Influence; Chapter 5: Comfort of Shadows
Story Info
Title: Influence
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Third Age of the Sun
Genre: Action/Adventure, AU, Angst
Rating: M / FRM
Characters: Legolas, Thranduil (, OCs)
Summary: Dark creatures get even closer to Thranduil’s stronghold - with fatal consequences. Legolas witnesses death for the first time in his life, but when a terrible accident faces the royal family, the pain of the youngest is easily forgotten.
Part of the history of “The Last Journey.” Takes place a few years after “Guardian”. Complete.
Warnings: Character’s death, evil, darkness, violence, etc.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 5: Comfort of Shadows
Legolas’ head shot up, his eyes widening as he looked at the tall stranger standing beside the tree. A black robe hid the stranger’s features, but dark eyes glinted in the fading light. The stranger knelt down, gently dragging Legolas out of his shelter among the roots.
“Do not cry,” the stranger hushed, gentle and soft fingers rubbing away the tears on the youth’s face. “There cannot be anything so terrible to make you cry so.”
Legolas sniffed, lowering his head, but said nothing. There was a strange feeling around this stranger, and for a moment Legolas wondered if he was an Elf at all. But yet the stranger was very Elf-like.
“Do not dwell in sorrow. It will only stain your soul forever,” the stranger continued, his voice soothing Legolas, comforting him. “Yes, let it pass,” the stranger said, his voice indicating that he had also noticed Legolas’ mood change. “Even if it seems that there is nothing to comfort you, it is not true. Even if all the light has passed,” an elegant hand motioned around them to the dark forest, “there is still darkness. Seek comfort from the shadows, for they are ever present, light or not.”
Legolas didn’t quite understand, staring at the darkness around them. It seemed as if the shadows were moving, dancing around them. Soft whispers that Legolas couldn’t understand filled his ears, pushing away the pain and fear. Legolas shifted, mentally reaching towards the comforting shadows, feeling them embrace him as he allowed them into his mind.
The stranger laughed softly, caressing Legolas’ hair, whispering to him with a strange language. “Yes, can you feel it? They wish to make you better, drown your grief. Let them take away the pain. Anger and pain can be used later: they will make you stronger.”
Legolas sighed, closing his eyes, feeling peaceful for the first time in days. When he after a long moment opened his eyes again, he stared at the stranger, feeling the other’s smile even if he couldn’t see it.
“Come,” the stranger said, “I will see you back to a path that will lead you home.” Without another word, the stranger rose, extending his hand to help Legolas up. Together they walked, Legolas deep in his thoughts. The shadows seemed to dance around them still, their voices hushed. In some minutes they reached a small path, and the stranger pointed along it with his hand. “Follow the road and you will reach your home.”
Legolas blinked, wondering how the other knew where he lived. He looked ahead along the road and then turned to look at the stranger again, opening his mind to ask the question. But the other was gone. Legolas looked around quickly, but saw no sign of the stranger. Frowning, Legolas stepped onto the path, still occasionally looking behind him, making sure that he was alone. Even if he saw none, he felt himself being watched. And the shadows danced still.
Legolas broke into a run, hoping to reach the palace soon.
to be continued…
Story Info
Title: Influence
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Third Age of the Sun
Genre: Action/Adventure, AU, Angst
Rating: M / FRM
Characters: Legolas, Thranduil (, OCs)
Summary: Dark creatures get even closer to Thranduil’s stronghold - with fatal consequences. Legolas witnesses death for the first time in his life, but when a terrible accident faces the royal family, the pain of the youngest is easily forgotten.
Part of the history of “The Last Journey.” Takes place a few years after “Guardian”. Complete.
Warnings: Character’s death, evil, darkness, violence, etc.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 5: Comfort of Shadows
Legolas’ head shot up, his eyes widening as he looked at the tall stranger standing beside the tree. A black robe hid the stranger’s features, but dark eyes glinted in the fading light. The stranger knelt down, gently dragging Legolas out of his shelter among the roots.
“Do not cry,” the stranger hushed, gentle and soft fingers rubbing away the tears on the youth’s face. “There cannot be anything so terrible to make you cry so.”
Legolas sniffed, lowering his head, but said nothing. There was a strange feeling around this stranger, and for a moment Legolas wondered if he was an Elf at all. But yet the stranger was very Elf-like.
“Do not dwell in sorrow. It will only stain your soul forever,” the stranger continued, his voice soothing Legolas, comforting him. “Yes, let it pass,” the stranger said, his voice indicating that he had also noticed Legolas’ mood change. “Even if it seems that there is nothing to comfort you, it is not true. Even if all the light has passed,” an elegant hand motioned around them to the dark forest, “there is still darkness. Seek comfort from the shadows, for they are ever present, light or not.”
Legolas didn’t quite understand, staring at the darkness around them. It seemed as if the shadows were moving, dancing around them. Soft whispers that Legolas couldn’t understand filled his ears, pushing away the pain and fear. Legolas shifted, mentally reaching towards the comforting shadows, feeling them embrace him as he allowed them into his mind.
The stranger laughed softly, caressing Legolas’ hair, whispering to him with a strange language. “Yes, can you feel it? They wish to make you better, drown your grief. Let them take away the pain. Anger and pain can be used later: they will make you stronger.”
Legolas sighed, closing his eyes, feeling peaceful for the first time in days. When he after a long moment opened his eyes again, he stared at the stranger, feeling the other’s smile even if he couldn’t see it.
“Come,” the stranger said, “I will see you back to a path that will lead you home.” Without another word, the stranger rose, extending his hand to help Legolas up. Together they walked, Legolas deep in his thoughts. The shadows seemed to dance around them still, their voices hushed. In some minutes they reached a small path, and the stranger pointed along it with his hand. “Follow the road and you will reach your home.”
Legolas blinked, wondering how the other knew where he lived. He looked ahead along the road and then turned to look at the stranger again, opening his mind to ask the question. But the other was gone. Legolas looked around quickly, but saw no sign of the stranger. Frowning, Legolas stepped onto the path, still occasionally looking behind him, making sure that he was alone. Even if he saw none, he felt himself being watched. And the shadows danced still.
Legolas broke into a run, hoping to reach the palace soon.
to be continued…
Story Info