Note: None of these are my characters, except for Rutan. Elvish speech is
in ' '. Takes place two hours after 'Out On A Limb'.
And The Victor Is?
Part 10
Legolas wrung his hair out, as he sat beside the lake once more. The blond elf was grateful that he was one of the last to go see Lady Galadrial, so he had been able to take a long bath and get thoroughly cleaned up. Everyone else had bathed quickly, but Legolas had taken his time, for he did not know how long a wait it would be until Aragorn was done speaking with the Elven lady.
The Prince of Mirkwood was clad only in his leggings, as he began to run his wooden comb through his unbraided hair. His braids had been cut out by Aragorn earlier, so they did not hinder the comb. Without them, Legolas's wet, flowing hair shone in the light.
Rutan quietly approached Legolas, his dagger hidden in his pocket. He made certain that the beautiful prince would know that someone was coming, for he did not want to make Legolas suspicious of him.
Legolas winced as his comb caught on a strand of tangled hair. He heard someone approaching and turned after he swiftly drew a dagger. He relaxed slightly when he saw that it was only Rutan. "Tis you, Rutan," Legolas said, as he sheathed his dagger. "What brings you out here?" The blond elf began to work on his hair again, trying to remove the tangle.
"I do not think it safe or wise for the potential King of Mirkwood to be out so far alone," Rutan said.
Legolas offered a smile. He had turned to face the dark-haired elf, so as not to be impolite. 'I am no mere child, Rutan. I usually do bathe alone,' he said in Elvish. He cursed softly in Elvish when he could not get the tangle out.
'Would you like some assistance?' Rutan offered, keeping a smirk off his face. This prince was far too gullible and naïve, despite his age.
Legolas nodded. 'If you wouldn't mind. My hair will not cooperate,' Legolas said, with another smile. He handed his comb to Rutan and turned his back to the elf.
Rutan gently began pull the comb through the difficult tangle. 'Why is your hair shorter now?' he questioned, seeing a difference in it now. He managed to get the knot out, but continued combing the soft, silky locks, which fell over his hands.
'Aragorn and I had a slight accident in a tree,' Legolas confessed. 'My hair got caught, and the only way to get free was to cut it.'
'Tis a shame, for your hair does shine like the sun's rays,' Rutan murmured. He handed the comb back to Legolas. The dark-haired elf sighed. 'Forgive my impertinence, Prince Legolas, but I wish to know the nature of your relationship with the heir of Isildur.'
Legolas thought it an innocent enough question, and answered it honestly. 'Aragorn and I are in love, Rutan, and we plan to be together for the rest of our lives.'
Rutan seethed silently, before pressing a point down home. 'But he is a mortal, Legolas.'
Legolas nodded. He turned away from Rutan, and gazed out at the lake.
Unknown to the two of them, Frodo stood listening to every word the two elves spoke. He severely distrusted Rutan, and Aragorn had asked him to make certain that Rutan did not harm Legolas.
So the Hobbit merely watched, listening silently, as the blond elf spoke with Rutan.
'He will die one day, Legolas,' Rutan pointed out. 'Where will you be then?'
'I will be dead as well,' Legolas answered softly. 'For even if I do not forsake my immortality for the one I love, my grief would kill me on the day he dies.'
'Would it not be better to be with another who is immortal?' Rutan was getting angry, for he felt that Aragorn would eventually cause Legolas to die.
Legolas smiled and shook his head. 'He loves me, Rutan. And I love him like I have loved no other. And if truth be told, I am glad that he is mortal.'
Rutan and Frodo were both stunned to hear Legolas say that.
'Why?' Rutan demanded. 'Why would mortality make you glad?'
'It keeps his love for me alive,' Legolas explained. 'If Aragorn were immortal, he might tire of me after centuries of being together. I would never tire of him, but I would not hold him back if he wished to be free to be with another.' Innocence shone in Legolas's green eyes, as they met Rutan's dark eyes.
Gladness soared in Frodo's heart at those words, for he understood. Aragorn had had the same fears, that Legolas would grow tired of him. The Hobbit couldn't wait to tell Aragorn what Legolas had said.
The raven-haired elf drew his knife, with the blue potion still on it. He slashed at Legolas's arm.
"Legolas, look out!" Frodo shouted in horror.
Legolas turned to look for Frodo, and the knife cut into the skin of his arm. Pain instantly began soaring through him, as he looked at Rutan. 'What did you do to me?' Legolas questioned.
Rutan smirked at Legolas. 'You are far too trusting, Prince of Mirkwood. The potion I just placed in your veins will make you sleep for at least twenty-four hours.'
Legolas surprised Rutan by suddenly standing and drawing his sword. The beautiful and graceful Prince of Mirkwood might be innocent of some things, but certainly not of others.
The blond elf swayed, as he faced the dark-haired elf, with betrayal and anger shining in his eyes. Legolas circled around Rutan, as Frodo took off running to get Aragorn. He ran as fast as he could, praying it wouldn't be too late.
Rutan smirked at Legolas's efforts. 'You will only hasten your defeat by fighting me, Legolas.'
Legolas shook his head, and the dizziness abated slightly. He lashed out suddenly, and managed to slash open a gash on Rutan's face. Rutan snarled and struck out with his dagger. Legolas blocked it and struck again, aiming for Rutan's arm this time. His sword penetrated deeply, and Rutan growled. He had not expected Legolas to fight back so fiercely.
Legolas then used his legs to trip the other elf, panting hard. Beads of sweat ran down his face. His movements were getting slower, as Rutan started to snicker.
'Give up, Legolas. You cannot beat me like this.' He suddenly fell down unconscious.
Legolas had taken advantage of Rutan's pause as the dark-haired elf boasted. He had struck the other elf hard on the head with his sword hilt. The blond elf felt his body going limp, as he started to make his way over to the lake. But he never made it that far.
He faintly heard Aragorn cry his name, as Legolas fell to the ground.
Aragorn ran over and knelt down. He took his lover in his arms, murmuring softly in Elvish to him. 'I should never have left you alone with him, love.'
Legolas's glazed eyes met Aragorn's grey ones. 'Tis not your fault, Aragorn. I did not see him for what he was.'
Lady Galadrial stood there silently, as she watched the two together. She looked at Frodo, who stood next to her, breathing hard.
"I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation with Aragorn," Frodo apologized quietly.
Galadrial nodded gravely. "You did the right thing, Frodo. And now it has all become clear to me." Galadrial was slightly angered that it was one of her trusted guides who had done such a thing to Estel and the Prince of Mirkwood. She approached the fallen elf.
Legolas moaned softly. 'I can't move, Aragorn… He drugged me with something.' Sleep was fast overtaking Legolas.
Aragorn could see that Legolas was resisting the potion as best as he could, and it was hurting him. 'Let yourself sleep, Legolas. I will watch over you.'
'I don't want to sleep for a whole day,' Legolas mumbled.
Aragorn touched Legolas's hair. 'By the way, dear one, did I tell you how much I like your haircut?' He was deliberately lightening Legolas's mood, as the elf tried to scowl, but instead began to laugh.
Galadrial touched Aragorn's arm softly. 'Is he well, Estel?'
'A sleep potion was used on him, Lady Galadrial. I do not think he will last until you wished to speak with him,' Aragorn said quietly.
Legolas gave a weak sigh, as the potion finally overtook him. He slept in Aragorn's arms, whimpering softly. His eyes remained open in his sleep.
'Take him to your sleeping room, Estel,' Galadrial said impassively. 'Stay with him until he awakens, and give him my sincere apology. I will have Rutan punished for his actions against both of you.' She turned and walked away as silently as she had come.
Aragorn nodded. He stood up carefully, holding his lover. He then glanced at Frodo. "Frodo, could you carry Legolas's belongings please?" Aragorn requested.
Frodo nodded, and quickly gathered them together. He then followed Aragorn, as the human carried Legolas all the way back to Aragorn's room.
Legolas was gently sat on the bed, after the covers were pulled back. Frodo placed the items he carried on a chair, before making his way out of the room and closing the door.
Aragorn tenderly took the time to quickly braid Legolas's hair the way it usually was, except that the braids weren't quite as long as they used to be. He then laid his Elven lover down on the bed. Aragorn removed his own shoes, and stretched out next to Legolas, taking the elf in his arms.
Legolas stirred a little, but didn't awaken. So Aragorn spent the night lying next to him, holding the sleeping beauty in his arms.
To be continued
And The Victor Is?
Part 10
Legolas wrung his hair out, as he sat beside the lake once more. The blond elf was grateful that he was one of the last to go see Lady Galadrial, so he had been able to take a long bath and get thoroughly cleaned up. Everyone else had bathed quickly, but Legolas had taken his time, for he did not know how long a wait it would be until Aragorn was done speaking with the Elven lady.
The Prince of Mirkwood was clad only in his leggings, as he began to run his wooden comb through his unbraided hair. His braids had been cut out by Aragorn earlier, so they did not hinder the comb. Without them, Legolas's wet, flowing hair shone in the light.
Rutan quietly approached Legolas, his dagger hidden in his pocket. He made certain that the beautiful prince would know that someone was coming, for he did not want to make Legolas suspicious of him.
Legolas winced as his comb caught on a strand of tangled hair. He heard someone approaching and turned after he swiftly drew a dagger. He relaxed slightly when he saw that it was only Rutan. "Tis you, Rutan," Legolas said, as he sheathed his dagger. "What brings you out here?" The blond elf began to work on his hair again, trying to remove the tangle.
"I do not think it safe or wise for the potential King of Mirkwood to be out so far alone," Rutan said.
Legolas offered a smile. He had turned to face the dark-haired elf, so as not to be impolite. 'I am no mere child, Rutan. I usually do bathe alone,' he said in Elvish. He cursed softly in Elvish when he could not get the tangle out.
'Would you like some assistance?' Rutan offered, keeping a smirk off his face. This prince was far too gullible and naïve, despite his age.
Legolas nodded. 'If you wouldn't mind. My hair will not cooperate,' Legolas said, with another smile. He handed his comb to Rutan and turned his back to the elf.
Rutan gently began pull the comb through the difficult tangle. 'Why is your hair shorter now?' he questioned, seeing a difference in it now. He managed to get the knot out, but continued combing the soft, silky locks, which fell over his hands.
'Aragorn and I had a slight accident in a tree,' Legolas confessed. 'My hair got caught, and the only way to get free was to cut it.'
'Tis a shame, for your hair does shine like the sun's rays,' Rutan murmured. He handed the comb back to Legolas. The dark-haired elf sighed. 'Forgive my impertinence, Prince Legolas, but I wish to know the nature of your relationship with the heir of Isildur.'
Legolas thought it an innocent enough question, and answered it honestly. 'Aragorn and I are in love, Rutan, and we plan to be together for the rest of our lives.'
Rutan seethed silently, before pressing a point down home. 'But he is a mortal, Legolas.'
Legolas nodded. He turned away from Rutan, and gazed out at the lake.
Unknown to the two of them, Frodo stood listening to every word the two elves spoke. He severely distrusted Rutan, and Aragorn had asked him to make certain that Rutan did not harm Legolas.
So the Hobbit merely watched, listening silently, as the blond elf spoke with Rutan.
'He will die one day, Legolas,' Rutan pointed out. 'Where will you be then?'
'I will be dead as well,' Legolas answered softly. 'For even if I do not forsake my immortality for the one I love, my grief would kill me on the day he dies.'
'Would it not be better to be with another who is immortal?' Rutan was getting angry, for he felt that Aragorn would eventually cause Legolas to die.
Legolas smiled and shook his head. 'He loves me, Rutan. And I love him like I have loved no other. And if truth be told, I am glad that he is mortal.'
Rutan and Frodo were both stunned to hear Legolas say that.
'Why?' Rutan demanded. 'Why would mortality make you glad?'
'It keeps his love for me alive,' Legolas explained. 'If Aragorn were immortal, he might tire of me after centuries of being together. I would never tire of him, but I would not hold him back if he wished to be free to be with another.' Innocence shone in Legolas's green eyes, as they met Rutan's dark eyes.
Gladness soared in Frodo's heart at those words, for he understood. Aragorn had had the same fears, that Legolas would grow tired of him. The Hobbit couldn't wait to tell Aragorn what Legolas had said.
The raven-haired elf drew his knife, with the blue potion still on it. He slashed at Legolas's arm.
"Legolas, look out!" Frodo shouted in horror.
Legolas turned to look for Frodo, and the knife cut into the skin of his arm. Pain instantly began soaring through him, as he looked at Rutan. 'What did you do to me?' Legolas questioned.
Rutan smirked at Legolas. 'You are far too trusting, Prince of Mirkwood. The potion I just placed in your veins will make you sleep for at least twenty-four hours.'
Legolas surprised Rutan by suddenly standing and drawing his sword. The beautiful and graceful Prince of Mirkwood might be innocent of some things, but certainly not of others.
The blond elf swayed, as he faced the dark-haired elf, with betrayal and anger shining in his eyes. Legolas circled around Rutan, as Frodo took off running to get Aragorn. He ran as fast as he could, praying it wouldn't be too late.
Rutan smirked at Legolas's efforts. 'You will only hasten your defeat by fighting me, Legolas.'
Legolas shook his head, and the dizziness abated slightly. He lashed out suddenly, and managed to slash open a gash on Rutan's face. Rutan snarled and struck out with his dagger. Legolas blocked it and struck again, aiming for Rutan's arm this time. His sword penetrated deeply, and Rutan growled. He had not expected Legolas to fight back so fiercely.
Legolas then used his legs to trip the other elf, panting hard. Beads of sweat ran down his face. His movements were getting slower, as Rutan started to snicker.
'Give up, Legolas. You cannot beat me like this.' He suddenly fell down unconscious.
Legolas had taken advantage of Rutan's pause as the dark-haired elf boasted. He had struck the other elf hard on the head with his sword hilt. The blond elf felt his body going limp, as he started to make his way over to the lake. But he never made it that far.
He faintly heard Aragorn cry his name, as Legolas fell to the ground.
Aragorn ran over and knelt down. He took his lover in his arms, murmuring softly in Elvish to him. 'I should never have left you alone with him, love.'
Legolas's glazed eyes met Aragorn's grey ones. 'Tis not your fault, Aragorn. I did not see him for what he was.'
Lady Galadrial stood there silently, as she watched the two together. She looked at Frodo, who stood next to her, breathing hard.
"I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation with Aragorn," Frodo apologized quietly.
Galadrial nodded gravely. "You did the right thing, Frodo. And now it has all become clear to me." Galadrial was slightly angered that it was one of her trusted guides who had done such a thing to Estel and the Prince of Mirkwood. She approached the fallen elf.
Legolas moaned softly. 'I can't move, Aragorn… He drugged me with something.' Sleep was fast overtaking Legolas.
Aragorn could see that Legolas was resisting the potion as best as he could, and it was hurting him. 'Let yourself sleep, Legolas. I will watch over you.'
'I don't want to sleep for a whole day,' Legolas mumbled.
Aragorn touched Legolas's hair. 'By the way, dear one, did I tell you how much I like your haircut?' He was deliberately lightening Legolas's mood, as the elf tried to scowl, but instead began to laugh.
Galadrial touched Aragorn's arm softly. 'Is he well, Estel?'
'A sleep potion was used on him, Lady Galadrial. I do not think he will last until you wished to speak with him,' Aragorn said quietly.
Legolas gave a weak sigh, as the potion finally overtook him. He slept in Aragorn's arms, whimpering softly. His eyes remained open in his sleep.
'Take him to your sleeping room, Estel,' Galadrial said impassively. 'Stay with him until he awakens, and give him my sincere apology. I will have Rutan punished for his actions against both of you.' She turned and walked away as silently as she had come.
Aragorn nodded. He stood up carefully, holding his lover. He then glanced at Frodo. "Frodo, could you carry Legolas's belongings please?" Aragorn requested.
Frodo nodded, and quickly gathered them together. He then followed Aragorn, as the human carried Legolas all the way back to Aragorn's room.
Legolas was gently sat on the bed, after the covers were pulled back. Frodo placed the items he carried on a chair, before making his way out of the room and closing the door.
Aragorn tenderly took the time to quickly braid Legolas's hair the way it usually was, except that the braids weren't quite as long as they used to be. He then laid his Elven lover down on the bed. Aragorn removed his own shoes, and stretched out next to Legolas, taking the elf in his arms.
Legolas stirred a little, but didn't awaken. So Aragorn spent the night lying next to him, holding the sleeping beauty in his arms.
To be continued