Story Title: Lean on Me

Chapter Title: Somebody Save Me

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: Alright! Let's get this show on the road! Thanks to everyone for their reviews! I swear this won't be much longer. Bec brought up a good point in a review; how does Mithrandir communicate with the trees? Answer: I haven't the slightest clue. But I needed someone to explain what Strider's going through, so I just sorta bent the rules a little. Hope no one minds!

One again, Indicates thought.

Chapter 9

Strider stumbled over a rock in his path, his exhaustion nearly dropping him right there. His arm was throbbing, sending signal after signal of agony into his system. His shoulder, though, was beginning to burn, indicating the orc blades were poisoned. His chest and back were but raw flesh, and every step sent waves of torturous pain through his body. Also, he'd picked up that a large pack of wolves, hungry from the long winter, followed them at a distance, waiting for one of them to fall too far behind. Strider would have cursed his luck if he'd the breath.

The head orc looked back and snarled with disgust, "Get that Adan to keep up with us! He's your charge, Delotha!" The orc holding Strider's neck leashed turned to him and growled, "What is it, human? Do you need to rest?" Strider glared at him, considering his options. If he said yes, that would give the orcs the impression he was weak and couldn't be pushed very hard. While their lax of care would enable his escape, his pride wouldn't allow it.

"No, morier, I do not need a rest. Unless you do." Delotha growled and yanked hard on the leash, causing the slipknot to tighten. Strider gasped for air and yellow spots danced in his vision. Delotha came close and gripped his chin tightly, his claws cutting into the skin on his neck. "Mark my words, Adan, by the time we reach Mordor, we will have you broken." He yanked the rope tighter, and Strider sank to his knees, fighting to draw breath. With a hating glare, Delotha loosened his grip, and Strider took heaving breaths of air. Within seconds, he was forced to his feet, and the group trekked on.

Legolas sighed and stared at the ground in sadness. Elladan and Elrohir were beside him, also looking at the ground. Legolas sighed again and moved towards the items on the ground. He carefully picked up the cloak, dagger, sword, and bow and quiver full of arrows. He held them tightly, as though he feared they would disappear, and looked around.

Pointing to a tree, he said, "That's where I saw him tied up. I suppose they discarded his weapons because they didn't need them or want them." Elladan swallowed hard. "Legolas, do you know how far we are behind them?" Legolas brightened; he at least had some good news. "We're moving quicker than them; they don't have horses or any means of transportation. We're only a few hours behind them now." Elladan cried, "Then let's ride! We have to catch up with them!" Elrohir nodded, his eyes determined, though they had a sheen of tears on them. Legolas nodded and moved towards his horse. He had just put his friend's items on his horse when an arrow flew out of nowhere.

It caught Legolas in his lower back, spinning him around. He fell to the ground with a gasp of pain and forced his eyes open. He saw five orcs running towards them from the shadow of a boulder. Wincing, Legolas pushed himself to his knees. Suddenly, Elladan and Elrohir were in front of him, protecting him. Their weapons drawn, they awaited the orcs. What was really surprising was that, ten feet from the elves, they suddenly fell to the ground, very still, and very dead.

Legolas gritted his teeth and looked around. Elladan knelt next to his side, his eyes still on the scenery, and asked, "Are you okay?" A choked laugh from Legolas turned into a cough and a sob. "I take that as a no. Elrohir, what happened?" Another voice answered, "I killed them." The twins whipped their heads around and saw Elrond and Mithrandir on horses behind them. The wizard's staff still glowed and Elladan cried, "Father! What are you doing here?" Elrond swallowed at the amount of loathing in his son's voice. "I came to find Estel." Legolas whispered, "But you exiled him." Elrond nodded. "It was a plot of Sauron's. We had an elf that was slipping herbs into my food; it caused my mind to cloud. I hold no anger to you nor Estel."

Legolas nodded, then weakly asked, "Could we get this arrow out of me? Believe it or not, it's uncomfortable." Elladan turned to his friend quickly and looked at the wound while Elrond and Mithrandir dismounted. "Father, it's not too deep in, and I don't think it's hit any organs." Elrond nodded and walked up to the prince. With little difficulty, he helped him lay down on a bedroll that Elrohir laid out. Legolas laid on his stomach and winced as Elrond carefully lifted up his tunic. He probed the area for a moment before saying, "It's not poisoned, which is a relief. I'm going to have to pull the arrow out now, alright?" Legolas sighed tiredly and nodded. He laid his forehead on his arms and took a deep breath. At his small nod, Elrond grasped the arrow and pulled it out swiftly. He expected a yell or a shout, but was unprepared for a whisper.

"Ow."

Elladan smiled slightly and helped his father clean and bandage up the wound. When they were finished, Legolas sighed in relief and rolled over, wincing as his back touched the bedroll, and sat up. Everyone protested. "Legolas, you have to rest and allow the wound to heal! You can't go gallivanting around the country!" Legolas pushed himself to his feet and swayed slightly before regaining his balance. "I have to find Strider, Elrond. We've almost caught up with them; we can't rest for fear of losing the trail in the mountains."

Elrond sighed and shook his head. "You won't be satisfied until you follow him to the grave." Legolas frowned but stayed silent. Mithrandir suggested, "Let's take a short rest; our horses need it. We shall depart shortly. Legolas, please rest. You will be no good to Aragorn if you are too exhausted to ride." The prince hesitated, then nodded. He limped over to a tree, leaned against it, and slid to the ground carefully. Meanwhile, Elladan and Elrohir had tied their horses to a tree near some grass and were having a tearful reunion with their father. Elrond was unaware of the tears that tracked down his cheeks as he embraced his sons. He was merely glad that they were safe and forgave him.

Mithrandir made his way to Legolas, who was staring at a distant mountain peak. Both were silent until Legolas asked, "What if...what if he doesn't make it, Gandalf? What if we find him too late? Or what if they slip through our fingers and we lose him to Sauron? What then?" Mithrandir frowned and gave a thoughtful grunt. "Remember the tale, Legolas? Do you remember it?" Legolas nodded and recited it aloud.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

When he whispered the last few words, he was surprised to find his spirits had lifted. He looked at Mithrandir, who smiled warmly and said, "He will make it, Legolas. Have faith in him." The wizard walked away to Elrond, who was conversing with his sons, and was unaware how much he'd helped the young elf.

Strider fell to the ground, panting for air. His captors did not take kindly to this. Delotha slammed his boot into Strider's exposed and burned ribcage, rolling the ranger in the snowy ground. Strider cried out and curled into a fetal position. The snow beneath him turned crimson, stained by the blood pouring from his many wounds. Delotha advanced on the ranger and viciously rolled him over onto his back. Grinning madly, the orc placed his boot on Strider's cut and bloody throat. Applying a little pressure, he sighed in content as the man in the snow gasped for air.

His pleasure was cut short as his leader came up beside him. "Our lord wants him alive!" Delotha growled, "He should die right now! We only risk getting caught or losing him to those blasted wethrinaerea!" The leader snapped, "They don't care for him anymore! Our inside elf took care of that. He is nothing but an abomination to them!" Delotha either lost his mind or didn't care anymore. With a maddening smirk, he leaned most of his weight on Strider's throat. The man writhed for a moment before falling still.

The head orc roared with rage and made short work of disconnecting Delotha's head from his shoulders. Delotha's body slumped to the ground, pushing Strider deeper into the snow. The other orcs looked at Strider in fear. The leader sheathed his bloody scimitar and kicked Strider. The man rolled onto his stomach. He didn't move, didn't breath. He growled, "Tie him up in case he's faking. The elements will take care of him if he's still alive. But his death will be on Delotha's head." The orcs nodded and moved towards the motionless man. Some moved Delotha's body and left it to the wild while others removed the rope from Strider's neck and tied his arms even tighter behind his back.

They left him facedown in the snow and the leader said, "We'll go to Mordor over the mountains; some might be tracking us and we wouldn't want to run into them." The orcs nodded and headed off. The head orc looked over Strider's body for a moment before giving him a few kicks, just for spite. He then caught up with his group, and they soon moved into the distance.

Legolas hid his pain as the horse jostled his back. The equine, as though sensing his displeasure, switched paces, opting for a gentler gait as compared to a steady lope. Legolas smiled slightly and patted his horse's mane lovingly. A bond between an Elf and their horse is strong, and Legolas and Myaven were no different. Suddenly, there was an echoing howl through the rocks. The horses came to a stop, prancing in fear, but loyal to their masters. Legolas held tight to Myaven and looked around. There was another howl, and then a cry. It was inhuman. Elladan cried, "That must be the orc group! They sound like they're being attacked!" Mithrandir nodded, and Legolas said, "Elrond, Gandalf, stay here. You'll be safer. When we find Strider, one of us will come and fetch you." Without leaving them time to protest, Legolas and the twins kicked their horses towards the sound.

The horses were jittery, that was for sure, but they headed towards the sound, confident their riders knew what they were doing. They'd ridden for only half an hour when they came across a torn body. The wolves were already gone, with them their meal. There was only one body left, but the area was covered with dark blood and weapons. Legolas dismounted, heedless of his injury, and knelt next to the orc that was lying there. "Elladan, Elrohir, this one's still alive." The two dismounted and walked up beside Legolas. "Where is Strider?" The orc coughed, already at the threshold of death's door, and growled, "Delotha killed him." He laughed at the look on Legolas' face, and then coughed. His words were slurred and blood came up. "Ya know, we beat him real good, but he never said a word. He just screamed." Legolas' breath caught in his throat. "That Adan screamed real good...we made sure of that." His words trailed off, and he lay limp in the snow. Legolas felt his anger rising up in him, but tried to suppress it.

He succeeded on a small scale, and Elladan busied himself with looking around. He tried to ignore the words that the orc had spoken, but they came to his mind with a vengeance. That Adan screamed real good... "Legolas, I can only smell orc blood. No human blood." Legolas whipped his head around, not caring at the tears in his eyes. "So he's probably farther up the trail. They left him for dead." Elrohir quietly said, "Unless he's already dead." Legolas smiled slightly, despite his tears. He stood and placed a comforting hand on the younger twin's shoulder. "Never trust the word of an orc, mellon nin. It will only lead you to despair." Elrohir nodded tightly, and Elladan walked back up to them. He was having a better time controlling his fears, but tears were still evident in his eyes. "Come; we should ride down the mountain and follow their trail. Hopefully we will be able to find him."

The elves mounted without a sound and nudged their horses in the direction the orcs' trails had come from. They rode carefully, allowing their horses' hooves to find purchase in the snowy rocks. They came to the top of a hill, and Legolas looked around. There was nothing but snow as far as he could see. That, and a few boulders and a couple of trees. Suddenly, his eyes found a dark spot on the snow. It was too far away for him to make out clearly, even with his Elven eyes, and he asked, "Do you guys see that?" Both twins immediately looked in the direction Legolas was pointing. They strained to see, and Legolas suddenly had a bad feeling. He somehow knew, without a doubt, that it was Strider. Leaning towards Myaven's ears, he whispered, "Rima, Myaven, rima!" The horse whinnied and took off at a fast canter. Legolas heard Elladan's cry of surprise, but didn't looked back. He lay low on the saddle, silently urging his horse faster. Myaven responded by running faster over the snow. They came within view of the object a minute later.

"Strider!"

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

Wethrinaerea- Deceitful ones

Rima- run

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