Within Dreams [A Legolas love story]

Inauspicious Circumstances

The Black Gate loomed up starkly, silhouetted in the blue sky.

"It is still impenetrable," Legolas said, gazing up past the topmost watchtower, now abandoned.

"We must go around," Maldor pointed out. "And it is getting darker."

"Soon, then," Faewyn said. "We must find a way into the mountains," she called back to the men.

"Aye, miss," said one, and another raised a hand. "If I may, my Prince?"

Legolas looked to him, and he spoke.

"Although the evening draws near, there is a section of broken rock which, once traversed, leads to a way in."

"There does not appear to be another option," Legolas agreed. "We follow you."

The man nodded. "I am Bern, at your service."

"You have our thanks for journeying with us," Legolas smiled.

"Pleased to be of assistance," Bern said. "The way will be easiest through here."

We turned our horses and followed after the Gondorians.

It was dusk, and long shadows cast themselves on the pale ground.

I looked over at Legolas, who stubbornly refused to meet my gaze.

Wasn't that what I wanted? For him to make me a shadow of his life?

I urged on my horse, desperate to flee, but it didn't escape me that his eyes followed me, searching me.

The dark air felt thick.

"There is still some here," Legolas said, concerned. "Gianna, stay with me."

I almost gave in to his tone, urgent and pleading.

"I can take care of myself," I said coolly. Legolas looked at me, hurt in his eyes. He turned away.

"Thank you," I added inaudibly from the part of me that regretted everything I had said since this morning.

I tried to nudge Eärlin forward but the stallion reared suddenly, leaving me clinging onto his back.

"What is it?" I breathed. I nocked an arrow and pointed it into the darkness.

A shout went up and the men of Gondor drew their swords in a single sound of scraping metal.

I wheeled around, searching for Maldor and Faewyn. Faewyn was at the head of the men and Maldor was hovering behind me. The usual sense of unease was magnified into a crippling sense of panic. Silent figures started leaping from the cliffs above, startling the horses.

"Do not think we are unarmed," Legolas said from above a steep ledge of rock. How he had gotten there I had no idea, but now was not the time to wonder.

"I have no doubt you are armed," said a figure from behind me. I looked behind me to face a short, muscular man. His coarse features were grotesquely accented by thick silver piercings in the light of a flickering torch he bore.

"Who do you answer to?" I called, narrowing my eyes. I tried to focus on the need for knowing who these people were, to keep myself and everyone safe.

"Anyone who keeps the truth," he snarled, cocking his head.

"What truth do you speak of?" Legolas called, his voice ringing like a clear bell in the night.

"There is no respite from evil," laughed another from the veil of darkness.

"We keep it alive so others may accept it," a smooth tone added.