NOTE: I'm sorry if anyone finds my use of Tolkien's works offensive,
however there is always the option not to read it. This IS purely fiction.
1 CHAPTER V
"In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."
1.1 J.T.T. Tolkien
Aragorn slowly advanced on the elf's motionless frame. He gently laid his left hand on one taut shoulder before following Legolas' gaze out across the plains of Rohan. They'd been following the marching Orc for two days. Their only hope of finding the small ones still living was the Elven pin found upon the trampled ground. It now lay tucked securely within Aragorn's pack.
"Have you slept at all this night, old friend?"
"My mind will not rest."
"You need as much as we." The Ranger squeezed the muscles beneath his palm. He murmured, "You are even more quiet than usual, I worry for you."
"You need not. I will not hinder our pace." His lilting words were sharp, almost defiant.
"That is not why I worry." Turning the elf's body, he gently cupped one pale cheek. "You are dear to me, Legolas."
A slender hand rose to cover Aragorn's before the Prince closed his too bright eyes.
"Perhaps I should not care so deeply," The Man whispered. "But my heart will not listen."
"What of Arwen?" Legolas breathed. "Where does she place in your heart?"
"She does not." Sighing, the Ranger ran one hand through his unruly hair. "Once, I would not have said so, for her beauty blinded me. Yet I have come to realize she is like the clouds above, although pleasant to look upon, they have no substance."
Legolas gasped. His eyes going impossibly wide, he shook his head in denial. Dark brows furrowing, he accused, "Yet you wear her Evenstar."
"But briefly." Aragorn admitted. "I gave it back before we lift Rivendell."
For a long moment, the elf merely stared into the Ranger's dark eyes as though he could sense the sincerity of the words. With a slight nod, he once more turned northward. He was silent in thought for a long while.
"They are far far away," he said sadly, turning to Aragorn. "I know in my heart that they have not rested…"
The sudden change in topic obviously signaled the end of their previous conversation. Aragorn listened somberly as Legolas spoke of the Hobbit's fate. He would give the Elven Prince as much time as he needed to sort through his feelings. It was about time someone else took up the flame the elf had patiently kept burning.
1 CHAPTER V
"In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."
1.1 J.T.T. Tolkien
Aragorn slowly advanced on the elf's motionless frame. He gently laid his left hand on one taut shoulder before following Legolas' gaze out across the plains of Rohan. They'd been following the marching Orc for two days. Their only hope of finding the small ones still living was the Elven pin found upon the trampled ground. It now lay tucked securely within Aragorn's pack.
"Have you slept at all this night, old friend?"
"My mind will not rest."
"You need as much as we." The Ranger squeezed the muscles beneath his palm. He murmured, "You are even more quiet than usual, I worry for you."
"You need not. I will not hinder our pace." His lilting words were sharp, almost defiant.
"That is not why I worry." Turning the elf's body, he gently cupped one pale cheek. "You are dear to me, Legolas."
A slender hand rose to cover Aragorn's before the Prince closed his too bright eyes.
"Perhaps I should not care so deeply," The Man whispered. "But my heart will not listen."
"What of Arwen?" Legolas breathed. "Where does she place in your heart?"
"She does not." Sighing, the Ranger ran one hand through his unruly hair. "Once, I would not have said so, for her beauty blinded me. Yet I have come to realize she is like the clouds above, although pleasant to look upon, they have no substance."
Legolas gasped. His eyes going impossibly wide, he shook his head in denial. Dark brows furrowing, he accused, "Yet you wear her Evenstar."
"But briefly." Aragorn admitted. "I gave it back before we lift Rivendell."
For a long moment, the elf merely stared into the Ranger's dark eyes as though he could sense the sincerity of the words. With a slight nod, he once more turned northward. He was silent in thought for a long while.
"They are far far away," he said sadly, turning to Aragorn. "I know in my heart that they have not rested…"
The sudden change in topic obviously signaled the end of their previous conversation. Aragorn listened somberly as Legolas spoke of the Hobbit's fate. He would give the Elven Prince as much time as he needed to sort through his feelings. It was about time someone else took up the flame the elf had patiently kept burning.
