Told y'all I'd get it up before Sunday!

The blow from Gandalf's staff sent me tumbling off Aragorn. Quickly, I returned to a crouched defensive position. I could still feel the blood on my face from where Gandalf's staff had split my cheek.

It was only when I saw Mithrandir and Gimli leaning over Aragorn, where he lay panting in a puddle of blood, that I realized what I needed to do: go with them to Isengard. On the journey, there I can leach off their supplies of Lembas bread, storing it away until it's time to begin my journey to Mordor. Once in Saruman's domain maybe—

No, can't do that.

Maybe I can convince Lum to go with me, she can help protect the Ring from those who would want to steal it.

And then, while we're still at Isengard, I... I can dispose of the hobbits.

But first I had to gain my adversaries trust back.

So, I dropped the dagger. I stumbled back until I tripped and fell on my bottom. I stared at my bloody hands in horror.

"What have I done?" I whispered in faked agony.

"What have I done?"

I looked up, eyes wide, to see the dwarf and wizard staring at me with mistrust in their eyes.

"Forgive me," I pleaded.

Only stares.

"Forgive me, please, I-I—the Ring—I-it took control. I-It—" I took in a shuddering breath and ran a bloody hand through my hair, only to have my fingers get caught in the tangles.

I started to shake—I stood and unbuckled the sheathed daggers (now just dagger) and threw it to the ground, along with my arrows. Along with the knife that was strapped to my thigh. I kicked the weapons away from me.

"Take them—I don't want them near me." They only stayed hovering over the panting human.

"Please!" With my eyes wide, I cradled my hands to my chest as if I was afraid my hands would reach out and hurt them.

The dwarf lumbered forward, keeping one eye on me, and took my weapons.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to him before he returned to his friend laying in a puddle of blood, still keeping that eye on me.

I waited, making sure I kept well away, eyes as wide as ever.

The wizard put a hand over the human's arm, making the human groan, and started to mutter a spell. The human's eyelids fluttered and his breathing speed up to the point of hyperventilation. He started to writhe and he began making weird sounds of humanly pain.

The dwarf held him down, "hold onto life, my friend. The pain is almost gone."

Then, when the human's breathing returned to normal and when he fell into unconsciousness, the dwarf spoke again. "What of his ear?"

They both looked to where part of his right ear lay in blood. "I cannot fuse it back to his ear... maybe stiches could work..." he shook his head, "but we don't have the materials."

"What if you used the string from my bow?" I stepped forward.

The wizard assessed me, seemed to like what he saw.

Good.

He shook his head, "too big—and I won't risk infection."

"H-how can I help...?"

Again, the wizard assessed me, "carry Aragorn to the alcoves."

I did as I was told.

*********

When dawn came the human awoke with a jerk, his face pale. But when he saw me he froze, almost like he knew I had watched him through the night, and slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position from where he lay on the soil.

I cocked my head to the side, "what do humans dream about?"

He didn't answer, only winced when he put pressure on his arm.

"It's a genuine question." No answer.

But then I remembered what I was supposed to be doing. I held out a hand to help him up. He tentatively took it.

"I'm sorry—about yesterday. It—it was the Ring."

The human only stared at me.

"I gave them my weapons. I don't want to hurt you—any of you. Please forgive me, mellon."

The dwarf came lumbering up to us, "It's true, Aragorn, he turned in his weapons to us."

The man, always too quick to forgive and forget, nodded. "Good. Let's hurry up and get to Isengard. I want us to get there by morning two days from now."

*********

I watched the human closely during our journey. I did well in injuring him. He's always pale—indicating loss of blood, and the scratch on his throat has healed and scabbed over. A third of his ear is missing. What remains of his ear is still covered in dried blood. His arm on the other hand was by far the worst, I realized with delight.

A makeshift bandage, made from of his sleeve, wrapped around his bicep. I noticed that whenever he uses his arm for anything his face turns a sickly green. I made sure I apologize multiple times and even helped him do tasks.

Even though I've been acting like the 'good' Legolas, I still don't think I've convinced them that "Legolas" is back.

So, I did the only thing I could think of that would convince them; I talked about Lumornel.

It was when we were all laying under the dark canopy when I began to talk. I had been thinking about how to go about this all day, but it was as if a buried part of myself rose around the control of the Ring and talked. Perhaps that is what happened.

--- --- ---- --- --- ---

"Do you think Lumornel is alive?" I whispered—the old Legolas whispered.

No one answered. But they've been doing this ever since I—he hurt Aragorn.

"Did I ever tell you guys how much she loves books?" I smiled up at the dark canopy.

"I once took her to my family's library and I thought her heart would burst with excitement," I shook my head, "I don't think I've ever seen that much awe on someone's face before."

I sat up, trying not to let those images of what could have been done to her filter through my mind. But I couldn't stop the onslaught of thoughts.

I couldn't stop the thought that she might already be dead. An image of crows picking at her lifeless body came to me.

I put a fist to my mouth. Squeezed my eyes shut, but the image and thought wouldn't leave.

She's not dead, she's not dead, she's n—

Aragorn set a hand on my arm, "have hope. She may still be alive."

And I hoped that she is better off than I am.

--- ---- --- --- ---

Sunlight filtered through the trees above, a light breeze causing a symphony of clashing leaves. Water droplets fell from the greenery, going drip drip drip in the puddles below. Birds sang songs in the sky above Fangorn. A creek gurgled somewhere ahead. Far off my elven ears heard air whooshing around something moving, the low groan of its joints hinging and unhinging, heard leaves crunching underneath its weight.

I made sure I looked like I was deep in thought, concern always on my face.

The dwarf fell into step beside me, "Legolas, think about something else. Pondering over that lass of yours will only do you harm."

I nodded, my face grim. "It's just that though. My mind always finds its way back to Lumornel." I didn't care that I was revealing Legolas's inner thoughts.

"She reminds me of Elbereth you know, in her beauty—which matches the brilliancy of the stars. She even possesses her light." The wizard peeked over his shoulder at me.

"And it's not just her beauty, it's that way she crinkles her nose when she laughs, bites the inside of her check when she's worried, twirls her hair on her finger when she's concentrating. Her personality too—she's sassy when she wants to be but is always kind. Even though it's hard for her to trust, she always tries to be friendly."

I sighed, "Sh—"

The human stopped me, "we should stop here, refill our water skins."

I wasn't sure whether he said that out of discomfort on the subject or because his arm was needing a rest. Probably the former, we still had plenty of water left.

Tomorrow we'll be at Isengard, but if I was traveling alone—without a weak injured creature—I'd probably already be there. For a moment I considered leaving, I'd get Lumornel and head to Mordor early but... if there were too many orcs...

I'll stay with the group. 

*********

I awoke with a start, the cool night breeze feeling good against my hot skin. I could feel my hair plastered to my face with sweat. Flashes of the night terror filled my vision as I stood, bile worked its way up my throat. My skin suddenly felt like fire.

"...Legolas...?" Gimli questioned sleepily.

"Just... go to... relieve myself..." Snores answered back.

I hated that this nightmare haunts me always. It's like shadow that I can't get rid of.

I stumbled away, almost tripping over my feet, and didn't even make it to the cover of bushes when I vomited once, twice. I upheaved the contents of my stomach until there was nothing left. My throat burned, new sweat accumulated on the back of my neck, my forehead, and lip.

The memory of the nightmare came to me again and the dark of the night pressed down. Even the star-light wasn't enough to drive away the dream.

I dry-heaved once more. Saliva hung from my lips in long tendrils. I dug my fingers into the damp soil, trying to ignore the puke in my hair. I crawled away from the pile of vomit and my sleeping companions. Leaves crunch under my hands and dirt stuck to my sweat.

The worst thing is, I thought in dread, is that it's not a dream. It was real.

The dark forest above me, around me, suffocating me, reminded me of that day all those years ago.

And what happened that day is all my fault, entirely my fault. I wish I could turn back time and listen to my father, heed his words. Maybe then I could spare myself from all this gut wrenching guilt.

If people knew what I had done, they'd treat me like a monster. But maybe now I really am a monster. I had almost killed Aragorn. If Mithrandir had come a second later... he really would be dead. I would have killed the only heir to the throne of Gondor, a people's savior. All because of this weight around my neck.

I forced myself to my feet and the world tilted. I stumbled through the mysterious forest, putting one foot in front of the other. And when I couldn't go on, I crawled and dragged myself to put as much distance as I could between my friends and the monster that I am.

*********

Something prodded my boot.

Probably a squirrel, I thought in distaste. Morning light filtered down softly, turning my vision under my eyelids pink. And then I remembered the night before. The old Legolas awakened when that memory had come in the form of a dream.

I sat up quickly. Blinked.

The human, wizard, and dwarf stood at my feet. It was the dwarf who had prodded my foot. I struggled not to scowl at them all, I would have preferred a squirrel.

Judging by the position of the sun, it took the group most of the morning to find me—

"Legolas, are you alrigh—"

"I'm fine," I snapped perhaps a bit too quickly.

A giant splash sounded from somewhere up ahead, followed by voices. I jerked around to where I had heard the sound.

"How far are we from Isengard?" I didn't take my eyes from the spot I had heard the noises. The others didn't have the hearing to hear it.

"Less than half a day's ride," the wizard answered.

"I think we're practically there." I looked back to the others to see question in their eyes.

Sighing I said, "I hear something through the trees." I pointed.

"In the direction of Saruman..." the wizard mumbled.

I gave him a withering look that said no, the other way.

I lead the group through the winding trees, not caring if the human wanted to lead. I didn't care he was basically a king. I have the Ring, he should listen to me. I have the power, he should be following me. He's no king, just a ranger lost in the woods.

Up ahead a large imprint lay upon the ground, mosquitos infested the shallow pool of water that lay inside it. Another lay a hundred yards away. Either some kind of animal had a funny way of burrowing or something truly giant walked through these fields. I hastened my pace.

I heard the sharp intake of breath as the dwarf saw what I saw.

And then the air around us seemed to die as we stepped into a ruin.

Desolate, misty, land stretched before us. Tree after tree had been torn down to jagged stumps, stray branches and twigs littered the ground, rotting leaves housed mushrooms. The scene continued for miles. Miles. The air seemed still and no crickets sang, no birds or animals played, as if they, too, were mourning for the lives that were lost here. The very air was quiet.

But none of that mattered to me.

For before me, and down a hill, Orthanc stood tall and proud. Well, it would've produced that emotion if it were not for the rubble laying around it. Or the debris that floated in the murky water that flooded the plain. My elven eyes saw three small figures sitting on a stone wall, one of them had his face in his hands. The other comforted the hobbit and the third and final hobbit—my eyes narrowed—sat in silence.

Sam. My lip twitched wanting to snarl at the hobbit. And do worse things.

The travelers at my side will not force me to hand over the Ring just like that. It's mine, my own, my precious. The precious is a part of me now, taking it away would be like ripping out my lung. It needs me just like I need it.

I can't even imagine life without it. It would be like... like... like a world with no air to breathe. Or like living in a world where you're the scum that everyone spits on as they pass by. Not feeling its low thrum of power would be like not having a heartbeat, it'd be unnatural. And I feel like I need more of it—that power. It's intoxicating.

"It looks like a horde of mumakil took a detour through here," someone grumbled from behind.

Indeed, it does. In fact, if I wasn't seeing an Onod ((AN: what elves call an Ent)) walking around the grounds, that's what I would be thinking. As we came closer I became awed at the Onod. It was so... ancient. They had the soul of Yavanna and the beauty and knowledge of Ea. The Onodrim are... truly works of art.

I shook my head, trying to clear it from such thoughts. I have no need to be thinking of beauty and nature.

We were close enough that the blind-as-bats group behind me could finally see the hobbits... Sam... and the Onod. Their pace picked up a notch. I struggle not to sneer at them. And rip their throats out.

I am not handing the precious over. Not now, not ever.

I let them go ahead of me as I fell behind. I let my eyes search for that someone, expecting to see star-white hair shift and glisten in the wind. But I didn't see that, nor did I see those tree-green eyes or that lightly tanned skin.

My heart rate picked up. Where is she?

But then it clicked into place. I looked back at the solemn looking hobbits that now looked up at my group. I saw the dried tears that made paths of clean skin, saw the new tears form in their eyes.

No.

It couldn't have happened.

I fell to my knees, felt the stares as I held my head in my hands.

"It wasn't supposed to have ended like this," I whispered, "not now."

Not ever.

The warm heat pricked at the back of my eyes. I gripped at my hair.

"Legolas." My chest convulsed in a sob, although no noise escaped me.

"Legolas." I looked up with red eyes at the youngest hobbit, Pippin. "I never actually saw her die—"

I jumped to my feet, ran to him, put my eyes on his shoulders. "What did you see?"

"During—the battle, I-I, she got my attention using her... thing... but then the dam—it came crashing down and—" his eyes welled with tears— "and she ran back into Orthanc."

I smiled, glad she knew to get to higher ground—a sob from the hobbit got my attention.

"But she didn't go up, she went down—to the lower levels." My eyes narrowed-- Aragornpushed me back from Pippin. Why would she—

I didn't even care what would be the reason for the idiotic move, I burst out into a sprint. Water splashed around my knees, my hair got tugged on by the wind—

She's not dead, she's not dead, she is not dead.

I repeated this mantra over and over in my head. It was the only sound I heard. I couldn't hear the splashing water or my friends yelling at me from behind. Everything was silent except for my mantra and fast beating drum of my heart.

Looming Orthanc was in my grasp now. I ran into its murky depths, it's yawning blackness swallowed me whole.

--- --- --- --- ---

If it wasn't for my elven eyes I would have never been able to see. The water steadily got deeper the farther down I went. I ignored the fact that I was tripping on dead orc bodies, some of them floating on the surface. Water lapped gently at the walls.

The water came up to my chest. But where I need to go, I'll have to submerge myself. I desperately hope I won't have to swim for very long.

I don't take a long time to compose myself, I need to use every second to my advantage, otherwise Lumornel dies. Or maybe she's already dead.

No, I shake my head, I can't think like that.

Filling my lungs with oxygen, I plunge under the water. Dirty, bloody, water stings my eyes, but the water is so dark I can barely see two feet in front of me.

Down, down, down I go, staying close to the wall as pressure hounded my ears. Dead orcs littered the water, many died from wounds and others had drowned. Some of them floated, others had sunk.

How far down did this stair case go? I was suddenly very happy for my ability to hold my breath longer than any of my kin. Who knew such a talent would come in handy? But I—

There! A patch of the wall, darker than the surrounding structure stood out. Kicking my feet, I propelled myself to the door. I found the barrier to be metal and when I tried the door, it wouldn't open. In fact, it seemed to be locked.

I kicked it, but the water prevented me from kicking hard. Punching didn't do anything either. And screaming would only make me dead.

So, I did the only thing left for me to do, I pulled out the Ring from where it lay on my chest. I grabbed it in my fist and begged it to help me.

Please please please

Begging gets you nowhere

I don't care, I need your help

Silence.

I'll do anything. Please.

Anything?

Anything.

What if I wanted something?

I hesitated.

Tick. Tock.

Finally, I said, what do you want?

Ah, I can't tell you now. You must agree to the terms first.

I, again, hesitated.

Hurry, she's almost gone.

Do I take the risk with the Ring? Or do I risk finding another way in?

5... 4... 3... 2—

Okay! I'll do it!

I need to hear the words.

I didn't want to say it, but as I did I could feel the foreboding dread that would soon come, it's a bargain.

Now the rest

In the name of Eru Iluvatar,

I, Legolas Greenleaf, hereby bargain... whatever it is that the Ring wants,

In exchange for freeing Lumornel Nolatari,

If I fail to uphold my end,

Then my Fea and Hroa shall be separated,

... And I shall surely die

Bright light and a searing pain behind my ear engulfed me and then... it was gone. Along with the locked metal door that hung on its hinges looking like Morgoth's wolves had gotten to it.

Kicking and paddling through the door I saw a female with brown hair swimming around her, her eyes wide. And next to her... a body floated, a white halo of hair surrounding it.

Lumornel.

I felt my own eyes widen. My heart seeming to have stopped. She's... dead.

But then the—I caught sight of her ears—the elleth pushed my best friend towards me and patted her own heart.

I got the message crystal clear.

I rushed forward, my own heart beating thunderously in my ears, and put my ear to her chest.

... Thuh-Thump... Thuh-thump... Thuh-thump

A shudder of relief passed through me, her heart beat was there, just barely. And if her heart was beating...

I put my mouth around hers, creating a seal, and breathed into her.

I pulled away from her mouth and held her to my chest. I looked back at the elleth. Understanding lit her eyes and she tilted her head in a silent question, eyebrows raised.

I wasn't entirely sure what she was asking me but I didn't have time to answer. I jerked my head towards the doorway. She nodded and began to move.

Today isn't the day, today isn't the day, I kept thinking as I swam up towards the salvation of air. Lum is supposed to grow old and die, not this way. Not surrounded by cold, dark, forsaken water.

I swam a bit faster as my lungs began to burn. A faded, murky light lit the water above me. Thirty feet to the surface... Lumornel jerked in my arms... twenty-five feet... my limbs began to fall asleep... fifteen feet... the edge of my vision began to go black... ten feet... the urge to breathe became unbearable.

I have to breathe. I need air.

My lungs convulsed and I breathed in—

Air. Wonderful, sweet air.

But I didn't give myself time to relish in the wondrous air. I hauled my best-friend in my arms and ran to a spot of land that wasn't covered in this cursed water.

Laying flat on her back, pale skin glistening with water, blue lips parted ever so slightly... she looked dead. I went to work immediately. My lips encased hers and I breathed life into her, once, twice. I listened to her heart, trying to block out the sound of my friends running towards the scene.

Nothing. I couldn't hear the melody of her heart.

Instead of being engulfed by grief, I put my hands on her chest and started giving chest compressions. Two breaths of air. More compressions.

"Live, Lumornel, live!" I cried as my hands forced her heart to pump blood to her extremities.

I desperately kept trying to push the life back into her but it wasn't working.

I didn't realize tears flowed down my face until one dropped onto her lifeless cheek.

Please, I begged silently, please live. For me.

And then—

Her eyes flew open, she vomited up water. I turned her on her side as she hacked, filling our ears with the wet sound. We all held our breath, waiting for the haze in her eyes to clear.

And then her brilliant green eyes met mine, and she burst into tears. Her arms tightened around my neck, her head nestled into my shoulder. I let myself squeeze her back and hold her as her body shook.

"You came for me—you actually came for me," she pushed out between sobs.

I held her tighter, "of course I came, I would travel across Arda—Ea even, to get to you."

But then I held on tighter for an entirely different reason as the smug voice of the Ring enter my mind.

In the name of Morgoth,

I, The Ring of Power and extension of Lord Sauron, hereby bargain Lumornel Nolatari's freedom,

In exchange for Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil and Prince of Mirkwood's, Heart,

If I fail to uphold my end,

Then my Fea and Hroa shall be separated,

A dry laugh as the voice continues sarcastically,

                        And I shall surely die.

*********

"Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens"

    —Gimli

I really hope I italiced and bolded all the parts I was supposed to.

Did you like?

Any thoughts?

Now I gotta figure out what's gonna happen in the next chapter.

Novaer, mellonamin!