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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home	By : IdrilsSecret Category: +Third Age > Slash - Male/Male Views: 4869 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of its characters. I make no money in the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Chapter Six

The King’s private audience chamber, here I was again. Somehow, the room felt bigger, more intimidating than yesterday. Had it only been yesterday that I was here? It felt like an age. Time seemed to slow drastically when I was with Legolas last night. Or maybe I wished it would stop altogether. For once, I had no worries. I allowed myself to clear all thoughts of the world from my head, and devote myself to him. For one night, he had me, mind and body, but that time was over. Now I must finish what I came here to do. I had to get Thranduil to agree to join Lothlórien and fight Dol Guldur.
“How soon will you leave?” Legolas asked. He stood beside me in the king’s chamber as we waited for his father to arrive. I believed that making me wait was part of Thranduil’s strategy. Yesterday, this might have bothered me, angered me, thrown me off my game. Now, I felt like I had all the time in the world, but I knew I didn’t. I just needed to behave as though I did.
“I’ll have to go right away if I want to be clear of the dangerous areas of the forest before nightfall,” I answered. I wondered who, if any, would escort me out as they had escorted me in. No matter, I’d find my way.
“I shall go with you,” Legolas said, making his mind up.
I glanced at him, and he looked so regal here, in this room, amongst the tapestries and bearskin rug. He could be a king someday, and he’d make a damn fine one too. I could see why Thranduil feared to lose him. “You can’t. You have to stay here,” I responded, knowing his father would never allow it, and finding that I kind of agreed with him.
He started to protest, but stopped himself as the door to the chamber began to open. One of the King’s servants pushed the door and held it open. A moment later, Thranduil came in. Right away, I could see that worry sat upon his brow. Had something changed since we met last? Had he heard something about the outside world?
“Captain Rúmil, I must say, you look quite refreshed this morning. I take it you’ve been treated well?” Thranduil said.
“I have, Your Grace, most respectably, and I thank you for your kindness,” I answered.
Thranduil stood still, only his eyes moving as they turned to the Prince. “You should be thanking my son. Seems as though he’s the one who’s been taking good care of you.”
That stung a bit, but I had to remind myself that it was perfectly acceptable in Mirkwood to . . .
“I don’t think it is any of your business what transpired between Rúmil and I,” Legolas shot back.
I knew what Thranduil was trying to do, but I wouldn’t let him distract me from my mission. I put a hand on Legolas’ arm, signaling to him that it was alright, and that I could handle myself. I looked Thranduil squarely in the eye and smiled graciously. “Everyone in Mirkwood has been most accommodating,” I said graciously. “Now, I believe we have some matters to discuss.”
“We have,” Thranduil said. “But first, you should know that I received information about Lothlórien.”
My heart went to my throat. This was unexpected. I was instantly worried, but I had to remain calm. “What have you heard?”
“Ah, seems the tables are turned now, aren’t they,” Thranduil said arrogantly. “We both have information that the other wants, and you want an answer from me. So, let’s see, who will speak first? I think it should be you, since you are our guest.”
“What’s happened in Lothlórien?” I demanded desperately.
“First, you will tell me what the orc said.”
I didn’t like this one bit. If something happened at home, I should be informed right away. How dare he withhold it from me? I could see I had lost my advantage. I would have to tell him all that I knew before he gave me an answer about Dol Guldur. “The creature was brought to you to keep safe. Mithrandir charged you with this task, not because of what he was, or because he was a danger to others, but because of something he knew.”
“Yes, yes. I already know this. The creature knew the whereabouts of a weapon of the enemy,” Thranduil said impatiently.
“And I presume you know what this weapon was?” I asked.
Thranduil’s eyes flicked to Legolas, and then back to me. “It was a ring.”
“Not just any ring. THE Ring. The One Ring. The one bound to Sauron’s evil soul. You know this too, don’t you?” I accused. I could see Legolas out of the corner of my eye, hands balling into fists, and then relaxing.
“How did you know, Father? Did you interrogate the creature?” Legolas asked.
“I did not torture him, if that’s what you mean,” Thranduil said impatiently. “Gollum would mumble and talk to himself. At first I just thought it was nonsense, but later I learned that there was meaning behind all the chatter. I would go down to the cells late at night and listen to him from the shadows. He was always talking about someone taking his birthday present, and say how precious it was. But the key to breaking the code was deciphering certain words. Beautiful, shining, smooth. He would use these randomly to describe his present. He would repeat over and over that HE couldn’t have it. I had no idea who Gollum was talking about until I started to solve the puzzle, that the present he spoke of was the ring, and that HE was Sauron. I started to think about the wizard’s involvement. Mithrandir had not had dealings with Mirkwood in an age, and suddenly he’s shows up with some pitiful little monster, telling me I must help him. He wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t something unusually important. Add that to Gollum’s information, and I figured out why Mithrandir wanted the creature. He wanted to find out where the ring was. But I had the prisoner under my roof.”
“And you wanted him to tell you where the ring was so you could have it for yourself,” I said, figuring out part of the mystery.
“Why Father?” Legolas called out. “Did you want it for its value or did you want to use it against the enemy?”
“I wanted to protect my kingdom, and what better way than to use such a powerful thing against its owner,” Thranduil answered with a heightened degree of anger.
“And that’s why you want to know what the orc told me,” I said, finishing the puzzle. “You never found out what the creature knew. The orcs kidnapped him before you could extract anything from Gollum.”
“And now you know, and you will tell me,” Thranduil said, rounding on me.
“I do know, but first I want to hear about Lothlórien.” I had a bit of leverage back, and I would use it in any way possible.
Thranduil was cornered once again, and he looked very unhappy about it. He was considering what to do, and I could see in his eyes that he’d made a decision. “Lothlórien’s borders have been attacked in the North. One of the largest armies of orcs to ever have assailed the Golden Woods has caused considerable damage.”
“Have they broken through?” I asked desperately.
“They have been contained, but it is said that the damage is great, with casualties … and deaths.” Thranduil’s voice turned from harsh to soft as he delivered the information.
“And my brothers? Have you heard anything about them?” I didn’t care about anything but my family in that moment. If I had lost Haldir or Orophin, or … Valar help me … both . . .
“It was Haldir who sent the message. He is well, but your brother, Orophin was injured.”
“Injured? How so? Will he survive?” The distress in my voice could not be helped. I could not hide my concern for family.
“Tell me, Captain,” Thranduil said, drawing out my anxiety. “If you knew your brother was dying, and that … say … this ring was the only thing that could save his life, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to obtain it?”
“Father!” Legolas called out, embarrassed and angry.
“I would,” I answered quickly, because it was true. I would do whatever needed to be done in order to save my brother.
“Then you are no different than me, Captain Rúmil. You, like your brother Haldir, like to pretend you are better than any Wood elf, but we are more alike that you’ll ever admit. My people are dying, and I will do anything to save them. That’s why I wanted to know about the ring and its power. That’s why I would have kept the creature, and not given him back to the wizard until he had told me where to find the weapon. And that’s why you will tell me what you know.”
Thranduil had me trapped. He wouldn’t tell me the fate of Orophin until I had told him everything the orc confessed. But I was not done yet, and Thranduil would not be happy with what I had to tell him. He would undoubtedly refuse to help Lothlórien, but that didn’t matter to me now.
“The orcs took Gollum to Dol Guldur, where they chained him, beat him, burned him with iron rods. They tortured him until he spoke. The ring is no longer in the creature’s possession. It hadn’t been in many years. He lost it a very long time ago, but he knew who had it, or at least he knew only a single name. He said a Hobbit tricked him and took the ring. The enemy knows this now. The Nazgûl have been sent out to search for the Hobbit and the ring. It has left the Shire. Last the orc heard, it was taken to Bree. The Nazgûl were dispatched. They’ll kill anyone who has the ring, and anyone who protects its bearer. You’d be wise to forget about the weapon, King Thranduil, or bring even more death to your doors.” There, I’d told him everything, but there was one thing I didn’t think he was aware of. “The ring has been here before, in Mirkwood. It passed through here right beneath your nose, and you hadn’t a clue.”
Thranduil thought for a moment, and I watched as realization filled his eyes. “Bilbo Baggins,” he uttered.
I nodded. “Fifty years have passed since then, and the Hobbit has had it all this time.”
“And does he still have it?” asked the King.
“I don’t know. I would think he would be very old by now, and traveling to Bree would be extremely difficult. Perhaps he’s given it away.”
“No,” Thranduil said, slowly shaking his head. “A ring like that has the power to latch onto its bearer. Gollum had it for many centuries, he said, until he lost it. Bilbo would have done the same or he would have passed it on to the next generation.” He paused and looked at me. “Did the orc say it was Bilbo who had the ring?”
“Gollum only gave one name, and that was Baggins. They’ll be looking for anyone by that name.”
Thranduil walked to the hearth, put his hand on the mantel and bowed his head as he looked into the flames. He looked defeated by this information. He must have thought that Gollum hid the ring somewhere where he could go back and retrieve it once he was free of Mirkwood’s cells. And all this time, Gollum didn’t have it at all.
“So that’s why Mithrandir wants him. He wanted the name of the Hobbit, but the creature would not talk before the wizard was called away. He brought Gollum here because of our isolation. He didn’t think I would know anything about Gollum or the ring, and he was right. It’s only because of the nonsensical ramblings of the creature that I suspected any of this.”
“Now, tell me about my brother,” I demanded.
Thranduil turned his back towards the hearth, and played with an emerald ring on his forefinger, twisting it back and forth. “Orophin’s injuries were not life threatening. A few lacerations to his arm was all. He will be just fine.”
I closed my eyes and released my breath. “Thank the Valar,” I whispered while bowing my head.
While I took a moment to let the good news sink in, Legolas approached his father to confront him. “When was the last time Lothlórien’s borders were breached, Father? I can’t remember a single time in my own lifetime. We can’t keep fighting alone. We can’t stay here and hope that the world outside will solve all the problems. We have to go out. We have to join forces and march on Dol Guldur. Rúmil said that the Nazgûl have been sent out to find the ring. Now is the time to attack the black tower. You say you would do anything to save your people. Now it has come to this, and it will take all of our people to save what’s left of the kingdom. You have an army, and, on your word, they are ready to march south.”
Thranduil observed his son’s face, seeing the willingness, the bravery of a fine warrior. “I know, Son, and I’ve heard what our people have been saying. I’ve tried very hard to ignore the criticism, because I cannot stand the thought of sending you back out there. I almost lost you, Legolas. I felt the pull of my fading when I held your lifeless body in my arms. Your grandfather and your mother are gone, and you are all that I have left.”
“I’m the best defense you have. You know as well as I that I should be out there fighting beside my fellow soldiers, not sitting here as a member of your court. I’m a warrior. It’s what I do best. Send our troops to Lothlórien, and let me go with them. I swear to you that I’ll return to Mirkwood, and that Dol Guldur will cease to exist.”
The final decision sat upon Thranduil’s brow as he came to his full height and approached me. “I am glad to know that your brothers are well, Captain. And I’ll trust that you’ll do what you can to see that my son returns to me the same. You have my army and my support for this cause. Dol Guldur must be destroyed. It’s time that Mirkwood came back into the light.”
All the waiting, all the anxiety, the convincing and the hope that I was doing the right thing had finally come full circle. I don’t know how I managed, but I know I didn’t do it alone. Legolas, Haldir, and the countless Wood elves who silently disagreed with their King, but stood by his side anyways, they had paved the way and made it possible for me to complete my mission.
I placed my hand over my heart and bowed low to the elven king. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Thranduil went to his desk to begin the paperwork that would verify his decision. I would take this back to Lothlórien, and then we would send word when it was time to march to war. Lothlórien and Mirkwood would meet on the battlefield and the enemy would not stand a chance. While Thranduil was busy, Legolas pulled me aside, smiled and patted my shoulder. “I guess the next time we meet will be in battle.”
“And so it will be,” I smiled in return. Finally, I could return home. Now more than ever I wished to get back, and see how Orophin was doing, see to my troops, regroup and prepare for the war.
There was a loud rapid knock on the door, and Thranduil called in a messenger, who looked very anxious and stressed. He handed a parchment to the King, and stood by to wait. I knew a thing or two about messengers, and when they waited by your side, it usually meant that an immediate response was needed. That was never a good thing. Something was happening.
“What is it, Father?” Legolas asked.
Thranduil seemed to read the note again before he answered anyone. He looked up at the messenger first. “Tell the Captains to prepare the troops. They have one hour.”
The messenger nodded and bolted from the office to deliver his news. Legolas and I looked on, waiting for Thranduil to say something. “There’s something happening. Orcs are trying to cross the river, a large amount of orcs, too. I believe they are answering us for what we did to the group of orcs that we killed. This must be dealt with before they find a way across the river.” Thranduil looked at me next. “I’m afraid now is not a good time to begin your journey home. I suggest you stay with us a little while longer, until the threat has been reversed.”
My heart fell again. I’d been waiting for this day. Everything had gone according to plan, and now this. But it was better that it was happening now and not as I made my way through the Rhovanion. “If you will agree, Your Grace, I would like to lend my bow to the cause and join Legolas with his regiment.”
Thranduil glanced at his son. He had agreed to let Legolas go with the Mirkwood army to Dol Guldur. There’d be no reason not to let him fight now. “You may, Captain. Legolas, see that he has everything he needs.”
Legolas bowed to his father, and then grabbed my arm. “Come on, let’s go,” he said pulling me out of the King’s chamber. We exited through the door that led out to the main throne room, and were halfway across the stone bridge that led to the halls, when Legolas stopped. He took my head in his hands and drew me in, kissing me. I could feel him smiling against my lips before he released me. It was unexpected, though it felt wonderful. I looked around the great hall from my vantage point. Every elf within the grand room could see us, and some looked on. Others were busy dashing here and there, but more than half stopped to see who their Prince was kissing. I still wasn’t used to behaving in such a manner in public, and I suddenly felt like I wanted to shrink up to the size of a grain of sand and disappear. Legolas’ brilliantly blue eyes were alive with a joy I hadn’t seen yet. “Thank you, Rúmil, for all that you’ve done. Mirkwood will finally have the chance they’ve been waiting for. I don’t know what happened back there, but I honestly never thought my father would agree.”
“I wasn’t too sure myself,” I said, still reeling from the kiss. I don’t think he knew what kind of affect he had on someone. Everything Legolas did was done with passion. I couldn’t wait to see him in battle again. “But it wasn’t all my doing. You saw past your guilt for all that had happened, and you stood up to your father.”
“Perhaps that’s what he was waiting for me to do. Who knows? All I know is that we’re going to battle with Lothlórien, our best chance at destroying the enemy.” He kissed me again, this time with more than just joy. I had to admit, it was quite freeing to behave like this without worry.
“Alright you two. Plenty of time for that after our victory.” Corweth was calling to us from across the way. We looked up to find her and her sister, Messel, dressed in their battle gear. We finished crossing the bridge and joined them.
“Did you hear about the orc raid?” Messel asked.
“Yes, heard it straight from the messenger,” Legolas said. “And I have even better news, but you mustn’t say anything before the official announcement. We’re going to Dol Guldur.”
Corweth looked at me, still with a bit of judgment. “I gotta admit, I had my doubts about Legolas’ plan, and after meeting you, I didn’t think you had it in you to turn the King’s mind. Congratulations, Captain.”
I was shocked to hear her sound so sincere. “Thank you,” I smiled. Corweth and I had never seen eye to eye before. Perhaps there was still a chance that –
“I still think you’re an arrogant son of a bitch, but you’ve got guts,” she added.
Well, perhaps some things should not be pursued.
I followed Legolas as far as the guest quarters, where I stopped to retrieve my bow and my armor. He waited for me, and watched as I put on my thick leather chest plate and vambraces. He smiled and laughed when I was dressed.
“It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”
“It’s called protection. Why? What do Mirkwood elves use for armor?” I asked.
“If you’re as smart and quick as a Wood elf, you don’t need armor,” he said proudly. “All that … leather … it weighs you down, makes you slow.”
“All this armor,” I said gesturing to my chest and arms, “has saved my life a few times.” I looked at his simple suede jerkin, undershirt and leggings with a questioning glare. “Surely you’ll wear something more than that.”
He prowled towards me, tilted my chin up and kissed me hard. “Well, at least I’ll have fun striping you of your armor after we’re victorious. Perhaps I’ll use only my teeth.”
“In that case, I should have thought to bring my cod piece,” I said, biting his lower lip until he winced.
We released each other, remembering that there wasn’t much time before we marched out, but his eyes stayed fervently on me. “I know you were anxious to leave, Rúmil, but I’m glad your departure has been postponed a few more days.”
“There was a time I never thought I’d say this, but so am I.” I checked the straps of my armor once more and grabbed my bow. “Nothing like a bit of frivolous flirting to get the blood going and the mind ready for battle.”
“Frivolous? Did you think I was making a jest about using my teeth?” he said, and he left my room.
I don’t think there had ever been a time that I so looked forward to a battle before; not only that, but what would happen once we were through. It amazed me how easily I felt about going out to fight orcs. I mean, all soldiers worry. No one wants to die or get seriously injured, but my confidence level was higher than it had ever been. It was like just another day of going to my office to file reports, only my office was a dangerous dark forest, and I was using my bow instead of a quill and ink. I think it was Legolas’ own undaunted attitude that reflected back on me. He was completely impervious to what awaited us at the river. It was like that with all the Wood elves. They were so carefree and fearless. They had a job to do, they would do it, and they would return home. No one worried about not coming back. They’d deal with that when the time came, and none of them seemed to think it was their time. Some might call it overconfidence, but it had worked for them all these years. The more I learned about the Wood elves, the more I liked it here, even with the spiders and other nasty things.
* * * * *
I was surprised that I had gotten the hang of traveling through the trees. The Wood elves moved much more gracefully than me, but I managed to keep up. I remembered coming here, following Corweth and Messel, falling behind, and the reprimanding looks that the sisters constantly gave me. But I was a bit different now than I had been when I first arrived in Mirkwood.
It was amazing to watch them run along the boughs, leaping from branch to vine, swinging to the next tree, and then traveling as though they walked on solid ground. It took me a bit more concentration, but I was proud of my footing. At least I didn’t fall. That would have been disastrous. Legolas kept an eye out for me, though, and for that reason, I made sure to keep my balance.
I loved watching him move through the trees, long legged, tall and handsome as he was, he made it look effortless. I’d meant it when I told him I was happy to stay a little while longer. Everything about him was contagious, his smile, his sexy stare, the way he seduced me so easily. Who knew what would happen between us if I stayed permanently in Mirkwood. I wouldn’t, of course. My place was definitely in Lothlórien, but I was already planning on visiting this place again. Perhaps that’s what Haldir found here too, freedom to be who we were. As long as he kept his freedom away from Legolas, I smiled to myself.
“Having fun yet, Captain?” Messel said as she came up next to me.
“The most I’ve had in years, as a matter of fact. It feels good to be amongst the trees again. The palace is beautiful, but I prefer the fresh air.”
“Hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy life topside soon,” she said sounding just a bit skeptical.
“This is why it is so important for every one of the free people of Middle-earth to fight for what they believe in. Sauron cannot win this war,” I encouraged.
We moved along, traveling together for a while before she spoke again. “The Prince seems to have taken a real liking to you. I haven’t seen him this happy in many years, not since his terrible accident.”
“The poisoning, yes, he told me. He is very lucky to be alive. And Thranduil loves his son very much or he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths,” I said.
“It seemed unfair, but I understood why he did it. But it also hurt Legolas tremendously. His whole life he’s trained as a soldier. When his father ordered him to the palace and the court, it was like taking his arms. That part of him was gone, but the ghostly feelings still existed. It’s because of you that he has his life back as a warrior. When our people learned that the Prince was to be our Captain again, everyone’s moral was boosted. You’ll have one unstoppable army of Wood elves by your side when the time comes.”
Orders came from up ahead to halt, and Messel and I stopped. I was glad for the break. I needed to replenish my energy. Even Messel seemed out of breath, and she did this kind of thing every day. I took out my water skin and offered it to her, but she refused, bringing out her own. We drank and caught our breath while waiting for orders to continue forward. I just hoped there wasn’t trouble yet. The river was still quite a ways away.
“Legolas really likes you, Rúmil,” she said again, as though it worried her.
“As I’ve gotten to know him, I’ve found that I like him too. We have much in common, and he is a great friend,” I answered to ease her mind.
“I think he considers you as more than a friend. I … I don’t mean to intrude, but … well … it’s obvious that something has transpired between the two of you, something more than friendship. You don’t have to deny or confirm. I just know what I see, the way he looks at you when you’re not watching. Just be careful, Captain Rúmil. Legolas is very precious to us. We would hate to see his heart broken.”
“I wouldn’t think of hurting him. He holds a very special place within my heart. But at the same time, we have talked about it, and we have an understanding. The reality is … Legolas is a Prince, and he is bound to a life in Mirkwood where he might someday sit on the throne. And I am dedicated to Lothlórien, to my Lord and Lady of Light, and to the army. Legolas knows I must leave and go back home. But, of course, there is always the possibility that I’ll come back this way in the near future. I know I was a little put off when we first met, but Mirkwood really is a unique place, and I would like to get to know it better.”
Messel smiled, satisfied with my answer. “Good, I’m glad you both understand, because if anything were to ever happen, and my sister found out . . . Well, let’s just say, I wouldn’t want to be in your boots.”
“Well, yes, your sister does scare me a bit, but you may assure her that everything will be just fine, and that once I go home, your Prince will still be mentally intact.” She laughed at my comment.
“Rúmil, a word?” Legolas said, coming up from the branches below us.
“Have you heard any news?” I asked.
“The scouts have returned. They’ve been to see the border guards, and it looks like we need to hurry. Orcs have suddenly increased in intelligence it seems. They are trying to cross the river with ropes and rafts.”
I remembered when I first came here. Corweth used the same method to cross the river, using the boat that they kept hidden with a camouflaging blanket. “They didn’t find the boat, did they?” I asked. Legolas looked confused for a moment, and Messel clarified, telling him about my misadventures. When she was done telling him every last detail, they both laughed.
“You touched the water?” Legolas smiled deviously, teasing me as he liked to do when he knew I was discomfited.
“Corweth warned him,” Messel added.
“I’d been shot in the leg and thrown forward,” I defended myself. “And besides, Corweth did not warn me about the water.”
“You know now, though, so I don’t need to warn you,” Legolas said. He kissed me quickly, but his eyes lingered on mine a moment longer. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
I could feel my face heat with embarrassment, and I knew I turned multiple shades like a chameleon. Legolas ignored my flustered state. “We can travel below. No orcs were spotted on this side of the river. This will be faster. We have to hurry. The group of border guard at the river banks is not many. They’ll be outnumbered if the orcs are successful.” He grabbed the closest vine and slid down with one hand, his feet running along the tree trunk as he went. How was he able to move with such ease and agility?
“I told you he liked you … a lot,” Messel said as she, too, slid down the vine. I was next, but I used both hands. Falling would not be a smart thing to do right now.
* * * * *
Finally, we were getting close to the river. I could hear the rushing water. Everyone readied their weapons, and so did I. I was waiting for Legolas to start giving commands, but he never did. So, how would the troops know where to go and what to do? I wondered, but no orders ever came. Suddenly, Wood elves started running off in different directions, each choosing where they would go. Legolas stood and watched to see where his troops went, as though he was making a mental map. His eyes were intense as he concentrated. Soon, there were no elves in plain sight, except for the two of us. He looked at me, blue flames burning within the brilliant irises, ready to answer the call to battle.
“And now the fun begins. Watch and learn, Captain, and see how the Wood elves defeat their enemy,” he said with passion. Then he ran towards the trees that ran along the edge of the river, and I followed him.
We crouched behind a group of rocks, out of sight from the orcs. Legolas peered around the edge, his elven sight taking count of the enemy across the fast flowing water. He watched for what seemed like a long time, and when he sat back down next to me, he was smiling.
“And just what is so amusing?” I asked.
He laughed quietly. “There’s a row of about ten bodies laid out at the river’s edge. In their attempts to cross the river, they seem to have been rather unsuccessful. Clumsy oafs have fallen under the water’s spell. The bad news is, there’s a small army of them waiting their turns. And they’ve somehow managed to get a rope to the other side.”
“That’s not good. They’ll start coming across on their rafts,” I said, and wondered how he didn’t find this situation urgent. “If we cut the rope on this side of the river–”
“And where’s the fun in that?” he said lightheartedly.
“I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation here,” I argued. This was ridiculous. Legolas behaved as though this was no more than a training exercise. Maybe Thranduil was right to confine him to the palace. His lack of respect for battle would get him killed.
Legolas looked around the rocks again, and spoke of what he saw. “Well, you may be right. There’s three rafts with about ten orcs each crossing right now.”
“What!” I exclaimed.
“Shall we let them come ashore or let them sail downriver?” he asked casually, as though he was choosing a wine to go with a meal.
“You have a chance to destroy them while they’re on water, and you’d let them come ashore?” I asked angrily. “This isn’t a game, Legolas. These are murderous creatures that would rip your heart from your chest and eat it while it was still beating.”
“You’re right. Time to set sail, then,” he smiled.
I was completely flabbergasted by his demeanor. He was making this into some kind of joke. “What kind of preposterous, foolhardy–”
He interrupted me with a loud whistle that sounded like a bird call, and never took his eyes off me as he did so. He was answered by a similar whistle and he smiled. “Watch,” he whispered.
I was almost afraid to take my sight off of the Prince, afraid of what other kind of foolish thing he might do. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I looked out from behind our hiding spot. There were three rafts, lengths of wood tied together by vines, and each one had at least ten orcs on it. Across the way, there were three more makeshift rafts waiting to be launched, and plenty of orcs to ride them. It seemed like an easy enough shot. The rope anchored between the shores could be easily severed by an arrow, and they would have no way across. So, I set my eyes to watch the rope, waiting to see it give and set the orcs on a rafting trip that they were bound not to survive. Two more bird calls went out, and I waited. Then suddenly, the first raft of orcs became unruly. They were beginning to panic, looking down at the flimsy boat carrying them. That’s when I heard Legolas utter something in elvish under his breath. I only caught a word here and there, something about the orcs sticking their cocks in their own mouths and . . .
Suddenly, the boat started to just fall apart. The wooden logs separated and drifted out from under the orcs. At first, I thought the vines they’d used to tie them together came undone. The orcs scrambled to hold the logs together, but it was no use. The whole raft of creatures went into the river. They didn’t even struggle once they were immersed in the enchanted water. They just went limber and the rushing waters carried them away. Meanwhile, the two remaining boats stopped and watched. Some started checking the ties, some just laughed and pointed to their fallen comrades. An orc on the shore called out an order, and the boats started moving forward again. Then their captain gave another command, and the boats waiting to be launched were given a good once over to make sure they would not fall apart.
Legolas whistled again, this time sounding like a different kind of bird. There was no answer, but suddenly a second boat started to fall apart. The orc captain yelled at them to keep it together, but it did little good. There was an outbreak of confusion on their side of the shore, and they were focused on the faulty boats. More orcs were rolling into the water, and the captain started yelling and calling for the heads of the orcs responsible for building the boats. Legolas whistled a third time. About the same time that I realized his whistles were signals, so did one of the orcs in the third boat, which was beginning to come apart. I saw him pull something out of one of the logs and yell back to the shore before going into the water … ‘zan’ … I believe the orcish word for elf.
“They know it was elves,” I told Legolas, but when I turned to him, he was already sprinting away. I followed him quickly, always keeping an eye on the far shore.
“How were you able to do that?” I asked once I’d caught up to him.
“Specially made darts with razor sharp heads that slice. The orcs used vines, not rope, to make their boats. These darts were made to cut those vines. It’s a technique we use when hunting things in the woods. Mostly, we use it to cut the mooring lines of the giant spider webs. Destroy those, and their webs fall apart. And their small enough to go undetected.” He was quite proud of himself.
“Aren’t you worried in the least that the orcs discovered your trick?” I worried.
“That was just a distraction. While they were focused on the boats, the rest of my warriors made their way further upstream. There’s a place where the trees grow tall and wide, spreading their branches over the river. They will have crossed to the other side by now, completely undetected by the enemy. By the time they realize what is happening, they will be surrounded by elves. Now hurry, Rúmil. I’ve waited a long time to join the battle. I’ll not miss it now. Follow me.”
He didn’t give me a chance to protest or ask more questions, and he was running along just inside the tree line that followed the shore. We made it just as the last of the elves were crossing high up in the canopy. It was a long climb to the tops of the trees, but once there, we would be impossible to see. I was looking up, trying to judge the distance when Legolas spoke.
“You’d go much faster and easier without that confining armor,” he said while taking hold of a vine that hung to the forest floor. I knew he was right. The way Wood elves traveled and fought required as much agility as one could muster. But I’d never fought without it before.
Legolas handed me a vine while I stood by contemplating whether or not I should abandon my armor. “When you’re ready, just do as I do. It’s a trick I use to get up high in a hurry.” He took one of his knives and cut a second vine while holding on to the first. Suddenly, he was being lifted into the tree, going higher and higher, like some kind of pulley system. “Cut the one to the left and hold on tight,” he called down.
“Well,” I said to myself. “If I’m going to fight alongside the Wood elves, I might as well fight like one.” I shucked off my shoulder pads, chest armor, chainmail and vambraces. Then I grabbed the vine tight in one hand while chopping through the vine to the left. Instantly I was soaring straight up through the tall massive tree, missing branches by inches along the way. I felt like I was going forever when it suddenly came to an abrupt halt. Legolas and a couple other soldiers were waiting for me and pulled me by my legs, steading me on a very large branch.
“Are you ready?” Legolas asked before I had my bearings. “Feels better, doesn’t it?” he said gesturing to my loss of armor.
“Feels like less protection,” I grumbled.
Legolas took me by the arm, and gently pulled me into him, whispering against my cheek. “I know you can take care of yourself, but nonetheless, I won’t let anything happen to you.” He turned my face towards his so that we were looking at each other. “It’s not the armor that makes you brave, makes you deadly, or helps you win the fight. It’s all up here,” he pointed to his head. “It’s knowing that you are better, faster, smarter and stronger than those foul beasts. It’s knowing that you’re immortal, and they’ll never take that away from you.” He kissed me with firm, confident lips, and then pulled away to capture me with those beautiful blue eyes. “And it’s knowing that when we are through here, I’m going to ravish every inch of you.”
“That’s the best battle speech I’ve ever heard,” I replied, feeling that same confidence that Legolas exuded.
He tilted his head up and laughed. “I do admire that wit of yours, Rúmil. Don’t ever lose it.”
We traveled high in the trees and found ourselves on the other side of the river, joining the Wood elves already there. The orcs were just ahead, so we had to make our way carefully. We didn’t want to be detected before we were in place to attack. From up here, we would open fire, taking out a decent sized number of their army by surprise. But in only a moment, the orcs would know where we were and begin firing back. That’s when it would become chaos, and that’s when I was at my best.
Legolas signaled for all the elves to take their places, and we waited for the final command to release our arrows. Below, the orcs were still trying to figure out where the darts came from that ruined their rafts. They thought the elves were still across the river, getting ready to send a hail of arrows. They never thought to look up. It was a genius plan. Everyone knew the spiders would never come this close to the river, so there was no reason to worry about what was over their heads.
Everyone had their bows nocked and ready. Legolas gave one last whistle and we all released our arrows. Orcs fell left and right, and time seemed to slow as I watched the confusion below. They stood there watching each other collapse. It felt like it took minutes before they realized what was happening, and a good number of them never really knew what hit them. Some elves got five or six arrows launched before the orcs figured out that we were above them, firing from the trees. Once they did, the surviving enemies took cover behind fallen logs or rock formations. That’s when the real battle began.
We were only safe in the trees for seconds, when the orcs found us. Their bowmen targeted us and Legolas called out another command, telling the elves to brace for the hit. Orc arrows were longer and thicker, and though they flew straight and true, they seemed sluggish. No injuries for the first round. The second round was more successful for the orcs. I could hear the cries of several elves and cringed. Where was Legolas, I thought, and looked out from behind the bole of the tree where I took cover. My eyes scanned the treetops until I saw him. He was fine, but he was looking frantically around until his eyes met mine. He was watching out for me, but I was watching for him too. After all, I’d told his father I’d let nothing happen to him, and I took my job very seriously. The King might have been referring to the march on Dol Guldur, but as long as we were fighting side by side, I felt he should be in my care.
There was a brief lull in the action, and Legolas shouted one last command to his troops, to attack. Elves began dropping to the forest floor. Now we were in full battle, face to face combat, no more protection from the tree tops. Now, every elf fought for himself or those closest to him, and I realized that Legolas was not next to me, but he was within sight. It felt good to be on the ground where I could fight as I was trained to do. My bow would do me no good now, so I drew my sword and buried it into the closest orc. I felt it slice through skin and muscle, felt it catch and pull as I removed it. I spun, sword extended and took the head off of an orc that I heard coming up from behind. My whole body was a weapon, and my sword was an extension of that power. One after another, I exterminated the orcs, and so did my fellow elves. The forest floor started to become slick with black blood. I was in my element. I was unstoppable.
Whenever I had a moment, I would find Legolas and be relieved to know he was alright. Really, I had no reason to do this. He was amongst the best elvish warriors in Middle-earth. It wasn’t until the action around me stalled that I was able to really watch him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He moved with grace and killed with savagery. His long knives moved so fast, all I saw was a flash of light before black blood sprayed from its victim. It was a warrior’s dance, one that only a very few knew. Legolas was always in motion, his feet moving like that of a dancer, his shoulders flexing, hair whipping out as he spun and stabbed. Legolas was pure poetry in every way he moved, unrelenting and barbarous yet beautifully hypnotic. I was completely mesmerized while watching him slaughter the orcs. They knew he was important just by the way he carried himself, and it attracted them to him like flies. Legolas seemed to enjoy his popularity, as he wore a smug look upon his face. All I could think was that I wanted to be there with him, not for protection, but to feed off of his energy.
I fought my way to him, unable to stay away any longer. I wanted to join him in his dance. He saw me and met me half way. “Are you well?” he asked right away.
“I am, but I thought you might need a little help,” I answered. Of course, he needed no help from me.
He laughed at that, and then we were killing orcs together, playing with them like a pair of felines teasing a mouse. I’d never experienced anything like it. We were corresponding in our moves, harmonious to each other, as though we shared one mind. Fighting alongside Legolas was just about as alluring as having sex with him. The blood pulsed and ran hot through the veins just the same. We moved in unison, just as we did when he shared a bed. We were both drenched in sweat and pheromones. But instead of cocks in our hands, we carried swords.
The orcs were defeated. Those who sensed it tried to run, but the elves did not let them get far. Some escaped, those who left the fight early, but now they would have to deal with their masters, and knowing orcs, it wouldn’t turn out well for them either.
In Lothlórien, we would burn the bodies. No one wanted the stench of rotting corpses to befoul our home. Legolas told us to leave them as a message to future enemies who thought they could sneak into Mirkwood.
There were no elf deaths, but more than a few were injured, some poisoned by the orc blades. These elves were put in the boat and carefully escorted across the river. Everyone else navigated the trees. I offered to help with the injured, but Legolas said there were elves put in place to deal with that. I could tell he wanted me all to himself, and I wasn’t about to argue with him. My blood still pulsed strong from the exertion of battle. I wasn’t tired, and I wished there was more to do at the moment. I needed to shed some of this residual energy from fighting, when every part of the body was in sensory overload. My ears were ringing, my fingers tingled. My feet could sense a worm moving below the surface at this point. I felt good. I felt alive. I felt wonderfully libidinous.
We climbed the trees to cross the river, but then we went back onto the ground. Once on the King’s land, there was no fear of attack. The orcs had been neutralized, and the spiders did not dwell here. We were safe for the moment, and everyone took their time heading for home. Some walked in groups, telling stories of their recent kills. Some traveled with only one or two other elves, exhaustion already setting upon them. Legolas and I walked together, elves coming and going as they stopped to congratulate Legolas for another successful battle, Corweth and Messel among them.
“Good to have you back, Prince Legolas,” Corweth said.
“It’s good to be back,” Legolas smiled.
“And the Captain did well today too,” Messel said to me. “But where is your armor?”
I’d been so wrapped up in the victory, I’d forgotten to retrieve it, left laying beneath the trees at the river. I said a curse under my breath. I had to go back. It was my Lothlórien armor, part of my uniform. I said as much to Legolas. “I can’t return home without it.”
The mention of returning home sparked sadness in Legolas’ eyes, but it was gone in the same instant. Now was not the time to think about it. I still had a couple days left in Mirkwood before I would start my journey home.
“I’ll go with you,” Legolas offered. “Corweth, see that everyone gets back to the palace, and that the injured are taken straight to the healers. Send a messenger ahead so that they are prepared, and have him relay the news of our victory.”
Corweth bowed and left to carry out her orders. Messel touched my arm and smiled before following her sister. I remembered her message about Legolas and I. I could tell she was glad for us, but worried about how the Prince would react when I left for home.
Legolas and I went off, running at an easy pace to get back to where I left my armor. “What’s the hurry?” I asked, from behind.
“I want to show you something,” he called back to me.
I noticed we were not going in the right direction, but I didn’t question him. He knew these parts better than I did. We went along, following the river, but staying far from the shore. We passed the place where the trees overhung the river, where I’d left my armor. “Legolas,” I called to remind him.
“This is not it, but we’ll stop here on our way back,” he said, barely out of breath from our run. Even running, Legolas made it look effortless.
All Wood elves gave that illusion, and I realized that they really were different from the elves of Lothlórien and Rivendell. They were rogue elves, living by their own set of rules, taking each day one at a time, soaking up every last thing that surrounded them, and conforming to the land. They were hunters, warriors … lovers, just like the rest of us, but everything they did, they did with deep passion. Most of the time, I didn’t think they knew they were doing it at all. It was just bred into them. Wood elves were linked back to the Teleri, the elves who defied the Valar and chose to stay in Middle-earth when they were called back to the Undying Lands. Until now, I’d always thought of them as crude, undisciplined, wayward elves who openly resisted our makers to live frivolously without any leadership. But I was wrong. They challenged the powers not out of defiance, but because they loved Middle-earth with great desire. They saw the potential for the lands, for the forests and the streams, for the animals and eventually the other races of the world. They helped shape some of them, especially the minds of the trees, who loved the elves in return and gave them safety and shelter. And so they taught the trees to talk, and the love affair with Middle-earth continued. I often wondered what would have happened if no elves stayed here, thinking that maybe evil would not have found its way. But I could see now, what great things the Teleri did, paving the way so that I could eventually stand here and revel in their work. Legolas and the Wood elves were their descendants, and that same need to teach, to learn, to love and protect had survived through the centuries and generations. Their ancestors would be proud, I’m sure, but would they be saddened to see the Wood elves confined to their separate nation now? I thought that they might weep to know this. Now more than ever, I wanted Mirkwood free of the darkness. I wanted them to be able to reconnect with their heritage, and live as the Teleri once had. At least, we were taking a step in the right direction. Dol Guldur would have to fall first.
“We’re here,” Legolas said, coming to a halt in front of some kind of ancient ruins, barely visible through the overgrown trees and vines that kept it hidden.
“What is this place?” I wondered aloud.
“This way,” he said, smiling.
Legolas led me to a door covered in vines. It was set into a stone wall, each grey stone carefully chosen to fit amongst the others. The door was rotting at the bottom where the moisture seeped into it constantly, but it still hung on its hinges. Even the hinges were a thing of art, beautiful scroll work, made of iron vining detain. Even after the wooden door was gone, these hinges would still be here.
He pushed the door, and it creaked, but it was fastened by the vines. I took out my dagger and started cutting them to make it easier to open. Legolas pushed and the door scraped the ground. Leaves had piled up on the inside, but we managed to open it enough to go inside. Once we were in, I found myself looking at what was once a grand room or hall. It was circular with marble archways lining the sides, and windows on the walls beyond the arches. The glass was long since broken, and some of the window frames were deteriorated so that it looked like a hole was knocked out. What detail was still intact was beautiful. Large columns as wide as oak trees extended towards the sky. The roof was gone, now part of the floor beneath my feet. Leaves, weeds, and grass made the floor now, growing over the destruction. Still, I could just imagine how extravagant this room must have looked at one time. Then, glancing to my left, I made out what must have been a dais. The steps still remained, but now they led to cracked and broken marble. It looked unsafe to walk on, like it might cave in. There was a tree growing out of one corner of the dais, responsible for tearing up the white marble flooring.
Legolas stood next to me, looking around the ruins as though he was seeing them as they used to be before nature took over. “This was my grandfather’s throne room when he was King.”
I was surprised to learn this. “I thought the palace had always been your home, and your grandfather’s too.”
“Yes, it was, but his throne room was out here, away from the underground city. The palace was for the residents of Mirkwood, but this is where King Oropher held court and welcomed his guests. Remember, this was before the Rhovanion became sick. It was green and luscious back then. People came here all the time … Men of Dale, Lake-men of Esgaroth, Woodsmen of the north, even a dwarf or two had come to speak with the King.”
“What happened to it? Why was it abandoned?” I wondered.
“My father, after he became King, held court here too, but after the war that took my grandfather’s life, not many people came to Greenwood. You see, they came to see Oropher, but they did not know Thranduil. And the war … it changed my father, made him less trusting of outsiders. So, without any visitors, this place was abandoned, left for nature to retake it.”
“Perhaps you can rebuild it, once we defeat the darkness,” I suggested.
“We?” he said, turning to me, a hopeful tone to his voice.
“Lothlórien and Mirkwood,” I clarified.
“Oh,” he said sadly.
I rested my hand gently on his shoulder. “Legolas, you know I cannot stay. This is not my home.”
“I know,” he whispered. Then, a fire burned in his blue eyes as he looked upon me. “But you could let it be your sanctuary, like this place once was to my grandfather, because here you are free, Rúmil. Here you can be yourself without worry. And here,” he pushed me against a moss covered wall. “Here you are mine, without interruption.” He captured my lips, kissing me passionately, taking my breath away.
I brought my arms up to wrap around his neck, but he lifted them over my head, pinning me to the wall. His hips writhed against mine, our bodies flat against each other. One of his hands held my wrists while the other found its way to the swell of my leggings. He kneaded me through the material, and then he made short work of my laces. The next thing I knew, he held me in his hand, releasing me from the confines of my leggings. He stroked me in a way that made me pulse and strain, made me hold my breath, as my hips gyrated, pushing as much of me into his hand as I could. With my blood still running hot from the excitement of battle, it didn’t take much to come to the height of arousal. Between his mouth sucking my neck, and the stimulating stroke of his hand, I couldn’t hold on for long. My whole body vibrated with the effects of his meticulous stroking, and I thought my legs would give out. I moaned and threw my head back against the mossy wall, crying out with ecstasy until the euphoric sensation subsided. Legolas held me against the wall, and let me regain my senses, all the while kissing me gently over my face and neck, as he whispered in my ear.
“Let me be your sanctuary, Rúmil. Out there, you belong to Lothlórien, but here you belong to me.”
My voice had escaped me, as I was still recovering from my quick but satisfying release that left me feeling languorous and drained of my strength. “I … I would … like that,” I whispered, my mind struggling to form words. I found just enough energy to kiss him, soft and slow so he would know how much I would like that. Then I slid down the wall, dropping to my knees. I carefully untied the laces of his leggings. His fingers combed through my hair, and teased the tips of my ears. I pulled back the flaps of his pants and released him. Then I looked up at him though my lashes, my lips parted and hungry to taste him. Our eyes met, both of us lusting for satisfaction. He held my face in his palm and smiled.
Just before I took him in, a name came to me. “Legolas, iaun nín,” I called him. It meant ‘my sanctuary’ in Sindarin. I’d made sure to name him in his own tongue instead of Quenya. I had decided that when I came to Mirkwood, I would conform to their way of life as well as their language. I needed to separate myself from Lothlórien when I was with Legolas, and be someone completely different from the elf I was at home.
“Yes, Rúmil,” he uttered soft and low, pulling me to him, and I began my ministrations. “For as long as you need me.”
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Path of Honor-Part II: Far From Home