elf to endure. She wished for this to end, but of course there was nothing she could do. Surely the Orcs would overtake them all and they would either perish or become prisoners.
Unconsciously, Willow began speaking to the being tearing at each other. "Stop it!" Her voice was so low and so quiet it was not heard by any. Not realising what was going on, she spoke a bit louder.
"Stop it!"
No response, so she tried a bit louder.
"Stop it!"
Still nothing. Frustrated with the lack of response from the warring parties, Willow stood up on the flat rock in front of her. With her arms outstretched in diagonal before her and using all the force her mind and body could spare, she called out, this time in Black Speech:
"Stop it!"
Her voice was loud and clear. It echoed in the surrounding area, all the way down the clearing and deep into Fangorn. What next happened was most strange. It was as though Willow's strong voice had been able to freeze time for a brief moment. Everything stopped. The Orcs had froze dead in their tracks, they all stood immobile, their eyes glued on the She-Elf that had ordered a halt, awaiting her instructions.
As Willow noticed it was a good instant to stop too. For her eyes wavered to Legolas, whose throat was threatened by a blade just mere microseconds from being sliced by the Orc holding the menacing brand. The Elf's eyes and his companions' were solely fixed on the maiden, a look of sheer confusion upon them.
Willow's eyes held the same confusion with fright added. She took a step back, unsure of what to do next. Thinking as fast as she could, she did what she thought was best. Raising her chin primly, the Elf addressed the unfriendly swarm of Orcs eagerly expecting her commands.
"Release them."
She commanded in a powerful voice. She spoke in Black Speech again, this of all things was what most frightening. Since when did she know how to speak the Orcish dialect? To her great surprise once more, the Orcs obeyed her and the Three Hunters were liberated from their deadly grasp. Slowly the Company drifted behind Willow, their stare still on the Elf who spoke Black Speech, not sure as to whether they should fear her or praise her. Astounded, Willow took another step back, colliding with Aragorn. "What am I to do?" She whispered, confused, half to herself, half to the gathering behind her.
Gimli was the one who responded. "I would see them destroyed to the very last one!" The Elf's eyes flickered everywhere, from the Dwarf to the still awaiting Orcs. "Very well then." She said almost inaudibly.
Her eyes met the Eager Sea of Orcs. Holding out her arms to her sides, palms up, Willow exclaimed in a highly perceptible command:
"Destroy Each other!"
The Black words rolled off her tongue with such finality, even the Three Hunters where taken aback. The Orcs glanced at each other dumfounded, they were not certain what to do. A few moments later, the gruesomely bloody slaughter began. The evil creatures turned on one another, tearing each other apart.
As if a great power was released from her body, Willow's arms were outstretched before her and her chin was raised high. As the massacre continued, her body began to convulse violently. Legolas feared for her, this whole experience was frightful. He did not understand anything of what was occurring. In fact none of them did. Once every single one of the Orcs was dead, Willow crumbled to the ground, exhausted, her trembling hands above her face. She breathed in short gasps. Terrified and shocked, she could not stop mumbling the same words obsessively.
"What have I done? What have I done?" She wheezed, unable to speak each word without sucking in a ragged breath.
Legolas pressed his warm hands on her icy shoulders, his heartfelt gaze fixed on her. His Melamin was so cold, he could not comprehend why she was freezing so.
"I killed them! I killed them!" She kept muttering over and over.
"Yes, you killed every last one, not even the strongest warriors in all of Middle Earth could have accomplished what you have done alone, milady. For that we are most grateful." Said Gimli. Legolas shot him an icy glance to chill the dwarf to his very heart.
Willow lowered her shaky hands from her now tears streamed face. "No, you do not understand! I killed them!" She wept convulsively, shaking her hands in Gimli's face. "They are dead! They are dead because of me! I am responsible for their deaths! My hands are stained with their blood! I killed them!" Her hands returned to her face as she sobbed bitterly.
Legolas wrapped his arms around her and held her, gently stroking her hair until her cries died down and her respiration returned to normal. The Elf looked up to the man, his eyes pleading for help.
Aragorn swallowed. "I believe it may be preferable, if we stayed here this night. It is clear we cannot go any farther." He and Gimli went to fetch enough wood to build a fire.
It was late in the night, Gimli had long fallen asleep, Aragorn was chosen to keep watch over the camp. Legolas could not force himself to sleep, there were too many disturbing images in his mind to allow himself not to rest.
Since they had built the fire, no one spoke any further of the Orcs, their macabre undoing and the She-Elf that caused it. The man and the Elf sat impassively round the fire, watching the flames dancing about. Willow was nestled comfortably on Legolas' lap, eyes closed. She had long since then fallen into the realm of elvish, not having left it since she fell in her beloved's arms.
"Is she still cold?" Asked Aragorn, breaking the thick silence.
Legolas replied softly, the flames flickering in his azure eyes. "No, the fire has helped much, thank you." Since the fire had begun Legolas had taken the time to wrap Willow with her cloak as well as his own and sit by the open fire to attempt to warm up the slender Elf.
Aragorn offered a slightly comforting smile. "Nothing to it. This was certainly a very strange day."
"Yes. I do not understand! Since when do Elves speak Black Speech? The most abhorrent of all tongues of Middle-Earth! The very thought of hearing such a foul tongue burns my ears!" Answered Legolas, looking up from the blazes.
"I do not understand myself, Legolas."
"It is something that worries me significantly." Said the Elf looking down at the sleeping form nuzzled against his abdomen as she moaned slightly, shifting her position. A faint smile was upon her lips as she stirred on Legolas' lap. "How could Willow have killed those Orcs? It is a person of great power who can command an entire army of Orcs in such a fashion. Not once did they question her words. They obeyed her as if in a trance."
"I do not know, but I would in most times fear such a person. It would seem only Sauron would have power over the evil creatures of the world. How Willow was able to do so, is beyond me. And for Black Speech? It is even more confusing, to my knowledge, Willow should not speak such a foul language." Spoke Aragorn, adding more wood to the fire.
"No, Willow should not have the knowledge to speak Black Speech. From what I recall, she only encountered Orcs on one occasion, and that was long, long ago."
Aragorn thought for a moment. "I wonder, with this power, perhaps Willow could help us. If she holds the power to destroy Orcs with a single thought, she could be of much use to us. It would definitely strengthen our chances to win against Sauron. It would render the use of the ring entirely worthless, to us anyhow."
Legolas shook his head. "I do not know, Aragorn. It would sound like a brilliant thing to do. Chances are we would succeeded in destroying Sauron, but what of Willow? What occurred today, that has taken much of her strength, if not all of it. I don't know how, but the will for those Orcs to kill each other came from her, it was her strength that killed them. I don't know how to explain myself, but did you not see her?"
"Yes, tremors had taken over her, she could not control her body. And now she appears to be in a deep sleep."
The Elf nodded. "Deep sleep indeed. Willow is known to spend all her strength at once and fall into a deep wakeless sleep. I do not know, she was terrified. I do not believe she would want to destroy any more Orcs in such a manner. I fear, if by chance she does, the next time the results would be more harmful to her. This time, she only lost all her force, what is in store for the next?"
Aragorn appeared thoughtful. "I do not know, Legolas. Right now, I fear for what may come when she awakes. There will be many questions needing answering and I hope our little friend is up to it. Have you ever recalled any strange event in the past? Anything at all."
Legolas reflected for a moment, shadow crept into his eyes as his mouth opened to speak. "Yes." He breathed. Aragorn glanced up at him expectantly.
"Earthly Delights, Willow destroyed The Garden of Earthly Delights."
"What?" The Ranger appeared more confused than surprised.
"A beautiful pond where Willow and I would spend much time. Upon entering Lórien I discovered it was destroyed, a dark and uninviting shadow had grown over it. Lord Celeborn advised me of how it came to be. It was Willow, she ravaged the Garden. Lord Celeborn had warned me of a darkness that crept over her, she was not herself. She had become evil, speaking nonsense in Black Speech. In her fury she destroyed the Garden. It only happened once and she never knew of it. The Lord had warned me not to tell Willow, for it would break her heart."
Aragorn sighed. "Then this is ill news. Oh! If only Gandalf were still here! I am certain he would know of this and help us out of this predicament!"
"Yes, I am certain of that, so would the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood."
The Ranger's glance returned to the dancing flames. "The night is not getting any younger. If you wish, I can keep watch. It was been a long day for all of us."
The Elf shook his head. "It is not necessary. I an capable of taking first watch."
"Very well then. Gimli shall follow you. Deep wakeless sleep, you say? Do you have any thoughts as to when she will awaken?"
"I do not, but if necessary I should carry her half-way across Middle-Earth and back."
Aragorn smirked. "Why does that not surprise me?"
Legolas simply smiled as the crownless king swiftly fell asleep.
Morning came as the company readied themselves to leave. All were awake safe for the Polyglot Elf. Legolas grew slightly impatient, though he knew he should not. He sought to stir Willow awake. She moaned softly and began stirring. Her starry violet eyes focused on the sweet face glancing at her worriedly.
"Did I prove my worth?" She asked with her sweet tiny voice. Legolas' face saddened as he brushed stray hair from her face.
"I would say so, Melamin. Are you well enough to continue our journey?"
She nodded and slowly sat up, her mind still twirling from the past night's activities. They seemed more like a nightmare than anything else. Unfortunately Willow knew they were more haunting than any nightmare could have been, because what happened was real. It really happened, Willow did in fact destroy two hundred and fifty-four with a single thought.
Her eyes met three curious faces glancing at her, waiting for her to speak. She glanced back at them, confused and unsure of what to do. "What?" Her voice was apprehensive and nervous.
Gimli spoke up hastily. "How did you do it?"
"Do what?" She asked feeling more and more confused.
The Dwarf sighed but it was Aragorn who replied. "Well, how was it that you can speak the Black Speech, for one?"
Her eyes grew wide with frightful surprise. "I what? Black Speech? Why in the Valar would I speak Black Speech? And how could I?"
"That is what we wish to know, Melamin." Legolas laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yesterday, when you- no!" He corrected himself. He knew it pained Willow to be reminded of what she had done. "When the Orcs died, you spoke to them in their tongue. How is that possible?"
"I. I have no knowledge of ever speaking such a foul tongue. It is news to me. For that nin mellon, I have no answers for you. I am sorry." She said regretfully. "Estel, what was the second?"
"Ah yes! And secondly, how did you kill the Orcs? It seemed almost a miracle that two hundred and fifty Orcs died so quickly and without effort."
Willow shook her head then raised her hand palm up to stare at it, imaginary Orc blood forever staining it. "Not without effort. On the contrary it took much effort. I do not have any more answers for you my friend. My mind told me they had to be destroyed, and so I wished it. I did not know I spoke aloud to them, even less in the Orcish dialect. This frightens me much." She shivered and hugged her arms and rubbed them vigorously as if she was cold. Legolas came next to her and draped her grey elven cloak around her shoulders.
Finally Aragorn stood up and gathered the remaining items on the ground. "We must depart, much time we have spent here discussing. As much as yesterday's events fill me with fear, we must continue. Two of our friends still need our help and there are still many riddles to be solved. When we shall return to Lothlórien, I intend to have a long talk with the Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn."
"As do I. I do not know why I was never told of such... accomplishments, if they can be deemed that title."
Aragorn raised his eyebrows and nodded in agreement. Soon after the Company set out to make their way towards the borders of Fangorn. During the battle with the Orcs they were driven South of the Forest, away from Isendgard, this set them a few paces further than what they had hoped. And so they marched on the same road they had crossed the day before.
And they marched on during half the morning in complete silence, not a sound unbeknownst to the Forest, save for the footsteps of a Dwarf, a Man and two light footed Elves.
Suddenly Legolas's head shot up, eyes glaring straight behind them. The others halted, curious as to what had caught the Elf's attention. His eyes returned to his friends. A barely audible sound registered in Legolas' mind. Somewhere, a well-hidden figure stared at the company watching waiting. They were not alone.
Well I'm pretty sure you all have a good idea who's there... I just thought it might be fun to try to create a little more suspense. I am getting a little better with cliffhangers... just a little... Until next time!