Disclaimer: This story was written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's Note: Thank you all once again for your continued support! :) I must apologize for the roughness of last chapter. After rereading it the following day, I edited it again to make reading it a little more managable I hope. This current chapter is much longer than most, and I hope I caught most of the mistakes, but even with my efforts at editing, a few (or maybe many) still manage to squeek by uncaught. :) I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel with this story. It *SHOULD* be wrapped up in the next few chapters. :) I hope you enjoy this latest one!
Relesen-Chapter 18
Elrond paused to rub work weary eyes as he looked up from the parchment he had been studying upon his desk. Two new dawns had passed since Aragorn's return to consciousness, and though his son still suffered from the effects of his injuries, the Man's strides toward renewed health increased with each passing day. Adequately so, that the elf lord felt comfortable enough to allow some of his attentions to return to these mundane, but necessary tasks that were now spread before him. 'Besides', he mused, 'although Aragorn tried to keep up a confident front before all, who surrounded him, he could tell that such a conscientious effort was growing tedious for the young Human, and that he longed for the return of solitude that the buzz of constant companionship ill afforded to him.' To allow his son this comfort, Elrond had scaled back upon his time and that of others spent attending to Aragorn's sick room.
Still a tremor of uneasiness coursed through the elf as he considered his youngest son. Perhaps this brooding tension was in latent response to how close they had come in losing Aragorn to his injuries, Elrond reasoned. He could not deny the toll that the accident had taken upon all of their lives. None had been left untouched by its tribulation, and though the members of his household seemed to be recovering from the physical aspects of it, emotionally speaking, the strain from this mishap still weighed heavily upon each of them in its own distinct way, Elrohir with his hovering overprotectiveness, Elladan with his overshadowing regret, and Legolas with his staggering remorse. But what perhaps proved most worrisome to the elf lord was Aragorn's continued if not forced quest toward levity. At first, the Man's unusual response acted toward humoring the elf lord, but now Elrond could not help but wonder if his son's persistent manner was just a guise he was using to protect himself from the adverse effects of his ordeal. Elrond was unsure how much of what had happened Aragorn now remembered, but every so often when his youngest believed he was alone to his thoughts, the elf lord would catch a glimpse of the brooding light that took hold of his dove gray eyes. Elrond had held off speaking to Aragorn about what had transpired, feeling it best to allow the knowledge of the events to come upon the Human gradually during this time of recovery. His son had asked relatively few questions concerning his injuries and had yet to inquire how others might have played a part in them.
With this last thought, Elrond's mind could not help but turn toward the other convalescent within the walls of his realm. Legolas too seemed to be making increased strides toward recovery, but unlike his son, the elf, under the powers of his own strength, had been up and about again upon his feet, though he had yet to venture any further than his own bed chamber. Elrond's brow furrowed with deep worry as he thought about the Silvan elf. Even with his First Born tendency toward superior recovery, Legolas' sudden turnabout proved nothing short of miraculous. Still, the elf lord would not be fooled, for though the prince of Mirkwood's body healed at a much quicker rate than that of his son's, he perceived that heavy thoughts still plagued the immortal archer's mind, thoughts that the Silvan elf had since allowed none, save his own self be privy to.
With these burdensome reflections still weighing upon him, Elrond stared back at the piles of correspondences still awaiting his attention, and moving his hands forward, he began to sift through them once more trying to decide which document called for his utmost notice. His attempt did little toward distracting his immediate thoughts, however, and he found his mind wandering back toward those, whose attendance, most recently filled it. Haphazardly he reached for the paper closest at hand and allowed his eyes to scan through its long, flowery address. Not until halfway through the second page did he care to acknowledge to himself that he had no clue as to what its text contained. To continue with this vain attempt at paperwork was fruitless, the elf lord conceded especially when his mind lay elsewhere, and though he promised himself that he would not allow his worry to take such a stronghold upon him, he felt compelled to make a brief sojourn away from this business and check upon those, whom he held dearest in his heart.
Rising to his feet, Elrond tried to curb the rising flame of guilt now fanning within him for what he planned to do. Only hours earlier, he had reprimanded his two elder sons for crowding about their younger brother like mother hens. An uneasy smile played upon his lips as he realized he was about to do the same, but then again, Elrond reasoned, he was the man's father, and who else but himself should see to how Aragorn was getting along? Letting his eyes stray to the far most window of his study, he judged by the sun's position in the sky that the hour of the day was sufficient enough to justify another such visit, and without delay he headed off in the direction of his youngest's room.
Upon entering Aragorn's still temporary chamber, the elf lord's eyes were immediately drawn to the cot, which held his son. Hoping to find the Man resting, Elrond was distressed to note that he seemed to come upon Aragorn during a restless moment of sleep. Uncertain as to how he should proceed, Elrond acknowledged that he did not want to startle his son toward an abrupt awakening, lest such an unexpected action might bring about further pain for the Human. Instead, the elf lord chose to wait out the Man's disturbing dream, though he watched with anxious eyes the restless motions of his slumbering son hoping all the while that the man's own impulses might guide him back toward alertness. This was not to be, however, as Aragorn's head continued to pitch back and forth fitfully upon his pillow beneath it, while his left hand reached out reflexively to jerkily grab at the bedcovers below. His tense-filled movements incited an accompanying groan of anguish. The pain it held echoed about the room around them, and spurred Elrond toward immediate action. Hastily he drew to his son's side placing gentle hands upon his sleeping form to help still his motions, as he spoke out calmly breaking into the silence once more surrounding them.
"Estel." Elrond began. "Estel. It is just a dream. You must calm yourself, my son, lest you pull loose some of your stitches and injure yourself again. Awake now, Estel, for what disturbs you is only an illusion."
The sleeping man before him took no notice of this message as his agitation grew all the more, prompting his father to shake him lightly in an attempt to rouse him from the effects of his alarming slumber. "Estel!"
The elf lord's consequent actions were sufficient enough to bring about his son's immediate awakening as stunned gray eyes shot open, and Aragorn cried out. "Legolas, no!" In the moments that followed, Aragorn's startled gaze moved about the chamber surrounding him in desperate search, while his accompanying breaths remained harsh and unsteady. Elrond's hands moved away from Aragorn's sides and up toward his face in an effort to comfort the obviously distraught Man, and he repeated his earlier words. "It was just a dream, Estel. You were dreaming, my son."
"Father?" Aragorn exclaimed as he turned anxious gray eyes towards the elf lord, while trying to make sense out of what was happening around him. His groggy mind tried to recollect what it was that had held him in such fear only moments earlier, but the vision was now but a blur to him. His brain milled over the minute fragments of the dream that still remained in the far reaches of his memory, but for the life of him he could not piece together anything of great significance. Nothing! Nothing, but the concluding image in the seconds before his father had drawn him out of his reverie. It had been of Legolas. 'Why would he dream of Legolas?' Aragorn wondered uneasily, while his heart continued to beat wildly within his chest in response to both the confusing image of his friend and his spontaneous awakening from it. 'Why?' Aragorn questioned again. 'But more importantly,' The Man reasoned. 'Why would the closing image of his Silvan friend be so unnerving to him?' He forced his weary mind to retrace his final moments of slumber until it reclaimed the alarming image once more, one in which Legolas had turned so dispassionately away from him. His throat began to choke with rising emotion as he recalled calling out to the elf to halt his progress, but Legolas did not falter and paying no heed to his needful words, he continued to walk on. 'Legolas?!' He had beseeched to the archer in overwhelming distress, but his exclamation had no effect on the elf. 'No, Legolas would never act with such regard!' Aragorn rationalized silently. ' Such a reaction was so contrary to the elf he knew, the one he now considered his dearest friend!'
His father's voice interrupted these thoughts. "Estel? Are you alright?" The elf lord's words drawing him back toward the present.
"Yes, Father." The Man acknowledged woodenly, as he pulled away from the elf's soothing touch, though he appeared still visibly shaken by the vision.
"Are you sure, my son?" His father responded gently, while moving now useless hands back toward his lap.
"Yes, Father." Aragorn replied again unsteadily, before concluding with . "Or at least, I will be..."
Elrond gazed back at the Man, noting his uncertainty, and it was easy for the elf lord to discern the unlikelihood of Aragorn's claim. "Perhaps if you told me the content of your dream, it might help to put your mind at rest?" He gently prompted.
Aragorn's gray eyes stared back at the immortal being, whom he considered his father, and he hesitated. So many ambiguous fragments had beset upon him these last few days, though few when added together made any real sense. His mind poured over them once more adding this latest vision to the growing list, while Elrond waited and looked on with interest.
'His father had claimed he had been traveling when his injury had occurred. Why did thoughts of Minhiriath play so heavily upon his mind? He could not remember scouting that particular region of recent? And wolves? He remembered wolves, but though his body had sustained grave injuries, none had been wrought by the claws or fierce fangs of a wolf... But orcs!' Suddenly another snatch of remembrance flashed quickly before him, one of a fierce confrontation with these treacherous goblins. 'Yes, his father had mentioned his being slashed by an orc scimitar. But Legolas? How did he play into all of this?' Aragorn wondered as his mind searched for that still elusive clue that might aid him. He had not realized he had spoken his friend's name aloud until he heard his father's answering response.
"Yes,what about Legolas, Estel?" His father retorted evenly, though his eyes held a wary light that the Human had yet to ascertain.
"Nothing..." The Man began, before asking. "Was he with me when I was injured, Father? I vaguely recollect traveling with him, but the two of us were suppose to part company...and I believe I was to go on alone scouting by myself. Had we parted company before all this happened?"
"No." Elrond admitted freely as he went on to explain. "Legolas was with you when your misfortune occurred, Estel It was he that brought you back to Rivendell."
"But I have yet to see him..." Aragorn began bewilderedly until sudden fear caught hold of him spurring him to halt such thoughts as he inquired roughly. "He is still here then, Father? Nothing has happened to him, has it? He was not injured too? Please, Father do not hold back such knowledge from me for fear of my health! I can assure you that my mind is strong enough to bear such tidings even if they be ill ones, though I can not profess the same for my heart! Please tell me, Father, he is well?"
"He is well enough." Elrond assured his son. "Though he received injury also as a result of your altercation with the orcs only to be further complicated by all he went through on his trek to get you home."
It wasn't Elrond's intention to trigger a finger of guilt within his son, but his father's comments acted toward doing so as Aragorn's mind reviewed his answering response. 'So Legolas had been hurt also? Perhaps that was the reason for his dream?' He pondered, 'But he could not reconcile this bit of information with Legolas' obvious rejection in his dream. His father had stated that Legolas had went through much to return him to Rivendell. His mind could not let go of another vestige that now drew to the forefront of his thoughts, that of a steadfast voice, one that would not relinquish its claim upon him even though the lure of peace without out pain had called temptingly out to him. The voice's eloquence, whether it had been in speech or song, had calmed and comforted him throughout the long agonizing and ambiguous journey they had set upon before the unnatural sleep his father had mentioned had reached out to claim him. Thinking back upon it now, he realized that he would have not held onto to this earthly life had it not been for that voice, Legolas' voice.'
Dubious gray eyes peered up toward his father's discerning gaze as Aragorn went on. "Then he recovers as well, Father, and you hold nothing back from me?"
"Yes, Estel. Legolas recovers also." Elrond began stiltedly. "His physical injuries were not as grievous as your own, though he did not return to us unscathed. He sustained many cuts and abrasions, a few more serious than others, but it was fatigue, both physical and emotional, which resulted that bore the greater consequence upon him."
"Thank Iluvatar!" His son responded with immediate relief as his mind interpreted all that his father had just imparted. For he had held visions of his self-sacrificing friend covering many leagues over difficult terrain, while his own body cried out for succor, and he was grateful, grateful for the fact that Legolas had not been critically injured by the orcs' scimitars like himself nor pierced by their arrows. It had been him alone, who had sustained such ill treatment at their hands, as vague remembrances now returned to him of their biting slash, which had temporary felled him and in seconds following as he had tried to regain his footing, of their agonizing pierce.....
"ARGH!" He gasped aloud in reaction to this memory, as the pain from his recovering wound cut through him with its resurgence.
"Estel!" His father cried out in reaction to his obvious distress, while his skillful hands drew forth as he sought offer his son comfort by rendering immediate relief.
"I am fine...I am fine, Father." Aragorn choked through pain roughened breaths.
The elf lord appeared unconvinced by his response, while his expert eyes accompanied by his capable hands began to recheck the Man's various injuries.
"Though perhaps I've pushed myself too hard, today." Aragorn conceded quickly, in an effort to appease the elf before him. The fact that his answer came so forthwith only served to increase Elrond's renewed misgivings.
Rearranging his son's bandages once more, Elrond gazed back at Aragorn with vigilance, while the Human seemed to try and draw away from his discerning stare.
"Perhaps I should rest?" Aragorn commented, as he looked away uneasily.
A wariness stirred within Elrond's breast over his son's sudden complacent transformation. He was unsure if he should let things rest as they were especially now when Aragorn had made such great strides toward remembering all that had transpired. The recollection, however, had proven costly to the Man's fragile health, and Elrond did not want to push his son any further than he was capable of handling at present. Still the nagging doubt over his son remembering the one, final detail of his misfortune while perhaps alone overshadowed him. How would Aragorn react to such knowledge if none were present to explain? So he pressed on with one final attempt.
"I can find no just cause for your sudden heightened distress, Estel, save for the fact that the Human body still holds many mysteries even from myself. Perhaps some injured pathway that register's pain is still adversely effected by your wounds. It is safe enough now to administer a pain relieving draught, though its effects will make you sleepy once again."
"As if I needed anymore sleep..." The man retorted distractedly.
"Aye." His father answered dryly. "Though its restorative powers have proven most advantageous toward your continued recovery. Should I get you some before I leave? For I plan to visit with Legolas next, but not until I'm assured that you are resting once again comfortably."
Aragorn glared back hesitantly at his father as if guessing his ploy or at least one of them. Elrond would not leave until he was certain that Aragorn was relatively comfortable and pain free. 'But how could he be pain free now?' He questioned sharply before replying hastily.
"I will take some if it pleases you, Father."
Elrond almost reneged upon his offer with his son's immediate compliance. His attempt to spur his son toward further exchange had not boded well. He had been sure that his allusion to Legolas' name would coax Aragorn toward subsequent conversation and that the mention of a pain elixir would draw only complaint. But perhaps his usually astute intuition had been off, and that the Man indeed remembered no further, where as the pain he suffered from was forefront upon his mind? He could not withhold the means with which to offer his son present relief, so he moved away toward the far table that contained his healing herbs to ready a mixture.
Returning to his son's side, he placed a mug within Aragorn's waiting hand, while he watched the man begin to drink it, though somewhat reluctantly as his face crinkled with familiar distaste.
Aragorn spoke out. "Well I see that the flavor hasn't improved any!"
Pleased when the contents had been drained completely, the elf lord reclaimed the cup, as he waited for the properties of the medicine to take their effect.
"Really Father," Aragorn began. "I don't need to be fretted over or watched like a hawk!"
" No, I suppose you do not..." Elrond answered reluctantly, before Aragorn cut in while trying to stifle a bogus yawn.
"I don't remember your tonics ever being so potent before......" He claimed as his voice trailed off, while his eyelids began to flutter before ultimately closing completely.
Elrond lingered as he watched his son in sleep once more, thankful that this time it was a peaceful slumber. Finally when he was well satisfied that the man would rest comfortably for some time, he departed the room, but not without hesitation as he glanced one final time toward his Human son. Aragorn was indeed remembering, and it was time for him to apprize Legolas of this fact. He turned to head off toward the Silvan elf's room.
The effects of the herbal remedy were subduing to the Man. The swish of his father's softly rustling robe signaled his exit from the room, though it was little more than a muted whisper to the now drugged Human. Aragorn opened heavy lidded eyes once more. Thoughts now swirled through his mind, but one struggled to remain in the forefront before all others that of Legolas. His body hitched again in reaction to it as the remembrance returned to him through the growing haze that now reached out to encompass him. An arrow had slammed into his body, its impact propelling him backwards, and his eyes quickly moved to scrutinize its origin, while pain assaulted his senses. "Dear Elbereth!" He gasped softly as his mind's eye reclaimed the past and his vision met with Legolas once more until finally sweet abandon took the advantage and reached out to claim him.
Upon reaching Legolas' suite, Elrond knocked softly upon his door. Waiting patiently for a response, he received none. Not allowing this to deter him, he knocked more hardily a second time. Finally as long moments stretched forth, his patience wore thin, and he moved his hand toward the handle to allow himself access.
"Legolas?" He called out in initial greeting as he crossed over the threshold and into the room.
His seeking eyes immediately made contact with the one he now searched for, as he found the fair-haired elf upon his feet beside a low chest of drawers. Sitting atop of the cupboard was an opened travel bundle. It looked as if the elf had been filling it.
Initial confusion spilled across the Eldar's features as he immediately questioned. "Legolas what are you doing?"
Elrond waited for a response from the one, who had turned toward him. None came forthwith, and so the elf lord pressed again, this time more compellingly. "I ask you, Legolas, what are you doing?"
Finally the Silvan elf retorted dutifully. "As it appears, my lord. I am making ready for my departure."
"You cannot leave, Legolas!" Elrond hastily responded unable to keep the growing edge of bewilderment from his voice at such a notion.
"Indeed, I am, and indeed I shall." Legolas answered almost matter of factly spurring Elrond's bewilderment to turn to sudden and unaccustomed outrage.
"I forbid it!" the elf lord countered forcefully
Legolas turned stunned eyes toward Elrond's and he replied willfully. " You cannot tell me what to do! What do I look like to you? A child?"
Attempting to regain control over his rising appall, Elrond stated sharply. "No, I am certainly aware that you are well past the age of juvenileness, though at times your actions draw cause for me to question such knowledge!"
" But what is it that you hope to accomplish by this departure, Legolas?" Elrond continued warily. "You are yet fit to travel! If you were beset upon by either orcs or beasts, you'd stand little chance at defending yourself against them. Or is that what you hope to gain?" The elf lord inquired as his astute brow rose in acknowledgment. "To punish yourself for the crimes you believe committed against Estel?"
"Do not be foolish!" Legolas replied harshly.
"I don't believe the sentiment I proposed as foolish, for that is what you hope to achieve, is it not? By making yourself vulnerable, you seek to release yourself from the guilt that burdens you. Perhaps irreparably so. I cannot allow that to happen!" Elrond finished while noting the apparent fatalism that now marked Legolas' features, until the younger elf felt compelled to turn and look away.
"You cannot keep me here." Legolas bit out quietly
"I can and I will." Elrond countered gruffly. "Even if it means shackling you until that brain of yours returns to reason!"
The fair-haired elf did not respond to Elrond's unbridled threat spurring the elf lord to continue on. "Do you not wonder why I am here, Legolas? Pray tell, I cannot express my relief at happening upon you before such an ill-conceived plan was brought into action! I came here to relay to you the news that Estel is recovering and as his body recuperates, his memory returns as well. He is remembering, Legolas and soon all recollection will be retained by him. Now is the time for you to speak out about what happened in the wilderness! Do not hinder him from this, nor allow him to come upon such knowledge all by himself! He needs you there to explain it to him! He is generous in spirit, Legolas. Of this you can be sure! Do not abandon him in his time of need! You were there for him when his body cried out in pain. Can you not now do the same for him emotionally? For such an admission will not only serve to support him, but it will stem to emancipate you as well. Trust in him, Legolas, for he will not disappoint you!"
Tears streamed down the Silvan elf's face as he turned to meet with Elrond's countenance once more. "You don't understand, Lord Elrond." Legolas began tremulously "It is not my trust in Estel that wavers, but the trust I place in myself."
Author's note: The next chapter should pick up right where this chapter left off. I know Aragorn seems to be forever falling asleep. Lol! But in all actuality, (well at least in my mind) he is still physically far worse off than Legolas, and besides my plot needs him to remain that way for the time being, so I can reach the conclusion of this story, which btw has some parts already written. Until next time! Sue aka Quickbeam :)