Authors notes: - Thank you again for all the reviews. This chapter is the
longest yet as I felt it could not be split. Hope you enjoy, as it was one
of my favourites to write.
**
Legolas sat next to the river, he would have continued on but Voronwer needed rest. The stallion was led on his side, breathing hard. They would have to rest for the night. He lay back exhaustedly with his head on Voronwer's flank. Tiredly he searched through his saddlebags for a herb that would dull the pain of his broken arm. Finding the wilted plant he crushed it and added it to the bowl. It would not work as effectively in cold water but he could not find wood to make a fire. Drinking the bitter solution he sighed and closed his eyes. He thought back to the meeting of the council. He was shocked that aid was so quickly refused; there was no room for appeal. It had been a foregone conclusion before he opened his mouth. Reean had always made his feelings towards Mirkwood clear and hated Legolas with a vengeance because of the friendships he had formed with Lord Elrond and his sons. He was also annoyed that a Mirkwood elf was the representative of the elves as part of the fellowship. Reean had a very dominant personality and many of the lords sided with him. Lord Elrond was lord of Rivendell but even he could not go against the decision of the council. Hopefully Aragorn would help. It would be their last hope.
** Aragorn felt like banging his head repeatedly against the stone table he and his advisors were sat at. Faramir caught his eye and smiled tiredly. Aragorn rolled his eyes and offered a smile back. It had meant to be a simple meeting discussing how to improve irrigation in the eastern pastures and had quickly developed into a full-blown argument about everything else under the sun. His coming to Gondor, his coronation and marriage to Arwen had been a splendid affair but now it seemed that the honeymoon period was well and truly over. Factions had emerged within his advisors. Those who supported him and those who thought that Gondor needed no King and the stewards should continue to rule. Only due to the presence of Faramir and his whole - hearted support of Aragorn was he able to function fully.
"Please!" Aragorn cried over the din.
"This is getting us no where. Unless we plan to sit here for many a day I suggest we return to the topic at hand."
Ten clearly agitated faces turned as one to face the King and Aragorn felt like turning tail and running from the hostile looks. This was one of the times where he wished for the freedom of being a ranger again.
"Thank you." He said.
"Now from what has been said the only problem is the division of labour to put this plan into action."
"Yes and considering the fact that the men are busy reconstructing Gondor and the soldiers are clearing the mountains of the last remaining orc strongholds, where do you suggest we get the labour?" Magan asked with a tone of voice that clearly told all present that he thought of himself as high and mighty.
"We could scale down the building projects for the time being. They have been going on for a year and the major work has been finished." Aragorn said.
"We need skilled labour to accomplish this, not the ordinary peasant." Yana another advisor spoke up clearly supporting Magan.
Before Aragorn could respond Faramir jumped in.
"The skilled labour will be needed to supervise, not to do all the work. The ordinary people are not as mentally challenged as you make them sound. They can be trained." Faramir snapped.
A knock at the door prevented another argument erupting.
"My King a lord Lyran of Mirkwood has arrived. He requests an immediate council with you and your advisors."
"Concerning?" Aragorn asked.
"He did not say but he says that it is of the utmost importance." The messenger said.
"Bring him in." Aragorn said concerned. No elves from Mirkwood other than Legolas ever visited Gondor.
The messenger disappeared and promptly returned with a dishevelled looking elf.
"Thank you for granting me this audience. I have been sent by my King to appeal to Gondor for aid to deal with a large orc army that is planning to attack Mirkwood with weeks. The advanced party has already hit and we lost many."
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked suddenly very concerned for his friend.
"The last time I saw the Prince he was well. He has been sent to Rivendell for aid and messengers have gone to Lothlorien, the Glittering Caves and Rohan."
"What is the size of this force?" Faramir asked.
"A great host thousands in number." Aragorn was shocked. How could a force that large appear and threaten destruction.
"You elves are apparently so much above that of men with better senses and yet you did not detect this force before its attack?" Yana said incredulously. Lyran glared. He was annoyed that he had to appeal from help from mortals and would not be spoken to in that manner.
"You mortals with your dull senses would have been destroyed before you even realised they were there." He sneered back. His patience gone after the long and arduous journey to Gondor.
"And you need our help?" Magan questioned not sure if he understood correctly.
"Yes. We cannot contain it. The elves are leaving these shores; we no longer have the strength to repel such an attack.
"What do you require?" Aragorn questioned trying to stall the approaching argument.
"An army of men."
Several of the advisors laughed.
"We have no great army. We suffered many losses and are trying to rebuild. We have nothing to spare to the elves." Yana said.
"I am not asking this of you but of your King who is a friend to my Prince."
All eyes turned towards Aragorn. "We will need to discuss this." Aragorn said indicating the advisors.
"Would you mind leaving us? My servants will see to your needs."
Lyran nodded and left.
"No" Megan said and he sat back with his arms across his chest.
"No what?" Faramir asked.
"We send no aid to the elves."
"Have you forgotten the aid that Prince Legolas and others like him gave to us? At Helms Deep, they aided us and suffered huge losses."
"That was for Rohan, not Gondor. We owe them nothing." Magan said interrupting the King.
Aragorn glared at the man. He did not like being interrupted.
"Prince Legolas has given this city much."
"Prince Legolas has but that is one elf. No other members of Mirkwood have ever visited us or shown us the slightest bit of interest. You cannot justify the use of an army of Gondor to aid Mirkwood." Yaguth said quietly. He was the oldest and wisest of the advisors and had supported Aragorn before now, but he could not justify aid to the elves that had not shown them anything but passing interest apart from a prince and not even the Crown Prince.
Aragorn could not believe what was being said. Faramir saw the King's desperate look and tried to convince the advisors.
"They are our allies and would do the same if we required aid." Faramir insisted.
"There is no treaty between us, just the word of a junior prince who will never become King and therefore will never be in a position to make a treaty or order warriors to defend us. The time of the elves is over they are leaving, soon they will be gone and our losses will be for nothing." Yaguth argued trying to show the King the truth, which in his opinion he was blind to because of his fondness for elves and Prince Legolas.
"They are elves and have shown us many a time that they consider themselves above us. Why should we aid such an arrogant people?" Yana demanded.
"You are blind in your prejudices." Aragorn retorted. "Not all elves are arrogant. Many times they have helped man kind and have asked for little in return."
"Because we have nothing to offer them. They are greater warriors. We can offer no aid that will help them. Even if we could give them an army, it will serve no other purpose than to be killed and slow down the dark army. Our army has not recovered its strength. It could not go into battle now with any positive outcome. I am sorry my King but that is the truth." Timor, the overall captain of the army said sadly. He had met Legolas on many occasions and admired the elf greatly but the facts were the facts and Gondor was to whom he owed his allegiance.
Aragorn floundered for arguments in favour of giving aid. Everything he said in the defence of the elves was immediately countered with prejudices that ran deep.
"If the army is large enough that the elves need aid against it, if they are over run then we will be next. We can halt it now." Aragorn said.
"We have no evidence apart from the pleas of an elf who does not want to be near the race of man. If they wanted our aid they could be more respectful." Yana said.
"You cannot judge a people on the opinions of one." Faramir said.
"But they are not of one, many think that. Prince Legolas is almost unique my King."
Aragorn stood up and walked across to the sole window that lit the room. The sun was high in the sky and the banners blew in the window. Children played in the street and their mothers chatted cheerfully. Could he destroy their hopes of peace and send the men to war again? Sighing he turned back to the room. The King could not send Gondor to war without the majority of support of the advisors, even if his decision was final. Faramir was watching him closely. His eyes reflected sympathy for Aragorn's decision.
"Could you make peace with yourselves if the battle goes ill and the elves are killed and Mirkwood is lost?" Aragorn asked trying to play on his advisors consciences.
"They exaggerate. Mirkwood would not be lost." Magan said.
"Mirkwood is already lost. We all know that, that is why its name is no longer Greenwood the Great. If the elves there cannot defeat it, then what hope is there for us?" Yaguth said.
"The council will vote." Faramir said as Aragorn sat down heavily.
"All in favour of giving aid to the elves of Mirkwood raise your hands."
Apart from Faramir and one other no hands were raised.
"All in favour of denying aid to Mirkwood raise their hands."
Every hand rose apart from the two who had voted in favour.
Aragorn nodded slowly at the decision.
"Dismissed" he said softly.
"I am sorry my King." Timor said as he rose.
"I am not. Elves should get aid from elves, not men" Magan said with a smug look on his face. Those damned elves would now get their comeuppance in his opinion.
"Get out." Aragorn snapped, his look so furious that Sauron himself would have quivered. He wished he could dismiss the little weasel from his position on the council. The advisors hurried out, none wishing to incur the wrath of the King.
Faramir remained seated and silent. Aragorn rubbed his face tiredly. At this moment he hated more than anything his position as King.
"Leave Faramir and send Lyran back in." he said softly.
"Are you certain you wish to be alone?" Faramir asked.
Aragorn nodded. "I am King. It is me who is denying the aid"
Faramir rose and left. A few minutes later Lyran was shown in. In that time Aragorn had written a short note to Legolas, offering his profound apologies and wishing him all the luck that the Valor could give.
Lyran stood tall in front of the King. He knew what was coming; he had heard the advisors discussing it.
"I am sorry Lyran but I cannot give Mirkwood the aid of an army of Gondor."
The elf nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Aragorn called. Lyran slowly turned back.
"Do not say anymore, for I do not what to hear your pathetic apologies. Prince Legolas's faith in you has been misplaced. I hope you realise the hurt you will cause him and the problems. He had consistently defended you and when it comes down to it, he was wrong. It will not reflect well on him."
"Please take this to Legolas." Aragorn said desperately handing over the scroll. Lyran grabbed it but his face reflected the complete disgust he held for the man. He walked up to a candle and held the scroll over the flame. Aragorn lunged for the elf but was too late the scroll was well ablaze.
"What." Aragorn started furious. Lyran glared at him.
"You are disgusting. I will not give something to my prince from a traitorous friend that will upset him further." He threw the letter at Aragorn.
"I hope never to set eyes on you again." Lyran marched out and slammed the door behind him.
Aragorn's face crumpled. He cried out in anger and knocked the candle and its holder to the floor with a crash. Kneeling on the floor he picked up the singed letter that was still smoking and watched as his tears smudged the last bits of the ink.
**
**
Legolas sat next to the river, he would have continued on but Voronwer needed rest. The stallion was led on his side, breathing hard. They would have to rest for the night. He lay back exhaustedly with his head on Voronwer's flank. Tiredly he searched through his saddlebags for a herb that would dull the pain of his broken arm. Finding the wilted plant he crushed it and added it to the bowl. It would not work as effectively in cold water but he could not find wood to make a fire. Drinking the bitter solution he sighed and closed his eyes. He thought back to the meeting of the council. He was shocked that aid was so quickly refused; there was no room for appeal. It had been a foregone conclusion before he opened his mouth. Reean had always made his feelings towards Mirkwood clear and hated Legolas with a vengeance because of the friendships he had formed with Lord Elrond and his sons. He was also annoyed that a Mirkwood elf was the representative of the elves as part of the fellowship. Reean had a very dominant personality and many of the lords sided with him. Lord Elrond was lord of Rivendell but even he could not go against the decision of the council. Hopefully Aragorn would help. It would be their last hope.
** Aragorn felt like banging his head repeatedly against the stone table he and his advisors were sat at. Faramir caught his eye and smiled tiredly. Aragorn rolled his eyes and offered a smile back. It had meant to be a simple meeting discussing how to improve irrigation in the eastern pastures and had quickly developed into a full-blown argument about everything else under the sun. His coming to Gondor, his coronation and marriage to Arwen had been a splendid affair but now it seemed that the honeymoon period was well and truly over. Factions had emerged within his advisors. Those who supported him and those who thought that Gondor needed no King and the stewards should continue to rule. Only due to the presence of Faramir and his whole - hearted support of Aragorn was he able to function fully.
"Please!" Aragorn cried over the din.
"This is getting us no where. Unless we plan to sit here for many a day I suggest we return to the topic at hand."
Ten clearly agitated faces turned as one to face the King and Aragorn felt like turning tail and running from the hostile looks. This was one of the times where he wished for the freedom of being a ranger again.
"Thank you." He said.
"Now from what has been said the only problem is the division of labour to put this plan into action."
"Yes and considering the fact that the men are busy reconstructing Gondor and the soldiers are clearing the mountains of the last remaining orc strongholds, where do you suggest we get the labour?" Magan asked with a tone of voice that clearly told all present that he thought of himself as high and mighty.
"We could scale down the building projects for the time being. They have been going on for a year and the major work has been finished." Aragorn said.
"We need skilled labour to accomplish this, not the ordinary peasant." Yana another advisor spoke up clearly supporting Magan.
Before Aragorn could respond Faramir jumped in.
"The skilled labour will be needed to supervise, not to do all the work. The ordinary people are not as mentally challenged as you make them sound. They can be trained." Faramir snapped.
A knock at the door prevented another argument erupting.
"My King a lord Lyran of Mirkwood has arrived. He requests an immediate council with you and your advisors."
"Concerning?" Aragorn asked.
"He did not say but he says that it is of the utmost importance." The messenger said.
"Bring him in." Aragorn said concerned. No elves from Mirkwood other than Legolas ever visited Gondor.
The messenger disappeared and promptly returned with a dishevelled looking elf.
"Thank you for granting me this audience. I have been sent by my King to appeal to Gondor for aid to deal with a large orc army that is planning to attack Mirkwood with weeks. The advanced party has already hit and we lost many."
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked suddenly very concerned for his friend.
"The last time I saw the Prince he was well. He has been sent to Rivendell for aid and messengers have gone to Lothlorien, the Glittering Caves and Rohan."
"What is the size of this force?" Faramir asked.
"A great host thousands in number." Aragorn was shocked. How could a force that large appear and threaten destruction.
"You elves are apparently so much above that of men with better senses and yet you did not detect this force before its attack?" Yana said incredulously. Lyran glared. He was annoyed that he had to appeal from help from mortals and would not be spoken to in that manner.
"You mortals with your dull senses would have been destroyed before you even realised they were there." He sneered back. His patience gone after the long and arduous journey to Gondor.
"And you need our help?" Magan questioned not sure if he understood correctly.
"Yes. We cannot contain it. The elves are leaving these shores; we no longer have the strength to repel such an attack.
"What do you require?" Aragorn questioned trying to stall the approaching argument.
"An army of men."
Several of the advisors laughed.
"We have no great army. We suffered many losses and are trying to rebuild. We have nothing to spare to the elves." Yana said.
"I am not asking this of you but of your King who is a friend to my Prince."
All eyes turned towards Aragorn. "We will need to discuss this." Aragorn said indicating the advisors.
"Would you mind leaving us? My servants will see to your needs."
Lyran nodded and left.
"No" Megan said and he sat back with his arms across his chest.
"No what?" Faramir asked.
"We send no aid to the elves."
"Have you forgotten the aid that Prince Legolas and others like him gave to us? At Helms Deep, they aided us and suffered huge losses."
"That was for Rohan, not Gondor. We owe them nothing." Magan said interrupting the King.
Aragorn glared at the man. He did not like being interrupted.
"Prince Legolas has given this city much."
"Prince Legolas has but that is one elf. No other members of Mirkwood have ever visited us or shown us the slightest bit of interest. You cannot justify the use of an army of Gondor to aid Mirkwood." Yaguth said quietly. He was the oldest and wisest of the advisors and had supported Aragorn before now, but he could not justify aid to the elves that had not shown them anything but passing interest apart from a prince and not even the Crown Prince.
Aragorn could not believe what was being said. Faramir saw the King's desperate look and tried to convince the advisors.
"They are our allies and would do the same if we required aid." Faramir insisted.
"There is no treaty between us, just the word of a junior prince who will never become King and therefore will never be in a position to make a treaty or order warriors to defend us. The time of the elves is over they are leaving, soon they will be gone and our losses will be for nothing." Yaguth argued trying to show the King the truth, which in his opinion he was blind to because of his fondness for elves and Prince Legolas.
"They are elves and have shown us many a time that they consider themselves above us. Why should we aid such an arrogant people?" Yana demanded.
"You are blind in your prejudices." Aragorn retorted. "Not all elves are arrogant. Many times they have helped man kind and have asked for little in return."
"Because we have nothing to offer them. They are greater warriors. We can offer no aid that will help them. Even if we could give them an army, it will serve no other purpose than to be killed and slow down the dark army. Our army has not recovered its strength. It could not go into battle now with any positive outcome. I am sorry my King but that is the truth." Timor, the overall captain of the army said sadly. He had met Legolas on many occasions and admired the elf greatly but the facts were the facts and Gondor was to whom he owed his allegiance.
Aragorn floundered for arguments in favour of giving aid. Everything he said in the defence of the elves was immediately countered with prejudices that ran deep.
"If the army is large enough that the elves need aid against it, if they are over run then we will be next. We can halt it now." Aragorn said.
"We have no evidence apart from the pleas of an elf who does not want to be near the race of man. If they wanted our aid they could be more respectful." Yana said.
"You cannot judge a people on the opinions of one." Faramir said.
"But they are not of one, many think that. Prince Legolas is almost unique my King."
Aragorn stood up and walked across to the sole window that lit the room. The sun was high in the sky and the banners blew in the window. Children played in the street and their mothers chatted cheerfully. Could he destroy their hopes of peace and send the men to war again? Sighing he turned back to the room. The King could not send Gondor to war without the majority of support of the advisors, even if his decision was final. Faramir was watching him closely. His eyes reflected sympathy for Aragorn's decision.
"Could you make peace with yourselves if the battle goes ill and the elves are killed and Mirkwood is lost?" Aragorn asked trying to play on his advisors consciences.
"They exaggerate. Mirkwood would not be lost." Magan said.
"Mirkwood is already lost. We all know that, that is why its name is no longer Greenwood the Great. If the elves there cannot defeat it, then what hope is there for us?" Yaguth said.
"The council will vote." Faramir said as Aragorn sat down heavily.
"All in favour of giving aid to the elves of Mirkwood raise your hands."
Apart from Faramir and one other no hands were raised.
"All in favour of denying aid to Mirkwood raise their hands."
Every hand rose apart from the two who had voted in favour.
Aragorn nodded slowly at the decision.
"Dismissed" he said softly.
"I am sorry my King." Timor said as he rose.
"I am not. Elves should get aid from elves, not men" Magan said with a smug look on his face. Those damned elves would now get their comeuppance in his opinion.
"Get out." Aragorn snapped, his look so furious that Sauron himself would have quivered. He wished he could dismiss the little weasel from his position on the council. The advisors hurried out, none wishing to incur the wrath of the King.
Faramir remained seated and silent. Aragorn rubbed his face tiredly. At this moment he hated more than anything his position as King.
"Leave Faramir and send Lyran back in." he said softly.
"Are you certain you wish to be alone?" Faramir asked.
Aragorn nodded. "I am King. It is me who is denying the aid"
Faramir rose and left. A few minutes later Lyran was shown in. In that time Aragorn had written a short note to Legolas, offering his profound apologies and wishing him all the luck that the Valor could give.
Lyran stood tall in front of the King. He knew what was coming; he had heard the advisors discussing it.
"I am sorry Lyran but I cannot give Mirkwood the aid of an army of Gondor."
The elf nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Aragorn called. Lyran slowly turned back.
"Do not say anymore, for I do not what to hear your pathetic apologies. Prince Legolas's faith in you has been misplaced. I hope you realise the hurt you will cause him and the problems. He had consistently defended you and when it comes down to it, he was wrong. It will not reflect well on him."
"Please take this to Legolas." Aragorn said desperately handing over the scroll. Lyran grabbed it but his face reflected the complete disgust he held for the man. He walked up to a candle and held the scroll over the flame. Aragorn lunged for the elf but was too late the scroll was well ablaze.
"What." Aragorn started furious. Lyran glared at him.
"You are disgusting. I will not give something to my prince from a traitorous friend that will upset him further." He threw the letter at Aragorn.
"I hope never to set eyes on you again." Lyran marched out and slammed the door behind him.
Aragorn's face crumpled. He cried out in anger and knocked the candle and its holder to the floor with a crash. Kneeling on the floor he picked up the singed letter that was still smoking and watched as his tears smudged the last bits of the ink.
**