Amystika

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Clouds were moving in from the mountains; the dark, thick mist covering the sun and making it seem later than it really was. A light rain was beginning to fall, cleansing the air and creating a feeling of freshness. However, there was a sense of tension withing Imladris. Or more appropriately, within Elrond's study.

Elrond had three books, of differing widths, and a scroll on his desk. He was looking through one of the books as Legolas and Elrohir came in, being led by Glorfindel. Taking seats, the two younger Elves waited to be addressed, while Glorfindel found a comfortable place to sit in a padded chair near the window.

"Legolas, you said that Sauron, in your world, was defeated with the combined aid of all races in Middle-Earth," Elrond started, closing his book and standing from the seat behind the desk. "Well, these are our combined efforts."

Elrond patted the books, "They outline a way for one person, regardless of race, to gain the strength to defeat the Darkness."

"Their origin is still a mystery," said Glorfindel. "Some believed that the Valar sent them as a way to help us without becoming directly involved."

"And others?" Legolas asked.

"Some believe that there were heros that discoved a piece of Sauron's secret. In either case, no one text gives a full account of anything that may help us."

"So we've tried to gather them all," Elrohir said. "And it is a quest that has cost us greatly."

Elrond gave his son a hard look, "As all struggles seem to. We have gathered the texts of the Hobbits, Dwarves, Men, and one of the Elves."

"Should there only be one for the Elves?" asked Legolas.

"'Tis one third," Elrond replied. "We have ours."

"Then you are missing Lothlorien and Mithkond?"

"Mirkwood," Elrond clarified. "Mithlond seems to have had none. Just as Dunland, Gondor, or Rohan had none for the Men."

"Then who-?"

"Fornost," Glorfindel stated. "The Dunedain had one."

Legolas thought, "What is expected of me?"

Elrond took a deep breath, "To collect the texts, the act itself is called the Trials, and can be completed only by an innocent who is pure hearted."

"So you wish for me to complete these Trials?"

"Only the last two; Lorien and Mirkwood," said Glorfindel.

Legolas looked to Elrohir for support, but found the younger twin lost in his own thoughts. Elrond cleared his throat.

"To obtain the texts, a test each must be passed... We do not know what the tests may be, but it can be assumed that they are dangerous."

"As well as simply getting to the places," Elrohir muttered. "The path to Lorien is swarming with orcs and other... creatures."

"And I am to do this?" Legolas asked.

"You may refuse if you wish to," said Elrond.

Legolas looked at Elrohir, hoping for some indication of what he should do. Elrohir met his eyes and Legolas turned back to Elrond. "May I have a night to consider?"

Elrond nodded, "Of course."

Legolas nodded and stood, followed by Elrohir. As they left the study, the pair was met with Elladan and Haldir. As they began walking to a more secluded area of the House, Elladan suddenly jumped ahead and began walking backwards.

"Well?"

"I was offered the chance to take the Trials," Legolas said. "I am going to consider it tonight."

"You do not seem too surprised," Haldir noted.

Legolas shrugged, "In Mirkwood, I... I was told that I would be offered the Trials... I have only to consider."

"Told?" Elrohir asked.

Legolas nodded, "Aye. A Maiar spirit was among the mist. It was that shadow."

"And this Maiar told you of the Trials?" Elladan stumbled slightly but recovered quickly.

"He said only that they would make me stronger."

"Nothing else?" Elladan asked.

"No."

"Haldir!"

The four turned to see two of the warriors coming up and Haldir bid the other three a good night before going to see what he was needed for. The twins continued down the corridor with Legolas until they came to Elrohir's room. Elladan immediately went to his brothers desk.

"Ah... Elrohir, you are always prepared," Elladan said, smirking as he poured three glasses of the wine Elrohir had had on the desk.

Legolas accepted a glass and shuddered at the tart taste of the wine, it was not unpleasant, but he had been unprepared. Elrohir took a seat on his bed, leaning back against the headboard. Legolas took a place on the floor, on a soft deerskin rug and leaned back against the bed. Elladan had made use of Elrohir's desk chair.

"You have the look of someone that already knows his path," Elladan stated. "What thoughts cross your mind now, Legolas?"

Legolas looked up at the elder twin, broken from his reverie. "I do know my path. However, I have yet to hear something that seems to be of great importance."

"And that would be?" Elladan asked, leaning forward in his seat and smirking slightly.

"The death of the Legolas in this world."

Both twins seemed reluctant to speak and Legolas grew frustrated. "Come now, I am no child. If I am to take these Trials, should I not know what happened to the last person to attempt them?"

"It is just..." Elrohir began quietly; "painful for us. All in Imladris knew and loved Legolas... His fall, well, it was difficult for us."

"None took it harder than Haldir," Elladan added. "He has felt weak ever since. He feels that he is inadequate to defend anyone now, and when he saw you..."

"He thought me to be his old ghosts come to haunt him?"

The twins shrugged and Elrohir spoke. "Haldir and I loved the Legolas we knew. And I suspect Haldir to care for you, as I do. But because of his present feelings, he has decided not to pursue his emotions."

"And left them to my dear brother, here," Elladan stated. "Though none of that is your fault, Legolas."

"What happened?" Legolas asked, repeating his earlier questions.

Elrohir sighed, "Legolas had achieved the greater part of the Trials. He retrieved the texts we needed, with the exception of the ones of Lorien and Mirkwood.

"We, that is, Haldir, Legolas, Elladan, and myself, were on our way to Lorien to attempt the next Trial. Though Legolas was to complete the Trial on his own, as will be expected of you, the rest of us were to protect him."

"A day's length from Lorien," Elladan continued for his brother; "and we were attacked by a group of orcs. We fought hard, and none of us are helpless. We killed many of their number."

Legolas looked between the brothers, "But it was not enough. Legolas fell..."

Elrohir nodded, "He was cut down... In front of us. Haldir had reached him first, and drove the nearest of the fell creatures to our blades. Few escapbut but we did not care."

There was a slight pause and Legolas considered urging the story on, before Elrohir spoke again. "Just the day before, Haldir and I had argued. Neither of us ever hid our feelings toward Legolas, but we never trusted each other enough to get along as the close friends we should have been."

"Their fight distressed Legolas," Elladan continued. "I did not interfere, because I did not wish to choose between the side of my brother of blood, and my brother in arms. But none of us were thinking clearly the day after, and because of our distraction, we failed to notice the orcs among the dead trees."

Legolas nodded his understanding, "And that remains as a sore point between Elrohir and Haldir?"

"'Tis salt in the wound, as it were," stated Elladan. "To see another form of a lost love choose the arms of a rival."

"I did not know..."

Elrohir immediately moved to sit next to Legolas, placing his wine glass on the floor. Slinging an arm about Legolas'shoulders, Elrohir gave his friend a half-hearted hug. "You could not have known. And Haldir has chosen to deny his emotions. He seems intent on doteing on his pain, as it has given him the strength he needed to defend Imladris."

Legolas sighed, "There is no animosity between you two now?"

Elladan grinned, "Only when they wish it."

"And you seem content to encourage our rivalries," Elrohir pointed out.

"'Tis amusing to see you two argue," Elladan replied. Legolas chuckled and the twins grinned, pleased that their plan to lighten the mood worked.

After a time of the twins' banter, Legolas sighed. "Perhaps I should give my answer at dinner..."

Elrohir tightened his one arm hold for a second, "If you think it best."

Elladan nodded his agreement with his brother, pouring himself some more wine before offering some to his brother and friend. "Indeed, you know that we'll be by you."

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Ah-ha, so the plot thickens, stews, and becomes a nummy kind of soup. Well, not really.