3. Falling Back
Aragorn closed the door behind him silently, Legolas had been real tired all of a sudden en did not feel to well. The Ranger had checked upon the elven king and found him having a burning fever.
One moment they were happily together outside and the next he broke down to his knee's coffing. Aragorn remembered he had ran to him as fast as his legs could carry him, concern driving him. Landing on his own knee's next to the elven king he had quickly examened him.
"Are you feeling well my love, what seems to be at hand?" Aragorn had taken the face of his lover into his hands. "'T is nothing..." a weak voice had answered. Aragorn had sighed, "Legolas please, there's not nothing". Aragorn looked into his lover's eyes, they seemed disorientated and were not focused on anything. His face was pale, yet it had been much paler before and sweat ran down the elf's face. Aragorn had moved his hand to the elven forehead and noticed it to be heated, "A burning fever" he whispered.
"Legolas?" he moved his hands over Legolas' face, hoping the blue eyes would fix on his own. "Legolas?" he asked again, yet this time they momentarily focused. "You have a burning fever love, I will get you to bed". Legolas had nodded, standing up a little less gracefull as normal, leaning on Aragorn for support.
"You get some sleep love, all will be better after" he had spoken in the bedroom, whilst convincing Legolas it was for the best. The elf, weary in mind and body had agreed after a short discussion and had Aragorn bring him to bed.
Aragorn sighed, "What is to become of the health of him?". "He will heal in time Estel, his health will increase, though with it's up and downs" Aragorn heard a voice answer he had not expected. He turned around and saw Lord Elrond standing behind him, smiling comforting.
"Come my son, perhaps it would be best if we speak with you now, now the elvish king is asleep" Elrond turned around, motioning for Aragorn to come with him. "Who is we father?" he asked while following.
Elrod smiled mysterious, "You will see Estel". Aragorn shrugged and followed the elder male before him, wondering if Legolas was feeling well at that very moment. "How long will it take Legolas to regain his former health?" the Ranger asked, while knowing it would never happen. "My son, Legolas will never be the same as before, though his health could be better as an average human.....but it would take many seasons Estel, he will not heal quickly. You have to be patient" he added, while putting a hopefull comforting hand upon the human king's shoulder. "I understand..." Aragorn spoke, a little dissapointed, "..but I will be strong and patient for my dear Legolas". At that, Elrond simply nodded and opened the door to the council room slowly.
"STRIDER!!" The moment Aragorn could lay eyes upon that what Elrond wanted to show him, two Hobbits were clinged to his neck as well as two to his legs. Smiling, Elrond entered the room and sat down besides Gimli and Gandalf.
"Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin! It's so good to see you!" Aragorn spoke, trying to free himself of the small hobbits. When they finally let go, Aragorn took time to hug each one, one at the time. "What reason is there for this joyous occasion?" The human spoke while standing up straight, rubbing his aching neck.
"We do not know exactly Aragorn" Frodo began, "Lord Elrond asked us to come and reunite here at Rivendell" Sam continued, "Without giving reason, but we love to see you again" Merry ended. Aragorn laughed at the hobbit's unity and opened his mouth to ask the old elven lord of what the reason was, until Pippin interrupted. "Right! Perhaps Lord Elrond has invited us to test food" he grinned.
All shook their heads while laughing at the comment of the youngest hobbit. "Where is Legolas?! I'm dying to see him!" he spoke suddenly. "He is not feeling quit well Pippin, he is asleep in our room, you will see him shortly" Aragorn said a littly glum. He did not have a good feeling about it.
It had been over a week now since Jewel and the others have arrived and Legolas had actually done worse since then. The past seven months Aragorn had the pleasure of seeing Legolas grow well and he could see his health increase day by day, yet...now, he could clearly see him fall back. A small sigh escaped Aragorn's lips and all could see his features sadden.
"He'll be just fine later this day Aragorn! I'm sure he can join us with dinner" Gandalf suddenly spoke. Aragorn nodded and he and the hobbits walked over to the table.
" I welcome you as well Master Gimli" Aragorn smiled as he stood behind the dwarf, patting him gently on his broad shoulder. "I assumed you had forgotten about me human" Gimli grinned, "But I am happy to see you as well, though I am impatient to taunt that crazy elf once more" he spoke whilst Aragorn took his seat between him and Frodo.
Aragorn laughed at the comment, true, Legolas had missed the bickering with the dwarf as well and the elf would also long for it. "Yet now, he would probably long for his health...." Aragorn thought bitterly.
"No, Legolas will be fine. He has told me always to look on the bright side of things and so shall I do. Legolas will be just fine, life always takes it own's turns and fate will bring those true and honest their peace when she feels it is time" he thought, quoting one of Legolas' sentences. True, Aragorn had learned much of the elven king and he was part of the reason of Aragorn's rightfull way of ruling Gondor.
Aragorn mind drifted off to Mirkwood, "I wonder if it could ever be restored, the beautifull Mirkwood...ofcourse Legolas would be delighted if it would. And what of Legolas' heirdom, will he be ready to rule the elven kingdom next to him?" Aragorn smiled subconsiously, "Ofcourse, Legolas will be a fine king, destiny has oppointed him for this task and he is strong, wise and true enough to take it upon him.....but first, he must heal proparly".
"You seem so far away" Frodo touched the human's shoulder and took Aragorn from his thoughts, "I'm okay Frodo, I was just pondering of several things" he said quietly, not wanting to take the attention upon him now. Frodo smiled friendly and turned to his kin, laughing loudly at their own jokes.
"Stop pushing me Merry" Pippin laughed. "If you stop pinching I will" Merry replied, pushing his younger nephew almost of his chair. The chair rocked forth and back with a giggling hobbit upon it. "You two, you better be carefull, you'll hurt yourself" Sam said wisely, trying to keep Pippin in balance by pushing him back. "And be carefull of me too!" he added while Merry once again pushed Pippin towards Sam.
The others laughed heartilly at the scene, until the chair tipped a little too far. All heard two loud laughing screeches as Merry and Pippin hit the ground. "Auwww" the comment only was.
All were silent at that moment, wondering if the two hobbits had been hurt. Pippin and Merry looked at each other and were silent for a moment.....until both broke out in laughted again and rolled over the floor. All started laughing again, rolling their eyes at the two's foolishness.
"Master Took, Master Brandebuck, would you mind to accompagie us at the table once more" Elrond's voice echood through the room, though even he had trouble to hide his smile.
Pippin and Merry immediatly lifted themselves from the floor and brought the two chairs back into position while climbing upon them rapidly.
"Now you have acquanted once more, I will give you the reason of being here. All went quiet quickly, they were eager to know what was going to happen. "Let it be something good this time" they all prayed silently.
"My friends, do not fear for bad news, for this time, this is a council of joy..of a present..." All looked at the elven lord with curiousity written upon their faces, except for Gandalf ofcourse, for he was also in on it.
Elrond smiled at the looks, then continued, "You all posses the knowledge of what has happend to Mirkwood when you were on your last quest.." All faces turned sad when the thought was recalled upon them. Aragorn's heart fell deepest, for he grieved nearly as much as his love did for things.
"But Mirkwood is not lost, not at all... You all know ofcourse of Estel and Legolas and their status to the people of Middle Earth. The elven race was fading quickly last decennia, yet now their lies hope for my people. Though elves are few in numbers now, even more as before, Middle Earth will have to look upon the race of men as well." Elrond turned his gaze to the human king and smiled comforting, "So a united kingdom between elves and men would be best for Middle Earth, and since the two kings of these races are together, it can be realised".
"Lord Elrond, excuse me for interrupting, but that knowledge already excisted within us, what is this present? And what of Mirkwood?" Frodo asked gently.
"If Legolas and Aragorn agree, their home can be build within Mirkwood, it can be rebuild and their city could raise there. Ofcourse it is quite some time from Gondor itself, but I can think of no better place for the two kings to rule. An elf could not bear to live it's entire life within the walls of men, no offense Estel, but it has happend to my daughter, she had gone out for the woods and nature... I do not want this tragedy to repeat itself, besides, Legolas will be long from healed and many still seek his light and his life." Elrond looked at Aragorn with hope, hoping he would agree and Mirkwood would be rebuild.
All turned to Aragorn, whom was pondering over the thought, "Indeed Elrond, it is not close to Gondor itself and I shall miss the white city dearly... Yet, I am a Ranger and do not bind myself to one place, though I do to one person. For his health and heart I will agree and we shall rule from Mirkwood. I have lived half my life here in Rivendell and I have loved it always, I shall not live in the woods with regret, yet I would with passion and love".
All smiled upon Aragorn's decision, "Thank you Estel, it is a wise and loyal decision. But I warn you all not to tell Legolas anything, when Mirkwood will be rebuild, which will take about half a year, if we could get assistence from men, elves and dwarves, he shall know." When speaking of dwarves Elrond turned his gaze upon Gimli, "For that crazy elf I will call upon my kin to assist you in the work, for dwarves can assist you greatly when it comes to building". "but no mines Gimli" Gandalf added and Gimli gruffed, then laughed friendly.
"Then it is decided, Mirkwood shall be rebuild and shall be the ruling kingdom of both elven and human lands" Elrond concluded. All nodded and applaused, all delighted by the thought of Legolas' reaction. "But you best keep yourself quiet" Gandalf added silently to the hobbits, knowing they would surely speak to Legolas, they are having troubles with keeping secrets, but this time was different, they thought. It would be a much greater surprise to the elven king when he would know about it when Mirkwood would really be rebuild.
One by one the room went empty, promising each other they would share each other's compagny that evening at dinner. Pippin walked with Aragorn, leaving the rest of the halflings to reach their chambers.
"Aragorn... Legolas is really going to be alright, right?" he asked carefully, knowing it hurted the king even more then it did him. "He is dear Pippin, he is getting better day by day, though to my eyes it is unseen, for I am here every day and see his 'downs' also. Perhaps if you see him this evening you will notice his increase of health better as I" The human ruffled his hands through the hobbit's hair. "Take some time for yourself young hobbit, for you cannot assist Legolas now, though I know you wish nothing else at the moment". Pippin nodded, "You are right my friend, I shall see you two this evening".
Aragorn watched the young hobbit take off and sighed, Pippin was a loyal hobbit, they all were for that matter, but with Pippin it seemed different. He was attached to Legolas in a strange way, he would do anything for the elf, Aragorn knew. The human wondered what it could be, perhaps it was simply a good friendship....
*~*~*~*
"He Pip, where've you been?" Merry asked his younger nephew. "With Aragorn, talking of Legolas, I hope he is alright, Aragorn says so though". Merry took his nephew into his arms, "I know you worry of Legolas, but I promise you it is in vain". Pippin nodded, "Indeed Merry, but I worry for Legolas none the less, he....I don't know, he does not deserve these problems, a creature of such innocence and purity, stained with darkness now..." Pippin sighed and leaned into his friend's embrace, "Thank you Merry, for always being there for me" he whispered as Merry tightend the embrace around him.
"My dear Pippin, you are nothing less than a brother to me and you will always be. You are all I've got left for family and I will never ever leave you alone, I will always be there for you".
Pippin nodded and all went silent, both in there own thought, though tightly clenched together in their room. "Now...no time for depressed feelings, let us get some food and wander through the beauty of Rivendell" Merry broke the silence.
Pippin jumped up and happiness shone from his face once more, "Food! Indeed Merry, let's get some" and before Merry could respond, the youngest hobbit had already run towards the kitchen. Laughing Merry followed him, making a race towards the kitchen...
*~*~*~*
In the darkness of Mordor, a small dim light could be seen. It illuminated from a figure standing before the throne inside the fortress of Barad-dur. It had it's head bowed to the dark figure upon the throne,
"Master Sauron, what is it you command?" it asked. "You know very well what I expect of you my elf, for if you do not, you will know what will happen..." a mean laughter rang throughout the chamber. The elf in front of the throne shivered at the evil sound, "I do master".
"My forces are weak and it takes all my strenght and Saruman's combined to take physical shape here, I have not the strenght to accomplish anything on my own...but that is why I have you and you will do exactly as I command you".
The elf nodded, it was dressed in dark robes and was almost unseen in the darkness of Mordor if it was not for the light it produced itself, "Speak of what my next actions towards the elven king will be master and I will put them into action".
"Indeed you will, you must go on with what you have done already, it apparently affected the elf deeply... Be sure not to kill him, for I want him to suffer... Win his trust tonight at dinner if you find the chance, find a way closer to him...split him from the human king called Aragorn, make sure he will not be there to protect Legolas when the time it there... Now go and fulfill your duty". With a simple wave from Sauron's hand, the elf vanished, only to be transported back to Rivendell...
A/N Well, darkness enter the story, pain and suffering will be layed upon the elven king... Will Aragorn be gone when the dark elf is going to strike? Or will he know and save his lover in time? Who knows....((Well I do, :D)) BTW, who is this dark elf? You probably know already, if you have read the story well...or not, who knows... Mwhoahahahahahaha ((evil grin)).
Stay tuned for the next chapter and take a look at:
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Luv Jane