Title: The Sea and The Flame By: Elvensong Rated: PG Feedback: europa494@yahoo.com I love feedback, let me know what you thought of the story. ******************************* Chapter 7 – A Castle by the Sea The castle was just a couple miles in the distance, but the journey was not easy. The Elf was not as quick and light as before. In his true form, he could easily outdistance any other mortal creature, almost seeming to float above the ground with the fluid grace of a deer. Now, his body didn't lift him, but weigh him down. He was coping though. He would not allow this body to defeat him, and the company did arrive at the stone fortress. "Does anyone live here?" Gimli saw no sign of habitation, no sign of defenses, it seemed the doors had not been opened him a long era. "There is only one way to find out, let us knock." Gandalf used his great staff to knock on the door. "I remember the last door you tried to open, friend Wizard." "Why must you always bring that up, Dwarf?" Gimli smirked, memories of trying to get into Moria always made the Dwarf laugh. The sound of Gandalf's knock echoed deeply in the castle. "This place must be massive inside." Aragorn stepped forward to hear for any sign of a reply to their call. Legolas stood alone behind the ensemble, wishing only solitude right now. Something he doubted he was going to have for a long time. Suddenly, the great door began to open, there stood an old man. His body may have been old and weak, but his spirit demanded respect and commanded attention. Aragorn wondered if this man had once been a great king, if this dead land had once been a great power on the map of Middle Earth. What would have driven this land to such ruin, with only an old king remaining. "What do you wish?" After a moment of taking in the scene, Gandalf answered. "We are but weary travelers, we wish someplace warm to rest, your land by the sea is cold and damp." "I see. I have not had anyone knock on these doors for quite a long time. Why are you not afraid of the appearance of my castle?" Aragorn smiled slightly to himself. "Things are not always as they appear." He resisted the temptation to glance at Legolas. "You may enter." He gestured inside and they entered the great hall. It was cavernous and sparsely decorated with a few tapestries. The whole palace looked dead, as is a spell had been cast upon it. There was a chill in the air which spread into every corner. "You are welcome to stay here. As you can see, I have no guards. However, this place is protected by a guardian more powerful than one thousand men. Follow me." The others followed cautiously behind. "Do not be afraid. Most do not venture here any longer, but I am not a hermit, I will allow you to remain here. No sense in you remaining outside when there is plenty of room here." "May I ask your name, Lord?" "I am the master of this realm. That is all wonders need know, however if you need something to call me you may call me Lord Firestone." They arrived in a large room that overlooked the sea. "I live alone, for I have no real need for company. Many people used to live here, with all their comings and goings. None of them ever interested me, there is little on this Earth that can." The old man's gaze turned to Legolas. He had stayed behind everyone else, not saying a word, trying to make his presence as unnoticeable as possible. "Who are you who would be guests in my home?" "I am Aragorn. My friends are Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas. We are traveling alone the edge of the sea." "You are searching for something I think." He finally could not resist it any longer, he walked over to Legolas. He hazed at the other man deeply. Something about this stranger fascinated him. He looked deep into Legolas' eyes, looking for his reflection in the magnificent color which was there. When he stared, however, all he saw was depth and color. He did not see himself at all anywhere in their beauty. He said nothing, he the old man knew this one would more than likely not speak to him, for the stranger just turned and walked away to stare out onto the sea. "You may make yourselves comfortable and come and go as you wish. Stay as long as you need." He turned and left, his steps echoing down the halls becoming more and more faint as the distance grew. "What a strange person." Gimli looked over to his friend, who seemed lost in thought as he stared out over the ocean. "There is much more to him and to this castle than can be seem with the naked eye." Gandalf began to look around at their surroundings. "We must search about and see if there are any clues to the attachment of that man and the Phoenix." As they began to leave, Gimli halted and turned around. "Legolas?" His friend was still looking out over the water, "Legolas, we are going to search for clues about this mystery. Please come with us." His friend's eyes were distant, unresponsive. "Legolas?" "Gimli?" "Yes, my friend, come with us now?" Just then, Gandalf intervened, "Perhaps you should stay here, Legolas. We can leave our packs here for you to look after." "Whatever you think is best, Gandalf." Legolas did not move from his spot. The others left him alone, to his solitude he so yearned for. "Why did you leave him alone, Gandalf? That might not be the best course for him in this situation." "No, Aragorn, it is the best for him to be alone right now. He needs to sort this out for himself." "We should not have left him, you saw how the old man looked at him. He knows something is special about Legolas." Gandlaf sighed at Aragorn. "I did not wish to upset you both, but since you are going to notice these affects, I had better tell you now." "Affects of what, Gandalf?" Gimli stopped walking to order to hear what the old Wizard had to say. "Elves are great and powerful creatures, but are also very sensitive to their surroundings." Aragorn nodded. "Yes, they can be overcome quickly is separated from nature and the sky. I remember how difficult is was for Legolas to cope with being in Moria." "He did it quite well," Gimli realized that might have been a compliment, "for an Elf." "Yes, well" Gandalf continued, "the affects from this spell are already beginning to cause the spirit of the Elf to fade. If he remains human for too long, there may never be an Elf hiding in that body ever again. No spell would ever be able to return him to his true form." They silently began to move more quickly through the great halls. They did not notice the crack in the walls next to where they had been talking, they did not notice the eyes which peered out, hearing everything they had just spoken. The old man left his secret hiding place and began walking. Legolas stared out onto the ocean, thinking of what had brought him here. He tried to think of Mirkwood, his home. The trees and streams which flowed there always, even two thousand years ago when he had gone on a hunt for…then he could not remember anymore. He remembered everything from that time, but things were beginning to dull. He could not understand, his memory had always been so sharp ever since, ever since. "Legolas?" Legolas turned, having been distracted he did not hear the being approach. In the doorway stood the old man. ********************************* Chapter 8 – Confrontations So, here you stand, by yourself? Why did you not go snooping around with the others?" "They are not snooping around, as you suggest." The old man laughed, "Come, come, Legolas. I know you are here for a purpose. No one in their right mind would come here for simple shelter. You have a purpose and I will seek it out." The old man began approaching Legolas until his proximity was too close for comfort. Legolas began retreating, unsure of everything at this point. "Our purpose is only not to be chilled by the sea air. Our business in this area is our own. Please, leave me be. I wish to be alone." The old man would not relent, he still approached Legolas. "So, you wish to be alone. Why is that? To look at the sea I wonder? It does contain a secret. A secret that would interest you." Legolas turned around and faced the man. "What do you mean?" The man was close enough now that he spoke in only a hushed whisper. "I know of what you seek, and you will not find them. You have not the power to release them, and you will belong to me after you fail." "Legolas?" The former Elf looked past the old man and saw Aragorn standing in the doorway. "Is everything alright?" The old man backed off from Legolas and headed for the door, stopping in front of Aragorn. "Oh yes, everything is just fine." He left, saying nothing more. Legolas turned to look at the sea again, trying to figure everything out in his mind. When Aragorn was sure the man was out of earshot, he spoke to his friend. "What was all that about." "He knows." "You're sure?" "Yes," Legolas sighed, "I may have lost a lot of my magic, but I can tell when someone looks at you knowing a secret." "What can we do?" "I do not know. I fear I cannot keep my mind on that problem, it wanders, Aragorn. I keep thinking about my kin, are they really out there? Can we save them, but I also wonder if I can save myself." Aragorn didn't know what to say, how was he to help his friend? He was in a depth of pain another cannot easily soothe. Legolas would have to figure out his position for himself, no one could guide him. The others eventually returned and Aragorn told them the disturbing news. "You're sure?" Legolas nodded. Gimli grunted, "How are we to proceed now?" Gandalf gave quiet complication, "I'm not sure, but we should not show that we know the old man's secret. We should continue as we would have if our secret would have been kept safe." "Can you not turn me back into my true form now, Gandalf? Surely, the old man would send the Phoenix against me if that was his wish." "I do not think it is a good idea right now, Legolas. We are still unsure about his interests towards your kind. Please, hold out a little longer." "I will try, though I feel myself fading quickly. This humanity is invading my very soul." "Gandalf, may I speak with you alone?" "Of course, Aragorn." Gandalf left Gimli and Legolas alone. "Why do you wish him to stay mortal? There is no need now, that man knows, and this humanity is going to kill him." "What happens if the Phoenix returns after I change him back? Then everything would have been in vain. He can hold out a little while longer." "Are you sure? Please, Gandalf. I do not wish to seem what I am questioning your great wisdom, but this is folly. I think he would be better off facing his fate with his kind then slowly dying in a human body. Please, see my logic and tell me leaving him this way is wrong." "He will not remain this way for much longer, I will release him from that cage before it is too late to save him. Trust me, my friend." "I do. I'm going to get some water." "This castle is built from some nice and solid stone." "You are the expert, I will take your advice." Legolas' gaze did not falter from the expanse of ocean in front of him. "You are hungry?" "No." Gimli looked at his friend, "You should eat something, you'll become unwell if you do not eat very often." "Another human weakness I guess." "Have you found many in this short time? Humanity is not all that bad. Maybe you'll understand them a little better now." "I understand living in a dulled world. Everything is dull, Gimli. My sight, my hearing, even my sense of smell is dulled. How can people live without being able to take in every detail of the world about them. I fear of going back to the forests, what if I were to no longer hear them singing. I don't think I can bear that thought." "Focus on the here and now, Legolas. One thing at a time." "I can say this, Gimli," Legolas turned to his friend, "the sight of a Dwarf is still as funny as a human as it was as an Elf. That one aspect did not change." Gimli smirked. "Stupid Elf." Aragorn walked down the hall towards the well at the other end of it. His mind was overflowing with questions and dilemmas and he could not sort it all out. One image stayed in his mind. His friend suffering, the pain in his eyes, the pain in his movements. They were images that would never leave him for as long as he lived. It made him thin of Arwen, would she look that pained without her immortality? No, he had to shake these thoughts, he had to focus on their quest: The Elvish race. If he did not find them soon, Arwen would go over the sea and none of this contemplation would matter. She would leave him behind, or would she? Such problems! His mind was spinning as he retrieved the bucket from the well. "Aragorn, I trust everything is well and you do not require anything." The old man had a way of appearing, it bothered Aragorn, for he could not understand how this man could sneak up on him given his appearance. "We are fine, sir. You have been a very accommodating host." "Good." He smiled darkly. Aragorn could not believe something like a smile could send shivers down his spine like this old man's did. "Why did you allow us in here, sir?" "Because, Aragorn, just because people don't come around very often, that doesn't mean I'm some sort of hermit hiding in my castle. Quite the contrary, I do enjoy talking to people." Aragorn smiled. "Legolas is a nice conversationalist." Aragorn's smile faded. The old man took a step forward. "I tell you this, Aragorn. I know why you're here, and if you try to steal them away from me I'll have to punish you." "You have no power over me." "You think you know everything, you think you can hide behind Gandalf's magic or the Elven magic you have in your midst. You are mistaken. Attack me and you will beg for death before I'm done. Before that comes, you will also beg for Legolas' death when I'm through with him." The man turned and left Aragorn alone in the dark, in more ways than one. ********************************** Chapter 9 – Discoveries He stared into the fire, its flames dancing in the fireplace. The fireplace, meant to keep this power at bay, but when he looked into the fire he knew nothing could ever contain it. He kept seeing the images, a bird of fire, a great chase and fear like nothing else he had ever experienced. Only to be replaced by a greater fear, something brought down upon him by one he trusted. His only way now was to trust him still, trust that his friend would not let him be lost in the mists of time and mortality. He would have to try to hang on for a little longer, try to hold onto what he was. Under his breath he began to sing an old Elvish lullaby. A song he remembered his mother teaching him before she was gone from his life. A song with lyrics speaking of the journey of an Elf, to the woods, to the distant edges of all the lands only to finally reach the sea. To travel to the undying lands that await them all. Would he see those lands now? He heard footsteps approaching, labored footsteps that come with age. The old man was coming towards him again, and he loathed whatever it was he had to say to him. Something about that man chilled him to his very soul. "Greetings again, Legolas. Fancy to see you here, for I thought you were never going to leave that room." "It grew cold after the sun had set. I apologize if you do not wish me here. I will go." "No, there is something I wish to show you, come, follow me." The man lead Legolas into a room, when he lit the candles and allowed the light to enter the enormous room he saw what was there, and it frightened him. There, on the walls, were pictures of Elven lore. Every tale of the Elven histories was here, artifacts were all over. Bows and swords, books and spells all collected here and beautifully taken care of. Not one speck of dust was evident, which was very odd given the unkept nature of the rest of the castle. "Do you like my collection? Call it my room of worship if you will. Here are my most precious possessions." Legolas took it all in. "Why do you have so many things of Elven lore here?" "I had an experience, call it a saving. I lost my wife some time ago. I feel into the deepest despair I had ever known. I wondered into the wood, hoping to end it all. I brought with me a blade, hoping to find peace there." He smiled faintly. "I was holding the blade above my chest, about to slay myself when something grabbed my hand, stopping me. When I opened my eyes I saw beauty the likes of which I had never seen before. It was an Elf, in all its shining and grace. Suddenly, in that one brief moment, it gave me the peace and tranquility I longed for in death. I had never seen anything, anything the likes of that creature before. From that moment on, I thought of nothing else. I studied every aspect of their society, from their facts to their myths. But none of my readings could replace looking at an Elf, nothing could replace that beauty that made my soul complete. Then I knew I must have them to look upon, and by this, have a little of their immortality for myself." Legolas shuddered at the words, to have an Elf's immortality, that was a realm not meant for mortal man to tamper with. That was something older than the race of man, dwarf or any of the mortals. "You cannot have immortality from simply gazing at an immortal." "Perhaps not, but the joy their presence near me gives, it adds years to my lonesome life. When I was alone I began to wither, but now, now I am complete. Now I can find peace in this world." "What are you talking about?" The man stepped towards him, coming so close the disguised Elf could feel the heat of his breath. "I know what you are. I can see through your rouse." "I hide nothing." "Do not lie to me! It doesn't become you, it doesn't become race." The man sighed and began to walk away. "You cannot keep this facade forever, Elf. You must eventually return to your true form, and when you do, I'll be waiting." With that, he left Legolas to his thoughts. Aragorn resumed his search of the castle, hoping to find some clue as to the identity of the man, or the whereabouts of the Elves. He knew he had little time, soon Legolas would have to return to what is really was and when that happens, they would more than likely loose him too. He could not bear loosing another Elf, let alone one of his truest friends, to this monster. He wondered throughout the hallways, looking for someplace he had yet to search. It seemed hopeless, it seemed he had looked in every room in this entire god awful place. He saw a chair by a fireplace and decided to take a break in order to gather his thoughts. When he sat down, the chair leaned back, causing him to lose his balance, when the happened, the fireplace swung around revealing a secret stair. "I am so foolish." Aragorn muttered to himself. Of course these ancient castles had many secret stairs, usually leading to dark dungeons. As with rumor and legend, this stair did lead to a cold, damp and dark dungeon. The smell of old books and candles hung thickly in the air. This was a place of great evil, Aragorn could feel that through his entire being. Who was this man? How did he obtain these artifacts? The answers must lie here, if not here, nowhere. It was very difficult to see much of anything. He was finally able to light a candle to provide some light to see by. Everything seemed stacked together off to the side, but them he saw something in the forefront. Something on a pedestal, with obvious importance. Upon closer inspection he saw it to be a spell, a great and powerful spell. He read the words to himself, shivering from their darkness. It spoke of the Elves and their undying beauty. It cursed them to be brought to the seas, and when they reach the shores to be drove into those waves by a bird of fire. The great Phoenix. Aragorn grabbed the spell and ran out of the dungeon, hoping Gandalf would know of a way to break the spell's hold on the Elves. ************************** Chapter 10 – Decisions and Confrontations "It is a most ancient spell. One that I thought was only legend. I never thought I would look upon its like, and it disturbs me to know that things like this actually do exist." Gandalf spied the spell laying on the table. Aragorn had run to him saying he had found a great clue that might unlock this mystery. "I do not wish to touch it, I do not wish to feel its evil." "Is this what brought the Elves to the sea? Is this what holds them captive?" "Yes, Aragorn. It was this spell which caught every Elf in Middle Earth, save our friend." Gimli stood, trying to get a better look at it. It seemed so harmless sitting there. An old piece of parchment with half-faded words on it. It could not seem possible that this could be what has stolen the First-born from the world. "Can you reverse it, Gandalf? Can you set the Elves free?" "I might be able to, Gimli, but I cannot be certain. In all honesty I do not know. I mist do some research, I must know more about the castor. I must know who it is that has this evil, and how they know how to use it." Aragorn thought about Gandalf's words. That one is the big unknown, this person, this frail man who seems to be behind the whole captivity of the Elven people. This kind of power has never been heard of in all the history of Middle Earth. His thoughts were running wild when he realized he had not seen Legolas in quite some time. Legolas stood, still in the room filled with the lore of his people. He could not deny himself or his heritage any longer. He could not hold up this façade, for it was crumbling in the presence of so many artifacts. Many of them reminded him of Mirkwood and his home. He thought of his strong father and his beautiful mother. He even thought of his pet hawk, a beautiful red-tailed hawk that would accompany him, keeping watch for any danger and keeping him company when he would play in the treetops. He quietly left, returning to where to the others were. When he arrived, he could not hold himself back any longer. This duality was driving him insane, and he had come to a decision. "Gandalf." The Wizard looked up from a dirty piece of parchment to meet eyes with the Elf. "I cannot remain like this. I would rather face the Phoenix and the fate of my kin then live like this any longer. I can no longer bear it." Gandalf sighed, looked away again. "I knew you would not be able to last, very well, Legolas. I will return you to your true form at sunset. For I wish to see this bird of flame again. I wish to know its secrets, but before tonight, I must speak with our host. I must look into his eyes and see if there is anything hidden there, beneath, where mortals eyes cannot see." The old man looked out at the sea from his huge throne room on the upper most floor of his great stone palace. Gandalf knew he would find him there, admiring his work. Admiring the captivity of the rarest and most beautiful creatures ever to walk the Earth. "Gandalf the Gray, that's what you used to be called, so long ago." Gandalf held his position in the doorway, indeed there was more to this man. He would discover it now for the sake of his friend here and his friends in the man's icy grasp. "I know you are not what you appear to be. I know you are something more, must I try to force the truth out of you?" "Nay, my old friend. I had wondered when I first saw you approaching my door. I wondered if you would see through my disguise the minute I opened the door to you. You must believe I am shocked you have not seen past my magic yet." "What lies behind this magic?" Suddenly the man began to spin in place, a bright glow radiated from the center of him. It happened, quick as a flash of light, then stood someone Gandalf instantly recognized. "Isanteri!" "Yes, Gandalf. One of your kind, one banished and believed stripped of its power." "You should have died long ago from old age. How have you survived?" "I guess my power overcame that hideous curse you and Saruman placed upon me all those centuries before." Gandalf became furious. "You lie! You could not have survived!" "Ah, but I did. I owe everything to that spell Aragorn stole from me only hours ago." Gandalf was confused, "Why have you not try to reclaim it, if you knew that Aragorn took it." "You are so naïve, Gandalf. I have no more need of it. Its power is cast, it cannot be undone. I kept it for sentimental value, nothing more." "What does this spell do, Isanteri? What is its purpose? There must be more to this magic than simply capturing the Elvish race." "You are right, my old friend." Sarcasm dripped from his every word. "There is more, much more. Not only does it bring about the Phoenix to capture the fair folk, but the spell itself does something to them." "What do you mean?" "With them held captive in the sea, the spell is able to tap into them. I am able to use their power as my own. It is their magic I wield, Gandalf. For, as you yourself have said, I have been robbed of my own magic. That is why I am so powerful, that is why I was able to hide from you." Gandalf could not control is fear, this power is too much for him, he could never defeat the power of the Elven race. "You are a monster!" "Am I? You created me, Gandalf. You are responsible for all of this. Of course, you will not take responsibility for your role." Gandalf could not look at the creature in front of him, he had to leave, he had to straighten this out in his mind. No matter how long he would ponder his situation, he would not be able to think of a solution, and during this time Legolas would fade into mortality. Either way, Isanteri knew what Legolas was. He might take it upon himself to change him back to his true self. Now Gandalf knew that Legolas could not remain human. Legolas needed to confront the evil sent against him, to have the final confrontation between the Phoenix and the spell of the sea versus the last Elf in Middle Earth. .