Chapter 17 - Instruments of Death
Legolas refrained from interfering in the prior heated exchange between Vezely and Eomer, staying put and closing his eyes in mild concern, as he hoped it would not heighten for he knew the two had not achieved a comfortable level of amicability since they met. He also knew Vez was not in good spirits upon her arrival, not only by her voiced concern over the scarcity of amassed riders at Dunharrow, but he could sense it. He admitted to himself after Vez disappeared into the tent that he was surprised the argument hadn't grown into something more contentious. While Eomer was certainly not pleased after the exchange, expressing quietly after to Gamling his dislike of her, Legolas knew Vez refrained from inflicting more personal insults. Instead, her words not only defended Merry, but displayed a genuine concern for those who would be affected by this war - showing she cared not only because it gave her a chance for revenge, which she admitted to him before was her sole purpose in this fight.
She had changed so much in his eyes since they fell upon her at the edge of Fangorn, where he would have obliged his impulse to release his arrow to task if Gandalf had not assured him her intentions were amiable. Legolas was not an infallible Elf. He could be rash if riled, and arrogant to those he deemed children when compared to his age. Traits he knew he garnered partially from his father. He was, however, less in experience on foot. He knew some of his current companions, Vez included, had traveled this Middle Earth much farther than he had and seen lands he had only heard stories of. His experience lay in his homeland, for he knew Mirkwood better than most of his kinsmen, and perhaps even better than his own father. There is where his heart truly lied and where he hoped to someday return. When he left it for Imladris so many months ago, he did not fully comprehend the extent of the task that lay before him, though a shadow and a threat of approaching turmoil had been growing steadily in his and his people's minds during the prior century. Upon acknowledgment that the One Ring was found, his father requested his attendance at Lord Elrond's council, confident in his ability to represent the Woodland Realm in such dark times; and when Legolas offered his bow to the cause, he knew his father would have expected nothing less of his only son. He never truly saw his title as the Prince of Mirkwood a forced burden, for his father never pressured him into court life, or mired him in the trials of daily rule. Desiring instead to protect the forest and his kin, Legolas joined the Woodland Guard and patrolled alongside others without overt status. At the same time, however, he was not without obligations to his people or presence standing before them. He was Thranduil's son and known as such throughout all Elvish kingdoms. And by joining the Fellowship, he represented not only his kingdom's people, but allEelvendom, as Gimli represented all Dwarves. Perhaps this was the defining moment in his life that would forever change the trajectory of his future among his people. Furthermore, these past months had changed him, taking him far afoot from his comfort zone while forming friendships with the most unlikely individuals, namely theDdwarf. Their common cause aside, his old self may not have been so willing to move past ancient grudges. Perhaps now he accepted the responsibility of his position as prince, understanding the importance to move beyond petty differences and set an example for what is best for all Middle Earth.
Thus, he could not also help but consider what this new relationship meant for him. It would seem unlikely for Thranduil's son, of all Elves, to have fallen for one of such ill reputation; for her nickname of Nwalmaer (the tormented one) and the story of her corruption by Sauron were well-known, while her actual name and current path towards redemption. Before the skirmish that left her at the mercy of his people in Mirkwood five centuries ago, any news that an Elf led a foreign force of men upon lands West of Rhun would have been considered farce. And that an Elf was indeed involved in such affairs only furthered growing concerns of the power rising in the East. His father's desire to treat her wounds and release her back into what was now known to be Sauron's grasp, also caused questioning among many of his kinsfolk. It suggested Thranduil was aware of her existence beforehand and perhaps other elders had similar knowledge.
His father would hold a brief meeting with Elrond in the weeks following her departure. Legolas had greeted Lord Elrond upon this visit, and while escorting him to his father's court, he inquired whether his trip had anything to do with their previous visitor. Elrond politely declined to offer further details saying, "There are many topics we must discuss, your previous visitor one among them. But trouble yourself not with her now, Legolas, time must carry the burden of our removal from her trajectory." It was another cryptic response, as the ones his father had provided him when he said there was reasoning behind their paths crossing. When rumors of her bloodline, as child of Dior and Nimloth's lost son Eluréd arose, Legolas tried not to overly concern himself with them, though he remained attentive for she was not easily forgotten. He never agreed with his father for releasing her, for she had killed his kin and almost killed another after waking. And now he admitted to questioning whether her darker history could have been averted if she wasn't released - but despite these thoughts being part of his wish to vanish her pain, he knew, as Lord Elrond had mentioned, there was reasoning behind those centuries where she did Sauron's bidding.
The cryptic messages suggested his father and even Lord Elrond foresaw that their paths were intertwined. Perhaps then, his father would not be surprised if she were by his side the day he returned to his homeland. Of course, such optimistic thoughts warmed him and gave him hope of a desired future, but the encroaching battle inevitably led him to querying their possibility. He now desired nothing more than to bring her back to the healing hand of the forest, to move her past the title Nwalmaer, and the attributes it spoke of; to give her a new start on life, as he would start his anew by accepting the responsibility of his title. Yet all this was beyond his control. He acknowledged her lingering reservations toward their relationship as a need to reconcile her past with her present and future. He simply wanted to provide a comfortable bridge to a life beyond what currently mired her, so she could see herself through this war; though he admitted he knew not whether his own life was similarly forfeit. Legolas never doubted his skill as a warrior and for an Elf to die in battle was an honorable end to life on these shores. It proved difficult to think of one or both of them not surviving, but could they not meet again in the Undying Lands?
Forgoing additional thought on the previous confrontation with Eomer, Vez swung her rucksack on one of the chairs, propped her sword aside the table, and removed the small pouch of blasting power from her inner jacket pocket. She spilled its contents onto the tabletop, resulting in a small pile of black chips of uneven shape. She had not opened it since Helm's Deep, when she used it to display its power to King Theodon. She was suddenly reminded of the Deeping Wall being brought down; of course, her amount was nowhere near what was used there. Opening her rucksack, she shifted through the sparse items within it which comprised all she owned - her tattered memory book, an misshapen brush and now empty inkwell, the leaf that once held the lembas bread Aragorn gave her, an empty tin of tea - to find five spherical metal objects on the bottom. She inspected each one separately as she took them out; one could be grasped in the palm of her hand. Once deciding their mechanics would still function, she lined them up on the table in front of her. Before taking a seat, she removed her jacket. Underneath she wore a fitted brown leather corset. It had a deep v-neckline and braided shoulder straps that crisscrossed in the back, leaving bare her arms, her mid-back and shoulder blades, as well as her neckline. Her skin felt the cool air from outside shuffling in through the tent's doorway. Once seated, she used her teeth to break the thread line on the bottom hem of her jacket. Unraveling it allowed for a stream of black chips to fall from its folds onto the table. She had sewn them in ages ago, thinking blasting power might come in useful someday and not caring if it was somewhat precarious if her clothes were to find flame. Tearing at more inner hems produced enough small piles of black chips to divide evenly among the five metal spheres.
As the last of the chips were removed from the inner seams, one more light shake produced the small flower the child at Edoras had gifted her. It fell on top of the chips, wilted and misshapen, and several of its petals, now detached, caught the breeze from the tent's door and flew off the table. Dropping her jacket to the ground beside her, she picked the delicate item up in her hand and inspected its decayed form; sorrow overtook her momentarily and she clasped her hand around it. Squeezing harder, she killed its shape even more, as her eyes also shut in an attempt to find anger instead of sadness. Anger, for it was easier to hate than care, simpler to be detached than connected to those around her. She knew the numbers at Dunharrow were not enough to break Sauron's forces. No longer could she hope for the future she glimpsed while in Legolas's arms, and instead, as the flower became unrecognizable in her hand, she sought to refocus. I am only an instrument of death, she thought to herself, now put to use against the power that molded me.
Standing by Gimli, Legolas sensed her shifting emotions, recognizing how their bond now allowed for such a connection to form. He hesitated whether to go to her, but Gimli noted his thoughts and prompted, "You should take her the rest of this," he stated finding him an excuse, while lifting the small pot of stew from the stand, "Otherwise there'll truly be none left," since he had already gone for another round in the meantime.
Legolas half-smiled, grateful for his friend's assistance, taking the lidded pot's hanging handle in his one hand and finding the tent's entrance with his feet. He wavered slightly, not sure if he would be disturbing her privacy, for he knew not what task she needed to complete inside. Pushing the tent's flap to the side, he glanced in, finding her seated with her back towards him, her bare skin illuminated by the light of the oil lamps within. He hesitated for propriety's sake, but she knew it was him and spoke to ease his reservations, "I do not consider myself indecent," she stated in Elvish, then turning her head to the side and glancing at him briefly, "Your company is always appreciated," she held her hand out and he went towards her, as his eyes inspected the black markings that graced her pale skin. There was Rhunic script running down her spine, words whose meaning she had shared with him at Helm's Deep, as well as other symbols sparsely decorating her back shoulders and arms. He was curious of them the first time he noticed their presence, but he did not know of what extent they ran. Elves did not mark their bodies as such, nor did men of high standing. For those in the West, they overtly represented her dangerous origins, as a ruthless member of a foreign horde. And while their presence may have displeased him in the past, now knowing her, he felt they flowed well with her personality and physique, for she had a woman warrior's body - neither frail nor soft, but thin and defined.
He took her hand in his, and brought the back of it to his lips, kissing it softly before he took a seat in the chair next to her, placing the pot of food on the table's side. This gesture brought her eyes back upon him, and she smiled appreciatively through any prior concerns, acknowledging again that she was comforted by his presence.
He slowly moved his eyes to her other hand, which held a metal sphere beneath it, the purpose of which he knew not until he viewed two small piles of black chips and similar devices lined up nearby. His returned gaze queried her purpose, but before explaining she handed him the metal orb in her hand. He slowly took it and inspected it mechanics. A majority of its body was smooth, except for a trap where the blasting chips could be inserted, yet there was more intricate metal and glass work at its base and a thin rope protruding from it as well. Removing her hand from his, Vez placed her fingers lightly atop the one he held to explain its workings, "This twine is inserted aside a small glass chamber filled with oil. When broken, it soaks the rope's end."
She then took an empty sphere from the table, and pointed to a rough piece of metal or flint attached near the rope. "This can be struck against other metal to ignite the outside rope," she brushed it against the tip of her sword's handle to demonstrate, "Once the rope burns down into the oil, the blasting powder inside will explode. One of these can break through the thick hide of a Mûmakil, bringing it down." Vezely seemed detached as she spoke, far removed from the emotions Legolas sensed had previously afflicted her. She began methodically filling the orb she held with one pile of black chips, adding, "I designed this long ago, but decided against implementation for they are not foolproof," she then smirked slightly in remembrance, "Several men blew themselves up in trials."
"You are reckless," he told her sarcastically, betraying his concern and turning her eyes to him quickly.
"I am young," she smiled slightly proud, remembering such discussion of her youth they had prior.
He took her hand again, now showing the concern in his eyes for her prior condition, but she believed it was concern for inventing such a horrible device, for she knew Elves would not dabble in mechanical instruments of destruction. It prompted her to remark hastily, "I never passed on its design, if that worries you. Knowledge of it will die with me."
He closed his eyes, "It is not your design that causes me worry," he spoke quietly, causing her to turn in her chair towards him, uncertain what he'd say. "You have lost hope," he stated with a hint of disappointment strained in his voice.
She looked at him confused at first before turning to equal concern; she placed her hand on the side of his face, causing him to open his eyes to hers, "It is not about hope anymore. We cannot win this fight, Legolas. It is statistically impossible," she confided her conviction, looking into his eyes with similar unease but with seriousness, removing her hand from him, she stated, "But before I die, I will take as many of them with me as I can. That is my hope now, it is all I have."
"It is not," he asserted, "You once told me before similar odds, to not despair," remembering his moments of doubt before the battle of Helm's Deep, and the comfort her confidence brought him, "Why now, on the eve of this battle, do you go against your own convictions?"
She knew what he said was true, she had not despaired before such a battle, entering it without a moment of hesitation or concern of falling. Thinking of how she had changed, she declared firmly, "I had nothing worthy to live for then, so I had no need for hope."
"And you foreclose it now in order to find your sword easier to wield," he added sternly, as if knowing her reasoning. She would easily forsake love and die without regret than find love a source of power to see her through it.
Vez was surprised how well he could read her, to give words to how she was feeling; she closed her eyes, saying sorrowfully, "I would not foreclose a future by your side but..." she stalled.
"Then do not," he interjected softly, noting her hesitation again; and adding optimism to bitter thoughts of losing, "Even on the shores beyond this world."
She looked at him, now more certain he did not know her worries were of finding her spirit trapped in the Halls of Mandos, barred from joining him in the lands of his kin. But could she form words to speak of it, or should she allow him more hope than she allowed herself? After a moment of considering the truth of her love for him she spoke quietly, "And if I cannot meet you there...If I fall," she suddenly found her voice again, "I may not make it to those shores."
He narrowed his eyes and tried to interject, but she quieted him with her fingers, as he had done to her evenings before, saying concerned, "You know this," and they exchanged mutual regret with their eyes, and pain of this acknowledgement showed on Legolas's face. A moment later she ran her fingers lightly around the tip of his ear and down the side braid in his hair, feeling its silk-like texture while her eyes admired its golden color for it was an all but uncommon hair tone in Rhun. An appreciative smile tried to cover her sorrow, "You have changed me...starting me on the path I always refused to take and I will forever be grateful for a glimpse at a life beyond this, for one by your side," her eyes remained removed from his as she added with regret, "I have given you so little in return..."
These final words confounded him, "That is not true," he protested, lifting her chin up and obliging her eyes back to his, "I once gave up my search for someone who could make me feel the way you do, to fill the void in my heart, relinquishing a desire for a life where I am never alone." For Elves did not love without conviction and his heart, now settled, could not simply find love again. He held hope that love would see them through this, and if she fell, she would be shown mercy and allowed to pass into the lands of their kin. He placed his hands on her forearms, saying sternly, "Now that I have found you, I am not giving up that future so do not request this of me."
Her heart dropped for he knew she was going to; she was going to ask him to not lead himself into despair if they were forever put asunder, for she believed such a fate was not worth her love. And while Legolas queried whether their pairing would cause controversy among his kin, he would not deny his heart's decision to be with her. He added steadily, "We will make it through this."
Looking him straight in his blue eyes, she saw the intensity she knew them for, ever since she first met their stern gaze in Mirkwood long ago. She wanted to tell him not to stake such claims, though she knew he truly believed there was hope for their future. While her fate was not yet decided, could she simply soak in his confidence? She breathed in heavily in an attempt to dissolve the sorrow that blurred her eyesight.
Noting her mixed thoughts and her desire to quell her emotions, he decided to turn her attention, adding firmly, "Now you should eat and rest. You have been attentive for days and I've seen you take little nourishment."
She smiled suddenly, amused at what appeared an attempt to command her; she nodded to his request, silently acknowledging she was not at her optimal strength. His hands were still on her forearms, but before he released them his eyes fell upon the markings gracing her right shoulder. There were several outlines of half circles, touching horizontally, abstractly forming birds soaring on the horizon.
Noting where he stalled his gaze, she spoke of their meaning. "They are gulls," she stated with a small smile, "I spent several years on a campaign out at sea. It was hard to return to land afterwards for I felt soothed by the water's waves crashing against the boat and the sound of the gulls flying overhead when near shore. This reminds me of that time."
Legolas suddenly remembered Galadriel's message to him at Lothlorien."Legolas Greenleaf," she said, "Long under tree, in joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea! If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more." He knew not what to make of this connection and tried to brush off any hint of concern for it in his reply to her, as she looked upon him curious to his thoughts. "Do they all hold such meaning?" he asked, returning to the present.
"They do. Perhaps one day I will share them all with you," she remarked slyly, liking the thought of his eyes upon her body.
He immediately blushed, knowing what she referred to, and he slowly moved his hands to hers before standing from his seat. She stood with him, her hands still grasped in his, wondering if she was too forward in her speech as she was forward in kissing him the prior evening. She was not attuned to proper etiquette or norms of courtship in these lands nor above what she deemed only natural lust for the one she loved. Legolas admitted to being overly aroused by her and desired nothing more than to take her in his arms and roam his fingers over her bare arms and back, but he felt he should not yet overstep such boundaries despite the fact that the circumstances disallowed for a proper courtship. He would try to uphold traditions for the sake of his people, and for her, for she deserved respect and for their relationship to not be mired in rumors of base desires run amok.
She looked down at their hands clasped together, knowing he may soon take his leave in hopes that she would eat and rest, though she wished he would stay at her side a little longer. She lifted their hands between them, and kissed the back of his fingers softly, noting his pleasure as she did so. She then spoke softly, "I will do what you ask. Know that you have soothed troubled thoughts."
The warmth of her lips against his skin and the sound of her voice calmed some of his lingering worries. She did not release his grasp immediately as he stepped away, and when she let go, he quickly desired to hold her hands again. He returned to Gimli's side, but the Dwarf had fallen asleep in his stool, snoring while leaning forward on his axe. Aragorn had left council with Theodon and arrived by his side shortly after. Legolas similarly encouraged his friend to rest before they would ride out tomorrow. Soon the fair Elf was left alone to his thoughts, resting his mind while leaning on his long bow slightly. To keep his mind steady, he envisioned a future away from war, back in his homeland, with her hand in his and the forest surrounding them.
After returning her now operational metal spheres to her rucksack and putting back on her jacket which now was noticeably lighter, Vez followed the orders she was lovingly given. Eating what little was left of the stew made her stomach warm and helped ease her to sleep; despite the cot not being the most comfortable sleeping apparatus. After purposefully clearing some troubled thoughts and replaying in her mind his endearing words, her mind was able to drift off.
Legolas instantly grew aware of the camp's approaching visitor, and he silently made his way to the cliff face to welcome him.
"Greetings," he said in Elvish, showing deference to the hooded figure by bowing his head and taken his hand to his chest before extending it forward. While the hooded man on horseback was unannounced, Legolas knew it was Lord Elrond and his purpose was in regards to Aragorn.
"Greetings, Legolas. You know why I am here. For the time is right," he replied assuredly, dismounting from his horse's saddle.
Legolas instinctively took the horse's reigns as if an esquire, for Lord Elrond deserved such courtesy. He then queried his suspicion, "The sword has been reforged?"
Elrond nodded in affirmative response. "I will need to speak to King Theodon before Aragorn is summoned, but first," he looked at him sincerely, "You and your father's previous visitor, I would like to speak to her."
Legolas knew he spoke of Vezely, and he began escorting Elrond and his horse to the tent where she was resting. As he tethered the horse's reigns nearby, he stated concerned, "She has questions, ones I could not answer," hoping Elrond would provide her this knowledge.
Elrond turned towards Legolas and cupped his hand on his shoulder, "And questions you also have," he stated knowingly. "Long ago I asked you not to trouble yourself with her troubles because I knew in time you would become enmeshed in them. That you have accepted and assisted her this far, I am grateful." Legolas nodded in deference to his gratitude, noting internally how he no longer viewed doing so as a task. Elrond continued, "But your path will now lead you from her side, as she will similarly embark on her own journey."
Legolas was disheartened to hear that they were soon to be parted, and sensing such Elrond added, "Fear not, you are stabilizing force for her on this road."
"As she is for me," he replied assuredly.
Elrond sensed his conviction, and a bond he may have formed with her, yet he did not question its depth.
Legolas decided to first alert Vez of Elrond's presence, entering quietly and adjusting the oil lamp's flame to further illuminate the small space. She was curled up on her side on the cot, not facing him, though she stirred from the muffled sounds and the light, turning on her back and slowly opening her eyes to find him kneeling beside her cot.
"Vezely," hewhispered, his hand softly caressing the side of her face, watching enchanted as her eyes opened to his. "I am sorry to wake you, but there is a visitor from Rivendell who has requested to speak with you." Her eyes suddenly went wide and alert, knowing whom he referred. He offered her his hand for assistance up, confiding in his eyes encouragement as she was about to confront the unknown, "I will send him in."
Vezely stood there uneasy, her nerves afire, for she would look upon the one who her current life would not have been possible. For without his interference, she would have been brought down with Dol Guldur when the White Council stormed it and drove out Sauron. A moment after Legolas stepped out, a tall cloaked figure entered, dressed in long regal, velvet robes, exuding a presence of authority.
As he slowly removed his hood, Vezely immediately knelt to the ground in deference, "Lord Elrond," she greeted, unable to look him in the eye. Finding her Elvish voice, she added, "I am indebted to you."