A\N: Here you are! Pardon my mistakes (grammar\spelling), but I had no time to check this over. I will do it soon and re-post this chapter but till then, I hope you don't mind it.
Guest: Thanks, I hope you didn't wait for too long. :)
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Legolas walked deeper into the woods with grief inside of his heart. Not even chirping birds could gladden him.
He didn't know where he was supposed to go so he instinctively followed a small path that led between dark trunks. Lucent forest calmed him down and ereased his previous rage leaving the elf all alone with his obscure thoughts. Here and there, Legolas would turn around although his elven ears were good enough to catch the smallest of the sounds, but he wanted to make sure that no one followed him. He swallowed bitterly when he understood that Aragorn won't go after him anytime soon.
"He needs some time to calm down."- a hard thought passed through his mind like a cold wind. He bit his lip when he remembered every word he had said. The tongue was faster than than the mind and now the flaxen-haired elf had to endure consequences of his recklessness.
With a faint sigh, Legolas continued to walk, step by step farther from the light and closer to the darkness that seemed so well hidden behind ebony rocks and trees. Clamor of animals wasn't as loud as it used to be when he entered the woods but the fair creature was too moony.
The air was heavier and the earth seemed arid without any flowers- only mire and parched leaves that crackled under his feet.
However, Legolas' wish to fall into oblivion for just an hour or two was too great so his mind completely ignored earsplitting and suspicious silence that killed all of the life inside of the immemorial kingdom.
The elf refused to think about the man for every single time he tried to do it, he would feel unbearable regret and sorrow. He was guilty and he knew it but his will to fight away those thoughts that threatened to drown him with their intensity was way too weak. Instead, he started to listen to the voices from the trees and found himself devoured in it.
At first, the song was peaceful and easy, deprived from all of the worry and pain and Legolas' heart started to flicker with renewed enthusiasm, knowing that everything shall pass soon. The forest was untouched by his worries and pains and it was immortal, forced to know everything that made people cry or laugh but it couldn't touch them. It was everlasting and it knew a lot. The young elf smiled a bit, feeling his burden falling down his shoulders. Of course, he could fix this once and for all. He only had to swallow his pride and submit to the man. He narrowed his eyebrows at this conclusion suddenly.
"No, I shall not bow this time. Not even to Aragorn."- he nodded. With a small shudder, he realized that, after all, he was a prince. And an elf. No matter how much he loved the human, he had to respect some boundaries and not give in so easily. Now it wasn't about the man and him, it was about two nobles with duties and worries. Legolas could not leave just like that. He had his family and life here now. And Minas Tirith had nothing that he could wish for. Nothing except of its king. Another sigh and Legolas shook his head.
Suddenly, the song changed and Legolas blinked. It was a drastic change. The voice had almost died, it was that quiet. Grievous notes filled the air and the branches bowed down in their act of sorrow. The elf finally saw the woods around him.
Grime, dark grass that seemed burned and horribly shorn trees made an arcade above his head. Silently, as if he was afraid he might disturb the dead trees in their laments, he walked under it, heading to a small hideaway. And there he stood and watched.
There was no life. Arid earth and burned grass. Nothing more. It was obvious that long ago there was a great fire that consumed everything that was alive. Cold, electric blast licked down his spine and shuddered his whole body. There was something familiar about this place. And Legolas didn't like it at all. Something, probably memories or curse, wouldn't let the grass grow and heal. The elf felt it and heard it in the quiet voice around him.
But there was something that worried him more than this burned area. He blankly stared down at the center of that irregular circle, not believing his eyes. Down there, in the black grass, was a flame. Bloody red flame.
At first, he thought it was some kind of mirage but soon he realized that it wasn't a flame but a flower. Red amaryllis. No flower could survive this waterless land and Legolas knew that this wasn't a deed of the nature but of the magic. Black or white, he didn't know. Subconsciously, he took a step back.
"Legolas!"- he jumped at the sound of his name. He turned around and peered in the darkness behind him. The voice was familiar, but unexpected.
"Haldir?"- he whispered as he watched the lean, panting figure coming closer.
"What are you doing here? I was searchin-"- it wall all he had uttered before he saw where they were. He stood in front of Legolas' questioning eyes.
Minutes passed in silence as Legolas turned around once again and watched the flower as it was some kind of a odious animal. His long-forgotten dream came into life again.
"What is this, Haldir? You know something about this place, I can see it in your eyes."- the elf's tone was cold.
Haldir only swallowed and nodded his head, gripping the letter in his hand harder.
"Yes, I do."- and to Legolas' surprise, Haldir didn't seem worried or scared. The silver elf only looked like someone who was in predicament. Like he knew that this would have happened sooner or later. Legolas watched in expectation.
"Legolas, we should go to the household, I.."- but he stopped when the elf almost wildly shook his head.
"We should stay here."- Legolas stated firmly and crossed his arms. Fear was defeated by rage. He remembered his nightmare where the man was dying with this flower over his chest. That dream had a story hidden behind it and nothing could prove him wrong now.
Haldir gave up and nodded.
"You would have discovered it sooner or later, but I wanted to wait for Thranduil to tell you himself. Of course, this flower isn't important anymore so I assume that the king thought there is no need to bring this subject up."- the elf said more to himself. Confusion was visible in cobalt eyes and Legolas frowned although he relaxed a bit sensing that Haldir wasn't disturbed by the presence of that plant that, for some strange reason, nerved the prince greatly. He breathed out in relief but still waited, not wanting to let this be.
"This flower"- Haldir pointed weakly at it- "represents your soul."- he said in plain tone.
Legolas' jaw dropped down and his previous calmness withered away. Haldir raised his eyebrows at the elf's shocked face but either way continued.
"There is no need for you to get that worried, Legolas. It is not a curse, as you are about to find out. Your mother planted it long ago. When you disappeared."- he added and stopped for a second, watching Legolas' face carefully.
"You probably don't know of it. I didn't know either. Lady Galadriel told me this. Someone was hunting elven children."- the elf spoke calmly and looked at the peaceful flower, not wanting to see the horrified look on the prince's face.
"Your mother walked through this forest with you when they came. No one knows how did they achieve to get this far into the woods but again, back then Eryn Lasgalen was an opened realm, hospitable. They burned this part of the forest to the ground, as you can see. It wasn't long before the soldiers came, but they could do nothing about the fire- they were too busy fighting with those people who came out of nowhere. And when it was all over, no one could find you. As if the earth opened and swallowed you. When your mother realized that she wasn't able to find you, she planted this flower and bewitched it to bloom as you grow. When the flower seemed strong and healthy, you were too. But when you were under great pressure or suffered great pain, the flower would start to fade. But as long as flower was alive, they knew that so was you. Lady Galadriel knew of this and she told me that you mother wasn't capable of looking how poorly the flower looked so she died. She had died before the flower started to grow strong. The pain of a mother is too great to leave her unbroken."- Haldir sighed and touched Legolas' shoulder.
"Listen now, Legolas.. That is past. This is nothing but a desperate try of your mother to know at least something about you. There is magic, yes, but it doesn't matter anymore. You came back home and now everyone can forget about this. The attackers are slaughtered and they cannot hurt anyone anymore."- he whispered and supported the elf who seemed that will fall down at any moment.
His pale face was empty but eyes were filled with unshed tears.
"Who were those people? What did they want from the elven children?"- he gritted his teeth painfully and bit through his lip.
Haldir shook his head.
"Probably revenge. Troops from the east that were left behind when the Dark Ages came to their end. Who knows."- he sighed and offered a warm, supporting hand.
Legolas swallowed his tears and looked down. He thought about his beautiful mother. It had almost killed him. So many years were lost because of the hate between races. Nothing came out of him. Simply, Haldir was right. That was past. But one thing wasn't completely clear to the elf. His dream was still a secret and the flower, no matter how much its purpose was good, seemed rather cursed.
"I have something for you."- the elf opened his palm and Legolas saw a creased letter. Haldir did this in order to pull Legolas back and give him something he could think about.
The elf took the letter and unsealed it. He started to read while Haldir was peacefully looking around them, happy to have this subject done and the last secret revealed. Now the prince was completely free to move on with his life.
Legolas read the handwriting, from the top to the bottom of the page. Then read it over again. He frowned.
Haldir grew worried after a few minutes of rude silence. He looked at the elf.
"What is it?"- it was a calm question.
Legolas shook his head absently and continued to read.
"Haldir.. When was this letter delivered?"- he asked slowly.
"A few hours ago."- Haldir replied in confusion.
"And when was the letter delivered to Aragorn?"- Legolas slowly looked up with dread in his eyes.
"A few hours before this one. There is a small gap of time between them."- he started to explain, feeling more and more confused.
"Is there any possibility that the same person has sent them?"- another question, faster this one.
Haldir blinked.
"No.. The birds came from absolutely different sides. One from the west, and one from the east."
"This letter is from Borghild. This is a response on my letter that I've sent to him while Aragorn and I were in Rivendell."- Legolas spoke plainly.
"Aragorn's letter is from Borghild too."- the elf said, not sure where this was leading, but sensing that something wasn't right.
"Borghild's saying that he had no time to reply earlier so he apologizes but he's with the army somewhere out of Gondor."- Legolas read from the paper and looked at soundless Haldir.
"I am afraid I'm not following you, Legolas."- the blond warrior said but it wasn't fully correct.
"One of those two letters is false."- Legolas whispered and watched through Haldir, his eyes somewhere else. Slowly, he creased the paper between his pale fingers.
"Why would anyone.."- Haldir started to convince the elf who seemed horrified with something that was unknown to him.
Legolas feverishly jerked his head back and stared once again at the flower.
"Haldir.."- he swallowed- "Do you believe in dreams?"
Haldir shook his head in confusion, finding it hard too keep the pace up with the prince who seemed to change the course of their conversation all of sudden.
"What dreams?"- he asked and rubbed his aching head.
"Dreams. When you fell asleep. You have those things on your mind and they seem so vivid, so true.."- Legolas spoke absently but his fingers threatened to cut through the flesh of his palm.
"Elves don't dream."- the elf sighed and impatiently studied the worried, cold face before him.
"They do. I had a dream."- he blinked and looked back at Haldir with growing horror.
"Legolas, Elves can't dream. We don't sleep so we can't dream. Stop tearing that paper.."- he frowned when Legolas suddenly shivered.
"Haldir, do you understand what I'm trying to tell you? I had a dream. In Minas Tirith, one morning I woke up in terrible sweat because I dreamt of.."- he was interrupted. Haldir raised his hand and knitted his brows.
"No, it wasn't a dream. I've just told you that you cannot dream. At least not the same way humans do. That what are you trying to tell me about is not a dream, but a vision. A prediction of the future or some lost pictures from the past, memories."- he explained as he watched the confused face in the wave of emotions.
"Those visions.. Do they come true?"- it was a mere whisper.
Haldir nodded.
"Most of them, yes. But they don't always happen the same way the did in a vision. Some parts change, but the main point is always the same."- it was the missing part to Legolas' awful puzzle. He blankly stared before himself.
"Devon!"- the elf's scream of realization was so loud that even the ever calm warrior from The Golden Woods jumped and covered his bruised ears.
"I've been so stupid! I didn't understand why..."- Legolas bit his tongue and grasped his forhead.
His vision, that basked filled with flowers, Devon's odd care for him..
"Of course.."- Legolas breathed out in his mind. Of course, it was too obvious. He remembered Borghild's words from the palace when he told him how much every necromancer yearned for immortality. And the flowers, they weren't there by mistake. They were meant to be laid before his legs when he was passing through. He shook blond head and nearly laughed, unburdened. Some parts didn't fit in, but the elf was far too lost in the fierce of his won battle. Devon won't get anything. He tried to dissever them, knowing that Legolas would go after the man anytime it was needed and come back to Minas Tirith so he can be exposed to his power, far away from his original home, but he overlooked the fact that the real Borghild could send a letter too, in the worst time. His plan was ruined.
"Legolas?"- Haldir asked slowly, shocked to see the elf's joyful face.
"Nothing, Haldir, my friend. It's not as bad as it seems. However, we should return to the household. I have to speak to Aragorn."- his face was serious again.
Haldir blinked and removed his weight on his right leg as he shifted uncomfortably.
"We are leaving?"- he asked in the smallest voice painted by confusion.
Legolas crooked his head on side and stopped the moment he wanted to make a move.
"Where?"- he asked.
"After Aragorn, of course."- now was Haldir's turn to look at the elf as if he thought that the young prince was out of his mind, talking nonsense.
"After Aragorn? He's in his chambers, all we have do to is.."- he started to speak but his voice died when he noticed something strange in Haldir's eyes.
"Legolas, what are you saying? Aragorn is not here anymore. Raunien told me that he saw the man taking his horse out of the stables and after it he left the Realm. Raunien followed him to the very end of the forest.. That's why I came here. I wanted to ask why did he.."- and he lost desire to speak any further. The look on Legolas face spoke instead of words. Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.
"Aragorn left?"- the elf wasn't sure if he really said this or it was only a thought passing through his frozen head. He refused to accept it, to understand it.
Haldir nodded slowly.
"He's gone, Legolas."- it lanced right through Legolas' heart. It was hard to remember how to breathe. Ground started to shake under his suddenly too weak feet.
Mind blowing pain shook his body from the core, making him regret and curse every single word he had uttered before he hurted the man that bad that he decided to run away. To run away from him and his ungratefulness.
"No.."- Aragorn's pale face with closed eyes was formed before him.
"No."- the red flower laid over his chest sucked all the life out of the body that used to be strong and warm once.
"Legolas...?"- Haldir's voice came somewhere from afar, calling, but failing to calm him.
And right then, Devon's creased face with a little, smug smile.
"NO!"- he shouted and the view went red. A breath left his body as a torn sigh as he started to run for his life. He didn't notice how fast Haldir reacted for, just after a second, he was running by his side, with confusion and dread visible in his gimlet eyes.
"The necromancer.. Aragorn's dying in my vision.. The flower.. If we're not fast enough, he could.. he could.."- he started to choke on his words.
The elf only nodded, finally understading.
"We must return to Minas Tirith, Haldir. Someone is going to die."- Legolas gritted his teeth.
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"I'm going with you."- Bjarte exclaimed and rose to his feet when Legolas finished his story while he was doing his best to hurry up and have the horse prepared for the long, rocky road to Minas Tirith.
Legolas shook his head and glanced at Haldir who was putting on his cloak.
"No, Bjarte. You can't."- Legolas sighed in nerved tone and walked beside his sister in order to take a cloak that was hanging over a wooden rail. Lostariel hasn't uttered a word throughtout the whole story. Her eyes were carefully studing the boy.
"How do you mean I can't? I must go! My duty is.."- he started but he was cut off with Legolas' stern gaze.
"You will stay here because Eryn Lasgalen offers you safety which I am not able to guarantee if you come with us."- he explained in less than gentle tone. The boy shivered.
"If you are not mistaken, then Elessar is in great danger, and there is a conspiracy in the pala.."- he didn't finish because a harsh, sudden intake of breath made him feel like a fool. Lostariel walked to him and pressed her gently palm on his arm.
Their eyes locked for a second before he turned his attention back to the elf.
"Listen now.. I am not yet sure if I am right or not, but I don't like the looking of the whole this thing. I've never liked Devon and of course I do suspect him. Besides, there is something strange happening with those letters and I have to discover if someone is playing me for a fool."- his lips shaped a thin line. He skipped the part about his vision and anything that had to do with it. Simply, the elf didn't want to think about ill possibilities that he might face when he arrive in Minas Tirith. It made him feel stressed and fearful and fear was doing no good.
"I can help."- Bjarte tried desperately.
Haldir sighed and shook his head.
"No! Bjarte, you will probably need daily rest from riding and you'll have to sleep but we cannot wait for you. You would slow us."- Legolas raised his voice as the horse nervously neighted.
"But.."- the boy wanted to make a step forward but a gentle hand grasped his forearm and pulled him back.
"Stay.."- Lostariel whispered and tightened her grasp, her nails buried in the human's skin. Bjarte stared at her ocean blue eyes, slowly falling under her control.
Lostariel's eyes were tensed, scared, and her bottom lip was shivering. Haldir quietly watched all of this with supressed disapproval.
On the other hand, Legolas was too worried and occupied with his own thoughts to notice this. He was only aware of the lack of Bjarte's nagging.
The dark haired boy at last nodded and lowered his head. Lostariel breathed out in relief and turned around to face her brother.
"Gwanur.. What about our father? You need to ask for his permission if you want to leave the Realm."- and Legolas suddenly stopped moving. Lostariel's question was like a cold water splashed all over him and it left him uncertain and surprised. He looked at Haldir, expecting some kind of solution from the elf that seemed to know much more than him.
But this time, all Haldir could do was to shrug and return the pleading gaze.
"I-I.."- he started and bit his lower lip. He closed his eyes.
"You are going to inform Adar about this.. Aren't you?"- she asked in uncertain tone when she noticed the elf's face.
Everyone looked at Legolas. He seemed numb.
"No."- Legolas quietly responded and pulled his horse forward.
"What? You cannot sneak out like a burglar! Think about Adar! You will break him! And why is one human so important to you that you choose him instead of us?"- Lostariel raised her eyebrows, half in shock and half in fury.
"I cannot explain anything now. Tell Adar that we are somewhere in the woods."- Legolas offered a lame solution but he couldn't think of any better.
"And what should I tell him when the night falls down and you are still not here?"- she asked.
Legolas shrugged.
"Then tell him the truth, that I am on my way to Minas Tirith."- he gave up.
"He'll be mad. No matter how much Adar loves you, he won't forgive you this, Legolas."- Lostariel warned him although her heart skipped a beat when she realized that she was about to part from her brother.
"Same like I won't forgive myself if something happens to Elessar because of me."- he gritted his teeth, calculating how much time they've already wasted.
"You do seem very fond of him."- she concluded, slightly surprised.
The elf nodded and threw his bow and arrows over his back.
"Before you and Adar, there was him. I can't forget my past, sister. I may be wrong, but I cannot sit here and act as if nothing had happened."- and with those words, he mounted his stud and looked down at the maiden and the boy who was silently staring up at him, visible desire and regret in his eyes.
She nodded slowly.
"I won't try to hold you back. Just be ready to face with the father's anger when you return, gwanur."- Lostariel touched his hand when the horse stood in front of her.
Legolas shortly nodded and looked at the soundless boy.
"You can be mad at me, Bjarte, but you'll understand that this is the best thing I could have done for you. Stay here for you are safe."- but the boy didn't reply. He watched the elf's face with burning desire, he wanted to ride with them and, after all, to go home but it was the elven maiden who chained him and forced him to stay there with her.
With those words and without a farewell, Legolas and Haldir left the stables and soon they were covered under thick layers made of leaves and grass. They galloped, but no as fact as they should for they feared that the sudden rush and noise in the forest could alarm other Elves.
"Legolas?"- Haldir called quietly and the elf moved his head on side.
"Yes?"- he whispered.
"Are you afraid?"- the question was so sudden and so bold that Legolas had to lean on his horse or risk falling. He gulper.
"Yes, I am afraid."- his voice was soon crushed by the cold breeze.
Haldir nodded and looked before himself.
"I don't know what I'm going to do if he dies. Gods, I cannot live without my life, without my soul."- he desperately whispered and spurred his horse, forcing it to run faster and with fierce for he wanted to be lost to his thoughts that were like dark clouds over his head. He fought to breathe under the great pressure that rose inside of his chest that ached, burned.
More than ever before in his life, Legolas felt alone. The world was deaf and so was he. He could hear nothing, not even the dull clatter of their horses' hoofs that pierced into to ground or Haldir's even breathing. For the first time, the elf faced the burden of not having his lover by his side. Only then did he realize what a terrible mistake he had made.
He looked up into the gray sky and felt how much he missed the sun when it was about to snow. He missed the man now, when he let him go.