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The Last Wood Elf	By : Mel99Moe Category: +Third Age > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 4551 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters or places. No money is being made from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 9 - Opportunity Arises

After the night in the courtyard, Legolas went to Kular, and asked him to help him train more rigorously. Kular discussed it with Folvar and it was agreed that after his duties in the stables in the morning, Legolas could train in weapons with Kular and Hafdan. The brothers together could teach him much about archery as well as wielding an ax. Hafdan knew a bit about swordplay and taught him a few skills, but it didn’t take long to see that Legolas’ talent lay with a bow.

“Arm up, Legolas,” Kular instructed him, as they practiced on their makeshift target, a stack of hay with an old sheet draped over it donning several painted red rings. Kular was getting tired of telling Legolas to keep his arm high enough so that his aim would be better. “Feet at shoulders width, right foot forward,” he commanded. Legolas did as he was told, “Now how does that feel?”

“A little awkward, but I will get used to it,” Legolas replied.

“Your body should make a T shape, arms always parallel to the ground. Your dominant foot is always forward and angled out. This will give you the best control over your body. Remember, it is your upper body that is engaged. Your legs and feet are only anchoring you to the ground. And there may be times when you must shoot from places other than the level ground, trees and horseback just to name a few. You will need every muscle from your waist to the top of your head to steady your shot.”

While Kular instructed him, Legolas could feel the muscles in his arms and back begin to burn. The bowstring felt as if it was cutting through his fingers, and he started to sweat. He was beginning to slip out of his stance, but he would not complain. He knew this was part of Kular’s plan.

“Legolas, arm up, boy,” Kular shouted again.

He did as he was told, but his muscles were beginning to shake. He couldn’t hold his position much longer. “When can I shoot?” he called desperately.

Hafdan came up next to his brother and chuckled under his breath, “I remember Pa forcing these exercises on us. I once stood like that for thirty minutes before he let me release my arrow.”

“Father was quite tough on us,” answered Kular, remembering the same things.

“Kular?” Legolas pleaded.

“Not yet, aye. Just another minute,” Kular answered.

“How long has it been,” Hafdan inquired.

“Forty five minutes by the looks of the sundial.”

“What? Are ya trying to kill the boy?”

Kular laughed. “He is an elf remember. He has a greater immunity to the pain. We must train him differently than our own, or he will never improve.”

Legolas could hear the brothers whispering, and wondered if they forgot about him. Just when he was about to gain their attention again, someone shouted his name, “Hi Legolas, you’re doing fine.” Katala had come to watch him train.

Her voice broke his concentration, and the bowstring slipped from his sweaty fingers. The arrow released with a thwack as it hit far left of the target, but the string whipped back in such a way that it cut his cheek, “Damnit!” he yelled.

Kular and Hafdan looked up to see what had happened, when they noticed Katala standing to the side. “A pretty girl will distract ya every time,” Kular said, when Legolas approached them.

Hafdan reached for the elf’s chin, turning his head to get a better look at the cut. “Let that be a lesson to ya . . . and in more than just archery, aye? Don’t let the girls distract you. They will always try, and for you it will be much more difficult.”

“What do you mean?” Legolas asked.

Hafdan leaned close and spoke quietly in Legolas’ ear, “Have ya not noticed, boy? All the girls … they sneak looks at ya when you pass by. Have you not heard the giggles? They’re all smitten, I tell ya.” Hafdan informed him.

The points of Legolas’ ears tinged pink, “I did not notice anything. Well, I heard the laughter, but I thought they made fun of me. Ladnir has made my life miserable since that night in the courtyard. I thought he was behind their laughter.”

“No, boy, the girls giggle like that when they’re flustered. They are all curious about the young elf with the long blond locks,” Kular laughed.

“Well, I don’t pay it any mind,” Legolas insisted, furrowing his brow.

Kular leaned in this time, “And what about Katala?”

The rest of Legolas’ face shaded to match his ears, “Katala is different. She’s my friend.”

Kular and Hafdan looked at each other and shared a devious smile. “Well,” Kular said, “all I’m saying is that friend or no, the girls will always be a distraction. That won’t always be a bad thing, and you’ll find out about that when ya grow a bit more, but just know that you must be in control of your surroundings.”

“I think I understand,” Legolas said, as he glanced over to where Katala stood.

“That’s enough for today,” Kular said, “Besides, you are due at the stables in a short bit. Go grab a bite to eat before your duties. Oh, and Legolas … ya did mighty fine today. Had my pa still been around, he would have been quite impressed.”

When Katala saw they were finished, she approached Legolas, and saw the cut on his cheek. “You’re hurt. What happened?”

“Nothing … bowstring bit me,” he smiled.

She took out a small cloth from the pocket of her blue skirt, and dabbed the blood where it started to trickle down from the wound. Legolas blushed for the third time, and moved his cheek away from her reach, “I’m alright. It’s just a flesh wound.”

“I have hardly seen you since that night,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I should have checked to see how you were recovering, but—”

“It’s alright. I can see that you have been busy.” She glanced over to the target.

“Hey, why don’t we go to the big oak after dinner,” Legolas said excitedly. The big oak was a tree in the front courtyard where Legolas liked to climb and sit amongst the branches. When they first arrived, he and Katala spent a lot of time there.

“Alright then,” she smiled. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Legolas watched her go back to the house, and then he gathered his belongings and went to the stables.

* * *

“I spoke to Grimbeorn this morning,” Folvar said to his wife.

“Oh no, what has happened?” Sefa asked worriedly.

“Word comes from Lothlórien. They are planning to siege Dol Guldur, and ask for aid. Most of the men in our village prepare to march. You know that I must join them. Grimbeorn is sending what men he can spare to the cause. I have spoken with him, and we think it is best that Hafdan, Kular and I travel with the Beornings, along the Anduin to Lothlorien. From there, we will march with the elves to Dol Guldur, and join our men along the way,” Folvar informed his wife.

“I don’t like this, but I know you must go.”

Folvar kissed her head, “At least I will feel confident with the women and children staying at the Beornings’ house. You will be well guarded here.” He stood up and walked to the window of their room, looking out over the courtyard with its pines and manicured hedges. “Sefa, I have been giving this some thought, and you know we will be close to Rohan when we travel to Lothlorien.”

Her eyes widened at the mention of Rohan. They had discussed it before. Legolas would be much better off with the Rohirrim, especially now, when their village separated, and the threat of the enemy always on their mind. Still, Sefa was not ready to send Legolas away yet, “You would take him there now, on the brink of war?” She shook her head in disagreement, “It is much too dangerous.”

“There is still time yet. If Hafdan, Kular and I leave soon, we can take Legolas to Rohan, see him settled, and then join the elves and our men in the march. I have spoken to Grimbeorn about this, and he has offered an escort to see us safe. We would be under the protection of the Beornings’. They would follow us to the borders of Rohan. It is just added protection for Legolas.”

“We have talked about this, and I know you are right, but must we send Legolas to Rohan now? Why can he not stay here with the women and children until it is safer to travel?” Sefa argued.

Folvar took her hands in his and squeezed them lightly, “You must understand that this is only the beginning of something much larger. Evil is growing. The Dark Lord’s reach is much longer than it ever has been before. He has been breeding an army that will destroy everything dear to us. This attack on Dol Guldur will put a festering wound in his plans. They will not be expecting it, but they will almost certainly retaliate. If there ever was a time to get Legolas away from all of this, it is now, before we attack. The enemy does not set its sights on the larger cities yet. Rohan is the safest place for him, for now.”

Sefa sat on a chair and put her head in her hands. Folvar was right, of course. They had discussed this many times before. She knew this day would come. She lifted her head, and laid her saddened eyes upon her husband, “I know you are right, and I knew this time would come, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I love Legolas as if he was my own son, and I know you do to.”

Folvar came to his wife’s side, and Sefa laid her head against his hip, “It breaks my heart to say this, but it is time he knew. Go and tell him, Folvar.”

* * *

Legolas finished his meal in record time so that he could be on his way to meet Katala at the big oak in the front courtyard. They hadn’t spent any time together over the past couple weeks. He was busy with training and his duties while she recovered from a twisted ankle. He wanted to talk to her about what they had seen that night. It was surely an amazing thing to witness as the Beornings men transformed into giant black bears. Mostly, he wished to kiss her again. It was such a strange and exciting feeling, and he wanted to know it once more, but only if Katala would agree. He thought of what Hafdan told him, about the girls all watching him. He hadn’t paid any attention before, but now he noticed that it was true. Some of the girls’ eyes would follow him as he passed them. Even now as he walked through the dining hall, he felt their stares. He admitted to himself that it was a boost to his young ego to know they admired him, though he questioned why. Many of the village boys seemed more rugged, broader and more mature than he did. Legolas was thin, but tall compared to human boys his age. His skin seemed pale compared to the others, though it did have a glowing hue to it, another elvish trait. His hair was long and very straight, reaching just below his shoulders. He kept it unbound now and only braided the sides when he trained to keep it out of his face. The things that made him different from the village boys, were they the things that intrigued the girls, he wondered.

Legolas had left the dining hall, and was hurriedly making his way to the front doors, when Folvar called to him. He turned and saw his foster father coming from the hall that led to the guest quarters, “Legolas, I’ve been looking for you. I need to have a word.”

“Can’t it wait? I was just going outside to meet with . . . to spend some time amongst the oaks,” he corrected himself. He suddenly didn’t much feel like telling anyone that he was going to meet Katala.

“I’m afraid this cannot be put off much longer,” Folvar said in a serious tone,

“If I have done something —”

“Nothing of the sort, Legolas. Come with me. The others are waiting.”

Legolas furrowed his dark brows, “What others?”

“You will see. Now, come,” demanded Folvar as his large hand pushed against Legolas’ back, leading him towards an office.

The door opened and there was Hafdan and Kular standing together, arms crossed with stern faces as they watched the elf enter the room. “What is the meaning of this?” Legolas asked, “What is going on?”

The three men came together and stood by Legolas, as if forming a circle around him. Did they expect him to dart away? He was very unsure of what to think at this point, and frantically glanced to each one. Folvar placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Legolas, you know how much we care for you and we have only ever wanted what was best for you. Elhadron made it well known that you must leave us one day. His plans were not to keep you in the forest. He wanted you to have the best chance possible.”

“What are you saying?” Legolas said defensively.

Kular spoke next, “Legolas, it is time for you to leave us.”

“But I don’t want to leave,” the elf argued.

Folvar continued, “Legolas, even your father wanted this for you. Elhadron told us of his plans to see you as far from the Rhovanion as possible. Your father made him promise this before he died. We have kept you with us because we must, but now an opportunity has opened up, a chance for us to abide by Elhadron and your father’s wishes.”

“What opportunity?” Legolas asked.

Hafdan took his turn to speak, “The men of the woods, as well as the Beornings’, are being called upon to help Lothlorien carry out an attack on Dol Guldur. Folvar, Kular and myself will lead the Woodsmen in this plight. And since we are traveling to Lorien, we have also realized that we will be closer to Rohan. Legolas, they are our kin, and we believe that this is the best place for you to live now. You will be far from the Rhovanion, and the enemy does not focus its attention on their city.”

“They will be able to teach you much in the ways of a warrior,” Kular continued, “The Rohirrim have established a great army. Their military is amongst some of the strongest.”

“Legolas,” Folvar said, as he stepped in front of him, “We have thought long and hard about this, and it was a difficult decision. Sefa and I have come to think of you as our own. Believe me, if we could, we would keep you with us, but our village is small. There is nothing for you there. Kular and Hafdan have informed me of your progress. You are destined to become a great warrior. You are the last of your kind, and I just know you have an important role to play in all of our futures. The men of Rohan will challenge you, and shape you into the soldier you are meant to be. As much as we love you, Legolas, you deserve a better chance than what we could give you.”

Legolas looked at each man and shook his head. “So you have decided this for me. Do I have no say in any of this? Maybe I don’t want to leave. Maybe I think this is where I want to be. I have lost my home and my family. I have lost my people. What does it matter that I am the last of my kind? Everything that has meant anything to me has been stripped away, and now you are telling me I must start over again. This makes no sense to me. I thought you cared, but I can see that I am only a burden to you. I don’t need this. I don’t need any of this.” Legolas finished his ranting, and pushed Folvar out of his way. The Woodsman was surprised to feel the elf’s power, even for one as young as Legolas.

“Legolas, please, let us discuss this,” Folvar called after him.

“Leave me alone!” he yelled back, and he stormed out of the office.

Folvar started after him, but Hafdan caught him by the arm. “Let him go. The boy needs some time to think about this. He will not see reason right now.”

Legolas burst from the office door, almost knocking someone down.

“Legolas, what—” It was Katala that he almost ran over in his hurry to leave, “Where were you? I was waiting for you and you never came.”

“Not now, Katala,” he demanded as he rushed down the hall.

“Legolas, wait!” she called after him.

“Leave me alone, all of you!” he shouted. He ran as fast as he could down the hall, and out of the large front doors. His heart raced as his legs carried him down the steps and across the soft grass. The oak tree was not far, close to the hedges, but now it seemed even further away. This was all he wanted now though, to be amongst the trees, outside in the fresh air, and as far away from everyone as possible.

Legolas got to the tree and jumped up, grabbing a low growing branch. He swung forwards and backwards until he had enough momentum to pull himself up, his long legs grabbing the branch for support. The further he climbed, the closer the branches grew together and soon it was very easy to navigate his way to the highest parts of the tree. When he could go no higher he stopped, his chest heaving in and out. The cool night air filled his lungs, smelling of pine and smoke from the Beornings’ campfires. Legolas closed his eyes and tried to remember the smells from his childhood. Moss and ferns came to mind, and the mustiness of the caves. Parchment paper and ink filled his memory. His father would hold him on his lap as he signed letters and such. The feel of the feather quill tickled his nose as his father often liked to tease him. Legolas could see his father’s large hands; one wrapped around his small waist and the other scribbling away, the quill leaving black runes on the paper. His father had smelled like the trees of Mirkwood, beeches and oaks, the freshness of the outdoors, crisp clear streams and moss covered rocks.

Though he was so young then, Legolas remembered some of the things about his home, and wished he were there now. If only the orcs did not come. If only Lothlorien came when they were called upon. Elhadron told him the stories and made it clear that the Noldor were not to be trusted. Legolas seethed as he looked out towards the mountains. “Maybe my life would have been different if my people had aid in fighting the enemy. My father might still be alive and I would be with other wood elves. I would never have come to know the Woodsmen or the Beornings, and I wouldn’t be passed off to the Rohirrim now. I wish I could just run away and make my own life,” he whispered to himself.

“Legolas,” called a motherly voice from below. “Legolas, I know you are up there. Please come down and talk to me.” Sefa learned of his outburst after Folvar and the others spoke to him and came at once. She peered up into the tree, but Legolas had managed to blend in with the foliage. “Won’t you speak with me?”

“I don’t want to talk to anyone right now. Besides, what more is there to say? You plan to pass me on to Rohan. Let the Horse Lords have their turn to take care of the helpless elf.”

“No, Legolas, that is not how it is. Won’t you come down so we don’t have to shout from a distance?”

Legolas closed his eyes and sighed. It hurt his heart to reject Sefa. She had been like a mother to him. He didn’t remember his own mother, and Sefa filled a void somehow. He changed his accusatory tone to something kinder and more pleading. “Please leave me alone. I’m sorry, Sefa. I don’t want to disappoint you, but you can’t understand how I’m feeling right now. No one can.”

Sefa had heard enough. She may not be as nimble as an elf, but she could still climb a tree. Despite the fact that she was wearing a dress, she managed to find a path of low branches, and made her way up through the tree until she could see Legolas above her. He was quite high and she would not try to go all the way to him, but she could get him to come down, and meet her on the large branch where she sat now. “It’s been many years since I did this, Legolas, but I can climb a tree with the best of them. So now won’t you at least come down and meet me?” She could hear Legolas sigh as he was being forced to do something he didn’t want. Sefa looked out of the corner of her eye and there he was as if by magic. She laughed. “How is it you are able to move with such stealth?”

Legolas sat on the wide branch next to his foster mother, one leg dangling down, and the other one bent at the knee, his foot planted on the branch. He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I just do.”

“It’s one of those things that make you so unique. You know Legolas, I understand how bleak this looks right now. You think we do not want you. You think we are just handing you off to the next closest land, but you could not be further from the truth. My heart is breaking to know that I must let you move on. You are like my own son, the child I could never have.”

“And would you give away your own flesh and blood?” Legolas asked quietly.

“If it meant his safety and well-being, I would. If it meant a chance at a better life … I would. If it meant an opportunity for him to become the one thing that I know for sure he wants more than life itself … I would and I am. Do you know how much I argued with Folvar? I was against this idea from the very beginning, but I know what it is you want to become, Legolas. You will not find it here with the Woodsmen. The people of our village are proud, our men are strong, but it is not enough. You need a challenge. You are the last elf of your kind. Elhadron once said, if there was a chance of bringing back the wood elves, it lies with you.”

“But why Rohan, Sefa? Why so far from you and the others?” Legolas asked as her words began to make sense.

“They are our cousins just as the Beorning’s are. They hold many of the same values as us. They are a strong and courageous people, proud of their heritage, true to their neighbors. They love each other and respect those who respect them, but they will also fight to their dying breath to save those that they love, much like your father. I can think of no better people for you to live with now.” Sefa leaned towards him and kissed his temple. “Just know that you will always have a place here amongst the Woodsmen. Maybe someday you will return to us.”

In a rare moment for Legolas, he laid his head upon Sefa’s shoulder and shed silent tears. She cradled him against her and sang quietly into his ear, a song her mother once sang to her when she was a child, a song she had always wished to sing to her own child. When she was through, Legolas felt the need to open up, and tell Sefa what he remembered of his father. She listened silently and drew a picture in her mind of a tall and handsome unstoppable elf like those of legend. This was the reason she could not keep Legolas to herself. This was the reason she must share him with the world. “You are destined for great things,” she told him when he finished, “Now do you understand why we mustn’t keep you with us?”

Legolas looked to his lap and slowly gave his head a nod. This was a difficult thing to admit. He did not want to go, but he knew he must. As he had done so many times before, he donned a brave face for his foster mother, “I will make you proud, Sefa.”

“Legolas, are you still up there?” Katala called from the ground below the big oak.

Sefa smiled, “I have kept you too long. Go and be with your friend.”

Legolas gave her a hug and quickly made his way down through the branches as if they were nothing more than a set of stairs. She laughed to herself as she admired his nimbleness. Soon he was standing beside Katala. She pushed his shoulder and he pushed her back playfully. Sefa shook her head and watched them walk off together, “He will break more than a few hearts when he is grown.”

“What happened, Legolas?” Katala asked worriedly. “You ran off so fast, which was quite rude.”

“I’m sorry. I did not mean to behave in such a way. I have to talk to you about something.”

They made their way around the circular hedge until they came to a row of pines. As they walked, Legolas told her that he was leaving soon. This was the last thing Katala wanted to hear. She had become good friends with him. He was her first and only kiss. He had saved her from the bear, and now she may never see Legolas again, “I just don’t understand. Why can’t you stay with us?”

“I just have to. I don’t like it any more than you do, but after talking to Sefa, I think I understand why this is happening.”

“Will you come back after your training in Rohan? Maybe that is why they’re sending you away. You could come back and teach the others new skills,” she said, hoping she was right.

Legolas shook his head, “I do not know if I will ever return. I don’t know anything, Katala, but I do know that I will miss you.”

Her eyes pooled with tears, “I will miss you too, Legolas.” She laid her head on his shoulder and tears streaked her face, the realization that she might never see him again finally settling over her.

He lifted her chin so that he could look at her face, “You can’t cry anymore, alright?”

She wiped the moisture away and forced a small smile, “I know.”

Legolas smiled with his eyes and tilted his head as he came towards her. His lips pressed against hers, tasting the saltiness of her tears. Their hearts beat quickly as they shared one more simple sweet kiss, always to wonder what might have been. Although they spent most of the rest of their time together, that was the last time they shared a kiss and neither one would ever forget.
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Beta: Mindirith
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The Last Wood Elf