Shadow of Hate [formerly known as Witnesses]

Title: Shadow of Hate
Author: Hideyuki Okami – hideyukiokami@yahoo.com, hideyuki_okami@hotmail.com

A/N: Yeah, another chapter. No Flamers please! There are two parts on this chapter, Frodo’s POV and Legolas’ POV. Just tell me if my characters are out of the line…anyway, please read and review. It is much appreciated. And of course, ENJOY!!


***
“Hush now my young one
Do not fear
I am here at your side
Protecting, healing, watching you
My heart is overflowing love
Love for you
So face the darkness with courage
Be brave, be strong
I am here, just right here, at your side
Forever going to love you”


Chapter One, Part 1 – Frodo: Beginning of Hate [Growing Irritation]

****
“Mr. Frodo, are you alright?”

I nod and smiled. “I have never felt better in my life, Sam. After destroying the ring, my burden had long been gone.”

He smiled, “I’ll be with Pippin for a while, Mr. Frodo. If that’s ok with you.”

I smiled back. Yes, the excuse, “Of course Sam. You should best get going. I think he’s waiting for you outside.”

He bowed and ran towards Pippin, who smiled at me. I watch them walk out, their figures slowly disappearing on the sunlight.

~~~~~
It has been three years since I have destroyed the ring and bought back peace on Middle Earth. For that time on, I thought the Fellowship of the Ring would end; we all have gone separate ways. Gandalf went to Atorie, a small town somewhere east of Gondor; Legolas and Gimli had taken another adventure together; Aragorn, well, he is the King of Gondor, and is to wed Arwen soon, and us hobbits, went back to the Shire. Sam is to wed Rosie [even though he really loves somebody else], Merry’s starting to learn how to blacksmith, and I am continuing to write books. One time, when we were having festivities, Pip and Merry had an idea to, but due to my persistent cousins [Pippin and Merry], we are now reunited in the walls of Minas Tirith. From what I have seen before, Minas Tirith was like a broken soul, fear and hate rising in every person’s heart. But after the Stewart King died, and Aragorn tend reined in the land, the glow of Minas Tirith became brighter and the people seemed to be at peace. It seemed that Strider is doing his job pretty well.

Ester.

Elessar.

Aragorn.

I am but a plain dot in his sight.

I haven’t told him yet, but I have feelings towards him, The King of Gondor. The one who saved us from the Nazgul; who healed my wounds; who swore himself to protect me until death; who gave me the chance to end the chaos rising along Middle Earth; who told me that I have the most beautiful hands in all people; who loves Evenstar and has devoted himself to her.

Whom I know, he will never be mine.

Why do we not choose the one whom we should love? Isn’t it that the gods have given us free will? Why is that when we love, we fail to imply our rights? It isn’t fair, truly, it isn’t.

And I hate it.

I hate being the one who’s left alone. Sam has his Pippin, and Merry, he’s already engaged with someone else. Why is that among the people in Middle Earth should I be left alone? Have I naught have the right to feel love? This is all wrong. Everything’s wrong. It was wrong accepting the mission to lead the Ring to Mordor. It was wrong, knowing that within our journey, I would fall for him. It was wrong…wrong in the beginning.

And I hate it.

I hate falling in love with someone I know that is bonded with someone else. I hate failing in love with the person I know who seeks only the peace among Middle Earth. I hate falling in love with the person whom I know cares for me as a friend.

And most importantly… I hate MYSELF.

This disgusting, filth, rotten hobbit is all into the King of Gondor, the ruler of all. Yes, I am only a hobbit. A creature that is not famous among the land. A stout, innocent species that loves eating mushrooms and all sorts of food; who has hairy feet and pointed ears.

I hate feeling this…love. I hate it…

And there it is again, my pain in my shoulders. It creeps into my veins and sends pain along my back and my head. I slowly walked out from my room, trying to find help of someone. I walked awkwardly as I dragged my shoulders towards the hall. Then my legs started to tremble as I stumble to the carpet along the corridor of Minas Tirith. My sight became blurry and then I fell on the floor.

“Mister Frodo?” a voice called out my name. Help, at last! I tried hard to speak and to focus my , bu, but no to avail.

“Don’t worry, Mister Frodo. I am Thorien Nezgar, student of Gandalf. I’ll shall tend you first and then send you to Gandalf. I believe it is your anniversary illness.” He strode fast while carrying me on his arms. I felt his hands on my forehead, and then, I fell asleep.

*~*~*

“Where did you see him?”

“Along the corridor, not too far from his room. He was in pain and in the verge of crying.”

A sigh.

“No doubt that it is his anniversary illness, but it seems to be worse. That Valdar that you have given him attention, for if not for you, this would take 6 days to recover.”

“It is still my pleasure to help the little master, but I have noticed that he seems a little bit exhausted. I believe he is emotionally unstable.”

I tried to open my eyes just to see who was talking. A peep, and then I saw Gandalf and the person who called himself Thorien. I see both of them glowing, but Thorien’s light is already blinding me. I breathed and sighed. He is right. I guess I am emotionally unstable.

“He is Thorien, he had been succumbed to the Powers of the Ring. I think that’s why he is like this,” I heard Gandalf murmured something, like a chant, to soothe my pain.

“Again, Thorien. Thank you for the help. But you need to rest. Almost all of your powers were drained in helping this little one to heal.”

I heard a loud bang at the door.

“WHERE IS THE FILTH??”

It was Aragorn.

I fell the darkness surround me until I said, “Aragorn…Stop…Helped…Power….”

~*~*~

Part 2: Legolas – Undecided [Love in the Eyes of a Hero]

“Legolas,” summoned Elrond as we stared above the balcony on a part of a castle. “Come here, my love.” I walked towards him slowly, my heart swelling in pain everytime I see his face, full of love for me. This is not right…not right indeed. My heart belongs to somebody else.

“What is your need my love?” I asked, hiding my true feelings.

He looks out on the City, “I have foreseen something,”

“What is it that you see?”

“That the Kingdom will again fall into darkness and the people will enveloped in fear, but that is their doing. A shadow luring amongst the hearts of the people is about to unfold,” he paused and sighed, “ ‘Tis what I am afraid of, my love.”

“What…what are you afraid of?”

“Thorien,” he said, looking at me with sadness across his face. It seems like he knows my feelings… “Please, my love. Understand that this is destiny.”

I shook my head, “I do not understand your foresight, my love. I cannot see why are you so afraid? Is he the one who’s going ting ing the darkness?”

He shook his head in response, “You’ll soon find out, my love. But if the time comes for you to see it, I wish that you’ll understand. Fate does not lie within our hands.”

“Lord Elrond! Come quick!” a guard of Gondor came rushing towards us. He stopped at our front, gasping for air. “It is Mr. Baggins, and he’s ill. Master Gandalf wants to see you.”

*****

We arrived shortly, but then we saw Aragorn hitting Thorien.

“Thorien!” I shouted as I rushed to stop them.

“You grime! What have you done to Frodo?”

“King Elessar! Stop this instant!” Gandalf exclaimed.

Aragorn stopped; his breathe ragged as he released Thorien. I immediately tend Thorien’s wounds. Blood trickled along his jaw line and along his left brow. I looked at Aragorn with rage, “How could you do this, Aragorn? This man meant no harm to Frodo! He is going to be the Grey Wizard…”

“I care naught about him or him being the Grey Wizard if he meant to hurt Frodo…”

Gandalf slapped Aragorn in fury, “I daresay that you naught to speak like that, King Elessar.”

I saw Thorien flinch and then backed away, “I ought the ceremonies for my honor be ceased, Master.”

I stepped in, gripping his shoulders so that he would stop shaking, “Nonsense! You are great, Master Thorien. You ought to be held as such.”

“Frodo’s illness is worse than before, I think we should tend him first before looking into details of the incident,” Elrond suggested and we all nod in agreement.

****

Elrond, Gandalf and Aragorn are in the room, tending Frodo while Thorien and I stayed at my room. We decided to let the tension subside between Aragorn and Thorien before they could attack one another.

“You need not to tend me, Prince Legolas. I can heal myself,” he said bluntly, with coldness and pride on his voice.

“I daresay not, Thorien. You have given too much power to heal Frodo’s wound that you need to take a rest.”

“But you should go back to help them, to…him,” he whispered on the last part, while I grabbed his arm.

“I won’t ‘till you are well enough. Now be a good wizard,” I smiled at him. I think he knows my relationship with Elrond, and as much as I wanted to explain it to him, I’m but too afraid. I might be wrong.

“Prince Legolas,” he said, lowering his gaze to the floor, “I’m…I’m sorry I put everyone into this mess…I feel like I’m not worthy…”

I hushed him, putting my finger on his lips, “No, you are worthy to be. It’s just that,” a click roused into my mind, “Fate does not lie within our hands, Thorien. You are not useless. You have proven yourself worthy in the eyes of the Elders*. Your discoveries were of help amongst the human and elves.” I placed my hand on his, entangling my fingers with his own.

He blushed, pinkish, as he whispered thanks.

We both fell silent that time, my fingers slowly caressing his calloused hands. I then looked at his features. His silky black hair, shoulder’s length, tied halfway with trinkets. His face is shaven, and smooth. I reached up to touch his face, running my fingers along his jaw line. Too young, yes, he is too young. He drew back a little, but then relaxes as I continue to caress his hands. I looked at his deep, brown eyes and I see love.

And it pains me.

This is what I should have known before. I can see it within his eyes the love that I should have claimed before. But I am much too afraid to say it, and I am bonded with Elrond already. When I first saw this man, I knew I was in love. I knew from the start that he was gifted with many abilities, but I never knew that it would include capturing an elf’s heart.

Why should I be in this miserable place? Why did I accept Elrond’s love? I sometimes wished that I had the power of foresight so that I could see what would be my destiny.

I then refocused myself on Thorien, us being alone in my room. I can feel his breath against my face, a combination of smoke and berries. My heart starts to beat fast, and without hesitation, I inclined my head and closed my eyes, waiting for our lips touch.

This is all wrong…but it felt right.

“Have you ever told someone you love them, but too afraid to say it because you know that they belong to somebody else?”

I opened my eyes in confn, an, as his slowly removed his hands from mine. Is he…?

“I’d better get going now, my Prince. Please attend to Mr. Frodo, to him…he needs you,” He then stood up with a gloomy smile on his face. He walked away, leaving me here in uncertainty.

I never had a chance to say it; ask him what he meant for saying such. All I know is that he is in pain, which I have inflicted upon him.

A/N: YAY!! Whew!! Finished at last! Hahaha :)) niwei, please R&R!! :)