Fic: Exodus (3/15)

Jan 23, 2005 12:06

Exodus

By: Alilacia

Rating: PG13

Feedback: Either at my email address: erynlasgalenuk@yahoo.co.uk or here at LiveJournal

Spoilers: None that I can think of. In fact, this story is pretty much entirely AU, so I doubt it. I shall let you know if there is.

Beta reader: Ying

Disclaimer:

I do not own Lord of the Rings, or anything to do with the film or books. That honour goes to Peter Jackson (et all) and J.R.R Tolkien. I have no permission what so ever to use these characters, will not receive any money for this, and I am doing this for my own enjoyment. And to pass the time between working during the day.

Note: The Characters (and concept of) Dehlfalhen and Glamferaen were created by Cassia and Siobhan and they were kind enough to let me borrow them for this story.

The story in which they were first introduced was called Siege of Dread and is posted here: http://www.aragorn-legolas.5u.com/SoD.htm

Again, these characters (and concept) are not mine, and if one wishes to use this (or any of the characters or concepts from the Mellon Chronicles series) email Cassia at cassia60097@yahoo.com or Siobhan at siobhan3cl@aol.com

Edit: Have also just been informed (thanks Cassia :D) that Saelons are indeed another invention of Cassia and Sio. So all the above wording applies to them as well.

Summary:

"Strider, you have to understand a lot of things. There is much that I cannot tell you, much that only they can tell you. If you can find them. Only know that there was a darkness within them that they had been fighting with for so long, and when they found his body lying there..."

Events put into motion, the beginning of the end started long before it could be stopped. In all his years he had never considered what the loss of one life could have on the world, none of them had. It should have come to no surprise to him really, that when a pivotal figure was lost forever that his life was turned upside down, and nothing was the same again.

And do you know what the worst part was... it really was all his fault.



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Exodus

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Part Three - What happened to everything I know?

"And everything is said and done, I won't have one thing left
What happened to everything I know?

Now I'm restless and I'm running from everything, I'm running from everything, I'm afraid it's too late.
It’s a little too late."

- Ticket to Heaven, 3 Doors Down.

Aragorn walked slowly. Like someone with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was shocked by the news he had just heard, but at the same time filled with a sense of relief. He could still call Legolas his friend. Despite all that was set against them, he knew that they would prevail so long as they had friends and family by their side.

At the thought of his family a stab of pain flickered in his heart. He was hurt by the fact that he had not seen his brothers, or his father. In times past when he had returned home after a long time, they had been there to meet him. Or at the very least would be found in the Hall of Fire.

Staring up at the door before him, Aragorn was hesitant to open it. He feared that he would not find his family sitting behind those doors. He feared that they had shunned him as Legolas had done and wanted no more to do with him. He feared that-

He pushed open the door.

Raucous laughter assaulted his ears, the smell of food teased his nostrils, and he heard the sound of his name being called.

He blinked.

The image before him, all the sounds; they faded away. Rippling like water disturbed by the falling of the rain, they disappeared.

His shoulders slumped and he drew in a shaky breath. Trembling legs stumbled over to one of the plush chairs and he sunk into its embrace. The aches in his legs were soothed, even as the ache in his heart spread as he looked at the emptiness before him.

*~*~*~*

Once Glorfindel's tiredness faded, he realised just what he had done. Leaning back against the wall, he vaguely remembered telling Legolas where to find Estel. After Estel had begged him not to tell anyone, he recalled.

Closing his eyes, he only hoped that he hadn't damaged things even further between them. While he may have been sick of their stubborn nature, and the distance they were all too willing to keep from each other, he did not want to ruin any hopes of possibly rekindling their friendship.

Then again... he thought, looking at Legolas' face. The elf hadn't noticed him walk out the door. He watched as Legolas moved away from the open doorway leading to the grounds and presumably towards his room. The small smile tugging at the corner of his lips lightened Glorfindel's heart. I don't think his talk with Estel went as badly as I had feared. He resolved to talk with Legolas later. Right now, he really wanted something to eat. And a nice warm drink.

His eyes followed Legolas until he walked into his own room. Only then did he push himself away from the door and walk to the kitchen. The smell of cooking bread greeted him as he opened the door.

*~*~*~*

Mudas looked up from where he was sweeping in one of the lower storerooms. From his vantage point, he could just about see someone enter the kitchen. Finished for the moment with the floor, his curiosity got the better of him and he moved to see who it was.

Glorfindel nodded at the elf that walked out of the storeroom. Mudas had been here since Imladris' foundation. Not really settling into one job, Mudas had initially started moving from job to job. Trying to figure out what he liked best. In the end, Elrond had taken the elf aside, and they had talked.

Commotion outside drew Mudas' attention away from the Balrog slayer for a moment, and he was torn between staying and seeing what it was.

A large crashing sound made him pause, and he stepped back just in time as Glorfindel rushed past him.

Glorfindel reached the hallway first, followed by Legolas who had immediately turned around as soon as he had heard the noise.

Lying at his feet was a human, surrounded by shards of pottery. Glorfindel was speechless for a moment, before sense returned, and he knelt down next to the human.

"Forgive me... I..."

Glorfindel hushed the young mans words, and pressed him back down when he tried to rise. He looked up briefly as Legolas knelt down next to him and brushed the shards to one side. "What happened?" He asked, returning his attention to the groaning human.

There were a few moments of silence as the man gasped for breath, and shook in pain. "O-Orcs." He was finally able to breathe out before the pain of his injuries became too much and he surrendered to the pull of darkness.

Motioning to one of the younger elves that had gathered around, Glorfindel pulled him in close. "Take this man to the healing wing. See that he gets all the care he needs."

The elf nodded, and with the help of two of his friends, carried the man out of sight.

Glorfindel rose and pulled Legolas to the side. "Go please; take any that you would like. But see if what the human says is true."

Nodding, Legolas disappeared into the crowd.

Eyeing the broken vase on the floor, he shook his head and called out to Mudas. Now that the crowd was disbanding, he could see exactly how much carnage the human had caused as he entered the hallway.

*~*~*~*

Moving swiftly through the trees, Legolas was trying to track a prey he wasn't even sure was still there.

There were signs every now and then that clearly said something had been here, and not long ago.

He remembered the words that Glorfindel had told him once, many years ago. At a time when things had been much lighter, and when the Lord of Rivendell was...

"It is not just the efforts of the patrols that keep the darkness at bay. One day, I will speak plainly with you, but know that there are forces at work in protecting these woods that surpass you or I."

Legolas still did not know what it was Glorfindel had been referring to that day. He knew that something was different, however. The feeling of serenity, of a soft pressing against your mind that told you you were protected... it was all gone.

The prince was not sure if this was because of the fact that the twins were not here, or something much worse. Something he still found it hard to think about, even now.

Sudden images of that day rose into his mind, and taking a deep breath he willed them to disappear.

Crouching quickly behind a bush, Legolas looked around for the voices he thought he had heard. Nothing was apparent, and he frowned. Waiting for a few moments, the elven archer left his spot and searched elsewhere.

Not more than about five minutes later, the prince came across what he was looking for. Luck was on his side, for none had noticed him as he knelt down behind the bushes once more. The wind was blowing towards him, their scent strong and overpowering on the air. Grimacing, he refused to look away from the orcs that were breaking down their camp.

If a collection of burning wood and rotting food could be considered a camp.

Staring at the rotting food, Legolas found himself wondering why they would be keeping it. Surely, leaving food out to spoil would just attract the wrong sort of attention.

Or maybe that was their intent.

Legolas watched as there was a slight shuffling motion in the bushes on the other side of the clearing to where he was waiting. The dark creatures paused, and all their attentions were focused on the movement.

Suddenly, one of the orcs pounced, followed by two others. There was a few moments of scuffling, and a sharp cry rent the air. There was a loud crack, and all was still. The orcs rose to their feet.

Legolas lowered his eyes, hating the churning feeling in his stomach.

The orcs were looking pleased with themselves as the orc stepped forwards. Holding a wolf in his hands, he barked something and others moved to comply. Its neck was bent horribly at an angle, and blood dripped from where a leg had been ripped clean off its body.

Shutting his eyes, and bowing his head, Legolas silently muttered a prayer for the wolf. At least they had given the creature a clean kill. Assuming they didn't rip the leg off first....

He turned his head away for a moment as one of the orcs could not wait for the carcass to be taken to the fire, and took a large bite out of the raw flesh. Seconds later, several had joined him and Legolas' stomach turned as he saw the blood and flesh of the wolf running down their faces.

The carcass was dropped and left as orders were shouted. Wiping their hands across their faces, serving only to smear the blood further, they all stopped to listen.

It was at times like this Legolas wished he understood the black speech. As much as this was paining him to listen to, he reasoned that he could learn the information he wanted if he could actually speak the language. Well, he thought, considering the rather insane notion. Maybe speak is a bit beyond my knowledge and patience. The best I could hope for is to understand it somewhat.

Settling back against his heels, the elf watched as they started breaking down their camp. Their hunger sated, it appeared as though they did not desire to stay any longer. Legolas toyed with the idea of killing them all now, but stayed his hand. Even as skilled as he was, against such high numbers it was likely he would sustain some kind of injury. So he followed the dark creatures over the next few hours, circling around them as the wind changed. A few times he thought they had caught his scent, and perhaps they would have if there had been wargs with them.

Night had fallen by the time Legolas had tracked them to the outer fringes of the forest. He knew that there were other patrols around this part of the woods, and whistled in the fashion of one of the small birds that frequented the gardens. It was a common signal, used to warn other elves not to follow whatever was being tracked. It was in these very woods that Legolas first heard it used, and had spent many an hour learning it precisely. Never once had he thought he would actually use it.

Stilling his breath, he waited for the answer to his call, watching nervously as some orcs looked around them at the sound.

His eyes looked up to a tree far beyond the sight of the orcs. He was fairly certain that the answering whistle of birdsong had come from that tree, and he returned his attention to the assembled orcs.

Just as the last orcs were passing the last line of trees did Legolas glance behind him to see Glorfindel. The elder elf knelt next to him and nodded his head in the direction of the orcs. Legolas nodded back and only when the orcs were definitely out of hearing distance did they stand.

Glorfindel gripped Legolas' shoulder, and together they started the journey back to Imladris.

"How many were there, Legolas?" Glorfindel asked as they walked. He had come into this hunt a little late, having been seeing to the human lying in the healing wing.

"About twenty in all." Replied Legolas. "How is the human?"

"He is fine. I left Estel to see to him and to oversee things while I was gone."

"What of Erestor?" Legolas asked, "I would have thought that he would be left to run if you were not there."

"As much as I trust Erestor, he is more suited to sticking to the sidelines and offering advice when it is needed." Legolas nodded, and turned his head back to the path they were walking.

"That is true." He said softly, "I have never wanted to speak badly of Erestor, but he is more suited in the role of advisor."

"It is not a bad thing, Legolas, to linger out of the action and concentrate instead on other things." Glorfindel said, "I think that Lord Elrond knew that as well. For since the first day that Erestor has resided here, he has always been Lord Elrond's chief advisor."

"Other than yourself. And now he offers that advice to you."

Silence fell over them then, and the rest of the journey was completed in silence. Ithil was just reaching her peak as they reached their destination, and a smile crossed their lips as they saw Estel running down the steps to greet them.

"Welcome back." The human stopped in front of them and took a moment to catch his breath back. "I thought for a moment that perhaps a flower or a river sparkling in the moonlight had caught your attention and we would not be seeing you until you returned to your senses."

Legolas chuckled softly at the gentle teasing, and nudged the human in the arm.

"Like you are any better, mellon nín. I seem to remember a time when we thought you lost and searched for you. Only to find you sitting in one of the remote gardens with papers strewn around you, and a quill in your hand."

Aragorn coloured slightly and aimed a swipe at the elven prince's head. Dodging it, the elf ducked behind Glorfindel and then made a run for the main door. With a cry, Aragorn gave chase, but Legolas was faster and lighter on his feet and reached the door first. Ducking in through the door, he closed it behind him and braced the door shut, grinning as the human shouted his name intermingled with various threats while pounding on the door.

"You just wait, Greenleaf! You can't stay alert forever!" He pounded the door harder as he heard Legolas' laughter drift through the wood. "I'll get you back for this, mark my words, elf."

"I consider them marked, oh frightful one." Estel could hear the laughter in Legolas' voice and the sound of footsteps fading as the elf walked away.

"Come, Estel." The human was about to shout again when the voice and the hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Let Legolas have his fun." Aragorn turned around and looked into Glorfindel's amused face. "And we should be heading inside."

"But how? Legolas has blocked the door." Aragorn glanced at Glorfindel in slight confusion before glancing up at the windows. "We're not jumping in through one of them, are we?"

Glorfindel chuckled at the slight panicked look on the ranger's face. "Nay, Estel." He grabbed the human by the shoulders, and started leading him down another path. "There is more than one way to get into Imladris. I am surprised your brothers never told you about this one..."

*~*~*~*

Half an hour later, they were finally inside. Aragorn was fairly sure that not even his brothers knew of this way in, and was impressed that Glorfindel knew of it. And then wondered why Glorfindel knew of it...

For an elf, it would have taken minutes only, but soon after they walked away from the house the moon had disappeared from view and Aragorn was forced to rely on Glorfindel to guide him along the path.

Nervousness gripped him as he found himself inside the hall again. Experience from many years past warned him that Legolas could be just around the next corner, waiting for you to drop your guard.

There was a brush against his arm and he tensed involuntarily. Gentle laughter reached his ears as Glorfindel breezed past him and removed the chair that had been propped up against the handles of the large door in such a fashion that no-one from the outside could have gotten in without major force.

Setting the chair aside, he turned to face the human. The wide-eyed look on Aragorn's face brought a smile to Glorfindel's face and he went to stand next to the young human. "Come, Estel." He gently laid his hand on Estel's arm and led him down the corridor. "The hour is late, and I think perhaps we should retire to our chambers before we wake any others." Aragorn coloured at the teasing barb and hugged Glorfindel as they reached the stairs that led to the upper floors.

"Hannon le, mellon nín." Glorfindel nodded and turned back to return to the study. The hour was late, but there was still so much work left to be done. Although amusing, Legolas' little stunt had put him further behind, and he needed to have this done before sunrise.

Aragorn lingered on the stairs for a moment, simply watching Glorfindel as he walked back the way they came. The human assumed that Glorfindel would be going to work some more on the papers in the study. He felt a pang of sadness, and wondered why Glorfindel often shut himself away in that room, only emerging when he had to.

Reaching the top of the stairs, the nervousness returned for a moment when he realised that he still couldn't see Legolas. The tiredness in his limbs soon overcame his nervousness and he longed to settle into his bed. Remembering Glorfindel's words from earlier, he pressed the door to his room open as quietly as he could. He didn't want to wake up any elves that were unfortunate enough to be close to this room.

Stepping in through the threshold, he paused and a smile grew on his face.

There, lying on his bed was Legolas. The glazed look in his eyes betrayed that he was asleep, even if he was only sleeping lightly. Observing the Prince for a moment, he then padded further into the room. Grabbing a blanket from the back of his chair, he draped it gently over the slumbering form.

Settling into the chair, he hugged a cushion close to his body. The warmth from the fire spread through his body and he felt himself relaxing. As a sigh spilled past his lips and his eyes slipped shut, they fixed one last time on the Prince of Mirkwood. The image of the elf at rest was the last thing he saw before sleep overcame him.

TBC...

fanfiction, exodus, lotr

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