Learning Curve

By: Alilacia

Rating: PG-13

Feedback:

Spoilers: None that I can think of.

Disclaimer:

I do not own the Lord of the Rings, or anything to do with the film or books. That honour goes to Peter Jackson (et all) and J.R.R Tolkien. I have no permission what so ever to use these characters, will not receive any money for this, and am doing this for my own enjoyment. And to get away from doing my college assignments

Series:

Mortality

Lessons

Wandering

Learning Curve

Summary:

Aragorn's planned journey to Lothlórien lead the ranger to Mirkwood where he struck up a tentative friendship with Legolas, elven prince of Mirkwood.

Now Aragorn desires to return to his home, and Legolas decides to take the journey with him.

But the journey the two princes take is anything but a quiet one…..

Mae govannen!

This is the fourth instalment in The Lennath Series. (I've finally given it a name :does little dance:) According to the site I found on the internet 'Lennath' is apparently journey's in Sindarin. I apologise if it isn't, my elvish skills are not the best in the world.

So in English it is basically 'The Journey's Series'. I decided to call it The Journey's Series, because that is basically what all the stories are about: Legolas' and Aragorn's journey's though life, and the paths it takes them on.

This is the sixth chapter of Learning Curve. I hope you enjoy it, and if there is any mistakes in it I'd be very grateful if you'd let me know. :smiles:

First I am going to make it clear that this is a NON-SLASH, so you won't be finding any relationship between Legolas and Aragorn that is any closer than brothers. I'm sorry if you don't like that, but I'm not going to make it any different.

I've decided to take a leave out of Cassia and Siobhan's book and put all the answers to the reviews before the story rather than after it as I have done in previous chapters. If anyone does not want to read them simply bypass all the bold print. And unless you want to read them, they are quite long. The story will start though when you skip past all the bold print :sweatdrops:

:looks horrified: I would never kill Aragorn!

If I did, he wouldn't be there for all of my favourite bits in the LOTR's.

And Legolas would be down one mellon. ;-D

I'm glad that there are lots of people reading this, and the day I consider killing off Aragorn is the day that Saruman changes his white robes for fluffy pink ones, and gives Orthanc a good spring clean. And lord knows that place needs it.

:blushes and can't stop huge grin:

You don't know how much that made my day when I was compared to the great Cassia and Siobhan. Of course I am nowhere near as good as the two of them, but thanks for the lovely words anyway.

Oh god, I'm grinning insanely again. And I'm getting weird looks from my bro. Apparently people don't often grin like a Cheshire cat at the computer monitor.

Nope. I could never forget about Legolas

Hmmm, I don't know about Aragorn being a tortured soul, but most strive to give him a tortured body instead. At least that you can heal. Although::snickers: with all the trouble we put him through, it really is any wonder that he even survives long enough to see The War of the Ring.

Hey……. are you a mind reader? You been taking a sneaking glance at my chapter notes? ;-D

Lol, just kidding. Of course Legolas will try to save him, but as for if he actually does……….. I'll let you read and see for yourself.

I have not read the Silmarillion, or any of the other history/information books published regarding the Lord of the Rings. So I apologise if there are any mistakes in these stories. Feel free to let me know if there are. I am learning new things each day, and I owe quite a few people major thanks for some of that information.

This story isn't actually beta'd (in fact none of them have been so far) so there are probably quite a few mistakes in them.

I don't know much about the rangers that roam the wilds. I've heard the name Halbarad mentioned several times in various stories, by different authors, so I'm hoping that he is a real character and not just one that was made up by someone else. I would appreciate if anyone could tell me anything else that they know about Halbarad. Aside from the fact he is a ranger, and knows Strider, I know very little about him.

I'm really hoping that I got some of the less well known characters (e.g. Barliman Butterbur) are right. Since I don't fully know exactly when Aragorn met Butterbur (I know they must have met prior to the LOTR's because Barliman was totally afraid of Strider in the books :grins:) and took his first trip to Bree, I'm making it now. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, and if they know the actual dates, I'd be eternally grateful if they could let me know

I'm sorry that this took so long in getting out. The work load suddenly went up in preparation for getting all the college work in before half term, and now that that has passed, I can get back to posting again. I should be able to star posting regularly again.

At the end of this story is the preview for the next story in The Lennath Series, called Sickness.

Namárië nin mellons

Alilacia

Learning Curve

Pain shot up his entire body as he landed hard on the ground. His breath was coming in gasps, and he found it hard to breath. A heavy weight was pressing on his chest, and Aragorn risked opening his eyes. Out of the corner of his vision he could see people and orcs running about. If this was the misty halls of waiting, it was a busy place. Aragorn blinked when he heard someone shouting his name, and it sounded oddly like Legolas. A spike of fear ran through him as the thought that Legolas might actually be dead suddenly occurred to the young human and he struggled against the weight on his chest. He forced the orc that was lying on top of him to the side and saw an elven arrow sticking out of the orcs back.

His name was called out again and Aragorn glanced around the battle. Legolas was looking at him from across the grassland, and stared into his eyes. Legolas turned away as one of the orcs swung their sword at him, and turned back to Aragorn.

"Strider! Get up Strider!"

Aragorn struggled to his feet and dodged an arrow from one of the saner orcs that had stayed near the sidelines. Aragorn ran to the slopes of the hill, and ducked around the corner. The ranger pulled out his bow despite the pain it caused him to notch the arrow and pulled it back, and sighted on the orc. It was pointing its arrow at Legolas who had not yet noticed it, and was busy with two orcs of his own. Grimacing as the pain started getting worse, Aragorn took a deep breath to steady his hand. Just as the orc loosened his fingers slightly in preparation for release, Aragorn pulled his fingers away from the string. The loss of an anchor point forced the arrow through the air and the orc was dead before it hit the ground.

The pressing of one of the other rangers away from the group pulled Strider from his vantage point behind the hill and he advanced on the orc, his elven dagger held loosely in his grip. The pain in his sword arm was making it difficult to hold any kind of weapon now, but he was not going to stop fighting until each and every orc was dead.

Across from where Strider and Geomyr were fighting three orcs, Legolas was growing frustrated. The numbers of this band of orcs seemed to be almost endless. Almost, because the numbers were thinning, and the pile of bodies on the ground was growing with each stroke that was dealt. Out of the corner of his eyes Legolas saw Strider and Geomyr were out-numbered. Although ordinarily the elf knew that Strider would have been able to take care of himself, but the bleeding gash gave Legolas cause to worry, and he sped up his attack. No orc was spared from the brunt of the force behind the elven knives, and Legolas began to work his way over to the ranger.

The last body hit the ground and Aragorn felt the adrenaline that had been keeping him going through the fight start to dissipate. His body started to tremble from blood loss and exertion, and he stumbled on his feet. Strong, slender arms caught him before he could hit the ground and Aragorn looked up to stare into concerned elven eyes.

Legolas gently sat Strider down onto the ground and glanced around them. No more orcs were coming around the corner, and the ragged breathing of the man next to him was not getting much better. Legolas feared that he could be poisoned, as the orcs had the tendency to coat their blades with poisons of varying potency. While the other men were gathering around and checking their own injuries, Legolas rested his hand on the rangers forehead and was pleased to find that Aragorn's skin felt only just above his normal temperature. Legolas looked down into Aragorn's weary eyes when the rangers hand gripped his tunic.

"Are you alright?"

Legolas looked down at his arms and saw that Aragorn was looking at the small scratches that criss-crossed along his arms. Legolas nodded, and smiled down at the human. "I am just fine human, but it is your injuries that are concerning me at the moment." Aragorn opened his mouth, probably to say that they were nothing and Legolas glared at him. Aragorn sighed and shut his mouth when Legolas narrowed his eyes. It was true, he was feeling a little weary. But is was nothing to be so concerned over.

"Just sit down Estel and let me look at your wounds." Legolas spoke quietly, and in elvish. His voice lowered so only Aragorn could hear him. Aragorn sighed and helped Legolas move the tunic from his shoulders. The breath passed his lips in an agonised hiss as the fabric caught on blood and skin, and Legolas moved even more slowly.

"How is he?"

Halbarad moved up from Legolas' left, and knelt down next to the elf.

"He will be fine. So long as he doesn't over exert himself. Got that Strider?" Aragorn chuckled and then winced at the pain that movement caused. "Don't think I won't force you to stay here until you are fully healed Estel." The threat was spoken quietly in elvish and Aragorn nodded. The look in Legolas' eyes told the human that Legolas was perfectly serious. Oh Valar. Not another Elladan.

"Don't worry Legolas. I will rest until I am healed." Legolas nodded in satisfaction at the elvish reply, and asked one of the men to bring over Strider's pack for him. As Legolas rifled through the pack and pulled out some bandages Aragorn noticed Halbarad looking at them with a curious gaze on his face. It occurred to Aragorn then that Halbarad might not have met any rangers that spoke elvish before. Aragorn internally winced, and hoped that the elder ranger was not going to question them on it.

Strider glanced around the band of rangers, and noted that one of them was starting a fire. While Aragorn was a little hesitant about this he realised that some of the men had pretty serious wounds, and would need to be cleaned out with hot water. Strider turned to address Halbarad as Legolas started to place some herbs into the jagged cut on his arm.

"Tell me Halbarad. Why do you think the orcs would want to attack The Shire? I have thought about this for a while now and I can see no logical reason for it." Halbarad looked pensive for a moment, and glanced at The Shire in the distance before answering.

"I'm not sure myself Strider. The mind of an orc is not an easy thing to get into, and they find pleasure in the most barbaric of things. To be perfectly honest, it would not surprise me if the beasts simply wanted some new sport to hunt. Poor little hobbits. It's a shame they are not strong enough to defend themselves against those who would seek to do them harm."

"Are there any steps that can be taken to ensure that no-one sets foot in The Shire that came with ill-will towards the people there?"

"What do you mean Strider?" asked Halbarad.

"The hobbits are not strong enough to defend themselves against a great enemy. Are there any measures of protection for them?"

"No, there are none."

Aragorn looked up in shock and glanced back at The Shire. Why hadn't anyone considered this before? "No-one had ever really thought about it." continued Halbarad. "What would you suggest then?"

"Have you ever considered..." Aragorn stopped and thought about just what might be done for the periannath. "Have you considered assigning patrols around the borders of The Shire? If your men would keep watch over those who walked to The Shire, then planned attacks like this one could be prevented." Aragorn's sentence ended with a hiss as Legolas started to fix the bandage onto the cut. Aragorn's hand came up to cover the cut and Legolas batted it away. Halbarad frowned and stared at the ranger.

"Patrols of The Shire. Why such a thing would take many men, more than I have in my group. The Shire is not a small place you know. To patrol it effectively, why it would take at least three even four groups of rangers."

Despite Halbarad's words, the elder ranger had to admit that they did make sense. And it rankled the man a bit when he thought that it was a young man, with nowhere near as much experience in the wilds as Halbarad had gained, who had thought up a logical answer to a common problem. Halbarad shook his head, and forced those thoughts out of his head right away. Even he knew a warrior when he saw one, and the fact that the young man had a logical mind should not have been much of a surprise. In fact, Halbarad could remember many a time when one of the younger rangers had been able to see a solution to something where he had not.

Halbarad was brought of his thoughts when the elf rose from Strider's side and started talking softly to him in elvish. Halbarad had not met a ranger before who could speak in the elvish tongue, although he had heard of those that could. Rangers tended to stay out of the business of other races, and usually only learned other languages out of necessity. But the way that this one spoke with the elf, it was as though they were friends. The elder ranger had seen some rangers walk with elves, but none displayed the bond that these two seemed to share. Strider shook his head and Halbarad smiled as Legolas glared at the ranger. Although he could not himself understand what they were saying, he was able to get the gist from the annoyed look on Strider's face.

The grin widened as Strider glared back at the elf, and Legolas raised an eyebrow. Amusement hedged with slight annoyance sparked in the elf's blue eyes and he stared the ranger down. Strider sighed and turned to Halbarad with a long-suffering look. Halbarad nearly started laughing at the look of smug amusement that crossed the elf's face, and he shook his head. Things would definitely be interesting with those two around.

"Legolas does not sense anything here. He thinks it would be a good idea if we all got some rest." Strider glared once more at Legolas' smug expression as the elf moved to the very edge of the light cast by the fire. "Legolas will take watch for a while, and then I will take over from him." Strider shook his head and moved to lay out his blanket on the ground. "Get some rest."

Nothing happened as the rangers simply stared at Strider, before turning their attention to whatever they had been doing before. Strider sighed and went to try again when Halbarad's voice drowned out anything that he was going to say.

"Now come on men. Do as Strider suggests. We have all had a long day, and it would serve all our interests if we got some rest." Grumblings greeted his suggestion, and only a few of them started moving for their packs. "Alright. If you will not take orders from me, then perhaps you will take orders from someone else." His words drew the attention of everyone in the camp, and everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to his words. "Strider here is a warrior, one of the best that I have seen so far. His skills are equal with my own, and he has proved himself a great man in my eyes by helping us fight off the orcs, and saving more than one of us from death." His words pierced the air, and some men dropped their gaze to the ground. "It is for this reason that I relinquish control of this group to him." All eyes snapped towards Halbarad's, shock written in their gaze. But none was more shocked than Aragorn. "Now, shall I have Strider tell you to rest again?" His gaze bore into the men and they all retreated to their packs. All their injuries had been treated as best as could be managed here, and each man withdrew his own blanket. Halbarad nodded and turned to a very shocked Strider. The elder ranger patted the young mans hand softly and smiled. "The men will now answer to you Strider. I know you will lead us well."

Aragorn shook his head at the look of trust that was in Halbarad's eyes. People it seemed, were so ready to trust him, and Aragorn did not know if he was deserving of that trust. But still, he would do all he could to earn the faith and belief that Halbarad had in him, even though they had only just met. Aragorn sighed and laid down into his bedroll. And it wasn't just the men...

His gaze sought out Legolas' form. The elf was sitting, back straight on the ground. His bow was within reaching distance, but his stance was relaxed. The elf's head slowly turned and he met Aragorn's eyes. Legolas smiled at the ranger and nodded. Aragorn slowly smiled back and turned his gaze to the sky. The stars shone brightly above the camp and Aragorn picked out several he remembered from pictures in the library at home. Aragorn's expression darkened for a moment, before he shook his head and closed his eyes. He would be home soon enough.

Legolas watched as Aragorn turned his attention to the sky. A pensive look crossed the human's face before it darkened. As Aragorn shook his head and closed his eyes, Legolas wondered just what Aragorn was thinking about. Legolas glanced at the other sleeping men before he too turned his gaze to the sky. The admission of trust that the ranger Halbarad had made to Strider had shocked Legolas as well. Legolas shook his head and his eyes sought out the brightest star in the sky. The moon was hanging high in the sky, and the silver light chased away even the darkest of shadows.

The elven prince closed his eyes for a second, and drew on the power that only nature could possess. Aragorn was still an enigma to him, and each day he found out something new. The elf sighed and drew his legs up to his chest, his blue eyes constantly searching the grassland around them. Trust... it was something that the human seemed to acquire more easily than Legolas did, and Legolas glanced back at his sleeping friend, before returning to watching the wilderness. His thoughts stuck on the trust Strider seemed to draw and give to others.

Halbarad awoke to a sight that had become all too common in the camp. Strider and Legolas were standing a little way out of the camp, and were talking quickly in elvish. Legolas saw that Halbarad was awake and turned to face him.

"I stood watch over night. There were no orcs nearby. I do not think The Shire is in any danger for the moment." Halbarad knew what the elf was not saying and sighed as the elf turned back to face Strider who had an annoyed expression on his face. Until someone decides to attack again. Perhaps it would be best if he and his group headed out today to find the other rangers and set about making the plan of Strider's a reality.

"Why did you stay on watch all of the night Legolas. You were in that battle just as I was, and I don't believe for a minute that you were not a little bit tired from the fight."

Legolas sighed and turned to face Aragorn. His answer was in elvish just as Strider's had been. "You're injuries were far more grievous than my minor scratches Aragorn." Legolas indicated his arms as he spoke. Under the tears in the fabric, smooth pale arms could be seen, and there was no sign that they had been marred the night before. "And besides my friend, you and the other rangers are mortal. And your injuries will last longer than mine. I know enough about mortals to know that rest, and lots of it, is key to a quick recovery. You will not get enough rest if you are constantly alert, and taking a lengthy watch."

Aragorn glared at Legolas, before the frown fell and he sighed. The human knew that Legolas was right, but that didn't make it any easier to accept in Aragorn's mind. As their friendship had started to grow, Aragorn had discovered that Legolas was very protective of his friends. And the elven prince often worried about them more than he should. This led to Legolas stopping to ask Aragorn if he wanted to rest if the ranger looked in the least bit fatigued. Aragorn knew that his own feelings about the elf would make him do the same thing if Legolas looked tired, but the constant mothering annoyed Aragorn to no end sometimes. In some ways, Aragorn thought, Legolas was worse than Elladan. Aragorn chuckled and ignored the raised eyebrow from the elven prince. No... there was no way that anyone was worse that Elladan. Save Lord Elrond maybe. And Elrohir definitely came close.

One of the rangers walked up to Halbarad and whispered in his ear. Halbarad nodded and gestured for the man to tell Strider and Legolas.

"As the orcs do not travel over night we thought it best to travel out again now." Aragorn nodded and wondered where the conversation was going.

"Arrangements will need to be made, and the other rangers will need to be found." said Halbarad, "me and my group will head out today to find them. The plans for the patrols around The Shire need to be made." Halbarad paused and turned to look at Strider and Legolas. "What say you. Will you join us on this trip? It was your idea after all Strider."

Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a look, and Aragorn turned to look at Halbarad. "Thank you for the kind offer, however there is a place that we really must be getting to, and we are long over-due in arriving."

Halbarad nodded but seemed sad that they would not be journeying with them some more. "I understand Strider, Legolas." The elder ranger inclined his head and motioned to his men. "It is a shame you will not be travelling with us further. Oh and..." Halbarad added as the pair made to leave, "remember that the two of you will always have friends in this group. We may not be the strongest of rangers out in the wilds, but we have never let a friend down yet. And I would like to call the two of you our friends."

Strider nodded, touched by the rangers words, and Legolas held his hand to his chest before bringing it out in thanks. Halbarad did not know the true meaning behind the gesture, but he nodded and he and his men started walking towards the north.

Aragorn and Legolas stood for a moment watching as the group of rangers walked out of sight. Legolas turned to his friend and smiled.

"Well, what say we get travelling again. Our journey to Imladris has been stalled long enough."

Aragorn nodded and started to walk to the west. The elf neatly stepped beside the ranger, and the pair walked at a sedate pace towards the village of Bree. The road would be the best way to travel. Unfortunately the horses they had purchased from Bill Ferny had disappeared into the wilds, and there was no sign of where they had gone.

The light continued to grow at a steady rate, and the temperature began to rise. The road to Rivendell was long, but the day was bright.

The hearts of both the man and elf were lightened by the knowledge that some good had come out of their travels here. The borders of The Shire were now protected from all dangerous creatures, and Aragorn had faith that the rangers would be able to keep it protected. Of course Aragorn intended to check up on them from time to time. It had been his suggestion after all, and the human had every intention of following through with his desire to ensure the hobbits safety.

And so, with the light of the morning sun shining down on their backs, then two travellers made their way to the west.

To Imladris.

The End.

Preview for the next story: Sickness

The room was full, and many beds had been brought in from all over the town. And many people were lying on them.

The man that Aragorn was leaning over was pale, and his features were drawn. Odd spots of fever flushed his skin over his cheeks and neck, and his hands gripped the bed in a shaking grasp where they lay.

Another person was brought in as Aragorn dipped the rag in his hands into the bowl of warming water by his side, and rested it on the forehead gently.

Aragorn looked up to see Legolas laying the person on the bed, and shook his head. Things had only gotten worse if anything since they had arrived, and many people were dying around them.

Perspiration beaded along his brow as he worked, and Aragorn paused for a moment as a wave of dizziness passed over him. His hands gripped the side of the bed tightly, and he quickly got back one with his work, shaking off the dizziness so as not to worry his friend.

As Aragorn reached over to take the bowl of water, the world suddenly tilted into a frightening spin. His hands slipped, and the bowl of water fell to the ground with a clatter.

Legolas' head snapped up at the noise, and his eyes widened as he watched his friend sway dangerously in the air.

It took a matter of seconds for Legolas to cross the room, and he got there just as Aragorn's legs crumpled out from under him.

"Strider!" Legolas stared into his friends pale face with growing worry. "Elladan! Elrohir!"