THE SPACE BETWEEN
Author's note : Hi hi! Before I start I should apologize for taking such a ridiculous amount of time to update. Firstly I had such a hard time with this chapter. It wasn't writer's block; I just could not get my ideas out of my head. They've been there for so long. You know when you can picture something so perfectly in your mind for a long time and then! When it's time to put it on paper you're stuck! Oh and school has been pretty hectic again! It's insane right now! Not the best way to start, I'm hoping it will all calm down soon. Before next April!
But before I get to the next chapter, I must thank those nice people who reviewed…
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm Elistar Alleyne! Its greatly appreciated! I hope you'll like this next chapter too :)
Hi me! What do you mean Titantic? I really don't get it! I've seen the movie once about 5 years ago so I don't remember much, except that the boat sinks at the end… Well it is possible that I unconsciously borrowed from Titanic, but I mostly 'stole' from Anne of Green Gables (well a little bit) and about a hundred thousand others books, films, plays, stories etc…
Oh TreeHugger! Thank you so much for your other review on Elves in Space! I still can't believe it myself! And you too are getting quite good with cliffhangers… Speaking of which with 'Hollin' I can't wait to see what comes out of that! Yup Willow's going through a tough time and I have this feeling its going to get much worse before it gets better. Yeah and I was inspired by Lady Macbeth in fact, I always thought that was a cool (yet somewhat disturbing ) scene. There are many plot bunnies ahead, but for some reason there's only one I have in mind. I guess I didn't think of all the possibilities, I have 2 in mind though…
Well Mija, she doesn't because well… you'll see:) I'm very glad to see you like what you read so far. And thank you so much for your other reviews for my other stories! That was so nice of you! And you're so right! There's always something that has to go wrong!
I'm empathic? Wow thanks A-mon Andne! Yay! I like that! Yes I must agree Willow's black Speech episode was quite creepy. I do believe there is more to come from my creepy mind
And thank you for liking Ghost of a Memory. It was not easy to write, but I'm glad you liked it!
Ok well enough talk, lets get down to business… :) I hope this chapter makes sense, if there's anything that seems just a little too weird, just let me know, or if I contradict myself or if it simply doesn't make any sense. It might you know…
Chapter Nine
Aryon O Huine
"Gandalf!" Exclaimed all the company in delightful surprise. The Dwarf, the Man and the Elves sat at the White Istari's feet and asked question after question, all the while listening with great intent as the old wizard told them the tale of what had befallen him since Moria. After he finished speaking, his gaze set on Willow, a warm smile on his face.
"Glad I am to see, the Fellowship thought wisely and sought you in the Golden Wood of Galadriel and Celeborn."
At hearing this, Legolas and Aragorn lowered their gaze in shame. "No, we did not." Whispered Aragorn.
Gandalf sighed impatiently. "I might have known. How was it then, that you found yourself in the company of these gentlemen?" He asked his angry eyes turning away from the guilty party and towards the She Elf.
Willow did not speak, she glanced at Gimli. Both seemed just as confused as the other, looking at each other, they both shrugged unknowingly. Legolas coughed up. "Willow followed us, Mithrandir. We did not know."
Gandalf huffed. "Did not know! What does that matter? Never would you have allowed 'Willow' to join you despite its necessity."
All eyes turned to him, curious. The Istari noted the questioning look in the four pairs of eyes staring profoundly at him. "Well there is much to tell, we must make haste. But first, Willow, there is much I need to discuss with you." He said finally and motioned for the Elf to follow.
After they left, two pairs of curious eyes turned to Legolas, who in turned shrugged. "How should I know?"
Gandalf and Willow ventured away from the three hunters, hidden and out of earshot. The Old Wizard invited the Elf to seat herself and stared at her intently studying her.
"You fear the darkness, yet you crave it. You feel as though you do not belong, a stranger in a land you should call home."
"What?" Said Willow, perplexed.
The Wizard proceeded. "I strongly believe now is the time for the truth to be revealed."
Willow glanced at him curiously. "The truth?"
Gandalf nodded. "Yes, the truth. The truth that Celeborn and Galadriel have withheld from you since the day you were brought to Lothlórien so many years ago. The truth and the answers to the questions that you seek so vividly."
Willow stared at him with innocent eyes. "I do not understand." Now she was definitely intrigued.
"Laiella, tell me what you know of your parents."
Willow was taken aback, what did her parents have to with the immediate threat of Sauron? Was that not why the Fellowship was sent? Perhaps Mithrandir knew why Willow spoke Black Speech and would explain so. She swallowed hard and spoke. "What? Of my parents? But..."
"Yes, your parents, what can you tell me of them?"
"Very little, I was told they died shortly after my birth."
The Istari's stare intensified. "What if I told you, everything you know about your parents is wrong?" Willow stretched her ear, obviously interested in what the wizard had to say. "What if I told you, your parents are not dead."
Her eyes grew wide with surprise, her mouth hanging open. "But how could that be? Then... that would mean... they are alive? Well then please Mithrandir, spare the suspense! Tell me now so I do not remain in the dark any longer!" She asked, hopeful.
Mithrandir shook his head. "There is much you do not know. All your life you remained innocent from the evil that surrounds you. Now I fear I must change all that. Prepare yourself, for this shall not be easy." His next words would chill the Elf to her very soul. Her eyes grew wide in horror and she gasped for breath.
"Laiella, you parents are Orcs."
Aragorn and Gimli were quietly seated on the rocks watching as Legolas paced back and forth on the forest floor constantly muttering half to himself, half to his friends.
"What is taking so long?" He whined as he tossed a stone with his foot listening to its echo in the darkness of the forest around them. "What in the Valar is he saying?"
Aragorn looked up to his friend. "Peace Legolas! I am certain whatever Gandalf and Willow are discussing is for her benefit and ours, else he would not take such a lengthy amount of time."
The Elf sighed. "Perhaps you are right. Still it worries me."
"What I hope for, is to know as to why our friend Willow speaks Black Speech."
Legolas turned to the Dwarf. "So would I, friend Gimli, so would I." He resumed to his pacing while the other two turned to idle chatting.
A few moments later, Gandalf emerged from his hiding Legolas stared at him expectantly. "Well? Where is Willow?" The old wizard said nothing, he took the elf by the shoulder and led him where the others were sitting, waiting for him to speak. "What news Mithrandir?"
Gandalf glanced at the Three Hunters. "There is much to tell." He said darkly as he invited Legolas to sit.
The Wizard sat with them, swallowed and began to speak. "Before I begin I would ask you all a question. Who here has ever heard of Aryon O Huine?"
"Heir of the Shadow of Sauron" Whispered Legolas pensively.
Gandalf nodded. All three thought for a moment to see if the title meant any thing to them. Gimli shook his head, Aragorn seemed rather pensive. "I do believe I might have heard my Father speak of Aryon O Huine one time when I was very young. I do not doubt that I was not meant to here such a conversation, that was when I was young and would wander in my father's house and listen to his private conversations." The others stared at him and chuckled.
Aragorn blushed slightly and glared at them apprehensively. "What? Name a child who would not eavesdrop on their parents." Legolas and Gimli stared at each other then at Aragorn and burst into laughter.
The Ranger turned to Gandalf with pleading eyes. "All right that is enough, we are here to discuss a serious matter." The laughter ceased almost immediately. "Legolas! You never said if you have heard of Aryon O Huine."
Legolas winced his face, thinking. "I am not certain, I may have. Mayhap my father also spoke of such a person of that I am not certain. Why? What does this have to do with Willow?"
Gandalf stared back at the Elf. "Everything!" Was his reply. Legolas glanced at him curiously, as did the other two. "Willow and Aryon O Huine are very closely related."
"What? But how could? That would mean?" The Elf seemed more confused than anything else. He refused to think for his thoughts would lead him to believe something he hoped was untrue. "How can that be? It is impossible! I do not believe it!"
"Yes, it would, it is possible and it is so. Willow is related to Aryon O Huine for she is Aryon O Huine."
Legolas gasped in disbelief. "No! How can this be? Oh no! No no no!" He wailed. Gimli and Aragorn glanced at the Wizard, sheer shook written on their face. Never in a thousand millennias would they ever imagine their friend to be so heavily connected to the Dark Lord.
"There is much you do not know of Willow, she is not what she appears to be." Replied Gandalf.
"You are telling us!" Replied Aragorn is disbelief. He too was nearly just as shaken as the Elf.
Legolas was still in shock he did not know how to think. "But, no! How could Willow be in link with Sauron? Please tell me it is not so! Gandalf I beg of you!"
"Legolas," Gandalf spoke softly, he knew what he was about to say would be very hard on the Elf and his companions. "I am sorry, it is so. Please I need you to pay attention to what I say. It is very important you listen to every word I say. That way you shall understand."
The Elf nodded in bewilderment.
"Good." Smiled the Istari. "I shall know explain why and how Willow is Sauron's Heir. But first, allow me to start at the beginning. Nothing shall be clear if we do not begin where this starts. And pay attention!"
Three heads nodded in acknowledgement.
"Very well. Long ago, when Sauron had disguised himself as the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, he fooled a great many Elves, including two of them by the names of Reuel' and Alleun. They were two newly wed Elves of Eryn Lasgalen skilfully duped by the Dark Lord. The full detail of their encounter is unknown to us, but the results regretfully are. Sauron had placed a curse upon them by having them become the bearer of an evil being. You see Sauron knew his defeat was imminent. He assured his return by giving his strength to an immortal, an Elf, Reuel' and Alleun's unborn child. An immortal would be forever be under the spell of the Shadow and would live for as long as the sun and moon would endure. This child would be bound to the One Ring and would bring another Dark Age"
"So then you say that Willow was cursed before being born? Sauron chose her parents to bear his..." Legolas choked at the sound of his next words. "Heir?"
"Yes, that is exactly it. It was certainly not by choice."
"But there is a way to stop this, isn't there?"
Gandalf smiled. "Of course, I was getting there. Legolas please try not to interrupt. Where was I? Oh yes!
Fortunately it was discovered and a council was called for in Rivendell. There a way was sought to counteract Sauron. However, the Dark Lord had cunningly arranged for nearly any attempt to neutralise his curse to not be without severe repercussions. All, safe for one. Unfortunately it involved a great sacrifice from the parents would to have Middle Earth saved. Reuel' and Alleun needed to give themselves freely to the Darkness by becoming Orcs."
The three Hunters gasped in amazement; they could not believe the cruelty Sauron was capable of inflicting on such innocent beings.
"There was no other way, oh but did we seek another. We did, but to no avail. I don't know how, but Reuel' and Alleun accepted their fate and chose to give up their lives to save their child and Middle Earth. Shortly after the child's birth, Orcs raided Mirkwood and they were taken by the Dark Forces."
"Wait!" Interrupted Legolas. "Wait! What you say appears to be vaguely familiar. I remember, yes I remember so long ago. I cannot know when but I was there and how horrified I was. They did not resist. They stood together, holding hands awaiting the Orcs to take them away. What angered me the most was, no one tried to help them or stop the Orcs, even my Father ordered the guards to stay away. The two Elves, I can still see their faces, they were terrified, oh yes, and it burns my heart so to think of such pain they must have gone through. No one ever spoke of them since; it is as thought what occurred that day is now forgotten. I remember being present at their wedding, so many years ago; they were quite young for Elves to marry. To think this is what had befallen on Willow's parents. So long did she seek to know. I felt terribly saddened when she told me she had no parents. She seemed a lost and lonely child. But tell me Gandalf? Was this done after Willow had been taken to Lothlórien?"
Gandalf smiled. "Yes, your memory serves you correctly, young Prince. It was to Lord Celeborn's bidding that Willow be taken to Lórien with him, there she would be safe."
Legolas disrupted the Istari again. "Yes I still remember my father speaking of such times. He was never clear on it." Understanding dawned on the Elf Prince. "Now I understand why my Father did not want Willow in Mirkwood. It all makes sense now. Oh how I despise my father even more now! Yet, I still do not comprehend? What of Willow? What has or shall become of her?"
Gandalf shook his head. "Have you not listened? That is why her parents became Orcs. In order to save Middle Earth. Perhaps I neglected to clarify. Yes Willow was meant to be Sauron's evil successor, another Dark Lord if you wish. She possesses much of his strength and such, but by sacrifice themselves, her parents allowed Willow to be an instrument to defeat Sauron. It is not easy to explain I was not present at the council thus I lack many details. All the Istari knew of the Elves' burden, and we were told in great detail of the council, but there are still holes."
Legolas winced in confusion. "Mithrandir, you were not at the council? Then who was?" He asked.
Gandalf's eyes darkened as he spoke the name of the Istari present at the forsaken council. "It was Saruman."
The others gasped again. "Saruman! This is ill news."
"Yes Aragorn it is. Saruman deceived them. How, I shall tell you in a moment. Willow's fate was hidden from her in order to protect her and Thranduil had clearly forbade her to return to Mirkwood, he feared much what would become of her."
"I would not be surprised if my father had wanted her dead! He did the last time I saw her." Said the Elf bitterly.
Aragorn gasped thinking of how brutal the King could be.
"I am afraid, Legolas you are right. That is exactly what Thranduil wanted. He would have killed her if he could have. That is why Celeborn offered to take her to Lothlórien."
Legolas smirked, oh how things became so much clearer. Yet how disturbed he was know, to know that his beloved Willow was not the sweet wonderful little Elf he always loved. Or was she? He didn't know any more, he was so confused. The Prince hoped Gandalf would help. He felt tears welling in his eyes and he fought against them to keep them from falling.
Gandalf was still speaking while Legolas was struggling with his thoughts, he strained his ear to understand a little more. "Saruman was at the council, and how he deceived them all! He withheld important facts about Laiella. You see, there is a struggle in Willow's mind. There are two forces at work, the dark force of Sauron, which is trying to take over and fulfil Willow's destiny to become his evil ally. And then there is the Willow you all know and love, who is struggling beyond her might to keep herself atop. You see, she is still the same Willow we all know and love." He said glancing sideways at Legolas whose frown stretched with every aching word. "She is still the same, yet there is the Shadow's presence in her and I am afraid it is getting stronger."
Despite his frown and his inner turmoil, Legolas found enough voice to speak up. "Then why did we not notice anything before? Surely the Shadow would have manifested itself."
"It was not always so, my young friend. The Shadow in Willow's spirit lay dormant, it was awakened only if she would return to Mirkwood."
Understanding dawned yet again in Legolas' heart. "Of course! That is what happened!" He exclaimed.
Gimli stared at this friend. "Tell us then, Friend Legolas!"
"I understand. Galadriel had told Willow never to venture near Mirkwood, that is was dangerous. I thought it was foolish, being from my Father's Halls I knew what to expect and felt confident enough to take Willow to my home. Oh it was me who was the foolish one! How I remember how terrifying it was to see Willow. She had a vision of what had happened to her parents when the Orcs took them, she relived what they had gone through. It was frightening, I thought she was dying, in fact she was passing into the Shadow. But if the Shadow would inhabit her, I do not understand why Galadriel allowed Willow to come with me."
"That is because she did not know all. Saruman had not told her or the Lord that Darkness would take over her mind. Nor did she know of its presence and that it would be awoken if she was taken where the curse had begun, thus in Mirkwood. They were fooled as the others were. I myself was, Saruman had been convincing in telling all every detail at the council. No one suspected he had seen an opening to join the Dark side. I fear now his mind in bent on finding and the Ringand Willow. Surely he shall attempt to sway her to the Darkness with him."
"That is something we cannot allow." Said Aragorn sternly. "Surely there is something we can do to help? Is there not?"
Gandalf thought momentarily. "Not at the moment. Now all we must do is make our way to Edoras, which is where I was heading as soon as I found you. But for Willow, she must face the Dark Lord alone. There she will be able to rid herself of his evil, thus weakening him and then giving the Heir of Isildur an opening to defeat him."
"Then Willow and I are closely tied in." Whispered Aragorn.
"Yes, Isildur's Heir. You shall not be able to defeat the Darkness if Willow is not set free. Also if you defeat the Dark Lord, who is certain what shall happen to Willow, then. She was meant to succeed Sauron when he passed into the Shadow. She was to come after him, but his return is imminent. Perhaps he shall not need her or then again he may seek her to rule at his side. There is no way to tell."
"And what of the Black speech? Is there a reason Willow can speak it?"
Gandalf turned to the now speaking Dwarf. "Yes, Gimli. When the Shadow takes over Willow, it enables Willow to speak the Black Speech of Mordor. It is Sauron's Shadow that controls her mind. That is why she knows nothing of what happens when she is in the Shadow's hold. I assume she has no memory of ever speaking Black Speech?"
Legolas shook his head. "No, she does not. She never remembered any of things she said under the spell of Sauron."
"That is what I believed. The Dark Lord's influence is very strong. I know not all of what may come of this as his hold becomes stronger." Replied the Istari.
"This makes Willow a threat to us and our quest. If Sauron can see her mind, surely all shall be revealed to him and the quest shall fail." Said Aragorn sombrely.
Gandalf glanced at the Ranger. "I did not say Sauron possessed the ability to see her mind. If he did, the quest would have fallen long ago. No Sauron's Shadow can infiltrate her mind but he cannot see her thoughts. No do not worry Aragorn, there is no immediate danger concerning Willow, that is until the Shadow holds sway over her. And that is not the case."
"Does Willow know any of this?"
"Yes, Legolas. I have told her. That is why I wished to speak with her earlier. I only hope we are not too late."
Legolas swallowed. "Does she understand? If my knowledge of her serves me right, she must be lost and confused at the moment. Does she know that there is hope, that she is not condemned to Darkness and Shadow?"
"I have told her, but I cannot know if she understood. However I fear she did not hear more than the tale of her parents and the nature of her existence as Heir of Sauron. I fear her innocence was destroyed when I was obliged to let her knew of her true heritage, not exactly one to be proud of."
The Elf's heart suddenly welled with eminent worry. "Then she believes there is no hope, I can feel her despair. If she only believes to be Sauron's evil ally, then she would seek to..." Legolas didn't finish his sentence when reality dawned on him. "Oh no!" He said as he got up and ran towards the clearing where Gandalf emerged.
"Legolas wait! You do not know what state she is in!" Shouted the Istari, but he was too late, the Elf had already disappeared in the forest.
"Stubborn Elf." Whispered Gimli. The others nodded sadly.
"Willow! Where are you?" Legolas wandered through the woods hoping to find some sign of Willow's whereabouts, but there was nothing. "Willow!"
He listened to the trees that silently guided him in the forest. He was led to where his beloved and the Istari had discussed at length, an area with an abundance of tall trees, there was not a soul in sight. Legolas thought for a moment and looked up, way up. There was his Willow way up the trees, sitting as high as the branches would let her. She did not seem to take note of her surroundings, nor did she know Legolas had arrived.
"Willow!" The Elf looked up called her name and made gestures to grasp her attention. Nothing worked, Willow was completely oblivious to the world around her. She sat in the tree muttering incomprehensible words.
"Lasto beth nin! Telin le thaed!" He shouted, hoping she would acknowledge his presence.
"Will you not come down?" Asked the helpless Prince. Strangely, the she Elf acted as though she had heard Legolas. She rose taking a step further down the length of the branch. The Prince winced at seeing his love so high in the trees. He worried she would fall off if she did, much harm could be caused. Willow's muttering had not ceased but the Elf understood a few words.
Willow took a long look at the forest floor. "This has to stop." Was all she said before she jumped.
Did that make any sense? No eh? That's what I thought. SORRY! Oh and I'm hoping that I'll be able to post the next chapter ASAP! That is, if I'm not completely swarmed with school work. I hope not…