The Aftermath
As the day went on Legolas appeared to recover, in fact the only sign that anything was wrong could be seen in his Elven eyes they were still slightly glazed and not showing their usual depth.
During the ride to Helms Deep, Gimli and Legolas were silent. Legolas was trying his best to enjoy the ride in the sun on this horse, it was no horse raised by Elves but the men of Rohan had done a good job, though he hated the saddle, and the weight of Gimli hindered Arod's performance.
Every now and again Gimli would grasp his hand on Legolas lean shoulder whenever he noticed a slight dip in his Elven friends head to bring back hid concentration to getting them home safely as Dwarfs are really good on horses and also as a distraction to Legolas and let him know that his unlikely friend is near.
They arrived at Helms Deep to meet a crowded place filled with hustle bustle and lots of noise. As soon as the horses passed over the threshold, it felt to Legolas that he'd hit a wall of emotion, it almost knocked him off his horse, once in his life he felt jealous of mortals who can't feel things on this level, like him and his Elven kindred were 'gifted' in.
Legolas could feel many eyes on him and Gimli, Men had more experience of Dwarves than they had of Elves. Gimli watched as children ran to awe at the legendary creature that was driving his horse, the pointed and whispered. The Elf took no notice, not out of pride but his mind was in disruption.
The guests of Théoden were shown to separate rooms in the main castle, Gimli did take note that Legolas did get a better room than him, but he made nothing of it.
It isn't in an elf's nature to stay cooped up in a room so he decided to take a walk, passing through the main hall, he noticed Éowyn tending to the wounded, for a moment their eyes met and it was like they could read each others grief, not on a level that was anything more than an understanding of each others loss.
Walking out into the court yard, he could read the inhabitants feelings like a book, he didn't register any of them though he didn't need that flood of emotions in his head it was full of is own incomprehensible feelings.
Eventually the barrage of everything became too much and he felt a rising claustrophobia. His breathing increased in rate and he could hear his heart beating in his ears again.
Legolas found himself walking towards the stables, he was drawn to the wild nature of the horses and once inside he shut the door behind him, and leant against it for a second.
Once he regained his composure he noticed that he was the centre of attention to all who were tended the many horses of Rohan. Taking a big gulp and lifting his head high, he made his way towards the pen that housed Arod, the horse that bore him and Gimli. There was a young stable boy and an older looking woman, brushing his mane and cleaning him up. Arod had no saddle or bridle on and for the 1st time Legolas took in the beauty of the white horse, its muscles were well formed and it was well fed, all in all an extremely health looking horse.
'May we help you Master Elf', asked the women after she noticed the stranger standing there staring.
'If I may be permitted I wish to take Arod out for ride' Legolas walked in to the pen and stroked the horse who went to another level of peace in the presence of an Elf.
'King Théoden has given orders that no one is to leave the safety of Helms Deep' came the reply from the small boy.
'please I beg, my day has be filled with many woes and my mind is over run with troubling thoughts, if anyone catches me I will say I took the horse of my own accord' Legolas spoke these words to both of the tenders, but is seemed as if the horse answered as it nuzzled Legolas, and began to push him out of the pen.
'It seems as if this magnificent animal has made up his mind'
'So be it master elf, your venture will not be made public by anyone here' the woman gave in and reached for the saddle and bridle,
'please no, I thank you for you lenience but please no dressings for the horse, we Elves prefer to ride bare and enjoy the full nature of the animal as it was intended'
'As you wish my lord Elf...may your ride prove fulfilling and worthy' the women said to him as he flipped his self on to the horse and speed away luckily someone got the doors open in time for the animal and his rider to breeze past.
He had some trouble getting past the guards at the gate but using his status as the king's guest and being an Elf royal himself he was able to persuade them to open up and let him out.
Once onto the ground he stopped and looked around for the best direction to go in, he choose a nice open flat that had patches of grass scattered about it.
Whispering Elvish words to Arod, he just took off in a lightning movement and continued at that speed. Arod could feel no weight on his back from the Elf that could walk on fresh snow as if it were solid rock.
The wind was rushing through his hair, and whipping at his ears, his clothes were fluttering as he rode on Arod with the speed and grace that rivalled the wind itself.
Legolas just began to lose himself in the world around him which he couldn't actually make out as he was pushing Arod to his limit and the horse was loving it, as it is a rare thing when the Men of Rohan let their horses out with out saddles and bridles, and they always ride with heavy armour and carry weapons, now every muscle stretched and was worked to its full potential.
In the great expanse of nature the Elf prince let his mind ponder over the tragic events of the day, and while the deep feeling of heart ache still resided within him, he realised that letting death take him too would mean leaving this world and all its wonders. But to experience these wonders without his dear friend Aragorn hurt him deeply as well. Pulling Arod into a dead halt, he looked into the sky and saw a few white clouds blocking the suns rays, so chanting a few Elvish words and raising his hand towards them he asked the clouds to move aside and let the sun through, they kindly obliged.
Legolas lay down on the grass while Arod feasted near by, and absorbed the warmth of the sun. She happily lit up the land and sky for hours, as he drifted into a state that could only be described as sleep, his entire body which had been put through a lot even for Elves over the past month, was at complete rest.
Legolas fell into a dream, filled with darkness and danger, and yet he felt safe, he was in a huge battle, there were enemies of all shapes and sizes, quickly drawing his bow he loaded up an arrow and started firing, the dark figures fell like flies, but more and more kept coming in an endless stream that never ended. Legolas was running out of arrows fast, then suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder, Legolas jumped and spun around, an arrow at the ready, but the figure facing him was not an enemy, but a tall and proud Aragorn, standing with sword in hand staring at his Elven friend.
The bow and arrow fell from Legolas hand as he watched Aragorn slay creature after creature, till it seemed there were none left and it was just he and Aragorn in a wide expanse of nothingness. But Aragorn was alive, he floated over to Legolas while sheathing his sword and he planted both his hands on the still stunned Elf's shoulders, and spoke to him in fluent Elvish,
'my friend what vexes thee, the day is done the battle is won and now its time for merriment, my dear friend you look like you have seen a ghost. You know in your heart everything is well so come be your usual content self others need your skills and company'
Just as Legolas brought his hand up Aragorn face the figure faded away and he was bought out of his 'sleep' by the nuzzlings of Arod.
Sitting bolt upright, Legolas realised he had been out to long and something was telling him to return, so he jumped on Arod and rode as fast as possible back to Helms Deep, it was if nature itself was helping him to fly home. He returned quickly and put the now tired but happy horse back in its stable thanking the woman and boy once more and headed back to the castle.
As the day went on Legolas appeared to recover, in fact the only sign that anything was wrong could be seen in his Elven eyes they were still slightly glazed and not showing their usual depth.
During the ride to Helms Deep, Gimli and Legolas were silent. Legolas was trying his best to enjoy the ride in the sun on this horse, it was no horse raised by Elves but the men of Rohan had done a good job, though he hated the saddle, and the weight of Gimli hindered Arod's performance.
Every now and again Gimli would grasp his hand on Legolas lean shoulder whenever he noticed a slight dip in his Elven friends head to bring back hid concentration to getting them home safely as Dwarfs are really good on horses and also as a distraction to Legolas and let him know that his unlikely friend is near.
They arrived at Helms Deep to meet a crowded place filled with hustle bustle and lots of noise. As soon as the horses passed over the threshold, it felt to Legolas that he'd hit a wall of emotion, it almost knocked him off his horse, once in his life he felt jealous of mortals who can't feel things on this level, like him and his Elven kindred were 'gifted' in.
Legolas could feel many eyes on him and Gimli, Men had more experience of Dwarves than they had of Elves. Gimli watched as children ran to awe at the legendary creature that was driving his horse, the pointed and whispered. The Elf took no notice, not out of pride but his mind was in disruption.
The guests of Théoden were shown to separate rooms in the main castle, Gimli did take note that Legolas did get a better room than him, but he made nothing of it.
It isn't in an elf's nature to stay cooped up in a room so he decided to take a walk, passing through the main hall, he noticed Éowyn tending to the wounded, for a moment their eyes met and it was like they could read each others grief, not on a level that was anything more than an understanding of each others loss.
Walking out into the court yard, he could read the inhabitants feelings like a book, he didn't register any of them though he didn't need that flood of emotions in his head it was full of is own incomprehensible feelings.
Eventually the barrage of everything became too much and he felt a rising claustrophobia. His breathing increased in rate and he could hear his heart beating in his ears again.
Legolas found himself walking towards the stables, he was drawn to the wild nature of the horses and once inside he shut the door behind him, and leant against it for a second.
Once he regained his composure he noticed that he was the centre of attention to all who were tended the many horses of Rohan. Taking a big gulp and lifting his head high, he made his way towards the pen that housed Arod, the horse that bore him and Gimli. There was a young stable boy and an older looking woman, brushing his mane and cleaning him up. Arod had no saddle or bridle on and for the 1st time Legolas took in the beauty of the white horse, its muscles were well formed and it was well fed, all in all an extremely health looking horse.
'May we help you Master Elf', asked the women after she noticed the stranger standing there staring.
'If I may be permitted I wish to take Arod out for ride' Legolas walked in to the pen and stroked the horse who went to another level of peace in the presence of an Elf.
'King Théoden has given orders that no one is to leave the safety of Helms Deep' came the reply from the small boy.
'please I beg, my day has be filled with many woes and my mind is over run with troubling thoughts, if anyone catches me I will say I took the horse of my own accord' Legolas spoke these words to both of the tenders, but is seemed as if the horse answered as it nuzzled Legolas, and began to push him out of the pen.
'It seems as if this magnificent animal has made up his mind'
'So be it master elf, your venture will not be made public by anyone here' the woman gave in and reached for the saddle and bridle,
'please no, I thank you for you lenience but please no dressings for the horse, we Elves prefer to ride bare and enjoy the full nature of the animal as it was intended'
'As you wish my lord Elf...may your ride prove fulfilling and worthy' the women said to him as he flipped his self on to the horse and speed away luckily someone got the doors open in time for the animal and his rider to breeze past.
He had some trouble getting past the guards at the gate but using his status as the king's guest and being an Elf royal himself he was able to persuade them to open up and let him out.
Once onto the ground he stopped and looked around for the best direction to go in, he choose a nice open flat that had patches of grass scattered about it.
Whispering Elvish words to Arod, he just took off in a lightning movement and continued at that speed. Arod could feel no weight on his back from the Elf that could walk on fresh snow as if it were solid rock.
The wind was rushing through his hair, and whipping at his ears, his clothes were fluttering as he rode on Arod with the speed and grace that rivalled the wind itself.
Legolas just began to lose himself in the world around him which he couldn't actually make out as he was pushing Arod to his limit and the horse was loving it, as it is a rare thing when the Men of Rohan let their horses out with out saddles and bridles, and they always ride with heavy armour and carry weapons, now every muscle stretched and was worked to its full potential.
In the great expanse of nature the Elf prince let his mind ponder over the tragic events of the day, and while the deep feeling of heart ache still resided within him, he realised that letting death take him too would mean leaving this world and all its wonders. But to experience these wonders without his dear friend Aragorn hurt him deeply as well. Pulling Arod into a dead halt, he looked into the sky and saw a few white clouds blocking the suns rays, so chanting a few Elvish words and raising his hand towards them he asked the clouds to move aside and let the sun through, they kindly obliged.
Legolas lay down on the grass while Arod feasted near by, and absorbed the warmth of the sun. She happily lit up the land and sky for hours, as he drifted into a state that could only be described as sleep, his entire body which had been put through a lot even for Elves over the past month, was at complete rest.
Legolas fell into a dream, filled with darkness and danger, and yet he felt safe, he was in a huge battle, there were enemies of all shapes and sizes, quickly drawing his bow he loaded up an arrow and started firing, the dark figures fell like flies, but more and more kept coming in an endless stream that never ended. Legolas was running out of arrows fast, then suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder, Legolas jumped and spun around, an arrow at the ready, but the figure facing him was not an enemy, but a tall and proud Aragorn, standing with sword in hand staring at his Elven friend.
The bow and arrow fell from Legolas hand as he watched Aragorn slay creature after creature, till it seemed there were none left and it was just he and Aragorn in a wide expanse of nothingness. But Aragorn was alive, he floated over to Legolas while sheathing his sword and he planted both his hands on the still stunned Elf's shoulders, and spoke to him in fluent Elvish,
'my friend what vexes thee, the day is done the battle is won and now its time for merriment, my dear friend you look like you have seen a ghost. You know in your heart everything is well so come be your usual content self others need your skills and company'
Just as Legolas brought his hand up Aragorn face the figure faded away and he was bought out of his 'sleep' by the nuzzlings of Arod.
Sitting bolt upright, Legolas realised he had been out to long and something was telling him to return, so he jumped on Arod and rode as fast as possible back to Helms Deep, it was if nature itself was helping him to fly home. He returned quickly and put the now tired but happy horse back in its stable thanking the woman and boy once more and headed back to the castle.
