Author's Note: Forgive me recent break in my updating, I had hoped to update this regularly, and will be working hard to keep up. I have been away from my computer working on projects in the real life, believe it or not. I choose not to.
Also, at the suggestion of some, I am going to starting a mailing list, sending out updates on when I update my stories and information on future projects. For more info, see my author's page.
Anyway, I honestly hope you like this new chapter.
Please, read and review! Thank you very much.
Chapter 15: Perceptions
All he could hear was his ragged breath, and all he could feel was his pounding heart as he ran. He had never felt such exhaustion in his entire life, and there was no sign that he was going to be slowing down anytime soon. He decided to focus his mind on the passing trees, hoping that counting them would take his mind off of his protesting muscles. A voice called to him from up ahead.
"You must keep up! Do not allow me to get out of your line of vision. If you cannot track your targets, you will be easily eluded by those you seek."
Legolas was trying to keep up with Ranger through the entire running and dodging routine he could do without even breaking a sweat. He put his focus back on the man in front of him, leaving his game at 32. When he finally stopped for a moment, Legolas was exhausted and Ranger was not even out of breath.
"You need to be in shape, Legolas. Not only do you need to be able to catch those you pursue, but also you need to escape those who would pursue you. Physical fitness is not only good for the body, but also good for the mind. Your mind will be quicker if your body is."
Legolas nodded. He paid attention to every lesson from his mentor with great vigor, he knew these teachings would save his life one day.
"Now, young Elf, tell me about where we are right now."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what can you tell me of our surroundings? What do you know about this area that might help you in dire situations?"
Listening closely, Legolas waited for a cue from the land of a good answer to Ranger's inquiry.
"I hear water nearby."
"Very good. That's one point. The lesson is done when you have achieved fifty points."
Legolas sighed, and began pointing out things his senses were telling him about this forest. Time passed and the Elf finished counting all he could.
"Okay, you've reached 36, young Elf, but that is not enough. In time, you will learn more."
The tiring day finally came to a close, the sun casting shades of pink and scarlet across the white tipped clouds and the Elf wondered what the clouds could possibly look like from above.
"Are you hungry?"
"Starving!"
Ranger smiled, "Good, that means you might actually start putting some muscle on that thin frame of yours."
Legolas smiled, he truly did enjoy being with the man sitting next to him by the fire. Ranger made him feel safe and it also gave him the feeling that someone else did care for him.
It made him feel that the darkness was not quite as scary as it had been in the past. This man before him seemed to almost be made of the darkness itself, a being of black and the night, but at the same time, he was compassionate and patient. Able to feel out a landscape, or a living being and instantly know everything he needed. A true survival artist, the young one could only hope to attain such control of the world that this man possessed.
"I know you keep something from me, Legolas." The Elf blinked, had Ranger been reading his mind?
"I have terrible things in my past, events that follow me to the ends of the earth, and being an Elf, I know they will remain with me for all eternity."
"We all have our dark secrets. Things we keep locked up in the deepest corners of our minds, hearts and souls. No one can escape their reach, and we loath them for being there. However, they make up who we are and without them we would not be who we are. I understand there is a great deal about you that you are unsure about. You are unsure if you can tell me your secrets, you're afraid they might change my perception of you."
"Yes, Ranger. I fear being alone again and would not wish to be abandoned. Everyone who has ever stood by me has been forced from me, by death." Elf eyes looked up into the eyes of man, looking to see any sign of fear and rejection. There was none, but the shadows might be playing games on him.
"Go on."
"My father, the woman who cared for me, all were killed because of me. I know it. Their blood is on my hands, and I cannot return to the place I was born. There I was a prince, but now I would be seen as an outcast member of a forgotten royal clan. I do not know of my brothers, I can only assume they have also discarded me for I have heard nothing from them. They might be dead as well, I cannot know for certain. I was the youngest prince, the one not destined to rule, but only to live a simple life and try to make a different in the lives of those my family would seek to rule."
"So, you fled."
"I was taken one night, the night that stone itself burned itself into the sky. I remember it all. I was carried off by a palace servant whom I trusted. I have not seen her since she abandoned me on the streets, telling me that I was still a prince, but not in my lands any longer." Legolas could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"She told me never to forget who I am."
Ranger allowed silence to fill the air, allowed the child to let the words sink into his mind. He doubted the Elf had ever said them aloud in quite a while.
"Then you lived in the city, and was, once again, forced out into solitude."
"Yes, she was killed because she cared for me when no one else would. Perhaps they found out about me, I cannot be certain. All that matters is that she is dead and I cannot go back."
Ranger nodded.
"All may seem lost, Legolas. You may feel that there is no other option left for you on Middle-Earth. However, the world is wide and the possibilities endless. You must return to your kingdom, you must find out what has become of your birthright. If you do not, then you dishonor the memories of those who have come before you in your proud line. You are of the Mirkwood realm, I can see it. I know of the great overthrow that unbalanced a realm that is beyond age and the limits of time." A small smile creased on his face.
"So, you're Thranduil's youngest son. I should have seen it."
Legolas looked up, startled at being called that after so long.
"We have much to do and you have much to learn."
"But.."
"No buts! You cannot hide in the forest forever, Prince Legolas. Would your father hide in the forest while his realm falls into the hands of one so unworthy as to seek power by killing?"
"No."
"Then it is settled. Your training. Concentrate on your training and do not allow your mind to slip for one minute from your goals. You must not think of all your troubles, you must not allow yourself to feel any grief. There is time enough for every emotion, especially for you, deaf Elf. Now is the time to block off all distractions from your mind. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. For now, feel the cool night air, let it clean your mind and your heart. Eat well and sleep with a clear mind, you will need all your strength for the line of tiring tomorrows I shall throw at you."
The stars began to come out, and the bright moonlight illuminated a path, a path that would shape the formation of a powerful future warrior. Everything on either side of the path fell into the gulf, there was nothing else except the mysteries that awaited him at the end of his long journey.