For Pride, For Gondor

V

Legolas walked ahead; Boromir was right behind him. Legolas guessed that Boromir was heading to Rohan, allies of Gondor. He would hide the Elf and then go before Theoden asking for supplies. He would be given a horse and some food and be sent off to Gondor. With a horse they would move at a much faster pace and gain even more distance on Aragorn, Gimli, Merry, Sam and Pippin. There was no hope of rescue, just as there was no hope for escape. Boromir had stolen some of the Elvish rope from the boats of Lorien and tied it around Legolas' hands, unbreakable, save by Elvish blade, but Boromir had dumped Legolas' daggers on the shore.

Legolas had seen the looming figure of Edoras, long before the Man of Gondor. A looming cave rose up before them. Boromir shoved Legolas inside. He undid the bond tied around Legolas' wrists and held him against the wall. There was a rather heavy log lying on the floor of the cave. No man, nor Elf would be able to move it themself. Boromir looped the rope around the log and tied a secure knot, before pulling Legolas over to him and fastening the rope tightly about his throat. "Stay, I will not be long", Boromir growled as he crept out of the shadows of the cave and back into sunlight.

Closing his eyes, Legolas pictured his home, Mirkwood, where his father Thranduil was King. Thranduil was known for his cold and unforgiving attitude, as well as his fiery tongue. Elf, Man and Dwarf alike feared the King of Mirkwood and many would rather face a battalion of orcs than engage in a discussion with Thranduil. Perhaps Legolas was the only one able to converse with the fiery King, without getting his head bitten off in the process. Legolas smiled, his father's attitude sometimes led other to believe that any of the house of Oropher had a short temper. Though it was true that Legolas was not to be underestimated in battle, physical or verbal, he generally adopted a serene demeanour, upholding the grace of the Elvish race, specifically one of royal lineage.

Caught up in his thoughts, it did not seem like long before Boromir's shadow appeared at the mouth of the cave. Behind him trailed a large, white horse by name of Arod. Boromir untied Legolas motioned for him to climb onto Arod. Boromir sat behind him and clutched the reigns, raring to go.

Arod spurred forward with a leap and continued at a steady, yet swift pace. The two rode through the night, Boromir not daring to leave any room for Aragorn to catch up. They followed the road along the Eastfold to Minas Tirith. The White City glowed in the moonlight, as they rode forth through the gates, Boromir was hailed by citizens of the city. Making their way through the courtyard where the bare White Tree stood, dead and pale, a symbol of the majesty Gondor formerly to upheld. Legolas and Boromir dismounted from Arod, Boromir gripping Legolas' arm like a vice the entire time and stepped foot in the hall of Kings long gone.

Denethor sat on a black chair, placed beside a grand staircase that led to an ornate golden throne at the top. Boromir walked through the hall, pushing Legolas forward and their steps echoing through the grand hall. "My son, what is this you have brought before me?" Denethor's voice boomed. "An Elf, father. An Elf bearing the greatest asset we can have for war against the Dark Lord". Understanding dawned on Denethor's face, "They are coming, I have foreseen it. Bring him closer now, my son, let me see the trinket he carries." Boromir bumped Legolas forward and made him walk. His footsteps made no noise in the hall. 

Legolas stopped in front of the chair, now feeling the Steward's cold gaze in the full. Legolas thought of the times he had stood before his father like this, after acting up. His father would never hurt him however he couldn't predict what Denethor may have in store. "Speak. Who are you? How has my son come to know you? And what is it you bear? Speak now." Legolas looked up, "My name is Legolas Thranduilion, I am the son of King Thranduil of the Elven Realm, Greenwood. I bear an object that hold a power of which your feeble mind is unable to comprehend. You cannot use it for your own purposes, it will only cause harm to your people." A slow, rattling laugh filled the hall, it seemed to penetrate Legolas' very heart. "Fool! I would have thought that Thranduil would pass onto his spawn greater wisdom than it seems!" Legolas held his chin high, defiant, "I will not head your words, for you are the fool! I have been counselled by Mithrandir and Lord Elrond. You will not put my burden to use!" Legolas turned on his heel and made to walk out, totally forgetting Boromir standing by the door. He was grabbed and dragged back before Denethor where he was pushed to his knees. Boromir's hand fished around for the Ring, still hidden beneath Legolas' shirt. Finally finding his prize, Boromir pulled the silver chain from around Legolas' neck and gazed at in wonder. Denethor's jaw dropped in amazement. "So," he said slowly, "it is true. Isildur's Bane has returned to Gondor. We now have an asset of the greatest power at our disposal, I fully intend to put it to use, despite what some naïve fools may say." Denethor gave Legolas a sharp glance. 

The large doors swung open, and a man stood in the doorway, desperately gasping for air. He was fully armoured, save his helmet, which he held in his hand. "My lord," he panted "they are here! His forces, they are here!" Denethor stood up immediately, "Rally any man able to bear arms! We must fight!" as soon as the words had escaped his mouth, sounds of a fight outside the hall could be heard, seconds later, Uruk-Hai and Haradrim were bursting through the entrance and into the hall where Denethor, Boromir and Legolas stood. The room where the Ring was dangling from Boromir's hands.

A/N

HAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 1038 WORDS!!! LITERALLY A THIRD OF THE STORY SO FAR

I spent 3 days on this by the way...I spent one day on the other chapters...can you see why they're so short now?????

Im actually so tired, I haven't slept properly since last year (not exaggeration) 

istg i cried at school today because I remembered the the My Chemical Romance reunion concert is in Brisbane this month and im not going because mother and father do not respect Gerard Way for the ANGELIC voice he possesses. 

For my fellow emos:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0yHIyAr62BHWSRkAbmw8WB?si=cfe6f95d0f574cc4

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2B2mopXqtlo4b0RIpRmNDC?si=699f5ebcaad04ce8