A/N The Silvan, Avari, and Laiquendi elves to me seem the best match for elves found in modern mythology, especially since most of those groups would end fading into spirits after a while. Wrathful and dangerous spirits, according to the notes in Morgoth's Ring.
Note: there is no sexual stuff involved, not even the rumors go that far in this universe. I refuse to go that far in any of my writings. I'd appreciate it if you respect this as you read. :/
If you think about the geography too, Mirkwood could be the Black Forest in Germany, where the elf myth could have started. If you go by Middle-Earth is pre-modern earth. Tried to capture the magical and ominous nature of Mirkwood through Legolas and "rumors".
The Reaper is death, refering to Namo the keeper of the dead.
Erestor's ancestry and relations belong to my sister.
"You plan on going into that forest?"
"I plan to. The path is visible for all to see."
"Have you heard none of the stories!? The legends!? You are a mad man to want to tread beneath the Mirkwood!"
Aragorn blinked at the man, waiting for him to stop raving. Yes, the ranger has heard the tales...
"The fae folk will come down upon you, quick and quiet, and take you to the aelf-king, where he will give you to the Reaper if you have commited any heinous crime...or the wisps! Oh, if you hear any songs, DON'T go near it!"
'I lived among elves...' Aragorn told the man mentally. 'I do not believe the woodland elves are that treacherous and evil as you are describing them to be.'
"Beware the vine-fairies...they are the aelf-king's offspring. Masters over all that grows!" The poor villager started grabbing the ranger's clothes. "Please, spare yourself and don't go!"
"I will be perfectly fine, thank you." Aragorn gently removed the man. If he was to get scared over anything, it was the disturbing myths and tales these small villages came up with.
The poor man gave Aragorn a last desperate look before letting him go.
Aragorn pressed his way into the forest. It was afternoon when he left and entered the forest. He was at the northern part of Mirkwood, not infested by spiders, or not as many to be a danger. It was quite lovely in fact.
In broad daylight one would not believe a single tale most of the villages would tell a person.
Aragorn, when he was younger, asked Erestor about the elves of Mirkwood. Erestor himself was a relative to king Thranduil: his uncle, as Oropher wedded Erestor's sister back in the First Age. By being green-elves from a powerful nomadic group, Oropher got the power through his wife and established the kingdom in Greenwood among the Silvan. Nothing like a Noldorin realm to the west, of course...
Then Erestor got to the insane parts.
"Dale is the only realm that tolerates the wood-elves. Smaller villages with little to no power have made outrageous stories about them, making the statement about them being less wise and more dangerous more widespread."
To have Erestor say that about his distant kin was hard. He gets very angry when they slander him or his kin about being less wise. Aragorn has witnessed the advisor make that idea totally false when he gets into a person's nose...or his foot in someone's arse.
"Tales of enchanting mortals to dance till they die or hold them in place for years unending, devouring them, or sacrificing them to Mandos, whom they refer to as the Reaper...Shame on them!"
That conversation went south rapidly.
Yes, shame on these people for turning a fair race into a savage sounding people. But the Mirkwood elves obviously have been doing something to inspire these legends, aside from the constant stress from defending their home. Aragorn was not sure if he was happy he was going to learn that or not.
The forest changed rapidly when it became dark. It was like walking in a dream. Most of the legends happened during the night, and the ranger immediately saw how it could be terrifying to meet an elf at this time...especially what the elves were described to appear as.
Ludicrous.
Aragorn quietly set up camp and lit a fire. Maybe he could see an elf this way, or if he was unlucky, attract a spider. He had his short bow ready in that event. He began humming a gentle song as he whetted his blade. He was slowly beginning to fall asleep when he heard a snap.
Aragorn was not a nervous man, but after listening to scary myths and having no experience in dealing with wood-elves except a Noldo cultured green-elf, plus there are spiders to consider, it could set a man on edge: Dunedain or not.
"Suilad, mellyn!" He called in Sindarin, keeping his voice steady and grabbing his bow. "I mean no harm to you or your fair forest. But please understand I am aware of the spider issue too and...I might be talking to no one and am drawing the spider's ATTENTION!" Aragorn spoke faster and shot at nothing when the creaking got closer and louder.
There was a crunch of leaves and Aragorn saw a shadow with glowing green eyes. He lifted his bow again only to have it knocked out of his hand. He was going to shout but a hand pressed against his mouth, perfectly pinned against the monster.
"Few speak Sindarin so eloquently, and in Imladris' accent no less!" The voice whispered, then the tone spoke more harshly, "Who are you? And why are you here?" The hand let go and the presence disappeared.
Aragorn scrammed for his bow. "Estel, the son of Elrond. I come merely from curiosity from a child's dream!" He never referred to himself as Estel since he left Imladris, but if it will save his skin...
There was a long pause. Aragorn took the chance to make a torch, find the bugger elf.
"Son of Elrond? Twins I have heard, but no man...Do you know my uncle then?"
The ranger looked around for the shadow. "I know not of any elf with Mir...Greenwood relations," he corrected himself. "Except Erestor, my teacher in history and politics."
The man caught the shadow, just beyond the torchlight. He did not invade the elf's privacy...yet.
"You are not like other men. You have not run away." The shadow said softly.
"Raised among elves, I would like to give all of them a chance." Aragorn narrowed his eyes. "Show yourself. I rather not talk to glowing eyes and never see their face."
The shadow moved closer to the great beech the fire was near. Aragorn kept watching for any sudden moves. A leafy boot with a sharp toe end stepped into the light. What emerged fully was something that once more could inspire legends.
An elf with green eyes, dark brown hair, and olive skin. The elf's apparel consisted mostly of an over layer of moss, leaves, and vines that tightly fitted the elf's form, and beneath it was the glimmer of silver leaf mail. There were wispy pieces of transparent fabric that began from the waist and fell to their knees. The trousers were black. Green, dark brown, and black were the most used colors here.
The wood-elf's gauntlets were something to be wary of, and Aragorn wondered how he did not get nicked with them. The fingers had sharp ends to them, and starting at the forearm to just beneath the wrist was a long barb.
The elf had a worn mantle of vines, and whatever other piece of apparel gave him broader shoulders. Even the dark hair, it was neat and tidy, but had vines in it.
Aragorn blinked, slowly.
The elf smiled faintly. "There. You have a face to share with the eyes."
"But no name."
The elf sighed and he turned his head to the left just enough to reveal some other features. Plaited into his hair was a metallic green leaf in the shape of a maple leaf that formed against the back of his head. Hanging just beneath the leaf were two bird feathers.
Aragorn picked up on the symbol quickly. "Prince Legolas." He said quietly.
The now named elf, the prince, nodded. "Obviously you know much. But given who you know back at your home, maybe it should not surprise me. But that still does not answer my question about why you are here."
"I did..."
"A childhood's dream I have heard before. Why are you here?"
Aragorn frowned. "Then you will get no other answer save curiosity."
Legolas stared unnervingly. But Aragorn has suffered worse and was not bothered by it.
Legolas seemed confused when the ranger did not react. "Indeed you are different. Those not from Dale normally would be running or begging for mercy."
"Well, if I know I have angered you then I will, if that comforts you." Aragorn lowered the torch and slowly eased himself next to the fire.
Legolas smiled again.
"Seat yourself if you will, my prince, unless you have elsewhere to be."
"All that is available to me is here, the stronghold, or south to the spiders." Legolas sat himself down and crossed his legs.
Aragorn met eye contact with the prince. "You are much different than to what I am used to seeing."
"Perhaps...but back in protection of the cave, we are a bit more "civilized", in other people's words, in appearance. Out here, it is best to remain unseen and unnoticed. Spiders can smell elf already, best make sure they cannot see elf."
Aragorn motioned to the gloves. "Are those spider related also?"
Legolas turned his hand. "Yes...the barb is to cut the webbing. The nails, best to be able to cause harm still if you are disarmed. Some orcs sometimes pass through here."
Aragorn figured he was learning more about the Mirkwood elves than the villagers had over the span of centuries in ten minutes of just asking questions, "You are well equipped to fight your enemy."
Legolas looked mildly sad then. "We are, but it was, and is, not enough."
Aragorn decided not to press. He was not sure what to say next.
"What ludicrous fantasies have you been told?"
Aragorn looked back up and Legolas wore an expression of intensity, searching.
"A few..."
"None of it is true." Legolas said a little forcefully. "We may be odd, but we are not animals nor are we spirits of our common enemy."
"I never believed them for a moment, my prince."
"Why were you frightened then?"
Aragorn did not answer immediately, picking his words carefully as to not insult the prince and to save his pride. "I was...being careful. I know not what to expect here, and I must beg pardon for thinking you were a spider."
Legolas hummed, smiled, then leapt up to his feet. "I like you, Estel. That was what your name was, yes? I must cut our meeting short though. How long will you be trespassing?"
Aragorn was surprised about the cheerful demeanor Legolas shifted to and the happy voice. "I am not sure."
"Then sleep! Goodbye for now!" Legolas scampered up the tree like a squirrel.
Aragorn blinked again. Legolas was quite energetic. The man thought he liked the prince too, and would not have minded spending more time speaking. Legolas was probably the only elf in this forest that would answer his questions instead of kicking him out. Aragorn shook his head and went down to sleep.
When Aragorn woke up, it was broad daylight. And there were a bunch of moss elves surrounding his campsite.
"What the...?"
"Are you the one my brother spoke about?"
Aragorn turned his attention to the regal looking blonde. The elf had his arms crossed and looking at him expectantly. Seeing the similar hair design from the front view, Aragorn guessed it was another prince.
"Yes."
The blonde smiled. Legolas appeared over his shoulder the next moment, a big smile on his face.
Aragorn gaped. "My prince, what..."
"I said I liked you, Estel." Legolas said happily. "And I want my family to meet the third son of Elrond, even if it means kidnapping you. You are not in a hurry though or needed anywhere?"
"No..."
"What say you then, that we show you our home and share our lore?"
Aragorn knew this was a one time opportunity and he should accept. But he had a thought.
'What in the world have I gotten myself into?'
