A/N: Again, I offer my profuse apologies for taking my time with this, to
those people that have come back to read the rest of the story, and my
thanks to you all who have reviewed, and mostly to those that have come
back to read the rest of the story. I hope sincerely that I should not be
too long with these next few chapters, yet I fear that it may be quite some
time before I can make a new post.
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Legolas woke late the next morning, which was unusual for the Elf, who was usually awake at the rise of the sun. Looking around, he saw that the others had already eaten, and had left out a dish of food for him. He ate quickly what was there, and went off a ways to bathe in the cold river.
After his bathe, he dried himself in the cold sunlight, which did not do much good, and re-dressed. Walking back to the camping site, he saw the others sitting in a circle ready to take their final counsel with each other. He sat amidst them, and listened in quiet thought to what they all said.
"Come with me to Gondor, and you shall be able to go on from there to the Mountain." Boromir was still trying to persuade them all to follow him to his city. Legolas looked over at Aragorn, who sat with a pained expression on his face. The Elf knew what Aragorn would choose, if he had the chance. He would go with Boromir to defend the White City, that was to become part of his own kingdom, if all went well. Yet Aragorn also had pledged his allegiance to Frodo, and had promised to follow him and to protect him wherever the little hobbit went.
Legolas himself could not entirely choose what to do; the appeal of the City called to his mind and body, for he was weary of travel, yet his heart told him that he should go with Frodo to the end, to Orodruin itself if need be. He also had given his word to the Ringbearer that he should be there to help and protect him. He also wished for the adventure. He had a slightly violent disposition when it came to things like this. In the Battle of Five Armies, which he had indeed been a part of, he had fought bravely and killed many, his skill and terrible fury were hallowed amongst his people back in the forest of Mirkwood.
He was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of Frodo's voice.
"Give me an hour to think. I shall tell you my decision at the end of that hour."
Legolas pitied the hobbit. Such a decision was meant for a leader, someone who knew the lands, and also someone who knew the entire danger of each path. Perhaps the halfling was capable of this, yet it did not appear to be so. Legolas knew that whatever Frodo decided to do, he would go with him as long as he had strength left in his body.
In the meantime, Legolas and Aragorn remained at the site of the discussion while the others went to look for firewood. Legolas told Aragorn about his concerns, but the Ranger did not say anything. Legolas studied the expression on Aragorn's face, that clearly showed that he was not entirely into the conversation, that his mind was elsewhere.
"Aragorn, what do you think of? Something troubles you, I see it in your face. Tell me friend, for I can help you put your worries at ease."
"Legolas, you are a dear friend of mine, and always have been. But I fear that this is indeed something that you cannot help me with, although you know my past.........and perhaps even my future. No, I cannot say what lies heavy on my thoughts for you will not understand."
"Aragorn, I know that you are Isildur's heir. I know the burden that you carry. I myself carry much the same burden."
"Ahh, but you understand that you are an Elf, as is your father. You will not likely have to take his place as King. He will never fade, and I see in your eyes that you too wish to travel back to Valinor and see the land of your ancestors in ages past. Nay, you do not carry the same burden."
Legolas regarded Aragorn again for some time. The expression on his face had changed to one of contempt, almost as if he was angry with the Elf for bringing up such a painful memory. Legolas decided to leave him alone, and go for another walk through the scant trees.
Rising, he cast one last glance at Aragorn, who met his gaze for a short moment before he looked away over the river. Legolas thought he saw the glimmer of a tear in the corner of his eye, but knew better than to ask about it. With a heavy sigh, he walked off into the trees, and there he sat until he heard shouts over the hilltop.
Springing up and grabbing his bow from his back, he raced through the trees until he got to the place where he had heard the shouting; but there was no one there! He looked around frantically, but he could still see no one. Relaxing a bit, he stood amongst the still-falling leaves and surveyed the scene: it looked as if there had been a scuffle of some sort, but he could not track the prints in the ground.
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Legolas woke late the next morning, which was unusual for the Elf, who was usually awake at the rise of the sun. Looking around, he saw that the others had already eaten, and had left out a dish of food for him. He ate quickly what was there, and went off a ways to bathe in the cold river.
After his bathe, he dried himself in the cold sunlight, which did not do much good, and re-dressed. Walking back to the camping site, he saw the others sitting in a circle ready to take their final counsel with each other. He sat amidst them, and listened in quiet thought to what they all said.
"Come with me to Gondor, and you shall be able to go on from there to the Mountain." Boromir was still trying to persuade them all to follow him to his city. Legolas looked over at Aragorn, who sat with a pained expression on his face. The Elf knew what Aragorn would choose, if he had the chance. He would go with Boromir to defend the White City, that was to become part of his own kingdom, if all went well. Yet Aragorn also had pledged his allegiance to Frodo, and had promised to follow him and to protect him wherever the little hobbit went.
Legolas himself could not entirely choose what to do; the appeal of the City called to his mind and body, for he was weary of travel, yet his heart told him that he should go with Frodo to the end, to Orodruin itself if need be. He also had given his word to the Ringbearer that he should be there to help and protect him. He also wished for the adventure. He had a slightly violent disposition when it came to things like this. In the Battle of Five Armies, which he had indeed been a part of, he had fought bravely and killed many, his skill and terrible fury were hallowed amongst his people back in the forest of Mirkwood.
He was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of Frodo's voice.
"Give me an hour to think. I shall tell you my decision at the end of that hour."
Legolas pitied the hobbit. Such a decision was meant for a leader, someone who knew the lands, and also someone who knew the entire danger of each path. Perhaps the halfling was capable of this, yet it did not appear to be so. Legolas knew that whatever Frodo decided to do, he would go with him as long as he had strength left in his body.
In the meantime, Legolas and Aragorn remained at the site of the discussion while the others went to look for firewood. Legolas told Aragorn about his concerns, but the Ranger did not say anything. Legolas studied the expression on Aragorn's face, that clearly showed that he was not entirely into the conversation, that his mind was elsewhere.
"Aragorn, what do you think of? Something troubles you, I see it in your face. Tell me friend, for I can help you put your worries at ease."
"Legolas, you are a dear friend of mine, and always have been. But I fear that this is indeed something that you cannot help me with, although you know my past.........and perhaps even my future. No, I cannot say what lies heavy on my thoughts for you will not understand."
"Aragorn, I know that you are Isildur's heir. I know the burden that you carry. I myself carry much the same burden."
"Ahh, but you understand that you are an Elf, as is your father. You will not likely have to take his place as King. He will never fade, and I see in your eyes that you too wish to travel back to Valinor and see the land of your ancestors in ages past. Nay, you do not carry the same burden."
Legolas regarded Aragorn again for some time. The expression on his face had changed to one of contempt, almost as if he was angry with the Elf for bringing up such a painful memory. Legolas decided to leave him alone, and go for another walk through the scant trees.
Rising, he cast one last glance at Aragorn, who met his gaze for a short moment before he looked away over the river. Legolas thought he saw the glimmer of a tear in the corner of his eye, but knew better than to ask about it. With a heavy sigh, he walked off into the trees, and there he sat until he heard shouts over the hilltop.
Springing up and grabbing his bow from his back, he raced through the trees until he got to the place where he had heard the shouting; but there was no one there! He looked around frantically, but he could still see no one. Relaxing a bit, he stood amongst the still-falling leaves and surveyed the scene: it looked as if there had been a scuffle of some sort, but he could not track the prints in the ground.