- - PART TWO: EMBERS TO SPARKS - -
- - LEGOLAS - -
It was not by his choosing that Galadriel spoke to him. Then again, he was still among her woods, so he should not have found himself so surprised to hear her voice speaking out to him amidst his still grief-stricken mind.
She was horribly quick to the point, 'You have been forgiven for your actions. Why do you still seek that which has already been given to you?'
'I have caused her such heartache.' He confided. The crushing regret in his heart constricted even further. He had wondered how one could feel both so heavy and empty all within the same instant.
'A pain you still cause her. You heard her cry out to you, yet you denied her call.' Galadriel stated coolly.
'What choice did I have?' He retorted.
What she said next harbored a tone of motherly scolding, 'To accept her forgiveness and stay. While you bear much guilt in your heart, I implore you to return. Your despair serves no one, and you have already been forgiven.'
His response was doleful. 'What right do I have to go back? I betrayed her and the entire Fellowship.'
'If an act of redemption is what you seek, then let me offer you this: there is a jewel of great power, and Calina is its keeper. However, it has been hidden away and must be recovered.'
To this, Legolas raised a brow, 'Calina never mentioned such a jewel.'
'That is because she cannot yet remember it. But by returning it to her, her memories may return.'
Legolas's gaze then turned fiercely determined, 'How do I find it?'
'Return to the city and all will be explained.' Without another word, Legolas hastily made his way back to the city, already set in accomplishing whatever task Galadriel was about to send him on.
.
Legolas now found himself in step with the Elf-Witch as they walked the paths of Caras Galadhon. "How do I find the jewel?" Legolas asked as he walked into a glade beside Galadriel.
Rather than answering, she filled a silvery ewer with water from a small trickling stream and poured it into the shallow basin in the center of the glade. She turned to face him, "Gaze into the mirror. It will show you. And more." The Prince walked up to the pedestal resolutely and turned his gaze on the water.
- - THE MIRROR - -
A white light. Then, a brilliant white shore. On the sand rests a small pink jewel. It glows almost as vibrant as the pristine sands. The image was then tainted by the appearance of a jagged black gauntlet. The Prince's hair stood on end: the hand of Sauron. It stretched down towards the gem. As it descended, it morphed into what appeared to be the normal hand of a man or Elf. It reached down, fingers wrapping around the jewel…
.
The mirror swirled. A handful of Elves stood before a forge, conversing amongst themselves. Sauron, now standing in his Elvin form, still had the gem in hand. The faintest deep whispering could be heard…
.
Again, the scene changed. This time, a black castle appeared. It was Dol Guldur, the stronghold base located in the south of Mirkwood. Within the castle were five figures: two in white, one in gold, another in gray, and the last, enveloped in shadow.
Gandalf lay injured on the ground with Galadriel at his side, while Elrond and Saruman stood between them and the shadow figure. The Elf Lord, clad in armor, held onto a golden glaive while the White Wizard held fast to his staff. Words were spoken, though there were none Legolas could hear. Instead, only the deep whispering could be heard.
Galadriel rose and dispelled the shadow with a burst of white magic. With the shadow gone, Elrond and Galadriel wasted no time and helped Gandalf as they left the castle. But Saruman lingered. The inaudible whispering became a shade louder.
Something within the wizard's expression changed: a mixture of fear followed by surprise. His eyes widened before scouring around, searching for something. From where the shadow stood, he saw it. The pink jewel, glowing faintly. He hurried over and plucked it off the ground. For an instant, he only stared at it before his head snapped up. The others were calling to him. Hastily, he cloaked the gem and hurried off after them…
.
Time whirls by. For a century, the gem stays within Saruman's possession. High within the great tower of Orthanc, he studies it, keeping it safe.
The scene slows, and Saruman's chamber is illuminated by the glow of candelabras. The flames were that of the magical sort, filling the space with a vibrant glow. It was winter in Isengard. Harsh winds blew outside and snow billowed angrily through the crisp air. The jewel lay quietly on his desk, resting beside a pile of thick tomes. The Black Speech was written on their spines.
Saruman flipped through the pages of one of the texts. He sighed aggressively and pinched the bridge of the nose, snapping the book shut. He reached forward and took hold of the gem. It darkened ever so slightly. His expression did not change.
The wizard stood and, with the gem still in hand, strode across the room to a thick stone pedestal. It was black as night and upon it rested a large round crystal. Legolas recognized it as a Planatír. It, unlike the little pink jewel, swirled with smokey hues. Saruman's gaze turned to one of contemplation as he stared down at the larger of the two spheres. His eyes then drifted to the pink jewel, and then back to the Seeing Stone.
He lifted his hand and raised the gem close to the Planatír. The little jewel suddenly let out a burst of pink light and lifted itself out of his hand. It hovered in the air, thrumming. It then floated towards the bigger crystal and began to orbit it gently. The wizard's eyes sparked to life as a scene within the Seeing Stone's previous haze began to appear.
A young woman eventually formed. It was Calina. She was walking through a forest with a woven basket resting at the hip of her pillowed red trousers. The basket was filled with various herbs, and a young fiery haired boy walked close beside her. Saruman's eyes widened at the sight of the boy's fox tail and pointed ears. "He is a demon." The wizard surmised.
Calina suddenly dropped the basket and whipped around, swiftly drawing the bow that was slung over her shoulder. Her flowing white sleeves fluttered at the action. In that instant, a second and far more monstrous demon burst from the woods behind them. It was massive and had multiple sets of arms and legs. It lumbered twistedly towards them, its gray scales shimmering in the sun.
She took aim and let loose her arrow. It was enveloped in a magnificent violet light and soared straight between the demon's six yellow eyes. Upon contact, the beast wailed before being reduced to dust, completely purified.
Calina had hardly batted an eye.
"Such power…" Saruman murmured. He watched the scene play out in the Seeing Stone for a moment longer, watching the two of them begin to pick up the herbs that had fallen from the basket. He then took the jewel from its elegant rotation and stepped back from the pedestal. The scene in the Planatír began to fade.
Saruman caressed the gem with his long fingers, staring at it in contemplation, "I wish you were here, young lady. Your powers could be just what is needed to win this impending war."
A burst of pink light suddenly erupted from within the Planatír and the little pink gem. An instant later, the same light exploded not paces away from where Saruman stood. He hastily covered his eyes, for the light was blinding. With it came a rush of wind and a crackle of energy that clung to every inch of the room. Even as the light faded, the sizzling aura hung thickly in the air.
The wizard dropped his arm and what he saw caused shock to rocket through him. Calina was now collapsed in a heap before him. A mingling of bright pink and deep violet smoke trailed off of her fallen form.
Saruman's eyes bore at the sight of her. He looked to the jewel in his hand and then back to Calina. She groaned and began to move, speaking in a language Saruman's aged ears had never once heard. In an instant he was hovering over her, one had on his staff and the other hovering just above her head. A spell swiftly flew past his lips before he drew his hand away, "Can you understand me?" He asked.
She coughed, bringing herself up onto her elbows. Her black hair spilled out over her back and shoulders as she turned to look at him. "What happened…? Who are you?" She asked, clearly comprehending his words.
"I am Saruman the White. And you are?"
"Kagome Higurashi."She looked at him with a mix of perplexity, "How did I get here?" She stood slowly as she spoke.
"I am not entirely sure. Although, I believe it has something to do with this." He opened his palm, revealing the jewel to her.
Her gray-blue eyes expanded to a look of panicked disbelief. "Where did you get that?!"
"A necromancer's lair."
"Please give it to me."
His expression turned to one of curiosity, "And why should I do that?"
"Because I am its guardian."
He lifted his chin, "Ah." He began to pace the room, still thumbing the jewel, "I have been studying it for some time. It has a great amount of light magic… as well as a vast darkness."
He then clutched the jewel aggressively, flooding it with vile magic. Kagome let out an agonized scream, grabbing her head as she dropped to her knees. An electric energy sprouted from her toppled form. It crackled like a deep purple fire. Saruman continued to flood the jewel until at last, her screams stopped and she collapsed entirely. Upon having rendered her unconscious, he ceased overwhelming the jewel. The aura around her slowly faded away and Saruman was left standing over her once again, a twisted grin playing at his lips.
.
A brief fog overcame the mirror before returning to Saruman's study once again. This time, Kagome sat leaning against the opposite wall. It was clear she was still unconscious, for her head was hanging down to her chest and her shoulders were slumped. The wizard was seated behind his desk, a book in hand as he sat waiting. Though it had returned to its normal pink color, the jewel had yet to leave his grasp.
She then stirred and with a groan, lifted her head. Kagome blinked hard as her eyes adjusted themselves. From her place on the floor, her eyes found Saruman. "Give me the jewel!" She pleaded, quickly coming to stand.
He looked up from the page in his book. He stood and approached her, "Of course." He then extended his hand and held the jewel out to her in his open palm.
She gaped at him, utterly shocked for an instant. This look eventually melted away and she looked at him with grateful relief, "Thank you."
Kagome reached for the jewel, but the instant her hand wrapped around it Saruman snatched her hand within his own. She let out a gasp and froze. Her eyes shot up towards the wizard as he began to utter a curse in the Black Speech, putrid magic flowing between their conjoined hands.
Upon his utterance she screamed, dropping to her knees, tormented by the dark magic. Saruman's grip held strong, and he continued to cast the spell. Kagome's head suddenly flew back, her eyes now shimmering like black glass. Upon seeing her tainted eyes, Saruman released her, the casting of the curse complete. Her arm dropped limply to the side before she toppled over, unconscious once again.
Seeming entirely unphased, the wizard opened his palm, looking down at the jewel. It was now entirely corrupted and crackled with black energy. He then walked over to the Planatír and let the gem slip from his hand as it automatically returned to orbit around the large Seeing Stone.
He then strode back over to Kagome's unconscious body and moved her into a seated position against the wall. Kneeling, he grasped her skull with one hand and with his other, pointed two fingers directly towards her heart. "And for good measure…" Saruman resumed the Black Speech and sent more accursed magic straight into her heart and mind. This time the spell ended quickly and he pulled away, leaving her to slump back against the wall.
"You will remember nothing. All you will know is to obey my command." He said, walking back over to his desk. He closed the ancient book and looked back over to her, and then to the jewel as it floated through the air. He went over and retrieved the gem once more, "Come. We must put this somewhere for safekeeping."
Kagome rose, her eyes still tainted black and her expression vacant. It was clear that the darkness had consumed her completely. She then strode numbly after the wizard as he began to head down the stairs and out of the study.
.
The scene within the water changed to reveal the entirety of the Heart of Mirkwood from above. The great expanse of trees was heavily shrouded despite the bright daylight that tried in vain to make its way below the treetops. The view soared down through the mangled trees to the near center of this particular part of the colossal woods, sifting through leaves and branches down to the gloom below.
The descent ended once Saruman and Kagome came into view. The wizard's staff was casting a glow as they walked, making the eerie shadows appear all the more haunting. They did not travel far before they came to stop before a modest tree. Its bark was scattered with an emerald green moss and a small hollow knot was protruding from its side. It was just at eye level, and the little black pit swallowed any light that attempted to fall into it.
Saruman reached into his pocket and emerged with the jewel in hand. He brought up his fingers and placed the gem in the hollow. He then covered it with his hand and closed his eyes in focus. The jewel pulsated from beneath his palm, letting off a burst of magic. A deep tremor then rumbled through the forest. With it, the shade of the trees and thickets around him somehow darkened further. The wind shifted with malice as he pulled his hand away. The air began to grow heavy. All the while, Kagome stood behind him unmoving, still possessed by the darkness.
Saruman opened his eyes, satisfied, "Let us return. There is much to be done."
.
The mirror swirled once again and the Prince's heart ached. Given the timeline of events, he knew what was coming next. All of the pieces were falling into place, and this final portion of the story was one Aragorn had already told him nearly two decades ago. Though Legolas had initially felt skepticism towards the ranger's tale, he now knew it was about to be revealed to him as true.
Yet he could only watch.
Upon Saruman's command, Kagome flew from Isengard on the back of a fell beast. Eventually they landed and with the beast's help, they massacred an entire village. At the end of the slaughter, a boy gave her pause. It was then she fell into a fit of internal struggle as she worked frantically to fight the darkness. Upon witnessing her distress, the beast killed the child. To this, Kagome attacked the creature with a violent fury. He winced as he watched her get thrown through the village and skid aggressively across the snowy ground. The fell beast wailed and took off, leaving the scene and her unconscious.
A cloaked figure then entered the decimated village from the nearby forest. Legolas knew this was Aragorn. The ranger's pace was quick, and his hand was ready to draw his sword. Kagome stirred and Aragorn hid, watching her as she came to.
Her initial daze quickly gave way to sheer terror. She stumbled to her feet and ran out of the village. The ranger's pursuit eventually slowed, and instead of chasing after her, he stopped and watched her vanish against the horizon. Aragorn turned and covered his tracks and left the carnage, disappearing into the woods.
Briefly, the scene followed Kagome as she fled, jumping forward in time to see her arrive at the walls of Minas Tirith. It was only when Boromir arrived on horseback and disappeared with her behind the gates of the city did the scene finally fade.
- - LEGOLAS - -
The Prince let out a shuddering breath as he stepped away from the pedestal. "The truth has been revealed to you. With this knowledge, are you still willing to embark on this quest for her?" Galadriel questioned.
His answer was resolute and immediate, "Yes."
She nodded sagely, "Know this: of what you Saw, only the massacre has revealed itself to her. The memory causes her great suffering and she fears revealing it to others." Legolas let this information settle in before nodding. Galadriel then began to walk from the glade, "Come. We must prepare you for your journey."
.
Legolas was once again in traveling clothes and his pack was slung over his shoulder along with his bow and quiver. The midday sun shone down brightly as the Lady and Prince stood across from one another in the place the Fellowship had departed days prior.
"A word of caution: the reach of the jewel's curse is long. It will test you, for it will do everything in its power to stop you from obtaining it. You must not let your heart fall into despair." The Prince nodded in understanding. "Now, a gift." Another Elf stepped forward and handed Galadriel an elegant bow, who gave it over to the Prince.
Legolas turned it over in his hands, admiring the cream colored wood and the delicate carvings. Upon further inspection, he noticed something, "The string. It is black." He ran it between his fingers, curious. As it shone in the sunlight, he saw it shimmer with a familiar blue hue.
"It is her hair." Galadriel said.
To this, the Prince's fingers recoiled. His eyes flashed back to Galadriel with a look that almost resembled that of a fearful child.
The smile she graced him with was one motherly endearment, "May this bow remind you of your quest and the lengths you are willing to go for her."
Legolas looked back down to the bow in his hands. His gaze changed to one of tender resolution and he stood tall. He turned his eyes back towards the Lady of the Wood, grasping the bow tightly, "Thank you."
"The way has been shown to you. Now, go forth with our blessing, and may you succeed." He bowed low. The other Elf reappeared, the reins of a dappled gray horse now in hand. Upon their approach, the Elf handed the reins over to Legolas. The Prince then slung his new bow over his shoulder, leapt into the saddle and began to tear down the paths and out of Lothlórien.