I'm back with the final story in my little series. I don't even know what to call my series! Anyhow, this story will be a lot longer then the others as I've got to deal with a few issues. Back in this story is Aragorn and Legolas, with a supporting cast of Elrond, the twins, Deollyn, a load of Orcs, and our mysterious Shadow Elf! Unfortunately his identity is not revealed until later; you're free to try and guess who it is though!



Those who have not read my other three stories in this series: Just An Innocent Child, Recovery and The Forge of Friendship should read them, as some of this story does not make sense. However it all will be explained in due time, but not until later.



Without further ado (and explanations) I give to you 'Fear of Men'





Fear of Men

Chapter 1

Arguments



More then two weeks had passed since the two friends had left the vicinity of Mirkwood and began the long road to Rivendell. Aragorn and Legolas walked slowly down from the mountains. The weather had been kind to them, and the two friends had spent a long, slow journey crossing the mountains, enjoying the scenery that they passed.

Night had fallen. The two friends had set up camp, just aside from the mountain path they had been following. A bright, burning fire, both friends had built, and its flames still roared, giving off heat and keeping them both warm.

Tonight Legolas was keeping watch over the camp. His eyes were staining across the sky seeking the brightest of all stars: Ëarendil. Throughout their traveling Aragorn had not slept well, and Legolas had ordered the human to rest and catch up on lost sleep. Something was bothering the human, though Legolas could have a pretty good guess why he was not sleeping well.

Shortly before leaving Mirkwood, Aragorn and Legolas had discovered that an identified Elf had employed two men (hunters) to 'pretend' that they wanted to know about their parent's death, however that had not been the real motive, for the Elf had really wanted Aragorn. Thanks to Legolas they had been able to discover the real motive behind the situation and had sorted it all out, becoming friends in the process. The elf found it unbelievable that he had once hated men, but thanks to Aragorn had begun to like him.

Now both of them were firm friends.

Legolas smiled grimly as he thought over his past. Everything he had told others of himself about his hatred for men had been wrong. Aragorn had changed his opinion, though the man's own opinions of his kind resorted in undeniable hatred. The man that would be king, disliked all men, for one incident that had happened during his childhood. Legolas knew what had happened to Aragorn, but only in facts and not the full story. He hoped in Rivendell he would learn more.

Hours passed and the night began to brighten; the rays of sunshine could be seen on the horizon. The fire had burned low. Still Aragorn slept and Legolas watched the fading stars.

As night shifted to day, the wood-elf was pulled from his watchful stare by low moaning's that seemed to be coming from Aragorn.

The human was tossing and turning on the earth, his face clenched in pain, his fists balled, and his face sweaty. Suddenly the man woke from his sleep and saw Legolas staring intently at him.

"Are you okay?" the elf asked gently.

Aragorn did not answer.

"Aragorn?" the Prince momentarily forgot that he had named Aragorn 'Strider' with the help of Doyni one of the men who had assisted the elf, but turned traitor on him at the last minute.

"Don't." Aragorn reminded.

Legolas bit his lip. Adamant and stubborn, that was what the human was. There was no reasoning with him once his mind was set. Legolas had wanted to call the Ranger 'Aragorn' from the very start but the human had refused. Even now that they were friends, 'Aragorn' was not allowed, only 'Estel' and 'Strider' were acceptable.

"I'm sorry. I forgot." the Prince mumbled.

Aragorn turned away from him. Rummaging in his pack the human pulled out some elvish bread and bit into it. The savory smell and taste kept the human's spirit's up.

"How far to Rivendell?"

"I'm not sure. If I would guess it would take about another week and a half to get there. It'll be nearly the end of Summer then." Aragorn replied, taking another bite of the bread.

Legolas nodded.

When both of them had breakfasted the two companions refilled their water-bottles at a nearby water stream and departed from the camp.

The day passed in a blaze. Thirty miles was covered in that time. The evening was spent beside a raging fire swapping stories and laughing at each others misfortunes.

Certainly, Legolas thought, Aragorn seems to have recovered from his nightmare last night. I'll have to watch him.

Aragorn soon retired, and Legolas once again kept watch, hoping upon hope that no troubles would come to the young Ranger that night, however he was wrong when Aragorn woke once more, tears falling down his cheeks.

Legolas crawled over to Aragorn, gently waking him up. His eyes were glazed with pain, and silver tears continued to fall.

"Aragorn?" Legolas asked.

The human shook uncontrollably. The elf pulled the Ranger closer to him and hugged him.

"Tell me, Estel, what is happening with you? What troubles you?"

"Memories." he whispered.

"Memories of what?"

It took a while for Aragorn to answer, but he spoke eventually, and as he did so, he felt better that he could share his pain with someone. "My dreams are tainted by memories of....of Deollyn. And what he did to me. I see in my eyes, in my dreams, Deollyn standing over me, hitting me all the time. All that has happened since I came to your home as brought me nothing but bad times. The knowledge that, that ELF is out there, looking for me, once again, is too much to bear. I can't cope with this anymore." he balled his fists.

In a rage Aragorn got to his feet. "Why? Tell me why? Why me? What do you have against me Elf? If you so wish to kill me, come and do it yourself! Like I care!"

"Aragorn?" Legolas asked, slightly confused, but glad that the Ranger was letting go all his cares.

Hearing the 'name' he hated, Aragorn lashed out at the Prince, catching the elf on the cheek and sending him back. "I told you, don't call me that! My name is Estel!"

Legolas fell to the earth by the force of the hit. Aragorn marched away from the elf.

"Where are you going?" the Prince asked, as he sat up from where he fell, holding his cheek as the stinging pain died down.

"Away from you!" shouted Aragorn as he walked away.

Legolas closed his eyes and slowly got to his feet. He had made a mistake. I will not follow him. Aragorn needs time on his own.

Hours passed and the elf remained in the camp. Aragorn had not returned. Day came and the sun rose in the sky.

The Prince was just about to leave the camp when Aragorn returned. The human seemed calmer and he had an apologetic face.

He stopped right in front of the elf and said: "I'm sorry for losing my temper. I did not mean to hit you. I was lost. I suppose you hate me for what I did. I won't mind if you want to go back to Mirkwood."

For the first time in a few hours Legolas laughed. "Oh Strider! You've misunderstood me! I did not mean to hurt you by calling you by 'that' name. I was not thinking." he replied, grinning. "Besides I have no intention of leaving you out here all alone. I came with you for two reasons: one to see your brothers again, and two you are my friend. I would not abandon you for anything Strider. Not even Ilúvatar himself could stop me."

Then the elf Prince hugged Aragorn.

"Thank you mellon-nin." the Ranger whispered.

They packed up their camp, each giving each other a fair amount of weight to carry.

"Well, shall we continue?"

Aragorn nodded and lead the way. Familiar he was with this country; it was good to be back.



*****



Not far from where the two friends had camped, sat in a tree, was a hooded elf. Seeing that the two friends had left, he bounded down from the tree and walked for an hour till he came to a clearing where a group of Orcs were, sleeping silently, with one man leaning against the tree.

The hooded elf walked round the clearing till he came to the sleeping man. He shook him awake.

Wide eyed with surprise he blinked. His tousled grey hair fell in strands about his face. He was no longer youthful that he had once been, instead the years of being in prison had marked him. He yawned tiredly as he struggled to remain alert. "Yes?"

"They have left the camp. Follow them."

"Yes my lord." the man replied.

"And," the elf raised his hand, "Heran, do not, I repeat, do not allow this rubble of foul beasts, harm the human. Deollyn wants him alive and unharmed. Do you understand me?"

Heran nodded. "He will not be, my lord. If he causes trouble I'll allow the Orcs to deal with his little elf friend."

"Good." the elf replied.

Melting into the shadows the Shadow Elf crept away to track his prey and waylaid anyone that may ruin his plans.



TBC....



Yes, I know cliff-hanger already, unfortunately there will be a lot of those. Next chapter Aragorn and Legolas have a nasty encounter with Orcs, and Marihel (from Just an Innocent Child) comes to Rivendell with startling news!

Look out for it!