Upon Shattered Dreams
Chapter 1- Interrupted Council
Legolas swung off his horse and looked about him. Trees blossoming with beautiful leaves that seemed to shine gold filled the pathway. The air held a crisp refreshing scent. Even the sky seemed brighter and bluer here. Everything was perfect.
Imladris.
He loved his home, Mirkwood, so very much. The forest had his heart and never ceased to fascinate him. The ancient knowledge the trees held was beyond that of any wise elf. But Rivendell was an entire different matter. It was the centre of the elves' wisdom, more beautiful beyond one's imagination. Delicate, yet powerful, no other place in Middle Earth apart from perhaps Lothlorien could compare with Rivendell.
Legolas patted his horse and the chestnut stallion neighed gently in reply. Then, with an affectionate nuzzle to its rider, it trotted off into the sunset, swinging its tail. Legolas's smile widened. His sharp elvish hearing picked up the sound of trickling water in the distant. Legolas contemplated going on a walk through the elvish city. It was still early, but he feared that he would lose count of time. After a few minutes of battling, his eagerness to walk through the gardens of Rivendell finally won.
Legolas wondered off, weaving in and out through the tall straight trees. Overhead, birds chirped pleasantly as he treaded lightly over the stone paths. There were all kinds of plants and flowers that he had never seen before. Large as the Mirkwood forest is, it lacked the variety which Rivendell offered. It had been so long since he had visited Imladris, thought Legolas. Too long.
Legolas stopped abruptly. Did his ears deceive him or had he not just heard a faint rustling of leaves? He swung his head left, and then right again, but could not pick out anything. Was it really just his imagination? He was just about to move onwards when he heard it again.
There, it was definitely there- a faint rustle amid the trees. Legolas grew wary, and mentally prepared himself for an attack. He reached for his bow and took a few cautious steps forwards, eyes and ears alert. He kept his eyes on a few tall trees which were shedding golden leaves, guessing that the origin of the sounds was hidden amongst there.
For a few moments, he waited. But nothing happened. Legolas was about to turn away when he spotted a shadow pass across the canopy of leaves. With its movement came a small rusting of leaves. He drew out an arrow and fired. The arrow pierced through the top of the trees and disappeared.
A figure plunged down from the branches and tumbled into a large pile of fallen leaves, making a noisy 'crunch' sound. Legolas drew his bow again and walked forwards cautiously, ready to fire if the figure made any attempt to escape. Legolas looked down. A small hand reached out from the pile of leaves and a person emerged. Legolas almost released the string but stopped himself in time.
Legolas could've laughed out loud. He restored the arrow to his quiver and smiled down at the small elleth who laid in the pile of leaves. She was quite a strange marvel. She had long blond hair, which after the previous incident, is full of twigs and leaves, and the torn garments which she wore only made her look more like a homeless child.
The little elleth turned her head around and rubbed her eyes. Then she looked at Legolas, who for the first time saw her face. The first thing that registered in his mind was her startling beauty. The second thing that struck him was the depth of her deep cobalt eyes. They seemed to sparkle with life and intelligence.
There were several scratches that rang up along her thin arms- a result from the sudden fall. Legolas felt suddenly very guilty, for it was his arrow that caused her to fall out of the tree in the first place. So smiling, he extended his hand and said, "Suilad. Hello"
The little elleth stared back at him, eyes wide open in wonder. But she did not take his hand, nor reply.
Legolas frowned. "What are you doing in the gardens, little one?"
Again, the only answer he received was silence. Frustrated but curious, Legolas tried again, this time deciding to use Common Tongue instead of Elvish. "Are you hurt?"
To his astonishment, the little elleth opened her mouth. But then after a moment, she closed it again, and had not made a reply. This confused Legolas greatly. Why did she not speak? She had understood his words, he knew. Then why did she not answer him? Unless…
She was mute.
"You cannot speak, can you?" he asked. The elleth looked at him dumbly for a moment, but then nodded.
Legolas smiled kindly at her. "It's alright little one. I mean no harm." He extended his hand again, and this time the little elleth took it. She stood up, and dusted herself before she gazed upon Legolas again, this time curiosity filling her eyes.
Legolas moved a step closer.
The little elleth leaped backwards, fear filling her round blue eyes. She threw Legolas a last look before scrambling through the trees and disappearing off into the sunset. She was gone before Legolas could blink.
On the way back, Legolas couldn't help but think about his encounter with the little elleth. She was such a curious little thing. It was a pity that he did not find out more about her. She was probably one of the elves that dwelled in Rivendell, or perhaps she may be lost. But one question he could not rid of in his mind.
Who was she?
For the next few days, Legolas constantly thought about the mysterious little elleth. He took numerous other walks around, in hope to catch a glimpse of her again. But he did not see her, which puzzled him greatly. But as the day of the council drew nearer, he found his thoughts straying back to the crisis he was sent to Rivendell for- the rising of power of Sauron.
The council was not going well. Apart from the escape of Gollum, there was also now the treason of Isengard. Saruman the White, who had long been an ally, had turned against them to join the dark forces of Mordor. Indeed, this was the worst news he had heard in a while.
Then there was the debate of the fate of the ring. The man from Gondor- he did not like him, nor did he trust him. Whenever he spoke, Legolas felt greed and desire radiation off him. It was not a good omen. And then there were the dwarves. Long was the feud between the two races of Elves and Dwarves, but never had Legolas encountered one as stubborn as Gimli son of Gloin.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," said Boromir eerily, "Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The evil eye is ever watchful. 'Tis a barren waste land, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10000 men could you do this. It is folly."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond just said? The ring must be destroyed!" cried Legolas.
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" shouted Gimli.
"And if we fail, what then?" asked Boromir, "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" shouted Gimli.
As calm as the elves were, Gimli's last remark agitated them deeply, and set alight some of the fire of old feuds. All of the elves stood up simultaneously and rebuked for their dignity.
Soon, Gandalf joined the fight and all of the members of the council were shouting on top of each other. It did not seem like a meeting between civilized important members of the community, but rather like children arguing who would be up first for tag. Each race spoke for its own benefit, its own beliefs. None were willing to take a step back to listen to others. It was not possible to hear any voice alone. But no one was willing to stop- everyone was eager to prove their own point. The quarrel heated and grew louder and louder, until it was even impossible to hear one's own voice.
Legolas's ears twitches, as his sensitive hearing picked up a noise from afar.
It was laughter.
Clear, pure, crystal laughter. It sounded like chimes, ringing and echoing. The laugh was so beautiful and joyous, and Legolas's spirits lifted.
The elves around Legolas heard it as well, and fell silent, causing whoever they were arguing to stop speaking as well. Within moments, the quarrel suddenly died down, and there was an eerie silence. The only sound that was heard was the laughter. It was so pure, so unrestrained and natural, pleasant and melodious. Everyone stared, uncertain of what was coming.
The laughter drew nearer.
There were a quick rush of footsteps and rustling of leaves. Behind some bushes suddenly popped out two elvish children, one boy and one girl. They took a glance backwards, and kept running, smiling widely. But the laughter did not originate from them. Theirs was humorous and childish, and the laughter the council heard was lighter.
Suddenly from behind the two children, popped up a small elleth. She sprung from behind, and shocked the little children. They fell the ground, and laughed. The elleth laughed as well, and her loose golden hair glowed underneath the afternoon sunlight.
The council watched, eyes open and jaws wide with shock and amusement. Here was a gathering of the most important people of Middle Earth. There were those who had shed blood in the worst battles, been through hell and back, and in the middle of a fiery and useless quarrel, they were interrupted by a small girl's laughter.
The trio raced around, still not knowing that they were being watched. The children stumbled upon the steps, followed by the elleth. The girl looked up, and seeing the face of Lord Elrond and the rest of the council, gasped, and quickly dragged the boy away. The elleth stood up, dusted herself, and looked around for the children, who had now disappeared away. Only know did she notice the members of the council watching her intently.
She took a few tentative steps backwards, and gazed at them fearfully.
Legolas gasped. "It's you!" he exclaimed in recognition.
Everybody's eyes turned to the Prince of Mirkwood. "You know her, Legolas?" asked Elrond.
Legolas shook his head. "I know this elleth only by sight and not name. I met her a few days ago upon a stroll in the gardens. I thought she was perhaps one of the elves here."
Lord Elrond shook his head. "She is no elf," he said. He raised his hand and lifted a strand of golden hair that covered the elleth's ear away. The little elleth, or elleth no more, flinched.
Legolas and the rest of the council gasped. Her ears were round.
"She is human!" Gimli shouted.
"I did not know the race of men could produce one so fair," commented one of the elves.
"Indeed she has the looks and grace of an elf," commented Aragorn, "Except her height."
The lass looked at them, eyes full of curiosity.
"What is your name, child?" asked Elrond kindly. The girl stared back at him.
"She is mute," explained Legolas.
"She had intruded a secret council," said Boromir.
Lord Elrond turned back to face the man of Gondor. "She stumbled upon it by chance."
"She could be a spy," retorted Boromir. "Who knows who she is?"
The girl turned to gaze upon Boromir, but then her eyes fell onto the ring. She took a few steps forwards, and brushed past Lord Elrond. Her deep blue eyes became fixated on the small ring that lied upon the stone table. She did not blink. It was as if she was in a trance… She stopped and her hand reached out for the ring. It drew her. Her hand moved closer-
"Do not touch the ring!" cried Gandalf.
All of a sudden, the girl flinched, and blinked, as if she had just awoken. She gave a cry, and raced away before anyone could stop her.
"I wonder who she is…" mused Gandalf, "She does not reside here?"
"No," replied Elrond. "Something in my heart tells me that she is of great importance. Though how one like her could be confuses me."
"She is a human," said an elf gruffly, "And a girl too."
Elrond shook his head sadly. "I shall send Arwen to look for her. I trust she will not run far. Let us all go back to the matter at hand."
Before residing his seat again, Legolas thought he caught a glimpse of golden hair amongst the bushes.
Feyt wiped away the sweat on her face. Great, she thought sulkily, just great. Not only has Cosmos lost all her memories, but the intertravel from different worlds had also damaged the part of her mind that controlled the voice. But that will heal over time, Feyt thought. Then she smiled as a bright idea hit her. How come I didn't think of this earlier? She wondered.
Sometimes I really am a genius.
A/N: Thank you all so much for your support… it's sooo much appreciated! I love hearing from all of my readers. Please keep supporting me. I know this chapter was slow in coming out, but I found it quite hard to write, and there are numerous bits which I'm not particularly happy about… but it'll have to do. Also I was really busy coz of school... but now I'm on holidays! No prizes for guessing who the mysterious 'elleth' is! ; )
In reply to some questions to couples… come on… it was sooo obvious in this chapter! If you still haven't figure it out… well… then either 1) go hit yourself on the head 2) check if you have short term memory loss or 3) reread the chapter. I swear… there are no tricks involved. It is very straight forward. But I might change it… you never know (Oh I can just feel the power!)
Thank you goes to these people:
Samantha: Sorry... Endymion isn't reborn in this story... I mean... what would be the fun of a crossover in that? Thanks for reviewing!
Callisto Star: Would you believe me if I told you that your story was the first LotrSM crossover I read? I love "Tears of a Moon Elf" (don't know it in elvish) I don't own the spelling of FEYT because I stole that off a book I read. I do own Destiny's spelling though. I'm glad you like it!
SilverAngelCosmos: Well... I think you know who's she's matched with from this chappie!
ParasiteEve: Your wish has been granted!
Queen Diamond: I hope I cleared it up a bit better. All that fate destiny stuff is confusing. I get confused too and I'm the author!
Flame Ivy Moon: Thanks for reviewing!
Angelwings6117: Thanks for the compliments!
Princess Moonshadow: I have updated!
Lyrabird: You're in england... I don't know if you can read this... but have fun and say hi to emma for me!
Seren Lunar Echo:Sorry to disappoint you... but Strider and Cosmos will become VERY close... like brother/sister type... that good?
Calime07: I think you'd know who's fate it is now!
Loveandpeace: Thanks for dropping in!
Sarobando: I know that you are suffering a lot to read this, and I'm really appreciative!
Okay... here's something important... I need help. There is a lot of elvish involved in this fic... and I don't know any elvish translation sites... (hence why there's some elvish bits missing)... and therefor could someone please give me a site? Thanks in advance!
That's all for the moment...
Have a great day!
Amyranth