Authors Note: This story was inspired by a Plot Bunny of Cheysuli, which she gave free for adoption: Mirkwood Elves are kept as pleasure-slaves. Legolas is the slave of Aragorn, who is a jerk. When Aragorn takes him with him on the Ring Quest and the others of the fellowship find out, Aragorn offers to share his slave with them to keep them from attacking him. This Plot-Bunny was first adopted by Buegold in her thrilling story "Bound". However, the basic ideas of BlueGolds story settled itself within my head and and began to grow and multiply. What if Aragorn was *not* the irredeemable bad guy, but matters were much more complicated? And how keep a slave loyal who accompanied his master everywhere and was supposed to fight and guard his back?
So, I asked BlueGold if she would mind if I wrote a similar story based on her basic idea, and she gave her permission. Here it is. Hopefully my story will be original enough and different enough from Bluegold's to avoid the dangers of plagiarism. The idea of the Mael-Gūl, or Rhach e-Maelangwedh (Lust-Spell, Curse of Lustchain) however is entirely mine.

Beta: Part I-III: only myself. Part IV beta'd by Sureysmum. Thank you! All remaining errors are mine.
Warning: Slash, m/m, BDSM, torture, toys, d/s, hard stuff, very graphic; anal, non-con and debatable consent.
Rated: NC (M) -strictly adults only.
Pairings: Aragorn/Legolas (mainly), Boromir/Legolas , Gimli/Legolas , Others/Legolas.

Disclaimer: this is AU. Utterly and completely. I apologize to all Tolkien purists. I know the Master himself would rotate in his grave if ever he was confronted with anything like this. I know, Galadriel, Elrond, Thranduil and their Elves are not this way, and Aragorn is neither. But I simply had to write this, so please don't read if you don't like. You have been warned. Oh, and the universe I play in is not mine, nor are the characters; even the setting is inspired by a plot bunny of Cheysuli, as mentioned above. There are just a few original characters in side roles that are mine, and aside from that the whole idea of the spell is entirely my own. Go figure!

Languages: I am no great expert in Sindarin and have no clue to its grammar, therefore I will just use a few words of this language in this fic. So whenever Aragorn is speaking with Elves, consider the conversation is taking place in Sindarin, except if explicitly differently mentioned. At the council or among the Fellowship, he and everybody else is talking in Common Speech or Westron, except if differently mentioned.

For all other notes and warnings see Prologue and Chapter One.



Chapter II The Council of Elrond

Part I

It was near morning when Legolas silently slipped back into his masters chambers. Aragorn was already sleeping, but he looked as if he had made it back to his rooms only recently, too, and then had just barely managed to disrobe before he dropped into bed. His clothes and boots lay discarded on the floor were he had dropped them and the blanket covered him just half ways. He had not even bothered to close the drapes; for a ranger who was used to sleeping in the wilds it was not necessary to keep the light out to find sleep. Still, he normally used to be more careful and keep his things in order. He must have been completely exhausted.
Careful not to wake him Legolas picked the clothes off the floor, folded them neatly and laid them on a chair. Then he stored the boots at their customary place beside the bed. Only then he disrobed and slipped into the bed himself, careful not to wake his sleeping master. In the wilds, this would have been impossible, since Aragorn's honed instincts would have woken him even at the slightest movement or noise. But here in Rivendell the familiar surroundings told him he was safe and he subconsciously recognized his slaves well-known movements and scent, so he did not really wake but just rolled to his side in his sleep to give his bed partner room to snuggle closer. Legolas obeyed, settled comfortably into his masters arms and slipped into Elven dreams.

Aragorn woke to an empty bed. Dismayed, he got up on his elbows and looked around. He saw his slave silently slipping back into the room, carrying a big pitcher with fresh water. Legolas closed the door and placed the pitcher noiselessly beside the wash stand. Only then he turned around. He saw that his master was awake and bowed.

Aragorn groaned and let himself fall back into the pillow. His body was of the opinion that it was far too early to be up. Unfortunately the bright morning light drifting through the open windows said otherwise. The sun had already risen.

Still, he was in the mood to indulge a bit. He patted the empty space beside him and said: "Come to me, Little Leaf."

Legolas raised a brow. He knew well Aragorn had to be tired; after all his master had hardly got any sleep the night before, and obviously he did not get the chance to sleep much this night, either. Even so it was unusual for him to stay in bed well after sunrise. But then, perhaps he had decided to have a bit of fun before he rose.

Hesitantly and full of apprehension, yet obedient, the slave disrobed again and settled back into the bed beside his master. "Good morning, Estel" he greeted. "Did you sleep well?"

Aragorn smiled at him, relishing the contact to the warm body beside him.

"I did. Is there any chance for breakfast yet, or did we oversleep?" he asked.

A wide grin graced the features of his slave. "Why, Estel," Legolas teased, "I am dismayed! I had hoped with your recent habit of having meals waiting for me whenever I woke up you had already arranged for breakfast to be served to us here in your chambers!"

Aragorn looked at him a bit startled, but then he settled back into the pillows quite amused. It was good to see his slave recovered enough that he was in the mood to tease for once!

"Hmm, breakfast in bed," he mused, "already waiting. Let's see. This sounds like a splendid idea!"

Legolas saw the mischievous glint in his eyes too late and found himself suddenly on his back, straddled by the man who caught his wrists and gathered them in one hand. He gave a startled yelp.

"Maybe I'll have tied-up Elf," Aragorn said with a grin. Dismayed, he saw the sudden flash of fear in his slaves eyes and decided instantly to keep teasing instead of indulging in bed games. With a devilish grin he added: "Or maybe I rather have tickled Greenleaf!"

And with that, he began to tickle his slave with his free hand relentlessly, until Legolas gasped for air and begged for mercy. Aragorn grinned down at his laughing, wriggling victim. He was so pleased with himself that he loosened his grip on the Elf's wrists for just a moment.

In the next instant he found himself rolled around and on his back, straddled by his slave, who caught his wrists and smiled down at him. "I'd rather have tickled ranger!" Legolas said with a devilish grin.

For a moment, Aragorn was just too startled to react.

Since Legolas, being his slave, hardly ever fought back whatever his master did to him, it was easy to forget that the Elf, at least when he was healthy and well rested, actually was nearly as strong as Aragorn himself and much, much faster. Normally the archer did not use that strength and quickness against his human master, but now he was obviously in the mood to tease and had judged his masters mood as safe to do so.

Aragorn's second of hesitation cost him dearly because Legolas caught his wrists in one hand so he could retaliate and began to tickle him back until Aragorn tossed and wriggled helplessly under him and gasped for air.
Finally Aragorn could suppress his laughter just long enough and gather enough air to command:
"Stop! Stop it, Little Leaf!"

Dismayed but obedient, the Elf stopped his tickling attack instantly and let go of his masters wrists. Then he started to rise to get off of Aragorn's stomach, but was stopped by his masters hands that settled on his hips and held him there.

Aragorn looked up at him admiringly. Golden sunlight filtered through the open window and bathed his Elf in a warm glow. Aragorn watched with pleasure how the flush of their little wrestling match enhanced the healthy hue of his slaves skin, admired the shining golden hair, the lithe body, the well defined muscles of the powerful arms and legs and the hairless, flat breast and stomach. Legolas was strong again, his health fully restored. But most of all Aragorn liked the smile on his face and the mischievous expression in his eyes. It had been far too long since he had last seen his slave that way.

He smiled up at him. "You look well!" he said. "Did you have a good night?"

Legolas smiled back at him. "Yes, I did. Thank you, My Lord. It was good to hear news from my home again."
He saw Aragorn's slightly questioning gaze and hesitated a moment, then he added: "Thank you again, My Lord, for your generosity to let me spend the night in the company of my kinsfolk."
While he spoke he looked quickly around and gave a small, nearly imperceptible shake of his head that signaled a quick, wordless: "Not here!"

Aragorn looked at him a bit astonished, then he gave his slave a small, nearly imperceptible nod. He would postpone any questions to later, when they could speak without danger of being overheard, although he wondered what tidings would afford such need for secrecy. Still he trusted Legolas implicitly.

Instead he asked: "How fares your family?"

Legolas smiled joyfully. "They are well! My father is his old, temperamental self and he fares well, although he misses me. In the time when he is not busy ruling his realm he indulges himself in doting on my nieces and nephews, much to the dismay of my sister, who tries to teach her children some restraint. I am told my oldest niece has grown quite a bit since I have last seen her, and my youngest nephew just spoke his first word a few weeks ago."

Aragorn grinned at his eagerness. He remembered the little Elfling well from their last visit in Legolas home in Mirkwood, when they had delivered the creature Gollum. For Legolas sake he had agreed to stay a bit, and had watched his Elf play hide and seek and others games with his sisters children. That had been the last time that he had seen Legolas so happy. The little Elven toddler who had been unable to speak yet with his mere two years had shocked them all by determinedly climbing on the rangers knee and trying to taste his pipe. Aragorn remembered well the fearful shout of the boys mother, who did not trust the human master of her brother one bit, and Legolas expression of fear as his little nephew first tried to take the head of the lit pipe into his mouth, then settled on the mouthpiece and wrinkled his nose at the taste. Aragorn had rescued the situation by carefully prying the pipe off the little hands and setting it away, then sweeping the tiny Elfling up in his arms and high over his head, crying aloud: "Look here! The first and only smoking Elf!"

He had been rewarded with a joyful shriek and had to repeat the sweeping three more times until the terrified mother had rescued her Elfling of the sinister Adans hands. But Legolas had been delighted and had teased his master later for several days, because Aragorn had to suffer the curiosity of the other Elflings afterwards. After the little toddler had dared to get close to the strange human companion of this new, blonde Elf who had been presented to them as their uncle, they did not wish to seem less valiant, and Aragorn had been haunted by a group of Elf children who watched his every step and could not get enough of touching the scruffy humans strange round ears, and even more his beard. He had taken it graciously until he and Legolas had to leave a few days later. Legolas mood had been bleak when they left, and he had held him through a night of helpless crying and bad dreams. It had been over a week until he dared to take his slave again, and by then Legolas had been already deep in need and eager for his masters attentions, although they brought him pain. Later he had thanked Aragorn for the chance to see his father and his family again. His gratitude had moved the Ranger deeply, and he had gladly endured Elrond's later scolding for taking his Elven slave and important Mirkwood hostage with him to Thranduils realm. Again.

For the moment Aragorn shoved the memories away. Deciding to indulge his slave some more, he said: "Let me guess. Ada? Nana? Daerada ?"

Legolas shook his head and grinned. "That's what they all wished and competed about. I am told they actually each tried to teach the young one what he should say first. But in the end, it was 'coron' ."

Aragorn laughed aloud. "Your father must have been so dismayed!" he said, "I bet he had hoped his grandsons first word would be 'Thranduil'!"

Legolas snorted. "I doubt that," he said, "The outcome when he first tried to teach his name to me while I was still too small to pronounce it should have taught him better." Soundlessly he mouthed 'Tranny', and Aragorn gave another delighted laugh. He caressed the hips of his Elf teasingly. "I bet it took him a long time to live that one down," he said.

Legolas smiled. "Only a little more than four hundred years," he said. Then a sudden shadow went over his features and he sobered.

"I miss him, Estel," he admitted. "I miss them all. Very much."

Aragorn sobered also. Carefully he rose one of his hands and trailed the line of his slaves flat, muscled breast, then followed his breastbone down to the stomach and finally circled around the belly-button.

"I am afraid there will be no chance to visit them again in the near future," he said. "I'm sorry, Little Leaf."

With his other hand and a small rising of his hips he signaled his slave to get off of him, and when Legolas obeyed and settled himself cross legged beside him, he rose himself and sat comfortably in front of his Elf. Quietly and quickly he explained:

"The One Ring has been found. One of the Hobbits brought it here. Todays council will decide what to do about it." He looked earnestly at his slave. "Whatever the council will decide, I doubt that our travels will take us to your home again very soon."

Legolas eyes had grown wide.

"The One?" he said, "And it was carried by a Hobbit? That was the reason Mithrandir wished you to wait in Bree for Bilbos nephew?!"

Aragorn nodded. "And the reason why I had to leave you here. I curse that decision now, but Gandalfs reasoning was sound. An Elf lingering in Bree would have been too suspicious under these circumstances. Our need for secrecy was far too great!"

And with that he quickly filled his Elf in about his journey with the Hobbits including the fight with the Nazgul at Weathertop and Arwens hard ride to Rivendell to rescue Frodo. Legolas eyes were dark.

"I should have been there," he said. "I should have fought beside you!"

Aragorn nodded. "Yes, you should have," he said, "if only because then I could have taken care of you. However, Gandalfs counsel that I should leave you here was sound. We found that there were many spies in Bree."

His face was grim.

"Of course I could not know that my brothers would have the splendid idea to talk you into trying to wait for me!"

Legolas looked dismayed and blushed deeply.

"I am sorry, Estel," he repeated. "But it is not the fault of your brothers. It was my fault! I told you that I thought you would return much sooner..."

Aragorn watched him closely.

"Do you deny that it was their idea?"

Legolas blushed. "No," he said. "It was their suggestion at first, but..."

"And do you deny that it were them who convinced Glorfindel to go along with the plan?"

Legolas bit his lip.

"I asked Glorfindel to wait," he said. 'Tis true that they also spoke to him, but he would not have left me without asking me if I was willing to take the risk. I.. I told him I was. I... I'd understand if you wish to punish me for that, master."

He swallowed hard. He was not ready to bear Estel hurting him again just yet, not so soon after their carefree tickling match this morning.

To his relief, Aragorn shook his head. "I do not. I know that Glorfindel would not have left you without asking you if you were all right with this," he said, "but Glorfindel also thought if your condition became unbearable for you, you could always turn to Elrond. He would never have believed that my foster-father would deny you. But Elrohir and Elladan should have known better!"

He shook his head again. "Do not try to take the blame for that, Little Leaf. I will not punish you for this; it is over. You have given me your promise and I know nothing like this will ever happen again. Besides, I know a stupid idea of my brothers when I see one. It is noble of you to try to take the blame for this, but you are not the one at fault. They are, and they should have known better!"

Legolas hesitated. "I do not want to be the cause of a rift..." he began carefully.

Aragorn shrugged. "Too late. Besides, we have much greater concerns now. I fear I have to face my destiny quite soon." He saw the pale, fearful face of his slave and placed a hand on the archers arm.

"Do not fear," he said, "Whatever happens, we will face it together. I need you beside me in this fight, Little Leaf, and I will not give you up nor leave you behind again." He looked at him earnestly. "I can not help to hurt you to keep you alive, but I will not let you die. Not as long as I am able to prevent it!"

Legolas said nothing. Finally, he hesitantly said:

"If you wed the Lady Arwen..."

Aragorn hesitated. "Actually," he said, "I meant to talk to you about that..."

They were interrupted by a knock.

Aragorn stared a bit irritated at the door, then at his slave, then he took the blanket and wrapped it around both of them before he called: "Enter!"

It was Erestor. He stared with disdain at the two barely covered males, Adan and Elf, sitting within the bed together. Nevertheless he offered Aragorn a courteous greeting.

"My Lord Aragorn, my excuses. I did not know that you still indulged in bed play with your slave at this hour. Actually I meant to speak to your slave."

He turned to Legolas. "You, Mirkwood spawn!" he snarled. "You have no call to stay seated while in the presence of your betters! Rise!"

Legolas blushed furiously and bit his lip. He was completely naked, but taking the blanket with him when he rose would uncover Aragorn. Still, he could not risk to refuse, since Erestor would find pleasure in reporting this to Elrond and make sure that he was punished. And a punishment by Elrond was much worse than the worst and harshest treatment by Estel, even in Estels worst possible mood.

Reluctantly he started to rise without the blanket, but was prevented by Aragorn's hand on his shoulder.

"As you correctly said, Lord Erestor," Aragorn said icily, "it is my slave that you address. And he will rise and present his body to you only should I wish it. I do not!"

To Legolas he said: "Stay seated! Whatever Lord Erestor wishes to say to you, he can do so in my presence and while you sit with me. This is my chamber after all, and we are in my bed!"

He turned to Erestor again. "If you have objections to that, My Lord Erestor, you are welcome to take them up with me!"

Erestor fumed. Still, he could do nothing, for Aragorn was well within his rights to override any order to his slave by another person.

Icily he clipped: "Very well. Then keep your slave seated if you wish! Still I have to address him and bring him word of Lord Elrond!" He turned to Legolas again.

"Mirkwood spawn, it is the decision of our Lord that, since you are a son of Thranduil, you shall represent your father and your people at the council held in two hours. You will have to present your peoples news and their case, and you will have to answer for your fathers realm. Your station as a slave will not be discussed. If it has to be addressed at all, it shall be done in Elvish, since there will be outsiders present who shall not learn about our internal matters. Do not dare to fail in this, or the punishment will be harsh not only for you, but all of your people. Do you understand?!"

Legolas looked stunned. He opened his mouth to answer, then he remembered that he was not supposed to speak without permission - and Erestor was one who would be delighted of any excuse to punish Legolas or force his master to punish him. He gazed pleadingly at Aragorn and received an approving nod.
"It is well, you can answer him," Aragorn said. "you will need to speak freely and openly at the council if you have to represent your people anyway."

He saw Erestor fume and felt dark satisfaction at the Stewards impotent anger. If Erestor and Elrond had planned this as a farce and a way to humiliate Mirkwood, maybe he could throw it back into their face and use it to get back at them for nearly letting Legolas die.

Legolas gave his master an obedient bow and turned to Erestor again. "I do understand, My Lord Erestor," he said with his melodic voice. "It will be my honor to stand for my father at the council."

Erestor snorted disdainfully. Bitingly he said: "Then I suggest you end your bed play with your slave now, Aragorn, and send him to his people so he can hold counsel with them. And you," he said to Legolas, "I suggest you do so as soon as your master is finished with you here, for the day is waning and the council will start very soon."

"Yes, My Lord. Thank you," Legolas said politely.

Erestor glared at him, then he turned around without so much as an acknowledgment or even a final greeting to Aragorn. "Be there! Both of you!" he snapped, before he left and closed the door.

Legolas looked after him, then he whipped around to his master. He was startled. "Aragorn! I can not do that!" he said. "I have not lived in my fathers realm for eighty years! I have hardly a clue to his recent politics. How can I then hope to represent him? I do not even know all the new tidings of his realm, since I spent last night with much talk about private matters!"

Aragorn stopped him by taking his face into his hands.

"You will do well," he said. "I have seen you among your own people. It does not matter how long you have been away, you are still their prince. And if you think you can tell me that you did not use last night to learn all the important news and tidings of your home, and have me believe it, then you forget that we have been together and have known each other for over sixty years."

He leaned his forehead against the one of his slave and added a bit teasingly:

"Besides, wasn't it you who told me not too long ago that I should not fear my destiny and trust in my own strength? I think you should take a part of your own advice in this, my prince of Mirkwood!"

"I am no prince anymore, Estel," Legolas said bitterly. "I am a slave. Your slave."

Aragorn kissed him, a chaste kiss for once and only to the lips. "And still you are a prince. Their prince. Go now and take counsel with your people. They will want to discuss with you what should be said."

Legolas shivered. He hung his head.

"Aragorn, there is one more thing that you should know. Ill tidings my people brought, I fear..."

Aragorn shook his head and placed a finger on his slaves lips.

"Shh! I will hear it soon enough, at the council. Trust me, Little Leaf. You will do greatly. If Erestor and my foster-father did this to humiliate your father, I think they made a grave mistake, for I do not doubt that you will do him honor and he will greatly enjoy to hear such news."

Legolas hesitated. "But..."

Aragorn sighed and gave him a small shove.

"No 'but!' Go! I'll see you at the council. Besides, what better thing could happen? Now I will not even have to fill you in afterwards! You will be there and hear all news yourself."

Sighing, Legolas gave his master an obedient bow and said quietly: "As you wish, My Lord." Then he got up and went to wash and dress himself, and left to see his people.

_________ o ___________________



Part II

The council began one hour before noon, and Legolas sat there beside his people, clad for once in the raiment of a prince. He was introduced to the other participants as 'Legolas, son of king Thranduil of the woodland realm of Mirkwood', and only the present Elves - and of course Mithrandir and Aragorn - knew this for the dark joke it was meant to be, albeit nobody of them showed him derision. Aragorn himself took his place across from him, near the seat of Elrond. He was clad in fine garbs but was introduced just as Strider, a Ranger from the North, not as Aragorn, chief of the Dunedain. Obviously, he hesitated to reveal his true identity just yet to the present strangers.

Legolas studied the other participants with interest. He knew most of the Elves; he recognized Gildor Inglorion, since he had seen him a few times when Aragorn was in Eregion guarding the Shire with the other Rangers and Gildors people crossed their way, and he had once seen Galdor from afar. He was glad to see Glorfindel back in Rivendell, but could not give the other Elf much more than a respectful bow, since the council was just about to start when Glorfindel moved to his seat. He did not know most of the present Edain, though.
Some of the older ones were presented as Messengers from Dale and Laketown, but he did not recognize them, nor did they seem to remember him; it had been over eighty years when he'd last visited Laketown after all, just after it had been burned by the Dragon Smaug, and they had probably not even been born at the time.

He remembered the Dwarves of Erebor, yet recognized them not; one Dwarf was like another to his mind, and although the name of Gloin of Durins line tickled his memory, it did not tell him much until Gloin glared at him and Mithrandir asked the Dwarf to forget old slights in favor of the present dangers. Only then did it dawn to him that this old Dwarf probably was one of the thirteen his father had imprisoned, just before the Dwarves retook Erebor and Smaug was slain, and Dwarves, Men and Elves fought together against the Orcs in the Battle of the Five Armies.

Legolas shuddered. There were other memories linked to that one he did not really wish to recall. The Battle of the Five Armies had been the last time he had fought as a free Elven warrior of Mirkwood, not as Estels slave. And the time between that, before Estel... -- he did not wish to remember.

To distract himself he contemplated the Hobbits. He knew Bilbo very well, of course, but had never seen his nephew, although Bilbo had told him many stories about him. The old Hobbit had a kind heart and liked Aragorn's Elven shadow well. He knew by now that Legolas was a slave, bound to Aragorn by spell and law, since he could hardly live in Rivendell without finding out at least that much, but he had never let Legolas feel it. Legolas considered him as a friend.

The younger Hobbit was harder to discern. He seemed a little startled and much quieter than his uncle. Of course, given his recent brush with the Nazgūl and the One Ring of which Aragorn had told, that was hardly surprising. Legolas wondered where the other Hobbits of Aragorn's narration were. He liked the Periannath and loved it when Aragorn stayed around the Shire, since they were friendly people and worth fighting for.

Unlike a lot of humans. With interest and trepidation Legolas studied the man who had been introduced as Boromir of Gondor, son of the ruling Steward Denethor. When Aragorn had been in Gondor under the rule of Denethors father Ecthelion, he had rarely taken Legolas with him to the palace, since he feared to wake the Gondorian nobles desire for his all too beautiful companion and servant. He had also told Legolas to keep his ears hidden at all times, although it was hard to keep his nature a secret, and the soldiers under Aragorn's command used to share some gossip or other of 'Thorongil's Elf'.

Therefore Legolas remembered Denethor, and did so with small pleasure, but he had never seen his children. Small wonder; Boromir could have been hardly more than a toddler when they had been there. It was very clear the man did not recognize him, and neither Aragorn. Yet he was proud and seemed quite unaware that others beside his own people fought the shadow, too, and Legolas felt bitterness at his arrogance when he thought of his own people's long and desperate and costly fight against the enemy. Yet it was not his place to tell the man that others were suffering too. Let others do that if they had a mind. Or maybe the Gondorian would get a clue with time if he only listened.

So he stopped his secret study and concentrated on the tidings all the assembled messengers told. He listened with interest to the stories of Laketown and Erebor, the vision of Boromir, the Istar Mithrandir's tale of Saruman's betrayal, and his narration of the long and convoluted history of the Ring. Yet his heart sank more and more as he slowly began to realize just who this slimy and nasty creature Gollum had really been and of what importance it obviously was. Bitterly he thought: 'Curse you, Mithrandir, could you not have told us of your suspicions before?' Obviously, Gandalf had not even told Aragorn the whole truth why he needed to find Gollum.

He dared not to speak when Mithrandir finished his story of Gollum's interrogation. At length, it was Boromir of Gondor who spoke.

"He is a small thing, you say, this Gollum? Small but great in mischief! What became of him? To what doom did you put him? "

"He is in prison, but no worse," said Aragorn. "He had suffered much. There is no doubt that he was tormented, and the fear of Sauron lies black on his heart. Still I for one am glad that he is safely kept by the watchful Elves of Mirkwood. His malice is great and gives him a strength hardly to be believed in one so lean and withered. He could work much mischief still, if he was free. And I do not doubt that he was allowed to leave Mordor on some evil errand."

Legolas bit his lips. Oh, Estel! Couldn't you have listened to me this morning?! This was worse than he had feared. Still there was no help for it. Legolas knew he had to speak up now.

"Alas! Alas!" he cried and jumped up. "The tidings that my people were sent to bring must now been told. They are not good, but only here have I learned how evil they may seem to this company. Sméagol, who is now called Gollum, has escaped."

Aragorn stared at him, startled and dumbfounded. In his first anger, he could not stop himself. "Escaped?" he cried. "That is ill news indeed! How came the folk of Thranduil to fail in their trust?"

Legolas saw the dark flash of satisfaction of Elrond's face and gave his master a hurt and angry look. 'You ask that of me?!' he thought. 'I wasn't even there! And couldn't you have found another way to ask this question?'

Still, it was too late. He knew his people would dearly have to pay for this. Bitterly and slowly he said: "Not through lack of watchfulness, but perhaps through over-kindliness. And we fear that the prisoner had aid from others, and that more is known of our doings than we could wish. We guarded this creature day and night, at Gandalfs bidding. But Gandalf bade us hope still for his cure, and we had not the heart to keep him ever in dungeons under the earth, where he would fall back into his black thoughts."

And he told the council the story of Gollums treatment and escape, and of the failed attempt to recapture him. He did not spare to tell them the fate of the slain or taken guards, yet he doubted that any of the present members of the council did much care.

When he was finished, he looked at Aragorn. Estel had dropped back into his seat. He looked at him disturbed and apologetically, since he could well imagine what would happen now.

Yet it was too late. Elrond broke the silence.

"That are ill news indeed!" he said, his face dark and stern. "Mirkwood did us all an ill favor to let that prisoner escape. I fear we all shall dearly have to pay for it. Your realm owe penance for such failure of its trust, young Thranduilion."

Aragorn looked up, pale and alarmed. The three warriors of Mirkwood looked startled at their prince. Legolas straightened his back. With great dignity and a short, apologetic look at his master he stood protectively between his fathers messengers and the Lord of Imladris.

"If Mirkwood owes penance, Hir Brannon ," he said, "it will be my honor and my duty as the appointed representative of my fathers realm to stand for it."

Elrond looked delighted. Aragorn jumped up. "Legolas, no!" he cried in Elvish. "My Lord, he has no authority to offer this!"

Legolas answered quickly and quietly in the same language: "I'm sorry, My Lord. Yet I am the representative of my fathers realm in this council. It is my right!"

Aragorn stared at him, pale and angry, hands balled to fists. Elrond's voice cut through their wordless exchange.
"Havo dad, Estel !"

Defeated, Aragorn sank down on his seat. Still he looked at his slave darkly and with mute pain. Legolas shifted his concentration back at Elrond.

The lord of Imladris watched him with dark satisfaction and an expression of hunger in his eyes. Legolas realized that he had waited for this opportunity for a long time.

"Young Thranduilion," Elrond said in Common, "Your offer is heard and noted. We will later decide over this matter, since it is not a concern that needs to trouble this council."

Aragorn closed his eyes. 'Legolas! No!' he wanted to shout. He cursed himself. Why had he not anticipated this? Obviously Elrond had only waited for something like that. Now he had a reason to have Legolas punished, and not only to have him thoroughly tortured, but to do lasting harm. He might insist to have him mutilated, or even killed.

Aragorn opened his eyes again and glared at his slave, angry and full of grief. He watched Legolas mutely bow to Elrond and sit down again. Fiercely, he decided that he would not give him up. Not without a fight.

Yet for the moment, he could do nothing if he did not wish to make matters worse.

Gandalf decided to intervene.

"Well, well, he's gone," he said, consciously downplaying the matter. "That can not be helped now. What we must decide here is what we shall do with this Ring. We all need to stand together to face this one doom. All free people of Middle Earth need to stand united, or we will all fall. We can not afford to be divided by idle squabbling!"

He gave Lord Elrond a meaningful look, yet the Lord of Imladris held his gaze squarely and unimpressed. Boromir of Gondor interrupted their staring match.

"Well, we have heard a lot of this One Ring, Isildur's Bane," he said, a bit petulantly, "but we have yet to see it. Where is that doom you talked so long about? You said it has been brought to this very place. Show it to us now so we may see of what we speak!"

Elrond nodded, as if he had but waited for that request. He looked directly at the younger Hobbit.

"Frodo, bring forth the Ring!" he commanded sternly. "It is time!"

Legolas looked at Frodo and saw now he was alone. Bilbo had paled earlier in the proceedings, whispering an excuse to his nephew and sneaking away. Obviously he had decided not to come back then.

Palely and solemnly the little Hobbit stood up and walked to the middle of the council, where he placed a plain, unadorned, metal band that looked as if it was made of pure gold. It would have looked unimpressive, had there not been an air of power and pure malice surrounding it that felt as sickening as it was bewitching. Legolas became aware of a soft whisper at the fringes of his mind of a voice he could not truly discern, but could not really ban out of his awareness, either. It made him flinch. Beside him he could see that his fathers warriors seemed to feel the same, and Glorfindel, Gildor and Galdor too looked all if they felt their stomach churn. Across him he saw his master draw a grimace and huddle a bit into himself. It was clear that Aragorn also felt the voice of the Ring and did not like it. The reaction of the other Elves and men present, however, was vastly different.

Ah choral of awed "Ah!" and Oh!" surrounded him, and the man of Gondor spoke in awe: "So it is true!" Even more disturbing was the reaction of Erestor, and of Elrond himself. The Lord of Imladris had undoubtedly seen the band of gold before when he healed Frodo, and had he wished to take it for himself he could have done so then, but now he leaned slightly forward in his seat and seemed to watch the Ring with hunger. Mithrandir watched him with concern. But Erestor... the chief advisor clearly had not seen the golden band before. Raw hunger flashed across his face for just a moment. Only when Glorfindel, who sat beside him, spoke a quiet word and placed his hand shortly on his arm, seemed he to shudder and come back to himself. He paled and looked at the golden band with newfound fear, as if he had been woken from a dream.

Elrond had heard Glorfindel, too. He looked at Erestor, then and Gandalf, and forced himself to lean back in his seat. He seemed to reconsider his actions and gather his strength to resist the whispers. Or maybe he was just biding his time.

Frodo, meanwhile, returned to his seat. He seemed relieved. Obviously he had been loathe to carry the Ring and felt it as a burden.

The man of Gondor seemed to have no such objections. He watched the golden band on the table hungrily, as if he was about to jump out of his seat and grab it.

Yet it was one of the Dwarves who spoke first. Legolas vaguely remembered that he had been introduced as Gimli, son of Gloin.

"So this is the thing we have spoken of all day," he said. "It does not looks that much. How do we know that this is truly the One Ring, the weapon of the enemy?"

Legolas looked at him in amazement and irritation. Were Dwarves truly that blind and disconnected from the Great Song? Could they not feel the evil that emanated from the thing?


Gandalf stood up. He looked at him wearily. "Some, Gimli," he said, "would think that the pursuit of Frodo and all the tidings we have heard so far are proof enough that this is indeed the One Ring the enemy longs for. Yet there is one more test that I have taken, the one Isildur spoke of in his recount of the ring. Upon this very ring that you see here round and unadorned, the letters Isildur reported may still be read if one has the strength and will to set the golden thing in the fire a while. That I have done and this I have read:

'Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk,
agh burzum-ishi krimbatul'"

Legolas paled and stopped his ears, as did all the Elves around him. Mithrandirs voice had taken a menacing sound and dark clouds seemed to pass over the sky.

Frodo looked as if he was going to be sick, and Legolas felt as if he would join him. Across him he could see that Glorfindel had paled and looked like his stomach was churning, too.

Lord Elrond jumped up. He looked pale and shaken, and completely cured of any desire to take the ring.

"Never before has any voice dared to utter words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey!" he said as he could breathe again.

Gandalf nodded grimly. "And let us hope that none will ever speak it here again," he said meaningfully, and Legolas understood that this had been the whole purpose of Mithrandir's action.

"Nonetheless, I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. For if that tongue is not soon to be heard in every corner of the West, then let us put all doubt aside that this thing is indeed the treasure of the enemy, fraught with all his malice; and in it lies a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that the Ring Smiths of Eregion heard and knew they had been betrayed:

'One Ring to rule the all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to
bring them all and in the Darkness bind them'

This is the One Ring, and we can not allow the enemy to lay his hands back on it, or we all will fall!"

He sat back down. Lord Elrond seemed shaken. If he had pondered to take the Ring for himself, he had been waken up quite skilfully. The other Elves were also deadly pale. Even the Dwarves seemed convinced. Nobody seemed inclined to touch the Ring.

Except the man of Gondor.

Boromir jumped up.

"It is a gift!" he exclaimed, eyes glittering. "A gift to the foes of Mordor! Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, held the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept save! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!"

Legolas stared at him, barely able to believe his ears. Had the man of Gondor listened to nothing that had been said at this council? Had he missed the tale of the trials of Mirkwood, Aragorn's tale of Frodos pursuit by the Nazgul and of the guardianship of the Shire and Bree by the Rangers of the North? Even the tale of the cursed Dwarves should have told him that Gondor was not the only front line in this war and others had been loosing people, too. How could this thick headed son of Denethor stand there and be this arrogant?

Angrily, he felt the urge to give the Gondorian an overdue rebuke. He was saved from any comment by his master. Aragorn made a face at Boromir's passionate exclamation. Now he said intently: "You can not wield it! None of us can! The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master!"

Legolas looked gratefully to his master and got a small, wordless acknowledgment in Aragorn's gaze. He had the feeling that Aragorn had meant his words as much for Boromir as they were meant as another reminder for Lord Elrond, whose earlier temptation had not been gone unnoticed by his foster son.

Elrond gave Aragorn a veiled look; he had well understood the rebuke and he seemed a bit rankled by it, yet astonishingly enough he seemed rather accepting of the reminder to be on his guard.

Not so the man of Gondor.

Boromir seized Aragorn with a long look. "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" he challenged.

It was too much. Forgetting his position and all caution in his anger, Legolas jumped up.

"This is no mere ranger!" he exclaimed. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance!"
'Not to mention the very continued existence of your realm due to his time as Thorongil, when he was routing the threat of Umbar for your grandsire,' he did not add. 'You may just have been a toddler then, but I was there!'

Let's see if that ignorant child of Denethor knew even enough of his own history and that of his realm to recognize the names as belonging to the royal line of the lost northern kingdom of Arnor, Gondor's sister realm, now the only remaining heirs of Isildur and of Gondor's crown.

Across him, he could see that Aragorn briefly closed his eyes again. 'I will be punished for this,' Legolas realized. 'Oh, well. I fear it doesn't matter any more.' Well, Estel had said this morning that it was time for him to face his destiny. He would have had to reveal his true identity during the course of this council, anyway. Even so, Legolas send him a mute 'I'm sorry, master!' with his eyes as Aragorn gaze met his again. Aragorn just rose his brows and looked resigned.

Legolas would have sat down then, but for Boromir's incredulous words.

"Aragorn? Son of Arathorn?" the man of Gondor asked. "This is Isildurs heir?"

It was the tone. It had Legolas seething. 'And so much more than you will ever know, too!' he thought. 'I'm sorry, Estel, but I have to do this!'

In an bout of malicious satisfaction he added: "And heir to the throne of Gondor!"

Aragorn spoke up. He rose his hand. "Havo dad, Legolas!" he commanded.

Inwardly, the Ranger pleaded: 'Please, Little Leaf! Do not make this worse! I do not even know if I can yet get you out of this alive already!' He was all too aware of the expression of Elrond, who seemed like a cat about to consume the mouse. It was true Aragorn would have been forced to reveal his identity to the council during the course of their meeting sooner or later anyway, but for Legolas to do it unbidden was a very stupid idea. And to do it like this... 'Please, Little Leaf, sit down!'

To his relief, Legolas obeyed. Boromir looked derisively at him, then back at the man who had been revealed to him as heir of his own realms vacant throne.

He sneered. "Gondor has no king," he said. "Gondor needs no king!" And with that he resumed his place.

Gandalf got them back on their purpose.

"Aragorn is right," he said, as if it was the most natural thing of the world now to speak the newly revealed true name and identity of the Ranger, "we cannot use it. The Ring is altogether evil."

Elrond took this as his clue. "You have but one choice," he said. "The Ring must be destroyed."

Legolas was amazed. He had not really believed the Lord of Imladris capable to fight the temptation to take the Ring himself for good. Still, he agreed with the Lord of Rivendell for once. It was an enticing thought: the One Ring destroyed, Sauron gone for good, and with him the threat of Dol Guldur. Mirkwood would be free of the Shadow at last, and maybe without the constant fight against the Orcs and Nazgūl, they might even finally find the strength and numbers to throw off the oppression by the other Elven realms, even if it meant the death of all the hostages. Yet even without a rebellion they would at least not be caught between two front lines anymore, and Mirkwood may finally heal.


He did not know if he would be allowed to survive long enough to see it happen, now. After all, he just had offered himself, and his life, as payment for his peoples safety. But he wished he could see Mirkwood healed, or even be allowed to fight this war at Estels side. He owed Estel his loyalty, and it pained him to abandon him now.

Legolas was swept out of his contemplation by the reaction of the Dwarf, and it thoroughly startled him.

Gimli jumped up. "Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked and rose his axe, only to bring it down full force directly on the Ring.

There was a great crash and a cry. The axe broke into little pieces. Legolas could see both Aragorn and Elrond shield their faces with their hands, and Glorfindel flinched away, too. The Dwarf cried and fell to the ground. He looked amazed and seemed too startled to get up for a moment, until two of his people knelt beside him and helped him rise. Over all the commotion and at the fringes of his perception, Legolas could hear a malicious voice speaking syllables that sounded a lot like the hateful words of the Black Speech Gandalf had uttered before. Frodo flinched in his seat. The little Hobbit looked as if he had felt the blow to the Ring physically himself, and now sported a profound headache.

The One Ring, however, remained completely unharmed, unscathed and unscratched, as before.

Lord Elrond gathered himself together. With dignity, he said:

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there it can be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."

Legolas eye were wide. So this was what they were planning? Who would Elrond appoint to carry this out? Surely Estel would have to go. Aragorn had been in Mordor before. But with the Ring of Power? Would he have to face this suicide mission alone? And what if the One Ring tempted him? Would he manage to withstand? Surely he would need some companions!

Even so it was a mission bordering on madness. Carrying that thing through the wilds when every single servant of the enemy was out looking for it?! On the other hand it sounded mad enough that it could just have the chance of success, and it was ingenuous in its simpleness. It sounded very much like an idea Mithrandir would have, and Legolas suspected the Istar had been the one who convinced Elrond to go through with it. Suicide mission or not, it sounded like it was their one possible chance. Maybe, just maybe, there was real hope!

Yet not everyone shared his opinion.

Boromir spoke up again. "One does not simply walk into Mordor," the man of Gondor said. "It's black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled by fire, dust, and ash. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men you could do this!"

Legolas had enough. Didn't that ignorant Adan realize that he sat here in the company of some who had been already there? Legolas himself had never been to Mordor, since Estel left him behind the one time he had to travel there, but his own grandfather Oropher had perished before the very gates Boromir just described, together with two thirds of his warriors. Only to have their sacrifice, and the hard-won victory of the Last Alliance, later betrayed by Isildurs greed, and to be accused posthumously to have caused Gil-Galads death with their early demise and failure to submit their warriors to the command of the Noldor king. Legolas own father Thranduil had fought there. Even Elrond and Erestor, as little as Legolas loved them, had fought within that war, as had Glorfindel. More so, Legolas thought with pain of Mirkwoods south, corrupted by the long presence of Sauron, and since then his servants, in Dol Guldur. And that man talked as if nobody of them knew what Saurons touch on a land would mean?

And besides, didn't that son of Denethor realize that only the destruction of the Ring could bring an end to Sauron and final relief from the war against the Shadow? Relief for Gondor; relief for Mirkwood, too, at least from the threat of Dol Guldur! He was beyond caring now. Whatever his own fate, he had to make sure that his home got this one chance at least!

He jumped up.

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" he fiercely exclaimed. "The Ring must be destroyed!"

Yet not Boromir answered him, but the Dwarf who had attempted to do just that without success. Challengingly, Gimli said: "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" He jumped up in his anger, ready to face the hated Elf.

Legolas was startled. He had not realized he would provoke such a reaction from the Stunted One. Yet now it was too late. The man of Gondor jumped up.

"And if we fail, what then?" he asked. "What happens if Sauron takes back what is his?"

But it was the Dwarf again who finally tipped the balance. Clearly and pointedly, he cried:

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes and closed them briefly. He looked pained and resigned. 'Confound it, Legolas,' he thought, 'I did not think that you would take the task of representing your father quite that literally! Did you need to display his hot temper and his habits toward Dwarves, too?' Yet he could do nothing to stop what was happening now, so he remained in his seat, weathering the yelling and the angry arguments.

The Elves among the council jumped up as one. They advanced on the Dwarves who stood to face them and readied themselves to fight. Even the Elves of Elrond's household followed through. Only Elrond himself remained slumped in his seat, all too aware that he had completely lost any control of the situation.

They all heard Gimlis angry shout: "Never trust an Elf!"

That did it. Legolas felt old, long honed instincts of royalty and well-trained royal command taking over and completely forgot his position as a slave. He advanced threateningly two or three steps on the insolent Dwarf, who squared himself to meet him. Behind himself, he could feel his warriors advance, ready to fight, and his arm sneaked out, preventing them in a silent command. However that obstinate Stunted One made his blood boil, they were on Elrond's territory here and the Dwarf was Elrond's guest and under the protection of Imladris hospitality. Even if Mirkwood, and themselves, had all been free, they would not have been within their rights to attack here. Even so, his mind was in a haze, hot anger boiling within him he didn't fully understand. Yet he was too upset to care much about it.

He was not the only one. All the other Elves beside Elrond himself were on their feet, too. So were all the men except Aragorn. The Dwarves were standing too. All were shouting in anger at each other. Finally the wizard entered the fray.

"Do you not understand? While you bicker among yourselves, Saurons power grows! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"

Most of the assembly ignored him. They simply continued to argue and yell at each other. The only one remaining seated now besides Elrond and Aragorn was the Hobbit. Frodo looked at the Ring as if it held some odd fascination for him. Over the whole bickering, the angry arguments, he could hear the voice of the One Ring in his head, repeating the verse Gandalf had quoted earlier over and over. It was as if the golden band was riddled in flame, poisoning all around it with its malice. Frodo could hear clearly its voice:

'Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul.....'

Sick to his stomach, he cried: "I will take it!"

They did not hear. He jumped up and cried again. "I will take it!" he repeated. "I will take the ring to Mordor!"
Finally, Gandalf heard him and turned around to him. They all looked at him. The bickering died down.

In the sudden silence, Frodo repeated: "I will take the Ring to Mordor." More quietly, he added: "Though I do not know the way."

Gandalf seemed to recover. He gave the Hobbit a solemn bow.

"I will help you to bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," he promised, "As long as it is yours to bear." Solemnly and with great dignity, he made his way over to the Hobbit and placed himself beside him.

They all looked at them in wonder. It was as if they had awoken from a trance. Then, Aragorn stood. Determinedly he made his way over to the Hobbit.

"If by my life, or death, I can protect you," he said intently, "I will." he went down to one knee in front of him. "You have my sword." He stood up and placed himself behind Frodo. He looked at Legolas.

Legolas looked back at him. There was no question. Where Estel went, he would go, too. If he was still alive to do it.

"And you have my bow," he added without further hesitation. He went over to stand beside Aragorn. He caught the expression of his masters gaze, and it was one of renewed hope and veiled triumph. Aragorn turned his head to look at Elrond.

Elrond seemed angry and about to intervene, although Gandalf shot him a hopeful look. They were distracted by the Dwarf.

"And my axe!" Gimli said and went to place himself besides the Elf. Legolas rolled his eyes. Valar protect them! This was all they had needed! Yet he did not dare to speak. Before anyone could say anything else, Boromir intervened.

Proudly he stated: "You carry the fate of us all, Little One! If this is indeed the will of the council, Gondor will see it done!" He stood beside the dwarf.

Gandalf still looked at Elrond, who stood up now himself and watched them with wrinkled brows. Still, before Elrond could say anything, he was interrupted by a shout.

"Mister Frodo doesn't go anywhere without me!" A strange Hobbit sprinted forward out of the bushes, placing himself besides Frodo. Gandalf smiled at Elrond. Elrond relented. He sighed.

"No, indeed, Samwise Gamgee. It is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is invited to a secret council, and you are not!" He turned back to the others, but was interrupted by two more shouts.

"Oy! We're coming too!" shouted another Hobbit Legolas had never seen before. He realized that this had to be another one of the three who had accompanied Frodo to Rivendell. The Perian was accompanied by the forth of the gang, who looked a bit older. "You have to send us back tied up in sacks to stop it!" this other one said. They stood beside Frodo and the one called Samwise.

Elrond straightened up. He seemed taken by some kind of vision.

"Nine companion," he said. "So be it! You shall be the fellowship of the Ring!"

Legolas caught his masters eyes, who was looking at him with relief and hidden triumph. So Aragorn thought the matter of Mirkwood's penance closed. Legolas bowed his head. He doubted that it would be that easy.

He was proven correct with the next words of Lord Elrond.

"The council is adjourned," the Lord of Rivendell announced. "The midday meal will be served soon. I invite you all to meet us there again."

The Hobbits seemed all eager. Frodo went over to the little stone table in the middle of the council place to take back his Ring. The assembly slowly dissolved, when Elrond raised his voice again. "I ask my fellow Elves, however, to stay awhile. We have still to discuss the matter of Mirkwood." He shook his head at Mithrandir. "No, Gandalf, this is a private matter of the Elves. I suggest you go and talk the coming journey through with Frodo and the others."

Some of the Dwarves and the man of Gondor looked up at that with sudden distrust, but since the One Ring was safely back with the Hobbit and the Elves obviously did not intent to invite the Ring Bearer to their meeting, they let it go and left.

Aragorn stayed. He looked at his slave in alarm. His face fell. Legolas squared his shoulders. It was time for him to pay up, then.

__________________ 0 _____________


Part III

The meeting was held in one of the upper rooms of the house, one of the rare ones that had windows of glass and therefore was safe from eavesdroppers. When the present Elves including Elrond's quickly summoned guards filed up to climb the stairs. Elrond turned to Aragorn to stop him from following.

"Not you, son of Arathorn," he said sternly, "this is a matter of the Elves only. Go to Gandalf and the Ring Bearer and stay out of this!"

Aragorn looked squarely back at him and stood his ground. Rarely Legolas had seen him this determined and this fell and fierce. He looked positively kingly.

"Not so," Aragorn said. "Legolas is mine. He is my slave, and everything that concerns him concerns me, too! You will hold this meeting in my presence or you will not hold it at all. I will not let anyone decide over the fate of my very property without me!"

Elrond started to object, but Glorfindel intervened. "He is right, My Lord," he said with his clear voice. "Since Legolas is his slave, Aragorn is well in his rights to participate in this."

Fiercely, Elrond turned on him, but was stopped by one of his sons. "Let Aragorn participate, Ada," Elladan said. "After all he is still our foster brother and it is his concern as well."

Aragorn did not even spare the moment to shoot him a grateful look. He still faced Elrond fiercely and unrelenting. Finally, Elrond gave in. "Very well," he said, "but remember that this is mainly about Mirkwood, not about your claims!"

Aragorn stared quite back at him. "As long as it is about my slave," he said stonily, "it is my concern and is about my claims to him, too." And without another word, he started up the stairs right beside his slave. Elrond scowled at him but followed him without a further word.

In the meeting chamber, Elrond took his place in a comfortable seat that was a little higher and more richly adorned with fine carvings than the others, and motioned his fellow Elves to take their seats in the other chairs placed in a half circle around the room. Legolas remained in the middle of the room, shoulders squared. His fathers warriors had not been allowed to join them, and he knew he would only see them again after facing his judgment.

Elrond's two guards had left him when he stepped into the room and took their place at the door, as if Legolas could try to escape. Aragorn, however, refused to follow Elrond's gesture to sit down, and remained standing two steps beside his slave, fierce and grim, a silent sentinel to the proceedings.

Elrond motioned the guards to close the doors and turned to Legolas.

"Legolas Thranduilion," he began, "do you recall your recent offer to stand in penance for your father and your people?"

Legolas gave him a respectful bow. "I do, My Lord."

Elrond looked satisfied. "And do you keep to it?"

Again, Legolas bowed. "I do, My Lord," he said.

Now, Elrond's face showed a dark, delighted smile. "Very well, slave. Kneel!" he commanded.

Legolas obeyed. He knelt, head bowed, in the middle of the assembled Elves. Aragorn remained standing.

"My friends and allies," Elrond began, "we are here to decide over the punishment for the repeated failure of Mirkwood. This realm has failed its duty in its fight against the Shadow that threatens all our realms again and again. This last failure was of greatest importance, and it may yet bring great harm to all of us. We cannot allow this to go unpunished. And since the deed discussed here was grave, it calls for a punishment that will be harsh, thorough and memorable, and will be direly felt by Mirkwood's king and by its people."

Legolas did not dare to look up and suppressed a tremble. He had known that it would come to this. All he could see in his position was Elrond's face and his delighted, predatory smile. And Erestor's face and expression of triumph beside him.

Elrond continued: "This slave here, who is the youngest son of Thranduil, has offered and was allowed to stand in representation for his fathers realm and face trial for them. However, to make this penance worth its name, we can not allow this punishment to be anything else than lasting, since the outcome of Mirkwood's failure this time may well prove a lasting one, as well."

In this moment Aragorn's voice cut through the silence that followed his words.

"I have to take objection at that,"he said. "My Lord Elrond, this slave is mine. And he made his offer without my authorization."

Elrond said fiercely and icily: "Estel, sit down and keep your mouth shut. If you interrupt again, I will have you removed from this chamber."

Aragorn squared his shoulders and stood straight. He broadened his stance and looked ready to fight. "No, I will not," he said. "My Lord Elrond, I say again, this slave belongs to me. By law of Rivendell, I am well in my rights to be consulted if there is a decision to be made about his fate, and I will not suffer to be bereft of this right by you or anybody else assembled here."

Legolas swallowed. So this was what Estel planned. He just feared that Elrond would not stand for it.

Elrond said: "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, this slave is a Mirkwood hostage. And he has offered to stand in penance in his function as representative of his father and of his people at the council. In that function, it was his right to do so, and he has to stand for it."

Aragorn did not relent. He stared squarely back at him. "This slave may be a Mirkwood hostage, My Lord Elrond," he said, "but he was given to me as a gift for my majority by yourself. By any law of Rivendell, he is now my property and therefore he belongs to me. You would dishonor yourself were you to claim him back."

Elrond scowled. Legolas carefully rose his head to cast a look at his master beside him. Aragorn looked fierce and grim, every ounce a chieftain and possible king.

"However," Aragorn continued, "while Legolas made his offer without my authorization, he may still stand for it. Yet there are some conditions on which I insist."

His gaze sharpened. "If Legolas is to be punished, it will be my honor and my duty as his master to carry out he punishment myself."

Legolas stared at him in amazement, then bowed his head again. He supposed it was all right. Since he belonged to Estel, it was only right that it would be Estel who would be the one to kill him. He did not doubt that dying at his masters hands would be more merciful as if he was killed by an appointed executioner of Elrond's choosing. He saw Elrond perk up with dark satisfaction. So did Erestor; the chief advisor knew that killing or mutilating his slave would cause Aragorn pain, and saw the chance to finally get back at him.

Their hopes were stopped by Aragorn next words.

"But," he fiercely said, "I will accept no punishment that will do lasting harm. None that will kill, nor mutilate, nor disfigure him for good. This slave belongs to me, and I will not suffer myself to be bereft of him. I will not accept any sentence to him that render him worthless for my uses." After a moment, he added coldly: "And it will be me who will be the judge of that."

Legolas looked at him in awe. He had not expected Estel to fight for him like that. He bowed his head again and kept his face carefully blank. He did not dare to intervene or draw any undue attention. Pale and trembling he waited for the outcome.

Elrond scowled. "My Lord Aragorn," he said, "while you are in your rights to demand your property remaining useful to you, the fact remains that this slave is a Mirkwood hostage, a son of Thranduil, and he is to be punished as stand-in for his father and for his realm. We can't accept such limits. If you wish for another slave in compensation, we can arrange for that."

Aragorn held his gaze. "I do not wish another slave," he said. "I want this one. I repeat to you, Legolas was given to me by yourself, and he was given not as hostage of Mirkwood to take care of, but as a gift. He belongs to me in every way possible. I will not give him up. If he is to stand in penance, then the penance has to be one that, while harsh, will not do lasting harm. Nor shall it include any mutilation or disfigurement."

Elrond glared at him. He was about to object when Glorfindel spoke up.

"Besides," Glorfindel said, "Legolas is part of the fellowship of the Ring, now. He offered his bow to protect the Ring Bearer on his quest, and he is bound to this. Surely the mission to destroy the One Ring and save Middle Earth from the threat of Sauron is more important than any punishment to the Mirkwood realm for the escape of a single prisoner."

Elrond turned to him and glared at his vassal and chief warrior. Then he shrugged.

"Legolas made that second offer without authorization of his master, too," he said. "And it could be argued that he was not free to make it in the first place since it contradicts his first offer."

Aragorn said: "He may have made this second offer without my explicit authorization, but this is one I condone and completely approve of. There has to be an Elf within the fellowship, and there is none that I would rather have beside me than this one." After a short pause he added: "Therefore I will not accept anything to be done to him that would render his participation impossible."

Legolas ducked his head. Elrond scowled. Testily he said:

"I can easily appoint another Elf to participate in the fellowship. In fact I should. This mission is too important to be left to a Mirkwood slave. Glorfindel could go with you, or my sons."

Elrohir and Elladan perked up. Glorfindel shook his head.

"With all due respect, my liege-lord," he said, "I am not a good choice to go on this mission. I am too well known to the enemy, and my power is too great. I would be like a beacon to any spies or servants of the enemy who might watch. So would be your sons. The main point of this mission is secrecy. Legolas is the natural choice, since he is traveling with Aragorn regularly anyway. The spies of the enemy will think nothing of it if he accompanies the Ranger now."

Aragorn gave him a short, grateful look. Quickly he said:

"Besides, I do not wish another Elf for this mission, nor will I accept another one. Legolas has stood beside me in countless fights. I can discern what he will do without so much as but a glance, as he can do with me. We can act as one, without so much as a word needed between us. I can do that with no other Elf, My Lord Elrond, not even with your sons. And Legolas is well used to travel and interact with other folk than Elves. He has accompanied me on my travels for sixty years. I do not doubt that he is the ideal choice to travel with four Hobbits, one wizard, another Adan and a Dwarf."

He bowed his head respectfully to the assembled Elves. "Therefore, my Lords, I do not wish to have another Elf beside me and I won't accept to be accompanied by any but by him."

There was some disquiet running through the other Elves and Legolas ducked his head a bit more. This last one had been a daring move, since it had to rankle the assembled Lords, albeit the argument was true enough.

Elrond bristled. "That is not your choice alone, son of Arathorn," he said, glaring coldly at the Ranger.

Aragorn glared coldly back at him. "Yes it is," he said, "for I am Isildur's heir and the fate of the One Ring is mainly my concern, since it was the fault of my ancestor that we need to correct now. All of my bloodline are bound to its fate, and so it is my responsibility to see the Ring destroyed. It is me who has to carry out this mission beside the Ring Bearer. That is my duty and my right. And I wish for no other Elf to accompany me on it but my slave."

Glorfindel spoke again. "Besides, My Lord, if Mirkwood has to redeem its former failures in the fight against the Shadow, Legolas' participation on this quest will be a part of that. There is no greater service after all that one of Mirkwood's Elves could do to Middle Earth than helping to destroy this weapon of the enemy for good."

Aragorn gave him a grateful look. Legolas said nothing. He was still kneeling on the floor and dared not to move or to look up, so he would not draw undue attention to himself, and he kept his face carefully blank. Yet he was grateful, too.

Not so Lord Elrond, who glared at his chief warrior and old, trusted friend fiercely. He opened his mouth to contradict him, yet was prevented by Lord Gildor.

Gildor looked sceptically at the kneeling slave. As much sympathy as he felt for the young blond Mirkwood Elf, there was an objection he had to make.

"Forgive me, My Lord Glorfindel," he said, "but isn't it a risk to give such an important mission to one who is a slave? What if the slave should decide to betray us?"

Legolas head came fiercely up at that, and the slave dared to look at him indignantly. Gildor met his gaze somewhat apologetically. He did not doubt the Young Ones loyalty to his master Aragorn - obviously in this case the commitment went both ways - but this whole Quest was too dangerous and too important to leave anything to chance.

"I do not say that he would do so," he hurried to add, "but surely a slave such as he has no great love for his masters or their allies, all those who keep him enslaved, nor would he have great reason for it."

Elrond looked delighted. Yet Aragorn straightened up again and gave Gildor a cold look.

"I take objection at your words, Lord Gildor," he said coolly, "Legolas has fought at my side for sixty years. Never once he has betrayed me, or Rivendell, or the free people, in any way. He has proven himself a trusted and loyal companion, willing to lay down his life for me if needed, and for any of my Rangers or my other companions who fought beside him as well. Besides, he is bound to me quite tightly by the spell, and neither he nor his people would have anything to gain by selling us out. Quite the contrary. Mirkwood has suffered greatly by the Shadow and has a lot to gain should the One Ring finally be destroyed. I have no doubt of Legolas loyalty, nor need you have some."

Glorfindel spoke. Gently he stood up from his seat and knelt before the slave. He tipped his chin up so Legolas looked into his eyes. "Legolas Thranduilion," he said intently, "meet my gaze. Do you swear that you will give your blood and life, if necessary, to protect the Ring Bearer and to help this mission to succeed, if you are allowed to join it?"

Legolas held his gaze and nodded. Clearly and solemnly he said: "I swear, My Lord Glorfindel. I will never betray My Lord Aragorn, or Middle Earth and its people."

"Nor the Ring Bearer?" Glorfindel asked.

"Nor the Ring Bearer," Legolas said. "I offered the Hobbit Frodo my bow, and to this I hold. I swear to protect him with my life if I am allowed to accompany my master on this mission."

Glorfindel nodded, satisfied. "I believe you, Greenleaf," he said. "There is no falsehood in your eyes. I know you will stay true to your oath."

Elrond scowled again. Glorfindel ignored it. He stood up and said simply to the assembly: "We can trust him." Then he gave a small bow to Aragorn and sat down again.

Aragorn glanced shortly down at his slave and nodded. "I had never any doubt of it," he merely said.

Elrond looked furious. He scowled. Finally he turned directly to the kneeling slave.

"Legolas of Mirkwood, look at me!" he commanded. Hesitantly and fearfully, the slave looked up and met his gaze.

Elrond glared at him. "Your offer to stand in penance for your fathers failure and for your people is denied," he said. "You may join the Quest to destroy the Ring, since this is the wish of your master. We leave it open to him to punish you for the unauthorized offer you made to take penance for Mirkwood's failures."

He raised his voice, still staring maliciously at the kneeling slave. "Instead, as punishment for this new failure Mirkwood will have to give not only twelve, but fourteen hostages henceforth, beginning at the next yen. And even sooner, Thranduil in addition will have to give his last free child, Legolas sister Silivren, to us as hostage and slave. She shall be put under the spell and given to an Elf of my choosing to serve him faithfully in payment of her fathers failure in his trust. This is my judgment."

The other assembled Elves, save Erestor, looked dismayed. Aragorn visibly paled. Legolas looked horrified. He was desperate. He knew he should keep his mouth shut not to make matters worse, but he could not help himself.

"But Silivren is bonded!" he cried in alarm. "She has children! That is the very reason you spared her so far! Please, My Lord, you can not do that to her!"

He saw Aragorn flinch at his new unbidden intervention and display of disrespect, but at this moment, he was beyond caring.

Elrond weighted the full force of his freezing gaze back on the slave. "Aragorn," he said icily, "I suggest you teach your slave not to speak when not asked, and not to contradict the rulings of his betters."

Legolas trembled. He opened his mouth to protest again, to insist, but Aragorn turned around to him in one fast move and slapped him full into the face, hard. "Be silent," Aragorn hissed. "You had no leave to speak! And you have no call to criticize Lord Elrond! I will have to punish you for this!"

Legolas looked up at him, hurt and betrayed. He saw the renewed fear in his masters eyes and subsided.

Aragorn turned back to Elrond again. "I am sorry, My Lord," he said coldly. "I will teach him better. Starting tonight."

Elrond's gaze sharpened and became predatory again. "Maybe," he mused, "your confidence in your slave's trustworthiness is too great. I suggest you have him punished thoroughly. Maybe I should assist you. Obviously you are far too gentle with him. I would rather you had this slave learn some respect."

Aragorn looked straight and unrelentingly back at him.

"With all due respect, Lord Elrond," he said coldly, "Legolas is mine, and I alone will decide how I treat him. And my trust in him both with my life and with this Quest is implicit, notwithstanding the fact that now and then I need to remind him of his place. Yet it is my duty and my right alone to do so."

He gave his slave a short, cold gaze, and shifted his attention back at Lord Elrond. "But be assured that he will be punished thoroughly. By me. And I alone will decide what I see fit to do to him."

Elrond looked at him angrily, but Aragorn did not relent. Finally Elrond gave in. Disgustedly he said: "Very well. I will leave him to you. But you better make sure that it is a thorough punishment. I will not have your slave insult me without due reproach, and I demand you have him pay for this!"

Aragorn merely bowed, refusing another answer. Elrond stared at him for another moment, then he rose.

"Good. I will hold you to it," he just growled, then he turned around to the other Elves. "This council is closed. My Lords Gildor, Galdor and Glorfindel, you are excused. I will see you at the meal. Yet I ask you, My Lord Erestor, to join me in my study. We have preparations to make."

With a last grim nod to Aragorn, he signaled his guards to open the doors again and left the room. Erestor followed him in a huff. The assembled Elven Lords followed him more hesitantly and with some regretful looks at the still kneeling slave. Elladan hesitated shortly but was caught at the arm and guided outside by his twin, whose eyes were communicating a silent 'Not now!' at him. Glorfindel hesitated shortly, too. He gave Legolas a concerned look, then he straightened and left the room purposefully and with a determined expression. He was the last of the Elves except the slave to leave the room, and he closed the door from the outside.

Aragorn looked around to make sure they were truly alone, then he turned back to Legolas. He looked relieved, yet angry. Legolas looked back at him, wide eyed, hurt and hopeless, and felt bleak despair closing around him.


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Part IV

Aragorn gave the room another look-over, then he dropped to his knees before his trembling slave and took him by his shoulders. With a quick shake of his head he said quietly:

"That was very brave, but very, very stupid!"

Legolas looked back at him, puzzled. Aragorn was not angry? But the expression of his master's eyes told him differently. Aragorn was upset, very much so, and his eyes showed an odd mixture of concern, anger and fear.

"What did you think you were doing?!" he hissed at his Elf, quietly and angrily. "You scared me terribly today! I thought I'd lost you! I thought I would be forced to watch you die, or worse! Do you think I wish to watch you being killed or mutilated?"

Legolas looked back at him with eyes burning with unshed tears. "I do not care!" he said desperately. "Aragorn, they will enslave my sister!! They will take her away from her Elflings and put her under the spell! Father will die of grief!" A few of the tears escaped and ran down his cheeks, but he refused yet to let them flow freely.

Aragorn shook him angrily. "No, he will not," he said, "He can't under the spell. Yet I admit that it would pain him greatly. As will losing you!" He relented a bit and stared angrily at his desolate companion.

"Maybe they will enslave her, too," he said finally, still fierce. "But at least she will live! Your nieces and nephews will live! Thranduil will care for them, as will her husband. They all will survive. Think, Legolas! Do you think your father would rather hear that you were killed, or cruelly mutilated and left to die miserably of the spell that binds you? Because I very much doubt he would prefer that option!"

Legolas stared back at him. Defiantly he said: "He has already lost me, Aragorn. He shouldn't have to lose her, too!"

Aragorn shook his head. "Nor would he wish to lose you!" he snapped back. "He hasn't yet, you know, since he knows you are still alive and he did have the chance to see you now and then. If you are executed, though, he will lose you for good. Besides, you are not free to make that offer. You belong to me! Do you think I wish to see you killed or left to die or cruelly mutilated beyond any possibility of recovery or healing, without the chance to protect you?! Because that is it what you risked today!"

Legolas looked back at him and saw his eyes were still dark with grief and fear. Still, he could not bring himself to be grateful. Instead he felt betrayed and hurt.

"I do not care!!!" he spat back. "If it can spare Silivren my fate, and save more of my people, then I'd much rather face Elrond's punishment than see her delivered into his hands, too!"

Aragorn slapped him, hard. "You forget your place!" he snapped. "You have no leave to yell at me!"

Legolas jumped, startled. He could see that Aragorn was more hurt and angry at his words than truly upset at his tone and his display of disrespect, yet was quickly losing patience. He ducked his head.

"Forgive me, master," he mumbled.

Aragorn shook his head. "You will be punished," he said, "and it needs to be thorough. You heard Lord Elrond. Yes, it seems I will have to work on you very thoroughly indeed, tonight."

The Elf shuddered.

Then he looked up again and said, still a bit defiantly: "Punish me if you must. But still I would much rather die or face mutilation, if it could spare Silivren from slavery, and save more of my people from this fate." He waited for another slap that never came.

Instead, Aragorn took his face into his hands and held his gaze. "And I understand," he said. "Were our places reversed, I would chose the same. But you don't have that choice. Nor do I think your sacrifice would do more than postpone her fate. Lord Elrond is intent to take all your siblings hostage. Were you to sacrifice yourself the way you intended, I fear he would simply find another reason all too soon."

Quietly he offered: "I'm sorry, Little Leaf. Please do not throw away your life in vain."

Legolas closed his eyes. He leaned forward, and Aragorn caught him within his arms and held him tightly while he finally allowed the tears to flow unhindered. Aragorn petted him soothingly, yet made no further attempt to console him, since he knew well how useless that would be.

Behind them they heard a clear, decisive voice: "It will not come to that!"

Aragorn turned without releasing Legolas from his arms. There stood Glorfindel again, glorious in his fierceness: a golden headed Elf with regal bearing and the strong, fierce light in his gaze of one who had seen Valinor during the Time of Trees .

Aragorn gave him a respectful bow, yet did not rise from his current position on the floor, still holding his slave. Calmly he said: "My Lord Glorfindel, I have to thank you for your kind words and your defense of Legolas today. It is good to see you back in Rivendell. I am sorry that I found no time to speak to you before the council."

Legolas disentangled himself from his master's hug, yet Aragorn did not completely let go of him and still held one of his arms. He bowed his head deeply to the Noldor Lord and echoed his master's greeting. "My Lord!" he said. "I have to thank you, too!"

Glorfindel nodded back at him. "Do not fear, Greenleaf," he said, "Mithrandir is working on Lord Elrond as we speak. He will convince him to lift his ruling concerning Mirkwood's penance and your sister. This is not a time when we can afford to weaken ourselves and our defenses by fights between our kin and by pointless cruelty amongst ourselves. Mithrandir will make him see that, too!"

He knelt beside them. He took Legolas' hands. "Legolas! I'm glad to see you well again! When I came back to Rivendell and heard in what state Estel found you, I greatly berated myself that I didn't take care of your needs before I left!"

Legolas just stared at him for a moment. He was overwhelmed. For a moment he found no words to express his gratitude, and he did not dare to truly hope or allow himself to be relieved, yet. In his confusion, he finally mumbled the first thing that came to his mind, a more automatic response and not in the least what he truly wanted to say.


"Thank you, My Lord," he stammered, then he caught himself a bit and gave the older Elf a grateful nod. "There is no need for you to berate yourself for this, My Lord Glorfindel," he added, "Estel healed me well. And you know why we deemed it better at the time to wait for his return."

The golden headed Noldor looked at him sadly. "I remember it well, yet it was an ill decision. Your master was just in time to save you. I should never have allowed myself to risk your life like that!"

He sighed. "However, concerning your troubles, Thranduilion, I tell you again you need not fear. Lord Elrond will be forced to go back on his decision. There will be no penalty for Mirkwood for Gollum's escape, neither on your sister and your people, nor on you. More so, your participation in this quest may yet bring freedom for your people."

Legolas finally gathered himself together. He looked at Glorfindel with reluctant hope. Hesitantly he said: "My heart desires greatly to believe you, My Lord Glorfindel. But Mithrandir has tried to change Lord Elrond's mind concerning our fate before and has yet to succeed."

Glorfindel nodded a bit regretfully. "That is true," he said, "yet this time is different. This Quest concerns the fate of all people of Middle Earth and it is a much greater matter than the escape of a mere prisoner. And in the war that is upon us we will only have a chance when all people of Middle Earth stand together. Elrond will be forced to go back on his judgment this time."

Legolas still looked reluctant to believe him fully, but he bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, My Lord. I do hope that you will be right in this," he said hesitantly.

Glorfindel smiled at him.

"By the way, I wish to pay you my respect for what you did today. To offer yourself as sacrifice to protect your people - that was a noble deed. Even if your offer was not accepted, you acted like a true prince of your people."

Legolas ducked his head. "I am no prince anymore, My Lord" he said bitterly, "I am a slave. And my offer was made without authorization of my master. I am afraid I failed him by making it."

Glorfindel raised his brows. "Still it was honorably done," he said. "Slave you may be, yet you are still a scion of the house of Oropher, and never did it show more than today. Surely Aragorn would see that, too?" He graced the Ranger with the full weight of his gaze.

Aragorn shook his head.

"I told him it was bravely done, but very stupid," he said. "I doubt that any sacrifice of Legolas would do more than postpone Lord Elrond's plans. He seems intent to bring Thranduil grief at all costs. I would not have him do that using Legolas, not more than he has already done by enslaving him, anyway."

Glorfindel still looked at him and Aragorn resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze. "Even a postponement might be enough to save many lives," the Balrog Slayer said. "And Legolas has offered his life of his free will, without hesitation. You should honor that, son of Arathorn!"

Aragorn could not help to blushing a bit, yet he held his gaze. "I do," he said. "I am just loath to see him die at Elrond's hands or to stand idly by and see him executed on a whim alone. Besides, My Lord, I still doubt very much that it would do any good for his people. Not more than he can do at my side on this Quest, anyway." He turned back to Legolas. "And I know you can do more good for them as long as you live," he added quietly and fiercely. "Especially on this Quest!"

Legolas just bowed his head. He said nothing.

Glorfindel sighed. "Well, your master may be right at least in this," he said. "Your participation on this Quest may be enough to repay any debt Mirkwood may have owed in the past. If we succeed, as a reward, the ban on Mirkwood may be lifted and there will be no further hostages from your realm."

Legolas looked at him, eyes wide. Aragorn looked sharply up and locked his gaze with Glorfindel's again. "Do not promise that!" he said fiercely and harshly. "You can not ensure it! Nor can Mithrandir!"

Legolas looked back at him, pale and betrayed. Glorfindel stared coldly at Aragorn.

"You fear to lose your slave?" he asked. "You are loath to give him up, as you would have to do should Mirkwood be free again?"

Aragorn still held Legolas' shoulder with one hand, and now he gripped him, hard. "I would not want to be bereft of him, that much is true," he said with brutal honesty, "Even if I were to lose Legolas to freedom and not to death, it would be hard on me to part with him. But even more important is the fact that you don't have the power to force Elrond to agree to that. Do not make promises to my slave that you can't enforce! Nothing will rend a heart more than betrayed hope and trust, and Legolas deserves better!"

Legolas bowed his head again and looked down bitterly.

"There is no freedom for me, anyway," he said. "As long as I remain under the spell."

Aragorn gazed back at him, sad and troubled. It was true, yet it dismayed him greatly that his slave seemed so loath to remain with him. Although he had to admit that the thought was selfish, he had still hoped that Legolas would maybe even remain with him out of his free will if he but had a choice. Yet probably that time was long in the past now, if it had ever truly existed.

Glorfindel looked dismayed. "That is true," he said. "As long as the spell remains unbroken, you and the other hostages so bound will remain slaves. And we now know no way to have the spell undone."

He drew a deep breath.

"Still, if the Quest succeeds, we can at least try to force Elrond not to demand any more hostages. You and the hostages already under the spell may remain slaves, but the rest of your people shall be safe at last. That much at least he may be forced to accept, or so I hope."

Aragorn petted the trembling shoulder under his hands. "You hope," he said, "Yet you do not know. Meanwhile, Legolas remains under my power and in my possession. And Lord Elrond demands I punish him tonight. He will not retreat from that, at least."

He felt the Elf under his hands starting to tremble even more and gave his shoulder a little squeeze. "I'm sorry, Little Leaf," he said. "But you left me no choice. If you are to leave Rivendell with me, I'll have to punish you, and do it thoroughly enough that he will find no reason to do it himself."

Legolas trembled harder, yet he bowed his head. Glorfindel looked dismayed.

Aragorn shrugged.

"Besides, I would have to punish you anyway," he said. He looked at his slave. "You had no call to blurt out my identity to the man of Gondor!"

Legolas shook under his hand, but still bowed his head to him. "I am sorry, master," he said, as it was expected,"I will take gratefully whatever punishment you give to me." His voice broke. He was seized by fear and grief, and by sheer exhaustion born out of his inner turmoil. He knew that Aragorn spoke the truth; Elrond's demand had been clear enough.

But he feared the night. To face Estel's games, even the most harsh and cruel ones, was one thing. To face a thorough punishment that would satisfy the Lord of Rivendell was something completely different, even if the fact that Aragorn would mete it out himself would hopefully ensure that he at least survived it. It did not matter that Aragorn would find pleasure in the whole thing, too. This was still about penance, and that meant it would be much darker than any game Aragorn loved to play. He feared what Aragorn would do to him, and he feared he would not be able to bear it. Not if it was Estel who was hurting him like that.

Aragorn kissed his brow. "Go to your fathers people, then," he said, "to bid them farewell. Tell them they need not fear for you, nor for your sister. Glorfindel is right. I think Mithrandir might succeed at least with that, for my foster father can hardly afford to enforce this while we are on this Quest and have to face this war, so do not fear for her."

He felt Legolas tremble again and kissed him once more. "Hush! Do as I say. Come to me after the evening meal. Don't be late!"

Glorfindel looked dismayed. He had been about to protest, yet he had heard Elrond's words and demands too. "Just do not be too hard on him," he warned. "Tomorrow, the fellowship will have an early start and you will travel a long day!"

Aragorn nodded. "I will see to it," he said and released his slave's arm. Legolas rose,With a last bow to both Glorfindel and his master he went away.

__________________ 0 _____________


Glorfindel watched him go, then, as the slave had left the room and closed the door, he turned back to Aragorn and gave him a hard stare.

"You do not wish to lose your slave," he accused angrily. "Even were Mirkwood freed you would still wish to claim him!"

Aragorn nodded grimly.

"I admit that it would pain me to part with him," he said, "even if I were to lose him to freedom, not to death. But even more I feel that bitterness may fill his heart if he were promised freedom for his people and felt himself betrayed. I would not have him hurt by false promises!"

Glorfindel subjected him again to the full weight of his Elven gaze.

"You care for him," he said, "yet it doesn't hurt you that while he remains your slave he has to bear your needs."

Aragorn merely looked back at him. "It does not hurt me," he admitted grimly. "Yet as long as the spell remains unbroken, we both have little choice and the question is moot. Except I could bestow him on you?"

Glorfindel looked startled, then his gaze turned troubled. "You would wish to give him up?" he asked.

Aragorn stared right back at him. "Wish?" he asked, "Nay! I said that to lose him would be hard on me. But Legolas is dear to me, and I am mortal. I would be less troubled by his fate if I knew him to be safely bestowed on another Elf who would meet his needs under the spell and who would treat him gently. You like and honor him and treat him with respect. I would be glad to know him in your care."

Glorfindel held his gaze for a moment, searching for any kind of deception. When he found none, his gaze became even more troubled. Regretfully he shook his head no.

"You shame me, Dunadan," he said. "Your request honors you. But I can not do that, Aragorn."

He bowed his head.

"I like Legolas well enough, and gladly I will give him what he needs for a few weeks while you are forced to be afar. But deeply I regret the day I let myself be drawn into that spell, and every time when I am forced to give it its due it wounds my soul anew. And I would not force myself on Legolas, nor do I wish to bond to him. Neither would he wish to bond to me."

Aragorn nodded. "Nor will I give him back to Elrohir and Elladan," he said, "and least of all I'll have him back in Elrond's hands."

Glorfindel bowed his head even deeper. "No," he admitted. "You can't do that."

Aragorn's face was grim. "I rather would kill him myself than condemn him to that fate," he said fiercely, "especially after today."

Glorfindel said thoughtfully: "I think if you asked Legolas, that he'd much rather stay with you, and go to the Halls of Mandos when it is your time. He is loyal to you, and I do not think he would wish for another master. Though I would wish that you were less hard on him."

Aragorn nodded again. Quietly and grimly he concluded: "As I said. I need him, and to lose him would be hard on me, but unless the spell were broken, I also hardly see another choice."

Glorfindel looked troubled again.

"But what will happen once you wed the Lady Arwen?" he asked. "What then shall become of him?"

Aragorn answered thoughtfully: "There may be a solution. Just yesterday I spoke with Arwen about that. She may yet allow me to keep him."

"Keep him?" Glorfindel asked incredulous, "besides your bond?!"

Aragorn's face was grim.

"Legolas can not bind himself under the spell." he reminded. "He can not bind himself the Elven way, neither to me nor anybody else, even should he wish. And I am human. I can not bind myself your way, as much as I may wish it. Arwen's bond with me won't be disturbed. And I'd much rather keep him than force on him another master who treats him even worse. Arwen agrees to this."

Glorfindel looked deeply disturbed.

"This arrangement sound ill to me," he said, "yet until the spell can be broken I see no other way. I hope that Legolas will heal in Mandos once it is your time. Still, I will mourn his passing, as I will mourn the Lady Arwen, and you."

Aragorn smiled at him.

"It is early yet to mourn me and my future wife," he said. "Great danger awaits us. I may die on this Quest or in the war; Arwen may yet choose to go to Valinor. I am hardly married and much less I am already king yet." He made a face. "Not that I ever wished to be," he added, "or would even make a good one!"

Glorfindel cocked his head. "You still fear to face your destiny," he observed, "yet it would give you the power to protect those who you love." He hesitated a moment, then continued seriously: "And for me your lifetime lasts only a blink, even though I've already visited the Halls of Mandos once. Still I say you will make a good king, Dunadan." As if in an afterthought he added: "At least if you can learn to wash more often!"

Aragorn laughed. He was grateful for the Elven Lord's attempt to lighten the mood.

"Then I will leave you now so I may find the time to do so once more before our journey starts tomorrow, My Lord Elf," he said. "After all I do not wish to harm your nose!"

He stood and bowed, then left.

Glorfindel looked after him, still troubled. Sighing, he stood too and went to attend the midday meal in the great hall. After the meal he went off to find Legolas. He was sure the slave could use somebody to talk to and to console him, if possible.


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-- End Chapter Two --

TBC


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