Author's Notes:
Hey, thanks again for all the great reviews! They're so encouraging to a writer! =D I know this story is going a little slow, and it's kinda boring right now, but I'm trying to work through it as I go =/ Give me some time, and it'll all be over soon!
***I'm putting the elvish translations in the beginning now, so check for em!***
~*~*~*~*~
Translations
Ada - Father
'Quel andune - Good afternoon
Tenna` telwan - Until later
Mani - What? ~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3: Decisions
Aragorn crumpled the fine parchment in his hand and flung it out his window. The reply from Theoden caught on the wind and blew around before it settled on the pathways far below. It had been two weeks since Aragorn sent out his requests for aid to different leaders, all of whom he was well acquainted with. He only received three replies. The first being from Rohan, which stated "the kingdom of Rohan is not willing to fight any wars now. The people are too weak, and our fighters too few. Though, you have our prayers with you."
~What good are prayers, Theoden King? I need men~
The second reply was from Rivendell, as Aragorn suspected it would be. He already knew what the letter would say before he opened and read it.
~Estel,
I will send as many of our warriors as possible, though I warn you, do not put too much hope in us. Able fighters are few, for all those who would stand readily by you have already sailed West. I will come if I can, but I do not know if my position as Lord of Imladris will allow me to leave for so long. I am preparing the fighters now, and they will be in Gondor and ready to fight in a month's time.
Do not be afraid, my son. I have faith in you, Estel - your name serves you well.
~Ada
Aragorn sighed. He appreciated Elrond's encouragement and the help he was giving, but he knew, just as Elrond did, that it would not be enough. Gimli's short reply did not ease Aragorn's frustration, though it did make him think fondly of his short dwarven friend.
~Aragorn,
My kinsmen are being foolish and will not come, though I tried my best to move their rough hides. Never fear, Aragorn, I will come. My axe is sharpened and my boots are new. I will make haste to Gondor tomorrow morning. I suspect I will be a little late, so save me some action.
~Gimli, son of Gloin
Considering that Gimli was traveling on foot from leagues upon leagues away, the King of Gondor knew Gimli would be more than a little late. He doubted the dwarf would even make it in time to see the smoke from the destruction of Gondor fade and disappear.
Shaking his head, Aragorn rubbed his temples. On a sudden impulse, he reached for his inkbottle and threw it out the window after the crumpled letter, just for good measure.
_______________________________________________________________________
The breeze was calming as it brushed Legolas' skin. It was not cold, though it offered him a tingling comfort. The Prince of Mirkwood breathed in and inhaled the distinct woodland scent of his homeland. He had arrived at Mirkwood's borders the night before, but from there it was still a day's travel to reach the palace. In the distance, Legolas could see the arched towers of his home peeking above the treetops. In his eagerness to be home, he spurred Arod to a faster pace.
Legolas approached the light gray gates that barred him from his home within. Smiling, he reached out to touch the rough surface of the stone and was not surprised when it sunk inwards slowly, making a soft imprint of his hand. The woodland elves were very proud of their "naith`gil", Mirkwood's "living rock". Legolas leaned in close to the wall and whispered a few elvish words. With barely a sound, the gates began to swing inward, awoken and moved by the password only members of the royal family knew.
With only the barest touch of the reins, Arod cut forward at a casual canter. For Legolas, home was heaven, and it seemed he had been gone for two months, rather than two weeks. As he drew nearer to the palace, he spotted several elves he knew wave to him, then bow slightly as he passed.
"My Prince!"
At the use of his title, Legolas reined in Arod and his eyes sought the speaker. He smiled when he saw who it was.
"'Quel andune, Gildurin! I told you not to call me that - Legolas suits me much better than any stuffy title. It seems I haven't seen you in ages, my friend. How have things been in my absence? Not too boring, I hope," Legolas said, grinning.
Gildurin laughed. "Actually, it's been all the better without your monotonous droning dulling everyone to pieces." He dodged Legolas' playful swat and backed away, smiling. "Go on and see your father, Legolas, he's always complaining about not having you around to go hunting with."
Legolas rolled his eyes, but there was a pleased light in them. "Alright, I'll see he's satisfied. Tenna` telwan, Gildurin!" With a slight wave, Legolas turned Arod back on course. Within minutes, the huge double doors of the palace loomed over him. He dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby guard. He jogged lightly up the steps and pulled open the doors. He was pleased to see there were many dallying about the great entrance hall. Some in Mirkwood questioned why Thranduil allowed whomever to come in and out of the palace, but Legolas always felt it was homier that way.
Legolas saw his father sitting upon the great throne, conversing with a few friends and advisors. It seemed that Thranduil could sense his son's presence, because he turned and met the younger elf's eyes. The King of Mirkwood smiled in relief at seeing his son safe and back home. Despite the fact that Legolas traveled often, and usually alone, he could never stop worrying about his only child.
"Excuse me, please," Thranduil nodded to his friends and made his way towards Legolas. He clasped his son's shoulder. "Welcome home, Legolas."
Legolas smiled and nodded respectively. "It is good to be home."
Despite Legolas' warm demeanor, Thranduil sensed something amiss. "Is something wrong? How did things fare with Aragorn? I do hope he didn't take our refusal badly." Judging by the look Legolas was giving him, Thranduil assumed things didn't fare too well. The King started in the direction of his chambers, leading his son by the forearm. "Come, we will discuss what happened in private."
After Legolas had informed his father of all that had happened during his short time in Gondor, he shut his mouth and cast his eyes to the intricately woven bed sheet he sat upon. To his frustration, he felt an unsettling guilt settle in his stomach. ~Argh - I'd rather be angry than feel guilty~ A light touch on his knee made him look up.
"Legolas - you spoke unwisely to him. Harsh words between friends can cause more damage than you think. Perhaps you should have played out your words in your head before you blurted them out in your anger. Every action comes with a consequence."
Legolas sighed. "I know that, ada, but he was being irrational and far too judgmental." He frowned. "Besides, Aragorn should know better than to insult our people and accuse us of things like that."
Thranduil sighed and stood. His son was being as stubborn and prideful as he accused his human friend of being. ~Ah, young ones~ He cleared his throat.
"I think perhaps we should rethink our decision to aid Gondor in their final battle."
Legolas' head shot up at his father's words. "Mani!? Don't be foolish, ada, the council has already decided, and -" he crossed his arms over his chest and scowled, "Aragorn does not need our help. He told me so himself."
Thranduil sighed again for the second time. Children could be so silly sometimes. Silly and hardheaded. Though his son claimed to be a matured adult, he was obviously not showing very mature traits.
"No, my son, you should rethink this. We all should. Your friendship with Estel of the Elves is not a bond that should be so carelessly tossed aside."
"Ada, I -"
Thranduil held up his hand, "We will hold a second meeting tomorrow. I expect you to sleep on this and be ready to discuss with a clear and unbiased head tomorrow morning."
"But -"
"No buts, Legolas." He eyed the young elf sternly. "It will be ultimately your decision. I pray to Earendil that you can make that choice wisely."
"But Ada! You said so yourself before that the warriors in Mirkwood don't even want to fight anymore! How can you go and change your mind like that?" Legolas inquired incredulously.
Thranduil dismissed Legolas' outburst with a wave of his hand. "Do not let that concern you. They will fight if they must," he met his son's eyes, "and if someone gives them enough reason to."
Before Legolas could even utter a word of complaint, the door clicked shut behind his father, now gone back to his guests in the main hall.
Legolas gaped soundlessly at the closed door for several seconds before he could regain his composure. So, he had another chance to help Aragorn? The golden-haired elf scowled at the door. ~So, it is fully my decision then? Right now, I have absolutely no desire to help that human at all~ He slid beneath the covers. ~If the mortal is lucky, I will think differently tomorrow morning.
Unconsciously, Legolas thumped the pillow in his frustration.
~If he is lucky~
~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Man, I'm shooting this chapters out fast. Three chapters for three days - not bad eh? Haha. OK like I said, I know this is going slow, and I'm very sorry for it! Stay with me please! Hopefully, the ending will make up for the boringness in the middle =P.
Read and review!
Hey, thanks again for all the great reviews! They're so encouraging to a writer! =D I know this story is going a little slow, and it's kinda boring right now, but I'm trying to work through it as I go =/ Give me some time, and it'll all be over soon!
***I'm putting the elvish translations in the beginning now, so check for em!***
~*~*~*~*~
Translations
Ada - Father
'Quel andune - Good afternoon
Tenna` telwan - Until later
Mani - What? ~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3: Decisions
Aragorn crumpled the fine parchment in his hand and flung it out his window. The reply from Theoden caught on the wind and blew around before it settled on the pathways far below. It had been two weeks since Aragorn sent out his requests for aid to different leaders, all of whom he was well acquainted with. He only received three replies. The first being from Rohan, which stated "the kingdom of Rohan is not willing to fight any wars now. The people are too weak, and our fighters too few. Though, you have our prayers with you."
~What good are prayers, Theoden King? I need men~
The second reply was from Rivendell, as Aragorn suspected it would be. He already knew what the letter would say before he opened and read it.
~Estel,
I will send as many of our warriors as possible, though I warn you, do not put too much hope in us. Able fighters are few, for all those who would stand readily by you have already sailed West. I will come if I can, but I do not know if my position as Lord of Imladris will allow me to leave for so long. I am preparing the fighters now, and they will be in Gondor and ready to fight in a month's time.
Do not be afraid, my son. I have faith in you, Estel - your name serves you well.
~Ada
Aragorn sighed. He appreciated Elrond's encouragement and the help he was giving, but he knew, just as Elrond did, that it would not be enough. Gimli's short reply did not ease Aragorn's frustration, though it did make him think fondly of his short dwarven friend.
~Aragorn,
My kinsmen are being foolish and will not come, though I tried my best to move their rough hides. Never fear, Aragorn, I will come. My axe is sharpened and my boots are new. I will make haste to Gondor tomorrow morning. I suspect I will be a little late, so save me some action.
~Gimli, son of Gloin
Considering that Gimli was traveling on foot from leagues upon leagues away, the King of Gondor knew Gimli would be more than a little late. He doubted the dwarf would even make it in time to see the smoke from the destruction of Gondor fade and disappear.
Shaking his head, Aragorn rubbed his temples. On a sudden impulse, he reached for his inkbottle and threw it out the window after the crumpled letter, just for good measure.
_______________________________________________________________________
The breeze was calming as it brushed Legolas' skin. It was not cold, though it offered him a tingling comfort. The Prince of Mirkwood breathed in and inhaled the distinct woodland scent of his homeland. He had arrived at Mirkwood's borders the night before, but from there it was still a day's travel to reach the palace. In the distance, Legolas could see the arched towers of his home peeking above the treetops. In his eagerness to be home, he spurred Arod to a faster pace.
Legolas approached the light gray gates that barred him from his home within. Smiling, he reached out to touch the rough surface of the stone and was not surprised when it sunk inwards slowly, making a soft imprint of his hand. The woodland elves were very proud of their "naith`gil", Mirkwood's "living rock". Legolas leaned in close to the wall and whispered a few elvish words. With barely a sound, the gates began to swing inward, awoken and moved by the password only members of the royal family knew.
With only the barest touch of the reins, Arod cut forward at a casual canter. For Legolas, home was heaven, and it seemed he had been gone for two months, rather than two weeks. As he drew nearer to the palace, he spotted several elves he knew wave to him, then bow slightly as he passed.
"My Prince!"
At the use of his title, Legolas reined in Arod and his eyes sought the speaker. He smiled when he saw who it was.
"'Quel andune, Gildurin! I told you not to call me that - Legolas suits me much better than any stuffy title. It seems I haven't seen you in ages, my friend. How have things been in my absence? Not too boring, I hope," Legolas said, grinning.
Gildurin laughed. "Actually, it's been all the better without your monotonous droning dulling everyone to pieces." He dodged Legolas' playful swat and backed away, smiling. "Go on and see your father, Legolas, he's always complaining about not having you around to go hunting with."
Legolas rolled his eyes, but there was a pleased light in them. "Alright, I'll see he's satisfied. Tenna` telwan, Gildurin!" With a slight wave, Legolas turned Arod back on course. Within minutes, the huge double doors of the palace loomed over him. He dismounted and handed the reins to a nearby guard. He jogged lightly up the steps and pulled open the doors. He was pleased to see there were many dallying about the great entrance hall. Some in Mirkwood questioned why Thranduil allowed whomever to come in and out of the palace, but Legolas always felt it was homier that way.
Legolas saw his father sitting upon the great throne, conversing with a few friends and advisors. It seemed that Thranduil could sense his son's presence, because he turned and met the younger elf's eyes. The King of Mirkwood smiled in relief at seeing his son safe and back home. Despite the fact that Legolas traveled often, and usually alone, he could never stop worrying about his only child.
"Excuse me, please," Thranduil nodded to his friends and made his way towards Legolas. He clasped his son's shoulder. "Welcome home, Legolas."
Legolas smiled and nodded respectively. "It is good to be home."
Despite Legolas' warm demeanor, Thranduil sensed something amiss. "Is something wrong? How did things fare with Aragorn? I do hope he didn't take our refusal badly." Judging by the look Legolas was giving him, Thranduil assumed things didn't fare too well. The King started in the direction of his chambers, leading his son by the forearm. "Come, we will discuss what happened in private."
After Legolas had informed his father of all that had happened during his short time in Gondor, he shut his mouth and cast his eyes to the intricately woven bed sheet he sat upon. To his frustration, he felt an unsettling guilt settle in his stomach. ~Argh - I'd rather be angry than feel guilty~ A light touch on his knee made him look up.
"Legolas - you spoke unwisely to him. Harsh words between friends can cause more damage than you think. Perhaps you should have played out your words in your head before you blurted them out in your anger. Every action comes with a consequence."
Legolas sighed. "I know that, ada, but he was being irrational and far too judgmental." He frowned. "Besides, Aragorn should know better than to insult our people and accuse us of things like that."
Thranduil sighed and stood. His son was being as stubborn and prideful as he accused his human friend of being. ~Ah, young ones~ He cleared his throat.
"I think perhaps we should rethink our decision to aid Gondor in their final battle."
Legolas' head shot up at his father's words. "Mani!? Don't be foolish, ada, the council has already decided, and -" he crossed his arms over his chest and scowled, "Aragorn does not need our help. He told me so himself."
Thranduil sighed again for the second time. Children could be so silly sometimes. Silly and hardheaded. Though his son claimed to be a matured adult, he was obviously not showing very mature traits.
"No, my son, you should rethink this. We all should. Your friendship with Estel of the Elves is not a bond that should be so carelessly tossed aside."
"Ada, I -"
Thranduil held up his hand, "We will hold a second meeting tomorrow. I expect you to sleep on this and be ready to discuss with a clear and unbiased head tomorrow morning."
"But -"
"No buts, Legolas." He eyed the young elf sternly. "It will be ultimately your decision. I pray to Earendil that you can make that choice wisely."
"But Ada! You said so yourself before that the warriors in Mirkwood don't even want to fight anymore! How can you go and change your mind like that?" Legolas inquired incredulously.
Thranduil dismissed Legolas' outburst with a wave of his hand. "Do not let that concern you. They will fight if they must," he met his son's eyes, "and if someone gives them enough reason to."
Before Legolas could even utter a word of complaint, the door clicked shut behind his father, now gone back to his guests in the main hall.
Legolas gaped soundlessly at the closed door for several seconds before he could regain his composure. So, he had another chance to help Aragorn? The golden-haired elf scowled at the door. ~So, it is fully my decision then? Right now, I have absolutely no desire to help that human at all~ He slid beneath the covers. ~If the mortal is lucky, I will think differently tomorrow morning.
Unconsciously, Legolas thumped the pillow in his frustration.
~If he is lucky~
~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Man, I'm shooting this chapters out fast. Three chapters for three days - not bad eh? Haha. OK like I said, I know this is going slow, and I'm very sorry for it! Stay with me please! Hopefully, the ending will make up for the boringness in the middle =P.
Read and review!