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Continuation: Fifteen Years in Lothlorien	By : Ertia Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 5034 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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- 2
- 3
Disclaimer: Not my garden, I just play in it. I own nothing. I earn nothing. Indeed, my stories are often written at great expense.
Note to all my beloved readers- I kind of hurried final editing of this chapter so that I could address some of the concerns that have been raised.

First, let me say I take ALL my reviews seriously, even the icky ones. Reviews make us better writers. And, I am chagrined to admit that Thranduil Oropherion, in at least one aspect, is correct. Celeborn is getting out control. I think my other reviewers are correct in another aspect as well- I had intended to unravel Haldir's mystery slowly and carefully, planting hints and clues here and there. But I fear I may be TOO mysterious, and not blatant enough. Expect more clues and some exposition in near chapters.

Secondly, please know that I don't condone 'boosting' ratings, either for or against a story. Rate honestly, based on how you feel about the story. That's what they are there for. Thranduil has promised me that he was not behind the negative rating blitz, and I believe that all of you are honorable enough not to have been involved as well. :)

Thirdly, Thranduil's rape accusations made me wonder what, exactly, would have happened had Legolas rejected Celeborn back in Chapter 21, since I didn't see that scene as entirely non-consensual. Legolas never tried to say no, to ask Celeborn to stop. I had to ask myself what I really wanted that chapter to say. So I played with the concept, and found Celeborn surprisingly agreeable, although Legolas seemed reluctant to disappoint. You can find one of the results here at my Ripway site.

http://h1.ripway.com/Ertia/Fan-Fiction/fifteenyears21alternate.html

Here is Chapter 24. It is being posted mostly as it was originally written several weeks ago, with only a few textural improvements courtesy of my beta. (YAY to Manitou! I LOVE you!)

MAJOR WARNING: I warned, in a previous note that there were some dark things coming up and it begins here. I promise I am taking very good care of Legolas, as well as Haldir. They are fine and will continue to be so! However, Ummm...*cringes*... Orophin lovers might want to cover your eyes. Sorry. :(

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Fifteen Years

Chapter 24: Against the World
Legolas stood dumbly, staring at Celeborn for moment. The lord shook his head. "Quickly, Sarnlass."
And then he was gone, leaving Legolas to pull on fresh tunic and trousers, as well as his leather boots. Running down the steps he could hear the city come alive. The clear clarion of Elven horns echoed through the trees, and Elves gathered in the courtyards. Legolas ran to the armoury and flung open the Courtesan's locker. There was something comfortingly familiar about the feel of his knife harness as he buckled it on, about the weight of his quiver across his back.
He noted that Feanal's weapons remained in the locker and wondered if Haldir had ordered him to stay behind, or if he had been more injured in the table incident that Illiene had let on.
Turning back, he found himself faced by the Arms Master who gestured for him to turn around and then filled out his quiver, and checked the edge on his knives.
"You're set, Courtesan. Return safe." His hand slapped Legolas' shoulder firmly and Legolas felt his shoulders square and his head raise. He was back in his element. His name, his title, may have changed, but the warrior remained.
He nodded in gratitude to the Arms Master and hurried to the forecourt, his eyes finding Celeborn easily. Making his way to his side was less easy. The throng of Elves, the curious mingled with the battle-dressed, was a hard press on every side. Coming to Celeborn's side, he automatically stepped behind him, taking three steps back and centered behind.
Haldir approached, cutting a swath through the crowd with his long stride. He wore his silver armor and his crimson cloak which marked him as commander. He came to Celeborn's left and stood a pace behind. Legolas gave him a quick glance, but that was all. There was a stab of guilt for his misjudgement of the March Warden and he wished he was free to apologize. However, he had been warned and did nothing, focusing his eyes on the center of Celeborn's back, and forcing himself to stillness.
Still, a certainty settled in his heart. He would apologize for wronging Haldir, however he could. And no matter what the day held, he would not disappoint either Lord or Warden.
"And what of disappointing yourself?" Legolas heard the sweet, but worried voice in his head and raised his eyes. Galadriel was approaching, her white gown glistening in the morning sunlight. "It is your own heart you must look to."
He bowed his head slightly to her as she took her place at Celeborn's right. Look to his own heart? Whatever did she mean? There was no time to puzzle out the mystery.
The moment she was in place, the furor in the courtyard died down, and she raised her voice to the crowd.
"My people! Today, we face a threat to our homes, to our families. An army of Men marches upon our borders."
There was a shifting in the crowd, a shivering of fear, but Galadriel raised her hand, a faint shimmering glittering from the ring upon her finger.
"I cannot say what lies ahead for all of Lothlorien." Her words came honestly, "But I can tell you that no one; Man, nor Dwarf, nor Beast, has taken our homes from us since we came to these great woods. And they will not today!
As her voice rang out, Elves nodded to each other.
"Those that would displace us for their own greed and their own power know us not! For the love of our homes and the love of our woods, we will NOT BE DEFEATED!"
Then her voice quieted somewhat."The men responsible for this action are the same ones responsible for the burning of the Oak Groves."
Now a murmur of unrest built in the crowd and Galadriel raised her hands. "Retribution is NOT our way. We do not kill out of revenge."
Then she paused, "Rest assured, if these men would seek our deaths, then we will send them to their own."
Now the murmur was one of approval. Galadriel raised both hands and spoke aloud a prayer of protection from the Valar, and the ring upon her finger glimmered against the golden rays of the son. Then she turned to Celeborn, and touched his hand. He smiled at her gently before she turned and passed through the crowd, the people parting for her as she came.

Haldir stepped forward now, and blew a small silver horn at his side. In a manuever coordinated over centuries, the Wardens unfolded from the crowd and assembled into two columns that reached back into the trees.
"Wardens, move out!" Haldir called out, "FOR LORIEN!"
His battle cry was echoed back to him, and then Celeborn's horse was brought forward and he mounted, gesturing Legolas to march at his side. The horse snorted and tossed his head, signalling his impatience to be off and Celeborn nudged him to the head of the columns. Behind him, Haldir led on foot.
"Seldayan!" Celeborn called out, looking about him. Another Elf, also dressed in the livery of a courtesan, wearing a sword at his hip and a quiver across his own came forward.
So this must be the courtesan who had been to the borders, Legolas thought, admiring the taller Elf, who's silver hair swayed to the backs of his muscular thighs. Seldayan's face was broad and kindly, and his eyes were surprisingly green as he blinked them with a slight nod of welcome to Legolas. Legolas liked him immediately, and smiled back, but couldn't help but wonder if Seldayan had been called back from the borders due to his own disgrace.
"Let us see if the courtesan tendency to meddle can be upheld when it is actually useful." Celeborn quipped, giving his courtesans a once over glance. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Legolas and Legolas held his breath, and downcast his eyes, wondering how he could have displeased already. Celeborn quickly shifted his gaze away to Seldayan.
"Seldayan, you will scout ahead with Sarnlass." Celeborn commanded cooly before he returned his steady gaze to Legolas and Legolas found himself searching it for some sign of forgiveness. He found only the stern countenance of a Lord who's lands are under threat. "Sarnlass, Seldayan knows the paths, but it is your Silvan eyes I am trusting."

Seldayan was already turning and moving away as Legolas nodded his head to Celeborn. "You may rely on me, my lord."
"I already am." Celeborn's voice was cool, but his eyes bespoke his trust. "Go swiftly."
And then there was only the forest around him, the sounds of the march of the army of Caras Galadhron fading as he ran on light feet through the forest behind Seldayan.

Seldayan led him through the trees, taking side-paths, winding across brooks and through small glades. They saw and heard nothing, although Legolas could sense an unrest in the trees and in the movements of the birds and squirrels who flittered and scattered as the two courtesans ran lightly through the woods. The forest was beautiful and cool and if the situation had been different, Legolas would have liked to slow down and enjoy it.

At last, Seldayan held up his hand and gestured. When Legolas came to his side, panting lightly to catch his breath, Seldayan whispered. "The border lies two miles ahead."

He gestured to the trees. "There are guard flets ahead there and another a mile south. We will go between them, and across the main path into the forest and there we should be able to see the danger that awaits. I know not for certain if any of the Men have dared cross the border of the wood, although I feel it is not so."

Legolas nodded. "I too, feel that they have not desecrated the wood. The trees would bespeak it."

Seldayan gave him a surprised look, then a second glance that focused not on Legolas' eyes, but his collar and upon King Thranduil's signet. "You are from the Greenwood. I did not know."

"Aye, I am from Greenwood." Legolas confirmed, his eyes scanning the mallorns. "Come, let us see who would dare to threaten Lothlorien."

"Fools, I am certain." Seldayan replied with a wicked smile at odds with the kindness of his eyes. He turned and led the way through the trees, winding through a copse of tall ferns. Now, Legolas' keen eyes could see the hidden tracks that marked where the wardens moved between flets in their patrols and make out the subtle signals that marked trees ready for defensive use.

Legolas was shot through with an admiration for March Warden Haldir. The defenses of Lothlorien were well organized. Whatever else Haldir may be, his security was above reproach. Legolas caught a slight movement in the trees ahead and picked out the green of a warden's uniform well hidden high in a large maple. He raised his hand and the warden gestured back. Seldayan caught the movement from the corner of his eye and turned, only then spotting the warden.

"Hail, Mirel." He called softly.

"Mae govannen, Courtesans." The warrior replied. "The army encamps just beyond the stream. None have dared cross the wood this way."

They nodded and continued on, coming soon to the edge of the forest. Lying low, Legolas pressed to the ground and scanned his eyes over the army. "There must be 500."

Seldayan frowned as he dropped to a crawl beside Legolas. "Look at their clothes. Not much more than skins."

"Not all." Legolas answered, pointing to the cluster of supply wagons on the far side. "The wains are surrounded by those better clothed. But all have steel in their hands."

"Hill tribes. The brigands have incited the hill tribes to move against us." Seldayan's voice was dismayed as he glanced back over his shoulder. "What else do you make out?"

"I'm going closer."

"Are you..." Seldayan was unable to finish his sentence. Legolas crawled downwind of the encampment and dropped into the small stream gully which meandered across the meadow.

As he drew closer, he could hear the rough voices of the hill tribes. He did now know the language, but many words seemed derived from Westron and he caught the words 'sword', 'witch' and
'broken'. Raising his head slightly, and wishing he were in his usual green instead of the plain cream linen of a Courtesan, he peered through the tall grasses that grew by the stream and looked closer.

He ammended his original estimate to 600, but he saw no archery supplies. Most of the men wore crudely made swords and knives, although one group was better dressed and their swords looked to be of quality.
Then his ears caught another word and he listened more closely once more. It seemed to be an arguement and he struggled to pick out the words.

"...filthy...send...kill...no...return...blood...let them..."

Realizing that two of the Hill men were approaching with buckets, intending to fill them at the stream, Legolas retreated and came back to Seldayan's side. He repeated the words he'd heard, and shrugged helplessly as Seldayan said he spoke no Westron.

"They have no bows. If they try an outright attack, we can pick them off from the trees easily enough." Legolas said calmly. "However, I fear they have some other plan in store.

Seldayan nodded and backed back through the shrubbery that provided their cover. "Come. We must return and report."

They had just turned to pass back into the trees when there was the sound of hoof-falls and they ducked back down as one of the better dressed brigands galloped to where the main path entered Lothlorien. Lying low in the saddle, horse and rider raced to the forest edge, then the rider pushed something bulky from behind him, letting it hit the ground with a muffled thump that made Legolas shudder.

The horse reared up as the rider stood in the stirrups and yelled, "Here is your RUBBISH! We do not bargain with Elves!"

Then he turned and galloped back to the encampment, a battle cry raising from his lips that was echoed from the men.

Legolas and Seldayan came curiously forward, but Legolas put his hand on Seldayan's shoulder. "Careful. Remember how they set fire to the oak grove with oil-pots. This may be a similar trick."

The taller courtesan nodded and notched arrow to string as Legolas stepped to the edge of the trees and looked out. His heart knew what the bundle was, although he willed it not to be so. The size, the shape, the bulk... it was wrapped in a filthy blanket and tied. Legolas felt his heart sink sickeningly.

"Oh Valar, if there is any mercy in you..." Legolas did not finish the prayer, but glanced toward the encampment and then darted out, trusting Seldayan to cover his back. In the open, he grabbed the bundle into his arms. It was heavy, and he struggled and stumbled, but pulled it back into the shelter of the trees. Relief surged through him when he felt a laboured breath drawn against his arm.

"Seldayan!" Legolas hissed, releasing his dagger and slicing through the ropes.

Seldayan came quickly and together they pulled back the blanket, Legolas whispering, "It's all right. We have you. You're safe."

As they blanket fell back, Seldayan gasped in horror and turned away, retching into the shrubs. Legolas, too, felt horror overwhelm him.

The bloodied hand, encrusted with dirt, reached for his arm as the one pale green eye which was not swollen shut sought his gaze.

"Orophin?" Legolas tried to keep the disbelief and horror from his voice. He had only met the Elf once, but even beneath the blood and bruises, the twisted nose, the swollen dislocated jaw, he recognised the sibling of R�mil and Haldir. "It's all right, we have you now."

"ruri.." The Elf gasped out, trying to force his broken mouth to form the words. "aru."

"Shhh. Don't speak." Legolas blinked back tears. Orophin's hair had been shorn away, leaving his scalp scraped and stubbled. But for the blanket he was naked and marks of his beating covered his body. "It's all right now, Orophin. Rest now."

Seldayan was still heaving when he returned to Legolas' side. He couldn't look at Orophin, instead touching Legolas' shoulder and focusing his eyes on the ground. "I'll go for help."

"Our army already approaches." Legolas said certainly, his eyes scanning the forest. "The trees whisper of it." He turned back to his companion, "The March Warden must be warned. It is his brother."

Seldayan narrowed his tear-filled eyes, and Legolas suddenly realized that his voice was choked with anger pain. "I'm all right, Seldayan. But for Haldir's sake, he must be prepared to see this."

Now Seldayan only nodded once and turned and ran lightly back through the forest.
Orophin was curling into himself, his fingers clenching on Legolas' wrist. "Hold on, Orophin. Your brother is coming. We will get you to healers. You will be all right."

Legolas held the broken Elf's hand between both of his own, and prayed that his words would not prove to be a lie.

ta da!
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I'm so sorry, Orophin! Please please forgive me! You'll be all right, I promise. I'll make it all better! *curls up in a little guilt ball and rocks back and forth*
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Continuation: Fifteen Years in Lothlorien