A/n: I am sorry, but I won't be updating again for about a month. I
promise I'll update at least once a month!!! School, you know, so... you
see... yea. I have to get perfect marks this year, because I want to get
into a good high school. Meaning I have a very strict schedule. :( I
suppose this could count as a creative writing excercise, but teachers
don't really accept fanfiction, much less SLASH!!! :( Stupid predjudiced
anti-gay society. Slash rocks! (begins to go off on a rant, then realizes
that the readers are patiently waiting for her to get going with the story)
Oh... ehehehehe... um...
Well! The Two Towers came out on DVD a few days ago over here, so I got it and watched it a million times. I cannot WAIT for the Return of the King!!! Oh, that reminds me... guess what! I found this site of Elvis fanatics who are trying to stop the Return of the King because the title is insensitive to devoted Elvis fans. ? Idiots. They seem to think they're in the right, here. We all know better, though, don't we?
In response to reviews: Sorry, not responding to individual reviews this time, but... :) Love you ALL!!!!
Disclaimer: You think I own the Lord of the Rings? You need help...
Chapter Nine: Wildflower
The small human town of Belhemos got up at the first light of dawn. Innkeepers rose well before the crow of the rooster, for they had tighter schedules. It was a prosperous town in the summer season, if not a town of virtue. The traders were here for the fair, and farmers came from the outskirts to do business in droves. It was not yet a city, but it was close to it.
Aragorn looked at it with interest, and a faint sense of revulsion. "I forgot how towns smell. And Belhemos doesn't really look nice against the sparsely forested countryside. I've never really lived in a human settlement." Legolas looked at him with a smile.
They were both hooded and cloaked, and Aragorn was using a staff. Their packs were strapped over their cloaks, as were their belts, to avoid the chance that their clothing might show. Their clothing was not of the area, and while that might be understandable in a trader, it would cause raised eyebrows in a pair of wanderers with only one small purchase to make.
Low-born, not very intelligent humans were suspicious of outsiders with no discernible greater purpose, and you had to manipulate them delicately. Unfortunately, most small towns were populated with such people. Better to be concealed, all in all.
"I was half afraid you would miss humans. Are you sure you want to stay with me, away from civilization?" Legolas asked softly. Aragorn smiled as well.
"I'm sure. You need someone to care for you, after all." Legolas walked a few paces forward to tread through the ankle-deep, dry grass that was a faded green in color. He paused, and turned back, a serious expression on his face.
"You'll have to get used to people looking down on you, Estel," he said, using the Man's elvish name. "You'll be treated with utter disrespect. And try not to speak too much, your accent is strange to this area. And- please," he said, his voice gone pleading, "please don't wander off without me." //I need you with me,// he added mentally. Aragorn sighed, and ruffled Legolas's hair.
"I'll be fine. I'll just follow your lead. And I promise, we'll be glued at the hip for the whole trip. Happy?" Legolas colored for a moment, and nodded.
"Very." He began to hike towards Belhemos, towards the dusty strip of road that separated it from the forest. After a few seconds, Aragorn did the same.
__________________________________________________________
Legolas smiled happily beneath his mask. //The bad dreams have stopped,// he thought cheerfully. //Aragorn wants to make me happy, nothing more. He's seen past my scars, and he believes I'm worth something. I think I can stand anything as long as he's with me.//
His booted feet scuffed on the surface of the gravely road, bringing him back to reality. //Stupid elf, watch where you're going next time,// he berated himself.
//Now, let me see... The town isn't more than two miles away, so we should reach it by noon. Time enough to get an inn for the night, but not long enough to go dagger-hunting. It'll be at least a day before I find a pair of daggers I can use, and that's if they're in price range. Mercenaries use jewelry for money often enough, and I studied the laws of merc code, so we'll be able to pass for two freelancers.//
He absentmindedly touched the wrought silver and amber bracelet he had, a memento of old days. It was an ivy leaf pattern. with the amber gems lining the stems and providing a pretty honey-coloured edging to the leaves. It had been given to him as a gift. He smiled wryly.
//It clashed terribly with my blue eyes. I never wore it, not once. It was just floating around in my travel packs when I got my things together to leave, in banishment.// His mood shifted towards depression, and he sternly stopped the all-too-well-worn train of thought.
//Stop it. You know where that leads, stupid elf, so don't even think about it. Wait until you can face the memories without cringing. Wait until you can stop thinking that Aragorn will leave you.// Legolas paused for a moment, absentmindedly, to let Aragorn catch up. //Don't become a Ghost.//
__________________________________________________________
When the two strangers reached the town, the merchants were packing up their stalls for the evening, and it looked dull. Legolas had no doubt, of course, that it would be awash with color and sound well before they woke up, but he was thankful he would have the night to adapt to the hum and clatter of the town.
//I hate places like this. The ground is walled under by stone, the trees are nonexistent, and there's so much dust, muck, smog, and grime all over everything that you need a lantern at night. I am glad Aragorn sees nothing to love in all of this, for I would never be able to stand having to live here.//
He paused, looking for an inn or tavern of some sort, and the rest of his mind kept on talking. //I haven't tried to communicate with Aragorn through thought, yet, but he seems to be half-elven, so I will try to link our minds sometime later. That will be even better than what we have now; to truly merge souls as well as bodies.// He sighed.
//Last time I checked, old human prejudices were still in place against same-gender pairings. No public displays of affection, then, including talk.//
There was a commotion in the town square, several blocks in front of them. Legolas's brow furrowed. Then he remembered. //DAMN!// he cursed, glaring at the moon. //It's noruitinnu laer! The Solstice! Oh, by all the mortal hells...//
Aragorn seemed to have come to the exact same conclusion.
"Isn't it Midsummer Eve?" he asked pointedly. Legolas groaned half- heartedly.
"All the inns will be full," he remarked to the cobblestones beneath him. Aragorn grunted.
"...we could try to weasel a room out of a brothel," he suggested. Legolas sniffed delicately, wrinkling his nose.
"We don't have the money to pay for it. Besides, we could always sleep in the stables. Don't give up that hope." Aragorn nodded.
"Shall we try that inn?" Legolas said, pointing to a large building with a signpost that read: *The Islet Inn*, and Aragorn nodded his consent once more. Legolas began to stride over the cobblestones once more, and entered the Inn bracing himself for the worst.
Thankfully, the inn was clean. And it was well-lit, which spoke of profit. Legolas thanked the Valar for small blessings, and waded through the celebrators to the bartender. She was a pretty woman, with gold hair a shade darker than his own combed in front of her ears, and startling purple eyes. She smiled attractively, and leaned over the bar.
"I'm sorry, sirs, but the inn is full, unless you are paying for one of us girls' services. If you merely want a drink, please wait for a moment." She was about to walk away, when Legolas grasped her arm.
"Er... we actually wanted to know if we could get permission to sleep in the stables. Do you know who we can talk to?" He was thankful for his mask, for he was sure he was blushing. The girl seemed startled for a moment, then intrigued. She smiled a real smile then, one that made her face light up.
"I own the Islet. My name is Elisabet. Good to meet you... "
"Legolas," he supplied. Elisabet's eyes widened, as she noticed his ears.
"Y-you're an- an elf!" she blurted out, and then her expression turned into an ecstatic one. She was all smiles as she made them promise to wait at the back door.
Aragorn noted, somewhat bemusedly, the woman's attraction. "She liked you," he told Legolas as they stood outside the back door to the inn. Legolas sighed.
"Just wait until she sees my face," he grumbled. "I guarantee you, she'll start chasing you." He began to reach up and undo the ties that bound his mask to his face. He lifted it off, just as Elisabet came out of the inn. She noted his face. Legolas recieved a sort of bitter satisfaction when she froze and began to shake for a few moments.
Finally she seemed to regain her composure and smiled weakly. She spoke only to Aragorn, and avoided looking at Legolas. "As- as long as you pay in at least three days, you are welcome to stay in the hayloft. It is isolated, used once every day at mid-day. No one will disturb you at night or early morning. Good day, sirs. I-I mean, good night." The door shut with a slam.
Legolas shrugged, and tugged at Aragorn's arm. "Come on, love, we can't stand here all night." But the Man seemed disinclinded to move until he had had a good stare at the closed door.
"That wasn't very nice of her," he growled after a time. Legolas sighed, and smiled.
"I'm used to it," he assured the Man. Aragorn positively glared. Legolas winced, and braced himself.
"Well you shouldn't be! No one has the right to do something like that to you! No one should even think of doing something like that to you! Why, I ought to-"
"Aragorn! Please!" Legolas planted both feet firmly in front of the door, and refused to budge. "Stop!" He had to place his hands out in front of him to stop Aragorn from barreling past. Aragorn froze at his voice, and seemed to regain some of his senses. He laid his head in his hands, and his eyes were stricken as he rose them once more.
"Legolas," he whispered. "I am so sorry-"
"Hush, you battle-hungry fiend. I'm not angry with you, you are merely being overprotective. Now come to your senses and with me to this hayloft. And I did tell you you would have to get used to people looking down on us, if you'll recall." Legolas smiled sweetly, and let Aragorn hug him.
"They still shouldn't. You're too good for that."
"It's nice to know someone cares. Come on now, let's go to bed." Aragorn stifled a laugh.
"Why, Legolas-" he choked out, trying to control his giggle attack. "I had no idea I was that appealing-"
"To sleep, damnit!" Legolas grinned at him, and they walked into the hayloft quietly. Legolas walked forward, when Aragorn shut the trapdoor and all was enveloped in darkness. He stood stock still, and waited for his eyes to adjust.
There was a beam of moonlight streaming down, making the straw beneath their feet look almost blue in color. Shadows also danced through the haphazardly arranged bits of hay. It looked vaguely like a meadow in the moonlight, except it was inside a barn.
//Vaguely pretty, but nowhere near as nice as the woods.// Legolas sighed, and sat down. //I've been having to sleep with my eyes open, to try and make my dreams less severe. Normal elf dreams, after all, are much more intense. Not very dreamlike, actually.// He chuckled weakly. //I'm pretty abnormal. I'm not supposed to cry, either. I guess I'm the lowest form of elf you'll find.// He wrinkled his nose. //I wonder if orcs cry and sleep with their eyes closed?//
//Hush, stupid elf,// he warned himself. //You're not an orc yet.//
//But you look like one,// the voice at the back of his mind said maliciously. He shuddered.
//Stop it,// he mentally whispered. But he could not chase it away. Unknowingly, he was slipping into the dream-world. And in elven dreams there is no escape, only confrontation of your fears and inner struggles...
Legolas slet off a small sigh, and then...
He was gone into phantasm. Outside the barn, a rosebush began to wilt.
__________________________________________________________
(A/n: Leggy's PoV.)
I am struggling against the cold waters of a river, glacial water driving into me like a knife. My body is battered and weary, and am alone. So alone...
The raging waters of the river of the underworld, Lethe, have me in their grasp, and I am fighting for my life.
Pieces of me are missing, whipped away from my shaking skeleton by the debris pummeling me, carried on by the current that also seeks to draw me under, into its chill embrace... I scream, but I cannot even hear myself above the roar of the waters and the rumbling of the chasm above.
Thunder rends the sky with its grating clash. I'm alone, no one's there, and the wounds have stopped bleeding and gone numb. All but one, the gash through my heart... it bleeds slowly, spilling blood into the water in time to the slow throbbing of my heart.
I cannot even weep, for I know that the tears will join the water that seeks to draw me under. There is no hope... there is only pain... and Death is whispering in my ears.
Lightning streaks through the sky above me. I am startled, and cease fighting for an instant. The water pulls me back, and I howl in agony. I have lost precious ground I must pay in blood, sweat, and pain to regain. There's no hope. There is no one there.
Tears begin to spill out of my eyes, and I sob. I can't hear myself. My most hellish and tortured outbursts have all been drowned out by the Lethe and the starless sky's breaking. I weep freely, now, not caring anymore. There's no one there, after all... there is never anyone there to help.
I have forgotten if there was anything before this. Was there? I do not know. I cannot remember. The water has washed my mind away and left nothing but blind panic. And all I know is that I'm slipping... slipping... all alone...
Alone.
ALONE!!!
Legolas woke, every pore open, eyes white with fear. Terror claimed him, and he buried his head in his arms and sobbed. But he kept the sounds to himself, and the only way you could have told he was weeping was the shaking of his body.
A voice spoke out in the dark. "Legolas?"
Legolas's wits formed some semblance of order as he spoke. "I am here, melda." His tone was deadpan, and his eyes were vacant. He looked at the shadowed Man, and tried to remember why he had called him "melda". Who was he?
Then memory came back like a flood. Legolas moaned, and he fell forward into Aragorn's waiting arms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aragorn sighed, his heart breaking. He held Legolas as though he were made of glass, afraid that he might break. Legolas had not made a sound, but was clutching him so tightly it was almost painful.
//You've been so twisted, angel. How am I going to fix you?//
//How can I mend what was broken and never healed?//
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas sighed, and reluctantly relaxed his grip. He sat up, sniffling, and Aragorn wiped away the tears forming at the edge of his eyes. It had been so hard to forget how his father and mother had looked at him... and then, seeing the look on Elisabet's face...
//It brought everything back. Everything. The pain, the disgust... I'm suprised I lived. What was I holding onto? I don't know how I survived...//
Aragorn smiled at him, and Legolas realized he had not replaced his mask. He dropped his eyes, and waited to be scorned. But no blow fell, no harsh words were spoken. He looked back up hesitantly. Aragorn was still smiling at him.
"You're beautiful, angel," he whispered, and Legolas stared in disbelief. //...what?//
"No, you are blind," he said, smiling slightly at him. Aragorn shook his head.
"No, love, you're really beautiful. Now, get some sleep. We have to go bargain-hunting tomorrow."
Legolas nodded, and lay down next to Aragorn. Arms wrapped around him, and this time, when, he attempted to sleep in the true elven fashion, his dreams were forgiving.
Outside the barn, the rosebush began to bud.
*****tbc*****
A/n: Nasty Elisabet. Threw him back a couple paces in his therapy. (frowns at Elisabet, and whacks her with a stick) I just can't write stories that have Aragorn and Legolas jumping at each other at every possible second. Sorry if that's what you like, but... :) Not doin' it.
I actually hinted at the ending somewhere in this chapter. Not telling where, though... Review and I'll try to post more often. Bye until early October!!! See you, darling reviewers!
~Nightbird*Songbird
Well! The Two Towers came out on DVD a few days ago over here, so I got it and watched it a million times. I cannot WAIT for the Return of the King!!! Oh, that reminds me... guess what! I found this site of Elvis fanatics who are trying to stop the Return of the King because the title is insensitive to devoted Elvis fans. ? Idiots. They seem to think they're in the right, here. We all know better, though, don't we?
In response to reviews: Sorry, not responding to individual reviews this time, but... :) Love you ALL!!!!
Disclaimer: You think I own the Lord of the Rings? You need help...
Chapter Nine: Wildflower
The small human town of Belhemos got up at the first light of dawn. Innkeepers rose well before the crow of the rooster, for they had tighter schedules. It was a prosperous town in the summer season, if not a town of virtue. The traders were here for the fair, and farmers came from the outskirts to do business in droves. It was not yet a city, but it was close to it.
Aragorn looked at it with interest, and a faint sense of revulsion. "I forgot how towns smell. And Belhemos doesn't really look nice against the sparsely forested countryside. I've never really lived in a human settlement." Legolas looked at him with a smile.
They were both hooded and cloaked, and Aragorn was using a staff. Their packs were strapped over their cloaks, as were their belts, to avoid the chance that their clothing might show. Their clothing was not of the area, and while that might be understandable in a trader, it would cause raised eyebrows in a pair of wanderers with only one small purchase to make.
Low-born, not very intelligent humans were suspicious of outsiders with no discernible greater purpose, and you had to manipulate them delicately. Unfortunately, most small towns were populated with such people. Better to be concealed, all in all.
"I was half afraid you would miss humans. Are you sure you want to stay with me, away from civilization?" Legolas asked softly. Aragorn smiled as well.
"I'm sure. You need someone to care for you, after all." Legolas walked a few paces forward to tread through the ankle-deep, dry grass that was a faded green in color. He paused, and turned back, a serious expression on his face.
"You'll have to get used to people looking down on you, Estel," he said, using the Man's elvish name. "You'll be treated with utter disrespect. And try not to speak too much, your accent is strange to this area. And- please," he said, his voice gone pleading, "please don't wander off without me." //I need you with me,// he added mentally. Aragorn sighed, and ruffled Legolas's hair.
"I'll be fine. I'll just follow your lead. And I promise, we'll be glued at the hip for the whole trip. Happy?" Legolas colored for a moment, and nodded.
"Very." He began to hike towards Belhemos, towards the dusty strip of road that separated it from the forest. After a few seconds, Aragorn did the same.
__________________________________________________________
Legolas smiled happily beneath his mask. //The bad dreams have stopped,// he thought cheerfully. //Aragorn wants to make me happy, nothing more. He's seen past my scars, and he believes I'm worth something. I think I can stand anything as long as he's with me.//
His booted feet scuffed on the surface of the gravely road, bringing him back to reality. //Stupid elf, watch where you're going next time,// he berated himself.
//Now, let me see... The town isn't more than two miles away, so we should reach it by noon. Time enough to get an inn for the night, but not long enough to go dagger-hunting. It'll be at least a day before I find a pair of daggers I can use, and that's if they're in price range. Mercenaries use jewelry for money often enough, and I studied the laws of merc code, so we'll be able to pass for two freelancers.//
He absentmindedly touched the wrought silver and amber bracelet he had, a memento of old days. It was an ivy leaf pattern. with the amber gems lining the stems and providing a pretty honey-coloured edging to the leaves. It had been given to him as a gift. He smiled wryly.
//It clashed terribly with my blue eyes. I never wore it, not once. It was just floating around in my travel packs when I got my things together to leave, in banishment.// His mood shifted towards depression, and he sternly stopped the all-too-well-worn train of thought.
//Stop it. You know where that leads, stupid elf, so don't even think about it. Wait until you can face the memories without cringing. Wait until you can stop thinking that Aragorn will leave you.// Legolas paused for a moment, absentmindedly, to let Aragorn catch up. //Don't become a Ghost.//
__________________________________________________________
When the two strangers reached the town, the merchants were packing up their stalls for the evening, and it looked dull. Legolas had no doubt, of course, that it would be awash with color and sound well before they woke up, but he was thankful he would have the night to adapt to the hum and clatter of the town.
//I hate places like this. The ground is walled under by stone, the trees are nonexistent, and there's so much dust, muck, smog, and grime all over everything that you need a lantern at night. I am glad Aragorn sees nothing to love in all of this, for I would never be able to stand having to live here.//
He paused, looking for an inn or tavern of some sort, and the rest of his mind kept on talking. //I haven't tried to communicate with Aragorn through thought, yet, but he seems to be half-elven, so I will try to link our minds sometime later. That will be even better than what we have now; to truly merge souls as well as bodies.// He sighed.
//Last time I checked, old human prejudices were still in place against same-gender pairings. No public displays of affection, then, including talk.//
There was a commotion in the town square, several blocks in front of them. Legolas's brow furrowed. Then he remembered. //DAMN!// he cursed, glaring at the moon. //It's noruitinnu laer! The Solstice! Oh, by all the mortal hells...//
Aragorn seemed to have come to the exact same conclusion.
"Isn't it Midsummer Eve?" he asked pointedly. Legolas groaned half- heartedly.
"All the inns will be full," he remarked to the cobblestones beneath him. Aragorn grunted.
"...we could try to weasel a room out of a brothel," he suggested. Legolas sniffed delicately, wrinkling his nose.
"We don't have the money to pay for it. Besides, we could always sleep in the stables. Don't give up that hope." Aragorn nodded.
"Shall we try that inn?" Legolas said, pointing to a large building with a signpost that read: *The Islet Inn*, and Aragorn nodded his consent once more. Legolas began to stride over the cobblestones once more, and entered the Inn bracing himself for the worst.
Thankfully, the inn was clean. And it was well-lit, which spoke of profit. Legolas thanked the Valar for small blessings, and waded through the celebrators to the bartender. She was a pretty woman, with gold hair a shade darker than his own combed in front of her ears, and startling purple eyes. She smiled attractively, and leaned over the bar.
"I'm sorry, sirs, but the inn is full, unless you are paying for one of us girls' services. If you merely want a drink, please wait for a moment." She was about to walk away, when Legolas grasped her arm.
"Er... we actually wanted to know if we could get permission to sleep in the stables. Do you know who we can talk to?" He was thankful for his mask, for he was sure he was blushing. The girl seemed startled for a moment, then intrigued. She smiled a real smile then, one that made her face light up.
"I own the Islet. My name is Elisabet. Good to meet you... "
"Legolas," he supplied. Elisabet's eyes widened, as she noticed his ears.
"Y-you're an- an elf!" she blurted out, and then her expression turned into an ecstatic one. She was all smiles as she made them promise to wait at the back door.
Aragorn noted, somewhat bemusedly, the woman's attraction. "She liked you," he told Legolas as they stood outside the back door to the inn. Legolas sighed.
"Just wait until she sees my face," he grumbled. "I guarantee you, she'll start chasing you." He began to reach up and undo the ties that bound his mask to his face. He lifted it off, just as Elisabet came out of the inn. She noted his face. Legolas recieved a sort of bitter satisfaction when she froze and began to shake for a few moments.
Finally she seemed to regain her composure and smiled weakly. She spoke only to Aragorn, and avoided looking at Legolas. "As- as long as you pay in at least three days, you are welcome to stay in the hayloft. It is isolated, used once every day at mid-day. No one will disturb you at night or early morning. Good day, sirs. I-I mean, good night." The door shut with a slam.
Legolas shrugged, and tugged at Aragorn's arm. "Come on, love, we can't stand here all night." But the Man seemed disinclinded to move until he had had a good stare at the closed door.
"That wasn't very nice of her," he growled after a time. Legolas sighed, and smiled.
"I'm used to it," he assured the Man. Aragorn positively glared. Legolas winced, and braced himself.
"Well you shouldn't be! No one has the right to do something like that to you! No one should even think of doing something like that to you! Why, I ought to-"
"Aragorn! Please!" Legolas planted both feet firmly in front of the door, and refused to budge. "Stop!" He had to place his hands out in front of him to stop Aragorn from barreling past. Aragorn froze at his voice, and seemed to regain some of his senses. He laid his head in his hands, and his eyes were stricken as he rose them once more.
"Legolas," he whispered. "I am so sorry-"
"Hush, you battle-hungry fiend. I'm not angry with you, you are merely being overprotective. Now come to your senses and with me to this hayloft. And I did tell you you would have to get used to people looking down on us, if you'll recall." Legolas smiled sweetly, and let Aragorn hug him.
"They still shouldn't. You're too good for that."
"It's nice to know someone cares. Come on now, let's go to bed." Aragorn stifled a laugh.
"Why, Legolas-" he choked out, trying to control his giggle attack. "I had no idea I was that appealing-"
"To sleep, damnit!" Legolas grinned at him, and they walked into the hayloft quietly. Legolas walked forward, when Aragorn shut the trapdoor and all was enveloped in darkness. He stood stock still, and waited for his eyes to adjust.
There was a beam of moonlight streaming down, making the straw beneath their feet look almost blue in color. Shadows also danced through the haphazardly arranged bits of hay. It looked vaguely like a meadow in the moonlight, except it was inside a barn.
//Vaguely pretty, but nowhere near as nice as the woods.// Legolas sighed, and sat down. //I've been having to sleep with my eyes open, to try and make my dreams less severe. Normal elf dreams, after all, are much more intense. Not very dreamlike, actually.// He chuckled weakly. //I'm pretty abnormal. I'm not supposed to cry, either. I guess I'm the lowest form of elf you'll find.// He wrinkled his nose. //I wonder if orcs cry and sleep with their eyes closed?//
//Hush, stupid elf,// he warned himself. //You're not an orc yet.//
//But you look like one,// the voice at the back of his mind said maliciously. He shuddered.
//Stop it,// he mentally whispered. But he could not chase it away. Unknowingly, he was slipping into the dream-world. And in elven dreams there is no escape, only confrontation of your fears and inner struggles...
Legolas slet off a small sigh, and then...
He was gone into phantasm. Outside the barn, a rosebush began to wilt.
__________________________________________________________
(A/n: Leggy's PoV.)
I am struggling against the cold waters of a river, glacial water driving into me like a knife. My body is battered and weary, and am alone. So alone...
The raging waters of the river of the underworld, Lethe, have me in their grasp, and I am fighting for my life.
Pieces of me are missing, whipped away from my shaking skeleton by the debris pummeling me, carried on by the current that also seeks to draw me under, into its chill embrace... I scream, but I cannot even hear myself above the roar of the waters and the rumbling of the chasm above.
Thunder rends the sky with its grating clash. I'm alone, no one's there, and the wounds have stopped bleeding and gone numb. All but one, the gash through my heart... it bleeds slowly, spilling blood into the water in time to the slow throbbing of my heart.
I cannot even weep, for I know that the tears will join the water that seeks to draw me under. There is no hope... there is only pain... and Death is whispering in my ears.
Lightning streaks through the sky above me. I am startled, and cease fighting for an instant. The water pulls me back, and I howl in agony. I have lost precious ground I must pay in blood, sweat, and pain to regain. There's no hope. There is no one there.
Tears begin to spill out of my eyes, and I sob. I can't hear myself. My most hellish and tortured outbursts have all been drowned out by the Lethe and the starless sky's breaking. I weep freely, now, not caring anymore. There's no one there, after all... there is never anyone there to help.
I have forgotten if there was anything before this. Was there? I do not know. I cannot remember. The water has washed my mind away and left nothing but blind panic. And all I know is that I'm slipping... slipping... all alone...
Alone.
ALONE!!!
Legolas woke, every pore open, eyes white with fear. Terror claimed him, and he buried his head in his arms and sobbed. But he kept the sounds to himself, and the only way you could have told he was weeping was the shaking of his body.
A voice spoke out in the dark. "Legolas?"
Legolas's wits formed some semblance of order as he spoke. "I am here, melda." His tone was deadpan, and his eyes were vacant. He looked at the shadowed Man, and tried to remember why he had called him "melda". Who was he?
Then memory came back like a flood. Legolas moaned, and he fell forward into Aragorn's waiting arms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aragorn sighed, his heart breaking. He held Legolas as though he were made of glass, afraid that he might break. Legolas had not made a sound, but was clutching him so tightly it was almost painful.
//You've been so twisted, angel. How am I going to fix you?//
//How can I mend what was broken and never healed?//
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas sighed, and reluctantly relaxed his grip. He sat up, sniffling, and Aragorn wiped away the tears forming at the edge of his eyes. It had been so hard to forget how his father and mother had looked at him... and then, seeing the look on Elisabet's face...
//It brought everything back. Everything. The pain, the disgust... I'm suprised I lived. What was I holding onto? I don't know how I survived...//
Aragorn smiled at him, and Legolas realized he had not replaced his mask. He dropped his eyes, and waited to be scorned. But no blow fell, no harsh words were spoken. He looked back up hesitantly. Aragorn was still smiling at him.
"You're beautiful, angel," he whispered, and Legolas stared in disbelief. //...what?//
"No, you are blind," he said, smiling slightly at him. Aragorn shook his head.
"No, love, you're really beautiful. Now, get some sleep. We have to go bargain-hunting tomorrow."
Legolas nodded, and lay down next to Aragorn. Arms wrapped around him, and this time, when, he attempted to sleep in the true elven fashion, his dreams were forgiving.
Outside the barn, the rosebush began to bud.
*****tbc*****
A/n: Nasty Elisabet. Threw him back a couple paces in his therapy. (frowns at Elisabet, and whacks her with a stick) I just can't write stories that have Aragorn and Legolas jumping at each other at every possible second. Sorry if that's what you like, but... :) Not doin' it.
I actually hinted at the ending somewhere in this chapter. Not telling where, though... Review and I'll try to post more often. Bye until early October!!! See you, darling reviewers!
~Nightbird*Songbird