Disclaimer: I own nothing. The full versions of this and all my fics can be found on adultfanfiction.net author ID Shanastay.
Chapter 8: Summoned
Legolas paused in his movements, suddenly feeling eyes upon him. He immediately struck a defensive posture, searching the trees around him. His keen eyesight bored into the shadows revealing………nothing.
What is going on? Now I'm getting all paranoid. But I could have sworn I was being watched.
Legolas relaxed his posture, deciding he was done practicing. As he had hoped, the exercise had clamed him and his leggings no longer chafed. Shaking his head he carefully gathered up his weapons and headed back. He stopped by the weapons-master to return the sword, thanking him for its use.
Legolas was reflecting on his practice as he headed toward the kitchen to get something to eat. He was thinking about his sword practice when he drew up short.
What was I doing?
His brow furrowed in concentration, he found he could remember all his movements, but could not recall ever seeing or learning them before. His stomach grumbled in protest, pulling him from his revere.
Another mystery. But I have more pressing matters to attend to. I can think about this later.
Legolas smiled and quickened his pace toward the kitchen. His entrance startled several cooks.
Cerendil, Elrond's favorite chef, smiled ruefully at the Prince. "Prince Legolas, elves are notoriously quiet, but you bring new meaning to the word." Legolas' stomach growled audibly. "Although that would have given your presence away. What can I do for you?"
Legolas smiled sheepishly, "I skipped breakfast and was wondering if I could get something to take back with me to my room."
"You will not be joining everyone for the mid-day meal?" Cerendil questioned. "You were missed at breakfast."
"No. I desire to be alone right now. I have much to think on."
Cerendil nodded, one perfectly curved eyebrow arched, but said nothing. He proceeded to pick out a selection of fruits and vegetables and place them in a bag. He then made several various sandwiches and placed those in the bag as well, as he doubted the likelihood of Legolas showing up for dinner either. He finished off the bag with several bottles of water and fruit juice and one of wine.
Legolas was visibly fidgeting, fingers playing with the piece of silk he had placed in his pocket that morning. He snatched the bag from Cerendil and sped off.
Cerendil just shook his head as he watched the Prince's receding back.
Legolas was so intent on his destination he heedlessly sped around corners. He practically raced around the corner before his room only to run into someone.
Legolas caught the person by the shoulder with his free hand, steadying him before he could fall, apologizing. As Legolas made eye contact with the man, recognition spread across his face along with a bright smile.
"Aragorn! By the Valar! What are you doing HERE? It's been too long my friend."
Aragorn's own bright smile reflected that of his dear friend. "It's good to see you too. Arwen was missing her father and brothers so we decided to come for a visit."
Legolas laughed at the thought of Elrond's notoriously mischievous twins. "No matter how old those two get, they'll still be playing practical jokes on people."
"Yes, Elrohir and Elladan greeted me with their usual, 'Estel, you need a bath.' I should have anticipated the bucket of water poised over my door."
Legolas laughed at the mental image of Aragorn, King of Men, standing there, hand on doorknob, dripping wet.
"Yes, Arwen found it quite amusing as well," Aragorn responded, rolling his eyes. "Are you on your way to the mid-day meal?"
"No, I decided to have lunch in my room. I have some things I need to reflect on."
"I shall stop by later then?" Aragorn inquired, eyebrows raised.
"I would like that. We must catch up on your new life as 'King of Men.'"
Aragorn rolled his eyes again, "I will see you later then, my friend," as he passed by Legolas.
Legolas' laughter followed Aragorn down the hall. His laughter was cut short once Aragorn was out of sight, the pain from his injuries finally registering. Legolas continued to his room. Once there it finally dawned on him that neither Cerendil nor Aragorn had asked about the marks on his face.
After leaving Legolas, Aragorn checked behind him to make sure the fair elf had not changed his mind and followed Aragorn. Ascertaining that the hallway was clear, he sped off to Elrond's study.
Aragorn burst through the double doors, anger flaring on his face, an accusation on his lips. He was cut off by Elrond's quiet words, "We could hear you coming all the way down the hall."
Elrond smiled at his adopted son. "Now tell us what has you so upset," he gestured to a seat near where Gandalf nursed his pipe.
Aragorn nodded to Gandalf before taking a seat in a soft chair near the window. Aragorn's accusing stare shifted between Elrond and Gandalf.
"You didn't tell me how bad it was."
Gandalf just gazed at Aragorn innocently.
"Have you seen Legolas' face? It was positively painful watching him smile. It looks like someone bashed his face into a tree! And he's limping as well!..." Aragorn trailed off in his tirade.
Elrond looked over at his youngest. "I thought you had been watching him earlier. You made no mention of his appearance then. You only referred to his newly acquired skills."
"Well, I didn't get a close look. I didn't want to be discovered after all. And he was moving so fast."
Elrond nodded.
Gandalf decided to speak up then, "Legolas was limping last night when he came back, but the bruises were just beginning to form."
"Well, they're in full bloom now. The entire side of his face is black and blue. What is going on?"
Gandalf chose to answer the query, "The visions Legolas has been having have both increased in frequency and now apparently in intensity. Before it was like he was just a bystander in someone else's nightmare. He'd feel her terror and pain but nothing actually happened to him. Now the visions are manifesting themselves in a more physical manner. If you can get him to open up and tell you what happened it may help us decipher what this all means."
Elrond interjected, "The end of this phenomenon seems to be drawing near. I only hope the conclusion does not mean the death of the Prince."
Aragorn spoke up after listening quietly to the two, his anger having dissipated, "Legolas seems to be hiding his injuries well. From the sound of things he probably has others I did not observe."
With a clap of his hands, Elrond called the meeting to an end. "Now let us all go eat. This day is still far from over and there is much to do."
Back in his room Legolas was mulling over the implications of his most recent discovery.
Why would Aragorn not make some mention of the marks on my face? There is more going on here than I've been led to believe. Why do I have a feeling Gandalf has a hand in that? What is he up to? No matter. I'll discuss this with him later. I have more pressing matters. Legolas' stomach chose that moment to issue a formal complaint to the owner. Like eating.
Legolas carefully deposited his quiver in a corner and laid his bow on the bed, running his hand down the length before taking his sack of food out onto the balcony.
The view was breathtaking as always. Knowing he liked heights, Elrond had made sure his room was higher up, overlooking the gardens. A tree grew off to the side of the balcony, close enough that Legolas could climb into it if he chose.
Lord Elrond is entirely too perceptive at times.
Legolas sat in one of the chairs near the railing so he could look out over the gardens, while at the same time remain unobserved from below.
He drew one of Cerendil's sandwiches from the sack and took a bite. The taste finally made him realize exactly how hungry he really was. He practically inhaled the first sandwich and quickly followed it with two more, pausing only to take long gulps from one of the bottles of water. After the third sandwich he finally slowed down. Retrieving the swatch of green silk from his pocket he leaned back in the chair, rubbing the fabric between his fingers as he crunched on an apple.
These are strange days indeed. I wonder if Gandalf and Elrond summoned Aragorn here. If that is the case, they must have done so before I even arrived here. The trip from Gondor is more than a couple days journey.
Ada. That's the only explanation. Father must have sent word to Elrond of what was happening to me, anticipating I would come here. Elrond's concern must have been great for him to have summoned Estel before he even spoke to me.
That's all assuming that Aragorn was not telling me the whole truth behind his visit. I'm sure Arwen did in fact miss her father and brothers.
But what am I to make of these visions that have brought me here? If I am to assume these are the results of some link I have to this female, then the fact that these manifestations are increasing in strength and frequency must mean something. But what? Is she closer to here than Mirkwood? Am I approaching some apex of events that will have far-reaching consequences?
With a groan Legolas softly banged his head against the back of the chair.
"Ego much?"
Legolas froze.
Wait a minute. Ego? Much? What kind of speech is that? I can't think straight now. I'm speaking and thinking nonsense.
Legolas finished his apple and closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the chair, enjoying the feeling of the sun's rays warming him. The restless motion of his fingers and tongue calmed his anxiety, allowing him to clear his mind.
A cold wind hitting him full in the face caused Legolas to snap his eyes open. Looking around he found himself standing in the snow surrounded by rows and rows of white marble markers as far as he could see through the swirling snow.
Headstones. This is a cemetery.
Movement in front of him caught his eye. A hunched form stood before one of the white markers. The snow crunched under the figure's feet as it kneeled down.
Legolas stepped up behind the figure, reading the engraving over its shoulder as it sat back on its heels.
"Lt. Col. Aloysius Anthony Collier
31 March 1921- 17 August 1999
Veteran:
WWII
Korea
Vietnam"
The figure seemed to sense his presence and accept it. The figure spoke to him with familiarity and Legolas realized from the timbre of the voice that it was a female. She turned slightly to the side, her form-fitting attire leaving very little to his imagination.
The wind whipped her flaming red hair around her head and she tucked it back behind one ear, revealing its round shape.
She's human.
Legolas could hear the tears in her voice as she reached one hand out to touch the stone. Touched by the pain evident in her words Legolas found himself wishing he could comfort her somehow. He stepped closer; one hand closing around her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. Her free hand immediately came up, covering his. She continued speaking, when she paused for a moment he gently squeezed her shoulder.
She was silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
When she spoke again, tears ran freely down her face. Legolas could hear the soft sound they made as they landed.
Her voice took on a hint of hysteria as she gripped his hand tighter. She burst into loud sobs, as if a dam within her had broken, rocking slowly back and forth.
Overcome by her tremendous pain and grief, Legolas kneeled behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her shaking form back against his chest. She turned her head to the side, tucking her face against his chest under his chin.
Legolas felt her pain as if it were his own. He felt as if the one thing he cared about most in the world had been taken from him and his heart was breaking.
Legolas pitched forward, catching himself on his hands. He looked around, finding himself on his knees near the chair he had been sitting in.
The sound of knocking at his door brought Legolas back to himself. Shaking his head, he stood up.
That was intense.
Legolas walked toward the door, trying to clear the remaining fog from his mind.
"Just a moment," he called out as the knocking seemed to increase in intensity.
As he made it to the door, Legolas felt something on his face. He reached his hand up to touch it, and then drew it away. Legolas froze in place as he realized what it was.
A single tear had found its way down his face.
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