PART 5
As the company dispersed, Gimli put a hand on Legolas' arm. "Wait, Legolas. I have much to say to you."
Legolas stopped, looking surprised. "Of course, Gimli. However, I have things to attend to before I speak with you. Give me an hour and I will meet you by the lake."
Legolas went to his allotted chambers on the eastern side of Elrond's palace, so given to him because it was well-known how much he loved the sunrise. The window was open and the soft night wind kissed the Elf's pale face as he sat at a table with pen and paper, and Gimli's package. He dipped his pen into the ink bottle and wrote a short note on parchment at his side. Putting the note in an envelope, he wrote a name on it and wrapped it within the package. He then stopped a servant in the hallway and asked them to send the package as soon as possible to the halls in Mirkwood. The servant bowed and walked away, leaving Legolas with his thoughts.
The moon was at its highest point as Legolas walked quietly to the lake where Gimli waited. The Dwarf sat bolt upright on a bench by the shore, his short legs sticking out in front of him, his feet wiggling impatiently as he waited. Despite his grave thoughts, Legolas smiled. His footsteps made no sound as he crept up behind Gimli and laid a hand on his shoulder.
The Dwarf yelled and waved his axe, narrowly missing Legolas. "That was unfair!"
"It was no more unfair as it would have been had you done it. I thought you had the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox?"
"Cheeky elves, I've always said . . ." Gimli muttered. His face softened. "Well sit down, Legolas. There's much I want to ask, starting with why you didn't come to visit me in the Glittering Caves after you came back from the Sea, like you promised?"
"Oh Gimli. I tried, honestly. But my father, Thranduil, you know, chose the time of my homecoming to retreat to the Grey Havens. The defense of Mirkwood took much out of him, and he was not the Elf he had been. I was - " Legolas cleared his throat and dropped his eyes to hide his grief - "- the last son living, you know. So of course I stepped into his place. I took over the throne and set to cleaning up and regrowing the kingdom. The trees were much damaged . . . they were crying for my help, you know."
"I will never understand your infernal obsession with trees! It isn't even like they produce anything of value!" Gimli grumbled, Dwarf-like.
Legolas smiled sadly. "I can see that I will never convince you that growing things are the best friends we have. Dwarves have always found the cold glitter of gemstones more beautiful than the warm light of the sun through green leaves. But all the same, it was my job to save my kingdom and bring it up to the standard that it once was. While I did this, I enlisted the help of the Wood-Elves, who know everything about any kind of tree that grows in Middle-earth. It was then I met Elladriel."
"Your wife?" Gimli looked interested. "You never did tell me that story. When we parted, you swore you'd never marry, but always keep yourself free of wedlock in order to protect your kingdom. It is easier to leave one's home when they have no ties, you said to me that day."
"And I have lived to eat my words, as even Elves are wont to do. When I met Elladriel, she was everything that I could have wished for in an elven- lady. She was the princess of the Elves of the forest of Upper Lorien, where, as you know, they are educated in the care of trees and woodland creatures. She was the best-educated from that region, and so her father sent her to me. I have never seen anyone heal trees like that lady. Those Elves are born in the arms of the trees, and for the first few years of their lives, they are a part of the tree that they were born in - they take all of the energy and nourishment from the tree until they can live without it. So in a way, Wood-Elves are a part of the trees they care for. They empathise with the sicknesses and injuries that trees can get. Elladriel, more than any of the other Elves she brought with her, was like this. How could I not fall in love with her? We were married soon after, and a short time after that, Ashira was born."
"And you were tied to your family. I understand now. And hopefully after this fight is finished, you will accompany me and redeem your promise that you made at the end of the Third Age." Gimli smiled. "My family does not believe I am even on speaking terms with an Elf. They believe that it is legend, though I still live to tell the tale."
"I wish Dwarves, Gimli, and Elves, could be better friends than they are. We have come such a long way . . . but we can go so much farther. And once again, now we have another important reason to do so. We must protect Middle-earth from Zycrah."
"Zycrah. Now there's a piece of work. I wonder, since elven-weapons don't touch her creatures, how we are supposed to get past them. My axe is sharp, but it won't cleave a magic spell." Gimli frowned. "What do you make of it, Master Elf?"
"Mithrandir and Elrond are in his chambers now, discussing your very query. Mithrandir is powerful; he will be able to overcome this. Zycrah will not triumph over the High Wizard of Middle-earth!"
******
Legolas woke as the sun rose over the Misty Mountains. Its rays slanted over the peaks and found their way into his darkened chambers, lighting his chiseled features and golden hair. He swung himself out of the bed and dressed, packing for the Quest as he did so. Once he had his things in order, he went down to the Great Hall.
Five of the seven going on the Quest were waiting. Aragorn looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept at all. He was fidgety, looking from left to right and tapping his foot impatiently. His right hand gripped Anduril by his side and his eyes were sharp. Elrond and his twin sons stood quietly by the main entrance, their faces drawn with contemplation. Elrond looked quite different, having exchanged his long red and gold robes for silver mail and armour. His own sword, Orcrist, clattered at his side and his long silver-dark hair was tied up, revealing his ears. His face was drawn in a frown. Elrohir and Elladan looked tired. Elrohir was sharpening his long white knives as his brother Elladan reassured his wife, Firgoniel, that he would return to see their twin-elflings born. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with him not to leave. This hit Legolas harder than he had thought it would and he turned his back, pushing thoughts of Elladriel and Ashira out of his mind.
Gandalf was hunched over his staff, muttering to himself. At the top of his staff, a small palantir rested in the grey stone prongs and he was waving his hand slowly over it, murmuring the words to make it reveal its secrets. Legolas longed to go and speak with him, to reassure himself that they were not making a mistake, but he realised that Gandalf was determining their path and needed complete concentration. The Elf had never felt so alone before.
Elrond's head snapped up. "Where is Gimli? We were to leave early!"
A loud clattering of metal on marble startled the whole hall as the Dwarf, by running too quickly down the stairs, fell heavily and slid across the slippery floor. He lay for a moment, motionless, and Legolas was about to go over when he heard a grumbling from Gimli's prone figure and the Dwarf got heavily to his feet. His face was the same colour as his red beard and he pulled his helmet closer around his face as he came to stand beside Legolas.
"A grand entrance, as usual, I see," said Elrond, his face twitching with a mad desire to laugh. "Well now that we are all here, Mithrandir has some advice and tools for us all."
Gandalf tore himself away from his palantir and came over to stand beside Elrond. He reached into his cloak and drew out a handful of what looked like green marbles.
"These," said Gandalf, "are lesser elfstones. I spent all of last night determining the Elessar's chemical and magickal composition and was able to create facsimiles for our weapons. I asked you all last night before you left the council to relinquish your weapons to the elven-forge. You will see now that there are engravings, a spell, on each blade and bow and that there are settings for these stones. You will set each of these stones into your weapons and these will disable Zycrah's power over her minions. They are not enough to kill them, but only stun them. However, they will enable you to use your weapons to hopefully complete the job."
"My bow?" asked Legolas. "But the arrows, Mithrandir, are what kill the orcs."
"The little Elessar on your bow will cast its power onto your arrows also, and any other arrows that have not been touched by the power of Zycrah. Now come and get these, for they will be your survival on this Quest."
Each of the company came up and set a little green Elessar into their weapons. Once the stone touched the sword or bow, the whole thing glowed green for a moment, then dulled again.
Elrond spoke up. "Such a Quest as this deserves a name to revere it. We shall be the Company of Elessar. Our horses await us." He turned to go, but Legolas cried out. "I have not received word that my message reached Mirkwood!"
The servant that Legolas had entrusted with the precious message spoke up. "It has, my lord, the Queen received it."
Elrond smiled sympathetically. "There now, Legolas, does that put your mind at ease? Let us go."
The Company filed out, each drinking up the last of the peace of Rivendell that they could get before they left that lovely region. Each member breathed the fresh mountain air, brooding about the upcoming journey. The sun rose high in the sky as they mounted their horses and turned towards Mordor, and the mixed doom and joy to come.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
As the company dispersed, Gimli put a hand on Legolas' arm. "Wait, Legolas. I have much to say to you."
Legolas stopped, looking surprised. "Of course, Gimli. However, I have things to attend to before I speak with you. Give me an hour and I will meet you by the lake."
Legolas went to his allotted chambers on the eastern side of Elrond's palace, so given to him because it was well-known how much he loved the sunrise. The window was open and the soft night wind kissed the Elf's pale face as he sat at a table with pen and paper, and Gimli's package. He dipped his pen into the ink bottle and wrote a short note on parchment at his side. Putting the note in an envelope, he wrote a name on it and wrapped it within the package. He then stopped a servant in the hallway and asked them to send the package as soon as possible to the halls in Mirkwood. The servant bowed and walked away, leaving Legolas with his thoughts.
The moon was at its highest point as Legolas walked quietly to the lake where Gimli waited. The Dwarf sat bolt upright on a bench by the shore, his short legs sticking out in front of him, his feet wiggling impatiently as he waited. Despite his grave thoughts, Legolas smiled. His footsteps made no sound as he crept up behind Gimli and laid a hand on his shoulder.
The Dwarf yelled and waved his axe, narrowly missing Legolas. "That was unfair!"
"It was no more unfair as it would have been had you done it. I thought you had the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox?"
"Cheeky elves, I've always said . . ." Gimli muttered. His face softened. "Well sit down, Legolas. There's much I want to ask, starting with why you didn't come to visit me in the Glittering Caves after you came back from the Sea, like you promised?"
"Oh Gimli. I tried, honestly. But my father, Thranduil, you know, chose the time of my homecoming to retreat to the Grey Havens. The defense of Mirkwood took much out of him, and he was not the Elf he had been. I was - " Legolas cleared his throat and dropped his eyes to hide his grief - "- the last son living, you know. So of course I stepped into his place. I took over the throne and set to cleaning up and regrowing the kingdom. The trees were much damaged . . . they were crying for my help, you know."
"I will never understand your infernal obsession with trees! It isn't even like they produce anything of value!" Gimli grumbled, Dwarf-like.
Legolas smiled sadly. "I can see that I will never convince you that growing things are the best friends we have. Dwarves have always found the cold glitter of gemstones more beautiful than the warm light of the sun through green leaves. But all the same, it was my job to save my kingdom and bring it up to the standard that it once was. While I did this, I enlisted the help of the Wood-Elves, who know everything about any kind of tree that grows in Middle-earth. It was then I met Elladriel."
"Your wife?" Gimli looked interested. "You never did tell me that story. When we parted, you swore you'd never marry, but always keep yourself free of wedlock in order to protect your kingdom. It is easier to leave one's home when they have no ties, you said to me that day."
"And I have lived to eat my words, as even Elves are wont to do. When I met Elladriel, she was everything that I could have wished for in an elven- lady. She was the princess of the Elves of the forest of Upper Lorien, where, as you know, they are educated in the care of trees and woodland creatures. She was the best-educated from that region, and so her father sent her to me. I have never seen anyone heal trees like that lady. Those Elves are born in the arms of the trees, and for the first few years of their lives, they are a part of the tree that they were born in - they take all of the energy and nourishment from the tree until they can live without it. So in a way, Wood-Elves are a part of the trees they care for. They empathise with the sicknesses and injuries that trees can get. Elladriel, more than any of the other Elves she brought with her, was like this. How could I not fall in love with her? We were married soon after, and a short time after that, Ashira was born."
"And you were tied to your family. I understand now. And hopefully after this fight is finished, you will accompany me and redeem your promise that you made at the end of the Third Age." Gimli smiled. "My family does not believe I am even on speaking terms with an Elf. They believe that it is legend, though I still live to tell the tale."
"I wish Dwarves, Gimli, and Elves, could be better friends than they are. We have come such a long way . . . but we can go so much farther. And once again, now we have another important reason to do so. We must protect Middle-earth from Zycrah."
"Zycrah. Now there's a piece of work. I wonder, since elven-weapons don't touch her creatures, how we are supposed to get past them. My axe is sharp, but it won't cleave a magic spell." Gimli frowned. "What do you make of it, Master Elf?"
"Mithrandir and Elrond are in his chambers now, discussing your very query. Mithrandir is powerful; he will be able to overcome this. Zycrah will not triumph over the High Wizard of Middle-earth!"
******
Legolas woke as the sun rose over the Misty Mountains. Its rays slanted over the peaks and found their way into his darkened chambers, lighting his chiseled features and golden hair. He swung himself out of the bed and dressed, packing for the Quest as he did so. Once he had his things in order, he went down to the Great Hall.
Five of the seven going on the Quest were waiting. Aragorn looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept at all. He was fidgety, looking from left to right and tapping his foot impatiently. His right hand gripped Anduril by his side and his eyes were sharp. Elrond and his twin sons stood quietly by the main entrance, their faces drawn with contemplation. Elrond looked quite different, having exchanged his long red and gold robes for silver mail and armour. His own sword, Orcrist, clattered at his side and his long silver-dark hair was tied up, revealing his ears. His face was drawn in a frown. Elrohir and Elladan looked tired. Elrohir was sharpening his long white knives as his brother Elladan reassured his wife, Firgoniel, that he would return to see their twin-elflings born. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with him not to leave. This hit Legolas harder than he had thought it would and he turned his back, pushing thoughts of Elladriel and Ashira out of his mind.
Gandalf was hunched over his staff, muttering to himself. At the top of his staff, a small palantir rested in the grey stone prongs and he was waving his hand slowly over it, murmuring the words to make it reveal its secrets. Legolas longed to go and speak with him, to reassure himself that they were not making a mistake, but he realised that Gandalf was determining their path and needed complete concentration. The Elf had never felt so alone before.
Elrond's head snapped up. "Where is Gimli? We were to leave early!"
A loud clattering of metal on marble startled the whole hall as the Dwarf, by running too quickly down the stairs, fell heavily and slid across the slippery floor. He lay for a moment, motionless, and Legolas was about to go over when he heard a grumbling from Gimli's prone figure and the Dwarf got heavily to his feet. His face was the same colour as his red beard and he pulled his helmet closer around his face as he came to stand beside Legolas.
"A grand entrance, as usual, I see," said Elrond, his face twitching with a mad desire to laugh. "Well now that we are all here, Mithrandir has some advice and tools for us all."
Gandalf tore himself away from his palantir and came over to stand beside Elrond. He reached into his cloak and drew out a handful of what looked like green marbles.
"These," said Gandalf, "are lesser elfstones. I spent all of last night determining the Elessar's chemical and magickal composition and was able to create facsimiles for our weapons. I asked you all last night before you left the council to relinquish your weapons to the elven-forge. You will see now that there are engravings, a spell, on each blade and bow and that there are settings for these stones. You will set each of these stones into your weapons and these will disable Zycrah's power over her minions. They are not enough to kill them, but only stun them. However, they will enable you to use your weapons to hopefully complete the job."
"My bow?" asked Legolas. "But the arrows, Mithrandir, are what kill the orcs."
"The little Elessar on your bow will cast its power onto your arrows also, and any other arrows that have not been touched by the power of Zycrah. Now come and get these, for they will be your survival on this Quest."
Each of the company came up and set a little green Elessar into their weapons. Once the stone touched the sword or bow, the whole thing glowed green for a moment, then dulled again.
Elrond spoke up. "Such a Quest as this deserves a name to revere it. We shall be the Company of Elessar. Our horses await us." He turned to go, but Legolas cried out. "I have not received word that my message reached Mirkwood!"
The servant that Legolas had entrusted with the precious message spoke up. "It has, my lord, the Queen received it."
Elrond smiled sympathetically. "There now, Legolas, does that put your mind at ease? Let us go."
The Company filed out, each drinking up the last of the peace of Rivendell that they could get before they left that lovely region. Each member breathed the fresh mountain air, brooding about the upcoming journey. The sun rose high in the sky as they mounted their horses and turned towards Mordor, and the mixed doom and joy to come.
~TO BE CONTINUED~