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.
Author's Note: Some of you are concerned that I am going to kill off Aragorn. Well be reassured that I'm all about harm/comfort/angst not death!! Take him to the brink of death, make him wish for death, yes...but kill the ranger I love best?!?! No Way! Hope this information doesn't spoil the story for anyone but personally I never read stories that kill off one of the characters. I'm all about happy endings! Ok. Now that that's cleared up I wanted to clarify that this chapter is where my story goes a little more AU: For the sake of this little story of mine, both of Aragorn's parents perished when he was young. (Oh...so much for my loving happy endings!?! )
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Chapter 6
Legolas watched Aragorn's motionless body with anguish. How could his friend be so full of life this morning and now lay so very close to death's door. The word "fragile" rang through his head and he hated the sound of it...the proof of it.
Washing Aragorn's face gently with a wet cloth, Legolas flinched at the heat generating from the human's body. It would not be long before seizures again wracked through his friend if the fever did not lower. Legolas found he would do anything to not see Aragorn seizing again. Anything.
He looked across his best friend's still form to the twins. Each wore a look of anguish that nearly broke his heart and yet he could find no words of comfort for them...or even for himself.
It was Elrohir who broke the silence with a pained question, "Can we do nothing to aid him?!" his eyes searched his twin's with desperation.
Elladan pulled his hand from Aragorn's, stood up and walked to the window. The action startled and frightened Legolas and Elrohir. And his soft words did nothing to ease their fears. "I watched ada try to save each of the five elves that fell victim to the mire's curse. At first they ...they were fine, if they suffered an injury it was a minor one and then...then they fell ill like Estel." He hung his head a moment before resettling his look on the falls outside. "But the illness seemed...treatable..." Elladan turned to face Legolas and Elrohir, "and each time father refused to abandon hope for his patient's survival..." Elladan broke off abruptly and shook his head in hopeless despair.
Elrohir spoke but so faintly that his voice was but a little more than a whisper, "It is as if doomed hope is yet another cruel weapon the mire unleashes, ensnaring all those ill fated enough to love the one who fell victim to the curse."
Elladan after a moment spoke again, his words driving deeply and bitterly into each elf's heart. "For all ada's knowledge of healing, for all his determination, for all his hope, he could save none of those stricken."
Legolas turned his look again to Aragorn with worry and fear. He pushed Aragorn's sweat soaked hair from his forehead. "I will not abandon hope."
And Estel's brothers knew the double meaning of Legolas's pledge.
Quietly Elrohir posed yet again, "Ada and even Gandalf have no aid to offer Estel. But we must do something!?"
At odds with his strong pledge to not abandon hope, Legolas wondered how Aragorn could defeat an evil that even prevailed against elves. Suddenly his eyes shot to Elladan's. "Elves have no defense against this curse but Aragorn is a man. That may be his saving grace."
"But mankind is weak, fragile," Elladan countered.
"Yes, in some ways but in other ways they possess a strength that surpasses the race of elves." Legolas explained.
"Like in their stubbornness," Elrohir piped in with a smirk as he looked lovingly at his little brother.
Legolas and Elladan both chimed in with "Absolutely," causing the three elves to chuckle a moment before silence against fell in the room. But now hope grew in each elf's heart, hope that the strength of Aragorn's human blood would prevail against the evil of the curse.
Gandalf sat watching Elrond, letting the silence be unbroken between them. In truth he had no words of comfort or wisdom or aid, his own sorrow at the knowledge that Aragorn would die lay heavily on his heart. For all his powers, for all his wisdom, for all his longevity of life, he was powerless to aid the human he had become so very fond of. For in truth, to dislike Aragorn was to dislike the sun, to hate all that was good in the world. Aragorn was truly a blessing, not because of his bloodline but because of his open heart. Middle earth would not be the same after his passing.
A quiet voice loud with anguish broke Gandalf from his thoughts, "All his life I have molded him to meet his destiny, even long before he even knew what blood ran through his veins. I thought that was the duty that was laid at my feet, that I too had the fate of Middle Earth resting in my hands until he came of age...sought his rightful place in the world of men." Elrond rose from the chair in his study that he had long occupied in stillness. He crossed to the mantle of the fireplace and picked up a carving of a wolf...a carving Aragorn had made for him. "At first I resented the burden of ...him," his voice choking at the sentiment now as the boy he referred to lay dying in a room above. Swallowing hard, he continued, "I cursed Arathorn...Gilraen...Elros. I did not want the child to be my responsibility. Yes, I always offered my aid to the men of Elros' line but this ..this was too much to ask of me...of my "kindness,"" self hatred hued the elf lord's words.
Had Gandalf been able to see Elrond, he would have seen the tear that slipped down the elf's face even as a gentle smile pulled onto his lips. "But Aragorn...he stole my heart, Gandalf. I never planned to raise him myself, I hired servants to do that. And Elladan and Elrohir, though they were great friends of Arathorn, they resented the intrusion his son posed in their ordered life. But Aragorn's pure, loving heart shone too brightly, lured us too close to him and before any of us knew it, we had come to treasure the "burden" with all our hearts. Calling him son..." Elrond swallowed down his emotions, "having him call me ada...it felt natural, truthful, right."
Silence fell again in the room and Gandalf found that his own emotions were too stirred to allow speech.
Elrond leaned his head against the mantle in despair and defeat, "I can not bear this, Gandalf. I have known his fate before he drew breath, for he is mortal and his end is certain. But now that it is here...that there is no reprieve...I can not let him go as I have trained myself to do. He is my child, Gandalf, my son. To accept his death willingly is to renounce my love for him. And I can not, I will not do that."
With resolve Elrond turned to face Gandalf and the wizard was startled by the change in the elf's eyes. The warrior that Elrond once was gleamed in those ancient eyes, daring the very specter of death to try and take away his son. "I care not what destiny demanded of him, Aragorn will live because he is my hope, the hope of his brothers and the hope of Legolas and we, none of us, will abandon our hope."
Elrohir pierced Legolas with an intense look, "Legolas, go tell Ada your theory. He will know what steps we can take to strengthen Estel's human blood."
But Legolas blanched at the thought of confronting Elrond after his previous words to his best friend's father. " I think it best if you suggest it to your father, Elrohir."
"Not me. Elladan, you know best how to convince father," Elrohir countered as his look switched to his older brother.
Before Elladan could respond Elrond and Gandalf entered the room and all three young elves noticed the determined look in the elf lord's eyes.
"Ada, Legolas has a theory," Elrohir blurted out and Elrond and Gandalf both turned to face the prince.
Under Elrond's gaze, Legolas wilted and he almost jumped when Elrond reached a hand out to his shoulder. Steeling himself, Legolas met the eyes of Aragorn's father. To his shock, he found neither anger nor resentment but a look of warmth glowed in the elder elf's gaze.
"I know you will speak from your heart, Legolas, out of your love for Estel. I have heard your previous words and I promise to listen now."
Surprise glittered in Legolas' eyes mixed with relief. Truly he did not wish to be at odds with Aragorn's father. Now with an easier heart, he spoke his theory to aid Aragorn . "I think Aragorn's human blood may offer him the strength, which elvish blood lacks, to overcome this illness. "
Elrond's eyes widened. He had never thought to count his foster son's greatest weakness, namely his humanity, as also his greatest strength. "No man has ever entered the mire.." he began slowly with deep thought.
"Legolas's theory has much merit," Gandalf supported as his eyes met Elrond's.
The younger elves watched their two elders silently consider the theory Legolas posed.
Slowly Elrond spoke aloud his thoughts, "In truth, we do not know exactly how the cursed mire will affect a man. It could be possible that a man is not as vulnerable to it's evil."
Hesitantly Elrohir interjected, "But Estel suffered an injury...in the mire."
This brought a dark cloud upon the group, which Elrond broke as he looked to Elrohir's worry creased face. "But Estel is strong and stubborn and he was in perfect health before his injury. That should be enough to see him through this."
These words lightened all but Legolas' heart, for the prince alone knew about the still healing wound on Aragorn's back. It seemed that it was time for him to break his unspoken vow to Aragorn to keep the injury a secret.. from even his family. Meeting Elrond's hopeful eyes, Legolas steadied himself before he dashed the hope that had sprung through the despair. "He was not in perfect health, my lord," he announced with words heavy and quiet.
Elrond's eyes darkened and his look seared into the young wood elf. "What illness or injury has Estel hidden from our sight, Legolas?"
Unflinchingly Legolas answered, "When I aided Aragorn in changing his clothing...I saw a healing wound upon his back."
Anguish swept across Elrond's face as it did Elladan and Elrohir's, anguish that harm had come to Estel and they, none of them, had been there to prevent it nor tend to the wound.
Almost immediately Elrond crossed to Aragorn, and Legolas, knowing Elrond's intentions, helped the elf lord gently roll Aragorn unto his stomach. With care, Elrond pushed his son's shirt up to reveal the wound on his back.
"Oh Valar!" came from Elrohir even as Elladan and Elrond closed their eyes, as if the pain of Aragorn's wound physically seared through them.
"A man wounded him so," Legolas supplied quietly, his eyes focused on the wound to his friend.
Elrond's eyes flashed up to Legolas. With sharp clarity, he understood what prompted Legolas's earlier words. Legolas had seen Aragorn's injury, had been struck with Aragorn's frailty, of the dangers that his friend faced as a ranger. It had been that knowledge that drove Legolas to beg Elrond to ask Aragorn to not return to the rangers, to not seek his destiny but instead stay hidden, safe in the realms of the elves.
Legolas blushed at Elrond's look. He knew the elf lord now knew what had driven their earlier argument. Elrond's eyes blazed with understanding and softened with love for the elf that offered such fierce friendship to his youngest son.
"I am sorry, Legolas, for my earlier words. In my heart, I wish to protect him as you do," Elrond softly said, his eyes meeting Legolas' and Legolas swallowed hard and simply nodded in understanding and agreement.
Elladan, Elrohir and Gandalf looked between Elrond and Legolas, knowing that they had, somewhere, missed something.
But before any of the three could voice their questions, Elrond was giving out orders. "We must see to this wound. Elrohir, prepare some athelas and Elladan, get me more bandages." Without complaint the twins disappeared on their missions.
Elrond turned again to Legolas, "Estel did not want any of us to know of this injury, did he?"
"No. He has taken painstaking steps to ensure none of us see any weakness in him," Legolas answered as his eyes fell to Aragorn's face.
Sensing Legolas' answer was vague, Elrond guessed, "He has other wounds, doesn't he?"
Legolas met Elrond's intense look. "I have seen some of his scars."
Gandalf's quiet voice startled them both, as they had forgotten his presence. "All rangers bear scars. It is a dangerous life they live. But you know well the truth of my words," and his eyes rested on Elrond.
The elf lord nodded marginally but a haunted look seeped over his features. "Many of Elros' bloodline have chosen the life of a ranger but..." here he faltered.
It was Gandalf who finished Elrond's thought. "But you loved none of them as you do Estel...as a father loves a son."
"No," was Elrond's abrupt reply. "Estel alone has so captured my heart." He looked lovingly down at his son and put a tender hand on Aragorn's head.
Watching the look Elrond bestowed on Aragorn, Legolas felt utterly ashamed that he had doubted Elrond's love for his human son. "I am sorry for doubting your love for Estel." Elrond's eyes flew to Legolas'. "I know now how heavily Aragorn's fate weighs on you...even as it does Aragorn."
"I would sacrifice much to spare him his destiny, to spare him pain, to spare him his mortal fate." Silence fell a moment before Elrond continued. "When Elros made his choice, I swore I would not suffer the pain of loving a mortal again. Yes, I aided my brother's heirs as I could but never did I treat them as anything but a family obligation. Sometimes I wish I could have kept Aragorn at bay but my heart had not the strength to resist the boy."
"Not many hearts can withhold their love from Aragorn," Gandalf added as his own eyes looked to the human that he himself held dear.
"I know I tried my hardest to dislike him because he was a man," Legolas said with a smile, "but how can you dislike someone who saves your life."
"Tis very hard indeed," Gandalf agreed with a twinkle in his eyes.
Moments later Elladan and Elrohir returned in possession of the items Elrond had requested. Without delay Elrond began tending to the enflamed wound on his son's back, praying to the Valar that easing this hurt would give his son the strength to survive the mire's curse.
TBC
Hope to see ya all next chapter! (And yes, chapter 7 contains yet more angst! Hey I said I started writing this story because I needed a strong dose of angst! I figured that was a pretty good warning of things to come!)
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Tychen: I loved your "write hard, and do not look back" it makes me wanna run down right now and watch the movie all over again! (An urge I get quite often!) And your words were just poetic! You expressed the great feelings expressed in harm/comfort situations so beautifully and clearly! I hope you read my little author's note at the start of this chapter about the "fate" of a certain ranger?! (No rangers were harmed...ah, no scratch that. No rangers were killed in the making of this story.)And thank you for appreciating the way I expressed the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn. (Hope the little mouse had an easier time sneaking onto the computer for this chapter! Thanks for stealing time away to read and review my story!)
Emiri-Chan: I think you're taking the whole cliffhanger thing ....ah...quite well?! And as I said in my author's notes, this will not turn into a death fic. I don't write them and I don't read them. Seems like too much reality for me! And very tricksy about the aka names?! But hey, I'll take as many reviews under as many names as you want to give me! I appreciate them all!
Lady Jaina: I was hoping you'd like the angst between Legolas and Aragorn! And yes, taking them to the depths of despair...oh could life get any better?! Thanks for your review!
Star-Stallion: I'm now crying cause you were crying!! But I hear a good cry is healthy now and again. And I promise to not kill Estel (kidnap him and keep him all for myself...good possibility). Thanks for your review!
Marbienl: I agree, convincing Elrond to keep Estel safely at home...ain't gonna happen. But I couldn't resist having Legolas make the request. And ya, Legolas kinda beat up on Elrond this chapter (In truth, I think that was some of my own "repressed" feelings coming through. I'm still angry that Elrond brow beat Aragorn into giving up Arwen in TTT.) The Aragorn seizing idea, well, I was a little worried that I had gone way too dramatic but I just couldn't help myself (I'm evil like you too!) Glad you appreciated that part of the story. And please read on in the safe knowledge the our favorite ranger survives this little tale of mine! And I have read Nili's stories and they are truly awesome! Thanks for your review!
Tailspin: I'm really glad you like the story and took the time to review it! Hope you like the rest of the story and drop me a review or two!
Rosie: Thanks for reviewing! And I'm glad you think my story is dramatic...boy, I'm trying hard to make it so. I hope you like the next chapters and tell me what you think of them!
Luinthien: Thanks for your compliment! I'ld love to hear what you think of this chapter!
Bill the Pony2: Well, I promised you angst and I mean to deliver! As you can tell by this chapter, I LOVE my angst...hope you do to! Thanks for reviewing!
Grumpy: I loved your pep talk for Elrond and Legolas...too bad they probably won't listen. And I did feel kinda sorry for Elrond but I think he gets so blinded by that "destiny" thing with Aragorn that he forgets the here and now. Thanks for your review!
Daniela: Well, as you can tell in this chapter, Legolas finally had to tell Elrond about Aragorn's previous injury.(You knew I couldn't let a juicy secret like that remain uncovered?!) And yes, Aragorn is best suited to return to the rangers...to carve out his own path but I think it's only natural to try and protect the ones you love...even when you are trying to protect them from the life they have chosen. About the whole tainted blood thing...well, I know less than nothing about blood poisoning so I decided to come up with this whole "cursed mire". And with the magical words "cursed" I was hoping you would let me off the hook of really knowing how to treat an injury. (I love scifi/fantasy writing because I can write a plausible explanation for my total ignorance on any topic!). So for the sake of this story, Aragorn is fighting off a "curse" and Elrond has not found a way to vanquish it. (Corny, I know but I never said I wasn't a corny kinda person!) As for my "destiny" story, I kinda know what conversations will be held but I have to smooth out the scenes but I'll try and post that chapter 2 right after I'm finished writing this story. I really appreciate your interest in both of my stories!!!!
Alex mistress squirrel: Thank you for your review and I'm hoping you didn't have to wait too long for this chapter! As I stated in the author's notes, I will not be killing Estel. So read on without fear!
Jadelyn Rashwe: Thanks for your review! And I'm glad you like my dose of Elrond angst! (I guess you didn't mind that I had Legolas chew him out?!?) Hope to hear from you again!
Reccovende: Thanks for your compliment! And I loved that my story can be termed as "gut-clenching angst". That's exactly what I was shooting for! And I too feel "good" when I read an angsty story...well as long as the characters don't die. Angst is fun/death is not. (Therefore you will note that Aragorn will not be dying in this story.) Loved to hear what you think of this chapter!
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.
Author's Note: Some of you are concerned that I am going to kill off Aragorn. Well be reassured that I'm all about harm/comfort/angst not death!! Take him to the brink of death, make him wish for death, yes...but kill the ranger I love best?!?! No Way! Hope this information doesn't spoil the story for anyone but personally I never read stories that kill off one of the characters. I'm all about happy endings! Ok. Now that that's cleared up I wanted to clarify that this chapter is where my story goes a little more AU: For the sake of this little story of mine, both of Aragorn's parents perished when he was young. (Oh...so much for my loving happy endings!?! )
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Chapter 6
Legolas watched Aragorn's motionless body with anguish. How could his friend be so full of life this morning and now lay so very close to death's door. The word "fragile" rang through his head and he hated the sound of it...the proof of it.
Washing Aragorn's face gently with a wet cloth, Legolas flinched at the heat generating from the human's body. It would not be long before seizures again wracked through his friend if the fever did not lower. Legolas found he would do anything to not see Aragorn seizing again. Anything.
He looked across his best friend's still form to the twins. Each wore a look of anguish that nearly broke his heart and yet he could find no words of comfort for them...or even for himself.
It was Elrohir who broke the silence with a pained question, "Can we do nothing to aid him?!" his eyes searched his twin's with desperation.
Elladan pulled his hand from Aragorn's, stood up and walked to the window. The action startled and frightened Legolas and Elrohir. And his soft words did nothing to ease their fears. "I watched ada try to save each of the five elves that fell victim to the mire's curse. At first they ...they were fine, if they suffered an injury it was a minor one and then...then they fell ill like Estel." He hung his head a moment before resettling his look on the falls outside. "But the illness seemed...treatable..." Elladan turned to face Legolas and Elrohir, "and each time father refused to abandon hope for his patient's survival..." Elladan broke off abruptly and shook his head in hopeless despair.
Elrohir spoke but so faintly that his voice was but a little more than a whisper, "It is as if doomed hope is yet another cruel weapon the mire unleashes, ensnaring all those ill fated enough to love the one who fell victim to the curse."
Elladan after a moment spoke again, his words driving deeply and bitterly into each elf's heart. "For all ada's knowledge of healing, for all his determination, for all his hope, he could save none of those stricken."
Legolas turned his look again to Aragorn with worry and fear. He pushed Aragorn's sweat soaked hair from his forehead. "I will not abandon hope."
And Estel's brothers knew the double meaning of Legolas's pledge.
Quietly Elrohir posed yet again, "Ada and even Gandalf have no aid to offer Estel. But we must do something!?"
At odds with his strong pledge to not abandon hope, Legolas wondered how Aragorn could defeat an evil that even prevailed against elves. Suddenly his eyes shot to Elladan's. "Elves have no defense against this curse but Aragorn is a man. That may be his saving grace."
"But mankind is weak, fragile," Elladan countered.
"Yes, in some ways but in other ways they possess a strength that surpasses the race of elves." Legolas explained.
"Like in their stubbornness," Elrohir piped in with a smirk as he looked lovingly at his little brother.
Legolas and Elladan both chimed in with "Absolutely," causing the three elves to chuckle a moment before silence against fell in the room. But now hope grew in each elf's heart, hope that the strength of Aragorn's human blood would prevail against the evil of the curse.
Gandalf sat watching Elrond, letting the silence be unbroken between them. In truth he had no words of comfort or wisdom or aid, his own sorrow at the knowledge that Aragorn would die lay heavily on his heart. For all his powers, for all his wisdom, for all his longevity of life, he was powerless to aid the human he had become so very fond of. For in truth, to dislike Aragorn was to dislike the sun, to hate all that was good in the world. Aragorn was truly a blessing, not because of his bloodline but because of his open heart. Middle earth would not be the same after his passing.
A quiet voice loud with anguish broke Gandalf from his thoughts, "All his life I have molded him to meet his destiny, even long before he even knew what blood ran through his veins. I thought that was the duty that was laid at my feet, that I too had the fate of Middle Earth resting in my hands until he came of age...sought his rightful place in the world of men." Elrond rose from the chair in his study that he had long occupied in stillness. He crossed to the mantle of the fireplace and picked up a carving of a wolf...a carving Aragorn had made for him. "At first I resented the burden of ...him," his voice choking at the sentiment now as the boy he referred to lay dying in a room above. Swallowing hard, he continued, "I cursed Arathorn...Gilraen...Elros. I did not want the child to be my responsibility. Yes, I always offered my aid to the men of Elros' line but this ..this was too much to ask of me...of my "kindness,"" self hatred hued the elf lord's words.
Had Gandalf been able to see Elrond, he would have seen the tear that slipped down the elf's face even as a gentle smile pulled onto his lips. "But Aragorn...he stole my heart, Gandalf. I never planned to raise him myself, I hired servants to do that. And Elladan and Elrohir, though they were great friends of Arathorn, they resented the intrusion his son posed in their ordered life. But Aragorn's pure, loving heart shone too brightly, lured us too close to him and before any of us knew it, we had come to treasure the "burden" with all our hearts. Calling him son..." Elrond swallowed down his emotions, "having him call me ada...it felt natural, truthful, right."
Silence fell again in the room and Gandalf found that his own emotions were too stirred to allow speech.
Elrond leaned his head against the mantle in despair and defeat, "I can not bear this, Gandalf. I have known his fate before he drew breath, for he is mortal and his end is certain. But now that it is here...that there is no reprieve...I can not let him go as I have trained myself to do. He is my child, Gandalf, my son. To accept his death willingly is to renounce my love for him. And I can not, I will not do that."
With resolve Elrond turned to face Gandalf and the wizard was startled by the change in the elf's eyes. The warrior that Elrond once was gleamed in those ancient eyes, daring the very specter of death to try and take away his son. "I care not what destiny demanded of him, Aragorn will live because he is my hope, the hope of his brothers and the hope of Legolas and we, none of us, will abandon our hope."
Elrohir pierced Legolas with an intense look, "Legolas, go tell Ada your theory. He will know what steps we can take to strengthen Estel's human blood."
But Legolas blanched at the thought of confronting Elrond after his previous words to his best friend's father. " I think it best if you suggest it to your father, Elrohir."
"Not me. Elladan, you know best how to convince father," Elrohir countered as his look switched to his older brother.
Before Elladan could respond Elrond and Gandalf entered the room and all three young elves noticed the determined look in the elf lord's eyes.
"Ada, Legolas has a theory," Elrohir blurted out and Elrond and Gandalf both turned to face the prince.
Under Elrond's gaze, Legolas wilted and he almost jumped when Elrond reached a hand out to his shoulder. Steeling himself, Legolas met the eyes of Aragorn's father. To his shock, he found neither anger nor resentment but a look of warmth glowed in the elder elf's gaze.
"I know you will speak from your heart, Legolas, out of your love for Estel. I have heard your previous words and I promise to listen now."
Surprise glittered in Legolas' eyes mixed with relief. Truly he did not wish to be at odds with Aragorn's father. Now with an easier heart, he spoke his theory to aid Aragorn . "I think Aragorn's human blood may offer him the strength, which elvish blood lacks, to overcome this illness. "
Elrond's eyes widened. He had never thought to count his foster son's greatest weakness, namely his humanity, as also his greatest strength. "No man has ever entered the mire.." he began slowly with deep thought.
"Legolas's theory has much merit," Gandalf supported as his eyes met Elrond's.
The younger elves watched their two elders silently consider the theory Legolas posed.
Slowly Elrond spoke aloud his thoughts, "In truth, we do not know exactly how the cursed mire will affect a man. It could be possible that a man is not as vulnerable to it's evil."
Hesitantly Elrohir interjected, "But Estel suffered an injury...in the mire."
This brought a dark cloud upon the group, which Elrond broke as he looked to Elrohir's worry creased face. "But Estel is strong and stubborn and he was in perfect health before his injury. That should be enough to see him through this."
These words lightened all but Legolas' heart, for the prince alone knew about the still healing wound on Aragorn's back. It seemed that it was time for him to break his unspoken vow to Aragorn to keep the injury a secret.. from even his family. Meeting Elrond's hopeful eyes, Legolas steadied himself before he dashed the hope that had sprung through the despair. "He was not in perfect health, my lord," he announced with words heavy and quiet.
Elrond's eyes darkened and his look seared into the young wood elf. "What illness or injury has Estel hidden from our sight, Legolas?"
Unflinchingly Legolas answered, "When I aided Aragorn in changing his clothing...I saw a healing wound upon his back."
Anguish swept across Elrond's face as it did Elladan and Elrohir's, anguish that harm had come to Estel and they, none of them, had been there to prevent it nor tend to the wound.
Almost immediately Elrond crossed to Aragorn, and Legolas, knowing Elrond's intentions, helped the elf lord gently roll Aragorn unto his stomach. With care, Elrond pushed his son's shirt up to reveal the wound on his back.
"Oh Valar!" came from Elrohir even as Elladan and Elrond closed their eyes, as if the pain of Aragorn's wound physically seared through them.
"A man wounded him so," Legolas supplied quietly, his eyes focused on the wound to his friend.
Elrond's eyes flashed up to Legolas. With sharp clarity, he understood what prompted Legolas's earlier words. Legolas had seen Aragorn's injury, had been struck with Aragorn's frailty, of the dangers that his friend faced as a ranger. It had been that knowledge that drove Legolas to beg Elrond to ask Aragorn to not return to the rangers, to not seek his destiny but instead stay hidden, safe in the realms of the elves.
Legolas blushed at Elrond's look. He knew the elf lord now knew what had driven their earlier argument. Elrond's eyes blazed with understanding and softened with love for the elf that offered such fierce friendship to his youngest son.
"I am sorry, Legolas, for my earlier words. In my heart, I wish to protect him as you do," Elrond softly said, his eyes meeting Legolas' and Legolas swallowed hard and simply nodded in understanding and agreement.
Elladan, Elrohir and Gandalf looked between Elrond and Legolas, knowing that they had, somewhere, missed something.
But before any of the three could voice their questions, Elrond was giving out orders. "We must see to this wound. Elrohir, prepare some athelas and Elladan, get me more bandages." Without complaint the twins disappeared on their missions.
Elrond turned again to Legolas, "Estel did not want any of us to know of this injury, did he?"
"No. He has taken painstaking steps to ensure none of us see any weakness in him," Legolas answered as his eyes fell to Aragorn's face.
Sensing Legolas' answer was vague, Elrond guessed, "He has other wounds, doesn't he?"
Legolas met Elrond's intense look. "I have seen some of his scars."
Gandalf's quiet voice startled them both, as they had forgotten his presence. "All rangers bear scars. It is a dangerous life they live. But you know well the truth of my words," and his eyes rested on Elrond.
The elf lord nodded marginally but a haunted look seeped over his features. "Many of Elros' bloodline have chosen the life of a ranger but..." here he faltered.
It was Gandalf who finished Elrond's thought. "But you loved none of them as you do Estel...as a father loves a son."
"No," was Elrond's abrupt reply. "Estel alone has so captured my heart." He looked lovingly down at his son and put a tender hand on Aragorn's head.
Watching the look Elrond bestowed on Aragorn, Legolas felt utterly ashamed that he had doubted Elrond's love for his human son. "I am sorry for doubting your love for Estel." Elrond's eyes flew to Legolas'. "I know now how heavily Aragorn's fate weighs on you...even as it does Aragorn."
"I would sacrifice much to spare him his destiny, to spare him pain, to spare him his mortal fate." Silence fell a moment before Elrond continued. "When Elros made his choice, I swore I would not suffer the pain of loving a mortal again. Yes, I aided my brother's heirs as I could but never did I treat them as anything but a family obligation. Sometimes I wish I could have kept Aragorn at bay but my heart had not the strength to resist the boy."
"Not many hearts can withhold their love from Aragorn," Gandalf added as his own eyes looked to the human that he himself held dear.
"I know I tried my hardest to dislike him because he was a man," Legolas said with a smile, "but how can you dislike someone who saves your life."
"Tis very hard indeed," Gandalf agreed with a twinkle in his eyes.
Moments later Elladan and Elrohir returned in possession of the items Elrond had requested. Without delay Elrond began tending to the enflamed wound on his son's back, praying to the Valar that easing this hurt would give his son the strength to survive the mire's curse.
TBC
Hope to see ya all next chapter! (And yes, chapter 7 contains yet more angst! Hey I said I started writing this story because I needed a strong dose of angst! I figured that was a pretty good warning of things to come!)
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Tychen: I loved your "write hard, and do not look back" it makes me wanna run down right now and watch the movie all over again! (An urge I get quite often!) And your words were just poetic! You expressed the great feelings expressed in harm/comfort situations so beautifully and clearly! I hope you read my little author's note at the start of this chapter about the "fate" of a certain ranger?! (No rangers were harmed...ah, no scratch that. No rangers were killed in the making of this story.)And thank you for appreciating the way I expressed the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn. (Hope the little mouse had an easier time sneaking onto the computer for this chapter! Thanks for stealing time away to read and review my story!)
Emiri-Chan: I think you're taking the whole cliffhanger thing ....ah...quite well?! And as I said in my author's notes, this will not turn into a death fic. I don't write them and I don't read them. Seems like too much reality for me! And very tricksy about the aka names?! But hey, I'll take as many reviews under as many names as you want to give me! I appreciate them all!
Lady Jaina: I was hoping you'd like the angst between Legolas and Aragorn! And yes, taking them to the depths of despair...oh could life get any better?! Thanks for your review!
Star-Stallion: I'm now crying cause you were crying!! But I hear a good cry is healthy now and again. And I promise to not kill Estel (kidnap him and keep him all for myself...good possibility). Thanks for your review!
Marbienl: I agree, convincing Elrond to keep Estel safely at home...ain't gonna happen. But I couldn't resist having Legolas make the request. And ya, Legolas kinda beat up on Elrond this chapter (In truth, I think that was some of my own "repressed" feelings coming through. I'm still angry that Elrond brow beat Aragorn into giving up Arwen in TTT.) The Aragorn seizing idea, well, I was a little worried that I had gone way too dramatic but I just couldn't help myself (I'm evil like you too!) Glad you appreciated that part of the story. And please read on in the safe knowledge the our favorite ranger survives this little tale of mine! And I have read Nili's stories and they are truly awesome! Thanks for your review!
Tailspin: I'm really glad you like the story and took the time to review it! Hope you like the rest of the story and drop me a review or two!
Rosie: Thanks for reviewing! And I'm glad you think my story is dramatic...boy, I'm trying hard to make it so. I hope you like the next chapters and tell me what you think of them!
Luinthien: Thanks for your compliment! I'ld love to hear what you think of this chapter!
Bill the Pony2: Well, I promised you angst and I mean to deliver! As you can tell by this chapter, I LOVE my angst...hope you do to! Thanks for reviewing!
Grumpy: I loved your pep talk for Elrond and Legolas...too bad they probably won't listen. And I did feel kinda sorry for Elrond but I think he gets so blinded by that "destiny" thing with Aragorn that he forgets the here and now. Thanks for your review!
Daniela: Well, as you can tell in this chapter, Legolas finally had to tell Elrond about Aragorn's previous injury.(You knew I couldn't let a juicy secret like that remain uncovered?!) And yes, Aragorn is best suited to return to the rangers...to carve out his own path but I think it's only natural to try and protect the ones you love...even when you are trying to protect them from the life they have chosen. About the whole tainted blood thing...well, I know less than nothing about blood poisoning so I decided to come up with this whole "cursed mire". And with the magical words "cursed" I was hoping you would let me off the hook of really knowing how to treat an injury. (I love scifi/fantasy writing because I can write a plausible explanation for my total ignorance on any topic!). So for the sake of this story, Aragorn is fighting off a "curse" and Elrond has not found a way to vanquish it. (Corny, I know but I never said I wasn't a corny kinda person!) As for my "destiny" story, I kinda know what conversations will be held but I have to smooth out the scenes but I'll try and post that chapter 2 right after I'm finished writing this story. I really appreciate your interest in both of my stories!!!!
Alex mistress squirrel: Thank you for your review and I'm hoping you didn't have to wait too long for this chapter! As I stated in the author's notes, I will not be killing Estel. So read on without fear!
Jadelyn Rashwe: Thanks for your review! And I'm glad you like my dose of Elrond angst! (I guess you didn't mind that I had Legolas chew him out?!?) Hope to hear from you again!
Reccovende: Thanks for your compliment! And I loved that my story can be termed as "gut-clenching angst". That's exactly what I was shooting for! And I too feel "good" when I read an angsty story...well as long as the characters don't die. Angst is fun/death is not. (Therefore you will note that Aragorn will not be dying in this story.) Loved to hear what you think of this chapter!