Story Title: Lean on Me
Chapter Title: Tracking
Author: J. Chassells
Summary: My take on how Aragorn (mostly referred to as Strider and Estel in this fic) and Legolas met and how their friendship was forged throughout their adventures and misadventures.
Author's Note: My first LOTR fic, so please don't hurt me! Reviews and flames are appreciated. This fic isn't really dedicated to anyone, but if I'd have to dedicate it to someone or something, I think this one goes to the US Military. I'm an extremely patriotic person and I support our military completely and firmly. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own the characters, just the plot, yada, yada, yada...
Characters that star in this story: Strider (Estel), Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, maybe a mention of Arwen here and there, and some unnamed orcs and just plain ol' bad guys.
Another A/N: Good news! My family emergency is pretty much over, so I can now devote most of my time to my fics! So, here comes another chappie!
One again, Indicates thought.
Chapter 8
The sun shone brightly through the trees of Mirkwood. Elrond held his head down as Thranduíl chastised him, and not gently, for his actions. Beside him, Mithrandir stood, silently, waiting for the other king's anger to die down. When Thranduíl paused for a breath, the wizard quickly stepped in. "Mellon nin, dina. Elrond has been beating himself up as it is; do not take your anger out on him, for he does not deserve it." Thranduíl was stunned into silence by being told to shut up.
"Mithrandir, explain." The wizard took a deep breath, then went on to explain the Jylexium and the elf that had obviously been working for the evils of Mordor. By the time was finished with his tale, Thranduíl was looking rightly rebuked and Elrond met his eyes questioning. The other took a deep breath, then nodded. "Elrond...I'm sorry for what's happened. I am also sorry for my harsh words. I was just...upset, that you had exiled my son." Elrond refrained from blurting how he had also exiled his own son.
Mithrandir said, "We took two days arriving, Thranduíl. In this time, who knows what's happened to your son and to Elrond's sons. We request some of your warriors to come with us to find them." Elrond knew the question the other king was going to ask and cut him off. "We didn't take our own warriors because we worry that more than just Kyven are involved with the plot against Strider."
The fact that he'd used his foster son's Ranger name was lost on no one, but the other two kept silent.
"Very well. I cannot go with you, for I must attend to matters here. For safety's sake, I shall send with you several of my closest warriors. I shall also have people checking into everyone's backgrounds." Elrond stood and nodded his thanks. "Diola lle. I owe you more than I will be able to repay." Thranduíl's voice was steely as he said, "Bring back Legolas and the hope of this world, Elrond, and your debt shall be paid in full."
Elrond was silent as his group of ten rode through the trees. Mithrandir was behind him, while Thranduíl's best tracker rode in front. They'd been traveling at a fast pace; the tracker had said it was because the elves that had followed after Strider were in a hurry. Elrond was suddenly jolted from his thoughts when the company pulled to a stop. Elrond allowed his horse to trot up to their tracker. "Taur, what is it?" The ranger looked down at the ground.
"Horse prints, milord. The horses must've stopped here; their riders allowed them to rest..." Taur's eyes traveled along the ground, "And the riders rested against those trees. They made haste to leave, though I have found no signs that they were attacked."
Elrond sighed deeply and gave the order to ride on.
The group pushed hard along the rocky path near dawn the next day. They'd rode hard all night, and their horses needed rest. Even the power of the Elves could sustain a horse for only so long. Elrond was just about to advise their respite when Taur shouted. Pushing his horse faster, he pulled up alongside of Taur. The two pulled to a stop a short time later.
The smell of rotting flesh filled their noses.
Some turned away at the smell while Taur, Elrond, and Mithrandir moved forward. Elrond's eyebrows knitted together. "Orcs. Dead for nearly four days, by the looks of it." Taur looked at the bodies from the relative safety of his horse. "I think your foster son killed these. When I shouted for you the first time, it's because I saw his pack at the side of the road. I also saw horse prints. I think he dismounted his horse, allowed it to ride free, and continued on foot before he was attacked."
Mithrandir looked around and muttered, "I think I shall see...what I can see." Without waiting to give an explanation, he moved his horse over towards a tree. He could sense lingering warmth near it. "Legolas has been here. He communicated with this tree, though I do not know how. He must be using the trees to help track Aragorn."
Elrond, himself not being a wood elf, and Taur, not being trained in those ways, shrugged. Elrond asked, "Can you find out what he saw?" Mithrandir turned his head towards his friend, then turned back towards the tree. He placed an old hand on the trunk and closed his eyes. He felt the tree respond slightly; heard the strange rumble it emanated. But it allowed his hand to stay. Focusing all his energy, Mithrandir poured it into the tree.
Swords clanging, fierce shouts.
A cry of pain, a cry of victory.
Heavy steps, a terrifying voice.
The sense of success and defeat.
Suddenly, through the vague senses that had assaulted him, Mithrandir received one, short, but clear, visual.
The orc moved closer to the kneeling Ranger and clasped his wounded arm tightly. This emitted a soft whimper from the Ranger, and the orc grinned. "I cannot wait to see what my lord Sauron has planned for his biggest enemy." A harsh squeeze and a moan later, and Strider was tied up and led roughly away.
Mithrandir pulled his hand away from the tree with a sigh. Elrond looked immediately alarmed. "What is it, Mithrandir?" The wizard shook his head in dismay. "Aragorn has been taken. The orcs that captured him were ordered by a Nazgúl to take him to Mordor." Elrond asked quickly, "Is he alright? Is he injured?" Mithrandir said quietly, "These trees only tell me what happened here, Elrond, a handful of days ago. He was injured, though it did not appear too severely, but orcs have a way of hurting people, especially ones they don't like."
Elrond nodded, his eyes sorrowful, and said to Taur in a rough voice, "Tell the others we shall rest here for a half-hour. Tell them to tend their horses well; we shall not be stopping again soon." Taur nodded and moved off to where the rest of the company was waiting. Mithrandir kicked his horse over to Elrond, who merely said, "I wish to be alone right now, Mithrandir." The wizard gave the king a kindly smile. "He will be alright, Elrond. He is Estel." Without another word, he moved over to the other riders and started to tend his horse.
Elrond sat on his horse quietly, taking in the view. The sun was breaking over the tall canyon wall to their right. The sparse grass danced in the breeze, and the bank of fog that had been hindering their progress evaporated before his eyes. Elrond's thoughts were on his son.
What are you going through right now, my son?
Elrond could only imagine. Was he being forced to trek over the Misty Mountains while injured? Near definite yes. Was he being beaten for showing the defiance Elrond knew he would demonstrate? Probably. Was he going through it all, thinking no one cared for him, nor worried for his safety, nor despaired when they found he'd been exiled?
More than likely.
Elrond couldn't help but thinking...nay, knowing, that it was his fault.
And his alone.
No amount of reasoning or persuading would change his mind. He was completely at fault for what Strider...no, Estel, was going through.
Elrond closed his eyes and breathed in the beautifully heavy mountain air. It filled his lungs, giving them life, making his heart beat with love for his home.
He had taken away Estel's reason for love. He had taken it and thrown it back in his face.
Elrond swiped furiously at a tear that tracked down his face. No, he would not be weak; he would be strong. Not for his friends or the company he rode with. Not for appearance nor respect.
He'd be strong for his son.
He'd be strong for Estel.
Elrond felt a melancholy pain wash over him when he remembered an argument that had left Elladan and Estel on bitter terms for nearly a month.
Elrond had been watching his sons train as a reprieve from his work. Estel had bested Elladan during a swordfight. The first thing out of Elladan's mouth was, "Utinu en lokirim." Estel had nearly dropped his sword, but had responded in a calm voice, "I am not the son of snakes, Elladan. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isuldur, future king of the throne of Gondor." Elladan had remained quiet.
There were few times Estel had ever said anything about the inheritance and destiny he did not want, but the times he did choose to bring it up, he did wisely. There had been silence for a moment, before Estel had sheathed his sword and spat in disgust, "I am the hope of man, the person Sauron himself most fears, and the successor of the chieftain position of the tribe of the Dunédain. And you sit here and call me the son of snakes?" Elladan had flinched, expecting the anger that never came. Instead, Estel had sighed and said in a quietly defeated voice, "You are right, brother."
Elrond had never figured out what caused his son to behave that way, but he supposed it was depression more than anything.
Elrond sat quietly atop his steed, wading through painful, distant memories, when there was a tap on his shoulder. Elrond turned upset at being disturbed, but relaxed when he saw it was Mithrandir. The wizard quietly said, "We're ready to move out, my friend." Elrond's surprise showed on his face, and Mithrandir softly said, "You've been in a trance for the last half hour." Elrond sighed deeply before nodding to Taur, who rode up behind him.
"Milord, the warriors and I were discussing what the orcs are probably doing. They've been ordered back to Mordor, so they're probably backtracking. They will have two choices. They can start turning back now, and risk the faster but riskier passing through Mirkwood territory, or they will travel over the mountains here and skirt around Mirkwood." Elrond sat deep in thought for several seconds.
"Split up. Taur, you and the rest of the company head towards Mirkwood. Mithrandir and I will head over the pass." Taur quickly said, "Milord, what if you find them?" Elrond reasoned, "Prince Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir are also tracking Estel, Taur. If we find them, we shall have all the strength we need." Taur didn't look happy, but he nodded his head. "Yes, milord. Quel fara." Elrond nodded. "Quel fara, tenna' ento lye omenta."
The company split moments later.
Translations:
Adan-
human
Estel lasta an enni- Estel listen to me
tithen pen-
little one
tithen gwador- little brother
ion nin- My son
post
mae- rest well
Brannon
nin- My lord
Mellon nin- My friend
Ada- Father
Quel fara- Good hunting
tenna' ento lye omenta- Until we meet next
Utinu en lokirim- son of snakes
Sorry this chappie was a lil too short! Oh well! The next will be longer...I have...plans... grins evilly Well kids, until next time, adios!