Chapter 7: Darkest memories

Rasiel had found the place some time ago, and showed it to him soon afterwards. It was easily the largest and deepest of all the other ones they had seen. It wasn't long before the other Elven children knew of its location. Rasiel and Legolas were the only two who stood up to the challenge placed before them…

When Thranduil found of their doings he was not pleased. He forbade the two from ever participating in the dangerous activity again. The land there was unstable, and he would not see anyone harmed.

In some ways Legolas was glad his father had placed such a rule. He never would admit how frightened he truly was. But Rasiel was upset. He lived and breathed adventure. More than anything he wanted to a brave and heroic warrior. He pleaded with Legolas over and over again, to run through one last time.

One more time wouldn't hurt…or so he thought. Now, he wished he had listened to his father's warning.

*~*~*~*

Legolas leaned against the wall of the cave, muffling a soft groan as he rubbed his leg gently. He had nearly forgotten about the wound on his leg, but now it was throbbing painfully.

His hands hurt as well, and were hard to move. They felt as if they were on fire. He blew on them gently, trying to cool them. He glanced up to the ranger that stood only a few feet away, glancing at the dead end they had come to.

The Elf wasn't certain how long they had been walking around in depths of the cave, or where they were at this moment. To him, It felt as if they had been walking in circles. He assumed that they very well had. Legolas groaned at the thought, seating himself on the uneven terrain. Aragorn turned at the weak sound, his eyes searching out for the Elf. Their eyes had adjusted to the dark, but some things were still hard to see.

"Legolas, are you well?"

Legolas snorted at his question. "Perfectly, I enjoy spending my free time in the dark."

Aragorn sighed deeply, making his way back to him. He knelt so that he was eye level, placing a hand on his knee to draw the Elf's attention toward him.

"Are you well?" he repeated.

Legolas stared at him for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "You've already asked that."

"And I'm still waiting for an answer," Aragorn answered lightly.

"I'm fine," Legolas replied mildly, pushing Aragorn's hand of his knee. But Aragorn seized his wrist, seeing his bloodied hand for the first time. Legolas stiffened as the ranger examined the swollen flesh.

"Legolas, this is bad," he said quietly, laying his hand atop of the Elf's.

Legolas hissed in pain at the small touch, trying to draw his hand free. A glare from Aragorn stopped him.

"When were you planning to tell me about this."

Legolas turned his head away, unwilling to answer. Aragorn sighed, shaking his head as he released the Elf's hand. Legolas let it rest on his knee, as Aragorn shifted his weight to his other knee.

"The most I can do is bandage them, there is no water nearby to clean them with. Hopefully we can get out of here before infection sets in. Legolas?"

'Legolas,' he could here the voice, so small, so weak.

'Where are you?'

I'm here, I'm here, he wanted to call out, but still far too shaken from what had happened. It was hard to see, to focus, something wet was on his face…warm and…blood, it was blood. Why was he bleeding? It didn't hurt; he lay a hand along his brow…it hurt now.

'Legolas, where are you?' the voice again, but from where? Who…

'Legolas? Please Legolas…where are you? Legolas…'

"Legolas!" The Rangers' voice startled Legolas, bringing him back from his thoughts. He turned quickly to find the human watching him closely.

"What is it Legolas? What is in that head of yours which is keeping you so occupied."

Legolas feigned a smile, hoping that would convince him. "Elves aren't meant to be in caves Human." He prayed Aragorn would fall for it.

The Ranger did not look convinced. "There is more than that. Something you are hiding, you think I have not seen the way you become lost in your thoughts."

"All Elves have natural fear of caves."

Aragorn shook his head, "If that is what you claim, but I know there is more than that. You don't have to tell me, but I don't want to see you suffer because of something…"

Aragorn just shook his head as began bandaging the Elves' hands up. He knew how stubborn his kin could be; he had plenty of practice with his brothers.

Legolas flinched sensitively under his administrations, looking away from the ranger. It was…embarrassing to say at least to be taken care of, like a youth, especially from one so much younger than himself, but Legolas had to admit, he had been careless with his injuries.

He watched Aragorn from the corner of his eye, the young ranger intent in his work, but moving with gentle motions so as to upset the swollen flesh anymore than needed. He knew, somehow he knew…

Legolas shook his head, impossible, he couldn't know, it happened well before his time. Elrond knew though…would he have told…? Legolas furrowed his brow. For what reason would Elrond tell his youngest son? Aragorn knew not of him yet, did Elrond foresee this meeting? Legolas let out a sigh; things were so hard to understand some time. It was then he noticed Aragorn had finished some time ago, and was watching the Elf intently. When Legolas met his eyes he gave the Elf a curious look.

"Are you finished conversing with yourself?" Aragorn questioned.

Legolas smiled sheepishly, his fair cheeks holding a bit of a tinge as he nodded. Aragorn stood, holding his forearm to help him to his feet as well.

"We must retrace our path and search for another way. The sooner we leave this place, the better."

Legolas nodded, following the ranger as he began to lead. "Agreed."

TBC

Note to all readers! I was certain that I translated Legolas' saying, but from the sounds of it, I did not. It roughly translates to "Even in death"

Hehe, now everyone can stop asking me now..

Gwyn-

I've beaten myself at my own game… I like the sound of that, though I'm not certain what I've done to earn a comment like that… Yes there is some…as he waltzes down memory lane, but you will have to wait, the one dreaded thing that we all hate to do. I should be able to update soon, though no promises.

Balthasar&Owl

The monkey is bob, but there is no monkey named bob? Alright, that is enough to scare even the bravest of warriors off. (Meaning you two)

I'm not very good at basketball either, I played a little, but not my thing. Really, now that was random.

Owl, I wouldn't urge Balthasar on, all your doing right now is giving her ammunition, and she's using it pretty well, though I must say it's a quite humorous conversation.

Valar, yes it is, a typo. I can't fix everything…though I wouldn't mind having the powers to do so…

But they are going deeper into the cave, they just keep running into dead ends…Tom Sawyer, one of my favorites, I like the part where Tom and Huck run off to that island, and everyone thinks they are dead, and such…that was in the same book, right? It's been so long since I've read it, I need to reread it.

Hey, what's wrong with being Legolas? I love acting like Legolas, my friend likes immatating Jack Sparrow, she does a pretty good impression of his walk, drives her parents crazy when she does it though. Ah, Pirates of the Caribbean, lovely movie yes?

Hey, there will be no killing of anyone, I can't afford to lose reviewers… besides, I have poster of Legolas in my room.

Of course he identifies things, he's a lot smarter than all the rest…okay, so his eyesight helps. Besides he was arguring with Boromir at the council, good man, but not someone I care for. However his brother…



LOL, you two are dangerous, but please Owl, don't rip anyone's head off. Well, unless they are an Orc…or Cave Troll or anything closely related to them. But not Aragorn's, I need him and his head to finish this story.

*Sncikers* Okay you two, let's try and keep this conversation below a R shall we?
Well if you think of it, nothing isn't up with Legolas, he in fact is rather down, both physically (being underground) and emotionaly, which will mess him up mentally.

Yes I did call you sane, why I don't know at this point you are far from it! But there isn't anything bad about that…I'm always insane…

Hey hey, under R remember? And no name calling, just because I said so…I know you aren't safe unsupervised, I've known that for a while now…hey, no name calling! Oh well, what can I do, as long as you two don't kill nor maim each other, or anyone else (Owl, this includes ripping people's heads off.) I believe all will be well.

Shauna-

Thanks for the nice review, keep guessing what it is that is bothering Legolas, for the cut on his leg is not. But it never hurts to guess. Thanks again for the wonderful review.