Story Title: Lean on Me
Chapter Title:
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: Hmm...once again, please keep reviews PG, and also, thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Sorry my chappies are taking longer to come up. But stick with it!
One again, Indicates thought.
Chapter 11
Elrond looked over at Legolas as he paced restlessly. "They'll be fine, Legolas." Upon reaching Mirkwood, the two had found that Elladan and Elrohir had been taken to the infirmary due to wounds sustained during their numerous orc battles. None of their wounds were life threatening, but they would be in pain for sometime. Legolas shook his head. "I know that, Elrond. It's Strider I'm worried about."
The elf lord didn't reply as Thranduíl walked from the healing wing. "How is he? Can we see him?" Thranduíl sighed tiredly. "Yes, you may see him. He's conscious, and I think he'll pull through alright. He's really quiet, though that may be from his throat being damaged." Legolas barely heard his father's words as he started forward and let himself into the room. The healer was just putting up his things and nodded once to Legolas before leaving.
"Strider?" The man on the bed opened his eyes and looked around blearily. "Legolas?" The elf crossed the distance to his friend and fought back the tears in his eyes. "How do you fare, my friend?" Strider laughed slightly, but it was a choked sound. "Better than you, I hear. How did you get shot? Are you okay?"
Legolas smiled slightly. "I'm fine, my friend. It's you we were concerned about." Strider grunted and asked quietly, "Dan? Ro?" Legolas shifted uneasily. "They were hurt, but they're going to be okay." Legolas saw his friend tense with this new information and he quietly said, "It's my fault." Legolas shook his head and took his unwounded hand carefully. "Nay, son of Arathorn. It is not your fault."
Legolas could see that his friend did not believe him, but he nodded. "I'm tired." The elf nodded. "Sleep, my friend. You'll not be alone when you awaken." The ranger drifted off the sleep, his dreams dark.
Two weeks passed before Aragorn was finally pronounced healthy. During his recovery, he'd stayed quiet, only speaking when spoken to, not instigating any conversations. Legolas had spent the weeks checking on his friend and his brothers, whom were also pronounced healthy the same day. Aragorn would not be comforted, not by Elrond or Legolas or even Thranduíl himself. He was thoroughly convinced the whole thing was his fault. He would not speak of what he went through, though, and his friends and family could only guess as to his mental state.
Legolas walked into his friend's room and frowned as he saw him sitting on the balcony railing, looking out at the dark trees below him. "Be careful out there." Aragorn didn't answer, and Legolas looked around. The room was tidy, and Aragorn's weapons and saddlebags sat ready and filled on the bed. "Going hunting? Want me to accompany you?" Aragorn's voice was quiet as he explained, "I'm leaving, Legolas. I can't stand to be around here anymore."
He turned and looked at Legolas before adding softly, "I can't stand to see my family right now. I need...I need some time." Legolas' throat was dry as he asked his friend, "When will you return?" Aragorn's eyes were guarded as he said, "I don't know." Legolas was still for a moment, and he could sense his friend's fear of being rejected.
"However long you need, Aragorn." A small smile lit up Aragorn's face and he grabbed his supplies. Legolas also grabbed some of his things and accompanied him to the stable, where Hijak was waiting. The horse had been found a little ways from Rivendell. Obviously, the steed was reluctant to leave his master in the face of battle.
They had the horse saddled up and ready in a few minutes, and they walked outside the stable. Most of the city was asleep, save the sentry guards. Aragorn looked out over the forest and sighed deeply. "What will you do, my friend?" Aragorn shrugged. "I do not know, but I think I will be okay. Sooner or later." Legolas asked, "And you will return?" The ranger smiled slightly and clasped Legolas arm in a traditional farewell. "Always, my dear friend."
Aragorn swung himself up on Hijak's back and asked quietly, "My...Lord Elrond, please inform him that I left of my own accord. I just need some space." Legolas nodded and whispered, "He will understand. Do not worry." Aragorn paused, then softly asked, "Promise me to watch over Arwen." Legolas nodded quickly, knowing it would put his friend at ease. "Of course. She will not come to harm."
Aragorn nodded once, whispered a farewell in Elvish, then kicked Hijak, allowing the horse to bear him through the dead of night. As the steed and rider disappeared, Legolas felt his heart become leaden. "Aragorn...you do not need to run from your family." With a tired shake of his head, Legolas turned and walked out of the stables, eventually arriving at his own room, where he paced the rest of the night, his thoughts on his friend.
Elladan and Elrohir stood on a wide limb, watching the conversation between their brother and friend. They saw the clear anguish and pain in Aragorn's eyes, and the look of raw sadness in Legolas' face. But they sat, silently, watching as their brother, their hope, took off into the darkness. Elladan whispered, "He is not who he once was. But I hope he will return to us, and I feel that when he does, he will finally be ready to face his destiny, and his past." Elrohir quietly added, "And perhaps, he will also be ready to face his family once again."
Elrond stood on the balcony of Thranduíl's meeting room, observing his son silently. His face was impassive as his youngest rode swiftly away from Mirkwood, and he heard the other Elven king come up beside him. "He will return, my friend. Sooner or later." Elrond shook his head. "He will never be the same, Thranduíl. I hurt him too much, opened wounds that will forever bleed. I only hope he can forgive me, and come back." Thranduíl placed a comforting hand on Elrond's shoulder. "You raised him well, Elrond. Trust in him. Trust in what you taught him." Elrond sighed and closed his eyes. "Trust in him. I do, my friend. More than you know."
Arwen sat still, looking at the stars. From her perch on a large rock, she could see the valley below her, clear as day, without being spotted. The bright, full moon above gave her enough light to see a horse bearing down the path. Crouching slightly, hoping to the Valar it wasn't her father, she caught her breath when she realized who it was.
She watched with sadness as Hijak came to a stop at the river's edge, and Aragorn swung from his back. He stayed on his feet only a moment before falling to his knees wearily. Arwen knew he wasn't tired; his heart and mind were tired. Because she knew what he was running from.
"Why do you run from those who love you?" Aragorn was not startled by the voice inside his head. "Arwen, I can't stay here. I can't be around them anymore." Arwen jumped from the rock, clad in her riding gown, and landed silently in the grass and walked up to him. "And me?" Aragorn raised his head, and when he locked eyes with her, she saw nothing in his eyes. It was as though an emotional shade had been dropped over the windows to his soul, and with all Arwen's Elvish abilities, she could not know his thoughts or emotions.
Abruptly, Aragorn stood and mounted Hijak in one smooth motion. Arwen jumped slightly and asked quickly, "Where are you going, Aragorn?" The man turned to her and said quietly, "I do not know, but I will return. Someday." A pause, then Aragorn whispered in anguish, "If I should not, do not wait for me." Arwen sucked in a breath, but didn't answer. Hijak took a few steps forward, and Arwen quickly moved forward, stopping them. With slightly shaky hands, she pulled something from a pocket. Pressing the item into Aragorn's palm, she whispered, "I will trust to hope." Aragorn gave her one last look, nodded, then took off at a fast gallop, moving away from the objects of his pain.
Arwen watched him go, feeling a warmth leave her soul, and shook her head. She spoke to the darkness, "You will return, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Stronger than you thought possible. You will face the darkness and defeat it. And I will wait."
In the distance, in the gloved hand of a running ranger, the Evenstar pendant glowed brightly.
IT'S DONE! FINALLY! Sorry about the updates being all off. With school starting and all...you get the idea. Thanks to everyone who's been there for me, reviewing and such. I appreciate it! Check out my other stories if you want to! Take care!
