Mire
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter.
Well, here's that angsty chapter 5 I promised to you! I hope you like it!
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Chapter 5
Some time later, Elrond reappeared in the doorway of Aragorn's room. The sight he saw was both endearing and worrisome. Elladan and Elrohir had both drawn their chairs against Aragorn's bed and each had one hand lying upon their brother, even as they slept. But Aragorn's face was flushed with fever. And to Elrond's surprise, Legolas was not at his son's side but instead stood by the terrace entrance, his look focused on the view of Rivendell.
Knowing that he would hazard his son's life by administrating the tea, Elrond had to accept that he could presently do nothing to ease the fever in Aragorn. His son's body alone would have to fight off the fever. Turning, he watched the prince, surprised that Legolas did not seem to notice his presence.
Even as Elrond stepped into the room, intending to cross to the prince, Legolas still remained unaware. Testing a theory, Elrond changed his direction and took one step toward his son's bed. Before his foot resettled onto the floor, Legolas had swung around, his senses awaked by his fierce protectiveness of his best friend.
Elrond could not help but let a twinkle enter his eyes. His theory had been proven correct. Getting Legolas' undivided attention was easily accomplished by simply breaching the protective barrier he always had erected around Aragorn. It was an endearing thought, the prince playing bodyguard for the future king. He didn't doubt that Aragorn would resent the notion that he needed a bodyguard.
Setting back on his original path, Elrond came to stand beside Legolas and then beckoned the prince to join him on the terrace. With a last look at Aragorn, Legolas joined Elrond at the railing of the terrace, both taking in the beauty of Rivendell.
"Something troubles you, Legolas," Elrond quietly began, turning to face the younger elf. Legolas kept his eyes on the sight of Rivendell. "And it is more tangible than a cursed mire."
Silence was Legolas' reply. He could not repeat the words Aragorn had spoken to him in the forest, could not bear to think on them. And as for the scars that marred Aragorn's body, he did not know if it were his right to add the pain of that knowledge to Elrond and his family, not when Aragorn seemed so determined that they should not know.
Elrond could feel the pain radiating from Legolas and wished he could offer some comfort. But the truth was, he also was vastly concerned for Aragorn's health. The mire had claimed nine lives, nine immortal lives. How would it's evil be vanquished by a mere mortal?!
"He is so ...fragile," Legolas choked out almost inaudibly. Then he hung his head in anguished defeat. He had finally admitted the truth to his soul and it came at a high price.
The words cut into Elrond's fatherly heart. How many times had he himself tried to deny that truth, to ignore it, to lock it away never to be accepted?! But it only took but a small injury, a small touch of illness in his son for the truth to sear into him. Leaning heavily against the railing, he replied with pain, "Yes."
Legolas' eyes flew to Elrond's in shock and terror. The elf lord's admission was like a knife through his once well-barricaded heart. "You can not let him return to the rangers." The words flew from Legolas' very heart. "He can remain here, in Rivendell and spend time in Mirkwood."
Hadn't the same thoughts gone through the elf lord's head a million times?! But always the same answer came, the answer he gave now to Legolas. "He chose a life with the rangers, Legolas. I did not choose it for him. It is his life, to do with it as he wills."
Anger sparked in Legolas's eyes as he stood to his full height and faced Elrond, "'His life to do with it as he wills?!' Repeatedly you have told him his destiny, what his path in this life must be. You have bitterly told him how his ancestors failed Middle Earth. And you have told him that the fate of all life would one day lay in his hands...his to save or doom for all ages. It is you who have dictated his path!"
The words caught Elrond off guard and delivered a blow he hadn't known he was vulnerable to. "It is his destiny, Legolas," his voice hard and set. "I can not change it anymore than he can. Middle Earth's fate lies in his hands."
"What is Middle Earth to you that you should sacrifice for it's redemption a man you claim as a son?! Your own choice was made long ago. You chose the life of an elf ...not a man. Middle Earth's fate will not be yours nor your people's. When the threat rises, you will depart for the undying lands and abandon Aragorn to face Sauron alone. You speak to Aragorn of strength, of honor, of facing one's destiny...and yet you have retained none of those traits yourself." Legolas stepped closer to Elrond and tossed Elrond's own often uttered words of condemnation of men back at him. "I stand here as the strength of elves fails. Their pride and dignity forgotten. Their race failing."
Elrond flinched at the words.
Legolas headed back toward the room but stopped at it's threshold yet did not turn around to face Elrond. The words he next spoke were quiet and totally unyielding. "You may wish me out of your presence but I will not leave until Aragorn is completely well. To oppose this would be to welcome conflict with Mirkwood." And then Legolas reentered Aragorn's room and reclaimed his chair, the three other occupants of the room blissfully unaware of the harsh words between the prince and elf lord.
For a moment, Elrond could not breathe through his rage, his indignation...his shame. The prince's words had cut him to the quick and what was worse, they were the truth. Sagging into a chair that sat on the terrace, Elrond held his head in his hands. How could he bear what must come?! What had been predestined?! How could his father's heart send his mortal, fragile son into battle against an evil so powerful that the very whisperings of it's return would set the whole race of elves fleeing to the undying lands?!?! And he had the gall to question man's strength, pride and dignity when his own race had long abandoned those traits for the comfortable security of their immortality?!?
Legolas gave no indication that he sensed Elrond walk from the room but he gave a small sigh. His worry for his friend had gotten the best of him and he had said things...things that were not his right to say. But he could not, would not deny the truth of his words. He was ashamed of his race's unconcern at Middle Earth's fate. For all their talk about the loveliness of the nature that made up this middle earth, Legolas had met no elf willing to defend this home from Sauron. No, instead, like meek mice, the elves would scamper off to the undying lands and abandon Middle Earth and Aragorn to their respective fates.
Legolas brushed his hand over Aragorn's hair and pledged softly, "I will not abandon you, Aragorn. I will not abandon you to your fate, mellon nin."
Elrond sought sanctuary in his study but a pounding on the house's front door diverted his path. Fearing more ill tidings, Elrond straighten to his full height, took a steadying breath and pulled open the door.
"You are a blessing from the Valar!" he exclaimed, caught onto his visitor's arm and pulled him into the interior of the house.
Gandalf's eyes shone with concern. "Is Aragorn ill from the mire already?"
"No. Maybe." Elrond paused and rubbed his forehead with worried exhaustion, "The wound to his leg was extensive and a fever grows within him. It's cause from the wound or from the curse...I can not be sure."
"Come, my old friend," Gandalf gently said, drawing an arm over the elf lord's slumped shoulders. "Let me see what I can do for Aragorn. Later we will discuss the anguish that is coiled around your heart." And the wizard and the elf lord began to ascend the stairs.
Legolas watched Aragorn with concern as he drew the wet cloth across the ranger's feverish brow. It seemed inconceivable that the human's fever could spike so quickly nor that his quiet breathing could instantly turn into ragged gasps for air. Before Legolas could call out to awaken the twins, Aragorn's body jerked with seizures.
"Aragorn!" Legolas cried in terror as he tried to hold the writhing body to the bed. But even his elven strength was no match for the seizures. He looked up as four new elven hands held unto Aragorn, trapping the human's body to the mattress but were unable to halt the seizures that wracked Aragorn's body.
"He will swallow his tongue!" Elladan called out in alarm.
Immediately Legolas leaped onto the bed, straddling Aragorn's ill body, and quickly pulled his knife from it's sheath. "Hold his head," he ordered.
After a moment, Elladan and Elrohir managed to imprison their brother's thrashing head and hold it still. Legolas placed the handle of the knife in Aragorn's mouth upon his tongue, immediately the human's teeth clamped down upon the knife's handle. Legolas grasped Aragorn's shoulders and tried to hold his friend still but without much success. Hopeless despair was covering Legolas soul.
Unexpectedly, a weathered hand came to rest upon Aragorn's forehead and the human collapsed limply back on the bed.
Legolas' and the twin's eyes shot to the owner of the hand. "Gandalf!" all three exclaimed with relief.
Gandalf spared them a small smile and a nod before he resettled his look to the ill human. Legolas gracefully vaulted from the bed to again stand at his friend's side as the wizard claimed his place on the other side of the ranger. Legolas watched the wizard with intense apprehension as did the other elves in the room.
Removing the knife from Aragorn's mouth and pulling the covers back from the ranger, Gandalf saw the newly blood soaked cloth that covered the wound. With care, he pulled the cloth free of the wound and studied the deep puncture in the human's flesh. He ran his fingers lightly over the torn flesh. Pulling his hand back, Gandalf smelled the blood that coated his finger.
For all his long years of life, Gandalf had never perfected the art of concealing ill news.
"What is it?" Legolas demanded as he watched Gandalf's face crease with heartache. "What knowledge brings you so much pain?!"
The wizard's eyes met the prince's and Legolas flinched at the sorrow and pity he saw in the ancient eyes. "No!" Legolas denied angrily. "It was you who always spoke of Aragorn's destiny. His strength and heart will decide the fate of Middle Earth," Legolas protested, clinging to the foresight of Aragorn's destiny that he had but half an hour ago despised.
Sorrow softened Gandalf's voice, "Twas to be his destiny.....but it will not be his fate."
At Gandalf's words, Elrond found his legs lacked the strength to hold him and he sank into one of the twin's abandoned chairs. Always he had reassured himself that his son would survive the many dangers he faced in his young mortal life because of the destiny that was to be revealed in him, certain that Aragorn's fate and destiny were intertwined. Now that illusion was shattered . . . as his heart would be at Aragorn's passing.
Elladan sank down onto his brother's bed and clutched Aragorn's limp hand in his. "I do not accept his...fate," he defied with quiet strength as he gazed lovingly at his little brother's pale face.
"Nor do I," Legolas said as his eyes met Gandalf's in challenge.
But Gandalf's eyes grew softer with pity, "The mire has tainted his blood. I know of none that have overcome this curse."
"Then he will be the first," came Elrohir's firm reply as he too claimed a spot on the bed beside Aragorn and rested his hand on the human's chest.
Gandalf sighed and he turned to Elrond and his sorrow doubled at the stricken look on his friend's face. Elrond knew the true strength of the curse, he had watched five elves die from this very curse. He had no delusions about Aragorn's fate. Turning back to the three young elves, Gandalf decided that he must make them see the futility of their hope, that they must prepare themselves for the loss of one they dearly loved.
"There is no hope for his survival. He will die," his words soft, anguished but unwavering.
But a fire grew in Legolas' eyes, and he rebuked, "No, he is Estel, he is the very essence of hope..for Middle Earth and for all those who love him. There is always hope."
It was Elrond's defeated voice that replied, "Hope was but a fragile dream, only darkness endures."
Legolas eyes shot to the elf lord's, "Darkness endures only if we abandon hope. And I will not abandon Estel... not to this fate ...or to his destiny." And Legolas sat on Aragorn's bed and enclosed the ranger's hand tightly in his grasp.
Sensing the tenuous reign all the elves had on their emotions, Gandalf turned to Elrond. "Walk with me Elrond," he beckoned as he stood before the seated elf lord. Elrond tore his eyes from the motionless body of his human son and met the wizard's gentle gaze. With a weak nod of agreement, Elrond stood and Gandalf took his arm and led them from the room.
But as soon as the door to Aragorn's room closed, Elrond's fragile hold on his emotions dissolved, and he slumped against the wall in the hallway. Only Gandalf's strong hold kept Elrond on his feet.
"He lies there dying at the fault of mine!" Elrond's anguished whisper cut deeply through Gandalf's heart. "I thought to protect him here among my kindred but I have instead sealed his fate. If I was not so selfish I would have let him stay with his own people and not forced him to dwell here, amid the dangers that surround the firstborns."
Gandalf put his hand to Elrond's check and the elf raised his eyes to meet that of his friend's. "It was not selfishness that convinced your heart to raise Aragorn as your own son among your kindred...it was love."
"Then my love is a curse to him as much as that mire," Elrond bitterly replied and pulled away from his friend's comforting touch. "It is my love that causes him to lose his mortal life. A life so very young ...even in the life span of a mortal," and Elrond's voice cracked with a sob.
Gandalf seized Elrond's shoulders and met his friend's tortured eyes, "His fate was never in your hands..."
"No, I gave no thought to his fate," Elrond bitterly countered, "only his "destiny". Legolas was right, I sought to dictate Aragorn's path...to his very doom."
T B C
(I know, I left it at a little itty bitty cliffie. But I wanted to make sure you came back for more?!?)
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Daniela: I'm glad you liked chapter 4! As for Legolas being naïve about Aragorn's probability to get hurt...I whole-heartedly agree. I think as much as he realizes Aragorn is a man, he still has not come to terms with how much more vulnerable Aragorn is to harm than he is. And I have read those other stories you suggested and they were great! Please keep emailing me with your thoughts..I really appreciate it!
Kathira: Thanks for your wonderful review! And yes, I think there needs to be more hurt/comfort stories focused around Aragorn. I never tire of reading them and I love all the inventive ways everyone devises to bring him pain. (That really sounds cruel but "we always hurt the ones we love".) Loved to hear what you think of this chapter.
Marbienl: I see your point about Legolas making a promise that, unbeknownst to him, endangers Aragorn. That I do see as a strong possibility. Sometimes friends are so eager to please one another that they forget about the consequences of always saying yes. I really appreciate that you point out specific conversations that you liked, it encourages me to write more zany things like that in my stories! And I am always very afraid to write harm/comfort stories because I don't want to cross that line and go too sappy so it really makes me happy that you liked the whole Aragorn surgery scene. Well, I really want to know what you think about this chapter...angst and cliffie and all.
Ymmas Sirron: Because I like my heart right where it is, I decided to give you yet another chapter! (I sure hope this buys me another lease on my life...at least for awhile?!) Again, thanks for the threats..they show you care.
Jadelyn Rashwe: Thanks for taking time to review this story! Hope you let me know if you like this chapter!
Athelassa: Well, though you were not the first one to review last chapter, I just love that you got the time later to review it! (I know only too well how "real" life interferes with these little obsessions. ) And I'm relieved that you liked the Aragorn in pain scenes and agree that Aragorn is usually one strong customer when it comes to enduring pain. Glad you're going to translate your story! We always need more stories to feed our obsessions!
Emiri-chan: I am blushing here over your compliments?! ! And I hope that the story doesn't drop in your opinion as the chapters are added! As for the reference I made about Legolas being hurt and the way I portray the twins...well that's from stories by Cassia and Sio that they graciously let me use in my little old story! To read their stories (which happen to be my all time favorites!) simply look up Cassia under the Find feature on ffnet. I highly recommend them!! And I'm keeping you to your promise...I wrotey, you reviewy!
Star-Stallion: Glad you liked chapter 4 and dropped me a review! I know this chapter was kinda long in coming but I hope you like it.
Lady Jaina: That's so sweet that chapter 2 almost made you cry?! I hope the rest of my chapters get you as emotional?! Thanks for the reviews!
Frodo16424: I'm glad you agree that Legolas did the right thing in keeping his promise to Aragorn. And I appreciate that you quoted a line that you liked! Thanks for reviewing!
Kesa-Kiriage: Thanks for the compliment! I would love to know what you think about this chapter!
Grumpy: Thanks for your review! And you noticed, I did spare Aragorn's boot any damage. Thanks for quoting the line you liked! It really helps me decide how crazy I can write and still earn your respect. And about Elrond tending to Aragorn's wound....well stay tuned.
Tychen: After I read your review I was running around the house quoting it like a lunatic! I can't say how touched I was at your compliment! I am always hesitant in writing hurt/comfort/angsty because I want to stay true to the characters and still express that this is a really horrible time for them and I'm never sure if I can pull it off. Thank you for appreciating my efforts. And I truly would love to know what you think of the upcoming chapters where hurt/comfort and angst play a major role!
LalaithoftheBruinen: Thanks so much for your review! Hope you like and review this chapter! And Hugs and Bunnies right back at ya!!
Bill the Pony2: Glad you liked my dose of Angst in Chapter 4! And I haven't ever quite figured out why I like to torture the characters I love best...maybe because you finally get to the truth of how important they are to the ones that love them. I just love all that sappy friendship/family stuff. Please tell me what you thought of this chapter!!
Well I'm signing off now. I have a deadline to meet! My beta is going away for two weeks and I want her to proofread the ending of this story (the ending that I have not finished yet) before she leaves! Ahhhh... the pressure!
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter.
Well, here's that angsty chapter 5 I promised to you! I hope you like it!
***********************************
Chapter 5
Some time later, Elrond reappeared in the doorway of Aragorn's room. The sight he saw was both endearing and worrisome. Elladan and Elrohir had both drawn their chairs against Aragorn's bed and each had one hand lying upon their brother, even as they slept. But Aragorn's face was flushed with fever. And to Elrond's surprise, Legolas was not at his son's side but instead stood by the terrace entrance, his look focused on the view of Rivendell.
Knowing that he would hazard his son's life by administrating the tea, Elrond had to accept that he could presently do nothing to ease the fever in Aragorn. His son's body alone would have to fight off the fever. Turning, he watched the prince, surprised that Legolas did not seem to notice his presence.
Even as Elrond stepped into the room, intending to cross to the prince, Legolas still remained unaware. Testing a theory, Elrond changed his direction and took one step toward his son's bed. Before his foot resettled onto the floor, Legolas had swung around, his senses awaked by his fierce protectiveness of his best friend.
Elrond could not help but let a twinkle enter his eyes. His theory had been proven correct. Getting Legolas' undivided attention was easily accomplished by simply breaching the protective barrier he always had erected around Aragorn. It was an endearing thought, the prince playing bodyguard for the future king. He didn't doubt that Aragorn would resent the notion that he needed a bodyguard.
Setting back on his original path, Elrond came to stand beside Legolas and then beckoned the prince to join him on the terrace. With a last look at Aragorn, Legolas joined Elrond at the railing of the terrace, both taking in the beauty of Rivendell.
"Something troubles you, Legolas," Elrond quietly began, turning to face the younger elf. Legolas kept his eyes on the sight of Rivendell. "And it is more tangible than a cursed mire."
Silence was Legolas' reply. He could not repeat the words Aragorn had spoken to him in the forest, could not bear to think on them. And as for the scars that marred Aragorn's body, he did not know if it were his right to add the pain of that knowledge to Elrond and his family, not when Aragorn seemed so determined that they should not know.
Elrond could feel the pain radiating from Legolas and wished he could offer some comfort. But the truth was, he also was vastly concerned for Aragorn's health. The mire had claimed nine lives, nine immortal lives. How would it's evil be vanquished by a mere mortal?!
"He is so ...fragile," Legolas choked out almost inaudibly. Then he hung his head in anguished defeat. He had finally admitted the truth to his soul and it came at a high price.
The words cut into Elrond's fatherly heart. How many times had he himself tried to deny that truth, to ignore it, to lock it away never to be accepted?! But it only took but a small injury, a small touch of illness in his son for the truth to sear into him. Leaning heavily against the railing, he replied with pain, "Yes."
Legolas' eyes flew to Elrond's in shock and terror. The elf lord's admission was like a knife through his once well-barricaded heart. "You can not let him return to the rangers." The words flew from Legolas' very heart. "He can remain here, in Rivendell and spend time in Mirkwood."
Hadn't the same thoughts gone through the elf lord's head a million times?! But always the same answer came, the answer he gave now to Legolas. "He chose a life with the rangers, Legolas. I did not choose it for him. It is his life, to do with it as he wills."
Anger sparked in Legolas's eyes as he stood to his full height and faced Elrond, "'His life to do with it as he wills?!' Repeatedly you have told him his destiny, what his path in this life must be. You have bitterly told him how his ancestors failed Middle Earth. And you have told him that the fate of all life would one day lay in his hands...his to save or doom for all ages. It is you who have dictated his path!"
The words caught Elrond off guard and delivered a blow he hadn't known he was vulnerable to. "It is his destiny, Legolas," his voice hard and set. "I can not change it anymore than he can. Middle Earth's fate lies in his hands."
"What is Middle Earth to you that you should sacrifice for it's redemption a man you claim as a son?! Your own choice was made long ago. You chose the life of an elf ...not a man. Middle Earth's fate will not be yours nor your people's. When the threat rises, you will depart for the undying lands and abandon Aragorn to face Sauron alone. You speak to Aragorn of strength, of honor, of facing one's destiny...and yet you have retained none of those traits yourself." Legolas stepped closer to Elrond and tossed Elrond's own often uttered words of condemnation of men back at him. "I stand here as the strength of elves fails. Their pride and dignity forgotten. Their race failing."
Elrond flinched at the words.
Legolas headed back toward the room but stopped at it's threshold yet did not turn around to face Elrond. The words he next spoke were quiet and totally unyielding. "You may wish me out of your presence but I will not leave until Aragorn is completely well. To oppose this would be to welcome conflict with Mirkwood." And then Legolas reentered Aragorn's room and reclaimed his chair, the three other occupants of the room blissfully unaware of the harsh words between the prince and elf lord.
For a moment, Elrond could not breathe through his rage, his indignation...his shame. The prince's words had cut him to the quick and what was worse, they were the truth. Sagging into a chair that sat on the terrace, Elrond held his head in his hands. How could he bear what must come?! What had been predestined?! How could his father's heart send his mortal, fragile son into battle against an evil so powerful that the very whisperings of it's return would set the whole race of elves fleeing to the undying lands?!?! And he had the gall to question man's strength, pride and dignity when his own race had long abandoned those traits for the comfortable security of their immortality?!?
Legolas gave no indication that he sensed Elrond walk from the room but he gave a small sigh. His worry for his friend had gotten the best of him and he had said things...things that were not his right to say. But he could not, would not deny the truth of his words. He was ashamed of his race's unconcern at Middle Earth's fate. For all their talk about the loveliness of the nature that made up this middle earth, Legolas had met no elf willing to defend this home from Sauron. No, instead, like meek mice, the elves would scamper off to the undying lands and abandon Middle Earth and Aragorn to their respective fates.
Legolas brushed his hand over Aragorn's hair and pledged softly, "I will not abandon you, Aragorn. I will not abandon you to your fate, mellon nin."
Elrond sought sanctuary in his study but a pounding on the house's front door diverted his path. Fearing more ill tidings, Elrond straighten to his full height, took a steadying breath and pulled open the door.
"You are a blessing from the Valar!" he exclaimed, caught onto his visitor's arm and pulled him into the interior of the house.
Gandalf's eyes shone with concern. "Is Aragorn ill from the mire already?"
"No. Maybe." Elrond paused and rubbed his forehead with worried exhaustion, "The wound to his leg was extensive and a fever grows within him. It's cause from the wound or from the curse...I can not be sure."
"Come, my old friend," Gandalf gently said, drawing an arm over the elf lord's slumped shoulders. "Let me see what I can do for Aragorn. Later we will discuss the anguish that is coiled around your heart." And the wizard and the elf lord began to ascend the stairs.
Legolas watched Aragorn with concern as he drew the wet cloth across the ranger's feverish brow. It seemed inconceivable that the human's fever could spike so quickly nor that his quiet breathing could instantly turn into ragged gasps for air. Before Legolas could call out to awaken the twins, Aragorn's body jerked with seizures.
"Aragorn!" Legolas cried in terror as he tried to hold the writhing body to the bed. But even his elven strength was no match for the seizures. He looked up as four new elven hands held unto Aragorn, trapping the human's body to the mattress but were unable to halt the seizures that wracked Aragorn's body.
"He will swallow his tongue!" Elladan called out in alarm.
Immediately Legolas leaped onto the bed, straddling Aragorn's ill body, and quickly pulled his knife from it's sheath. "Hold his head," he ordered.
After a moment, Elladan and Elrohir managed to imprison their brother's thrashing head and hold it still. Legolas placed the handle of the knife in Aragorn's mouth upon his tongue, immediately the human's teeth clamped down upon the knife's handle. Legolas grasped Aragorn's shoulders and tried to hold his friend still but without much success. Hopeless despair was covering Legolas soul.
Unexpectedly, a weathered hand came to rest upon Aragorn's forehead and the human collapsed limply back on the bed.
Legolas' and the twin's eyes shot to the owner of the hand. "Gandalf!" all three exclaimed with relief.
Gandalf spared them a small smile and a nod before he resettled his look to the ill human. Legolas gracefully vaulted from the bed to again stand at his friend's side as the wizard claimed his place on the other side of the ranger. Legolas watched the wizard with intense apprehension as did the other elves in the room.
Removing the knife from Aragorn's mouth and pulling the covers back from the ranger, Gandalf saw the newly blood soaked cloth that covered the wound. With care, he pulled the cloth free of the wound and studied the deep puncture in the human's flesh. He ran his fingers lightly over the torn flesh. Pulling his hand back, Gandalf smelled the blood that coated his finger.
For all his long years of life, Gandalf had never perfected the art of concealing ill news.
"What is it?" Legolas demanded as he watched Gandalf's face crease with heartache. "What knowledge brings you so much pain?!"
The wizard's eyes met the prince's and Legolas flinched at the sorrow and pity he saw in the ancient eyes. "No!" Legolas denied angrily. "It was you who always spoke of Aragorn's destiny. His strength and heart will decide the fate of Middle Earth," Legolas protested, clinging to the foresight of Aragorn's destiny that he had but half an hour ago despised.
Sorrow softened Gandalf's voice, "Twas to be his destiny.....but it will not be his fate."
At Gandalf's words, Elrond found his legs lacked the strength to hold him and he sank into one of the twin's abandoned chairs. Always he had reassured himself that his son would survive the many dangers he faced in his young mortal life because of the destiny that was to be revealed in him, certain that Aragorn's fate and destiny were intertwined. Now that illusion was shattered . . . as his heart would be at Aragorn's passing.
Elladan sank down onto his brother's bed and clutched Aragorn's limp hand in his. "I do not accept his...fate," he defied with quiet strength as he gazed lovingly at his little brother's pale face.
"Nor do I," Legolas said as his eyes met Gandalf's in challenge.
But Gandalf's eyes grew softer with pity, "The mire has tainted his blood. I know of none that have overcome this curse."
"Then he will be the first," came Elrohir's firm reply as he too claimed a spot on the bed beside Aragorn and rested his hand on the human's chest.
Gandalf sighed and he turned to Elrond and his sorrow doubled at the stricken look on his friend's face. Elrond knew the true strength of the curse, he had watched five elves die from this very curse. He had no delusions about Aragorn's fate. Turning back to the three young elves, Gandalf decided that he must make them see the futility of their hope, that they must prepare themselves for the loss of one they dearly loved.
"There is no hope for his survival. He will die," his words soft, anguished but unwavering.
But a fire grew in Legolas' eyes, and he rebuked, "No, he is Estel, he is the very essence of hope..for Middle Earth and for all those who love him. There is always hope."
It was Elrond's defeated voice that replied, "Hope was but a fragile dream, only darkness endures."
Legolas eyes shot to the elf lord's, "Darkness endures only if we abandon hope. And I will not abandon Estel... not to this fate ...or to his destiny." And Legolas sat on Aragorn's bed and enclosed the ranger's hand tightly in his grasp.
Sensing the tenuous reign all the elves had on their emotions, Gandalf turned to Elrond. "Walk with me Elrond," he beckoned as he stood before the seated elf lord. Elrond tore his eyes from the motionless body of his human son and met the wizard's gentle gaze. With a weak nod of agreement, Elrond stood and Gandalf took his arm and led them from the room.
But as soon as the door to Aragorn's room closed, Elrond's fragile hold on his emotions dissolved, and he slumped against the wall in the hallway. Only Gandalf's strong hold kept Elrond on his feet.
"He lies there dying at the fault of mine!" Elrond's anguished whisper cut deeply through Gandalf's heart. "I thought to protect him here among my kindred but I have instead sealed his fate. If I was not so selfish I would have let him stay with his own people and not forced him to dwell here, amid the dangers that surround the firstborns."
Gandalf put his hand to Elrond's check and the elf raised his eyes to meet that of his friend's. "It was not selfishness that convinced your heart to raise Aragorn as your own son among your kindred...it was love."
"Then my love is a curse to him as much as that mire," Elrond bitterly replied and pulled away from his friend's comforting touch. "It is my love that causes him to lose his mortal life. A life so very young ...even in the life span of a mortal," and Elrond's voice cracked with a sob.
Gandalf seized Elrond's shoulders and met his friend's tortured eyes, "His fate was never in your hands..."
"No, I gave no thought to his fate," Elrond bitterly countered, "only his "destiny". Legolas was right, I sought to dictate Aragorn's path...to his very doom."
T B C
(I know, I left it at a little itty bitty cliffie. But I wanted to make sure you came back for more?!?)
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Daniela: I'm glad you liked chapter 4! As for Legolas being naïve about Aragorn's probability to get hurt...I whole-heartedly agree. I think as much as he realizes Aragorn is a man, he still has not come to terms with how much more vulnerable Aragorn is to harm than he is. And I have read those other stories you suggested and they were great! Please keep emailing me with your thoughts..I really appreciate it!
Kathira: Thanks for your wonderful review! And yes, I think there needs to be more hurt/comfort stories focused around Aragorn. I never tire of reading them and I love all the inventive ways everyone devises to bring him pain. (That really sounds cruel but "we always hurt the ones we love".) Loved to hear what you think of this chapter.
Marbienl: I see your point about Legolas making a promise that, unbeknownst to him, endangers Aragorn. That I do see as a strong possibility. Sometimes friends are so eager to please one another that they forget about the consequences of always saying yes. I really appreciate that you point out specific conversations that you liked, it encourages me to write more zany things like that in my stories! And I am always very afraid to write harm/comfort stories because I don't want to cross that line and go too sappy so it really makes me happy that you liked the whole Aragorn surgery scene. Well, I really want to know what you think about this chapter...angst and cliffie and all.
Ymmas Sirron: Because I like my heart right where it is, I decided to give you yet another chapter! (I sure hope this buys me another lease on my life...at least for awhile?!) Again, thanks for the threats..they show you care.
Jadelyn Rashwe: Thanks for taking time to review this story! Hope you let me know if you like this chapter!
Athelassa: Well, though you were not the first one to review last chapter, I just love that you got the time later to review it! (I know only too well how "real" life interferes with these little obsessions. ) And I'm relieved that you liked the Aragorn in pain scenes and agree that Aragorn is usually one strong customer when it comes to enduring pain. Glad you're going to translate your story! We always need more stories to feed our obsessions!
Emiri-chan: I am blushing here over your compliments?! ! And I hope that the story doesn't drop in your opinion as the chapters are added! As for the reference I made about Legolas being hurt and the way I portray the twins...well that's from stories by Cassia and Sio that they graciously let me use in my little old story! To read their stories (which happen to be my all time favorites!) simply look up Cassia under the Find feature on ffnet. I highly recommend them!! And I'm keeping you to your promise...I wrotey, you reviewy!
Star-Stallion: Glad you liked chapter 4 and dropped me a review! I know this chapter was kinda long in coming but I hope you like it.
Lady Jaina: That's so sweet that chapter 2 almost made you cry?! I hope the rest of my chapters get you as emotional?! Thanks for the reviews!
Frodo16424: I'm glad you agree that Legolas did the right thing in keeping his promise to Aragorn. And I appreciate that you quoted a line that you liked! Thanks for reviewing!
Kesa-Kiriage: Thanks for the compliment! I would love to know what you think about this chapter!
Grumpy: Thanks for your review! And you noticed, I did spare Aragorn's boot any damage. Thanks for quoting the line you liked! It really helps me decide how crazy I can write and still earn your respect. And about Elrond tending to Aragorn's wound....well stay tuned.
Tychen: After I read your review I was running around the house quoting it like a lunatic! I can't say how touched I was at your compliment! I am always hesitant in writing hurt/comfort/angsty because I want to stay true to the characters and still express that this is a really horrible time for them and I'm never sure if I can pull it off. Thank you for appreciating my efforts. And I truly would love to know what you think of the upcoming chapters where hurt/comfort and angst play a major role!
LalaithoftheBruinen: Thanks so much for your review! Hope you like and review this chapter! And Hugs and Bunnies right back at ya!!
Bill the Pony2: Glad you liked my dose of Angst in Chapter 4! And I haven't ever quite figured out why I like to torture the characters I love best...maybe because you finally get to the truth of how important they are to the ones that love them. I just love all that sappy friendship/family stuff. Please tell me what you thought of this chapter!!
Well I'm signing off now. I have a deadline to meet! My beta is going away for two weeks and I want her to proofread the ending of this story (the ending that I have not finished yet) before she leaves! Ahhhh... the pressure!