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Chapter 2: Against the Vast Emptiness of Silence

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Legolas found Aragorn awake, still in bed though, but sitting upright with a book on his lap. He did not read but gazed blankly onto the pages; he was so lost in thought that he did not hear his friend approach at first.

Only when he saw a movement in the corner of his eye, he jumped.

"I did not know I was so repelling", Legolas said and sat down on the bed, smiling.

Aragorn stared at him, then he broadly smiled as well: "Legolas!", he said, "I did not know you were coming..."

They hugged. Legolas tried to be very careful not to put any weight on any of the wounds; in fact, Aragorn looked so thin and frail that the elf was reluctant to apply any pressure at all. But Legolas did not want him to notice that either, so he squeezed a little.

"It is good to see you", Aragorn said after they had let go. Legolas´smile deepened: "And you, my friend", he said. "Though you look terrible", he added, having decided not to postpone it unnecessarily.

Aragorn blinked. This was the least he had expected, although he should have known. He also knew that there was no way to deceive Legolas, so he decided to be honest with him: "It was terrible", he said, picking up the thread. "So what did you expect?"

The attempt of a joke was not lost on Legolas, but the elf could not bear the idea that the ordeal Aragorn had been through suddenly turned into a laughing matter; he wanted Aragorn to see what an achievement it was to have survived it at all.

"I expected nothing less", he therefore wanted to say, but felt like he could not press Aragorn like that yet. Instead, he only took his friend´s hand and squeezed it.

Then his gaze fell upon something familiar, and he picked it up, raising one eyebrow questioningly: "I do remember this", he said mockingly. "You were very attached to it when you were little. What was its name again?"

"Brown", Aragorn said indignantly. "And he can still be very comforting!"

They laughed.

--

More snow fell, hushing the noises outside and casting an enchanting white sheen over the valley.

--

The following morning found the twins, Legolas and Aragorn sitting around the fire in the Great Hall, talking and laughing as they always had done.

It pained Legolas to notice that Aragorn´s laugh often was strained, though he tried to conceal it.

He could see now what Elladan had meant when he had said that Aragorn´s mind was still troubled. And he could understand the fear which had gripped Elrond and the twins, for this must be too vividly reminding them of what had happened to Celebrían.

Legolas beheld Aragorn´s pale, drawn face and swore to himself that he would not let that happen. He would find a way to help the Ranger back to his old self, no matter what.

--

He had not noticed that he had let out a heavy sigh; now Aragorn was looking at him questioningly: "Is everything alright?", he asked quietly.

Legolas nodded: "I was just...", he said vaguely, waving off the rest of the sentence and thus avoiding an explanation.

Aragorn sighed: "Yeah, I know, age can do that to you."

Legolas gasped in mock exasperation: "Age?", he echoed. "I am still young! I am...thriving!"

"I am sorry", Aragorn replied, "I just thought I had seen a grey hair."

During the ensuing bickering, Elrond approached and sat down amongst them.

"Will you two never stop?", he asked, chuckling.

Legolas and Aragorn simultaneously shook their heads: "He started it!"

Elrond looked at the twins and raised one eyebrow, but smiled nevertheless.

--

Legolas and Aragorn spent a lot of time together, which had a greatly calming effect on the Ranger, as it was nothing out of the ordinary, whereas the way his father and brothers constantly had been around him had only further emphasized that something was wrong indeed.

Not that Aragorn did not appreciate it, for he really did not want to be alone with his thoughts and the vast emptiness of silence, but it had made him feel uncomfortable nevertheless.

He hated his own weakness and all that came with it, hated the feeling of being dependable.

With Legolas it was different because they had been friends ever since he could remember, had chosen each other´s company deliberately, which equalled them to an extent that family never would be able to.

And despite the continuous mocking, both of them did not really feel the difference in age or race. So Elrond had been right: Legolas could not have come at a better time.

--

Yule was approaching, and it snowed a lot more.

--

One afternoon, when it had stopped for a while, Legolas coaxed Aragorn to go outside.

They deeply inhaled the clear air, which smelled of more snow, and strolled through the now white garden, at least where the snow was not too deep for Aragorn to walk in.

Legolas, who walked on the white surface as if he were weightless, could not resist to throw a snowball at his friend, even though Aragorn´s right hand and arm were still in a splint.

With his good arm, Aragorn threw one back, and soon they were engaged in a serious battle.

Before long, their garments were soaked through.

--

"Did I win?", Legolas asked when they trudged back inside, dripping.

Aragorn grinned: "Out of respect for my elders, I suspect I should say yes", he said, while they went to his room.

Legolas crossed his arms: "And here he goes again", he exclaimed, "even though I have just proven my stunning abilities in fight!"

"But you had two hands, while I could only use one", Aragorn said.

"I only used one as well, it was just too quick for you to see!", Legolas shot back.

They had meanwhile entered Aragorn´s room. The Ranger slowly pulled his shirt over his head: "I am wet through and through", he stated.

Legolas did not answer, for this was the first time he saw the marks on Aragorn´s back. Elrond was treating them daily in order to avoid extensive scarring, but they were a shocking sight nevertheless.

Apart from that, the bruises that had covered Aragorn all over were fading only slowly and therefore still visible.

Legolas was barely able to keep his composure: "I will see to the fire", he said, shaking.

--

While Aragorn changed into dry clothes, Legolas kindled the fire until it burned merrily, spreading its warmth through the room.

They settled down in front of it.

Legolas sat upright, with his legs crossed; he could forever remain like that without tiring.

Aragorn had his knees drawn to him and his arms around them.

Without talking, they stared into the flames, while the heat dried Legolas´ clothes and warmed them both thoroughly.

"Though I do usually prefer summertime", Legolas said, because for once he could not bear the silence, "there is nothing like a good snowball fight."

Aragorn smiled. Tiredly, he stretched and laid down on the rug, his head on Legolas´ leg.

The elf looked down on his old friend, who had closed his eyes, and smiled as well. Then, in a low voice, he began to sing.

Outside, it was snowing again.

--

TBC

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