It seemed as though time had stopped. Aragorn stared down into Legolas'
blank, unseeing eyes. They no longer shone with the seemingly light of the
sun or the stars or the moon. There was no flicker of life at all. His
face was as still as stone. Aragorn silently wondered how it had come to
this. He felt as though he was in a nightmare that he could not wake up
from. It didn't seem possible that Legolas was dead. He was supposed to
be an immortal! He was not supposed to die! Aragorn was not supposed to
have to lament his best friend's death! And yet...here he sat...doing just
that.
Aragorn had never thought, not even in his deepest, darkest fears, that Legolas would die during the quest to destroy the Ring. They had braved so many perils together that Aragorn just figured they would always survive. He wondered what other unnecessary losses they would have to suffer before the end of the quest; even his brothers...Aragorn stopped. Oh Valar, he thought painfully to himself. What would his brother's say? What would his father say? What would Legolas' father say? It hurt too much to think about it.
He closed his eyes, remembering everything they had been through together. He could almost hear Legolas' voice saying it would be okay. He opened his eyes again, hoping that perhaps it was a nightmare, and he would wake up to see Legolas laughing at him for falling asleep during his watch. However, fate would not be so kind to him. Legolas continued to lay there unmoving...dead. To see such a fair being lying there dead, it had the appearance of a fallen angel.
*~Flashback~*
The morning was brisk and beautiful. The sun rose silently over the mountains, casting a golden ray of light upon everything she touched. All was silent until...
"LEGOLAS!"
The yell sliced through the silence like a knife through butter. The sleeping hobbits jerked out of their peaceful sleep and looked around for the sudden source of noise. It was not hard to find, considering it made itself known again.
"LEGOLAS!"
They turned around to see an annoyed ranger calling up into the treetops surrounding them to the east. A few second later, a golden-haired elf jumped gracefully out of a tree above him. He smiled sweetly and breathed in deeply as though drinking in the rays of the sun. He seemed to not only be filled with the golden rays of light, but also to radiate them. He sighed and turned back to face the ranger. He continued to smile innocently and said, "You called, Estel? May I inquire what is so important as to wake up the rest of Middle-earth?"
"You know perfectly why, Legolas! Would you care to explain why my spare tunic is DRENCHED?!"
"So," Legolas mused to himself, "Elladan and Elrohir were right. You *do* change tunics every ten days..."
*~End flashback~*
How long ago that seemed now. No more would he joke with Legolas. No more would Legolas pull pranks on him. No more would he be able to get mad at Legolas for pulling pranks on him. It seemed funny now to Aragorn that he should be thinking about no more pranks. He couldn't help but remember all the times he would get mad at Legolas for waking him up early so they could watch the sunrise together. He realized he had actually liked watching the sunrise beside his friend whenever he went traveling with him, no matter how much he had grumbled then.
He didn't know how long he kneeled there. It could not have been that long, though it seemed so. He felt angry tears prick at his eyes. Ai, Elbereth. I can't think of anyone more undeserving of this fate than Legolas! He was barely holding back the tears that desperately threatened to fall from his eyes. His best friend had just died and he could do nothing to stop the death! An immortal life, become mortal... He felt someone softly shaking his shoulder, taking him away from his thoughts. He shook his head, as though trying to rid himself of his thoughts. He looked up and saw Gandalf. Sorrow was etched into every feature of his ancient face.
"Aragorn," he said softly. "We must move on. We must be out of Moria before we can mourn. We cannot linger here."
Aragorn nodded. Then his last words echoed back in his ears. 'We cannot linger here.' Hadn't a perfectly healthy Legolas just said that not even an hour earlier? Maybe if he had just listened... Then he shook his head. He knew if he started to blame himself for Legolas' death he would never stop. He snapped to attention, remembering the last time he had just nodded when he had been told that; that person was now dead. He straightened up, blinking back the tears in his eyes; but to no avail. A tear escaped his lashes and fell down his face. "We can give him proper burial in LothLorien. I will not let him perish in the darkness." His voice brooked no argument.
He scooped up the elf easily in his arms and stood up. The hobbits had tears streaming down their faces at the death of their brave friend; especially Frodo. Aragorn knew Frodo most likely blamed himself for Legolas' death, but he knew that no matter what they had done to stop him he would have done that anyway. That was the way he lived his life. He was honest and caring. Gimli and Boromir were doing their best to comfort them without words, because they themselves were saddened at the sudden turn of events. Legolas seemed to have made a mark in the Fellowship as invincible. Especially after all he had been through and survived.
However, now was the not the time to contemplate their fallen friend. Aragorn patted Frodo's shoulder reassuringly and nodded towards the rest of the hobbits. He wanted to say something to Frodo....anything. He wanted to say everything would be okay. But he couldn't get his mouth to form the words because he didn't think everything was going to be okay. Not without Legolas here to tell him it would. He didn't understand how the sun could rise again without Legolas. Legolas seemed to be made up of the morning dawn. Then he tore himself away from staring at Legolas again and turned back to Gandalf.
The wizard looked at him sympathetically before crying: "To the bridge of Khazad-dum! Fly!" and the company ran as though the Nine were at their tail.
~~~~~~
Legolas wandered around in the Halls of Mandos feeling lost and very much alone. It was pitch black, and not even his elven eyes could see through it. He saw no glimmer of light whatsoever. Not even his own elven glow; which he figured was because he was dead. He wasn't even sure if he was an existent being.
He rose what he thought was his hand in front of his face, yet he could still not even see a flicker of movement. He attempted touching his face, but his hand seemed to pass straight through his head. That was enough to confirm his beliefs that he was insubstantial. He continued wandering around lost for he didn't know how long, when suddenly he heard a great booming voice that almost seemed to be inside his head.
"Why have you come to visit my halls, Thranduilion?" said the voice.
Legolas looked around for the speaker but found no one. However, he did not need to see the speaker to know who it was. It was Mandos. As he turned to answer, however, there was suddenly what he could only explain as a burst of light. He shielded his eyes while the light dimmed. When he removed his hand from his line of vision he saw what appeared to be scenes from his life surrounding him. He saw himself shooting his first arrow...wielding his first sword...receiving his twin knives from his mother...his mother dying...him having a nightmare and his brother comforting him...The list continued to go on and on. When he finally tore his gaze away from a scene with his mother, after what had seemed like eternity, he answered the question.
"I...I died," slightly stuttered Legolas.
"Why?"
"Why what?" asked Legolas.
"Did you die?"
"Yes," Legolas said, confused. He had already told him that.
"WHY did you die?" asked Mandos. "You are an immortal, are you not?"
"Oh," said Legolas, feeling quite foolish. "Well, yes. But I did not die of old age. I died of a spear." He was still feeling foolish. Surely Mandos would know how he died. Why was he asking him all these questions?
"Why?" questioned Mandos again.
"I had to save Frodo," Legolas said.
"No you didn't," Mandos said, and Legolas could have sworn he caught a hint of humor in it.
"Yes I did," Legolas said, surprised at his own daring to argue with one of the Valar; Mandos no less. "He is.....was......is pivotal to the quest I was on. Not only that, but I pledged by life or death to protect him if I could. I had to save him."
"No, you did not," repeated Mandos again, and Legolas decided that, yes, he was amused for some reason. "Young princeling, do you know what the Ringbearer was wearing beneath his clothes?"
"His skin, I would imagine," Legolas said, confused at where this conversation was going.
"One might say that, yes," said Mandos. "A pretty little Hobbit skin to wrap an elven princeling in, in any case." Suddenly he began to laugh; a great booming laugh that seemed to shake the halls, even though the voice seemed to be only inside his head; if he in fact he had a head... Legolas was beginning to grown irritated. Shouldn't he at least get some peace when he was dead? What did he find so darn funny?! Then Mandos continued, "Mithril, I believe you call it."
Legolas' eyes widened. "Mithril," he said as though he couldn't believe it. "Mithril."
"Mithril," Mandos said simply. "I see you know the term; in which case, I think I have won our little debate from earlier. You needed not to save the Halfling, Frodo. Albeit he would have quite the painful bruise, but he would still be quite alive. More alive than you, in any case."
Legolas froze where he was standing. Then it was true! He had not needed to die for Frodo! And yet.....here he stood....
The scenes changed from his life and Legolas was surrounded my darkness once again. Gradually a light shone until he seemed to be in some sort of room. The light brightened and what Legolas saw would have stilled his heart, had he a body. It was the chamber of Mazurbul; the room in which he had died. He saw his body lying on the floor. A human kneeled beside it. Legolas saw it was Aragorn. He could see the unshed tears that desperately wanted to fall from the ranger's eyes. 'Oh, Elbereth. I'm so sorry, Estel!' If he had been able to weep, tears would be pouring from his eyes now. He had not wished ever to be the cause of pain to the Fellowship.
He watched as Gandalf spoke with Aragorn. He strained his ears, but he could nothing of the conversation. Aragorn stood up after picking his body up. He turned and Legolas could see the rest of the Fellowship. Frodo stood by Sam, who was attempting to comfort him, though he himself had tears falling down his cheeks. Pippin was beside Merry. They were both staring at Aragorn and Legolas with tears in their eyes. Boromir looked greatly saddened at the incident, and even the dwarf, Gimli, seemed to have broken his resolve at hating Elves.
The scene changed again, and they began to run from the room. They ran down a dark passageway until they reached a steep stairway. Legolas could see the Bridge of Khazad-dum in the distance. The stairway broke, though Legolas could not fathom what caused it. Gandalf jumped across the gap and Aragorn threw Legolas' body afterwards. Gandalf caught him and Boromir jumped next. Aragorn threw Pippin and Merry next, though before he could throw Frodo the stairway broke further and they were thrown backwards. In a moment it began swaying forward and Aragorn and Frodo jumped before the stair broke completely and fell to the deep abyss.
When the Company just made it to the bridge, Mandos spoke and he was torn from his thoughts and the scene before him. "I have discussed this among the other Valar and we have come to a decision."
Legolas turned away from the scene, wondering what he could possibly mean and what his fate would be.
"You have died, knowing the cost would be your life to protect another's. That makes it a selfless act of bravery. Your immortal life shall become immortal once again. You have many great things yet before you, Legolas Thranduilion. Go now, and follow your heart."
"But—" Legolas cried out. Suddenly he had thousands of questions he wanted to ask. But he was cut off as he traveled out of thought and time.
~~~~~~
Legolas opened his eyes lethargically. All he could tell for a few seconds was it was dark and they were running. He saw Aragorn's face and realized Aragorn was carrying him again. However, the man was so busy running and saying something to someone else that he did not see the elf wake up. Suddenly they stopped and turned back around. It was hot. Legolas finally seemed to fully gain consciousness and he stirred. He heard someone yell in the distance: "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Aragorn looked down for a millisecond, and then did a double-take. Legolas attempted to get out of Aragorn's arms, but the ranger held tight. "Legolas?" he asked. Legolas raised an eyebrow, not wanting to speak just yet. He was still thinking over what had just happened himself. Aragorn's eyes widened and he said, "But....you......you were......dead. How.....how is this.......this possible? You died. I saw....you...You're alive! Oh Valar, Legolas! I thought I had lost you!"
Legolas interrupted softly, "I will explain later, Estel. For the moment, I am fine. You can put me down." He untangled himself from Aragorn's arms and saw the rest of the Fellowship staring in a different direction. He looked himself and saw Gandalf battling with a Balrog. He took in a gasp of horror and surprise. He knew of the creature and its abilities. Surely Gandalf knew of them also! The wizard was already weary; Legolas knew he could not defeat the Balrog.
The large demon had a fiery whip and seemed to be made of the very essence that haunted Legolas' dreams. He heard Frodo yell something and his own eyes widened as the bridge before the Istar crumbled and the Balrog fell into the abyss of Moria. Now the rest of the Fellowship took a breath, relieved and slightly turned for a second. They saw Legolas and they froze again. Legolas took a step forward and Gandalf saw him as he turned around. The wizard stopped for a second and stared and Legolas. In a way, or so it seemed to Legolas, it did not seem at all that Gandalf was surprised.
Then, suddenly, the Balrog's whip came back up and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. He looked directly into Legolas' eyes before he cried out: "Fly, you fools!" and was gone.
The fires went out and blank darkness fell. The Company stood rooted with horror staring into the pit.
~~~~~~
Ha! You guys didn't actually think I could kill him and keep him dead, did you? However, just because he happened to live doesn't mean he is free...Also, for those of you who do not know, Mandos is one of the Valar (obviously), but seriously, he is the keeper of the halls of the dead...
'The Feanuri, masters of spirits, are brethren, and they are called most often Mandos and Lórien. Yet these are rightly the names of the places of their dwelling, and their true names are: Námo and Irmo.
Námo the elder dwells in Mandos, which is westward of Valinor. He is the keeper of the Houses of the Dead, and summoner of the spirits of the slain. He forgets nothing; and he knows all things that shall be, save only those that lie still in the freedom of Ilúvatar. He is the Doorsman of the Valar; but he pronounces his dooms and his judgments only at the bidding of Manwe.
Vaire the Weaver is his spouse, who weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs, and the Halls of Mandos that ever widen as the ages pass are clothed with them.'
So that is who Mandos is and the Legolas seeing his life in scenes, and then him seeing what happened after his death was him seeing Vaire's storied webs. So sorry if I confused you earlier.
Ok, short chapter and bad ending, but at least he is alive, right? I mean, how else would I continue the story if he was dead? Also, Sara, if you are reading this, then I am sure you know where I got Legolas' conversation with Mandos.
'Why?
Why what?
Did you resign?
Yes
WHY did you resign?
Oh'
Well, I certainly got reactions to Legolas' death! Thanks for all your feedback! And, I promise the next chapter will be longer than this one! Not only that, but it will be out sooner! (I hope, if life doesn't get in the way...) You know, I am wondering what you guys would do if I had Aragorn forget about Legolas in the excitement and leave him in Moria on accident. ("Where is Legolas?" questioned Boromir. "Oh Valar," Aragorn breathed. Legolas was still in the mines.)
Deana: Legolas isn't dead! Ok, are you happy now that Legolas is alive? Here is chapter 12. Hope you liked it! *army of 6 inch dwarves appear to make sure Irish QT does not get power hungry*
Dur En Thurin Naur: Uh, yep. I left it there....It wasn't me, I tell you! Sauron made me do it! Thank you for the review! Hope you got *some* sleep!
Babymeeko: Tears? *gives tissue* Wow. O_o I don't think I have ever made anyone cry before! Thank you soooo much! And thank you for adding me to your favorites list! I feel so honored!
MidnightPrincess: Cool is good. Thank you for the review! I know some thought the first chapter was really boring.......
Lainfaer: I updated! And quicker than usual too! (Er, ok maybe not....) Always look forward to your review!
colagreenleaf: Brilliant twist? *blushes* Thank you! Ok, here I brought him back, quite alive. *mutters under breath* for the moment... *normal voice* thank you!
Kelsey: You have said practically everything I believe how important Legolas is in the mission in your review! Wicked. Great minds, think alike. AND both our names start with K and end in Y and sound alike! Don't worry, I could never leave him dead for too long! Well, actually...*cough* Anywho, Thank you for the review! Here is chapter 12 for you, mellon nín!
Reverspots: What does T.T Legolas mean? Cliffies are mean...don't you love them? I sort of have a love-hate relationship with them, myself...
MidnightPrincess: Ok, I could write the reply for 11 up with your other review, but I will write it down here. Yes, he lives.....*mutters under breath* for now *regular voice* Anywho, thanks for the review!
DieingStar: What does 'col' mean? Because you said: "I have but one word: col..." Thank you for the review!
Bookworm, .303: Yes, you get a prize...umm....*looks around room and sees floppy disk on the floor along with other random notebooks* I know! *runs downstairs and comes back up* Here! *hands cheesecake and picks up floppy* and: an update!
StubbornDwarf1: I see your pseudonym now! You asked for angst, and you got it. Thanks for the review!
orlibloomsgirl: *hands cheesecake* you got the correct answer too! Thank you for the review!
Dark Angel60: Bet you didn't expect that, did ya? Anywho, I'm all better now. Thanks for reviewing chapter 10! And 11! You have been bugging me about killing him and you finally got your wish...sort of...
Minuyasha: err...yep. But two wrongs don't make a right...so...please don't kill me! I know it's been a month since my last update! Thanks for reviewing!
Someone: Actually you know, technically the cave troll killed Legolas! *smiles innocently* I brought him back to life. I must be related to Miracle Max! Lol (The Princess Bride.) Thanks for the review!
Star-Stallion: Ok, ok I did NOT kill him *cough* for now *cough* although *I* wouldn't be talking if I were you...Anywho, here is the update!
Thalionlomion weilder of the elven Spear Celeb-Gil: Geez, could you make your name any longer? LOL, Anywho, PRACTICE YOUR HANDWRITING! *sweet voice* and do your homework...
I will try to update soon everybody! Was it too fluffy?
Aragorn had never thought, not even in his deepest, darkest fears, that Legolas would die during the quest to destroy the Ring. They had braved so many perils together that Aragorn just figured they would always survive. He wondered what other unnecessary losses they would have to suffer before the end of the quest; even his brothers...Aragorn stopped. Oh Valar, he thought painfully to himself. What would his brother's say? What would his father say? What would Legolas' father say? It hurt too much to think about it.
He closed his eyes, remembering everything they had been through together. He could almost hear Legolas' voice saying it would be okay. He opened his eyes again, hoping that perhaps it was a nightmare, and he would wake up to see Legolas laughing at him for falling asleep during his watch. However, fate would not be so kind to him. Legolas continued to lay there unmoving...dead. To see such a fair being lying there dead, it had the appearance of a fallen angel.
*~Flashback~*
The morning was brisk and beautiful. The sun rose silently over the mountains, casting a golden ray of light upon everything she touched. All was silent until...
"LEGOLAS!"
The yell sliced through the silence like a knife through butter. The sleeping hobbits jerked out of their peaceful sleep and looked around for the sudden source of noise. It was not hard to find, considering it made itself known again.
"LEGOLAS!"
They turned around to see an annoyed ranger calling up into the treetops surrounding them to the east. A few second later, a golden-haired elf jumped gracefully out of a tree above him. He smiled sweetly and breathed in deeply as though drinking in the rays of the sun. He seemed to not only be filled with the golden rays of light, but also to radiate them. He sighed and turned back to face the ranger. He continued to smile innocently and said, "You called, Estel? May I inquire what is so important as to wake up the rest of Middle-earth?"
"You know perfectly why, Legolas! Would you care to explain why my spare tunic is DRENCHED?!"
"So," Legolas mused to himself, "Elladan and Elrohir were right. You *do* change tunics every ten days..."
*~End flashback~*
How long ago that seemed now. No more would he joke with Legolas. No more would Legolas pull pranks on him. No more would he be able to get mad at Legolas for pulling pranks on him. It seemed funny now to Aragorn that he should be thinking about no more pranks. He couldn't help but remember all the times he would get mad at Legolas for waking him up early so they could watch the sunrise together. He realized he had actually liked watching the sunrise beside his friend whenever he went traveling with him, no matter how much he had grumbled then.
He didn't know how long he kneeled there. It could not have been that long, though it seemed so. He felt angry tears prick at his eyes. Ai, Elbereth. I can't think of anyone more undeserving of this fate than Legolas! He was barely holding back the tears that desperately threatened to fall from his eyes. His best friend had just died and he could do nothing to stop the death! An immortal life, become mortal... He felt someone softly shaking his shoulder, taking him away from his thoughts. He shook his head, as though trying to rid himself of his thoughts. He looked up and saw Gandalf. Sorrow was etched into every feature of his ancient face.
"Aragorn," he said softly. "We must move on. We must be out of Moria before we can mourn. We cannot linger here."
Aragorn nodded. Then his last words echoed back in his ears. 'We cannot linger here.' Hadn't a perfectly healthy Legolas just said that not even an hour earlier? Maybe if he had just listened... Then he shook his head. He knew if he started to blame himself for Legolas' death he would never stop. He snapped to attention, remembering the last time he had just nodded when he had been told that; that person was now dead. He straightened up, blinking back the tears in his eyes; but to no avail. A tear escaped his lashes and fell down his face. "We can give him proper burial in LothLorien. I will not let him perish in the darkness." His voice brooked no argument.
He scooped up the elf easily in his arms and stood up. The hobbits had tears streaming down their faces at the death of their brave friend; especially Frodo. Aragorn knew Frodo most likely blamed himself for Legolas' death, but he knew that no matter what they had done to stop him he would have done that anyway. That was the way he lived his life. He was honest and caring. Gimli and Boromir were doing their best to comfort them without words, because they themselves were saddened at the sudden turn of events. Legolas seemed to have made a mark in the Fellowship as invincible. Especially after all he had been through and survived.
However, now was the not the time to contemplate their fallen friend. Aragorn patted Frodo's shoulder reassuringly and nodded towards the rest of the hobbits. He wanted to say something to Frodo....anything. He wanted to say everything would be okay. But he couldn't get his mouth to form the words because he didn't think everything was going to be okay. Not without Legolas here to tell him it would. He didn't understand how the sun could rise again without Legolas. Legolas seemed to be made up of the morning dawn. Then he tore himself away from staring at Legolas again and turned back to Gandalf.
The wizard looked at him sympathetically before crying: "To the bridge of Khazad-dum! Fly!" and the company ran as though the Nine were at their tail.
~~~~~~
Legolas wandered around in the Halls of Mandos feeling lost and very much alone. It was pitch black, and not even his elven eyes could see through it. He saw no glimmer of light whatsoever. Not even his own elven glow; which he figured was because he was dead. He wasn't even sure if he was an existent being.
He rose what he thought was his hand in front of his face, yet he could still not even see a flicker of movement. He attempted touching his face, but his hand seemed to pass straight through his head. That was enough to confirm his beliefs that he was insubstantial. He continued wandering around lost for he didn't know how long, when suddenly he heard a great booming voice that almost seemed to be inside his head.
"Why have you come to visit my halls, Thranduilion?" said the voice.
Legolas looked around for the speaker but found no one. However, he did not need to see the speaker to know who it was. It was Mandos. As he turned to answer, however, there was suddenly what he could only explain as a burst of light. He shielded his eyes while the light dimmed. When he removed his hand from his line of vision he saw what appeared to be scenes from his life surrounding him. He saw himself shooting his first arrow...wielding his first sword...receiving his twin knives from his mother...his mother dying...him having a nightmare and his brother comforting him...The list continued to go on and on. When he finally tore his gaze away from a scene with his mother, after what had seemed like eternity, he answered the question.
"I...I died," slightly stuttered Legolas.
"Why?"
"Why what?" asked Legolas.
"Did you die?"
"Yes," Legolas said, confused. He had already told him that.
"WHY did you die?" asked Mandos. "You are an immortal, are you not?"
"Oh," said Legolas, feeling quite foolish. "Well, yes. But I did not die of old age. I died of a spear." He was still feeling foolish. Surely Mandos would know how he died. Why was he asking him all these questions?
"Why?" questioned Mandos again.
"I had to save Frodo," Legolas said.
"No you didn't," Mandos said, and Legolas could have sworn he caught a hint of humor in it.
"Yes I did," Legolas said, surprised at his own daring to argue with one of the Valar; Mandos no less. "He is.....was......is pivotal to the quest I was on. Not only that, but I pledged by life or death to protect him if I could. I had to save him."
"No, you did not," repeated Mandos again, and Legolas decided that, yes, he was amused for some reason. "Young princeling, do you know what the Ringbearer was wearing beneath his clothes?"
"His skin, I would imagine," Legolas said, confused at where this conversation was going.
"One might say that, yes," said Mandos. "A pretty little Hobbit skin to wrap an elven princeling in, in any case." Suddenly he began to laugh; a great booming laugh that seemed to shake the halls, even though the voice seemed to be only inside his head; if he in fact he had a head... Legolas was beginning to grown irritated. Shouldn't he at least get some peace when he was dead? What did he find so darn funny?! Then Mandos continued, "Mithril, I believe you call it."
Legolas' eyes widened. "Mithril," he said as though he couldn't believe it. "Mithril."
"Mithril," Mandos said simply. "I see you know the term; in which case, I think I have won our little debate from earlier. You needed not to save the Halfling, Frodo. Albeit he would have quite the painful bruise, but he would still be quite alive. More alive than you, in any case."
Legolas froze where he was standing. Then it was true! He had not needed to die for Frodo! And yet.....here he stood....
The scenes changed from his life and Legolas was surrounded my darkness once again. Gradually a light shone until he seemed to be in some sort of room. The light brightened and what Legolas saw would have stilled his heart, had he a body. It was the chamber of Mazurbul; the room in which he had died. He saw his body lying on the floor. A human kneeled beside it. Legolas saw it was Aragorn. He could see the unshed tears that desperately wanted to fall from the ranger's eyes. 'Oh, Elbereth. I'm so sorry, Estel!' If he had been able to weep, tears would be pouring from his eyes now. He had not wished ever to be the cause of pain to the Fellowship.
He watched as Gandalf spoke with Aragorn. He strained his ears, but he could nothing of the conversation. Aragorn stood up after picking his body up. He turned and Legolas could see the rest of the Fellowship. Frodo stood by Sam, who was attempting to comfort him, though he himself had tears falling down his cheeks. Pippin was beside Merry. They were both staring at Aragorn and Legolas with tears in their eyes. Boromir looked greatly saddened at the incident, and even the dwarf, Gimli, seemed to have broken his resolve at hating Elves.
The scene changed again, and they began to run from the room. They ran down a dark passageway until they reached a steep stairway. Legolas could see the Bridge of Khazad-dum in the distance. The stairway broke, though Legolas could not fathom what caused it. Gandalf jumped across the gap and Aragorn threw Legolas' body afterwards. Gandalf caught him and Boromir jumped next. Aragorn threw Pippin and Merry next, though before he could throw Frodo the stairway broke further and they were thrown backwards. In a moment it began swaying forward and Aragorn and Frodo jumped before the stair broke completely and fell to the deep abyss.
When the Company just made it to the bridge, Mandos spoke and he was torn from his thoughts and the scene before him. "I have discussed this among the other Valar and we have come to a decision."
Legolas turned away from the scene, wondering what he could possibly mean and what his fate would be.
"You have died, knowing the cost would be your life to protect another's. That makes it a selfless act of bravery. Your immortal life shall become immortal once again. You have many great things yet before you, Legolas Thranduilion. Go now, and follow your heart."
"But—" Legolas cried out. Suddenly he had thousands of questions he wanted to ask. But he was cut off as he traveled out of thought and time.
~~~~~~
Legolas opened his eyes lethargically. All he could tell for a few seconds was it was dark and they were running. He saw Aragorn's face and realized Aragorn was carrying him again. However, the man was so busy running and saying something to someone else that he did not see the elf wake up. Suddenly they stopped and turned back around. It was hot. Legolas finally seemed to fully gain consciousness and he stirred. He heard someone yell in the distance: "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Aragorn looked down for a millisecond, and then did a double-take. Legolas attempted to get out of Aragorn's arms, but the ranger held tight. "Legolas?" he asked. Legolas raised an eyebrow, not wanting to speak just yet. He was still thinking over what had just happened himself. Aragorn's eyes widened and he said, "But....you......you were......dead. How.....how is this.......this possible? You died. I saw....you...You're alive! Oh Valar, Legolas! I thought I had lost you!"
Legolas interrupted softly, "I will explain later, Estel. For the moment, I am fine. You can put me down." He untangled himself from Aragorn's arms and saw the rest of the Fellowship staring in a different direction. He looked himself and saw Gandalf battling with a Balrog. He took in a gasp of horror and surprise. He knew of the creature and its abilities. Surely Gandalf knew of them also! The wizard was already weary; Legolas knew he could not defeat the Balrog.
The large demon had a fiery whip and seemed to be made of the very essence that haunted Legolas' dreams. He heard Frodo yell something and his own eyes widened as the bridge before the Istar crumbled and the Balrog fell into the abyss of Moria. Now the rest of the Fellowship took a breath, relieved and slightly turned for a second. They saw Legolas and they froze again. Legolas took a step forward and Gandalf saw him as he turned around. The wizard stopped for a second and stared and Legolas. In a way, or so it seemed to Legolas, it did not seem at all that Gandalf was surprised.
Then, suddenly, the Balrog's whip came back up and curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. He looked directly into Legolas' eyes before he cried out: "Fly, you fools!" and was gone.
The fires went out and blank darkness fell. The Company stood rooted with horror staring into the pit.
~~~~~~
Ha! You guys didn't actually think I could kill him and keep him dead, did you? However, just because he happened to live doesn't mean he is free...Also, for those of you who do not know, Mandos is one of the Valar (obviously), but seriously, he is the keeper of the halls of the dead...
'The Feanuri, masters of spirits, are brethren, and they are called most often Mandos and Lórien. Yet these are rightly the names of the places of their dwelling, and their true names are: Námo and Irmo.
Námo the elder dwells in Mandos, which is westward of Valinor. He is the keeper of the Houses of the Dead, and summoner of the spirits of the slain. He forgets nothing; and he knows all things that shall be, save only those that lie still in the freedom of Ilúvatar. He is the Doorsman of the Valar; but he pronounces his dooms and his judgments only at the bidding of Manwe.
Vaire the Weaver is his spouse, who weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs, and the Halls of Mandos that ever widen as the ages pass are clothed with them.'
So that is who Mandos is and the Legolas seeing his life in scenes, and then him seeing what happened after his death was him seeing Vaire's storied webs. So sorry if I confused you earlier.
Ok, short chapter and bad ending, but at least he is alive, right? I mean, how else would I continue the story if he was dead? Also, Sara, if you are reading this, then I am sure you know where I got Legolas' conversation with Mandos.
'Why?
Why what?
Did you resign?
Yes
WHY did you resign?
Oh'
Well, I certainly got reactions to Legolas' death! Thanks for all your feedback! And, I promise the next chapter will be longer than this one! Not only that, but it will be out sooner! (I hope, if life doesn't get in the way...) You know, I am wondering what you guys would do if I had Aragorn forget about Legolas in the excitement and leave him in Moria on accident. ("Where is Legolas?" questioned Boromir. "Oh Valar," Aragorn breathed. Legolas was still in the mines.)
Deana: Legolas isn't dead! Ok, are you happy now that Legolas is alive? Here is chapter 12. Hope you liked it! *army of 6 inch dwarves appear to make sure Irish QT does not get power hungry*
Dur En Thurin Naur: Uh, yep. I left it there....It wasn't me, I tell you! Sauron made me do it! Thank you for the review! Hope you got *some* sleep!
Babymeeko: Tears? *gives tissue* Wow. O_o I don't think I have ever made anyone cry before! Thank you soooo much! And thank you for adding me to your favorites list! I feel so honored!
MidnightPrincess: Cool is good. Thank you for the review! I know some thought the first chapter was really boring.......
Lainfaer: I updated! And quicker than usual too! (Er, ok maybe not....) Always look forward to your review!
colagreenleaf: Brilliant twist? *blushes* Thank you! Ok, here I brought him back, quite alive. *mutters under breath* for the moment... *normal voice* thank you!
Kelsey: You have said practically everything I believe how important Legolas is in the mission in your review! Wicked. Great minds, think alike. AND both our names start with K and end in Y and sound alike! Don't worry, I could never leave him dead for too long! Well, actually...*cough* Anywho, Thank you for the review! Here is chapter 12 for you, mellon nín!
Reverspots: What does T.T Legolas mean? Cliffies are mean...don't you love them? I sort of have a love-hate relationship with them, myself...
MidnightPrincess: Ok, I could write the reply for 11 up with your other review, but I will write it down here. Yes, he lives.....*mutters under breath* for now *regular voice* Anywho, thanks for the review!
DieingStar: What does 'col' mean? Because you said: "I have but one word: col..." Thank you for the review!
Bookworm, .303: Yes, you get a prize...umm....*looks around room and sees floppy disk on the floor along with other random notebooks* I know! *runs downstairs and comes back up* Here! *hands cheesecake and picks up floppy* and: an update!
StubbornDwarf1: I see your pseudonym now! You asked for angst, and you got it. Thanks for the review!
orlibloomsgirl: *hands cheesecake* you got the correct answer too! Thank you for the review!
Dark Angel60: Bet you didn't expect that, did ya? Anywho, I'm all better now. Thanks for reviewing chapter 10! And 11! You have been bugging me about killing him and you finally got your wish...sort of...
Minuyasha: err...yep. But two wrongs don't make a right...so...please don't kill me! I know it's been a month since my last update! Thanks for reviewing!
Someone: Actually you know, technically the cave troll killed Legolas! *smiles innocently* I brought him back to life. I must be related to Miracle Max! Lol (The Princess Bride.) Thanks for the review!
Star-Stallion: Ok, ok I did NOT kill him *cough* for now *cough* although *I* wouldn't be talking if I were you...Anywho, here is the update!
Thalionlomion weilder of the elven Spear Celeb-Gil: Geez, could you make your name any longer? LOL, Anywho, PRACTICE YOUR HANDWRITING! *sweet voice* and do your homework...
I will try to update soon everybody! Was it too fluffy?