Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, zip. All characters that are recognizable belong to their original creator. I do, however, own Mariel, Telmar and Tirien.
A/N: This is my second fanfiction and will probably only be 4-5 chapters in length. I'll try to update every week, however, I can make no promises. Reviews are nice, yet not necessary for me to continue with the fic. I write because it presents me with an outlet for my emotions. While I accept constructive criticism, I do not accept mindless flames. This is also an AU a very AU since Celebrian is still present. I have read countless fanfics that have Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir raising Estel and I have always wondered what it would be like to have Celebrian and Arwen there helping to raise him as well. Thus meaning that both of Aragorn's (Estel) birth parents were killed in that orc attack. Also, I must warn you now...I have never read the books only seen the movies yet I am an avid reader of LoTR fanfiction so I have gathered bits and pieces of book verse information. And despite my pen-name there will be mistakes, I might be an English major but I still make those typical grammatical mistakes. With that said I give to you my very second fanfiction...
(I know that Aragorn becomes the leader/chieften of the rangers, however, I don't know if he became the chieften immediately upon his return or if he had to be with the rangers and gain experience before he would be allowed to lead them. And so in this story I have chosen to follow the latter and have him join the rangers and gain experience before he can lead them.)
(One last thing...I am not Tolkien, nor do I claim to be him and so my writing will not even begin to sound like his, so please keep this in mind when reading. If my work seems too modern in its wording, I apologize, however, please do not flame this story on that merit alone. If modern wording bothers you than please turn back now. I did my best on this chapter and I hope it shows...)
Summary-Jealousy can be a dangerous emotion. When Legolas becomes jealous over Estel's budding friendship with a fellow ranger, the stubborn elf in a rare moment of jealous temper leaves the safety of the ranger camp, not realizing that Estel had followed his best friend. A band of orcs attack the pair just as Estel catches up to his friend leaving him gravely wounded when he intercepts an arrow meant for the elvish prince. Consumed with guilt Legolas rushes his friend to Imladris praying that the stubborn human will not give up hope before he has a chance to apologize for his un-elf like behavior.
Of Jealousy and Friendship
By: GrammarPRNcess
The midday sun blazed down upon the inhabitants of the small camp, many of whom wore rather long, tattered, black leather jackets combined with long sleeved, black tunics with matching black trousers and black boots. Though an average human would be sweltering beneath such attire these were no ordinary humans. No, they were rangers of the north, protectors to those who were in need of aid. Normally they roamed the wilds of Middle Earth but this particular segment had many wounded men from a skirmish with orcs that needed an extra day or two of rest and so they remained in a guarded glade that was not even two days ride to Imladris, home to their newly returned Cheiften.
It was the sound of hearty laughter that had caught the attention of the one unusual member of this group, for no ranger, rather human was he, but an elf of prominent standing in his father's realm. Legolas had met up with the rangers not even a week ago as he was on his way to visit Imladris and his dear friends. Glancing up from polishing his twin blades he was dismayed to see that the source of uncontained mirth had come from the very one he had sought out to visit.
Estel or rather Aragorn was sitting beside a young, freshly scrubbed ranger that could not have been older than Estel himself. The young ranger, Telmar, was obviously regaling Estel with a humorous anecdote and yet Legolas could not fathom what a child of his years could say that was so intriguing. It had been this way since Legolas had met up with the rangers, Estel would spend some time with him, however, to the ire of the elf, he also spent a bit more time with Telmar. He was beginning to feel like a third wheel and quite left out. He was jealous though he would never admit that to a living soul, for elves don't become jealous. They are harmonious and comforting, not ones to provoke unless it was an enemy and so for an elf and an elven Prince at that to become jealous of a human was ludicrous. But true all the same.
As the laughter continued the elven archer stood and made his way towards his friend, having had enough of being ignored and the annoying sound that was Telmar's laughter. Gracefully he walked towards the pair, blue fire lighting his eyes as he noticed the position the two rangers were in. They were sitting side by side, polishing their weapons while making conversation, but it was the relaxed and friendly air that surrounded the two that had upset Legolas. It was the same familiarity that always encompassed the elf and his human friend. It had taken quite a while before such an air had encircled them, it was almost a sacred feeling and yet with this, this young ranger it had only taken a span of a few months to achieve what had taken Leoglas and Estel years to perfect. Resentment began to boil under the surface of Legolas' calm facade, resentment towards his best friend and towards Telmar. He couldn't understand how Estel could share such a moment, a sacred air that Legolas thought belonged to only he and the human. His stride though graceful, had a decidedly hurried bounce to it that belied the serene picture his face presented. Finally he approached the pair who had turned from loud voices to soft whispers, noticing not the silently fuming elf that stood before them.
Legolas was a tolerant elf, however, that tolerance was being stretched thinly and so was his patience with the ranger. That Estel had failed to noticed his presence when he could always sense the elf's approach hurt Legolas more than he would care to admit even to himself. Looking back at the two rangers who still had not registered that Legolas was even standing there, he had to ask himself if what he had feared most in the world when Estel had joined the rangers had come to pass. 'Has Estel forgotten our friendship already? Has he forgotten our adventures and my vow that I would stand by his side until the end? Has, has he forgotten me?' The thoughts swirled viciously in his mind and a sense of betrayal and loneliness overcame his senses, jealousy was burning bright in his being and Legolas had the sudden, violent urge to smash something, anything so long as it took his pain away.
The elf's normally friendly eyes had turned a telling shade of black, a sign that his mind was in turmoil and his heart heavy and it was this sight of his best friend that greeted Estel when he had finally sensed Legolas' presence. Smiling he stood to embrace the elf only to see the darkened face and burning eyes and took a step back. Fear, an emotion that he had never experienced with the elf was wrapping itself tightly around him, like a cloak that was meant for protection but felt stifling all the same. Tentatively Estel reached out to his friend, meaning only to graze the infuriated elf's shoulder, however, before his hand reached Legolas, the elf suddenly drew back a fierce scowl marring his handsome face. Estel stood there, shock etched on his youthful face, not believing that his best friend had recoiled from his touch. 'Much like you did just a moment ago,' his mind raged though he tried to justify that as merely being surprised by the intense feelings his friend was emanating.
"Legolas, is something wrong?" Estel's voice held true concern but the stubborn elf refused to acknowledge it, instead he glared at the two rangers, noticing that Telmar had taken a few steps away, not being able to handle the elf's piercing glare. Finally, Legolas turned his attention towards his friend. Willing himself to calm down, Legolas took a few deep breaths yet when his attention was focused on the human again his resentment and hurt again boiled beneath his not so calm facade.
"Is there something wrong? you ask me, Strider. Whatever gave you that impression?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm and he took delight in seeing the frown that began to grace the rangers brow.
"Legolas, be serious. Is something wrong? Has one of the others said something to you? You are obviously upset, my friend..." With that one word Legolas snapped and rounded on the human he called friend.
"Friend! Friend, you call me your friend, yet since I have met up with your group you have treated me more like a guest, a stranger Strider, not a friend. You spend no more than a few hours if even that in my company. Instead you have chosen to give your attention to the young one who now stands behind you cowering." The last was said in elvish, Legolas in his anger having reverted into his own language. Estel, now understanding what was bothering the elf was becoming angry too.
"Can I not have friends of my own race, Legolas? Am I not allowed to have friends besides you, or the warriors of my father's realm? Tell me o' mighty prince of Mirkwood must my sole attention be placed on you?" This too was said in elvish, his rising temper leading Estel to speak his first language. His last comment was low and hurtful to one who had always sworn their protection and friendship with no strings attached.
Estel, however, didn't seem to acknowledge his words, not until the crestfallen and hurt look that had passed over Legolas face did he realize how his words had sounded. His face softened, yet before he could utter an apology the elven prince had turned on his heel, walking towards where his bow and twin blades rested. Placing his weapons where they always rested, he glanced at Aragorn once more than whistled for his faithful mare. Tirien trotted up to her master who leaped gracefully onto her saddle-less back and without a word he left the ranger camp, his eyes burning and his chest heavy with unbridled emotion.
Aragon watched with tears in his own eyes as his best friend left the safety of the ranger camp, his being filled with shame for the way he had treated his elven friend. He began to unfold the memories of the elf's visit beginning with his arrival to the camp. He had been so excited that his friend was there, having missed him and his family terribly since he joined with the rangers months ago, much to his parents dismay, who wished for him to wait awhile longer before he took upon himself his destiny. It had never occurred to him that he had been neglecting his sworn brother. He believed he had been dividing his attention equally and only now did he realize that what Legolas had said was true. He had chosen Telmar over his friend. How could he do that to his best friend?
Telmar, like himself was new to the rangers and missed his family just as much as Aragorn missed his. In Telmar, Aragorn felt he had found a kindred spirit, someone who understood what he was feeling and so he sought out the young man's friendship and had readily gained it, falling into an easy and relaxed friendship just as he shared with Legolas.
'By the Valar,' he thought, 'I've been a fool. I missed Legolas so much that I tried to imitate our friendship with another. No wonder he's so furious with me. And jealous.' With a steely resolve he set off for his mare, hoping that he could catch up to the irate elf before it was too late. He brushed off Telmar who had followed him with shouts that scouts had spotted orcs in the vicinity and that seeing how night was approaching he was better off not following an elf who was in the middle of a temper tantrum.
At the last of Telmar's words, Aragorn spun round and faced the young ranger. Telmar was no taller than he, his eyes a dark brown that matched his long, wavy hair. His build was slight and his skin was dark indicating that he spent quite a bit of time in the sun. Aragorn's normally light grey eyes, now a shade darker stared into Telmar's, fury, fear and shame coursing through his veins.
"He is no elf, Telmar. He is my best friend and I have wronged him. He traveled a far distance to visit with me and I treated him not with the respect he so richly deserves, especially after tolerating my actions for as long as he did. I only hope that he can forgive me for my foolishness" With those words Aragorn mounted his mare, Mariel and rode off in the same direction Legolas had only mere moments ago, hoping against hope that he would reach his best friend before the orcs do, all the while praying to the Valar that he could apologize and fix the damage done to their friendship, never realizing the danger that lay up ahead and that this time one of them may not survive the battle.
Well, here is the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and I plan to have chapter 2 which will be entitled, Battle and Regrets up soon, sometime next week actually. O-kay, now I'm off to bake Christmas cookies...Happy Holidays everyone!