As Legolas began to tell his story, the seemingly ubiquitous gloom that occupied the cavern began to wear off. The two walked side by side, the apprehension that they may never walk in the sunlight again forgotten. It was the third day since becoming trapped, three days since their last meal. Only a small pool of water they had found the day before was their only refreshment.
Aragorn was now begging to feel the sharp pains of hunger, and cursed himself inwardly at it. The air was moist and heavy, gathering warmth hung about, unable to escape. Aragorn longed to taste the fresh open air again, he wondered vaguely how Legolas was fairing. He knew little of the Prince's history but had learned a lot of his manner, and he knew full well that Legolas would never admit his weakness, at least not to him.
As Legolas began to speak of his cousin Rasiel, and happenings at his home, the Ranger's own thoughts turned homeward as well. He prayed that his brothers had returned safely, and knew that they were searching for him if they indeed were well. His father would be as well, he thought in dismay. He missed his father sorely, but was annoyed at the thought of the Elven Lord searching for him like a child.
Aragorn diverted his concentration back to the Elf, who was still speaking of his family. Legolas had his arms wrapped around his torso as if he were trying to stave off coldness, even in the sweltering heat. His eyes were downcast, and he spoke lightly, but loud enough for the human to hear.
"Rasiel was not much older than I was, still very young by our standards, yet several decades older than you are now. He was much more active than I was, he seemed to understand me more than the others for he too was without a mother."
"What happened to her? Your mother I mean," Aragorn asked quietly, interrupting the Elf.
Legolas did not answer for a long while, the only sounds were that of the human's feet hitting the stone floor of the cave. Aragorn now wished he hadn't asked, and started to apologize when Legolas finally spoke again.
"She was lost long ago, that is all you need to understand," the Elf stated softly, barely audible to human ears. But Aragorn heard him easily enough.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, both for bringing the subject up, and for the loss of his mother.
Legolas lifted his head up, smiling to himself sadly. "Tis all right, you did not know."
Aragorn grimaced as another pain of hunger shot through his midsection, and with a sigh dropped to his knees. Legolas turned concerned for the human, placing a hand on his back.
"Strider, what is it?"
Aragorn shook his head. "Nothing," he muttered, rubbing his face and forehead in attempt to dull the pounding ache that was coming about once again.
"Something is, and we aren't going anywhere until you tell me what," Legolas stated, dropping down into a crouch besides him.
"Well, for starters, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I'm sore and I'm tired-"
"And grumpy," Legolas finished for him.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes. "I am not grumpy," he said in a matter of fact voice.
"You are so," Legolas answered, laughing softly.
"No I'm-" he started, only to be silenced as Legolas placed a hand over his lips. "You are so, do not argue with me, I get enough of it from your brothers."
Aragorn laughed, shaking his head. "I gather they taught me well."
Legolas nodded in agreement. "Yes that they did. We'll rest for the time being, I am weary as well."
But Aragorn shook his head. "I don't want to remain here any longer than necessary, this cave isn't very inviting."
"But I thought you weren't afraid," Legolas taunted.
"Do not start with me," Aragorn warned. "If you think I'm grumpy now just you keep that up and you'll truly began to see what grumpy is."
"Young human, I have seen what grumpy is more times than you."
Aragorn disagreed silently, not wanting to continue the talk. Legolas noted the change with a smile, somewhat grateful that the human could not see it in the dark.
"We will rest for the time being," Legolas continued, only to be cut off by the Ranger.
"Nay," he said somewhat forcefully. "As time passes things will only become worse. We have neither food, nor water and little chance of finding either within these forsaken depths. We travel now, while we still have strength." He glared hard at the Elf, hoping Legolas would see his reasoning.
With a sigh Legolas agreed reluctantly. "Aye, but we won't get far if you collapse either," he noted with wry smile. He helped the human stagger to his feet, making sure he was well enough to travel on his own before letting go of him. They walked again in silence, until Aragorn brought queried about the Elf's story.
"I was almost hoping you forgot," Legolas noted quietly. Aragorn did not miss the sigh the elf tried to repress, and he turned toward the fair being that walked beside him.
"You do not have to," he told him.
Legolas stopped, looking up at the human. "Yes, I do," he stated calmly. "It will not be easy to do so, but I must. There has been only one other I have told this same tale to, so listen well young human." Aragorn nodded, listening intently as Legolas began his tale once more.
"Rasiel left the wooded land with his father when he was very young, soon after is mother's death. They traveled through many lands, his father showing him many of things his mother wished to have him see. I cannot tell you how long he was gone, only that then it seemed an eternity, but possibly a few years at the most.
His return brought great joy among us, my friends and I as I should say. Rasiel had grown during that time, when he first left he was no taller than I, but upon his return, he was well a head's length above me. With his size his courage grew as well. His father had taught him the use of a bow and sword at an early age, and was now skilled in those arts as those twice his years were.
He was as happy to see me as I was…" Legolas whispered to himself, the Ranger barely able to catch his words. The Elf feel silent as they walked on, his head bowed, his mind full. At last he let out a breath, raising his head a notch and continued.
"It was spring when he returned, the winter had been long and harsh, bitter cold, even for my Kin. Much of the land was saturated with the winter's snow, and early spring rain. Fog hung often within the trees, making a wonderful play field. It was on a certain spring day that Rasiel and I had chased one another and several others through the murky atmosphere.
Even Elf eyes cannot pierce through such haze, and soon I could no longer hear any of my companions, and had no notion of where I was. I called out several times, meandering slowly about. I did not recognize these woods. Fear began to grow in me, the tales I have heard of what lay beyond Mirkwood borders raced throughout my mind."
He turned to Aragorn, "For one so small anything can bring the end easily," he turned away when the Ranger did not answer. "When I heard footfalls behind me, I did not assume it was a friend, but an enemy. I had with me only a small dagger, which I used to defend myself. I can not tell you who was more surprised, if it were I to see my cousin, or if it were he as plunged the dagger toward him. He avoided it easily, with all his skill, shaking his head at me as if he were an elder capturing a youth in trouble.
'Come hither, see what I have found,' he laughed and tugged at my arm. I followed, embarrassed to admit that he had scared me, and that I had wandered off without any notion or sense of direction. He led me for a long while, and stopped at the opening of a cave. 'Let us explore,' he urged me, stepping toward the dark cavern.
I refused at first, but was not going to let my cowardice get the best of me. So I followed. He would not admit it, but he was afraid of the dark depths, as I was, and soon both of us were racing through toward the end. Our feet sinking into the soft mud despite our light weight. Once outside we breathed the fresh air, but the other companions had caught us in our game and wished to play as well. We spent the better part of the day taking turns and racing, seeing who could get through the quickest, and who would go the longest. We played unto night, and returned home. Our families were least bit happy, and we were scolded severely for our foolish behavior. My father and Uncle forbade the two of us to go even near that land, the rains had made the foundation far to unsteady for any activity."
Legolas paused only to take a deep breath, his voice wavering as he spoke again, "I wish now we had listened," he took another breath, calming himself before continuing once again. "For a while we did, but days later, Rasiel pulled me aside. 'Once more cousin, let us perform our brave task one last time.' I disagreed, I was afraid, of both the depths and my father's wrath if he ever found I had betrayed his trust. But his urging got the better of me. And so we went through, one last time…
TBC…LOTRFaith-
Well, that is your first mistake, I am never in the right state of my mind, so therefore I find caves fascinating. Doesn't mean you have to be. And yes, it does have something to do with caves, lol, you are right!
Balthasar-
You have so many names you are almost like Aragorn, is that your goal? And I did read your lovely bio, making me look like a fool. I must admit you do it well though.
LOL, you sound so formal…predicament… do update soon my darlin, you know, we folk just have to read this stuff…one of my friends used 'we folk' the other day, it sounded so strange…
How do you know they didn't use ok in middle earth? Did you ask them…where did I use ok at anyway?
LOL, wonderation and spatulation? It's so incredilicious….hey that is a lot of fun
Anita-
LOL, I got that wolf running into the wall idea from my cats, they tend to do that quite a bit, and they aren't even chasing anything! I don't know, do I want to keep you all happy?
Carrie-
Lazy Bum Carrie, LOL, that's what I've been calling you lately, I have this things with nicknames lately, and you're lazy bum Carrie, or Carrie-O, you choose
Correction, Aragorn only has a thing with anything high when he's around you! And Cassia and Sio I guess, but mostly you. And quit blaming your insanity on your AP Biology, you know that it is me that is responsible for that.
Of course Legolas doesn't match up to that filthy ranger of yours, he surpasses him by quite a bit. The only reason that I haven't killed him off is that both you and Legolas would maim me for it.
This tale doesn't have to much Aragorn torture, but maybe in future fics…(Do you realize what you have just done?)
LOL, it was an insane review wasn't it? Let us hope I never do something like that again, kay? Talk to you later mellon-nin