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Chap. 9
The small contingent left in secret from Mirkwood. They got out of the palace by separating, pretending to go on chores or such for King Thranduil or Lord Elrond, and then they met together just outside of Mirkwood's northern borders, though that was not what interested Imladris's lord. He had been monitoring Thranduil and his suspicions were growing, yet still he was confused and awaited his old friend, but somehow he felt, even though it was completely unreasonable that Mithrandir could travel as large a distance as Elrond suspected him to be, that Mithrandir would be there today.
"Ah Mithrandir, were only that you were here now..." Elrond said while sitting himself down on a chair in a room hastily provided him by Thranduil.
"And what would that accomplish my friend?" A raspy voice made Elrond turn sharply and gaze to the back of the room, where the elderly istar was leaning against his staff, humorously grinning at his eldar friend.
"Mithrandir! How..." Elrond smiled and stopped abruptly. He should know better by now than ask all of those silly questions. "Never mind. Mithrandir... we have a situation at present."
"So I see my friend, so I see... a puzzling problem you said in your note? Puzzling... yes, that I see. But what puzzles you may not puzzle me. Puzzling, is it not?" Mithrandir said in a tone that seemed to laugh where the maiar did not.
"I fear for a Sindar." Choosing his words careful, Elrond was not immensely open with the Istar for fear someone should hear, but Mithrandir shook his head slightly, he having though of that previously and taken the necessary precautions.
"No need to worry about prying ears 'my old yet young friend'. Did I mention how much I enjoy your letters?" Elrond chose to ignore the jibe and continue, but he was delayed by the wizard yet again. "Yet surely you worry also for young Elrohir?" Gandalf chuckled as Elrond tried to reply. "Yes, of course. Worry not Elrond, your administrations were more than adequate, I've checked the young one myself. He should be up within a matter of days."
There was no hiding Elrond's long sigh of relief at his friend's encouragement. Surely he had though himself capable, but as always when attempting to heal one of his own self-doubt always plagued him. The knowledge of his sons recovery surely cleared at least a good portion of the elven lord's worry, so now his initiative was clearer: Legolas and his father.
"Well Elrond, for which Sindar do you worry? I would understand such hurried need of assistance only if it was a Sindar you surely cared immensely for. Perhaps you have taken Legolas under your wing as you do every other half grown child?" Sarcastically spoken, the words made Elrond look away with laughter. Perhaps he was getting a reputation? Gandalf broke into soft chortles. "Oh my friend, tell me you did not? But of course you did. Why then, you must be worried about two Sindar."
Elrond waved his hand softly. "My friend you are getting ahead of yourself. We'll talk about that at a later date if it does not tie in with our current discussion, though I fear it might. I'm worried about Thranduil."
"Yes, yes... Thranduil. Long have I worried for him as I worry for you and every other elven lord. But he I worry more, his stubbornness he inherited from Oropher and his son seemed to have caught the infection as well." Gandalf was grumbling on though a flash of understanding stood out in his eyes. "But my true worry started only about a 2,500 years ago."
"Only 2,500 years ago?" Elrond was on the verge of showing his own amusement, but the depression around his hypothesis certainly censured him. "I fear for him because of a dark presence I feel, one that I'm not sure is Thranduil. I need your help to see if... if I am correct." Elrond spoke softly yet urgently.
"Oh yes, all in dear time Elrond. For now tell me a little about Imladris, for I feel time we have and would like to know all about it..." The very calm aura around the Istar mad it impossible to stay as wound as Elrond did, and he found himself slipping sitting down to tell Gandalf the whole story.
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When Aragorn and Elladan started out leading the group, there had been some quarrel amongst the other soldiers how exactly they would find the prince stolen from them. Rain and the gnawing hands of time had proven their hurt when every sign of campsites or paths of the elves and men, making any tracking of that manner quite impossible, even for the trained ranger. Yet on he other hand, Aragorn had a gift due to the true friendship between the two, inseparable as they were, and at the few moments they were apart these days, each still knew roughly where the other was, and therefore could search if the need arose.
Sifting through the needled branches of the trees, Aragorn had taken a small portion of the contingent to look for a suitable campsite, while Elladan stayed back with he others, who were once again wondering aloud over Aragorn's ability. "I enjoy that rangers company no less than another, but how do we know his 'heart feeling' isn't leading us the opposite direction of where we have to go?"
Elladan was about to stand and protest when another elf of the group interrupted. "You have no better ideas Telumnis, so I suggest you agree with the edan's premonitions. Do you or do you not want to find the prince?" The other, being sufficiently chastised, retreated to silence and left the discussion be. Elladan was eyeing those around wearily, but he could not blame them. Had it been any others than Estel and Legolas, he himself would have had doubts.
A call form the forest told them a suitable place to stay for the night had been found, and Elladan's thoughts dissolved into spoken orders to go to the said spot. They pushed hard during the day, but all had to rest at some point. Though he did worry for Legolas.
Never would the images of the lighthearted happy elf leave his mind at rest. Thoughts of his blond haired companion who he had known since the Sindar's childhood still haunted him, chains and pain and darkness always aroused in him when joy he tried to seek in dreams.
"Please Legolas... let that be not your fate... Valar, help him. Let him know that light still remains as Estel comes." The voice was whispered as the rustling of elves behind him echoed on.
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Two men and a woman walked out of a room of haunting twilight, one man speckled with blood. The man without the blood did not look terribly happy. "He aint much use if he dies Tillin." Malick stated disdainfully. "He still aint told us where he hid that other elf."
The other man didn't seem much happier, constantly looking at his clothing, so ruined by blood. What a bother. "I know that Malick. You think I'm the one trying to kill 'im? You're the one who tells me how long I go. You chose the lashes. Aint my fault." The repetitive tone in itself was annoying.
"Hush up both you two. We just hope he breaks before he dies, I want something positive to tell the wizard!" The woman spoke in a commanding tone of voice and though the men grumbled a bit both went along to their other work, slamming the large oaken door shut, cutting off the last ray of light from the captive's perspective and the last sounds from a sob-like breath that haunted the elf's mind.
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Aragorn looked back among the small group searching for the prince. He was willing to push himself to the limit to find his friend who had risked so much for him, and he hoped his group would do the same. They seemed to still be heading strong, so he did not slow.
The momentary lull in activity was odd. On the way towards where he felt Legolas was, deep in his soul, they had already encountered and helped some travelers being attacked by wargs, with minimal injury to their group. 'Which is good... I feel as if we'll need everyone.' In this new peace of mind that came with a steady stride and a long road ahead, Aragorn was free once again to let his mind wander. Where was Legolas? Would he find him... in time? While he knew the elf was strong beyond the average of the elves, his will even stronger, at times Aragorn still worried heavily for his friend.
For while everything seems strong and resilient, you never know when someone has had just too much. Too much... the ranger blocked out images of Legolas hurting, memories of their misadventures sent pangs of excitement and fear through him. For while the memories were good and fun, none held a promise that there would be more tomorrow. He would not accept that though. for while there was breath in him, he would use every last wisp of it in search of Legolas, the elf he would die for, and somehow... something told him it was not all in vain.
Somewhere deep inside, he could feel his presence. It was what lead them thus far, and he hoped what would lead them farther. A gift from the Valar, Estel thought randomly. normally it seemed exactly that, normal... it was not until such circumstances as these arose that the idea that he was in some way with Legolas that the gift made all the difference.
'Legolas... mellon nin... you must be all right. I need you to be all right... I can't do this without you!' The desperate cry in his head renewed his energy to the task at hand, for it to him was of the greatest importance.
Reviews:
(Dr. Pepper to all!!!!)
PokeThePenguin: My most loyal reviewer ^_^ Yes Thranduil seems evil... perchance he shall be kind, maybes maybes but never sure...
aquitaineq: Awesome name, yet again. The beautiful suffer? How bout the all around awesome? lol, yes yes... amusing ^_^
LalaithoftheBruinen: :o TY! -does a happy skip around while chugging Dr. Pepper- No plot bunnies! AGH!!!! and hugs witht hem... what an oxymoron 0.o
Kourin Lucrece: Your certainly welcome for the advil, it does wonders! My story makes you think?! Impressive, I dont do much of that myself XD
Shanya: whoot, yes, I did give that wonderment... Thranduil is NOT a horrible evil dude in the books! DON'T believe I think so! =message to all anive ppl out there ready to write evil Thrandy fics. "Don't!"
Deadly Chakram: I am wowed by your acceptance of the story! 0.0! Yes, the early formatting was quite a bti off... heh... I haven't gotten around to refgormatting it yet ^_^;;;
Tidmaq: I have to apologize, I was a little over the edge at that point as well, perchance from a few flames from my email... lol, I'll try to update before the next age... yes I've read them all, all of the LotR books, and yes all those after his death as well. Oh, and also most of his non LotR books, including Farmer Guiles and th edragon and Roverandum(sp? it's been awhile) ^_^ Sorry I was so cruel ^_^
Chap. 9
The small contingent left in secret from Mirkwood. They got out of the palace by separating, pretending to go on chores or such for King Thranduil or Lord Elrond, and then they met together just outside of Mirkwood's northern borders, though that was not what interested Imladris's lord. He had been monitoring Thranduil and his suspicions were growing, yet still he was confused and awaited his old friend, but somehow he felt, even though it was completely unreasonable that Mithrandir could travel as large a distance as Elrond suspected him to be, that Mithrandir would be there today.
"Ah Mithrandir, were only that you were here now..." Elrond said while sitting himself down on a chair in a room hastily provided him by Thranduil.
"And what would that accomplish my friend?" A raspy voice made Elrond turn sharply and gaze to the back of the room, where the elderly istar was leaning against his staff, humorously grinning at his eldar friend.
"Mithrandir! How..." Elrond smiled and stopped abruptly. He should know better by now than ask all of those silly questions. "Never mind. Mithrandir... we have a situation at present."
"So I see my friend, so I see... a puzzling problem you said in your note? Puzzling... yes, that I see. But what puzzles you may not puzzle me. Puzzling, is it not?" Mithrandir said in a tone that seemed to laugh where the maiar did not.
"I fear for a Sindar." Choosing his words careful, Elrond was not immensely open with the Istar for fear someone should hear, but Mithrandir shook his head slightly, he having though of that previously and taken the necessary precautions.
"No need to worry about prying ears 'my old yet young friend'. Did I mention how much I enjoy your letters?" Elrond chose to ignore the jibe and continue, but he was delayed by the wizard yet again. "Yet surely you worry also for young Elrohir?" Gandalf chuckled as Elrond tried to reply. "Yes, of course. Worry not Elrond, your administrations were more than adequate, I've checked the young one myself. He should be up within a matter of days."
There was no hiding Elrond's long sigh of relief at his friend's encouragement. Surely he had though himself capable, but as always when attempting to heal one of his own self-doubt always plagued him. The knowledge of his sons recovery surely cleared at least a good portion of the elven lord's worry, so now his initiative was clearer: Legolas and his father.
"Well Elrond, for which Sindar do you worry? I would understand such hurried need of assistance only if it was a Sindar you surely cared immensely for. Perhaps you have taken Legolas under your wing as you do every other half grown child?" Sarcastically spoken, the words made Elrond look away with laughter. Perhaps he was getting a reputation? Gandalf broke into soft chortles. "Oh my friend, tell me you did not? But of course you did. Why then, you must be worried about two Sindar."
Elrond waved his hand softly. "My friend you are getting ahead of yourself. We'll talk about that at a later date if it does not tie in with our current discussion, though I fear it might. I'm worried about Thranduil."
"Yes, yes... Thranduil. Long have I worried for him as I worry for you and every other elven lord. But he I worry more, his stubbornness he inherited from Oropher and his son seemed to have caught the infection as well." Gandalf was grumbling on though a flash of understanding stood out in his eyes. "But my true worry started only about a 2,500 years ago."
"Only 2,500 years ago?" Elrond was on the verge of showing his own amusement, but the depression around his hypothesis certainly censured him. "I fear for him because of a dark presence I feel, one that I'm not sure is Thranduil. I need your help to see if... if I am correct." Elrond spoke softly yet urgently.
"Oh yes, all in dear time Elrond. For now tell me a little about Imladris, for I feel time we have and would like to know all about it..." The very calm aura around the Istar mad it impossible to stay as wound as Elrond did, and he found himself slipping sitting down to tell Gandalf the whole story.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Aragorn and Elladan started out leading the group, there had been some quarrel amongst the other soldiers how exactly they would find the prince stolen from them. Rain and the gnawing hands of time had proven their hurt when every sign of campsites or paths of the elves and men, making any tracking of that manner quite impossible, even for the trained ranger. Yet on he other hand, Aragorn had a gift due to the true friendship between the two, inseparable as they were, and at the few moments they were apart these days, each still knew roughly where the other was, and therefore could search if the need arose.
Sifting through the needled branches of the trees, Aragorn had taken a small portion of the contingent to look for a suitable campsite, while Elladan stayed back with he others, who were once again wondering aloud over Aragorn's ability. "I enjoy that rangers company no less than another, but how do we know his 'heart feeling' isn't leading us the opposite direction of where we have to go?"
Elladan was about to stand and protest when another elf of the group interrupted. "You have no better ideas Telumnis, so I suggest you agree with the edan's premonitions. Do you or do you not want to find the prince?" The other, being sufficiently chastised, retreated to silence and left the discussion be. Elladan was eyeing those around wearily, but he could not blame them. Had it been any others than Estel and Legolas, he himself would have had doubts.
A call form the forest told them a suitable place to stay for the night had been found, and Elladan's thoughts dissolved into spoken orders to go to the said spot. They pushed hard during the day, but all had to rest at some point. Though he did worry for Legolas.
Never would the images of the lighthearted happy elf leave his mind at rest. Thoughts of his blond haired companion who he had known since the Sindar's childhood still haunted him, chains and pain and darkness always aroused in him when joy he tried to seek in dreams.
"Please Legolas... let that be not your fate... Valar, help him. Let him know that light still remains as Estel comes." The voice was whispered as the rustling of elves behind him echoed on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two men and a woman walked out of a room of haunting twilight, one man speckled with blood. The man without the blood did not look terribly happy. "He aint much use if he dies Tillin." Malick stated disdainfully. "He still aint told us where he hid that other elf."
The other man didn't seem much happier, constantly looking at his clothing, so ruined by blood. What a bother. "I know that Malick. You think I'm the one trying to kill 'im? You're the one who tells me how long I go. You chose the lashes. Aint my fault." The repetitive tone in itself was annoying.
"Hush up both you two. We just hope he breaks before he dies, I want something positive to tell the wizard!" The woman spoke in a commanding tone of voice and though the men grumbled a bit both went along to their other work, slamming the large oaken door shut, cutting off the last ray of light from the captive's perspective and the last sounds from a sob-like breath that haunted the elf's mind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aragorn looked back among the small group searching for the prince. He was willing to push himself to the limit to find his friend who had risked so much for him, and he hoped his group would do the same. They seemed to still be heading strong, so he did not slow.
The momentary lull in activity was odd. On the way towards where he felt Legolas was, deep in his soul, they had already encountered and helped some travelers being attacked by wargs, with minimal injury to their group. 'Which is good... I feel as if we'll need everyone.' In this new peace of mind that came with a steady stride and a long road ahead, Aragorn was free once again to let his mind wander. Where was Legolas? Would he find him... in time? While he knew the elf was strong beyond the average of the elves, his will even stronger, at times Aragorn still worried heavily for his friend.
For while everything seems strong and resilient, you never know when someone has had just too much. Too much... the ranger blocked out images of Legolas hurting, memories of their misadventures sent pangs of excitement and fear through him. For while the memories were good and fun, none held a promise that there would be more tomorrow. He would not accept that though. for while there was breath in him, he would use every last wisp of it in search of Legolas, the elf he would die for, and somehow... something told him it was not all in vain.
Somewhere deep inside, he could feel his presence. It was what lead them thus far, and he hoped what would lead them farther. A gift from the Valar, Estel thought randomly. normally it seemed exactly that, normal... it was not until such circumstances as these arose that the idea that he was in some way with Legolas that the gift made all the difference.
'Legolas... mellon nin... you must be all right. I need you to be all right... I can't do this without you!' The desperate cry in his head renewed his energy to the task at hand, for it to him was of the greatest importance.
Reviews:
(Dr. Pepper to all!!!!)
PokeThePenguin: My most loyal reviewer ^_^ Yes Thranduil seems evil... perchance he shall be kind, maybes maybes but never sure...
aquitaineq: Awesome name, yet again. The beautiful suffer? How bout the all around awesome? lol, yes yes... amusing ^_^
LalaithoftheBruinen: :o TY! -does a happy skip around while chugging Dr. Pepper- No plot bunnies! AGH!!!! and hugs witht hem... what an oxymoron 0.o
Kourin Lucrece: Your certainly welcome for the advil, it does wonders! My story makes you think?! Impressive, I dont do much of that myself XD
Shanya: whoot, yes, I did give that wonderment... Thranduil is NOT a horrible evil dude in the books! DON'T believe I think so! =message to all anive ppl out there ready to write evil Thrandy fics. "Don't!"
Deadly Chakram: I am wowed by your acceptance of the story! 0.0! Yes, the early formatting was quite a bti off... heh... I haven't gotten around to refgormatting it yet ^_^;;;
Tidmaq: I have to apologize, I was a little over the edge at that point as well, perchance from a few flames from my email... lol, I'll try to update before the next age... yes I've read them all, all of the LotR books, and yes all those after his death as well. Oh, and also most of his non LotR books, including Farmer Guiles and th edragon and Roverandum(sp? it's been awhile) ^_^ Sorry I was so cruel ^_^