Saving Me

A few days passed, and the words of the Mirkwood prince still weighed heavily on the mind of the captain of Gondor. He thought back to his words during the council of Elrond, as well as Elrond’s retort. He wondered how Legolas had held his tongue when he arrogantly claimed that his people fought alone against the dark of Mordor, or if the elf had simply thought him an ignorant fool. He wondered now if that would have been an unjust assumption.

So caught up in his thoughts was Boromir, that he failed to notice the elf slow to walk quietly beside him until Leoglas’ voice broke through his ponderings. “Goheno nin. Your mind is troubled, more so over these past few days. That was not my intention…”

The Gondorian had started upon the first word but recovered quickly and turned his eyes to the elf. “What was your intention then?” He regretted the hard edge to his tone at the sight of Legolas’ obvious contrition.

“I meant to help you,” answered the elf. “We are all bearing this burden together, but it is heavier to some.”

“You thought I would submit to it?” snapped Boromir.

Legolas’ response was level and immediate. “I thought it may ease your mind to be able to speak of it…if you knew someone could understand your reasons instead of passing rash judgments.”

The Gondorian replied just as quickly, but with a harsh tone. “Your concern is not needed, elf. I have long defended my people against Sauron’s darkness and have yet to yield to any foe. It does not matter what our fellowship may think of me, I said I would see this task done and I will hold true to my word.”

The elf‘s silvery voice was kind in comparison. “I do not doubt it. You are an honourable man Boromir, and your standing among your people is well deserved, but the One is treacherous. Even the best of men could be deceived by it’s lies.”

“How can you be so sure that it is only deception? That it cannot be used for good as well as ill?” questioned the man. “What do you know of it? Were you witness to the first war?”

“No, that was long before my time.” Sorrow fell over the elf’s face as he continued, “But my people remember and I have heard the tale many times from many perspectives. More importantly to me, I have heard of what Mirkwood once was. Greenwood, it was called, before Sauron’s darkness distorted it into what it is now. I have seen his shadow spread, and my mind and heart warn me that it will only spread further and faster if someone were to reawaken the full power of the One.”

“Reawaken? Who’s to say it was ever dormant?” argued the Captain of Gondor. “At the counsel, you spoke of the guarding of Gollum as though from personal experience. Did you not see the creature? Was it not the power of the ring that has kept him alive for so long?”

“Yes, and it also perverted him as the shadow has perverted my homeland.” Legolas interjected resolutely; “And that was without it’s true master…I fear what should happen if Sauron were to reclaim it. Better to be rid of it and know it’s power can never be misused again. If one such as Lord Elrond, or Gandalf, or yourself could fall prey to it, then who could you name that would not?”

Again, Boromir’s anger and argument were quelled by the elf’s simple wisdom and understanding, as well as the compliment that he recognised in the fair being’s final statement. Both remained silent for some time as they continued to walk side by side.