Note: None of these are my original characters. These characters are the
creation of J.R.R. Tolkien. This is my version of how Strider (Aragorn)
first met Legolas. Elvish speech has ' '. Hints of Shounen Ai! If you'd
like a sequel, e-mail me at aj_fan_fic@yahoo.com .
Strangers
Part 1
By: A.J. Matthews
Years ago
I don't like this, Legolas thought to himself. The woods are far too still this night. But I wanted to prove myself to the others, who think I'm still just a child, he sternly reminded himself. Can't let a little silence keep me from that.
He sat by his small fire, looking around nervously. Legolas stroked the fire, keeping his sharp, pointed ears open for any sound of trouble.
A twig cracked.
Legolas jumped slightly. He saw nothing however. Great, an elven prince scared of shadows, he thought glumly.
Suddenly, he hear high-pitched shrieks. Numerous twigs snapped.
'Orcs?' he questioned. 'It can't be. Sauron was defeated centuries ago.'
Several humans ran towards Legolas, becoming visible in the gleam of his fire.
Legolas gracefully jumped to his feet, and drew his bow and arrows. He was an excellent archer, and very rarely missed his targets. He fired his bow and arrows, killing many before they could approach him.
But more kept coming. He was running out of arrows. What creature could have summoned these evil humans, Legolas thought as he drew his sword and slashed at the ugly beasts.
Even as he slew them, more appeared. Legolas knew he couldn't keep this up forever. Sweat dripped down his brow.
He shouted at them in Elvish, but they appeared to not understand. As he slashed at one, another struck him from behind with a heavy stick. The stick struck his head hard.
Legolas fell to the ground, unconscious. They struck him with their weapons numerous times, making sure it wasn't an Elven trick. The humans hit him until they saw blood dripping from bad gashes and cuts. One human drew a whip and another pulled off Legolas's leather shirt. The whip struck him numerous times, leaving welts, and lashes all over his back. When satisfied that the elf wouldn't awaken for some time, the humans smirked at each other.
The humans then slung him over their shoulders and carried him off, laughing and talking in gibberish.
Unknown to them, and Legolas himself, eyes had watched from a nearby tree. And as the humans left, the figure followed, keeping to the trees.
Legolas moaned softly as he opened his eyes three days later. His head hurt badly, as did other parts of him.
He struggled to move, and then realized his hands were bound tightly to a tree, above his head. He hurt, especially his bare back. He felt liquid running down it. His mouth was tied shut as well, so Legolas couldn't try to cry for help.
He hissed softly in pain. His woven shirt was gone, and the bark against his lacerated back was agony for him.
The humans saw that he was awake. They spoke gibberish to him.
Legolas shook his head, trying to explain that he didn't understand.
For his effort, he was backhanded against the tree. One human began to tug at his clothes and knelt in front of him.
Legolas was seized with a sudden fear. They wouldn't. They couldn't, he prayed.
The human forced him to lie flat on the ground. His shirt had been removed, and he knelt on top of Legolas. His hands began to grope the Elven body.
A single tear rolled down from Legolas's bright emerald-green eyes as the human began to remove his leggings.
The solitary figure in the trees jumped to the ground and landed silently.
"Let the elf go," he said quietly. "Release him."
'Don't tell us what to do with our prisoner,' the human snarled, still straddling the imprisoned elf, who had silent tears running down his face.. 'You're probably another elf. Get him!'
The humans rushed towards the solitary figure, who flipped over them and drew his sword.
The battle lasted only a few moments.
The solitary figure walked over to where Legolas was bound to the tree. He drew his hood off and looked down at him.
Legolas cringed when he saw it was another human. A young human, with dark hair and eyes.
'Are you all right?' the stranger asked. He slit the ropes with his sword and pulled the gag off.
Legolas fell forward, and the stranger caught him. The stranger then looked over Legolas's wounds, stopping at his back where he winced. A whip with metal hooks had been used there.
'Who are you?' Legolas whispered, in a daze because of the pain.
'A friend. Can you walk?' the stranger asked, sounding concerned.
In response, Legolas fainted.
The stranger picked him up quite easily. He also grabbed the bow and arrows he saw lying next to the tree.
Legolas was carried to a secret cave. The stranger with dark hair and eyes lay him on his front. The bow and arrows were laid next to him.
After gathering some water, herbs, and a rag, the stranger gently started cleaning the lashes on Legolas's back. Blood was seeping from them. Signs of infection were obvious. The cuts were swollen. After cleaning the lashes, the stranger placed healing herbs on the lashes, and bound it with a strip of cloth torn from a blanket.
Legolas opened his eyes when he felt a cool cloth on his forehead. His back was feeling a lot better, but he was burning with a fever. Fear showed in his eyes when he saw the stranger kneeling over him.
'Relax. I'm only trying to bring the fever down,' the stranger said softly. 'Would you like some water?'
'Yes,' Legolas whispered. He gazed at the stranger. A human. defending an elf against other humans. It was unthinkable in Legolas's mind. Yet, this boy had helped him. 'Who are you?'
The stranger carried a leather bag full of water over to Legolas and knelt down. 'Tell me who you are, and I'll tell you who I am,' the stranger offered.
'My name is Legolas, son of the king of Mirkwood,' Legolas said. He was too weak to hold the leather bag.
When he saw that the sick elf couldn't hold the water bag, the stranger gently held it to Legolas's lips. As the elf drank thirstily, the stranger mused, 'So you're the son of the elven king of Mirkwood, and I am the heir of Isildur, Aragorn.'
Legolas swallowed before answering.
In truth, it could be said that neither believed the other. They eyed each other doubtfully, wondering how the other had gotten into such a fix.
'I.' Legolas's voice trailed off as his eyes met Aragorn's. 'I didn't know humans could be kind, Aragorn.'
Aragorn looked faintly amused. "And I didn't know elves could be captured by humans," he admitted in English.
Legolas looked at him in confusion. 'What did you say? I don't know the human language.' He frowned a little. 'Where did you learn to speak Elvish so well?'
'A wizard friend of mine taught me. Gandulf the Grey.' Aragorn looked down at Legolas. 'I said, 'And I didn't know elves could be captured by humans.' '
Legolas blushed slightly. 'I didn't even understand what they were saying.' He looked up at Aragorn. 'And how did you get there, right when I needed help?'
'If truth be told, I was watching you. I saw the humans approaching, hunting for 'demons'. They wanted you to lead them to Rivendell.' Aragorn looked at Legolas, who looked embarrassed that he hadn't noticed someone watching him.
'Why would you watch an Elf?' Puzzlement showed in Legolas's eyes.
'Well, I didn't fancy strolling up and saying hello, knowing how the friendship between elves and humans has deteriorated slightly. Because I am Gandulf's friend, I have met elves.'
'Gandulf the Grey?' A grin lit on Legolas's face. 'How is he? I haven't seen him for some time now.'
Aragorn started laughing. 'You mean, you know the eccentric wizard?'
Legolas's eyes sparkled with amusement. 'Eccentric, yes, but a good entertainer.'
'That's true.' Aragorn's grin faded slightly when he saw Legolas wince. The elf was trying to sit up. 'Rest a while, Legolas. Your back is pretty bad. I did the best I could, but I haven't learned every plant in the forest. I can help you travel to Rivendell tomorrow,' he offered quietly.
'No, that's too much trouble. Especially after you had to fight those other humans off,' Legolas said. He tried to sit up again, but it hurt too much. A flash of pain showed in his eyes briefly.
'I'm heading there myself. It'll take a few days, but I could help you learn to understand the human tongue on the way. Besides, you've still got a fever.' Aragorn gently pushed Legolas down. The elf was still burning up.
Legolas was hot to the touch. He fell into an uneasy sleep, as Aragorn replaced the cloth on his forehead with a fresh cool one.
Aragorn watched Legolas sleeping for a while. The elf was strangely beautiful to him, with fine, silky golden locks, and pale skin. His green eyes suited him well. He sighed, and then walked to the front of the cave to stand guard.
Hours later, Legolas opened his eyes. His fever had gone down a bit, but he was still hot.
He looked around for Aragorn, and then saw him sitting at the cave entrance. A slight blush went unnoticed, because Legolas's cheeks were red from the fever. He watched Aragorn for a few moments.
The human was not as graceful as elves, but there was something compelling about him nonetheless. He'd defended an elf against a human, which meant he had morals, something very hard to find in humans these days. And he'd taken care of Legolas while he was injured. Aragorn wasn't unpleasant to look at, either.
Aragorn felt someone watching him from behind. He glanced over his shoulder at Legolas.
'You're awake, I see,' Aragorn said. He stood and walked over to the young elf. He gently placed his hand on Legolas's forehead and frowned slightly as he reluctantly removed it. 'You've still got a fever, Legolas. If you want, we can wait a few days before heading to Rivendell.'
'No, it's ok. I'm nearly well again.' Legolas looked up at Aragorn, who had his eyebrows raised slightly.
'I think we should wait at least one more day before we leave for Rivendell, ' Aragorn said firmly. 'Your fever may be getting better, but your back isn't.'
Legolas nodded slowly. Pain flashed through his eyes as he remembered what that other human had almost done to him. Tears were running down his face, which he had turned away from Aragorn.
Aragorn saw pain flash through the elf's eyes. He knelt down and gently placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. To his surprise, Legolas pressed his face into Aragorn's chest, crying silently.
The way Legolas had been when Aragorn had seen what that human was doing. The thought made Aragorn furious.
He embraced the distraught elf hard, whispering words of comfort. He ran his hand over Legolas's silky blond hair, as Aragorn let Legolas cry out his inner pain and torment into his shirt, and he held him close.
Legolas had cried himself to sleep, Aragorn saw with surprise, as he opened his own eyes. Legolas still had his head resting against Aragorn's chest but without any more tears.
Legolas blinked his eyes open slowly, as Aragorn moved to lay him down on the ground again.
'Sorry, Aragorn,' he said softly. 'I don't know what came over me.'
'It's all right, Legolas. I understand perfectly.' Aragorn's dark eyes met Legolas's. The elf's face had tear streaks on it.
'Please, Aragorn,' Legolas pleaded. 'Don't tell anyone what almost happened.'
Aragorn looked slightly uncomfortable at the thought of lying. He bit his lip.
'Everyone will ridicule me for not being stronger,' Legolas said, a single tear dripping out of his left eye.
Aragorn nodded slowly. 'I won't tell anyone, I promise. But you should talk to a friend about how you feel, Legolas. Don't keep it trapped inside of you.'
'You're right, Aragorn. But.' Legolas lowered his gaze in shame.
'But what?' Aragorn tilted Legolas's face up towards him. 'Don't lower your head in front of me, Legolas. We all have our own pains and weaknesses. Even me.'
Legolas looked at Aragorn. 'But, I have no friends, Aragorn. Except for you,' he said shyly, hesitantly.
Aragorn frowned. 'You seem a nice enough elf, Legolas. How can you not have any friends beside me?'
'The elders see me as a child still; the others think I am different because I like to go off by myself.'
'I know what it is to be alone and friendless, Legolas. Isildur's heir or not, a Ranger does not make many friends.' Aragorn looked at Legolas. 'If you ever want to talk about it, Legolas, then I will be here for you. Always.'
'Thank you, Aragorn. I will always be there for you, too,' Legolas vowed.
Aragorn smiled. 'Now, let us eat.' He released his embrace on Legolas somewhat reluctantly. He stood and walked over to his pack. He dug out some bread, and walked back over.
Legolas watched Aragorn curiously. He was no ordinary human; that much Legolas could tell. He was an elf-friend now, which made him even more precious to Legolas.
'It isn't much, Legolas,' Aragorn said apologetically. 'I hope that Lord Elrond will give me some food to take home with me when I leave Rivendell.' He handed Legolas half of the bread.
Legolas chewed it carefully, not used to human food. And he was so hungry, it didn't really matter.
Aragorn saw Legolas tear through the bread ravenously. 'Hungry?' he asked, with an amused smile.
'Sorry.' Legolas looked slightly downcast. 'I haven't eaten since I was kidnapped.'
'Ah. Then I can gather some nuts later for you to eat,' Aragorn said. 'And how would you like to learn to speak the human tongue? We have plenty of time for you to learn some of it today, Legolas.'
Legolas nodded eagerly. 'All right.'
He tried to sit up again, but was admonished to remain laying down by Aragorn. Legolas's back was starting to hurt again, but he ignored it as best as he could. Instead, he focused on what Aragorn was saying.
They spent over five hours on human language. Legolas couldn't believe how easy it was, once you learned the basic, most commonly used words. And how to pronounce them.
"Good mm-morning," Legolas said, stammering. Elvish language was much more musical and flowing.
"Very good!" Aragorn repeated it in Elvish for Legolas. 'Very good, Legolas. You learn fast. But we should continue the lessons later.'
Aragorn looked at Legolas, who had a look of pain in his eyes.
Legolas couldn't hide a wince. He rolled onto his front carefully, though it hurt just the same. But the pressure was off his back. The sweat from his fever was making the lashes sting.
'What's wrong, Legolas?' Aragorn looked at Legolas in concern.
'My back.' Legolas whispered. 'It hurts again. Why isn't my natural healing ability working, Aragorn?'
'There was some kind of poison on the whip, Legolas. Until it works its way through your system, your Elven ability to heal can't help you.' Aragorn sat beside his friend, and rubbed the numbing herbs on his hands. 'This might sting a little, Legolas, but it should stop your back from hurting so much.'
Legolas gasped softly as Aragorn gently placed his hands on his back, and began to rub the medicine in.
"Does it hurt?" Aragorn asked. He used the human language deliberately, to distract Legolas into trying to figure out what he'd said.
"No. Your hands are cold," Legolas slowly answered.
Aragorn couldn't help laughing, as he continued to spread the medicine. "Feeling better, Legolas?"
"Yes." Legolas was surprised to hear himself speaking in the human language.
'I'm done.' Aragorn gently removed his hands from Legolas's back. He stood to rinse his hands.
An elven arrow barely missed him. Aragorn ducked down and looked around. More arrows came flying towards them.
'What the?' Aragorn said.
'Those are the arrows of Rivendell, Aragorn!' Legolas looked at his friend. 'You'd better get down before they hit you.'
Aragorn used his bag full of water to rinse off his hands, as he sat beside Legolas.
Legolas let out a high-pitched whistle.
It was answered by more whistles, which came closer.
Lord Elrond, surrounded by many of his followers, entered into the camp. All of them had their bows drawn directly at Aragorn.
To be continued
Strangers
Part 1
By: A.J. Matthews
Years ago
I don't like this, Legolas thought to himself. The woods are far too still this night. But I wanted to prove myself to the others, who think I'm still just a child, he sternly reminded himself. Can't let a little silence keep me from that.
He sat by his small fire, looking around nervously. Legolas stroked the fire, keeping his sharp, pointed ears open for any sound of trouble.
A twig cracked.
Legolas jumped slightly. He saw nothing however. Great, an elven prince scared of shadows, he thought glumly.
Suddenly, he hear high-pitched shrieks. Numerous twigs snapped.
'Orcs?' he questioned. 'It can't be. Sauron was defeated centuries ago.'
Several humans ran towards Legolas, becoming visible in the gleam of his fire.
Legolas gracefully jumped to his feet, and drew his bow and arrows. He was an excellent archer, and very rarely missed his targets. He fired his bow and arrows, killing many before they could approach him.
But more kept coming. He was running out of arrows. What creature could have summoned these evil humans, Legolas thought as he drew his sword and slashed at the ugly beasts.
Even as he slew them, more appeared. Legolas knew he couldn't keep this up forever. Sweat dripped down his brow.
He shouted at them in Elvish, but they appeared to not understand. As he slashed at one, another struck him from behind with a heavy stick. The stick struck his head hard.
Legolas fell to the ground, unconscious. They struck him with their weapons numerous times, making sure it wasn't an Elven trick. The humans hit him until they saw blood dripping from bad gashes and cuts. One human drew a whip and another pulled off Legolas's leather shirt. The whip struck him numerous times, leaving welts, and lashes all over his back. When satisfied that the elf wouldn't awaken for some time, the humans smirked at each other.
The humans then slung him over their shoulders and carried him off, laughing and talking in gibberish.
Unknown to them, and Legolas himself, eyes had watched from a nearby tree. And as the humans left, the figure followed, keeping to the trees.
Legolas moaned softly as he opened his eyes three days later. His head hurt badly, as did other parts of him.
He struggled to move, and then realized his hands were bound tightly to a tree, above his head. He hurt, especially his bare back. He felt liquid running down it. His mouth was tied shut as well, so Legolas couldn't try to cry for help.
He hissed softly in pain. His woven shirt was gone, and the bark against his lacerated back was agony for him.
The humans saw that he was awake. They spoke gibberish to him.
Legolas shook his head, trying to explain that he didn't understand.
For his effort, he was backhanded against the tree. One human began to tug at his clothes and knelt in front of him.
Legolas was seized with a sudden fear. They wouldn't. They couldn't, he prayed.
The human forced him to lie flat on the ground. His shirt had been removed, and he knelt on top of Legolas. His hands began to grope the Elven body.
A single tear rolled down from Legolas's bright emerald-green eyes as the human began to remove his leggings.
The solitary figure in the trees jumped to the ground and landed silently.
"Let the elf go," he said quietly. "Release him."
'Don't tell us what to do with our prisoner,' the human snarled, still straddling the imprisoned elf, who had silent tears running down his face.. 'You're probably another elf. Get him!'
The humans rushed towards the solitary figure, who flipped over them and drew his sword.
The battle lasted only a few moments.
The solitary figure walked over to where Legolas was bound to the tree. He drew his hood off and looked down at him.
Legolas cringed when he saw it was another human. A young human, with dark hair and eyes.
'Are you all right?' the stranger asked. He slit the ropes with his sword and pulled the gag off.
Legolas fell forward, and the stranger caught him. The stranger then looked over Legolas's wounds, stopping at his back where he winced. A whip with metal hooks had been used there.
'Who are you?' Legolas whispered, in a daze because of the pain.
'A friend. Can you walk?' the stranger asked, sounding concerned.
In response, Legolas fainted.
The stranger picked him up quite easily. He also grabbed the bow and arrows he saw lying next to the tree.
Legolas was carried to a secret cave. The stranger with dark hair and eyes lay him on his front. The bow and arrows were laid next to him.
After gathering some water, herbs, and a rag, the stranger gently started cleaning the lashes on Legolas's back. Blood was seeping from them. Signs of infection were obvious. The cuts were swollen. After cleaning the lashes, the stranger placed healing herbs on the lashes, and bound it with a strip of cloth torn from a blanket.
Legolas opened his eyes when he felt a cool cloth on his forehead. His back was feeling a lot better, but he was burning with a fever. Fear showed in his eyes when he saw the stranger kneeling over him.
'Relax. I'm only trying to bring the fever down,' the stranger said softly. 'Would you like some water?'
'Yes,' Legolas whispered. He gazed at the stranger. A human. defending an elf against other humans. It was unthinkable in Legolas's mind. Yet, this boy had helped him. 'Who are you?'
The stranger carried a leather bag full of water over to Legolas and knelt down. 'Tell me who you are, and I'll tell you who I am,' the stranger offered.
'My name is Legolas, son of the king of Mirkwood,' Legolas said. He was too weak to hold the leather bag.
When he saw that the sick elf couldn't hold the water bag, the stranger gently held it to Legolas's lips. As the elf drank thirstily, the stranger mused, 'So you're the son of the elven king of Mirkwood, and I am the heir of Isildur, Aragorn.'
Legolas swallowed before answering.
In truth, it could be said that neither believed the other. They eyed each other doubtfully, wondering how the other had gotten into such a fix.
'I.' Legolas's voice trailed off as his eyes met Aragorn's. 'I didn't know humans could be kind, Aragorn.'
Aragorn looked faintly amused. "And I didn't know elves could be captured by humans," he admitted in English.
Legolas looked at him in confusion. 'What did you say? I don't know the human language.' He frowned a little. 'Where did you learn to speak Elvish so well?'
'A wizard friend of mine taught me. Gandulf the Grey.' Aragorn looked down at Legolas. 'I said, 'And I didn't know elves could be captured by humans.' '
Legolas blushed slightly. 'I didn't even understand what they were saying.' He looked up at Aragorn. 'And how did you get there, right when I needed help?'
'If truth be told, I was watching you. I saw the humans approaching, hunting for 'demons'. They wanted you to lead them to Rivendell.' Aragorn looked at Legolas, who looked embarrassed that he hadn't noticed someone watching him.
'Why would you watch an Elf?' Puzzlement showed in Legolas's eyes.
'Well, I didn't fancy strolling up and saying hello, knowing how the friendship between elves and humans has deteriorated slightly. Because I am Gandulf's friend, I have met elves.'
'Gandulf the Grey?' A grin lit on Legolas's face. 'How is he? I haven't seen him for some time now.'
Aragorn started laughing. 'You mean, you know the eccentric wizard?'
Legolas's eyes sparkled with amusement. 'Eccentric, yes, but a good entertainer.'
'That's true.' Aragorn's grin faded slightly when he saw Legolas wince. The elf was trying to sit up. 'Rest a while, Legolas. Your back is pretty bad. I did the best I could, but I haven't learned every plant in the forest. I can help you travel to Rivendell tomorrow,' he offered quietly.
'No, that's too much trouble. Especially after you had to fight those other humans off,' Legolas said. He tried to sit up again, but it hurt too much. A flash of pain showed in his eyes briefly.
'I'm heading there myself. It'll take a few days, but I could help you learn to understand the human tongue on the way. Besides, you've still got a fever.' Aragorn gently pushed Legolas down. The elf was still burning up.
Legolas was hot to the touch. He fell into an uneasy sleep, as Aragorn replaced the cloth on his forehead with a fresh cool one.
Aragorn watched Legolas sleeping for a while. The elf was strangely beautiful to him, with fine, silky golden locks, and pale skin. His green eyes suited him well. He sighed, and then walked to the front of the cave to stand guard.
Hours later, Legolas opened his eyes. His fever had gone down a bit, but he was still hot.
He looked around for Aragorn, and then saw him sitting at the cave entrance. A slight blush went unnoticed, because Legolas's cheeks were red from the fever. He watched Aragorn for a few moments.
The human was not as graceful as elves, but there was something compelling about him nonetheless. He'd defended an elf against a human, which meant he had morals, something very hard to find in humans these days. And he'd taken care of Legolas while he was injured. Aragorn wasn't unpleasant to look at, either.
Aragorn felt someone watching him from behind. He glanced over his shoulder at Legolas.
'You're awake, I see,' Aragorn said. He stood and walked over to the young elf. He gently placed his hand on Legolas's forehead and frowned slightly as he reluctantly removed it. 'You've still got a fever, Legolas. If you want, we can wait a few days before heading to Rivendell.'
'No, it's ok. I'm nearly well again.' Legolas looked up at Aragorn, who had his eyebrows raised slightly.
'I think we should wait at least one more day before we leave for Rivendell, ' Aragorn said firmly. 'Your fever may be getting better, but your back isn't.'
Legolas nodded slowly. Pain flashed through his eyes as he remembered what that other human had almost done to him. Tears were running down his face, which he had turned away from Aragorn.
Aragorn saw pain flash through the elf's eyes. He knelt down and gently placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. To his surprise, Legolas pressed his face into Aragorn's chest, crying silently.
The way Legolas had been when Aragorn had seen what that human was doing. The thought made Aragorn furious.
He embraced the distraught elf hard, whispering words of comfort. He ran his hand over Legolas's silky blond hair, as Aragorn let Legolas cry out his inner pain and torment into his shirt, and he held him close.
Legolas had cried himself to sleep, Aragorn saw with surprise, as he opened his own eyes. Legolas still had his head resting against Aragorn's chest but without any more tears.
Legolas blinked his eyes open slowly, as Aragorn moved to lay him down on the ground again.
'Sorry, Aragorn,' he said softly. 'I don't know what came over me.'
'It's all right, Legolas. I understand perfectly.' Aragorn's dark eyes met Legolas's. The elf's face had tear streaks on it.
'Please, Aragorn,' Legolas pleaded. 'Don't tell anyone what almost happened.'
Aragorn looked slightly uncomfortable at the thought of lying. He bit his lip.
'Everyone will ridicule me for not being stronger,' Legolas said, a single tear dripping out of his left eye.
Aragorn nodded slowly. 'I won't tell anyone, I promise. But you should talk to a friend about how you feel, Legolas. Don't keep it trapped inside of you.'
'You're right, Aragorn. But.' Legolas lowered his gaze in shame.
'But what?' Aragorn tilted Legolas's face up towards him. 'Don't lower your head in front of me, Legolas. We all have our own pains and weaknesses. Even me.'
Legolas looked at Aragorn. 'But, I have no friends, Aragorn. Except for you,' he said shyly, hesitantly.
Aragorn frowned. 'You seem a nice enough elf, Legolas. How can you not have any friends beside me?'
'The elders see me as a child still; the others think I am different because I like to go off by myself.'
'I know what it is to be alone and friendless, Legolas. Isildur's heir or not, a Ranger does not make many friends.' Aragorn looked at Legolas. 'If you ever want to talk about it, Legolas, then I will be here for you. Always.'
'Thank you, Aragorn. I will always be there for you, too,' Legolas vowed.
Aragorn smiled. 'Now, let us eat.' He released his embrace on Legolas somewhat reluctantly. He stood and walked over to his pack. He dug out some bread, and walked back over.
Legolas watched Aragorn curiously. He was no ordinary human; that much Legolas could tell. He was an elf-friend now, which made him even more precious to Legolas.
'It isn't much, Legolas,' Aragorn said apologetically. 'I hope that Lord Elrond will give me some food to take home with me when I leave Rivendell.' He handed Legolas half of the bread.
Legolas chewed it carefully, not used to human food. And he was so hungry, it didn't really matter.
Aragorn saw Legolas tear through the bread ravenously. 'Hungry?' he asked, with an amused smile.
'Sorry.' Legolas looked slightly downcast. 'I haven't eaten since I was kidnapped.'
'Ah. Then I can gather some nuts later for you to eat,' Aragorn said. 'And how would you like to learn to speak the human tongue? We have plenty of time for you to learn some of it today, Legolas.'
Legolas nodded eagerly. 'All right.'
He tried to sit up again, but was admonished to remain laying down by Aragorn. Legolas's back was starting to hurt again, but he ignored it as best as he could. Instead, he focused on what Aragorn was saying.
They spent over five hours on human language. Legolas couldn't believe how easy it was, once you learned the basic, most commonly used words. And how to pronounce them.
"Good mm-morning," Legolas said, stammering. Elvish language was much more musical and flowing.
"Very good!" Aragorn repeated it in Elvish for Legolas. 'Very good, Legolas. You learn fast. But we should continue the lessons later.'
Aragorn looked at Legolas, who had a look of pain in his eyes.
Legolas couldn't hide a wince. He rolled onto his front carefully, though it hurt just the same. But the pressure was off his back. The sweat from his fever was making the lashes sting.
'What's wrong, Legolas?' Aragorn looked at Legolas in concern.
'My back.' Legolas whispered. 'It hurts again. Why isn't my natural healing ability working, Aragorn?'
'There was some kind of poison on the whip, Legolas. Until it works its way through your system, your Elven ability to heal can't help you.' Aragorn sat beside his friend, and rubbed the numbing herbs on his hands. 'This might sting a little, Legolas, but it should stop your back from hurting so much.'
Legolas gasped softly as Aragorn gently placed his hands on his back, and began to rub the medicine in.
"Does it hurt?" Aragorn asked. He used the human language deliberately, to distract Legolas into trying to figure out what he'd said.
"No. Your hands are cold," Legolas slowly answered.
Aragorn couldn't help laughing, as he continued to spread the medicine. "Feeling better, Legolas?"
"Yes." Legolas was surprised to hear himself speaking in the human language.
'I'm done.' Aragorn gently removed his hands from Legolas's back. He stood to rinse his hands.
An elven arrow barely missed him. Aragorn ducked down and looked around. More arrows came flying towards them.
'What the?' Aragorn said.
'Those are the arrows of Rivendell, Aragorn!' Legolas looked at his friend. 'You'd better get down before they hit you.'
Aragorn used his bag full of water to rinse off his hands, as he sat beside Legolas.
Legolas let out a high-pitched whistle.
It was answered by more whistles, which came closer.
Lord Elrond, surrounded by many of his followers, entered into the camp. All of them had their bows drawn directly at Aragorn.
To be continued