So, I haven't written any Lord of the Rings fan fiction in a while, but I was sat watching the Return of the King and an idea popped into my head. So here is it for you, I hope you enjoy.
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What I have seen
Legolas stood alone in the darkness, his eyes wandering over the grassy hills that cast shadows on the plains before him. A sense of doom hung over his heart, something was coming, and soon. The sound of faint footsteps sounded behind him, he knew who it was but did not turn to look, just continued to stare off into the darkness. Aragorn walked up to the elf and stood at his side, lit his pipe, but no words slipped past his lips.
'The stars are veiled' said Legolas softly, his eyes still fixed on the horizon 'Something stirs in the East, a sleepless malice.' He continued as his eyes then drifted to his companion 'the eye of the enemy is moving.'
Aragorn looked at Legolas with wide eyes, his pipe almost hanging from the corner of his mouth.
'Are they coming here?' he asked, as he took a puff to stop his pipeweed from going out.
'No, I do not think that they are coming here.' Replied the elf as he looked to the sky, one single star shone through the thick cloud that hung-over head 'something is about to happen, I do not know when or where, only that it will be soon.'
Aragorn looked at his friend and then the mountains afar, he trusted his friend's instincts to be true, he had not been wrong yet. The two of them then stood in silence, the only sound to fill the air was the wind whistling through the buildings below.
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The Palantir burned in Pippin's hands, a deep voice spoke to him in his head, probing his mind and torturing him for information. Pippin pushed the presence back, fighting with every fibre of his being but he knew that he did not have the strength to keep fighting the dark presence. Images flashed in his mind, a city in flames, he did not recognise the place that he saw but he felt like he would soon enough. Suddenly the images disappeared as well as the pain, then all went dark.
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'You cannot hide… I see you'
Legolas' eyes shot up as a voice sounded in his head.
'Your people will die' said the voice again causing Legolas' stomach to sink 'The time of the elf is over your majesty. Your home shall burn.'
'He is here.' Said Legolas as he looked at Aragorn with terror-filled eyes.
He spun around with feline grace and ran back into the hall. He could feel the Dark Lord's presence getting stronger as he sprinted towards the room that he knew Gandalf had laid sleeping with the Seeing Stone by his side. He swung the door open to find Pippin writhing on the floor with the Palantir burning in his grasp. Without thinking the elf grabbed it from the Hobbits hands.
Every nerve in his body began to feel like they were on fire, he screamed out in pain as images flashed before his eyes. Images of his home burning, his father laid slain upon his thrown, the bodies of his people strewn across the woodland realm. His legs began to buckle as the pain became too much for him to bear. Aragorn caught the elf as he fell to his knees, his blood ran cold as the Legolas let out another agonizing scream. His blue eyes began to glow white in the dimly lit room, causing The ranger to gasp in shock. The prince fell on his back, the impact causing him to lose grip of the stone, allowing it to roll across the room. His vision blurred as he looked to his side to see Aragorn knelt over him. Darkness took him, the distorted sounds of people voice's hummed in his ears as he allowed himself to drift in and out of consciousness. The magic running through his veins like burning poison.
Aragorn pulled Legolas into his arms, the elf was pale, blood poured from his nose, staining his blonde hair.
'Legolas my friend, you must wake now.' He said, his voice shaky as he looked up at Gandalf.
The wizard had managed to revive the Hobbit much to the ranger's relief. Gandalf quickly ran to Aragorn's side, his heart racing as he saw the state in which the elf was in.
'Can you help him?' asked Aragorn quickly, looking at the wizard with worried eyes.
'The Palantir is a powerful tool, full of dark magic that is poisonous to the Sindar.' Said Gandalf as he placed his hand upon the prince's brow 'I will do all I can for him, but he held the stone for a long time. I do not know how much damage has been done.' Finished the Wizard as he placed a comforting hand on the Ranger's shoulder.
Aragorn nodded and then looked back at Legolas who lay still in his arms. If it weren't for the gentle rise and fall of his chest, one could almost think him dead. The elf's skin was a pale white, his lips had turned purple. Aragorn pulled the elf into his arms and lifted him gently; as if not to wake him from a deep slumber. He carried him quickly to the great hall where Éowyn stood with a worried look on her face.
'What happened?' She asked suddenly as she ran to the ranger's side.
'He took the Palantir from Pippin.' Replied Aragorn quickly.
Éowyn placed a gentle hand on Legolas' face, the elf had fascinated her since he arrived, she had heard tales of the elves but had never met one. He was just like the stories described, tall, elegant and unnaturally beautiful. He walked around silently and startled her several times, appearing almost out of nowhere.
'Lay him down here.' She said softly as she led the ranger to where she had been sleeping only a few moments before.
'Thank you' said the ranger as he placed Legolas down gently 'why are you still awake my lady?' he asked as he turned to face her.
'I was awoken by the commotion' she replied as she sunk to the elf's side 'is the young hobbit okay?' she finished as she placed a fur blanket over the elf's prone form.
'He is well, Hobbits are a resilient folk.' Replied Aragorn, his eyes fixed on his unconscious friend.
'If Pippin is okay then why is Legolas not?' she asked, confusion replacing her worry.
'Dark magic is poisonous to Legolas' kind.' Replied Aragorn as he looked up to see Gandalf walking towards them 'this is beyond my skills as a healer, his life depends on Gandalf's magic.' He finished as he nodded at him in acknowledgment.
Eowyn looked up to see the white wizard stood before her, she smiled and stood so that he could inspect his patient. For what felt like an age only silence filled the hall as Gandalf muttered inaudible words under his breath, Aragorn felt like he couldn't breathe as he watched the wizard work. Slowly Legolas began to come to, his face crunching in pain.
'Welcome back young Greenleaf.' Said Gandalf as he placed a comforting hand on the elf's chest 'how do you feel?' he asked as he smiled at the wincing elf.
'Like my blood has turned to fire.' Replied the elf as his eyes shifted from the wizard to Aragorn 'I saw Mirkwood in flames, my father dead along with all of my people.' Continued the elf as he began to shake.
'If Mirkwood were destroyed we would have heard of it, my friend.' Said the Ranger softly.
'I would feel it if something had happened.' Replied the elf as he closed his eyes, the burning pain running through his body like molten lava 'but it was so real.'
'Rest now my friend.' Said Gandalf as he stood up and looked at Eowyn 'take care of him, my lady. He is weak and not out of danger yet. If his condition changes come find me.' His gaze then shifted to Aragorn and his face became serious 'get some sleep, we need to speak in the morning.' With that, he turned and left.
Dawn arrived quickly, Legolas was still in a bad way and the images he saw still haunted his thoughts. He pulled himself to his feet, his legs threatening to give way beneath him. The hall had started to fill with guards and servants and not wanting them to see him in his weakened state he pulled himself to a dark corner and allowed himself to lean on one of the many extravagantly carved pillars that filled the room. He looked up to see Aragorn approaching him with a concerned look plastered across his tired face.
'Legolas! How are you feeling.' He asked as he placed a comforting hand on the elf's arm.
'I am well Mellon.' Replied the elf as he used every fibre of his being to mask the pain he was in.
'Aragorn, Legolas we must speak.' Boomed Gandalf as he walked towards them.
Legolas and Aragorn nodded in acknowledgement as Gandalf turned back the way he came and walked towards Théoden who stood before a roaring fire.
'Legolas you should rest, I will come and find you later. You shouldn't be on your feet yet.' Said Aragorn as he looked at Legolas with worry etched in his features.
'Aragorn, I will be fine I promise. Let's just see what Mithrandir has to say.' Replied the Elf as he pushed himself away from the safety of the pillar.
Slowly they made their way to the rest of people Gandalf had gathered. Merry and Pippin stood gingerly by the fire that burned in the centre of the hall along with Théoden and Gimli also.
'I have spoken with Pippin regarding what he saw when he held the Palantir, but also what he may have told the Dark Lord.' Gandalf paused as he looked at Théoden 'There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool… but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring.' Gandalf paused, and everyone let out a sigh of relief at this news 'We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith.'
Aragorn looked to Legolas, he could see the shakes that wracked his tired body. His face was sickly pale, his eyes fixed on the fire. They were glassy and lifeless causing Aragorn's stomach to sink, he knew that his companion was in a bad way and he was unsure of how to help him. Aragorn returned his gaze to Gandalf who was also watching the elf with concern.
'His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: he knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed; there is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner.' He paused awaiting some response from the people around him 'He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.'
'Tell me… why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?' Said Théoden suddenly causing everyone to look up in shock 'What do we owe Gondor?' he finished as he looked at Gandalf.
'I will go!' said Aragorn as he looked up at Théoden with frustration in his eyes.
'No!' said Gandalf suddenly causing Aragorn to look at him in shock.
'They must be warned.' He replied quickly, taking a step towards the wizard.
'They will be... You must come to Minas Tirith by another road.' Said Gandalf as he walked to Aragorn's side 'Follow the river and look to the black ships.' He said quietly as he looked at the ranger through the corner of his eye.
He turned to look at the rest of the group, taking in the general expressions they all wore. Legolas was looking at him with pain filled eyes, he could sense the fear that emanated from them. Never before had he seen the elvish prince in such a vulnerable state.
'Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith.' He paused and looked at the Hobbits 'And I won't be going alone.' He finished as he stared at Pippin.
The Hobbit looked uncomfortable under the wizard's watchful eye, he looked around at the others to see them all looking at him. His gaze drifted to Merry who stared at him with a mixture of judgement and worry. They had never been separated before and he knew that it would be a while until they saw each other again.
'Come, Merry, we must leave imminently.' Said Gandalf as he left the room as swiftly as he entered it.
Everyone followed suit, leaving just Aragorn and Legolas alone in the dimly lit room. The clicks of the fire echoing through the hall. Legolas was the first to move as dizziness hit him like a great wave. He swayed on his feet, as images of fire and death flashed before his eyes and screams of terror filled his ears. Then everything went black. Aragorn caught the elf as he fell to his knees, fear filled his friend's eyes.
'Legolas… Legolas what's wrong?' asked Aragorn as steadied his friend.
'Death, so much death.' Said the Sindar, his eyes wide.
'Legolas come back to me, focus on my voice.' Said Aragorn as he took the elf's face in his hands, desperately trying to bring his friend back.
Legolas went limp as his eyes rolled back in his head causing Aragorn to react quickly, catching the elf in his arms before he hit the floor. Quickly he glanced around to see if anyone else was in the room with them but alas they were alone so he quickly scooped the elf up in his arms and carried him down the hallway towards the infirmary. He entered to see Éowyn scurrying around the room, grabbing labelled bottles and placing them in a large wooden cabinet that stood proudly in the corner of the room. She stopped in her tracks as she saw the ranger stood in the doorway with a limp Legolas in his arms. She quickly placed the bottles she had in her hands on the table beside her and ran to Aragorn's side.
'What happened?' she said as placed her hand on the elf's feverish brow.
'I think he had a vision, he looked as though he were possessed. Then all of a sudden he collapsed.' He replied as he quickly carried the prince over to a vacant bed.
'I will find Gandalf.' Said Éowyn as she practically ran from the room.
Aragorn sank into the chair that sat beside the bed Legolas now lay unconscious in. He wondered what was happening to his friend, what the Palantir had done to him. He sat in silence, watching the gentle rise and fall of his companion's chest. He hoped that Gandalf may shed some light on what was happening to the elven prince, and he prayed that the Wizard could save him.
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Well I hope that you guys like the story so far. I will update the next chapter in the next few days. Love to hear your feedback.