Encounters by Tulcadhiel_Greenleaf
First of all, I’d like to say that I in no way own any of J.R.R Tolkien’s characters, books, plots, etc. but I do thank him again and again for creating a world such as Middle Earth.
I really hope you enjoy this; it has been a favorite to work on recently and new chapters should be coming out frequently. It was inspired by me reading the part in the Council of Elrond where Legolas tells of Gollum escaping the Mirkwood elves and I wondered what a detailed view at that would be like. Well, here you go–hope you enjoy and I’d really appreciate to hear what you have to say 🙂
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He crept up, slowly, carefully behind it, silently licking his lips. “Yessss…” he screeched, shoving the wriggling fish into his mouth. He looked around, deciding to be silent, watching the surrounding area with wide eyes. Gollum’s precious was gone, gone, gone. He felt empty, miserable, and angry without it, although it had been stolen quite a bit ago by that… what was the miserable riddler’s name… Ah, Bagginsssss… Baggins stole his precious. Baggins would never make that mistake again, under Gollum’s eye.
Legolas heard the clatter of hooves at the gate. He jumped up, going so fast that he nearly ended up sliding down the hall. The prince went down a flight of stairs, flinging open the door to the stable. He was just in time to see Mithrandir come trotting in on his horse. The wizard paid no attention to Legolas, hurriedly getting off his horse, the guards struggling with something large and unwieldy.
The elven prince hurried over. Mithrandir put out his arm, stopping Legolas with a silent look. A horrible screeching cry sounded from the… thing… the guards were trying to take to the dungeon. Legolas covered his ears, then after it died down, he looked at the wizard with wide eyes.
“Gollum,” said the wizard in a low voice.
“Gollum?” the elf softly repeated, wondering what kind of creature it could possibly be. Legolas went over to where the guards were trying to drag it through the doorway, to the dungeons down below. It was a miserable and howling sort of thing, like a skeleton. The prince took one side of the screeching Gollum and helped them try to carry it down.
It was slow work, with Gollum twisting, biting, clawing. Legolas hurriedly let go as they forced it into a cell in the dungeon, and the creature crawled into a corner, sounding like it was softly talking to itself. The prince watched for a few more moments, mystified by the creature. Then he turned to Mithrandir.
“Mith–” he started. The wizard cut him off, silently reminding him of his other name.
“Sorry… Gandalf,” the prince continued, “Why do we put him in one of the nicest cells? Doesn’t he deserve, from what I’ve seen of him, to be further underground?”
“No…” replied Gandalf, drawing the word out, “The deep places of the earth have blackened his heart enough already. There may be some hope for him yet.”
Legolas had plenty more questions to ask, but thinking better of it, he kept his mouth closed, and wondered how the wizard had managed to capture this Gollum in the first place.
After dinner later in the evening, Legolas slipped out of the hall, curiosity getting the better of him as he headed down to where Gollum was being held. One of the other elves was already there, watching the creature from across the room, and said, “He refuses to eat. It’s his own fault if he starves.”
Gollum gave a howl, and jumping up, ran over to the prince. “Nassssty food they gives us. Give us something good to eats,” he pleaded.
Legolas was taken aback. It was speaking. “What… would you like?”
“No nassssty food. Give us a juicy fish.”
Fortunately, Gandalf had come down at this moment. Legolas turned to him.
“One of the guards will get it for him,” the wizard said, waving a hand at the nearest one, who obeyed and went out to where the river flowed out of the palace.
The prince turned to Gandalf. “It speaks, if not civily,” Legolas said, surprised.
“There is one thing you must learn yet, my lad. This Gollum is not meant to be an ‘it’. Gollum is a ‘he’ like everyone else in this palace. There are very few in this world that reserve that low rank, even Gollum.”
“What was he, Mith–Gandalf?” Legolas asked.
“Gollum? I think he still is something. Does he remind you of any race in particular?”
“He could not be of elf or mankind. Small enough to be a dwarf, but I doubt it.” The Elf searched his brain. “Wait… there is something in the stories, that I used to read as an elfling. Another race, far from here, and very small they were.”
Gandalf nodded understandingly. “A Halfling.”
“That’s right,” Legolas said, the truth dawning on him, “But weren’t they merry, lively creatures? How could one sink… low? Like this?”
“Do not bother an old wizard with more questions than he’d care to answer for one night,” Gandalf replied, heading off towards his chambers. The prince followed.
“But–”
The wizard made a sound of disapproval. A few more flights of stairs they went. Legolas was about to turn down the opposite hallway.
“Before I forget, my boy,” said Gandalf, “There is another reason I am here. Go see your father. He will decide what to do with you.”
Maybe some adventure. What the Elf was hoping for. Not caring how late it was, Legolas started down the hallway at a run. Reaching his father’s room, he knocked briefly then opened the door.
“Ada?” he said, walking in. Thranduil was seated at his desk. He sighed.
“Legolas, it is the late hours of the night. Wait for tomorrow.”
“You’re awake,” replied the prince, “Even if it is late, and I won’t be able to sleep until you tell me. Please, Ada, what is it that Gandalf knows of and I do not?”
Thranduil gave it his best shot at pretending not to understand. He shuffled a few papers around. The prince had seated himself in a chair with a determined look on his face.
“I do not concern myself with the matters of wizards, my son,” the king said. Taking a look at the younger elf’s face, he consented.
“There is to be a council at Elrond’s, but that is some time from now. We just received word of it today. I will be thinking it over as to who should go, and I don’t want to get your hopes up, but that is a while from now. No more from you, so go to bed.”
Legolas nodded. “Even if it is a lengthy and boring council, at least there might be a speck of adventure in it.”
Not even a wizard could predict how the plans of the next few months would unfold.
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Thanks for hanging in there. As I said earlier, new chapters will be up frequently as I already have 4 written down and I just need the time to submit them.
Reviews appreciated!
15 Comments
i think you’ve got a pretty good start and would like to see how you develop it! keep posting! i really liked it so far.
A good beginning. Gandalf is very himself – telling Legolas even Gollum does not deserve to be an “it”. I also explored the captivity of Gollum before; the ethical question of what to do with him and how to treat him has a strong plot pull to it. I would like to see how you answer it.
Has this the action you spoke of writing? : ) ‘Cause I do like action…
-Kitt : )
I kind of like this plot. You have chosen a very interesting event to write about, and it’s surprisingly interesting!
Very good indeed…
An excellent start! I like the events you’ve chosen to write about, because this is personally a spot in the story I’ve always wondered about.
hi! YAY! ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!!! i loved it! gosh, i was sooo mad at gollum; embarrassing legolas in front of his father after he let him out! 🙁 but i really like it! please, pretty please, keep going!!! ;-D
I liked the comparison of Gollum with a child – that is true in a way, though he is quite a dangerous one at that! The Thranduil-Legolas contention certainly adds more color into the story. Legolas’ bursts of rage also added a spice… and Gandalf’s quiet reprehends were simply himself. *hearty applause*
I liked best of all the ending scene, with Gandalf flying bird smoke rings around the prince. : )
Can’t wait to see more…
-Kitt
yet another great chapter! i really love your development of the story. and i’m glad you’ll be updating more! congrats on the new computer!!! ;-D
I liked seeing the take-gollum-for-a-walk thing get started! “Giggle and gurgle” was a perfect description – I could easily hear and imagine Gollum crawling happily among the branches. Legolas’ curiousity about Halflings was fun. Oh dear, he better learn to keep himself more alert…
Yep, met my expectations! : )
-Kitt
ooh action! i love it!! and i love the pacing of the story; for some reason it just seemed perfect, the timing of when gollum escaped. one little thing tho-and you can ignore this if you want of course. it just bugs me. anyway, it seems really out of character for elves-who were created by a man whose world revolves around language-to say things like “nah” or ” ’em”. the ’em might have been a typo or something, but anyway if you want any constructive criticism that would be one point i would make. 😉
Tsk, Legolas should have been more careful with that rope. With a burnt wrist to remind him it should not be so soon forgotten.
The guards’ gossip was fun. What trouble with a maiden, I wonder?
Oh no, Gollum’s finally escaped… it’s going to be a bother trying to track him down. (And all the more depressing for us since we know it is a lost cause.)
Still an enjoyable read. 😉
Kitt
lol poor legolas. thranduil should have given him a few minutes!!! lol i liked the chap tho!! definitely keep going! (it’s almost over? *sob*)
Well, what a way to learn he is going to Rivendell. *g*
Really, I am sad about the death of the other guard. The guards seemed like such happy, carefree fellows.
I look forward to more…
I really like this story! Keep up the great writing!
This has been much anticipated Tulca! Life’s been insane for me; I don’t blame you for needing to slow down.
“…blackness and treachery of the forest thereabouts” I love this line. It hints that the forest some dark-hearted trees betrayed others, and in the end took over with Sauron’s aid… or at least that’s my interpretation of it. 🙂
The mentioning of Melian was cute! (Especially with his little accident shortly thereafter). It’s not like it was gag-me with him starting to go off in a long-winded love song… really, this little piece of romance was done with perfect moderation!
The half-hug scene with Thranduil was sweet in a way. And I liked how Legolas joined up with Boromir. I don’t think their relationship and opinions of each other are explored too thoroughly in fanfiction. I hope you keep with it! And it IS exciting to see Aragorn and the twins again. 😀
-Kitt
yay another chap!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!! and they made it to rivendell! love it!!! hehe legolas fell… lol didn’t know he could do that… 😉 anyway, loved the chapter(except that it’s that much closer to the end… sniff…)