THE SPACE BETWEEN
Author's note: Well it's about bloody time this chapter came about. I am truly sorry for the exaggerating long time it took for me to come up with this chapter. I had a hard time finding the right angle to start with and it took be pretty much forever to find it. But here it is at last! I hope you like it and it's not too bad. I'm not sure I really like it, but what the heck here it is! Now for the most important part of this update… Thanking the reviewers (and readers if anyone else reads this sad little tale)
Alwyn Telrunya, I really like your new name! It's really cool! Thanks so much for reviewing! I have to admit I was getting worried, I hadn't heard from you in a while! I'm glad your back I hope life gets better for you! I think the thought of Legolas becoming King is very scary, hmm was that dream just a dream or a whisper of things to come? And yes I hate Makowyl too! Don't worry you'll hate him more later on… Why did you delete Mirkwood? I liked it! And yes don't you worry! I will be reading and reviewing your story! I'm think I'll do that tonight, yes yes I will! I promise! Thanks again for always reviewing and reading! I really appreciate your support!
Lalaith, Hi! Thanks for your review! Don't worry I have absolutely no intentions of letting this fic go unfinised! I'm slow, but I usually pull through! Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you some more!
TreeHugger, your review made me smile! ' how long the space is between chapters.' That was good! Hehehe Actually neither should I, but you know I get annoyed with myself thinking that I should be writing but my brain is on standby. Grr, frustrating sometimes! The worst is when you have this ocean of ideas coming in and you are as far away as possible for a pen and paper or a computer to write all this down and when you do get to said computer your mind is blank and you completely forgot about you stroke of genious. Happens all the time, especially in thw swimming pool! Sorry about that little rant there… I hate Sauron too, I just try to imagine what he would be like, I would say he would be very sadistic. Yep definitely ! If you didn't Reuel's death do not keep on reading! Yep I think the fic is about to reach it's lowest point. Lot's of sadness to come, sorry about that! Oh and yes tricksy and false are two words that I would associate here and there too! Isn't that weird how there are many parallels between Luke and Vader and Willow and Sauron? Heck even the first stories have the same initials! (Sleepy Willow, Star Wars… weird I did not notice!) I'm sorry it took so long, but look it's there! Yay. Thanks again for reading, mellon! Oh and how is Bells of Silver? Haven't heard from Glorfindel and Laerland in a while… I hope they're well in their blissful new found love!
Ok folks here ya go! Enjoy! And don't be shy to let me know what you think! Good or bad, it doesn't really matter. Hannon le nin mellyn!
Chapter Sixteen
Namarië Galad, Maeraur Mornië
A dark time it was indeed in Ennor. The dawnless day ended as darkly as it had begun. It started in tragedy with the death of Reuel', son of Riendiór and ended with that of Alleun daughter of Galenion, King Oropher's third marshal. A fate shared and sealed by blood. Their love was strong and it was impossible for one to live without the other. They fought and died for love, for the love they bore for their child, Laiella Tasarinien, named after the willow tree in Mirkwood where Reuel' and Alleun plighted their troth.
"What is a mother?" once asked a very young Laiella. That particular winter evening she was sitting on Lord Celeborn's lap with Lady Galadriel and her grand children sitting nearby. The Lord and Lady had exchanged a sorrowed look, hoping the moment where Willow would question her origin would never come. Too soon it came for them to explain to the child she had no parents and the rulers of the Golden Wood were no more than guardians entrusted by the elfling's late parents. The twins and Arwen felt uncomfortable at the question for they knew as much as anyone else that Laiella's parents were presumed dead. Of course they were not aware of the Aryon O Huine, Celeborn and Galadriel were the only ones who knew save for the Istari, Thranduil and Elrond and perhaps Glorfindel, who had been a close friend of Galenion, Alleun's father.
How could they let her know? Yet it was Celeborn who calmly and kindly explained the role of a mother if only briefly. It had torn all their hearts when little Laiella looked up to Celeborn with her very large sparkly violet eyes and said with the utmost sweetest saddest voice. "Why do I not have a mother?"
Those present could distinctively remember the quivering of her lower lip and the overflow of tears rolling down the child's face.
Feeling the near overflow of her husband's emotions, Galadriel picked up the child and explained to her as smoothly as possible that on rare occasions some elflings do not have parents because they died. It was not easy and none could forget the heartache from that day. However it was not nearly have as horrible as the heartache that same elfling would live through many years to come. For at that time, Reuel' and Alleun were alive, haunted shadows of their former selves, yet still alive.
The darkness that filled Mordor was bright compared to the darkness surfacing in Willow's heart. Her mother's death was the hardest test yet. As her tears fell, leaving her heart void of any of the joy it once held, darkness and malice seeped in, saturating the holes until there was nothing left but hatred and anger. Grief and evil were slowly consuming Willow.
"Ai ammë! Manan? Ai Elbereth Gilthoniel, Laeglass, pen! Resta enni!" she cried helplessly. !" Oh mother! Why? Oh Elbereth, Legolas, anybody! Help me!
Suddenly, so suddenly she felt someone was in her room with her. "Why do you cry so?"
Willow's breath was caught in her throat; she knew that voice. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She was shocked when she looked up into her mother's eyes.
"What? What is this? I thought... I thought you died."
Alleun stroked her daughter's face. "Oh no, nin mell. You are mistaken."
"What? But how can that be?" sniffled Willow. Alleun held her daughter as she cried on her shoulder. Willow never noticed her mother's eyes clouding over by a veil of shadow. "Ala nalla nin sell. Do not cry my daughter "
"Do not worry." Willow was too overwhelmed to notice the change in Alleun's voice. "Do not worry at all, nin sell, all shall be well. You will see." But now it was not Alleun's voice, it was icier, darker like that of the Dark Lord. Inadvertently, Willow opened her eyes, pulling back instantly when she saw she was no longer in the company of her mother.
Sauron looked down at the surprised Elf with her eyes filled with fear and confusion, a satisfied smile on his face. Something prevented Willow from looking away from the Dark Lord. She kept her gaze on him, staring intently into his eyes. The brightness her eyes once held was slowly darkening; black drowned away violet. Good succumbed to evil as Willow took her place by Sauron's side.
The Dark Lord's smile widened. "Welcome home, Aryon O Huine. I have waited long, crossing oceans of time to find you."
Standing straight, Willow smiled. Her eyes were no longer filled with fear, confusion and sorrow, now she lifted her dark eyes to look upon the Dark Lord with determination and confidence.
The Path of the Dead was the single most horrifying experience for the Riders. Very few spoke of it later on; it was a subject that was not ventured upon for the place was known for its horror. Often they would look back on the memory; the very thought of it still gave them chills many years later.
Legolas was ridding with Aragorn, Haldir, Gimli and the sons of Elrond. Suddenly Aragorn heard a very quick intake of breath that came from next to him. He turned to his side and found Arod a many feet behind him. Legolas had stopped moving and stared towards the eastern sky, a look of mixed fright and shock on his fair face. His breathing came in short wheezing gasps, his eyes sparked with sorrow.
"Legolas, what troubles you?" queried the ranger.
The Elf snapped out of his bewildered state and turned his gaze towards his friends who looked at him worriedly. The Elf braced himself before finding the proper words to express the distress he felt.
Swallowing he looked at them straight in the eye with his sudden childlike lost quivering gaze. "An elven light has gone out."
Elladan and Elrohir bowed their heads after exchanging glances with Haldir and Aragorn. The Lórien Elf closed his eyes, the bitter pain of losing one of his closest friends hitting him hard. He gasped as he held on to his horse's mane to prevent him from swooning and falling off Isiodith.
Aragorn was not certain what Legolas had meant but he discovered what the prince meant by observing the elven reactions to the news. "She is gone then," he said softly, lowering his eyes in mourning.
Gimli was simply confused; he did not understand any this of. Still out of respect, he remained silent, hoping to ask Aragorn about it later in the evening. Usually he would have spoken to Legolas but by the looks of his face it was not time to ask him anything.
"Not gone, but lost to shadow," said the mentioned Elf, "The Heir of Sauron has returned."
"Then we must not linger, time is against us. Yet we should rest here tonight. I believe it is best," said Aragorn.
Legolas nodded feebly. "Thank you my friend," he said so quietly that Aragorn barely understood.
Later that night, Aragorn Gimli and the Twins gathered around a fire to discuss the situation at hand. Legolas and Haldir could not bear to be near any one, both their heart heavy with grief and chose to mourn alone. Both Elves wandered off in different directions. Legolas sought refuge in the woods where he climbed the highest branch in the highest tree. He stayed up there most of the evening, hugging his knees and slowly rocking himself.
Haldir retreated deep into the woods on the opposite side and sat on a large tree root. He held his head in his hands and watched the creatures of the night walk by; almost hearing them question themselves about the mournful Elf.
The others finished off their sombre dinner; all had nearly the same thoughts on their mind. It was the Dwarf that broke off the silence.
"What will happen now?" asked Gimli.
"I do not know," replied Aragorn. "It will be difficult for Legolas I am afraid."
"Yes, very much," said Elrohir, "but now that Sauron has the Heir under his grasp, there is very little hope now."
"What do you mean? Has the Quest failed then?"
"No Master Dwarf," answered Elladan. "It is our only hope, the Ring bearer must complete his task, else there is no hope and all shall come to darkness. With the Aryon O Huine, there will be no stopping the Dark Lord, it will make the Quest all the much harder for the Ring bearer and for us as well." The ebony haired Elf glanced towards where the pair of Blond haired elves stood moments before. "I do not believe Haldir will take this lightly. He loved Willow very much. He shall miss her greatly, as will all of us I believe."
"Elladan!" Elrohir smacked his brother. "You speak as though she is already dead."
"Not dead, yet. There is no hope for her now, I fear."
"Do not say that. There is still hope you will see. Do not resign yourself to believing the worst. We do not know what can happen."
"I always did count on you to see the bright side of anything Elrohir," said Aragorn, smiling sadly.
"Well thank you Estel," the elf smiled back at his adoptive brother. "I only hope Legolas will see that as well."
The others nodded fervently. The discussion ended quietly with Gimli and Aragorn gone to sleep nearly instantly. Elladan and Elrohir were the only ones awake to keep watch over the camp and to await the wayward elves. The dawnless day may be over, but darkness was about to cover all lands.
He lay on the cold ground, cold and as silent as stone. It was only a few moments after he fell that his gardener found him. Sam quietly mourned the loss of his master and friend, Frodo. "What would Mister Frodo do now?" How could the Quest be fulfilled if the Ring bearer had fallen?
Sam gathered whatever courage he had left, picked up Frodo's effects, the Ring, Sting and the Light of Eärendil and walked deeper into Mordor with renewed strength and vigour.
"Don't worry Mister Frodo, I won't let you down. I promise." His will was set and only death would break it.
"Aryon, come hither," commanded Sauron. Since the instant Willow took her place, he began to call her Aryon, heir.
The violet in Willow's eyes had all but faded by now, frozen over, the spark of joy and light gone. Lavender ice took over killing away the life her eyes once held. They were cold, cruel and lifeless. A dark shadow lingered over the Elf, giving her a more frightful appearance. Not only did her eyes lose their life and colour, her face became paler yet even more than it was before, covered now by a bluish hue. Her nails blackened as did her hair, which only paled her face more. Her lips once rosy and full of words of kindness were now curled in a cruel blue smile. She looked at though she was frozen in time, a haunting ghost of her former self. This was not Willow; this was Aryon O Huine.
"We still have much work to do, Aryon, we need to stimulate your desire for bloodshed. You must take pleasure from killing your prey," said Sauron. Almost on command a host of Orcs walked into the Dark Lord's throne room. They stood before him ready for anything or nearly so.
Extending his hand towards the small battalion, Sauron looked to the icy monster on his left. He smiled. "Kill them."
The Orcs immediately began to protest as did the Elf, but the Dark Lord silenced them all with his feral stare. He looked to Willow again. "Kill them," he repeated with little interest.
Summoning her dark strength that was only used once, Willow telepathically ordered the Orcs to quite literally tear themselves to pieces. Sauron smiled, very pleased that his apprentice managed to create destruction of such terrible magnitude. Despite having provoked such a massacre, Willow turned her eyes away unable to see the results of her thoughts. There was still an internal struggle between in her heart despite the fact that good was failing to evil. Light is still fought to shine and Willow's conscience reminded her of the monstrosity of these fell deeds.
Noticing the Elf's reluctance to give into this blood lust, Sauron forced her to admire her work. "Look at them, this is what you were made to do. They are at your command to control or destroy. Do not hesitate to enjoy this, I know somewhere in your mind you are pleased to see these Orcs perish."
And he was right, like any Elf, Willow hated Orcs, seeing them die was no small feat. She had killed some before, long ago, this was no different. Yet it was different, these Orcs were killed not out of self-defence they had not provoked; they had done nothing wrong. They were simply a pawn used in the Dark Lord's twisted plans to twist a being of light into shadow. They were defenceless since they did not expect to be summoned by Sauron to be killed for his pleasure, although that had happened before. The Dark Lord's blood lust was nearly insatiable.
But it was done; Willow smiled as she witnessed the death of the last Orc. It felt good, very good. She had almost forgotten all her past pain. The desire to feel this euphoria, this senseless pleasure was all that she knew now. The transformation was complete.
Sauron looked away from the pillage a look of disgust on his face. "I always despise the need to clean after such a spectacle," he thought. Looking to his Aryon, he said. "Now, I am aware of the Ring's presence. I sense it is very close. Find it, find me the one who carries it."
Willow bowed before the Dark Lord. "Yes, my Lord," she said in a flat toneless lifeless voice, and the dark creature was released into the wild.
Long after the camp was completely asleep, Legolas came out of the woods. He had spent the entire evening reflecting on many things. He knew what to do; he had to do it. Legolas breathed in a sigh of relief, everyone was asleep, and there would be no one to attempt to sway him from his decision. The prince was going after Willow and there was no doubt about it. It was the right thing to do the only thing to do. Legolas did feel terrible for leaving his companions behind, but he had no choice. Willow needed him, he could feel it, he knew that by helping his beloved he would help Aragorn on his Quest. He would break whatever the Dark Lord was doing or die trying. It did not matter anymore what happened to him now, it was so much more than that. It was incredible how much the stakes kept rising since he left Rivendell since what felt like many years ago.
Swiftly he packed his things, said his farewells to Arod, wishing him all the best. Then he went to Gimli. He could not help the dreadful feelings rising up in his heart. There was so much he wished to say at the moment but there were few words that came out. It was sad to see such a wonderful friendship in the making come to such a swift end, he wished he could have better developed his friendship with the Dwarf. He said his goodbyes to the three elves; there was much he wanted to say to them as well. Then finally he stood by Aragorn. For a few moments Legolas observed the man sleep, noting the peaceful rise and fall of his chest. Legolas could still picture the man when he was but a child, it was barely a century, mere fleeting moments for the Elf, yet it still felt like he knew the ranger for the longest time. It was a great friendship and Legolas came to hold much value for Aragorn. He smiled, remembering one of the first times he ever saw the young human boy, barely able to speak properly since he was still learning. He was roughly four years of age at the time.
Legolas barely had any interaction with men before, his father and Minolas did most of the trade agreements with the men of Lake Town and elsewhere. Aragorn was one of the few; the prince ever really had the occasion to speak to. The child's unbound curiosity highly amused the Elf.
Young Estel had spotted the unknown Elf sitting by himself on Elrond's terrace one fine morning. He had crept up behind the Legolas hoping to surprise him; of course it did not work.
"What can I do for you, little master?" said the Elf without looking back, thus surprising Estel at his own game.
He sat next to the Elf and smiled at him, his eyes shining with unbound curiosity. "Are you new here? I've never seen you before," said the child.
The Elf smiled. "No, I am visiting Lord Elladan and Lord Elrohir, do you know them?"
Estel's eyes brightened at the sound of those names. "Oh yes! They're my brothers!" he said enthusiastically.
"Well then you must be Estel. I am Legolas," said Legolas pressing his hand to his heart and extending it out in a gesture of greeting, bowing his head slightly.
"Legolas? I've heard that name before. Oh! You're Prince Legolas, right?" he asked, speaking much faster since he was excited to meet the Prince. "You're from Smirkwood, aren't you?"
Legolas had to laugh at that. "Yes, I am Prince Legolas, but please, do what your brothers do, call me Legolas. And it is Mirkwood, not Smirkwood."
The child reddened in embarrassment. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.
Legolas smiled as he recalled that day. Since then, he had made a point to visit little Estel on a regular basis and as Estel grew into Aragorn and he became the man that was sleeping before him now.
With a final glance around the camp and a last farewell, Legolas was ready to leave. He turned around to depart, his heart very nearly jumped out of his chest when he found himself face to face with three curious Elves.
"Planning a little escapade without us, Legolas?" demanded Elladan, taking hold of the prince's pack.
"If I were to guess, I would say our dear little Prince is running away from us," commented Elrohir dryly as he and his brother rummaged through the various items in the pack. Legolas looked like a highly displeased child who had just been caught by his parents or worse, his elder brother's friends.
Haldir stared at his friend imploringly. "At least, if you do not with the others to follow you, let us come with you. I believe you shall need all the help you can obtain."
Legolas looked upon the Galadhrim's face with sad eyes. "Haldir, I cannot let you do this. I must go, I need to, but I cannot accept your help. It is needed elsewhere And you Elladan and Elrohir," the twins kept their eyes on the Prince, their face betraying their sadness. "Aragorn needs you, all of you. It is his darkest hour. You must keep the promise you made to Lord Elrond that you would look out for him. I have promised to do the same for Willow. She needs me, I cannot let her down."
"Then at least I shall accompany you, mellon nin for Laiella is as dear to me."
"I am sorry Haldir, please it would be too dangerous. I am most certain Aragorn could use an extra archer as good as yourself you equal those of Mirkwood. And," a sly smirk crept upon his lips, "I am certain Arod would appreciate an Elf such as yourself to keep the Dwarf away from harm."
"You wish me to watch over your dwarf-friend? You mock me," started Haldir.
"No, of course not my dear friend. I hold you in the highest esteem. It is just that you need to widen your horizons that is all. The Dark Days shall come to an end, you shall see."
"Very well, I shall resign myself to do as you wish."
Legolas smiled brightly like he had not done in a long time. "I thank you all, my friends. May the Valar watch over you."
"Nai tiruvantel ar varyuvantel I Valar tielyanna nu vilya, Legolas Thranduilion," May the Valar protect you on your path under the sky, Legolas son of Thranduil. Elrohir said solemnly as he wrapped his arm around the younger Elf's shoulder.
"Take care of yourself, tithen ernil little prince ," Elladan pleaded, doing the same as his brother.
"Do what you can, Legolas and do not forget to bring yourself and Willow back," Haldir said.
"We shall meet again, I promise. Namárie!"
"Namárie!" repeated the three other elves sadly as they watched their friend leave.
Under cover of night and with the Blessings of the Sons of Elrond and the march warden of Lothlórien, Legolas left the camp with all speed, heading directly for Mordor.
Frodo was alive! Sam couldn't believe it, but how could he get to him? He did not know where they were taking him. He followed the group of Orcs as far as he could go. They led him into the Tower right by Shelob's Lair. This was the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
Sam could not understand why but he could hear the Orcs' speech even from far away.
"Snaga, we have new Orders," said one of the Orcs who appeared to be there leader.
"What are you saying Shagrat? You told us to keep this one safe," the one called Snaga spoke.
"Gorbag says He wants this one. He wants us to take it to him, alive," the vile Orc captain said.
Sam heard the other's reply. "Says who? Gorbag? I don't trust him, he's a liar."
The hobbit heard some scuffling and the clang of a scimitar being drawn. "Do you want to play games Snaga? I can play, but I always win," snarled Shagrat. "Our orders come from the Dark Lord himself. He wants this alive and unhurt. Got it? Or would you like to hear what this," he brought his scimitar to the smaller Orc's throat, "here has to tell you?"
"All right, all right. Let's take him," complied Snaga.
Sam could hear the crooked blame being re-sheathed and he heard what sounded like orc laughter. "That's better. Let's go before He gets angry and kills us for his amusement"
"Yes, yes let's go." Sam heard the scuffling of feet and the cling and clatter of metal and armour. They were on the move again. Going somewhere Sam was certain he couldn't follow. "I am sorry Mister Frodo! I'll keep tryin'"
The sounds of the moving battalion suddenly stopped. "Uh, Shagrat," said Snaga, sounding a bit embarrassed.
"Yes," Sam could clearly hear the irritation and annoyance in Shagrat's fell voice.
"Where are we taking it?"
Sam heard snarling and cursing. "To the Tower you fool! You're no good for nothing!" And then the voices were far far away and Sam couldn't hear them anymore. Nor could he reach the party of Orcs carrying Frodo away to Barad-dfr.
On his way out, Sam nearly ran into another party of Orcs. He hid in the dark, his Lórien cloak hiding what the dark had not already concealed. "Wait! Did you hear that?" one of the Orcs said, drawing a spear.
"Yes I did. Maybe it's that Elf warrior who killed Shelob."
Sam held his breath; they had found him. He did not know what to do, so he waited.
I think it came from over here," he heard the first Orc say. He felt they were close by, but something drew them away. Sam sighed in relief. They were gone. Quickly he ran out of the tower, with the expectation to find the Orcs right on his heals. They were not. In fact, Sam was certain he could recall the sound of scimitars and spears being drawn and then the sound of a battle. For some unexplained reason, the Orcs had turned against one another and proceeded to destroy themselves.
Sam was baffled but relieved. Orcs were unpredictable yet it was not uncommon for them to kill each other for no reason. The hobbit found his way back on the road and noticed in the far distance, the Orcs carrying Frodo getting near the darkest, foulest tower, Sam had ever seen. "This must be Barad-dfr," he thought.
He ran as far as he could along the wall and was surprised not to find any Orc battalions on his way. In fact Sam found it rather unusual that all he saw were orc corpses. Odd, very odd.
He stopped near a riverbed where water sparkled. It was a near miracle that Sam found water, but he wasted no time to marvel at it and he drank and refilled his water skin. He rested against the wall for a very short moment to regain his depleting strength.
All so suddenly he felt a strong hand grip him on his shoulder.
Sam jerked away in surprise. His right hand instinctively going for Sting and the other clutching the Ring. He was most surprised when he looked up into the blank face that had found him.
"Willow! You scared he half to death!" he said out of breath, then he thought for a brief moment. "What are you doing here? I thought I was only. Quickly we must get to Mister Frodo!"
Willow said nothing and stared blankly at him like, her eyes as frightening and as feral as wolf ready to kill. Her grip on his shoulder tightened oppressively. Sam recoiled feeling the menace and evil radiating from the Elf he momentarily thought of as a saviour.
"What is wrong with you?"
Was that creepy? I hope so! That's what I was aiming for! Thanks for your patience and see you next time! Let's hope it's faster this time!