In the Wild

Legolas rode with a heavy heart. He had long left Mirkwood behind and now travelled along the foot hills of the Hithaeglir Range. The Great River was to his left. Somewhere in his mind he knew that he would head deeper south, but that was for the morrow, not that night. He stopped in a copse of trees and released his horse Sule to go where she would. He climbed into the arms of an old sturdy tree and rested in a wide fork of its thick branches. Already he missed his family, but he would not turn back, he could not. He was a prince of Mirkwood no longer. He closed his eyes breathing deeply of the fresh night air and the scent of the open fields.

Sometime during the night the scent of wood smoke came to him. He sat up and climbed to the highest branch. He saw no fire but that scent was unmistakeable. He kept watch for a long time but only night did he see. He finally climbed down and passed the remainder of the night in troubled sleep.

Before dawn of the next day he was on the move. He rode his mount cautiously, his eyes constantly scanning the path ahead and behind. He was sure that someone watched him matching his movements exactly, but try as he might he found no sign of the silent watcher. He travelled leagues and as the miles fell behind his unease diminished. Whoever it had been was gone. Perhaps it was a fellow traveller also wishing solitude.

That night he rested on the ground leaning against the trunk of a solitary tree. The sounds of night came to him and he was content. He ate sparingly of the food he carried. He had no wish to hunt just yet. He had just begun to drift into a welcome sleep when he smelled it again. Gripping his bow he climbed, determinedly to the top of a gnarled beechwood tree. Again he saw no fire, but this night the light afforded by the moon was generous and he saw less than a mile away a thin almost invisible wisp of smoke curling lazily into the night air.

He shut his eyes and listened to the night. He reached out to the distant surrounding trees and animals. A pleasant song came back to him. The trees were accepting of the stranger, the animals carried on with their business undisturbed. Legolas opened his eyes and let loose a shaky breath. At least he knew it was not the campfire of orcs for then the land would have sung to him a song of great disquiet and pain. Nevertheless curiosity nagged at him. He wanted to know who camped there and for what reason.

Quickly he climbed down and approached the invisible fire. He went cautiously, using the high grass for cover. He drew the hood of his cloak up over his head to hide his glow in the moon light. By the time he could see the fire he was no less than ten feet away from the stranger's camp. The human sat relaxed with his long legs out stretched his back against a tree. The tip of his pipe glowed as he inhaled deeply. The scent of pipe weed drifted over to Legolas who was lying prone in the grass. Legolas wrinkled his nose and moved almost noiselessly closer. The man's face was in deep shadow for he too was cloaked and hooded. Legolas watched him for a few minutes and decided he would pose no trouble. He had neither horse nor supplies. The thin long bag that lay at his side was flat. A drifter Legolas supposed. He was just about to slide back and move away when the human spoke.

"You are welcome to share the fire stranger, if you are cold."

He words though softly spoken carried easily to the elf. The voice was deep and even and it flowed into Legolas' ear like music. He rose from the grass and approached the fire. He stood staring deep into the hood that hid the man's eyes. A smile came unbidden to his lips.

"You are far from home Aragorn." He said softly.

Aragorn started in surprise and then leapt to his feet. The hood dropped back and Legolas could see the familiar unruly mop of brown hair and rugged face. He reached up and pushed back his own hood.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried and crushed his friend in a tight hug.

Legolas laughed as he was squeezed. A huge grin was on Aragorn's face as he stepped back.

"What are you doing out here?' he asked, knowing perfectly well that Mirkwood elves almost never left the forest borders, especially not one of the royal family.

"I was looking for you human," lied Legolas easily. "Too much time has passed since last we met."

"Well I am glad you found me. In truth I wished to have some company to pass the time."

The two friends fell to talking, each filling in the other on the years that had passed since they last saw each other. Legolas returned to his camp to bring his supplies over to Aragorn's. Aragorn ate and drank while Legolas spoke. At long last they fell into a comfortable silence. Sated with talk and more at ease than he had been for years, Legolas fell asleep. Aragorn watched him thoughtfully as he slept. Though he had not made any further inquiry he knew Legolas had not been looking for him. He must have left Mirkwood for other reasons. Aragorn noted how weary he looked and how much more fragile he seemed. He knew Thranduil would never let Legolas leave just to roam the wild lands. He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind his friend's ear.

"What ails you my friend?" whispered Aragorn. But Legolas slept on unheeding, eyes tightly shut.

000

Aragorn came awake to soft cries of pain and muffled moans. His sword was in his hand and he was on his feet before he was fully awake. He breathed harshly peering out into the night, but there was no enemy. Instead the sounds came from the sleeping elf on the ground. Legolas cried out again softly. Aragorn knelt by his side as Legolas struggled weakly against a phantom enemy. Aragorn knew who he fought.

"Oh Legolas," he breathed. He grasped the groping fingers and curled his own around them. "I am here mellon nin. I am here."

Legolas stayed in the clutches of his memories until the early hours of pre dawn. He woke with a gasp to find stern grey green eyes looking at him with deep concern. He pushed himself upright wearily, looking away from Aragorn's gaze. His hair fell forward to hide his face beneath its shimmering curtain. The gesture made Aragorn's heart clench.

"Talk to me Legolas." He commanded taking the elf's hand in his. Legolas felt a surge of shame as tears came to his eyes. What Aragorn must think of him! But then he felt a warm hand cup his chin and tilt his face up gently. Kind eyes crinkled at him, rough yet gentle fingers brushed away his tears.

"Talk to me brother." Said Aragorn again.

Legolas felt the words swim up into his mouth and spill out of his throat. He talked of his pain, his shame and his disgrace. He talked of the fear that locked his limbs. He talked of the nauseating churning he felt at a familiar but hated stench. Aragorn listened. He saw the toll the telling took on his elven friend and his heart grieved for him. It had been his intention to go to Rivendell, but Legolas needed him. He would stay with him until that haunted, defeated look left his eyes.

000

Morning came and brought its blessings. The first rays of the sun found the two friends deep in the Gladden Woods. They travelled in companionable silence each with his own thoughts. It startled them therefore when on the clear morning air the sound of ringing steel and hoarse shouts came to them. They looked at each other for a moment before plunging ahead. Legolas stopped first and knelt in the high grass peering forward. There were men, strange men. They were garbed in muted reds and dark brown robes with veiled faces and turbaned heads. Aragorn was suddenly next to him.

"Easterlings." He said quietly.

There were at least fifty of them. One was on horse back. The rest were on foot and were divided into two groups. Between them bedraggled young boys, women and children walked, tied together. Rope was strung around their necks and their hands were bound behind them.

"Slavers." Aragorn whispered disgustedly.

But there was more, for a battle was being fought at the edge of the group. At least twelve of the easterlings fought with someone. As Legolas and Aragorn watched two of them were felled by a flash of silver. Legolas drew his bow as did Aragorn, neither of them needing to speak. Yet they were still too far away, they crept up silently. Aragorn's heart was racing knowing they were outnumbered but also knowing they could not let the slavers pass by unchallenged. He heard Legolas gasp and suddenly the elf stood up and fired two arrows.

"Legolas!" Aragorn cried stunned. He got to his feet realizing that the elf paid him no heed but continued his onslaught. Grim faced Aragorn aimed his bow and stopped in amazement. There was an elf with pale blond hair dressed in forest greens armed with two long knives fighting for his life. If Legolas had not been next to him Aragorn would have sworn it was he. The elf moved with the same deadly grace.

"It is Calad my brother." Legolas hissed as though reading his friend's mind.

Aragorn did not reply for their enemies had located the new source of attack and were running forward with blood curdling cries. Aragorn loosed two arrows and two men fell. Then into his hand leapt his sword. He heard rather than saw Legolas drop his bow and draw his knives.

"No Legolas, we cannot win this fight, run."

"What!" Legolas returned in disbelief.

"One of us must live to spread word about these raiders. You stand a better chance of evading them out here than I. Go! Go now before they see you. Hurry!"

Legolas stared at Aragorn in defiance, but knew that he spoke the truth. Aragorn moved in front of him, blocking his slim form from the enemies' sight.

"Legolas if you love me, go." Aragorn hissed over his shoulder.

In a heartbeat Legolas was gone, blending into the woods as he ran. He pulled himself to the top of an emerald tree and hid in the leafy boughs. He was angry, angry at Calad, Aragorn and himself. The stupid elf and dunedain would be killed or worse, taken as slaves. He strained to see the fight, but the numerous leaves defeated him. He heard Aragorn shout a battle cry, heard the clash of swords and the cries of men for long moments. Then there was silence. Legolas bit his lip to keep from screaming Aragorn's name.

There was a shout again, but he did not know that voice. Legolas bowed his head in despair. Heavy footfalls came to his ear and he knew the easterlings were searching. They would want to make sure there was no one else hidden nearby. Legolas held perfectly still, silver tears running down his cheeks. What on Arda had Calad been doing out here. Even as the thought blossomed he knew the answer, following him, following so that he would protect him. They did not even trust him to take care of himself! Legolas squeezed shut his suddenly aching eyes. He knew that was not the reason. Calad had followed him because of love. Aragorn had protected him for the same reason. Was he worthy of such love? They seemed to think so.

"I will repay you my brothers. If you live still I will save you. If you do not I will avenge you." This Legolas swore as below the enemy beat the grasses searching.

Notes

mellon nin my friend

To

Kitsune Kida I'm glad you liked them. I sort of based them on mine.

Silvertoekee You made me laugh. Here is some more Legolas just for you.

LOTRfaith Enjoy this one!

Deana LOL. Please enjoy.