Ch. 7 title: Resistance is Futile
DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't sue. Don't get it? That's your problem, not mine. I've said my disclaimer, that doesn't mean ppl have to understand.
NOTE : This is the prequel to Piercing the Veil, Beneath the Surface, and Bridge of Remembrance.
You don't have to read those to understand this, obviously, because this is a prequel.....it happens before all of that.....so, I hope you enjoy!
ALSO, you guys know this........Estel is Aragorn. Just so you know.....but you already know, I"m guessing, but still, ya know...lol
OH, BTW.....my translations are off. Forgive me.
Ch. 7
Estel slowly drug his weighted eyelids upward. Groaning softly at the dull throbbing in his head that seemed to incessantly plague his every waking moment, the young Edan sat up.
"Amrun quel, mellon nessa nin[Good morning, my young friend],"a soft voice greeted.
Quickly (well, as quickly as his still sluggish body would allow), Estel whirled to see Legolas standing at his bedside.
"'Amrun quel' naten' kaimelar, Legolas Thranduillion[ 'Good morning' is for dreamers, Legolas son of Thranduil],"the human muttered.
Legolas arched a fine eyebrow. "Well then, that idea must be changed. Get up,"Legolas ordered abruptly.
"What?" Estel started.
*That had never happened to him before. No one had ever ordered him from bed, least of all when he had just been ill!
"A' lle talwi! [To your feet!]"The Elven Prince commanded.
Estel merely stared at him with dazed, silver eyes. "Why? What is there that you would have me see that should change my views?"he whispered in denial. "My life no longer matt—"
"Listen to me now, *Edan,"Legolas's eyes hardened, "I have spoken to you in two different languages that you are fluent in. You cannot possibly misunderstand what it is I am saying. *Stand. *Up. *Now."
Blinking slowly, Estel stood and nodded, unsure of what to do or what was to become of him.
"Now then, slip these on and meet me outside as soon as you are dressed,"Legolas stated, tossing a bundle of clothing to the young human.
Legolas then turned on his heel and exited the room, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he left a *very stunned Edan in his wake.
* * * * * * * * *
Legolas led Estel through a myriad of tunnels and hallways until they reached the gates of the main center of Sylvan Elves.
Wordlessly, they entered the forest of Mirkwood. Together, they hiked through the great, but shadowed forest.
"Let me know if you begin to feel ill or weakened, Estel. I should hate to have you *overexert yourself,"Legolas commented dryly.
The young human glanced up for a split second, eyes flashing. Still, that moment of spirit soon faded yet again into the monotonous, haunted look that filled the Edan's eyes on a usual basis.
Legolas gave an inward sigh as his intentional jibe sparked little more than a millisecond of a cold glance, rising little fire from his new companion.
The Prince of Mirkwood had had quite enough of the listless "I'll-Die-If-And-When-I-Want-To" attitude that Estel exhibited. He had attempted initial kindness and care—that had been when he was ill. After that had done little more than aid Estel into climbing deeper into his pit of self-pity, Legolas has resorted to more drastic means.
He had utilized what some called his worst trait: the sarcastic, harsh, critical side of his personality. Rarely ever used or shown, that side of Legolas was a terror when let loose.
And unfortunately, Estel was the one whom was on the receiving end of that emotion now. But what was also troublesome was the fact that Legolas's psychological experiment of trying to find some spark of spirit within the Edan was failing.
"Very well then, Prince Legolas,"Estel replied in soft monotone as they continued walking.
The pair fell into relative silence as they hiked. Finally, they reached their destination.
Legolas paused to gaze out at the grand waterfall to his left as he stood on a rock outcropping overlooking the natural wonder.
Estel strolled slowly up behind Legolas to see the roaring waterfall.
"It is truly beautiful, is it not?"Legolas breathed, closing his eyes as the mist gently kissed his face.
Estel hesitated, taking in the glorious sight before him. The water was clear and fell not in a harsh, painful roar, but fell in a swift, almost soft glow. "Yes.........it's.......nice,"he muttered.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Estel! Look out below!" Halen cried.
Estel glanced up from his place in the glittering spring to see Halen perched upon a rock at the top of what was thought to be the most beautiful waterfall in all of Imladris.
With a joyful whoop, Halen leapt from his roost to dive headfirst into the water right next to his best friend.
The dive being far from graceful resulted in Estel being spattered with water. Shaking his head like a wet animal, Estel gave a light laugh as he submerged to retaliate for the nonverbal jest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Estel.........Estel? Hello....?"Legolas waved a hand before the Edan's face, breaking his reverie.
Estel blinked, then stared at the Prince with wide, silver eyes that were near brimming with tears. Confusion spread across his youthful features for a moment as his jaw went agape at some memory that Legolas did not understand, nor know of.
Then, as soon as that spark of painful life showed itself, it disappeared.
The human turned his gaze towards the ground and blinked hard against the memories that bombarded his scarred heart. After taking a moment to compose himself, he looked back up at the inquiring gaze of Legolas.
The Prince of Mirkwood merely nodded, clasping Estel's shoulder in an offer of friendship. Estel resisted the urge to shrug the hand off as he turned haunted eyes back to the waterfall, losing himself yet again in the well of memories that threatened to drown him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Estel......have I ever told you that you always take occurrences far too seriously?"Halen inquired, his gray eyes sparkling with truthful amusement.
Estel sighed loudly, flopping onto his back on the soft carpet of grass beside his dear friend. "Yes, mellonnin. Only every other day of my life do you tell me."
"Good,"Halen answered flatly, folding his arms behind his head, "I was just making sure that you get reminded."
Estel arched a dark eyebrow. "And why would you say that?"
"Because you never listen to me the first one hundred times I say something! Stubborn, thick headed human!" Halen then reached over and thumped Estel on the back of the head, exasperated.
"Lazy, nagging Elf!" Estel retorted, returning the jesting blow.
Halen laughed lightly for a few, long moments. Finally, his laughter died down to a low chuckle. Sobering, he spoke, "But on a serious note, my dear friend.......you need to relax. You need to enjoy life—"
"Because I never know when I could lose it,"Estel finished. "Yes, yes! I know! So you have repeatedly told me! I understand, Halen—"
"If you understand, then why don't you practice such a philosophy?"Halen interrupted, propping himself up on one elbow to glare at his young friend.
Estel merely rolled his eyes and smirked. "I'll do my best to practice what you preach so often to me if it will put your heart to rest, mellonnin."
Smiling slightly, Halen grasped Estel's forearm in a brotherly hug. "Thank you, Estel........I would very much so like that."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Legolas backed slowly away from the Edan as Estel slowly sank to his knees, gazing dully out at the waterfall with tears shining in his silver eyes.
Strolling slowly over to a rock a short distance away from where Estel knelt, Legolas sat and prepared to wait for his new friend to regain his composure and sort out his troubled heart.......................for some wounds need time to begin to heal.
And if Estel needed time, that was what Legolas would give him.
Thus, Legolas waited.............
*************
