Disclaimer: I don't own any of the LOTR characters, themes, languages….etc
A.N: Although this story isn't written in 1st pov, it is told from both Legolas and Aragorn POV. Each has their own chapter. Aragorn is first. This story takes place during Helm's Deep in the movie. It could be sorta AU or just extra scenes.
Summary: MovieVerse: Helm's Deep- Legolas' words pierced Aragorn's heart more deeply than he cared to admit. Twoparter- Aragorn and Legolas POV
Aragorn stared blankly in front of him, his eyes unseeing, seated on the steps of Helm's Deep. People bustled around him, rushing to and fro trying hard to fortify the fortress. Although, he was a part of the scenery a part of him was far away.
Maybe…..
Maybe this was hopeless.
Was he so wrong for trying to have hope?
He always tried to be strong; always preaching hope even in the bleakest times. Even when doubts lingered, he had pushed forward, surging in hope.
But now doubts began to settle upon his own mind.
His best friend, words still lingered in his mind, echoing, still able to pierce so thoroughly into his heart as the first time he heard the words.
Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir ortheri. (They cannot win this fight!)
Natha daged dhaer!!(They are all going to die!)
He was no longer was able to push the doubts away. They had been but seeds before easy to ignore, but now multiplied.
Natha daged dhaer!!
It echoed in his head, time and time again. And he was unable to quiet the words. Aragorn could see clearly the despair that slowly crept into Legolas' eyes that had slowly brought him down. In his defense he shouted in the common tongue.
Then I shall die as one of them!!
If one of the Firstborn was slowly giving up hope, then what right did he a Dúnedain at the most had to continue to hold on?
Everyone around him was beginning to despair, so why then did he still preach the word of hope?
Why?
Aragorn blinked and looked around, for once observing the hustle and bustle. The same question still repeated in his mind:
Why? Why? Why?
Suddenly he found himself calling out to a young boy. Háleth, son of Háma, he found his name to be. One of the many young lads whose innocence, if it hadn't been stolen by now, would be by the end of this night.
Whether it be literally or metaphorically…..
"The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless", Son of Hama said.
"There is always hope". Something he told the young lad though now seemed to be just something to say. Just what is supposed to be said. Just an automatic response, nothing more.
Why continue to hope?
Legolas was right….
They were all going to die….
Aragorn strapped on his armor, the moves practice and automatic. Too practiced, as he was wasn't even thinking about it. His mind elsewhere.
They were all going to die.
They were all going to die.
They were…
All…
Going…
To…
Die…..
'This is hopeless', Aragorn thought grimly as he reached for his sword. A split second later he realized that the hilt of it was being offered to him. He inclined his head once as he took the sword from Legolas.
Why was he here?
"We have trusted you this far, you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair", the Sindar elf spoke.
Aragorn smiled once at him though he felt it forced. 'Just play along. Just play the part expected of you and you will have no problems', was his brief thought as he lowered his glaze to focus on strapping the sword to his waist.
Aragorn could see in his brief look at Legolas that his eyes were no longer clouded by despair and hopelessness. He wondered what changed. He wanted to ask but could not muster up the strength or courage.
Too bad that Legolas was very adept at reading him.
"Mellon-nin (my friend)……"
Aragorn didn't look up at Legolas, but inside himself he agreed with him. 'You were right, this is hopeless, we are all going to die.'
"Yes, Legolas?", he murmured after another moment had passed.
"Your heart weighs heavily. What is troubling you?"
Aragorn wanted to laugh. Was Legolas serious in his questioning?
"Mellon-nin……"
Although, Aragorn could not see Legolas' face he could hear his concern. "Nothing, Legolas. Do not trouble yourself." He shrugged the concern off.
Or at least tried to.
"You yourself have fallen to despair", came Legolas' voice, not missing a beat, "My thoughtless words did not help matters."
"I'm fine Legolas. Leave me so I can mentally prepare for battle."
Aragorn felt a touch on his shoulder but didn't turn to the source. Legolas had slipped into the Elvin tongue:
You mean for your death? If I let you walk out of here like this you are bound to do something reckless in your state of mind. Despair and battle do not go together.
You were right, mellon-nin. Aragorn replied back in Elvin tongue as well.
About what?
We are all going to die. You were right. I see this now. I was a fool not to have seen it sooner.
Aragorn, look at me…
Legolas' voice sounded worried and stern and Aragorn found himself obeying. The former's hands rested on his shoulders. Dark eyes full of conviction and determination bore into his own grey ones.
No, Estel. I was wrong, do you hear me? I was wrong. I was the fool. I was wrong to despair, to give up hope. In these dark times, sometimes hope and strong friendship is all that is left to us. If we give those up we admit defeat before we even get started. I won't let you walk onto the battlefield so hopeless.
Aragorn started at Legolas before lowering his glaze. Why bother anymore? Why hope anymore? Tell me why I should continue to spend such energy. Let us be realistic. We cannot have hope blinding us from the truth.
Aragorn felt himself being shaken.
"Hope does not blind us from the truth", Legolas had slipped back into the common tongue, but Aragorn heard the conviction in it. So strong he lifted his glaze to see the fire ignited in dark eyes. The elf's voice was low, but steady, "It strengths us to go on. You were right to forever have hope in even dire circumstances. It is right. I cannot say how this battle will end, but even though the enemy can take away our very lives they cannot ever touch our soul where hope resides."
Aragorn felt himself being shaken once more in emphasis as Legolas added, "Estel, listen to me, now, at this very moment. Listen to my words being spoken now, not before. Do not listen to my words that spoke from a dark place within me I hope never to let have reign again. If my words are to affect you so deeply, I would have it that these words spoken now affect you, not the ones from many long minutes ago. I was a fool to have spoken them, and will regret them for my long life."
Aragorn stared at Legolas, looking into his dark eyes trying to read him. He saw the conviction had not wavered. His own conviction slowly returned to him.
Maybe it was all they had to hold onto and if that was true it would not do to allow it to slip away. He was right for holding on so tightly to it. He shouldn't give it up for anything.
Yes, they may die tonight and yes it does look hopeless but that didn't mean they shouldn't give up. That they should just lay down and die.
Aragorn slowly began to smile; a smile that lit his eyes. Legolas slowly began to smile after a moment.
"Hannon-le (thank you) mellon-nin…" Aragorn murmured.
Legolas smiled once and nodded. "I am truly sorry for such words. I do mean that. And hope you will forgive me."
"Ú-moe edhored, Legolas. (There is nothing to forgive)", Aragorn spoke reaching up to grasp Legolas' forearms.
Aragorn watched Legolas become relieved. Aragorn thanked the Valar. He was grateful to have such close friends.
And as long as they were alive, there would always be hope.
TBC...
A.N: Forgive me if the statement about Firstborn/Dúnedain aren't correct. If the statement is not correct, I would not mind one telling me how to correct it. I just started reading the original books, so I had to look up what I've heard so much to get a halfway correct understanding. I'm under the impression that Elves are Firstborn and Dúnedain are a special league of men who for one are blessed with longer lives that normal men.