A Monster Like Me ~ Legolas

Ashes on the Wind

Legolas awoke to the constant moving of a horse, rocking beneath him. He was leaned against Eowyn's chest as they raced for the protection of Helm's Deep. Women and children followed them on foot, but Eowyn was aware that getting Legolas away from Forn was more important, and so they rode ahead.

"Where is Forn?" Legolas gritted out, the pain in his chest still nearly overwhelming.

"Do not worry about that now," Eowyn said. "We must focus on keeping you hidden."

"Perhaps I should speak to her," Legolas murmured his eyes closing as the pain overtook him with a fresh wave.

"She would not give you the chance," Eowyn stated, pressing their steed into a faster pace. If Legolas could speak it meant that they were making progress away from Forn. "Besides, you cannot even keep consciousness in her presence."

"Why are we running? Should we not stay and fight?" Legolas opened his eyes only slightly, before quickly closing them again. The light of the sun was too bright, too harsh.

"Imagine a world where Sauron has a dragon and a rider on his side," Eowyn said softly, pushing their steed to a slightly faster pace. "You are more powerful with Forn than you are apart, we cannot let you both succumb to darkness. We would be powerless against you."

"But I am powerless without her, powerless... I can doing nothing in your battle without Forn by my side. The darkness plaguing my soul is simply too much. I can do nothing without her. I am useless..." He trailed off, becoming too weak to speak. Eowyn only pressure her steed to move faster.

"You are the only one who can stop her," Eowyn said softly. "We need you, you are our only hope." But Legolas had already lost consciousness and her words fell on deaf ears. 

~*~

The men were not faring well in the battle against flames. Only a small band remained, the rest either dead or were in the process of fleeing. Aragorn and Gimli both stayed, hoping to talk sense into Forn and protect those remaining. But Forn showed no sign of hearing their words, no sign that she understood them, no sign of stopping her rampage. 

Aragorn was weary and began to understand that they were fighting a battle that could not be won. The men that remained behind spent most of the battle hiding behind structures that could not be burned. They were not fighting. They were prey ready to be eaten. 

Gimli was exhausted, his face streaked with soot. The city the resided in the night before was reduced to smoldering embers, the structures ashes on the wind.  It was pure destruction with no end in sight. An unfathomable end to a pitiful journey. Gimli was afraid he was about to meet his end. 

Aragorn carved his face in stone, attempting to conceal the fear that was consuming him. How many more men would die on the battlefield? How many? It was a terrifying thought and he knew that the destruction would not end here. Forn would find Legolas again and she would tear apart the walls of Helm's Deep to get to him. 

Aragorn loves Legolas like a brother and he knew that killing Forn would destroy the elf he cared so much about, but he was beginning to see no other option. He was losing hope. 

Aragorn drew an arrow from the quiver strapped across his back. His aim was not as strong as Legolas', but it was still true and he trusted the arrow to go where he wished it to go. Slowly, Aragorn stood from his shelter. Forn turned her bloodthirsty eyes towards him. Aragorn released his arrow. It flew straight, going exactly where he intended. The arrow impaled itself in the center of Forn's black chest. 

~*~

Legolas awoke again, this time as he was being transferred to a bed. He quickly returned to the world of dreams and Eowyn combed his hair away from his face. He looked peaceful when he was asleep, but Eowyn knew of the war that raged inside of him. 

When Eowyn left the room, she locked the door behind her. She was unsure if it was to keep the elf in or to keep others out. She slipped the key into the bosom of her dress, walking quickly down the stone steps. She must attend to those arriving. She must take care of her people.

~*~

Forn bellowed in agony, falling to her knees. She was confused and in pain, she briefly wondered if she was dying. Where was her Greenleaf? Why was he not with her as she died? What had she done to drive him away? What could she do to get him back? Why was she dying? What had she done to deserve to die away from him? Was he alright? Had whatever killed her also killed him? Was he dying?

Forn bellowed again but her agony was no longer physical. She yearned for her rider, reaching out with her soul but finding him nowhere. She was to die alone, without him, as he had died without her. Diamond tears fell from her eyes, she lay her head down on the ashy ground and mourned. She deserved this pain, he had died without her and now she must die without him.

~*~

Aragorn and Gimli slowly approached Forn. Crystals were puddled near her feet and more trickled down. She was not dead. Aragorn and Gimli knew little of healing dragons, but they would try. Aragorn pulled the arrow from her chest and watched as some of the blackness came with it. They were making progress... but how would they get the rest out.

~*~

For the first time since he and Forn were separated, Legolas was having a wonderful dream. His mother was dancing with him in the garden, flower petal rained around them. Legolas never wanted to wake.

~*~

Forn. A soft voice called to her. She opened her eyes, taking in the one who had spoken.

Aragorn. She responded mournfully. 

You recognize me? The human questioned hopefully. Forn made no response only closed her eyes, content to die alone. 

Forn, what is it that you wish? The dwarf was speaking now. She wished they would go away, she did not deserve their company. 

Leave me, fools.

But why would we do such a thing? When we can reunite you with the one thing you need the most? Forn's eyes shot open. 

Where is he?

Follow us.