Chapter One: Fangorn Forest
Warning: Confusing words. Maybe OOC of a lot of people. Bad-ass Legolas killing people left right and center. May contain traces of: a lot of blood, Sindarin, irregular updates, idiotic author notes, confusing plot lines. Major spoilers from The Two Towers on-wards.
Disclaimers see author's profile page.
"Hello, Gandalf the White."
The blinding light dissipated immediately, snuffed out like a candle light out in a stormy night. Gandalf's hand instantly went around his staff, slightly raised to ward off whatever distinguished his light he used to cloak himself not a moment ago. The Wizard caught sight of the two tresses of midnight black hair flowing out from a helmet that hid only the eyes of his caller. Gandalf let out a relieved breath, but does not lower his staff. The elf is dangerous even in a diplomatic situation.
"Hello Gandalf, glad to see you have returned." The moving shadows melted away when their master snapped his hands. Two long locks of midnight extended from the helmet that hid the startling silver blue eyes that the famous lost prince possess. Loose armor. Twin white knives and a quiver of arrows sat on his back. A black long bow lay in his fingers.
"Hello to you too Agarlas. You are on your way to Fangorn as well?" the old wizard asked. Hands slightly shaking. One never knows what you can receive from an unpredictable being such as this.
"The Dark Lord asked me to verify the condition of Saruman in Orthanc." His mouth twitched slightly to show his sensitivity about the traitorous wizard. He will not openly disregard a servant to Sauron, but he shows his disgust blatant enough, if the piles of orc patrols Gandalf has seen in Mirkwood was of any indication.
"I'm thinking of visiting the forest as well," hopefully the lieutenant won't recognize the white lie.
"You are to wake up the Ents, correct?"
"That is not my intention."
"Most could never decipher your riddles that mark your intention Gandalf, nor do you speak them for the fear of the dark solving your riddles." Agarlas bit back a smile, even though he doubts the now White Wizard could see it in the heavy shadows that follow his commands to the every ends.
"Saruman…" Gandalf started, trying to get as many information as possible through the lieutenant, temporarily forgetting the other dozen or so times that attempts have went. Straight downhill and very painful.
Agarlas' face visibly shifted into a grimace before turning into a small smirk. "I am forbidden to tell the Dark Lord's plans to any of his enemies. I am quite sure you are aware. Or has rebirth clogged your memories?" the amusement was evident on the dark elf's features, even if the topic could potentially lead to the survival or the extinction of Arda.
"Go back while you still can Gandalf. Men are stubborn and foolish creatures that can never be trusted. The path ahead of you is bathed in blood." the grimace was back again as if reliving one of the less found memories.
"I will not abandon men to the fate more painful than death," the White Wizard's tone was soft, yet vehement.
The elf nodded mutely, maybe grateful that at least one being had not left Middle Earth to its fate. "Then travel to Rohan and break the spell casted on its king. Beware of Orthanc and its army."
"What journey awaits you?" he is concerned, oddly.
"I am not going outside of my boundaries. I am not disobeying. You need not worry about the Ents. They are going to wake, after all." A rustling of leaves, slender fingers found its holdings on the bark of a thick oak. Legs prepared to leap, the shadows eagerly awaiting their master's commands, wanting nothing more than to please.
"Farewell Gandalf. I've got a lot of orcs to kill." The shadows wrapped around the elf, effectively cloaking him back to their safety of night. He turned his head before the shadows spread, "Hobbits are amazing creatures."
Gandalf listened to the oak tree's disappointed sigh when the elf's hold was gone. He straightened his robes and prepared for the rocky lofty words ahead, for Rohan, for Fangorn, and eventually, for Gondor. It meant a lot of things when it was Agarlas that started the conversation. Good and bad. Terrible, but great things. Which side was the ultimate question.
"Until next time, Legolas." He hoped the elf was out of ear shot. The new body has not yet forgotten the scars from the last time he said the elf's true name. An idiotic secret, but one he is sworn into keeping.
Elves can be such strange creatures. There is no predicating was this elf would do.
"Did we lose him? I think we lost him," Legolas took aim, pulled back his arrows and let loose. Its trajectory halted by the thick skull of the orc, the two hobbits let out a startled scream. Their efforts at crawling away renewed at the dark bubbly presence not too far away.
"Do not fear, I am an elf," he called out. He watched the fear melt away from their faces as he allowed the shadows to uncoil around his delicate ear points.
The hobbit with the curly hair took a step forward and spoke up, "Thank you, Master Elf, for saving us. I'm Merry. This is my cousin, Pippin. We are from the Shire."
He nodded; satisfied that he got the right ones, "Come, young hobbits, it is not safe so near to the edge of the woods. I would like to meet someone."
"Ah, young one, I heard you've entered the wood once again," a familiar drawn out voice came from behind him. The two hobbits gasped in fear as their eyes stared upwards.
Legolas smiled softly, remembering the voice from the last time he was in Fangorn Forest. He turned around. "Treebeard, greetings," he said to the tall, stiff-limbed Ent. "Nae saian luume," he said in his native tongue. "Has it really?" Treebeard asked before he saw the hobbits. He suddenly glared at them. "Orcs!" he growled.
Legolas quickly stepped in front of the hobbits and held out his hand to the Ent. "Not orcs, Treebeard. They are hobbits of the Shire, leagues northeast from here."
"Hobbits? Never heard of a hobbit before. Sounds like orc mischief to me."
He felt the hobbits huddle closer to him, fearful of the talking tree's wrath. "Treebeard, trust me. They are not orcs, but hobbits. I'm not surprise you never heard of them. They hardly ever travel out of the comfort of their Shire. To see one away from their home is rather rare. They are a peaceful, simple creature," Legolas tried to reassure. "They are not here to harm the woods, but to take sanctuary. Will you grant them refuge, my friend?"
Treebeard rocked back in thought. "Umm…I'll let the White Wizard decide their fate."
Legolas blinked in surprise and he heard one of the hobbits whisper, "Saruman" in horror. "I see, a great Ent such as you should have heard a long time ago. I met him on the way here, he is no longer gray. He became white to help where Saruman would not."
Treebeard nodded and the elf turned to the two hobbits. "I want you to go with Treebeard. I trust him. He will not lead you astray. A great Ent such as him will never side with the Wizard that no longer cares for trees and their voices."
Pippin gave him a wide-eye look. "You're not going with us, Master elf?"
Legolas sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Pippin. I have much more dangerous things to do. I will let you continue your quest in peace."
Merry nodded with large eyes. "We understand."
Legolas chuckled. He glanced up at the Ent. "Treebeard will know how to reach me." He gave the hobbits a gentle smile. "I will remain within the country of Rohan for an unforeseen amount of time. It depends on how long I rest. Safe journey."
"Goodbye, and thank you," Merry said before climbing on the offered limb of the Ent. Pippin waved to him before following his cousin.
"Um, excuse me Master Elf, if you don't mind me asking, what is your name?" Pippin called.
He paused in his steps, grasping his bow tighter in fear of letting the hobbits see his trembling hands. He could fell the raised eyebrow and the expectations of the old Ent radiating outwards in tumbling waves.
"You must swear you will never tell a single soul, alive or otherwise."
A feat of confusion passed over both hobbit's faces. Even with his back to him, Legolas couold detect the wondrous smile on the Ent's features, obviously hiding between his beard.
He took a deep breath, knowing full well he punishments the Dark Lord will no doubt dealt him when he gets back to the Black Gates of Mordor.
"I'm Legolas, Legolas Thranduilion."
A/N: The game is finally starting! This chapter is not really one of my best chapters, but I hate not updating even more.
Clearing something up: Gandalf knows who Agarlas is, around the quest for Erebor. I had this all paned out, don't worry. Legolas' helmet was like Zero's helmet chopped in half, leaving only the upper part. Less flashy of course. Just google Zero's helmet and choose the black and purple one.
Translation: Nae saian luume - It's been too long
I need a beta.
Reviews are welcome.
Does anyone know how to scan something? I actually drew a picture of the Morning Star's necklace. How do I get it on here?