Of Futures Past (Legolas)

21

It was soon afterwards that the Fellowship set out from Lothlorien, bearing the gifts of Galadriel. Alana nervously pocketed the vial of Lorien's spirits, a gift from the Master of Visions, Dreams, and Desires, and the Vala who had gifted Alana her foresight. 

Do not use his gift, my dear child, except when absolutely necessary. The toll on your body will be high.

Galadriel's words resonated in Alana's mind as they set off in their canoes. Legolas, who was sitting behind her, watched her intently as she fingered the vial, gazing off towards Boromir's boat with a conflicted expression.

"What is on your mind, meleth nin?" Legolas asked in a low voice so the others would not hear.

Alana felt her shoulders relax slightly at the sound of his voice, and she forced a tired smile on her face. "Many things I hope shall not come to pass." but know with certainty are unavoidable.

Alana knew, her time was near. The reason she had joined the Fellowship, the life she was to somehow save, was soon, within days at most, and she had not yet seen what she must do to achieve it. It was times like these where she wished her gift would just give her the final answer, what should she do? But it was not so, her own actions she had to decide herself, the precision of her visions did not stretch so far as to take away her own decisions.

Legolas nodded uncertainly, continuing to paddle as they went down the river, and they sat in silence until they were far from the shore, only listening to Gimli's quiet, but open weeps.

"I have looked the last upon that which was fairest." Gimli said between sobs. "Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift."

"What did my grandmother give you, Gimli?" Alana asked curiously, not having seen the gift. The two elves looked at the dwarf at the front of the boat interestedly.

"I asked for one hair from her golden head." Gimli sniffled, wiping his runny nose. "She gave me three."

Alana's eyes widened, knowing that Feanor had once requested Galadriel's hair in the making of the Silmarils, which she had denied. "That is truly a wonderful gift, Gimli. My grandmother must think highly of you."

Gimli just nodded between his tears, and they continued on, the three boats holding the Fellowship all in a line as they passed the Argonauth.

Soon afterwards, they followed Aragorn's canoe pulling in to shore at the foot of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, pulling the boats out of the water onto the gravelly path. As she stepped foot on land, Alana felt the dread like a veil over her soul and understood—it was nearly time.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north." Aragorn ordered, beginning to set up the camp.

Gimli snorted. "Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Pippin looks up, alarmed, the rest of the hobbits matching his frightened face. "Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!"

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength master dwarf." Aragorn replied calmly, making eye contact with the dwarf, who huffed in response.

"Recover my...?! Phrrrrr..."

Alana had yet to move, her mind occupied. It is soon. As Boromir moved past her, her body sprang into action, her hands beginning to prepare their campfire. Then, she noticed Legolas talking to Aragorn in hushed whispers.

"We should leave now." Legolas told him.

"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near...I can feel it!"

At this, Aragorn looked over at Alana, taking in her deadened, but determined expression and the subtle shake of her head until his expression matched her own.

"We must wait." Aragorn decided, looking back at Legolas. 

Alana then found the strength to stand from her place by the fire and approached the two, her face almost old-looking in its somberness, with eyes that had seen too much.

"The journey will only become more perilous. Without Gandalf, there is much more room for error, and the amount of variables affecting our journey only increases. The Fellowship must not waver." Alana shifted her eyes from Aragorn to Legolas, taking his hand in hers. Aragorn nodded as she glanced back at him and walked away. "Legolas... Trust me, please."

Legolas grabbed both her hands, pulling her closer. "Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye? What is happening?"

"It is not a goodbye. Goodbyes mean forever, and I certainly will not die. I am the one of us that is guaranteed to survive this war. You just... may not be happy with me for some time, so I want to... I just couldn't go without warning you in advance. Just, trust me, please." Alana said softly, her raging emotions desperately trying to break out of the cage she'd put them in, with no luck. Now was not the time for vulnerability, the time was too near, and there was no room for distraction. As she brought his hands to her lips, kissing them gently, Merry came back with firewood.

"Where's Frodo?" He asked.

Legolas looked away from Alana in alarm, checking the shore only to see that he was indeed gone.

Alana sighed, checking her visions. "He has gone to clear his mind, but he will come across Boromir who will try and fail to take the ring from him." Everyone's eyes widened, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli grabbed their weapons. Alana turned to make eye contact with Aragorn. "You will find him at the top of Amon Hen, and we will be attacked by Saruman's Uruk-hai. Should we all fight valiantly and play our part, we will all survive." Everyone noticed that Alana's eyes looked dead of emotion, but the determination shining through had them trusting that she was right. They could all survive.

"I will stay to protect the hobbits, Frodo is your priority." Alana said, reaching over and squeezing Legolas's hand one last time before gathering the three remaining hobbits to find a place for them to hide, for now. "And remember, not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall."

Now. No time to turn back. It is time now for my fate to overcome me. I will save you Boromir. 

Legolas... Forgive me. I think I may hurt you again.