Chapter 10

Legolas lay on his bed staring up at the white ceiling above him. The paint, cracked and worn, discolored and water stained, lay uncaring over a distorted ceiling, sagging here and there with age. His hands lay folded calmly over his chest, but every now and then, his fingers would quiver with apprehension and fear. He lay silently, absorbed in the rhythm of his breath, the steady beating of his heart, the pull at the muscles on his legs as he stretched his toes. The paint was peeling just above him, the thin coat slowly ripping away to reveal an identical one beneath it; he frowned as he thought upon the futile, short life of ceiling paint.

He could hear the birds singing outside his window in the cold, lonely hours of dawn. The sky hovered between the darkness of night and the light of day, a melancholy purple brushing at the eastern horizon. He shivered and drew his shirt closed, carefully buttoning it. He was still recovering from the night, from the shock and the pain, from the tears and the grief. He had last remembered lying helplessly amongst the tangled growth of the forest, aching with the force of reality; he had fallen asleep then, lost in the distance of his safe dreams, the events around him known but indistinct. It still hurt to think of it, but he knew that he would have to face another day. He turned and looked out the window at the rising sun. It rose slowly, a golden globe behind the pine trees. Another day was dawning yet again, and he would have to live it.

He felt eyes on him and turned to see Elrond staring at him.

'Good morning, Elrond,' he said.

'Good morning,' answered Elrond lost in his own thoughts.

'Did you sleep well?' asked Legolas.

Elrond shook his head.

Legolas nodded and decided that it would be better not to ask anything. He got up and pulled out some clothes, then went to the bathroom to take a bath. He submerged himself in the warm water, closing his eyes in silent delight. The water surrounded him, a barrier between him and the world, a closing, confining safety that would always be there. Water was ancient, and he welcomed it like a long lost friend who he had found once again after centuries.

When he finally made it downstairs, he found Gimli in the kitchen glaring at a cookbook and cursing it liberally in Dwarvish.

'What is the matter, Master Dwarf?' Legolas asked.

Gimli started when he heard his voice and turned a suspicious look on the elf. 'Nothing,' he muttered.

'Then what troubles you?' the elf stepped forward and tried to get a look at the book, but Gimli hastily slammed it shut.

'Nothing troubles me but you; I wish you would leave.'

'But I do not want to,' Legolas said sweetly, leaning against the counter.

Gimli glared fully at him, but turned back to his work.

Legolas looked over the things that Gimli had lain out over the table, kitchen tools and ingredients. 'What are you making?'

'Why don't you leave me alone?' Gimli grumbled.

'Am I bothering you? I just wanted to help.'

'I don't need your help, Elf,' Gimli snapped.

'Don't you?'

'No.'

They glared heatedly at each other for a few moments longer, then Legolas turned away with a shrug. 'I care little,' he said.

'Good,' said Gimli, glaring after him until he disappeared out the door.

Legolas walked barefoot through the dew-drenched grass, the ground was cool, but the air stirred with a lingering warmth that promised the coming of another hot day. He slipped easily into a tall maple, and found a perch on one of its strong branches. He had seen many such mornings in his home of Mirkwood, when the trees seemed to laugh with the thought of a new day. Slowly the day advanced, the sky turning to a brilliant blue as the sun rose higher and warmer over the land.

'Legolas!'

He was startled from his daydreams by Boromir's call. He looked down and saw Boromir standing below him a look of annoyance on his face.

'What is it?' Legolas asked, falling lightly from the tree and landing gracefully beside him.

Boromir looked even more annoyed. 'I was sent to inform you that breakfast is ready and that you are needed to be present.'

'Why?' asked Legolas.

Boromir scowled. 'I don't know why. Master Elrond wants you.'

Legolas nodded and walked back with him, wondering why he was so upset. Perhaps he had not been easy to find.

They walked back into the house together, and Boromir slumped down into a chair at the table.

Elrond smiled gravely at Legolas and waved his hand at a chair. Legolas sat down and crossed his ankles.

'Here,' said Aragorn, pushing a plate of steaming sausage quiche at him.

He nodded a 'thank-you' as Elrond began to speak.

'We must all now know something,' said Elrond. 'Aragorn has informed me a little of what you have discusses, and some of the conclusions you have reached. I regret to tell you that one of these is wrong—the ring is not safe here.' He lay a hand on Frodo's shoulder.

'But Sauron can't reach it,' said Frodo, looking up at him wide eyed. 'Why isn't it safe?'

'Saruman is here and he can reach it,' said Elrond gently. 'But even were he not, the ring will not be content to remain unfound, it would abandon you, Frodo, and search out a new master, one whose heart it could corrupt, and, if it did not do that, it would…' he broke off and gently rubbed Frodo's shoulder.

'So now what are we going to do?' asked Merry.

'I do not know yet,' said Elrond. 'That is what we are here to discuss.'

Pippin furrowed his brow deeply then sighed. 'It's no good, I can't think this early,' he declared.

'You can't think at all,' said Merry.

'That is not true,' retorted Pippin, folding his arms.

Merry rolled his eyes.

'But what can we do?' asked Aragorn. 'We don't have a Mt. Doom hanging around.'

'And who do you know that it is not?' asked Elrond. 'Perhaps the mountain is still standing; perhaps it has just been renamed. I have done research and have found that there are many fiery mountains scattered across the world.'

'And which is the right one?' asked Aragorn.

Elrond shrugged. 'Perhaps it does not matter?'

Legolas felt very nervous about Elrond's uncertainty.

'One thing remains clear,' said Elrond. 'We cannot do nothing. We should all think this over as often as we can, perhaps someone will think of something.'

The hobbits exchanged worried looks.

'Excuse me,' said Elrond, and with a graceful bow of his head, he left the table.

Aragorn leaned back in his chair and frowned at the ceiling. 'Anyone got any brilliant ideas?' he asked.

'We could try to use the ring to bring us back to Middle-earth,' suggested Boromir.

Aragorn sighed in frustration. 'Boromir, how many times do we have to tell you? The ring cannot be wielded!'

'So you say,' Boromir muttered under his breath, obviously unconvinced.

Legolas finished his quiche and got up to wash his dish off. 'It was very good,' he said, trying to ease some of the tension in the room.

'Thank-you,' said Gimli.

Legolas bit his lip and turned to the sink. He had just complimented a dwarf. He angrily scrubbed the plate clean.

The day was not a pleasant one. Everyone was tenser than ever, and the flaming heat that the sun brought did not help matters in the least.

Finally, Aragorn suggested that they go swimming. Boromir and Legolas quickly agreed to the proposition and they took a hike to the lake. It was a quiet lake, rather secluded in the forest only accessible by a rough dirt road and a couple hiking trails.

They chose an isolated spot, on the other side of the lake from the road, where the trees bent low over the water, and an outcropping of rocks and a thick growth of trees would shield them from all curious eyes. Legolas was glad of this, for he would not have to worry about keeping his ears covered.

The water was deliciously warm when he first stepped in, although it became cool as he waded deeper. He stood waist deep rubbing the water against his arms, not yet ready to go further. The sun glinted against the calm ripples of the lake, sparklingly madly in the stillness of the forest around it, he took a deep breath of the pure air and smiled.

Suddenly, a weight dragged on him, and he was pushed headlong under the tranquil surface. The water pressed against him and he felt his knees give way; he plummeted into the murky depths, his lungs bursting with the sudden shock of no air. He fought against the weight, but to no avail, he fell deeper, the sun fading swiftly away.

A sudden laugh startled him as strong arms pulled him back to the surface.

He gasped for air.

'And you never know when a ranger strikes,' Aragorn chuckled, pushing him playfully down into the water again.

Legolas fought back. 'That was cruel, you should have warned me!' he cried.

Aragorn shook his head, his dark, shaggy hair dripping. 'And what would be the fun in that?' he asked with a wicked grin.

Legolas twisted lithely around and pushed the still grinning ranger into the lake. 'Ha!' he cried as Aragorn sputtered to the surface.

Aragorn tried to dunk him again, but before he could, Boromir grabbed him from behind and they both went down.

Legolas laughed at them, but a hand caught his ankle, and he too fell in the water.

He struggled free and swam away, but he did not go far. Aragorn caught up with him and pulled him up out of the water, only to throw him back in. Legolas, feigning indignation at having been thrown turned away from them with his arms folded and his nose up. Aragorn splashed water after him, but was soon tackled by Boromir. The two men fought each other for quite some time while Legolas enjoyed the water and the scenery, but it did not last. Legolas heard sinister whispering coming from the two men, and he turned just in time to see them disappear under the surface swimming fast in his direction.

He dove under the surface, swimming away from them, but he was caught by the foot, he tried to kick himself free, but he was dragged closer, caught firmly about the knee and then the waist; he was pulled, struggling, to the surface held fast by Boromir.

'What do we do with him?' asked Boromir.

'I don't know,' said Aragorn. 'What do you want to do?'

'I don't know,' said Boromir. 'This was your idea.'

'You could let me go,' said Legolas hopefully.

'I would,' said Aragorn. 'But that would be boring.'

Legolas struggled again. 'This isn't fair, you two ganging up on me like this.'

'Whoever said life was fair?' asked Aragorn, catching his feet and drawing his legs up.

Legolas kicked, but Aragorn held him fast.

'All right, Boromir, let him go,' Aragorn commanded.

Boromir released him and stepped back, and Legolas fell upside down under the water, his legs still held by Aragorn.

He managed to pull himself up and glared at Aragorn. 'I'll tell Elrond on you!' he threatened.

Aragorn smiled. 'That really scares me,' he said, and pushed him back under.

Legolas came up again, gasping, and Aragorn slung him over one shoulder.

'I've got it,' said the ranger. 'We tie him up and see if he floats.'

'Don't you dare!' said Legolas kicking and punching him playfully.

Boromir stood by looking rather uncertain of himself. Legolas wondered why, maybe they did not have water fights in Gondor.

'Here,' said Aragorn. 'You hold him for a while.'

He tossed Legolas to Boromir, who caught him and held him fast. Legolas decided on making his duties difficult and splashed water at his face. Boromir twisted him round and submerged him.

Legolas looked up at him pleadingly. 'Let me go?' he begged.

'Don't listen to him,' said Aragorn. 'He'd do worse to you if you gave him the chance.'

He pulled Legolas back and dunked him a few times quickly and successively.

Legolas gasped and shivered.

Boromir looked somewhat concerned.

'Don't worry about him,' said Aragorn. 'He's used to it.'

Legolas looked at Boromir, wide-eyed and innocent. 'Save me.'

'He's trying to cast a spell over you!' Aragorn cried and dunked him again, then pulled him up cradling him in his arms. 'I'll make a deal with you,' he said. 'You give us…' he paused. 'Boromir, what do we want from him?'

'I don't know,' said Boromir. 'It was your idea.'

'It was my idea? It's always my idea,' Aragorn grumbled. 'You never have any.'

Boromir shot him an indignant look, then his face lit up. 'I have an idea.'

'Finally,' said Aragorn. 'What is it?'

'Dunk him and I'll tell you.'

Aragorn pushed Legolas under the water so that he couldn't hear them talking and pulled him up a few moments later. The men were both grinning evilly.

'To prevent a tragic demise by, mmm, shall we say accidental drowning you must…' Aragorn began, but was cut off by a call from the shore.

'Legolas.' It was Elrond. 'Could you come here?'

Legolas gratefully pulled away from Aragorn and swam to the bank.

'I was wondering,' said Elrond gently, 'if you would like to come with me somewhere.'

'Where?' asked Legolas.

'I am going to a concert in Jonesport and I was wondering if you might like to come along.'

Legolas nodded. 'I would love to,' he said.

Elrond smiled. 'Good.'

Legolas looked back at Aragorn and Boromir. 'Are you going to invite them as well?'

Elrond shook his head. 'No, I'd rather we went alone.'

Legolas smiled. 'I'll go then.'

'What's going on?' asked Aragorn.

Elrond turned to him. 'I am taking Legolas to a concert in Jonesport—baroque music—I thought that it would be a rather interesting experience.'

Aragorn walked over to them. 'May I come?'

'No,' said Elrond. 'You may not. I am taking Legolas and Frodo and Sam, and that is enough.'

Aragorn nodded. 'Fine, I hope you have fun.'

'And I hope that you have fun as well,' said Elrond. 'Come, Legolas, let us go.'