The Lost

The Lost

Chapter 11
Author: Frosty the Dairy Cow
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Elrond, Legolas, Aragorn, Haldir, Galadriel, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: After the defeat of Sauron, Elves and Men go to war. The reason, though, is not so clear. Contains real plot.
Notes: Elvish translations are at the end of each chapter.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine. Bleh.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the reviews! It's appreciated!


*

Legolas frowned and narrowed his eyes. Elrond was vle tle to him, though only barely, as he walked briskly down one of Lorien's paths. He seemed agitated, though the blonde elf did not find that unusual. What he found suspicious was that the Lord of Rivendell seemed to have come from the Lady of the Wood's home. Legolas knew what Haldir had said, about he not seeing Anólindë right away. If he didn't know that the Marchwarden was heading toward's his post, Legolas would have made there himself, to check on Anólindë. Just in case.

The Prince sighed and looked down the stairs to the dungeon. Not only was Elrond suspicious in where he had been, he was also suspicious in where he hadn't been. The dungeon was unguarded. As it was now, Elrond was growing smaller in Legolas' vision. He was not heading towards the men, but away from them.

Taking a breath, Legolas turned and headed down the stairs. He was no use elsewhere, having spoken to the other Mirkwood elves earlier. He was forming a plan in his mind, one he was hoping would not be necessary to use. Having experienced the massacre in his home, though, made him more aware now. If they needed to leave Lothlorien, they would have to do it quickly. He trusted the elves who had come with him, so they had been sent to prepare supplies and horses.

Just in case.

As he set foot on the dirt floor of the dungeons, he wondered just how close they all were to fleeing from their own people.

"Again we are graced with your presence. Forgive me, but I think I would prefer a visit from the female elf rather than you." Arn len leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms, smirking at Legolas. The elf's eyes flitted over the few Men being held. They looked tired. He supposed they had not been fed since they arrived.

As his blue eyes roamed back up to the King's, he worried what would happen if Gondor's men attacked Lorien before the elves could take action preventing whatadriadriel had foreseen. "She is busy," he replied, tilting his head, "I will have to do."

Aragorn grunted. "Pity," he replied, pushing himself from the wall and walking towards the cell bars. He kicked softly at the dirt, watching it fall over the elf's boots.

"She has gone to speak with Galadriel," he said, ignoring the amused smile on Aragorn's face, "We still mean to work for peace."

The King's hands gripped the iron bars as he leaned forward. "Tell me something, Prince Legolas, why are you so interested in this peace? Was your home and family not destroyed by Gondor's hand?"

Legolas' eyes flashed. Anger seethed through him, as it so often did when he looked at Aragorn. True, Gondor had murdered his family and burned his home. Part of him wanted nothing more than to watch all of mankind die in tortured agony for their crimes. But he knew there were still others of his kind who could be saved through a peaceful resolution rather than a bloody one. And if there was something misunderstood about the history of this war, he would learn the truth before continuing to kill.

"Revenge...would not help those who still live," he said quietly, "I have chosen the greater good, rather than what my heart seeks."

"But your heart does seek vengeance." Aragorn lowered his arms and sighed, watching the elf carefully. "I can understand."

"I am sure you can," he replied, "The difference, though, is you chose to serve that vengeance."

Aragorn laughed softly. "Indeed I did. Men are not as restrained as elves, I suppose." He narrowed his eyes and frowned. "Are you aware of who was in the group of men that was massacred?"

"No," replied Legolas softly. In truth, he was curious. There were men and women in Gondor and Rohan who had been his friends during the peace between them and elves. He wondered what had happened to some of them.

His curiousity was quickly sated. "Faramir and Eowyn," said Aragorn quietly as his eyes lowered, "Arwen was devastated. She and Eowyn had become good friends over the short years we had peace."

Legolas swallowed heavily and clenched his jaw. Both Eowyn and the Steward of Gondor had been friends, for as long as friendship could be held between Men and Elves. They were what lit this war. Who could have foreseen how important their deaths would be?

"They were good people." Aragorn met Legolas' eyes as the elf watched him softly. "They would not be pleased by this outcome."

The King smiled and nodded. "I will grant you are right about that."

There was a short silence before Legolas spoke again. He took a deep breath, for what he was about to say could not be taken back. "I don't trust you," he said bluntly, licking his lips, "I am, however, willing to risk my life for an end to this war. I know not if you feel the same, and I fear telling you this will leave not only myself open to deception, but Anólindë and others as well. There is too much at stake not to be clear in our motives. If it comes to it, we will flee Lorien and fight against those of our kind who would challenge our peace. I am certain most elves would welcome an end to this, but there are few who would deny it. I only hope you wish for this quarrel to end as well. Gondor's need is just as dire as ours."

"You would expect protection from us if you fled?" asked Aragorn, narrowing his eyes.

"I expect nothing. But there is always hope."

Aragorn smiled. "I cannot do much from behind bars."

Legolas glanced at the stairs, as if awaiting a visitor. "I must wait for Anólindë, first," he said, frowning, "I worry for her."

*

A sound echoed up the long staircase. Footsteps. Anólindë stood and smoothed her shirt, licked her dry lips and took a deep breath. She hoped her anxiety would not show on her face.

She smiled as Haldir approached. He looked distracted, but smiled in return. Until he came face to face with her.

Anólindë knew immediately that he recognized something was wrong. Still feeling weak, the smile faded from her face and was replaced with shame and fear. Her cheeks felt hot as she lowered her gaze. Tears once again lined her eyes.

Haldir's voice was grave. "What happened?" he asked, touching her chin.

Anólindë avoided his eyes, pulling her face from his hand and turning away. "I'm fine," she whispered, wringing her hands, "You should check on the Lady."

The marchwarden touched her shoulder and turned her towards him. "Tell me what happened," he said again, "Did someone hurt you?"

She met his eyes then, and was unable to keep the tears from falling. Her lip trembled as Haldir brushed her hair behind her ears. "This is far worse than I could have imagined," she said, sniffing, "I wish none of this would have happened."

Pulling her into his embrace, Haldir wrapped his arms around her shaking body and held tight. "The Lady saw pain in our futures," he said quietly, "You must be strong through it."

Anólindë rested her face against his chest, comforted by his warmth. "I don't know if I can," she replied, "I did not think it come to this."

"Tell me who hurt you." Haldir ran his hand over her back, trying to calm her nerves. "Please, Anólindë."

She hesitated, not knowing what he would do if he found out. This was more than just Elrond hurting her, though. He knew of things that would change the outlook on this war. He was planning on doing things that would endanger them all.

Anólindë took a deep, shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Speaking this would end all the trust the elves had in the Lord of Rivendell. She did it anyway.

"Elrond."

She could feel Haldir tense. "Elrond hurt you?" She could hear his breathing increase in speed. "Are you alright?"

"No," she whispered, "But that does not matter now." She pulled away and looked up at him. His eyes were dark and difficult to read. "Elrond knows things he has not told us. Sauron is responsible for this war, not men or elves. He plans on killing Aragorn in retaliation for Arwen's death. That is all the cares about now." She looked down and pulled away, crossing her arms. "He will condemn us all."

Haldir was silent. Anólindë didn't know what he was thinking, and when she looked up at him his eyes were thoughtful and distant. "Legolas has gone to see Aragorn," he said, narrowing his eyes at the door that led to Galadriel, "You should go to him." He turned his dark eyes to her and touched her arm gently. "Tell him we need to leave Lothlorien."

"Leave?" Anólindë had hoped it would not come to this, though she was not surprised when Haldir nodded. "What about you? Are you coming with?"

He swallowed heavily and nodded. "I will. I must take care of the Lady as well. We will meet you at the horses."

Anólindë sighed heavily as she looked down the staircase. "Is there no way around this? Can we not just lock Elrond in the dungeon?"

"Even if we could, there are some here who would still support him. Elrond is a strong power in his own right. We should leave and gather our forces before we begin fighting for this realm." Haldir touched her back and led her to the stairs. "I should not have left you here alone," he said quietly, "I'm sorry for what he did to you."

Anólindë blushed, not knowing if Haldir realized the extent of Elrond's assault. "It had to happen for me to recognize the danger here, I suppose," she replied, "None of us are immune to the pain of this."

"Take care until you find Legolas. I do not want you injured again." Anólindë nodded and started down the stairs, looking back up when Haldir called her name. "If Galadriel and I are not at the meeting point within the hour, leave without us."

Anólindë clenched her jaw, nodded, and continued her descent.

Walking briskly, she made her way to the dungeons where Haldir said Legolas would be. Her heart raced in her chest as her eyes darted around her surroundings. She worried about meeting up with Elrond. She feared leaving Lothlorien.

Voices could be heard as she descended the stairs to the dark cells. Legolas looked up when she was visible. "Anólindë," he said, "I am very glad to see you."

Licking her lips, she looked from the elf to the human. He watched her closely, so she averted her eyes back to Legolas. "We have to leave," she breathed, "Haldir said he will meet us at the horses. Do you have a way out of here?"

Legolas' eyes grew concerned as he looked up at Aragorn, then back down at Anólindë. "Yes," he replied, "What happened? Why must we leave so urgently?"

She could feel both sets of eyes watching her. "I will speak of it later," she said quietly, not wanting to divulge such things in front of an audience, "I will only say that if we do not leave, Elrond will make sure there will never be peace between men and elves."

Anólindë was grateful that Legolas did not ask for specifics. He simply nodded and looked back up at Aragorn. Reaching for a set of keys on the far wall, he approached the cells. "This is where your decision is made," he said to the King as he unlocked the doors, "Our fates are in your hands."

As the door swung open and the men behind Aragorn stepped forward, Anólindë felt herself tense. She knew there was no other option but this, but she was still frightened. These men had been her enemy for a century.

Aragorn stood at the edge of the cell, halting his men behind him. His blue eyes took in both of the elves, and Anólindë wondered if he was not looking for a swift way to kill them and escape.

"Do you have my weapon?" asked the King, "It would be better if my men were armed."

Legolas shook his head. "I can't get your weapons. We will have swords and bows with the horses. You can be armed when we get there."

Taking a careful step forward, Aragorn left the cell and approached the elf. "Just how do you expect us to get there without getting captured?"

"We run. Quickly."

The King smiled and glanced down at Anólindë. She looked away when his gaze became too intense. It seemed he could read her, and by his look she knew he knew that Elrond had hurt her. "Lead the way," he said, looking back up at Legolas.

Very aware that she had her back turned to all the men who could, at any time, choose to kill them, Anólindë made her way up the stairs and towards the south end of the forest. Dusk was drawing its shade over the wood, increasing their cover as they moved quietly and swiftly across the ground.

The minutes were long and tense as they made their way to the stables. Anólindë jerked her head back to look at the men every once in a while, not fully trusting them. She was very aware that they watched her and Legolas closely.

When they arrived at the meeting spot on the far south end of the forest, Anólindë exhaled with relief. Not only had they not met any elves along the way, but Haldir and Galadriel were already waiting for them. Each of the elves in their party looked warily at the men as they mounted their horses. Haldir was vocal to Legolas about his concern at giving the men weapons, but they were given anyways. Legolas did not believe the men would help them if the elves did not show trust.

Staying in the background, Anólindë watched as Aragorn, Legolas, and Haldir quietly talked amongst themselves. She mounted her horse and brought it up beside Galadriel's. The Queen looked tired but at peace.

"You worry," she said to Anólindë, who was watching the trio decide where to head. The dark-haired elf turned to face the fair-haired one. Her face was pale in the moonlight. "You fear more pain."

Anólindë sidled up closer, intent on keeping as quiet as possible. "Do you not?" she whispered, "Do you have no fear or worry?"

"I have hope," she said, smiling softly, "I meth innas tegi i altiriaan."

"Do you foresee a fair end to this, my Lady?"

Galadriel's sparkling blue eyes turned distant as she looked off into the trees. She wrung her hands, and Anólindë noticed for the first time that her ring was missing. "I foresee an end," she said quietly.

Anólindë bit her lip. "Where is your ring?" she asked.

Galadriel looked down at her hands, as if noticing only then that she no longer wore Narya. "It has been left," she breathed, "He saw once. He could see again."

"You mean Elrond?" The Queen's eyes rose to Anólindë's, shining under the starlight. "Did you leave it so he would not see us?"

She nodded softly. "You have been through much to see the truth," she said, "We all must sacrifice."

Anólindë frowned, not quite understanding. At that moment, though, Haldir rode up to them. Legolas and Aragorn had begun down the path out of Lorien.

"We are heading to Gondor," said the Marchwarden, clearly not pleased. His dark blue eyes settled on the Queen. "Are you well, my Lady?"

Galadriel smiled and nodded. Anólindë clenched at the reigns as they started out on the path. She looked back, her stomach tensing in nervous anticipation. They were leaving the only home she ever knew, and heading towards what could be their doom. Exchanging glances with Haldir, she knew he was thinking the same thing.

The Mirkwood elves separated Anólindë from Legolas and Aragorn. She worried, not knowing if the King of Gondor would let personal feelings get in the way of this possibility of peace. Feeling eyes on her, she turned to see Galadriel watching. The Queen smiled and turned away.

Anólindë clenched the reigns tighter.

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:

I meth innas tegi i altiriaan. - The end will bring the unexpected (the not-looked-for).