Reviewer responses for Chapter 9:
Deana: Thanks for reviewing each chapter! I love hearing from you! Yeah, I do have a penchant for injuring Legolas; he is my favorite character and so fun to hurt! Enjoy this post.
Arayelle Lynn: Angry bad guys is NEVER good! Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Kelsey: Again, thanks for your continued support of the story! Your reviews are always fun to read. That voice...yup...that will be revealed later on. Glad you enjoyed and I hope you like this next chapter too.
Zammy: Glad you enjoyed...here's your next update and hopefully they will continue to come quickly.
Queen Shadow: Easy now! You don't honestly think our heroes would leave the Hobbits to defend themselves?! Thanks for your compliment on the story, I'm glad you like it. Yeh, Legolas and Aragorn WOULD go nuts if Arwen died...I REALLY think you will enjoy later chapters now...(NO I won't kill her....)
Pirate Gyrl: Thanks for reviewing again! I know, I was updating fast for a while. But it slows down sometimes. My beta and I have to work around our real-world-work-schedules! You'll be seeing more of Legolas' magic soon...enjoy the chapter.
The-burglar: Cool, you agree with the age we go by. I too think from some of his comments in the books that he is older then the sometimes believed 1000 or so. Besides, I like him to be around the age of the twins, it seems right that they would be.
OKAY, now on with the story!
Chapter 10: Aftermath
Edoras...
The last of the orcs and Uruk's had either fled or been slain. Aragorn directed one of his men to compile a list of casualties and some others to take care of the wounded. He hurried over to where Legolas sat beside Frodo. The elf was deathly pale, his hand resting on Frodo's bloody head wound.
The hobbits had reached their companion before the king and were weeping openly. Frodo's breathing was shallow and labored. Aragorn touched Legolas on the shoulder; the blonde elf opened his eyes and looked up. The man could see turmoil in the eyes.
"I know you want to heal Frodo, but you are in no condition. First heal yourself; I will take care of Frodo. When you have regained your strength somewhat, you may take care of him." Aragorn pulled the elf's hand from the wound.
Legolas stared at the crimson blood on his hand, tears threatening. The hobbits were such peaceful folk, so simple and carefree. He hated to see them here, hated that they were forced to fight, and especially hated to see them wounded.
He glanced at Sam, Merry and Pippin, thankful that they had only minor abrasions. But he could see the look in their eyes when they looked at him; the looks of pain and of worry. The looks that said, why don't you help him? You have the power to heal him! They knew he couldn't, but he could tell they did not want to believe it.
Struggling, he tried to get up, his vision swimming as nausea overcame him and he fell back down. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Legolas, my friend, you are weak, do not try to stand." Gimli knelt beside the elf, examining his thigh. "This needs to be taken care of. You can not heal it if you are so near to swooning. Let me attend to it. I do not have healer hands as Aragorn does, but I know what I am doing."
Legolas, unable to restrain himself, giggled. "Healer hands indeed. Aragorn is not as gentle with me as he is with Frodo!" He could feel the evil look the king of Gondor gave him behind his back. "But I will welcome your help, Master Dwarf. I have not the energy to do it myself."
He then noticed that the air was still misted blue. "Does the spell still linger? Or shall I tell the shroud it may go now?" He directed his question toward Aragorn.
The man looked up, a little confused. "The spell seems to have disappeared. I can no longer feel it pressing to return to my mind. But what do you mean, tell the shroud? Did you not conjure it?"
Legolas, using what little strength he had left, briefly explained what he did to 'conjure' the air shroud. "The shroud is a part of nature, just as the trees and the wind are. I do not really 'control' any of it when I use my magic. I figure I ask it to do as I bid. So, I asked that the air shield protect us. I spoke to it and pleaded that it would block the Ethaim spell, which it willingly did." Again he chose to gloss over the fact that he had had help from the voice that he kept hearing.
Now, instead of speaking in his mind, he bid the shroud to cease its protection for the time being, aloud, in Elvish.
"Gweluthand? 'Air shield'? Is that how you addressed it?" Arwen asked, sitting beside the prince and watching as Gimli cleaned the wound in Legolas' leg.
"Yes, I could think of no other title. But something worries me..." He cut himself off and swallowed hard, trying not to wince aloud when his leg suddenly hurt. When the pain died down he continued. "I worry that Graelath will know that his spell was being blocked. I do not doubt that he is cunning, very smart. He will know that someone did this. And I do not doubt he knew of the Silvan elf, Cellnen, who discovered the shroud's secret. He will know I exist, if not who I am."
Aragorn had been listening, but did not let on he was. As he worked to save Frodo's life, he feared for his other friend's life. Surely this wizard would stop at nothing to kill the elf if he found out who he was. Legolas was all that stood between Graelath and domination of Middle-Earth. Well, Legolas and the whole of Gondor if Aragorn had anything to say about it.
Suddenly, Frodo stirred. "Ara...Arag...orn?" He stuttered; surprised at the pain the word elicited and the dizziness he was feeling. He was quieted by Aragorn's hand in front of his mouth.
"Do not speak, Frodo. You have been badly wounded, a nasty blow to the head. I have no doubt you have a concussion, I do not want you to move or speak for fear you will undo the healing I have managed to do. Be still and silent, but try to stay awake if you can."
Seeing the hobbit stir, Legolas spoke up. "Aragorn how is he? Can you keep him stable until I can help him?" Gimli grimaced as he worked on the elf's wound. He could tell Legolas all he wanted that he should rest but the prince was intent on helping Frodo.
Aragorn nodded. "He is awake. I think he will be all right without your help. If things go badly, I will call on your aide, but I do not think he will need it. After all, this hobbit is stronger then most!" Smiling, Aragorn patted Frodo on the arm gently. He had finished administering to the hobbit, there was not much else he could do now but wait.
Frodo nodded lightly, immediately regretting the action. Aragorn decided not to move him just yet. Gimli also decided his patient was to remain where he was for the time being. "You would do well not to try standing just yet. You will undo what I've managed to do for you." Looking over at Frodo he added, "And you can keep him company while the rest of us attend to the other wounded and dead."
Legolas nodded, staying with Frodo and the other hobbits while Aragorn and Eowyn tended to Faramir's wound nearby. Gimli and some of the soldiers searched the city for wounded and did what they could for them. Eomer gathered his people together and made plans to move the city to Helm's Deep. "We can not stay here; Edoras is no place to be attacked in. At least Helm's Deep offers us better shelter from enemies. We fixed the breach in the Deeping Wall long ago, and we eliminated the drain that allowed for the breach."
Aragorn nodded, content with the idea of the Rohan going to Helm's Deep. "We will not be able to accompany you there, I fear. I can not leave Gondor unprotected long. For all we know, it may be next on Graelath's list of targets."
Legolas, who had been listening, spoke suddenly. "Somehow I doubt that, Aragorn. Graelath is smart; he must know that Gondor is strong. Stronger now then it was when Sauron was defeated. I would think he would wait until no one can come to Gondor's aid, or until we have traveled too far from Minas Tirith, helping someone else."
The elf did not want to voice it, but he felt that some of the smaller realms were in danger now. Not Rohan or Gondor. Even without the elves the world of men was still too strong to deal with. Graelath might target the smaller kingdoms. Perhaps the dwarves or the hobbits?
Legolas hoped he was wrong, but he knew there were many orcs and Uruk's left in Middle-Earth, eager to follow the command of any evil being bold enough to employ them. And he knew that there were still great evils in this world; even now that Sauron was defeated.
Hobbiton...
"Rosie dear, could you get me another brew? I offered to bring one to the Gaffer." The hobbit smiled at the woman across the counter, a toothy grin that could only be taken as a flirtatious gesture. Rosie frowned.
"Yes I can get you another, and no you can not ask me to dance. I am married, with child, and you know that you old Took!" She laughed now, seeing the embarrassment in the hobbit's face as he took the proffered brew and blushed. "Don't worry, you are still getting used to my marriage...you are so accustomed to flirting it is hard to stop!"
She went about her business, cheerfully attending to the hobbits in the pub. My, aren't we all cheerful and hungry today! I have never seen this place so busy! She thought to herself as she filled another mug of ale. As a matter of fact, if I didn't know better I'd think the whole of the Shire was a little too cheerful!
Hobbits were naturally cheerful folk, but she had begun to notice that no one was working in the fields; no one was doing any work of any kind. It was strange, it had bothered her at first, but she was rapidly beginning to push it to the back of her mind and concentrate on the fun things to do.
Odd, really. If we do not harvest, we do not eat. But no one seems worried about that. I guess I shouldn't either. She shrugged and went back to her business.
None of the hobbits were aware of the shadow darkening their senses. They only knew that food and drink had never seemed better.
Edoras...
Sam suddenly bolted up, sweat pouring from his face as he clutched the light blanket at his sides, breathing hard. Legolas heard his gasp and rolled over, careful not to jostle his thigh. "Is everything all right, Sam? You were sleeping soundly before you woke."
The hobbit looked at the elf, fear and anguish in his eyes. Slowly, he began to relax and speak. "I had an awful dream, Mr. Legolas. I dreamt that the Shire was attacked by orcs. My Rosie and all the others were killed. They had been under this shadow thing, totally unprepared."
Legolas frowned, sitting up himself. "It is as I feared Sam. I too have been having dreams this night, of an attack on the Shire folk. I fear your dream is also a vision, as are mine. Try to go back to sleep, mellon nin, I will speak to Aragorn on this matter."
The elf struggled to his feet, grunting at the sharp pain in his thigh. Once he was somewhat steady, he slowly made his way to where Aragorn, Gimli, Arwen, Eowyn, Faramir and Eomer were huddled around a small fire. They were all awake, speaking in hushed tones that the elf was easily able to make out as he approached.
"Do you really think this wizard would attack the Shire? I mean, how can you be certain your dreams are not just that, dreams?" Eomer was saying to Aragorn as he munched on a piece of bacon.
Aragorn was about to answer when Legolas, who had snuck up on all of them save the ex-Ranger, spoke quietly. "Sam and I have also had visions of an attack on the Shire. It woke him and he told me about it. I fear it must be so."
He slowly lowered himself to the ground, surprised that this wound hurt so much. He must truly have been weakened for his healing to work so slowly. Aragorn looked at him with concern but did not address the matter. Instead he turned to the others. "Then it is agreed, this confirms it for you all?"
They nodded. Aragorn turned to Legolas. "Are you up to the task, mellon nin? We must make haste to the Shire; they have no army, no soldiers of any kind. We must take the Rohirrim and the men of Gondor who are not wounded and ride to their aide. Eomer, Eowyn and Faramir have agreed to lead the people to Helm's Deep with a small contingent of Rohirrim."
The elf nodded slowly. "I will be all right; I just need a little more rest and healing. Will we be able to take Frodo? He is still very weak, but I know in my heart he will yearn to go to the Shire." He glanced back toward the hobbits, sorrow in his eyes. "I do not think they will want to leave him."
Aragorn suddenly got up and walked over to the elf, coming down quickly at his side. "You are bleeding again," he said to the prince. Legolas, unaware of this, looked down at his leg. His eyes were met with blood.
"I had not noticed. I wonder why this is not healing." He said to no one in particular. Gimli came over and suddenly gasped. "I'll bet anything there was some sort of orc poison on that blade. It is hindering your Elven healing. In a mortal it might kill them."
Aragorn nodded in agreement. "I should reexamine it. There would be signs of poison, discoloration perhaps." He reached out to remove the dressing, but pulled his hand back quickly. "It is extremely hot to the touch."
Legolas suddenly felt lightheaded, about to swoon. He shook his head and blinked his eyes in an attempt to stave off unconsciousness, to no avail. Much to everyone's surprise, the elf toppled over.
Gimli just managed to catch him, holding the elf's head off the ground. "You must work quickly Aragorn; I fear this poison has begun to do its dirty work. You don't think the same nasty concoction was used on Frodo, do you?"
Arwen wasted no time, surging up and running quickly toward the hobbit. She fell to her knees beside Frodo, reaching out to touch his head. Thankfully, she felt only slight heat. But that didn't mean it was not poisoned, after all, it had happened after Legolas' injury and it might still take time.
"He seems all right at the moment. I will continue to keep an eye on him," she announced to Aragorn, drawing the remaining hobbits from their slumber.
"What is going on Lady?" Sam asked, seeing a fuss over the elf by the fire. "What is wrong with Mr. Legolas? He said he was going over to speak to Strider about the Shire."
Arwen assured him that the elf was fine and that Aragorn was taking care of the poison that had entered his wound. The hobbits were silent at the word 'poison', each glancing toward Frodo with fear. She promised them that poison was curable, once discovered.
"Sam, what did Legolas need to discuss with Strider about the Shire?" Pippin suddenly asked.
The hobbit quickly related his tale to his companions, drawing gasps from both of them. "We must go there then! What are we waiting for? Our home is in danger, we all know that the hobbits are not soldiers, they will be no match for the orcs!" Merry had jumped to his feet, fear in his voice.
Aragorn called from where he attended the fallen elf. "Merry, easy my friend. We are well aware of the danger and we have already planned our course of action. We leave for the Shire at first light with the men of Gondor and a contingent of the Rohirrim. We will not let your people stand alone."
Merry was slightly relieved, but his heart still ached at the thought of the Shire under attack by orcs. It was bad enough when they returned from the quest to destroy the One Ring to find the Shire under the control of the Big Men.
Please, I hope we arrive before it is too late. I could not bear losing the Shire; it is the only home I have ever known. It is what we fought so hard to save during the War. Merry tried hard to stay calm, but his nerves were on fire. Finally, he sat down and buried his face in his hands. He felt the light touch of Arwen and relaxed a little, leaning into her and letting tears fall.
A/N: I know, you are probably saying, "HEY YOU CAN'T STOP THERE! WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HOBBITS!?" Don't worry, all in good time. Hope you enjoy this and we'll try to update soon!
-Gwenneth
