The story goes on.
This time it starts with some content of Legolas. Next there will be one of Aragorn. And last not least, one brotherly exchange from the perspective of Boromir.
I am not sure if you were able to see the poll that was created. However, I followed the wish of one reader and decided to let Boromir ride to Minas Tirith. As well, I have some ideas for the events to come. Stay tuned, my loyal readers.
Enjoy.
Turns unexpected
Legolas tried to remember when exactly the bet with Gimli started. He could not be sure. The dwarf challenged him. Said, an elf could not do with much drinking. The dwarfs on the other hand could. Highly time to prove him otherwise. As the only elf avail, this task fell on him. Gimli next to him, they began. Legolas enjoyed it to be with the dwarf. Not that he would confess it aloud. At least not now. The prince lost view of Estel. His view drifts around while the glass was lifted again. Men said, ale afflicts the senses. He had full control of his. Still, there was a prickling in his fingers. Legolas regards his hand. This development was fascinating. "I feel a prickling in my hands," he states with a smile. "Knew he couldn't take that much," Gimli said. Afterwards, he fell to the ground. Without a second word. The elf has to remember this. Legolas smiled, dust off his hand at his robe and left to spend some time in silence. He found a table far from trouble. There the prince sat down. Legolas remained not long, the noise was still too loud for his taste, so he searched for the fair-haired marshal. He set up a polite gaze and touched the shoulder of the Rohirrim. "May you direct me the way to your library. I had enough... drinks for tonight," Legolas asks. "It is just outside the room, when you take this door," the marshal began and points at one. "There will be a corridor with only one wooden door at the end," the fair-haired man continued. Legolas expressed his thanks and left the room with the help of the mentioned passage. Silence greeted him what he welcomed greatly. He then proceeds to the corridor and exactly as explained, there was only one wooden door. A long time, since he had last entered a library. Not since Rivendell. However, the smallest one he ever saw from inside. There were each a shelf that reached the ceiling, on both sides and one podest with a couple of books on it. Legolas skimmed through the titles on the left shelf with his eyes. There was a title that aroused his interest: 'First settlers' Its spine was faintly gilt, as was the title. The prince knew he found a book to read. Long he wondered what the men thought about his folk. He took a seat on the floor next to the podest. Then Legolas read the first chapter. Once finished, footsteps from outside hindered him from reading along. To his surprise, it was Gimli who entered his hideout. Even more impressive was that the dwarf was able to stand. Legolas regards him curiously. "Not finished yet," Gimli states. "We are. My friend," answers the elf. In return his companion points at him, as to disagree with him. "I would suggest that you continue with your nap," Legolas replies. As expected, his well-intentioned advice was ignored and all he received was a laugh. Recently, Gimli exclaimed that he, Legolas was the reason for their teasing and yet the dwarf would not listen would he do it otherwise. So, the prince has no choice than to start again. However, in the current situation his only intent was to help his friend. Indeed, he considered all companions as friends, the dwarf was no exception. If only, Gimli would see it but again this task would fall on him to declare their friendship. "You should. Or is it not true that the sleep of a dwarf triumphs over the one of elves," he counters and adds a pretended look of disbelief. It worked. "He does," Gimli responds and immediately left the library. "I can only wonder about the stubbornness of my friend," Legolas thought aloud. He made it till chapter four, when the door was opened again. It was Estel. Aragorn silently approaches and sat down next to him. The prince did not look up and continued with the book. Out of the corner of his eye he could see that the man sat with his eyes closed. Both friends breathed even. Peace for now guaranteed. Next, Aragorn rose to undertake the podest a closer view. "Hi parv -o yours. Does ha tell i truth?" Estel asks him. Legolas lifts his head to meet the gaze of his friend and replies,"Surpriselui, ha does." The king to be has found a map. As well, Aragorn's left hand remained on a spot while he held the evenstar in his right hand. Obviously, the king missed his queen. The prince was about to join him but was gestured to stay seated. "Lothron cin take a thír at hi parv Estel," he suggests and offered the book to his friend. Aragorn's eyes found his, then Estel took it. "Soon, destinui will n- fulfilled," Legolas reassures the man. "Thank cin," was the respond he received. The prince grasps Estel's lower arm. Afterwards, he affords Aragorn some time alone. Carefully, Legolas closes the door.
Aragorn spent more time thinking than reading. He viewed the cover, or had his eyes closed. The need was there to go to Minas Tirith but Rohan must be convinced to aid Gondor. That means, the companions have to split up. Council must be held soon. Then Éomer led him to his chamber and Aragorn found himself reunited with his friends again. He was the last one to arrive. Unfortunately, sleep would not come over him. It felt like Valar itself was not content with him. Boromir was missing too. Aragorn got up and once more went outside. There he found the Captain General with his arms crossed in front him. Estel moves to join the man of Gondor. "Sleep does not want to come with the thought of what awaits my people," Boromir began. "With Faramir injured and the two little ones captured, I forgot them nearly completely. Next, I could not allow myself to ponder with Rohan in danger. But now, I do," the older one continued. Then the man turns around and viewed him. "Would you like me to go?" Boromir asks him. "Stay," Aragorn responds. Like that they remained, side-by-side, starring at the sky. "One of us has to go to Minas Tirith," states the Captain General. "My father does need all support avail," the man adds. "You should...," Estel was about to answer but was interrupted by Legolas. Both men looked at the elf and were gestured to follow him inside. First Aragorn, then Boromir hurried into the room. Pippin was embraced by Merry, Faramir kneeled on the floor and Mithrandir veils an orb. Aragorn recognized it as the Palantír, he found in the ruins of Isengard. "What happened?" questions Boromir. Faramir rose and replies," Pippin... held the Palantír in his hands. I awoke and took it then to pass it to Gandalf." All eyes found the appearance of Pippin. Then Boromir drew near to the hobbit and lowered to sit in front him. The older one lays a hand on the shoulder of their friend and Pippin closes his arms around the man. "Are you alright?" Aragorn asks the young ranger. Faramir nods and appends," I am. He... of course made an attempt to talk to me but I was able to hand it to Mithrandir before... things could turn worse." As strong-headed as his father, the younger one was indeed. "Pippin, I fear I have to take you with me to Minas Tirith to where I will depart at sunrise," declares Mithrandir. "Then I will stay with King Théoden," states Aragorn. "Either Boromir or I will accompany Gandalf I would suppose," determines Faramir. "I was about to ask just that," agrees Estel. "Boromir should go then," continues the younger one. "If I would go, I am not sure if our father will listen. At least we would be trapped in an argument quite long. Time we don't have. But he listens to you brother," the young ranger conducts. The man that was meant nods still embracing Pippin. "So be it then. Till then all of us should try to regain their strength," proclaims Mithrandir.
After his little one calmed and released him, Boromir lay down next to his brother. "Want me to greet him for you?" he asks Faramir. His brother turned and it seems his eyes could see right through him. This view, was also used by their father often. "Do what you think is for the best," Faramir then replies. "I will," responds Boromir. "Little brother," he began and waited till he had his brother's attention. Again, the beloved eyes found their way to his face. Convinced, Faramir will listen to his every word, he continued, "Take care of him for me. I know you would anyway." The hand of his brother found his and something warm laid now on his palm. Faramir's healing stone. "I cannot accept it. This stone belongs to you," Boromir states and was about to give the stone back but the hand of the younger one hinders him. "You can," Faramir declares. "And I will ensure that our King and friend returns to Gondor," his brother then promised. The older one smiles at him. "I expect you to come either," he adds. Faramir returns the smile and responds," I will do my best." Boromir turned around to be face-to-face with the younger one. "You better do," he replies. "Last opportunity to hear one of my famous bedtime stories," he continues. Faramir closes his eyes and laughs. "Choose well, young Steward," the older one states. "I will miss you...and your bedtime stories," the younger one answers. "That means you consider to hear one of them," counters Boromir. "The promise to hear one of them when we are together at Minas Tirith will do... for now," Faramir responds. "Good. Time enough to invent one," he declares. "You gave me an offer so empty?" teases the younger one. "You awakened a false hope in me to be allowed to tell one," Boromir retaliates. "Looks like we were both disappointed," states Faramir. "We both are terrible at negotiations," replies the Captain General. "One worse than the other," subjoins the young ranger. "Father would say that we both cast a poor reflection at him," appends Boromir. "He would," agrees Faramir. "We better not tell him then," concludes the older one. His brother nods in agreement. "Enough of me?" teases Boromir. The younger one opens his eyes to look at him. "Never. We could proceed for the rest of the night, if there weren't the thing of getting enough rest," replies Faramir. "You are right," concurs the Captain General. "Both ways we take will require our viability," he adds. "Still, you won't deny me to sleep next to you, I suppose," Boromir states but received no answer. The younger one was asleep. He caresses Faramir's cheek. "Sleep well, little brother. I am here," assures the Captain General. Then he closes his eyes to gain some sleep himself.
Conversation between Aragorn and Legolas: A: This book of yours. Does it tell the truth? L: Surprisely, it does. (Break) L: May you take a look at this book Estel. L: Soon, destiny will be fulfilled. A: Thank you.