Disclaimer: All things pertaining to The Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Since TTT played havoc with the Aragorn/Arwen theme, which in turn falsifies some of Legolas' thoughts in the first chapter, let's see if we can balance it all, eh?
Mainly movieverse, but not exactly, because I added
conversation in the scene. Then again, it was partly filmed from Eowyn's view,
so they might have been speaking quietly.
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The Evenstar weighed upon him like a stone. As he and Gimli followed the Rohan riders to Helm's Deep, he hid it within his tunic. He could not bear to look upon the jewel--if there were a color of grief, he was certain it would be the soft silver-white of mithril. Its very presence pained him; it spoke of the loss of Aragorn, the chance he had forsaken such a short time ago, and the suffering that Arwen Undomiel would have to bear when he at last came to the Undying Lands and returned her emblem. He would not able to hold his sorrow close in the light of her own.
That such misery could be symbolized within such a small thing was a parallel that ached his heart.
Gimli traveled next him on a horse whose rider counted among the dozens dead, offering the silent comfort of the dwarves. He was grateful, though he could draw no succor from it. He rode behind the thinned ranks of the Rohirrim, Gimli stoically beside him, and felt the delicate chain of the Evenstar bite into his heart.
He had not known until the three of them were chasing the plains of Rohan in search of Merry and Pippin that Arwen had gone. The mortals that made his companions had been forced to camp, despite the fact that every second of rest took the hobbits further and further away from them and closer into danger. Part of him understood their need for rest, though he did not share it and ached to continue.
Gimli had fallen asleep as soon as he lay down, but Aragorn, though exhausted, had still seethed with Legolas' similar desire to be moving. He was on watch, and had nodded to the man.
"Rest, Aragorn. Take an hour's peace and dream of your return to your Lady."
There was a brief silence and he had believed his advice was taken, before Aragorn spoke quietly. "She has sailed."
His head had snapped to face the man, but Aragorn had already shut his eyes, wearied beyond measure. So Legolas stood a silent watch as an hour crept by, taking the halflings nearer to the dangers of Saruman's tower. As soon as there was light to travel, the others arose and they were racing again.
"Master Elf, we are here." Gimli's voice interrupted his memories. Legolas focused upon the world around them, and found himself staring down at Helm's Deep. With a nod to Gimli, he nudged his horse down the hill towards the fortress.
If he had known earlier of Arwen's departure....If he had known earlier, would his decision in Lothlorien remain the same? Gondor would forever need a Queen--there could be no joyful ending for him and Aragorn in the light of reality. He would have lost the man to his birthright in the end, for he would not dream of keeping Aragorn son of Arathorn from that which he was born to be.
But that was lost now. Aragorn was no more. If he had known what would occur in such a short time, would he have taken the risk?
Legolas did not know.
As they rode into the Deep, he heard Gimli murmuring over the craftwork of the Rohan. Legolas let his bittersweet thoughts slip from his mind, freeing his eyes to view the Deep as they passed through. Refugees of Rohan crowded the court, though they parted in order to allow the Rohirrim entrance.
Legolas took Gimli's bridle as the dwarf dismounted, leading both their horses to the stables. He could not allow himself to sink into his thoughts and memories--there was still much to do. But the Evenstar weighed him, making his movements slow. He could choose his thoughts and actions, but he could stop his emotions; just as with love he bore, he could not prevent the fact that he grieved.
Hours later, the Lady Eowyn glided into the stable like a pale wraith, performing tasks that needed doing with a fierceness that reveal her intent to drown her loss in the sea of duty. He did not speak to her--he could offer no comfort but a shared sorrow, and if he would reveal himself so much, he would rather do so to Arwen Undomiel.
A day or more passed, and though he was aware of working and speaking to others, he remembered little but the times spent in Gimli's company. He found himself in the stables frequently, caring for the horses. The Lady Eowyn was also there often, as well. Perhaps some part of her sensed a similarity in the loved that bound him to Aragorn as it bound her, though in her words and actions she spoke of the Dunedan no more.
There had been a great clamor in the Deeping Keep, and Gimli had left to satisfy his curiosity. Once the noise quieted Legolas turned briefly to see if the dwarf was returning with some news.
So many emotions swelled within him as he saw the familiar figure that all he could do was stand still. Aragorn, dark and solemn as always, strode up the steps quickly, his manner urgent.
Legolas simply stood there as the man nearly walked into him. Aragorn gave him a brief glance, and then stopped as he recognized Legolas' face.
He stared at the man, so much inside him that needed to be said, and so much that he could never speak. He had chosen, for good or ill.
"You're late," he said in Elvish.
Aragorn stared at him.
He glanced up and down at the Dunedan--Aragorn's shoulder was bloody, his clothes ragged and dirty from the rocks and travel, and there was river silt dried into his hair.
"You look terrible," he added in the Common Tongue.
A moment later, Aragorn slowly grinned at him. He embraced the elf, almost laughing, then pulled back a moment later.
Legolas wished to kiss him, to assure himself that breath was passing through those lips and Aragorn was truly alive and standing before him. Instead, he reached for the Evenstar and brought it out, placing it in Aragorn's hand like the treasure he knew the man considered it to be.
Aragorn glanced down at his hand, then stared up at Legolas' eyes. The elf smiled.
When Aragorn continued to stare, Legolas felt his smile falter. In his joy to see the man alive, had he let his mask slip? Had Aragorn glimpsed the truth, and now had little idea of how to proceed?
His answer came when Aragorn clasped his hand. "Thank you, Legolas. You are a true friend."
Legolas closed his eyes briefly, then gripped the hand around his and shook it silently. "Your movements were urgent," he said a moment later.
Aragorn nodded. "There is an army coming. Where is King Theoden?"
Legolas stepped aside and indicated the way. "I will find Gimli."
"Thank you," Aragorn said as he strode past, once more solemn and forbidding.
As he turned to find the dwarf, Legolas saw the Lady Eowyn standing to the side of the stable, watching Aragorn stride away with relief and sadness mingled on her face. Why her gaze turned and settled on him, he gave a small nod of empathy and walked out.
Aragorn was alive, and returned to him, and he dared not ask the Valar for more. The man's heart was forever open to Legolas, and Gimli, and the hobbits, and even Lady Eowyn. The future king was capable of great love for many--but he offered his heart to only one, and Arwen Undomiel would possess it to the end of both their days. Even though she had sailed, it was simply a part of Aragorn to continue to love her.
He had made his choice, and if it did not give him all that he dreamed of in the darkest parts of the night, it let the bond of friendship between him and Aragorn to continue in peace.