Reviewer Responses for Chapter 10...
Deana: Thanks for your continued support as usual! This is definitely not the last time I will hurt Legolas...it just gets better!! I might just have to stroll on over and read that "Race Against Time" you were talking about...
Amthramiel: Hmm...that's an excellent question. Can he tell Gweluthand to go somewhere he isn't...Well, we are just going to have to wait and see now aren't we?
Kelsey: LOL...I can stop there...and low and behold I did! BUT don't worry, in a few chapters you'll know what happens. I promise. Yes, Sam did go through a lot before he finally married Rosie, I can safely tell you I won't be killing her. And yes, I am liberal with my visions...ENJOY.
Mornflower: Glad you like...where did I get the idea for the plot? Oh...right off the top of my head. I sat down, started writing and what I first wrote was not what you are reading now. It was more like, 'Let's kill all the Elves and have Legolas be last of his kind,' but then my beta read it and BOOM this wizard and this twisted plot came out. I must be crazy to take on a story of this magnitude! Keep reading!
Pirate Gyrl: Yeh, poor Hobbits. We'll be getting back to them soon...stick with us!
Justpassinthru: Is Arwen pregnant? Uhm...I take the Fifth Amendment here...can't tell you what's going on.
Queen Shadow: I hope you like this chapter...and the next ones...You can try to give advice if you like, but I agree this story can be hard to predict in certain aspects. (And easy to predict in others...) If you want to become a good writer, just keep writing and you will automatically improve with practice. Thanks for the compliment...I appreciate it.
Chapter 11: Unexpected Meetings and New Concerns
Rivendell...
"Elrohir? Do you see anything? I am a little worried, we have not seen any border guards, and it is unlike Ada to leave the borders of Rivendell unguarded." Elladan was behind his brother on a pale brown horse, straining his senses to see anything he could.
"I do not see anything, Elladan. We are near to Rivendell; I too worry about the lack of guards. I can only hope that the fate that befell Eryn Lasgalen has not befallen our home as well. With the power of Vilya that Ada bears, I do not see how this could happen." He was silent now, as was his brother, as they both contemplated the implications of this.
Slowly, Imladris appeared before them, strangely still and quiet. Both kept their thoughts to themselves, not wanting to voice their fears. Never had they seen their home so desolate. Where were all the elves? Where was Lord Elrond, their father?
The horses nickered, not wanting to enter the city for some reason. The brothers had to coax them with soothing Elvish words. That's odd, thought Elladan; the horses have never had reason to fear Imladris before. Perhaps they sense something we do not.
Entering the city, the twins were surprised to find no one in sight, not a single Elf, nor any other signs of life were visible and their worry mounted. Though there were no dead bodies strewn about, the twins knew the fate of their fair home, for they could still sense the lingering evil that the orcs had brought with them.
"It is as we feared. Imladris has been attacked, just as Eryn Lasgalen. We are too late, my brother," Elladan said, his voice wavering with emotion. "We must find Adar; I do not see how this shadow could overtake him. He is too strong."
The brothers hurried toward the Last Homely House and immediately headed toward their father's healing chambers and study, hoping to find the Elf Lord there.
Entering the room, Elladan was met by the tip of a sword under his chin. "Who goes there?" A voice, edged with authority, came from the shadows to their right.
Elrohir, who didn't have a blade to his neck, answered in a loud, slightly angered voice. "It is Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond. This is our home, who dares to challenge us in such a way?"
To their surprise, the being gasped in recognition and whipped the sword down and away from Elladan. "Elladan, hir nin {my lord}! I did not know it was you! Please forgive my actions, but we are alone here and can not afford to be caught unawares by our enemies."
From the shadows emerged Erestor, holding a sword at his side. The exchanged warm greetings and then turned toward the far corner of the room when someone cleared their throat.
"King Thranduil!?" Elladan gasped, hurrying toward the Elf. "How did you get here?"
He was about to go on when Erestor raised a hand and stopped him. "Peace, Elladan, Elrohir, I will tell you the tale, for the King is too weak to do so himself." He smiled and quickly added, "though he will argue he is just fine. Now I know where Legolas gets it from."
Thranduil threw an annoyed look toward the advisor, but did not argue. In truth, ever since he and Erestor had perceived the hoofbeats approaching he had been rather unnerved and it had drained him. He had worried that the two alone would not be able to fend off an attack, should one have come to them.
While Erestor brought the twins up to date on the situation, as well as the whereabouts of their father and Glorfindel, Thranduil dozed off, still easily wearied due to his injuries.
"And so, they decided they had to go on to Minas Tirith and it was agreed that it was best to leave the King here until Lord Elrond returned. He was really in no condition to travel and..." he stopped suddenly at the sound of horses entering the valley.
Surging to their feet, the twins glanced at Erestor. "We have company," Elladan said quietly, returning his weapons to their rightful places, preparing to see who was approaching.
A hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Are you certain it is such a good idea to go out there, Elladan?" Erestor asked, worried that the young Elf would be harmed if it were enemies.
"No, it's all right, Erestor." He smiled now. "Orcs don't ride horses and I doubt that anyone traveling with them would either. I am going to simply go see who it is; I will keep out of sight."
His brother joined them. "I will remain here and help Erestor protect the King if the need arises, be wary muindor nin." (my brother)
Nodding, Elladan hurried out the door and weaved through the corridor toward the courtyard. He stayed hidden behind a column, waiting patiently as Elves always did, until the riders came into view.
Soon, two white horses and one black galloped through the gate and their riders came into full view. Elladan gave a cry of relief and hurried forward. "Adar!" he slowed upon recognizing the other two. "Daernaneth {Grandmother}! Mithrandir! It is wonderful to see you all alive and well!"
Lord Elrond leapt from the back of his black stallion and grasped his son's forearms, then drew the younger elf into a warm embrace, relieved to see his son alive and well, though his keen gaze quickly roved over Elladan, seeking any hidden injuries that the twins were prone to hiding. "Elladan, it warms my heart to see you well. When we arrived in Eryn Lasgalen and found the city destroyed and her inhabitants slain, we worried greatly for the safety of our realms."
His eyes were full of sorrow as he glanced around, taking in that there were no Elves walking about and that his oldest son was the only one to greet them. Gandalf and Lady Galadriel joined them now. "Where is your brother?"
"Elrohir is inside, Ada." The elder twin replied.
"Elladan, do you know the fate of our friends?" the lady asked.
Smiling lightly, Elladan gestured for them to follow him. "There is much you must be brought up to date on. Come, we will tell you everything."
He led them back to where he had left his brother and Erestor. Opening the door, he assured them all was well. "El, it's all right. Ada, Mithrandir and Daernaneth are here!" he relayed excitedly; standing aside to let them enter.
Elrohir immediately embraced his father in greeting and smiled at the other two. "I am so very glad to see you all. Much has happened here."
Elrond looked past his son to Erestor, and a frown came over his face at the sight of his long-time friend and advisor standing there with his arm splinted and in a sling to take the strain off of the broken bone. The elf lord stepped past his younger son and walked over to his friend, gently laying a hand on the splints and using his not inconsiderable healing gift to gauge the extent of the wound.
Erestor backed away however, and dipped his head. "My lord. I am not the one needing your care. Estel has already cared for my wounds." He turned his head and gazed at the bed that was along the wall, under a large window, where Thranduil still slept lightly. "King Thranduil is hurt worse than I, there was little that Estel could do for him, and not much more that I've been able to do in the past week or so."
Elrond also gazed at Thranduil, at the bandages encircling the other elf's chest, and the way that he was propped up against a small mountain of pillows. Seeing immediately what Erestor had meant, he stepped away from his advisor and moved quickly towards Thranduil, rolling up his sleeves as he went. "Elladan, bring me some hot water please."
The elder twin did as he was bid, and also grabbed some clean, dry cloths. Elrond quickly washed his hands free of the dirt of the long road that he and the other two had traveled, and then laid a hand on Thranduil's shoulder.
Thranduil woke slowly, but his blue eyes locked onto Elrond, and he smiled wearily. "Elrond." he nodded in greeting. "Estel and Erestor were right in predicting that you would come."
Elrond nodded. "Of course. Rivendell is my home." Instructing the twins to wash quickly, he asked them to help Thranduil lean forward so that he could remove the bandages and check on the wound hidden beneath the white cloth. The elf lord's eyes raised in surprise when he saw the extent of the wound, which was still stubbornly refusing to heal.
Elrond thought for a moment, then directed Elrohir to make up an herbal paste that would help the wound to close, and would also ease the pain that the deep wound was still causing Thranduil. Gently resting his hand over the wound, he closed his eyes and called on his inborn healing abilities, steadying and strengthening the already powerful energies with his Ring.
The others in the room watched as Vilya lit up from within, the blue jewel shining brightly and small swirls of golden light coalesced in the air above the sapphire. Outside, the keen hearing of the elves could pick up the sounds of a strong breeze suddenly stirring the branches of the trees and blowing the scent of the rich gardens into the healing room.
The next day...Aragorn's Company...
As they set out for their journey to the Shire, Legolas couldn't shake a feeling of dread. Something about their imminent journey did not ring true to him. Perhaps the shadow lingers and is affecting me in my weakened state, he thought to himself as he mounted Arod. Gimli was pushed up after him and soon had a hold on the elf's waist. What is it that bothers me about this journey? Why do I feel we should remain or go to Gondor?
Shaking the feelings from his head, Legolas looked up to find Aragorn. Seeing the man, he nudged Arod and drew close to the king. "Do you feel this is the right course of action? I know I felt strongly that we should go to the Shire last night, but something is warning me today."
Aragorn shook his head. "I feel nothing amiss. You were right, Graelath will attack the Shire. He knows they are defenseless."
Legolas nodded. "And he knows we will go to their aid. Do you not think this is a ploy to lead us far from Gondor? So that Graelath will be able to attack Minas Tirith and Osgiliath when you are not near to counterattack?"
The king thought for a moment, for the first time uncertainty creeping into his mind. He has a point there. If I leave Gondor with only minimal guard, what is to keep Graelath from attacking it in our absence? Now Aragorn was in a quandary. He had no doubt that the Shire needed them, but now he did have a doubt. Perhaps Gondor needed him as well.
Arwen answered the question for him. "Do you think that Graelath has enough orcs to spread them so thin? He will not be able to mount a large-scale attack on Gondor unless he sends none to the Shire. You can not think that three people having visions is not a sign."
Legolas sighed. "Arwen has a point as well. Either place we go, we leave someone, somewhere, in danger. A hard choice it is." He glanced toward Faramir and Eowyn. "Perhaps sending them to Gondor would be wise."
Aragorn looked up, seeming to only now realize that Faramir was with them. "Yes," he muttered. Faramir showed his worth many times over, he would do well with the protection of Gondor if it were attacked in my absence. But what of the shadow, for he will not have Legolas to conjure the shroud... "Legolas? If I sent Faramir to Gondor, what would happen if the shadow befell them? Can you ask gweluthand to protect Gondor if you are not there?"
The elf prince faltered. "I do not know. I can try, but I do not know if it will work at such a distance. I think I need to be wherever I am protecting. I did not think of this." He was silent, contemplating. "I can ask it to, it is the most I can do for I will not leave your side."
Aragorn frowned. Either way, the Shire, Gondor and Rohan are all in trouble. If only we knew where this Graelath dwelt! We would be able to strike at him and perhaps kill him before he is able to destroy his opponents. "Then I will send Faramir to Gondor, tell him to up the city guard and be wary. The first sign of the shadow, he must send word with haste to the Shire."
The man knew this would do little to help Gondor if it was a target while he was gone. It took far too long to get from Gondor to the Shire and far too long to get back. If a shadow befell Gondor in his and Legolas' absence, he was not sure it would be able to withstand it.
Valar be with us this day. We are vulnerable and need all the help we can get. Aloud, Aragorn called to Faramir. When the man came, he explained his orders. "You must return to Gondor. We have reason to believe that Graelath might attack the city in my absence, this attack on the Shire could be a diversion." He was silent for a moment. "Gather the soldiers and take them a good distance from the city. I do not want the shadow to befall you immediately. If an attack comes, take them to the city then, but not before it becomes necessary. Avoid contact with the spell as long as you can. Be wary, may the Valar protect you."
Eowyn's face fell at the commands of the king. She would be separated from her husband. "Faramir, my love, please be careful. I will go to Helm's Deep with my kin, but I do not wish to hear of your death. As Aragorn said, if you avoid the shadow as long as you can, you may be victorious. Let us hope that Legolas' shroud can be wielded from afar."
They said their farewells in private, far from the eyes of the others. Then Faramir rode with only two soldiers, back to Gondor, to await an attack on the city.
Rivendell...
Most of the destruction caused by the orcs and Uruk-hai had been tended to by Aragorn and his people almost a week ago, but a gloomy air lingered over the city. Never before had Rivendell, a place of peace for all peoples, been so desecrated by the evils of Morgoth and Sauron.
Elrond spent much of the next few days after his arrival tending to Erestor and Thranduil, concentrating his energies on helping the elf lord so that they could discuss their next plan of action once the Elven-King was strong enough. The twins, Gandalf, and Lady Galadriel tended to the smaller details of running the household.
When Elrond finally judged Thranduil able to participate they all gathered in the Halls of Healing.
Elrond took a deep breath and began. "Very well. It is time to unravel the mystery behind these attacks. As everyone here probably knows, a message arrived from you, King Thranduil, claiming that you believed that there was great danger heading towards Eryn Lasgalen, and that you requested the counsel of myself, Gandalf, and Lady Galadriel."
Thranduil shook his head. "I sent no such letter, Elrond. I didn't even know that there was a threat to my people."
Elrond took this information in, and frowned, but said nothing.
"Ada?" Elrohir ventured to speak. "Elladan and I know part of the story as well. We were visiting Estel and Arwen in Minas Tirith, and Arwen received a letter from Princess Maranwe, which claimed that she had had visions of an attack on Eryn Lasgalen."
Elladan nodded. "Arwen let us read it as well." The elder twin frowned, trying to remember. "I think that there was also something in the letter about Maranwe sending letters to you and to Daernaneth as well."
Elrond looked interested in this. "Maranwe sent us letters? We didn't receive them, so they must have arrived after we had departed, unless they were intercepted."
Erestor shook his head. "No." He thought hard. "I am nearly certain that a second letter arrived from Eryn Lasgalen the day after you left, and I remember thinking that that was odd, but I placed it in your study with the rest of the paperwork."
Elrond rose swiftly and disappeared for several minutes. When he returned, he was clutching a scroll that had been marked with the royal family's crest, though the seal was broken open from Elrond reading the letter. "Elrohir was correct. This is a letter from Maranwe." The elf lord unrolled the scroll and began to read.
To Elrond Peredhel, Lord of Rivendell, from Maranwe Thranduliel, Princess of Eryn Lasgalen:
Greetings, my lord Elrond, and may the blessings of the Valar be upon yourself and your family.
I am writing this letter to you in hopes of seeking aid in a matter which has recently been troubling me, and disturbing my dreams. I know that you have the gift of foresight, and I was hoping that you would have some advice or counsel for me in such a matter.
I do not know if you are aware of this, but I also have the gift of foresight, inherited from my mother's side of our family. Lately, I have been troubled with visions involving the destruction of Eryn Lasgalen, and I feel like a shadow has descended on my heart. There is a threat looming to my people, but I do not know who to turn to, and I was hoping that you could help me.
I am writing of this now, because I fear that the events that will lead up to the truth of my visions have begun. My brother Legolas arrived from his new realm in Ithilien yesterday, and another vision followed in his wake, and the dread I feel has deepened.
I can not explain my fears in any other manner than this, because I do not know exactly what it is that I fear. The only thing that I have to guide me are my visions of the city being attacked, and my people slaughtered, but my visions are never clear enough to enable me to identify the attackers.
I do not know if you can help me, my lord, but I have faith in your wisdom, and I hope that you can tell me what I should do. I have not spoken of these visions to my father or brother, because they are both extremely practical and less inclined to take such insubstantial visions as proof...but...my heart is telling me that I already may be too late in writing to you.
I beg your assistance Lord Elrond. Please help me...help my people once you receive this letter. I am sending it by means of our fastest messenger hawk, and I pray that he will deliver this letter safely into your hands.
-Princess Maranwe Thranduliel
Elrond sighed. "If I had only gotten this letter earlier, we might have been able to avoid this entirely."
Thranduil was trying to compose himself, upon hearing the words written by his daughter, and her wisdom. She did indeed know him too well, and it was true that he was not one to normally accept foresight, though it probably wouldn't have mattered even if she had told him, for the shadow had been too strong to fight.
Gandalf shook his head. "Very well. Erestor, can you explain what happened here during the time that we were gone?"
Erestor nodded and began his part of the tale, informing everyone what had happened in the days following Elrond's departure, but he was unable to tell them much of anything, that all he could remember was observing Elrond's people enjoying themselves in the beautiful spring weather. Small celebrations and parties had been occurring everywhere, and after the War such light-heartedness was needed in order to banish the darker memories from only a few years ago.
Erestor told them that he had been walking through the gardens, when he had been confronted by a huge group of orcs. He had received the broken arm when one especially large orc had grabbed his arm and flung him to the ground when he had attempted to flee back to the house and call out the warriors. That had broken the cheerful atmosphere and Erestor had fought back with everything he had, hearing the screams from the rest of the elves as the orcs moved through the city slaying the people. The last thing he remembered was the group of orcs that he was fighting pinning him to the ground and beating him until his world went dark, until he had woken up in the house, with Estel, Legolas, and Arwen bending over him, tending to his injuries.
Elrond frowned after his old friend told his story. "Something came over all the people and made them cheerful, but it was broken when you were injured?" he clarified.
Erestor nodded. "Yes. It was like waking from an exceedingly pleasant dream into the worst nightmare imaginable."
Gandalf stroked his beard. "But what could cause such a thing? Not even Saruman was capable of casting such a spell, and Sauron has been destroyed. There is no other evil powerful or old enough to hold that kind of knowledge."
Galadriel's eyes darkened. "Then perhaps we should turn to the old histories. Mayhap there is something that we have forgotten in our long years because we felt that it was nothing more than a legend?"
Thranduil and Erestor glanced at each other, but it was Thranduil who spoke. "We think we know who is behind all of this."
All eyes snapped to the elven king. "Who?!" Gandalf demanded urgently. "Who could this be?"
Thranduil's eyes were sparking with anger, but he answered. "It must be the Black Wizard, for he is the only being with knowledge of such spells that might possibly still be alive. It has been years since I last saw him, but I will never forget his words at the time. 'I have no qualms with you now.' Those were his exact words."
Galadriel and Elrond's eyes widened in recognition, but Gandalf frowned. "There is no Black Wizard among the Istari."
Elrond shook his head. "Not among the Istari, my friend. Thranduil speaks of the Black Wizard Graelath, of the Great Wizard Council from the First Age. He was one of the immortal Ethaim, and no one knows what happened to him, because he was not slain when the rest of the Council was."
Thranduil nodded. "He was not slain, because he was the one who did the slaying."
Elrond looked incredibly furious, and the twins glanced at each other. It was rare to see Elrond like this, even they had only seen their father like this one other time, when the orcs had kidnapped their mother and beaten her badly enough that she had been forced to go to Valinor to heal and find peace. The elf lord quickly explained about Graelath to Gandalf and his sons, and slowly they all came to the conclusion that he must be the one that had done this.
Gandalf spoke with respect and anger. "If it is this Graelath, I would like to know how he could trick the two strongest elves in Middle-Earth into leaving their realms with such haste, and how I too could have been fooled." He leaned on his staff and sighed. "What were we thinking? Of course we had no reason to not believe King Thranduil."
Elladan ventured to speak. "What about Legolas, Erestor? What happened to him and Estel and Arwen?"
Erestor sighed. "They feared that an attack would come on Gondor during Estel's absence, so they left Thranduil and I here and rode for Minas Tirith. Legolas wanted to stay, but he felt that he would be needed in the fight against Graelath."
Elrond looked puzzled, but it was Lady Galadriel who answered, her voice soft and distant.
"Legolas has abilities most were unaware of. I believe that he has some protection from the shadow."
Galadriel, Elrond and Gandalf now looked to the twins to explain their part in the story. Elrohir spoke. "Estel and Arwen wasted no time when Maranwe's message came. They immediately rode to the city under the guise of making a state visit, and also sending men to Ithilien. We rode to Rivendell to inform you Ada, and we got here just before you arrived. We came with men of Gondor, but we met with resistance, a posse of orcs and lost our companions in a battle."
Elrond exchanged glances with Galadriel. "What abilities does Legolas have that none of us were aware of?"
"Legolas must know of his power. If they escaped unscathed, or even alive, he must have used magic." she said softly, a far-away look in her eyes.
Elrond's eyes widened. "Legolas can work magic? I did not know of it. A welcome bit of news this is. If Legolas possesses this magic, it is possible he is a descendent of Cellnen."
Thranduil shook his head. "There is no elf named Cellnen in our family line, Elrond. Not even on my wife's side."
The others were silent, but Elrond spoke again. "Perhaps all is not lost. If Graelath is indeed the perpetrator, he is smarter then we thought, but not in complete control. Do you think he knows of the prince?"
Galadriel was silent. "I can not say." she said. "I have had no indications that he might, but if Legolas continues to use his magic, Graelath will likely find out. He struck at the elves first because he does not wish to contend with our magic. It is the one thing that could be his downfall, if Legolas learns how to use his magic appropriately."
Elrond suddenly had a far-away look in his own eyes, and he stepped to the balcony. The doors were opened to let the sun and wind into the room. The silk curtains were blowing hard, and the wind swirled through the valley. As the others watched, the sapphire ring on his finger began to sparkle and glow with a swirl of golden light.
As the elf lord stepped out onto the balcony, the wind shifted, swirling around him and whipping his hair into a frenzy of dark locks. Elrond closed his eyes and stood there, not trying to contain the mess that the wind was making of his hair. Finally, the wind died away and he turned to the room's occupants.
"Now I believe Graelath knows about Legolas, for I feel that Legolas has used gweluthand to shield someone, though I can not say whom. I feel the air around here telling me it is so."
Galadriel nodded slowly. Her eyes seemed far off, as if she was not here in mind. "Graelath will attack again. He will not attack men, he has seen they are too numerous and strong. He will draw men from Gondor and Rohan, and then attack when they are not able to protect themselves."
Gandalf broke in, completing the thought. "Aragorn will ride to the Shire with Legolas, leaving Gondor and Rohan weak. They are riding into a trap. I do not think they know this; Graelath is undoubtedly cunning beyond most mortal comprehension, if he has survived this long. Aragorn and Legolas are too attached to their dear hobbit friends to see the danger of leaving Gondor and Rohan without leaders."
Elrond spoke now. "I do not think King Eomer will go with them. It is more likely he will act as his uncle did, lead his people to Helm's Deep. But they are still in danger. Now, it is of the utmost importance to find where Graelath dwells. But we have nothing to go on."
Gandalf sighed. "They will need our aid, yet Erestor and Thranduil cannot ride and we cannot leave them here alone. Either way, we have a confusing little tangle on our hands."
Erestor frowned and looked indignant. "Who says that I cannot ride? I do not have a broken leg, and the wounds that the orcs gave me are healing. There is no reason why I cannot come along."
Thranduil nodded. "I too am feeling stronger with each day that passes. Legolas healed me, and your aid has also done wonders for me, Elrond. If my son needs help, I will not be left behind. My people were killed because I could not fight off the shadow that engulfed us, but I will not abandon my son."
Elrond looked about ready to protest, since he was after all the most skilled healer among them, but Galadriel cut him off. "We must make haste, and they are elves, they will be able to heal on the journey. Right now, getting to the Shire is of utmost importance."
Elrond sighed, not willing to argue with his mother-in-law. "Very well, but this goes against my better judgment."
Erestor nodded. "Lady Galadriel is correct. We must make haste."
Elrond nodded. "Then we shall ride to the aid of the Fellowship, before it is too late."
Deana: Thanks for your continued support as usual! This is definitely not the last time I will hurt Legolas...it just gets better!! I might just have to stroll on over and read that "Race Against Time" you were talking about...
Amthramiel: Hmm...that's an excellent question. Can he tell Gweluthand to go somewhere he isn't...Well, we are just going to have to wait and see now aren't we?
Kelsey: LOL...I can stop there...and low and behold I did! BUT don't worry, in a few chapters you'll know what happens. I promise. Yes, Sam did go through a lot before he finally married Rosie, I can safely tell you I won't be killing her. And yes, I am liberal with my visions...ENJOY.
Mornflower: Glad you like...where did I get the idea for the plot? Oh...right off the top of my head. I sat down, started writing and what I first wrote was not what you are reading now. It was more like, 'Let's kill all the Elves and have Legolas be last of his kind,' but then my beta read it and BOOM this wizard and this twisted plot came out. I must be crazy to take on a story of this magnitude! Keep reading!
Pirate Gyrl: Yeh, poor Hobbits. We'll be getting back to them soon...stick with us!
Justpassinthru: Is Arwen pregnant? Uhm...I take the Fifth Amendment here...can't tell you what's going on.
Queen Shadow: I hope you like this chapter...and the next ones...You can try to give advice if you like, but I agree this story can be hard to predict in certain aspects. (And easy to predict in others...) If you want to become a good writer, just keep writing and you will automatically improve with practice. Thanks for the compliment...I appreciate it.
Chapter 11: Unexpected Meetings and New Concerns
Rivendell...
"Elrohir? Do you see anything? I am a little worried, we have not seen any border guards, and it is unlike Ada to leave the borders of Rivendell unguarded." Elladan was behind his brother on a pale brown horse, straining his senses to see anything he could.
"I do not see anything, Elladan. We are near to Rivendell; I too worry about the lack of guards. I can only hope that the fate that befell Eryn Lasgalen has not befallen our home as well. With the power of Vilya that Ada bears, I do not see how this could happen." He was silent now, as was his brother, as they both contemplated the implications of this.
Slowly, Imladris appeared before them, strangely still and quiet. Both kept their thoughts to themselves, not wanting to voice their fears. Never had they seen their home so desolate. Where were all the elves? Where was Lord Elrond, their father?
The horses nickered, not wanting to enter the city for some reason. The brothers had to coax them with soothing Elvish words. That's odd, thought Elladan; the horses have never had reason to fear Imladris before. Perhaps they sense something we do not.
Entering the city, the twins were surprised to find no one in sight, not a single Elf, nor any other signs of life were visible and their worry mounted. Though there were no dead bodies strewn about, the twins knew the fate of their fair home, for they could still sense the lingering evil that the orcs had brought with them.
"It is as we feared. Imladris has been attacked, just as Eryn Lasgalen. We are too late, my brother," Elladan said, his voice wavering with emotion. "We must find Adar; I do not see how this shadow could overtake him. He is too strong."
The brothers hurried toward the Last Homely House and immediately headed toward their father's healing chambers and study, hoping to find the Elf Lord there.
Entering the room, Elladan was met by the tip of a sword under his chin. "Who goes there?" A voice, edged with authority, came from the shadows to their right.
Elrohir, who didn't have a blade to his neck, answered in a loud, slightly angered voice. "It is Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond. This is our home, who dares to challenge us in such a way?"
To their surprise, the being gasped in recognition and whipped the sword down and away from Elladan. "Elladan, hir nin {my lord}! I did not know it was you! Please forgive my actions, but we are alone here and can not afford to be caught unawares by our enemies."
From the shadows emerged Erestor, holding a sword at his side. The exchanged warm greetings and then turned toward the far corner of the room when someone cleared their throat.
"King Thranduil!?" Elladan gasped, hurrying toward the Elf. "How did you get here?"
He was about to go on when Erestor raised a hand and stopped him. "Peace, Elladan, Elrohir, I will tell you the tale, for the King is too weak to do so himself." He smiled and quickly added, "though he will argue he is just fine. Now I know where Legolas gets it from."
Thranduil threw an annoyed look toward the advisor, but did not argue. In truth, ever since he and Erestor had perceived the hoofbeats approaching he had been rather unnerved and it had drained him. He had worried that the two alone would not be able to fend off an attack, should one have come to them.
While Erestor brought the twins up to date on the situation, as well as the whereabouts of their father and Glorfindel, Thranduil dozed off, still easily wearied due to his injuries.
"And so, they decided they had to go on to Minas Tirith and it was agreed that it was best to leave the King here until Lord Elrond returned. He was really in no condition to travel and..." he stopped suddenly at the sound of horses entering the valley.
Surging to their feet, the twins glanced at Erestor. "We have company," Elladan said quietly, returning his weapons to their rightful places, preparing to see who was approaching.
A hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Are you certain it is such a good idea to go out there, Elladan?" Erestor asked, worried that the young Elf would be harmed if it were enemies.
"No, it's all right, Erestor." He smiled now. "Orcs don't ride horses and I doubt that anyone traveling with them would either. I am going to simply go see who it is; I will keep out of sight."
His brother joined them. "I will remain here and help Erestor protect the King if the need arises, be wary muindor nin." (my brother)
Nodding, Elladan hurried out the door and weaved through the corridor toward the courtyard. He stayed hidden behind a column, waiting patiently as Elves always did, until the riders came into view.
Soon, two white horses and one black galloped through the gate and their riders came into full view. Elladan gave a cry of relief and hurried forward. "Adar!" he slowed upon recognizing the other two. "Daernaneth {Grandmother}! Mithrandir! It is wonderful to see you all alive and well!"
Lord Elrond leapt from the back of his black stallion and grasped his son's forearms, then drew the younger elf into a warm embrace, relieved to see his son alive and well, though his keen gaze quickly roved over Elladan, seeking any hidden injuries that the twins were prone to hiding. "Elladan, it warms my heart to see you well. When we arrived in Eryn Lasgalen and found the city destroyed and her inhabitants slain, we worried greatly for the safety of our realms."
His eyes were full of sorrow as he glanced around, taking in that there were no Elves walking about and that his oldest son was the only one to greet them. Gandalf and Lady Galadriel joined them now. "Where is your brother?"
"Elrohir is inside, Ada." The elder twin replied.
"Elladan, do you know the fate of our friends?" the lady asked.
Smiling lightly, Elladan gestured for them to follow him. "There is much you must be brought up to date on. Come, we will tell you everything."
He led them back to where he had left his brother and Erestor. Opening the door, he assured them all was well. "El, it's all right. Ada, Mithrandir and Daernaneth are here!" he relayed excitedly; standing aside to let them enter.
Elrohir immediately embraced his father in greeting and smiled at the other two. "I am so very glad to see you all. Much has happened here."
Elrond looked past his son to Erestor, and a frown came over his face at the sight of his long-time friend and advisor standing there with his arm splinted and in a sling to take the strain off of the broken bone. The elf lord stepped past his younger son and walked over to his friend, gently laying a hand on the splints and using his not inconsiderable healing gift to gauge the extent of the wound.
Erestor backed away however, and dipped his head. "My lord. I am not the one needing your care. Estel has already cared for my wounds." He turned his head and gazed at the bed that was along the wall, under a large window, where Thranduil still slept lightly. "King Thranduil is hurt worse than I, there was little that Estel could do for him, and not much more that I've been able to do in the past week or so."
Elrond also gazed at Thranduil, at the bandages encircling the other elf's chest, and the way that he was propped up against a small mountain of pillows. Seeing immediately what Erestor had meant, he stepped away from his advisor and moved quickly towards Thranduil, rolling up his sleeves as he went. "Elladan, bring me some hot water please."
The elder twin did as he was bid, and also grabbed some clean, dry cloths. Elrond quickly washed his hands free of the dirt of the long road that he and the other two had traveled, and then laid a hand on Thranduil's shoulder.
Thranduil woke slowly, but his blue eyes locked onto Elrond, and he smiled wearily. "Elrond." he nodded in greeting. "Estel and Erestor were right in predicting that you would come."
Elrond nodded. "Of course. Rivendell is my home." Instructing the twins to wash quickly, he asked them to help Thranduil lean forward so that he could remove the bandages and check on the wound hidden beneath the white cloth. The elf lord's eyes raised in surprise when he saw the extent of the wound, which was still stubbornly refusing to heal.
Elrond thought for a moment, then directed Elrohir to make up an herbal paste that would help the wound to close, and would also ease the pain that the deep wound was still causing Thranduil. Gently resting his hand over the wound, he closed his eyes and called on his inborn healing abilities, steadying and strengthening the already powerful energies with his Ring.
The others in the room watched as Vilya lit up from within, the blue jewel shining brightly and small swirls of golden light coalesced in the air above the sapphire. Outside, the keen hearing of the elves could pick up the sounds of a strong breeze suddenly stirring the branches of the trees and blowing the scent of the rich gardens into the healing room.
The next day...Aragorn's Company...
As they set out for their journey to the Shire, Legolas couldn't shake a feeling of dread. Something about their imminent journey did not ring true to him. Perhaps the shadow lingers and is affecting me in my weakened state, he thought to himself as he mounted Arod. Gimli was pushed up after him and soon had a hold on the elf's waist. What is it that bothers me about this journey? Why do I feel we should remain or go to Gondor?
Shaking the feelings from his head, Legolas looked up to find Aragorn. Seeing the man, he nudged Arod and drew close to the king. "Do you feel this is the right course of action? I know I felt strongly that we should go to the Shire last night, but something is warning me today."
Aragorn shook his head. "I feel nothing amiss. You were right, Graelath will attack the Shire. He knows they are defenseless."
Legolas nodded. "And he knows we will go to their aid. Do you not think this is a ploy to lead us far from Gondor? So that Graelath will be able to attack Minas Tirith and Osgiliath when you are not near to counterattack?"
The king thought for a moment, for the first time uncertainty creeping into his mind. He has a point there. If I leave Gondor with only minimal guard, what is to keep Graelath from attacking it in our absence? Now Aragorn was in a quandary. He had no doubt that the Shire needed them, but now he did have a doubt. Perhaps Gondor needed him as well.
Arwen answered the question for him. "Do you think that Graelath has enough orcs to spread them so thin? He will not be able to mount a large-scale attack on Gondor unless he sends none to the Shire. You can not think that three people having visions is not a sign."
Legolas sighed. "Arwen has a point as well. Either place we go, we leave someone, somewhere, in danger. A hard choice it is." He glanced toward Faramir and Eowyn. "Perhaps sending them to Gondor would be wise."
Aragorn looked up, seeming to only now realize that Faramir was with them. "Yes," he muttered. Faramir showed his worth many times over, he would do well with the protection of Gondor if it were attacked in my absence. But what of the shadow, for he will not have Legolas to conjure the shroud... "Legolas? If I sent Faramir to Gondor, what would happen if the shadow befell them? Can you ask gweluthand to protect Gondor if you are not there?"
The elf prince faltered. "I do not know. I can try, but I do not know if it will work at such a distance. I think I need to be wherever I am protecting. I did not think of this." He was silent, contemplating. "I can ask it to, it is the most I can do for I will not leave your side."
Aragorn frowned. Either way, the Shire, Gondor and Rohan are all in trouble. If only we knew where this Graelath dwelt! We would be able to strike at him and perhaps kill him before he is able to destroy his opponents. "Then I will send Faramir to Gondor, tell him to up the city guard and be wary. The first sign of the shadow, he must send word with haste to the Shire."
The man knew this would do little to help Gondor if it was a target while he was gone. It took far too long to get from Gondor to the Shire and far too long to get back. If a shadow befell Gondor in his and Legolas' absence, he was not sure it would be able to withstand it.
Valar be with us this day. We are vulnerable and need all the help we can get. Aloud, Aragorn called to Faramir. When the man came, he explained his orders. "You must return to Gondor. We have reason to believe that Graelath might attack the city in my absence, this attack on the Shire could be a diversion." He was silent for a moment. "Gather the soldiers and take them a good distance from the city. I do not want the shadow to befall you immediately. If an attack comes, take them to the city then, but not before it becomes necessary. Avoid contact with the spell as long as you can. Be wary, may the Valar protect you."
Eowyn's face fell at the commands of the king. She would be separated from her husband. "Faramir, my love, please be careful. I will go to Helm's Deep with my kin, but I do not wish to hear of your death. As Aragorn said, if you avoid the shadow as long as you can, you may be victorious. Let us hope that Legolas' shroud can be wielded from afar."
They said their farewells in private, far from the eyes of the others. Then Faramir rode with only two soldiers, back to Gondor, to await an attack on the city.
Rivendell...
Most of the destruction caused by the orcs and Uruk-hai had been tended to by Aragorn and his people almost a week ago, but a gloomy air lingered over the city. Never before had Rivendell, a place of peace for all peoples, been so desecrated by the evils of Morgoth and Sauron.
Elrond spent much of the next few days after his arrival tending to Erestor and Thranduil, concentrating his energies on helping the elf lord so that they could discuss their next plan of action once the Elven-King was strong enough. The twins, Gandalf, and Lady Galadriel tended to the smaller details of running the household.
When Elrond finally judged Thranduil able to participate they all gathered in the Halls of Healing.
Elrond took a deep breath and began. "Very well. It is time to unravel the mystery behind these attacks. As everyone here probably knows, a message arrived from you, King Thranduil, claiming that you believed that there was great danger heading towards Eryn Lasgalen, and that you requested the counsel of myself, Gandalf, and Lady Galadriel."
Thranduil shook his head. "I sent no such letter, Elrond. I didn't even know that there was a threat to my people."
Elrond took this information in, and frowned, but said nothing.
"Ada?" Elrohir ventured to speak. "Elladan and I know part of the story as well. We were visiting Estel and Arwen in Minas Tirith, and Arwen received a letter from Princess Maranwe, which claimed that she had had visions of an attack on Eryn Lasgalen."
Elladan nodded. "Arwen let us read it as well." The elder twin frowned, trying to remember. "I think that there was also something in the letter about Maranwe sending letters to you and to Daernaneth as well."
Elrond looked interested in this. "Maranwe sent us letters? We didn't receive them, so they must have arrived after we had departed, unless they were intercepted."
Erestor shook his head. "No." He thought hard. "I am nearly certain that a second letter arrived from Eryn Lasgalen the day after you left, and I remember thinking that that was odd, but I placed it in your study with the rest of the paperwork."
Elrond rose swiftly and disappeared for several minutes. When he returned, he was clutching a scroll that had been marked with the royal family's crest, though the seal was broken open from Elrond reading the letter. "Elrohir was correct. This is a letter from Maranwe." The elf lord unrolled the scroll and began to read.
To Elrond Peredhel, Lord of Rivendell, from Maranwe Thranduliel, Princess of Eryn Lasgalen:
Greetings, my lord Elrond, and may the blessings of the Valar be upon yourself and your family.
I am writing this letter to you in hopes of seeking aid in a matter which has recently been troubling me, and disturbing my dreams. I know that you have the gift of foresight, and I was hoping that you would have some advice or counsel for me in such a matter.
I do not know if you are aware of this, but I also have the gift of foresight, inherited from my mother's side of our family. Lately, I have been troubled with visions involving the destruction of Eryn Lasgalen, and I feel like a shadow has descended on my heart. There is a threat looming to my people, but I do not know who to turn to, and I was hoping that you could help me.
I am writing of this now, because I fear that the events that will lead up to the truth of my visions have begun. My brother Legolas arrived from his new realm in Ithilien yesterday, and another vision followed in his wake, and the dread I feel has deepened.
I can not explain my fears in any other manner than this, because I do not know exactly what it is that I fear. The only thing that I have to guide me are my visions of the city being attacked, and my people slaughtered, but my visions are never clear enough to enable me to identify the attackers.
I do not know if you can help me, my lord, but I have faith in your wisdom, and I hope that you can tell me what I should do. I have not spoken of these visions to my father or brother, because they are both extremely practical and less inclined to take such insubstantial visions as proof...but...my heart is telling me that I already may be too late in writing to you.
I beg your assistance Lord Elrond. Please help me...help my people once you receive this letter. I am sending it by means of our fastest messenger hawk, and I pray that he will deliver this letter safely into your hands.
-Princess Maranwe Thranduliel
Elrond sighed. "If I had only gotten this letter earlier, we might have been able to avoid this entirely."
Thranduil was trying to compose himself, upon hearing the words written by his daughter, and her wisdom. She did indeed know him too well, and it was true that he was not one to normally accept foresight, though it probably wouldn't have mattered even if she had told him, for the shadow had been too strong to fight.
Gandalf shook his head. "Very well. Erestor, can you explain what happened here during the time that we were gone?"
Erestor nodded and began his part of the tale, informing everyone what had happened in the days following Elrond's departure, but he was unable to tell them much of anything, that all he could remember was observing Elrond's people enjoying themselves in the beautiful spring weather. Small celebrations and parties had been occurring everywhere, and after the War such light-heartedness was needed in order to banish the darker memories from only a few years ago.
Erestor told them that he had been walking through the gardens, when he had been confronted by a huge group of orcs. He had received the broken arm when one especially large orc had grabbed his arm and flung him to the ground when he had attempted to flee back to the house and call out the warriors. That had broken the cheerful atmosphere and Erestor had fought back with everything he had, hearing the screams from the rest of the elves as the orcs moved through the city slaying the people. The last thing he remembered was the group of orcs that he was fighting pinning him to the ground and beating him until his world went dark, until he had woken up in the house, with Estel, Legolas, and Arwen bending over him, tending to his injuries.
Elrond frowned after his old friend told his story. "Something came over all the people and made them cheerful, but it was broken when you were injured?" he clarified.
Erestor nodded. "Yes. It was like waking from an exceedingly pleasant dream into the worst nightmare imaginable."
Gandalf stroked his beard. "But what could cause such a thing? Not even Saruman was capable of casting such a spell, and Sauron has been destroyed. There is no other evil powerful or old enough to hold that kind of knowledge."
Galadriel's eyes darkened. "Then perhaps we should turn to the old histories. Mayhap there is something that we have forgotten in our long years because we felt that it was nothing more than a legend?"
Thranduil and Erestor glanced at each other, but it was Thranduil who spoke. "We think we know who is behind all of this."
All eyes snapped to the elven king. "Who?!" Gandalf demanded urgently. "Who could this be?"
Thranduil's eyes were sparking with anger, but he answered. "It must be the Black Wizard, for he is the only being with knowledge of such spells that might possibly still be alive. It has been years since I last saw him, but I will never forget his words at the time. 'I have no qualms with you now.' Those were his exact words."
Galadriel and Elrond's eyes widened in recognition, but Gandalf frowned. "There is no Black Wizard among the Istari."
Elrond shook his head. "Not among the Istari, my friend. Thranduil speaks of the Black Wizard Graelath, of the Great Wizard Council from the First Age. He was one of the immortal Ethaim, and no one knows what happened to him, because he was not slain when the rest of the Council was."
Thranduil nodded. "He was not slain, because he was the one who did the slaying."
Elrond looked incredibly furious, and the twins glanced at each other. It was rare to see Elrond like this, even they had only seen their father like this one other time, when the orcs had kidnapped their mother and beaten her badly enough that she had been forced to go to Valinor to heal and find peace. The elf lord quickly explained about Graelath to Gandalf and his sons, and slowly they all came to the conclusion that he must be the one that had done this.
Gandalf spoke with respect and anger. "If it is this Graelath, I would like to know how he could trick the two strongest elves in Middle-Earth into leaving their realms with such haste, and how I too could have been fooled." He leaned on his staff and sighed. "What were we thinking? Of course we had no reason to not believe King Thranduil."
Elladan ventured to speak. "What about Legolas, Erestor? What happened to him and Estel and Arwen?"
Erestor sighed. "They feared that an attack would come on Gondor during Estel's absence, so they left Thranduil and I here and rode for Minas Tirith. Legolas wanted to stay, but he felt that he would be needed in the fight against Graelath."
Elrond looked puzzled, but it was Lady Galadriel who answered, her voice soft and distant.
"Legolas has abilities most were unaware of. I believe that he has some protection from the shadow."
Galadriel, Elrond and Gandalf now looked to the twins to explain their part in the story. Elrohir spoke. "Estel and Arwen wasted no time when Maranwe's message came. They immediately rode to the city under the guise of making a state visit, and also sending men to Ithilien. We rode to Rivendell to inform you Ada, and we got here just before you arrived. We came with men of Gondor, but we met with resistance, a posse of orcs and lost our companions in a battle."
Elrond exchanged glances with Galadriel. "What abilities does Legolas have that none of us were aware of?"
"Legolas must know of his power. If they escaped unscathed, or even alive, he must have used magic." she said softly, a far-away look in her eyes.
Elrond's eyes widened. "Legolas can work magic? I did not know of it. A welcome bit of news this is. If Legolas possesses this magic, it is possible he is a descendent of Cellnen."
Thranduil shook his head. "There is no elf named Cellnen in our family line, Elrond. Not even on my wife's side."
The others were silent, but Elrond spoke again. "Perhaps all is not lost. If Graelath is indeed the perpetrator, he is smarter then we thought, but not in complete control. Do you think he knows of the prince?"
Galadriel was silent. "I can not say." she said. "I have had no indications that he might, but if Legolas continues to use his magic, Graelath will likely find out. He struck at the elves first because he does not wish to contend with our magic. It is the one thing that could be his downfall, if Legolas learns how to use his magic appropriately."
Elrond suddenly had a far-away look in his own eyes, and he stepped to the balcony. The doors were opened to let the sun and wind into the room. The silk curtains were blowing hard, and the wind swirled through the valley. As the others watched, the sapphire ring on his finger began to sparkle and glow with a swirl of golden light.
As the elf lord stepped out onto the balcony, the wind shifted, swirling around him and whipping his hair into a frenzy of dark locks. Elrond closed his eyes and stood there, not trying to contain the mess that the wind was making of his hair. Finally, the wind died away and he turned to the room's occupants.
"Now I believe Graelath knows about Legolas, for I feel that Legolas has used gweluthand to shield someone, though I can not say whom. I feel the air around here telling me it is so."
Galadriel nodded slowly. Her eyes seemed far off, as if she was not here in mind. "Graelath will attack again. He will not attack men, he has seen they are too numerous and strong. He will draw men from Gondor and Rohan, and then attack when they are not able to protect themselves."
Gandalf broke in, completing the thought. "Aragorn will ride to the Shire with Legolas, leaving Gondor and Rohan weak. They are riding into a trap. I do not think they know this; Graelath is undoubtedly cunning beyond most mortal comprehension, if he has survived this long. Aragorn and Legolas are too attached to their dear hobbit friends to see the danger of leaving Gondor and Rohan without leaders."
Elrond spoke now. "I do not think King Eomer will go with them. It is more likely he will act as his uncle did, lead his people to Helm's Deep. But they are still in danger. Now, it is of the utmost importance to find where Graelath dwells. But we have nothing to go on."
Gandalf sighed. "They will need our aid, yet Erestor and Thranduil cannot ride and we cannot leave them here alone. Either way, we have a confusing little tangle on our hands."
Erestor frowned and looked indignant. "Who says that I cannot ride? I do not have a broken leg, and the wounds that the orcs gave me are healing. There is no reason why I cannot come along."
Thranduil nodded. "I too am feeling stronger with each day that passes. Legolas healed me, and your aid has also done wonders for me, Elrond. If my son needs help, I will not be left behind. My people were killed because I could not fight off the shadow that engulfed us, but I will not abandon my son."
Elrond looked about ready to protest, since he was after all the most skilled healer among them, but Galadriel cut him off. "We must make haste, and they are elves, they will be able to heal on the journey. Right now, getting to the Shire is of utmost importance."
Elrond sighed, not willing to argue with his mother-in-law. "Very well, but this goes against my better judgment."
Erestor nodded. "Lady Galadriel is correct. We must make haste."
Elrond nodded. "Then we shall ride to the aid of the Fellowship, before it is too late."
