Note: Only the unknown characters are mine! The rest are all J.R.R. Tolkien's creation. = Language other than Elvish and the basic human language.

Leaving

Part 8

Miat, otherwise known as Legolas, looked uncertainly at Aragorn as the human led the way silently through the forest in the pitch-black of night. Even with Elven sight, Aragorn's face seemed strangely cold and stony with the pale light of the moon, reflected off the glimmering snow. Shadows from the overlaying hemlock branches painted dark streaks across the man's face, aptly hiding his thoughts and musings. No sign of fatigue in the carved features, despite the fact that they had been walking for hours.

Even as he watched, however, a crease formed on the man's brow, and suddenly, the austere set of that face softened in——was it worry?

Legolas sighed. It would take time readjusting to his… old life. He wasn't completely certain he could return to it. What would it be like, he wondered, faces that, by all rights, *should* be familiar… but weren't? What would it be like to see a disappointment, a sorrow, in the gazes of old friends and family because he couldn't remember them? He wished he could assuage his fears. He wished he could reassure Aragorn. But all he could say was...

"Will…take…time, Aragorn."

Ah, if time were their only adversary. But no, someone in the village wanted him for some purpose he didn't know. And he had left his best friend there. He *couldn't* worry about his own welfare when he was in relatively small danger and Meiyuu could be in danger...

"And I…also fear for…Meiyuu," he murmured, wrapping his cloak tighter about his slim form.

"I know." Aragorn had not liked leaving the youth behind either, and worried that Meiyuu would be captured or tortured. Or worse. "I think he can take care of himself, though," the human said reassuringly, but part of him was still worried. After all, Meiyuu was only a boy.

"We'll help you, Legolas," Frodo piped up. "Everyone will be so glad to see you again." The Hobbit walked beside the Elf, talking nonstop. "Gandulf, Merry, Sam, and Pippin especially. We all missed you so much!"

Miat supposed he should happier at this news, but he could manage nothing but discomfort. It felt slightly awkward being called Legolas. "Who they?" he questioned, trying to lessen the unease he felt.

Gimli grumbled, "Part of the former Fellowship. They were the other people in the drawing Aragorn showed you."

Miat--no, Legolas, he sternly told himself. It was his true name, even if it was not familiar to him. He was going to call himself by his true name from then on, and see if it helped him regain any memories. Discarding 'Miataru' would not be easy when it was the only name he remembered, but it was necessary if he ever wanted to be free of his drug-induced amnesia.

Aragorn frowned, seeing how troubled Legolas was. "Relax, Legolas. They will truly be glad to see you. Many feared that you had perished, including your father."

The blond Elf nodded, but said nothing. He was torn between the desire to regain his past and his fear for Meiyuu's safety. His past was important to him, but Meiyuu...Meiyuu was one of his only friends.

Aragorn fell into silence, sensing the conflict in the blond Elf. He occasionally glanced at Legolas as they continued walking.

The tension in the air ate at each member of the group, until even Frodo's bright chatter trickled away. Utter silence reigned over them, and each were left to their own thoughts and musings.

"I…cannot," Legolas said abruptly.

Aragorn stopped walking and looked at the Elf. "You cannot what?"

Legolas looked at Aragorn. "Cannot…leave…him. He…may…die," the Elf said, gaze firm in resolve. He had made his decision. He could not let Meiyuu die for helping him.

Aragorn nodded. "It doesn't feel right to leave Meiyuu there. I offered to let him come with us, but he wanted to do something first. He said that he might try to find us after he finished, Legolas."

"Meiyuu…stubborn. Lonely…" Legolas explained. "Afraid…to…care."

Frodo felt guilty, for he had completely forgotten about the rebellious youth. "Maybe we should go get him, Aragorn," the Hobbit said quietly.

Aragorn frowned thoughtfully. "It would mean a long walk back to the town. You would be in danger, Legolas," the human pointed out. "I do not want you to be attacked again."

Ware nakare teinei, Aragorn, Legolas said, repeating what Miat had said nearly six hours ago.

"You should care," Aragorn told him, frowning deeper.

Legolas frowned back. "You…want…leave…him?" he challenged.

Aragorn sighed and shook his head. "No, I don't. But I don't want you to get hurt, either."

Frodo and Gimli exchanged a look. In happier circumstances, they'd be hard pressed to hide a knowing smile. Even without his memories, Legolas was still just as stubborn as ever. And Aragorn was as protective as ever over the blond Elf.

By then, the Elf and Aragorn were glaring at each other.

"Fine," Aragorn said. "We'll go back for the boy. But stick close. I do not want to lose you again."

Legolas hadn't thought of that. No wonder the human was reluctant to go back to the town where he had been found. According to him, Legolas had been Aragorn's best friend. Aragorn must have been devastated when he had vanished.

The group silently turned and headed back towards the town.

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Seidou Rosuto (The Town)

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Meiyuu had managed to sneak into the rafters of the building he had seen Shira and Tsuku enter many times when they thought no one was watching. He'd had to block his mind from being detected by Shira. An annoyance, that Shira. Hopefully, he would prove to be no more threatening to his friend than an irritant. However, something told him he hoped in vain.

The building gave Meiyuu an uneasy feeling. There was hardly any light at all, save that from a few candles. Even with his slightly enhanced sight, Meiyuu could barely make out anything in the overwhelming darkness. He was almost relieved to hear voices speaking. Almost.

The young boy crept forward, until he could make out what was being said.

Sono shouheki bekarazu hikumaru sotte betsujin, Shira muttered angrily. Somehow, the barrier had been lowered, and the Elf had managed to escape. How could such a thing happen? He was furious.

The person who had assaulted the blond Elf said impassively, Ware sousaku taishite sono hanzaisha.

Tsuku stood nearby, watching silently. As the leader of the three assembled in the building, it was his duty to listen to what the other two had to say, and then direct them on their future actions to salvage their situation.

Sono ichiin beki aru sono kensei ware aru, Shira fumed. He wondered who could have the power to thwart his control on the invisible wall he had put up. Nani kei Legolas? Shira no longer bothered to use the fake name he had given the Elf. It was pointless now, anyhow.

Ware ketsubou kyou korede okeru hitomazu, Tsuku said coldly. His cold, cruel voice caused his subordinates to turn and look at him.

Hai, they said simultaneously, nodding once.

Tame.

Ware ni-do Legolas' kontan taishite sono superu, Shira pointed out, turning to the figure dressed in dark clothes. The human then frowned as he finally noticed the bloodstains on the other.

Sewayaki; Meiyuu, the person said in a neutral turn of voice, responding to Shira's questioning look.

Shira sighed. Ah yes...Meiyuu. The youth was getting to be troublesome, always meddling in affairs that had nothing to do with him, always asking such inconvenient questions. No doubt, had he not gotten involved, the spell would have been cast, and they could get on with their lives. Meiyuu was getting to be too large a problem to ignore. They would have to take care of him, if they wanted anything to get done.

Tsuku and the unnamed conspirator took their leave. Soon, Shira was left to himself.

Kono osoroshii, Meiyuu whispered, as he stood. He was careful not to draw any attention to himself. Ware beki hiroimono Legolas naishi Aragorn.

The young boy silently sprinted back to where he had entered, and climbed down the side of the building carefully, holding onto the small grooves he had made. Meiyuu finally reached the ground, and raced to the gate.

He felt the invisible barrier, and reached out with his own mental ability, touching the invisible wall with his scarred hands. Meiyuu felt it weakening finally, as Shira realized his intent, and dropped his concentration on the spell to try and stop him.

Shira burst out of the building and ran to the gate. Temae imei nain dasshutsu! he shouted, as he drew two daggers and flung them at Meiyuu.

Meiyuu knew, then, what he had to do. He reached out and caught the blade of the first dagger in his right hand, and the second in his left, ignoring the pain of the weapons digging into his palms. As the barrier finally ceased, as he knew it would, Meiyuu quickly stepped through it.

The shield sprang up behind him.

He smirked at the figure who stood there in shock at what he had just done. Demuku makai, Shira.

Meiyuu dropped the daggers, and ran in the direction his friend had gone. He would warn Legolas and his friends of what Shira and the others planned. He would not let them take anyone away from him, not ever again. Especially not his gentle, older friend.

He ignored the blood flying from his clenched fists.

To be continued

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Ware nakare teinei, Aragorn = I do not care, Aragorn

Sono shouheki bekarazu hikumaru sotte betsujin = The barrier should not be lowered by someone else

Ware sousaku taishite sono hanzaisha = I search for the culprit

Sono ichiin beki aru sono kensei ware aru = The person must have the same power I have

Nani kei Legolas = What about Legolas

Ware ketsubou kyou korede okeru hitomazu = I want both here at once

Hai = Yes

Tame = Good

Ware ni-do Miat's kontan taishite sono superu = I need Miat's soul for the spell

Sewayaki; Meiyuu = A meddlesome person; Meiyuu

Kono osoroshii = This terrible

Ware beki hiroimono Legolas naishi Aragorn = I must find Legolas or Aragorn

Temae imei nain dasshutsu = You will no escape

Demuku makai, Shira = Go to Hell, Shira

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