Guardian; Chapter 17: The Old Tree
Story Info
Title: Guardian
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Third Age of the Sun
Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure (“AU”)
Rating: T / FRT
Characters: Legolas, Thranduil (, OCs)
Summary: Soon after Legolas’ birth, there was a bodyguard chosen for him, as had been the custom in the royal family. But how was Rafél chosen to this task, and did he accept his new duty immediately and without hesitating? How did the young Prince of Mirkwood receive his guardian? And most of all, how did they befriend and grew inseparable…
Part of the history of “The Last Journey”. Complete.
Warnings: Violence, mentioning of death.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 17: The Old Tree
Old, decomposing leaves made a rustling sound as Legolas walked through the valley. Dead branches filled the forest floor or still hung from the trees. There was no song from the growing things. Their voices were agitated, silent, even hostile. They made Legolas shiver.
All of the trees seemed evil and corrupted to Legolas, and he wondered if he would ever find that one tree he was looking for. Or was he even in the right valley? Maybe the trees had guided him wrong… Then he saw it, growing slightly apart from the other trees, the long, thick limbs mingling with those of its neighbours. An old tree. There was no mistake that this was the one.
Swallowing his fear, Legolas walked closer, finally reaching the root of the tree. It was great and old, its shadow freezing the blood in his veins, it seemed. Cold fingers seemed to creep up and down his back, and Legolas stared down, afraid to touch the bark that seemed too dark to be healthy.
But I must climb up, Legolas told himself. Or else I came here for nothing.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Legolas closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he gazed at the tree before him defiantly, placing one hand upon the bark. It felt cold. It made him fear again. But he had made up his mind. He would climb.
Taking the first leap towards the lowest branch, Legolas focused to the climbing, leaving out the other feelings and senses. In a matter of seconds, he was up in the tree, feeling a great rush of pride and joy as he reached the point where the largest branches switched into smaller ones. He had done it! something that no other had dared before him. Or so he hoped. At least he had won himself. Now he could leave this cursed place…
Something sifted in the dark. Startled, Legolas spun around, his mind screaming that something was wrong. Then there came a hissing sound from behind him, and Legolas spun again.
And then he screamed.
A shrill sound of terror tore itself from him before he could stop it.
Dozens of eyes stared at the young Elf, and a huge, black body moved itself from the shadows. A giant spider stared down at Legolas, welcoming its next pray with a low, pleased sound.
From the corner of his eye, Legolas saw that other dark figures emerged from the branches, and in few moments, he was surrounded by dozens of great figures. Strange sounds filled the air, and the feel of darkness made Legolas shake like a single leaf in the throes of the wind.
For the first time in his life, Legolas was truly afraid. He knew he would die. But he didn’t want to die, however. And so, he ran.
to be continued…
Story Info
Title: Guardian
Author: Del Rion (delrion.mail (at) gmail.com)
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Era: Third Age of the Sun
Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure (“AU”)
Rating: T / FRT
Characters: Legolas, Thranduil (, OCs)
Summary: Soon after Legolas’ birth, there was a bodyguard chosen for him, as had been the custom in the royal family. But how was Rafél chosen to this task, and did he accept his new duty immediately and without hesitating? How did the young Prince of Mirkwood receive his guardian? And most of all, how did they befriend and grew inseparable…
Part of the history of “The Last Journey”. Complete.
Warnings: Violence, mentioning of death.
~ ~ ~
Chapter 17: The Old Tree
Old, decomposing leaves made a rustling sound as Legolas walked through the valley. Dead branches filled the forest floor or still hung from the trees. There was no song from the growing things. Their voices were agitated, silent, even hostile. They made Legolas shiver.
All of the trees seemed evil and corrupted to Legolas, and he wondered if he would ever find that one tree he was looking for. Or was he even in the right valley? Maybe the trees had guided him wrong… Then he saw it, growing slightly apart from the other trees, the long, thick limbs mingling with those of its neighbours. An old tree. There was no mistake that this was the one.
Swallowing his fear, Legolas walked closer, finally reaching the root of the tree. It was great and old, its shadow freezing the blood in his veins, it seemed. Cold fingers seemed to creep up and down his back, and Legolas stared down, afraid to touch the bark that seemed too dark to be healthy.
But I must climb up, Legolas told himself. Or else I came here for nothing.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Legolas closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he gazed at the tree before him defiantly, placing one hand upon the bark. It felt cold. It made him fear again. But he had made up his mind. He would climb.
Taking the first leap towards the lowest branch, Legolas focused to the climbing, leaving out the other feelings and senses. In a matter of seconds, he was up in the tree, feeling a great rush of pride and joy as he reached the point where the largest branches switched into smaller ones. He had done it! something that no other had dared before him. Or so he hoped. At least he had won himself. Now he could leave this cursed place…
Something sifted in the dark. Startled, Legolas spun around, his mind screaming that something was wrong. Then there came a hissing sound from behind him, and Legolas spun again.
And then he screamed.
A shrill sound of terror tore itself from him before he could stop it.
Dozens of eyes stared at the young Elf, and a huge, black body moved itself from the shadows. A giant spider stared down at Legolas, welcoming its next pray with a low, pleased sound.
From the corner of his eye, Legolas saw that other dark figures emerged from the branches, and in few moments, he was surrounded by dozens of great figures. Strange sounds filled the air, and the feel of darkness made Legolas shake like a single leaf in the throes of the wind.
For the first time in his life, Legolas was truly afraid. He knew he would die. But he didn’t want to die, however. And so, he ran.
to be continued…
Story Info