Amystika

Legolas 19: STOP SAYING "UPDATE ASAP" OR "PUT THE NEXT CHAPTER UP ASAP", IT'S HIGHLY ANNOYING TO SEE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN! Not that I don't appreciate the support, but isn't there something ~else~ you could say?

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"Lift your arm a little more when striking," Glorfindel instructed. "It will allow you to move faster in case you have need to block."

Legolas nodded and adjusted his stance. The two had been sparring for the better part of the morning, with Glorfindel's excuse being that he wanted the exercise. Legolas knew that the ancient blonde was worried for his safety; it seemed most of the Elves were after his acceptance of the Trials last night.

Though he still wasn't too sure what it was meant by his being pure hearted, Legolas intended to ask either Elrond or Celeborn about the details of this new responsibility. He only hoped that the two lords would be able to answer his questions.

"Do not let your mind wander," Glorfindel admonished, striking Legolas' wrist with the flat of his sword. "Had this been more than sparring, I would have taken advantage."

Glorfindel's smile faded as he only recieved a nod in response. "Legolas, what is troubling you?"

The younger Elf sighed, "Nothing, only my thoughts."

"You worry about the Trials?"

"A little..." Legolas replied. "There is so much that I have yet to understand."

"We all do," said Glorfindel, putting a gand on Legolas' shoulder. "None of us know what to expect."

"But you've seen the effects of the Trials before."

"Slightly. We have seen that they may cost us dearly. And we have seen that they may help us."

Legolas sighed, "But you know that from what they say... Did you never think that they may be a trick from the Dark Lord? Is nothing certain when concerning these Trials?"

"No..." Glorfindel answered, releasing Legolas from his hold. "But you still accept."

"I..."

Glorfindel smiled, "You do it for Elrohir."

Legolas shook his head and tried to protest but Glorfindel wouldn't hear it. On their way in from the training fields, the ancient Elf decided that he could tease Legolas with his newly percieved knowledge. As the pair reached the doorway, Legolas smiled, "You remind me of the Glorfindel I knew."

"Oh?" Glorfindel asked with interest. "And just how did this other version of me act?"

Legolas smiled as he recalled the encounters he had had with the Glorfindel of the Middle-Earth he knew. "Aside from a legendary warrior, he was also a very mischievious Elf. I would wager that he had taught the twins that I knew a few of their tricks. Elrond and Erestor were usually the targets of their games."

"You miss your world," Glorfindel noted.

Nodding, Legolas entered the hallway of the House. "I do. I wonder how my friends and family are..."

"You do not consider us," Glorfindel guestured to the halls, meaning the inhabitants; "your friends, as well?"

"Oh, I do think of you as my friends... It's just... odd."

The ancient warrior chuckled, "I suppose it would be. But enough. Let's find what is left in the kitchens."

Legolas nooded and followed. Most of the Elves were about, preparing for the coming times and Legolas felt guilty with the knowledge that he could promise no certain success. Bu did did not dwell on the thought, turning his attention to the presence of the twins instead.

"Good morning, Lord Glorfindel, Legolas," Elladan greeted.

Elrohir grinned, "Or should it be 'good midday'? You were training for hours."

Elladan nd, "d, "I do not recall so much time being spent with us..."

"That is because your memories have fallen into missuse," Glorfindel said. "I invited you out this morning, but you declined."

"Ai. We remember that," Elladan grinned. "But we had more important things to do."

"Such as?" Legolas asked, reaching to the bowl of fruit on the near Elrohir. The younger twin smiled and gave the prince a quick kiss, causing the younger Elf to blush.

Elladan resisted teasing his friend, "Such as preparing for the coming journey. Father has agreed to let us go to Mirkwood before Lorien, since we know the path."

"And Lorien remains a mystery?" Legolas asked. At the twins' nods, he smiled. "I have been to the Lothlorien in my world several times in the past two years, I know it well enough."

"But this is not your world," Glorfindel stated.

"No," Legolas agreed. "But it does not seem so different. Perhaps Haldir knows the way?"

Elrohir shrugged, "If the Shadows has not changed the land too much."

Elladan sighed, "But we begin with Mirkwood, anyway."

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The rest of the day was uneventful, though Elrond had taken care to remind the four that would venture to the heart of Mirkwood of the dangers withing the forest. Along with the twins and Legolas, Haldir would go. A group of five or so warriors would go as well, but no further than the gates to the old cave-palace.

Dinner was filled with conversations of the coming Trials, speculations and such. Lindir decided to lighten the mood by singing one of the songs Legolas taught him. Though Legolas wondered if he should have mentioned that hernedrned the song from Merry and Pippin. But it soon had the Elves of Imladris, Elrond included, laughing, so Legolas thought better of providing such warnings.

Elrohir pulled Legolas away from the table as Lindir began a new song. The two stopped in the hallway, and began to wander the corridor as they had a few times before.

"You do not have to do this, Legolas," Eir sir said.

Legolas smiled, "Yes I do. I have given my word."

"In these dark times, promises may be broken, and secrets revealed. Why do you risk yourself for us?"

"Because I must," Legolas said simply. "I know peace, and I know war. I believe that I can help you."

Elrohir gave Legolas a skeptical look, "You believe that you can lead us to the defeat of Sauron?"

"I did not think that Frodo could destroy the Ring."

Legolas had told his story to the Elves here, including ones of his friends in his home. They had all seemed amazed at his tale of the Quest.

"But that is not the same," Elrohir insisted.

"Why not? Hope seemed lost then too."

Elrohir stopped walking and gave Legolas a pleading look. "Please, Legolas. I do not wish to see you die..."

Legolas reached a hand up to cup Elrohir's cheek. "I will not die. I will have you with me."

"And I was too weak to do anything before. How do you know that I will be able to help you when you need it?"

"You are beginning to sound like Haldir."

Elrohir gave his friend a disapproving look and Legolas sighed. "I know you will not fail. And neither will I."

"How-"

Legolas silenced the younger twin's words quickly. Sealing his mouth over Elrohir's in a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he smiled at Elrohir's look of surprise. "I know your heart, Elrohir. I know the strength within it. I have seen it before."

"You return my feelings?"

Legolas nodded and Elrohir grinned and wrapped his arms around Legolas' neck in an embrace. "Then, now, more than ever before, I shall vow to fulfill my promise to aid and protect you."

Legolas chuckled, "Your protection is not neccessary."

Elrohir smiled, "But I offer it anyway."

The two Elves smiled at each other and Legolas was about to say something when Elladan came up. "As cute as you two may be, we will be leaving tomorrow, so you both had best take some rest."

The younger twin stuck his tongue out at his brother and Legolas laughed. Before Elrohir could begin an arguement with Elladan, Legolas pulled the former off down the hallway while wishing Elladan a good night.

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Dawn came swiftly for the Elves that were to leave with Legolas, the twins, and Haldir. The horizon was barely lit as the group set out to the dark forest beyond the mountains. The group of ten, six soldiers to accompany the four that would go to the palace, was seen off by the three Elf-Lords. Elrond and Celeborn had taken care to give the twins a proper farewell, while Glorfindel settled for a simple wish of good luck (followed by a badly covered yawn).

The group moved as quickly as they could, wishing to clear the mountains by the evening. But as the sun reached her peak, they found themselves in need in rest and only halfway through the pass. A small fire was lit to cook the rationed lunch and the group sat around to eat.

Elrohir talked quietly with Legolas off to one side of the camp, and no one seemed willing to bother the two. Elladan was telling the group of six warriors what was expected and what could happen, planning the coming days as carefully as he could. And Haldir had gone ahead to scout the area. When Haldir returned and reported that the path ahead was clear, the group left their little camp.

It was nearing nightfall when they finally spotted the forest. Forced to set up the second camp, there was a slight amount of grumbling at the lack of wood to start a fire.

"It will be roughly two weeks to cross the woods," Elladan said. "And that is if we do not encounter any trouble."

"There should be a path," said Legolas. "It would cut the time in half..."

Haldir, Elladan, and Elrohir gave Legolas curious looks. "A path?"

Legolas raised an eyebrow, "I thought you were familiar with the forest."

"We have seen no path," Elrohir stated. "And we do not venture further than the forest's border unless neccessary."

Legolas smiled, "Than I suppose we'll be relying on my knowledge of the forest. I know the rough area where theh shh should be, it is only a matter of finding it, it it ever existed." *** ***********************************************************************

"Maybe I'm crazy, but you know I'm not some nut job. Not another nut job." -Criss Angel -'Procreation'


Oooh. I finally got to see the 'Mindfreak' tv special. I love the Space (Canadian Sci-Fi) channel. Anyway, like I said at the beginning of this fic, if you've no idea who Criss Angel is, you're cheating yourself out of some amazing things. Check out his site at http://www.crissangel.com and deffinately look at the images.