First third of the story is almost done. But still have so much more to come! I really can't wait for you all to read what happens much later on in this story! Hope nobody saw it coming, because it's going to be something big.
Aragorn went about tending to his daily duties as king. He threw himself into his work, accomplishing everything demanded of him with excellence. Though he was satisfied that he was doing very well by his own people, he felt miserable inside. He missed his family: Elrond, the twins, his dear foster sister Arwen, Glorfindel, Erestor; the hobbits, Merry, Pippin, Frodo, Sam; he missed his closest friends. He longed for the company of Legolas, his beloved blood brother whom he loved more than life itself. But most of all, he missed Alasse. He longed to look upon her gentle, smiling face and hear her laugh again. He missed her so much it hurt.
She would be back before the third quarter of the year. At least, that was what she had promised him. But Thranduil her father had seemed to have other plans. And the gnawing feeling in Aragorn's gut the day Alasse left, seemed to clearly spell out that he had indeed seen her for the very last time. That she would not be back. Aragorn was lonely, lonelier than he had ever been.
Thranduil hovered over his daughter like a hawk. He was glad now that he had made this choice to bring her home with him. This latest diagnosis from Elrond, and the way losing Lindethiel and Tawarthion was eating up his people and especially his children was all he needed to convince himself that this was the right thing to do. "When we reach the Wood, you will rest, and not have these heavy cares anymore." Thranduil told Alasse. She didn't pick up on what exactly he was referring to. She thought he only meant that when they got there, she could take some time for herself to recuperate and get her back on straight. She had no clue of his true intention.
The wounded elves were healing well, with Elrond's expertise constantly at hand, and with their brethren all faithfully looking after them. Everyone was still mourning Lindethiel and Tawarthion. But they pulled together and made every effort to get home quicker. They finally left the mountains and were able to travel by more level land.
Thranduil and Elrond had their hands full with Legolas, Alasse, and Bellethiel. The three elves , rather elflings in the elder elves' eyes, had gone to throwing themselves into the front lines when it came to danger or questionable situations. Legolas and Alasse were trying to be there for their friend and give Bellethiel time to grieve properly over the loss of her 'sister'. Legolas rode on at the head of every scouting trip, and hung at the rear on every trek. Alasse, feeling ashamed of her 'weakness', copied him, and dove right into a fight when it came to defending themselves from wild animals or other creatures, much to Thranduil and Legolas's emotional expense. Thranduil kept scolding her. "The entire purpose of this journey was to keep you safe! Not so you could go around trying to kill yourself like your brother does!" Thranduil growled at her. Alasse said nothing.
"Look, muinthel. I know to you I may appear invincible, but it's extremely dangerous to try and imitate me." Legolas added, in a much softer tone.
"Imitating you keeps me alive." Alasse said flatly without facing them. Keeps my friends alive!
Thranduil resorted to asking Elrond to cast a nerve-relieving spell over Alasse so she would quit pulling those dangerous stunts. He would've asked the same for Legolas, but he knew his son too well to know that Legolas would never fall for it. "I cannot unless she asks for it, because her emotions and mind would be fighting it." Elrond told Thranduil.
"Well, you've got to do something!" Thranduil demanded.
"You need to tell her the truth." Elrond reminded him. Thranduil glowered dangerously at him. Elrond had kept his mouth shut about the matter throughout most of their journey. It startled Thranduil that it was now being brought up again. It was pricking his conscience and he didn't want to hear it.
"Leave me." Thranduil dismissed him.
"You'll be turned to stone, laddie, if ye remain here sulking by yurself one more night!" Gimli huffed in a scolding tone at Aragorn. It was midnight in Gondor. The stars were shining brightly tonight, and the king had been taking to slink away by himself late at night to this balcony to take in the view and ponder on his beloved. Aragorn had thought no one had noticed, or would know where to find him. Apparently, not! "Although I wager at the moment that you'd hardly notice." Gimli added.
Aragorn grinned. "I take it you are up here tonight because you sorely miss my polite company?" He teased.
"Nah." Gimli sneered, pretending to be offended. "Just yur subjects are worried 'bout ye. Ye haven't been yurself, Aragorn."
"While I appreciate your kindly concern, my friend, I assure you there is nothing for the people to fear." Aragorn said casually. "I am quite alright."
"The immense difference between men and dwarves. We dwarves are at least honest folk, unlike your petty, sour kind." Gimli teased. Aragorn gave him a pointed look and arched his eyebrows.
"You wound me." He replied sarcastically. "There is nothing to worry about. You are growing worse than my father when he thinks me injured or ill!" Aragorn crossed his arms.
"Ahhh. You've got it bad, laddie." Gimli said smugly.
"What?"
"You thinking about the lass, aren't ye?" Gimli looked up at him with a knowing smirk. Aragorn bit his lip.
"It's for the best, Gimli. She needed to go home." He sighed.
"Nonsense! She has a home...right here!"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"She would make a bonny queen of Gondor." Gimli said.
"Aye. She would." Aragorn said wistfully, not realizing what he'd just said. Then he blushed beet red. "That she would make a lovely queen...of the Woodland Realm!" He said quickly. "Not that I was referring to something else!"
"Lovesick young pups! All alike. Spoiled little liars." Gimli quipped.
"I am not spoiled." Aragorn said dryly. "I was raised by elves."
"Like I said, spoiled!" Gimli declared triumphantly. Aragorn rolled his eyes. "You ache for the lass, don't you? Ye miss her something fierce."
"It's better this way, Gimli." Aragorn said sadly.
"It's alright, lad. I miss her too." Gimli sniffled. "And even the pointy-eared princeling. Even if he does drive me into the ground with his stubborn Elvish pride!"
Legolas's face lit up as they ventured closer and closer to familiar surroundings. His heart lept with joy when they came upon the West gate at the edge of the forest. "We've made it!" He cheered to the other elves. "Come! We're nearly there."
"Will you not join us, at least for a day to rest before you journey back to Imladris?" Thranduil offered to Elrond.
"I shall. I would like to be refreshed for my trip home. Besides, it lifts my spirits to see your forest green and alive again." Elrond smiled.
"Nowhere as it does mine!" Thranduil breathed. He could finally relax. They were where they needed to be. The forest was no longer dark, foreboding, and sickly. It was alive, singing, thriving, and colored again! And best of all, he'd gotten his daughter here at last, away from all the fighting and people not of her kind. Yes, all will be well now. Thranduil told himself.
"There it is!" Alasse cheered when she saw the castle gate.
They'd finally reached home, Eryn Lasgalen the Wood of Greenleaves!
