Maus Or-Meleth Dana!
(Happy Valentines Day!)
(: Okay, okay, so it technically translates: "Pleasant Love Day" but ah well. ;) You didn't REALLY think there was a Sindarin word for Valentine, did you? :P
Well guys!…I'm posting late…again. *sigh* Sorry about that, but at least I tried, right? We mustn't forget that Chloe, though currently residing quite comfortably among her readers and posts, and an elf and ranger we know but won't mention by name, STILL has a life in the real world…you know, EARTH. No, not Middle Earth…never mind. ;)
Anyway, I've finally come around to you guys, but due to the fact that I've had a long day, and I'm getting a late start, your responses may not be as long as usual, and I apologize for that. :)
*blink*…Settiai? I have no intention of either, thank you. ;) Here. You want to pester someone? *pushes Grimi* Just don't kill him…at least he's a shin-guard if nothing else…:P
Don't worry, chrisalin, I'm not going to kill them…not yet anyway. :P Sorry I made you cry! *hands chrisalin a box of Kleenex with Legolas plastered all over the box* It'll get better…unless I am MAJORLY forgetting the plot here…hm…;) thanks for the birthday wishes!
Of course I don't want you to die, SilvenLegolas! Just Aragorn!…that didn't help, did it? :P Well, look at it this way…eh…hm…sorry? *hides*
*giggles* Don't worry, Karri, everything'll be explained eventually. ;) In the meanwhile, keep on speculating, and, oh yes…don't be TOO sure about Mornaeg…yet…
Talissa! *hugs* WELCOME, welcome, mae govonnen! ;) I'm so glad to see you here! :) Grimi disliked the useless dwarf comment? Well, that's understandable, who wouldn't? But anyway…I think he's wizened-up since Iston…either that, or he's gotten better at ignoring me. ;) Oh, and Mini Balrogs?…*grins*
*watches open-mouthed as Cheysuli wanders around aimlessly, looking for her mind* Cheysuli, I was of the impression that no one here HAD a mind. I mean, I don't, Golden Days doesn't, Grimi CERTAINLY doesn't, and I think it's safe to say that Lina has lost hers…what makes you think you have one? :P
Yeah, you're right, Astaldocalwen! Grimy's not the greatest name in Middle Earth. ;) Astal? Ooh that' s not fair. EVERYONE IS GETTNG ELVEN BODYGAURDS!!!! And I've only got my pathetic grasshopper of a body-guard. (which, by the way, I have NO intension of carrying…;) *sigh* oh well…Okay, Asty, Ally, Docy, Cally, Weny, or whatever people call you, let's not be locking Legolas in closest, shall we? *pulls bound and gauged prince out of the broom closet* C'mon, can't be messing up the plot. ;)
What, Firnsarnien? You mean you don't hate the word "cliffies" already? You're a brave soul!! ;) As to Legolas leaving his friend…*grin* read on, mellon nin, read on…
*hugs Halo* dun worry, Halo. Things'll get better, unless I've forgotten a MAJOR part of this plot (like Aragorn's death or something…) And you're not the ONLY one protecting me!…You, Carrie, and Aurienia are the only ones protecting me. ;) But don't worry, I'm fine. I've always got Grimi to throw at them! ;) And thank you once more for sending me that post!!! You are a true mellon, Halo. : )
*blinks* Yeah, Ithildin, I like water too…and Coke tastes weird frankly, so I don't like it anyways…why did you- what made you- who didn't- oh never mind. ;) I'm glad you're enjoying the story! A present? Oooh, how sweet! Though, I'm not sure…not torturing Legolas…that's an awful lot to commit to. I'll have to sleep on that one. ;)
Oh I am SO glad you liked it, Rivendell's Mistress! :) I know how it is, being up late, and trying to leave feedback. I'm feeling too awake myself right now, but now matter. :) I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as much as you appear to now!! ;)
*stares at Golden Days as she lashes out irrationally, kicks Grimi, and stands completely quiet* I am going to kill you Chloe…*jumps back twenty feet* GOODNESS gracious me! Now, now, GD- eh -Golden Days…Goldie…Daisy? Hehe…what have I told you about looking at me like that? ;)
Oh I'm so glad you've decided to be a good girl, None. None…that can't really be your name. Didn't you say your name was Jane? Or Jenny? I can't remember, sorry. :( But anyway, I'm so glad you're enjoying this!! And yeah, I know why you're saying all that. I asked you to be open to what you were thinking! THANKS! ;)
Well, Sarah, as I just finished telling you (via IM) I haven't the faintest clue how to respond to your response!!! I can say this though, with enough crying, laughing, onomonapias, Lemony-Snicketisms, and soggy Cheerios, you could write your own humor fic and get twice as many reviews as I have, and ever shall!…slightly on the "yeah, right, you're flattering me" side, but it's TRUE! ;) I can't thank you ENOUGH (thought you know I have tried verbally) for all your fantastic and so, so SO encouraging reviews! :) Melthach nosenari nin! (love you, bub! ;)
*giggles* You crack me up, Kaeera! :) But let's get Elrohir out of the broom closet, shall we? ;) As for whether the twins will be in it…*hums* :D
*watches blankly as Ice Cube searches for…something* Uuuh IC? Or whatever people call you. ;) What are you doing? Oh, yeah, looking for something. Okay, well, you know I can't tell you what's going to happen, and therefore can't answer your question, but ah well, you'll find out!
Don't worry, Queen-of-Gondor! Things'll clear up! ;)
*grins* Sorry about your computer, Carrie! Oh goody! Another body guard. ;) And as for Aragorn, he's actions can be half-excused…but why the can, isn't to come til later. :) Let us say that Bengwiil isn't exactly ignoring his nervous system…and hasn't changed it's mind about being a mind-control factor. ;)
*grins* My, gwyn, you aren't going to let Aragorn live this one down, are you? ;) And I would attribute some of his callousness to Bengwiil, though perhaps not all of it. *hugs Thranduil plushie, and places it on shelf with 2-dozen Estel plushies, and twice that many Legolas* Oh, and as for Grimi, his name is pronounced: "GREE-mee" son of "GRY-me" ;)
Wow, Aurienia! When you have something to say, you HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!!! ;) Thanks fro the feedback! I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions, as usual, but I WOULD like to thank you for the cheerleaders. ;) You're so sweet to me!!! :) *kisses, hugs, and a new Lego-plushie for her mellon* ;)
Glad you're enjoying it, Nightshade! ;)
Hey Angel of the Elves! Nada problemo about the length. I've got the same apology on my plate today. ;)
Hey, so GLAD to see you again, ElvenFlower! :D No problem, I knew you'd read it, even if you couldn't respond. :) Sorry about your computer though. I'm thoroughly convinced that computers are a freak of science, but ah well. ;)
Welcome back, Myfanwy! :) Golly, you crack me up! I was laughing through the whole post! ;) Angst? ANGST? What makes you think there's gonna be angst? Ah, yes…I do tend to lean the way, at times, don't I? *grin* sarcasm abounds! ;) Haha, 'nother "Oh yeah, Mornaeg attacked Aragorn…" person. ;) Well, you never know! Why are angst-writers so happy…a mystery of out time, I guess. :P Well, honestly, you don't know that I AM happy. I could be a fantastic faker, no way of knowing. ;) Oh SO glad you liked the angst. YAY! *throws an arm around Myfanwy's shoulders* it's handy having someone who enjoys angst that much. :) *hurls the retrieved rule book at Chloe, but ends up hitting Grimi, who eats rule book* ACHK! *starts testing the hymleck (sp?) maneuver on her stupid body guard* SPIT IT OUT! Come on, come on, DROP IT!!! *finally wrestles the front cover and table of contents out of Grimi's mouth* oh…well, that's good news for Kellen at least. ;) MAN!…elf…dwarf, actually. *snatches bow and arrow from Legolas' bed* can I borrow this, Legolas? PLEASE? Okay. Grimi, you are DEAD…well, not yet, but hold still a moment, and you WILL be!
Awww poor Lina! ;) Sorry about that, girl, but your review rolled in a little late, so I didn't have a chance to respond. But, well, you're here now!…And thank HEAVEN, so is Eomer. ;) Don't worry, Lina, I don't hate yo-*rushes over and grabs about three or four Bengwiil leaves and stuffs them in her mouth and swallows them* AAAAAAAAAACH! Lina, spit it out! Eomer, DO SOMETHING! *Eomer watches in silence, shaking head sadly* E: Good grief. C: Good grief is RIGHT, your charge has just swallowed enough evil foliage to make her see angry looks, frightening voices, scary dreams, and dead trees for the next EON! If she lives that long, that is. *washes down Bengwiil with a coke* Oh NOW you've done it. Yeah, right, Lina, eat poison and wash it down with battery acid. That's SO helpful…*looks around at Eomer* Are you going to do something, or WHAT? E: Why me? I always get the strangest people to protect. Not to mention I'm only holding her back so that you can post your Lego-Ara-endless-angst-fic! C:…if it weren't for the fact that you're standing between finishing this fic and disaster, I'd clobber you. I HATE It when people call Aragorn 'Ara'! E: *rolls eyes* L: *looks up at Eomer* Santa?! C&E: ACHK! C: Okay, now is a great time to lug her off. E: I always get the painfulness jobs. C: Oh, don't whine.
Lina, you inspire insanity in the sanest of people!…now I'm not sane, but if I were, you'd brake the afore mentioned sanity with two posts! ;) Love you for it!!!
Well, guys, we're FINALLY ready for the post. Here you go!
Chapter 7
Falling Again
Legolas ran a steady hand down Lint's forehead. "Suilad, Lint." He whispered kindly, and the white horse jerked his head in response. "I'll be back in a moment." The prince promised, draping his cloak over the horse's back, and running his fingers down the white main one last time, before leaving. He turned and left the stables, walking swiftly down the stone hallway to Aragorn's room. To say goodbye.
Legolas hadn't made it to the upstairs corridor before his father approached him swiftly from the end of the hall. "Legolas!"
The king's son turned, and watched his father, surprised at the look of fear on his face. "What is it, father?"
"Legolas, I- I am sorry. Here, come with me." Legolas felt his heart stop. Aragorn had died during the night. And Legolas had done nothing! He should have forced the human to Rivendell. He may have had a chance!
These thoughts filled Legolas' mind to the brim, as his father led him down the hall, and around the next corner. They were headed for the Healer's Room. The young elf lost feeling his fingers as they approached the Healer's Room door. Thranduil pushed it open swiftly, and led the way inside.
Legolas moved beside the bed Thranduil stopped at. But it was not Aragorn lying in it. The elf lying there had a bandage covering most of his head, but Legolas recognized him none-the-less.
"Raustal!" He fell to his knees beside the wounded elf, groping for the bandaged hand at the same time. Mornaeg too was there, kneeling on the other side of Raustal's bed, as was another friend of the wounded elf's, Fenan. But Legolas didn't notice either of them.
"How did this happen?" The prince demanded quietly, looking over the many wounds covering his childhood friend's body.
"Well, I- it happened on the hunting trip a few nights ago. A company of orcs. He- Tirniel tells me he may not make it."
Legolas' breath caught in his throat. "Why were they hunting so late anyway? "
"I- sent them, Legolas. It is why I was delayed in returning when I left to find the herbs for Aragorn. They arrived just that night, and both Tirniel and I had to tend to several. I believe most will make it, but Raustal…"
Legolas waited a long moment, trying to figure out what had driven his father to send the hunters out so late. Finally, he brought his mind to ask the obvious question. "Why did you send them in the first place?"
"I sent them to get something. I sent them for- well to...the Bengwiil I gave Aragorn, Legolas. I sent them to find it."
Legolas was yet again momentarily silenced by his father's comment. "But- I thought you had kept some from the days when Bengwiil grew in abundance." Thranduil shook his head mutely, and forced Legolas to carry on in his confusion. "Where did you possibly find it? You had it all destroyed when Minaeg died!"
"But you of all people should know it is not all gone."
Legolas looked hard at his father awhile. Then the horrible truth struck him. "You went to the cave Bodruith spoke of. The cave he got the Bengwiil to poison me from." Thranduil only nodded. "Your own people. Your own kinsmen. You sent them deep into Mirkwood, nearly killed Raustal to fetch Bengwiil?"
"It saved Aragorn's life, Legolas!"
"But you did not know that it would!" Legolas pushed himself into a standing position, facing his father, fire in his silver eyes. "You sent them the night before Aragorn was attacked. You did not send for it to save him, you sent for it for you! You wanted the Bengwiil back!" He looked away for a moment, staring down at his wounded friend again. Yet another friend hurt over this horrific plant, and several bad decisions. Decisions his father had made. He sighed, and shook his head, looking over his shoulder. Thranduil hated the look despair and fear on his face. "Father, what have you done?!"
Legolas' feet turned automatically, and he felt himself fleeing a hurting scene again. It was all-too familiar, turning down the hall, and running from his fear and pain.
He turned to towards a flight of stone stairs. Stairs leading to the corridor he'd been preparing to go up, before Thranduil had taken him aside to show him that nightmarish scene. He wanted to say goodbye to Aragorn before he left still, but now, more than ever, he wanted to get away from his home. The simple reason range in his ears as he ran to Aragorn's door. "It's too much.. It is just too much."
Legolas slowed his pace as he reached the bedroom door. Trying to steady his breath as well, he turned pushed on the door, and stepped in. Aragorn was still asleep, lying with his arm draped over his closed eyes. Legolas sighed, and sat down on the bed gently.
"Aragorn, I'm leaving. I- *have* to go. But I wanted to say goodbye." Legolas' elven voice was so smooth and quiet that not even he could hear himself very well. Aragorn would never wake-up to his voice. But somewhere deep down, Legolas didn't want him to anyway. He didn't want to say goodbye, face-to-face. His weary heart and soul had taken too many blows this past week, and couldn't take anymore. It was hard enough leaving, without his best friend's pleas in his mind as he rode away. As it was, he could hear the likely answer ringing in his head.
"Legolas, don't! Please don't leave. Trust me, my friend, trust me? I am well, Legolas. You need not leave, I am well! Please don't go. Don't go…"
Legolas shook his head, tears already clouding his vision.
"Don't go…don't go…don't…"
"I must, Aragorn. If you will not go with me, I must go alone. I cannot stay here."
"Don't go, Legolas. Please don't leave me! Please, my friend. Don't go. I am well…"
Legolas had enough. It was time to say goodbye. Quietly, he brushed his tears away, and turned from his sleeping friend. "Namàrië, Estel." He whispered so silently, the familiar nick-name was choked out of the sentence, and drowned by tears. He walked as though in a dream towards the door, and reached out to open it again.
"Legolas? Legolas…" Aragorn's eyes fluttered open as he drew his arm away from them. His pale blue vision struck his retreating friend's back. "Legolas? What is wrong?"
For a moment, Legolas didn't know whether to stop and turn around, or simply quicken his pace, and race out of the door. The latter was what he wanted to do, but his conscience turned him around instead. His friend deserved an answer, seeing it was the last time they would speak to each other.
"I am leaving, Aragorn." Legolas told the human simply, looking hard into his eyes.
"Leaving…w- where are you going?" Aragorn looked both confused and worried.
"I- am going to Rivendell. I cannot stand staying here to watch you- to watch all this. I can't take this anymore, Aragorn, I simply can't. I am very sorry that I didn't stay with you. Namàrië, idra mellon nin."
//farewell, my dear friend.//
Legolas turned, and swung the door open again. A loud *thud* came from behind him as Aragorn's feet hit the floor, and a hand gripped his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks again.
"Legolas, don't! Please don't-"
Legolas shook his head vehemently. It was exactly as he feared. "Aragorn, this is hard, all right? This may seem easy, but it isn't. Let me go in peace." He pushed Aragorn's hand off his shoulder, and kept his pace.
"No, Legolas! Let me go! I will go with you!"
Legolas stopped, and barely dared to breathe. Turning slowly, he spotted a look of panic on his friend's face. "What?"
"I will go, Legolas. Let me go with you." Aragorn's eyes were excited, and seemed to be probing for a clue of what Legolas was thinking. "To Rivendell." He added for clarity.
Legolas shook his head slowly. "Aragorn, are you sure- but I thought- you said…"
"I know, Legolas, I know I said all that last night, but I meant none of it, I really didn't. And I want to go with you, if it would set your mind at rest."
Legolas stared blankly at his friend a long time, and suddenly realized his look of surprise could easily be mistaken for disbelief, and quickly said, "Of course! Of course, Aragorn, of course you can come. What, did you think I *wanted* to go into Mirkwood without my best archer?"
And Aragorn couldn't help laughing along with Legolas, as the prince stepped quickly to him, and embraced him tightly. "Thank you, Aragorn, oh thank you. You have no idea how much-"
"I believe I do." Aragorn smiled, and held Legolas at arm's-length. "Now, will you maybe saddle Horthor for me while I dress?"
Legolas nodded, and feeling ten-times lighter than he had moments ago, he ran down the flight of stone steps, and towards the stables.
The elf prince was elated all the way to the Horthor's stall. He'd gone so suddenly, it seemed, from despair to ecstasy, he almost couldn't bare it, though it was much easier to handle than the misery he'd felt not five minutes ago.
He quickly saddled Aragorn's dark horse, and clapped it happily on the back. "Dartha nef anim, Horthor."
//wait here for me, Horthor.//
He whispered into the horse's perked ear. "Things are finally looking up. I shall be back with your master shortly." And with that, he took off towards Aragorn's room again.
He had just entered the Great Hall, when he heard *thudump! thudump! thudump! CRACK!* the sound echoed around the huge hall, as Legolas' pace quickened, and he ran to the staircase leading to the upper corridor.
He only had to reach the doorway of the room where the stairs were based, for his keen elven eyes caught the loud noise's cause. "Aragorn!" He cried, running even faster. The stair case came down from the upper floor, and ended with a landing, and off the left side of landing, the stairs continued the rest of the way to the floor below. It was on this landing that Legolas had spotted the dark heap he knew must be his friend.
"Aragorn!" He cried again, as he reached the stairs, and ran up the first flight to the landing. He fell to his knees, and turned his friend over on his back. "Aragorn, speak to me. Are you all right?' The human blinked slowly, and focused on the elf above him.
"I- tripped."
"I see that. Are you all right?"
The human glowered faintly. "Do I look all right?" Legolas shook his head in laughter, as he slowly supported the stunned human into a sitting position. Aragorn seemed to shake the stars out of his head by blinking rapidly, and finally he looked Legolas in the face again. "My head hurts, though."
"It does not surprise me, my friend. And I think you dented the floor." The friends exchanged a grin, though Aragorn's was slightly more rueful than his friend's. "Can you stand?"
Aragorn nodded, and the two slowly rose. "Come." The achy human sighed. "We need to get to Rivendell, right?"
"Correct." Legolas smiled, and the two turned down the second flight of stairs. They made it to the floor without incident, so Legolas felt confident letting go of his friend at the foot of the stairs. "Come." He smiled, and began across the long room towards the Great Hall.
Aragorn stood stock-still for a long moment, watching his friend's back. He took a step forward, but it was a crooked step. He seemed to be standing on the side of his foot, and it threw him of balance. Staggering to the side, he tried to stand straight. The floor tipped back, and he couldn't walk up it. It was too steep. He couldn't get to Legolas!
Trying once more to walk, he stepped forward again, but the floor was practically vertical now, and he slipped, and staggered again. The walls around him swam, and there was no longer a ceiling, it seemed. His sight was suddenly swallowed-up in black.
"Legolas!" He managed to cry in a hoarse whisper, before his knees gave way. But Aragorn didn't feel another stone impact in his skull. He had fallen, but didn't find himself face-down on the floor, but rather a few inches above it. His mind cleared enough for him to realize that he was being laid on the floor, and rolled over on his back.
"Aragorn? Lasto beth nin, tolo dan. Tolo dan, Aragorn."
//Aragorn? Hear my voice, come back. Come back, Aragorn.//
His eyes finally focused, and little surprise, he found Legolas kneeling over him again, his eyes wide with anxiety. "I did not slip this time, Legolas."
"No. No, you did not." Legolas sighed, and leaned away from his friend, as the human pushed himself off the floor again.
"Legolas, what is *happening*? What is wrong with me! I cannot fathom what the problem is."
"I can." Legolas' voice was low, and beyond disappointment. "It is Bengwiil, Aragorn. It has already started hurting you. I am too late."
"No, no you are not too late. We can still go to Rivendell."
"Aragorn," His friend pinned him with a look of reproof. "You know as well as I do that you are in no condition to ride to Rivendell."
Aragorn thought a moment, then shook his head, meeting his friend's gaze with a determined one of his own. "Well, I am going to try." And without another word, he rose to his feet, and started across the room again.
Legolas shook his head in wonder, and a whisper of hope echoed in his mind, as he stood up, and followed the young ranger across the room. Once again, he found himself wanting to believe that Aragorn was well, but his mind knew better. Still, perhaps they would make it to Rivendell…before it was indeed too late.
Aragorn felt Legolas stand up behind him, and begin to follow him across the room. He *was* going to Rivendell. He would ease his friend's mind if it killed him! Which, he realized darkly, considering how nauseated he was feeling even now, it just might. But he was determined to get to Rivendell, even though he knew just how terrible he felt. He would take it one step at a time. One foot before the next. He'd make it. He was in control of himself, and could force his body to make it.
Aragorn's mind was still caught up in these thoughts of determination, when the floor began to tilt again. No! I will not fall again… he though desperately. But he didn't have as much control of his body as he would like, and he felt himself swaying. Everything became dark again, and he knew his consciousness was slipping.
"Here, grab his other arm. And easy, easy…"
Aragorn awoke to find himself being supported to the stone staircase again. One arm was draped around Legolas' shoulders, but the other elf supporting him he didn't recognize at first. "Legolas?" Aragorn eyed the staircase. "No, I am going to Rivendell with you!"
"No, Aragorn, I'm taking you back to your room. You are not well!"
"I will make it, Legolas, let go!" Aragorn tried to plant his feet into the stone beneath him, and started pulling his arms away from the elves on either side of him. He managed to wrench his left arm from the strange elf beside him, but Legolas held on tight to his right arm, pinning the unwilling human's hand against his chest, and therefore keeping his arm around the elf's shoulder.
Aragorn tried to pull away from his friend again, but felt a fresh wave of nausea come over him, and his knees buckled again. Legolas moved in front of him, supporting the collapsed human against his chest. "Easy, Aragorn. Ea na gwiil mellon nin. Mornaeg, grab his other arm."
//be at peace my friend//
The young elf moved up to Aragorn again, and wrapped his arm around the human's waist, draping his arm around his shoulders again. Legolas did the same, and the two began to walk towards the stairs again.
"You are not well, Aragorn, and this time, you cannot argue. The evidence is before you. Except it, and allow me to help you." Legolas' voice was gentle, but resolute. Aragorn only nodded, feeling too sick to respond.
The three mounted the stone steps one at a time. Aragorn groaned after awhile, and Legolas' eyes snapped over to him. "What is wrong?"
The human sighed. "I am tired of being reminded of Gabil Gû ndu."
Despite the situation, Legolas smiled. "As am I. But the tables have turned, have they not? For I believe that *you* were the one dragging *me* up the stairs."
"Indeed, though you did not put up such a fight as I have."
Legolas just smiled again, and gave Aragorn's hand a squeeze. "Worry not, my friend. It will be over soon enough."
Silence ensued awhile, while the elves walked Aragorn up the stairs.
"I'm hurting you." Aragorn's voice came at length.
Once again, Legolas' eyes shot to Aragorn's face. "What?"
"I'm hurting you, Legolas. I can see the pain in your eyes. It pains you to help me up these stairs."
Legolas shook his head. "Aragorn, don't worry, I am fine."
"You cannot fool me, my friend. I am hurting you." And after the human looked away from his friend's face, Legolas knew there was no convincing him otherwise, though he couldn't help wondering. What had brought *that* on?
They had finally reached the top of the stairs, when Legolas felt his feet slip out form under him. Fortunately, he caught himself before falling, and used Aragorn to pull himself up. "Forgive me, I must have-" Legolas studied the floor he'd slipped on a moment. "Aragorn, did you spill water on the floor?"
"I don't believe so."
Legolas shook his head, and straightened. "Well, I think this is why you fell down the stairs, the entire floor up here is covered in water! Well no matter. Watch your step, Mornaeg."
The elf nodded, and the two managed to make it over the huge puddle, even with their burden. They finally reached Aragorn's room, and laid him down on his bed. Legolas swung Aragorn's legs over onto the mattress, and sighed. "There. You should be better after some rest."
Aragorn looked deep into his friend's a moment. "I am so sorry. I *did* mean to go with you to Rivendell. And I shall still."
"Of course you shall, Aragorn, worry not. You likely just got a concussion and need some rest. I will be up to check on you shortly."
"Hantach, Legolas. And I am so sorry I hurt you. So many times…"
//thank you//
Legolas just shook his head. "Rest, Aragorn. Rest. I will be with you soon. I'll always be right here."
And the friends exchanged a special smile that Mornaeg was unfortunate enough to miss. Legolas turned from the dark room, Mornaeg close behind him.
Aragorn rolled over on his side, and looked out his window, where the sun had begun to rise. Unconsciously, he began to pick up on Legolas and Mornaeg's conversation as they stood outside his door.
"Thank you for helping me, Mornaeg. I could not have gotten him up the stairs without you."
"It was my pleasure, your highness. When I heard the crash of him falling down the stairs, I was awakened, and later, I heard you speaking, and thought I should come help. I am glad I did."
"As am I. Though, I feel the danger is not passed."
"He will be well, your highness. He will. Perhaps if you could- tell me more of the Bengwiil, I would understand better what he-"
"Mornaeg, I do not wish to talk about it! Please. Do not force me to speak of Bengwiil any longer."
"Yes, your highness, forgive me. I only- I am curious that is all."
"I understand, my friend, and you are not alone in that curiosity. But for now, I do not plan to speak of it. It has caused too much pain…"
"I understand. I mean, first you, then Raustal, now this. I am very sorry, my prince."
"I know, Mornaeg. Thank you."
Aragorn listened to their footsteps and conversation become quieter. He continued to watch the sky become rosy as the sun ascended, though his thoughts were in Rivendell instead of here in Mirkwood. He *had* to get to his father. Not just for Legolas' peace, but for his own. He saw it now. How could he have not before? He had to get to his father, or Legolas would be proven correct in his original assumptions.
"Don't you understand this? You *are* going to die!"