Disclaimer and A/N about quoted text: See previous chapters.
Chapter 21: Into the Darkness
***
"Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I shall endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here." -Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, The
***
The Grey Company stood before the Dark Door. All, save Legolas, feared to go inside. Yet, all stayed out of loyalty to Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The horses quailed before the door, trying to go back, but knowing that they must bear their riders through the evil arches of the Dark Door. Arod, the horse of Rohan that had borne Legolas and Gimli on many a dangerous journey, would not budge. He was a very smart animal, and had no desire to wander deeper into the darkness. The animal trembled in fear, until, Legolas, an elf, and very close to horses, laid his hands softly on the eyes of the horse. His musical voice sang soft words, calming the horse as much as he could, and Legolas led him through the doorway. Gimli, frozen in fear, knees trembling from the evil and darkness even the most thick of persons could sense, cursed himself as he was left all alone.
" 'Here is a thing unheard of!' he said. 'An Elf will go underground and a Dwarf dare not!'" A bit of resolve came to the dwarf, and even though he moved forward with reluctant feet, he knew he had to go on. There was no light in the passage that the company walked in, except to dim lights from torches, one carried by Aragorn, the other by Elrond's son Elladan. Gimli's fear increased as he realized there was no turning back, that a nameless vaporous host followed the company's footsteps. On and on they went, fear weighing heavily on all that passed through the dark passage, towards an opening, where their fearless leader went forward, examining the skeletal remains of a fallen man, while Elladan held the two torches. Gimli listened as Aragorn murmured phrases he did not understand, Gimli did not hear all, too frightened to do much more than wish that they moved on, as Aragorn's voice rose and he yelled,
" 'Keep your hoards and your secrets hidden in the Accursed Years! Speed only we ask. Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to the Stone of Erch!'"
Silence descended into their small area, no sound was made, the torches blew out, plunging the company into complete darkness. The group continued on in the darkness, fear crippling all, especially the valiant dwarf, who in most cases knew little fear, now felt it to the most extreme. As they passed through another archway, this one more lighter than the first, all mounted their horses, Gimli going to Legolas, never so happy to see horse or elf. Legolas turned his head, and with no fear in his voice remarked,
" 'The Dead are following. I see shapes of Men and of horses and pale banners like shreds of cloud, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The Dead are following.'"
Elladan, the last live rider nodded his head and remarked, not phased by the Dead that followed directly behind him, " 'Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned.'"
As the siblings of the Isle of Emerald contemplated how to enter the hall of Thranduil, the doors opened, slowly. Rhiannon's breath caught in her throat, fear forming from what laid inside the dark cave of a palace. An elf stood behind the doors, the silent sentry staring at them, studying them for weapons. He said nothing, just gave a nod and motioned for the two siblings to dismount. Another elf appeared off to the side, seemingly out of the air, but truly it was just how well his attire allowed him to blend into their natural surroundings. The elf spoke soothing words to their startled horses and led them off, presumably to a stable. The elf at the entrance to the cave motioned for the two to follow them. Sister and brother took deep breathes as they followed the elf into the unknown darkness. They walked out of the dark passageway into a hall that was very busy. Elves of all kinds walked back and forth, some in battle gear, others in what seemed like servants clothes, all seemed to ignore the two intruders to their realm. A somber mood hung in the air, Rhiannon could sense it, a sadness that she was almost able to touch, but it was just that far out of her mental grasp. The guide, noting her facial expression, spoke, startling both Rhiannon and Brhagdan as he broke his silence.
"It has been a difficult week," their guide remarked, "we lost two of our most beloved soldiers to an unforeseen orc attack. There has also been some unknown trouble in the outskirts of our city. I sincerely hope it is not the spiders again. A messenger of Lord Elrond of Imladris also came bearing a note that one of the younger princes."
"Princes?" Brhagdan asked, clearly emphasizing the plural.
The elf seemed confused, "Yes, princes. There are four. The King wanted a daughter and he kept on getting sons. After Almon he just stopped. Now I think he hopes to have a daughter-in-law through at least one of his sons. Although none of the princes seem eager to wed. Especially the younger three. We need the return of a feminine touch in our hall, has not been the same since Vanelaure left us."
"Vanelaure?" Rhiannon asked, intrigued.
"The Queen of course. She's been gone for countless years now. In fact, the youngest prince is not even her son."
"Lieveryo, that is quite enough. I'm sure the two visitors have just been bombarded by information and require a slight respite from your gossip."
Rhiannon and Brhagdan glanced at the powerful voice that had spoken these past words. Power radiated from the person before them, obviously the King of the Hall. He seemed ageless, a young countenance, but his eyes spoke of years of experience that Rhiannon could not even begin to comprehend. It was similar to the feeling she felt when she first met Elrond, the feeling she still had when around the Lord and Lady of the Wood. Within the somewhat weary face, a melancholy was there, there was also a sparkle of merriment in those clear eyes. His long golden hair fell to his waist, held back from his face by a small braid. A crown of flowers and leaves encircled his head. An amused smirk played on his lips at seeing the very confused and shocked stares on the faces of the ones before him.
"Brhagdan and Rhiannon, welcome to the Realm of Mirkwood. Lord Elrond sent word of your arrival; hence the reason you were allowed to pass into my land unhindered. Normally unknown intruders are captured, judged by me, and put in the dungeons."
Rhiannon nodded her head, "We were told as such. We had hoped that if we were captured, the letter we bear from your son would be enough to grant us entry." Rhiannon reached into the pocket on the inside of her cloak, and pulled out the small sheet of parchment which contained Legolas' rather hurried note, handing it to his father. King Thranduil glanced at the note briefly, and then studied the faces of the two unknowns before him.
"Rhiannon, come with me. Lieveryo, take Brhagdan down to the training fields. Tell the chief soldier to watch him personally. Also, check on the horses, they had a long, hard journey and need to be properly fed and watered." The elf nodded, taking his orders without question. Brhagdan and Rhiannon shared one last desperate glance as they were guided off into different directions.
***
Thranduil observed the young female that sat across from him in his study. Most people that were brought in front of him for the first time tended to be very agitated, they would look around the room, glance out the door, look everywhere but at his face. They would often study their hands and their clothes, looking for invisible traces of lint and dirt that were never there to begin with. This one, she was different. Her gaze was riveted to a spot over his shoulder, she was staring at something in the forest, slightly visible through the windows set high above them. She was trying to center herself, he watched, fascinated as the nervous energy faded from her person. Only when a sense of calm truly settled over her did she turn her eyes towards him. She was waiting for him to start the conversation, the young one did know her manners.
"The letter my son sent with you states that you are his soul mate, but not his wife, although he seems to feel I should treat you as such," Thranduil watched fascinated as one of her dark brows arched,
"That was awfully presumptuous of him."
He answered with his own arched brow, "You do not plan on wedding my son? Truly bonding with him?"
"I know little of his life, his world, he knows little of mine."
"There must have been an attraction there, must have been something between the two of you to connect as you have."
"Perhaps."
Thranduil studied her for a moment, "You doubt things, now that you have come to his home."
The female hesitated, thought, and then spoke her words carefully, "Many things confuse me, King Thranduil, I have had many, visions you could say, and all seem to involve this Hall, or the people associated with it."
Thranduil tried to gauge her reaction to his next statement, "Then you must have seen Lostladion's death."
Rhiannon squeezed her eyes shut at those words, "Then he has died."
"His body has."
"I do not think what I saw was him. In my vision, I was on the field; I was there."
"Are you informing me that more of my soldiers will die?"
"There is war about us, of course more of your soldiers will die."
"If you were there than the soldier in question must be known to you. You only know three of my people, one which is dead, one which is know progressing towards Mordor, and lastly Menepaurion. Menepaurion is not a fighter, he is an advisor to my son, and a student of healing, but he is not a fighter."
"For some odd reason that does not surprise me."
"He shares similar ill feelings towards you, however I think the two of you will change."
"And Hades will no longer be the underworld." Rhiannon muttered under her breath.
"Hades?"
"Forgive me, my culture, or an aspect of it."
"If only there was more time in this world to learn of the existence you have come from." Rhiannon considered this statement. Studying the King, finding herself surprised, for he was not the image she had built up in her head.
The King spoke again, "Since you consider my son's assertion to treat you as a wife of one of my sons as a very presumptuous act; what am I to treat you as?"
"A guest?" Rhiannon asked uncertain, still confused about many things. She continued, "My brother was apparently sent here to assist you in the defense of your realm, but I wonder why I was sent here."
"That is a very simple question, Rhiannon. Surely someone with your abilities to discern situations has figured such a simple question out." Thranduil waited for an answer from the silent and now very confused female in front of him. He sighed, she was not thinking with her full ability, "Rhiannon, here you are safe, in my fortified stone hall, those that love you, care for you deeply, need not have worry, if you are safe in my hall. You are endeared to more than you know, Rhiannon, their minds will be at ease. There are many reasons why you are here, your protection most prominent, your continued education in our world second. The continued discovery of the life of my son, a life that you will now forever be a part of." Thranduil gave her a rare, gentle smile, already feeling a connection with this little complex young one before him. She would surely make his life interesting, take away some of the weariness that weighed on his soul. He could sense the auras of both his son and his wife on her, the guidance they both lent to her in these darker times. Yes, this one would bring many unconventional occurrences to his home, he could already sense it. The two immortal siblings would definitely cause a stir throughout his realm.
"Come, " Thranduil spoke as he stood from his desk and offered his hand to Rhiannon, "You must rest. We all need to be alert and aware for the coming days."
Thranduil led her out of his study, down the many passageways, towards the quarters of the Royal Family and their guests. Thranduil guided her down the hallway that led to the wing which contained the rooms of his sons, they came to a stop in front of a pair of beautifully carved wooden doors. Elven arches, trees, leaves, dragons, all were etched into the wooden doors, nestled into the stone.
"We were not expecting you for another day, the two of you really did exhaust those horses by riding as fast as you did. And it was folly to ride at night. However, you are all here, and alive and well, and this is all that matters. I digress, we do not have any empty guest rooms prepared, so you and Brhagdan will stay in the empty rooms of my sons that are abroad. It seems only logical that you stay in the rooms of Legolas, perhaps, you may discover something of what has made my son as he is."
Rhiannon gave a small nod, her young face full of uncertainty. The King looked down on here, and lightly petted her hair, "Safe dreams, young one, my son informed me you sometimes have dark visions while you sleep. All will seem better after you have rested in a comfortable bed."
"How much did Legolas manage to put into that note? It was written in a very short time."
"We do have Elvish shorthand, and Legolas has always been a fast writer. What surprises me most is that someone was carrying parchment, quill, and ink with them. Now, no more of this frivolous talk, you are to rest."
"It is only daylight."
"You need your sleep, now go." He nudged her into the now open doors, and smiled at the anxious look that played in her eyes. Yes, she would be a light in the dark hall.
***
A/N: This may be the last for awhile, Final Exams coming up. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and please continue, they really do help. Comments, questions, etc. you can im me at misli22
Chapter 21: Into the Darkness
***
"Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I shall endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here." -Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, The
***
The Grey Company stood before the Dark Door. All, save Legolas, feared to go inside. Yet, all stayed out of loyalty to Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The horses quailed before the door, trying to go back, but knowing that they must bear their riders through the evil arches of the Dark Door. Arod, the horse of Rohan that had borne Legolas and Gimli on many a dangerous journey, would not budge. He was a very smart animal, and had no desire to wander deeper into the darkness. The animal trembled in fear, until, Legolas, an elf, and very close to horses, laid his hands softly on the eyes of the horse. His musical voice sang soft words, calming the horse as much as he could, and Legolas led him through the doorway. Gimli, frozen in fear, knees trembling from the evil and darkness even the most thick of persons could sense, cursed himself as he was left all alone.
" 'Here is a thing unheard of!' he said. 'An Elf will go underground and a Dwarf dare not!'" A bit of resolve came to the dwarf, and even though he moved forward with reluctant feet, he knew he had to go on. There was no light in the passage that the company walked in, except to dim lights from torches, one carried by Aragorn, the other by Elrond's son Elladan. Gimli's fear increased as he realized there was no turning back, that a nameless vaporous host followed the company's footsteps. On and on they went, fear weighing heavily on all that passed through the dark passage, towards an opening, where their fearless leader went forward, examining the skeletal remains of a fallen man, while Elladan held the two torches. Gimli listened as Aragorn murmured phrases he did not understand, Gimli did not hear all, too frightened to do much more than wish that they moved on, as Aragorn's voice rose and he yelled,
" 'Keep your hoards and your secrets hidden in the Accursed Years! Speed only we ask. Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to the Stone of Erch!'"
Silence descended into their small area, no sound was made, the torches blew out, plunging the company into complete darkness. The group continued on in the darkness, fear crippling all, especially the valiant dwarf, who in most cases knew little fear, now felt it to the most extreme. As they passed through another archway, this one more lighter than the first, all mounted their horses, Gimli going to Legolas, never so happy to see horse or elf. Legolas turned his head, and with no fear in his voice remarked,
" 'The Dead are following. I see shapes of Men and of horses and pale banners like shreds of cloud, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The Dead are following.'"
Elladan, the last live rider nodded his head and remarked, not phased by the Dead that followed directly behind him, " 'Yes, the Dead ride behind. They have been summoned.'"
As the siblings of the Isle of Emerald contemplated how to enter the hall of Thranduil, the doors opened, slowly. Rhiannon's breath caught in her throat, fear forming from what laid inside the dark cave of a palace. An elf stood behind the doors, the silent sentry staring at them, studying them for weapons. He said nothing, just gave a nod and motioned for the two siblings to dismount. Another elf appeared off to the side, seemingly out of the air, but truly it was just how well his attire allowed him to blend into their natural surroundings. The elf spoke soothing words to their startled horses and led them off, presumably to a stable. The elf at the entrance to the cave motioned for the two to follow them. Sister and brother took deep breathes as they followed the elf into the unknown darkness. They walked out of the dark passageway into a hall that was very busy. Elves of all kinds walked back and forth, some in battle gear, others in what seemed like servants clothes, all seemed to ignore the two intruders to their realm. A somber mood hung in the air, Rhiannon could sense it, a sadness that she was almost able to touch, but it was just that far out of her mental grasp. The guide, noting her facial expression, spoke, startling both Rhiannon and Brhagdan as he broke his silence.
"It has been a difficult week," their guide remarked, "we lost two of our most beloved soldiers to an unforeseen orc attack. There has also been some unknown trouble in the outskirts of our city. I sincerely hope it is not the spiders again. A messenger of Lord Elrond of Imladris also came bearing a note that one of the younger princes."
"Princes?" Brhagdan asked, clearly emphasizing the plural.
The elf seemed confused, "Yes, princes. There are four. The King wanted a daughter and he kept on getting sons. After Almon he just stopped. Now I think he hopes to have a daughter-in-law through at least one of his sons. Although none of the princes seem eager to wed. Especially the younger three. We need the return of a feminine touch in our hall, has not been the same since Vanelaure left us."
"Vanelaure?" Rhiannon asked, intrigued.
"The Queen of course. She's been gone for countless years now. In fact, the youngest prince is not even her son."
"Lieveryo, that is quite enough. I'm sure the two visitors have just been bombarded by information and require a slight respite from your gossip."
Rhiannon and Brhagdan glanced at the powerful voice that had spoken these past words. Power radiated from the person before them, obviously the King of the Hall. He seemed ageless, a young countenance, but his eyes spoke of years of experience that Rhiannon could not even begin to comprehend. It was similar to the feeling she felt when she first met Elrond, the feeling she still had when around the Lord and Lady of the Wood. Within the somewhat weary face, a melancholy was there, there was also a sparkle of merriment in those clear eyes. His long golden hair fell to his waist, held back from his face by a small braid. A crown of flowers and leaves encircled his head. An amused smirk played on his lips at seeing the very confused and shocked stares on the faces of the ones before him.
"Brhagdan and Rhiannon, welcome to the Realm of Mirkwood. Lord Elrond sent word of your arrival; hence the reason you were allowed to pass into my land unhindered. Normally unknown intruders are captured, judged by me, and put in the dungeons."
Rhiannon nodded her head, "We were told as such. We had hoped that if we were captured, the letter we bear from your son would be enough to grant us entry." Rhiannon reached into the pocket on the inside of her cloak, and pulled out the small sheet of parchment which contained Legolas' rather hurried note, handing it to his father. King Thranduil glanced at the note briefly, and then studied the faces of the two unknowns before him.
"Rhiannon, come with me. Lieveryo, take Brhagdan down to the training fields. Tell the chief soldier to watch him personally. Also, check on the horses, they had a long, hard journey and need to be properly fed and watered." The elf nodded, taking his orders without question. Brhagdan and Rhiannon shared one last desperate glance as they were guided off into different directions.
***
Thranduil observed the young female that sat across from him in his study. Most people that were brought in front of him for the first time tended to be very agitated, they would look around the room, glance out the door, look everywhere but at his face. They would often study their hands and their clothes, looking for invisible traces of lint and dirt that were never there to begin with. This one, she was different. Her gaze was riveted to a spot over his shoulder, she was staring at something in the forest, slightly visible through the windows set high above them. She was trying to center herself, he watched, fascinated as the nervous energy faded from her person. Only when a sense of calm truly settled over her did she turn her eyes towards him. She was waiting for him to start the conversation, the young one did know her manners.
"The letter my son sent with you states that you are his soul mate, but not his wife, although he seems to feel I should treat you as such," Thranduil watched fascinated as one of her dark brows arched,
"That was awfully presumptuous of him."
He answered with his own arched brow, "You do not plan on wedding my son? Truly bonding with him?"
"I know little of his life, his world, he knows little of mine."
"There must have been an attraction there, must have been something between the two of you to connect as you have."
"Perhaps."
Thranduil studied her for a moment, "You doubt things, now that you have come to his home."
The female hesitated, thought, and then spoke her words carefully, "Many things confuse me, King Thranduil, I have had many, visions you could say, and all seem to involve this Hall, or the people associated with it."
Thranduil tried to gauge her reaction to his next statement, "Then you must have seen Lostladion's death."
Rhiannon squeezed her eyes shut at those words, "Then he has died."
"His body has."
"I do not think what I saw was him. In my vision, I was on the field; I was there."
"Are you informing me that more of my soldiers will die?"
"There is war about us, of course more of your soldiers will die."
"If you were there than the soldier in question must be known to you. You only know three of my people, one which is dead, one which is know progressing towards Mordor, and lastly Menepaurion. Menepaurion is not a fighter, he is an advisor to my son, and a student of healing, but he is not a fighter."
"For some odd reason that does not surprise me."
"He shares similar ill feelings towards you, however I think the two of you will change."
"And Hades will no longer be the underworld." Rhiannon muttered under her breath.
"Hades?"
"Forgive me, my culture, or an aspect of it."
"If only there was more time in this world to learn of the existence you have come from." Rhiannon considered this statement. Studying the King, finding herself surprised, for he was not the image she had built up in her head.
The King spoke again, "Since you consider my son's assertion to treat you as a wife of one of my sons as a very presumptuous act; what am I to treat you as?"
"A guest?" Rhiannon asked uncertain, still confused about many things. She continued, "My brother was apparently sent here to assist you in the defense of your realm, but I wonder why I was sent here."
"That is a very simple question, Rhiannon. Surely someone with your abilities to discern situations has figured such a simple question out." Thranduil waited for an answer from the silent and now very confused female in front of him. He sighed, she was not thinking with her full ability, "Rhiannon, here you are safe, in my fortified stone hall, those that love you, care for you deeply, need not have worry, if you are safe in my hall. You are endeared to more than you know, Rhiannon, their minds will be at ease. There are many reasons why you are here, your protection most prominent, your continued education in our world second. The continued discovery of the life of my son, a life that you will now forever be a part of." Thranduil gave her a rare, gentle smile, already feeling a connection with this little complex young one before him. She would surely make his life interesting, take away some of the weariness that weighed on his soul. He could sense the auras of both his son and his wife on her, the guidance they both lent to her in these darker times. Yes, this one would bring many unconventional occurrences to his home, he could already sense it. The two immortal siblings would definitely cause a stir throughout his realm.
"Come, " Thranduil spoke as he stood from his desk and offered his hand to Rhiannon, "You must rest. We all need to be alert and aware for the coming days."
Thranduil led her out of his study, down the many passageways, towards the quarters of the Royal Family and their guests. Thranduil guided her down the hallway that led to the wing which contained the rooms of his sons, they came to a stop in front of a pair of beautifully carved wooden doors. Elven arches, trees, leaves, dragons, all were etched into the wooden doors, nestled into the stone.
"We were not expecting you for another day, the two of you really did exhaust those horses by riding as fast as you did. And it was folly to ride at night. However, you are all here, and alive and well, and this is all that matters. I digress, we do not have any empty guest rooms prepared, so you and Brhagdan will stay in the empty rooms of my sons that are abroad. It seems only logical that you stay in the rooms of Legolas, perhaps, you may discover something of what has made my son as he is."
Rhiannon gave a small nod, her young face full of uncertainty. The King looked down on here, and lightly petted her hair, "Safe dreams, young one, my son informed me you sometimes have dark visions while you sleep. All will seem better after you have rested in a comfortable bed."
"How much did Legolas manage to put into that note? It was written in a very short time."
"We do have Elvish shorthand, and Legolas has always been a fast writer. What surprises me most is that someone was carrying parchment, quill, and ink with them. Now, no more of this frivolous talk, you are to rest."
"It is only daylight."
"You need your sleep, now go." He nudged her into the now open doors, and smiled at the anxious look that played in her eyes. Yes, she would be a light in the dark hall.
***
A/N: This may be the last for awhile, Final Exams coming up. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and please continue, they really do help. Comments, questions, etc. you can im me at misli22