Chapter 2 - Deserter
A/N: (The portion with Legolas and Aragorn was written by Amaya Rayne, and is part of Blue II. I just edited it slightly to fit it in)
The rain was coming down harder and Aragorn wiped the soaked strands of hair out of his eyes. He had been wandering through the woods when the sky opened to dump its wrath on him. He cursed it again as he drew his cloak tighter around him. He was soaked to the bone and he still had not found Legolas. The Elf had not been seen since he found out about the tenth member of the Fellowship. Aragorn decided he needed to talk some sense into him, but he was beginning to worry he was going to do something unwise.
He scanned his surroundings and looked again at the muddy forest floor. No sign of his anywhere. 'Perhaps he went to seek shelter, solitude, and memories,' Aragorn thought, and headed to a tree where Legolas often spent his time in Imladrais.
The heir of the King of Men did not know how to react when he found the Elf standing in the rain. His weapons were carelessly thrown to the ground some ways away. His back was to him, but Aragorn could tell he was looking into the sky. Aragorn walked toward him then circled him, stopping a few feet before him. Legolas had his eyes closed and the rain was dripping down his face.
"Legolas?"
His eyes shot open and he instinctively stepped back. "Aragorn," he sighed, relaxing his tense muscles again. "Forgive me, I did not hear you...how long have you been standing there?"
"We need to talk."
"No, my friend, we don't. All that I need to say has been said." He turned away.
"Well, I'm not finished!" Aragorn said in a kingly tone that caused Legolas to stop in his tracks. "You will hear what I have to say." Aragorn began walking back around the figure who was now as still as a statue. "I don't know what has gotten into you, but you need to snap out of it. You are a valuable asset to the Fellowship. You are to represent the Elves, Legolas!"
"Send Glorfindel in my stead," Legolas said quietly.
"Glorfindel?"
"He is just as qualified if not more so than I. He will not let you down."
"As you have?"
"As I have," he whispered, his eyes closing.
"Legolas, what is it that plagues you?"
"She is dead...because of me."
"Legolas--"
But he turned his head to the sky and began to softly sing. "I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you. Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through. But on the darkest day there's always light and now I see it, too. But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you."
"Legolas! Can you not see what you are doing to yourself? You are killing yourself! It was not your fault! You did everything in your power to stop it from happening."
Legolas opened his eyes and looked straight at Aragorn. "How would you feel if it was Arwen?"
Aragorn was stunned, "What?"
"You heard me. What if your father was still alive and hated Elves with a passion? What if he hunted down, beat, and jailed her? You tried to hid her and fell for her even harder being constantly in her presence, having her always by your side. But you father took her from you, putting her on display before your entire home, bruised, bleeding, and un-cared for and you had to stand by and watch when all you wanted to do was hold her close and tell her it would all be all right even though you knew it wouldn't. He locks you in your room during the execution and you can see how your entire kingdom is gathered as if it is a magnificent party. And you lie there on the ground while your father sinks his sword into her, mortally wounding her. All you want to do is hold her and apologize for everything." Tear were mixing with the rain, streaming down his face as he cocked and tried to continue. His voice turned to naught but a whisper, "But she is taken away from you...to die...alone...leaving you...alone..." Legolas' eyes closed, sobs coming as freely as the tears.
Aragorn stood, stunned. The magnitude of Legolas' feelings became clear to him. He suddenly had a strong urge to talk—to show—King Thandruil what he had done. The knock some sense into him. The humanity he had shown the king turned to a great hatred as he watched the elf before him crumble.
"Aluhin, I cannot do this," Aragorn heard him mutter and his hatred melted with the rain as he felt a deep compassion. "I cannot do this. I'm sorry."
"Legolas." Aragorn knelt down next to the Elf and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Aragorn, I cannot hold on. I cannot find the strength to live."
Aragorn couldn't find words. He knew he would not want to live without Arwen. What words could he use!
"I cannot fulfill my oath," Legolas whispered.
"What oath do you speak of, Legolas?"
"I promised her I would not give in...to live and not die of heart brake. Oh, if she only knew the toil of such an oath. I used to think I knew what I was fighting for...I don't think that anymore."
"What did you promise? What were her words?"
Legolas' eyes grew out of focus and for a moment Aragorn thought he passed into shadow or sleep, but Legolas took hold of Aragorn's hands and put them to his temples.
Darkness took Aragorn's vision and he no longer felt the rain or the chill of the afternoon. He was about to draw his hands away when he saw a human girl in front of him.
"I love you, with all my heart and soul. I would take the blade for you," he found himself saying.
"Legolas! You must now!" she plead, gripping his hands in hers. "I could not bare to watch you die in my place!"
"You think I do not feel the same? I cannot live without you!"
"No! You must not! Please, just hold onto life...for me."
"Aluhin..."
"Legolas, please. I will watch over you. I will be with you always, but you must stay. I will live through the moon and the rain and the lightning in the sky. I will be there. Promise me!"
"I could not bare to go on without you."
"You won't have to. You will not be alone. Did you not say how you loved the way I was so free in the rain? Remember that day you followed me and watched me sing in the rain? I am the rain. I will be the rain. Enjoy me that way! Please, Legolas. Do not do this to me." Tears glistened in her eyes and one escaped.
"For you, I promise."
A weak smile spread across her lips, "Thank you."
She leaned in an Aragorn could feel her soft lips on his, the taste of her, when suddenly it was gone and he was blinded by light and trees. He touched his lips and looked up to find Legolas, standing, his back to Aragorn.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to put you through pain," Aragorn spoke.
The Elf sighed, "'Tis sweet torment...to feel her lips on mine once more...to look upon her fair face and touch her soft skin. Only if I could old her in my arms again..." He fell silent and Aragorn rose to leave. "Aragorn...I will go with you, though, I cannot say how long I will last."
"Legolas?"
"I owe it to you."
"You owe me nothing."
"For Aluhin...for aiding our unsuccessful escape. What you saw was the little time you allowed me to see her while you drugged the guards." Legolas turned to him. "The chance you gave me to tell her I loved her."
Aragorn bowed his head, suddenly guilty he did not succeed in the mission Legolas had given to him.
Legolas seemed to sense his thoughts. "It was not your fault. You granted us time which I am in your debt for. I will join your Fellowship, although I wish not."
Aragorn thanked the Elf alone before leaving him with his thoughts.
He stood alone—silent—for an un-calculated amount of time, feeling the rain beat down on him. He remembered his love's words to him and felt her presence.
He sighed as he climbed to the top of the tree where the rain could soak him fully. "I know you're here. I love you so much it hurts. I do not know which path to take. My heart is no longer here to tell me; you have stolen it. But I p ray I have your heart to guide me. You are forever in my thoughts, my love. Rest in peace."
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Stars shined above Legolas' eyes came into focus. His dreams disturbed him, although he did not remember them. His memory seemed fresh and new. Aluhin—did he not see her just a few days past? The dream had his head spinning. Jumping from the tree, he went in search of Aragorn, who he felt could council him on the matter.
He found Aragorn at his camp, not far away. A dying fire provided an eerie glow in the trees. Aragorn sat, his back against a tree, smoking his pipe.
"Legolas are you well?" he asked, withdrawing his pipe from his lips.
"All is well as it should be, but I am not. Forgive me, I should not have disturbed you." He started away.
"No, please. I can see sleep is far from you, as it is in me. Sit, join me."
He looked at Aragorn closely for a few seconds and nodded, seeing Aragorn was true to his words.
"What troubles you?" Aragorn asked, taking another puff of his pipe.
"My dreams have trouble me. Aluhin seems to haunt me."
"Haunt would not be the world I would choose..."
"Aye...visits my dreams often giving me views of what could be," Legolas told Aragorn.
"How so?"
"I had a dream—not more than a fortnight ago back in Mirkwood—that she visited me in the forest. She acted strangely and told me to not speak of our meeting. She left me quickly, not answering my questions and stole my arrows. She returned later and acted normally, but departed angrily when I spoke of our previous meeting. A third time, she led me father away and changed before my eyes into another person completely before tying me to a tree, leaving me there! You, luckily found me, and I told you of the strange events only to encounter a woman—nay, a witch—from my past; the woman who you—Aragorn? Are you well?"
It may have been the dimming firelight, but the man looked very pale to Legolas.
"...Yes...although, I am starting to think this is no dream you had," his voice was thick and forced.
"It was so real!" Legolas exclaimed before realizing what his friend really said. "Why do you say that?"
"I either had the same dream or occurrence. Did the black-cloaked woman not bind us underground and the red-cloaked woman sat and spoke for hours. Aluhin then helped us escape, although I remember being hit with a board, being tied to a tree, and watching the woman set the clearing afire." It was Legolas turn to turn pale and nod slowly. "The reason I believed it to be a dream was I awoke in a different location."
"Yes, but did you notice the burned circle of trees?" Legolas asked. Aragorn did not answer, but seemed lost in thought. "But how could it be?" Legolas asked in a louder voice, standing and beginning to pace about camp. How could she be alive? She could not have survived that wound...unless..." he trailed off and stood still, piecing the unknowns together.
"Legolas!" Aragorn whispered sternly. His tone caused Legolas to snap from his thoughts. Aragorn had a finger to his lips. Legolas looked at him questioningly. "Keep your voice down." He pointed to a bundle on the other side of camp.
Legolas' elven eyes pierced the darkness and saw the figure of a body, more clearly, the woman who stole Aluhin from him; the woman who tortured guards with mystical burns and fireballs; the woman who was part of the Fellowship.
Anger burned his flesh and Legolas stormed over to her. "Legolas, do not wake—" Aragorn plead. But Legolas saw what the man did not: she was already awake.
He seized her by the neck of her black cloak and pulled her from the ground, so she was eye level to him. Her feet dangled a few inches from the ground and she looked at him, shocked for a moment.
"Answers! Now!" he growled. "I know you were listening and I know you have knowledge of which I speak of."
"Put me down and you might get something out of me," she snapped. When he made no attempt, she tried to pry his fingers of steal off her cloak, but to no avail. She cursed and grabbed his hand.
Elvish curses flew though the air as Legolas tossed her to the ground. The woman smiled triumphantly and straightened her cloak. Aragorn, standing, strode quickly over to investigate and intervene if necessary.
"Bloody elf," the woman spat, "teaches you to listen to me the first time." She threw her hands into the air, looking to the sky. "Why don't they ever listen? Don't they understand? Do things my way, save yourself much pain!"
She turned to the males. "What are you looking at? Don't even think about it! I ain't crying on him! He deserved it!" She received more confused looks. "Ah, never mind."
"What do you know of Aluhin?" the man asked.
"Aluhin? Ah, Blue...enough."
"You said she was alive." Legolas added.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious!"
Legolas ignored her comment, "How?"
"Um...that's classified information. I'm sorry, you'll need spec—"
"Does she have more to her than meets the eyes?" Legolas asked, carefully choosing his words.
The woman paused. "Depends on who you ask."
"More than I know?"
"What do you know?"
Legolas thought for a moment before answering, "water."
"Water! Well, everyone—oh! Oh, so she told you about the water," the woman said, nodding in understanding.
Aragorn looked on, having no idea what the two were going on about, but said nothing. All that was needed here was to answer Legolas' questions.
"No...nothing more to her...at least, nothing you need to know..." The woman sounded unsure, searching her memory for any other hidden secretes of the woman.
"Then how does she live? You saw her! None could live through such a wound!"
"Few," the woman corrected. "Few could have survived, but all could survive with the right friends." A large smile appeared on her face.
"So it was an external circumstance, not by her abilities?"
"Uh...yeah."
"You don't sound too sure," Legolas said, searching her for lies.
"That's not information you need to know!"
A wide smile crossed the Elf's face. "She lives," he breathed. "My beloved..."
"Oh, for the love of...don't go getting all emotional on me," the woman said in disgust. "I don't do sentimental."
Legolas drifted from his cloud. "Where is she?"
It was Black's turn to smile. "In good hands, many miles away."
A frown quickly appeared on Legolas' face. "Did she go freely? Is she safe?"
"Yes! No! Ah! Do you ever shut up!"
"No? What do you mean, no?!"
"Didn't think so," she mumbled, sighing. "I'm going to bed since I was so rudely awoken! Pestering Elves, they're worse than Red. This is going to be a long trip."
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The dark woman and her companions made their way through the trees of Mirkwood. The Elf would not shut up about his precious Aluhin, and Black had had enough of his attempts to force information from her about his beloved.
The day before Legolas had lifted her off her feet and demanded to know what had happened to Blue. Black did not appreciate being disrespected in such a manner, so she had grabbed the Elf's wrist with her bare hands, and he'd dropped her immediately.
He was at it again, but Black did not listen.
"You! Aegnor!" the Elf shouted. Black continued carving the long wooden rod in her lap.
He strode over to her in her quiet corner-it was dusk-and lifted her to her feet.
"I want some answers. Now."
"For someone who has eternity, you sure do have a quick temper," Black sneered.
The Elf rammed her up against a tree. A red light flashed in Black's eyes.
"Tell me the truth," he growled.
Black locked eyes with the Elf in an intent, unwavering glare; the Elf had pushed her to her limit. She pried his slender fingers from her cloak, and grabbed hold of his collar. Single-handedly, she began to lift the Elf (almost a head taller than she), off his feet.
His eyes widened in fear and confusion as his toes cleared the top of the blades of grass. Without breaking eye contact, she whispered in a deadly, menacing voice;
"Touch me again, Elf, and I will hit you so hard that by the time you come to, ooh, boy, you're going to need a new hair cut. You understand me?"
Legolas remained stiff and silent, then suddenly he felt himself propelled backward; barreled into the ground.
Tousled and dazed, he looked up at the strange woman. With the shadow from her hood he barely saw the gleam of her eyes as she gave him one last warning glare, and disappeared into the shadows.
Aragorn looked on from the opposite side of camp. There was a terrible power hidden under that cloak; lurking in the shadows. He was frightened of that power, only because he did not yet know the full strength of it.
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(the following about Blue and her dream is Amaya Rayne's from Blue II that
I felt compelled to add here)
Blue knelt before the king aware of Legolas behind her. The stone was cold beneath her legs. She could feel four eyes watching her every breath.
"Your Highness, you summoned me," she spoke as she stared at the floor. The guard had come to Legolas' room and, although she was hiding, told Legolas to come and bring her to see the king. Legolas was completely against the idea and 'damned her pride' when she refused.
She now knelt before the one who hated her most, waiting for her doom. The silence was deafening in the stone hall, until the king spoke.
"I am most surprised you have come."
"I have lived here my entire life, my lord, and I believe even though I am a different race, I should still obey the laws of the land. When the king summons me, no matter the cause, I shall answer."
"Indeed. Your words and actions have led me to my decision—"
"Father—" Legolas objected.
"My son, please! Silence is bid from you." He turned to her. "I place thee under house arrest with the prince as your charge."
Her jaw dropped in astonishment, "My lord..." she started, looking up at him.
"For the turn of a month. Do not fret, he should be a good charge."
She looked to Legolas who wore the same expression. "Father..."
"I hope you will be responsible enough to take this assignment?"
"Yes, I—"
"Good, then we are finished. You may go."
It took a moment, but Legolas and she found heir legs and walked from the room. They walked silently down the hallways to Legolas' room. Blue could not believe it. The king did not want her dead.
"What just happened?" she whispered, mainly to herself.
"Keep a close eye these next couple days. I do not think my father's true intention was voiced." Legolas warned her.
"Why do you say that?"
"His eyes."
She nodded, knowing Legolas would know best and opened the door to his room and became paralyzed. A warg stood before her, saliva dripping from its exposed fangs and its eyes glinting with malice.
"Aluhin!" she heard Legolas yell as the warg dove at her. She screamed Legolas' name and the world went black.
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Blue woke up, breathing hard. Sweat covered her and the wind blew through the clearing sending a chill up her spine. She looked around her, her heart pounding in her chest. Two bodies lay on the ground around her, the fire, smoldering, a few feet away. It was a dream.
She laid on the grass and calmed her self down, staring into the sky above her. No sleep would come to her this night. After a few moments, she stood and walked a few yards away from camp. She took a deep breath and involuntarily shuttered. Inner peace was so far for her that she wondered if the torment would ever end.
Her thoughts drifted to Legolas. His life was probably back to how it was before he ran into her. She missed him. Her heart longed for him, but she could never have him. Lust, lust was what he felt for her: lust and pity. He was better off without her, she was better of without him.
She should have never allowed him to keep her. She should have presented herself to the king as soon as Legolas told her. It would have saved her so much pain.
The sun began to rise as the start of a new day. Where was she going to go? She could not go back to Mirkwood. She could not bare to see him again, knowing she couldn't have him. Why was she here, then? Her original plan was to earn gold to pay her adoptive father, but how could she pay him if she could not go back? What was the point of staying here?
she went to camp and began to pack her belongings. She had just finished and slung the pack on her back, ready to go when a voice stopped her.
"Where you goin'?
Green.
"Leaving."
"Really?" It was more of a statement than a question
"Yes, really."
"No, your not."
"Why? There's nothing keeping me here."
"Black would kill me if she came back and you were gone."
"Black's been gone for almost a week. Do you really think she'll be back?" She was beginning to get frustrated.
"Yeah, she'll be back."
"She left with no word and so will I."
"I don't trust you as much as I do her."
Blue stopped. "Well, thanks, but all my life I've gone on my own with no one's trust and have been just fine. I don't see why things should change now."
"You owe her, that's what's keeping you."
"What?" she asked, turning around to face Green.
"You'd be dead if it wasn't for Black."
"You know what? I'd rather be dead. She shouldn't have wasted her tears on me."
Green found her words quite ironic and watched her as she left camp.
"Where'd Blue go?" Red asked, just waking.
"She'll be back," said Green.
"How do you know?" Red questioned. "That doesn't look like the walk of someone who wants to come back."
"Don't worry, Red. She has no idea where she's going," Green assured her, "she'll be back. Come on, let's go eat."
Red's eyes lit up. "Oh, yeah, food."
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Black was trudging through the dense forest underbrush and wondering who was more annoying: Legolas or Red (it was a close call) when suddenly she heard a shout and the whiz of an arrow.
"What now?" Black grumbled, turning back and pushing her way through a thick shrub.
Legolas and Aragorn were looking intently up into the trees, searching for something.
Suddenly a giant shadow burst out of the leaves to Legolas's left. With a sickening sort of squirming sound, the shadow collapsed.
Dusk was falling fast, but Black could see that the shadow had been one of those grotesque spider-creatures that had helped give Mirkwood its name.
The Elf went over and pulled his arrow out of the monster and whispered, "Spiders!"
Aragorn whipped out his sword and Legolas fitted another arrow to his bow.
"Oh, come on!" Black said. "We don't have time for you two to stop and play 'spider-slayers.'"
The Elf and the Ranger swiveled their heads to tell Black to keep her voice down, but a spider fell directly on top of Aragorn.
"Arg!" yelled Aragorn as he tried to shove it off of him. Legolas shot at it, but it scurried out of the way.
The spider made circles behind a wall of foliage around the Elf and the Ranger, playing games with their heads, as Black sat back and watched.
"I suppose this amuses you?" said the Elf when he saw the smirk on Black's face.
"Yes," Black answered as Legolas launched an arrow at a fluttering leaf, "yes it does."
Soon the spider sprang again. It knocked the bow out of Legolas's hands and threw Aragorn against a tree. When it disappeared into the trees again, Legolas went looking for his bow and Aragorn limped over to his sword.
But Black saw what the others could not. While they had turned their backs, the spider had crept slowly into the miniature clearing and was poised to bring its stinger down on Aragorn's neck.
"Aragorn!" Legolas yelled.
Aragorn turned round as the spider lowered its sting.
"MOVE!" Black roared.
She shoved Aragorn to the ground and sent a fireball flying into the soft, vulnerable underbelly of the gruesome creature. It fell out of the tree burnt to a crisp.
Black didn't wait for anyone to say anything and started to walk back through the brush. She didn't much care at the moment whether or not the others followed.
Then she heard one of them whisper, "I'll never get use to that."
A/N: (The portion with Legolas and Aragorn was written by Amaya Rayne, and is part of Blue II. I just edited it slightly to fit it in)
The rain was coming down harder and Aragorn wiped the soaked strands of hair out of his eyes. He had been wandering through the woods when the sky opened to dump its wrath on him. He cursed it again as he drew his cloak tighter around him. He was soaked to the bone and he still had not found Legolas. The Elf had not been seen since he found out about the tenth member of the Fellowship. Aragorn decided he needed to talk some sense into him, but he was beginning to worry he was going to do something unwise.
He scanned his surroundings and looked again at the muddy forest floor. No sign of his anywhere. 'Perhaps he went to seek shelter, solitude, and memories,' Aragorn thought, and headed to a tree where Legolas often spent his time in Imladrais.
The heir of the King of Men did not know how to react when he found the Elf standing in the rain. His weapons were carelessly thrown to the ground some ways away. His back was to him, but Aragorn could tell he was looking into the sky. Aragorn walked toward him then circled him, stopping a few feet before him. Legolas had his eyes closed and the rain was dripping down his face.
"Legolas?"
His eyes shot open and he instinctively stepped back. "Aragorn," he sighed, relaxing his tense muscles again. "Forgive me, I did not hear you...how long have you been standing there?"
"We need to talk."
"No, my friend, we don't. All that I need to say has been said." He turned away.
"Well, I'm not finished!" Aragorn said in a kingly tone that caused Legolas to stop in his tracks. "You will hear what I have to say." Aragorn began walking back around the figure who was now as still as a statue. "I don't know what has gotten into you, but you need to snap out of it. You are a valuable asset to the Fellowship. You are to represent the Elves, Legolas!"
"Send Glorfindel in my stead," Legolas said quietly.
"Glorfindel?"
"He is just as qualified if not more so than I. He will not let you down."
"As you have?"
"As I have," he whispered, his eyes closing.
"Legolas, what is it that plagues you?"
"She is dead...because of me."
"Legolas--"
But he turned his head to the sky and began to softly sing. "I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you. Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through. But on the darkest day there's always light and now I see it, too. But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you."
"Legolas! Can you not see what you are doing to yourself? You are killing yourself! It was not your fault! You did everything in your power to stop it from happening."
Legolas opened his eyes and looked straight at Aragorn. "How would you feel if it was Arwen?"
Aragorn was stunned, "What?"
"You heard me. What if your father was still alive and hated Elves with a passion? What if he hunted down, beat, and jailed her? You tried to hid her and fell for her even harder being constantly in her presence, having her always by your side. But you father took her from you, putting her on display before your entire home, bruised, bleeding, and un-cared for and you had to stand by and watch when all you wanted to do was hold her close and tell her it would all be all right even though you knew it wouldn't. He locks you in your room during the execution and you can see how your entire kingdom is gathered as if it is a magnificent party. And you lie there on the ground while your father sinks his sword into her, mortally wounding her. All you want to do is hold her and apologize for everything." Tear were mixing with the rain, streaming down his face as he cocked and tried to continue. His voice turned to naught but a whisper, "But she is taken away from you...to die...alone...leaving you...alone..." Legolas' eyes closed, sobs coming as freely as the tears.
Aragorn stood, stunned. The magnitude of Legolas' feelings became clear to him. He suddenly had a strong urge to talk—to show—King Thandruil what he had done. The knock some sense into him. The humanity he had shown the king turned to a great hatred as he watched the elf before him crumble.
"Aluhin, I cannot do this," Aragorn heard him mutter and his hatred melted with the rain as he felt a deep compassion. "I cannot do this. I'm sorry."
"Legolas." Aragorn knelt down next to the Elf and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Aragorn, I cannot hold on. I cannot find the strength to live."
Aragorn couldn't find words. He knew he would not want to live without Arwen. What words could he use!
"I cannot fulfill my oath," Legolas whispered.
"What oath do you speak of, Legolas?"
"I promised her I would not give in...to live and not die of heart brake. Oh, if she only knew the toil of such an oath. I used to think I knew what I was fighting for...I don't think that anymore."
"What did you promise? What were her words?"
Legolas' eyes grew out of focus and for a moment Aragorn thought he passed into shadow or sleep, but Legolas took hold of Aragorn's hands and put them to his temples.
Darkness took Aragorn's vision and he no longer felt the rain or the chill of the afternoon. He was about to draw his hands away when he saw a human girl in front of him.
"I love you, with all my heart and soul. I would take the blade for you," he found himself saying.
"Legolas! You must now!" she plead, gripping his hands in hers. "I could not bare to watch you die in my place!"
"You think I do not feel the same? I cannot live without you!"
"No! You must not! Please, just hold onto life...for me."
"Aluhin..."
"Legolas, please. I will watch over you. I will be with you always, but you must stay. I will live through the moon and the rain and the lightning in the sky. I will be there. Promise me!"
"I could not bare to go on without you."
"You won't have to. You will not be alone. Did you not say how you loved the way I was so free in the rain? Remember that day you followed me and watched me sing in the rain? I am the rain. I will be the rain. Enjoy me that way! Please, Legolas. Do not do this to me." Tears glistened in her eyes and one escaped.
"For you, I promise."
A weak smile spread across her lips, "Thank you."
She leaned in an Aragorn could feel her soft lips on his, the taste of her, when suddenly it was gone and he was blinded by light and trees. He touched his lips and looked up to find Legolas, standing, his back to Aragorn.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to put you through pain," Aragorn spoke.
The Elf sighed, "'Tis sweet torment...to feel her lips on mine once more...to look upon her fair face and touch her soft skin. Only if I could old her in my arms again..." He fell silent and Aragorn rose to leave. "Aragorn...I will go with you, though, I cannot say how long I will last."
"Legolas?"
"I owe it to you."
"You owe me nothing."
"For Aluhin...for aiding our unsuccessful escape. What you saw was the little time you allowed me to see her while you drugged the guards." Legolas turned to him. "The chance you gave me to tell her I loved her."
Aragorn bowed his head, suddenly guilty he did not succeed in the mission Legolas had given to him.
Legolas seemed to sense his thoughts. "It was not your fault. You granted us time which I am in your debt for. I will join your Fellowship, although I wish not."
Aragorn thanked the Elf alone before leaving him with his thoughts.
He stood alone—silent—for an un-calculated amount of time, feeling the rain beat down on him. He remembered his love's words to him and felt her presence.
He sighed as he climbed to the top of the tree where the rain could soak him fully. "I know you're here. I love you so much it hurts. I do not know which path to take. My heart is no longer here to tell me; you have stolen it. But I p ray I have your heart to guide me. You are forever in my thoughts, my love. Rest in peace."
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Stars shined above Legolas' eyes came into focus. His dreams disturbed him, although he did not remember them. His memory seemed fresh and new. Aluhin—did he not see her just a few days past? The dream had his head spinning. Jumping from the tree, he went in search of Aragorn, who he felt could council him on the matter.
He found Aragorn at his camp, not far away. A dying fire provided an eerie glow in the trees. Aragorn sat, his back against a tree, smoking his pipe.
"Legolas are you well?" he asked, withdrawing his pipe from his lips.
"All is well as it should be, but I am not. Forgive me, I should not have disturbed you." He started away.
"No, please. I can see sleep is far from you, as it is in me. Sit, join me."
He looked at Aragorn closely for a few seconds and nodded, seeing Aragorn was true to his words.
"What troubles you?" Aragorn asked, taking another puff of his pipe.
"My dreams have trouble me. Aluhin seems to haunt me."
"Haunt would not be the world I would choose..."
"Aye...visits my dreams often giving me views of what could be," Legolas told Aragorn.
"How so?"
"I had a dream—not more than a fortnight ago back in Mirkwood—that she visited me in the forest. She acted strangely and told me to not speak of our meeting. She left me quickly, not answering my questions and stole my arrows. She returned later and acted normally, but departed angrily when I spoke of our previous meeting. A third time, she led me father away and changed before my eyes into another person completely before tying me to a tree, leaving me there! You, luckily found me, and I told you of the strange events only to encounter a woman—nay, a witch—from my past; the woman who you—Aragorn? Are you well?"
It may have been the dimming firelight, but the man looked very pale to Legolas.
"...Yes...although, I am starting to think this is no dream you had," his voice was thick and forced.
"It was so real!" Legolas exclaimed before realizing what his friend really said. "Why do you say that?"
"I either had the same dream or occurrence. Did the black-cloaked woman not bind us underground and the red-cloaked woman sat and spoke for hours. Aluhin then helped us escape, although I remember being hit with a board, being tied to a tree, and watching the woman set the clearing afire." It was Legolas turn to turn pale and nod slowly. "The reason I believed it to be a dream was I awoke in a different location."
"Yes, but did you notice the burned circle of trees?" Legolas asked. Aragorn did not answer, but seemed lost in thought. "But how could it be?" Legolas asked in a louder voice, standing and beginning to pace about camp. How could she be alive? She could not have survived that wound...unless..." he trailed off and stood still, piecing the unknowns together.
"Legolas!" Aragorn whispered sternly. His tone caused Legolas to snap from his thoughts. Aragorn had a finger to his lips. Legolas looked at him questioningly. "Keep your voice down." He pointed to a bundle on the other side of camp.
Legolas' elven eyes pierced the darkness and saw the figure of a body, more clearly, the woman who stole Aluhin from him; the woman who tortured guards with mystical burns and fireballs; the woman who was part of the Fellowship.
Anger burned his flesh and Legolas stormed over to her. "Legolas, do not wake—" Aragorn plead. But Legolas saw what the man did not: she was already awake.
He seized her by the neck of her black cloak and pulled her from the ground, so she was eye level to him. Her feet dangled a few inches from the ground and she looked at him, shocked for a moment.
"Answers! Now!" he growled. "I know you were listening and I know you have knowledge of which I speak of."
"Put me down and you might get something out of me," she snapped. When he made no attempt, she tried to pry his fingers of steal off her cloak, but to no avail. She cursed and grabbed his hand.
Elvish curses flew though the air as Legolas tossed her to the ground. The woman smiled triumphantly and straightened her cloak. Aragorn, standing, strode quickly over to investigate and intervene if necessary.
"Bloody elf," the woman spat, "teaches you to listen to me the first time." She threw her hands into the air, looking to the sky. "Why don't they ever listen? Don't they understand? Do things my way, save yourself much pain!"
She turned to the males. "What are you looking at? Don't even think about it! I ain't crying on him! He deserved it!" She received more confused looks. "Ah, never mind."
"What do you know of Aluhin?" the man asked.
"Aluhin? Ah, Blue...enough."
"You said she was alive." Legolas added.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious!"
Legolas ignored her comment, "How?"
"Um...that's classified information. I'm sorry, you'll need spec—"
"Does she have more to her than meets the eyes?" Legolas asked, carefully choosing his words.
The woman paused. "Depends on who you ask."
"More than I know?"
"What do you know?"
Legolas thought for a moment before answering, "water."
"Water! Well, everyone—oh! Oh, so she told you about the water," the woman said, nodding in understanding.
Aragorn looked on, having no idea what the two were going on about, but said nothing. All that was needed here was to answer Legolas' questions.
"No...nothing more to her...at least, nothing you need to know..." The woman sounded unsure, searching her memory for any other hidden secretes of the woman.
"Then how does she live? You saw her! None could live through such a wound!"
"Few," the woman corrected. "Few could have survived, but all could survive with the right friends." A large smile appeared on her face.
"So it was an external circumstance, not by her abilities?"
"Uh...yeah."
"You don't sound too sure," Legolas said, searching her for lies.
"That's not information you need to know!"
A wide smile crossed the Elf's face. "She lives," he breathed. "My beloved..."
"Oh, for the love of...don't go getting all emotional on me," the woman said in disgust. "I don't do sentimental."
Legolas drifted from his cloud. "Where is she?"
It was Black's turn to smile. "In good hands, many miles away."
A frown quickly appeared on Legolas' face. "Did she go freely? Is she safe?"
"Yes! No! Ah! Do you ever shut up!"
"No? What do you mean, no?!"
"Didn't think so," she mumbled, sighing. "I'm going to bed since I was so rudely awoken! Pestering Elves, they're worse than Red. This is going to be a long trip."
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The dark woman and her companions made their way through the trees of Mirkwood. The Elf would not shut up about his precious Aluhin, and Black had had enough of his attempts to force information from her about his beloved.
The day before Legolas had lifted her off her feet and demanded to know what had happened to Blue. Black did not appreciate being disrespected in such a manner, so she had grabbed the Elf's wrist with her bare hands, and he'd dropped her immediately.
He was at it again, but Black did not listen.
"You! Aegnor!" the Elf shouted. Black continued carving the long wooden rod in her lap.
He strode over to her in her quiet corner-it was dusk-and lifted her to her feet.
"I want some answers. Now."
"For someone who has eternity, you sure do have a quick temper," Black sneered.
The Elf rammed her up against a tree. A red light flashed in Black's eyes.
"Tell me the truth," he growled.
Black locked eyes with the Elf in an intent, unwavering glare; the Elf had pushed her to her limit. She pried his slender fingers from her cloak, and grabbed hold of his collar. Single-handedly, she began to lift the Elf (almost a head taller than she), off his feet.
His eyes widened in fear and confusion as his toes cleared the top of the blades of grass. Without breaking eye contact, she whispered in a deadly, menacing voice;
"Touch me again, Elf, and I will hit you so hard that by the time you come to, ooh, boy, you're going to need a new hair cut. You understand me?"
Legolas remained stiff and silent, then suddenly he felt himself propelled backward; barreled into the ground.
Tousled and dazed, he looked up at the strange woman. With the shadow from her hood he barely saw the gleam of her eyes as she gave him one last warning glare, and disappeared into the shadows.
Aragorn looked on from the opposite side of camp. There was a terrible power hidden under that cloak; lurking in the shadows. He was frightened of that power, only because he did not yet know the full strength of it.
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(the following about Blue and her dream is Amaya Rayne's from Blue II that
I felt compelled to add here)
Blue knelt before the king aware of Legolas behind her. The stone was cold beneath her legs. She could feel four eyes watching her every breath.
"Your Highness, you summoned me," she spoke as she stared at the floor. The guard had come to Legolas' room and, although she was hiding, told Legolas to come and bring her to see the king. Legolas was completely against the idea and 'damned her pride' when she refused.
She now knelt before the one who hated her most, waiting for her doom. The silence was deafening in the stone hall, until the king spoke.
"I am most surprised you have come."
"I have lived here my entire life, my lord, and I believe even though I am a different race, I should still obey the laws of the land. When the king summons me, no matter the cause, I shall answer."
"Indeed. Your words and actions have led me to my decision—"
"Father—" Legolas objected.
"My son, please! Silence is bid from you." He turned to her. "I place thee under house arrest with the prince as your charge."
Her jaw dropped in astonishment, "My lord..." she started, looking up at him.
"For the turn of a month. Do not fret, he should be a good charge."
She looked to Legolas who wore the same expression. "Father..."
"I hope you will be responsible enough to take this assignment?"
"Yes, I—"
"Good, then we are finished. You may go."
It took a moment, but Legolas and she found heir legs and walked from the room. They walked silently down the hallways to Legolas' room. Blue could not believe it. The king did not want her dead.
"What just happened?" she whispered, mainly to herself.
"Keep a close eye these next couple days. I do not think my father's true intention was voiced." Legolas warned her.
"Why do you say that?"
"His eyes."
She nodded, knowing Legolas would know best and opened the door to his room and became paralyzed. A warg stood before her, saliva dripping from its exposed fangs and its eyes glinting with malice.
"Aluhin!" she heard Legolas yell as the warg dove at her. She screamed Legolas' name and the world went black.
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Blue woke up, breathing hard. Sweat covered her and the wind blew through the clearing sending a chill up her spine. She looked around her, her heart pounding in her chest. Two bodies lay on the ground around her, the fire, smoldering, a few feet away. It was a dream.
She laid on the grass and calmed her self down, staring into the sky above her. No sleep would come to her this night. After a few moments, she stood and walked a few yards away from camp. She took a deep breath and involuntarily shuttered. Inner peace was so far for her that she wondered if the torment would ever end.
Her thoughts drifted to Legolas. His life was probably back to how it was before he ran into her. She missed him. Her heart longed for him, but she could never have him. Lust, lust was what he felt for her: lust and pity. He was better off without her, she was better of without him.
She should have never allowed him to keep her. She should have presented herself to the king as soon as Legolas told her. It would have saved her so much pain.
The sun began to rise as the start of a new day. Where was she going to go? She could not go back to Mirkwood. She could not bare to see him again, knowing she couldn't have him. Why was she here, then? Her original plan was to earn gold to pay her adoptive father, but how could she pay him if she could not go back? What was the point of staying here?
she went to camp and began to pack her belongings. She had just finished and slung the pack on her back, ready to go when a voice stopped her.
"Where you goin'?
Green.
"Leaving."
"Really?" It was more of a statement than a question
"Yes, really."
"No, your not."
"Why? There's nothing keeping me here."
"Black would kill me if she came back and you were gone."
"Black's been gone for almost a week. Do you really think she'll be back?" She was beginning to get frustrated.
"Yeah, she'll be back."
"She left with no word and so will I."
"I don't trust you as much as I do her."
Blue stopped. "Well, thanks, but all my life I've gone on my own with no one's trust and have been just fine. I don't see why things should change now."
"You owe her, that's what's keeping you."
"What?" she asked, turning around to face Green.
"You'd be dead if it wasn't for Black."
"You know what? I'd rather be dead. She shouldn't have wasted her tears on me."
Green found her words quite ironic and watched her as she left camp.
"Where'd Blue go?" Red asked, just waking.
"She'll be back," said Green.
"How do you know?" Red questioned. "That doesn't look like the walk of someone who wants to come back."
"Don't worry, Red. She has no idea where she's going," Green assured her, "she'll be back. Come on, let's go eat."
Red's eyes lit up. "Oh, yeah, food."
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Black was trudging through the dense forest underbrush and wondering who was more annoying: Legolas or Red (it was a close call) when suddenly she heard a shout and the whiz of an arrow.
"What now?" Black grumbled, turning back and pushing her way through a thick shrub.
Legolas and Aragorn were looking intently up into the trees, searching for something.
Suddenly a giant shadow burst out of the leaves to Legolas's left. With a sickening sort of squirming sound, the shadow collapsed.
Dusk was falling fast, but Black could see that the shadow had been one of those grotesque spider-creatures that had helped give Mirkwood its name.
The Elf went over and pulled his arrow out of the monster and whispered, "Spiders!"
Aragorn whipped out his sword and Legolas fitted another arrow to his bow.
"Oh, come on!" Black said. "We don't have time for you two to stop and play 'spider-slayers.'"
The Elf and the Ranger swiveled their heads to tell Black to keep her voice down, but a spider fell directly on top of Aragorn.
"Arg!" yelled Aragorn as he tried to shove it off of him. Legolas shot at it, but it scurried out of the way.
The spider made circles behind a wall of foliage around the Elf and the Ranger, playing games with their heads, as Black sat back and watched.
"I suppose this amuses you?" said the Elf when he saw the smirk on Black's face.
"Yes," Black answered as Legolas launched an arrow at a fluttering leaf, "yes it does."
Soon the spider sprang again. It knocked the bow out of Legolas's hands and threw Aragorn against a tree. When it disappeared into the trees again, Legolas went looking for his bow and Aragorn limped over to his sword.
But Black saw what the others could not. While they had turned their backs, the spider had crept slowly into the miniature clearing and was poised to bring its stinger down on Aragorn's neck.
"Aragorn!" Legolas yelled.
Aragorn turned round as the spider lowered its sting.
"MOVE!" Black roared.
She shoved Aragorn to the ground and sent a fireball flying into the soft, vulnerable underbelly of the gruesome creature. It fell out of the tree burnt to a crisp.
Black didn't wait for anyone to say anything and started to walk back through the brush. She didn't much care at the moment whether or not the others followed.
Then she heard one of them whisper, "I'll never get use to that."