THE RED RIDER ; lord of the rings {legolas} ✔

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XVIII

We camped along the borders of Rohan, in valleys and along the shadows of the mountains. We stopped only in the middle of the night and set off once more by dawn.

With Guldurelon, it had only taken me four hours to get to Minas Tirith, but it'd been a hard gallop with no stops, and each day we were being joined by new troops from across the Mark. There was lots to do in preparation for battle, but for the most part, I stayed out of it, minding my own business and doing what I was told.

It'd been a long while since my time with the elven army, but with every passing day I was brought back to a new memory that I'd long forgotten. Marching to war brought back many memories I'd buried deep within me, hoping to never see again - it awakened a spirit within me, the spirit of the Red Rider.

During the ride, I was also able to consider the changes between Oreldes and Elenathrian, and was constantly wondering whether I'd only become the Red Rider because there was no one else to be. She'd remained with me, the same fighting flame, through every battle, and I recognized her now as we rode for Minas Tirith, the first time I'd really felt the flame since Moria.

At Helm's Deep, I'd been doing my duty as Elenathrian, but now, I was able to connect Oreldes and Elenathrian through the Red Rider - a fighting spirit that sought peace with herself and those around her. A restless spirit that sought something unspoken and searched for it with each fight, not quite finding it. I think I knew what it sought, what I sought. I nallan en gaear. But I wasn't quite ready yet.

One particular night, I stood atop a cliff, facing the stars. We were on the road towards Dimholt - the door under the mountain. I frowned. Something awaited Aragorn there, a challenge he had to face. There was something he needed for that - something quite important.

I had no time to do this myself, for there remained only a day or two till we arrived there, so I had to do my best to send a message through the sky towards Rivendell.

I chose a star, one that I knew was visible above Imladris, and channeled a single phrase through it : en'tamin i macil Elendil'o. Reforge the sword of Elendil.

There was only one person in Rivendell, now, and I knew Lord Elrond was bound to get my message.

Nearly silent footsteps sounded from behind me, barely disturbing the tall grass.

I spoke clearly but quietly, not moving my cloaked head, instead watching the encampment of five thousand strong at least below. "Ech anglenna'nin thî, ach men pen'carfa il lefnar, Legolas." (You approach me now, but we have not spoken all week, Legolas.) Neither of us spoke as he joined me on my perch, watching the men below us prepare for war. I awaited a response; all week I'd been missing his presence. I hadn't really realized how close we'd gotten until he suddenly wasn't there anymore.

We stood shoulder to shoulder in silence for several moments just looking over the edge of the low cliff. Starlight and moonlight shone down on us, the only light we had from up here, though small fires dotted the ground below us around the tents.

Finally, I turned my head towards him, lowering my red hood. "Why do you not speak to me, mellonin?" I asked quietly.

"I cannot say, Elenathrian," Legolas said finally, not looking at me.

I frowned. "You can't do that to me, Legolas. All week, you've been distant, avoiding me, yet the day before we were dancing together. You must say something, give me some reason why you've been doing this." He didn't say anything, or even turn towards me, and I began to get frustrated with him. "Farn, Legolas! Pol'd al'dartha dínen di sen!" (Enough, Legolas! You cannot stay silent with this!)