by Blanton Cirith~
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
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Legolas entered Aragorn's chambers, and saw him seated in a small chair staring deeply into the lit fireplace.
"You called for me?" Legolas said.
"Yes," Aragorn replied in a low tone, not shifting his gaze. "Legolas...Before you came back last night from the House of Healings, we discussed with Theoden the need to attack and overthrow Isengard before it grows stronger. It is-"
"Who is we ?" Legolas interrupted.
Aragorn turned his head to look at him. "Gandalf, Gimli, and I."
"So I am no longer a part of the group? You have to discuss the important issues when I am not there? Is that it?" Legolas said with an angry look.
"Legolas what is wrong? Ever since you returned, you haven't been yourself at all!" Aragorn said, concerned.
Legolas looked to the floor and shook his head. "I don't know. I'm sorry, I had no right to lash out at you like that. It's just...I was so angry that day. I haven't been able to get over it."
"Get over what?" Aragorn inquired.
Legolas let out a hard breath in frustration and leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "You did nothing! You were going to let her die. And you were going to leave me to die as well!"
"What are you talking about? You left! It was on your own free will that you went south."
"Gimli said it himself. He said it was suicide for me to go alone, but you knew I was going to go anyway; and yet you did not come with me!"
"Someone had to go after the Hobbits, and if you wouldn't, I would!" Aragorn exclaimed, standing up.
Legolas sighed, and there was a long pause. Finally, the elf spoke. "I suppose in my heart, I knew you would not. I knew someone had to save those poor hobbits. I just wanted to try to convince you and Gimli to come with me. I was afraid, Aragorn. I was afraid of what might happen to her; of what might happen to me; of everything."
"I know," Aragorn said kindly, leaning against the wall next to him.
For a long while, they just stood next to the other, enjoying the other's company, but knew it could not last.
"What of Isengard? Legolas said, finally breaking the silence. "You said an attack has been planned."
"It has. However, Gandalf and I decided it best for someone to stay behind with the Lady Eowyn, who will be taking charge of the city until Theoden and Eomer return."
Legolas nodded. "Who have you chosen?"
"You."
Legolas' eyes widened. "You can't! I must be at the battle. My place is with the army. My skills will be needed."
"You wish to go?" Aragorn asked, seeming confused. "What would Winters do if you fail to return?"
Legolas looked toward the floor. "She would understand."
"Understanding does not lead to happiness. I can rightfully say that she would be terribly hurt if something were to go ill with you. Legolas, you just returned from an extremely perilous journey. You should rest here in Rohan for a while." Aragorn explained.
"I can not," Legolas said somberly. "It would feel as if I were ignoring my duty."
"And what is your duty?" Aragorn asked.
"Right now, my duty is to protect Rohan and its King," He replied. "And Rohan includes Winters. Do you know how many of Erkenbrand's men are near Isengard and Hornburg?"
"Nay. We have not received any additional information as of yet, except that Saruman's forces are growing stronger and more numerous. We know not their location, or whether they intend to strike. There have been reports of orc raids at Hornburg near Helm's Deep. We know nothing more than this. You plan on joining us, then?"
"I could not in right heart decline. If by life or death I can assist, I will. My place is with the rest of the Rohirrim, you and Gimli, and with the King," Legolas said.
"What will you tell Winters of your leaving?" Aragorn said.
Legolas sighed. "I will not tell her anything. To her knowledge, I will be riding to Gondor for an audience with Lord Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Is that understood?"
"She will not believe you."
"She will have to! I am not going to tell her otherwise, and you better not either!" Legolas said harshly. He averted his eyes so he didn't have to look at Aragorn. "I'm sorry. It's just...things have been tense lately, and it is taking its toll."
Aragorn nodded. "It's understandable. But the tenseness will only get worse if you come with us; you do realize that."
"I do," Legolas said. "And I understand I may not come back. But it is all the same."
"What do you mean by that?" Aragorn asked with a raised eyebrow.
"If I were to remain here, and something happened with the Rohirrim, or the King was killed, the guilt in itself would kill me inside. Whether to die there, or die here; it is all the same. If so, I should go with you and the Rohirrim where I belong."
"You seem confident that something will happen, Legolas," Aragorn said coldly. "What do you know?"
"So now I am in league with Saruman?" Legolas yelled.
Aragorn slowly sat down, looking distressed. "This is not working."
Legolas' rage suddenly vanquished and a look of pity entered his eyes; pity for both he and Aragorn. He realized what Aragorn meant, and was ashamed.
"Curse Mordor and its filthy influence!" Aragorn exclaimed.
"The shadow; it's trying to make us hate one another," Legolas said.
"And it is slowly succeeding," Aragorn said quietly as he stared out the window toward a growing shadow over Isengard.
"Sadly so," Legolas whispered to himself. He turned to leave but stopped at the door. Looking back, he saw Aragorn staring out into the depths of the growing black cloud, and wondered what he was thinking at that moment. Without shifting his glance, Aragorn spoke.
"We are gathering before sunset. If you are not there, we are leaving without you."
"I will be there," Legolas said in a low tone, and left.
A little while before sunset, Legolas was in the House of Healing, and had gone to see Winters before he left. When he opened the door, he saw that she was sleeping. He came in and quietly shut the door behind him. Standing there, he realized that this could be the last time he spent with her. He sat on the bed by her, and stroked her hair. She opened her eyes, and sat up.
"Good morning," she said.
"For you maybe, but I have been awake all day," he replied with a smile. "Winters...I am going to Gondor. I may not return for a few days."
"Why?" she asked.
"Denethor. I must ask if he will grant an audience with King Theoden on a matter of great importance," he said.
"Legolas, you're trembling. What's wrong?" she said looking worried. "There's something you're not telling me. What has happened?"
"Please don't make this harder for me, Winters. I couldn't bear it," he said, and held her close.
"There's something dangerous about this mission, isn't there," She said.
"No, not the mission. What could come afterward. What Denethor and Theoden must decide may make a difference. That's the only reason I am afraid. Do not worry about anything."
She pushed back and looked at him. "What will they discuss that is so terrible?"
"I...I am not sure. I just know that it is important I go and request an audience for him," Legolas said nervously, and studdered several times.
"Legolas, you are lying to me. What is going on?" she said with a worried look.
Legolas kissed her hand, and gently brushed his hand against her cheek.
"I must go," he said solemnly. Turning to leave was the hardest thing he had ever done, and it took all the will-power he had to leave the room. He was filled with regret for lying to her, but he kept telling himself it was for the best.
After he left, Winters glanced out the window and saw many riders gathering in the fields a good distance from the House of Healings, and more were coming from beyond the castle. Winters breathed in quickly and realized that he was going to battle with the Men of Rohan. She couldn't believe it.
"No! He can't!" she shouted, and turned quickly to get out of the bed. She was running toward the door after him, but tripped and fell against the wall. Her side was aching from the impact, but she got out into the hallway. Running down the hall, she saw the door ahead of her, but it was blocked by two guards. The guards grabbed her and tried to push her back away from the door, but she reached toward it. She screamed out of rage; rage of the fact she may never see him again. She knew Legolas was not rested or healed from the past few days, and was in no condition to fight. The two guards managed to calm her down, and accompanied her back to her room.
Looking out the glass, she saw the riders begin to leave. There were thousands rushing down the west road, carrying flags of Rohan and sounding horns.
"Legolas...." she said, her voice filled with sorrow. Her eyes were burning as she watched the Rohirrim disappear into the distance.
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Sorry it took me so long to write this little dinky thing. But I've had lots of things to do, so I upload when i can.