Sins of the Fathers 
Author: jenolas  
nbozovic@optushome.com.au


PG  - Drama/Angst  
Disclaimer: JRR Tolkien owns it all, I claim nothing.
A/N: just a small scene before the final battle in ROTK

SINS OF THE FATHERS

The light from the crescent moon was pale and the wind was still, no 
sound could be heard except the occasional rustle of unnamed creatures 
in the darkness or the eerie howl of a distant wolf. The mists of 
Mordor shrouded the land, making the place seem more desolate still, 
as the Army of the West made a final camp before the assault of the 
Black Gates of Mordor. Although only six thousand strong the courage 
and the strength of their leaders made it seem as if it were double 
that number. Tomorrow they would approach Cirith Gorgor and finally 
face the Dark Lord and his army.

All, but mostly the elves, felt the feeing of dread and presence of 
shadow. Elladan and Elrohir were sitting together talking quietly, 
taking what comfort they could in each other's presence. Legolas stood 
to one side his hand resting on one of the only trees that still 
retained a spark of life. His thoughts had turned to Mirkwood and the 
sadness he felt that he could not be there for his father and his 
people. Elladan and Elrohir turned to listen as a sweet haunting song 
drifted towards them. Legolas was singing a lament for his beloved 
Mirkwood and all the elven lives lost in the battle with the Shadow.

Aragorn was the only other close enough to hear the melancholy song 
and moved from the fire he was tending to join his friend.

"Whom do you mourn, my friend?" he asked gently, choosing to ignore 
the tears of sadness which welled in the soulful eyes. Legolas turned 
to him knowing that the heir of Isildur would understand.

"So many, Aragorn..so many have fallen to the shadow already, and so 
many more to come. I finally begin to understand my father's fear and 
why his rule seems so harsh. We are about to begin a battle that 
should have been over three thousand years ago. He was THERE, saw so 
many die, how could that not harden even an elf's heart? When my 
grandfather Oropher was killed, my father became king of a realm that 
has remained constantly at war with darkness."

Aragorn merely nodded, then said quietly, "yes, I wish that Isildur 
had had the strength to resist the power of the One Ring and destroy 
it, the cost of keeping it has been far too high. I feel that is my 
responsibility, as his heir, to set things right, if that is even 
possible." Both knew that the total defeat of the Dark Lord's power 
was in the hands of the Ring bearer, but there was still a battle to 
be waged on the morrow.

Legolas placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "this is a burden we 
both share."

"What do you mean?"

"As my father tells it, Oropher agreed reluctantly to enter into the 
war of the Last Alliance, and the army he took with him from 
Greenwood, as it was known then, was a mere handful of untrained 
elves. His pride refused to permit him to follow orders and he led a 
charge before Gil-galad had ordered it. The battle was met before the 
others were ready. Had Oropher followed orders, perhaps he might have 
survived, and many elves may have survived to return with him. Instead 
my father returned, a king before his time, deep in grief. All his 
reign he has ensured that all in his realm are capable warriors, and 
no-one disobeys his orders." Aragorn nodded in silent agreement. Often 
he had gone on orc raids with the warriors of Mirkwood and he knew 
just how good they were. Legolas was one of the best, and the Prince's 
orders had always been followed without question.

He smiled slightly and could not resist a small barb, "I believe you 
have not always obeyed Thranduil, my friend."

"Well, perhaps a little disobedience every now and then" Legolas 
admitted with a grin of his own, "but never in battle" he added 
seriously.

"It appears that you have learnt from the mistakes of your 
grandfather, but I would hardly say that disobeying an order is in the 
same league as failing to destroy the One Ring. Did you know it called 
to me? I could feel it, it made my blood sing."

"You resisted the temptation, heir of Isildur, you let Frodo go," he 
reminded firmly, "you do not have the same weakness as you forefather. 
However, would also be wise not to forget that he was also a great 
leader before he gave in to darkness. Look around you at the men, of 
all races, who follow you. They see the greatness in you, they have 
faith that you will defeat Sauron and that Middle Earth will be free 
from the shadow." The absolute confidence in the elf's eyes boosted 
Aragorn's spirit.

"I will, I swear," he vowed as he clasped Legolas' arm in the warriors 
grip, "and the grandson of Oropher will be beside me to help ensure 
that Sauron is destroyed."

"Yes, and the next song I sing will be of our glorious victory!"