The Choices We Make
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Chapter 8 When Light Falters
Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
*****
As Legolas left the clearing and entered back under the canopy the air became think and the heaviness he had almost forgotten about settled over him once more. The strength he had regained from their brief rest this morning was ripped away and it left him feeling empty. Being an elf Legolas despised this feeling. He was used to how the sheer light within an elven soul filled their being and kept him feeling enlivened most of the time. A great weight settled over him and he felt like he was trying to drag an entire clan of dwarves, full battle armor and all, behind him. His pace was greatly reduced by the strain and he wondered how long he could keep it up period. He could tell Aragorn noticed his weakness and kept a slower pace to match his. Right now Legolas didn't care that his friend had noticed for he was glad they were not going any faster. He knew they needed speed and he was trying, but no matter how much he pushed he could not get his legs to move any faster. An idea came to him and he briefly wondered if this was what it was like for a human to travel with an elf. Running beside someone who could be moving much faster without you and constantly trying to keep up. 'I will have to remember to not pick on Strider the next time he needs to stop and rest,' and despite his current parallel situation Legolas smiled faintly at the idea. "At least for the first time or two anyway.' Legolas smiled even more and ran on.
***
Legolas had only been running for a few minutes when the strangest thought came to him. It was so strange in fact that he came to a complete stop and had to question his sanity once again. For a few breathes as he ran he had wanted to stop and turn around. He had actually not wanted to leave this dreadful place. Especially after just a few minutes ago when he had told himself that he was beginning hate it here.
Aragorn halted when he noticed his companion had stopped. He feared he had set to strong of a pace for his tired friend and was about to ask if he needed to slow down, but held his tongue when he realized the elf didn't look fatigued, he looked confused.
"Legolas?"
Legolas snapped out of his reverie, shook his head slightly, and looked up at Aragorn.
"It is alright. I think my mind is just tired and my thoughts went roaming for a second."
"Roaming?" asked Aragorn with a frown.
And then to Aragorn's surprise Legolas laughed softly at his question.
"I have been given that same look by Elrond many times and I was waiting for the day when you would develop it from him. It was nothing. Now stop worrying Aragorn."
Aragorn slightly, but not really, offended was getting ready to ask his obviously unstable friend what he meant by 'that look', but decided if it was the one he was thinking of he didn't want to know. That look was reserved for his father alone and if he had developed it he really didn't want to know about it.
"Alright, alright, can we go now?"
Legolas followed the slightly irate ranger as he took off again with an amused smile on his face all the way. 'After last night,' he mused, 'it feels good to smile.'
Legolas's smile did not last long though. As he continued on the same disturbing thought entered his mind again and then again. He was able to push these thoughts aside, but each time he had to it drained more from his already exhausting energy supply. It got to the point where running was becoming extremely difficult and Legolas didn't know how much farther he could run. No matter what his mind was trying to tell him he knew that his heart was yelling for him to flee and so he pushed himself on. One can only push themselves so far though before something either has to give or you get pushed back.
****
For Legolas it was hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other so quickly and the ground in front of him started to blur together. He was marveled by how fast the stream below him seemed to be passing underneath him. He never realized before how quickly everything around and below you really did pass when one was running. He was watching the ground with fascination when it so kindly decided to give him a better view and rushed up and meet him.
Aragorn slowed and ran closer to Legolas when he noticed the elf was slowing down. After all the times of traveling with Legolas, Elladan, and Elrohir and getting extremely irritated with them over their never ending energy or the fact that they felt incline to point out the fact that he was slow, he was really not enjoying the fact that he was capable of out running an elf. He desperately wished Legolas were running circles around him right now and pushing him, in that annoying elvish way, to move faster. Aragorn, the need for speed or not, was going to suggest they stop for a few minutes when the elf stumbled and pitched forward. Aragorn reached over and grabbed a hold of him to keep him from going face first into the ground. He silently cursed himself for pushing his friend to hard. It was obvious the elf was not well and he should have guessed this would happen. 'Fool, making it out of these woods will make no difference if you kill him first.'
"Tulunka," Aragorn said as he steadied the swaying elf.
"Esta sinome, mellonamin," he said gently as the ranger firmly, and less quickly than the elf was about to before, guided Legolas to the ground.
Legolas, without thinking, clutched on to Aragorn's arm as he sat down. It was the only thing that did not seem to be still moving, as the ground insisted on still wanted to speed by. He was sure he was sitting down. Why then would the infernal ground not stand still? He discovered that when he closed his eyes in an attempt to block out the ground, which was only trying to mock him, it was worse than with his eyes open. So he opened them back up and hung on. After what felt liked hours things finally began to slow down and the ill-mannered ground ceased his taunting and stood still.
Legolas felt Aragorn sitting beside him and realized he had digressed from this morning. He was on the ground again, but at least this time the ranger was beside him and not hovering above him. 'One small step at a time,' he jested with himself. He also became aware that he was gripping his friend's arm and tried to remember when he had managed that. He looked over into questioning gray eyes and with a grateful, if not embarrassed; smile released the death grip hold he had on his friend's arm.
"Sana sina," Aragorn smiled back as he handed Legolas a water canteen.
"Hantale."
***
Legolas rested on the ground for a few minutes while Aragorn scoured the area around them. Legolas looked over at his friend and chuckled to himself. 'Rangers,' he thought amusingly, 'they never could sit quietly.' He supposed someone trained in the skill of tracking couldn't help themselves when it came to a forest. Legolas was also quite skilled at such things, but he was content where he was and was finding it amusing to watch his discerning friend making laps around him. When Aragorn walked back up to him he still had an amused expression lighting his fair features and Aragorn, after growing up around elves, immediately became suspicious and narrowed his eyes. He had seen that expression on the twin's faces too many times before.
"What?"
"What do you mean what?"
"I have seen that look before. It is the same one Elladan and Elrohir have stamped on their faces after they have booby trapped something of mine."
"Your time around them has made you overly suspicious Estel. I am merely sitting on the ground," Legolas laughed.
"You are probably right. Something I've done amuses you then?" the ranger replied as he knelt down.
"I was just musing about rangers in general, my friend. I did not mean to offend."
"None taken," Aragorn replied as he gave the elf a warm smile.
"I am just glad to see you smiling. Are you ready?"
Legolas nodded to the ranger and Aragorn offered his hand and helped the elf to his feet. Legolas had to pause a moment to for the vertigo to pass and then he released his friend's hand. He felt more refreshed than he had minutes ago, but not much. 'I think I am fooling myself,' he thought with a sigh. He knew he was never going to have the stamina to make it all the way out at a run. It was just too far. The short miles they had run the night before seemed like entire tantalizing continents spread out before his eyes. The vast span pursued him and sprung up only to mock him and he started to give up hope. He was going to be trapped in this cursed place and at the mercy of all of its inhabitants. He was either going to be driven mad or they would shred him to pieces with malevolent delight and he did not even want to think about what would happen to Aragorn once he was not around to be the subject of this land's maliciousness anymore. That's what it would all come down in the end. Trapped. They were hopelessly trapped. Unless...
****
Aragorn stood quietly watching his friend. After Legolas had risen he lent a supportive hand while his friend steadied himself and then it seemed they would continue on, but he saw the elf pause instead. He had no idea what is friend was thinking about right now, but he did not like the look in his normally vivid blue eyes. The normally bright eyes seemed to become full of doubt that turned into something close to despair. Their light dulled and Legolas's eyes upon closer inspection seemed to cloud over and darken to an almost brown hue. Legolas turned his head slightly and looked back to the north almost wistfully. Aragorn didn't know what was causing his friend such apparent distress, but his friend's eyes frightened him and he decided that it had gone on long enough. No elf should ever have to go through so much apparent torment. He grabbed hold of the elf's shoulders and shook him.
"Legolas can you hear me?"
When he received no response he then placed his hands on his friend's cheeks and forced the elf's head away from the north and toward him.
"Legolas can you hear me? Snap out of it! Look at me," Aragorn said emphatically.
Legolas blinked a few times and the cloudiness cleared from his eyes. He looked into Aragorn's gray eyes with bright blue eyes once more and the ranger breathed a sigh of relief. He lowered one hand to his side and placed the other one on his friend's shoulder.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
Aragorn sighed again. Why did elves always have to answer a question with another one? All this time he had never met an elf that didn't seem to possess that aggravating quality. He wondered if it was a special kind of class that every elven child had to take.
"I saw... I do not know what I saw, but you were thinking about something and I thought I saw despair enter your eyes. Are you alright?"
For the briefest of moment Legolas felt like Aragorn was intruding and a thread of anger washed through him. He stomped that quickly when he saw the concern in his friend's eyes and he felt ashamed at every feeling it at all. His thoughts had strayed again and he had again felt the need to turn around. And now he had just felt intense anger a good friend for doing nothing to him at all. 'Maybe I'm not alright after all.'
"I am alright now. My thoughts strayed again."
He saw the question coming before Aragorn even asked it and cut him off.
"I can not explain it to you, because I do not even understand it myself. I am sorry, mellonamin."
Aragorn nodded his head as if he understood, but in truth he did not and the worry he already carried for his friend doubled. They had to get out of here.
Legolas, already reading his friend's expression again, continued on like he had meant to when he first stood up. Aragorn just shook his head and followed. Legolas took off at a trot this time for he did not think he could run at all.
"Aragorn, I will admit that I do not know if I can run out of here. Something tries to stop me from leaving and as I'm sure you can tell it is draining my strength. I would ask you..."
"No," the ranger cut him off, "we will both leaves this place together or not at all. We will make it out if I have to carry you the whole way and whatever we may run onto to block our path we will simply have to deal with it as it occurs."
"I figured you would see it that way," Legolas said almost sadly. He knew Aragorn would refuse to go on ahead and he admitted to himself if it were him, he wouldn't leave the ranger either.
*****
"Aragorn stop," Legolas said as he halted.
Aragorn, who was trotting beside him, stopped and turned to face him.
"What is wrong?" asked the ranger.
"I just cannot."
"Cannot what?" asked Aragorn as he ironically thought that now Legolas has him saying everything as a question as well.
"I cannot go on so," Legolas replied as he sunk to the ground dejectedly. They stopped at the edge of a hill. Down the side of the bank it was littered with bushed and other vine woodland cover. The bottom could not be seen, but the sound of a stream could be heard coming from somewhere farther down. Legolas could not remember running up any hills last night, but then again they had not come in this way. They were much farther to the west when they had entered here. The ground would naturally be more broken closer to the mountains.
***
Aragorn sighed and knelt down next to his friend.
"Do not give up hope my friend. We are both still alive and in one piece. Father will be proud if we make it back as we are now."
With that Legolas had to return Aragorn's mischievous smile.
"So we are and I do believe you are right. But..."
"Do not Legolas, you are only going to dampen your spirits my friend. I told you we shall both leave this place and I intend to make that happen."
Legolas saw the determination in his friend's eyes and could almost believe him. Almost. 'Dampen my spirit,' he thought bitterly, 'it is already crushed.' The urge to turn back was almost unbearable now and getting harder to resist. 'And what is the point? Would it not just be easier to get it over with than wither away?'
Legolas almost physically slapped himself when he realized what he had just thought and considered telling Aragorn to hit him. Any elf that would think such discouraging thoughts deserves to be punched. Why could he not sit here and be happy to simply be alive and to have a human telling an elf to keep faith. 'How embarrassing.' Legolas was brought of his disturbing thoughts by the sound of Aragorn's voice.
"Do you think you can continue on now?"
Legolas didn't want to go anywhere, but as he looked over at Aragorn he decided he would try for his sake. The simple fact that he did not want to place anymore of a burden on his friend's already weighted shoulders drove him to his feet. When he rose he had to physically grip onto a tree to stop himself from taking off in the wrong direction.
Aragorn mistook Legolas's action for one of weariness and his heart reached out to his friend. He walked over and stood directly beside the elf.
"I will help you if you are in need of it."
"Kela! I did not ask for your help," Legolas hissed out, but as soon as the words left his lips he clamped his hand over his mouth.
The same surge of anger had welled up in him at what felt like an intrusion by the ranger and he responded before he realized what he was saying. Legolas reprimanded himself severely for striking out in anger. Such behavior amongst friends and especially by an elf was simply unacceptable.
After Aragorn spoke he saw the elf look at him with clouded dark eyes and he was shocked when Legolas lashed out at him in anger. He had no idea how he had angered his friend so, but it wasn't like elves to strike out in anger. Legolas's eyes cleared once again and he covered his mouth. Aragorn saw shock come to the blue eyes as Legolas surprised even himself in the outburst. After his friend's thoughts becoming momentarily troubled earlier and now this he could not be mad at the elf. 'He is not himself right now,' he thought. The elf was tired and obviously under a lot of strain and just wasn't himself.
"Aragorn I...I'm sorry."
"It is alright, my friend. You are simply not yourself."
'If he only knew,' Legolas mused to himself. At least the guilt was now helping to push aside the never-ending suicidal urge to turn around. Maybe the most intelligent thing to do would be to tell his companion about it. After all he had told the human about everything else.
"Aragorn, I..."
Aragorn look over at him when he said his name. Legolas really was going to tell the ranger about what he felt, but when Aragorn looked over at him he suddenly could not. 'Why is it any of his concern?' Legolas suddenly felt defensive about telling this human anything. 'It is none of his business,' he decided.
Aragorn could tell Legolas wanted to tell him something. He saw doubt and indecision enter the bright blue eyes and he said no more. He was confused when the elf's eyes seemed to harden and Aragorn desperately wished he knew what kept running through his friend's mind to make him continue to act so defensive. Maybe he just needed time.
"Yes, my friend? You know you can confide in me. I do not mind."
"It is nothing important. I believe I can manage now."
Aragorn did not argue and sighed in resignation. It took a lot of effort to not become frustrated with the elf, but he kept telling himself that such a thing would not help matters.
"Very well. If you change your mind I am always ready to listen."
Legolas seriously doubted himself now. Why was it so hard to tell his friend this one simple feeling? The memories he shared earlier were much more personnel. 'What is wrong with me?'
Legolas never got the chance to question himself any more for the sound of movement behind him caught his attention. He wheeled around to the direction he had heard it and listened intently. Aragorn saw the elf turn quickly and he seemed to focus I that direction.
"Mani uma lle ten?" Aragorn whispered as quietly as he could.
Before Legolas could answer an arrow thunked into the tree next to his head and he instinctively pulled it back. The two glanced at the still quivering arrow and drew their weapons. As Legolas was stringing an arrow a massive ball of fur landed in the middle of the two. He was able to hang on to his bow, but the arrow was knocked out of his hand and he was sent sprawling on the ground several feet away. Legolas recovered his wits and looked in front of him as he rose. He looked up just in time to see the warg who had bowled them over advancing on him with its teeth bared. 'Where is Aragorn?' his mind screamed as he quickly glanced around for the ranger without luck. He saw another of the creatures spring through the bushes and jump down the hill disappearing from site. 'Question answered,' he thought grimly. He only hoped the human didn't hurt himself on the trip down to the bottom for he was going to have to react fast to the rapidly charging creature. Another of the infernal beast materialized behind the first one. Who fired the arrow? Surely it had not been one of the wargs. And Legolas had to wonder how so many had managed to sneak up him. He should have heard them approaching much sooner than he had.
'Now is definitely not the time to stop and think about it,' he hastily decided as the first advancing warg sprung at him with its mouth poised to rip out his throat.
***
TBC...
***
This chapter is a bit shorter than some of the previous ones, but I thought you would want something to read for the weekend. Hey they made it for a little longer without getting into trouble, but as we all knew, it couldn't last for long. The chase begins anew! And just wait until the sun goes down, muah, ah, ah!
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Tulunka ------------ Steady
Esta sinome, mellonamin ------------- Rest here, my friend
Sana sina --------------- Take this
Hantale ----------------- Thank you
Kela ----------------- Go away
Mani uma lle ten? -------------- What do you hear?
*****
Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter six!!
Tithen Min - Thanks for the returned hug!!! I love them too :) Cute?? *blushes again* You're too kind and you are very welcome. I'm afraid I left them hanging again sorry, but I will try not to for to long. Thanks again for reviewing!!
goblz - I am glad you found this story and I am very, very, very glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing and I am appreciative of returned reviewers. Feel free to keep reviewing with any comments or questions you may have!! ;)
Sprout - Sorry for leaving you hanging there. I might have to buy you some mittens. ;) I hope you have recovered, because I just threw the next one at you. I promise to update as soon as I can though, don't worry!
Karri - I'm glad you like the character interaction. Honestly, its fun to write! I think the tension is getting a little more noticeable now, don't you think? For some reason I don't see it resolving soon, but not to fear, true friendship is a malleable bond. : )
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Chapter 8 When Light Falters
Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
*****
As Legolas left the clearing and entered back under the canopy the air became think and the heaviness he had almost forgotten about settled over him once more. The strength he had regained from their brief rest this morning was ripped away and it left him feeling empty. Being an elf Legolas despised this feeling. He was used to how the sheer light within an elven soul filled their being and kept him feeling enlivened most of the time. A great weight settled over him and he felt like he was trying to drag an entire clan of dwarves, full battle armor and all, behind him. His pace was greatly reduced by the strain and he wondered how long he could keep it up period. He could tell Aragorn noticed his weakness and kept a slower pace to match his. Right now Legolas didn't care that his friend had noticed for he was glad they were not going any faster. He knew they needed speed and he was trying, but no matter how much he pushed he could not get his legs to move any faster. An idea came to him and he briefly wondered if this was what it was like for a human to travel with an elf. Running beside someone who could be moving much faster without you and constantly trying to keep up. 'I will have to remember to not pick on Strider the next time he needs to stop and rest,' and despite his current parallel situation Legolas smiled faintly at the idea. "At least for the first time or two anyway.' Legolas smiled even more and ran on.
***
Legolas had only been running for a few minutes when the strangest thought came to him. It was so strange in fact that he came to a complete stop and had to question his sanity once again. For a few breathes as he ran he had wanted to stop and turn around. He had actually not wanted to leave this dreadful place. Especially after just a few minutes ago when he had told himself that he was beginning hate it here.
Aragorn halted when he noticed his companion had stopped. He feared he had set to strong of a pace for his tired friend and was about to ask if he needed to slow down, but held his tongue when he realized the elf didn't look fatigued, he looked confused.
"Legolas?"
Legolas snapped out of his reverie, shook his head slightly, and looked up at Aragorn.
"It is alright. I think my mind is just tired and my thoughts went roaming for a second."
"Roaming?" asked Aragorn with a frown.
And then to Aragorn's surprise Legolas laughed softly at his question.
"I have been given that same look by Elrond many times and I was waiting for the day when you would develop it from him. It was nothing. Now stop worrying Aragorn."
Aragorn slightly, but not really, offended was getting ready to ask his obviously unstable friend what he meant by 'that look', but decided if it was the one he was thinking of he didn't want to know. That look was reserved for his father alone and if he had developed it he really didn't want to know about it.
"Alright, alright, can we go now?"
Legolas followed the slightly irate ranger as he took off again with an amused smile on his face all the way. 'After last night,' he mused, 'it feels good to smile.'
Legolas's smile did not last long though. As he continued on the same disturbing thought entered his mind again and then again. He was able to push these thoughts aside, but each time he had to it drained more from his already exhausting energy supply. It got to the point where running was becoming extremely difficult and Legolas didn't know how much farther he could run. No matter what his mind was trying to tell him he knew that his heart was yelling for him to flee and so he pushed himself on. One can only push themselves so far though before something either has to give or you get pushed back.
****
For Legolas it was hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other so quickly and the ground in front of him started to blur together. He was marveled by how fast the stream below him seemed to be passing underneath him. He never realized before how quickly everything around and below you really did pass when one was running. He was watching the ground with fascination when it so kindly decided to give him a better view and rushed up and meet him.
Aragorn slowed and ran closer to Legolas when he noticed the elf was slowing down. After all the times of traveling with Legolas, Elladan, and Elrohir and getting extremely irritated with them over their never ending energy or the fact that they felt incline to point out the fact that he was slow, he was really not enjoying the fact that he was capable of out running an elf. He desperately wished Legolas were running circles around him right now and pushing him, in that annoying elvish way, to move faster. Aragorn, the need for speed or not, was going to suggest they stop for a few minutes when the elf stumbled and pitched forward. Aragorn reached over and grabbed a hold of him to keep him from going face first into the ground. He silently cursed himself for pushing his friend to hard. It was obvious the elf was not well and he should have guessed this would happen. 'Fool, making it out of these woods will make no difference if you kill him first.'
"Tulunka," Aragorn said as he steadied the swaying elf.
"Esta sinome, mellonamin," he said gently as the ranger firmly, and less quickly than the elf was about to before, guided Legolas to the ground.
Legolas, without thinking, clutched on to Aragorn's arm as he sat down. It was the only thing that did not seem to be still moving, as the ground insisted on still wanted to speed by. He was sure he was sitting down. Why then would the infernal ground not stand still? He discovered that when he closed his eyes in an attempt to block out the ground, which was only trying to mock him, it was worse than with his eyes open. So he opened them back up and hung on. After what felt liked hours things finally began to slow down and the ill-mannered ground ceased his taunting and stood still.
Legolas felt Aragorn sitting beside him and realized he had digressed from this morning. He was on the ground again, but at least this time the ranger was beside him and not hovering above him. 'One small step at a time,' he jested with himself. He also became aware that he was gripping his friend's arm and tried to remember when he had managed that. He looked over into questioning gray eyes and with a grateful, if not embarrassed; smile released the death grip hold he had on his friend's arm.
"Sana sina," Aragorn smiled back as he handed Legolas a water canteen.
"Hantale."
***
Legolas rested on the ground for a few minutes while Aragorn scoured the area around them. Legolas looked over at his friend and chuckled to himself. 'Rangers,' he thought amusingly, 'they never could sit quietly.' He supposed someone trained in the skill of tracking couldn't help themselves when it came to a forest. Legolas was also quite skilled at such things, but he was content where he was and was finding it amusing to watch his discerning friend making laps around him. When Aragorn walked back up to him he still had an amused expression lighting his fair features and Aragorn, after growing up around elves, immediately became suspicious and narrowed his eyes. He had seen that expression on the twin's faces too many times before.
"What?"
"What do you mean what?"
"I have seen that look before. It is the same one Elladan and Elrohir have stamped on their faces after they have booby trapped something of mine."
"Your time around them has made you overly suspicious Estel. I am merely sitting on the ground," Legolas laughed.
"You are probably right. Something I've done amuses you then?" the ranger replied as he knelt down.
"I was just musing about rangers in general, my friend. I did not mean to offend."
"None taken," Aragorn replied as he gave the elf a warm smile.
"I am just glad to see you smiling. Are you ready?"
Legolas nodded to the ranger and Aragorn offered his hand and helped the elf to his feet. Legolas had to pause a moment to for the vertigo to pass and then he released his friend's hand. He felt more refreshed than he had minutes ago, but not much. 'I think I am fooling myself,' he thought with a sigh. He knew he was never going to have the stamina to make it all the way out at a run. It was just too far. The short miles they had run the night before seemed like entire tantalizing continents spread out before his eyes. The vast span pursued him and sprung up only to mock him and he started to give up hope. He was going to be trapped in this cursed place and at the mercy of all of its inhabitants. He was either going to be driven mad or they would shred him to pieces with malevolent delight and he did not even want to think about what would happen to Aragorn once he was not around to be the subject of this land's maliciousness anymore. That's what it would all come down in the end. Trapped. They were hopelessly trapped. Unless...
****
Aragorn stood quietly watching his friend. After Legolas had risen he lent a supportive hand while his friend steadied himself and then it seemed they would continue on, but he saw the elf pause instead. He had no idea what is friend was thinking about right now, but he did not like the look in his normally vivid blue eyes. The normally bright eyes seemed to become full of doubt that turned into something close to despair. Their light dulled and Legolas's eyes upon closer inspection seemed to cloud over and darken to an almost brown hue. Legolas turned his head slightly and looked back to the north almost wistfully. Aragorn didn't know what was causing his friend such apparent distress, but his friend's eyes frightened him and he decided that it had gone on long enough. No elf should ever have to go through so much apparent torment. He grabbed hold of the elf's shoulders and shook him.
"Legolas can you hear me?"
When he received no response he then placed his hands on his friend's cheeks and forced the elf's head away from the north and toward him.
"Legolas can you hear me? Snap out of it! Look at me," Aragorn said emphatically.
Legolas blinked a few times and the cloudiness cleared from his eyes. He looked into Aragorn's gray eyes with bright blue eyes once more and the ranger breathed a sigh of relief. He lowered one hand to his side and placed the other one on his friend's shoulder.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
Aragorn sighed again. Why did elves always have to answer a question with another one? All this time he had never met an elf that didn't seem to possess that aggravating quality. He wondered if it was a special kind of class that every elven child had to take.
"I saw... I do not know what I saw, but you were thinking about something and I thought I saw despair enter your eyes. Are you alright?"
For the briefest of moment Legolas felt like Aragorn was intruding and a thread of anger washed through him. He stomped that quickly when he saw the concern in his friend's eyes and he felt ashamed at every feeling it at all. His thoughts had strayed again and he had again felt the need to turn around. And now he had just felt intense anger a good friend for doing nothing to him at all. 'Maybe I'm not alright after all.'
"I am alright now. My thoughts strayed again."
He saw the question coming before Aragorn even asked it and cut him off.
"I can not explain it to you, because I do not even understand it myself. I am sorry, mellonamin."
Aragorn nodded his head as if he understood, but in truth he did not and the worry he already carried for his friend doubled. They had to get out of here.
Legolas, already reading his friend's expression again, continued on like he had meant to when he first stood up. Aragorn just shook his head and followed. Legolas took off at a trot this time for he did not think he could run at all.
"Aragorn, I will admit that I do not know if I can run out of here. Something tries to stop me from leaving and as I'm sure you can tell it is draining my strength. I would ask you..."
"No," the ranger cut him off, "we will both leaves this place together or not at all. We will make it out if I have to carry you the whole way and whatever we may run onto to block our path we will simply have to deal with it as it occurs."
"I figured you would see it that way," Legolas said almost sadly. He knew Aragorn would refuse to go on ahead and he admitted to himself if it were him, he wouldn't leave the ranger either.
*****
"Aragorn stop," Legolas said as he halted.
Aragorn, who was trotting beside him, stopped and turned to face him.
"What is wrong?" asked the ranger.
"I just cannot."
"Cannot what?" asked Aragorn as he ironically thought that now Legolas has him saying everything as a question as well.
"I cannot go on so," Legolas replied as he sunk to the ground dejectedly. They stopped at the edge of a hill. Down the side of the bank it was littered with bushed and other vine woodland cover. The bottom could not be seen, but the sound of a stream could be heard coming from somewhere farther down. Legolas could not remember running up any hills last night, but then again they had not come in this way. They were much farther to the west when they had entered here. The ground would naturally be more broken closer to the mountains.
***
Aragorn sighed and knelt down next to his friend.
"Do not give up hope my friend. We are both still alive and in one piece. Father will be proud if we make it back as we are now."
With that Legolas had to return Aragorn's mischievous smile.
"So we are and I do believe you are right. But..."
"Do not Legolas, you are only going to dampen your spirits my friend. I told you we shall both leave this place and I intend to make that happen."
Legolas saw the determination in his friend's eyes and could almost believe him. Almost. 'Dampen my spirit,' he thought bitterly, 'it is already crushed.' The urge to turn back was almost unbearable now and getting harder to resist. 'And what is the point? Would it not just be easier to get it over with than wither away?'
Legolas almost physically slapped himself when he realized what he had just thought and considered telling Aragorn to hit him. Any elf that would think such discouraging thoughts deserves to be punched. Why could he not sit here and be happy to simply be alive and to have a human telling an elf to keep faith. 'How embarrassing.' Legolas was brought of his disturbing thoughts by the sound of Aragorn's voice.
"Do you think you can continue on now?"
Legolas didn't want to go anywhere, but as he looked over at Aragorn he decided he would try for his sake. The simple fact that he did not want to place anymore of a burden on his friend's already weighted shoulders drove him to his feet. When he rose he had to physically grip onto a tree to stop himself from taking off in the wrong direction.
Aragorn mistook Legolas's action for one of weariness and his heart reached out to his friend. He walked over and stood directly beside the elf.
"I will help you if you are in need of it."
"Kela! I did not ask for your help," Legolas hissed out, but as soon as the words left his lips he clamped his hand over his mouth.
The same surge of anger had welled up in him at what felt like an intrusion by the ranger and he responded before he realized what he was saying. Legolas reprimanded himself severely for striking out in anger. Such behavior amongst friends and especially by an elf was simply unacceptable.
After Aragorn spoke he saw the elf look at him with clouded dark eyes and he was shocked when Legolas lashed out at him in anger. He had no idea how he had angered his friend so, but it wasn't like elves to strike out in anger. Legolas's eyes cleared once again and he covered his mouth. Aragorn saw shock come to the blue eyes as Legolas surprised even himself in the outburst. After his friend's thoughts becoming momentarily troubled earlier and now this he could not be mad at the elf. 'He is not himself right now,' he thought. The elf was tired and obviously under a lot of strain and just wasn't himself.
"Aragorn I...I'm sorry."
"It is alright, my friend. You are simply not yourself."
'If he only knew,' Legolas mused to himself. At least the guilt was now helping to push aside the never-ending suicidal urge to turn around. Maybe the most intelligent thing to do would be to tell his companion about it. After all he had told the human about everything else.
"Aragorn, I..."
Aragorn look over at him when he said his name. Legolas really was going to tell the ranger about what he felt, but when Aragorn looked over at him he suddenly could not. 'Why is it any of his concern?' Legolas suddenly felt defensive about telling this human anything. 'It is none of his business,' he decided.
Aragorn could tell Legolas wanted to tell him something. He saw doubt and indecision enter the bright blue eyes and he said no more. He was confused when the elf's eyes seemed to harden and Aragorn desperately wished he knew what kept running through his friend's mind to make him continue to act so defensive. Maybe he just needed time.
"Yes, my friend? You know you can confide in me. I do not mind."
"It is nothing important. I believe I can manage now."
Aragorn did not argue and sighed in resignation. It took a lot of effort to not become frustrated with the elf, but he kept telling himself that such a thing would not help matters.
"Very well. If you change your mind I am always ready to listen."
Legolas seriously doubted himself now. Why was it so hard to tell his friend this one simple feeling? The memories he shared earlier were much more personnel. 'What is wrong with me?'
Legolas never got the chance to question himself any more for the sound of movement behind him caught his attention. He wheeled around to the direction he had heard it and listened intently. Aragorn saw the elf turn quickly and he seemed to focus I that direction.
"Mani uma lle ten?" Aragorn whispered as quietly as he could.
Before Legolas could answer an arrow thunked into the tree next to his head and he instinctively pulled it back. The two glanced at the still quivering arrow and drew their weapons. As Legolas was stringing an arrow a massive ball of fur landed in the middle of the two. He was able to hang on to his bow, but the arrow was knocked out of his hand and he was sent sprawling on the ground several feet away. Legolas recovered his wits and looked in front of him as he rose. He looked up just in time to see the warg who had bowled them over advancing on him with its teeth bared. 'Where is Aragorn?' his mind screamed as he quickly glanced around for the ranger without luck. He saw another of the creatures spring through the bushes and jump down the hill disappearing from site. 'Question answered,' he thought grimly. He only hoped the human didn't hurt himself on the trip down to the bottom for he was going to have to react fast to the rapidly charging creature. Another of the infernal beast materialized behind the first one. Who fired the arrow? Surely it had not been one of the wargs. And Legolas had to wonder how so many had managed to sneak up him. He should have heard them approaching much sooner than he had.
'Now is definitely not the time to stop and think about it,' he hastily decided as the first advancing warg sprung at him with its mouth poised to rip out his throat.
***
TBC...
***
This chapter is a bit shorter than some of the previous ones, but I thought you would want something to read for the weekend. Hey they made it for a little longer without getting into trouble, but as we all knew, it couldn't last for long. The chase begins anew! And just wait until the sun goes down, muah, ah, ah!
****
Tulunka ------------ Steady
Esta sinome, mellonamin ------------- Rest here, my friend
Sana sina --------------- Take this
Hantale ----------------- Thank you
Kela ----------------- Go away
Mani uma lle ten? -------------- What do you hear?
*****
Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter six!!
Tithen Min - Thanks for the returned hug!!! I love them too :) Cute?? *blushes again* You're too kind and you are very welcome. I'm afraid I left them hanging again sorry, but I will try not to for to long. Thanks again for reviewing!!
goblz - I am glad you found this story and I am very, very, very glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing and I am appreciative of returned reviewers. Feel free to keep reviewing with any comments or questions you may have!! ;)
Sprout - Sorry for leaving you hanging there. I might have to buy you some mittens. ;) I hope you have recovered, because I just threw the next one at you. I promise to update as soon as I can though, don't worry!
Karri - I'm glad you like the character interaction. Honestly, its fun to write! I think the tension is getting a little more noticeable now, don't you think? For some reason I don't see it resolving soon, but not to fear, true friendship is a malleable bond. : )