The Power of Love
Disclaimer: I own nothing of J.R.R. Tolkien's and in no way mean any disrespect towards him in the process of writing this story. All characters except those created by me belong wholly and fully to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Chapter 18: The End of The Beginning
Araviniel laid silently in the dark. The soft sheets of the bed were no comfort. Images flashed like painful pricks of needles. The hate and the pain swirled with the love and the comfort. Her mind was at a breaking point Tired, restless, worn, beyond the small comforts of sleep she was. The sheets were soaked with her sweat. The nightmares kept coming and coming. Like a foul wind that she was unable to seek shelter from. So much death and so much disorientation.
She finally pulled herself free from the tangled sheets that had wrapped around her like ropes and sat on the stone floor. She went into a meditating position and closed her eyes. The cold floor sent a chill over her clammy, moist skin. Her stomach was in knots. Nothing seemed to help. She rose and got a small drink of cold water. Her white nightgown was wet and clingy. She quickly placed her glass down and whipped the gown over her head. She went and got out a thin violet nightdress and a silky purple robe. As she put on the nightdress she tried to calm her mind.
The elvish embroidery waved over the robe in silver strands. She traced it absentmindedly with her long fingers.
Her bare feet were cold. She suddenly no longer felt warm. It was as if her blood had been frozen inside of her veins. She immediately realized what she was feeling. Death. Alphril. The palace was rank of it. The echoes of her sweet laughter and silent steps shrouded the halls and haunted the silence. The final strokes of the midnight hour faded as the moon rose higher. She suddenly realized that it was not herself that had been feeling all these things; it was Legolas. She was feeling his pain, his emotions, his chills, and his need for warmth. She had somehow connected with him during her sleep and felt his very soul.
She quickly threw her robe on and left her chambers, silently. Her silky clothes waved around her as her quick and silent steps led her onward. As she ventured down the hallways she heard the beating of his heart pound harder in her head. He was finally coming to terms with Alphril's death; His precious little sister whom he loved and adored and was so proud of. His broken and tortured heart sought solitude so as not to shame himself in public with his tears.
Her bear feet carried her swiftly through the large stone hallways until she finally came to his door and knocked softly. No one answered. She tested the door and it opened silently. He had forgotten to lock it. She went past the strewn clothes on the Floor of the sitting chambers. As she passed through the moonlight that was shining through windows she braced herself for the worst.
She went to the door to the bedchambers and opened it quietly. Inside she saw an awful sight. Legolas was sitting with his back braced against the bed His knees bent and his hands holding his head. She heard his sobs and she felt the intense pain emitting off of him. The luminescent glow of the moon sent strobes over him and radiated off of him like heat. His golden hair looked like slivers of the sun. His bedding was in tangles and his bare chest was shaking with the forced breaths. His white cotton pants were clinging to his legs and his hands were trembling against his face.
Araviniel went to him and sat in front of his bent legs. She placed her hands on his knees and laid her head on top of them. He stirred somewhat and she felt a trembling hand run over her hair. She slowly picked up her head, unprepared for the sight of his face. His eyes were open into his soul and she saw pure sorrow and grief.
The shocking pain hit her like a punch and she took in a sharp breath. Her hands found their way to his face and she let her fingers trace every inch. His tears weaved into her fingers and she stared down at them. Immediately she withdrew her hand as if she had been shocked. It was as if a cold fist clenched her heart in a deadly grip. They were not alone here. She could sense it. Some evil gave power to his dread. Some terrible hate drove his thoughts to anger and pain.
She had never felt so much hatred in all her life. It scared her more then anything she had ever known. She shook her head and swallowed. Quickly she masked her thought and took a deep breath, making eye contact with him once again.
She smiled at him softly and wiped away some of the falling tears. She pushed his knees down so his legs were flat to the floor and she took his hands in hers. She pulled at him till he was on his feet and she brought him to the bed. She crawled over the bed and then pulled him up after her. He lay down next to her and she laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. He closed his eyes and put his chin on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry you have to see me like this Araviniel."
"It's good to know you're real."
"I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you."
"I've caused you more."
"I just can't take this anymore. There is nothing I can do to bring her back I hate being so powerless. I've never been this powerless."
"It is not a weakness. You are not all powerful Legolas. No one is. Only the Valar chose who is to live and who is not to. Your sister chose her own way."
"Forever pawns to be played with. I hate being in this much pain."
"She chose to die Legolas. She chose the easy way out. Perhaps now she can finally find peace in this troublesome world. Nothing is forever Legolas. All things end but after night there is day. Death is a part of life and without it new life cannot exist."
"You told me that once before."
"It still rings true."
"Perhaps in the future you will show me one of your bows? You once told me you crafted your own."
He was changing the subject. It was just too painful.
"I will. I promise you. Sleep now my love. Rest."
And so he did. Araviniel's green eyes searched the Darkened room and she felt his skin through her silky gown. She shivered slightly as she felt his warm breath travel over her neck. The moonlight shone through the glass balcony doors. Slowly but surly she found sleep in the arms of the prince.
It was still dark when Araviniel opened her eyes and took a deep breath. The room was chilly, dark even. It was not the kind of Darkness that plagued the night, but rather the foreboding kind that spelled out evil. She steadied her breathing and tried to calm her nerves.
Her breathing suddenly stopped. A shadow moved silently across the room. Silent rushes of fabric swished across the floor. Some one was there. They were not alone. The shadow neared and she made out the form of a tall figure What ever it was, it noticed she was not asleep and quickly slid to the balcony doors. Araviniel now noticed that the doors were wide open. The figure stepped into the moonlight and jumped off the balcony.
Araviniel swiftly rose from the bed and ran to the balcony. Without thinking she jumped to the nearest tree and made her way to the ground. The figure dashed to the trees and her bear feet flew over the ground as she raced after him. As soon as she entered the trees she recognized her mistake. The shape turned to her and she briefly saw yellowish eyes flash from under its cloak.
The being made a wild sprint for her and she, eyes open with terror, saw the gleaming sliver blade immerge from under his dark robes. She quickly rolled away as the blow descended to where she previously stood. The clang of sword meeting stone rang through the night.
"Who are you?" she called.
Her silky robe fell silently into the rustled leaves.
The creature snarled and lunged for her. His blade swung downwards but she had quickly jumped out of the way and crouched nearby.
Clouds covered the full moon and she was in utter darkness. She heard the creature's breathing, low and forced. He was obviously confused. Suddenly the clouds passed over the moon and she was well lit in the darkness.
The being grinned evilly and charged towards her, the blade nearly missed her head and bit into a tree trunk. Bark flew over her head and she asked again,
"What are you being! Speak coward!"
The beast held his sword ready and snarled out,
"I have been sent for you she-elf! You will die this night! My master will have your head on his table come morning."
The beast sprung into action and swiped his blade sideways, hoping to catch her stomach. She drew back quickly but the blade bit into her arm. She screamed despite her will not to and she clutched her bleeding forearm.
The creature smiled in the darkness and let out an ear piercing shriek.
The clouds once again covered the moon and Araviniel knew this was her last chance of survival. She dashed for the beast and in the darkness she surprised him with a kick to his head. It was an almost perfect roundhouse and he braced himself as he stumbled backwards. She quickly took advantage of his off balanced stance and, spinning around, her foot collided with his wrist. He was much too powerful for the kicks to do damage but that was not her intent.
His grip loosened on his sword and she once more jumped into the air and her leg whipped around, meeting his head. His blade dropped and she quickly lunged for it as the moon once again shone through the darkness. His spun around but she had already grasped the sword.
The beast growled and lunged for her. She let him come at her and in the last second she turned sideways, letting him fly past, and brought the sword down on his back. The metal sliced through his robes and bit into his spine. The beast froze with pain. Araviniel then cried out through the pain of her arm and ran into him, shoving the blade through the creatures back until it pierced through his flesh on the other side.
She smiled slightly and said,
"Tell your master I'll meet him shortly. And when I do, not even creatures like you will stand in my way."
She then fell back away from the creature and shielded her eyes as it crumbled to the ground and writhed until suddenly the robes lost their form. A piercing light flashed through the night and a terrible curdling scream ripped through the air. When it was over the only thing left was a pile of ash.
Someone burst through the trees nearby and she quickly rose, despite the pain, ready to attack. She then saw Legolas standing in his white pants, His Bow drawn tight and a quiver of arrows strapped across his bare and well-muscled chest.
She sighed in relief and walked over to him. He instantly attached his bow behind him and drew her in his arms. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He slowly pushed her away and grabbed her arm gently. She winced but made no move to stop him. For some reason her healing powers had no affect over the wound. Was it because of the dark blade the creature had used? He studied the wound and then drew her once again to his chest
Suddenly Araviniel heard a group of elves, light on their feet yet well armed, approach behind her.
"We could not find anything Lord Legolas."
Legolas nodded to His Captain and said quickly,
"It's all right Captain. I have found her."
"Yes Milord but what about th…"
Legolas quickly cut him off with a sharp stare.
"Search the forest Captain! See if you can find anything pertaining to this creature."
Araviniel quickly placed her hand on Legolas's cheek and said,
"Don't break up your defenses. I'm completely certain he was alone. Your searching will be in vain."
"Sir?" Mellonar asked.
Legolas sighed.
"He could have killed you Araviniel. Who… What is he…it, where did it come from?"
"Sir?"
"The wizard sent him. I'm sure of it. A being of his creation. He was in the bedroom. He saw I was awake and fled out the balcony. I followed him."
"You can be so foolish sometimes Araviniel!"
She saw the anger in his eyes as he said that and she felt like a child, being scolded once again. She said nothing and just waited for him to continue.
"You could have been killed, captured, tortured, and even raped! You had no idea what this thing had in mind! Why didn't you wake me?"
"Sir!"
Legolas spun around and yelled,
"What!"
"Shall I take my men and search?"
"No captain. Thank you. Return to the borders and double the guard."
"Yes Sir."
Legolas handed His captain his quiver and bow and picked Araviniel up in his arms. She felt his hand on her exposed thigh. He looked straight ahead and headed for the palace. She took a deep breath and laid her head against his shoulder. His even steps made for little movement on her part and she found it easy to rest in his arms.
Legolas was shocked at how light Araviniel was. She fit so perfectly in his arms but he was too distracted by the dark being that had entered, and threatened his forest, and the very elf he loved.
He carried her back into the palace where a servant immediately met them at the door. Himil. It was the servant who had helped Alphril work on Araviniel when she was first brought to the palace. Legolas had told her how they had both loved each other. Her death must have affected him very much so. She thought.
Legolas set her down carefully and nodded to Himil to take care of the wound on Araviniel's arm. He charged up the stone stairs and went strait for the royal corridor. When he reached his father's room he didn't stop to knock but burst right in instead.
When he got to his father's bed Chambers he walked right in and said in his most important and demanding voice,
"Father get up! We were attacked!"
His father quickly rose out of the bed with a shocked look on his face.
"Legolas? What is it? What's happened?"
"You refused to help Araviniel On her mission. Now the threat is here and is slowly infiltrating our borders."
"What madness is this? That elleth spoke of Orcs and goblins not some mysterious threat!"
"A wizard Controls these monsters! We were attacked this morning by a creature of a wizards doing! And it nearly killed Araviniel! You will have the blood of our people and Lothlorien's people on your hands! Who then will come to our aid when we are in need?"
"We will not need any aid iôn! We have survived all this time and will not be broken by some coward's magic!" (Son)
"Coward's Magic? Is that what you believe this is?"
Legolas withdrew the dark blade that the creature had carried. An eerie glow emitted from it and a coldness that only evil knows filled the room.
"This is no Coward's Magic father! This is powerful threat that if not dealt with, will destroy us all… and even you in your high palace will not be able to stop the storm that will descend upon us if it is not halted."
"What right do you think you have to doubt my judgment? Even your mother knew better!"
The King's face changed from tolerance to rage.
"Don't try and intimidate me Father! You know mother would have lent them aid! She loved all people and all elves! She had more heart then you ever will! You promised her you would do the right thing for all people! Not just for selfish reasons! People are dying! Dying father! If you will not aid them then I shall go alone and I will die with them!"
Legolas turned on his heel and left the bed chambers. Before he could leave the rooms entirely, however, His father put a hand on his arm and stopped him.
"Take the troops. Take what you can. Go to Lothlorien. May The Valar be with you and guide you."
Legolas turned to his father and saw the fear in his eyes. The thought of losing his last child scared the mighty Elven King. His father, only a few inches taller then Legolas, drew his son into his arms and embraced him. Legolas closed his eyes and hugged his father. They had not been this close since the death of his Mother.
"Be safe my son. Please come home to me in one piece. And Congratulations on finding yourself a strong and beautiful elleth. You will make your people proud one day my son. When you take the throne you be remembered forever. Go now. See to your plans."
Legolas nodded and left the room with a feeling of completion. He was shocked at how fast his father had changed his mind. Never before had he seen such fear in the King's eyes. He headed down the stairs and saw Araviniel being bandaged by Himil while her father and Tatharion stood near her talking hurriedly.
Legolas rushed down the stairs and went straight to Araviniel.
"My father has given me complete control over the troops and is allowing me to take them to Lothlorien. I, however, cannot leave you to this mission alone."
Tatharion quickly said,
"She will not be alone. I will be with her and so will Lord Silvegil."
"I know that and it is a great comfort but I cannot leave all three of you to this peril. Only a coward would leave on the eve of battle"
Silvegil shook his head.
"You would leave to buy us time. And you would be anything but short of battle. We need a strong leader and much aid for Haldir and his troops in Lothlorien. The Wizard's creatures will strike there first…and the hardest."
Tatharion nodded sharply.
"However I do believe, in leading the troops into the war zone in Lothlorien, will be a periless mission in itself."
Araviniel finally spoke up,
"Father? Grandmother said you were here to aid me in the upcoming war. And that you would have that purpose while you remained here. Perhaps she was not speaking of the war with the wizard but rather the war in Lorien. After all it is your Kingdom. You have come back to redeem yourself and what better way to do it then to fight for your People?"
Legolas quickly jumped into the suggestion,
"You want me to hand over my army to your father!"
"Do you think him incapable?"
"Of course not it's just very unorthodox."
She grinned and said,
"What part of me isn't unorthodox?"
Legolas gave a hint of a smile and sighed.
"Very well, if that is what you wish your father has Mirkwood's Army at his disposal."
Araviniel Kissed Legolas on the cheek and then turned to her Father.
"And What of You Adar?"
Silvegil smiled and said to his daughter,
"I am proud of you Araviniel. You're just like your mother. I will go to Lorien and aid my Mother and Father there. The orcs and Goblins will keep coming, however, if you do not destroy the evil that strengthens them. We must both fight but the battle rests within your hands."
Her father then became serious as Himil left Araviniel after finishing the wrapping on her arm.
"Remember these words when no others seem to penetrate your confusion. 'In
strength and pride is the weakness you seek' these words mean nothing to you now but when their time is ready they will aid you. I love you daughter and I believe I must leave immediately with the troops. You must go come morning to find the wizard. No matter what he tells you remember that he has dwelt so long in his lies they have become his truths. You are not here to destroy him. It is not always the answer. He will try to destroy you from the inside. In the end you can not be aided by anyone but yourself. Farewell, I must see to preparing for my journey back. Ir adgevedim, Len Melin sell."
The Prince of the Golden Wood placed a small kiss on his daughter's cheek and then walked away to the stables. Tatharion then turned to Araviniel and took her hand.
"I need to speak with you," he glanced at Legolas who was looking at him with a blank stare. Legolas's hand was around Araviniel's waist and he raised an eyebrow. Tatharion sighed and said firmly,
"Alone."
Legolas then stiffened to the amusement of Tatharion. Araviniel nodded and said quickly to Legolas, oblivious to the reactions between the two ellyn,
"I will be back soon."
She followed Tatharion down a few halls onto they reached his quarters. He opened the door softly and brought her inside, closing it behind him.
He faced her and saw how she stood rigid, almost blank and unfeeling. He shook his head and brushed his fingers down the side of her face.
"You intend to leave before we wake don't you?"
She looked away from him and closed her eyes.
"I know you too well Araviniel. You may not want to put me or him in any danger but you cannot do this alone."
She looked at him and said quietly,
"It's my burden. I need to face this alone. In the end it will be just me and the wizard anyway. You might die if you come with me. I couldn't bear that Tatharion. I've known you since I could barely walk. I couldn't stand losing you. You mean too much to me."
Her response was unexpected. He stood there in front of her, his golden hair falling around his shoulders. He slid his hand from her neck to her elbow and said slowly,
"I will never regret loving you; you have changed me so much. We may know how I die but you have yet to say how I live. I will follow you wherever you go and I will never let you carry this alone. Please… for what we used to share… let me aid you. I cannot die knowing I was not with you in my last days. "
Her eyes quickly met his and he saw the fear in them.
"You will not die. I swear it. These things can be changed. Galadriel said so. She said they could be altered!"
He shook his head and smiled softly at her.
"Your visions may have been a surprise to me. My death, however, was not. I knew it long before. In the talon, the night of the party, when you were sleeping in the bed I saw it as well."
She looked bewildered.
"You… said nothing? Why?"
He smiled wider and tucked a small piece of hair behind her ear.
"I fight. That is what I do Araviniel. I have always known I would die in battle. It is something I have known since I was a child. You knew it too. You just didn't expect it to happen. Now that you know it you have tried to prevent it. I tell you now, I do not fear death. It will come to me. But for now you must let me help you while I can. Do not let yourself linger anymore on my death. Instead focus on what I can do while I live."
Tears fled down her cheeks but she remained straight and tall.
"Very well Tatharion. But I want you to promise me you will be careful and let me handle the wizard."
"I will do what I must, and I will do what I can, other then that I cannot say. Go now and return to Legolas… he waits for you."
As he said this he turned away from her. She knew he was fighting tears but she turned and left the room without even glancing back. She couldn't…not any longer. Looking into his eyes brought back feelings she wished to keep at bay, settled, dormant, dead. For her own good, and his, she had to leave before things took place that they both sensed would ruin them.
Tatharion gripped the bedpost with his right hand until his knuckles turned white.
He heard her turn quickly and leave without a word. And he knew why.
He loved her so much. She was his only desire. Nothing he told himself seemed to make up for her being with the Prince. He did know, however, That Legolas did not "Charm" her into loving him. She loved him deep down. Tatharion knew that long ago. She just was so confused. For her he would die, and so for her he would let her go, but deep inside he knew, for him, death would be better…ah yes…sweet death would be better…
