Reviewer responses:
Karone Evertree: Thanks for the review…Aragorn is there!!! Enjoy
Deana: Thanks for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy this chapter…
KeshieShimmer: Glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy this one too. And the baby questions will all be addressed.
SageWriting: Here's your update. Enjoy.
Isiliel: Baby question answered soon. As well as Graelath's fate. Glad you liked and thanks for the congrats on the engagement.
Moonyasha: Enjoy!
Alatariel Narmolanya: Sorry bout the long cliffie. Hope you like this!!!
Yaviel: Thanks for the review. Thanks for the congrats on the engagement and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last one!
Zammy: Here's the update. Phoenixqueen and I just don't have schedules that jive…but I couldn't have written the story so well without her!
Kelsey: Thanks mellon nin! You're so sweet. Glad you liked the chapter, you shall see what happens and I think you'll like it. I don't want any 12-24 year olds out there to kill me when I'm done so you can guess Legolas' fate!
Insanechildfanfic: Hello and glad you like!
Dragonfire1214: Howdy! I know it took long to update…again…but I hope you like it!! Think Christmas time gift…I did Pick Orlando…but that doesn't mean I don't like Aragorn ALMOST as much…
Sweet-haret179: Glad you liked that. And that you felt the description put you into the story. I was trying for that. I want my readers to feel like they are there and going through it. Enjoy the next chappie.
Kirsten: I know you have read my stories and I wanted to thank you immensely for all the reviews you have left. AND for pointing out the bits that don't show up on SO…note to you…if you have a chapter you can not read…EMAIL me and I'll send it to you… !!!
Goldenshadows: Glad you read some of the story. You reviewed on Chapter 3, so I don't know when or if you will get to this chapter! Enjoy if you do!
Cyfloel: Thanks for reading! So you speak Chinese? I'm glad you took time to read my fic, seeing as it's in English and I know it is frustrating when I read stories in French because my first language isn't French! Enjoy!
Washow: Please don't worry…we WILL finish this fic. I've been real busy, but I promise you that I will not leave this hanging forever. I know the wait must be horrible and I'm sure I've lost readers because of it, but please hang in there.
A/N: Hey all. This was a long time in coming, I know, and I am sorry about that. We are nearly to the end of the massively long fan fiction and I am glad that so many of you have enjoyed and stuck with it. I shall try to get the end up soon, I hate keeping you hanging. When I am finished with the story…it will definitely be weird not hearing from you all. Thanks so much for the support, the reviews, but most of all, your reading!!!
-Gwenneth
AND Phoenixqueen…you are the BEST…you know that?! I want to thank you officially, in "ink" on here because I couldn't have done this without you!
Chapter 25: Fight for Freedom
Graelath's Tower…
Aragorn and the others raced through the tower corridors, ascending stairs and clashing briefly with wandering orcs and Uruk's. They were surprised they hadn't met with Graelath yet. Aragorn, in the lead, slid to a stop just inside a large chamber. He frowned when Elladan crashed right into him, knocking him forward a step before the Elf was able to regain his footing.
"Watch it!" Aragorn chided. "Something is not right here."
He had expected Elladan to answer, but instead, he was answered by another voice. A voice he did not recognize. "How rude to say something is not right when you are a guest in someone's home."
By now the others had reached Aragorn's side and everyone stood, weapons held tightly but not up, watching as someone stood from behind a tall, black chair. A shock of bright red hair and pale face greeted them with dull, lifeless eyes and a wide smirk.
"Welcome, King of Gondor, to my humble abode. I have been waiting for you." The man stepped forward, his black robes swinging with his power strides. "I am Graelath, the Black Wizard. And I will soon be the ruler of Middle-Earth."
He stopped a short distance from the group and looked them over. "Well, well, if it isn't Galadriel of the Golden Wood. Fancy meeting you here. I do recall saving you once and this is how you repay me."
Galadriel did not move. She only smiled lightly, staring right at Graelath. "You kidnapped my granddaughter and are keeping a good friend's son captive." She made no other attempt to speak, just stared at Graelath with her penetrating gaze that few could hold for long.
True to form, Graelath could not meet her stare for long. He was forced to look away from the shining eyes of the Elven Queen, and instead focused his attention on the rest of the group. "How sentimental…the mighty Fellowship of the Ring, reunited to once again save Middle Earth." He locked gazes with Elrond and Gandalf. "Quite interesting. Do you believe this to be a sign that the reunited Fellowship can defeat me?" He laughed a low, ominous chuckle that made several members of the group fidget. "You are welcome to try."
Aragorn, losing his control, shouted. "Where is my wife and where is Legolas?"
Graelath's smile only widened. "You mean the foolish Lothlorien elf that just strolled up here and asked to be captured? He's my…guest." Something about the way that he'd said that last sentence made Elrond and Gandalf shoot each other worried looks.
However, when Graelath mentioned that Legolas was from Lothlorien, everyone looked confused and puzzled at his mistake. What made him think that Legolas was from Lothlorien? Was it the fact that both he and Galadriel had golden hair, so the wizard thought that all the elves of Lothlorien had golden hair? Galadriel was one of the Noldor, but Legolas was a Sindarin elf with Silvan blood from his mother's side.
Graelath caught their looks of puzzlement and smirked. "Do not think that your plan of infiltrating my fortress with an advance member of your precious rescue party will succeed. I caught him easily enough, and you have only made it this far because I wished you to. I have more orcs and Uruk-hai at my command than you could possibly imagine."
Aragorn's patience was completely gone at the wizard's arrogant tone. "Where is Prince Legolas!?" As soon as the former ranger said that, he winced, somehow knowing that he had just royally screwed up.
It was Graelath's turn to frown. "Prince Legolas, you say? There are no princes of Lothlorien. Despite the fact that I have hated the elves for more years than you can know, that does not mean that I have not followed what goes on in their realms." He extended his arm, and a large black crow came and settled on his wrist. The wizard smiled. "These birds may not be the most intelligent creatures, but they are useful as spies." He stared at Elrond and Galadriel. "I know that your only child was the Lady Celebrian, Lady Galadriel, and that she became the wife of you, Lord Elrond." He laughed. "And I also know that she sailed long ago after a rather unpleasant incident, shall we say."
The twins stepped forward at this mention of their mother's fate. Gandalf reached forward and grabbed their shoulders, holding them back. Elrond's eyes flashed in anger and deeply buried pain at the mention of his wife, but otherwise he held his composure.
Understanding and comprehension suddenly washed over the wizard's face, and Graelath's eyes narrowed. "Legolas is the son of Thranduil, Elven-king of Eryn Lasgalen, formerly Mirkwood, is he not?" He focused on the King. "Your wife was clever, Lord Elessar, telling me that he was from Lothlorien so that I wouldn't know who it was that I held. Not that it really mattered what she told me, since it had no bearing on how badly I hurt him."
Elladan and Elrohir had to restrain Aragorn from rushing the wizard. "Why you! If you harmed one hair on his head…I'll kill you! If it's the last thing I do!"
The smile on Graelath's face disappeared and he gazed at Aragorn. "I didn't harm a hair on his head, but I did plenty of harm to the rest of him. And trying to kill me will be the last thing you do, King of Gondor, have no fear there." He fairly spat his words, anger rising at the man's insolence.
"Sîdh, Estel, sîdh. (Peace, Estel, peace.)" Elrond warned, careful to speak so only his son heard, though he doubted that Graelath understood Elvish. As he spoke, he could see that Graelath was appraising him.
Then the wizard's eyes focused on Thranduil, who was hovering at Elrond's elbow, his own anger boiling just below the surface at what he knew had been a painful time for his son.
Suddenly, the wizard smiled. "Ah, so you are all here then. Perfect…I had thought I would have to find you the hard way and hope I hadn't killed you off with the rest of the Elves. I never realized I had a way of drawing Thranduil here all along."
All eyes were focused on the wizard in confusion. Graelath laughed. "I see I have confused you. I will explain then," he said as he slowly paced the room, staff in hand. "I have known of the Elven Rings of Power my entire life. And I have no doubt that they are in the possession of the rulers of the three Elven realms…Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Mirkwood."
Galadriel, Elrond and Gandalf exchanged looks. The wizard, showing no outward signs of concern, thought to himself; So, Graelath assumed that Thranduil has the third Ring. And now he realizes he can get to Thranduil through Legolas which is why he was so interested to hear who Legolas was when Aragorn said it. This might work to our advantage. He cast a glance toward Thranduil, who looked discreetly back at him. The Elven-king knew what Gandalf was thinking.
In the meantime, the interplay between wizard and Elf went unnoticed and Graelath's smile broadened. "You have things I want, I have things you want. Perhaps we could arrange a trade."
Aragorn was shaking his head before the man began the sentence. "Give us what is ours and we will kill you quickly, wizard."
Again, Elrond grabbed his son. "Aragorn, that was not wise, ion nin (my son)."
But Graelath only laughed at the King. "Bold words for one whose wife and friend are in my hands, Aragorn son of Arathorn." He called toward a far door, across the hall from where Aragorn and his company had entered. "Moroch, fetch me the prince and the lady. I'm sure they won't want to miss this."
Whoever the wizard had addressed grunted a reply and left, never coming into the room. After a few tense minutes of quiet, they could hear scuffling in the corridor the orc gone down. Then, suddenly, Legolas was thrust into the room and Arwen led after him by another orc.
Aragorn saw Legolas stumble when he was shoved and he took in the pained expression on the Elf's face. His own face tightened in anger. Legolas had been worked over very well and he was wearing only a light shirt that was stained with his blood. His tunic was gone completely.
Thranduil looked about ready to go to his son, but a warning look from Elrond stopped him as well. Instead, he clenched his hands tightly around his sword and shifted his weight from one leg to the other, trying to ignore the growing pain in his wound and the urge to save Legolas.
Graelath chose to address the newcomers now. He moved in front of Legolas and grabbed the prince's chin to get him to look at him. Legolas jerked free from his grasp and fixed him with a furious glare.
The wizard frowned a little but chose not to punish the infraction. "So, despite Queen Arwen's lie, I now know the truth. You are not from Lothlorien; you are the son of Thranduil. Which means you can help me get something I want. I can't see it, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have it."
Legolas was confused now. What on Middle-Earth is he talking about? I don't see how knowing who I am changes anything, since he doesn't know I have magic…so what's this new bit of questioning?
The prince spoke slowly. "What are you talking about, Graelath?"
The wizard lashed out suddenly, hitting Legolas' wounded shoulder, bringing a short cry from the Elf. "Don't act ignorant! Your father has it, and I want it!"
Breathing deeply to try to stop the searing pain from Graelath's blow, Legolas didn't answer. He glanced past the wizard toward his would-be rescuers, confusion evident in his face, before locking eyes with his father and holding them. Silently, he asked for forgiveness from his father for leaving them, trying to convey that in his eyes where Graelath would be unaware of it.
Thranduil saw the look in his son's eyes and nodded ever so slightly, acknowledging Legolas' silent message and conveying one of his own to his son. Elrond, wanting to avoid further injury to the prince, spoke up.
"Thranduil doesn't have one of the Rings, Graelath. Legolas can do nothing to help you get it. They were hidden much better than that for fear that someone might figure all three Rings were in the hands of the rulers of the Elven realms."
Legolas' eyes widened in understanding and he hoped that Graelath would believe the Elf lord.
He watched tensely as Graelath pondered the Elf Lord's answer. "All right then. Say I believe you, Elf. Then who has the third Ring?"
Elrond, glancing at Arwen to see if she was all right, shook his head. "We can not tell you."
While Graelath was silent, Elrond stole a glance at the twins, locking eyes with Elladan and trying to assure him that Arwen was all right. The elder twin seemed to get the message because he laid a restraining hand on Elrohir's arm, since the younger twin looked about ready to make a break for their sister.
Elrohir looked up at his brother, silently communicating, than nodded at his father. They both understood. Aragorn was going to be harder. He was fairly fuming and looked about ready to snap at any minute. Silent looks would not stop Aragorn from doing something foolish.
As if on cue, Aragorn took a step forward. Graelath didn't notice him yet, as his gaze was distant while he pondered Elrond's statement. The king took another step toward his wife. This time, his movement did not escape the wizard.
"Oh, you mustn't do that, King Elessar," the wizard said half-heartedly, fully aware that the king likely wouldn't listen to him.
Legolas' eyes snapped up. I've heard those words before! The Elf thought to himself. Then he had it. "Aragorn no! My dream!"
Gandalf, hearing the prince's plea, knew something terrible was about to happen, though he didn't know what. He saw Graelath raise his staff, perceived his lips moving in a chant, and immediately reacted in kind.
A bolt of white fire erupted from Graelath's staff and headed straight for Aragorn. The rescue party scattered, diving for all corners of the room to avoid being caught by the bolt. Aragorn however could not move; the man was frozen in place. He closed his eyes; waiting for the impact he knew would come. But it never came.
Risking a glance, he cracked his right eye open a bit and saw there was nothing in front of him. Relief flooded through the King and he looked around, trying to ascertain what had just happened.
Gandalf was standing in front of him, his staff out in front of him, pointing at Graelath. The Istar was breathing deeply, like he had just run a marathon. In fact, he had been scared for a moment that he hadn't caught the threat in time.
Legolas' eyes were wide and he didn't let out his breath until he was sure that Aragorn was all right. Oh thank the Valar, he thought to himself. At least the dream has been averted and this wasn't all for nothing.
In the meantime, Graelath was looking closely at Gandalf. "I know of the Istari and the magic you possess. What you just did should not be possible." His eyes narrowed. "So, since you are not Ethaim, how did you do that, wizard?"
When he saw that Gandalf did not intend to answer him, he grabbed hold of Legolas and pulled a dagger from his side. Placing it against the prince's exposed neck, he spoke again. "How did you do that? Tell me or this one dies right now."
: Elrond, Galadriel. I cannot allow the wizard to kill Legolas. I feel strongly we will need him to win this fight. I must tell him of the Ring. : Gandalf said telepathically, drawing on the power of his Ring to make his thoughts heard. He felt agreement from the other two Ringbearers.
Focusing his attention on Graelath, he looked Legolas in the eyes, sorrow filling him at the look of guilt he saw there. "I am a Ringbearer," the wizard answered. "Thranduil does not carry the item you seek. I do."
Legolas' eyes widened. He never knew that the Istar carried the Ring of Fire. Shame filled him. If I hadn't been captured, Mithrandir would not have had to give himself away. This is my fault. All I wanted to do was help my friends.
Suddenly, and much to his surprise, the Orc holding him cut his bonds and thrust him forward. Graelath turned toward him and smiled. "I do not wish to kill a bound Elf. Therefore, I will kill you when you are free."
Before he could do anything though, the Black Wizard stiffened and spun to the side, his staff swinging out and batting away Elladan's sword. The elven twin had used the distraction provided by Gandalf to make a quiet, lethal rush for the wizard, but Graelath was too fast for him. The elegantly curved blade flew from the elder twin's grasp, flying through the air and slamming into the black marble wall with a crash and then hitting the floor with a clatter.
"Merith naghiar (Move not)!" Graelath cried and everyone in the room found themselves frozen, held immobile by the power of the wizard's spell. Eyes widened all around, for no one could move to make an attack on the wizard. They were all at the mercy of the Black Wizard now, and there was nothing they could do.
Graelath's smirk was disgustingly gleeful, for he knew that he now had the upper hand in the situation. He could hold the spell on all of them forever, and dispose of them at his leisure, beginning with the King of Gondor, and the others could do nothing to prevent it. They were unable to even close their eyes. They were only able to breathe, so they would be forced to watch as, one by one, he destroyed them.
Waving his staff, he focused on Aragorn and the King felt himself jerked forward as Graelath's powers pulled him forward to stand in front of him. Aragorn could see Arwen behind Graelath's frozen in place as well. She stared at him, and her beautiful silver eyes were full of tears. She knew that the wizard fully intended to dispose of Aragorn first, which would clear the way for him to take her as his Queen. Her eyes conveyed a message of love to the man, and he tried to send the same message back to her, but his sight of her was blocked by Graelath standing in front of him.
"I told you, King of Gondor. No one can defeat me. Your only hope was that brave, but misguided fool Cellnen, but since I killed him years ago, you have no chance of defeating me…and even he couldn't defeat me, not even with the help of that pitiful little blue mist that he had power over." He looked behind him to where Arwen was standing, frozen, before looking back to Aragorn. "You will die today, King of Gondor, but, before I kill you, I think I should reassure you that your lady wife will not be harmed. I fully intend, once you are dead, to take her as my Queen and raise your child myself." Turning slightly, without releasing any of them from the spell, he gestured to Arwen. "Now, my dear, you will see what I meant about having ways of making you submit to me. Come here."
Arwen was pulled forward by Graelath's power. She fought against it with all her willpower, but she wasn't strong enough to break free. She walked forward to Graelath's side and was forced to look him in the eyes as he leaned forward and kissed her full on the lips.
No one spoke; no one could do anything but watch helplessly as Graelath took pleasure in tormenting them with this disgusting sight. Arwen wanted to gag, she wanted to bite down on the wizard's mouth, but she couldn't move. All she could do was scream silently as the kiss went on and on. Another jab of pain tore through her, more severe than the previous ones. They were coming more and more frequently now, and she was frightened.
Finally, Graelath pulled away and leered at Aragorn, before sighing in contentment and nodding. "Lady Arwen will make a wonderful Queen for me, and I have no doubt that she will bear me strong children to continue the line of the Ethaim in Middle-Earth." Gesturing with his staff, he pushed Arwen away from him, back towards where she had originally been standing. He was fairly gentle, making sure not to damage the child within her, but she still fell to a heap on the ground behind him, back in the corner of the room.
"Now, it is time for me to finish with this little business. I will kill this one," he gestured towards Aragorn while looking around the room at the rest of the group, "and then claim my Rings and escort the rest of you to my dungeons, for I tire of this. Don't worry; you will all eventually join the brave, former King of Gondor. A pity that you had to interfere with me, for now the reign of the King will be cut tragically short." He smiled evilly at Aragorn. "Prepare to die, Elessar!"
He began to speak and Legolas knew he was using Etrain magic. He would not let the evil wizard kill his friend! Not after everything he went through trying to prevent that very occurrence!
Gweluthand, shield us please! He hoped she had enough strength after helping him heal himself, but he didn't have any other alternative. If she wasn't able to shield them, they would not make it out of here alive.
Much to his relief, the light blue mist of Gweluthand appeared around himself and his friends. In that instant, the spell that Graelath held on them was broken, and they were all free to move again. Aragorn took advantage of the wizard's surprise and dove away from him, towards Arwen. Legolas pulled away from the orc behind him and faced Graelath after making sure that everyone was free. He did notice, however, that Arwen was not among the shielded. This worried him.
Elladan lunged for his sword again and caught it up as everyone readied their own weapons, save for Legolas who had no weapons. Graelath was looking around incredulously. His eyes were wide with shock at the appearance of Gweluthand, so suddenly, and his eyes roved from the face of one elf to another until his black eyes came to rest on Legolas. A look of understanding, rage, and other unidentifiable emotions passed over his face as he realized what had happened. "YOU! You are the descendant of that half-wit Cellnen! I knew there was something wrong with the story you told me!"
Legolas shook his head. "I am not a descendant of Cellnen…but I do hold the same power he did. Now, Graelath, you will pay for your crimes against the people of Middle-Earth. Not only for the destruction of the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen and Rivendell, including my sister, but for the deaths of the people of Rohan, the hobbits of the Shire, and the Great Wizard Council."
Before Legolas could do anything, Graelath struck out, calling on a spell that was not Etrain, and as such, Gweluthand could not block it. There was a great flash of light and energy that struck the ground at Legolas' feet. The elf leaped out of the way and tumbled to the ground, striking the hard marble on his wounded shoulder. Pain tore through the deep, badly burned wound, but Legolas stifled the cry of pain that wanted to erupt from his throat. He wouldn't give the wizard the pleasure of knowing how much pain he had caused the prince during their earlier session.
Legolas had no clue what to do, and for once, there was no voice in his head telling him what to say to make his magic work. He didn't understand why his magic would abandon him, if Gweluthand was present and shielding them from Graelath. Before he was able to think on it, Aragorn shouted to him.
"Legolas! Arrow!"
The prince's keen hearing picked up the sound of an arrow leaving a bow, but not from Graelath's direction. He spun back toward the orc that had been holding him captive. As he spun, he thrust out his hand and in the blink of an eye had caught hold of the arrow shaft in mid-air. The shaft was not smooth like the arrows of the elves, and it grazed his hand roughly before he stopped it.
For a moment, Graelath didn't do anything. He couldn't believe the reflexes of the wood-elf, the last thing he had expected was for the Elf to catch the projectile, especially injured as he was. Anger surged through him. Nothing seemed to be going right this day and he was not going to be defeated now. Not when he was so close.
Legolas knew that Graelath would only hesitate a moment, so he wracked his brain for something to do. Suddenly, he heard the voice in his head again, speaking in the soft Quenya.
Legolas was suddenly struck with a realization, and he understood why he kept hearing a voice in his head. It was extremely simple once he put all the pieces together. He followed along with the chant, and before his eyes, a warm golden glow flowed from his hand into the arrow.
He wasn't sure what was about to happen, until he noticed the arrow's tip also glowing. In a split second, the arrowhead burst into flames. Without hesitating, and acting on an impulse that he didn't understand, he thrust his hand outward and the arrow sailed toward Graelath, propelled by the air itself as Legolas had no bow to shoot it from.
The wizard's eyes widened in shock as the projectile hit the end of his staff and exploded, setting the elegantly carved staff on fire and destroying it so that it was impossible to cast spells with it. He threw it away from him and it clattered to the ground. The orcs fled the room before the wrath of the rescue party could be turned against them.
Graelath's eyes narrowed. "You think I am defeated, Prince Legolas? You will find that I am not so easily finished. And now you have no weapon."
Legolas frowned. That was very true. The Orcs had taken his quiver, bow and knives, and put them somewhere, and he had no idea where to find them. He remembered what the book that Pippin had found in Gondor said. 'But despite his power, Cellnen could not defeat Ethaim magic, only block it.' If Cellnen could not defeat Graelath, how could he?
"Legolas!" Aragorn called, tossing his hunting knife towards the elf. It landed on the marble floor and skidded across it to rest at the prince's feet. Legolas snatched the elegant blade up, and then turned towards Graelath, the blade poised and ready. He doubted the wizard would be taken down by a thrown knife, for, despite being without his staff, he was still a healthy, formidable man.
: Legolas…I could not take the wizard down alone…but you are not alone. You have the strength of your friends and loved ones…use it, and you will triumph! : the familiar voice said to him, providing the prince with his answer, before breaking out into another stream of Quenya, which the prince immediately began to echo.
Before his eyes, Aragorn's knife floated in the air in front of his face, hovering there, waiting for something. Legolas tore his eyes away from the knife and locked eyes with Aragorn. The two friends stared at each other for a long minute.
"Together! Together we will end this madness now!" Legolas cried, breaking off the chant for a moment. "Our hearts must be united, they must be one! We are a Fellowship of friends and family, and that is the key to the puzzle that we could not find!"
There were puzzled looks flying towards Legolas, who continued to chant, increasing in volume with each word. There was a low humming filling the room, and Gweluthand's blue glow still lit the room, protecting them from the wizard's wrath and powers.
It was Arwen who first figured out what Legolas was asking of them. Pulling herself painfully to her feet in the corner where she had been flung after Graelath had kissed her, she cried out, "Together! Everyone, concentrate on what we must do! Give Legolas the strength to end this, once and for all!" With these words, Arwen faced the prince and raised her voice in a song, of hope for the future, of love for those dear to her heart. With each note, the Fellowship could feel power building from somewhere.
Slowly, one by one, each member of the rescue party joined in, in whatever way they could. Thranduil, Elrond, Galadriel, and Aragorn joined in Arwen's song, the power building still further. Legolas continued his chant, channeling the power that the elven song was producing. Gandalf raised his staff and began to chant as well, picking up on the prince's words and following him. Gimli and the hobbits, not knowing what else to do, simply began to speak, their words calling for Legolas to end it.
With each second that passed, the floating knife began to glow. The light grew brighter and brighter with each passing moment, with each word or note that passed from the lips of the Fellowship. Graelath had begun to shift uneasily, and he was watching the knife with wary eyes.
Finally, Legolas locked eyes with the Black Wizard. Then, he changed the chant and as if thrown by an invisible hand, the knife moved, whistling through the air, still glowing as the songs and chants continued.
Graelath tried to dodge the knife, but, with an eerie sense of guidance, the knife changed its course mid-flight, and buried itself to the hilt in the wizard's chest, knocking him back a step and sending him crashing to the ground. He clutched at the knife, unbelieving eyes locked on Legolas, who stood still, not finished with the wizard just yet.
The wound was bad, but not fatal and Legolas could not afford for the wizard to cast more spells. He knew that Gweluthand was shielding his friends and he momentarily forgot about the Etrain spells Graelath didn't need his staff for.
But when the wizard began to chant, his voice nearly breaking at the effort, but determination in his eyes, Legolas realized-to his horror-that Arwen was not shielded! She was still standing in the corner, half-hidden by the shadows and unbelievably, Gweluthand had not noticed her back there! His eyes snapped toward the Queen, who was clutching her abdomen tightly, hunched over, as the wizard's chant grew and then finally silenced. As the wizard's voice ceased, Arwen crashed to the ground, crying out in pain as she struck the marble floor.
Aragorn made a beeline for his wife, dropping to his knees as he reached her and pulling her into his lap, allowing her head and upper body to rest on his knees, supporting her weight with intense worry on his face. "Arwen!"
"What have you done to her?" two voices cried out simultaneously. Elladan and Elrohir had reached the wizard by now, both had their swords trained on him and were only restrained from striking killing blows by their father and grandmother's hands on their shoulders.
Legolas hurried over to Arwen, gently placing his hand beneath her jaw and looking into her eyes. Something is seriously wrong here. Gweluthand, please shield Graelath so his magic can not do us more harm.
The mist of the air shroud faded from the majority of the room, before reforming, surrounding the fallen wizard, who was smiling through his pain. Elrond and the others, seeing that the threat was gone, hurried over to the Queen.
"Lowgala, Frodo…" Legolas called over his shoulder, "Please, would you guard Graelath so he does not escape? We must see to Arwen!"
Frodo nodded and the hobbits and Lowgala all clustered around the wizard, watching him but sending worried glances towards where the others were gathering around the fallen Queen, whose face was crumpled in pain as she gasped for breath.
Elrond dropped to his knees beside his daughter. He placed his hands on Arwen's stomach and frowned, his face going still with concentration and his eyes going blank for a moment as he used his healing powers to try and figure out what the problem was. Everyone else waited with bated breath. It didn't take long for the healer to finish his probing. His eyes came back into focus and he looked down, meeting Arwen's eyes. The Queen's breathing had steadied, but her face was still filled with pain and fear.
"Have you been having pains, my child?" he asked, looking steadily at her, before glancing up at Galadriel, who knelt across from him on Aragorn's other side, next to Legolas.
For a moment, she didn't look like she would answer. Then, turning her gaze toward Legolas she sighed. "Since I was hit with one of Graelath's power bolts I have noticed sharp pains. They seem to be getting worse though." She was silent for a long moment, her eyes filled with fear as she looked from Aragorn to her grandmother and father. "Do you know what ails me, Adar?"
Looks were exchanged. Elrond took a deep breath, blinking back tears. "You are having a miscarriage, Arwen. The blow you suffered must have been the cause, not to mention the stress of the journey and of the battles you fought in. I am so sorry." He raised a hand and caressed his daughter's face, cupping her cheek in his warm hand as several tears dripped from his eyes to land on his tunic.
Legolas was mortified. It's all my fault! If only I hadn't allowed myself to be taken, if I had freed her, this never would have happened. Now they will lose the child. It is all my fault. Aragorn noticed the elf prince's face. He knew that expression.
Releasing one of his hands from their position on Arwen's shoulders, but not wanting to let go entirely, Aragorn reached out and gripped his friend's arm. "You are not to blame for this. If you could have prevented Arwen being hurt, I know you would have done so." His voice was heavy with the grief that he and Arwen were going to lose the precious child that she carried, but he was trying to be strong for his friend, who had been through so much lately.
Legolas looked up at the man in surprise. "How did you know I was blaming myself?"
Aragorn chuckled lightly, despite the heaviness in his heart at the ill news. "I know you, mellon nin. I know you well enough to read your emotions in your eyes.
Suddenly, Lowgala piped up from where he was guarding the fallen wizard. "Hey, he's not doing too well. Someone might want to come see!"
All eyes turned on the wizard, though none of them held any pity or remorse for the condition the man was in. He was indeed failing, his eyes were glazed and his breath came in short, sporadic gasps.
The group parted and pulled back, gathering around the wizard, without coming too close to Gweluthand, but making sure that Aragorn, Arwen, and Elrond could still see. Legolas came last, but pushed his way to the front of the gathered group and addressed Graelath.
"You cast a spell just before I shrouded you." He stated matter-of-factly, his voice cold and toneless with repressed rage, sorrow, and guilt. "What did you do?" he asked, kneeling near the wizard, careful not to enter the shroud where he would be susceptible to the spells of the wizard.
To his surprise, and dismay, Graelath smiled. "My last blow to you all. You ruined my plans, I will ruin your lives!" he coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. When he caught his breath, he continued with a smile. "The Queen will bear no more children; I have cast a spell to make her infertile. Gondor will have no heir, Elessar and Arwen, no children to brighten their lives. Every lonely day you will remember me and know I took that from you."
His breathing grew more labored and he was wracked by a fit of coughing that seemed to have no end. Legolas, fuming at the news, ignored the gasps of horrified surprise and narrowed his eyes. Before he could say anything else, however, the now-familiar voice spoke again.
: Wait Legolas. Do not slay him. :
Legolas was incredulous. Why should I not? He has murdered, and he must pay the price.
: Yes, but it is the right of the Valar to dispense such justice. He has committed horrible crimes, yes, but he is still a living being. His life has been filled with pain and loss, and in his grief, he struck back at those who had no blame in the cause of his pain. If you slay him now, you will be a murderer too, no better than he is. : There was a brief hesitation. : That is why I could not kill him when I had the chance. I knew what I was doing was wrong, and, deep down, I didn't want to kill him. In a way, this is as much my fault as it is his, but I long ago forgave him, with my dying breath. Forgive him, Legolas. There is nothing he has done that cannot be undone, including the spell he cast on the Queen. Forgive him, and give him the chance to heal, to reclaim those he lost, even as you and the others will one day reclaim those that you have lost. The Valar will judge him for his evil deeds. It is not your place to do so. It is your place to offer forgiveness. Trust me, Legolas. :
Legolas considered these words, this plea, for a long minute. Though every fiber of him screamed to end the wizard's life here and now, something else was telling him that Cellnen was right. Cellnen was the person that had spoken to him. He didn't know how, or why, but he knew that the other was correct.
"Thank you, mellon nin, I will do what you never had a chance to do," the elf whispered, not caring that the words brought odd stares in his direction. He looked to the Ringbearers and spoke quickly. "Cellnen has told me what must be done. We have a choice to make; shall we allow Graelath to pass to nothing, or should we grant him reprieve and send him to Mandos' Halls?"
The first instinct from the group was to let him rot, judging by the cries of anger at this suggestion. But as they stood and watched the wizard choke on his own blood and gasp for air, they perceived something in his eyes that they never thought they would see.
Pain.
But not physical pain. No, it was deeper than that. Emotional pain. Graelath regretted something.
Galadriel, knowing more of his history than the others, spoke up. "I believe the power of the Elven Rings should be used as they were meant to be used; to help someone. Let us send him on to Mandos' Halls, where after being judged and punished for his crimes he will be reunited with his family."
The wizard's eyes widened at the she-Elf's statement. "You…would…do that?"
Galadriel looked down at him, and despite her grief, she was able to smile kindly at the person that had caused them such pain. "You were once noble and kind, Graelath, Black Wizard. Perhaps in death you will be as you once were." Elrond rose from his daughter's side and came to stand between Galadriel and Gandalf, as the twins took his place next to Arwen.
Legolas looked around. "Do we all agree?"
Even Arwen, to whom the meanest hand of all had been dealt, nodded her agreement. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, watched from behind as the three Ringbearers brought their hands from their sleeves and began to speak in the High Tongue. One by one, the Rings became visible to all, and the jewels on the Rings lit up from within, radiating a glow that matched the color of the stone.
Legolas watched and as each Ring responded to its bearer, something inside him told him what was happening to the wizard as the Rings' powers gatherered and built, the light increasing as the power grew stronger. Taking a deep breath, he listened to Cellnen's voice in his mind, beginning to speak softly, a low harmony to the powers of the Rings.
Red, from Narya, the Ring of Fire, to burn away the hatred that Graelath had felt.
Blue, from Vilya, the Ring of Water, to wash away the pain of that long-ago loss.
Clear white light, from Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, to bring healing and peace to a soul that had long been held in torment.
Graelath's eyes widened as he felt a cold, numbing chill begin to spread from the wound in his chest. The blood flowing from the knife wound began to lighten from dark red, to light red, to pink and lastly to clear.
Suddenly, the Hobbits heard commotion from the corridor. Orcs! Frodo thought. Knowing that the others could not be disturbed, the Hobbits exchanged glances and pulled their swords from their sheaths. Sting began to glow a radiant blue in Frodo's grip.
"Come on," Merry whispered. "We can handle this on our own." And they stole off toward the door. It was indeed Orcs, lead by Moroch, who up until now the rescuers had not gotten a look at. The Orc drew a crude scimitar and brandished it at the nearest Hobbit, which happened to be Pippin. But the young Hobbit wasn't caught unawares and he parried the blow with ease. All four of the Hobbits had gotten rather good at swordplay during the War, and they fought back, desperate to protect the Elves while they finished their task.
A few short, fierce seconds later, more Orcs and an Uruk-hai archer entered the corridor just outside the chamber. Quickly the tide was turning against the hobbits. Suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, a Dwarven battle cry erupted and an axe impacted the chest of the archer, sending him backwards and to the ground.
Gimli raced forward and pulled his ax from the body, whirling it a bit, and then plunged it into the nearest Orc. "Thought you four could use a hand out here, seeing that those Elves are busy talking in there."
Frodo chuckled at the sarcasm in Gimli's words. He might still act like he didn't like Elves, but everyone knew he greatly respected his Elven friends. And everyone also knew, they were doing much more than talking in there.
The battle quickly ended once Gimli and the Hobbits joined together and they wasted no time in hurrying back into the chamber. Skidding to a halt just beside the twins, Arwen and Thranduil, they watched the passing of Graelath.
Graelath's eyes met those of each person in the room, including Arwen and Aragorn. His mouth moved, but no sound emerged. As they watched his eyes began to change, turning from deep black to a rich blue. And in those eyes was regret, and sorrow for the pain he had caused. Honest, true regret, Legolas knew as the wizard focused on him.
: Good-bye my friend. May you find healing beyond the white shores. : Cellnen whispered quietly, even though no one but Legolas could hear him.
And the wizard drew breath no more.
