Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
My Friend, My Brother
Chpater 5. A Cry For Help
The travellers stared into the fire, each lost in their own thoughts as the smoke from their pipes drifted away on the light breeze that was causing the flames of their campfire to flicker. There was no sound to be heard except the nocturnal music of crickets and the occasional 'crack' as one of the larger twigs burned through and fell amongst the embers. Aragorn was still filled with curiosity about the Istari who was his travelling companion. He knew only the one detail that Legolas had been able to tell him, namely that Mithrandir was a wizard. Several times during the day he had tried to glean information from the old man, but answers to his questions had been vague, to say the least. He decided to try once again.
"What part of Middle Earth did you say you are from?" Mithrandir looked with amusement at the young man and replied,
"I did not say. I like to think I belong everywhere and nowhere."
"Surely you have some place you call home?" persisted Aragorn.
"I'm sure I once did, but it was so long ago I seem to have forgotten it." Not a very enlightening response but Aragorn decided to let it pass and tried another question.
"Do you remember how old you are?" he asked with just a hint of sarcasm. A simple question, surely with a simple answer!
"Hmmm. I don't believe I know exactly. Certainly not as old as Elrond or Thranduil." He replied as he slowly inhaled the smoke from his pipe.
"So you are not an Elf, then?" Aragorn asked, relieved to have at least one piece of information.
"Goodness me, no!" laughed Mithrandir. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
"You answer questions with riddles or give no answer at all, just like all the Elves I know." Aragorn replied becoming annoyed as he realised that it was unlikely his companion would be any more forthcoming. Accepting defeat for the moment, he decided it was time they rested for the night.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" He suggested to Mithrandir. "It is still several days journey to Rivendell."
"I am rather weary," the old man confessed as he settled himself by the fire, "wake me when it is my turn at watch." Although they were no longer near Mirkwood, danger of attack by orcs was still possible, particularly as they neared the pass through the Misty Mountains.
"As you wish," said Aragorn. There was no answer and he was amazed to find that the old man was already snoring loudly. Although his senses were alert for danger, a small part of his mind pondered his relationship with the Prince of Mirkwood.
Aragorn considered the sons of Elrond to be his foster brothers and they had slowly developed a close relationship over the years. It had taken but a few weeks for a bond of sorts to form between himself and Legolas. The young elf was such an easy-going, fun loving creature and perhaps that was part of the reason they had made friends so quickly. He did not even mind the gentle teasing or the air of Elven superiority that his friend would exhibit at times.
When he was with Legolas, he was free to be who he wanted to be, a Ranger and nothing more. The fact that he was the heir of Isildur and was supposed to be King one day was of no importance to the young Elf, who was heir to a kingdom himself. It had been a refreshing change to find that Legolas treated him no differently to anyone else; Elladan and Elrohir seemed far too over-protective in comparison.
He looked back in the direction of Mirkwood and hoped that his friend had made it safely home.
*******
It was a lonely journey for Legolas as he chose the safety of the Elf Path on his journey back to the Hall, for during the last few weeks he had become accustomed to having Aragorn as company. Although he had only known the Ranger a short time, a bond of mutual respect and friendship had developed the like of which Legolas had not experienced before. Of course he had many friends amongst the Elves, but this was something different. Elvish emotions run stronger and deeper than those of mortals and for this reason Thranduil had warned him against forming a friendship with Aragorn. A mortal's years were numbered and an Elf risked feeling much grief and pain when the inevitable occurred. Legolas understood what his father was telling him, but he knew that it was a risk he was prepared to take.
As he entered the courtyard and made for his rooms, he wondered if Aragorn and Mithrandir would be able to find Gollum before their enemies captured him. They would have thought it strange, but he could not help but feel pity for the creature that was hunted by everyone.
********
Many years had passed since Aragorn had left Mirkwood and Mithrandir arrived unexpectedly one day with news that, although he was still searching for Gollum, it had been necessary to send Aragorn south on an errand that would last many decades. It was a short time as reckoned by Elves, but far too long for Legolas' liking. Nevertheless, he found the time passed quickly for his father's Woodland realm had to be protected from the orcs and spiders. It was a constant battle to prevent the darkness spreading ever further north, and the young Prince often lead one of the hunting parties that Thranduil had finally deemed him experienced enough to join.
One day, late in the afternoon, Legolas and his party were seated around a small campfire. They were all weary from having just battled a band of orcs who had attacked them as they patrolled near the outskirts of the forest. The Elves had eventually defeated the creatures, but had not come away unscathed. Legolas had a nasty gash on his arm from an orc blade, the edge of which had been poisoned, and although he had taken the antidote they all carried with them, he was feeling light headed and nauseated. Making himself comfortable in the soft grass he gazed up to see the first stars became visible in the evening sky and was soon asleep.
He awoke with a start several hours later, certain that someone had called his name. The two Elves who were on watch had not seen or heard anything, and Legolas decided it must have been an after effect of the poison. His arm was almost healed already, but he was still feeling a little strange. He lay back down, and tried to get some more sleep. As he drifted into the world of waking dreams, he heard the voice again.
"Legolas! Help!"
He sat up quickly, suddenly wide-awake. He knew that voice, it belonged to Aragorn. How could it be? He knew the Ranger had not yet returned from the south, but he felt that his friend was in some kind of danger. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his elven senses, searching for the source of the voice. He felt a very weak link to Aragorn as his voice whispered inside his head,
"Spiders. Help me."
Realising that Aragorn was in grave danger, Legolas did not wait to rouse his comrades but headed alone for the part of Mirkwood inhabited by the spiders. The link he felt with Aragorn was very weak, and as he neared the spider's lair, it was becoming weaker as the toxin the spider had injected into its prey took hold. Aragorn was slowly losing consciousness. He must have realised this, Legolas decided as a final silent plea reached him.
"Enchanted River."
So, he was somewhere near the Enchanted River, probably close to the Elf Path. It was some distance from where the main lair was but the occasional spider had been seen in the trees there, waiting for the unwary who strayed from the protection of the pathway. Legolas appraoched cautiously for his senses were also tellling him that he was being watched from above. Looking up, he saw two bright, evil eyes following his movements and he decided to draw the spider out into the open where he could ensure that the creature was killed, not merely injured. Stepping off the path he headed into the murky forest, his bow at the ready. The spider moved into view and instantly fell dead to the ground, Legolas' arrow through its head.
The link with Aragorn had almost faded, and Legolas knew that he must find his friend quickly for it was likely that other spiders would come, sensing prey. He found him high in the tree where the spider had been, wrapped in a cocoon of spider web. Taking his knife, he quickly released his friend and settled him in fork of two large branches. Aragorn was barely conscious but found it easier to breathe now that the spider web had been removed. He managed a weak smile of thanks.
"We seem to spend much of our time together in trees, do we not?" he whispered.
"Yes, it is fortunate that I taught you how to climb." Legolas agreed with a twinkle in his eye. " Do you have something in this healer's pouch of yours that will help you recover?" he asked as he took the pouch from Aragorn's belt and held it where he could see it. The Ranger nodded and selected a few leaves, which he placed in his mouth and chewed, swallowing it with a draught of water from the water skin that Legolas handed to him. It took only a few minutes before Aragorn started to feel much more alert, although he had trouble moving, for the spider toxin had rendered him partially paralysed.
"Thank you for rescuing me, my friend," he said to Legolas. "How did you find me, or for that matter, how did you even know I was in Mirkwood?"
"I was injured fighting orcs and the effects of the poison and the antidote heightened my senses. In your delirium you called to me for help and I heard you." Legolas explained simply. "It would seem that we have developed a bond."
"How.?" Aragorn began to ask, when Legolas silenced him with a wave of his hand. He peered into the trees for felt danger approaching, probably more spiders.
"We can discuss this later, we are in grave danger. Can you move at all?"
"I think so." Aragorn replied, annoyed that his body did not really wish to cooperate with his demands. " Although I doubt that I can climb down," he admitted reluctantly.
"It is not that far to the ground, I will go first and catch you, should you fall." Legolas said. Rather than try to climb, Aragorn let himself fall, trusting his friend to catch him. Once on the ground he was relieved that, although his legs were still very weak, he was able to walk slowly, using Legolas as support. They made their way to the Path and reached it just as several more spiders appeared in the trees.
"Fate works in mysterious ways", thought Legolas with relief as his hunting party, who had been searching for their Prince, arrived just in time to protect him from attack. Once the spiders were taken care of they found a spot by the banks of the Enchanted River where they could rest in safety before continuing the short distance to the Woodland King's Halls.
My Friend, My Brother
Chpater 5. A Cry For Help
The travellers stared into the fire, each lost in their own thoughts as the smoke from their pipes drifted away on the light breeze that was causing the flames of their campfire to flicker. There was no sound to be heard except the nocturnal music of crickets and the occasional 'crack' as one of the larger twigs burned through and fell amongst the embers. Aragorn was still filled with curiosity about the Istari who was his travelling companion. He knew only the one detail that Legolas had been able to tell him, namely that Mithrandir was a wizard. Several times during the day he had tried to glean information from the old man, but answers to his questions had been vague, to say the least. He decided to try once again.
"What part of Middle Earth did you say you are from?" Mithrandir looked with amusement at the young man and replied,
"I did not say. I like to think I belong everywhere and nowhere."
"Surely you have some place you call home?" persisted Aragorn.
"I'm sure I once did, but it was so long ago I seem to have forgotten it." Not a very enlightening response but Aragorn decided to let it pass and tried another question.
"Do you remember how old you are?" he asked with just a hint of sarcasm. A simple question, surely with a simple answer!
"Hmmm. I don't believe I know exactly. Certainly not as old as Elrond or Thranduil." He replied as he slowly inhaled the smoke from his pipe.
"So you are not an Elf, then?" Aragorn asked, relieved to have at least one piece of information.
"Goodness me, no!" laughed Mithrandir. "Whatever gave you that idea?"
"You answer questions with riddles or give no answer at all, just like all the Elves I know." Aragorn replied becoming annoyed as he realised that it was unlikely his companion would be any more forthcoming. Accepting defeat for the moment, he decided it was time they rested for the night.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" He suggested to Mithrandir. "It is still several days journey to Rivendell."
"I am rather weary," the old man confessed as he settled himself by the fire, "wake me when it is my turn at watch." Although they were no longer near Mirkwood, danger of attack by orcs was still possible, particularly as they neared the pass through the Misty Mountains.
"As you wish," said Aragorn. There was no answer and he was amazed to find that the old man was already snoring loudly. Although his senses were alert for danger, a small part of his mind pondered his relationship with the Prince of Mirkwood.
Aragorn considered the sons of Elrond to be his foster brothers and they had slowly developed a close relationship over the years. It had taken but a few weeks for a bond of sorts to form between himself and Legolas. The young elf was such an easy-going, fun loving creature and perhaps that was part of the reason they had made friends so quickly. He did not even mind the gentle teasing or the air of Elven superiority that his friend would exhibit at times.
When he was with Legolas, he was free to be who he wanted to be, a Ranger and nothing more. The fact that he was the heir of Isildur and was supposed to be King one day was of no importance to the young Elf, who was heir to a kingdom himself. It had been a refreshing change to find that Legolas treated him no differently to anyone else; Elladan and Elrohir seemed far too over-protective in comparison.
He looked back in the direction of Mirkwood and hoped that his friend had made it safely home.
*******
It was a lonely journey for Legolas as he chose the safety of the Elf Path on his journey back to the Hall, for during the last few weeks he had become accustomed to having Aragorn as company. Although he had only known the Ranger a short time, a bond of mutual respect and friendship had developed the like of which Legolas had not experienced before. Of course he had many friends amongst the Elves, but this was something different. Elvish emotions run stronger and deeper than those of mortals and for this reason Thranduil had warned him against forming a friendship with Aragorn. A mortal's years were numbered and an Elf risked feeling much grief and pain when the inevitable occurred. Legolas understood what his father was telling him, but he knew that it was a risk he was prepared to take.
As he entered the courtyard and made for his rooms, he wondered if Aragorn and Mithrandir would be able to find Gollum before their enemies captured him. They would have thought it strange, but he could not help but feel pity for the creature that was hunted by everyone.
********
Many years had passed since Aragorn had left Mirkwood and Mithrandir arrived unexpectedly one day with news that, although he was still searching for Gollum, it had been necessary to send Aragorn south on an errand that would last many decades. It was a short time as reckoned by Elves, but far too long for Legolas' liking. Nevertheless, he found the time passed quickly for his father's Woodland realm had to be protected from the orcs and spiders. It was a constant battle to prevent the darkness spreading ever further north, and the young Prince often lead one of the hunting parties that Thranduil had finally deemed him experienced enough to join.
One day, late in the afternoon, Legolas and his party were seated around a small campfire. They were all weary from having just battled a band of orcs who had attacked them as they patrolled near the outskirts of the forest. The Elves had eventually defeated the creatures, but had not come away unscathed. Legolas had a nasty gash on his arm from an orc blade, the edge of which had been poisoned, and although he had taken the antidote they all carried with them, he was feeling light headed and nauseated. Making himself comfortable in the soft grass he gazed up to see the first stars became visible in the evening sky and was soon asleep.
He awoke with a start several hours later, certain that someone had called his name. The two Elves who were on watch had not seen or heard anything, and Legolas decided it must have been an after effect of the poison. His arm was almost healed already, but he was still feeling a little strange. He lay back down, and tried to get some more sleep. As he drifted into the world of waking dreams, he heard the voice again.
"Legolas! Help!"
He sat up quickly, suddenly wide-awake. He knew that voice, it belonged to Aragorn. How could it be? He knew the Ranger had not yet returned from the south, but he felt that his friend was in some kind of danger. Closing his eyes, he reached out with his elven senses, searching for the source of the voice. He felt a very weak link to Aragorn as his voice whispered inside his head,
"Spiders. Help me."
Realising that Aragorn was in grave danger, Legolas did not wait to rouse his comrades but headed alone for the part of Mirkwood inhabited by the spiders. The link he felt with Aragorn was very weak, and as he neared the spider's lair, it was becoming weaker as the toxin the spider had injected into its prey took hold. Aragorn was slowly losing consciousness. He must have realised this, Legolas decided as a final silent plea reached him.
"Enchanted River."
So, he was somewhere near the Enchanted River, probably close to the Elf Path. It was some distance from where the main lair was but the occasional spider had been seen in the trees there, waiting for the unwary who strayed from the protection of the pathway. Legolas appraoched cautiously for his senses were also tellling him that he was being watched from above. Looking up, he saw two bright, evil eyes following his movements and he decided to draw the spider out into the open where he could ensure that the creature was killed, not merely injured. Stepping off the path he headed into the murky forest, his bow at the ready. The spider moved into view and instantly fell dead to the ground, Legolas' arrow through its head.
The link with Aragorn had almost faded, and Legolas knew that he must find his friend quickly for it was likely that other spiders would come, sensing prey. He found him high in the tree where the spider had been, wrapped in a cocoon of spider web. Taking his knife, he quickly released his friend and settled him in fork of two large branches. Aragorn was barely conscious but found it easier to breathe now that the spider web had been removed. He managed a weak smile of thanks.
"We seem to spend much of our time together in trees, do we not?" he whispered.
"Yes, it is fortunate that I taught you how to climb." Legolas agreed with a twinkle in his eye. " Do you have something in this healer's pouch of yours that will help you recover?" he asked as he took the pouch from Aragorn's belt and held it where he could see it. The Ranger nodded and selected a few leaves, which he placed in his mouth and chewed, swallowing it with a draught of water from the water skin that Legolas handed to him. It took only a few minutes before Aragorn started to feel much more alert, although he had trouble moving, for the spider toxin had rendered him partially paralysed.
"Thank you for rescuing me, my friend," he said to Legolas. "How did you find me, or for that matter, how did you even know I was in Mirkwood?"
"I was injured fighting orcs and the effects of the poison and the antidote heightened my senses. In your delirium you called to me for help and I heard you." Legolas explained simply. "It would seem that we have developed a bond."
"How.?" Aragorn began to ask, when Legolas silenced him with a wave of his hand. He peered into the trees for felt danger approaching, probably more spiders.
"We can discuss this later, we are in grave danger. Can you move at all?"
"I think so." Aragorn replied, annoyed that his body did not really wish to cooperate with his demands. " Although I doubt that I can climb down," he admitted reluctantly.
"It is not that far to the ground, I will go first and catch you, should you fall." Legolas said. Rather than try to climb, Aragorn let himself fall, trusting his friend to catch him. Once on the ground he was relieved that, although his legs were still very weak, he was able to walk slowly, using Legolas as support. They made their way to the Path and reached it just as several more spiders appeared in the trees.
"Fate works in mysterious ways", thought Legolas with relief as his hunting party, who had been searching for their Prince, arrived just in time to protect him from attack. Once the spiders were taken care of they found a spot by the banks of the Enchanted River where they could rest in safety before continuing the short distance to the Woodland King's Halls.