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Chapter 17: Stargazing
The river of time flowed unrelenting throughout the years. It flowed over the entirety of the lands, embracing some to its development, destroying some by its ravages.
Together, for nearly fifty years, the pair of man and elf worked to protect all those of pure intentions who wondered into their lands. It was a wood where thieves and outlaws could find no harbor.
Time was good to the man, his health and energy keeping its force at bay. Only a grace of gray in his hair was any indication of what all the man had seen. His power and stamina remained, time having no power over him.
The prince grew into a beautiful young elf, only appearing to be around twenty to those who didn't know any better. He still had much to learn, and an elf's youth still carried all the energy and impatience of a human's youth. He would not learn how to be a true patient and stoic member of his race for many centuries. Even his eyes had yet to tell the story that he had seen many more moons than his outward appearance may hint.
It was on this night that the moon shown brightly through the parting clouds. A soaking rain had just passed and some clouds remained. The woods had a fresh, clean smell of rain and refreshment. The dawn would be glorious, a wonderful start to a new world, for the world is reborn with every new dawn, giving all creatures great and small a brand new start to eternity.
That night there would be no fire for the pair, for the rain had soaked everything. However, there was no need. This late summer day was still warm and they had no hunger.
"This night will be very still, only the upper branches show any sign of a quiet breeze." Ranger fixed his stare upwards.
"Yes, it will be a glorious night, once the clouds clear out the stars will shine down upon us brightly."
Ranger had never had any children, until he took it upon himself to take in a small elf child. The man took over the care of the young one and provided Legolas with the hole that had been in his life ever since his father was killed.
"Do you think of Mirkwood, Little One?"
Ranger never gave up the habit of calling him that, no matter how much the prince had grown.
"Yes. Sometimes in the night, I can hear the chatter of the royal court, and the voices of my father and brothers."
"Your land needs you."
Legolas jumped down from his perch on a low branch to speak fact to fact with his mentor. Ranger was leaning on a large tree trunk, to seek shelter from the drops that still fell from above.
"One day, I will return."
It was Ranger's turn to move, standing to confront Legolas.
"Legolas, you have been with me for a great deal of time. You have learned everything I can teach. You have learned all you can learn from me. It is time to move on and see what fate has in store for you next."
"How can I leave now? I have a great deal of time."
Ranger raised his voice, "How dare you be so self-centered, Elf? Your people may be suffering. I have kept you here until I thought it fit for you to be able to challenge those who have taken everything from you. Don't you feel the need to avenge your family? Your life? The childhood that was ripped from you? You may regret that for all eternity, Elf."
The man could see the pain he was inflicting on his pupil.
"Legolas. I did not mean to hurt you, but you cannot remain with me forever. I am but a mortal. I do not wish you with me as I enter the last years of my life. I do not want you to go through all that and remember me as anything but the man you see before you now. You do have others waiting for you. Your people need your help. You should go to them."
Ranger felt pain in his chest, he did not want to see his companion leave, however that pain was mixed with feelings of pride at seeing Legolas go off into the world.
Great skill had come to Legolas and Ranger knew he would be able to handle himself out in the world. Legolas had become quite skilled with the bow and the knives and only when he thought the Elf was not listening, the man was admit he thought the younger one's talents had surpassed his own. The wood spoke to him, warning him of danger and telling him all that was happening, and he could fight barehanded with just as much skill and with any other weapon in his arsenal. He was an excellent warrior.
The Prince was ready to face what challenges awaited him in his future kingdom.
"I do not wish to leave you, you have taught me everything I know."
"My young one, you still have a great deal to learn." Ranger smiled, something he rarely did, "The world does not bend to our wills. Even the strongest mountain can be carved by the slowest river. No matter how strong we may think we are, the time will come when we must do something we do not wish for a greater good. You are ready, Legolas. Reclaim that which was taken."
Understanding came over Legolas. Even after nearly half a century, the man in black always had a new lesson for the young Elf.
"I do know of the ways of the world for many things have been thrust upon me. I shall leave and return to Mirkwood. Why do you not come with me?"
"I cannot, for my home is here. Who will protect these lands and trees if we both depart? No, this is your fight. I cannot help you, you must conquer your enemies yourself."
Legolas stared off into the heavens, "I have no notion of what awaits me on my homeland. My last memories are of my childhood home burning in the night. What could possibly be there now? What could I possibly be up against?"
Ranger saw the constellations Legolas was staring at. "To this, I have no answer. You must find out for yourself."
When the dawn finally awoken the sky, everything was as new and fresh as the night had promised.
Alone, Legolas walked towards the rays of the riding sun.
He journeyed towards Mirkwood.