Second Chances

Part 11

Posted: March 2004
Author: Larien Elengasse

*****

They had traveled under cover of darkness, heeding Master Elrond's advice. His sons, Elladan and Elrohir, had scouted their path south, clearing the way of Orcs and Wild Men. At Eregion, they had been forced to turn due east and take the path of Caradhras. Saruman's spies were watching their passage south, and the risk was too great to travel through the Gap of Rohan. After the third day of climbing, their way was blocked by heavy snows and storms sent forth by the White Wizard to impede their crossing. Forced to turn back, they traveled another day back down the mountain. The only way left for them now was to pass through Moria.

Gimli was convinced his cousin who presided there would give them safe passage, but Aragorn was loath to travel through the mines, and Legolas and Boromir were in agreement with the Dúnadan. Nevertheless, they followed Mithrandir into the dark of Moria.

Disastrous. Their journey thus far had been disastrous. They had been trapped in snow, attacked by the wolves of Isengard, then attacked at Moria gate by a hideous serpent-like creature, and now trapped in the dark of Moria. They battled their way out of the Chamber of Mazarbul, barely escaping with their lives. Not one of them emerged unscathed except for Legolas; his elven reflexes combined with Fëanor's experience made him a warrior undefeatable by the orcs and trolls that besieged them.

They rushed forth through fire and black smoke and came at last to the bridge. The sound of drums echoed through the air and black arrows rained down upon them. Legolas turned and fitted an arrow to his bow and drew the string taut, but what his eyes beheld caused him to lower his bow in dismay.

Fear seized his heart and ghostly blinding pain ripped through his body. He felt Aragorn's hand upon his back and opened his mouth to speak but no words would come. The Dúnadan stared at him in amazement, in the dark, flickering light of Khazad-dûm, his friend's face had turned white and his eyes had faded to gray.

**It is time to run, Greenleaf,** Fëanor said. **There is no battle to be fought here, you cannot stand against this evil. You must run for your lives!**

"Balrog," Legolas whispered to Aragorn. The elf felt a surge of strength and cried out, "A Balrog has come! We must fly!" He grasped his friend's arm and pulled him along, catching Gimli by the shoulder as Boromir fled with the Hobbits in front of them and Mithrandir followed closely.

"Over the bridge! Fly!" cried Mithrandir, "I must hold the bridge. Fly, flee for your lives!"

"Faster!" Legolas cried, urging them on as the beast began to overtake them. Legolas reached down and grasped the Dwarf around the waist and hauled him off the ground. Gimli barked in surprise then clung to the elf as Legolas flew over the narrow bridge at Khazad-dûm, Aragorn on his heels.

Boromir and the Hobbits had barely reached the other side when Legolas and Aragorn came across with Gimli. Legolas put Gimli down and turned, ignoring the Dwarf's grumbling as he watched Mithrandir stand before the beast. **He needs help, Fëandro…** he said silently.

**He is an Ainur, Greenleaf, we can be of no help to him, weapons of elves and men cannot defeat the mightiest of Morgoth's evil. You must protect the Ring Bearer,** Fëanor answered.

"He cannot stand alone!" Aragorn cried and started back across the bridge.

Boromir cried out, "No!" He leapt after his countryman to bring him back.

"Wait, Aragorn!" Legolas cried. He held Frodo tight as the young hobbit cried out to his old friend Gandalf.

"You cannot pass!" Mithrandir cried, his booming voice echoing through the chasm. He raised his staff and his sword, and a bright light burst forth from the tip of the staff.

The bridge cracked as Boromir caught Aragorn by the shoulder, dragging him back with great difficulty. "Frodo! We must protect Frodo!" Boromir shouted to him.

Aragorn's eyes were riveted on the wizard, as Mithrandir stood alone before the giant beast. It was hideous, made of smoke and ash and fire, its bone shattering roar echoing through the canyon as it held aloft a sword and whip of fire. The Balrog took a step forward and Legolas could feel his heart stop for a moment, that flash of blinding pain echoing through his memory again. "Fëandro, Glorfindel," he whispered so softly that no one could hear him. He ached when his eyes and memory beheld the beast that had ended both the life of his beloved and the life of his constant companion. He watched with his companions as the bridge gave way and the Balrog plummeted into the bottomless cavern of Khazad-dûm.

Mithrandir turned, heaving a sigh of relief, when the Balrog's cruel whip rose up from the darkness, catching the wizard about the ankle and pulling him from the bridge.

Frodo cried out and struggled against Legolas, as Aragorn made another attempt to rescue their friend. But poisoned black arrows rained down on them from the other side and any attempt would result in certain death.

The wizard struggled to hold on, but found it impossible. He looked one last time at his friends and shouted, "Fly, you fools!" He lost his grip and plummeted into the darkness.

Boromir dragged Aragorn from the bridge, his kinsman was in a state of numbed shock. Legolas and Gimli gathered the grieving and horrified hobbits, leading them to the eastern gate of Moria. As they came upon the gate, a small number of orcs put up resistance. So great was the fury of Aragorn, that after the Dúnadan felled their captain the rest fled in fear.

Upon reaching the clear air and daylight on the other side, they raced down the side of the mountains to Dimrill Dale, as fast as their unsteady legs would carry them. The Hobbits fell upon the soft grass, crying for their fallen friend. Boromir tried to comfort Gimli, who wavered between grief and rage, and Aragorn stood numbly staring at his sword. Legolas felt tears falling from his eyes and made no effort to stop them. He said a quiet prayer for the wizard who had become dear to him, as he tried to make sense of what had happened and dispel the fear that had nearly choked his heart.

**Onward, Greenleaf,** came Fëanor's reassuring voice. **We must get the Ring Bearer to safety.**

Legolas placed his hand upon Aragorn's shoulder and motioned toward the east. "We must make haste, mellonen," his deep voice whispered.

Aragorn nodded and bid farewell to his old friend Mithrandir, as they gathered the hobbits and made for the shelter of Lothlórien.

* * * *

They reached the Golden Wood at nightfall, Ithil stood high in the night sky and a bitter wind began to blow down the mountain. Legolas carried Pippin upon his back; the young hobbit was fast asleep and snoring contentedly in his ear. Boromir carried Merry who also slept peacefully. Frodo and Sam still walked having regained their strength after a quick meal and some cool water from a swift running stream.

Upon entering the wood and crossing the Nimrodel, they took rest in the forest. The hobbits rested against the trunk of a tree as Aragorn and Gimli took first watch. Legolas knelt beside the swift running stream and dipped his hands in, gathering some water in them and rinsing his face. He took a long drink of the clear water. The voice of Nimrodel called to him and Fëanor warned him of the call of the sea.

**'Tis but the first taste you will have of it, Greenleaf. Once you hear the sea's call, ‘tis impossible to deny it for long.**

Legolas nodded. Many of his kind had heeded the call of the sea and went into the west, never to be seen again. His father had talked of Aman, but he had yet to heed the call, and Legolas was loath to leave without him.

"I hear a sound intermixed with the sound of the water," Frodo said as he sat beside Legolas near the edge of the stream.

"'Tis the voice of Nimrodel, the maiden for whom this stream is named," Legolas answered quietly. "There is a song that has long been sung by my kin that tells of her tale."

Frodo looked up at the elf and asked quietly, "Would you sing it for me? It would ease the weight upon my heart, I think."

Legolas smiled kindly and nodded. "Aye, Frodo Baggins, I will sing it for you."

The Fellowship listened as Legolas sang the Lay of Nimrodel, his soft voice mixing amongst the wind in the trees. Frodo placed his small hand upon the elf's thigh as Legolas' voice faltered; he knew the grief Legolas felt in his heart, for it was in his own.

The Fellowship agreed to make their way further into the forest, away from the road, and seek shelter in the treetops until morning.

Legolas leapt into a tree, seeking a safe place for his companions to sleep, when a deep voice called out to him.

"Daro!"

He nimbly dropped back down to the ground and cautioned his friends to stay close. A short conversation ensued that only Legolas and Aragorn understood. Only a few of the elves of Lórien spoke the language of the west. Legolas looked at Frodo and said quietly, "They bid me climb up with Frodo. They heard my voice across the Nimrodel, they are aware that we are no threat. They have heard tidings of our journey and wish to speak with the Ring Bearer."

Legolas and Frodo ascended the ladder that fell from the branches and the Prince told of their journey. The Captain of the Marchwarden, Haldir, granted them passage though they had to go forth blindfolded, as the entrance to Caras Galadhon was a closely kept secret. They journeyed for two days through the beauty that was Lórien before reaching the wall and gate of Caras Galadhon.

The Fellowship was granted entry and given safe haven in the great tree city. Legolas looked about himself in wonder, for never had he seen trees so tall and mighty, nor a place so beautiful. They were called before the Lord and Lady of Lórien, and as he stood upon the flet, his head bowed and eyes cast down, he felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. The realization that he was about to face one whom Fëanor had left upon the grinding ice caused the color to drain from his face.

**Galadriel,** Fëanor's voice echoed in his head.

He looked up slowly and saw Galadriel and Celeborn sitting side by side. He averted his gaze, unable to bring himself to look into the Lady's eyes. Celeborn greeted each of them warmly and he smiled and bowed to the elf lord. Aragorn relayed the tale of their journey through Moria and Mithrandir's passing. They spoke at length of what had passed and what may come, all the while Legolas stood silent, not trusting his voice to speak. Galadriel looked into the eyes of all of them, and as she gazed into Legolas', she lingered. She rose from her chair as Celeborn bid them take their leave and rest, and she caught Legolas by the arm.

"I would speak with you, Legolas," she said quietly.

"Yes, my lady," Legolas answered softly.

As the Fellowship departed and made camp at the base of the trees, Legolas followed Galadriel into her garden. His heart hammered rapidly in his chest and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears. She bid him sit upon a bench beside her and he found he could not look at her. He could feel Fëanor's remorse and guilt sitting heavy upon his heart.

Galadriel took both his hands in her own and spoke quietly, "Look into my eyes, Legolas."

He reluctantly turned his gaze to her own and swallowed as he allowed her to see into his mind and his heart.

What she saw caused her to gasp quietly and she began to pull her hands away from his. "Fëandro?" she whispered breathlessly.

"Do not fear me, lady," Legolas whispered, and he clutched her hands, keeping her from pulling away. "He deeply regrets all that he did in his former life, he will never forgive himself for what he did to you and your kin."

Galadriel recovered herself and answered, "Let me see him, Legolas. Let me hear him speak through you."

Legolas nodded and closed his eyes. She watched his eyelids flutter and felt his posture change. When he opened his eyes again, they had turned from bright sapphire to stormy gray. "Fëandro, dagnir-e-guren," she whispered.

"Galadriel, pen-dond."

The voice was Legolas' but he words were undoubtedly Fëanor's, he was the only one who had ever called her that. As a young female, she had been nearly as tall as her elder brothers and her uncle had taken to calling her ‘tall one'. "How can this be?" she asked in a voice that was nearly a whisper. "How can the two of you be as one?"

"I know not, but one we are. I have much to atone for, Galadriel. Many evil deeds have I done in the name of vengeance and love. What I did to you and your kin can never be undone; you will carry with you always the remembrance of the sorrows that befell you on the grinding ice. I have spilled the blood of my own kind, and left my kin to die a slow and terrible death, and for that I have no right to ask for forgiveness."

The sorrow in Fëanor's words nearly rent Galadriel's heart in two. Long had she suffered the woes of her kin, but she had not harbored hate in her heart. She had always thought on her uncle as a most tragic figure, driven by revenge and pain to horrible deeds. For Fëanor, she had always felt profound sorrow and pity. "Now is the chance to have what you long for Fëandro," she said softly. "I have seen what is to pass in my mirror, your chance for forgiveness and absolution will come, and it will be a high price to pay."

"No price is high enough to purge my soul of the evil I have done," he whispered softly.

"There is hope for you, Tôr-en-adar. Legolas will need you; he will need your strength in the months and days to come. As for myself, I forgave you long ago. Go in peace, Fëandro, for I bear you no ill will."

"Hannon le, Galadriel," he whispered. He willed Legolas' hand to reach up and caress Galadriel's cheek. "You have become so beautiful, pen-dond. Your father would be pleased to see you now, as would your brothers. You will see them again, they wait for you in Aman."

A tear fell from Galadriel's cheek as the uncle she remembered spoke to her now. Before the making of the Silmarils, Fëanor had been a good uncle. Despite his aloofness and difficulties with his brothers, he had been kind to her when they had been together. She had always sensed that beneath his brash ways and arrogance there was a good heart, and she had never doubted his love for his father or his sons. She nodded and cupped his cheek before rising from the bench and leaving him alone.

Legolas took a deep breath and blinked rapidly, his eyes focusing on the garden and finding himself alone. "Where is she?" he whispered.

**She is gone, Greenleaf,** he replied. **She has forgiven me, though I do not deserve it.**

Legolas smiled and placed his hand upon his cheek where Galadriel's once lay. "She is so beautiful," he whispered. "As beautiful as Glorfindel."

**Aye, she is,** Fëanor answered. **I cannot blame my father for falling in love with Indis, the Vanyar are beautiful beyond compare.**

Legolas slowly rose from the bench and made his way out of the garden, back to where his friends slept.

Mellonen = my friend
Daro = Halt
Dagnir-e-guren = bane of my heart
Pen-dond = tall one
Tôr-en-adar = brother of my father – uncle
Hannon le = Thank thee

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