Chapter 21
Legolas's POV
I watched her watching me, refusing to close her eyes. Even in the dark I could see their perfect color, untainted by the darkness of the room. The deep pools of brown slowly began to fade as her eyelids began to droop over them. She seemed reluctant to fall asleep, but soon her eyes were closed. I continued to watch over her, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her face. I listened to her even breathing, slowly allowing mine to settle into the same rhythm.
A long time passed before I moved, slowly pulling my arms from around her. She didn't move an inch. I then got out of bed quietly, dressing quickly. I pulled on my green cloak over my clothes and turned, returning to Adette's side. She still hadn't moved and so I leaned over her to tuck her back in. When I felt her hand gently take hold on my arm I thought she had awakened, but I looked to see her still fast asleep. I moved her hand from my arm, watching only a moment more.
She looked so peaceful and so beautiful lying there beneath the blankets. She was still facing towards where I had been lying, the tops of her shoulders exposed. Her skin was amazing, completely untouched by age or blemish. It was colored a very natural tone, a subtle tan kissed her features. Her dark hair complimented the color well and I loved the length. Sometimes when we were in bed together, she would get on top of me and sweep her hair across my chest in swift movements. It would always make me shudder and her smirk.
I bent over her sleeping form cautiously, tucking her hair behind her ear. She rolled her shoulders at my touch, moaning softly. Before I could wake her I took my leave and slipped outside. When I felt the cool night air I pulled my hood up over my head and went to the ledge to look out. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Aragorn approaching.
"I did not see you after the night's festivities." He said, joining me by the ledge.
"Adette was quite drunk," I paused to laugh as he did, "so I took her to bed."
"I just saw Gimli and Gamling on the floor inside. I take it that you and Adette won the game?" We laughed and when it died down we simply looked out at the night sky. It looked very different that night, and I could feel something odd in the air.
"The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving." I said softly. Aragorn cocked his head to the side, looking out into the night sky as well.
"Where do you sense it?" He asked after a time, still faced forward. I tried to concentrate, attempting to pinpoint where this feeling was coming from. Suddenly I felt its presence nearby, and turned sharply to Aragorn.
"He is here." We instantly turned and ran back inside. Aragorn led the way, and raced down a hall and barged into a room. I saw Pippin holding the Palantír, writhing on the floor in pain as he held it. Merry was sitting up, staring at him, horrified. Gandalf was awakening as Aragorn reached for the Palantír and fell to his knees as he grabbed it. I held his shoulders as he dropped it, and laid him back. His eyes had rolled back into his head for a moment.
"Are you alright Aragorn?" I asked as he slowly sat up.
"I'm fine." He assured me gruffly, turning. I did too and saw Gandalf kneeling over Pippin, holding a hand to his head as he chanted under his breath. Pippin blinked, gasping as he looked around the room.
"Look at me." Gandalf commanded.
"Gandalf, forgive me." He begged, trying to look away.
"Look at me. What did you see?" He continued to hold Pippin's gaze, holding a hand to the Hobbit's face. Pippin closed his eyes for a moment before speaking.
"A tree… there was a white tree in a courtyard of stone… it was dead. The city was burning." He whispered.
"Minas Tirith, is that what you saw?" Gandalf asked.
"I saw… I saw Him! I could hear His voice in my head." Poor Pippin looked horrified, his eyes widened with fear.
"What did you tell him? Speak!"
"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me."
"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?" At this question, Pippin's eyes widened further until I thought that they would roll out of their sockets.
"Nothing. Nothing, I swear." Gandalf continued to stare at Pippin for what seemed like an eternity. Aragorn and I had gotten to our feet, and I could see that Pippin had fallen asleep under Gandalf's stare. The old man rose, turning to face us.
"We must speak with Théoden in the morning." He said grumpily, whirling around to look at Merry. "Go to sleep now."
"But Pippin-"
"Go to sleep!" Merry laid back down and closed his eyes immediately. Gandalf then turned back to face us. "I suggest you two sleep as well."
"Until tomorrow." I said, making for the door. Aragorn took one last look at Pippin before following me out the door. We went to our rooms without another word, although I think that we were both thinking the same thing – had Pippin really given away information?
I opened the door slowly to Adette and I's room and closed it just as slowly behind me. I took off my cloak and flung it over the foot of the bed. I then took off my tunic and leggings, leaving them on the floor, however I pulled on a pair of britches.
When I went to Adette's side, she was panting. Her head jerked from side to side in her sleep, sweat glistening on her forehead. I knew from many nights of experience that Adette had two kinds of nightmares and they had to be responded to differently. I was only to try and wake her from a nightmare if she called out, especially if she called my name. When she simply moved about it was best to just touch her, try to calm her body into an easy sleep instead of waking her.
I circled the bed and got beneath the covers, scooting close to her. I swept her sweaty bangs aside, wiping off her forehead as well. She continued to fling her head about and so I cupped her cheek, trying to stop her thrashing. When she did I moved towards her, tucking her head beneath my chin and wrapping my arms around her. I felt her breath against my neck.
As I laid there I wondered if she would remember what she had said to me in the morning. I knew she had only said it because she had been drunk.
"I'm like a baby aren't I?"
"Right now, yes, but you're my baby."
"Because we can't have one?"
"Yes dúlinn, because we can't have one."
I suddenly blinked, looking down and realized that Adette's eyes were wide open. Thinking she was awake, I smiled.
"It isn't nice to stare." I joked, waiting for her to retort with something along the lines of, "You stare at me all the time." When she didn't respond I shook her gently. I then realized that she wasn't blinking, she wasn't even breathing.
"Adette!" I exclaimed in a frightened voice, shooting up. I tilted her head upward and coaxed her mouth open with shaking fingers. I then proceeded to breathe into her mouth, trying to feed her starving lungs with air. When she didn't respond I ran to the door and flung it open. "Someone help me!"
Seconds later, Aragorn was running towards me on fast feet. I could hear another door opening, but I grabbed Aragorn's arm and pulled him inside.
"She isn't breathing." I said shakily as Aragorn raced to his sister's side. He placed his hands on either side of her face and looked into her eyes.
"Adette, turo le lasto nin?" His voice was husky.
(Adette, can you hear me?)
Someone behind me suddenly shoved me aside and went to Adette's side. I watched Gandalf push Aragorn away as he placed a hand on Adette's forehead. I heard his low chanting, exact to what he had done with Pippin.
Adette suddenly blinked, and I heard her inhale sharply. Gandalf placed his hand on the side of her face and held her other hand gently in his own.
"You saw Pippin." It didn't sound like a question. I figured out what had happened instantly – Adette had been having a vision and was in the same state of shock as Pippin had been. Aragorn went around the other side of the bed and sat beside his sister.
"Close your eyes and try to remember," he pushed her hair back, "don't push yourself too hard."
She looked scared out of her mind, and I wanted nothing more than to hold her close. I instead slowly went to stand beside Gandalf, placing a hand on her knee. This wasn't what Adette needed, more frightening images to haunt her dreams. I wished it had been me instead of her.
"I saw Pippin…he was holding the Palantír…" She tilted her face down with a whimper, her eyes closing tightly. Gandalf tapped her face with his hand and I reached for his arm.
"No more, she's scared." I demanded quietly. Gandalf didn't stop, but continued to urge her on although she wasn't responding. I felt a hand grab my arm and turned to see Aragorn as he led me from the room. I tried to dig my feet into the floor but he dragged me out anyways, closing the door behind us.
"You must let Gandalf work with her." He said gently, letting go of my arm.
"She doesn't need this Aragorn. She's had enough nightmares as it is, she doesn't need to be seeing Sauron too." I snapped angrily, sliding down the wall. I buried my face into my hands, my elbows upon my knees. I heard Aragorn sit beside me. "It's too hard."
"What is mellon?"
I lifted my face and turned to look at him.
"Not being able to shield her from it. I can protect her from swords, from arrows, from fists…but not from herself."
"I know Legolas. I used to wish as a child that the nightmares and the visions would come to me instead, every time I saw her tired eyes or heard her scream in the middle of the night. But all we can do is be there for her, and help her in any way that we can." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "She's lucky to have someone as patient as you."
"My patience is slowly running out." I sighed heavily, leaning the back of my head against the wall. "I am surprised no one else awoke from my shouts."
"As am I, they could have awakened the dead." He smiled. We sat like that for the next few minutes until the door opened again, and Gandalf emerged. I got to my feet, Aragorn following.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She was able to hear what Sauron and Pippin spoke about. She assured me that Pippin said not a word to Sauron about the Ring or Frodo." He nodded towards the door. "She is asleep now."
"Thank you Gandalf." Aragorn said from beside me.
"If there is nothing else, I return to bed." Gandalf then turned and walked down the hall, using his staff to guide him. I waited until he opened the door to his room and disappeared inside before turning to Aragorn.
"Should you come in to make sure she's alright?"
"No mellon, I'm sure she is fine." He patted my shoulder and turned to return to his own room. "If you need me just yell, I know I'll hear you."
When he had turned the corner I opened the door and went inside. Adette was asleep, the covers tucked around her naked body. Her head was tipped to the side of her pillow, her eyelids twitching.
I went to the corner of the room and pulled the chair to the side of the bed. I then sat down and slowly reached for her hand, which rested facing palm up on the pillow. I gently laid mine on hers and the second I did her face scrunched up and she slowly opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry dúlinn, did I wake you?" I whispered.
"What are you doing?" She asked groggily, using her free hand to rub her eyes.
"I was just watching you sweetheart, go back to sleep." I said gently, moving my thumb up and down over her palm. She sighed and laid on her side facing me without moving her hand. She continued to look at me, her eyelids drooping.
"I'm sorry I scared you Legolas." She murmured, moving her fingers around my hand to hold it. She placed her lips against my skin without breaking eye contact. I leaned forward in the chair, laying my hand on her cheek.
"It's alright dúlinn, it wasn't your fault."
"I could hear you…in my head. You were calling for help, and then I heard Aragorn speaking to me. I tried to wake but my mind wouldn't let me." I could tell that she was still upset about the whole vision, and I offered her a lopsided smile.
"Go back to sleep, you're still drunk." She laughed softly, a smile lighting up her face in the darkness. She shook my hand and raised her head, her knuckles supporting her chin.
"Come to bed Legolas." Without another word she scooted over and I got in beside her. Just as I was about to wrap my arms around her she moved so that her right leg was crossed over both of my legs, and her head rested up high on my shoulder. I looked down to see her looking up at me. She leaned up quickly and kissed my chin before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
When I awoke in the morning Adette was still asleep. I wasn't surprised. I gently moved her onto her back and got out of bed after tucking her in. Once I was dressed I made sure that Adette was okay before closing the door behind me quietly. Aragorn was just coming down the hall as I left the room.
"Is she asleep?" He asked as we walked down the hall together.
"She is. She woke up after I came in last night, I think she's going to be okay." I said with a smile, trying to assure myself of my words. Not another word was spoken as we made our way to the Golden Hall. Gandalf, Théoden, Merry, and Pippin were already there.
"Adette assured any doubt in my mind that Pippin revealed anything. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring." Gandalf told Théoden. "We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith.
His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: he knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed; there is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner.
He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
"Tell me…why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?" Théoden asked snootily. I was a bit taken aback by the his words. According to all of my values, I gathered that you were not to commit the crime to which you suffered, for you knew it was wrong.
"I will go." Aragorn said, causing both Gandalf and Théoden to turn and look at him.
"No." Gandalf said sharply.
"They must be warned."
"They will be." He moved to Aragorn and murmured in his ear. "You must come to Minas Tirith by a different road. Follow the river and look to the black ships. Understand this - things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone."
Before anyone could question as to whom Gandalf would be taking with him, Adette rushed breathlessly into the Golden Hall, still adjusting her tunic. She stopped in the archway, staring at all of us.
"What did I miss?" She breathed, entering.
"I ride to Minas Tirith – with Pippin." Gandalf nodded towards the Hobbit, whose eyes widened. He pointed to himself.
"Me?" He squeaked.
Adette looked from Pippin to Gandalf, frowning. She flicked a section of hair behind her shoulder, one hand on her hip.
"Perhaps I should come along too." Before Gandalf could answer I answered for him.
"No Adette, your place is here with us. I'm sure that Gandalf doesn't need another horse riding along." I caught her fierce glare as I shot down her request.
"Legolas…perhaps Adette is right." Gandalf crossed the room towards her, and my eyes widened. I didn't want Adette being far away from me, out of my reach. If she was away, I couldn't protect her. "You would have to ride hard to keep up with Shadowfax."
"I can do that. Gandalf, I think that I should come." She sounded very sure of herself. He nodded in agreement and headed for the archway.
"We leave now." He said without turning. Adette turned and followed, as did Merry and Pippin. I chased after them, going to Adette's side. She stalked ahead of me, refusing to stop when I tried to speak to her. When we reached the stables I pinned her to the wall.
"I don't want you going Adette." I told her, my voice husky and on the brink of cracking.
"I know Legolas, but I have to go. I saw what happened to, I should go along." She said quietly, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Gandalf as he readied Shadowfax and led Arod from his stall.
"Adette," I stopped and hung my head as tears filled my eyes, "I don't want to lose you."
"Hey, hey." She lifted my chin and I could see tears forming in her eyes too. "You won't lose me. I'll return before you know it."
I stared at her for a moment more and then pulled her into a death grip. My arms held her so close to me that I thought she and I would fuse together. My tears fell onto her shoulder, staining her tunic.
"We must make haste." Gandalf said, keeping his voice calm. He knew that I was worried about her, and so he was choosing not to be grumpy. I let go of Adette and kissed her hard and long as Gandalf grabbed Pippin and put him in the front of Shadowfax's saddle. I then walked Adette to Arod and helped her on, keeping a hand on her thigh.
"Rinno na nin." I commanded. She smiled.
(Return to me.)
"Im ber."
(I promise.)
She then leaned down and we kissed one more time, and I prayed it wouldn't be for the last. Before she pulled back I whispered one more thing to her.
"I love you dúlinn."
"I love you Legolas."
Shadowfax bolted from the stable, riding fast from the stables. I watched with a broken heart as Arod quickly followed, carrying the woman I loved upon the saddle. I watched until the two horses disappeared from my sight, tears rolling down my cheeks.