AN: Wow guys. I am both flattered by the response the story gets, as well as sorry its been so long. My best excuse is school and working at a summer camp where I had no internet all summer. I had been working on this for awhile, so it may seem a bit choppy. I am about to start the next chapter, slowly, since i fractured my hand playing ultimate frisbee. Reviews appreciated!
I was in a forest on fire. I became vaguely aware in the dream that this was meant to be somewhere in Dawson Park, back in my world. Trees seemed to cackle at me as the flames ate at their bark. I started to run, but like most dreams my running was sluggish, as if I was fighting gravity and my own will to keep moving forward. Fighting to get away from the explosions of red and orange that thrashed around me, I saw a wisp of movement through the smoke. It was a blur of moving browns, with blonde trailing after it. Legolas. I opened my mouth to yell to him, my body having refused to continue to move at all now. As I pulled in air to shout, I broke into a coughing fit, sucking in more and more of the suffocating smoke. My coughs turned to gasps, and I tried even harder to yell for Legolas who was getting farther and farther from me. The flames roared in my ears and as my vision stated to fade, no oxygen getting to my lungs, I began to feel the burning.
Who knows how much time passed in real time or dream time before I opened my eyes, still asleep, entering another, or a continued dream. Now the once forest was nothing but a blackened charred wasteland. Trails of smoke seemed to ooze from the piles of ash and still flickering debris. I was standing, looking off in the distance, trying to make sense of the scene around me. Ash almost seemed to fall from the sky in a snow that brought nothing but pain and anguish. Looking up, I saw the sky was boiling with black clouds, which in themselves seemed to be on fire still. The land fell into shadow, a sickening red light on the horizon turned this once beautiful forest into a death scene. Looking directly at my feet, I saw the pinnacle of my dream. It was an image that was almost literally burned into my memory.
Laying on the charred and gray ground was Legolas, on his side, face away from me. His once heroic and noble tunic was being speckled by the falling ash. Bits of his once blonde hair were beginning to smoke as the heat in the ground burned the strands. The side of his face allowed me to see one elegantly curves ear and the beginning slope of his cheek bone and cheek. His fair skin was dirtied with soot and ash and what seemed to be minor burns. Even in the dream the terror griped me tightly, compressing my chest and bringing a roaring to my ears. He was not moving. Crouching down and rolling him over onto his back, I saw not my fair faced elf, but instead the face of a horror movie creature. Half his face was cringed in agony, dirty but otherwise fairly unharmed. The side farthest from me was a black and red charred monstrosity. His features were barely conserved and this half of his mouth was turned up in a natural grimace, his lip seeming to be pulled back from being burned away. He lay there unresponsive as I could not force myself to move, speak or do anything. Just as the shadow from above reached us, his eyes shot open wide, completely vacant. The eye on the undisturbed side was its normal piercing blue, but the one of the severely burned side was like a literal burning coal. He opened his mouth and though it did not form the words, the voice I heard definitely came from him.
This voice was layered with several overtones and undertones, giving it an unearthly tone, deep and demonic. "I see your heart Juliana, and it is mine."
My heart skipped a beat and I felt the apparent reality around me grow distant and begin to spin and contort in a sickening way. I tried to keep telling myself it wasn't real, that this wasn't Legolas speaking, it was the demon, but my heart was crushed things changed suddenly.
The disfigured face of Legolas shifted into its own control, no longer seeming to be possessed by something. The blue once vacant eye locked onto my face hovering above him. Half his mouth tried to lift up into a smile as my gaze, and as I started to reach my hand down to brush his good cheek, his expression snapped into one of horror. His hand shot up and stopped mine before it could reach his face.
Whispering intently and with a painful conviction, he spoke, this time actually forming the words himself and by seeming his own will.
"No…please no. Oh curse the gods no! My star, Juliana, you cannot be here any longer. The darkness…it draws nearer. It brings nothing but fire and death. Even now I feel it creeping back into my heart. Do not save me, I am too far gone into its grasp. Free yourself from this grasp."
His whisper had begun to grow and now he was well past normal conversation volume. He paused for a moment and the comprehension in his eyes seemed to be fluctuating in and out, as if he was raging some inner battle. I felt a pain behind my eyes, as pressure and tears began to build. I felt one escape my eye and I cursed the soothing coolness of it trailing down my cheek. When it fell from my face, landing on Legolas', the water sizzled on the still burning skin.
The sting seemed to snap him back to his own control and now he continued, more urgent than ever. "Juliana, GO! Return! Leave me. Do not hold on! Let me go!"
I shook my head fervently, uttering no as I fought his hold to try and touch him, to reassure him I would not leave him. But he drowned me out, frantically speaking.
"GO! Don't come back! Don't hold onto me! Don't! Come back…hold on…Juliana…hold on and come back to me…."
His words had changed, just as the world around me had. Things had faded black and against my best efforts I could not hold onto Legolas as the world disappeared. It was all I could do to find a voice to yell, "NO! No stop! Legolas don't leave me! Please!"
Just as quickly as my world had started changing, it stopped. I opened my eyes, feeling arms around me. They were holding me tight, secured around my waist and chest. There was a head next to my ear whispering desperately, "Come back to me Juliana. It was only a dream, I've got you…" I stopped struggling, unaware I had been. When he felt I had stopped resisting, the grip on me weakened a bit. I knew instantly it was Legolas who was holding me, recognizing his grip as well as the comfort his presence gave me. As I became aware of what was around me, I realized we were on the cool ground, my body sprawled out as if in a struggle, Legolas behind me supporting my weight and bracing my back against his chest. There was a faint stream of light entering the room, a pre-dawn glow.
It was in that new days glow that I let myself do something I often avoid, to the detriment of my own emotional health. I cried. It was not a violent chaotic cry, it was a healing cry. It was the kind that was allowing me to acknowledge my own pains and fears, my insecurities, my joys, my hopes. The dream had opened up the stream of emotions and now they flowed. There was not a specific reason or meaning to my tears, other than renewal and balancing my emotions. I am not afraid to admit that one of my biggest faults is putting up a strong front to others so much to the extent that it begins to leave lasting damages to my emotional and spiritual balance. That is why this moment of tears was significant in the stages of the relationship between myself and Legolas. Allowing myself to cry in front of someone means I trust them to safeguard my very heart. I have allowed them to see into my heart and unblocked that part of me. In this moment I took down my walls and gave Legolas a key to the gate.
The real emotion that drove these tears was fear. I now saw how much I truly feared losing Legolas as well as how much I feared the demon that would be the cause of me losing him. The image of him lying in death, possessed by the demon, wretched my heart down to its very core. The image of his disfigured face sent another chill through me as I lay on the ground, clinging to Legolas' arms wrapped around my front as he pressed his face into the back of my hair humming and murmuring words of comfort and peace in his native tongue. The most important thing to me of this moment was his understanding that I did not need him to try and fix me or my fears. I simply needed him to be there with me and sit out the wave of emotion. He knew already that when I gained control of myself again that I would tell him what I needed to in my own time. He respected that boundary.
A little while later once the tears has stopped and my cheeks had begun to dry, I released the tension in my arms from where they gripped onto Legolas. At this Legolas slowly loosened his grasp as well, not fully letting go. I turned myself around still in his arms and looked into his face. In his eyes shone nothing but pure love and compassion. I could see how much my pain was hurting him, and in that moment, simply seeing in his eyes a continued love-not pity- already lessened the ache in my heart. Still he respected my boundaries, continuing to hold me lightly, waiting for me to make the first move.
There is this thing about empathy, a type of companionship. The willingness to step down with someone into their dark place and dig into yourself for those emotions that the other person is experiencing in such a way that allows for connection and understanding. It acknowledges the pain and doesn't try to fix it. Instead, empathy is stepping down into the hole with someone and saying, "I know you are hurting, and that's okay. I'm here with you, and we will get through this, together." There lies the difference between empathy and sympathy. Sympathy is looking down into the hole and saying, "Oh yeah, that looks pretty bad. Sorry."
And truly I believe Legolas knew this difference. He fed me support in his hold and in his eyes, not out of pity or sympathy, but in love and empathy, pulling himself into my fear, telling me I was not alone. The sun began to creep through the open windows in the tree home, and the shadows receded from us as the light edged closer, pulling us into its warm embrace. There was a beautiful glow on Legolas' fair face, and in the light I saw a slight glare in his eyes from pooling tears. One slipped from his eye and I raised my hand to wipe it. He caught my hand and held it against his face, taking my other hand and pulling it to hold against his heart. It beat steady and strong, reassuring me.
I now spoke for the first time since waking. My voice was quiet and slightly timid.
"Please don't leave me," was all I said, but it was enough.
Pulling me close again, my ear pressed against his steady heart beat and I heard him whisper above my head, "Never," in his own tongue.
After this morning's episode, Legolas insisted that he put off all official duties for the day and instead take me out for a surprise. I fought him on it, feeling guilty for stealing him away, but secretly was glad. As beautiful as the city was, I was uncomfortable under the curious and judging eyes of the people here, wondering who I was and why I was still here in the company of their soon to be king. So needless to say, I was excited to take a longer trip outside the city and see more of this magnificent world with the one who held my heart, especially after this morning.
As always, Legolas carries his bow across his back and a full quiver, along with his elegant yet worn blade on his hip. Feeling especially adventurous, garbed in a female warriors casual wear, I agreed to wear my own curved sword, more out of the feeling of excitement and security carrying my own sword gave me, rather than out of fear. Despite still being in the city center, Legolas grasped my hand firmly, our finger treaded together securely. Several looked on in interest, and to my surprise there was no malice in their beautiful eyes. On the way out, Legolas pulled us off the main path out and brought me to the area where the young wolf was being cared for.
To my surprise, the wolf was nearly fully healed thanks to the magic of the elves. In fact, today was the day they were going to release him back into the forest. Legolas knew this and had volunteered us to be the ones to see him off. Not sure how we were going to herd this animal out of the city, I was surprised when Legolas gestured for me to start walking again. I then understood when the wolf simply followed after me when I started walking. Of those the wolf had encountered, I was still the one he trusted the most.
So the two of led the lone wolf out of the city and into the forest, directed where I had first found him. After sometime Legolas and I stopped. At our halt, the wolf sat down and looked back and forth between us. Unsure what to do next, I crouched down to its level. The wolf walked forward again and bumped his nose into my hand, almost as a thanks. I heard Legolas whisper into my ear what to say to send him on his way. In the beautiful and trusted language of the elves I then told the wolf, "Go in peace friend, and run well and run fast."
Cocking its head, the wolf looked at us once more, and then bounded off into the brush, howling his call to his pack, beginning a long and lonely search for home. When we could no longer see the creature running, we began our walk again, to a part near the outside of the city I had not been to before. We came upon where the regal and loyal horses were allowed to roam, unrestrained and ready to come at any call. We went through the gate and wandered around for a while until Legolas came upon the horse he was searching for. By the tender and gentle greeting of the two I could assume this was Legolas' long term companion. The gorgeous beast lived up to its role of being the royal heir's stead, full of majesty and regality.
Extending a hand to me, Legolas gestured for me to approach and greet his companion. I was fond of horses and had taught myself quite a bit about their mannerisms. I held my hand out palm up to slowly ease onto the side of his jaw. Watching his ears and nostrils, I was given the go ahead to touch him. His eyes watched me carefully and his tail flicked nervously. When my hand touched the coarse fur, he flinched but then let his head settle into my hand. I turned my body so my head was in front of his and guided his head gently to my level. I calmly blew air out of my nostrils into his and then waited for the response. Almost immediately he returned to favor and then went casually back to his grazing.
Smiling I turned to Legolas and saw he was watching me with a special joy in his eyes. "How is it that you know so much about so many different things and yet you are so young?" he asked.
I thought for a moment on my response, continuing to watch the grazing creatures. "I guess for you, you have plenty of time to learn and see things. I don't have as much time. I just don't want to live my life and then one day be left wishing for more. My lifespan of only maybe a hundred years is nothing compared to the span of eternity. I have less time to learn but no less things I want to learn."
In response, rather than words, Legolas took my hand and led me around the side of his horse. He first jumped fluidly onto its back and then held his hand down for me. I grabbed on tightly, knowing he was about to swing me up behind him. I was right, and in such an easy grace he lifted me onto the stead behind him. Leaning down, he whispered into the horse's ear what sounded like the name of some place and with that, the three of us were off.
The ride turned out to be one of companion based silence. The only sounds that were heard we those of the creation around us. The wind danced around the leaves, passing secrets through the air. The birds and insects sang to each other in passing. There was a gentle rustle of the underbrush from whatever lay in its depths. As well, there was the idea of a sound that comes from the glow of the sun through the canopy of trees. Of course the sun does not create an actual sound but as the holy light is shed through the leaves, one cannot help but imagine the sound of the angels singing, sending down their voices in the form of light.
Seeing the peaceful and vibrant world in this forest calmed my still churning mind about the dreams from earlier. The image of destruction slowly began to fade as this place over ran my reality. This is exactly what I needed, and Legolas had known that. Up to this point the ride had been very relaxed so I had not been holding onto anything behind Legolas as we traveled, enjoying the canter. To convey my gratitude for him knowing exactly what I needed, I moved to wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head between his shoulder blades. He shifted slightly to settle into my arms a bit and hummed in contentment and understanding.
Like the changing wind, my mind latched onto a single thought, ruining this moment for me. I sat back, instantly Legolas knew something was wrong. He stopped the horse and turned to look back at me.
"Legolas…." I began, "What….what are we doing? What are we going to do? I need to get home, I need to, but…but I can't leave you. You, this place, everything. I can't imagine leaving it, but I have to. I have to go live my life. Legolas, what are we going to do?"
We both knew this conversation and decision was going to have to be had at some point, but I cursed myself for bringing it up during a time of healing and contentment.
"Legolas, I cannot and will not ask you to return with me. My world is not yours. It may not even be mine anymore if I can't find a way back, but that doesn't mean I will ever stop searching. You have hundreds of years of rule set out before you, and I refuse to be what keeps you from them. I won't give up on my dreams either….I do care immensely for you, but I also am not the girl to drop her whole life, there are things I still need to do, to learn. I don't have forever. Legolas, my life is already almost a fourth of the way over. I don't know what to do."
Legolas sat calmly still, although the horse tossed his head with a gentle snort. His eyes gauged me carefully, thinking and processing everything. He turned back around and nudged our companion to keep moving, although it was in a different direction than before. I sat very still, unsure what he was doing or was going to do. After some time of silence, he spoke.
"There have been whispers of darkness on the outer reaches. I was planning to investigate it in the coming weeks with a small troop. I understand now this is something you and I must face alone, together. I know there isn't much for you here, and I would never dream of shutting you off from your future, even if it is without me. Even when you are worlds away you will continue to be the star that shines light into my heart and life."
Pausing, he glanced back at me with curious glint in his eyes. "And who knows, maybe we can work out a long distanced thing."
And just like that, the tension was broken, punctuated by our combined laughter. So we began our journey to destiny, unaware of the presence that silently trailed behind us.
Later that evening as dusk began to fall, I crouched near my slowing growing fire, gently coaxing it to life. Legolas had ventured off to find food and to scout around the area. I was slightly unnerved being left virtually alone in a part of the forest I had no knowledge of. I had decided to throw that uneasiness into building the fire that Legolas had mentioned he would make upon his return. Inwardly smirking, I wondered why he didn't ask if I knew how. Continuing to feed the fire with what I had gathered nearby, I watched as smoke and small sparks began to fill out into flickering flames. Proud of my work, I give it the last push of breath to bring it fully into fruition.
Sitting back on my heels I whipped the sweat from my face, no doubt smudging black ash onto my face in the process. As I sat, watching the flames, aware that it was getting much darker now, I started when I heard words growl out from the flames. I see your heart. And it is mine. With cold fear struck in my chest, I pushed away from the fire. Just as my mind was being sucked back into the terror and agony of my earlier dream by those words, I heard the crisp crunch of boots on the forest floor behind me. Assuming it was Legolas, I scrambled to my feet to both hide my fear and to seek his comfort. To my dismay, the person behind me was neither Legolas nor any other elf for that matter.
In fact, this being was unmistakably human. That did nothing to quench my fear as they appeared to be very strongly built, tall and imposing, clad with a great sword, one of similar style that the elves made. As I stepped backwards eyeing behind me my sheathed sword, the man came forward a step, more into the glow of my fire. He raised his hands and I instinctively flinched towards grabbing my sword, well aware my basic skills would do nothing but prolong a defeat. I was surprised however when he seemed to be raising his hands in peace. In the better light I sensed another faint familiarity with this man. He began to open his mouth to introduce himself and calm me, but as he did so I whispered the name that suddenly came to my mind in slight recognition.
"Aragorn?" I breathed.
He seemed suspicious as to how I knew his name, as well as why, assuming I was some other normal human from around here and somehow knew who he was, did not address him by his kingly title.
"You already have me at a disadvantage Milady. While you apparently know of me, I know not of you. I was tracking an elf through these woods, but there was only one set of tracks anywhere to be found, I assumed him alone. Do you know of whom I speak?"
His voice was heavier than the elves, but in a way that conveyed his strength and authority.
I nodded and replied, relaxing myself knowing I was not in danger.
"You're looking for Legolas then aren't you? He should be back soon. I'm Juliana."
Inclining his head, Aragorn muttered, "Knew that blasted elf wasn't dead."
Just then Legolas emerged from the shadows into the glow of the fire. Still, unnerved by the incident with the fire moments before, I visibly relaxed and exhaled when Legolas cam to stand by me, also facing Aragorn. Sensing I was off, he placed a hand on my back, glancing at me for just a moment before greeting Aragorn.
"Surely, friend, you know it takes much more to kill me than whatever rumors have been floating this land. When are you going to stop telling people I'm dead?"
Moving from my side, Legolas came forward to meet Aragorn as they clasped arms in greeting. Not missing a beat, Aragorn replied,
"I'll stop telling people the Elven King is dead when I see him for myself. What else are we supposed to think, you disappearing for a few years without a bloody word. All we knew was that your father had sailed and you left shortly after on some quest, and then suddenly your life force disappeared from the world. Next thing we know, there is word the king has returned, but offers no explanation. Now I understand the need for secrecy at times, but Legolas, as a friend, it would be good to know that you aren't actually dead."
He paused, glancing at me, still standing a step farther from the fire than needed. "There was also word….word that darkness was creeping in from the edge of the realms. It stopped for a time, the same time you were presumed dead. But its back now. And here you are, yet again, out on a quest for it."
Legolas turned to face me and the fire, staring into the flames. I flinched at the sight, but regained my composure quickly enough, although Legolas noticed my shift. Sighing, he dropped what he had collected from his bag and motioned for us all to sit.
"Come friends, let us gather around Juliana's fire and discuss. Aragorn, this is Juliana. And she is not from our world."
We talked and fed the fire long into the night. Legolas gave Aragorn the necessary detailed recap of his and our adventure up to this point, leaving out many of the personal details. In the late/early hours, I began to grow very tired, from both the long ride and the lack of sleep the day before. Legolas noticed my fading attention and smoothly shift from his place at my side to coaxing me to rest on him, also not wanting to be far from me in case the dream returned. As we both settled naturally into our position, I took note in how Aragorn slightly lifted an eyebrow in our direction while continuing his narrative of the on goings of his rule. I listened awhile longer until I fully drifted off into sleep, sub consciously taking note of Aragorn's voice saying to Legolas,
"It seems, old friend, that you have a bit more explaining to do that you initially gave."
I felt Legolas' chest rumble a bit with a chuckle, and felt his hand run over my head, down my side to gently grasp my hand. The last thing I recall from that night was Legolas' reply,
"Aye, that I do."
The few hours of sleep from that night were pleasant, no dreams of destruction or loss. I awoke to a damp, but beautiful dawn. The landscape was punctuated by a misty glow as the moist air bounced the sunlight around. I was in the same position as when I fell asleep, although I suspected Legolas had moved me sometime in the night as he took his watch and spoke with Aragorn. Once full consciousness pulled back to me, I inhaled deeply the fresh, wet air, alerting Legolas of my rising. Quietly he kissed my forehead. Pulling myself from him, I stood and stretched. Aragon was nowhere to be seen. Looking around the circumference of our site, I began to ask Legolas where he had gone when he interrupted me.
"Did you sleep well then?"
I knew he really meant if I had had any dreams like before. I shook my head and smiled slightly.
"No dreams, but I could have sworn another man was here when I fell asleep. Have you seen him? Large and dirty and hairy, kind of hard to miss."
Gently laughing, Legolas stood and came to wrap his arms around my waist, swaying as he hugged me.
"Hmmm last I saw he went to the forest to find more wood and possibly some breakfast to cook on that wonderful fire you started last night. Do I even want to ask where you acquired yet another skill I didn't know about?"
I pulled my head close to the side of his and very gently kissed just below his ear. As I pulled away I replied, "I acquired that skill the same place I acquired all the other skills you don't know about."
Uncharacteristically rolling his eyes, Legolas turned towards the crackling brush line where Aragorn began to appear.
Calling out to him, Legolas continued to prove he was in a good mood by saying, "Aye! You there! Have you perchance seen a large, dirty, hairy man about? My lady seems to be in search of one."
Legolas' light elvish laughter joined Aragorn's deep bass as I smacked him on the chest, pretending to be embarrassed.
In truth, it was good to see Legolas interacting with someone he greatly considered as a friend. I opened a new aspect of him to me I had been missing before. Aragorn tossed the wood he had collected aside the fire and slung a dead rabbit over where we were standing. Still smiling, he countered, "Yeah well she should be looking for that man, seeing as he brings home the food while your majesty is braiding his hair."
Aragorn knew very well that Legolas didn't eat meat, but I was surprisingly excited at the prospect of eating something other than breads and berries. Noticing the slight downturn of his lips, I surprised Legolas by quickly kissing him on the mouth before he could respond, whispering, "You're still my favorite," as I started to move towards rebuilding the fire.
It was there I realized how strange it must have been for Aragorn to witness this interaction, as he has known Legolas for many many years and never observed him in this situation. As well, Legolas had never really been one for PDA, let alone so causally in front of his friends. (Not that I had met an abundance of his friends in my time here.)
As I lay down on my stomachs to breathe life back to the fire, I saw Aragorn pass by an almost bashful Legolas and tell him under his breath, "She's got some spirit, I'd keep her close if I were you" clasping his arm, Legolas smiled slightly and nodded. I was glad the warm fire could help hide my reddening face.
Aragorn skinned and cooked the rabbit he had caught. As he and I ate it, myself doing so with a bit less exuberance, Legolas crouched near me tearing off small pieces of his special elven bread and popping them into his mouth. We all carried about casual conversation, mostly the other two continuing to catch up on their adventures of the last several years. Since Aragorn didn't age the same as normal men, he hasn't changed much from what I assumed he looked like during the events of the Lord of the Rings series. He wasn't as timeless as the elves, but he definitely hadn't changed drastically. I was lost in my own thoughts when I noticed they were both looking at me curiously.
"What?" I asked, looking between them.
Glancing at Legolas, Aragorn asked again, "I was just curious as to what the two of you were intending to do about this threat of darkness looming. And if you were in need of aid in this endeavor."
Legolas was looking at me intently, as I assumed he had been since the first time Aragorn spoke. Again I was struck by how sincere and beautiful his gaze on me was. How did someone like me get to this point? This story was no longer a story of my adventure or my "desire for more". I was beginning to fully accepting this was the new reality, but it wasn't just for me. This wasn't just my story anymore. This story belonged to the two of us. Legolas and myself. And that was it. For us to figure out where we were headed we needed to journey down the path together. This wasn't something others could help us decide. Aragorn's question was more than just a matter of defeating the demon, it was a matter of fighting what would stand in the way of us being together and determining how a future could work between us.
Steeling myself, hoping Legolas understood and agreed, I gave the answer.
Aragorn nodded, seeming to understand as well, and smiled a bit even. "Very well, then I wish you both the best of luck in everything." He turned to speak directly at Legolas this time, "Friend, please send word after this is all over so we know you are not dead. It would be a pity to show up for your formal coronation to find it's actually a funeral."
He stood and Legolas and I followed suit.
"My mission is finished, but yours is just beginning. It's time you be off. The darkness will not wait."
A sense of finality settled on me, and I believe Legolas felt it too, as he shifted his body towards me.
"It was good to see you again old friend, and once again, thank you for your wise words." Legolas shifted his eyes to me momentarily and then moved to bid Aragorn a proper farewell. As they separated, I sensed that some conversation had transpired between them while I slept, something important.
I was surprised when Aragorn stepped away from Legolas and pulled me aside while the other began to clean up the site and prep his horse.
"Juliana," he whispered, "you should know. Legolas has a heart of gold, but often he pushes away those he loves in order to do what he considers protecting them. I do the same often, but this is one case where you cannot let him do this. If he tried to push you away, you must push back. He will try to convince you, plead with you, but in the end, it will destroy him. Don't let this happen to him. From what he and I have exchanged, I fear without you he will find decades of sadness and will turn back into himself. He is alive, and we need to keep him like that, in every way possible."
I was touched by Aragorn's concern for Legolas, and immensely glad we had not only his sword but his heart on our side.
"Aragorn," I started, "you are a true friend. I may not seem it, but I can be a pusher, especially when it comes to those I care about. You can trust me on this, he WILL make it out alive and well. And so will I."
As I said this I was struck by the feeling that even if we did make it out, it may not be in the same world... but I quickly brushed that away as Aragorn smiled and nodded. We moved back towards the main clearing where Legolas was standing facing away, looking to the distance, tall and regal, one hand resting gently on the neck of his steed. At our approach, he turned and met my eyes. I had a suspicion he already knew what we had talked about. His eyes were almost sad, but I'm sure it was the same sadness that was reflected in mine. We both knew that the odds of us both surviving and remaining together to figure out a future on our own terms were not in our favor.
Thanks for reading!