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The mood of the Hall Of Fire was solemn at best. Tonight there were no lively songs sang, or epic stories told, there wasn't any dancing nor cheerful conversation. It was the eve before the fellowship were to departe on their likely fatal quest, and loved ones clung to their last few moments together as if it were their last.
The dwarves rumbled together in their own corner, showering Gimli in advice and whatever weapons or armor they could spare. Aragorn could have sworn he saw a few tears shared between Gloin and his son, though he would never mention it.
He himself was surrounded by the elves he had come to consider family, even though they shared no blood. Arwen had nestled into his side, gripping tightly to the hand that wasn't wrapped around her shoulders. His twin brothers and Glorfindel were attempting to keep things in a resemblance of cheerful, teasing one another and reminiscing past adventures. They had originally poured their efforts into recounting every embarrassing childhood story of Aragorn that they could, until Elrond began telling three embarrassing tales for each of them for every one that they shared. Which quickly put a stop onto that particular trail of conversation, for Elrond forgot nothing, and had many hundreds of years of foolishness to draw upon in Aragorn defence.
The only ones who seemed to be earnestly joyful were the hobbits. Well, Merry and Pippin. Which was not a complete surprise, Aragorn had learned many storms and rough terrain ago that it took more than some bad news to dampen their spirits. Hopes of grand adventures and fun still gleamed in the two youngest hobbit's eyes, even if Frodo and Sam didn't share their enthusiasm. Aragorn strongly suspected they wished to be like Bilbo and travel to foreign lands with strange companions, forgetting all of the losses and pain he had suffered along the way.
Aragorn's eyes scanned the room looking searching for somebody in particular, but saw no shining golden hair anywhere within the hall. With a deep frown he turned to his foster father, "Adar, do you see Legolas?"
The Lord of Rivendell's eyes looked about the room, not unlike a hawk searching for a mouse. "I do not, I wasn't aware he had left."
Elladan, Elrohir, and Glorfindel's heads all swiveled about in search of the woodland prince. "Where did he go?" Elladan asked.
"If I had known where he had gone, I wouldn't be looking for him, would I?" Aragorn replied with no small degree of sarcasm.
He was met with a writhing look from his older brother, Arwen tugged on his arm to gain his attention before Elladan could fire back a response. "Perhaps you should go look for him."
"I think I will" He agreed, planting a kiss to her forehead before disentangling himself from her and standing. "I should be back before long"
Elrond gave a soft smile, "If you are not, we will not hesitate to send a search party to look for you. The desserts have yet been served, and we know how you hate to miss out on the strawberry pies"
Aragorn grinned back, and patted his stomach in confirmation "I do love strawberry pies."
With that he made his exit from the room, playfully ruffling Pippins along the way and laughing at the protest form the small creature. He closed the door softly behind himself, locking the noises within and took a deep lungful of the pleasant evening air. He had no proof to support his theory, but he had always thought the very air to be clearer within the safe haven of Rivendell and took every opportunity to appreciate it. It was one of the last places on Arda that had not been tainted by evil and death.
He took a few steps forwards and leaned onto the balcony in front of him that overlooked the city. The continuous sound of the waterfalls could be heard in the distance, and the valley was bathed in the gentle light of elven torches as well as the moonlight. Although had already set, a few birds still sang their songs and the crickets sang back. The ranger allowed his eyes to drift shut for a moment as a gentle breeze ruffled his hair and carried the wonderful scents drifting from the kitchen.
His stomach made a small growl upon smelling the baking pies. Opening his eyes once more, he brought his lips together and gave a long, loud whistle. The sound drifted through the valley, and within only a few moments there was another whistle in response.
Aragorn wasted no time at all in making his way towards the sound, descending steps two or three at a time. It did not take him long to reach the base of his father's home, and find the elf who he searched for curled under a tree, next to the pond in which he had learned to swim in as a small child.
Legolas had a distressed frown on his face, and before him on the grass laid a few pieces of , rumpled up paper, several sheets of untouched paper, a quill and ink. His teeth worried at his bottom lip, while his fingers tapped restlessly on his knees.
The man made his approach towards his friend, sinking himself to the earth across from the distressed looking elf. "Whats this, then?" He inquired.
Blue eyes popped up from where they had been staring unblinkingly on the blank paper to meet the Rangers brown ones. His shoulders made a small, helpless shrug as he answered. "I do not know what to tell her"
Aragorn nodded thoughtfully for a moment. "Perhaps it would be best to start with a joke"
The elf barked out a laugh, and gave his human friend a gentle push with his foot. "How about, 'What has two legs, blonde hair, and makes incredibly dangerous decisions on the spur of the moment'"
Aragorn rumbled a laugh back, "Or maybe 'Remember that time you told me not to let Estel out of my sight? Well, I'm making good on that promise now'"
"How about, 'Took some hobbits for a long walk, I'll be back soon"
The friends laughed together for a moment, but it didn't last long before the lapsed into a contemplative silence.
It was Aragorn who spoke first, his voice low and gentle "How about, 'I love you, stay safe'"
For a second tears swam inside of Legolas' eyes before the rapidly blinked them away. He stared at the paper in front of him for a few moments longer before he looked away and ran his hands through his hair in distress. "Im awful with words, Estel. You know that I am. Everyone knows that I am… Would you write it for me?"
Aragorn gave a soft yet firm shake of his head, "You know her better than anyone, and she knows you better than anyone. Just speak from your heart, and she will understand what you mean. She deserves to hear it from you, not from me. Not from Glorfindel. Not from my brothers. From you, Legolas. You owe her at least that."
"Yes, yes you are right." He sighed. "You go on back inside Estel, spend time with your family. I won't be long"
The man climbed back to his feet with a small grunt, giving his back a good stretch before he directed his gaze back to his friend, "As you wish. But do not take too long, Adar has already threatened a search party."
" Plus" He added chipperly, "I hear there's going to be strawberry pies."
…
The line of horses marched through the gates, giving a wide birth around the elleth who stood expectantly in front of them. Her eyes searched the faces but did not find the one for which she longed to see, almost frantically she approached the one whom at been riding at the head of the party.
"Wheres Legolas?" Her light green eyes met the sorrowful ones on the captain.
Her stomach dropped to her toes, her lungs held their breath and her heart refused to beat. "Where is he?" She demanded, her voice cracking slightly on the last word.
Wordlessly the captain handed her a scroll of paper, it had been tied neatly with a ribbon on it. She ripped it off in seconds and nearly tore the paper in her haste to unroll it. She found a small letter, written in the suspiciously neat handwriting she had come to love so much.
Her hands trembled as she read the words the page held for her, ignoring Thranduil in the background who was demanding where his son had gone.
My beloved Avalein,
There are no words I could find to express the sorrow I feel in writing this letter to you, and I hope you can forgive me. We were correct in our guess for why Elrond had called such a meeting, the Ring of Power has indeed been found.
I ride with Estel to destroy it. It is time for him to fulfill his destiny, and he cannot do it alone. This war has cost us too much already, this is the only way for it to end. For it to truly come to an end.
No day will go by that you are not in my thoughts, and no night will pass that you are not in my dreams. Already I find my heart longing to see your face, and my ears to hear your laugh.
I will return to you, even if I have to crawl across the length of Arda to do so. Of this, I promise. There is no force on this world or in any other that could keep me from you.
With all of my love,
Legolas Thranduilion.
…...