Special note for this chapter: The plot in the next few chapters is a homage to an episode of the old sci-fi TV show Battlestar Galactica, because I'm an uber-geek like that. ;)

“Gandalf, what is happening here?” Estel cried out.

The Grey Wizard looked at the still sweaty body of the Elf.

“He has stepped in to save your life, I would say,” he responded.

“Stepped in?” Estel’s cry was full of desperation. “How could that be? He was nowhere near the line of fire!”

“Not physically, no,” The Istari agreed. “But his is such a spirit that can overthrow the natural order of things by will alone. A will which was born of such a deep love, you can only imagine it.”

Estel’s ability of speech vanished as his torn gaze was fixated on the Wizard. That Legolas would sacrifice himself for his sake was inconceivable enough, but doing so by the transcending power of his will alone? Yet he was entirely aware of the horrid fact that it was so and that it was his own fault. The Elf’s life must not be lost to this struggle. He had no chance.

“Gandalf,” Estel whispered. “Save him.”

Ancient, knowing and concerned eyes were in turn fixed on him and their stern look spoke volumes of what a demand of this kind entailed. “Would you like me to save him, Dunedain," asked the fierce voice. “At any cost?”

“Yes!” was the unhesitant answer.

“Even at the cost of your own life?”

“Yes!”

“What I am offering you,” the Wizard insisted, “Is not an exchange that could be ever reversed. Think hard and well, for if you do not truly stand behind your decision, you will both lose your life!”

Before Estel had declared his assuredness, he became aware of how their surroundings began to change, to buzz and shift in lucidity with the powers of the Istari, though the process had actually begun beforehand. The Wizard had told him an absolute truth, he had no doubt of this as the world around them gradually transformed into what he could only describe as the turbulent inside of lightning itself.

“I am certain,” he mumbled to himself when all sound drowned in the whistling noise. “My life for his.”

The last thing, the very last thing he knew he would experience, was gentle. Like a sweet embrace, soft and white, all was quiet and a bliss spread out in Estel’s mind, right before it ceased to be.

To be continued...