Chapter 22

Legolas watched the lights in the distance as they moved in strange patterns across the swamp. He was trying to predict if they were coming closer, because he was the one on guard duty, and he would be they one to keep them safe.

Limloeth and Lainfea were both fast asleep on the spot Lanthir had showed them. Legolas had to admit the place was dry and sheltered and the ground was stable. Yet he also agreed with Limloeth. The place just felt wrong.

Legolas saw a figure move in his direction and he reached for his bow.
"It's only me," Lanthir said holding his hands up. Legolas' hand stayed.
Lanthir dropped one of their waterskins on the floor. It was empty.
"We need to put the water on ration," the younger elf said.
"Why? There is water all around us." Legolas didn't understand.
"We don't want to drink that," Lanthir answered shuddering at the thought. "We really, really don't."

The two brothers sat together in silence for a while, both of them watching the lights in the distance.

"Legolas?" Lanthir said after a moment more of tranquility. "Can we talk for a while? I need to say something."
Legolas nodded quickly; he had never seen his brother so unsure before.

Lanthir stared at the lights sparkling in the void for a time.
"Maybe they're just fireflies," he said, not taking his eyes off the illuminations contrasting with the stark blackness of the night.
"Maybe," Legolas said.

"But I doubt that was what you wanted to say, or was it?" he continued as he looked at his younger sibling.
"I just..." Lanthir started "I just have to say... I'm sorry."
"About what, Lanth?" Legolas asked, confused. "About leading us here? You shouldn't be. We needed a place away from the orcs, and you found it. Very smart thinking."
"I asked you to trust me, and all I did was lead us into more danger" Lanthir replied, tearing his gaze from the lights to the ground at his feet.

"You don't know you lead us into more danger-" Legolas started, but Lanthir quickly cut him off.
"There's something wrong with this place, and we all feel it. And those lights... those lights..."

Legolas gave his brother a small push.
"Hey, you know maybe... " he said. "Maybe those lights are just fireflies."
Lanthir snorted.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while more.

"Legolas?" Lanthir said, finally breaking the quiet.
"Hmm?" His brother answered.
"I just didn't see. I should have realized you needed to go home. I was wrong to be angry."
Legolas turned so he could look his brother in his eye.
"No you were not," he said firmly. "You were right. I should have told you I left. I knew that. I was just too scared that you would manage to convince me to stay if I told you."
"You should have just told us how you felt. We wouldn't have made you stay."
Legolas shrugged. "You all just seemed so happy. I didn't want to ruin it."

Lanthir stared in the distance once again. There was something about those lights that made you almost have to look at them.

"I was happy" he said very softly. "I thought I would never have to kill again."
"I thought you liked it," Legolas said, a bit surprised.
"No-one in his right mind enjoys taking life." Lanthir said a bit grumpily. "I hate what it does to me."
"What it does to you?" Legolas said, not understanding. All slaying did to him was keep him alive.
Lanthir thought about it for a very long time, trying to get his mind straight. "You were right, Legolas, I do like killing. What does that make me?"

Legolas smiled. "According to your own reasoning, it makes you a nutcase."
Lanthir gave him a deadly glare. "Don't joke; I'm serious! I like it. What does that make me? An orc?"
Legolas shook his head, suddenly very serious again. "No, Lanthir, it does not make you an orc."
"A monster."
Legolas grabbed Lanthir's arm and forced his brother to look him in the eyes.
"You," he said, "Are not a monster."

Lanthir tried to look away.
"I'm just so scared that I wasn't supposed to be like this. That Mordor has changed me. And when I was in Osgiliath I felt different. Lighter. "
"You are not a monster, Lanthir," Legolas repeated, not knowing how to convince his brother of something that obvious.
"Limloeth said killing darkens the soul," Lanthir whispered in despair.
"Limloeth said that killing darkens her soul. Not yours. I know she wishes she was more like you. You are NOT a orc."
"How do you know?" Lanthir asked miserably.
"Because I know you, you idiot! Now stop worrying or I will turn you into one!"

Lanthir grinned, happy that he could still do so.
"Oh really? And how exactly, will you go about doing that"
"Oh you think I can't handle you? Please. You are a boy, you are no match for a adult like me!"
"An Adult? You? If you're an adult, orcs stand a chance at the Lorien Beauty Contest."

Legolas was thinking of a good reply to that one, when a small voice interrupted their banter.

"Stop making noises! I am all awake now." The youngest of their sisters said.
"All awake, Lainfea?" Legolas asked, amused at her way of talking. "Oh poor little girl."
The elfling nodded "And now I can't sleep anymore," she said as tears formed in her eyes.
"Can't sleep? Sweetheart, come here. What is so wrong?" Legolas opened his arms and waited until the elfling wiggled herself into them. He pulled his cloak around her and rocked back and forth.

"Now, tell your big brother why you are crying so," he said.
"I miss Bear," Lainfea cried.

Legolas didn't know what to do. All he could think of to solve Lainfea's problem was to go back and steal the bear from the orcs. But that way he would risk his life for a toy. No matter how much he loved Lainfea and wanted to see her happy, that was not something he would do. With his eyes he sought Lanthir, begging him for help. His brother understood.

"Lainfea," Lanthir said gently. "You shouldn't be so sad. Bear is very happy now."
Lainfea looked at him as if he was insane. "He is with orcs" she told her brother.
"Indeed," Lanthir allowed. "But he likes it there. You know why?"
Lainfea shook her head.
"Because bear is actually not a little bear at all. When he is with orcs, he transforms into this huge, strong, warrior bear, and you know what he does? He scares orcs. There is nothing he likes better."
"You are lying," Lainfea concluded.
"No, I'm not," Lanthir answered.
"Yes, you are," the little girl said, tears brimming in her eyes again.
"No I'm not," Lanthir said once more. "And if you don't believe me, I will have to tickle you until you do."

The little girl shook her head. "You are lying."
Lanthir got closer and and stretched out his arms. Then his fingers found her belly.
"Noooooo!" Lainfea giggled. "Stop! Save me Legolas, save me!"
"You know what you have to say first!" Lanthir answered, still mercilessly tickling her.
"I believe you!" the girl screamed. "I believe you!"

Without fully waking up, Limoeth lifted her head a little. All she groggily said was; "Lanthir stop teasing your sister, and let me sleep..." before she drifted back to sleep.
Lanthir grinned at his older sister, and stopped tickling his younger one.
"Good," he said to Lainfea. "I knew you would. Now you can sleep?"

Lainfea shook her head. "I want a song," she said. "I want the Nana-song."
Legolas and Lanthir exchanged glances before starting to sing at the same time.

Later that night they sat together in silence again watching their sleeping sisters, neither really wanted to sleep with those light around them.

"Have you brought a needle or something?" Lanthir asked after a while.

Legolas stared at his brother. "Of course not. Why would I have? What are you thinking: 'Legolas stole knives from Artamir's weaponry, so he must have robbed Biddy's sewing-basket as well?'"
Lanthir shrugged. "I was just thinking... my cloak is too long. I've stolen it from Artamir."
"So... just cut it. There is no one here to see it's frayed."
"I was going to, I just thought we could use the spare fabric. You know.. to fix something. For Lainfea. Maybe a new Bear. I thought it would be nice." He sighed. "Forget it."

"I could shoot a rabbit tomorrow," Legolas said thoughtfully. "We could make needles from its bones."
Lanthir grinned. "Good."
"Good," Legolas repeated. He smiled.

To think his little brother had been actually been afraid of becoming an orc.

TBC..(maybe today.. If you are nice and review)

Roguish Smile: Yes, poor Lainfea.. The lost of her bear will traumatize her more than those 20 years of Mordor slavery.. There is no doubt about that.. grin

Moriarwen, kel: They migth have no choice..

Karone Evertree: Yes a search party!That would be a great idea.. (expect the brave people of the searchparty would find orcs before they would find bear.)

sagralightfang: thanks! (I can't say more to "wow")

Rutu : "But, nothing can happen really, can it?" ehmmm wistled innocently and looks away

Nessa Ar-Feiniel: I have a map I could send you, on how they got there.. Basicly, If you move from North Ithillien to Mirkwood in a straight line and you stray a little, you end up in the dead Marches.

That was it!

Be nice and review, and I migth send another chapter today!

Liek